Two schools in eastern Zimbabwe have been closed after multiple coronavirus infections were reported among students, authorities said on Wednesday.

Schools in the southern African country were closed when a nationwide lockdown came into effect at the end of March and have reopened in phases starting September.

In the Mashonaland East Province, two boarding schools were forced to close after a total of 52 infections were confirmed among students.

At least 12 cases have been reported at the Goromonzi High School, according to the provincial medical director’s office for Mashonaland East.

At the Waddilove High School, 24 more cases were confirmed, raising the total infections at the institute to 40.

“Waddilove and Goromonzi [high schools] are now closed communities with no one allowed to get in or out,” read a statement.

“A total of 56 students have so far been infected in Mashonaland East since the opening of schools.”

Earlier this month, another boarding school in Zimbabwe’s Matabeleland South province was shut down after some 100 pupils tested positive for COVID-19.

Zimbabwe’s overall case count stood at 10,243, including 277 deaths and 8,671 recoveries, as of Wednesday.

The King Lobengula Royal Trust has welcomed the recent posthumous conferment of national hero status on General Mtshana Khumalo by President Emmerson Mnangagwa saying it was long overdue.

On Sunday, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister, Kazembe Kazembe, visited the Khumalo family to announce the news of Gen Khumalo’s national hero status. Peter Zwide Khumalo of the King Lobengula’s Royal Trust said:

We have received it (news) positively though we believe that it is evidently a much-delayed action because we had independence in 1980 and it is about 40 years down the line now.

We think the government has made a positive move to recognise one of us’ hero status, particularly of historical times.

All along what they have considered as heroes are people that fought the war of independence and yet the war of independence did not start off with the recent guerrilla armies – ZANLA and ZIPRA and so on.

It started off with our forefathers – King Mzilikazi and their commanders and King Lobengula and his commanders.

According to CITE, Gen Khumalo was the commander of King Lobengula’s Imbizo Regiment which defeated the colonialist Allan Wilson Patrol at the Battle of Pupu on December 4 in 1893.

Gen Mtshana was also the overall commander of King Lobengula’s other regiments namely Ingubo, Insuka and Insizwa, Ihlathi, Isiziba, Amavene, Mazibalonkwe, Mcijo and Ingwana.

More: CITE

THE ruling Zanu PF party says all its all systems go for the District Coordinating Committee elections slated for this weekend in its eight provinces across the country.

This was revealed by Zanu PF Acting Spokesperson, Cde Patrick Chinamasa in a media briefing at the party headquarters this Thursday.

“Preparations are on course for the DCC elections to be held on sat the 5th and 6th in the 8 provinces, supervisors have been deployed. We will be using party registers voting will take place at polling stations results and will be displayed at each polling station, the results will be collated at the HQ and Announcement will be done on Monday 7 December at the National Headquarters. Printing of the ballot has been done,” he said.

Zimbabwe’s Young Warriors began their COSAFA U20 Championship with a 2-2 draw against Amajita of South Africa on Thursday afternoon.

Zimbabwe drew first blood through Panashe Mutimbanyoka who opened the scoring after just eight minutes into the first stanza.

South Africa were unable to find a reply in the opening 45 minutes, but they were back on level terms shortly after the halftime break through SuperSport United attacker Oswin Appollis’ finish.

It was Zimbabwe who got the next goal eight minutes later courtesy of a strike from Lexington Mujokoro.

Amajita, however, got an equaliser in second-half stoppage time, with Mohlala Makola getting the important goal.

More: Soccer Laduma

A teacher from Chipinge is appealing for US$20 000 to undergo open-heart surgery in India after suffering a heart problem.

Gladys Pisirai (37), was diagnosed with chronic rheumatic valve injury with Mitral valve disease and Atrial Aortic Regurgitation consequent in February this year.

If the operation is done, her mitral valve will be replaced with a mechanical one.

The mitral valve, also known as the bicuspid valve or left atrioventricular valve, is a valve with two flaps in the heart that lies between the left atrium and the left ventricle.

According to Chipinge Times, Pisirai initially transferred to a school close to an urban area but has now stopped going to work altogether.

She can neither do house chores anymore nor look after her three children.

Pisirai’s husband Lovemore Pisirai who is a pastor at Full Gospel Assemblies International Church confirmed the condition.

To date, US$5 000 has been raised towards the operation.

Well-wishers can contact the husband on 0772 225 274 and the eco cash number: 0773 731 750.

Bank details: CBZ -10124317530010 (RTGS Account) and the Nostro Account:10124317530020.

More: Masvingo Mirror

WARRIORS coach Zdravko Logarusic has named a provisional Squad of 34 players ahead of African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals set for Cameroon early next year.
Goalkeepers
Ariel Sibanda (Highlanders), Simbarashe Chinani (Dynamos), Nelson Chadya (Ngezi
Platinum Stars), Petros Mhari (FC Platinum)
Defenders
Xolani Ndlovu (Chicken Inn), Peter Muduwa (Highlanders), Partson Jaure
(Dynamos), Valentine Musarurwa (Harare City), Ian Nekati (Chicken Inn), Qadr
Amini (Ngezi Platinum Stars), Frank Makarati (Ngezi Platinum), Raphael Muduviwa
(FC Platinum), Pawell Govere (Golden Eagles), Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders)
Midfielders
Juan Mutudza (Dynamos), Valentine Kadonzvo (Chicken inn, Ralph Kawondera (FC
Platinum), Trevor Mavunga (Triangle), Phenias Bamusi (Caps United), Wellington
Taderera (Ngezi Platinum), Devon Chafa (Ngezi Platinum), Kelvin Madzongwe (FC
Platinum), Silas Songani (FC Platinum), Collins Duwa (Triangle United), Tichaona
Chipunza (Chicken Inn), Ishmael Wadi (Caps United), Leeroy Mavunga (Caps
United), Nqobizitha Masuku (Highlanders), Tatenda Tavengwa (Harare City), King
Nadolo (Dynamos)
Strikers
Obriel Chirinda (Chicken Inn), Stanley Ngala (FC Platinum), Thomas Chideu (Harare
City), William Manondo (Harare City)
The preparations get underway on the 6th of this month before taking a breaking for the festive holidays on 20th.
Camp will then resume on the 28 and continues until the games begin on 16th of January in Cameroon.

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.

More: Daily News

THE trial of former NetOne chief executive officer, Lazarus Muchenje, yesterday failed to kick-off after lawyers representing him and three others told the court that they were not furnished with all papers to prepare their defence.

Muchenje is jointly appearing with Darlington Gutu, Spencer Manguwa and Sharmaine Kadende, on criminal abuse of office.

They are alleged to have entered into a number-range provision agreement with a Mauritanian firm, Bankai International (Pvt) Limited, which saw NetOne Cellular supplying 2 000 virtual lines, which were configured on NetOne Nokia Mobile Switching Centre without Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) and subscriber details without board approval.

They were also alleged to have by-passed the Home Location Centre, violating the Postal and Telecommunication regulations.

Deputy chief magistrate Mrs Bianca Makwande set the matter for January 18 to 21 for trial on a continuous roll.

Muchenje has other counts where he is jointly charged with other employees – Darlington Gutu, Spencer Manguwa, Sharmaine Kadende, Tawanda Sibanda, Tinashe Severa, Paradza Mutandwa Chakona and Tanyaradzwa Chingombe.

Sibanda was NetOne interconnection and roaming manager, Severa was the acting chief finance officer, Gutu was chief technology officer, Manguwa was the chief operating officer, Chingombe was acting head of legal and Chakona, a former board member.

On the first set of charges, Muchenje is appearing on his own answering to three counts of criminal abuse of office with an alternative fraud charge.

Muchenje is alleged to have instructed NetOne head administration Mr Innocent Mukandatsama to buy him household furniture worth over US$620 000 without board approval.

He is also alleged to have ordered the company to hire three Toyota Fortuner vehicles for his personal use between January 2019 and February 2020.

The cars were hired on separate occasions for US$32 869, US$133 080 and US$59 976 respectively.

Muchenje is also alleged to have ordered NetOne to pay more than US$50 000 for his personal security services offered by a local security company.

Muchenje is also being jointly charged with Tawanda Chakona in a case where they allegedly resolved to extend housing allowance to him and rented him a house in one of Harare’s affluent suburbs for US$364 000 without NetOne board resolution during the time of his tenure in office.

He is also jointly charged with Sibanda, Severa and Kadende after they allegedly connived to allow NetOne to enter into a Unilateral Buy Agreement with Bankai International for supply of nine million minutes for voice calls for US$1 million.

As part of the agreement, the quartet is said to have authorised the connection of a Telco Bridge at NetOne Data Centre and that it be configured to allow Bankai International.

Muchenje will also be appearing in court along with Gutu and Chingombe on allegations of having signed an International Top-Up Agreement with Bankai International and Bridgevo International where they were to supply airtime for resale outside the country at a 20 percent discount.

They are expected in court on December 8 for trial.

A Mutoko High School Advanced level female student was on Wednesday struck by a lightning bolt and died on the spot while she was on her way home after sitting for her Zimbabwe School Examinations Council examinations.

Constance Machemedze (20) was at Chinzanga Primary School sports ground when a thunderstorm reportedly began and she was struck while running.

Mashonaland East police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed the incident and said the deceased had burns on her right side of the body.

“The public must always take precautionary measures as stated by the Metrological Services Department to avoid such disasters from happening,” he said.

It is said that on Wednesday at around 1.20pm, Machemedze was at Chinzanga Primary School sports ground on her way home from Mutoko Central High school where she had sat for her A level examination.

A thunderstorm began and she was struck by a lightning bolt while running home.

Tinashe Sambiri|Hard-hitting MDC Alliance deputy national chairperson, Hon Job Sikhala, has accused Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa of personalizing State resources.

Hon Sikhala said Zimbabweans should not be cowed into submission by Mr Mnangagwa’s administration.

“Fighting for justice and happiness requires tenacity and never to accept to be cowed by anyone.

This country belongs to Zimbabweans. The fight against poverty and political cannibalism is a calling to some of us. It’s in the blood. This country does not belong to ED and his cabal,” Hon Sikhala wrote on Twitter.

A Grade 7 pupil at Mwacheta Primary School in Chipinge was stabbed to death with a knife by his classmate on their way from school.

The boy was confirmed dead upon admission at the Chipinge District Hospital this Tuesday.

The pupil from Macheta community under Chief Musikavanhu reportedly is said to have died due to excessive bleeding after he was stabbed once on the heart.

The tragedy was confirmed by Chipinge District Schools Inspector, Mr Richard Gabaza, who said details that led to the incident are still sketchy.

Mr Gabaza also indicated that the police had picked up suspects for questioning.

Some observers attribute the behaviour to teachers’ absence in school saying there is no one to monitor and control learners.

