By A Correspondent- United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) has approached the High Court seeking an eviction order against its excommunicated pastor who is allegedly refusing to vacate the church house.

Rev Antony Unganayi Nyandoro is a former pastor of UPCI who has since been excommunicated from the church. His ministerial licence was also annulled. He was accused of leading a group of church members who sought to unconstitutionally replace the church’s national board and executive board.

Rev Nyandoro was also accused by his rivals of gross mismanagement of church funds and usurping the functions of the executive board.

The church said despite causing unlawful and disorderly behaviour, Rev Nyandoro and his sympathisers refused to attend a disciplinary hearing, which subsequently led to their ex-communication from church and ministerial duties.

Rev Nyandoro, together with three others – Reverends Samuel Mugwiji, Edward Fish Gwebu and Pride Nhokwara, belonging to his camp, were in 2018 interdicted from using the church’s name and using church premises in New Lobengula suburb and Eastlea in Harare by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese.

They were ordered not to attend and interrupt church meetings following an application by UPCI. They were also barred from staging demonstrations against the church’s leaders and members.

Rev Nyandoro is part of the leadership of the breakaway group which caused violent skirmishes and disrupted the church’s Easter Conference in Kwekwe in April 2018 resulting in the intervention of anti-riot police and the Zimbabwe National Army.

During the conference, ZRP and ZNA provided security to quell the threat of violence.

The church, the world’s largest Oneness Pentecostal denomination headquartered in Weldon Spring, Missouri, United States, is mired in leadership disputes that have resulted in nine court cases at the High Court in Bulawayo and Harare. UPCI was formed in 1945 by a merger of the former Pentecostal Church, Inc. and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ.

UPCI, through its lawyers Liberty Mcijo and Associates, filed summons at the Bulawayo High Court citing Rev Nyandoro as a defendant.

The church wants an eviction order against Rev Nyandoro is pursuant to Justice Makonese’s ruling under case number HC1675/17 in which the defendant was part of the individuals that were interdicted from using church buildings in Bulawayo and Harare.

“The defendant is a former pastor who has since been excommunicated from the church and had his ministerial licence cancelled. He, however, continues to live on church premises despite the fact that he is no longer part of the church,” said the lawyers.

The church wants an order directing the defendant to vacate the church premises including all those claiming occupation through him.

“Due to the fact that the defendant is no longer a member of the church and was only using the premises by virtue of his membership, he is liable to eviction. Wherefore, the plaintiff claim against the defendant is for his immediate ejectment on the grounds that he was excommunicated from the church,” said the lawyers.

The church said Rev Nyandoro was given a notice to vacate the church premises, but remained defiant.

The church said in the event that the defendant refused to comply within 48 hours of the granting of the order, the Sheriff of the High Court should be directed to remove him.

Rev Nyandoro is yet to respond to the application.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Three suspected armed robbers, who were allegedly offering lifts to hitch-hikers along Simon Muzenda Street (formerly Fourth Street) before robbing them of cash and goods, have been arrested.

The trio is said to have been masquerading as police and army officers and using a black Honda Fit to pick up passengers before diverting to rob the unsuspecting passengers.

They were arrested by a team of officers from Rhodesville Police Station and one of the suspects was wearing police uniform The suspects were yesterday still assisting police with investigations and are expected to appear in court soon.

It is alleged that the suspects would commit the robberies in Hillside near Mukuvisi Woodlands where they would dump their victims. Their luck ran out when they were waylaid by police on Tuesday evening.

Police have been warning members of the public against boarding private vehicles as they can fall prey to robbers. Early this month, two suspected armed robbers, believed to be part of a Harare gang that had been offering lifts to people before robbing them of their cash and valuables were arrested.

Blessing Kamushanga (26) and Oscar Mhozha (26) were allegedly targeting women around the Southerton area and were also using a Honda Fit. They would mainly rob their victims of handbags, cash and other valuables.

Police said most robbers were using unregistered private vehicles and were mostly using Toyota Raum, Spacio, Fun Cargo, Ipsum and Honda Fit vehicles.

-statemedia

Following the sad passing on of veteran journalist and Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) after a short illness, the media fraternity has plunged into mourning.

The Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ) described the late Dongozi as very supportive of journalists and pushed media industry issues to media owners and government.

He was quite openly supportive of journalists that ventured into leadership positions either in the industry as media owners or in governance in either Parliament or Cabinet and in other sectors so as to have media issues being discussed at high levels.

“Dongozi leaves a rich legacy around empowerment and providing incentives for journalists. He was among the brains that transformed the National Journalistic and Media Awards (Njama) to greater heights and for the occasion to be an annual key event on the media calendar,” MAZ said in a statement.

Young Journalists Association (YOJA) said Dongozi supported of young media professionals having their own union to push their issues.

“Foster was one of the many senior journalists who supported the idea of a union mainly for young media practitioners on our formation,” said YOJA.

By A Correspondent- Police here have recovered the body of a suspected border jumper who drowned in the Limpopo River while illegally crossing between South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The body was found in an advanced state of decomposition.

Currently, the Limpopo River, now six metres deep, and many streams are in flood with heavy rains continuing in most parts of Beitbridge district and northern South Africa.

The local Civil Protection Unit has since issued out early warnings to communities around Shashe, Umzingwane and Limpopo Rivers to take precautionary measures.

Officer commanding Beitbridge District, Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo said police were yet to get more reports on drownings and that most information was filtering through the grapevine and these were being investigated.

“We have been hearing rumours, but it is very difficult to establish the facts without anyone reporting on the cases or location,” he said. “However, so far we have one case of drowning that occurred at an illegal crossing point near Panda Mine.

“We have retrieved the body of a man who was spotted trapped between rocks by a villager who was looking for his donkeys along the Limpopo River on December 17.”

Chief Supt Nyongo said the naked corpse had been taken to Beitbridge District Hospital for a post-mortem. He said the remains were found trapped some 20 metres from the Limpopo River.

“The body of the unidentified man was retrieved at the advanced state of decomposition and indications are that he could have drowned while crossing the flooded Limpopo River,” said the senior police officer.

Cases of drowning have become common in Beitbridge during the rainy season. In January this year, two mourners from Mtetengwe area drowned while taking a bath in the flooded Umzingwane River.

Late last year, four fishermen drowned in the flooded Zhovhe Dam when a boat they were using capsized while they were casting fishing nets. The dam is located 63km west of Beitbridge along Umzingwane River.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Cyclone Chalane may hit Manicaland Province, especially Chimanimani District, next Thursday with President Mnangagwa putting the country on alert and the Department of Civil Protection (DCP) meeting yesterday to ensure all measures were in place should the cyclone strike.

Few Indian Ocean cyclones get as far as Zimbabwe, but Chalane is on a course for Beira, so Zimbabwean officials are getting ready. If the cyclone hits Chimanimani, this will be the second time the area would have been affected by a cyclone in 21 months, after Cyclone Idai left a trail of death, destruction and displacement of people in March last year.

AccuWeather senior meteorologist Mr Jason Nicholls tweeted yesterday that the tropical cyclone may strike north-east Madagascar on Saturday or Sunday and then could move towards Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

In his address in Chivi yesterday while commissioning the Chombwe Piped Water Scheme, the President warned that the cyclone could move into Zimbabwe and asked chiefs and other traditional leaders to warn communities.

DCP director Mr Nathan Nkomo told reporters yesterday that  there had been an Emergency Services sub-committee meeting to plan for any cyclone.

“We are prepared, remember before we develop a contingency plan, it requires funding and this funding was approved by Cabinet in November,” said Mr Nkomo.

“But as for tropical Cyclone Chalane, we met today as the Emergency Services Sub-Committee of the National Civil Protection Committee.

“The Meteorological Services Department has indicated that it is monitoring developments in the eastern parts of Mozambique hourly. And from 31 December to the 1 January, they will continue to monitor whether the cyclone will affect Zimbabwe or not.”

Mr Nkomo said the social media had helped spread the message about the potential cyclone in the provinces, although their structures are on the ground to raise awareness, “without causing pandemonium”.

Representatives from ministries such Public, Service and Social Welfare and Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage were part of yesterday’s meeting, as they play roles such as food and shelter provision, and rescuing marooned people.

Zimbabwe National Water Authority officials also attended as Zinwa will be responsible for monitoring river levels.

Mr Nkomo said they agreed to come up with “a priority plan”, adding that there was need for the identification of institutions that would be used to house any people displaced by the cyclone or needing emergency shelter.

“The institutions should be within reach and technically they should be boarding schools given their infrastructure,” he said.

Traditional leaders have been engaged to raise awareness in their areas, prepare people for evacuation should the need arise while those taking medication, for instance, should have their tablets at hand.

In terms of transport, the DCP will discuss the logistics with Zupco in mind to ensure the movement of people “is done with dignity”, but should the situation deteriorate, any mode of transport that can be obtained will be used.

In a telephone interview, Chimanimani East legislator, Joshua Sacco said awareness campaigns had started while the Chimanimani District Civil Protection Unit had an emergency meeting yesterday to chart the way forward. He is raising awareness about the potential cyclone on his Facebook page, but said he spoke with the Met Department. They were unaware at this stage of the path the cyclone will take until it gets to Beira, Mozambique around December 29 or 30.

Added Sacco:

“Anyway, we have started awareness campaigns and this afternoon (yesterday) the Chimanimani District Civil Protection Unit met to discuss modalities on preparedness and I think central Government may also come in to assist.

“But it is only after the cyclone hits Mozambique that we will start considering evacuations; at this stage we have not started evacuations because the cyclone may change path and go south or north.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Three suspected armed robbers, who were allegedly offering lifts to hitch-hikers along Simon Muzenda Street (formerly Fourth Street) before robbing them of cash and goods, have been arrested.

The trio is said to have been masquerading as police and army officers and using a black Honda Fit to pick up passengers before diverting to rob the unsuspecting passengers.

They were arrested by a team of officers from Rhodesville Police Station and one of the suspects was wearing police uniform The suspects were yesterday still assisting police with investigations and are expected to appear in court soon.

1It is alleged that the suspects would commit the robberies in Hillside near Mukuvisi Woodlands where they would dump their victims. Their luck ran out when they were waylaid by police on Tuesday evening.

Police have been warning members of the public against boarding private vehicles as they can fall prey to robbers. Early this month, two suspected armed robbers, believed to be part of a Harare gang that had been offering lifts to people before robbing them of their cash and valuables were arrested.

Blessing Kamushanga (26) and Oscar Mhozha (26) were allegedly targeting women around the Southerton area and were also using a Honda Fit. They would mainly rob their victims of handbags, cash and other valuables.

Police said most robbers were using unregistered private vehicles and were mostly using Toyota Raum, Spacio, Fun Cargo, Ipsum and Honda Fit vehicles.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Opposition politician Jacob Ngarivhume sees a bleak future for opposition politics in Zimbabwe, and has resigned to the fact that the ruling Zanu-PF will win again in the 2023 elections.

Ngarivhume, who fronts the Transform Zimbabwe movement, was part of the MDC Alliance in the 2018 harmonized elections, and pulled out of the coalition last year but remained vibrant in the opposition trenches.

Still smarting from his arrest in July this year over the foiled #July31 protests, Ngarivhume says lack of unity is the biggest undoing for the opposition in Zimbabwe, and other opposition leaders have agreed with him.

“I think more disappointing than fighting Zanu-PF is the lack of unity amongst the opposition,” Ngarivhume wrote on social media, adding that now was the time to act and to “tell it like it is”.

With 2020 already in the rear-view mirror and just over two years to the next plebiscite, Ngarivhume says infighting among the country’s opposition movements has handed Zanu-PF an undeserved breath of fresh air.

Daniel Shumba, who leads the much smaller and virtually unknown United Democratic Alliance (UDA), agreed with Ngarivhume.

“We need to open discussions on pertinent issues of constitutionalism, rule of law, state capture, reforms, and governance. None should entitle themselves or behave as if they are the anointed opposition,” Shumba, also a losing presidential candidate in the 2018 elections, said in apparent reference to the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance.

“We may narrow down to two or three opposition parties because of ideologies. We are aware of our enemy’s modus operandi. More than infiltration they murder, jail, disenfranchise, expropriate, torture, and use the whole state machinery as their proxy. Nonetheless, we must counter, adapt, and employ smart means. We must ostracize them from echelons of power.”

But President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson, George Charamba, laughed off the sentiment by both Ngarivhume and Shumba, saying the opposition was its own worst enemy.

“You want them to unite over such quisling cause? They are united in rejecting it!” Charamba told off Ngarivhume.

Dr. Brian Sedze, a leading business executive and former organizers of State galas, said the main error lied in the belief among opposition politicians that their main fight was to get rid of Zanu-PF.

