Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is a man living in a delusional world.

According to Hon Biti, 10 million people have been subjected to untold suffering due to Mr Mnangagwa’s callousness.

“2020 was the worst year for all workers.10 m people faced a humanitarian crisis, with 79% of the people being plunged into extreme poverty.

On the human rights front , there was massive closure of political space.

There was an increase in abductions,torture and abuse of human rights.

The persecution of journalists and activists was a huge indictment.The attacks on the democratic movement were unprecedented and pathological.

So Emmerson’s remarks reflect another Zim not shared by the ordinary citizens . His is a world of delusion .

In the real world the Zimbabwean is suffering , alienated , isolated, fatalistic and hungry,” argued Hon Biti.

ZAPU has said it regrets signing the Unity Accordl with Zanu PF 3 decades ago on 22 December 1987, New Zimbabwe reports. The matter came to light as the party which was formed on 10 December 1961 was celebrating its 59th anniversary when the acting party president Isaac Mabuka who was addressing senior party officials said:

Only one condition was given by Zanu PF’s Mugabe in order for Gukurahundi to stop that Zapu signs the never negotiated unity accord document and agree to be swallowed by his party

As a result, Zapu went in and the physical killings stopped albeit with the scorched earth policies of the government continuing up to this very day. What followed were years of unsuccessful efforts to reform the Zanu PF government as well as prescribing Zapu’s social, economic and developmental component into the resultant government’s policy.

The Zapu component in the government also called in the government to respect, protect and promote human rights, but the calls fell on deaf ears,

Eventually, Zapu got fed up and in 2009 severed the unity accord ties and pulled out from both Zanu PF as well as government. A resolution was taken at the White City Stadium and marked the first step of Zapu’s revival, followed by a special convention at McDonalds Hall in 2009 and later in 2010 at the ZITF Congress.

The Zapu structures, after these events, were revived and became independent from Zanu PF. It has been a tumultuous journey, with the party operating in the most hostile of environments with close to zero budgets, but the loyal members and committed leaders. The party saw through its 2016 congress.

However, we lost our sitting president (Dumiso Dabengwa) in 2019. We are preparing the upcoming 2021 (elective) congress. Zapu has proved to be the most resilient political party of all time After surviving the worst adversities and still be able to celebrate its 59th anniversary.

ZAPU’s President Dumiso Dabengwa died in May last year and the party said they are putting their house inorder as they prepare for the upcoming elections. Meanwhile the country will tomorrow commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the accord ZAPU is regretting.

Pindula

NETONE has reinstated and for the second time fired its former chief executive officer, Lazarus Muchenje on alleged criminal abuse of duty charges.

Muchenje who was dismissed from Netone on July 9 recently made an urgent chamber application at the High Court challenging his dismissal and an interim order was granted in his favour suspending the letter of termination.

In dismissing Muchenje, NetOne served him with a letter advising him of termination of his contract. Muchenje today received a letter of withdrawal of the July termination which was signed by the acting chairperson Susan Mutangadura.

In that letter, NetOne was advising Muchenje that they were withdrawing the July 9 dismissal and that he should await further communication.

“As you are aware, on 9th July 2020, NetOne Cellular (PVT) limited delivered a letter to you terminating your fixed terms contract of employment on notice in terms of section 12 (4) of the Labour Act (chapter 28.01).

“You then filed an urgent chamber application seeking to challenge the termination of the contract in case No. HC 3611/20. The matter was argued before Justice Chinamhora and a judgement in the matter is still pending.

“Netone Cellular(PVT) limited hereby withdraws the letter of 9 July 2020 informing you of the termination of your contract. By extension, that termination of your contract is hereby withdrawn,” reads the letter.

At that very moment, Muchenje received another letter which was terminating his contract of employment for the second time. The letter which was again signed by Mutangadura was advising Muchenje of his removal from the position of chief executive officer of Netone.

“The Ministry of ICT Postal and Courier Services and his Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe have expressed concern about the long drawn out dispute between you and NetOne Cellular Pvt Limited.

“They both note that your relationship with the institution (NetOne Cellular Private Limited) has irretrievably broken down and that it is in everyone’s best interests that the parties disengage,” reads the letter.

It further stated that President Mnangagwa has given his endorsement for Muchenje’s removal from the office of chief executive officer of NetOne.

“In the circumstances by this letter and exercising its rights, NetOne Cellular Private Limited hereby terminates your employment contract on three months’ notice.

Since NetOne Cellular Private Limited does not require your services it hereby waived the need for you to work. You will not be required to report for duty. The notice period will be taken into account in calculating your terminal benefits,” reads the letter.

It further stated that Muchenje’s employment was terminated with immediate effect.

Charles Laiton the Newsday Senior Court reporter died at Parirenyatwa Hospital today, Nehanda Radio reports. Laiton reportedly succumbed to a kidney ailment according to a relative Sophia Chalenga who confirmed his death to the publication and said:

He was not well after being diagnosed with a kidney ailment and we took him to Harare Hospital where he was admitted and discharged last week.

However, his health deteriorated again last Friday and he was admitted at Parirenyatwa Hospital and was placed in a Covid-19 isolation ward.

According to the publication:

Laiton joined Alpha Media Holdings publishers of NewsDay, The Independent and The Standard in June 2010 as a reporter rising through the ranks to the position of senior court reporter.

Prior to joining the media, he worked as a court interpreter and rose through the ranks to become principal court interpreter in charge of Mashonaland province and later Manicaland province.

Burial arrangements are yet to be announced. We will update this article if new details.

Suspected armed robber Douglas Mutenda, who was released on bail after law officer Mr Douglas Chesa consented to bail on December 8, is now on the run.

Mutenda is facing several counts of armed robberies and was released on $5 000 bail on December 9 when the State consented on the basis that some of his co-accused were out on bail.

But he failed to turn up on Friday for routine remand and Harare magistrate Mrs Judith Taruvinga issued the warrant of arrest.

Mutenda was supposed to stand trial for his armed robbery charges on February 17 next year with co-accused Prince Makodza, Carrington Marasha, Liberty Mupanhanga, Godfrey Mupamhanga, Spicer Takawira and Musafare Mupanhanga.

On January 21 next year, Mutenda was supposed to be tried at Harare magistrates’ court on other armed robbery charges with Eddison Mashamhanda, Spicer Takawira, Prince Makodza, Musafare Mupanhanga, Nevanji Madanhire, Christopher Mashamhanda and Dudzai Chidangwara.

Mutenda was also expected to appear in court on December 30 for routine remand on similar charges with Musa Taj Abdul, Musafare Mupamhanga, Godfrey Mupanhanga, Spicer Takawira, Carrington Marasha, Benjamin Chitunhu and Conwell Kasambarare.

Mutenda was initially denied bail when he applied at the High Court on October 20 this year.

The State led by Mr Chesa opposed the application, arguing that they had a very strong case against him.

Mr Chesa also told the court that Mutenda had led to recoveries of some of the stolen items, that there was a CCTV footage that showed him at the crime scene, that his accomplices implicated him and there were phone calls linking him to the offence, all of which left the prosecution with a very strong case against him.

High Court Judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi dismissed Mutenda’s bail application on grounds that he was likely to abscond and that he was facing a serious offence.

Barely a month after his bail application was dismissed at the High Court, Mutenda engaged a different lawyer and approached the same court, and went before a different judge.

New lawyer Mrs Concilia Maheya made a fresh bail application citing changed circumstances on December 8. In that application, Mutenda argued that his co-accused, Musafare Mupanhanga, Spicer Takawira, Benjamin Chitunhu and Conwell Kasambarare, had been granted bail.

He also argued that he had no pending cases as the State had alleged.

Mr Chesa responded to the fresh bail application on the same day consenting.

“The present application is based on changed circumstances, which the respondent (State) is of the view that they tilt the scales in favour of the applicant,” he said.

“In the initial application, neither the then legal representative nor the investigating officer who gave oral evidence in court told the court that there were other accused persons who are facing the same charges, already on remand and are out on bail.

“The applicant (Mutenda) is linked to the commission of the offence through implication by his co-accused. He was arrested at his home and no recoveries were made from him. Further, no formal identification parade was conducted to allow the respective victims to finger the applicants as having been part of the gang that committed the offence. The only probable link being the CCTV coverage and call history of his cell phone.”

Mr Chesa said in his consent papers that issues of the CCTV and call history were to be tested and determined during trial.

He said there was need to have proof from the police on whether Mutenda was on the run or not, as there was no evidence presented before the court in that regard.

Justice Benjamin Chikowore, acting on Mr Chesa’s consent, granted Mutenda bail on December 9, a day after he made his application.

Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Students Council has said Auxillia Mnangagwa’s national dress is irrelevant at a time the majority of citizens are wallowing in poverty.

In an interview with ZimEye.com on Sunday, MDC Alliance Students Council Secretary General, Rujeko Hither Mpambwa, described the so called national dress as an insult to the suffering Zimbabweans.

“We view the whole thing as an insult to the suffering Zimbabweans.

Actually Mrs Mnangagwa is simply imposing her personal interests on the entire nation.

Cultural matters cannot be determined by an individual.

