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

The National University of Science and Technology Educators Association (NUSTEDA) has served the University Council a notice of intention to embark on a strike against gross mismanagement and lack of accountability by the NUST management.

The notice of intention to strike is with effect from 30 November 2020.

Following a NUSTEDA General Meeting that was held on Wednesday 25 November 2020, it was resolved that all NUST lecturers had to stand up against the NUST management lest NUST is totally destroyed, with the future of all NUST workers and students being jeopardised.

This is a developing story. More details to follow….

Senator Tambudzayi Mohadi says a lot of people are failing to get justice when they report cases of gender-based violence due to corruption.

Honourable Mohadi who is a former wife to Vice President Kembo Mohadi has been a victim of gender-based violence.

At one time, Senator Mohadi was threatened with an axe by the Vice President.

Speaking in the Senate, Mohadi said some cases of gender-based violence are being swept under the carpet by police officers and yet abuse has resulted in the death of some people.

“The other problem is that there is a lot of corruption. There are some people who after reporting their cases, do not get the justice that they want. At times, officers of the law are found disadvantaging victims and at the end of the day, such crimes are swept under the carpet. These cases at times, just die a natural death even after being reported.

“Mr President Sir, we know that when we talk about Gender-Based Violence, it is important to also talk about its effects like trauma and diseases. Some people become stressed and some end up getting injured; some with permanent injuries and disabilities,” she said.

Mohadi added that “Mr President Sir, at times we may see that people lose their lives as a result of Gender-Based Violence.

Some die as a result of being abused. We need to take stern measures and we need to be serious as a government.

When people are affected in their lives, they end up losing their sanity and their mental stability because of the trauma that they have failed to handle.

“At the end of the day, this affects their psychological well-being.

As we talk about Gender-Based Violence, it is important that we understand its severity which at times leads to death. People end up suffering because of that. It is important that after experiencing violence, we report these cases,” she said.

Honourable Mohadi also highlighted that there was a need to engage Chiefs, adding that they were not taking issues of gender-based violence as criminal cases.

“Mr. President Sir, forgive me because I am talking about a very emotional issue. Let me end by saying our chiefs and our traditional leadership have ways of containing and ending Gender-Based Violence because we need to understand that sometimes people might not take it as a criminal case.

“It is not right that they should be sidelined but they should be engaged and involved in fighting Gender Based Violence. Some issues might be dealt with within that system without going to the courts.

-Open Parly

By A Correspondent- There was a bomb scare in Harare central business district near parliament building Monday afternoon.

MDC Alliance vice president Tendai Biti, who had just come out of a Public Accounts committee meeting at parliament said “a strange silver box was discovered at a pavement along Nkwame Nkurumah avenue” adding that he was praying for safety and peace.

He tweeted:

By A Correspondent- A director in the Finance ministry Fidelis Ngorora yesterday told chief magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi that Treasury did not approve former Public Service minister Priscah Mupfumira’s request to secure a loan from the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) to purchase personal motor vehicles.

Ngorora said government was supposed to go through the formal procurement and that the request was unlawfully done.

Mupfumira is jointly charged for graft with former permanent secretary Ngoni Masoka, on two counts of criminal abuse of office.

She claimed that she got approval from Cabinet to secure a loan from NSSA to purchase the motor vehicles, but Ngorora told the court that it is only the Finance ministry which deals with financial matters. Ngorora said Masoka wrote a letter to the Finance ministry seeking approval to secure a loan from NSSA for the procurement of the motor vehicles, but it was not approved since the government, through Treasury, was in the process of availing funds for the procurement of newly appointed ministers.

Government later purchased two motor vehicles for Mupfumira in March and August 2015 respectively.

“We only got to know that the duo had proceeded to acquire funds from NSSA when they requested funds to liquidate the debt. The request was not granted since it was inappropriate for them to borrow money from NSSA which was under their ministry as there was a possibility of a conflict of interest,” he said.