“I do not think the idea is to fight Zanu-PF but to fight for a better Zimbabwe. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to differentiate the one being fought and the fighter in terms of character or DNA. Ideology, policy and strategy are more important than #ZanuMustGo hashtags,” said Dr Sedze.

Recently, former Zanu-PF chief propagandist Professor Jonathan Moyo also said the main opposition in particular the MDC Alliance was focusing on Chamisa’s soundbites which make good news headlines but mean nothing to the average voter.  Moyo, who is in exile since the fall of the Robert Mugabe regime over three years ago, cited the #MugabeMustGo mantra of the MDC under Morgan Tsvangirai as another false mirage that kept the opposition busy all for nothing in the end.

Moyo reckoned that when Mugabe indeed left in November 2017 under pressure from his former colleagues, the army and even opposition leaders, nothing has changed in terms of the fortunes of the opposition supporters, showing the bigger problem was not an individual.

Ngarivhume admits that 2023 is a tall order for the opposition, especially considering that Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube appeared to have tamed the runaway inflation which had presented hope of an economic implosion MDC Alliance supporters.

“I don’t think we are going to make progress in 2023 until we deal with the elephant in the room,” said Ngarivhume, referring to disunity and ego in opposition structures.

Political analyst Mufaro Chambati told the Zimbabwe Voice that unless the camp led by Nelson Chamisa realized they were being taken down a garden path, the opposition will be left even more bruised after the 2023 elections.

“There are plenty signs of poor leadership, dictatorship, student politics and politics of the stomach in the main MDC Alliance. (Nelson) Chamisa and his followers think populism is a sign of quality leadership, but in truth he lacks strategic thinking, conflict resolution and basic management skills. Does MDC Alliance need a new leader ahead of the 2023 elections? I bet so!”

-ZimbabweVoice

By A Correspondent- Bulawayo’s road network has collapsed following heavy rains that are being experienced in the city and elsewhere across the country and council needs approximately US$500 million to fix them.

Earlier this year, the local authority said 70 percent of its 2 389km road network needed urgent attention. Motorists in the city have bemoaned the dilapidated state of the road network which is damaging their vehicles.

They said the potholed roads are also to blame for some of the accidents being experienced across the city.

Most of the city’s major roads have become an eyesore due to potholes but the situation is worse for feeder roads leading to residential areas. While council has tried to renovate major roads, the feeder roads appear to have been neglected for years.

Rains that have been received recently have further damaged even the roads that were deemed to be in good shape.

So bad are the roads that some residents are joking that the potholes are part of the widely adopted Intwasa/Pfumvudza climate proof farming method under implementation to improve the country’s yields.

Memes abound depicting the deep potholes as the holes used for planting in the national programme.

Some motorists have resorted to avoiding some of the bad roads, such as Khami Road near Ingwebu Breweries. Mr Vuyo Phiri from Cowdray Park suburb said:

“The roads are so bad, it’s even worse for us with light vehicles. I lost my car’s shocks because of these roads. After it rains it gets worse because you won’t even know that you are going through a pothole until you hit it as it would be filled with water.

The sad situation is that we are now also recording accidents as a result of potholes. Mr Vuyo Phiri Last week, I saw someone being hit by a car which swerved off the road while the driver tried to avoid going through a pothole. The pedestrian lost his life along Luveve Road just after the flyover.”

Another motorist Ms Millicent Soko said driving has become more difficult especially as drivers have to constantly manoeuvre to avoid the potholes.

“It damages cars, the suspension, tyres and the like. One gets tired driving short distances as they will be constantly changing gears and swerving to avoid the potholes. You have to be always extra alert on the road just to avoid hitting a pothole. The problem is that we are not even seeing the council doing anything to patch some of the potholes. The old ones have become deeper while new ones have emerged,” said Ms Soko.

Miss Gugulethu Mpofu from Hillside suburb said the risk of being involved in an accident increases especially when driving through unfamiliar roads.

“For example, I used Khami Road, as I passed Turnall (Holdings), the road is so bad. I didn’t know it was now like that from the last time I used it. We are now in the festive season and a lot of people have come from diaspora. They might not know how the roads have deteriorated and this could cause accidents. I don’t know who should fix the roads between the Government and the city council but something needs to be urgently done,” said Miss Mpofu.

Another driver Mr Cephas Mutasa from Queens Park suburb said it is not just potholes that need fixing but also the city’s drainage system which is failing to absorb water whenever there is a downpour.

Bulawayo Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube admitted that the city’s road network had collapsed. He said on Sunday he went around the city assessing the state of the roads and what he saw worried him. Mr Dube however said there will be no quick-fix to the city’s road network problem as a lot of money is needed to address the issue.

“We are facing a disaster not just as Bulawayo but all other local authorities. Roads have totally collapsed. The reason being we have not been maintaining roads. We have been building new suburbs, constructing new roads but we have not renovated the old roads. We may need about half a billion in US dollars to fix our roads as Bulawayo. We might need investors to chip in so that we could rehabilitate our road network. We need capital injection so that we rehabilitate our roads,” said Mr Dube.

He said it was unfortunate that investors were not willing to spend their money even after the council comes up with brilliant ideas with most of them demanding sovereign guarantee, which is difficult to obtain.

Mr Dube said Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) was not disbursing enough money towards road maintenance while residents were also not paying bills. He said Zinara had promised to allocate ZW$81 million towards road maintenance to Bulawayo as part of the last disbursement for the year but last month only ZW$13 million was allocated.

Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube said the poor state of the road network is a serious concern that needs all hands on the deck. She said residents can also assist in addressing the poor road network problem by paying their bills.

“I was checking the city council accounting books; residents are not paying their bills. We need residents to pay their bills for the council to effectively deliver on its mandate. We know that there are no jobs and money but we should also play our part. Our roads are in a bad state, it’s even worse for light vehicles. Last week, we were driving along Luveve Road, I observed three light vehicles that hit potholes and broke their ball joints, so we need to take this issue seriously. Sometimes when these parts break, it could result in accidents, so we need to take this issue seriously,” she said.

Zinara spokesperson Mr Tendai Mugabe said the roads agency has come up with a ZW$1,1 billion supplementary budget to be disbursed to road authorities so that they attend to roads during this rainy season.

“We set the road users charges and we collect the money and disburse it to road authorities who have the responsibility of maintaining our road network including Bulawayo City Council. It will not be proper for me to comment on the state of the roads. But what I can say is that as Zinara we have disbursed a supplementary budget of about ZW$1,1 billion to cushion road authorities during this rainy season to maintain our road infrastructure. But I want to make it clear that it’s not our responsibility to maintain that road infrastructure,” said Mr Mugabe.

-statemedia

HEALTH experts have called on the government to urgently close the borders, particularly the busy Beitbridge Border Post after a new COVID-19 variant was detected in neighbouring South Africa.

Already, five countries Germany, Turkey, Israel, Switzerland and Saudi Arabia have suspended flights from South Africa to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 variant.

The virus is termed 501.V2 variant, and health experts have said it carries a heavier viral load.

With thousands of Zimbabweans based in South Africa returning home for the Christmas and New Year holidays, health experts fear the worst for the country, hence they called on the government to close borders.

“It’s too late to close the South African border as there are thousands of people already committed to spending the festive season here in Zimbabwe,” Mpilo chief executive officer Solwayo Ngwenya said in an interview.

“You (Zimbabweans) will have to deal with the ramifications of COVID-19, despite expert warnings and advice. People were warned not to travel, and repeatedly for months they were warned.”

South Africa has recorded 931 000 cases of COVID-19, with almost 25 000 deaths, according to official statistics.

Excess mortality studies suggest a death toll of more than 5 000.

After the first wave peaked in July and August, the daily total for new cases fell dramatically.

However, the number of new infections began to rise steeply at the beginning of December, reaching 11 000 early this week.

Meanwhile, the Bulawayo City Council has banned annual public activities during the festive season citing escalation of COVID-19 infections.

The banned activities include the Jason Moyo Street Mall, Trade Fair funfairs and the Lunar Park, which are places in Bulawayo well known for lighting up the festive season as they attract huge crowds.

“The city would like to advise the public that the portion of Jason Moyo Street, of 8th Avenue between JMN Nkomo Street and Fife Street will not be closed this festive season to accommodate Christmas activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Bulawayo town clerk Christopher Dube said in a statement.

“Council will, in future, notify the public of any changes pertaining to the events at the Jason Moyo Street Mall, Trade Fair funfairs and Lunar Park activities in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bulawayo City Council would like to apologise for any inconveniences likely to be caused.”

Dube also advised Bulawayo residents to adhere to COVID-19 protocols, which include wearing of masks and exercising social distancing, as well as avoiding public gatherings during the festive season.

The City of Bulawayo is once again recording a high number in daily infections and at least a death everyday.

According to the daily update from the Health and Child Care ministry, as at December 22, Bulawayo had 481 active cases and 90 deaths.

The country has recorded 12 544 cases, 10 159 recoveries and 326 deaths.

NewsDay

State Media

POLICE have increased deployment of officers to curb festive season-related road accidents and crimes including robberies, theft and break-ins.

The police have also urged members of the public to adhere to Covid-19 regulations to prevent the spread of the global pandemic.

They also discouraged people from keeping large sums of money in their homes or going around with huge amounts.

Police also expressed concern over drowning cases that have been on the increase since the country started receiving heavy rains in the past few days.

In his festive season message, Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga said police have activated all necessary structures to curb or minimise holiday-related crimes.

Comm Gen Matanga said members of the public should abide by the country’s laws to avoid arrests and disappointments during the festive season.

“Of particular interest is the issue of road traffic accidents which take centre stage during this period. It is sad to note that most road traffic accidents during the festive season are caused by speeding, drunken driving, misjudgment, overtaking errors, failure to observe traffic rules and regulations and mechanical faults.

In this regard, the police will ensure that deployments are conducted along major highways, residential areas, industrial and central business districts,” said Comm Gen Matanga.

“Police officers will conduct foot and motorised patrols on all major and feeder roads, checking for wanted persons, loitering criminals and those who move around with stolen property.

“Drivers are warned not to drive while drunk or under the influence of alcohol or other substances which may affect their judgment. They must be observant and avoid the use of cellphones while driving.”

He said police will impound all defective vehicles and those without number plates.

The Comm Gen said police will closely work with the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, Vehicle Inspection Department and Zimbabwe National Road Administration to ensure that only roadworthy vehicles are on the roads.

Comm Gen Matanga urged commuters to avoid boarding unregistered vehicles as some of them are used to commit crimes and they may end up being victims.

He said police are also on alert to curb crimes usually committed during the festive season that include rape, robbery, assault and theft among others.

“As the public make merry and enjoy this holiday, my office is concerned with murder cases which arise out of domestic disputes, beer drinking disputes, those committed by mentally ill patients, those emanating from witchcraft allegations especially among relatives and neighbours and the recent killings of children by parents and guardians for various misdemeanours,” said Comm Gen Matanga.

“Life is sacrosanct and let us find peaceful means of resolving differences, especially during this holiday. Police officers are available to assist families and those in disagreements to negotiate and discuss peaceful methods of tackling differences.”

The Comm Gen said members of the public should adhere to Covid-19 prevention measures including observing the daily 10PM to 6AM curfew.

Veteran journalist and long-serving Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) secretary-general Foster Dongozi has died.

Dongozi, who is reported to have been suffering from a heart ailment for a long period, passed on last night at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.

His death plunged the journalism fraternity into mourning, coming barely two days after that of another veteran journalist Charles Laiton.

Former ZUJ president Matthew Takaona last night said he was shattered by Dongoza’s death.

“I am devastated. Shortly before his death there was an SOS call from his close relative that he was critical. He was rushed to a local hospital where he died after admission.

“He was one of the most tolerant persons whom I have ever worked with.”

Takaona said the media fraternity had lost a great pillar who was sober minded in his approaches.

“Over the years he managed to unite journalists across the political divide, keeping the union away from partisan politics,” he said.

Zimbabwe National Editors Forum secretary-general Isdore Guvamombe, who is also a former ZUJ vice president, described Dongozi as “a journalist with a conviction to drive journalism to greater heights.”

“He was a unionist at heart. He had a conviction to transform journalism through defending its principles and rewarding hard working journalists. We all remember how he recently presided over this year’s National Journalism Merit Awards. Those close to him knew he was sick that time, but he worked day and night to make them a success,’’ said Guvamombe.

Information gathered from a close relative who declined to be named, said Dongoza had gotten seriously ill while visiting the construction site of his new home in Harare.

“When it started we never thought it was serious. We thought he had been affected by the smell of paint. But things got worse and he was rushed to hospital.”

President Mnangagwa yesterday commissioned the $8 million Chombwe Piped Water Scheme in Chivi.

The project was financed through Government’s devolution funds.