Nobody has the right to redefine the culture of the nation,” argued Mpambwa.

“As students we we totally reject Mrs Mnangagwa’s dress code.The attempt to force the nation to buy her own choice of fashion is unfortunate and disturbing,” added Mpambwa.

By A Correspondent- A lecturer at Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) has filed a $3 million defamation lawsuit against a female student who claimed that he failed her last year as punishment for spurning his love advances.

Three independent examiners brought in the university remarked her module and all agreed she had failed sport science.

Dr Tapiwa Mudyahoto, a holder of a PhD from Fort Hare University, wants Nomsa Mwashita, a Bachelor of Education student at GZU, to compensate him for tarnishing his image through making what he called “baseless and false” allegations.

In summons dated December 12 filed by Dr Mudyahoto at the Masvingo Civil Court, which have since been served on Mwashita through Chihambakwe Law Chambers, Dr Mudyahoto wants the student to pay defamation damages and costs of the suit.

He also gave Mwashita seven days to respond to the suit.  In his application, Dr Mudyahoto said that Mwashita was one of 24 students part one students that were doing a module in sport science that he taught in the second semester.

After results came out, Dr Mudyahoto alleged that Mwashita upon noticing that she had failed the module made allegations that she was being punished for turning down his advances. Yet Dr Mudyahoto said he was cleared of any wrongdoing after the engagement of independent examiners who remarked Mwashita’s work.

He further alleged that Mwashita made a second “malicious” allegation against him by claiming that while in his office he had showed his manhood to her but then abandoned her case midway after being asked to prove her allegation against him by university authorities.

Dr Mudyahoto said he suffered damaged equivalent to $3 million which Mwashita must pay him. Mwashita has not yet filed papers opposing the suit.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police has redeployed 84 senior police officers throughout the country.

Commissioner Moses Magandi has been moved from Gweru to head the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Harare, replacing CID director Comm Chrispen Charumbira who was recently arrested for criminal abuse of office.

Asst Comm Patrick Majuta has been transferred from CID Law and Order section in Harare to CID headquarters as the deputy director for law and order.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi yesterday said the transfers were necessitated by recent promotions.

“When there have been promotions, there are transfers to fill in the gaps that could have been left either by death or the need for job rotation so that the organisation benefits from the expertise that certain officers have,” he said.

Some of the transfers include Comm A Moyo from PGHQ Command Agriculture to the PGHQ crime as chief staff officer.

Asst Comm Mthimukulu was transferred from Mashonaland East to Police General Headquarters (PGHQ) administration as senior staff officer, while Asst Comm D Dhlakama was moved from Manicaland provincial headquarters to PGHQ internal investigations as senior staff officer.

In Harare province, Comm W Tembo was transferred from the PGHQ Admin to Harare provincial headquarters as Officer Commanding.

In Mashonaland East, Asst Comm SG Ndou was transferred from CID to Mashonaland East provincial headquarters as Acting Officer Commanding while Asst Comm G Mugonda from Murehwa district headquarters was transferred to Mashonaland East provincial headquarters as Asst Commissioner crime.

Commissioner P Makotose from Mashonaland West provincial headquarters to Mashonaland Central provincial headquarters as Officer Commanding.

In Mashonaland Central Comm David Mahoya was transferred to Masvingo as provincial headquarters as officer commanding.

Asst Comm Florence Marume was transferred from Mutare Central district headquarters to Masvingo provincial headquarters as Asst Comm in charge of administration.

In Matabeleland North, Commissioner Erasmus Makodza will remain Matabeleland North provincial headquarters as Officer Commanding.

Under CID, Asst Comm B Bangajena was transferred from Manicaland provincial headquarters to CID headquarters a deputy director commercial crimes department.

By A Correspondent- A Zimbabwean born South African based hearse driver was this week jailed for 15  years for smuggling explosives with over R 400 000 into South Africa from Zimbabwe, The Herald reports.

Wisper Ndiwen was arrested in July and he had been in remand since then after he was found with explosives in the hearse van he was driving from Zimbabwe where he had delivered a body.

According to Captain Maluleke of The Hawks in South Africa:

On July 26, 2020, at Beitbridge Border Post, the police were busy with their routine stop and search duties when they stopped a hearse that was coming from Zimbabwe and searched it.

Instead of finding a coffin in the hearse, they discovered explosives with an estimated value of over R420 000 and subsequently arrested Ndiweni who was the driver of the vehicle.

This is a second jail sentence imposed on explosives’ smugglers in the month of December alone. Patson Banda (25) and Life Mbazi (33) were recently sentenced to 15 years’ direct imprisonment by the Musina Magistrate’s Court for smuggling explosives.

According to the publication, over 30 people have been arrested in the Beitbridge Musina area for smuggling explosives worth millions of dollars between the 2 countries Zimbabwe and South Africa.

-statemedia

Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Students Council has said Auxillia Mnangagwa’s national dress is irrelevant at a time the majority of citizens are wallowing in poverty.

In an interview with ZimEye.com on Sunday, MDC Alliance Students Council Secretary General, Rujeko Hither Mpambwa, described the so called national dress as an insult to the suffering Zimbabweans.

“We view the whole thing as an insult to the suffering Zimbabweans.

Actually Mrs Mnangagwa is simply imposing her personal interests on the entire nation.

Cultural matters cannot be determined by an individual.

Nobody has the right to redefine the culture of the nation,” argued Mpambwa.

“As students we we totally reject Mrs Mnangagwa’s dress code.The attempt to force the nation to buy her own choice of fashion is unfortunate and disturbing,” added Mpambwa.

By A Correspondent- Thanks Makore, on remand on charges of allegedly murdering his seven-year old nephew Tapiwa for suspected ritual purposes, had his kitchen hut at his Murehwa homestead destroyed by fire on Friday night, a few hours after being granted $10 000 bail by the High Court on the grounds that there was no evidence linking him to the killing.

A month ago, the kitchen hut of Tapiwa Makore Senior, twin brother to Thanks and the principle suspect in the killing, was also gutted by fire, giving rise to suspicion that the same person is trying to force the brothers out of the community.

By Saturday, Thanks Makore’s hut and gazebo at the homestead were totally destroyed, with a CID forensic team sifting the ashes as they conducted investigations.

Thanks Makore’s older brother, Shadreck, said he was alerted of the incident by their cousin who resides at the homestead.

“My cousin brother who is currently staying at Thanks’ homestead woke me up at midnight and alerted me of the incident. When I woke up, I noticed that the hut and gazebo were on fire.

“I am still wondering how the kitchen caught fire because it’s barely a month since we witnessed Tapiwa Makore Senior’s hut also being burnt to ashes,” he said.

A villager from the neighbourhood, Tendai Muzura, said he was surprised to see the fire damage. “I was passing through Makore’s homestead when I realised that his hut had been reduced to ashes. We made a police report with my fellow villagers who were equally shocked,” he said.

Another witness who only identified herself as Rita, said the fire could have been caused by someone seeking revenge for the murder of Tapiwa Makore Junior.

“When the incident occurred, I was fast asleep and I only woke up to see Makore’s house burning. Now, what is troubling us is the person behind these fires because sometime early this month, Tapiwa Makore Senior’s hut was also reduced to ashes. I personally think that whoever is behind these fires, is seeking revenge for the murder of Tapiwa,” she said.

Thanks Makore was given bail last Friday after Justice Tapiwa Chitapi said there was no evidence linking him to the offence.

The State’s case was weak as there was nothing connecting him with the offence and that police did not find anything at his house as was alleged by a police informant.

Thanks Makore was originally suspected of masterminding the murder of the seven-year-old and is alleged to have offered to pay US$1 500 for the head and arms of the deceased.

Meanwhile, Chief Mangwende of Murehwa has agreed to the burial of the boy’s remains without the head on January 9 next year, as the family seeks closure to his case.

Yesterday, there reports that some Damofalls residents gathered at Thanks Makore’s Ruwa house over the weekend to protest the decision by the High Court to grant him bail.

Residents confirmed the brief protest.

“Yes, I saw a handful of people gathered at his gate. I was some metres away so I could not hear what they were saying. Later on, I heard that they were protesting why he was given bail. They were there for a couple of minutes before they dispersed, but I did not see Thanks Makore outside,” said a resident who refused to be named.

Another resident, a vendor at the shops near Makore’s house, confirmed the protest. “When it happened, I was not here. However, when I came back, I heard from some people that there was drama outside Thanks’ house, right at the gate. I am not sure what it was all about but I think residents are angry that he got bail.”

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- At least 10 000 suspected ghost workers have been struck off the Government payroll after a biometric registration exercise as the Second Republic walks the talk on its reforms aimed at restoring order in the civil service.

The eliminated names are of those whose biometric data was non-compliant under the exercise that was assisted by the World Bank.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has also reassured its workers that their welfare remains a top priority in the coming year promising continued engagement on sustainable salaries while new non-monetary incentives, including another 120 buses to boost the fleet that brings civil servants to and from work, are being worked out.

Other existing non-monetary incentives such as affording civil servants housing schemes and duty rebate on vehicle imports will also be retained in 2021.

