Paul Nyathi

State Media reports that a member of little known People’s Democratic Party, Nqobizitha Khumalo, has revealed how he involved himself in faking abductions and causing terror in the country through trained militias since the turn of the millennium.

The media presents a long narration of acts of terrorism by Khumalo claimed to have been leaked chats on social media. In the chats that the media did not share, Khumalo is reported to have said he has experience in faking abductions and other unsavoury acts from as early as 2000 meant to attract international spotlight and condemnation on the country a serious offence in the country.

He said as one-time commander of a vigilant group known as DRC, he has first-hand experience of the modus operandi of the vigilante groups that still exist today.

“Well, I was once an area commander of the DRC. It was one of the organs put up for the final push on the Mugabe regime. While I will deny the accusation that it was a terrorist organisation, I will point out that it wasn’t a Sunday school picnic either.

“DRC was trained on how to conduct mass uprisings and we were shown videos of the Orange Spring; how to confront an armed person and how to diffuse the power of tear smoke. The possibility of providing some cannon fodder for the regime was also discussed in order to make the international community angry and garner international sympathy and the idea of provoking fire in order to create dead bodies was also discussed,” he said.

Mr Khumalo said the August 1, 2018 demonstrations were pre-planned by his group to tarnish the elections with snipers having been planted on strategic locations to spark rebellion.

“The plan was that an armed person or persons should fire at police from the crowd so the police would retaliate and massacre civilians to draw international sympathy. Which is why a cartridge was found on the fifth floor of ZCTU offices. A sniper was put there to knock off a few heads so as to provide the necessary dead bodies.”

In 2008 after March 29, Khumalo said his group had to seek refuge at the British embassy and later transferred to the American embassy.

He said they again moved to the South African embassy where we were sheltered by IOM (International Organisation for Migration) for three days before being taken to Ruwa Rehabilitation Centre where they stayed from June to September.

“We went there with high hopes. We thought our presence would incite the change we wanted but it seemed we were soon forgotten as the leadership discussed their GNU (government of national unity).”

He said he was one of the planners of operation Mbuya Varwara that involved hatching a self-abduction plot where they sneaked out of the camp in the dark and made phone calls to a sympathetic pastor who came to collect them.

“This is on record. There were nine of us. We were sheltered at a church and we all took up pseudonyms. Mine was Joao Joao. I am still missing (up to this day). Mbuya Varwara was the code name to identify the plot on the phone.

“One of the planners is now in the information department of the Transform Zimbabwe party. The whole thing was planned. The whole camp was in uproar. Please check your archives. The din attracted the attention of the United Nations High Commissioner for refugees. In the meantime, we were carried to a plot in the Mount Hampden area where we were hidden just near the Air Force radar guarded by Air Force guards. I could give the name of the woman farmer but I don’t think it is proper to do so. What I am saying is verifiable,” he said.

A MAN from Masvingo allegedly stumbled on a used condom in his lover’s handbag, accused her of cheating on him before stabbing her with a kitchen knife causing her to die due to excessive bleeding.

According to a source last week on Thursday Tawedzerwa Bvumburai (38) visited his girlfriend Melody Chipumo (33) at her workplace at Manyama Business Centre. While he was there he searched his lover’s handbag and stumbled on a used condom and questioned her about it.

“She told him that her friend had used the bag so it was left by her and he understood. He then left for his home in village 37, Manyama area under Chief Charumbira,” said the source.

However, after a drinking spree on Tuesday this week he had a change of heart. He armed himself with a kitchen knife and walked from his home, to his girlfriend’s workplace.

The source revealed that he arrived there at around 1.30 am and knocked at the door.

“His unsuspecting girlfriend came out and he started to accuse her of being a woman of loose morals who sleeps around with men while they made a vow that they would marry each other,” said the source.

At the height of the argument, the source said, Bvumburai, who had put the kitchen knife in his pocket drew the knife before stabbing Melody once on the right side breast.

“She tried to flee but he stabbed her once on the back causing her to fall and bleed excessively,” said the source.

Bvumburai took to his heels leaving his lover wailing on the ground. According to a source close to investigations an identified man heard the wailing and rushed to the scene and found Melody half dead.

“He informed her boss Edweek Museve (28) who quickly ferried her to Masvingo Provincial Hospital but she died upon arrival,” said the source.

A police report was made.

Masvingo deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dewa confirmed: “We are appealing for information that may lead to the arrest of Tawedzerwa Bvumburai (38) who stabbed his girlfriend Melody Chipumo, who later died on arrival at the hospital.

We urge community members to seek counselling from third parties whenever they are faced with a dispute rather than to take the law into their hands.”

He appealed to anyone who might have information that might lead to the arrest of Bvumburai to contact Masvingo rural police on 0392263729 or CID Masvingo on 0392262931 or send a WhatsApp message on 0775996945.-B-Metro

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has dealt opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa another blow after allocating a paltry $2,3 billion to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec), an amount inadequate to conduct by-elections next year.
Chamisa lost 32 MPs and 165 councillors to recalls by rival MDC-T faction led by Thokozani Khupe. He has been itching for by-elections that were already suspended on October 2 by Vice-President and Health minister Constantino Chiwenga, citing COVID-19 fears, in order to regain lost political ground.

But his dream appears shattered after Zec disclosed it is financially incapacitated to run the parliamentary and council by-elections after Treasury allocated the electoral body only $2,3 billion for electoral activities for 2021 against a demand of $12 billion.

In his remarks at a post budget consultative meeting on Thursday before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Zec chief elections officer Utoile Silaigwana said the electoral body was in financial doldrums to hold any credible by-election unless government provides the $12 billion needed for the exercise.

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube allocated Zec $2,3 billion in the 2021 National Budget against $12 billion which the com-mission had said it wanted for electoral activities in the coming year.

Silaigwana pleaded with Parliament to persuade Treasury to adjust the commis-sion’s 2021 budget allocation warning the much-awaited by-elections will remain a pipe-dream without the funds.

“We are very truthful when we say we need $12 billion instead of the $2 billion which is just a drop of our budget. It does not help us much,” Silaigwana said.

Asked by Chegutu West legislator Dexter Nduna whether it meant Zec was currently not operational without the $12 billion, Silaigwana said: “Sure.”

“We also highlighted that the allocation was not adequate to support our programmes that encompasses delimitation and the by-elections for the coming year and beyond.

“What was allocated against the bid is only a total of 19% hence our cry for the committee to assist the commission so that it will be able to realise its obligations.”

His sentiments were echoed by Zec chief inspector, Jane Pamhidzirai Chigidji who said the commission’s capacity to conduct credible electoral activities will be question-able if it was poorly funded.

“It’s a drop in the ocean if we are to have credible elections,” Chigidji said.

“So we are just appealing to Parliament to discuss this issue so that at the end of the day, we are able to carry out our duties and conduct credible elections.

“There are delimitation issues that have to be dealt with before we have an election. Can we then have a credible election if we don’t consult stakeholders?”

Silaigwana also advised the legislators that efforts to engage Treasury on the issue have not yielded desired results.

Political analyst, Professor Chakaodza, however said the underfunding of Zec was a calculated move by President Mnangagwa to avoid the by-elections at all cost.

“The political landscape has never been even since Zimbabwe attained its independence in 1980,” Chakaodza said.

Source – newsday

Paul Nyathi

News just in indicate that senior ZBC TV reporter Janet Munyaka has passed on due to the Covid-19.

Sources close to the reporter indicated that Munyaka died on Saturday evening after being rushed to hospital.

More details to follow.

The ZRP has finally issued an official statement on the social media video where a Kwekwe based police officer is seen smacking school children during a campaign and said the force doesn’t condone acts of violence of any form:

VIDEO ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS DEPICTING A POLICE OFFICER ASSAULTING STUDENTS.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police is concerned with the conduct of the police officer as seen in the video that has gone viral on social media. We understand the incident happened at Kwekwe High School where the police officers had gone to conduct an awareness campaign on 3′ December 2020.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police does not condone such conduct during awareness campaigns and investigations are underway to verify the facts with the Kwekwe District Command and Midlands Province. If confirmed, appropriate action will be taken against the member. The police applaud the public for bringing the matter to our attention.

NYATHI.P

Assistant Commissioner Senior Staff Officer

To the Commissioner General of Police Police General Headquarters

Paul Nyathi

Reports just received indicate that ZESA CEO Sydney Gata survived an assassination attempt in the streets of Harare.

According to sources, unidentified gunmen shot at Gata’s vehicle along Airport Road on Saturday afternoon.

Gata was a few months ago suspended by then Energy Minister Fortune Chasi and put on ZACC investigation.

He was unceremoniously reinstated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa who subsequently dismissed Chasi instead.

More details to follow…….

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance (Namibia) has slammed Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa for prioritizing the dead while the living are suffering.

The party also took a swipe at Mr Mnangagwa for abusing Mbuya Nehanda’s legacy.

Read full statement below :

04 DECEMBER 2020

ZANUPF IS A BETRAYAL OF THE LIBERATION DREAMS AND ASPIRATIONS OF MBUYA NEHANDA, MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA ECHOES.

Mdc Alliance Namibia is absolutely disturbed by Zanupf President’s utterances when he postulated that “This momument represents Nehanda, the spirit medium, who played a crucial role in the liberation struggle that gave us independence we celebrate today”.

In as much as we concur that our heroines and heroes must be honoured for sacrificing their sweat and blood for the emancipation of all citizens from yoke colonialism, we differ in prioritising the dead before improving the livelihoods of those who are alive.

Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa must stop paddling lies through hypocrisy.

As expatriates, we are really infuriated by the pretence from the Zec and Court imposed President who deceives the nation. We completely disagree that there is any independence in Zimbabwe due to the presence of heavy-handedness from a regime that does not respect human rights in the motherland. Mnangagwa said more statues of First and Second Chimurenga heroes will be constructed , including that of the late autocratic Mugabe whom he toppled in a military coup in November 2017. Mdc Alliance Namibia satirises this level Political ineptitude in Zanupf. As social democrats, we expect Zanupf to embrace the revolutionary dreams and aspirations of the liberation struggle. Zanupf must stop its political rhetoric, there is only phoney independence because citizens are scattered around the world seeking economic and political refugee due to gross misgovernance.

Moreover, Mdc Alliance Namibia have raised serious concerns on the Zanupf government’s commitment to construct expensive statues but dismally failing to to finance the needs of desperate civil servants and the general populace who are wallowing in excruciating agony as a result of artificial poverty. Zanupf must halt its hypocritical stance and confront the demand for genuine independence where one man one vote is guaranteed. The fallen heroes and heroines cannot applaud the senseless statues when their people are being butchered every now and then for demanding justice and freedom from Zanupf terrorists. Zanupf President must concentrate on putting the economy on a sounder footing than their extravagance on minor things.

Nehanda was executed in 1898 on charges of murdering Native Commissioner Hawkins Polard in 1896. She was butchered in the same way Mdc Alliance activists and leadership are facing 41 years after independence.

Zanupf must replace their simulacrum of phoney independence with genuine political liberty and freedom after defeating colonialism.

Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa also equated Mbuya Nehanda to Jesus Christ because of her fundamental role fighting for total liberation. He must realise that his lack of respect to the lives of the citizens is a clear reflection that Dambudzo Mnangagwa does not respect the sacrifice made by our gallant revolutionary fighters.

In a nutshell, Zanupf must finance the economy first before financing the dead heroes and heroines. They are not a priority although we acknowledge everything that they did to liberate us from the colonial hegemony.

PeoplePower

FreeJacob

HandsOffVpBiti

ZanupfMustGo

NoToFlagIndependence

FreeChitungwizaCouncillors

Mdc Alliance Namibia
Rundu Branch Spokesperson
Robson Ruhanya

Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance official and social media analyst, Antony Taruvinga, has said President Nelson Chamisa remains the nation’s hope despite relentless efforts by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa and Zanu PF to bring him down.

He implored Zimbabweans to remain optimistic in spite of Mr Mnangagwa’s attempt to thwart the people’s struggle.

“I would like to thank Pres. Nelson Chamisa for standing strong in the wake of monumental electoral theft.

Not only the President but all Comrades who remained glued to the struggle even in the face of incessant challenges.

Following the 2018 elections, the going has been sadly torturous. We were robbed of everything including Parliamentary and council victories. Like I always say, let’s focus on 2023.

Prepare not only to vote but vote, win, secure and defend, at all costs, our victories.

Lawyers are advised to think about the name challenges that the party has faced.

While it is clear that the Judiciary is 100% captured, lawyers must close any loophole that might be exploited. MDC CHAMISA! The struggle continues,” Taruvinga posted on Facebook.

By A Correspondent- A bus belonging to Rimbi on Monday last week crushed its conductor near the corner of Samuel Parirenyatwa Street and First Avenue, Bulawayo with four passengers on board.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the fatal road accident.

“I can confirm that on November 30, a man from Budiriro 4 in Harare, whose age is unknown, was standing behind the Rimbi Bus together with the conductor of the bus,” Ncube said.

“The driver of the bus tried to reverse and knocked down the conductor. He died on the spot.”

Ncube said investigations were in progress

A 25-year-old woman suffering from severe depression and admitted to Mount Darwin District Hospital disappeared from her ward on October 20 and was found at Concession, some 136km away, two days later unconscious and with her hands tied.

The hospital did not report the patient was missing to relatives or the police until October 22; when the woman’s aunt heard the news she rushed to Mt Darwin Police Station to make the initial missing person’s report.

Wendy Chinomungu of Rushinga was found bruised while her hands were tied with a rope at a farm in Concession. Her face was swollen. She was rushed to Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare where she later died. Preliminary checks showed the woman had been sexually assaulted.

Ms Chinomungu had a condition known as melancholia (severe depression) and was admitted on September 30 to Mt Darwin Hospital. Owing to the condition, she was initially unable to walk, bath and eat on her own. She would be carried to the toilet and was experiencing recurring mood swings.

Despite having the family members’ contact details, the hospital staff only informed the aunt two days after she vanished according to the records.

The aunt, Ms Fariya Musandirire was the first to report to the police while the hospital administrator followed up later.

Some farm workers in Concession found the woman lying unconscious three days after she left the hospital and told the farm owner who immediately reported the case to Glendale Police Station. She was rushed to Concession Hospital and was immediately transferred to Parirenyatwa Hospital where she later died.

A post-mortem report shows that the death was due to “severe head trauma”. The pathologist said the death was not a result of natural causes.

When The Herald visited Mt Darwin Hospital, it was clear that the security at the institution was lax. On arrival at the hospital’s main entrance, the security guard on duty did not bother to write down the visitors’ names and vehicle registration numbers. There were no temperature checks, neither were there sanitisation in line with Covid-19 regulations. Cars would get in and out without any searches.

The security fence is badly damaged and no longer serving the intended purpose.

In an interview, the hospital’s senior nursing officer Mr Forbes Makamba confirmed the disappearance of Ms Chinomungu and also attributed the incident to laxity.

 “Yes I know of the incident. When it happened, I was in Bindura attending a workshop,” he said. “She was admitted here on September 30 after she was brought in by her relatives. The relatives had a recommendation letter from a Roman Catholic priest called Father Simoko.

“She had melancholia. She was easily irritable and withdrawn. She could hardly walk, talk, bath herself and even eat on her own. She could not do anything on her own.

“Her aunt wanted to stay here but I refused because we wanted to examine her and try to establish what could have caused the depression. We suspected the depression could be a result of some family problems, hence we advised the relatives to stay away a bit and allow her to recover.

“After a few days, we noticed some improvements on her health. She was now able to walk and do her laundry. She was also able to eat, but she still had challenges in walking,” Mr Makamba said.

“I informed the relatives that they could now visit Wendy. The day they visited, that is when she had absconded from the hospital. I was away.”

However, Mr Makamba insisted that the patient disappeared on October 22, the day when the police report was made. But other staff said she vanished two days before, when Mr Makamba was still away and the official post-mortem and police documents show that she went missing on October 20.

Bureaucracy at the hospital also contributed to the delay in reporting the missing patient’s case to the police.

“I was told that the nurse on duty that night noticed the patient was missing and she informed the security department. The security details were supposed to immediately report to the administration but they waited until the following morning.

“That is when they informed the administrator who later went to the police,” Mr Makamba said.

Mr Makamba said an independent board of inquiry had since been constituted to investigate the case.

Prior to the patient’s disappearance, some expensive juices and other food would be seen on her table daily but no one knew the source.

The Herald tracked down Wendy’s uncle Mr Chikuya Chikuya, who stays in Mudimu village under Chief Dotito, to get an account of what could have transpired to their niece.

Ms Chinomungu was staying with Mr Chikuya, who is married to Mrs Musandirire, prior to her hospitalisation. Mr Chikuya is a brother to Wendy’s late mother.

In an interview, Mrs Musandirire said her niece disappeared on October 20 and that the hospital officials were trying to cover-up for their delay in making a police report. She confirmed all relatives were barred from visiting Ms Chinomungu at the hospital.

“On October 15, we received a text message from Mr Makamba, the matron, telling us that our niece’s health was improving. We asked if we could visit her and he agreed. On that day, we failed to go due to transport challenges.

“On October 22, in the morning, we received a text message from the matron again, advising us to go to the hospital and see a nurse called Karasa. Coincidentally, we were planning to visit our niece on that same day,”’ she said.

Mrs Musandirire did not find her niece in the women’s ward.

“At first I thought she had been moved to another bed. I then approached a nurse who was in the ward and she referred me to the sister-in-charge, Mrs Karasa. We sat down and she told me that my niece was missing from the hospital from October 20. It was so unbelievable and I was hurt,” she said.

The nurse reportedly asked the aunt to personally go and report the case to the police.

“She indicated to me that the hospital had not made a police report for a missing person, some two days after her disappearance. She asked me to go and report to the police that my niece was missing from hospital. Is this how Government hospitals handle issues of this nature?

“At first I refused to go to the police, but I later decided to comply. Police officers treated me well and asked me to bring my niece’s photos to assist in the search. Later in the day, we heard she had been found at Concession,” she said.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident saying Chinomungu’s aunt was the one who reported the case.

“Police have opened a docket for murder and investigations are in progress.

“The matter was reported to the police on October 22 by Feriya Musandirire. We want to establish what really happened. The post-mortem results indicated that she died from a severe head trauma and we want to know whether she was assaulted at home, at the hospital or at Concession where she was later found,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

-State Media

Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) Chairperson Sydney Gata has survived an apparent assassination attempt after gunmen shot at his vehicle on Airport Road in Harare, according to law enforcement sources.

Verification was awaited at the time of writing after sources were quoted by news site zimlive.com alleging so.

Gata is a close ally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa who reportedly saved when former Energy minister Fortune Chasi wanted to wield the axe on his corruption accused board.

More to follow….