Teachers embarked on industrial action when schools reopened demanding the restoration of their 2018 salaries which were around USD500.

By A Correspondent- Part time lecturers at the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) said they had gone for over nine months without receiving their allowances and had also not been paid for services rendered in marking this year’s examinations.

The lecturers accused their employer of “modern-day slavery” and insincerity in addressing their plight.

“It is the responsibility of the university to source funds to pay its staff rates that are sustainable especially considering the harsh economic environment,” one of the lecturers said.

“They simply do not care about our welfare yet they quickly act when it comes to permanent employees.”

“What the authorities are doing is akin to modern-day slavery. We negotiated in good faith and agreed in principle that we will proceed to mark assignments in April/May and examinations in August on the basis that, like all other State universities, they would review our allowances. We fulfilled our end of the bargain, suddenly they are changing goal posts,” the lecturer said.

Others said the bulk of academic work was being done by part-time staffers who were being unfairly treated.

“Imagine we also have responsibilities, we don’t have any medical cover or transport allowances, but still the entire administration would agreed to pay rates of $5 for each assignment marked,” a parttime lecturer from the Faculty of Commerce said.

ZOU acting director of information and public relations Stewart Mandiwanza, however, said: “The issue of paying part-time tutors using last year’s rates is an administrative one.

“The rates are determined-based on fees payable by students to the university when a semester begins as per fees ordinance which is approved by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development.

“If tuition fees were increased during the course of the semester, it is most likely that the payment rates for part-time tutors for work done were also going to be reviewed upwards.”

He added: “However, tuition fees were not increased during the first semester as 2019 fees prevailed.”

He said the university had approved revised part-time rates effective September 1, 2020 and part-time tutors had requested to be paid using these new rates, a position still under consideration by management.

newsday

By A Correspondent- Magistrate Ngoni Nduna yesterday dismissed an application by suspended Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) president Henrietta Rushwaya and Pakistani businessman Ali Muhammad to have their seized phones released by the police.

Rushwaya and Muhammad, who were arrested in October, were accused of attempting to smuggle 6kg of gold worth US$333 000 to Dubai.

They are being jointly charged with Central Intelligence Organisation operatives Stephen Tserayi and Raphios Mufandauya and Rushwaya’s ZMF colleague Gift Karanda on smuggling charges, illegal possession of gold, criminal abuse of office and defeating the course of justice.

Rushwaya, Tserayi, Mufandauya and Karanda are in custody after being denied bail at the Harare Magistrates Court.

Rushwaya was arrested on October 26 2020 at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport intending to fly to Dubai with the gold and her cellphone was seized by the police.

Muhammad was arrested on October 30 and his cellphone was also taken away by the police for investigations purposes.

On Friday last week, Rushwaya and Muhammad, through their lawyers Tapson Dzvetero and Tinashe Robin Tanyanyiwa, submitted an application before Nduna to have their phones back, arguing that the police seized their gadgets unlawfully, since they did not have warrants which permitted them to do so. But Nduna said although 21 days had lapsed since the police had taken the phones, which made it liable for the seized gadgets to be released, the State had clearly showed its intention to prosecute the accused by placing them on remand as prescribed by the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

They had also submitted an application seeking an order for the release of a transcribed record on their case to expedite their appeal on bail application at the High Court.

Nduna said the transcribed record was ready and the delay was an administrative issue which was not brought before the court.

They had also submitted before the court that the State had failed to provide the court with a report on their complaints against the police.

They argued that the police had violated their rights by seizing and searching their homes without warrants.

But Nduna reminded them that they had indicated to the court that their complaints against the police should be put on record and did not state that they wanted the case to be investigated.

The five accused were remanded to December 11, 2020 for routine remand.

Charles Muchemwa appeared for the State.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has called for the primary and secondary Education ministry to close schools to protect learners and educators from rising COVID-19 infections.

A number of schools are recording COVID-19 cases, sending panic among parents, teachers and learners at a time when there has been an increase in confirmed cases across the country.

Government however shot down calls to shut down schools, insisting that all pre-requisite measures to protect learners and teachers are in place.

“It is dangerous for the government to claim that the cases are minimal when it has no capacity to test all teachers, students and ancillary staff in schools,” PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou said.

“Many teachers and students are positive but have not yet been tested or are waiting for confirmation of results. COVID-19 cases continue to rise in schools and unless a robust approach is adopted to abate its effects, there will be a disaster in schools.”

A survey by NewsDay revealed that the government was failing to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE’s) to learners and educators. The majority of schools in Bulawayo are now asking parents to purchase PPE’s to protect teachers and learners.

“Our preparedness to efficiently, effectively and transparently use resources to combat COVID-19 in schools is uppermost now. Without this, the best would be to urgently close schools before the majority of teachers and pupils become victims,” Zhou added.

Reports show that as many as 400 learners and teachers have tested positive for COVID-19 after the last batch of learners returned to class following the government’s phased approach to the reopening of schools.

Students have been quarantined in other boarding schools, with parents not allowed to visit them.

Meanwhile, National Association of Schools Development and Committees acting president Maxwell Mkandla said schools should tighten regulations to combat the spread of COVID-19.

He made the remarks on Tuesday during a hand over of sanitisers and thermometers donated by parents to Sobukazi High School in Mzilikazi in Bulawayo.

Mkandla, who is also the School Development Committee chairperson of Sobukazi High School, said stringent laws to curb the spread of COVID-19 must be adopted.

“There should be strict measures that should be put in place first and foremost when the child is coming from home.

We must make sure that at the gate of the school, the moment they enter the school yard definitely they must be tested,” he said.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- The trial of former Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko on charges of criminal abuse of office continued yesterday in camera at the Harare Magistrates Court.

Mphoko was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission last year for allegedly instructing officers at Avondale Police Station in Harare to release two Zimbabwe National Roads Administration officials from holding cells without following procedure while he was Acting President on July 14, 2016.

The two Zinara officials had been arrested for fraud and criminal abuse of office.

Mphoko appeared before magistrate Trynos Wutawashe yesterday after his application to have his trial transferred from Harare to Bulawayo was dismissed by the court last year.

Earlier this year, the court granted an application by the State to have Mphoko’s trial heard in camera.

The State, led by prosecutor Lovett Masuku argued that Mphoko’s defence outline had information which could be detrimental to state security.

Mphoko attended the court proceedings with his lawyers and immediate family members.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday challenged judges and magistrates to defend human rights and ensure good governance.

He made the call while launching the Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) five-year strategic plan in Harare.

Mnangagwa, whose government has come under fire for rising cases of human rights abuses and corruption, urged the Judiciary to step up in the delivery of justice.

“The Judiciary is vital towards the attainment of both vision 2030 as well as aspiration number three of the African Union Agenda 2063 which calls for ‘an Africa of good governance, respect for human rights, justice and rule of law’,” Mnangagwa said.

Since coming into office in 2017, Mnangagwa has pledged reforms, especially around respect for human rights, political freedoms and respect of the Constitution, but critics say abuses have worsened under his watch.

“The second republic is determined to enhance national cohesion, economic growth and prosperity and to build an environment where our people can rise to their full potential.

“There is no going back on the development course we have charted.

“To this end, the JSC is a critical State institution in our ongoing reform agenda with regards entrenching constitutionalism and the rule of law as building blocks in our national development agenda,” Mnangagwa said.

Chief Justice Luke Malaba, in delivering his address, appeared to be responding to concerns that the Judiciary was captured and now pandering to the whims of political elites.

He said the strategic plan sought to reinforce the independence of the Judiciary so that it remains accountable to the public.

“Through this strategic plan, the commission seeks to enhance the independence and financial autonomy of the Judiciary in order to continue modernising it and making it more accountable to the public from whom the judicial authority derives,” Justice Malaba said.

He said his colleagues play a very important role in keeping the Constitution alive.

“The courts are the custodians of the Constitution and the bulwark against the erosion of human rights and freedoms. In that regard, the requirement for an independent and accountable Judiciary cannot be overemphasised,” he said.

The Chief Justice has been sued by Justice Erica Ndewere who alleges that he has actively sought to undermine Judiciary independence by issuing directives on who to give or deny bail on political grounds.

Justice Malaba said the JSC was fighting to eradicate corruption within its ranks and in society.

“It is in this context that the fight against corruption and incompetency at every level of JSC has been identified as one of the key strategic focus areas under the accountability matrix of the plan,” he said.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) is investigating cases of alleged abuse of office involving Harare deputy mayor Luckson Mukunguma, who has since gone into hiding.

Zacc spokesperson John Makamure confirmed the matter was under investigation but would not give details.

“We have a case involving the deputy mayor but it is still under investigation,” Makamure said.

Sources said Mukunguma allegedly abused his office by forcing council to create and allocate four residential stands to his relatives namely Juliet Tipedze, Melody Magorimbo, Edith Chiota and Kerrington Ndimba in Highfield ward 5.

Mukunguma yesterday said he was aware of the Zacc probe but denied that he was in hiding. He said he had done nothing wrong.

This comes after council sources claimed the Zacc officers have been frequenting his offices and residence to arrest him on the matter without success.

The deputy mayor told NewsDay that his hands were clean but was being targeted by some elements at town house who were not happy with his stance against the return of former human resources director Cainos Chingombe.

Mukunguma is supposed to be the acting mayor following the arrest of Jacob Mafume last week and his subsequent denial of bail by a Harare magistrates court.

Mafume was arrested for alleged abuse of office by allegedly advancing favours to his sister and a colleague after causing council officials to give them two residential stands while they were not on the city’s waiting list. Mukunguma and Mafume became deputy mayor and mayor respectively after the recall of Enock Mupamaonde and Herbert
Gomba by the MDC-T party.

“The issue is coming up after my objection and statement during a full council meeting that I was not happy with a decision to have Chingombe back at work.
That is where the war is coming from,” Mukunguma said.

Mukunguma said he had objections over Chingombe’s return given his record of allegedly defrauding the council of huge amounts of money. The matter is also under investigation by the Special Anti-Corruption Unit, according to sources.-newsday

By Hon Job Wiwa| The Daily News today the 3rd of December 2020,really shocked me by leading their paper with lies intending to blackmail my person by a lying headline that I suggested on my Twit which I called the people of Zimbabwe to unite to confront our mirage of governance challenges on the problems authored by Emmerson Mnangagwa. In desperate, attempts to bid for whomever they work for, they claim that I am now of changed heart that I urge people to engage with Emmerson Mnangagwa. My foot!!. This is the rubbish of the century. I have got no grain of respect for Emmerson Mnangagwa for their record and will never wish a right thinking person to even talk to him.

Blessing Mushava met me at Parliament and asked me about my Twit calling upon Zimbabweans to unite. In his mind he thought for the sake of bidding my Twit meant unit with Mnangagwa. Shame. I have no aota of respect for Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday, today and tomorrow for me to suggest any form of talk with him.