During last week’s workshop for the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Service Labour and Social Welfare, the PSC and the Apex Council grouping staff associations, PSC head of human capital development and management, Mr Moses Mhike, said the exercise of flushing out ghost workers was continuous.

“Ghost workers are no longer an issue. We have managed to account for those on the Salary Service Bureau,” he said.

“We conducted a biometric exercise to get the data of all civil servants and comparing with the Registrar’s office. We realised that about 10 000 were not biometric compliant and traced them at each and every work station.”

PSC Secretary Ambassador Jonathan Wutawunashe said the PSC simply eliminated ghost workers by withdrawing salaries to those who were non-complaint to the biometric exercise.

“We made sure that we stopped paying those non complaint and only the legitimate ones came forward. However, the exercise should be an ongoing thing,” he said.

The biometric registration was implemented with the assistance of the World Bank as part of efforts to weed out ghost workers and modernise management of the civil service.

Ambassador Wutawunashe also said the Pay As You Go pension scheme, which sees civil servant pensions paid out of contributions made by working members, is being replaced with the Defined Benefit Pension Plan whereby pension contributions from working civil servants are invested to fund their future pensions.

As part of the restricting of the civil service there was need to fully adopt Information Communication Technology for modernisation.

By A Correspondent- Daring thieves stole a gate at St Alois Hunyani Catholic Church in Chitungwiza.

This was revealed by Tendekai Mwashita who posted and said:

Stolen from St Alois Hunyani Catholic church in Chitungwiza is a Giant Chocolate brown Gate. All those who might have any leading information to the stolen Gate kindly report to the nearest police station or contact Parish Priest Fr Gutu on +263 77 301 8309 or Parish Chairperson Mr Garawada on +263 77 339 4784

By A Correspondent- Tension has once again gripped the Zanu-PF Mutare district after the ruling party politburo ordered the rerun of the district co-ordinating committee chairmanship elections after chaos rocked the first round of the party electoral contest.

The first round was marred by allegations of massive rigging with some ballot papers found in bins while others were burnt, amid an outcry by some voters that there were party members that were paid to vote more than once.

Four candidates are vying for the hot seat in Mutare, and these are Binali Yard, Clever Muparutsa, Cecilia Gambe and war veteran Ivan Mbengo.

Preliminary results showed that Muparutsa had won the election but it was later revealed that Yard had won the election, which caused confusion and prompted demonstrations at the Manicaland provincial headquarters office.

The election exposed factionalism in the party with Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial party chairman Mike Madiro reportedly backing Muparutsa. On the other hand, Yard is allegedly being backed by Zanu-PF national chairperson, Oppah Muchinguri.

Both Madiro and Muchinguri are fighting for the control of the province.

Yard yesterday refused to comment, and directed questions to party’s acting spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa.

Yard’s supporters yesterday said they were sure their preferred candidate would win the election.

“We need fairness in this election, if there is fairness, we are going to win, it was clear that our candidate Yard was rigged from winning (sic),” said a supporter who refused to be named.

“We are saying let’s go for a rerun, the best candidate is going to win the election. As supporters of Yard, we are following what President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been saying that let the voice of the people be the voice of God, and we have been on the ground and we are campaigning.”

Muparutsa’s supporters said they have accepted the rerun directive by the politburo, adding that it was a hard pill to swallow.

“We did not want the rerun because we believed we had won the election, but there is nothing we can do because the politburo passed a resolution that there should be a rerun,” another supporter said.

Muparutsa was not immediately available for comment.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor John Mangudya has threatened to freeze the bank accounts of businesses which are taking advantage of the lower forex auction rate to make exchange gains through either importing or retailing.

Speaking at the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) 6th Annual Business Review Conference last week on Thursday, Mangudya said businesses were inflating supplier receipts or using higher exchange rates to make exchange gains.

“We are used to arbitrage opportunities, its arbitrage. It is the spirit of arbitrage and that is what is happening a lot in Zimbabwe so we are using moral suasion. We have our FIU (Financial Intelligence Unit), CID (Criminal Investigation Department), the police. You see, these things are so difficult to police. You need to have introspection, self-discipline, because it’s not there if you can imagine . . . You need to selfpolice yourselves,” he said.

“The FIU comes and closes your accounts, freezes them, when you are doing third party transactions…When we get hold of you we just close your accounts then you come to my office because the best way to make a person come to my office and tell me what he was doing is to freeze it. If you hit the pocket he won’t be able to transact . . .

“They now have associate companies in South Africa so they issue invoices from South Africa, come to Zimbabwe – transfer pricing, we are watching you. So they come to the auction for US$10 000 but the product is US$4 000. The other US$6 000 is what is transfer pricing… that mentality does not help the country.”

Currently, the official forex rate stands at US$1:$81,76 against a parallel rate ranging between US$1:$110 to $120.

Companies then go to the official forex auction and buy the US dollar more cheaply to either make US dollar gains through inflating prices from suppliers or to retail goods at a forex rate ranging between $91 and $110.

This is why in the 2021 National Budget, VAT registered operators’ systems were ordered to be interfaced with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority server with effect from December 1, 2020 to capture US dollar sales.

Failure to do so will result in operators being denied a tax clearance certificate.

“The instruments are there. We have got plenty of statutory instruments in Zimbabwe but compliance is our weakest point in Zimbabwe,” Mangudya said.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- The opposition Zapu party and political analysts have described the Unity Day holiday as a commemoration that has lost relevance as it no longer reflects the tenets of the unity accord which was signed in 1987.

They said government should first solve the issues of national peace and reconciliation pertaining to the Matabeleland and Midlands victims of the Gukurahundi massacres of the 1980s.

Acting Zapu president Isaac Mabuka told the Southern Eye in an interview that it was better for the holiday to be changed to Gukurahundi Victims Day, to remember the 20 000 lives lost during the massacres.

The remarks come as the country prepares to commemorate the Unity Day, which is celebrated every year on December 22.

The day was declared a national holiday as a result of the Unity Accord which was signed on December 22, 1987 by two political parties, Zanu, which was then, led by the late former President Robert Mugabe, and Zapu which was led by the late former Vice-President Joshua Nkomo.

Mabuka said the Unity Day celebrations could only have relevance if they reflected that the day was being celebrated to mark an official end to the mass killings of innocent civilians in Matabeleland and the Midlands.

“We prefer a Unity Day which does not coincide with the signing of the unity accord by Mugabe and Nkomo,” Mabuka said.

“Unity Day is no longer relevant to us as Zapu and I do not see how it is linked to the Unity Accord signing,” Mabuka said.

Ibhetshu likaZulu secretary-general Mbuso Fuzwayo said the Unity Day should be changed to a day to remember the victims of the Gukurahundi.

“How can Unity Day be memorable when it was born out of the suffering of innocent people who were tortured, raped, and over 20 000 civilians were massacred by those who were against multi-party democracy? They were killed in order to have a one party State,” Fuzwayo said.

“It is of no relevance to us as it is an important day to them, born out of the blood of innocent citizens killed by their government,” he said.

Human Rights Activist Effie Ncube said there was nothing worth celebrating on Unity Day as the commemorations had no meaning.

“This is because the government has not addressed the key issues which were supposed to be addressed by the Unity Accord, and one of them is the 1980s Gukurahundi genocide. Everything is still outstanding in terms of national peace and reconciliation, and compensation of victims of the genocide. Government has not addressed anything to that extent, so there is nothing worth celebrating,” Ncube said.

He added: “Unity Day should be a day to mourn the victims of Gukurahundi. We should also mourn the standard of living which has deteriorated since Gukurahundi. There is loss of jobs, poverty and hunger. That is why we cannot celebrate.”

-newsday

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has ordered police to tighten lockdown restrictions during the festive season.

Mnangagwa also said that Zimbabwe was preparing to roll put the coronavirus vaccine, with the country among the first due to receive the much-needed antidote for the lethal virus.

During his State of the Nation Address, Mnangagwa said Zimbabweans should cooperate with the police as they enforce tougher lockdown restrictions during the festive holidays.

He said the biggest danger was that people are not complying with the current restrictions and preventative measures.

Zimbabwe has so far recorded 12 325 cases of the virus with 320 people.  

Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe will only roll out vaccines that have been analysed and found to be effective and safe.

By A Correspondent- Main opposition MDC Alliance youths led by party president Nelson Chamisa have launched a campaign to dethrone President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the 2023 elections.

The youths intend to mobilise one million votes mainly from Zanu-PF strongholds in rural areas.

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma, the MDC Alliance youth spokesperson said the campaign dubbed #One Million Campaign was progressing well.

“The #OneMillionCampaign is our vehicle to victory in the fight against Mnangagwa’s corrupt military dictatorship,” Chuma said.

“The campaign seeks to mobilise, educate, recruit and radicalise new one million youth voices that will take this regime head-on to solve the economic, social and political rot in the country.”

In the 2018 elections, Mnangagwa won the presidential elections with a thin margin which was disputed by the MDC Alliance leader.

The opposition party youths believe if they can mobilise one million votes to add to their urban support base, their party would form the next government.

“We are convinced the source of this decay is an illegitimate regime that stole the will of the majority who happens to be young people. We are now going village by village through the #OneMillionCampaign to coalesce young people to reclaim their stolen victory,” Chuma said.