Addressing friends and relatives at the memorial service of his late mother gogo Chamisa, MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa traced his journey on how he became the ICT minister during the government of national unity and transformed the ministry in a way that left Zanu Pf stalwarts accusing him of using juju.

WATCH THE VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

By A Correspondent- Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday ruled out the possibility of re-imposing a second national Covid-19 lockdown during deliberations on the second coronavirus wave in cabinet.

Mnangagwa initially declared a nationwide lockdown on March 27as a way of trying to contain the spread of the pandemic, which has since been gradually eased.

Although in principle, the lockdown still remains in force, business has virtually returned to normalcy in the country, with many people on the streets and vast crowds at market places, without observing social distancing.

Face masks are often improperly donned, despite police often descending heavily on offenders.

The result has been a second wave of cases, with the country now reporting high daily infections, prompting health practitioners to lobby for another nationwide lockdown.
This was supported by a number of cabinet ministers.

Official sources said chairperson of the ad hoc Covid-19 taskforce, Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri presented a report in cabinet on new coronavirus infections, which painted grim picture for Zimbabwe.

The chairperson (Muchinguri-Kashiri) had reported that the country was in grave danger and had expressed concern over the rapid increase in Covid-19 cases. For instance, she pointed out that the country had recorded 594 cases in the previous week, including in schools,” a source said.

“Some ministers actually proposed that there should be a return to the time when we had a stringent lockdown as countries in Europe are doing. South Africa has also in-
dicated that as things stand, another tough lockdown would be necessary. But such proposals were shot down immediately by the President who indicated that what was needed was to ensure more vigilant enforcement of the existing control measures.”

“In fact, the meeting ended up approving requests from hospitality industry players like bars and restaurants to extend operating times by two more hours to allow them to do more business. So they will now be allowed to operate up to 8pm. There was also a proposal to reconsider the reopening of ports of entry especially considering how immigration and customs officials at the Beitbridge Border Post were infected over the same week, but this was also shot down,” the source added.

Instead, according to the source, Mnangagwa said law enforcement must do its job to enforce the existing lockdown measures.

“He was worried that people were relaxing and said the police must ensure that people comply with existing control measures,” an official said.

Zimbabwe has now recorded more than 10 129 coronavirus cases and 277 deaths.

-Newsday

MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa Speaks On State-Party Conflation and how the Late Perrence Shiri harassed his uncle following his visit to his house at Manyame Base in the company of the late Learnmore Jongwe.

WATCH VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

By A Correspondent- Daring armed robbers early this week pounced on a Cash In Transit SafeGuard vehicle and managed to overpower the guards before they got away with the cash box.

The incident that occurred on Monday 30 November in Chivi was confirmed by ZRP National Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi who said:

We have since launched a manhunt for the robbers and we appeal to anybody with information that may lead to the arrest of suspects to come forward.

According to the publication, this is what happened on the day SafeGuard was supposed to deliver cash to a Mukuru Booth at Chivi:

Details are that the Safeguard crew had come to deliver cash to a Mukuru money transfer booth housed at the shop when gangsters using an unmarked, high-powered sky-blue Toyota GD6 vehicle attacked the security servicemen.

The armed robbers fired three warning shots into the air with a pistol, disarmed the Safeguard crew and took away their 3 x Star pistols and cash box containing an amount of cash which could not be ascertained by the time of writing.

They then sped off from the scene on their Toyota GD6 vehicle.The unknown armed robbers were later seen at Mhandamabwe Business Centre, driving at high speed towards Zvishavane along the Masvingo-Mbalabala Highway.

Cases of robberies have increased over the last few months with Beitbridge recording the most daring armed robberies as reporters of armed robbers shooting at motor vehicles that usually stop to clear a way on barricaded roads are reported.TellZim

By A Correspondent- The Confederation of Zimbabwe Miners (CZM) president Rangani Chauke has called on government to urgently regularise the operations of artisanal miners to avoid disasters and integrate the sector into the mainstream economy.

Chauke’s call came in the wake of a rise in the number of fatal accidents involving gold panners in disused mines shafts.

Cases of trapped artisanal miners were on the rise with 30 illegal miners feared dead after a shaft from which they were panning gave in at Ran Mine in Bindura recently.

“As miners’ bodies, we have always reiterated that the formalisation of artisanal miners is a matter of urgency to avoid the unnecessary loss of lives,” Chauke said in an interview yesterday.

“Regularisation of the sector would not only improve safety of miners, but would decriminalise the activity.

“That is why we have always said the Mines and Minerals Bill should address the formalisation of the sector.”

He said, despite contributing immensely to gold production in the country, artisanal mining continued to be a dangerous enterprise claiming many lives every year.

Chauke said there was need to bring legality and stability to the sector to avoid negative consequences associated with artisanal mining.

“There is need for laws and support from government on the legal and policy frameworks that ensure safety and good standards in the formalisation process,” he said.

CZM is an association of small-scale-miners.

In recent years, artisanal miners have resorted to mining in decommissioned mine shafts. Government continues to dither on plans to regularise artisanal mining.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Two Bulawayo ex-convicts, who robbed an elderly man of his cellphone and clothes before they killed and dumped his naked body in a bushy area, were on Wednesday sentenced to life in jail.

Perfect Sibanda (30) of Four Winds suburb and Vusumuzi Ndebele (35) of Siphambaniso Flats robbed and killed Joseph Godfrey Mataviri (65) only months after they were released from prison under the Presidential Amnesty in March 2018.

Sibanda was previously convicted for unlawful entry while Ndebele had served three years for robbery.

Mataviri’s naked body was found in the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) premises in Mpopoma suburb.

Police officers received a tip-off from members of the public that the two had committed the crime leading to their arrest.

When officers investigating the case raided Sibanda, they found him in possession of the deceased’s jeans, belt and jacket.

He implicated Ndebele.

Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Thompson Mabhikwa convicted the two of murder with actual intent.

Mabhikwa condemned the two accused persons’ to life in jail, saying their actions warranted their permanent removal from society.

“You committed an offence of murder in the course of robbery, which is a very serious offence. “You killed an innocent, poor man who had done nothing to you, and under normal circumstances you deserved a death sentence,” Mabhikwa said.

“However, due to your ages, as youthful offenders at the time of commission of the offence, I will spare you from capital punishment.

“Accordingly, you are sentenced to undergo life imprisonment.”

Prosecuting, Kudakwashe Jaravaza said on June 5, 2018 at around 8 am, Mataviri left his home and proceeded to his garden at Steeldale industrial area near NRZ, but never returned.

When he left his home, he was wearing a pair of blue jeans, brown t-shirt, a pair of brown safety shoes, a black and white jacket and a Samsung cell phone.

The court was told that when the deceased’s son discovered that his father had not returned home, he went out to look for him in his garden.

“The following morning, Mataviri’s son set out at 6 am to look for his father in the garden.

“When he got to the dust road within the National Railways of Zimbabwe, Mpopoma station yard, his attention was drawn to a group of people among them, police officers,” Jaravaza said.

“He drew closer to the crowd and saw a male adult who was lying naked on the ground in his underwear and upon closer examination he discovered that it was his father.”

According to a post-mortem report, it was concluded that the cause of death was extensive subarachnoid haemorrhage, blunt force trauma and head assault.

Investigations led to the arrest of the two accused persons and subsequent recovery of some of the deceased’s stolen clothes.

In their defence, both accused persons through their lawyers from R Ndlovu and Company and VJ Mpofu and Associates, denied the charges, arguing that they were forced into admitting the charges after police tortured them and severely assaulted them with batons and subjected them to electrocution.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Customs clearing agents and commercial transporters have criticised the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) for introducing the automated e-road cargo manifest system when it was ill prepared.

A number of customs agents have been failing to access the new online system to process import/export documents for the last three days.

As a results cargo is piling at the Beitbridge Border Post, which is the country’s busiest port of entry that handles at least 1 500 commercial trucks daily. Under the new system, everything is now done online through the use of the Automated System for Customs Data Asycuda World. But Zimra clients are failing to log into the system to initiate the clearance of goods.

According to one custom clearing agent, Mr Leni Chemaz, the state of affairs is creating an unnecessary backlog for most transporters and clearing agents. He said the revenue collector should have done a test run or introduced the new idea during the off-peak period.

“This is a good idea, but it must be implemented when people have been adequately schools and the system has been upgraded to carry all those seeking to do business with Zimra,” said Mr Chemaz.

Beitbridge chairman of commercial transporters, Mr Osbert Shumba, said Zimra had waylaid transporters and importers/exporters resulting in chaos.

“Zimra is overwhelmed by the applications and to date, some transporters have not yet received their log-in credentials,” he said.

“You will note that most transporters are not well versed with the new system even though we are told by Zimra that training was done online. Also, most transporters are not aware of this move.

“In addition, l think, there is something wrong with the Zimra’s timing, considering with opening of the border to passenger traffic and the fact that we are now in the festive season. This is a time whereby naturally everybody will be busy and pushing high volumes of cargo”.

He said they had engaged the revenue collector over the chaos resulting in a temporary waiver for customs agents to process some of the documents manually.

Commercial truck drivers complain that they were now spending more than two days at the border and that previously they will complete the border process in less than 12 hours.

“I have been in the customs yard for two days and this is frustrating. Our customs clearing agents are saying the delays are emanating from the overwhelmed Zimra system,” said Maxie Ngwenya, who is headed for Malawi.

Another driver, Mr Trust Munatsire, said the long delays were being made that without a commercial cargo scanner, Zimra was referring most trucks to the Container Depot (Condep) for physical examinations.

“If you go to Condep you are assured of spending two or three days there to complete all the processes. This is bad for business,” he said.