For clarity the unity by my Twit was unity to confront Mnangagwa and not the self serving wishes as spoken by the Daily News. I told Blessing Mushava that I was not interested to talk to any press at the moment but he insisted on comment on my Twit which I politely and intelligently avoided.

For engagement in the future the Daily News should retract its leading story about me which has enraged myself and has far reaching consequences on my beliefs, reputation and standing in the public eye.

The Meteorological Services Department has warned citizens that the country will record heavy rains across the country from today Thursday 03 December to the 11th.

The Met Department warned citizens to avoid crossing flooded rivers and where possible stay indoors.

Below is the Met Department

By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF has cleared Bornface Mutize who was disqualified for allegedly being a G40 member ahead of the looming district co-ordinating committee (DCC) elections to be held this weekend.

Mutize, who is eyeing the Goromonzi district chairmanship, was officially notified of his appeal success on Monday, days before the election.

NewsDay is reliably informed that, Mutize, also a successful farmer was cleared in time, but his results were withheld by his rivals in the province as the political atmosphere got tense.

In a statement, Zanu-PF Mashonaland East on Monday confirmed that Mutize was cleared and that results of other candidates who appealed will be announced as they trickle in.

“Please be advised that Cde Bornface Mutize’s appeal has sailed through and he is now a bona fide candidate for the position of DCC chairman in Goromonzi. We will post other results of appeals as they trickle in,” read the statement.

Mutize, who has since refuted claims that he is linked to the G40 was barred from contesting alongside other bigwigs like Lawrence Katsiru and Beata Nyamupinga.

Both Nyamupinga and Katsiru have appealed against the disqualification.

Recently, provincial political commissar Hebert Shumbamhini clashed with Mutize accusing him of campaigning before he was cleared in Harare.

In a letter addressed to Mutize dated November 19 and signed by Shumbamhini, the former is accused of indiscipline.

“Please note that the Zanu-PF Mashonaland East provincial leadership has noted with concern your continued interference with party structures in your bid to be the DCC chairman for Goromonzi district yet we are still waiting for your clearance from Zanu-PF headquarters, Harare since you submitted an appeal letter after your disqualification on the list of candidates.

“Your continued unsanctioned campaigning shows a high degree of indiscipline and the party will not hesitate to recommend your disqualification even if the appeal comes in your favour,” read the letter.

According to sources, Mutize reportedly knew about his victory which was shelved by political rivals.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- Five Zanu-PF members, among them a Zimunya-Marange district political commissar candidate in the party’s district coordinating committee elections to be held at the weekend, have been arrested for kidnapping an Agriculture ministry official and forcing him to address a gathering of 300 villagers.

The five members are, Enock Chikwama (41), who is Zanu-PF Mutanda west district chairperson, James Tungana (50), the youth chairperson, Yutiko Malovero (51), vice chairperson, Panganayi Inzwanayi (51), vice secretary and Thomas Gore (40), the secretary.

They are all from Mutanda West in Odzi. They appeared before Mutare magistrate Tendai Mahwe who remanded them to December 16 on free bail.

They are denying the charges.

Chikwama is contesting against Joseph Murwira for the ZANU-PF political commissar post in Zimunya-Marange district.

Zimunya-Marange district consists of three constituencies, Mutare South, North and West respectively.

The State alleges that, the complainant, Jackson Usvisvo 34, an official in the Agriculture ministry and an Agritex extension officer at Chinota office was at a local shopping centre when he was approached by Seji Wemba telling him to attend a meeting in connection with distribution of-PFumvudza inputs.

According to Prosecutor Brian Goto, Usvisvo refused to attend the meeting stating the organisers of the meeting did not follow proper procedures.

After about an hour, the five accused persons arrived and bundled him into their car.

It is alleged that they drove him to Chinota, almost five kilometres where the meeting was being conducted.

He was forced to address a gathering of 300 villagers who harassed and insulted him.

The complainant made a police report leading to the arrest of the five.

The accused persons are all A1 farmers in Odzi.-newsday

watch the live video loading below…..

https://fb.watch/28o1E1VDeD/

By A Correspondent- A Harare based soldier has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for bashing his pregnant girlfriend.

Reuters Makwanise (32) appeared before Mutare magistrate Nyasha Kuture yesterday who suspended three months of the sentence on condition of good behaviour.

He will save an effective nine months.

It is the State’s case that on November 10, 2020 the accused arrived at the complainant Portia Mangandaire’s residence in Sakubva.

Mangandaire was in the company of a friend, Nyasha Mapeza, who asked if the accused was in the habit of assaulting the complainant.

A disagreement ensued resulting in the accused picking a wooden plank from the yard and repeatedly assaulted Mangandaire.

The complainant was five months pregnant at the time. She had a miscarriage on the same day. The foetus was taken to Victoria Chitepo Hospital where it was incinerated.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor John Mangudya has ordered banks to settle transactions outside the public glare as he cracks the whip on the sector amid revelations some banks were refusing clients to withdraw cash from their foreign currency accounts (FCAs).

Over the past months, banks have been telling customers that they can only withdraw money if a cash deposit has been made into their accounts.

This has forced customers to liquidate their FCA balances into local currency as the money would have been stuck in their accounts.

“Financial integrity means that banks settle transactions outside the public glare. Don’t contaminate banking with politics,” Mangudya told a post-budget meeting this week.

“You do not need to settle offshore. It is settled domestically but given value as a back office transaction. Settlement is not a negotiating tactic where a customer of a bank is told that there is no money. That is not banking.”

Mangudya said the cash is there in the bank, the “money is in the nostro”.

Statistics from RBZ showed banks were holding FCA balances of nearly US$1bn as at October 31, made up of cash at bank (US$393,265,049) and nostro balances of US$573,101,628.

In the same period last year total FCA balances were US$725,645,136 made up of cash at the bank (US$155,247,214) and nostro balances of US$570,397,922.

Bankers who spoke to Business Times said there has been a divide in the banking in which the international banks would prefer to do settlement among themselves.

Company executives said they have been struggling to use money in their FCAs as banks gave all sorts of excuses.

The settlement gridlock has seen some buying the money in the FCAs for a 10% fee.

It also comes as ethanol producer GreenFuel has told customers to make physical cash deposits into its account or a transfer accompanied by a letter that value transferred to its accounts would be honoured.

In a letter to customers, GreenFuel said its bankers were refusing to honour “our payments as they are insisting that we should get value first from your respective banks that would have processed transfers” to its accounts at Ecobank, CBZ and BancABC.

“Going forward, please note that we will not release product unless a cash deposit is done to our accounts in physical cash or the transfer is accompanied by a letter from your bankers that value has been transferred to our bank and they can honour the payments,” wrote GreenFuel’s Percy Daka in a letter dated August 14.

Bankers who spoke to Business Times said the central bank “didn’t think properly on the domestic nostro. It was complicated by civil servants and this is why they wanted their money,” the banker said.

The banker said RBZ needs to scrap the “domestic FCA” and the banking sector remains with a nostro funded by US$.

The banker said there was rigidity within the sector to the extent that plans to have a civil servants’ card collapsed as some institutions did not buy into the idea despite having a large branch network and having a huge chunk of the civil servants as customers.

“International banks appear to have been told by their head office not to do domestic settlement.  The market is not homogenous.

There are local banks sitting on one side and international banks sitting on the other side. The solution is to go back to the old system where nostro was nostro,” the banker said.

Repeated efforts to get comment from the Bankers Association of Zimbabwe were fruitless. Questions sent a month ago have not been responded to by the time of going to print. BusinessTimes

By A Correspondent- A Beitbridge businessman and Zanu-PF official Oscar Chiromo escaped death yesterday morning when gunmen shot at his car twice, injuring his hand while he was driving to work from his rural home.

Chiromo, who owns Beitbridge Transit Shed, had his hand grazed and was treated and discharged from a Beitbridge private hospital after the incident.

Matabeleland South acting police spokesperson Inspector Loveless Mangena could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Chiromo, however, said he had reported the shooting to the police soon after he was discharged from hospital.

He said his attackers were travelling in an unregistered Honda CVR vehicle which made an Uturn after the shooting.

“The car tracked us from Lutumba, and then drove in front of us before slowing down to allow us passage. We were shot at as we were overtaking. I was hit on the hand and soon after, our attackers drove in the (opposite) direction,” he said.

Chiromo opened the Beitbridge Transit Shed, a pre-owned vehicle warehouse, after a bitter split with Vice-President Kembo Mohadi who runs a similar business trading as Malindi Transit Shed.

The other vehicle warehouse at Beitbridge is run by Manica Freight, an international clearing house with branches throughout the country.

Mohadi and Chiromo have been in and out of the courts in connection with about US$50 000 Mohadi claims from his former partner. Chiromo is also a senior Zanu-PF party official in Matabeleland South, a province that is largely controlled by Mohadi.-newsday

Police are continuing investigations into the assault case involving MDC Alliance vice president, Tendai Biti, who allegedly manhandled a woman at Harare Magistrates Court during a heated exchange.

Biti allegedly assaulted 54-year-old Ms Tatiana Aleshina, who is involved in a property wrangle with one of his clients.

He has denied any wrongdoing through a legal spokesman.

The alleged assault occurred on Monday and was reported at Harare Central Police Station under case number IR111874.

Police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said the matter was now being handled by detectives from the CID Law and Order Section as investigations into the matter continue.

-State Media

Police yesterday said they were forced to walk on stage and stop proceedings during the Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards (RoilBAAs) last Saturday after organisers failed to stick to agreed timelines for the event.

The statement by the police comes after false claims by some quarters that the police deliberately sought to frustrate the holding of the awards.

During the RoilBAAs held at the Large City Hall in Bulawayo, police details were seen going on stage apparently calling on organisers to immediately wrap up their event.

As internet sensation Sikhosana Band was saying out his acceptance speech for winning Outstanding Newcomer, four officers of the law, burst on stage and whispered something to United Refineries CEO Mr Busisa Moyo.

Mr Moyo was presenting the public votes categories when the police came on stage and after announcing the Song of the Year won by Ngoma Ingoma, the stage was cleared and in no time the police started herding people out of the venue telling them to go home.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Abednego Ncube said organisers had applied for the awards to be held between 3PM and 8PM.

“On the day in question, the Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards organisers had applied to the police to start at 3PM ending at 8PM. And we gave them permission to do that. Instead they started at 6PM, which was not the problem of the police.

At 8PM they were not yet through. So, officers on duty led by a commissioned officer, an inspector, approached one of the organisers (Nkululeko Nkala) and agreed that he should round off his programme.

“The police allowed the event to continue up until 9PM. They engaged again the organisers who agreed amicably to round up and close. The event went on well according to the police and organisers,” said Insp Ncube.