He claimed that villagers in the countryside were yearning for new leadership in the country.

“So far we have received overwhelming response from young people particularly those in the rural areas who are showing unparalleled zeal to confront those looting the national cake at the expense of the people. We can confirm that so far we have managed to bulldoze our way into traditional hotspots of violence which Zanu-PF misconstrues to be its strongholds.”

The MDC youths have been to Masvingo’s district of Zaka, Kwekwe in Midlands, Mhondoro in Mashonaland West and Bulawayo to campaign.

The youths also mobilised oversubscribed campaigns in Gwanda and Chiredzi.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s niece, Shantel Chikafu has been arrested for abusing the president’s name to defraud CBZ f US$37 000and to grab John Maungwa from a Shamva gold mine.

Chikafu has reportedly been masquerading as the president’s daughter but told the court that she was the President’s niece as her father Patson Mnangagwa was the President’s elder brother.

Her arrest followed a meeting held on Thursday in Bindura to resolve the bitter mining wrangle with Maungwa where she reportedly told some Mines ministry officials that she was given a special grant to mine in Umfurudzi Game Park, including at Maungwa’s Wickman 23 Mine by the President.

A police source close to the matter yesterday told NewsDay that Chikafu was picked up by law enforcement agents.

The officer said:

It’s true, she has been arrested. Her arrest followed her abuse of President Mnangagwa’s name after she told Ministry of Mine officials that she was given a special grant to mine in Umfurudzi Game Park by the President. She has been using the names of Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander Phillip Valerio Sibanda and State Security Minister Owen Ncube to defy a court order ordering her to vacate a Shamva mine, Maungwa’s mining claims. She also used the President’s name to defraud CBZ Bank of US$37 000 and the matter is in the courts as I speak.

She has been in the cells since Saturday afternoon and will be taken to court tomorrow (Monday). I think the authorities decided to arrest her because she has been using names of big people including President Mnangagwa with impunity to conduct illicit deals and has been going scot-free.

Chikafu is reportedly working with Shamva North legislator Oscar Gorerino to wrest the mining claims from Maungwa in violation of the High Court’s April 29 order which directed her off the mine.

Chikafu who is alleged to have four different ID cards posed as “Chantelle Mnangagwa”, daughter of the President, to defraud CBZ Bank and the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority of a gold claim.

When she appeared before Harare magistrate Victoria Mashamba, she had another identity as she assured the court that she was “Chantelle Chikafu Mnangagwa” and was actually only a niece of the President.

She was denied bail with the state saying she was using four different national identification particulars and if released on bail, she could manufacture more IDs and commit more offences.

More: NewsDay

By A Correspondent- MDC-T interim president Thokozani Khupe yesterday summoned all provincial structures to Harare on Wednesday to inspect the voters roll as she moves to curb interim secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora’s alleged attempts to use a manipulated roll at the extraordinary congress to be held at the weekend.

The party was forced to postpone the congress last weekend after disputes arose over the voters roll amid allegations that Mwonzora availed a manipulated roll.

But the national council (NC), in a virtual meeting held yesterday, resolved to summon all 2014 structures to Harare to verify the voters roll.

The NC also resolved to fire Mwonzora’s lieutenant, Simon Hove, who was masquerading as the Harare provincial chairperson and was reportedly causing problems in the party in cahoots with him.

The aborted congress had been scheduled for Harare last Saturday, but was postponed at the eleventh hour after Khupe and Mwonzora, seen as the main rivals, were involved in a vicious battle over the voters roll.

After the agreement to cancel the congress, another war erupted over US$29 000 that was allegedly given to some delegates clandestinely, it has emerged.

Yesterday, the national council made a resolution that the 2014 voters roll, which was produced by the Khupe camp, was going to prevail.

“The party has summoned its 2014 provincial structures to inspect the voters roll. Team Dougie suffered a blow. Mwonzora had presented a roll staffed with his allies who were not members of the 2014 structures, as ordered by the Supreme Court in March this year,” the source said.

The source said the party’s highest organ also resolved to fire Hove, Mwonzora’s ally, from his post as Harare provincial chairperson.

“It was ordered that Simon Hove, Mwonzora’s ally who was masquerading as Harare provincial chairman, reverts to his position as treasurer in Hatfield district. He replaced the late Thomas Muzuva, who held the post. Hove was working with Mashonaland East provincial chairman Piniel Denga and Lloyd Damba, from Chitungwiza, to drive the process of filling gaps left in the structures with Mwonzora’s supporters before the party stopped them. Mwonzora’s team protested over Khupe’s gapfilling which brought in her backers, treasurer-general Chief Ndlovu and spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni. Khupe referred to a part of the constitution that empowers her as party leader to appoint members to key posts to avoid a void,” he said.

A Matabeleland North provincial official is said to have asked for an explanation on allegations that Mwonzora and team took US$29 000 from party coffers, but the issue was abandoned during the virtual meeting after no one responded.

Efforts to get a comment from party acting spokesperson Tapiwa Mashakada and Mwonzora were fruitless as their cellphones were unreachable.

However, Khupe confirmed the new development in a statement she issued yesterday, saying that they were now using the 2014 structures to produce the voters roll.

“We called this meeting to update you on the postponement of the extraordinary congress (EOC) which was scheduled for the 19th of December 2020. This was as a result of irregularities in the voters roll. There is no way we could have had the EOC with a disputed voters roll, which was going to produce a disputed outcome with the potential of leading the party to endless litigation, divisions and disunity. We expect to have a free, fair and credible election where all candidates and voters will be satisfied,” Khupe’s statement read in part.

She also urged party members to remain calm as her party works towards the congress.

“This is not a fight, but it is just a contest, so let us avoid tearing each other apart because after the EOC we have a party to run, which is an alternative government. We are aware that there are certain individuals who were pushing that the elections be conducted in open defiance of the leadership directive,” Khupe said.

“This kind of insubordination, ill-discipline and factional behaviour must come to a stop immediately. If this kind of behaviour continues, we will be left with no option but to take disciplinary action against such malcontents.”

In October, the MDC-T was given up to December 31 to hold the extraordinary congress to select a new leader after missing the July deadline that was set by the Supreme Court.

-newsday

Social media is awash with messages which wrongly suggest The Herald journalist Tafadzwa Zimoyo has died.

The claims were triggered by pictures of Zimoyo’s birthday cake which some say look like an “obituary”. H-Metro posted on its social media platforms refuting the claims that the journo had died. Said the publication:

We can confirm Tafadzwa Zimoyo is alive and well in the Herald Newsroom …this was no body viewing but a birthday cake

See the pictures below.

Below are some of the responses that were made over the cake:Addy MasunungureKeke uchidya msoro wemunhu, heyy itai mega ngozi yacho????‍♀️

Michael MJ GwarisaI can’t eat that

Tawanda Gee MoyoKuita se munhu ari mu coffin so. Vanhu veku Harare mukuzvinyanya

Dutty BrianI DONT BLAME THOSE WHO THOUGHT HE IS DEAD! The decoration and garnishing of the cake looks like an obituary.

Tilda T ZembeThe last time yandakaona cake rakadai, we were saying rest in peace ?? RIP Moana

Stacy Nonthando MurodziI’m sure the woman agadzira that cake is his ex ??

Dudu Miss-Dee PhakathiThat’s an ugly cake

Trust S MajoniHaa ini I will never eat that cake with peace of mind it jus doesn’t feel right mhani

Rudorwashe DicksonWakanda cake is that?

Theodora NyerereNo for me

Tinotendaishe PerseveranceWhoever made, cook, bake or mould that so-called cake is wishing him dead

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Schools examination Council (Zimsec) mixed up examination dates for the Ordinary Level Agriculture Paper One, with students only finding out via social media that they were supposed to sit for the tests one month earlier than scheduled.

Students had statement of entries that showed that the exam would be written on January 15, 2021 when in actual fact the examination was scheduled for December 15, 2020.

Zimsec then informed schools via social media platforms to tell candidates to sit for the examination on December 15.

“The statement of entry says Agriculture Paper One is to be written 15/01/2021, but the timetable says 15/12/20. Please help by telling every learner (sic) who does Agriculture that the paper will be written tomorrow 15 December 2020 at 2pm,” read one of the messages that went viral on social media platforms.

Teachers in hurungwe district said Zimsec’s latest boob affected particularly rural candidates, who could not get the communication on time.

“These exams have been mired in confusion and these are comedy errors that we have since given up on as we try to assist learners. Our education system is now worse and Zimsec was never prepared for these exams,” a rural teacher, who refused to be named, said.

A disgruntled parent, Ronald Mubayo, added: ‘‘These exams have uncalled for blunders happening, which will seriously tarnish our education system.”

But Zimsec public relations manager Nicolette Dhlamini claimed the mix up of the examination dates did not affect candidates.

In a written response to NewsDay, she said there were some statements of entry that were issued with dates corresponding with the timetables.

Dhlamini said it was an “administrative issue” that school authorities handled amicably and it did not affect candidates writing exams.

“In the event that a candidate did not collect statements and finds conflicting dates, the standard procedure is that the timetable always takes precedence. This is known by all heads and teachers, therefore, no candidate should have been adversely affected,” she said.