In a statement Thursday, Zimra said manual road manifests were now being accepted and processed only for transporters who have evidence of submission of an application for e-road Cargo Manifest profiles.

“We wish to advise our valued clients that due to the late influx of applications by transporters for profiles to capture e-road cargo manifests, processing of these applications may be delayed due to the large numbers received.

“In order to facilitate trade and ensure that traffic does not build up at the Ports of Entry, manual road manifests are going to be accepted and processed only for transporters who have evidence of submission of an application for e-road Cargo Manifest profiles,” said the revenue collector.

Zimra said they required evidence in the form of an email proving submission of the application to Zimra Customs Automation Team for them to process documents manually.

A special team to look into the queries relating to the new system has also been created to expedite the movement of cargo across the country’s borders.

By A Correspondent- A police officer based at Kwekwe Central Police Station has landed herself in trouble after a video of her allegedly slapping a Kwekwe High School pupil for not wearing a mask, went viral on social media.

The cops had visited the school at the behest of school authorities, to educate learners on the importance of wearing masks properly.

A video was, however, captured, presumably by one of the pupils, of the police officer seemingly slapping one of the learners for allegedly not wearing a mask properly. The video went viral on social media drawing mixed feelings from netizens.

Authorities in Kwekwe maintain that the matter was blown out of context adding it was under investigation. Officer Commanding Kwekwe police, Chief Superintendent Denford Maingire said further details would be availed after investigations were completed.

“As police we are carrying out campaigns to raise awareness on the importance of wearing masks properly. So, our officers had been invited there to educate the learners and conscientise them on the importance of wearing masks.

We are not sure what happened there but we are carrying out investigations and we will unveil further details after the investigations,” said Chief Supt Maingire.

Acting Kwekwe District Education Officer, Mr Herbert Maziriri said they were also carrying out investigations.

“The matter is under investigations, that is all I can say for now,” he said before referring further questions to the provincial superiors.

Kwekwe High School Development Committee chairperson, Mr Takaedza Ntuli said they had already engaged relevant authorities over the issue, adding the cop was not supposed to have hit the learner.

“We have approached the district police office and they are investigating the matter. We also as parents are also carrying out our own investigations on whether there was malice in what the cop is alleged to have done. We cannot jump into conclusions before investigations have been completed,” he said.

He had no kind words for some on social media who were politicising the matter.

“There are some social media abusers who are bent on politicising the issue. This is not a political issue whatsoever. We cannot allow people like Hopewell Chin’ono to go around saying rubbish about our state of affairs and politicising the issue, we cannot accept that,” he said.

Said national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi: “The Zimbabwe Republic Police does not condone such conduct during awareness campaigns and investigations are underway to verify the facts with the Kwekwe District Command and Midlands Province. If confirmed, appropriate action will be taken against the member. The police applaud the public for bringing the matter to our attention.”-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Tsholotsho youthful businessman, Owen Sibanda has been cleared to contest in the Tsholotsho district co-ordinating committee (DCC) elections to be held today.

Sibanda is contesting for the Tsholotsho DCC chairperson position.

He was earlier disqualified by Zanu-PF on allegations of flouting party regulations governing the holding of DCC elections. Sibanda was cleared of the allegations by Matabeleland North provincial co-ordinating committee at a PCC meeting held a fortnight ago at the party’s Lupane offices.

The PCC meeting was also attended by politburo members Angeline Masuku and principal of Chitepo School of Ideology Munyaradzi Machacha.

The businessman confirmed that he was cleared to contest in the DCC elections and vowed to win.

Sibanda claimed that he has the support of the district.

“Since I returned from South Africa after heeding President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call for diasporans to come back home and invest, I have never stopped working for the party and the country,” Sibanda said.

“I have invested millions of United States dollars in setting up business projects in my district which have created employment for our people.

“This is one of the reasons why party cadres asked me to stand in the DCC elections. I am confident of winning the post for the betterment of my party and the district. I have the people’s support from the grassroots.”

He said he was unmoved by the mudslinging which characterized the nominations process leading to his disqualification until his reinstatement after Tsholotsho district stood by him.

“That shows that the party has democracy. Every person is free to say out what they want, but we should do so without dividing the people and the party. I have since been cleared by the provincial co-ordinating committee (PCC) to stand as a DCC chairperson candidate for Tsholotsho.

“The task ahead of me is to see that we unite the party so that we would have a resounding victory in 2023. This is not the time for mudslinging or sideshows, but to focus on building the part,” he said.

The ruling party disbanded the DCCs in 2012 at the height of factional wars in Zanu-PF accusing them of fanning factionalism.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- A Beitbridge man is on the run for allegedly beating his three-year-old stepdaughter to death because she was crying when he wanted to catch some sleep on Wednesday morning.

Mulaleli Sibanda sneaked out of the house and disappeared just after his stepdaughter, Charmaine Moyo, was pronounced dead on arrival at Beitbridge District Hospital.

He has been on the run since Thursday, when the incident occurred at dawn.

Acting Matabeleland South police spokesman Inspector Loveless Mangena confirmed the incident which occurred in Makhavhane Village under Beitbridge Rural Police.

She said the incident occurred at around 4am when Charmaine started crying while sharing the same room with her mother Phathisiwe Dube and stepfather Sibanda.

The latter got irritated and started beating the child.

“He beat her with clenched fists and kicked the child who started bleeding from the nose, ears and mouth.

“He continued assaulting the toddler, but agreed to take the child to hospital. Sibanda sneaked away when the child was a pronounced dead on arrival,” Mangena said.

“We are waiting for a post-mortem. The body currently stored at Beitbridge District Hospital mortuary,” she said.

In an unrelated incident, seven people were robbed at gunpoint by two unidentified men who drove away in their victims’ Honda Fit car with groceries worth R4 760 and cash amounting to US$3 300.

Mangena said the men placed a boulder forcing the car to stop on a road leading from an undesignated point along the Limpopo River near National Parks and Wildlife cottages.

“When the driver got out to remove the stone the armed men pounced and ordered everyone out of the car which they drove away with its grocery contents and cash,” Mangena said.

“We advise people to desist from these illegal points because they risk arrest and losing their valuables like in this case.

“They can also be charged for smuggling.

“We are however appealing to anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects.”-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Police in Beatrice, Mashonaland East province, have launched a manhunt for a 36-year-old man who allegedly killed his wife’s boyfriend who had visited his homestead in the middle of the night.

Admire Motsi (36) of Jefferstone Farm is on the run following the death of Stanley Chilima (36) who died during a fight after the latter had visited the former’s homestead to see his lover unbeknown to him that her husband was at home.

Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed the incident and urged the public to desist from violence.

“Police in Beatrice are looking for a 36 year old man from Jefferstone Farm in Beatrice who allegedly assaulted the now-deceased to death after an altercation over a marital affair.

“The now-deceased Stanley Chilima was allegedly having an affair with the suspect’s wife, Arena Sale, aged 29.

“We are appealing to members of the public who might know the whereabouts of the suspect to report to any nearest police station.

“Violence is a menace in our societies and it must be nipped in the bud.

“Peaceful resolutions to differences must be the way to avoid such callous incidences,” he said.

According to police, on December 2, at around 2am, Chilima proceeded to the suspect’s homestead ostensibly to see his alleged girlfriend, who is the wife to the suspect unbeknown to him that her husband was inside the bedroom.

The deceased reportedly knocked at the door as usual and the suspect woke up and confronted Chilima, whom he was suspecting to having an affair with his wife.

It is reported that a fist-fight ensued before the suspect picked up a log and assaulted his rival suitor all over the body several times.

The suspect’s mother-in-law heard the noise and tried to refrain the two, but in vain.

The fight continued for about a kilometre from the homestead where the deceased fell down and became unconscious.

Chilima sustained a swollen face and bled profusely from the mouth, nose and ears.

At around 6am, the deceased’s body was discovered by villagers who reported the matter to the police.

The body was taken to Chitungwiza Central Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.-newsday

By A Correspondent- MDC-T interim leader Thokozani Khupe has ordered that there will be no gap filling to the party’s 2014 structures ahead of the party extraordinary congress to block his secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora from accommodating his backers.

Khupe and Mwonzora will battle for the party’s presidency next weekend alongside interim chairman Morgen Komichi and his deputy, Elias Mudzuri.

Mwonzora and Khupe seem to be the most popular and are set for a bruising fight as the congress dates draw near, but party insiders accused the secretary general of trying to manipulate the 2014 structures and rope in his loyalists to form the Electoral College and increase his votes.

The plot, which was thickening until Wednesday when it was put to a halt by a caucus meeting, had caused tensions within the party.

Mwonzora had reportedly ordered a gap filling to the 2014 structures in Chitungwiza, Harare, Mashonaland East Mashonaland Central and Manicaland where most of the chairman and organisers had openly showed him support.

“Mashonaland West was ordered last weekend by Mwonzora to conduct gap filling,” a party insider said.

“Some chairman and organisers loyal to Mwonzora who include Piniel Denga (Mashonaland East chairman), Rhino Mashaya (Organiser for Harare) among others, had remained adamant and wanted to do the gap filling.”

But sensing danger, Khupe reportedly ordered that there will be no gap filling and threatened to suspend provinces that conduct the exercise.

But Khupe has managed to block Mwonzora.

“This memo serves to advise all provinces that the national secretary for elections is now in the process of compiling the first Electoral College which is going to be validated by the relevant party structures and organs,” read part of a notice by Tapiwa Mashakada, the acting party spokesperson.