In the aftermath of the event, some residents not privy to the agreed timelines, started attacking police accusing them of heavy handedness.

Bulawayo mayor Councillor Solomon Mguni issued a statement saying he was disappointed with the conduct of the police as it affected the marketing of the city.

“The police action affected the marketing of the city internationally. We are not happy with what the police did on the night of Saturday November 28 in the full glare of the international audience at the RoilBAA. We invest lots of time and resources to market Bulawayo as a cultural hub,” he said.

“I personally have been to China, America, Hong Kong, Kenya, Germany and Abu Dhabi to market the arts and cultural domination of this city. I had lots of colleagues viewing the event on Facebook Live. They were equally disappointed about the law enforcement agent’s conduct. No prior warning. That heavy handedness was not called for.”

However, Insp Ncube said everything was above board and the police were patient with the organisers and called on the mayor not to drive a wedge between them and Bulawayo residents.

“We appreciate the co-operation of the organisers who in turn is appreciative of the police. We are now worried about some comments from people who were not involved in the organisation of the RoilBAAs.

“They issue statements that are aimed to create hatred between the police and the people of Bulawayo, whom we are serving diligently. We wish to work with the people of Bulawayo and we are calling upon the general members of public to co-operate as we strive to make Bulawayo a law-abiding city, peace loving and crime free,” said Insp Ncube.
RoilBAA spokesperson Nkululeko Nkala, thanked police for their sterling work during the night.

“For the record, we cleared the event so that people can beat curfew time,” he said. “We ran late and we want to thank the police for their patience and understanding.”

-State Media

By A Correspondent| Zanu PF Director of Information and Publicity, Tafadzwa Mugwadi has warned top comedienne Madam Boss against ‘berating’ Mbuya Nehanda saying she will regret.

Madam Boss posted pictures dressed in Mbuya Nehanda like robes and went on to shoot a skit in which she depicted a possessed Mbuya Nehanda.

It appears Madam Boss’ jokes did not go down well with Zanu PF which has since warned her to stop berating the country’s spirit medium.

“I hope someone tells this comedian that there is a limit on everything Those who have berated the mythical immortal spirit of Mbuya NeHanda have had to regret. You all know what happened to one talkative politician’s mother when he attacked the commencement of the statue,” said Mugwadi.

Paul Nyathi

The Russian woman, MsTatiana Aleshina who MDC Alliance Vice President Tendai Biti is Alledged to have assaulted has very close links with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his right hand man July Moyo in messy land dealings.

Mnangagwa is entangled in a messy secret agreement that gives millionaire Ken Sharpe’s Augur Investments unusual immunity from litigation on disputed vast tracks of land he acquired through the Airport Road construction project in which Tatiana Aleshina is a signatory as a witness.

Biti allegedly assaulted Aleshina, who is involved in a property wrangle with one of his clients.

He has denied any wrongdoing through a legal spokesman.

The alleged assault occurred on Monday and was reported at Harare Central Police Station under case number IR111874.

Police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said the matter was now being handled by detectives from the CID Law and Order Section as investigations into the matter continue.

Tatiana Aleshia signed a dubios deed of settlement with July Moyo on 28 May 2019 on behalf of millionaire businessman Augur. Lawyers are questioning its legality.

The agreement for the construction of the 20-kilometre Airport Road, also known as the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Expressway, which was not completed, was signed in 2008 between Harare City Council and Augur, although the project was later taken over by the government.

The land in dispute – stand 654 Pomona township (273,29 hectares) – has opened a Pandora’s Box, showing Mnangagwa and Moyo are deeply involved. The title deed for the land was held in escrow by Coghlan, Welsh and Guest Legal Practitioners at the time of the secret agreement.

A company subcontracted by Augur for civil works on road project — Trucking and Construction (T&C) Pvt Ltd — is claiming the land in a bid to recover its US$4.8 million for services and equipment provided.

Before the dodgy agreement, signed on 2 8May 2019, the City of Harare was also involved in legal battles with Augur to get back land it had given the company as payment. The city wanted the land back, saying Augur failed to complete the project as agreed.

Augur in a July 2019 filed an urgent court application for stay of execution on a court ruling in favour of T&C. It claimed the land could not be seized by T&C as it was registered in Mnangagwa’s name.

“The writ of execution itself was not served on the correct domicilium citandi executandi of Augur. Instead the writ was simply dropped at the gate to immovable property which T&C seeks to attach, which property to date of this application remains in the name of the President of Zimbabwe,” the application reads.

“Further, the immovable property that T&C wishes to attach in execution is registered in the name of the President of Zimbabwe and no consent has been sought from the President for the attachment of such property.”

Stand 654 Pomona was Augur’s security as well as for payment for future work and equipment hired for the contract between T&C and Augur for the project.

T&C, represented by Mutumbwa, Mugabe & Partners legal practitioners, went to court for the release of the piece of land and payment after Augur had reneged.

The court ruled in favour of T&C in several legal battles that ensued.

T&C director Grant Russell, in an August 2019 application at the High Court, described Augur as a “peregrine company” (outslandish), which has spent the last several years avoiding execution of orders of the court.

Russell, seemingly not aware of Mnangagwa’s secret immunity deal, said he did not believe Augur’s claim the land was registered in the President’s name.

“Further, it is disputed that the title deed for the Pomona property is in the name of the President. I attach hereto as ‘Annexure M’, a copy of the deed of grant, which is held in the name of the Ministry of Local Government Public Works and National Housing,” Russell said.

“In all this, the applicant does not mention that apart from the writ of execution in HC3931/19, the Pomona stand was already property held in escrow and the sheriff was not at liberty to transfer it to applicant (Augur).

“Further, applicant does not mention that since June 2019, it, in cahoots with officials from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works working outside the scope of their duties, has attempted to coerce Coghlan Welsh and Guest Legal Practitioners to release the tittle deeds for the Pomona property.”

Documents show that it was.

In the secret deed of settlement, attached as an annexure to T&C’s court documents, Moyo, representing himself and Mnangagwa, gave Sharpe assurances that he would not face litigation from government, Harare municipality or third parties regarding the land.

Aleshina — a Russian —is the twin sister of Ken Sharpe’s wife.

Suspended Harare town clerk Hosiah Chisango and former mayor Herbert Gomba, who are on bail facing charges of illegal land deals and abuse of office respectively, signed as witnesses.

Sharpe got vast land in Harare, including the Pomona stand, a 400-hectare piece of land where he planned to construct the Mall of Zimbabwe in Borrowdale, and at least 197 hectares dotted around the city. Some of the land was allegedly transferred into shelf and subsidiary companies, according to the audit report.

In one of the legal correspondences in June 2019, Augur and Sharpe’s lawyers Chinawa Law Chambers distanced Augur from the other pieces of land the company gained through the airport deal.

However, in the secret deed agreement with Moyo, government promised Augur that the company and the Harare municipality would “expedite the issuance of all and any necessary licences and permits to Augur and its related companies for any of its developments which it is carrying out in Harare”.

Augur’s related companies include Pokugara Properties Pvt Ltd (stand 19828 Harare Township), Electro Properties Pvt Ltd (stand 19673 Harare Township), Express Properties Pvt Ltd (stand 19674 Harare Township), Volin Property Company Pvt Ltd (stand 144 Northwood), Yellow Seat Properties Pvt Ltd (stand 19345 Harare Township), and Seatrite Properties Pvt Ltd (stand 1989 Harare Township).

Other related projects which will receive favours under the agreement are the Mbudzi People’s Market, Warren Hills Residential and Commercial Development and Mukuvisi Development.

“Augur, Moyo and the City of Harare (hereinafter referred to as ‘the parties’) were involved in numerous litigation against each other including and not limited to the arbitration ruling from Justice N T Mtshiya on 26 2017, HC7445/17, SC878/18, HC 598/17 and other matters currently before the Supreme Court, the High Court and the Magistrates Court,” the agreement says.

“Upon signature of the Deed of Settlement, the minister, City of Harare and Augur undertake to withdraw all and any legal actions and proceedings, both civil and criminal pending against each other before the courts, and each party is to bear its own costs.

“The minister acting on behalf of the state, undertakes to immediately withdraw all and any criminal matters against Augur, its associated companies, representatives and its directors.”

The agreement also states that within 24 hours of signature, Moyo was to issue an instruction for the release of the title deed of 654 Pomona from escrow.

“Immediately thereafter, the minister and/or the President shall sign all and any documents necessary to facilitate and effect the transfer of the stand to Augur or its nominee Doorex Properties Private Limited within 14 calendar days,” the agreement reads.

“In the event of the minister failing to provide the signed aforesaid documents necessary to transfer stand 654 Pomona to Augur, the deputy sheriff is hereby authorised by the minister to sign on its behalf all and any documents required for the transfer of stand 654 Pomona Township to Augur.

“The ministry has claimed US$3, 974116.39 (US$3,9 million) as expenditure for civil works done on stand 654 Pomona Township.”

The secrecy clause in the agreement reads: “The parties hereby agree that the subject matter of this deed of settlement are of an utmost confidential nature and constitute confidential information. No party to this deed of settlement shall disclose or divulge, directly or indirectly, the contents of this deed of settlement to any third party, save in accordance with either of the parties ordinary day to day business activities and requirement thereof.”

The deed of settlement repeatedly mentions that Mnangagwa and Moyo have indemnified Augur against prosecution.

“The minister warrants that there are no encumbrances on stand 654 Pomona Township and further agree that within a reasonable time and in any case no later than 30 days of date of signature of this deed of settlement the ministry and CoH will hand over to Augur all existing statutory approvals relating to zoning, town planning, development, EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) certificate or approval, sub-division permit and any other licences, permits or documents for stand 654 Pomona Township,” it says.

A City of Harare special investigations committee audit report of 2010 found that no tenders were floated for Airport Road. The project was initially valued at US$60 million, but was then increased to US$87 million.

“Stand 812 was hurriedly transferred as payment to Augur before being brought to council for consideration,” the report states.

“Ninety-three comma zero nine (93,0993) hectares of land were transferred to shelf companies which had no evidence of legal links with Augur as payment for the preliminary work done on the road.”

However, in June 2019 Chinawa Law Chambers (Augur’s lawyers) wrote to Mutumbwa, Mugabe & Partners denying Augur had links with the companies the land was transferred to.

“We wish to advise however that you are embarking on a wild goose chase, in the spirit of good faith we wish to highlight to you and be upfront of the fact that you are mistaken on the ownership of the various entities as they are not owned by Augur as alleged in your aforementioned summons. It would in the best interest of your client to first and foremost ascertain the ownership of said companies before continuing on this disastrous road which you seek to sojourn,” the letter says.

The then town clerk, Tendai Mahachi, was caught in a conflict of interest after failing to declare his links with Sharpe as he was a project manager for Augur.