By A Correspondent- Government is working towards introducing an online passport application service with the view to curbing corruption currently rocking the application process.

This was said last week by Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe during the official opening of Zimbabwe’s first district passport office at Chitungwiza municipality’s headquarters.

“We are in the process of coming up with an integrated information communication technology (ICT) solution which will not just bring these physical structures to your doorsteps, but bring the actual service to homes through online services,” Kazembe said.

“Ideally, the passport application process in its entirety should be done within the confines of our homes.

“You see these people clapping they are crying. People are being swindled at passport offices. Corruption must come to an end. When people come to our offices, please let’s serve them with the dignity they deserve. Two or three should be arrested to set an example,” he said.

Passports seekers, who spoke to NewsDay, lamented the corruption at passport offices and expressed hope that the newly-opened office would operate transparently.

“Surely, corruption at the passport offices should end. You sleep in a queue at the offices and when the authorities come in the morning you will be surprised that you will be number 130. People are asked to pay bribes of US$20 to join or skip the queue. We pray that the system at Makombe offices doesn’t repeat itself at the new Chitungwiza passport offices. The authorities should be on the lookout,” Phyllis Vambe said.

A South Africa-based Chitungwiza resident Loveness Mugadza, who came back to renew her passport said: “I came back home with my US$318. It wasn’t easy to raise that money. I can’t just give away my hard-earned cash. Outside, they demand US$20 and inside, they also demand US$100 for us to be served. This should come to an end.”

Kazembe told the attendees that the decentralisation of the civil registry department to districts was meant to decongest provincial offices.

“Given that the passport application facility was restricted to 10 provincial offices, this had resulted in congestion. In response, my ministry through the Department of Civil Registry has taken a deliberate stance to improve service delivery through decentralised systems integration and infrastructure development. The decentralisation of passport services to Chitungwiza is the third 100-day project by the department.

“The ministry remains committed to further decentralise passport services and streamline passport issuance procedures. In my view it will remove physical human interface. People have a problem that whenever they meet they want to bribe someone. With this online solution which my ministry is working on, that will be history.”

-newsday

Zimbabwe’s cash-strapped utility Zesa Holdings Ltd. is allowing people to pay their bills in foreign currency as it struggles to fund the nation’s power imports.

Zesa said in an emailed statement on Sunday that the decision would bring consumers more “convenience.” Previously, only miners and exporters were allowed to pay for power supplies in U.S. dollars and other foreign currencies.

The southern African country generates less than half of its own electricity and relies on imports from South Africa and Mozambique for the rest. Local production has been hit by a drought that shuttered the nation’s main hydropower plant and by frequent breakdowns at its coal-fired Hwange facility.

The government has gradually opened more of the struggling economy to foreign transactions since the start of a virus lockdown in March, backtracking on an earlier decision to make the Zimbabwe dollar the sole legal tender. Citizens can now use U.S. dollars for food shopping, fuel, toll fees and passports.

The move has undermined demand for the Zimbabwe dollar, sending its value slumping and it now trades at 81.73 to the U.S. dollar.

The utility said the exchange rate from a weekly foreign auction system would be used to settle consumers’ electricity bills.

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.

By A Correspondent- Government has once again snubbed the MDC Alliance after it disbursed a total $76 million to Zanu-PF and MDC-T interim leadership.

Of this amount Zanu-PF received $61 million while the MDC got nearly $15 million under the Political Parties Finance Act, which sanctions the disbursement of funds to major political parties in Parliament.

In July, government also released $25 million, which was shared between Zanu-PF and MDC-T.

This comes as the MDC is involved in a zero-sum internal war over the control of the country’s main opposition party.

-DailyNews

21 December 2020.

Today, the Trio, Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova are in court 14 again on another court case.

Their charge is in relation to the demonstration in Warren Park during the Covid-19 lockdown.

This is one of the trio’s 4 cases.

The other case that was brought to court last week and postponed.

The State created a case where it is accusing them of faking their abduction and torture.

This case was initially set for 22 December 2020 which is a holiday.

Today the MDC Alliance youth leaders are being tried with five other Youth leaders including the chairperson , Obey Sithole at 0940hrs.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police has redeployed 84 senior police officers throughout the country.

Commissioner Moses Magandi has been moved from Gweru to head the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Harare, replacing CID director Comm Chrispen Charumbira who was recently arrested for criminal abuse of office.

Asst Comm Patrick Majuta has been transferred from CID Law and Order section in Harare to CID headquarters as the deputy director for law and order.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi yesterday said the transfers were necessitated by recent promotions.

“When there have been promotions, there are transfers to fill in the gaps that could have been left either by death or the need for job rotation so that the organisation benefits from the expertise that certain officers have,” he said.

Some of the transfers include Comm A Moyo from PGHQ Command Agriculture to the PGHQ crime as chief staff officer.

Asst Comm Mthimukulu was transferred from Mashonaland East to Police General Headquarters (PGHQ) administration as senior staff officer, while Asst Comm D Dhlakama was moved from Manicaland provincial headquarters to PGHQ internal investigations as senior staff officer.

In Harare province, Comm W Tembo was transferred from the PGHQ Admin to Harare provincial headquarters as Officer Commanding.

In Mashonaland East, Asst Comm SG Ndou was transferred from CID to Mashonaland East provincial headquarters as Acting Officer Commanding while Asst Comm G Mugonda from Murehwa district headquarters was transferred to Mashonaland East provincial headquarters as Asst Commissioner crime.

Commissioner P Makotose from Mashonaland West provincial headquarters to Mashonaland Central provincial headquarters as Officer Commanding.

In Mashonaland Central Comm David Mahoya was transferred to Masvingo as provincial headquarters as officer commanding.

Asst Comm Florence Marume was transferred from Mutare Central district headquarters to Masvingo provincial headquarters as Asst Comm in charge of administration.

In Matabeleland North, Commissioner Erasmus Makodza will remain Matabeleland North provincial headquarters as Officer Commanding.

Under CID, Asst Comm B Bangajena was transferred from Manicaland provincial headquarters to CID headquarters a deputy director commercial crimes department.

Government has once again snubbed the MDC Alliance after it disbursed a total $76 million to Zanu-PF and MDC-T interim leadership.

Of this amount Zanu-PF received $61 million while the MDC got nearly $15 million under the Political Parties Finance Act, which sanctions the disbursement of funds to major political parties in Parliament.

In July, government also released $25 million, which was shared between Zanu-PF and MDC-T.

This comes as the MDC is involved in a zero-sum internal war over the control of the country’s main opposition party.

Congestion of vehicles and travellers visiting South Africa and Zimbabwe is building up at Beitbridge Border Post, with the curfews on both sides adding to the normal seasonal year-end pressure.

Though the travellers are being cleared under safe and strict Covid-19 management protocols, the full implementation of the 10pm to 4am curfew has resulted in traffic piling up on both sides of the border, and on Friday the South Africans added more pressure when stopped clearing light vehicles, pedestrians and buses after 10pm. They are only clearing commercial cargo at night.

Said a border official: “There is a need for Zimbabwe and South Africa to seriously consider the issue of curfews at the land borders. As it stands, the South Africans are not clearing any traffic besides commercial cargo after 10pm.

“This has created problems for border officials considering that the border is usually hectic during peak periods, even where it operates for 24 hours a day.”

The source said between 4am and 10pm they will be clearing all types of traffic, both south and northbound traffic, albeit in batches.

It is understood that after 8pm, the South Africans are closing their border to private vehicles, pedestrians and buses.

State Media

Thanks Makore, on remand on charges of allegedly murdering his seven-year old nephew Tapiwa for suspected ritual purposes, had his kitchen hut at his Murehwa homestead destroyed by fire on Friday night, a few hours after being granted $10 000 bail by the High Court on the grounds that there was no evidence linking him to the killing.

A month ago, the kitchen hut of Tapiwa Makore Senior, twin brother to Thanks and the principle suspect in the killing, was also gutted by fire, giving rise to suspicion that the same person is trying to force the brothers out of the community.

By Saturday, Thanks Makore’s hut and gazebo at the homestead were totally destroyed, with a CID forensic team sifting the ashes as they conducted investigations.

Thanks Makore’s older brother, Shadreck, said he was alerted of the incident by their cousin who resides at the homestead.

“My cousin brother who is currently staying at Thanks’ homestead woke me up at midnight and alerted me of the incident. When I woke up, I noticed that the hut and gazebo were on fire.

“I am still wondering how the kitchen caught fire because it’s barely a month since we witnessed Tapiwa Makore Senior’s hut also being burnt to ashes,” he said.

A villager from the neighbourhood, Tendai Muzura, said he was surprised to see the fire damage. “I was passing through Makore’s homestead when I realised that his hut had been reduced to ashes. We made a police report with my fellow villagers who were equally shocked,” he said.

Another witness who only identified herself as Rita, said the fire could have been caused by someone seeking revenge for the murder of Tapiwa Makore Junior.

“When the incident occurred, I was fast asleep and I only woke up to see Makore’s house burning. Now, what is troubling us is the person behind these fires because sometime early this month, Tapiwa Makore Senior’s hut was also reduced to ashes. I personally think that whoever is behind these fires, is seeking revenge for the murder of Tapiwa,” she said.