The memo was released after the caucus meeting.

“Linked to the process, please be advised that No GAP filling or replacements should be done. For the avoidance of doubt, those delegates who have left, died, resigned or joined other political parties shall not be replaced. Please be guided accordingly.”

Khupe was not picking calls yesterday, but Mwonzora denied he was plotting to ambush his opponents. He accused his opponents of being jittery after sensing defeat.

He said he had a successful launch of his presidential campaign which was oversubscribed with delegates from Harare and Chitungwiza showing who their choice was, adding “this was frightening to my opponents who have reported to spreading falsehoods and creating an explanation of their impending loss.”

“This is the work of people who are developing butterflies about this election,” Mwonzora said.

“They are afraid of losing because the members of the MDC-T have already shown their voting patterns. The Electoral College to be used by congress is going to be tabled before the national standing committee on Tuesday.

“It is at that point that the leaders will be able to analyse it. Further, after we have finalised the Electoral College on Tuesday, we will send it back to the districts for further verification. Thereafter, the Electoral College will be put in the hands of the independent electoral commission.”

He added:

“The allegations against me are part of the cheap smear campaign by opponents, I urge all my opponents to accept the democratic processes.

Mwonzora said the secretary general does not prepare the Electoral College, but keep records.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- Mazowe Central Legislator Sydney Chidamba has been placed under disciplinary action for undermining  President Emmerson Mnangagwa who was scheduled to visit his constituency for National Tree planting day in Mazowe this Saturday .

Chidamba is reported to have walked out of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s preparatory meeting held on Wednesday in his constituency.

A highly placed source in Zanu PF Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) told this publication that Chidamba was grilled  during the meeting over his actions and awaits disciplinary hearing.

“Chidamba is on a disciplinary course because We were planning about HE’s visit which was to be in his constituency. He walked out of the meeting and went to address three districts when the entire Mazowe and Provincial Leadership, PB member Cde Machacha, chiefs , headmen, war vetarans leadership, were in a crucial meeting to plan for HE’s visit showing clearly that he did not value the visit . Evidence show that he preferred to go and campaign for his preferred DCC candidate where he donated flour, balls and paint instead of planning for the visit,” said the source.

Meanwhile, Chidamba who is campaigning for Tafadzwa Musarara who is eying the Mazowe district coordinating committee chairman ahead of the election over the weekend is also fingered in a gold rush fiasco at Rosa.

Contacted for comment he said he was aware of the gold rush but is not involved since he does not own a claim there.

Two other provincial members Patience Tapomwa secretary for administration for women’s league  and Patricia Zhurunawo who is a typist at the provincial offices and second wife to committee member Walter Gatsi were also disciplined for tempering with cell registers in favour of Musarara.

Reports say Mnangagwa cancelled his visit to Mazowe after  indicating that he has a busy schedule.

By A Correspondent- The government has made a U-turn on its earlier decision to extend by six months the validity of provisional driver’s licences and defensive driver’s certificates which expired from March 30 onwards.

Following the Covid-19 outbreak, the government imposed a strict lockdown which banned all public gatherings, with only essential services allowed to operate.

The Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) was also closed during the lockdown, thereby disadvantaging those who had attained provisional driver’s licences and defensive driver’s certificates.

This prompted the government to issue a Statutory Instrument giving a reprieve to provisional licence holders.

The SI extended six more months on the one-year period of the validity of all provisional driver’s licences and defensive driving certificates.

However, it has since emerged that the government reneged on its promise, resulting in thousands of the licences expiring -a development that has seen long queues at VID centres around the country with aspiring drivers seeking to renew.

Transport minister Joel Biggie Matiza yesterday explained the rationale in the decision to renege on the earlier decision to give a reprieve to learner drivers.

“Following the 32nd Cabinet approval on September 15, 2020, Cabinet lifted the restriction on VID and it now operates all sections  . . learner’s licence, re-test and defensive diving certificates, among others.

“Following the lockdown, the provisions under SI 114 of 2020 were that whatever comes first between lifting of lockdown or 180 days extension supersedes the other.

“In this case, it was the lifting of the lockdown that came first and this implies the extension of the 180 days for learner’s licence no longer held.

“All those whose learner’s licences expired during the lockdown period should therefore re-apply,” Matiza told the Daily News.

further dismissed speculation that the VID intended to review upwards learner’s licence fee from the current $100 to $1 000.

A senior official at Mt Darwin District Hospital has confirmed the disappearance of a 25-year-old female patient who had been admitted at the institution since the 30th of September.

Wendy Chinomungu of Rushinga was suffering from melancholia (severe depression) and disappeared from her ward on October 20 and was found at Concession, some 136km away, two days later unconscious and with her hands tied.

Some farmworkers in Concession found the woman lying unconscious three days after she left the hospital and told the farm owner who immediately reported the case to Glendale Police Station.

Chinomungu was rushed to Concession Hospital and was immediately transferred to Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare where she later died.

A post-mortem report shows that death was due to “severe head trauma” and there are indications that she had been sexually abused.

Mt Darwin District Hospital senior nursing officer Forbes Makamba confirmed Chinomungu’s disappearance but said he was away when the incident took place. He said:

Yes, I know of the incident. When it happened, I was in Bindura attending a workshop. She was admitted here on September 30 after she was brought in by her relatives.

The relatives had a recommendation letter from a Roman Catholic priest called Father Simoko.

She had melancholia. She was easily irritable and withdrawn. She could hardly walk, talk, bath herself and even eat on her own. She could not do anything on her own.

Her aunt wanted to stay here but I refused because we wanted to examine her and try to establish what could have caused the depression.

We suspected the depression could be a result of some family problems, hence we advised the relatives to stay away a bit and allow her to recover.

After a few days, we noticed some improvements to her health. She was now able to walk and do her laundry.

She was also able to eat, but she still had challenges in walking.

I informed the relatives that they could now visit Wendy. The day they visited, that is when she had absconded from the hospital. I was away.

Meanwhile, Makamba’s narration of events contradicted other staff as he insisted that the patient disappeared on October 22, the day when the police report was made.

However, other Hospital staff said Chinomungu vanished two days before when Makamba was still away and the official post-mortem and police documents show that she went missing on October 20. Added Makamba:

I was told that the nurse on duty that night noticed the patient was missing and she informed the security department.

The security details were supposed to immediately report to the administration but they waited until the following morning.

That is when they informed the administrator who later went to the police

The Herald/Pindula

State Media

ABOUT 160 pupils who had been infected by the deadly Covid-19 at John Tallach High School in Ntabazinduna, Matabeleland North, have recovered.

The more than 185 Covid-19 cases at John Tallach are the highest that a single school has recorded since the outbreak of Covid-19 in Zimbabwe.

By November 24, the cases had run into 185 which pushed up the total number of Covid-19 cases in Matabeleland North Province.

On Wednesday, 181 new cases and three deaths were reported in Zimbabwe, bringing the total number of active cases to 1 390.

Of the new cases, 178 are local cases and 3 are returnees from Algeria and the deaths were reported in Bulawayo and Manicaland provinces.

The country also recorded 83 new recoveries and the national recovery rate stands at 84.7 percent.

The John Tallach recoveries have been absorbed in daily statistics since the virus was reported at the school about two weeks ago.

As of December 3, Zimbabwe had recorded 10 424 cases, 8 754 recoveries and 280 deaths.

Since the outbreak, Bulawayo has recorded 2 466 cases, 1 820 recoveries and 82 deaths while Matabeleland North has recorded 366 cases, 333 recoveries and three deaths.

On the other hand, Matabeleland South has 1 059 cases, 888 recoveries and nine deaths.

Bulawayo has the highest number of active cases in Zimbabwe at 564 while Matabeleland North has 33.

Schools have become the latest institutions to be hit by the virus after their phased reopening which started on September 28.

Acting Matabeleland North Provincial Medical Director Dr Munekayi Padingani said pupils were stable and the situation was under control.

“The situation at John Tallach is under control, we have since discharged 160 pupils who have tested negative after we conducted retests. After testing about 450 pupils at the school only one tested positive and we are just left with retesting another 60 pupils but they are all stable,” said Dr Padingani.

He said the provincial cases had gone down following the recoveries at John Tallach adding that the new cases were now emanating from truck drivers.

“Our cases have gone down and the latest ones are from Victoria Falls and Lupane especially truck drivers following the reopening of the borders. We continuously urge everyone to think about the next person and practice good hand hygiene and social distancing to stop the spread of Covid-19,” he added.

Dr Padingani said the Ministry will also look into testing people entering the border of Covid-19 as they could be infected after acquiring certificates.

Meanwhile, two pupils tested positive at Thekwane High School in Plumtree, Matabeleland South.

The latest cases are an addition to Matopo High School which was turned into a quarantine centre to prevent the further spreading of the virus after 10 cases were recorded.

Mtshabezi High School within the same province also recorded 17 Covid-19 cases this week including two teachers and two workers.

Matabeleland South Provincial Medical Director, Dr Rudo Chikodzore said they were working flat out to control the situation.

She said she was yet to get an update on Thekwane and urged community members to self-introspect as a way of stopping the spread of Covid-19.

“I believe that the new cases that we are continuously recording are a result of effective rapid response teams who have gone round and made follow ups on suspected infections. We are doing everything in our power to ensure that we save lives but this issue now depends on communities whose behaviours will greatly decide if we will have more new cases or a decline,” said Dr Chikodzore.

She said she is yet to establish the total number of pupils that have been affected in her province.