President Mnangagwa said the devolution programme would transform the lives of the rural folk over the next five years through financing the development of piped water schemes that will supply water for domestic consumption, irrigation and livestock.

The Chombwe scheme had been mothballed for nearly 25 years owing to the breakdown of infrastructure to pump, store and convey water.

Nearly 10 000 households in arid Chivi North and Central constituencies will benefit from the scheme through the supply of piped raw water, with an estimated 5 000 hectares expected to be put under irrigation.

Water is pumped from Tokwe River, downstream of Muzhwi Dam and conveyed to homesteads, schools, clinics and business centres covering five wards between Mhandamabwe Business Centre and Chivi Growth Point.

He hailed devolution saying under the Second Republic, communities would choose their own priority projects to drive development.

“What we now have is a situation whereby Harare will no longer dictate what is wanted in outlying parts of the country. Under the Second Republic, we now have a new way of doing things where communities decide their own projects that will be funded under devolution and we are very impressed with ground that has been covered in a short space of time with 74 projects having been funded in Masvingo this year alone which was impossible if Harare was dictating the pace like before,” said President Mnangagwa.

“Projects like this (Chombwe scheme) will be replicated in other parts of the country and after the coming of the Second Republic we were told of this mothballed project and decided to fund it under devolution and here we are today.

“So we will definitely undertake similar projects all parts of the country over the next five years.”

“We have started the war against hunger here in Chivi that will spread to all parts of the country within the next five years and we want our people to be able to grow enough food for themselves while also stocking GMB and growing other crops for sale.

“Our thrust is all year round crop production with schemes like these so there will be no excuse for failure,” said President Mnangagwa.

Besides crop production, communal farmers could also diversify into fruit trees while having sufficient water to grow their livestock herds for local consumption and export.

In his address to hundreds of people at Jenya Secondary School in Chivi North, President Mnangagwa highlighted inroads made by devolution funding hailing the programme as a game changer for the country’s economy.

“The future is bright. We can see that the future is bright. What has been a problem is the magnitude of hardships where we are coming from but the future is bright,” he said.

President Mnangagwa said his Governmnet would continue investing in dams, roads and bridges using local resources to drive the economy.

President Mnangagwa handed over agricultural inputs to traditional leaders from Chivi and surrounding areas.

Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) coronavirus/COVID-19 situation report as of 22 December 2020:

• New cases: 112
• Locals: 111
• Returnees: 1
• Deaths: 4
• Recoveries: 100
• PCR Tests Done: 1 501
• National Recovery Rate: 81.1%
• Active Cases: 2 067
• Total Cumulative Cases: 12 656
• Total Recoveries: 10 259
• Total Deaths: 330

Own Correspondent

Police here have recovered the body of a suspected border jumper who drowned in the Limpopo River while illegally crossing between South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The body was found in an advanced state of decomposition.

Locals in Beitbridge claim that several people have been washed away by the heavily flooded river indicating that more bodies are likely to be found downstream of the river.

Officer commanding Beitbridge District, Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo said police were yet to get official reports on the drownings and that most information was filtering through the grapevine and these were being investigated.

“We have been hearing rumours, but it is very difficult to establish the facts without anyone reporting on the cases or location,” he said.

“However, so far we have one case of drowning that occurred at an illegal crossing point near Panda Mine.

“We have retrieved the body of a man who was spotted trapped between rocks by a villager who was looking for his donkeys along the Limpopo River on December 17.”

Chief Supt Nyongo said the naked corpse had been taken to Beitbridge District Hospital for a post-mortem.

He said the remains were found trapped some 20 metres from the Limpopo River.

“The body of the unidentified man was retrieved at the advanced state of decomposition and indications are that he could have drowned while crossing the flooded Limpopo River,” said the senior police officer.

Paul Nyathi

Weather experts on Monday warned of a tropical storm that is building up in the Indian Ocean and could make landfall in Madagascar at the weekend and proceed towards the Mozambique Channel early next week with a possibility of stretching into Zimbabwe’s Eastern province of Manicaland.

AccuWeather senior meteorologist Jason Nicholls said the ongoing heating of the water surface in the southwestern Indian Ocean is expected to result in a tropical storm forming during the course of this week.

“A tropical low located well southwest of Diego Garcia will continue to strengthen as it drifts westward over the next few days,” Nicholls said.

The tropical low is expected to further strengthen as it enters “an area of atmospheric conditions” before reaching Madagascar.

“Warm water and favourable atmospheric conditions are expected to allow this low to strengthen into Tropical Storm Chalane this week,” the weather forecaster said.

He warned that the storm would result in periods of heavy rainfall, gusty winds and rough seas in northern Madagascar and surrounding areas.

“The storm is expected to strike northeast Madagascar on Saturday and may eventually emerge over the Mozambique Channel early next week,” Nicholls said.

Rainfall of this magnitude is expected to result in flooding and increased of mudslides, the expert said.

Meanwhile, government has mobilised Civil Protection Unit (CPU) teams which are on high alert, especially in the eastern parts of the country.

The cyclone is expected to hit parts of Manicaland next week.

President Mnangagwa yesterday said the Government had already been proactive on the looming natural disaster.

He said CPU teams had been activated to manage the impact of the cyclone in the event that it hits eastern parts of the country next week as anticipated.

There were fears the cyclone could be destructive like Cyclone Idai which hit parts of Manicaland 21 months ago.

“We hear that a cyclone similar to Idai is building up in the ocean (Indian) and it can come here so we are warning our people especially in Manicaland that is areas like Chipinge and Chimanimani and surrounding places.”

“The cyclone can hit those areas next week so we are putting our CPU teams on alert so that if it happens, we will be ready and we can move our people to higher ground,” said the President.

He bemoaned the deadly effects of cyclones, saying Zimbabwe still had fresh memories of Cyclone Idai which killed thousands of people and left over 600 locals unaccounted for.

Idai ravaged infrastructure such as schools, clinics, roads and bridges and derailed Government’s plans to grow the economy as funds for key projects had to be diverted to mitigate effects of the disaster.

Few Indian Ocean cyclones get as far as Zimbabwe, but Chalane is on a course for Beira, so Zimbabwean officials are getting ready.

AccuWeather senior meteorologist Nicholls tweeted yesterday that the tropical cyclone may strike north-east Madagascar on Saturday or Sunday and possibly move towards Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

Own Correspondent

The City of Harare has announced that parking charges have been reviewed upwards with effect from 2 January 2020. A circular from the City states that motorists will now part with US$0.70 per hour to park their vehicles at designated parking spots around the city.

Motorists have already been battling to pay the current fee of US$0.50 especially for those who work in the CBD and have to drive into the city everyday.

A Harare entrepreneur who runs a shop along Julius Nyerere Street told ZimEye.com that he has had to quit bringing his car to work as he will be forced to pay City Parking US$5 per day for the ten hours he is in the city everyday at the current rate.

“I can’t afford the parking fees as at the end of each month I will be forced to part with about US$120 just for parking for the six days a week in town,” he said.

A lady who also works in the CBD said she is surviving by making use of a private parking space about four blocks away from her office who are levying US$10 per month for parking Monday to Friday.

Motorists have also raised complaints against officials from City Parking who are very quick to clamp vehicles whose parking time has expired without giving the owner a chance to pay for the extended time on return to the car.

“I had my car clamped when the parking time had exceeded by just six minutes and had to pay a lot more to have it unclamped,” said one motorist on social media.

Although the city council and City Parking have been expanding the reach of paid street parking, it is still possible to find free parking within a 15-minute walk of the city centre, especially to the east and west.

In the last two to three decades, most major corporate headquarters have left the city centre for office parks in the northern suburbs and investors and developers have built or expanded huge shopping complexes in the suburbs, again concentrating on the northern suburbs.

This change in business has seen the city centre more and more hosting smaller businesses that bus passengers, especially those stuck in the city centre while they wait for a connecting bus to their final destinations, might use.

Fees in the poshest parts of Johannesburg and Cape Town are more in the line of R50 a day, making even the US$0.50 an hour on the pricey side.

City Parking, the private company set up by the city council to manage street parking, parkades and car parks, unilaterally hiked its charges to US$0.70 an hour, although people could pay in local currency at the informal rate, a staggering $700 an hour and easily the most expensive in the entire Sadc region.

Read the city’s statement below:

PUBLIC NOTICE PARKING TARIFF ADJUSTMENT

THIS NOTICE SERVES TO INFORM THE MOTORING PUBLIC THAT, ON-STREET PARKING TARIFF IN HARARE CBD HAS BEEN ADJUSTED FROM ZW$50 TO ZW$70 PER HOUR.

THE ADJUSTMENTS ARE WITH EFFECT FROM THE 2″ OF JANUARY 2021.
PARK PAY AND GO WITH “USSD PARINASSIST”. SIMPLY DIAL ‘192# TO REGISTER AND PAY FOR PARKING USING ECOCASH.
MOTORISTS WHO PARK FOR LONG DURATION ARE ENCOURAGED TO MAKE USE OF OUR SAFE, SECURE AND AFFORDABLE PARKADES AND PARKING LOTS.
PLEASE PAY PARKING FEES TO AVOID INCONVENIENCES.
Contacts: Tel: (0242)707315/707876/0739885896 Website: www.cityparking.co.zw Email: [email protected] Facebook: City Parking Pvt Ltd Twitter: @CityParkingHre TOWARDS WORLD CLASS PARKING EXPERIENCE

By A Correspondent- The United Kingdom has offered to vaccinate 20 percent (about three million) of Zimbabwe’s population against the Covid-19 pandemic when their Comvax vaccine is ready.

This was said by UK Ambassador to Zimbabwe Melanie Robinson after paying a courtesy call on Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Constantino Chiwenga at his Kaguvi offices in Harare, this morning.

VP Chiwenga said priority will be given to frontline workers and the vulnerable who include the elderly.

After the meeting the reviled further collaboration in different areas a sign of the thawing of relations between Zimbabwe and Britain which were set in motion by Zimbabwe’s engagement and re-engagement drive.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) Commissioner General Ms Faith Mazani has resigned, amid indications she will be rejoining the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from February next year.

Zimra board vice chairperson Mrs Josephine Matambo confirmed the development in a circular dated December 21, 2020.

“We wish to advise all staff members that the Commissioner General, Ms Faith Mazani will be leaving the Authority with effect from January 31, 2021,” she said.

“The Zimra board of directors congratulates Ms Faith Mazani for her pending re-appointment to the International Monetary Fund with effect from February 1, 2021.

“We would want to thank and appreciate Ms Mazani for her sterling performance in successfully leading the Authority in the implementation of Zimra’s strategy which supported key pillars of the Government’s National Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP).”

Mrs Matambo added that under the leadership of Ms Mazani, Zimra consistently surpassed revenue targets set by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.

“We wish Ms Faith Mazani all the best in her new role and look forward to continue working with her on strengthening Domestic Resource Mobilisation in Zimbabwe,” she said.

By A Correspondent- A fugitive cattle rustler was pinned down on the ground by a brave junior officer at Suoguru shops, Mvurwi on Monday.

Patrick Rateyiwa (29) of house number 450 Suoguru Mvurwi was elusive to the police since February when constable Murwira met him and wrestled with him in a shop after he tried to resist arrest.

It is alleged Rateyiwa stole 5 bovines from Dennis Jaricha, one from Mr Matibiri and four bovines from Mr Tadyanemhandu.

He is set to appear in court today.

By A Correspondent- The Higher and Tertiary Education ministry has recalled student teachers, who had already been deployed for teaching practice, to continue face-to-face tutorials at their respective campuses.

The authorities’ decision to recall the student teachers comes on the back of the ministry’s conviction that the students are not adequately prepared for teaching practice.

In a notice to principals of teachers colleges, tertiary education programmes assistant director Christopher Mudzingwa said teaching practice deployment of the January 2021 group has been pushed to May 2021.

“The class of students who started their course in January 2020 should continue with their face-to-face tutorials from January 4 to March 26, 2021 on campus in preparation for the teaching practice deployment in May 2021,” he said.

Mudzingwa directed that the circulated academic calendar for 2021 should be strictly adhered to.

“In this regard, ensure that there is adequate preparation of student teachers towards their teaching practice,” he added.

Authorities have insisted on the adequate preparation of student teachers before deployment for teaching practice despite demonstrations by the Council of Student Teachers (CST) last month.

The student teachers who protested against the decision to force them to repeat in 2021 were arrested, including CST leader Walter Muzamani.

They were arrested at Morgan Zintec Teachers’ College in Harare and appeared at the magistrates court where they were released on bail.

Teacher training institutions, polytechnics and vocational training centres resumed studies in July after lessons were discontinued on March 24 as the government battled to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Most of the learning institutions had been turned into quarantine centres for locals returning from abroad as authorities sought to contain the spread of the virus.-dailynews

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti has pointed out that Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is worse than President Robert Mugabe because the current Zanu PF leader has taken brutality and persecution of opposition activists to “unprecedented levels.”