Thanks Makore was given bail last Friday after Justice Tapiwa Chitapi said there was no evidence linking him to the offence.

The State’s case was weak as there was nothing connecting him with the offence and that police did not find anything at his house as was alleged by a police informant.

Thanks Makore was originally suspected of masterminding the murder of the seven-year-old and is alleged to have offered to pay US$1 500 for the head and arms of the deceased.

Meanwhile, Chief Mangwende of Murehwa has agreed to the burial of the boy’s remains without the head on January 9 next year, as the family seeks closure to his case.

Yesterday, there reports that some Damofalls residents gathered at Thanks Makore’s Ruwa house over the weekend to protest the decision by the High Court to grant him bail.

Residents confirmed the brief protest.

“Yes, I saw a handful of people gathered at his gate. I was some metres away so I could not hear what they were saying. Later on, I heard that they were protesting why he was given bail. They were there for a couple of minutes before they dispersed, but I did not see Thanks Makore outside,” said a resident who refused to be named.

Another resident, a vendor at the shops near Makore’s house, confirmed the protest. “When it happened, I was not here. However, when I came back, I heard from some people that there was drama outside Thanks’ house, right at the gate. I am not sure what it was all about but I think residents are angry that he got bail.”

Paul Nyathi

At least 10 000 suspected ghost workers have been struck off the Government payroll after a biometric registration exercise as the Second Republic walks the talk on its reforms aimed at restoring order in the civil service.

A ghost worker is an unknown and unaccounted for employee who draws wages and benefits from the state.

The eliminated names are of those whose biometric data was non-compliant under the exercise that was assisted by the World Bank.

During last week’s workshop for the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Service Labour and Social Welfare, the PSC and the Apex Council grouping staff associations, PSC head of human capital development and management, Mr Moses Mhike, said the exercise of flushing out ghost workers was continuous.

“Ghost workers are no longer an issue. We have managed to account for those on the Salary Service Bureau,” he said.

“We conducted a biometric exercise to get the data of all civil servants and comparing with the Registrar’s office. We realised that about 10 000 were not biometric compliant and traced them at each and every work station.”

PSC Secretary Ambassador Jonathan Wutawunashe said the PSC simply eliminated ghost workers by withdrawing salaries to those who were non-complaint to the biometric exercise.

“We made sure that we stopped paying those non complaint and only the legitimate ones came forward. However, the exercise should be an ongoing thing,” he said.

The biometric registration was implemented with the assistance of the World Bank as part of efforts to weed out ghost workers and modernise management of the civil service.

In a 2019 Audit Report, government lost in excess of US$4 million through payment of ghost workers not through the Salary Service Bureau (SSB) but via line ministries’ payrolls.

According to the report, the Local Government and Lands Ministries topped the list of those fleeced the most through amounts of US$1,889,899 and US$1,656,966 respectively.

SSB records indicate employment costs of US$1,059,163,623 against 10 ministries’ US$1,055,828,763 wage bill.

Other ministries implicated are; Labour (US$122,334), Health (US$1,283,704), Home Affairs (US$282,788), Higher and Tertiary Education (US$75,394), Industry and Commerce (US$583,994), Public Service (US$431,268), Energy (US$16,107) and the Zimbabwe Gender Commission at US$16,553.

Government has over the past three years been battling the effects of ghost workers on its expenditure.

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has said it will soon start providing money to enable pregnant girls to continue with their education after Treasury allocated $123 million for the programme in the 2021 national budget.

Part of the funds will also be used for counselling services, conducting needs assessment surveys and crafting empowerment programmes to reduce the prevalence of girls falling pregnant before completing their studies.

The development is in line with the amended Education Act which now allows girls to attend school during and after the pregnancy.

The budget allocation follows the approval in August by President Mnangagwa of the amended Education Act. Prior to the amendment of the law, school authorities expelled pregnant girls but boys that impregnated the girls were spared, which was seen as discriminatory.

An increasing number of girls fell pregnant during the Covid-19 induced long school break and Government is taking measures to ensure the affected girls are not deprived of their education.

A number of the pregnant girls did not report for school for the Third Term which ended on Friday and efforts to track them down are underway. Two of the pregnant Bulawayo schoolgirls committed suicide after probably failing to cope with the new reality.

In an interview, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s director of communications and advocacy Mr Taungana Ndoro said the ministry now has an allocation from the national budget to assist pregnant girls cope with their new situation.

“We are now able to conduct research to establish the prevalence of girls falling pregnant, conduct needs assessment surveys and also track down the affected girls so that they are not deprived of their education,” said Mr Ndoro.

He said the ministry will soon engage communities to find out how best to address the problem of girls falling pregnant while at school.

Mr Ndoro said the Ministry will work with the Department of Social Welfare to ensure teenage mothers’ babies are well looked after.

“We will also offer them counselling and come up with empowerment programmes for less privileged girls so that they are not abused by men or boys with money taking advantage of their social status,” said Mr Ndoro.

In her contribution during the 2021 budget debate in Parliament recently the chairperson of the Primary and Secondary Education Parliamentary Portfolio Committee, Ms Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga said the money to assist pregnant girls will go a long way in ensuring the affected girls continue with their education.

She said the increasing number of girls falling pregnant while at school was a cause for concern and needs to be addressed urgently.

She said Government working with school authorities should ensure affected girls were afforded the opportunity to continue with their education. Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga said figures released so far could just be a fraction of the girls that fell pregnant during the long break.

Source – Chronicle

State Media

The City Of Harare is being run by town clerks, as a result of internal power struggles within the capital city.

Acting town clerk Engineer Zvenyika Chawatama and the suspended substantive town clerk Engineer Hosiah Chisango are allegedly both at work.

Eng Chawatama last week attended a town clerk’s forum in Bulawayo while Eng Chisango was also reportedly conducting his official duties at town house after his suspension was lifted by acting mayor Councillor Luckson Mukunguma.

In an interview on Tuesday, acting town clerk Eng Chawatama confirmed that Eng Chisango was back at the office, but himself insisted that he was still running the show.

“Yes l am acting,” he said. “Eng Chisango and Mr Bozman Matengarufu are at work. Myself l am in Bulawayo on council business,” he said.

Eng Chisango was arrested in September and subsequently suspended over allegations of being involved in the illegal creation and allocation of stands on an open space in Kuwadzana 3 in July last year without going through the legal process of changing land use.

Mr Matengarufu has been on suspension over alleged abuse of office where he irregularly granted a loan to a new employee identified as Moffat Ndlovu, in inexplicable circumstances.

However, Eng Chisango while admitting having been at council premises said he had not been carrying out any official duties.

“I did not chair any meeting. I just passed by at the institution. When l am back it would be officially communicated,” he said.

The Herald is however, in possession of a letter referenced expiry of paid leave dated December 17, 2020 in which acting mayor councillor Luckson Mukunguma clandestinely reinstated Eng Chisango.

“Following the expiry of 30 working days paid leave imposed on you by my office on December 11, 2020 in a letter dated October30, 2020 and effective on November 2, 2020 pleased be advised of the expiry of the leave.

“Meanwhile, due to the exigence of work and the demands of the office of the town clerk, you are hereby notified to proceed with your work in your capacity as the town clerk,” reads part of the letter.

His reinstatement comes at time the Government has condemned the move by Harare City Council to reinstate senior and middle managers with pending corruption court cases, saying such moves are tantamount to undermining the courts.

Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo said there was no guarantee that those reinstated will not interfere with evidence or with witnesses since they were among their subordinates.

Shortly before Eng Chisango’s arrest he seem to have developed bad blood with Eng Chawatama whom he had suspended over disciplinary offences. Eng Chawatama was reinstated a few days later during Eng Chisango’’s absence.

According to the Urban Council’s Act, where a town clerk has been suspended his suspension, unless earlier lifted, shall terminate when the council has decided not to discharge him or after six months has elapsed, whichever occurs the sooner.

During the period of his suspension he shall not be entitled to his salary or wages in respect of that period but he may be paid such allowance, not exceeding the amount of his salary or wages, as the council may fix.

The act said if he is not subsequently discharged, he shall be entitled to the full amount of his salary or wages and any allowances that would otherwise have been paid to him in respect of the period of his suspension, less any allowance paid to him.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is a man living in a delusional world.

According to Hon Biti, 10 million people have been subjected to untold suffering due to Mr Mnangagwa’s callousness.

“2020 was the worst year for all workers.10 m people faced a humanitarian crisis, with 79% of the people being plunged into extreme poverty.

On the human rights front , there was massive closure of political space.

There was an increase in abductions,torture and abuse of human rights.

The persecution of journalists and activists was a huge indictment.The attacks on the democratic movement were unprecedented and pathological.

So Emmerson’s remarks reflect another Zim not shared by the ordinary citizens . His is a world of delusion .

In the real world the Zimbabwean is suffering , alienated , isolated, fatalistic and hungry,” argued Hon Biti.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is a man living in a delusional world.

According to Hon Biti, 10 million people have been subjected to untold suffering due to Mr Mnangagwa’s callousness.