“We really need to reach out to communities and engage them on what can be done to stop the spread because it is clear that people are not adhering to the set measures. We however continue encouraging members of the public to wash their hands, wear masks, practice social distancing and avoid travelling unnecessarily.”

Dr Chikodzore said some of the new cases in her province were fuelled by the reopening of the borders in Matabeleland South which has seen an influx of travellers into the country.

Authorities in Kwekwe maintain that the video of a female police officer slapping a Kwekwe school girl for not wearing a mask was blown out of context adding it was under investigation.

Officer Commanding Kwekwe police, Chief Superintendent Denford Maingire said further details would be availed after investigations were completed.

“As police we are carrying out campaigns to raise awareness on the importance of wearing masks properly. So, our officers had been invited there to educate the learners and conscientise them on the importance of wearing masks.

“We are not sure what happened there but we are carrying out investigations and we will unveil further details after the investigations,” said Chief Supt Maingire.

“Acting Kwekwe District Education Officer, Mr Herbert Maziriri said they were also carrying out investigations.

“The matter is under investigations, that is all I can say for now,” he said before referring further questions to the provincial superiors.

Kwekwe High School Development Committee chairperson, Mr Takaedza Ntuli said they had already engaged relevant authorities over the issue, adding the cop was not supposed to have hit the learner.

“We have approached the district police office and they are investigating the matter. We also as parents are also carrying out our own investigations on whether there was malice in what the cop is alleged to have done. We cannot jump into conclusions before investigations have been completed,” he said.

He had no kind words for some on social media who were politicising the matter.

“There are some social media abusers who are bent on politicising the issue. This is not a political issue whatsoever.

We cannot allow people like Hopewell Chin’ono to go around saying rubbish about our state of affairs and politicising the issue, we cannot accept that,” he said.

Said national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi: “The Zimbabwe Republic Police does not condone such conduct during awareness campaigns and investigations are underway to verify the facts with the Kwekwe District Command and Midlands Province.

If confirmed, appropriate action will be taken against the member. The police applaud the public for bringing the matter to our attention.”

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has announced new fuel prices effective Saturday 5 December 2020.

The price of diesel is now ZWL$97.24 and US$1.19 per litre, while that for petrol is now ZWL$97.44 and US$1.19 per litre.

In a public notice on Friday evening, ZERA said operators may, however, sell at prices below the cap depending on their trading advantages.

The new prices show that the price of diesel in Zimbabwe dollars has increased significantly from last month’s price of ZWL$82.05 and the USD price has been reviewed upwards from US$1.00.

As for petrol, the price has been increased marginally in Zimbabwe dollars from  ZWL$97.11.  to  ZWL$97.44 while there had been no change in USD terms.

Paul Nyathi

Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) coronavirus/COVID-19 situation report as of 04 December 2020:

• New cases: 123
• Locals: 108
• Returnees: 15 – from South Africa
• Deaths: 1
• Recoveries: 48
• PCR Tests Done: 1 294
• National Recovery Rate: 83.5%
• Active Cases: 1 568
• Total Cumulative Cases: 10 547
• Total Recoveries: 8 802
• Total Deaths: 281

Complaints have been laid against Harare lawyer Mr Tendai Biti with the Law Society of Zimbabwe and Gender Commission by the Russian national who alleges she was manhandled during an altercation outside Harare Magistrates’ Court.

Ms Tatiana Aleshina and Mr Biti allegedly had a heated exchange during which Aleshina says she was manhandled. She filed an assault report with the police and has now lodged the two further complaints.

Mr Biti has denied any wrongdoing.

In her complaint lodged with the Law Society, Ms Aleshina wants Mr Biti investigated for alleged gross unprofessional conduct and alleges she and her workmates were verbally abused each time they came to court. Ms Aleshina is one of the witnesses in the Katsimberis criminal cases still pending.

“While attending to these matters at Harare Magistrates’ Court, I and my colleague at Pokugara Properties (Private) Limited have been victims of Mr Biti’s unsolicited verbal abuse and assaults which amount to gross professional misconduct,” said Ms Aleshina, the chief operating officer of Pokugara.

She claimed that on August 29 this year, as she was about to leave the court gallery after the court session and in the company of her workmate Mr Simbarashe Kadye the company’s chief finance officer, Biti confronted them and said: “I am going to take your house, clothes and panties and leave you with nothing. I am not joking!”

He then allegedly turned to Ms Aleshina reportedly shouting she was very stupid. “It was clear to all people who were in court gallery that Mr Biti took delight not only in verbally abusing me, but in trying to intimidate me and felt that, as a woman and foreigner of Russian origins, I was a nonentity to him and that he would use every extra judicial means to crush me or harm or destroy me for daring to be a witness in the criminal matter against his client,” she stated in her complaint.

“I strongly feel Mr Biti also violated my rights as a woman by trying to show his man power over me by swearing and shouting at me in a way which clearly made me less human thereby humiliating me. His conduct in pointing against my face was a clear act of verbal assault.”

Ms Aleshina also said she had no personal issue with Mr Biti before this incident.

“His conduct is a threat to womanhood and to the powerless and takes us back to the stone age where the perceived powerful will tremble on the rights of the poor without any censure,” she added.

Ms Aleshina filed a similar complaint with the Gender Commission.

Meanwhile, below was a thread she opened on the micro logging website, Twitter:

Today i want to share my story of humiliation and verbal abuse i received from @BitiTendai. Say no to assault (physical and verbal) say no to gender based violence! #GBVmustfall

@womensaidorg
#16daysofActivism
@Unwomen
#generationequality
#16Days
#orangetheworld
#UnitedNations@mentionsis supposedly a national leader as VP of MDCA, a Christian and lawyer but the way he behaved is NOT acceptable.
He shouted at me, called me “stupid very stupid” several time’s and made me feel intimidated, belittled and publicly humiliated.@mentionsviolated my rights as a woman. He violently pointed his fingers at my face and threatened me. To put this into context neither me nor my company had any prior dealings with this man, we have never spoken to him and yet his behavior was irrational, hysterical…https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?guci=1.2.0.0.2.2.0.0&client=ca-pub-3755072543989337&output=html&h=360&adk=3771441059&adf=2380962578&pi=t.aa~a.1635861574~rp.4&w=432&lmt=1607162121&rafmt=1&to=qs&pwprc=7152865607&psa=0&format=432×360&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthreadreaderapp.com%2Fthread%2F1334916650416660481.html&flash=0&fwr=1&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&adsid=ChEIgPys_gUQn5mtztqw4pP_ARI7ABerbi0geEd9662WhdmrcIAkfCSxgDbI1qafJW4hCl_zVWRVaGTH0HFT21Co9-Y3wbryKY9-EVPnCI0&tt_state=W3siaXNzdWVyT3JpZ2luIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9hZHNlcnZpY2UuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbSIsInN0YXRlIjowfSx7Imlzc3Vlck9yaWdpbiI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXR0ZXN0YXRpb24uYW5kcm9pZC5jb20iLCJzdGF0ZSI6MH1d&dt=1607162121301&bpp=4&bdt=1084&idt=4&shv=r20201201&cbv=r20190131&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D4f09f608b2e64b4d-220595cb82a600b7%3AT%3D1607162028%3ART%3D1607162028%3AS%3DALNI_MYPtDiin_gor_TPqEdyKTJw51GhsA&prev_fmts=0x0&nras=1&correlator=1318076571237&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=1245565793.1607162121&ga_sid=1607162121&ga_hid=516997970&ga_fc=0&u_tz=0&u_his=1&u_java=0&u_h=951&u_w=432&u_ah=951&u_aw=432&u_cd=24&u_nplug=0&u_nmime=0&adx=0&ady=1181&biw=432&bih=797&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=21066973&oid=3&pvsid=3936571835965269&pem=579&ref=https%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2F&rx=0&eae=0&fc=1924&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C432%2C0%2C432%2C797%2C432%2C797&vis=1&rsz=o%7Co%7CeEbr%7C&abl=NS&pfx=0&fu=8320&bc=31&jar=2020-12-04-22&ifi=1&uci=a!1&btvi=1&fsb=1&xpc=uyqpb0T1za&p=https%3A//threadreaderapp.com&dtd=25…and not fitting for any man never mind one in his position. How can he be trusted if he does this to an innocent woman like me?
I’m not saying all this for you to feel sorry for me, I’m doing it to create awareness and understanding that in our society in #zimbabwe#harareThere are men who put themselves above women. Such instances of sexism and chauvinism displayed by @BitiTendai as means of intimidation to reinforce the power base of men is shameful, he obviously wanted to remind me and women that they are weaker and inferior to him!This misogynistic behaviour MUST not be allowed to continue! Let us all stand together with #16DaysofActivism to prevent men like @BitiTendai treating women in this condescending way.@mentions#womenrights
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF YOU ARE BEING VERBALLY ABUSED?
-Display of anger in the way that frightens you
-public humiliation
-calling you insulting names ( such as “stupid”, “worthless”,)
-threatens to hurt you or people you care about
@BitiTendai@mentions

Emotional and verbal abuse includes insults and attempts to scare, isolate or control you. it also often a sign that physical abuse may follow.
This may lead to short term and long lasting effects that are just as serious as physical abuse!

A 25-year-old woman suffering from severe depression and admitted to Mount Darwin District Hospital disappeared from her ward on October 20 and was found at Concession, some 136km away, two days later unconscious and with her hands tied.

The hospital did not report the patient was missing to relatives or the police until October 22; when the woman’s aunt heard the news she rushed to Mt Darwin Police Station to make the initial missing person’s report.