The project was supposed to provide a direct link from Dieppe roundabout through Braeside suburb, over the National Railways of Zimbabwe marshalling yard and Robert Mugabe Way leading into Enterprise Road with a continuous flyover estimated to be almost half-a-kilometre long.

The Augur board through the company’s lawyer, Douglass Chinawa, said the settlement agreement was arrived at after a considered assessment of the rights and obligations between all parties and that T&C had been paid according to law.

“Your conclusion that Augur International OU did not complete the project is a clear misunderstanding of all the facts of the matter and calculated to defame it,” the board said.

“Itself was approved by both the High Court and the Supreme Court. The settlement agreement did not take away any 3rd party rights which you seem to allude to as ‘escrow’ rights. For your information, the 3rd party in question has since been paid what is due to them in accordance with the law. Augur investments OU can only enforce rights creted as between the parties to the settlement agreement.”

The NewsHawks had sent questions to the signatory of the deed of settlement Aleshina.

Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba said he would need to verify the details of the deed of settlement with Local Government minister July Moyo before commenting. He was however later unavailable.

Additional reporting by: The News Hawks Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) coronavirus/COVID-19 situation report as of 02 December 2020:

• New cases: 114
• Locals: 114
• Returnees: 0
• Deaths: 0
• Recoveries: 28
• PCR Tests Done: 1862
• National Recovery Rate: 84.7%
• Active Cases: 1295
• Total Cumulative Cases: 10 243
• Total Recoveries: 8 671
• Total Deaths: 277

Paul Nyathi

Jestina Mukoko was abducted by some unidentified armed men from her home in Norton on 3 December 2008, exactly 12 years to date, her abductors are still roaming the streets without arrest.

The abduction is a harrowing experience that still haunts her 12 years on. Like a horror movie, it plays back each time Jestina Mukoko hears of another abduction case.

The wounds never heal, she once said.

She is overly conscious about her surroundings and is always uncomfortable in unfamiliar environs.

These are the effects of the traumatic ordeal that the journalist-turned-human rights activist suffered at the hands of former president Robert Mugabe’s henchmen.

Mukoko still lives in fear, more than a decade after she was abducted and tortured together with two ZPP employees Broderick Takawira and Pascal Gonzo, who were also abducted later in December 2008 remained unknown until December 24, 2008, when they first appeared before the Harare Magistrates Court, after weeks of being held incommunicado and being tortured.

In court, Jestina and her colleagues and dozens of other pro-democracy campaigners were accused by government of plotting to topple Robert Mugabe’s administration through recruiting people to undergo military training in neighbouring Botswana.

In her Tweet this morning Mukoko expresses her concerns on lack of action against her perpetrators.

Woke up to a nasty dream on this day 12 years ago. The perpetrators still scot free#ZimbabweanLivesMatter

— Jestina Mukoko (@Jesmunga) December 3, 2020

ZBC

A seventeen-year-old Grade 7 pupil at Mwacheta Primary School in Chipinge was confirmed dead upon admission at the Chipinge District Hospital this Tuesday after he was allegedly stabbed with a knife by a fellow classmate on their way home from school.

The pupil from Macheta community under Chief Musikavanhu reportedly died due to excessive bleeding after he was stabbed once on the heart.

Confirming the unfortunate incident, Chipinge District Schools Inspector Mr Richard Gabaza said details that led to the incident are still sketchy but confirmed that police have picked up suspects for questioning.

THE mother of a minor, who was allegedly raped by suspended MDC-T spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni on Monday denied claims that she wanted to “politically soil” his image after he was nominated for Senate.

Phugeni appeared before Western Commonage regional magistrate Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze for continuation of trial for the crime he allegedly committed between June and November 2018 in Emhlangeni and Magwegwe suburbs in Bulawayo.

He denies the charges as defined under section 65 of the Criminal Law, (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.

The complainant’s mother said she informed politicians such as Lovemore Moyo, the United Movement for Devolution leader, and ousted MDC-T organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe, as she wanted to resolve the matter politically.

“(Lovemore) Moyo is my party president and I wanted Moyo to engage Phugeni on this matter at a political level,” the complainant’s mother said when she was being cross-examined by Phugeni’s lawyer Kholwani Ngwenya.

“(Abednico) Bhebhe is my cousin and I did not want him to hear about the matter through the Press or rumours.”

Ngwenya had asked why she took a political route to solve a criminal matter, adding that this fuelled suspicion that she sought to soil Phugeni’s image after he was nominated for Senate.

“I am only after justice for my daughter.

“It is just coincidence as it is also the same time my daughter opened up for the first time.

Phugeni snubbed family meetings to discuss the matter,” the complainant’s mother added.

The woman cannot be named for ethical reasons to protect the identity of the minor.

According to the mother, her daughter suffered depression after the rape ordeal resulting in her turning to intoxicating substances to numb the pain.

“Her behaviour changed — sleeping out and getting drunk. She would refuse to disclose what was going on except to say ‘my problems are piling up’.

“She disclosed the rape ordeal after I threatened to beat her up for untoward behaviour,” the mother said.

The magistrate remanded Phugeni to December 7.

Phugeni has been removed from the position of spokesperson for the MDC-T following the rape charges.

Disaster Knocking Hard in Schools: As over 500 Pupils and Teachers test positive to covid 19 pandemic

2 December 2020

Disaster is knocking hard in schools with over 70 cases of covid 19 pandemic reported at Wadilove High over the past two days. Government fire fighting methods and denials seem to be backfiring.

Cases
-more than 184 cases of covid 19 at John Tallach in Mat North
-more than 88 cases at Chinhoyi High, Mash West
-more than 20 cases at All Souls Mission, Mutoko
-19 cases at Anderson Adventist High, Gweru, Midlands

• Reported cases, Heretal College
  -11 students and two teachers tested positive at Mtshabezi High, Mat South.
• more than 10 cases at Matopo High, Mat South and school closed.
  -reported cases at Emakhadeni Primary, Bulawayo
  -reported cases at Girls College.
  -3 reported cases Rujeko Primary, Masvingo
  -Reported cases, Prince Edward, Harare
  -Reported case, David Livingstone, Harare
  -Boarding kids have tested positive, Selbourne Routledge Primary, Harare.
  -reported case, Avocar Primary, Bindura
  -confirmed cases of ten teachers, 23 pupils, Bindura Urban Schools
  -reported cases, plumtree schools, Mat South.
  -70 learners and 2 teachers have tested positive to covid 19 at Wadilove High. Non exam classes closing today.
  -One confirmed case at Ruya High
  -Many other teachers and students are positive but have not yet been tested or are waiting for confirmation of results.

It is dangerous for gvt to claim that the cases are minimal when it has no capacity to test all teachers, students and ancillary staff in schools.

Our preparedness to efficiently, effectively and transparently use resources to combat covid 19 in schools is uppermost now. Without this, the best would be to urgently close all schools before the majority of teachers and pupils become victims.

Dr Takavafira M. Zhou (Ptuz Presudent)

Hundreds of Zimbabweans are stranded at the country’s borders and neighboring South Africa and Botswana due to lack of credible COVID-19 test certificates and various documents.

The stranded people include two footballers on their way to join a Palapye-based soccer outfit, informal traders and others returning home after almost nine months living outside the country following the shutting down of the borders as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Triange United Football Club player, Agrippa Murimba, and Harare City Football Club’s Raymond Uchena, who are planning to join Morupule Wanderers, told VOA Zimbabwe Service that they have been struck at Botswana’s Ramokgwebana border post for almost two days.

Immigration officials are questioning the validity of their COVID-19 test certificates. Other stuck at the same place are Gertrude Maravanzira, who is intending to visit her husband in Botswana, Walter Mukanga and several others.

Immigration officials declined to comment, referring all questions to the the country’s Minister of Health, Edwin Dikoloti, who stressed that they won’t allow any person to visit Botswana without proper COVID-19 tests.

According to Denis Juru, president of the International Cross Border Traders Association of Zimbabwe, hundreds of people have been turned away at Zimbabwe’s ports of entry with authorities citing lack of authentic COVID-19 tests, improper travel documents and other issues.

Juru said on Tuesday alone, about 622 of the 6,338 Zimbabweans intending to cross the Beitbridge border post were turned away due to lack of proper documentation, including COVID-19 test certificates. At least 230 people faced the same problem at Plumtree border post where 2,148 locals wanted to return home or visit Botswana. At Forbes border post, 531 people failed to produce proper documentation while 314 Zimbabweans were also left stranded at Chirundu border post. There were 38 and 41 such cases at Nyamapanda and Victoria Falls border posts respectively.

Juru told VOA Zimbabwe Service’s Livetalk show that “some of the people were just coming (home) without COVID-19 test certificates or a certificate that had expired. A COVID-19 test certificate is only valid for 72 hours, which is three days. So, we advise all travelers to have proper documentation. What they need is very simple as they only need to add a COVID-19 test certificate to the documentation they normally carry when crossing borders.”

Immigration officials in Harare declined to comment.

Paul Nyathi

Zimbabweans made a huge social media boycott of ‘bloody’ Impala car rental cars after one of their cars was allegedly used to abduct and torture a civilian on 30 July.

A car with a registration number AES 2433 was used to abduct 22 year old political activist Tawanda Muchehiwa in Bulawayo. The car was hired out from Impala car rental.

Since the call, the company has lost most of their big customers that included several Non Governmental Organisations and development agents.

An Dutch development agency, HIVOS was one of the big organisations that openly dumped Impala Car Rental following the spirited campaign by citizens for corporates and non-governmental organisations to boycott the entity.

HIVOS took to Twitter to confirm that it had asked Impala Car Rental to remove its name from the list of references.

This followed a question from one Twitter user who disclosed that HIVOS and UNICEF were cited as Impala Car Rental references.

“These are Impala Car Rental references!

1. @hivosrosa @hivos a development aid organisation2.@UNICEFZIMBABWE a humanitarian aid organisation for children Call them Tag them Ask why a NGO still uses a Car Rental company involved in the abduction & assault of youths in Zimbabwe”

The company has since been involved in a huge bid to try and claim back its customers.

Below is one of the letters the company has written to one of its customers begging for return of business.

State Media

The Zimborders Consortium has secured nearly US$300 million for the upgrade and modernisation of Beitbridge border post, the country’s busiest inland port of entry and one of the region’s key transit points, the company has revealed.

The Zimborders Consortium is made up of a group of Zimbabweans, South Africans, international entrepreneurs and financial institutions and experts.

The project, to be implemented under a Public Private Partnership with the Government, will be privately funded with a 17 and half years’ operating concession period following the completion of the construction works expected within two years.

“We are pleased to have received the support of such a wide range of financial institutions on this critical infrastructure project for the entire region,” Mr Francois Diedrechsen, chief executive of the Zimborders Consortium said.