“2020 was the worst year for all workers.10 m people faced a humanitarian crisis, with 79% of the people being plunged into extreme poverty.

On the human rights front , there was massive closure of political space.

There was an increase in abductions,torture and abuse of human rights.

The persecution of journalists and activists was a huge indictment.The attacks on the democratic movement were unprecedented and pathological.

So Emmerson’s remarks reflect another Zim not shared by the ordinary citizens . His is a world of delusion .

In the real world the Zimbabwean is suffering , alienated , isolated, fatalistic and hungry,” argued Hon Biti.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa, has said the popular movement will remain solid and intact despite frantic efforts by Zanu PF to destroy the people’s project.

President Chamisa has also emphasized that the popular movement is not ashamed of pursuing the peaceful path to the future.

“Our BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT over the years has been to remain standing & keeping the fight for real change.

It’s not easy to fight dictatorship only with open palms, bare hands and on the platform of peace.

We are not ashamed of our non-violence path to the future.

Waging a consistent fight for freedom, democracy and transformation is a major score and no mean achievement.

We have a solid vision, clear policies, precise goals and effective strategies…After the persecution, trials, betrayals and tribulations victory kicks in. Victory is certain! It’s coming,” said President Chamisa.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa, has said the popular movement will remain solid and intact despite frantic efforts by Zanu PF to destroy the people’s project.

President Chamisa has also emphasized that the popular movement is not ashamed of pursuing the peaceful path to the future.

“Our BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT over the years has been to remain standing & keeping the fight for real change.

It’s not easy to fight dictatorship only with open palms, bare hands and on the platform of peace.

We are not ashamed of our non-violence path to the future.

Waging a consistent fight for freedom, democracy and transformation is a major score and no mean achievement.

We have a solid vision, clear policies, precise goals and effective strategies…After the persecution, trials, betrayals and tribulations victory kicks in. Victory is certain! It’s coming,” said President Chamisa.

By A Correspondent- United Kingdom-based founding president of the Economic Freedom Fighters Zimbabwe (EFFZ) opposition party, Innocent Ndibali has stepped down.

Ndibali will pave way for Xolani Tshuma, who was his deputy.

He was at the helm of the party since its formation four years ago.

Ndibali said the reasons for stepping down were that he wanted to concentrate on philanthropic activities as well as his businesses.

The outgoing leader also said his decision was a “conscious, carefully thought-out, strategic, progressive, selfless and democratic” move for a leader to step down from the top position and facilitate smooth transfer of power.

“It was my personal decision. The central command team and the war council of EFFZ have endorsed that decision. My view is and has always been that EFF Zimbabwe is transformative and revolutionary. This is why as a leader I want to demonstrate a new political culture that political leaders should facilitate a peaceful transfer of power. I am happy that I led by example,” Ndibali told Southern Eye.

He said the decision-making body in the party, the central command, had since endorsed Tshuma as the new president.

“I now want to focus on other areas of interest, mainly to focus my attention on growing my business and also to dedicate more time and resources on philanthropy,” Ndibali said.

“I want to thank all those who worked so hard and continue to work so hard to build the party. I am stepping down from the leadership at a time the party is in good shape and the support base has grown exponentially.”

Ndibali hailed government for embarking on the land reform programme, but expressed reservations about the move to compensate white commercial farmers who lost farms under the programme.

In 2017, Ndibali made headlines after he was arrested while addressing journalists at the Bulawayo Media Centre.

Police alleged that he had violated his visa conditions by addressing journalists. He was, however, acquitted of the charges.

-newsday

POPTAIN — the high-riding dancehall singer who rose to fame with his hit song “Fadza Mutengi” — has had a long, bumpy and winding road to stardom.

Born Ameen Abduljaleel Matanga in Gweru some 26 years ago, the hit-maker opened up on his touching life and not-so-rosy musical journey.

Poptain was born in a Muslim family and is the youngest of three children.

He defied the odds and found success where some people would have easily failed.

Tragedy

In fact, from the day he was born, the odds always seemed to be heavily staked against him.

Following the death of his parents when he was only a young boy, the singer and his two siblings — Charity and Akim — went to live with an uncle in Kwekwe in 2001.

Barely two years later, the uncle died, resulting in the siblings moving to Harare, where they were put under the care of an aunt. The move to Harare was to change Poptain’s life forever.

“When we moved to Harare, we were given the impression that we were going to boarding school. We were elated as we bid farewell to our friends and relatives,” he recounted.

However, to their unpleasant surprise, they were put in an orphanage.

“I was shocked and hurt. To me, this was deceit. During my early days at the orphanage, I would find a secret place where I would often go to cry my heart out.”

But it was to become a blessing in disguise.

“My interest in music grew when I was at the orphanage,” he said.

After completing Ordinary Level in 2011, the singer and his siblings went back to live with their aunt.

“My aunt, who is deeply religious, wanted me to be a Muslim teacher and despised secular music. I knew that my first love was music and I swore that nothing could stop me from achieving my goal,” added the young musician, who is now a proud father of one.

Poptain was subsequently introduced to a recording studio by Naddy Nice, a fellow Muslim with whom he had developed a close relationship.

“I owe Naddy Nice a lot. Every time I held the microphone, he would urge me to refine my talent. He is the one who gave me my stage name.”

Continuing to defy his aunt by relentlessly pursuing secular music came at a price — he was chased away from home.-The Sunday Mail

POPTAIN — the high-riding dancehall singer who rose to fame with his hit song “Fadza Mutengi” — has had a long, bumpy and winding road to stardom.

Born Ameen Abduljaleel Matanga in Gweru some 26 years ago, the hit-maker opened up on his touching life and not-so-rosy musical journey.

Poptain was born in a Muslim family and is the youngest of three children.

He defied the odds and found success where some people would have easily failed.

Tragedy

In fact, from the day he was born, the odds always seemed to be heavily staked against him.

Following the death of his parents when he was only a young boy, the singer and his two siblings — Charity and Akim — went to live with an uncle in Kwekwe in 2001.

Barely two years later, the uncle died, resulting in the siblings moving to Harare, where they were put under the care of an aunt. The move to Harare was to change Poptain’s life forever.

“When we moved to Harare, we were given the impression that we were going to boarding school. We were elated as we bid farewell to our friends and relatives,” he recounted.

However, to their unpleasant surprise, they were put in an orphanage.

“I was shocked and hurt. To me, this was deceit. During my early days at the orphanage, I would find a secret place where I would often go to cry my heart out.”

But it was to become a blessing in disguise.

“My interest in music grew when I was at the orphanage,” he said.

After completing Ordinary Level in 2011, the singer and his siblings went back to live with their aunt.

“My aunt, who is deeply religious, wanted me to be a Muslim teacher and despised secular music. I knew that my first love was music and I swore that nothing could stop me from achieving my goal,” added the young musician, who is now a proud father of one.

Poptain was subsequently introduced to a recording studio by Naddy Nice, a fellow Muslim with whom he had developed a close relationship.

“I owe Naddy Nice a lot. Every time I held the microphone, he would urge me to refine my talent. He is the one who gave me my stage name.”

Continuing to defy his aunt by relentlessly pursuing secular music came at a price — he was chased away from home.-The Sunday Mail

Popular rapper Ex Q (real name Enoch Munhenga) in an interview with Digest said he has managed to stay relevant when his peers, fellow urban groove singers fizzled out into oblivion because of his hard work, Newsday reports.

Said the hitmaker:

I was blessed by God, He gave me a second chance to be part of the music industry also, it’s God who has taken me this far. I am also blessed that I have a good team that understands my art, a good team that understands that sometimes I need more time to work on my music and also to give direction and experiment on a lot of things, shout out to my team, I am blessed.

With God, everything is possible and it happens at his time. I work hard, and I really take my time. Other

artistes from urban grooves may also blow up. Again it might take time, but as long as they are in the industry and have passion for it, they will keep going.

I was lucky because I believe with my first song Musalala that is when my breakthrough came because

soon after I started doing live shows. I released another one and then started performing the two songs for two years and from there the rest is history.

Ex Q lamented the slow growth if not the regression of the music industry in Zimbabwe and said:

To be honest the music industry is not growing, it is getting worse because I remember when we started, without shows we used to sell cassettes and CDs. As for me, when I released my first cassette, I did well and I knew the number of copies that I sold and my life changed through selling music.

Now it is hard because we rarely sell music as people are now relying on shows and few corporates, but these corporates don’t release money, if they release, the person between the corporates and the artiste would want a bigger share and they don’t want to give artistes what they deserve. So at the end of the day things are getting worse and also with our economy it’s hard.

The corporate side is not really supportive. So if the economy gets back on its feet then the music industry will also do well.

Ex Q over the years has collaborated with a lot of artists that include Freeman, Tocky Vibes, Amara Brown just to name a few.-NewsDay

Video loading below….

Zimbabwe’s cash-strapped utility Zesa Holdings Ltd. is allowing people to pay their bills in foreign currency as it struggles to fund the nation’s power imports.

Zesa said in an emailed statement on Sunday that the decision would bring consumers more “convenience.” Previously, only miners and exporters were allowed to pay for power supplies in U.S. dollars and other foreign currencies.