Wendy Chinomungu of Rushinga was found bruised while her hands were tied with a rope at a farm in Concession. Her face was swollen. She was rushed to Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare where she later died. Preliminary checks showed the woman had been sexually assaulted.

Ms Chinomungu had a condition known as melancholia (severe depression) and was admitted on September 30 to Mt Darwin Hospital. Owing to the condition, she was initially unable to walk, bath and eat on her own. She would be carried to the toilet and was experiencing recurring mood swings.

Despite having the family members’ contact details, the hospital staff only informed the aunt two days after she vanished according to the records.

The aunt, Ms Fariya Musandirire was the first to report to the police while the hospital administrator followed up later.

Some farm workers in Concession found the woman lying unconscious three days after she left the hospital and told the farm owner who immediately reported the case to Glendale Police Station. She was rushed to Concession Hospital and was immediately transferred to Parirenyatwa Hospital where she later died.

A post-mortem report shows that the death was due to “severe head trauma”. The pathologist said the death was not a result of natural causes.

By Prince Njagu- The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC Alliance) has cried foul over the unlawful arrest and detention of its members which is being perpetrated by the Emmerson Mnangagwa led government.

This comes after the continued targeted arrest of its councillors and mayors by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).

MDC Alliance expressed their discontent over the recent unlawful arrest of Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume as well as Chitungwiza Mayor Lovemore Maiko.

“We continue to demand freedom for Mayor Jacob Mafume. Bail is a constitutional entitlement. Arresting to investigate is unlawful,” says MDC Alliance on their official Twitter page.

Eight days later and no bail has been set for Mafume. The MDC-A Harare major remains behind bars, regardless of the fact that the Zimbabwean constitution has a provision for bail to be set either pending an investigation or arrest.

Mafume is one of the many opposition members who has been arrested and put behind bars with no bail terms being set.

“Political persecution of opposition politicians and progressive citizens must end,” said MDC-Alliance on their Twitter page.

Prominent figures within the political spectrum, press and civil society have fallen victim to the ZANU PF administration, with renowned journalists like Hopewell Chin’ono also having been incarcerated this year for exposing corruption.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest of Mafume more than a week ago, but no bail has been set for the Harare Mayor and he remains in prison.

Mafume, is the MDC-A councillor for Ward 17, and was elected to the position of Harare Mayor in September 2020, following the recalling of Herbert Gomba by the MDC-T.

Several other MDC-A officials and councillors have been arrested by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), with the latest incident involving the arrest of all Chitungwiza officials during a meeting.

Arrest of all Chitungwiza officials and councillors by ZRP is being viewed as the latest act to hamstring MDC-A led local authorities by ZANU PF through the use of the police.

In a statement issued on the MDC-A Twitter page, the party said, “In the latest act to hamstring local authorities, ZRP have just arrested all Chitungwiza councillors and officials who were attending the ordinary full council meeting in chambers,”

“All except 2, of the councillors and council staff who were unlawfully arrested in a dragnet operation today while conducting council business have been released without charge. Councillors Chamutsa and Nyagondo are currently at St Marys police station. No charges yet”.

There has been a crackdown on council officials on accusation of corruption, but it is mainly targeting opposition officials.

Last week MDC-A Chitungwiza Mayor Lovemore Maiko was arrested and the party believes that all this is being done as a move to destabilise local councils after the failed move to recall the opposition mayors.

The MDC Alliance still maintains that all these moves are political and aimed at decimating the party.

Earlier last week MDC Alliance secretary for Local Government Sessel Zvidzai indicated that arrests of opposition mayors was a ZANU PF weapon to cripple local councils and his party.

“This is nothing new. It is weaponization of the courts and political persecution,” said Sessel Zvidzai the MDC Alliance secretary for Local Government.

A mugodhi Apostolic Church prophet in Marange was last week arrested for allegedly raping an 18-year-old epileptic patient before threatening to curse her with mental illness if she reported the matter.

Blessing Kukumidza (30) of Tsvarai Village was not asked to plead when he appeared before Mutare provincial magistrate, Mr Tendai Mahwe.

He was remanded in custody to December 9 and was advised to apply for bail at the High Court. Kukumidza had difficulties in walking when he appeared in court after he was allegedly assaulted by the young woman’s relatives and neighbours.

Mr Brian Goto prosecuted.

“The accused raped the complainant once.

“After the rape, the complainant reported the matter to some church members who went on to inform the young woman’s parents.

“The matter was reported to the police, thereby leading to Kukumidza’s arrest,” said Mr Goto.

The Zimbabwe Gender Commission chairperson, Ms Margaret Sangarwe is on record saying twenty two women are raped daily in Zimbabwe, with one woman abused every 75 minutes.

One in three girls is raped or sexually assaulted before they reach the age of 18.

Meanwhile, a Mutare man allegedly bashed his girlfriend as he accused her of infecting him with a sexually transmitted disease.

Tendai Muradzikwa (24) appeared before Mutare magistrate, Ms Tamara Chibindi.

He was sentenced him to 15 days behind bars or alternatively to pay a fine of $1 500.

The court heard that on November 20, Tariro Mushamba was walking in Dangamvura when he met Muradzikwa.

Muradzikwa started shouting at Tariro, accusing her of infecting him with an STI.

Tariro denied the allegations, but Muradzikwa went on to assault her all over the body.

She sustained head injuries and bruises.

While there are various forms of violence against women, the most common is the violence perpetrated by their intimate partners.

-State Media

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has announced new fuel prices effective Saturday 5 December 2020.

The price of diesel is now ZWL$97.24 and US$1.19 per litre, while that for petrol is now ZWL$97.44 and US$1.19 per litre.

Diesel was previously sold at below USD$1 and ZWL$82 but is now at par with petrol.

The hike in diesel price comes as the country goes into festive season marked by travelling which is likely to affect bus fares.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has promoted over 5 000 officers to various ranks, in what is considered to be one of the biggest changes in the force in recent history.

Police national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the development to the Daily News, saying promotion is part of the job system just like in any organisation to fill vacancies that arise due to various reasons.

Over 1 511 police officers have been elevated to the rank of assistant inspector, while 173 became sergeant majors and 3 945 being promoted to the rank of sergeant.

A radio communication dispatched on November 30 which revealed the latest flurry of promotions was confirmed by Nyathi. It read:

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, only the top three per each rank per district shall attend the conferment parade, taking cognisance of female representation on a ratio one female to two males.

The rest of the promoted members shall remain at their stations. Police General Headquarters departments shall submit names of members who shall attend the conferment parade to CSO admin using the same ratio per province.

All promoted members shall not put on the new badges of rank until after conferment. Staff officer ordinance shall start issuing out new badges of rank on 01/12/20 guided by this signal.

The commissioner-general of police congratulates you on the attainment of your new ranks.-Daily News

A MAN from Masvingo allegedly stumbled on a used condom in his lover’s handbag, accused her of cheating on him before stabbing her with a kitchen knife causing her to die due to excessive bleeding.

According to a source last week on Thursday Tawedzerwa Bvumburai (38) visited his girlfriend Melody Chipumo (33) at her workplace at Manyama Business Centre. While he was there he searched his lover’s handbag and stumbled on a used condom and questioned her about it.

“She told him that her friend had used the bag so it was left by her and he understood. He then left for his home in village 37, Manyama area under Chief Charumbira,” said the source.

However, after a drinking spree on Tuesday this week he had a change of heart. He armed himself with a kitchen knife and walked from his home, to his girlfriend’s workplace.

The source revealed that he arrived there at around 1.30 am and knocked at the door.

“His unsuspecting girlfriend came out and he started to accuse her of being a woman of loose morals who sleeps around with men while they made a vow that they would marry each other,” said the source.

At the height of the argument, the source said, Bvumburai, who had put the kitchen knife in his pocket drew the knife before stabbing Melody once on the right side breast.

“She tried to flee but he stabbed her once on the back causing her to fall and bleed excessively,” said the source.

Bvumburai took to his heels leaving his lover wailing on the ground. According to a source close to investigations an identified man heard the wailing and rushed to the scene and found Melody half dead.

“He informed her boss Edweek Museve (28) who quickly ferried her to Masvingo Provincial Hospital but she died upon arrival,” said the source.

A police report was made.

Masvingo deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dewa confirmed: “We are appealing for information that may lead to the arrest of Tawedzerwa Bvumburai (38) who stabbed his girlfriend Melody Chipumo, who later died on arrival at the hospital.

We urge community members to seek counselling from third parties whenever they are faced with a dispute rather than to take the law into their hands.”

He appealed to anyone who might have information that might lead to the arrest of Bvumburai to contact Masvingo rural police on 0392263729 or CID Masvingo on 0392262931 or send a WhatsApp message on 0775996945.-B-Metro

Tinashe Sambiri|Zanu PF leader, Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa has stunned the entire nation after eqauting Mbuya Nehanda to Jesus Christ.

Church leaders across the country have described Mnangagwa’s remarks as blasphemous.

Mr Mnangagwa made the remarks after visiting Nyati Gallery near Snake Park, where the statue of Mbuya Nehanda is being made by sculptor David Mutasa.

“The bible instructs us to honour our parents and that is what we are doing.

Christ died for the sins of the world and Mbuya Nehanda sacrificed her life for the freedom of the country.

Christ died for the people and Mbuya Nehanda also died for the people.

Those who not respect her will not go to heaven.We are simply giving her the respect she deserves,” said Mr Mnangagwa.

However, an association of church leaders based in Masvingo described Mr Mnangagwa’s utterances as blasphemous.