Hon Biti argued that compared to Mr Mnangagwa, Mugabe was a political saint.

“Jacob Mafume’s continued detention exposes the regime’s ruthless capture of state institutions and its unrelenting malice.

Emmerson is a vindictive character without any boundaries .Sadly the State is now reproducing itself in his own image.Mugabe now appears saintly.

This man is surely turning in his grave .The latest faux pas from the regime is around a National Dress.

An illegitimate group of people unable to command love respect and trust from the citizen can never foist a sense of identity or nationhood. Crocodiles don’t build nations…

The Mnangagwa regime has taken the assault on workers rights to new and unprecedented levels .

The devaluation of wages and payments in ZWL$ represents vicious attack on working people .The physical arrests torture and convictions of workers on dubious spurious charges is a new low for Zim,” argued Hon Biti.

In a statement, ARTUZ condemned the conviction and sentencing of its Gender and Welfare representative for Masvingo Province Sheila Chisirimunhu:

“@edmnangagwa
has taken us back to Rhodesia. Cde Sheila sentenced to 16 months imprisonment for protesting against underpayment.

Sheila to serve 10 months in prison. This is an attempt to silence the exploited working class. We are appealing this and this gvt wont know peace.”

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti has pointed out that Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is worse than President Robert Mugabe because the current Zanu PF leader has taken brutality and persecution of opposition activists to “unprecedented levels.”

Hon Biti argued that compared to Mr Mnangagwa, Mugabe was a political saint.

“Jacob Mafume’s continued detention exposes the regime’s ruthless capture of state institutions and its unrelenting malice.

Emmerson is a vindictive character without any boundaries .Sadly the State is now reproducing itself in his own image.Mugabe now appears saintly.

This man is surely turning in his grave .The latest faux pas from the regime is around a National Dress.

An illegitimate group of people unable to command love respect and trust from the citizen can never foist a sense of identity or nationhood. Crocodiles don’t build nations…

The Mnangagwa regime has taken the assault on workers rights to new and unprecedented levels .

The devaluation of wages and payments in ZWL$ represents vicious attack on working people .The physical arrests torture and convictions of workers on dubious spurious charges is a new low for Zim,” argued Hon Biti.

In a statement, ARTUZ condemned the conviction and sentencing of its Gender and Welfare representative for Masvingo Province Sheila Chisirimunhu:

“@edmnangagwa
has taken us back to Rhodesia. Cde Sheila sentenced to 16 months imprisonment for protesting against underpayment.

Sheila to serve 10 months in prison. This is an attempt to silence the exploited working class. We are appealing this and this gvt wont know peace.”

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance Youth Secretary General, Gift Ostallos Siziba, says he is grateful for the love and support he received before and during his father’s funeral.

Ostallos’ father, Reverend Herbert Siziba was buried in Bulawayo on Monday.

“Thank you! We thank everyone for the love, act of solidarity and support you gave us during the difficult time. The Siziba family is indeed and truly grateful for the love you have shown us.

May God above bless each and everyone one of you abundantly,” Ostallos said in a statement.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has pointed out that the concept of unity has been drowned by violence and lawlessness in the country.

Below is President Chamisa’s Unity Day Message :

THE IDEA OF UNITY- MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa Unity Day Message
22 December 2020

Fellow Zimbabweans,

The bold font of divisions, destruction, violence and anarchy continues to override the voices of love, unity, peace, reason and development in our country.

This is largely because our nation-building project has not fulfilled the promise of the glorious days of independence.

We need true unity, peace and prayer to heal and build our nation. Peace and unity are the necessary ingredients for development and the enjoyment of fundamental freedoms and rights.

However, it is important to understand the idea of unity. Unity is not about the coming together of bodies, commanded by the powerful in society. It is not an event signified by elite political pacts. Unity is a process by which minds are drawn together organically to achieve a common purpose.

Unity does not mean the absence of difference. Instead, it is a process that acknowledges, recognises and celebrates difference as a natural part of a normal society. Therefore, unity does not necessarily mean uniformity among peoples. Rather it recognises and promotes diversity and the beauty of it.

Indeed, unity does not mean compulsory conformity of the minority to the majority merely because the majority demand compliance. Rather, unity behoves the majority to recognise and respect minorities in whatever form because they matter too.

Politically, unity is a process in which parties of different political and ideological persuasions are allowed to pursue their cause while they come together to face common threats.

Unity does not criminalize diversity and alternative views. It is not tyranny of the centre. This why the devolution process, which is encapsulated in our Constitution, is essential for unity. Unity does not mean sweeping pain and tears of a people under the proverbial carpet. Rather, it is a process that is undergirded by truth-telling, acknowdgement of pain, remorse and reconciliation.

Where there is unity of purpose there is difference but a commitment to development and prosperity. Genuine unity does not produce an impoverished society. It exalts a people to prosperity. On this day, we should be celebrating. But too many of our people are in great pain because of socio-economic burdens that have become unbearable.

Currently, we experience too many divisions, violence, and hatred. This has made Unity Day become trite, vacuous and meaningless without the values and practices of unity that I have outlined. It has become a reminder of the ogre of violence, intolerance and hate speech that continue to engulf our nation.

Violence is intolerable. We note with disdain an increase in abductions and torture against its citizens including young leaders and activists. We have hundreds of MDC leaders in detention or on remand facing trumped-up politically-motivated charges. The consistent and persistent denial of citizens’ rights is a form of violence against political opponents.  

The harassment, intimidation, illegal arrest of opposition leaders, activists, and professionals is repugnant to unity and peace. It’s deplorable how professionals have been harassed and persecuted during the course of the year simply because they have dared to exercise their freedoms. Unity does not mean a suppression of fundamental rights and freedoms. It celebrates and protects them.

Unity is not built on force. It is built upon foundations of love, understanding and appreciation of difference and diversity.

In a New Zimbabwe, under our new government, we propose a National Unity, Peace and Prayer Day. We do so in recognition of the fact that unity, peace and prayer are interconnected.

We recognise that unity is not merely a political slogan but rather, it is a reality that we must experience in all spheres, be it in our families, churches, workplaces civic organisations or government.

Nation building is an ongoing project that must produce conditions of unity in diversity. But we cannot build a nation when there is persecution. We call for an end to political persecution. Nation building requires justice to be done for the aggrieved in our communities.

We deserve to be united by our values, aspirations, constitution and human rights. No single organization is bigger than Zimbabwe. We must imagine a better, just and more prosperous Zimbabwe in which our diversity is celebrated, not condemned.

We owe it to ourselves and future generations as God’s people to embrace one another in unity, to pray for the prosperity of our nation. Prayer works with works. We should not wait for divine intervention when we can change our behaviour.

This day, I call upon families and all people of this country to embrace this day as a day we express our unity with one another. A day we find peace. A day we seek the Lord as we prepare for Christmas and the New Year holidays.

This day, I join you all in demanding true unity, peace and prosperity for us all as a people. We in the MDC are ready to play our part in finding a lasting solution to the national issues that bring us together as a nation. We will unite the nation and bring peace in the name of our Lord, without resorting to any forms violence which we abhor.

Peace is simple. Peace begins within. Peace begets peace. Peace breeds prosperity.

In our fractured nation, I wish you all a blessed Unity, Peace and Prayer day and we pray for unity and peace in our country.

Winning Zimbabwe for real change.Change that delivers!

God Bless you

 
 For justice, peace, a shared vision, true unity and the cause of freedom,

Adv Nelson Chamisa
President MDC Alliance

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has pointed out that the concept of unity has been drowned by violence and lawlessness in the country.

Below is President Chamisa’s Unity Day Message :

THE IDEA OF UNITY- MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa Unity Day Message
22 December 2020

Fellow Zimbabweans,

The bold font of divisions, destruction, violence and anarchy continues to override the voices of love, unity, peace, reason and development in our country.

This is largely because our nation-building project has not fulfilled the promise of the glorious days of independence.

We need true unity, peace and prayer to heal and build our nation. Peace and unity are the necessary ingredients for development and the enjoyment of fundamental freedoms and rights.

However, it is important to understand the idea of unity. Unity is not about the coming together of bodies, commanded by the powerful in society. It is not an event signified by elite political pacts. Unity is a process by which minds are drawn together organically to achieve a common purpose.

Unity does not mean the absence of difference. Instead, it is a process that acknowledges, recognises and celebrates difference as a natural part of a normal society. Therefore, unity does not necessarily mean uniformity among peoples. Rather it recognises and promotes diversity and the beauty of it.

Indeed, unity does not mean compulsory conformity of the minority to the majority merely because the majority demand compliance. Rather, unity behoves the majority to recognise and respect minorities in whatever form because they matter too.

Politically, unity is a process in which parties of different political and ideological persuasions are allowed to pursue their cause while they come together to face common threats.

Unity does not criminalize diversity and alternative views. It is not tyranny of the centre. This why the devolution process, which is encapsulated in our Constitution, is essential for unity. Unity does not mean sweeping pain and tears of a people under the proverbial carpet. Rather, it is a process that is undergirded by truth-telling, acknowdgement of pain, remorse and reconciliation.

Where there is unity of purpose there is difference but a commitment to development and prosperity. Genuine unity does not produce an impoverished society. It exalts a people to prosperity. On this day, we should be celebrating. But too many of our people are in great pain because of socio-economic burdens that have become unbearable.

Currently, we experience too many divisions, violence, and hatred. This has made Unity Day become trite, vacuous and meaningless without the values and practices of unity that I have outlined. It has become a reminder of the ogre of violence, intolerance and hate speech that continue to engulf our nation.

Violence is intolerable. We note with disdain an increase in abductions and torture against its citizens including young leaders and activists. We have hundreds of MDC leaders in detention or on remand facing trumped-up politically-motivated charges. The consistent and persistent denial of citizens’ rights is a form of violence against political opponents.  

The harassment, intimidation, illegal arrest of opposition leaders, activists, and professionals is repugnant to unity and peace. It’s deplorable how professionals have been harassed and persecuted during the course of the year simply because they have dared to exercise their freedoms. Unity does not mean a suppression of fundamental rights and freedoms. It celebrates and protects them.

Unity is not built on force. It is built upon foundations of love, understanding and appreciation of difference and diversity.

In a New Zimbabwe, under our new government, we propose a National Unity, Peace and Prayer Day. We do so in recognition of the fact that unity, peace and prayer are interconnected.

We recognise that unity is not merely a political slogan but rather, it is a reality that we must experience in all spheres, be it in our families, churches, workplaces civic organisations or government.

Nation building is an ongoing project that must produce conditions of unity in diversity. But we cannot build a nation when there is persecution. We call for an end to political persecution. Nation building requires justice to be done for the aggrieved in our communities.

We deserve to be united by our values, aspirations, constitution and human rights. No single organization is bigger than Zimbabwe. We must imagine a better, just and more prosperous Zimbabwe in which our diversity is celebrated, not condemned.

We owe it to ourselves and future generations as God’s people to embrace one another in unity, to pray for the prosperity of our nation. Prayer works with works. We should not wait for divine intervention when we can change our behaviour.

This day, I call upon families and all people of this country to embrace this day as a day we express our unity with one another. A day we find peace. A day we seek the Lord as we prepare for Christmas and the New Year holidays.

This day, I join you all in demanding true unity, peace and prosperity for us all as a people. We in the MDC are ready to play our part in finding a lasting solution to the national issues that bring us together as a nation. We will unite the nation and bring peace in the name of our Lord, without resorting to any forms violence which we abhor.

Peace is simple. Peace begins within. Peace begets peace. Peace breeds prosperity.

In our fractured nation, I wish you all a blessed Unity, Peace and Prayer day and we pray for unity and peace in our country.

Winning Zimbabwe for real change.Change that delivers!

God Bless you

 
 For justice, peace, a shared vision, true unity and the cause of freedom,

Adv Nelson Chamisa
President MDC Alliance

By Pardon Maguta | Narration By Isheanesu Mutyambizi

This is Garikai Cyclone Idai camp or tent site in Ngangu Chimanimani. The pictures were captured today 23 December 2020. Can we really say "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" to these victims of double tragedy? …. pic.twitter.com/intJIsUpRo

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) December 23, 2020

THREE passengers, including a minor, onboard a pirating Toyota Noah drowned when the vehicle was swept away after its driver attempted to cross a flooded river in Zvishavane at the weekend.

The three got out of the car through the windows but unfortunately drowned.

The other seven passengers and the driver managed to disembark from the vehicle and swam to safety.

Acting police spokesperson for Midlands Province, Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende confirmed the incident which she said occurred on Sunday around 6PM at Mutorahuku River near Kashamba Primary School on the outskirts of Zvishavane town.