The southern African country generates less than half of its own electricity and relies on imports from South Africa and Mozambique for the rest. Local production has been hit by a drought that shuttered the nation’s main hydropower plant and by frequent breakdowns at its coal-fired Hwange facility.

The government has gradually opened more of the struggling economy to foreign transactions since the start of a virus lockdown in March, backtracking on an earlier decision to make the Zimbabwe dollar the sole legal tender. Citizens can now use U.S. dollars for food shopping, fuel, toll fees and passports.

The move has undermined demand for the Zimbabwe dollar, sending its value slumping and it now trades at 81.73 to the U.S. dollar.

The utility said the exchange rate from a weekly foreign auction system would be used to settle consumers’ electricity bills.

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.

A South African family in the small town of Verulam was almost wiped out by Covid-19 in a matter of weeks, leaving just their daughter fighting for her life.

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Monday about beating the second wave but that morning, Cynthia Chitray, 71, and her son Dean Chitray, 42, were found dead in their Brindhaven home.

They were in quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19.

On Thursday, the daughter, who asked not to be named to avoid stigmatisation, was discharged from a Pietermaritzburg hospital where she had been on a ventilator and in intensive care due to the virus.

She is at home but continues to require a supplementary oxygen supply.

The first family member who contracted Covid-19 and passed away was Sam Chitray, 71, the father, who the family suspected contracted it from a hospital check-up for a kidney disorder about three weeks ago.

A family member told the Sunday Tribune that his uncle’s health began to deteriorate after his check up and was subsequently admitted to hospital.

“His daughter visited him before he was admitted to see how his check up went, and that is when we believe she contracted the virus. Her husband also tested positive. The health department visited the family to do contact tracing, testing and to place them into quarantine,” he said.

He said Sam died last week Friday and his funeral was conducted on Tuesday according to Covid -19 protocols.

Sam Chitray received a Covid-19 burial on Tuesday after passing away last Friday. Picture: Supplied.
“Dean and Cynthia were cremated on Wednesday after investigations into their deaths were conducted. We were told there was no foul play or signs of a burglary. I actually phoned Dean on Sunday evening to ask how he and his mum were doing, and he said they were doing fine, but his mum was asleep. It was discovered that she had died 12 hours before Dean, who was found on the couch in the living room,” he said.

The daughter was the sole survivor.

The family member said when she learnt of her father’s passing, it crushed her, and that was why they delayed breaking the news about her brother and mother.

“That stress and heartbreak worsened her condition and caused her to require ventilation. We kept the news from her about her mum and brother for as long as we could so she could be as strong as possible. That is also why we requested the statement of a Verulam security company to be taken off of Facebook,” he said.

A concern the family had were the various conspiracy theories formulated by the community around the deaths.

“We want the record to be set straight. There were no murders or suicides. It was Covid-19. The family is suffering a great loss, and the daughter is still fighting to regain her strength. It has been a nightmare, but one we are trying our best to get through. Right now, she needs as much love and support as possible, so that is what we are giving her.”

Sunday Tribune

MINES Minister Winston Chitando has been dragged to court by a local businessman Yakub Ibrahim Mahomed who is accusing him of seizing eight mining claims in Mberengwa.

The minister is also being accused of mining the gold claims while knowing there was an ongoing dispute regarding ownership.

Chitando is further accused of influencing mines secretary Onesimo Moyo, and Nelson Munyanduri, the Midlands provincial mining director, for the two government officials to ignore Mahomed’s complaints.

The complainant said he had conducted investigations which showed that Chitando’s company, Golden Reef Mining had illegally taken over his claims.

The dispute has since spilled into the High Court where Mahomed has made an application seeking the cancellation of a special grant issued by the mines minister favouring the Golden Reef.

He also wants the forfeiture notices of his claims cancelled.

Mahomed said the forfeited mining claims should be declared his assets, and be returned to his company, Anesu Gold, which has been cited as the applicant in the court papers.

In the court application, Moyo and Munyanduri are cited as the first and second respondents respectively.

The embattled businessman also wants Chitando’s Golden Reef to pay him for the gold it has mined from the disputed mining claims.

In his court papers, Mahomed said he was the registered owner of the gold claims also referred to as Mangoro Claims (Ipanema).

The mining claims were previously owned and registered in the name of Start Mining Services, but belonged to Mahomed.

He told the court the certificates of registration of the claims are renewed periodically, which also involves the payment of inspection fees.

At the end of 2018, a loan facility of US$6,4 million was approved by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) owned Fidelity Printers and Refiners, with his company, Anesu Gold being the collateral for the loan. The loan was to finance mining operations at the Mberengwa site.

This loan had the approval of the RBZ governor John Mangudya, and finance ministry secretary George Guvamatanga.

“Fidelity (Printers) gave the facility on the strength of clean and unencumbered mining claims following due diligence process,” the businessman said.

In his founding affidavit filed on behalf of Anesu Gold, Mahomed said in January 2019, the registration certificates were handed over to Fidelity Printers with specific instructions to cover all outstanding inspection fees from the loan facility.

A loan was released with full knowledge of all parties and the fees were paid to the mines ministry and receipted in Gweru by Munyanduri.

“Then it came to pass that at some stage the applicant received a bombshell that some of the mining claims had been forfeited and that actually, a special grant No. 7321 had been issued over the forfeited mining claims. On further investigations, I found out that two notices of forfeiture had been issued,” said Mahomed.

He told the court the two notices were published by sticking them on the notice board at the mines ministry head office in Harare, and Munyanduri’s offices in Gweru.

The notices were never served on Mahomed.

“I never saw, let alone received the notices and, therefore, the applicant was not aware of the notices until after the event. Otherwise I, on behalf of the applicant would have taken steps to protect the applicant’s rights and interests in the mining claims,” said Mahomed.

“It is more proper to set out the unfolding of events to show that behind the alleged forfeiture of the mining claims stands the dark shadows of gigantic Uncle Tom called fraud and corruption,” Mahomed complained.

According to the court papers, Anesu Gold holds 70% of the shares in Start Mining Services and Mberengwa Enterprises holds 30%.

Mahomed’s founding affidavit shows that Anesu Gold eventually purchased Mberengwa Enterprises’ 30% shareholding making it a 100% shareholder of the mining claims.

Court papers also show that in 2012 Chitando was approached by Rugare Gumbo who owned the 30% in an attempt to lure him to invest in the claims, but the minister declined the offer. Gumbo is a former Zanu PF national spokesperson.

Mahomed claims he also once engaged businessman Shingi Mutasa and Chitando before he was appointed mines minister. Chitando flew to the Mberengwa gold claims for an inspection, but Mutasa failed to turn up.

He said it was when Chitando gathered information of the “juicy areas” of the mining claims that he hatched a plan to boot Mohamed out.

The businessman said he continued carrying out due diligence regarding mining processes, paying inspection fees, which were received by the mines ministry, but was never told about the forfeiture.

Before the forfeiture, the mining claims were 128 in total.

Mahomed said he had secured an Australian investor and wanted the courts to help him for the deal to be transparent.

He went on to say Golden Reef belongs to Chitando as his findings shows the minister is one of the directors through his company Windev Investments.

“The third respondent (Golden Reef) has taken occupation, possession or control of the eight forfeited mining claims, and is busy mining there, ignoring the fact that there is a dispute between the parties herein. It is making the hay while the sun shines in its direction,” Mahomed said adding he prayed for the special grant to be cancelled.

The matter is yet to be heard.

ALL AFRICA

Paul Nyathi

Reports just in indicate that a CAG bus travelling from Bulawayo to Binga was involved in a horror accident where several people are reportedly badly injured with no casualties reported this far.

The Bus which was going to Binga from Bulawayo failed to go up the steep ascent on Gwayi River and fell into a ditch falling short by a few meters from splunging into the flooded river below.

The bus was blocked by trees as it reportedly headed towards the nearby flooded Gwayi river in reverse according to sources.

More details on the accident are still coming through.

Mitchell “Moana” Amuli’s mother Yolanda Shorai has pleaded with Women’s groups to fight in her corner to get back her granddaughter from Mitchell’s father.

Moana was a Zimbabwean socialite and video vixen who died in a car accident last month when Genius Ginimbi Kadungure’s Rolls Royce Wraith where she was a passenger was involved in a head-on collision with a Honda Fit, veered off the road before hitting a tree and exploding into flames.

Her parents have since then been fighting over how to bury her remains and who to have custody of Moana’s baby. 

Watch the video below for more.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is a man living in a delusional world.

According to Hon Biti, 10 million people have been subjected to untold suffering due to Mr Mnangagwa’s callousness.

“2020 was the worst year for all workers.10 m people faced a humanitarian crisis, with 79% of the people being plunged into extreme poverty.

On the human rights front , there was massive closure of political space.

There was an increase in abductions,torture and abuse of human rights.

The persecution of journalists and activists was a huge indictment.The attacks on the democratic movement were unprecedented and pathological.

So Emmerson’s remarks reflect another Zim not shared by the ordinary citizens . His is a world of delusion .

In the real world the Zimbabwean is suffering , alienated , isolated, fatalistic and hungry,” argued Hon Biti.