“Beitbridge is one of busiest border posts in Africa, which not only connects Zimbabwe and South Africa but also serves as the transit point for the majority of north-south trade in Southern Africa. We have the ideal team to ensure the successful construction and long-term management of the concession and are ready to start construction.”

The project will include a major upgrade of the entire border post including roads, ICT infrastructure as well as the construction of a number of social projects to improve the town of Beitbridge’s critical infrastructure including a fire station, residential buildings, a sewerage dam, civil services and new water reservoirs.

“As a Zimbabwean native, this part of the world is especially close to my heart.

“The Beitbridge project is a fantastic development for the trade that supports the region’s economies,” said Mr Glynn Cohen, executive chairman of the Zimborders Consortium.

“The significant waiting times being experienced currently due to ageing infrastructure will be significantly reduced following the completion of the project, thereby facilitating an easier flow of goods and people across southern Africa, be it for tourism, private or business purposes.”

Research has shown that Southern Africa has witnessed an increase in the volume of commercial and private cross-border traffic.

This has put pressure on inland ports of entry as well as sea ports with the Beitbridge border post handling the largest volume of traffic in Southern Africa.

However, there had been no significant infrastructure development in the past decade. Incidences of smuggling and other illegal activities have increased. The existing infrastructure fails to contain the volume of traffic, enabling travellers to evade duty payment.

The project’s debt funding has been provided by various South African commercial banks and international development finance institutions, demonstrating their commitment to regional growth, with equity also provided by several investors.

The concession contract was initially awarded in 2018 following a competitive tender process, which was run according to international best practice.

These developments for Beitbridge come as South Africa is looking to Zimbabwe for resources for its proposed Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and this might include transfer of water from dams such as Zhove Dam and Tugwi-Mukosi.

The Musina-Makhado SEZ (MMSEZ) is located in the vicinity of the Beitbridge Border Post, which is one of the busiest ports of entry to South Africa and a gateway to the South African Development Community (SADC) countries.

Mr Lehlogonolo Masoga, CEO of Musina-Makhado, recently was quoted by the Global Africa Network saying the MMSEZ has the potential to become an inland inter-modal terminal, facilitated by its anchoring position along the North-South Corridor, and directly connecting to the country’s major ports through both N1 road and the Johannesburg-Musina railway line, for the trans-shipment of sea cargo and manufactured goods.

In the interview back in August this year, Mr Masoga said the MMSEZ will have an energy and metallurgical complex that will include the following plants: coal power, coke, ferrochrome, ferromanganese, pig iron, carbon steel, stainless steel, lime, silicon-manganese, metal silicon and calcium carbide.

This will be complemented by the logistics hub, agro-processing centre, light-to-medium manufacturing industries, SMME incubation centre, retail centres, hotels and residential amenities.

South Africa, however, does not have adequate resources for the MMSEZ and will look to neighbouring countries including Zimbabwe.

Responding to questions in the South African Parliament back in June 2020, Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, said current and potential source mines for input raw materials for the MMSEZ “have been identified in various Provinces of South Africa, and neighbouring countries like Zimbabwe and Botswana”.

“Other countries like Zimbabwe are also potential supply areas for coal and ferro chrome at which the stricter environmental standards across the two countries shall be applied as per standard adopted international practice,” said Minister Sisulu.

A Harare woman on Monday made sensational claims that her nephew has flaunted his manhood in her face several times.

Miriam Chisvo made the revelation at the magistrate’s court where she narrated the harassment perpetrated by her late sister’s son Michael Chinamano.

Chisvo was seeking protection from the courts.

She told the court that Chinamano was also forcing her out of a property left behind by her late parents.

“He is my late sister’s son and he is making me suffer for inheriting my parents’ property.

“Whenever he gets drunk he pulls down his pants and flaunts his manhood in my face, I don’t know his intentions anymore,” Chisvo claimed.

She added that;

“He has been threatening to burn me in the house and sometimes locks the house as early as 5 am when he lives for work.

“I no longer feel safe in my home, sometimes he tempers with electric cables so that I get electric shocks.

“He buys a special beer that he drinks with friends every day after work, when he gets drunk he insults me and calls me all sorts of names,” she said.

Chisvo claimed her nephew forcibly occupied their kitchen which he has turned into a bedroom and always locks every day at 5am.

Chinamano counter claimed that his aunt was making up stories because of an existing rift between them.

“All she is saying is made up, there is no truth in it except that we both sometimes insult each other.

“We have been having problems ever since my mother’s death, she no longer wants me at the house and she is doing everything to achieve that.

“She has already caused a rift between me and my sisters and restricted a grown man like me and my belongings in a small kitchen,” said Chinamano.

However, Chinamano later consented to the granting of a protection against him.

Presiding over the matter, magistrate Meenal Narotum granted the application by consent refraining Chinamano from verbally, physically or threatening to harass his aunt.-H-Metro

A BULAWAYO-based member of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) has been arrested for allegedly pointing an AK47 assault rifle at his boss and threatening to shoot him following an argument over the firearm.

Earnest Muleya (38), who is assigned to the President’s Office security branch and stationed at Magnet House in Bulawayo, was deployed to guard CIO deputy director-general, Dr Gatsha Mazithulela’s property, a plot in Norwood, Umguza District, when he allegedly committed the crime.

According to the State, Dr Mazithulela demanded the gun from Muleya whom he suspected to have been drunk and thereby unable to properly handle the firearm.

However, instead of handing over the gun to his superior, Muleya allegedly cocked it and pointed it at Dr Mazithulela, who managed to escape unhurt.

Dr Mazithulela hid behind his car and escaped into the darkness before finding his way into the house. He later returned to the scene with backup from Magnet House.

Muleya appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Shepherd Mjanja facing charges of pointing a firearm as defined in Section 27(B) of the Firearms Act. He was remanded in custody to today for bail application.

It is the State’s case as led by Mr Terrence Chakabuda that on November 28 around 7PM, the complainant, Dr Mazithulela, was about to leave his home when he saw the accused person.

“The complainant was about to leave his home when he spotted the accused person walking into the yard after abandoning his usual point of guard,” he said.

The court heard that Dr Mazithulela got suspicious when he noticed that accused person was staggering.

“The complainant suspected that the accused person could have been drunk and thus incapable of being in possession of the firearm. He then demanded the gun, an AK 47 assault rifle that Muleya was in possession of,” said Mr Chakabuda.

Instead of surrendering the rifle, Muleya allegedly cocked the gun and pointed it at Dr Mazithulela, threatening to shoot him.

Dr Mazithulela hid behind his car and managed to escape into his house and sought help from the President’s Office at Magnet House.

Security details from the Magnet House came and disarmed Muleya before they arrested him.-Chronicle

DECEMBER 1, 2020

ARMED ROBBERY AT CHIVI MUKURU.COM COMPLEX

The Zimbabwe Republic Police is investigating an armed robbery case which occurred at N. Richards, Chivi on 30 November 2020 at about 0934 hours when five (5) unknown suspects armed with pistols ambushed a Safe-Guard cash- in – transit vehicle delivering cash at Mukuru.com and attacked them.

The robbers pointed firearms at the security guards as they were disembarking from the vehicle and disarmed them before stealing a cash box containing USD$35 000.00, ZAR 350 000.00 and zw$2000.00 from the vault.

They jumped into an unregistered blue Toyota Revo twin cab which was used as a getaway car and sped off towards Mandamabwe Business Centre. The suspects also robbed three Star pistols from the guards.

The Police are disturbed by robbery incidents which are targeting cash – in – transit vehicles.

We implore security companies to strengthen their security measures in consultation with clients.

This robbery comes hardly a few weeks after the Bulawayo one where ZUPCO lost over zw$2 million.

Meanwhile, Police are appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of these suspects.

Anyone with information should report to the nearest police station or call the following numbers: – Harare Operations 0242 748836, National Complaints Desk 0242 703631 or Whatsapp 0712800197.

(NYATHI.P) Assistant Commissioner

Senior Staff Officer (Press, Public and International Relations]

To the Commissioner-General of Police

Police General Headquarters

A Grade One pupil at Helen McGhee Primary School was apprehended by alert staff at OK Supermarket on Monday after he stole a packet of condoms that he had mistaken for sweets.

According to Masvingo Mirror, the boy’s mother noticed that her son was holding something in his hand as she got to the security checkpoint at the point of exit.

Security guards who searched the boy found more condom packets in his pockets and when asked, the boy said he mistook the condoms for sweets.

The boy and his mother were taken to the back of the supermarket where he was cautioned and let go. Masvingo Mirror quoted a source as having said:

A boy who was accompanied by his mother took packets of Durex condoms and put some in his pockets. The mother realised after she had paid for her goods at the till that her child was holding something.-Masvingo Mirror

Tinashe Sambiri|The legitimacy crisis in the country remains the major impediment to economic transform, MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

According to President Chamisa, the construction of spaghetti roads is possible but that can only happen when the legitimacy crisis has been resolved.

President Chamisa has also pointed out that winning Zimbabwe for total transformation is possible.

“Spaghetti roads and Bullet train in our lifetime…

I have just bumped into a video clip…

We can do much more for our even more beautiful Zimbabwe..Winning Zimbabwe for the total transformation..#SmartZimbabwe,” President Chamisa wrote on his official Facebook page.

Tinashe Sambiri|Although Mberengwa District is traditionally regarded as a no-go area for the opposition, the winds of change are blowing across the region.

Villagers who spoke to ZimEye.com at Ngungumbane Business Centre in Mberengwa on Sunday said they were fed up with Zanu PF’s empty promises.

According to the villagers, Zanu PF leader, Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa, has nothing to offer to the suffering Zimbabweans.

“We are tired of being used by Zanu PF, this time we will not be cowed into submission,” said a villager who identified himself as Hove.

“Mr Mnangagwa is useless, actually he has nothing to offer to the people of Zimbabwe.
He gave us regalia but we mind you we do not eat t-shirts,” said a villager called Chuma.

Another villager added:
“Mr Mnangagwa is insensitive to the plight of the suffering people of Zimbabwe.He wants our support yet he is not concerned about our welfare – this time we will not be hoodwinked by his party.”

Tinashe Sambiri|The memorial service for the late Gogo Alice Chamisa is set for Saturday December 5.

According to MDC Alliance Secretary General, Hon Charlton Hwende, plans for the event are at an advanced stage.

Hundreds of MDC Alliance members and Zimbabweans in general are expected to attend the memorial service.

“This coming Saturday, the 5th of December 2020, we will be joining our President
@nelsonchamisa
and his family in Chiwara Village in honor and memory of our dearly departed mother ambuya Chamisa.

We hope to welcome all who are free and available to join in the memorial ceremony,” Hon Hwende wrote on Twitter.

Tinashe Sambiri|Although Mberengwa District is traditionally regarded as a no-go area for the opposition, the winds of change are blowing across the region.