She said the pirating Toyota Noah had 10 people on board.

“Police in Zvishavane are investigating a case in which three passengers drowned after the driver of a vehicle they were travelling in tried to cross a flooded river.

“The incident occurred on Sunday at around 6PM at Mutorahuku River near Kashamba Primary School on the outskirts of Zvishavane,” said Asst Insp Mukwende.

She said the deaths could have been avoided if the driver had not attempted to drive across the flooded river.

“Circumstances are that on the said date one Cornelius Manduku (48) of Village Runyararo under Chief Jahana in Insiza was driving a Toyota Noah from Zvishavane on the way back to Insiza with 10 passengers on board.

“Upon arrival at Mutorahuku River near Kashamba Primary School they found the river flooded,” she said.

Asst Insp Mukwende said the driver proceeded and attempted to cross the flooded river resulting in the car being swept away with 10 people on board.

She said the police identified the three deceased passengers Tariro Makwa (24), Aneno Manduku (39) and a minor Gertrude Mudhonga (9).

“The three, Manduku, Makwa and Mudhonga got out of the car through the windows and unfortunately drowned, while the other seven passengers and the driver managed to swim out of the flooded river,” said Asst Insp Mukwende.-Chronicle

THE Gafa as Zimbabwean dancehall musician Winky D is popularly known did the nation on Monday after he was declared as this year’s Best Dancehall Artiste at the African Entertainment Awards United States of America (AEAUSA).

Riding high on his recent release Ragga Msambo trilogy, Winky D managed to shun competition from some of the world’s best musicians among them Patoranking, Shatta Wale, Stonebwoy, Samini, Navy Kenzo, Bebe Cool and Prince Bright.

AEAUSA is a non-profit organisation established in New Jersey in the USA to support, celebrate and uplift African Entertainment since 2015. The company uses entertainment as a platform to showcase an Africa that is united, self-sufficient, willing and able to evoke social change that matters most in the communities of Africans all over the world.

Taking to his social media pages yesterday, Winky D dedicated the award to his fans who have supported him on a career spanning about two decades.

He added that the award is a present for the festive season which is happening on a different note this year as it is subdued due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Allow me to express hearty appreciation to my musical family, the Gafas to whom I dedicate this award. I am forever humbled by the Gafa family’s uncompromising confidence and unwavering commitment to the Vigilance musical journey.

Surely, we are stronger together. This is a befitting festive bonus for the trilogy,” said Winky D.-Chronicle

BULAWAYO has recorded two more Covid-19 related deaths as the country recorded 97 new cases in the last 24-hour cycle, bringing the total number of cases to 12 422.

So far, the total number of people who succumbed to the deadly virus now stands at 322 while the national recovery rate stands at 81,4 percent.

Coronavirus cases are on the rise.

A total of 1 581 PCR tests were conducted yesterday and positivity was 6,6 percent.

According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, all the 97 new cases local transmissions. The highest number of 50 cases was reported in Harare followed by Bulawayo which had 16 new cases.

Mashonaland East recorded 12 new cases while Masvingo had nine new cases. The Midlands has five cases. Matabeleland North and Manicaland had two new cases each while Mashonaland Central recorded one case.

“As of December 21, 2020 Zimbabwe, has now recorded 12 422 confirmed cases, 10 112 recoveries and 322 deaths,” reads the statement.-Chronicle

PROSECUTOR Tapiwa Kasema (45), who is facing allegations of criminal abuse of office, has been denied bail by Harare magistrate Ngoni Nduna.
Nduna ruled that Kasema was a flight risk as shown by his disappearance just before his arrest.
Kasema was remanded to January 5 next year for routine remand.

It is alleged that on August 24, Musa Taj Abdul, Tapiwa Rudolf, Godfrey Mupanhanga and accomplices were arrested in Beitbridge over a spate of murder and armed robbery cases around Zimbabwe.
On August 25, they were taken to court facing 53 counts of armed robbery, where they were denied bail and remanded in custody.
On an unknown date in December 2020, Abdul applied for bail and the National Prosecuting Authority assigned Kasema together with two other officers to oppose the application.

On December 8, Kasema allegedly consented to the granting of bail without following laid-down procedure.
The court heard that the offence came to light after the Central Investigations Department Homicide Division queried the release of the applicants on bail by the High Court on December 11, 2020, and it came out that Kasema had unlawfully consented to the release of the applicants.

A report was made to the police leading to Kasema’s arrest.

Veteran journalist and Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Union of Journalist (ZUJ) has died this evening.

Dongozi was rushed to Parirenyatwa hospital where he died after being admitted.

Unconfirmed reports suggests that he inhaled fresh paint at a newly built house and started having breathing problems.

More to follow…

MDC-T interim secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora says he has already won the presidency of the party at the extraordinary congress to be held this Sunday.

The MDC-T is set to hold its elective congress this weekend after it was cancelled at the last minute six days ago by party interim leader Thokozani Khupe following allegations that Mwonzora was manipulating the voters’ roll.

Patrick Chinamasa, the ZANU PF acting spokesperson also recently told reporters in Harare that the ruling party has already won the 2023 general elections.

Chinamasa did not explain how the party “has won” the elections two years before they are held but told journalists that under President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe had turned around a corner. Chinamasa said:

:2023 is a dead rubber election. It’s over before voting.”

However, Khupe and Mwonzora faced off in a stormy meeting on Monday to resolve the dispute over the voters’ roll to be used at the party’s congress.

Accusations against Mwonzora were that he allegedly tried to sneak in a “doctored” voters’ roll stuffed with names of his backers who were not part of the 2014 MDC-T structures.

This was after the Supreme Court ruled in March this year that the party should convene an elective congress to replace the late founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who died in February 2018.

“I believe there are efforts to try to scuttle my chances of winning. However, they will not succeed. The people shall speak,” Mwonzora said in an interview.

Khupe and Mwonzora are seen as the frontrunners for the MDC-T presidency at the elective congress where they will also battle it out with party acting chairman, Morgen Komichi and deputy national chairman Elias Mudzuri.

As the chaos in Khupe’s party continues before its congress, last Saturday during a national council meeting at Mudzuri’s house, the party resolved to audit the voters’ roll.

At another meeting on Monday, Mwonzora allegedly struggled to present his version of the voters’ roll which he claimed represented the party’s 2014 structures.

Khupe was said to be armed with a copy of the 2014 structures favoured to the party by suspended organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe.

An insider said the party was contemplating using a printed roll fearing that a soft copy could be hacked and manipulated.

Khupe’s former aide, Witness Dube who is now an ally of Mwonzora, said the MDC-T needed “healing” to reconcile warring factions torn apart by the upcoming elective congress.

There have been fights for assets, which have at times turned physical and violent, as opposing factions within the opposition party push for control of the party.

“I am very grateful and proud of the 10 years I spent with Khupe. However, this congress is about the millions of Zimbabweans looking up to MDC for economic, political and social reforms for the better,” Dube told NewsDay.

“I am optimistic that this congress will give MDC an opportunity to heal when campaigns fold and that focus will return to assuming the role of being the official opposition.”

The congress, however, hangs in the balance if the High Court rules in favour of Bhebhe, who is seeking its postponement.

Bhebhe filed an urgent chamber application at the Bulawayo High Court last Friday seeking an interdict stopping the holding of the congress until matter challenging his suspension and subsequent expulsion from the party is resolved.

However, High Court judge Justice Christopher Dube Banda postponed the matter to this week after the respondents’ lawyer, Tawanda Tawengwa argued that the respondents could not prepare opposing papers because they were served with the applicant‘s court papers very late on Tuesday last week. The matter is set to be heard any day from today.

The former Nkayi South legislator was recently expelled from the MDC on charges that he was an MDC Alliance lackey, which he denies.

Bhebhe was also eyeing the presidency.

Source – newsday

Paul Nyathi

STATE owned enterprise, Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) is targeting 500 000 metric tonnes of strategic grain reserves in the next three years to ensure national food security.

The effects of climate change which have led to successive drought have seen government mandating the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) to focus on strategic grain reserves to address the issue of low yields.

The authority’s new board Chairman, Mr Ivan Craig says maximum utilisation of land is ARDA’s main thrust in increasing food self-sufficiency.
“We shall do our best for the sake of the nation but the key thrust is to rebuild strategic grain reserves,” he said.

ARDA is also responsible for advancing farming production and rural development.

Its mandate is derived from the ARDA Act that seeks to promote development to reduce poverty.

Lands Agriculture Water and Rural Resettlement Minister Dr Anxious Masuka last week announced the appointment of agriculture expert and Zimbabwe Agriculture Society chairman Mr Ivan Craig as the new Agricultural Rural Development Authority(Arda) board chairperson while former CZI president Mr Sifelani Jabangwe is now the new COTTCO board chairperson.

Former Arda acting chairperson, Dr Johannes Makhadho has been transferred to be the deputy chairperson for the Agriculture Research Council.

COMMISSIONER General for the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), Ms Faith Mazani, is set to resign from her post next month pending re-appointment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The tax authority’ board confirmed Mazani’s departure in a public statement dated Monday, 21 December 2020.

It said Mazani, who joined the tax body in February 2018, will leave Zimra with effect from the end of January 2021 to join the IMF early February.

“We wish to advise the public and all stakeholders that the Commissioner General, Ms Faith Mazani, will be leaving the authority with effect from 31 January 2021,” said the board.

“The Zimra board of directors congratulates Ms Mazani for her pending re-appointment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with effect from 01 February 2021.”

Paul Nyathi

The Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T has dismissed Mthwakazi proponents’ wishes to have Zimbabwe restored to the pre1893 boundaries where Mthwakazi was a seperate state from Zimbabwe.

Speaking in an interview on the prospects of the 1987 Unity Accord between Joshua Nkomo and Robert Mugabe, the acting party spokesperson, Dr Tapiwa Mashakada said it was critical that Zimbabweans realised that the country belonged to everyone regardless of one’s colour, creed, tribe or gender.

“This unity is cherished, that is why we all celebrate Unity Day which came about as a result of the amalgamation of PF-Zapu and Zanu (PF).”

He called for national cohesion based on peace, security, stability, democracy and inclusive development.

Zimbabwe must remain a devolved but unitary state. MDC-T condemns any form of secessionism in Zimbabwe,” he said.

CHAOS continues to reign supreme at the Forbes Border Post as only haulage truckers with Covid-19 certificates are being allowed entry into either Zimbabwe or Mozambique, leading to long queues and delays.

Truck drivers interviewed said the issuance of clearance letters and other processes has been relatively slow, especially during this festive season.

“The situation has worsened during this period. I have been here for three days and the queue is moving at a snail’s pace.

“We have all the necessary documents but we end up losing patience, worsening the delays,” said one truck driver, Mr Tendai Sibanda.

Another trucker, Mr Abednico Mleya accused customs officials of causing the delays.

“I am from Mozambique and I have been here for four days. It looks like I will spend the Christmas holiday here because the process is slow. The customs officials are taking their time and it seems the situation is getting worse.”

A customs official who requested anonymity citing protocol said: “Everything is normal save for the closure of the border to ordinary citizens. However, truckers with Covid-19 certificates are not facing any problems in entering Mozambique. Yes, the process has been a bit slow because we have registered high numbers of trucks that are passing through the border post.”

Paul Nyathi

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has wished all Zimbabweans a merry Christmas and a prosperous 2021.

In a post on social media, President Mnangagwa said despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown and restrictions on liberty and other challenges encountered in 2020, Zimbabweans have allowed hope to prevail.

He wrote:

My fellow Zimbabweans,

The year has been filled with challenges. The threat of COVID-19 and it’s the subsequent disruption of businesses and the economy has forced us all to reinvent and reevaluate our normal lives.

In spite of all this, you, the people of Zimbabwe, have conducted yourselves with dignity amidst these challenging times.

Even in the face of quarantines, lockdowns and serious restrictions to our daily liberties, the hope and optimism of the Zimbabwean people prevailed.

My hope is firmly anchored in Zimbabweans. I am certain that our collective action and shared vision can lead us to prosperity.

Over and above everything, we need to thank the Almighty for opening up the heavens.

In 2021, let us work our land, let us be the breadbasket we used to be.

Over and above all, unity as a people of this nation will take us into the promised land.

May I wish you all fellow citizens a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

God bless you all, God bless Zimbabwe!

By A Correspondent- The Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T plans to tighten its grip at Marondera Town Council by electing Dominic Matangira the deputy mayor of the farming town.

Matangira, who recently attained Alderman status after serving the local authority several years, dumped the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance, a move that shocked his colleagues.

The deputy mayoral post became vacant after the recall of Bornface Tagwireyi by Khupe. He was accused of showing allegiance to Chamisa in the last mayoral elections.