“This is unacceptable, how can Mr Mnangagwa equate Mbuya Nehanda to the Saviour.Such comments are unfortunate.

This is why our nation is always grappling with endless problems.We urge Mr Mnangagwa to withdraw his remarks as soon as possible,” the association said in a statement seen by ZimEye.com.

Tinashe Sambiri|Zanu PF leader, Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa has stunned the entire nation after eqauting Mbuya Nehanda to Jesus Christ.

Church leaders across the country have described Mnangagwa’s remarks as blasphemous.

Mr Mnangagwa made the remarks after visiting Nyati Gallery near Snake Park, where the statue of Mbuya Nehanda is being made by sculptor David Mutasa.

“The bible instructs us to honour our parents and that is what we are doing.

Christ died for the sins of the world and Mbuya Nehanda sacrificed her life for the freedom of the country.

Christ died for the people and Mbuya Nehanda also died for the people.

Those who not respect her will not go to heaven.We are simply giving her the respect she deserves,” said Mr Mnangagwa.

However, an association of church leaders based in Masvingo described Mr Mnangagwa’s utterances as blasphemous.

“This is unacceptable, how can Mr Mnangagwa equate Mbuya Nehanda to the Saviour.Such comments are unfortunate.

This is why our nation is always grappling with endless problems.We urge Mr Mnangagwa to withdraw his remarks as soon as possible,” the association said in a statement seen by ZimEye.com.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance, Secretary General, Hon Amos Chibaya, has said preparations for Gogo Alice Chamisa’s memorial service are at an advanced stage.

The memorial service is set for tomorrow in Gutu.

Hundreds of MDC Alliance members and Zimbabweans in general are expected to gather at President Nelson Chamisa’s rural home in Chiwara village, Gutu for the event tomorrow.

“You are all invited to attend Gogo Chamisa’s memorial service at the Chamisa Homestead in Chiwara Village , Gutu South.

This event will be held on Saturday the 5th of December.

The spirit of solidarity that binds us as a big family must be our guiding principle,” said Hon Chibaya

Tinashe Sambiri|A senior MDC Alliance official, Antony Taruvinga, has said President Nelson Chamisa remains the nation’s hope despite relentless efforts by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa and Zanu PF to bring him down.

He implored Zimbabweans to remain optimistic in spite of Mr Mnangagwa’s attempt to thwart the people’s struggle.

“I would like to thank Pres. Nelson Chamisa for standing strong in the wake of monumental electoral theft.

Not only the President but all Comrades who remained glued to the struggle even in the face of incessant challenges.

Following the 2018 elections, the going has been sadly torturous. We were robbed of everything including Parliamentary and council victories. Like i always say, let’s eye focus on 2023.

Prepare not only to vote but vote, win, secure and defend, at all costs, our victories.

Lawyers are advised to think about the name challenges that the party has faced.

While it is clear that the Judiciary is 100% captured, lawyers must close any loophole that might be exploited. MDC CHAMISA! The struggle continues,” Taruvinga posted on Facebook.

Tinashe Sambiri|
In what many believe to be sings of the end of time, a Masvingo man impregnated his son’s wife…

The daughter-in-law, Nomatter Mariona reportedly confessed that she got the love charm from controversial preacher, “Prophet”
Isaac Makomichi.

She claimed the prophet instructed her to put the charm in her husband’s plate.

She then put the charm in her father- in -law’s plate by mistake.

She was then dismissed from the family house as her father-in-law began to spoil her with gifts and money.

It has since emerged that Nomatter was impregnated by her father-in-law who has also left the family house to stay with her.

“I was in the process of bringing my wife back home when I was informed that Nomatter could not be located.

I called her asking her to return home and she told me that it was too late because she was already pregnant.

She has moved to Bulawayo with my father.

I blame Makomichi for giving my wife the love charm.

That charm destroyed my family, my mother is in pain now,” said a bitter Tichaona.

Contacted for a comment, Makomichi said:

“Leave me alone, Tichaona is the one who took the wrong plate because he likes meat.”

Zanu PF Acting Spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa has taken the time to warn his party members that they risk being expelled from Zanu PF if they engage in any acts of indiscipline during the DCC polls which will be held at 1248 polling stations countrywide despite the ban on public gatherings, the Daily News reports.

Chinamasa was speaking during a Press conference in Harare yesterday when he said:

I want to warn any of our members … that we are watching any acts of indiscipline that bring the party into disrepute Acts of indiscipline will be reported to our national disciplinary committee which will descend with a sledge hammer on anyone convicted of perpetrating any acts of violence which disrupt the electoral process.

I want to say to our members if you commit any acts of indiscipline don’t be surprised to find yourself outside the membership of Zanu PF. Don’t blame anybody but yourself,” Chinamasa warned further.

To ensure fairness and minimise manipulation, members of the central committee from one district will supervise elections in another district.

All preparations for the DCC are on course. We are confident that we will successfully hold the elections. The supervisory team, including election commissioners and politburo members, have since been deployed to their respective work stations.

Chinamasa’s scathing warning comes amid reports of vote irregularities and in some cases violence in some parts of the country in the period leading to the DCC polls.

By Prince Njagu- The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC Alliance) has cried foul over the unlawful arrest and detention of its members which is being perpetrated by the Emmerson Mnangagwa led government.

This comes after the continued targeted arrest of its councillors and mayors by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).

MDC Alliance expressed their discontent over the recent unlawful arrest of Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume as well as Chitungwiza Mayor Lovemore Maiko.

“We continue to demand freedom for Mayor Jacob Mafume. Bail is a constitutional entitlement. Arresting to investigate is unlawful,” says MDC Alliance on their official Twitter page.

Eight days later and no bail has been set for Mafume. The MDC-A Harare major remains behind bars, regardless of the fact that the Zimbabwean constitution has a provision for bail to be set either pending an investigation or arrest.

Mafume is one of the many opposition members who has been arrested and put behind bars with no bail terms being set.

“Political persecution of opposition politicians and progressive citizens must end,” said MDC-Alliance on their Twitter page.

Prominent figures within the political spectrum, press and civil society have fallen victim to the ZANU PF administration, with renowned journalists like Hopewell Chin’ono also having been incarcerated this year for exposing corruption.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest of Mafume more than a week ago, but no bail has been set for the Harare Mayor and he remains in prison.

Mafume, is the MDC-A councillor for Ward 17, and was elected to the position of Harare Mayor in September 2020, following the recalling of Herbert Gomba by the MDC-T.

Several other MDC-A officials and councillors have been arrested by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), with the latest incident involving the arrest of all Chitungwiza officials during a meeting.

Arrest of all Chitungwiza officials and councillors by ZRP is being viewed as the latest act to hamstring MDC-A led local authorities by ZANU PF through the use of the police.

In a statement issued on the MDC-A Twitter page, the party said, “In the latest act to hamstring local authorities, ZRP have just arrested all Chitungwiza councillors and officials who were attending the ordinary full council meeting in chambers,”

“All except 2, of the councillors and council staff who were unlawfully arrested in a dragnet operation today while conducting council business have been released without charge. Councillors Chamutsa and Nyagondo are currently at St Marys police station. No charges yet”.

There has been a crackdown on council officials on accusation of corruption, but it is mainly targeting opposition officials.

Last week MDC-A Chitungwiza Mayor Lovemore Maiko was arrested and the party believes that all this is being done as a move to destabilise local councils after the failed move to recall the opposition mayors.

The MDC Alliance still maintains that all these moves are political and aimed at decimating the party.

Earlier last week MDC Alliance secretary for Local Government Sessel Zvidzai indicated that arrests of opposition mayors was a ZANU PF weapon to cripple local councils and his party.

“This is nothing new. It is weaponization of the courts and political persecution,” said Sessel Zvidzai the MDC Alliance secretary for Local Government.

The Standard

NINE gunmen stormed a house in Rusape belonging to South Africa-based Zimbabwean opposition politician Herbert Chamuka, beating up female tenets and threateing to rape them before making good their escape with household goods worth US$12 000.

The incident took place on Saturday night.

Chamuka confirmed the development in an interview from his South Africa base, saying he suspects the brutal attack was politically motivated.

“It looks like this is more than just a robbery case. This could be the work of my political rivals in or outside the party. It has been reported to police,” he said.

“My tenants called me to say nine people came and harassed then totting guns and locking them up in a room and threating to kill them if they shouted. They also took phones from the women that stay at my house. The men had the women’s hands tied and kept on kicking them, throwing threats that they would kill them,” Chamuka said.

“They sped off in a truck and the tenants fortunately managed to take the registration number which they took to police,” he added.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the incident and said investigations were currently underway.

“I can confirm that we received an armed robbery report in Rusape. The incident took place on Saturday night. Investigations are currently underway and we appeal to all those with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects to come forward,” he said.

Paul Nyathi

Media in Saudi Arabia indicates that Zimbabwe and the Persian Gulf State have signed a new diplomatic agreement though local media has remained quiet on the issue.

Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations Ambassador Abdallah Al-Mouallimi and his Zimbabwean counterpart, Frederick Musiiwa Makamure Shava, signed the agreement on Friday to establish diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The two ambassadors reportedly said, “The signing of the agreement is motivated by the keenness of the two countries’ governments to strengthen relations and expand the horizons of cooperation between them.”

The statement said the agreement was also signed in support of security and peace in the world, based on the provisions of the Agreement on Diplomatic Relations and Immunities signed in Vienna on April 18, 1961.

The two ambassadors also reaffirmed that the agreement aims to “consolidate fruitful cooperation and establish the best bilateral relations and friendly ties in various fields.