Villagers who spoke to ZimEye.com at Ngungumbane Business Centre in Mberengwa on Sunday said they were fed up with Zanu PF’s empty promises.

According to the villagers, Zanu PF leader, Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa, has nothing to offer to the suffering Zimbabweans.

“We are tired of being used by Zanu PF, this time we will not be cowed into submission,” said a villager who identified himself as Hove.

“Mr Mnangagwa is useless, actually he has nothing to offer to the people of Zimbabwe.
He gave us regalia but we mind you we do not eat t-shirts,” said a villager called Chuma.

Another villager added:
“Mr Mnangagwa is insensitive to the plight of the suffering people of Zimbabwe.He wants our support yet he is not concerned about our welfare – this time we will not be hoodwinked by his party.”

Tinashe Sambiri|Although Mberengwa District is traditionally regarded as a no-go area for the opposition, the winds of change are blowing across the region.

Villagers who spoke to ZimEye.com at Ngungumbane Business Centre in Mberengwa on Sunday said they were fed up with Zanu PF’s empty promises.

According to the villagers, Zanu PF leader, Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa, has nothing to offer to the suffering Zimbabweans.

“We are tired of being used by Zanu PF, this time we will not be cowed into submission,” said a villager who identified himself as Hove.

“Mr Mnangagwa is useless, actually he has nothing to offer to the people of Zimbabwe.
He gave us regalia but we mind you we do not eat t-shirts,” said a villager called Chuma.

Another villager added:
“Mr Mnangagwa is insensitive to the plight of the suffering people of Zimbabwe.He wants our support yet he is not concerned about our welfare – this time we will not be hoodwinked by his party.”

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance has pointed out that Zimbabweans in the diaspora should be allowed to vote as enshrined in the Constitution.

In a statement, MDC Alliance Namibia said every Zimbabwean citizen should be allowed to vote regardless of geographical location.

Read full statement below :

02 DECEMBER 2020

DIASPORA VOTE IS A NON-NEGOTIABLE RIGHT!

2013 CONSTITUTION IS VERY CLEAR, MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA DEMANDS ONE-MAN ONE-VOTE.

Mdc Alliance Namibia remains convinced that diaspora vote is a non-negotiable right conforming to the supreme law of the country as stipulated on Section 155 which unequivocally states that all citizens should vote regardless of their geographical location.

This has meant that the Zanupf government bears the responsibility to ferry the ballot box to Zimbabweans wherever they are in the diaspora be it in Namibia, South Africa, Tunisia, Zambia, United States of America, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada , Germany only to mention but a few.

Prior to the advent of the 2013 constitution, in 2006, the Supreme Court ruled that voting was not a fundamental right therefore Zanupf and their proxies argued that the diaspora vote was not a universal basic human right.

Subsequent court appeals by diaspora residents could not transform the outcome of the court but today as Mdc Alliance Namibia, we want to stand firm championing constitutional democracy. Chinamasa, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and their clueless Zanupf regime must realise that the aspects of Constitutional Law and Electoral Law should not be compromised aided by their unconstitutional reasoning.

Moreover, Mdc Alliance Namibia intends to inform Chinamasa that we are conscious of the fact that Zimbabwean citizens in the diaspora play a significant role in the development of the motherland.

The undoubted contribution of the diaspora residents was exhibited in 2016 when the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) unearthed that the diaspora accounted for US$700 million in direct remittances.

Adding to the above mentioned astounding amount, they also spend a lot whenever they return home in support of their desperate relatives who are languishing in abject poverty.

The neglected diaspora community could also contribute through investment in available productive sectors that enhance economic boom and employment creation.

Moreso, diasporas can further be tapped to contribute to policy dialogue as well as the transfer of knowledge and skills to deal with serious national issues. The politically inept Zanupf government must hasten to realise that deprived of the inclusion of the citizens in the diaspora, we will perpetually witness an unprecedented increase in unemployment, senseless and barefaced corruption, intimidation and extremely poor livelihoods in the country.

A closer scrutiny to the denial of diaspora vote is incontrovertible evidence to prove Zanupf’s autocracy and totalitarianism. This unravels the extraordinary lack of political will on the part of desperate Zanupf to organise and process elections that will guarantee an objective fulfillment of One-Man-One-Vote. It is only the phobia of an obvious embarrassment from social democrats in the diaspora who ran away from Zanupf’s gross misgovernance. We demand comprehensive political and electoral reforms to avoid disputed elections in the country.

Furthermore, it is quite pathetic that Zec and Zanupf government are still reluctant to implement the 2013 Constitution citing the traditional political rhetoric concealed behind the membrane of resource dearths ,as well as the undersupply of information on the whereabouts of citizens that reside in the diaspora. Mdc Alliance Namibia does not resonate with these political lies that are being paddled by Zanupf power mongers.

This is a deliberate ploy to deny diasporas their right to vote since to them , voting is a way of sanitising rigging of the people’s voices with impunity. We were perturbed to hear loud mouthed( Mr Bin) Patrick Chinamasa pronouncing that the 2023 elections were already over before the votes. Namibia district would like to encourage our parliamentarians to revisit the Electoral Act to deal with disputed elections once and all. We are tired of stolen elections since the inception of the Mdc in 1999.

Mdc Alliance Namibia is furiously demanding an immediate end to selfishness, rapaciousness and unbridled individualism which have become a national religion in Zanupf politics of the belly and self-enrichment.

If Zanupf is democratic enough, it must realise that the diasporas should not be limited or restrained in their quest to decide on the governance of their beloved country like what other African, European, Asian and American states are doing to those who live beyond borders.

Zimbabwe must emulate neighbours who respect their citizens abroad by granting them voting rights.

In Namibia, Namibians in the diaspora have been accorded their voting rights in the national elections since 2014, when amendments were made to the Electoral Act of 2009, Namibian expatriates may vote at temporary registration points , usually set up at Namibian embassies or high commissions. In consonance with Chapter 1 , Section 10 of the Electoral Act 73 of 1998, South African citizens staying abroad retain the right to vote in national elections , with no expiry date.

In addition , Tunisian expatriates have been allowed the right to vote in Presidential elections since 1988, and additionally in parliamentary elections since the Tunisian Revolution in 2011.

Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and his government must be prepared to handle these reforms before 2023 because NO TOLERANCE to election rigging in the next episode.

To wind it up, Mdc Alliance Namibia District would like to make an informed fall up on this fundamental issue.

We resonate with Gabriel Shumba, the leader of Zimbabwe Exiles Forum and others who had the varlour and mettle to approach the African Commission on Human and People’s rights in Banjul (The Gambia) in 2013 which granted them a provisional order allowing diaspora vote. What the hard-headed Zanupf dictators must consider is that our Motherland can only evade poverty in all facets of development if the electorate is given their democratic rights to express his/her preference.

This will automatically act as a resounding catalyst for better and sound governance as well socio-economic transformation.

MdcAllianceNamibiaDemandsDiasporaVote

OneManOneVote

DiasporaVoteCounts

AllZimbabweansMustVote

WeDemandElectoralReforms

CorruptionMustGo

FreeJacobMafume

FreeTunga

FreeLast

RunduBranchDemandsDiasporaVote

ZanupfMustGo

ZimbabweanLivesMatter

Mdc Alliance Namibia
Rundu Branch Spokesperson
Robson Ruhanya

02 DECEMBER 2020

DIASPORA VOTE IS A NON-NEGOTIABLE RIGHT!

2013 CONSTITUTION IS VERY CLEAR, MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA DEMANDS ONE-MAN ONE-VOTE.

Mdc Alliance Namibia remains convinced that diaspora vote is a non-negotiable right conforming to the supreme law of the country as stipulated on Section 155 which unequivocally states that all citizens should vote regardless of their geographical location. This has meant that the Zanupf government bears the responsibility to ferry the ballot box to Zimbabweans wherever they are in the diaspora be it in Namibia, South Africa, Tunisia, Zambia, United States of America, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada , Germany only to mention but a few.

Prior to the advent of the 2013 constitution, in 2006, the Supreme Court ruled that voting was not a fundamental right therefore Zanupf and their proxies argued that the diaspora vote was not a universal basic human right.

Subsequent court appeals by diaspora residents could not transform the outcome of the court but today as Mdc Alliance Namibia, we want to stand firm championing constitutional democracy. Chinamasa, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and their clueless Zanupf regime must realise that the aspects of Constitutional Law and Electoral Law should not be compromised aided by their unconstitutional reasoning.

Moreover, Mdc Alliance Namibia intends to inform Chinamasa that we are conscious to the fact that Zimbabwean citizens in the diaspora play a significant role in the development of the motherland.

The undoubted contribution of the diaspora residents was exhibited in 2016 when the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) unearthed that the diaspora accounted for US$700 million in direct remittances.

Adding to the above mentioned astounding amount, they also spend a lot whenever they return home in support of their desperate relatives who are languishing in abject poverty.

The neglected diaspora community could also contribute through investment in available productive sectors that enhance economic boom and employment creation.

Moreso, diasporas can further be tapped to contribute to policy dialogue as well as the transfer of knowledge and skills to deal with serious national issues. The politically inept Zanupf government must hasten to realise that deprived of the inclusion of the citizens in the diaspora, we will perpetually witness an unprecedented increase in unemployment, senseless and barefaced corruption, intimidation and extremely poor livelihoods in the country.

A closer scrutiny to the denial of diaspora vote is incontrovertible evidence to prove Zanupf’s autocracy and totalitarianism. This unravels the extraordinary lack of political will on the part of desperate Zanupf to organise and process elections that will guarantee an objective fulfillment of One-Man-One-Vote. It is only the phobia of an obvious embarrassment from social democrats in the diaspora who ran away from Zanupf’s gross misgovernance. We demand comprehensive political and electoral reforms to avoid disputed elections in the country.

Furthermore, it is quite pathetic that Zec and Zanupf government are still reluctant to implement the 2013 Constitution citing the traditional political rhetoric concealed behind the membrane of resource dearths ,as well as the undersupply of information on the whereabouts of citizens that reside in the diaspora. Mdc Alliance Namibia does not resonate with these political lies that are being paddled by Zanupf power mongers.

This is a deliberate ploy to deny diasporas their right to vote since to them , voting is a way of sanitising rigging of the people’s voices with impunity. We were perturbed to hear loud mouthed( Mr Bin) Patrick Chinamasa pronouncing that the 2023 elections were already over before the votes. Namibia district would like to encourage our parliamentarians to revisit the Electoral Act to deal with disputed elections once and all. We are tired of stolen elections since the inception of the Mdc in 1999.

Mdc Alliance Namibia is furiously demanding an immediate end to selfishness, rapaciousness and unbridled individualism which have become a national religion in Zanupf politics of the belly and self-enrichment.