MDC-T provincial administrator Wellington Makonese confirmed that Matangira was poised to be the deputy mayor of the farming town.

“I am aware that the elections will be held on Wednesday (today) and that councillor Matangira is the candidate,” he said.

MDC-T secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora, during his visit to Marondera recently confirmed that Matangira was the incoming deputy mayor.

Marondera council has been the playground for the MDC-T after its mayoral candidate Simbarashe Nyahuye beat Tagwireyi by a single vote.

A total of six MDC Alliance councillors have been recalled including former mayor Chengetai Murova.

MDC-T has 11 out of 12 councillors, while Zanu PF has a solitary representative.-newsday

Talent Gondo

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has wished all Zimbabweans a merry Christmas and a prosperous 2021.

In a post on social media, President Mnangagwa said despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown and restrictions on liberty and other challenges encountered in 2020, Zimbabweans have allowed hope to prevail.

He wrote:

My fellow Zimbabweans,

The year has been filled with challenges. The threat of COVID-19 and it’s the subsequent disruption of businesses and the economy has forced us all to reinvent and reevaluate our normal lives.

In spite of all this, you, the people of Zimbabwe, have conducted yourselves with dignity amidst these challenging times.

Even in the face of quarantines, lockdowns and serious restrictions to our daily liberties, the hope and optimism of the Zimbabwean people prevailed.

My hope is firmly anchored in Zimbabweans. I am certain that our collective action and shared vision can lead us to prosperity.

Over and above everything, we need to thank the Almighty for opening up the heavens.

In 2021, let us work our land, let us be the breadbasket we used to be.

Over and above all, unity as a people of this nation will take us into the promised land.

May I wish you all fellow citizens a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

God bless you all, God bless Zimbabwe!

By A Correspondent- The family of the slain 7 year old Murehwa boy Tapiwa Makore statged a demonstration at one of the accused’s residence in Harare.

Watch the family spokesperson speaking soon after the demonstration:

By A Correspondent- A woman suspected to be Zimbabwean, reportedly drowned in the Limpopo River together with her 2 children on Monday as they were attempting to cross into South Africa. Newzroom Afrika reports.

According to an eyewitness that spoke to the publication, the boat they were using to cross the river capsized a few meters from the river bank.  The man who narrated the incident said the woman and her daughter were the first to be swept away by the strong currents when tragedy struck.

Other people also died in the same accident that claimed the lives of the 3 family members according to the publication which stated that a mother lost her 3-year-old son and a son among the survivors also lost his mother.

Zimbabweans usually use the illegal route to cross into South Africa to look for greener pastures. A few weeks ago a woman fell in the crocodile-infested Limpopo river but she managed to safely swim to the river bank after the incident.

By A Correspondent- The late Vice-Presidents John Landa Nkomo and Joseph Msika are some of the beneficiaries of “questionable” long-term Cold Storage Commission (CSC) lease agreements beyond the company’s specified tenure periods.

This is contained in a 2016 forensic audit into the financial operations of the State-owned meat processor by Auditor-General Mildred Chisi.

According to the report, the CSC leased most of its properties as at June 2015, but the Auditor-General raised eyebrows over some of the agreements which extended beyond the company’s specified tenure periods.

“During the period under review, CSC leased most of its properties (commercial, residential buildings, ranches and feeding lots and equipment) and signed lease agreements for properties with 247 tenants as at June 30, 2015 from which the following key findings were noted: (1) lease agreement beyond the specified tenure periods,” the report reads in part.

“Although CSC management informed us that CSC has short-term leases (six months tenure) and long-term leases (10 years), there were a number of lease agreements with tenures of up to 35 years.”

Chiri said there appears to be no standard rates/charges and there is no documentary evidence to support the rates applied.

According to the report, Nkomo’s estate has a 35-year lease expiring on February 1, 2040. The estate is paying US$252 in monthly rentals.

Msika’s estate also has a 35-year lease expiring on February 1, 2040 paying US$298 in monthly rentals.

Nkomo passed away on January 17, 2013 at the age of 78 and Msika on August 4, 2009 aged 86.

Other beneficiaries of long-term lease agreements is the late Retired Major General Javan Maseko’s estate, whose expiry date is listed as February 1, 2040.

The estate was listed as paying US$164 per month.

Maseko served in the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (Zipra) high command and at independence, he played a pivotal role in the integration of former warring forces, the Zipra, Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army and the Rhodesian Front.

One of the longest serving State parastatal bosses and former CSC chief executive officer Ngoni Chinogaramombe is also listed as a beneficiary.

The audit report lists him as having a 30-year lease expiring on March 31, 2041 and paying US$1 584 in monthly rentals.

Chinogaramombe served the country’s then internationally recognised sole meat processor and marketer for almost 34 years, having joined in 1984 and rose through the ranks to become its chief executive officer in 2005.

He left the company in 2019.

Lands and Agriculture minister Anxious Masuka recently approached the High Court seeking an order to place the CSC under judicial management.

In March 2019, government signed a “multi-million” deal with a United Kingdom-based investor Boustead Beef (Pvt) to resuscitate CSC.

Under the deal, the UK investor was to inject a total of US$400 million over the next fice years to revive the company, which has been dormant for the last two decades.

However, all has not been well at the company, with employees accusing Boustead Beef (Pvt) of stripping CSC assets for resale.

At its peak, the beef processor and marketer used to handle up to 150 000 tonnes of beef and associated by-products annually and exported to the European Union, where it had an annual quota of 9 100 tonnes of beef.

-newsday

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti has pointed out that Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is worse than President Robert Mugabe because the current Zanu PF leader has taken brutality and persecution of opposition activists to “unprecedented levels.”

Hon Biti argued that compared to Mr Mnangagwa, Mugabe was a political saint.

“Jacob Mafume’s continued detention exposes the regime’s ruthless capture of state institutions and its unrelenting malice.

Emmerson is a vindictive character without any boundaries .Sadly the State is now reproducing itself in his own image.Mugabe now appears saintly.

This man is surely turning in his grave .The latest faux pas from the regime is around a National Dress.

An illegitimate group of people unable to command love respect and trust from the citizen can never foist a sense of identity or nationhood. Crocodiles don’t build nations…

The Mnangagwa regime has taken the assault on workers rights to new and unprecedented levels .

The devaluation of wages and payments in ZWL$ represents vicious attack on working people .The physical arrests torture and convictions of workers on dubious spurious charges is a new low for Zim,” argued Hon Biti.

In a statement, ARTUZ condemned the conviction and sentencing of its Gender and Welfare representative for Masvingo Province Sheila Chisirimunhu:

“@edmnangagwa
has taken us back to Rhodesia. Cde Sheila sentenced to 16 months imprisonment for protesting against underpayment.

Sheila to serve 10 months in prison. This is an attempt to silence the exploited working class. We are appealing this and this gvt wont know peace.”

By A Correspondent- MDC-T interim secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora says he is confident of winning the presidency of the party at the extraordinary congress to be held this Sunday.

The MDC-T is set to hold its elective congress this weekend after it was cancelled at the last minute six days ago by party interim leader Thokozani Khupe following allegations that Mwonzora was manipulating the voters’ roll.

However, Khupe and Mwonzora faced off in a stormy meeting on Monday to resolve the dispute over the voters’ roll to be used at the party’s congress.

Accusations against Mwonzora were that he allegedly tried to sneak in a “doctored” voters’ roll stuffed with names of his backers who were not part of the 2014 MDC-T structures.

This was after the Supreme Court ruled in March this year that the party should convene an elective congress to replace the late founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who died in February 2018.

“I believe there are efforts to try to scuttle my chances of winning. However, they will not succeed. The people shall speak,” Mwonzora said in an interview.

Khupe and Mwonzora are seen as the frontrunners for the MDC-T presidency at the elective congress where they will also battle it out with party acting chairman, Morgen Komichi and deputy national chairman Elias Mudzuri.

As the chaos in Khupe’s party continues before its congress, last Saturday during a national council meeting at Mudzuri’s house, the party resolved to audit the voters’ roll.

At another meeting on Monday, Mwonzora allegedly struggled to present his version of the voters’ roll which he claimed represented the party’s 2014 structures.

Khupe was said to be armed with a copy of the 2014 structures favoured to the party by suspended organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe.

An insider said the party was contemplating using a printed roll fearing that a soft copy could be hacked and manipulated.

Khupe’s former aide, Witness Dube who is now an ally of Mwonzora, said the MDC-T needed “healing” to reconcile warring factions torn apart by the upcoming elective congress.

There have been fights for assets, which have at times turned physical and violent, as opposing factions within the opposition party push for control of the party.

“I am very grateful and proud of the 10 years I spent with Khupe. However, this congress is about the millions of Zimbabweans looking up to MDC for economic, political and social reforms for the better,” Dube told NewsDay.

“I am optimistic that this congress will give MDC an opportunity to heal when campaigns fold and that focus will return to assuming the role of being the official opposition.”

The congress, however, hangs in the balance if the High Court rules in favour of Bhebhe, who is seeking its postponement.

Bhebhe filed an urgent chamber application at the Bulawayo High Court last Friday seeking an interdict stopping the holding of the congress until matter challenging his suspension and subsequent expulsion from the party is resolved.

However, High Court judge Justice Christopher Dube Banda postponed the matter to this week after the respondents’ lawyer, Tawanda Tawengwa argued that the respondents could not prepare opposing papers because they were served with the applicant‘s court papers very late on Tuesday last week. The matter is set to be heard any day from today.

The former Nkayi South legislator was recently expelled from the MDC on charges that he was an MDC Alliance lackey, which he denies.

Bhebhe was also eyeing the presidency.-newsday

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s problems are being compounded by paranoid hangers-on like the spokesperson for the presidency George Charamba.

This was said by investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ino through a post on his Facebook page.

Chin’ono asserted that the likes of Charamba try to create relevance by creating false alarm within the ruling establishment.

Oblivious to the fact that they are being lied to, the country’s leaders then respond irrationally embarrassing themselves internationally. Said Chin’ono:

People like George Charamba create their relevance to the regime by inducing false alarm, panic, paranoia and fear to the “system.”

Sadly they are listened to by their bosses who at times are oblivious to how they are being played.

This has contributed to Mnangagwa’s problems and authored many of his failures.

They hate a normal country because it takes away their importance and because they can’t thrive in a merit-based society.

They rely on CHAOS to perpetuate their false importance to the political elites!

They create false narratives that induce fear into their bosses who are then pushed to respond irrationally embarrassing themselves internationally!

ZimRights said it has noted with concern the conviction and sentencing of Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) Masvingo Gender and Social Welfare Secretary Sheila Chisirimunhu (54) for exercising her constitutional rights.

In a Twitter thread, ZimRights said Chirisamhuru was arrested for holding a banner inscribed, “USD salaries now!” at Masvingo District Education Offices on 22 June this year and has been sentenced to 10 months in prison for that. Below is the post:

ZimRightsLIVE notes with concern the conviction and sentencing of ARTUZ Masvingo Gender and Social Welfare Secretary Sheila Chisirimunhu (54) for exercising her right to demonstrate as enshrined in section 59 of the Constitution.

Chisirimunhu was convicted and sentenced to an effective 10 months in prison and is at Mutimurefu Prison.

Chisirimunhu a widow and has been a teacher for almost 35 years, was arrested on 22 June 2020 for demonstrating against low teacher’s salaries at Masvingo District Education Offices.

She was holding a banner inscribed, “USD salaries now!” For that, she charged with inciting public violence and released on 500 ZWL bail after spending a night in cells on the 23rd of June 2020.

Represented by Advocate Martin Mureri from [Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights], Chisirimunhu has been in and out of court until her sentence on December 21.

ZimRights reminds the State of Section 59 that guarantees the right to demonstrate and petition.

Peaceful demonstrations and petitioning against low wages in the civil service does not warrant any arrest nor imprisonment.

Section 65 of the constitution, (1) also states that: Every person has the right to fair and safe labour practices and standards and to be paid a fair and reasonable wage.

It is therefore sad, for workers to be jailed for demanding fair and living wages. The government must respect human rights and freedoms as enshrined in the constitution.

By A Correspondent- Former legislator for Masvingo Central, Jeffreyson Chitando (MDC Alliance) torched a social media storm when he urged Zimbabweans to abandon the Unity Day and instead turn it into Patriotism Day.

Chitando said there was nothing to celebrate about the Unity Accord which was signed in 1987 by the late former President Robert Mugabe and the late Vice-President Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo to end the friction between Zanu-PF and-PF Zapu.

He said Unity Day only invoked sad memories of the massacred and displaced masses of Matabeleland and Midlands.

“The Zimbabwean government must seriously consider changing December 22 Unity Day to Patriotism Day. The continued commemoration of a forced unity after the late Father Zimbabwe Joshua Nkomo was cowed into submission to join Zanu-PF is an insult to the people of Matabeleland.

“The most appropriate and perpetual name must be Patriotism Day,” Chitando said.

By A Correspondent- Workers of a road construction company that is contracted to widen the Harare-Beitbridge highway had their festivities dampened when they were called back from leave to patch up a bad stretch of road in Masvingo.

The workers had been granted Christmas off days but were ordered back to work in order to repair a damaged road at Croco Motors in Masvingo where President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s motorcade was expected to pass through this Wednesday.

The development was confirmed by a worker who spoke to Masvingo Mirror on condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the press.

He said:

We had just closed for Christmas when we were called back. It really disrupted our break.

President Mnangagwa is in Chivi where he is launching the Chombwe Piped Water Project.

By A Correspondent- The Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T has demanded that its members should pay $1 in subscriptions in order to assist bereaved party members at funerals, adding that its membership was now 1,5 million which would translate to a lot of money.

This was said recently by the party secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora in Marondera while addressing party delegates during his campaign trail for the MDC-T presidency.

“Starting on January 1, every month, if you are a true member of the MDC-T, you are supposed to pay subscriptions of a dollar, not United States dollars, but one bond. If paying a dollar each month is boring, you can just pay $12 for the whole year. The money will be directed to our fund so that if an MDC-T member dies, the money will cater for the funeral,” he said.

“We calculated and realised that the MDC-T has 1,5 million members and this means that every month, we will be having $1,5 million and this translates to US$15 000 every month. The secret is that we do not get sick and die at the same time. That money will be enough in times of crisis,” he said.

The MDC-T congress failed to kick off at the weekend after its leaders clashed over a manipulated voters roll.

Mwonzora is eyeing the MDC-T presidency alongside Khupe and Elias Mudzuri.

He also said the MDC-T was looking for money to compensate victims of political violence.

“Zanu-PF has its war veterans, they are paid monthly for their contribution. In Mashonaland East province, there are a lot of people that were affected by political violence during the Robert Mugabe era. We hear stories of people being thrown in Wenimbe Dam. We are saying it is time for the victims of political violence to be compensated,” he said.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Corpses continue to pile up at Mpilo Central Hospital mortuary in Bulawayo due to delays by relatives in collecting the bodies for burial and authorities are reportedly mulling conducting pauper burials.

Mpilo Central Hospital is the second largest health facility in the country after Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare.

Of late, it has been plagued by power failures that are disrupting service provision, including the functioning of its mortuary.

Last week, authorities at the 900-bed health institution said the situation at the mortuary left a lot to be desired.

“The other issue we have is about the mortuary. Currently, there are about 400 bodies, which is way above the facility’s body carrying capacity,” said Mpilo Central Hospital acting chief executive and clinical director Xolani Ndlovu.

Mpilo mortuary has a carrying capacity of 30 bodies.

He said carrying out pauper’s burials to reduce pressure on the mortuary was the panacea, although it involved a lot of processes.

According to the country’s statutes, bodies that are not claimed after a period of nine months should be given pauper’s burials by the State.

Ndlovu said the situation at the mortuary was exacerbated by intermittent power cuts that had seen the hospital relying on back-up generators, which are consuming 1 000 litres per day.

He said the lives of about 465 patients, including 81 children in the neonatal ward and 98 patients in the surgical wards admitted at the hospital, were at risk due to power outages.

Meanwhile, Tsholotsho District Hospital is overwhelmed by its overloaded mortuary at a time the health facility is enduring prolonged power cuts.

Tsholotsho district medical services administrator Gerald Chakandibata said the situation at the mortuary was dire.

“Our mortuary is too small. It has a capacity to carry five bodies, but currently there are nine,” he said.

“The situation is worsened by these rampant power cuts we are experiencing here in Tsholotsho.”

He said the unreliable power supply had had ripple effects on water provision at the health facility.

Tsholotsho District Hospital started operating in 1951 as a rural health centre before it was upgraded to a district hospital in 1991.

Dear Editor

Under the late Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith and President Robert Mugabe, also late, Christmas was not so miserable and it is sad that people are yearning for the “good” old days.

At least one had tea with milk and bread spread with jam and cash to take to the rural areas.

People had clean water good roads, jobs, health, but two years into President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s five-year term, Zimbabweans are foregoing basic necessities on Christmas day let alone soft drinks which are now considered a luxury.

Some are wondering if the heavens have been taken over by Satan.

Is our good Lord seeing what is happening in our country? I wouldn’t be surprised if people started organising resistance groups.

Who still remembers the 2017 promises which Mnangagwa made to the people? Maybe bank queues are now perfect baits to lure fed-up people to revolt.

The Holy Scriptures in Proverbs 29 vs 2 are being fulfilled When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- A taxi driver from Mabvuku was arraigned before the courts on allegations of raping and infecting his minor daughter with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) five years ago.

The man (47), who cannot be named to protect the identity of the minor, told magistrate Estere Chivasa that the rape charges were fabricated by his estranged wife after a dispute over the child’s custody.

Prosecutor Panganai Chiutsi told the court that on two occasions, sometime in 2015, the complainant who was then 12 years old was left in the custody of her father by her grandmother.

Later in the evening, her father raped her twice and ordered her not to reveal the crime to anyone.

In 2019, the accused raped the minor again, but she told her aunt who, however, concealed the matter.

On May 9, 2020, she developed warts on her privates and told her aunt who she was now living with as she wanted to seek medical help, leading to the arrest of the accused.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- Shamva miner, John Maungwa, who is involved in a bitter mining wrangle with a woman who once masqueraded as President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s daughter Chantelle Chikafu was arrested on Monday for allegedly stealing gold ore from “his own mine”.

Maungwa is still in police custody after Chikafu made a report that the miner had stolen 390 tonnes of gold ore, which she had mined together with Shamva North MP, Oscar Gorerino (Zanu-PF).

He had returned to his mine after High Court judge Justice Jacob Manzunzu on April 29, ruled that he be restored possession of Wickman 23 Mine in Umfurudzi Game Park, which Chikafu’s gang working in cahoots with Gorerino, had violently grabbed from him.

Mashonaland provincial police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe could not confirm or deny Maungwa’s arrest. He told NewsDay that he could not readily get the information.

“I didn’t manage to get the information. There is no one in the office to ask because we took an early break. I will give you the information tomorrow (today) morning,” Mundembe said.

But a source close to the matter confirmed Maungwa’s arrest. He alleged that it was a ploy by Chikafu and Gorerino to fix him for winning the court case which gave him unfettered mining rights.

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) and the police had also allowed Maungwa to mine undisturbed in compliance with the court order.

“He has no case. How can he steal his own ore? These people were illegally mining on his mining claims and when the High Court restored him to resume operations Chikafu then made a report that Maungwa had stolen her gold ore. This is just a way by Chikafu and Gorerino to fix him because he has won the rights to his mine,” he said.

The source also alleged that the timing of Maungwa’s arrest was meant to coincide with the holidays so that he stays long in police custody.

“To show you that they wanted to fix him, the police officer, a detective Pasipanodya from Bindura Criminal Investigations Minerals and Flora and Fauna who arrested him, tricked him telling him that he was supposed to go to court. Maungwa went to the courts and waited for the detective, but he was in no show. When he realised that the courts were about to close for the day he appeared and ordered him to the police station where he advised him that he had orders to detain him,” the sources said.

He also said he suspected that Pasipanodya could be working in cahoots with Chikafu and Gorerino in the mine wrangle.

Maungwa’s arrest came soon after the mine wrangle also claimed the scalp of Mashonaland Central police commander Commissioner David Mahoya who was abruptly transferred for ignoring his bosses’ directives to restore Maungwa to his mine in compliance with a High Court order by Justice Tawanda Chitapi of November 25.

Mahoya had been reportedly siding with Chikafu and Gorerino in defying court orders granted by the High Court directing that Maungwa should resume mining operations without interference.-newsday

MDC-T secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora says he is confident of winning the presidency of the party at the extraordinary congress to be held this Sunday.

The MDC-T is set to hold its elective congress this weekend after it was cancelled at the last minute six days ago by party interim leader Thokozani Khupe following allegations that Mwonzora was manipulating the voters’ roll.

However, Khupe and Mwonzora faced off in a stormy meeting on Monday to resolve the dispute over the voters’ roll to be used at the party’s congress.

Accusations against Mwonzora were that he allegedly tried to sneak in a “doctored” voters’ roll stuffed with names of his backers who were not part of the 2014 MDC-T structures.

This was after the Supreme Court ruled in March this year that the party should convene an elective congress to replace the late founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who died in February 2018.

“I believe there are efforts to try to scuttle my chances of winning. However, they will not succeed. The people shall speak,” Mwonzora said in an interview.

Khupe and Mwonzora are seen as the frontrunners for the MDC-T presidency at the elective congress where they will also battle it out with party acting chairman, Morgen Komichi and deputy national chairman Elias Mudzuri.

As the chaos in Khupe’s party continues before its congress, last Saturday during a national council meeting at Mudzuri’s house, the party resolved to audit the voters’ roll.

At another meeting on Monday, Mwonzora allegedly struggled to present his version of the voters’ roll which he claimed represented the party’s 2014 structures.

Khupe was said to be armed with a copy of the 2014 structures favoured to the party by suspended organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe.

An insider said the party was contemplating using a printed roll fearing that a soft copy could be hacked and manipulated.

Khupe’s former aide, Witness Dube who is now an ally of Mwonzora, said the MDC-T needed “healing” to reconcile warring factions torn apart by the upcoming elective congress.

There have been fights for assets, which have at times turned physical and violent, as opposing factions within the opposition party push for control of the party.

“I am very grateful and proud of the 10 years I spent with Khupe. However, this congress is about the millions of Zimbabweans looking up to MDC for economic, political and social reforms for the better,” Dube told NewsDay.

“I am optimistic that this congress will give MDC an opportunity to heal when campaigns fold and that focus will return to assuming the role of being the official opposition.”

The congress, however, hangs in the balance if the High Court rules in favour of Bhebhe, who is seeking its postponement.

Bhebhe filed an urgent chamber application at the Bulawayo High Court last Friday seeking an interdict stopping the holding of the congress until matter challenging his suspension and subsequent expulsion from the party is resolved.

However, High Court judge Justice Christopher Dube Banda postponed the matter to this week after the respondents’ lawyer, Tawanda Tawengwa argued that the respondents could not prepare opposing papers because they were served with the applicant‘s court papers very late on Tuesday last week. The matter is set to be heard any day from today.

The former Nkayi South legislator was recently expelled from the MDC on charges that he was an MDC Alliance lackey, which he denies.

Bhebhe was also eyeing the presidency.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Agricultural extension officers around the country have threatened to go on a strike after the government failed to give them COVID-19 risk allowances.

Sources alleged that the extension workers alleged that even though they risked their lives in educating peasant farmers about Pfumvudza at the height of the coronavirus outbreak, they got nothing while office workers were paid over $20 000 as COVID-19 risk allowances.

A source is quoted as having said:

We risked our families by hosting these agricultural demonstrations with farmers when the country was on level five lockdown, but the government chose to pay those who were in offices COVID-19 risk allowances including those in the human resources department and general hands.

This government has reduced us to farm workers. We do all the donkey work, for example, crop and livestock assessment but we are not paid anything.

Is this government different from the government that runs hospitals whereby staff is paid handsomely for just collecting information just like us?

They are now focusing on advertising Pfumvudza on every platform, but they are forgetting those who implemented and made the Pfumvudza programme a success.

With no PEPs and other protective clothing, we managed to train farmers countrywide.

The permanent secretary for the Agriculture, Lands, Water and Rural Resettlement ministry John Bhasera confirmed the matter, but refused to comment and referred questions to the Public Service Commission.

-newsday

Sheila Chisirimunhu, is a 53 year old mother with 5 dependence. She is a primary school teacher who has served for 30 years.The gvt of Zimbabwe slashed teacher salaries from USD 500 monthly to USD 30 per month.

Sheila joined other teachers and peacefully protested against the illegal salary slash. Sheila was arrested and charged with public violence. No incidence of violence was ever reported during and after the protest.

Sheila was ridiculously convicted for public violence. Her crime was asking for the restoration of her salary. Sheila was sentenced to 16 months in prison, sentencing was done a couple of days after the commemorations of 16 days of Gender Based Violence. She will serve 10 months in prison.

A male counterpart who was jointly accused with her was freed. Both the conviction and sentencing are an assault on freedom to petition duty bearers and labour justice.

The government has curtailed the freedom of assembly and criminalised Trade Unionism. We demand Sheila’s freedom! #FreeSheila

NewsDay

THE Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T has demanded that its members should pay $1 in subscriptions in order to assist bereaved party members at funerals, adding that its membership was now 1,5 million which would translate to a lot of money.