If Zanupf is democratic enough, it must realise that the diasporas should not be limited or restrained in their quest to decide on the governance of their beloved country like what other African, European, Asian and American states are doing to those who live beyond borders.

Zimbabwe must emulate neighbours who respect their citizens abroad by granting them voting rights.

In Namibia, Namibians in the diaspora have been accorded their voting rights in the national elections since 2014, when amendments were made to the Electoral Act of 2009, Namibian expatriates may vote at temporary registration points , usually set up at Namibian embassies or high commissions. In consonance with Chapter 1 , Section 10 of the Electoral Act 73 of 1998, South African citizens staying abroad retain the right to vote in national elections , with no expiry date.

In addition , Tunisian expatriates have been allowed the right to vote in Presidential elections since 1988, and additionally in parliamentary elections since the Tunisian Revolution in 2011.

Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and his government must be prepared to handle these reforms before 2023 because NO TOLERANCE to election rigging in the next episode.

To wind it up, Mdc Alliance Namibia District would like to make an informed fall up on this fundamental issue.

We resonate with Gabriel Shumba, the leader of Zimbabwe Exiles Forum and others who had the varlour and mettle to approach the African Commission on Human and People’s rights in Banjul (The Gambia) in 2013 which granted them a provisional order allowing diaspora vote. What the hard-headed Zanupf dictators must consider is that our Motherland can only evade poverty in all facets of development if the electorate is given their democratic rights to express his/her preference.

This will automatically act as a resounding catalyst for better and sound governance as well socio-economic transformation.

MdcAllianceNamibiaDemandsDiasporaVote

OneManOneVote

DiasporaVoteCounts

AllZimbabweansMustVote

WeDemandElectoralReforms

CorruptionMustGo

FreeJacobMafume

FreeTunga

FreeLast

RunduBranchDemandsDiasporaVote

ZanupfMustGo

ZimbabweanLivesMatter

Mdc Alliance Namibia
Rundu Branch Spokesperson
Robson Ruhanya

POLICE have launched a manhunt for a man who fatally stabbed a fellow imbiber following a misunderstanding over parking space in Kwekwe.

Mr Alison Stambuli (43) was stabbed to death by a fellow patron at a shebeen in Mbizo Section 17 after the two argued over parking space.

Midlands police confirmed that they had since launched a manhunt for a man identified only as Magwangu for allegedly fatally stabbing Mr Stambuli.

Magwangu fled and left his vehicle, a Toyota Runx, on the scene after discovering that Mr Stambuli had died.

Midlands provincial police spokesman, Inspector Joel Goko said on Saturday at around 8.30PM, Mr Stambuli parked his vehicle, a Honda Fit, at a shebeen in Mbizo 17 where he was drinking beer.

The accused person also came and parked his vehicle, a Toyota Runx in front of the gate thereby blocking the entrance.

Mr Stambuli later approached the accused person asking him to move his vehicle as he wanted to leave.

“The accused refused resulting in a misunderstanding between the two. Mr Stambuli then slapped the accused person twice on the face. The accused went to his car and came back armed with a knife and stabbed Mr Stambuli once on the chest,” said Insp Goko.

Magwangu fled leaving his vehicle behind.

Mr Stambuli’s son, Alois received a call that his father had been stabbed and was bleeding profusely.

Alois, with the help of other residents, rushed his father to Kwekwe General Hospital where he was pronounced dead on admission.-Chronicle

Harare provincial magistrate Mrs Esthere Chivasa has granted $10 000 bail to Allied Timber Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd’s acting chief executive, Remigio Nenzou who is facing allegations of hand-picking a Germany company to supply a sawmill machine without following due tender procedure.

As part of his bail his conditions, Nenzou was ordered to report once every month at ZACC, not to interfere with witnesses and to continue residing at his given address.

Mrs Chivasa dismissed the two reasons upon which the State was relying on to deny the accused bail which were; likelihood to interfere with witnesses and absconding.

In her ruling, she said the court was surprised at how the accused is said to have interfered with witnesses in January 2019 when the allegations before the court are said to have arisen in October 2019. “Nothing cogent has been placed before the court to establish interference of the risk,” she said.

Mrs Chivasa further stated that nothing was placed before the court to establish a strong case.

“To the contrary, the case against the accused as presented taking into account the exhibits tendered, appears weak,” she ruled.

The court heard that on October 30, 2019, Nenzou as the chief executive for Allied Timber Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd verbally instructed his procurement officer Innocent Shenje to originate a letter for his signature addressed to the chief executive for Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) Mr Nyasha Chizu.

The letter was requesting Allied Timbers to be exempted from following the procurement procedures when procuring a sawmill machine from a Germany company, MS-Maschinenbau-GmbH (Pvt) Ltd, for a total price of US$1 128 218,25.

It is alleged that on November 15, 2019, Mr Chizu turned down the request made by Nenzou and advised him to select the most appropriate method of procurement in line with section 30 of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act.

The court heard that in February this year, Nenzou showed favour to the Germany company after intentionally ignoring the advice given by Mr Chizu.

He allegedly travelled to Germany to do the due diligence and expedite the procurement of the sawmill.

It is the State’s case that investigations established that at the time of Nenzou’s visit to Germany, no procurement procedures had been followed to choose MS-Maschinenbau-GmbH (Pvt) Ltd to supply a sawmill machine to Allied Timber Zimbabwe.

The court heard that Nenzou corruptly verbally instructed Mr Wilcort Dzuda, the chief finance officer, to make payment arrangements to MS-Maschinenbau-GmbH (Pvt) Ltd of US$1 848 220 for the supply of a sawmill machine.

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) is streamlining operation at Beitbridge where eight of its employees tested positive for Covid-19.

The tests are part of strict and tight health management measures the Government employed to ensure the safety of travellers and its workers under the new border set up.

Everyone leaving or entering the country through Beitbridge is being thoroughly screened at the entrance of the border arena and all buildings.

Beitbridge, Plumtree, Forbes, Chirundu, and Victoria Falls land borders re-opened to passenger traffic on Tuesday morning.

As a precautionary measure, towards the re-opening, the Ministry of Health and Child Care tested all border workers to ascertain the exact number of those fit for duty.

In a statement today, Zimra said it was taking the necessary precautionary steps, as guided by World Health Organisation with the assistance of the Ministry of Health and Childcare to ensure the safety of its workers and travelling public.

“ZIMRA is very aware that due to the unique location of our offices and stations coupled with the essential nature of the services we provide there is a need to remain vigilant in observing and practicing procedures that reduce exposure to COVID-19.

In order to safeguard employees, clients, and the public, Zimra continues to implement guidelines from the World Health Organisation and the Ministry of Health and Childcare in reducing the impact of the COVID 19 threat to operations and human life,” said the revenue collector.

All stakeholders at Beitbridge have had tests done as well as contact tracing and our staff continues to offer essential services under Covid-19 protocols.

Some of the steps taken include; testing contacts of all suspected Covid-19 cases and that it had immediately closed some offices for disinfection.

“The re-opening of disinfected offices will be done with the assistance and guidance of the relevant local medical authorities.

“Where practical Zimra stations and offices maintain critical skeleton staff. In addition, staff are being provided with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and sanitisers; and services are, as much as possible, being offered to clients/agents via electronic means” said the statement.

Zimra said it was encouraging travellers to use clearance methods of goods which minimise human interface between its employees and clients.

In addition, all travellers importing dutiable goods must pre-clear and pre-pay before arriving at the border to reduce crowding and the time spent at border posts.

“As a mitigating measure against the spread of COVID-19 virus, clients are encouraged to access, utilise the available ZIMRA e-service facilities on www.efiling.zimra.co.zw or www.zimra.co.zw and reduce the risks associated with travelling or handling physical documents,” said the revenue collector.

The authority also called on people to prioritise public health at all ports of entry.

Correspondent

Zimbabwe has received 450 tractors under the Belarus facility ahead of the summer cropping season as Government moves to enhance productivity and adapt to climate change as well as adopting new farming technologies.

In a post cabinet briefing Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Hon Monica Mutsvangwa said the country had received 450 tractors of the 474 expected under the Belarus facility.

“Of the 474 tractors expected under the Belarus facility, 450 tractors have now been received for distribution to farmers through designated banks,” she said.

Minister Mutsvangwa said the country expects to meet its target of more than 290 000 hectares of maize under the National enhanced Crop Productivity Programme.

She said 286 chiefs have benefitted from the reintroduced Zunde Rambo concept.

“The Zunde raMambo concept had been revived and inputs are now being distributed to 286 chiefs.

On National enhanced Crop productivity Programme, the nation is advised that 285 440 hectares of the targeted 290 000 hectares had been registered by 11 829 farmers, and 43 067 hectares had been registered for soya beans out of the targeted 60 000 hectares by 932 farmers. The farmers had received the following inputs: maize seed; soya beans seed; basal fertilizer; soya blend; and top-dressing fertilizer,” she said.

State Media

Zimbabwe is experiencing a significant decline in new HIV and Aids infections, but unity is still required among citizens for a further reduction in new cases.

The same commitment is equally required in the fight against Covid-19, for which almost 700 new cases have been recorded in the last seven days.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is also the Health and Child Care Minister, said this in his World Aids Day commemoration address yesterday during an event hosted by the National Aids Council (NAC) in Harare.

“The commemoration serves as both a national and local platform for the unity of nations to remember those that have died due to Aids and reflect on the progress we have recorded in 2020 in responding to the pandemic as well as we dedicate ourselves to revitalising the response and change its trajectory towards ending Aids by 2030,” said VP Chiwenga.

“We are commemorating the World Aids Day this day under unprecedented circumstances, which have been forced upon us by the Covid-19 pandemic whose impact has been far-reaching for humanity across the globe.

“Lives have been lost, ways of life have been altered, geography, social and economic spaces have all been altered too. In addition to this, Covid-19 has been a major wake-up call to all health delivery systems.

“The pandemic caught us all unaware and we have had to learn as we go, including collaborating with regional and global partners in building systems and structures, as well as introducing necessary social economic adjustments to tackle the pandemic.”

This year’s commemorations ran under the theme: “Global Solidarity, Shared Responsibility”.

VP Chiwenga said Zimbabwe had so far minimised the overall impact of Covid-19 compared to the modelling projections.

NAC chief executive Dr Bernard Madzima, said Zimbabwe’s national response had improved over the years on the strength of global solidarity and shared responsibility.

“Out of the estimated 1,3 million people living with HIV, nearly 1,2 million are on treatment. The HIV prevalence has been declining over the years from 13,70 percent in 2015 to 12,78 percent in 2019.

“Prevalence has also fallen from 0,62 percent in 2016 to 0,49 percent in 2019, taking us closer to achieving the 90-90-90 targets. The percentage of people living with HIV who know their status has already reached 90 percent, while treatment coverage is over 90 percent.

“Estimates project that 20 000 Zimbabweans will be infected by HIV in 2030.”