This was said recently by the party secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora in Marondera while addressing party delegates during his campaign trail for the MDC-T presidency.

“Starting on January 1, every month, if you are a true member of the MDC-T, you are supposed to pay subscriptions of a dollar, not United States dollars, but one bond. If paying a dollar each month is boring, you can just pay $12 for the whole year. The money will be directed to our fund so that if an MDC-T member dies, the money will cater for the funeral,” he said.

“We calculated and realised that the MDC-T has 1,5 million members and this means that every month, we will be having $1,5 million and this translates to US$15 000 every month. The secret is that we do not get sick and die at the same time. That money will be enough in times of crisis,” he said.

The MDC-T congress failed to kick off at the weekend after its leaders clashed over a manipulated voters roll.

Mwonzora is eyeing the MDC-T presidency alongside Khupe and Elias Mudzuri.

He also said the MDC-T was looking for money to compensate victims of political violence.

“Zanu PF has its war veterans, they are paid monthly for their contribution. In Mashonaland East province, there are a lot of people that were affected by political violence during the Robert Mugabe era. We hear stories of people being thrown in Wenimbe Dam. We are saying it is time for the victims of political violence to be compensated,” he said.

State Media

THE National Council of Chiefs has started consulting key stakeholders as part of efforts to resolve the emotive issue of Gukurahundi as directed by President Mnangagwa.

The consultations will be followed by a comprehensive strategic plan incorporating inputs from stakeholders, which will guide Government in terms of implementing some of the resolutions to fully address the subject.

In October, President Mnangagwa met the National Council of Chiefs at State House in Bulawayo on the issue of Gukurahundi including a number of developmental issues the traditional leaders wanted addressed.

The meeting was a follow-up to previous ones held between chiefs and President Mnangagwa, the last one being a consultative engagement at the same venue between the Head of State and chiefs from Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South during the same month.

In the last meeting, it was resolved that traditional leaders will take over the reburials of victims of Gukurahundi in Matabeleland and Midlands while the Government will be involved in funding the process as part of initiatives meant to address the issue and promote national healing.

Speaking to journalists soon after a closed-door meeting with chiefs from Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces in Bulawayo yesterday, National Council of Chiefs President, Chief Fortune Charumbira said they agreed as chiefs that it was best to engage key shareholders with genuine interest in addressing the issue.

“As directed by His Excellency, the President, Cde E D Mnangagwa that there is a need to fully address the issue of Gukurahundi, we met today with chiefs from Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South who are part of the National Council of Chiefs and the Office of the President and Cabinet including the Matabeleland Collective to fine-tune the process,” he said.

“The institution of chiefs will lead the process and we want to be thorough and ensure that there is transparency in this whole process and we are not rushing in as much as we need timelines. We need to first invite people with ideas to support the process as a first step, and once we are done with consultations, we will then develop a strategic plan based on the inputs from various stakeholders and the best way to undertake this process.”

Chief Charumbira, however, could not give specific dates on how long the consultation process would take.

“We will convene meetings with stakeholders so that they can make an input into this process. It is not exclusively a process for traditional leaders since we have so many people who can assist us in terms of ideas, some of which would be considered in implementation of the process,” he said.

Chief Charumbira said there were destroyers of peace who have misrepresented the process, using social media to peddle lies.

“They are deliberately misrepresenting what came out from the meeting between the President and the Chiefs’ Council. Some of it sounding very tribal and destructive. It should be noted that this is a process for the people of this country to ensure unity,” he said.

Chief Charumbira said the programme is community-led with the victims in the villages expected to speak out and give ideas on how their emotions should be appeased.

“There has been talk of exhumations and we are not aware of any of those. However, as chiefs we were simply directed to go to the people and let them speak out. If ever there will be any exhumations, it is the families who will request with good reasons,” he said.

“What I am aware of is that most families in their own cultures are not interested in these exhumations, but if they believe that exhumations are a way for resolving their issues, then that will be looked into in terms of the laws governing exhumations including the cultural processes.”

Chief Charumbira said no traditional leader will move from one area, district or province to another to direct or dictate how the issue of Gukurahundi should be resolved. He said each chief with people in his or her own community will find a way to resolve the issues.

Chief Charumbira said the Gukurahundi process had to be institutionalised for sustainability.

“The provincial chiefs’ assembly should lead this process not individual chiefs or some groupings of people who are not even part of the cultural institution of this country to take a lead in this process. The provincial chiefs’ assembly will then report to the national structure, which is the National Council of Chiefs,” he said.

“We welcome all those people that feel they have ideas that strengthen this process so that it achieves better results.

However, culturally, no person who does not belong to the affected family or clan, is allowed to direct or lead cultural processes or even exhumation processes. This issue of Gukurahundi is led by traditional leaders and the structures start from village head to chiefs, but these will do so under an institution,” he said.

Chief Charumbira said the demands by affected families should be within the realm of reasonableness culturally for them to be implemented.

Senator Chief Matupula, who is representing chiefs in Matabeleland North, said they have noted with concern that there were some people who were using Gukurahundi to gain political mileage.

“We have people discussing these issues in hotels and they are not being sincere because Gukurahundi is a very pertinent and sensitive issue which should be handled with care not for political or monetary gain. It should be a sincere process leading to national healing among our people,” he said.

Chief Matupula said it was imperative to have the issue resolved in villages with traditional leaders being the only people who are supposed to speak to villagers about their issues.

“We believe first of all we need to identify the relevant stakeholders, those who can come and assist chiefs, those interested in the issue. Many people get interested in this issue for various reasons,” he said.

“If people are genuinely interested in this issue for the sake of national healing then it becomes easy for us to identify the role they can play.

Chief Matupula said in Matabeleland North, they were working with the Office of the President and Cabinet, Ministries of Local Government, Justice, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC), State Security organs, war veterans, the civil society, traditionalists, religious and cultural leaders

“For now, there are no exhumations and this is all going to come from the people. When we gather those issues, they will then be consolidated and put together into a document from the outreach programme and presented to the relevant authorities. The document will be analysed and responses given to the people,” said Chief Matupula.

Representing chiefs from Matabeleland South, Chief Nyangazonke said there is a need to collectively address the issue by including historians, traditional healers and civil organisations.

“We also looked at the set-up of our province and there are a lot of shrines and people have different beliefs. We are also giving greenlight to those that would want to conduct rituals in those shrines to do so. We have to do consultations with elders who have knowledge on issues of that magnitude,” he said.

ZANU PF Masvingo provincial chair Ezra Chadzamira has warned party supporters against abusing social media platforms like WhatsApp, Twitter among others and creating imaginary conflicts that do not help to build the party.

Addressing a Provincial Coordinating Committee meeting in Chivi on Sunday, Chadzamira said the party does not tolerate indiscipline.

Party business, Chadzamira said, is not conducted on social media platforms, but members must follow protocol if they have issues they want to be attended to.

“This social media abuse should stop and let us stop posting lies against our party leaders.

“Let us work with the leadership and display peace, unity and development amongst ourselves as we are geared towards 2023 elections. In politics you won’t succeed if you don’t respect the leadership,” he said.

Chadzamira’s warning comes after demonstrations against him that had been instigated by losing party officials in the recently held District Coordinating Committee (DCC) elections flopped.

Speaking at the same meeting, Zanu-PF National Secretary for Legal Affairs Paul Mangwana said it was better for disgruntled members to leave the revolutionary party instead of causing unnecessary friction from within.

“The doors are wide open. If you want to leave the party, you can go. The party will remain stronger.”

Regardless of a few malcontents, Mangwana urged Zanu-PF members not to lose direction and to continue working tirelessly in building the party.

He said every Zimbabwean should uphold the values and principles of the former freedom fighters who participated in the liberation struggle.

At the same meeting Zanu-PF National Secretary for Security Lovemore Matuke urged party leadership to desist from holding secret meetings, saying that this was the source of the divisions.

“If you feel aggrieved by any development within the party, you should seek recourse through the relevant party channels and in doing so, loyalty and discipline as expressed through understanding and adherence to the party constitution, ethics and guiding principles must always be at the core,” he said.

Last week, President Mnangagwa urged party members to desist from discussing their grievances through both the mainstream and online media platforms.

In Masvingo Province, the abuse of social media has already claimed the scalp of former Chivi South legislator Mr Killer Zivhu who was expelled from the party.

Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) coronavirus/COVID-19 situation report as of 22 December 2020:

• New cases: 122
• Locals: 105
• Returnees: 17
• Deaths: 4
• Recoveries: 47
• PCR Tests Done: 1 412
• National Recovery Rate: 81%
• Active Cases: 2 059
• Total Cumulative Cases: 12 544
• Total Recoveries: 10 159
• Total Deaths: 326

A Harare magistrate who last year fined a Venezuelan $700 for carrying 5kg cocaine worth US$469 000 in her luggage as she flew into Harare from Brazil, has been arrested for criminal abuse of office as graft-busters move up the ladder into the courts.

In a declaratory ruling on appeal, the High Court thought five years jail was the appropriate sentence although the Venezuelan had already been deported by that time, there being no additional grounds to hold her.

But that recent ruling raised suspicions over why the magistrate was so lenient.

Normally, even possession of a few grammes of cocaine attracts a jail term and the judge noted there was no legal precedent for sentencing someone with such a huge quantity of dangerous drugs.

Magistrate Morgan Nemadire tried Venezuelan Delcy Deymar Rodriguez Guererro who had been arrested for possessing 5kg cocaine and with the overwhelming evidence convicted her on the alternative more minor charge, rather than the main more serious charge, before imposing a sentence of a small fine.

Nemadire’s arrest follows investigations by the Special Anti-Corruption Unit (Sacu) with the assistance of the police.

It also comes at a time when the cogs of the justice delivery are under scrutiny after a senior prosecutor, Tapiwa Kasema, last week consented to the granting of bail to four members of a gang suspected to be the biggest robbers in Zimbabwean history.

That consent prompted police to arrest him.

Yesterday, the head of Sacu Mr Tabani Mpofu confirmed the arrest of the magistrate but could not divulge more details concerning the case.

Nemadire is expected to appear in court soon.

Aggrieved by the sentencing leniency for Guererro, the Prosecutor-General’s Office then appealed to the High Court against both the conviction on the minor charge rather than the main chare and against the sentence, saying it was too lenient even for the lesser charge.

Guerrro, a native of Venezuela, who was deported to her home country, should have served five years in prison for possession of cocaine valued at $469 000 after the High Court quashed a lower court’s sentence in a judgment delivered recently and made the conviction on the main charge.

Justice Joseph Musakwa observed that the trial court was too lenient with Guererro and ruled that a declarator on the appropriate sentence was called for even though she had been deported.

“In that respect, a sentence of five years’ imprisonment should have been imposed,” said Justice Musakwa.

“The verdict of the lower court is set aside and substituted with . .. guilty of the main charge and not guilty of the alternative charge; the sentence is set aside and substituted with the following . . . five years’ imprisonment.”

Justice Musakwa bemoaned a dearth of comparative legal authorities on cocaine-related matters from the country’s jurisdiction. He said the few cases available pale into insignificance when compared with the matter involving the Venezuelan national.

Usually, people found in possession of small quantities of cocaine ranging from 1,7 grammes to 10 grammes are sent to jail without the option of a fine.

The trial court was lenient with Guererro on the grounds that it was expensive to keep foreigners in local prisons, adding that she had complained of ill-health. This was despite the fact that the prosecution in the trial court had submitted that a fine would trivialise the gravity of the offence and would be a mockery to the justice delivery system.

The trial court heard that on October 18, 2018, police on duty at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport received a tip-off that Guererro was travelling to Harare from Brazil and was suspected to be carrying dangerous drugs.

When Guererro disembarked from her flight, she proceeded to the clearance counter in the arrivals hall to clear her passport. She was arrested as she was getting her passport stamped.

The long delays at Beitbridge Border Post have seen a Zimbabwean woman collapsing and dying in an Eagleliner bus yesterday afternoon while waiting to be cleared to leave South Africa, almost 36 hours after arriving at the border.

The woman, whose identity is yet to be established, was travelling from Johannesburg to Harare, according to border sources and had been stuck in the queue on the South African side since Monday morning.

“We are yet to get full details on the women’s death, but what we have so far is that she had been at the border for over 24 hours. She was travelling in a Harare bound bus when she complained of fatigue before collapsing. The bus crew tried to render first aid to no avail,” said an official from South Africa.

The woman was pronounced dead by emergency services workers who were called to the bus and her body was taken to Musina Government Mortuary.

Both Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo and the Zimbabwe Embassy in South Africa said they were yet to get details or the identity of the woman.