The State, led by prosecutor Tendai Shonhiwa, alleges that Mupfumira and Masoka secured US$90 000 from the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) and purchased personal vehicles.

The State also alleges that on another account, Mupfumira used State funds for air tickets and upkeep of her personal aides to attend her daughter’s wedding in South Africa.

The court has also set January 25, 2021 as trial date for Mupfumira on another case of criminal abuse of office in which she is jointly charged with Barnabas Matongere, former NSSA contribution and collections officer.

It is alleged that the duo paid US$3, 5 million to Drawcard Enterprises, a local land developing company towards the construction of low housing units in Gweru, in a project spearheaded by Mupfumira.-newsday

Theresa Ndambakuwa, a local businesswoman who signed a Deed of Agreement with Ezekiel Mtapuri, a prodigal, has bounced back to court, it has emerged.

Theresa Ndambakuwa has managed to resuscitate a 2014 criminal /fraud case, to which she is the complainant, at the Harare Magistrate’s Court. The case had failed to take off the ground way back in 2014 due to lack of evidence. The case is expected to be heard on 12/10/ 2020 in Court 4.

The agreement that Theresa Ndambakuwa signed with Ezekiel Mtapuri on 28 May 2014 was to enable Theresa Ndambakuwa to purchase an unclear sizable piece of land along Amalinda Rd, Waterfalls, Harare from Ezekiel Mtapuri. The land is owned by Ezekiel Mtapuri who is under curatorship.

Theresa Ndambakuwa heads a co-operative called Perfect Hope Society Ltd which manages acquired land for and on behalf of its membership.

Rangarirai Mtapuri, brother to Ezekiel Mtapuri, happens to be the curator to Ezekiel Mtapuri since 2004.

On signing a Deed of Agreement with Ezekiel Mtapuri on 28 May 2014, Ndambakuwa purportedly proceeded to pay Ezekiel Mtapuri USD35 000,00. This money was purportedly paid to Ezekiel Mtapuri before a Commissioner of Oaths at Machipisa Shoping Centre in Highfield . Ndambakuwa et al, then, moved in and sought to change ownership of the land she purportedly had purchased from Ezekiel Mtapuri.

Rangarirai Mtapuri, the curator to Ezekiel moved to stop the deal signed between Ndambakuwa and Ezekiel. This did not go down well with Ndambakuwa who implicated Rangarirai Mtapuri, curator to Ezekiel, by alleging that Rangarirai Mtapuri was working in cahoots with Ezekiel to defraud her of her hard earned USD35 000. Further USD107 000 she allergies, she was prejudiced on developing the property. The case was reported to police and investigated under case 8937/14 and 10723/14, CR 1666/8/14. The cases never took off the ground.

Fast forward to 2019, Theresa Ndambakuwa resuscitated the very criminal/fraud case under case 3716/19 and 3717/19 CR 1666/9/14 after reporting the case to Anti Corruption. An Anti Corruption Unit (ICU) is now working with police on a 2014 resuscitated case. However the case could not take off on 12 October 2020 as the State was not ready. The Deed of agreement and payment voucher (Affidavit) are as below.  The story is still unfolding.

Rescue efforts for six trapped miners at Mandlovhukazi mine in Esigodini have been disrupted by heavy rains that occurred during the weekend leaving family members of the miners devastated.

Speaking to Great Dyke News 24, Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Mineral Workers Union (ZIDAMWU) Matabeleland South Coordinator Chrispen Zingwena said they suspect that the miners who were trapped last week are dead hence rescue efforts are focusing on retrieving their bodies for a proper burial.

“We are receiving heavy downpours here in Esigodini and we are fearing that must be a hindering factor for the rescue of our six comrades who were trapped underground at Mandlovhukazi mine in Esigodini.

“There are so many rains which are making the roads slippery, but villagers, friends, and families of the comrades are putting more effort to make sure that they retrieve the bodies from the mine for proper burial,” he said.

Meanwhile, dozens are feared dead after being trapped underground after an abandoned gold mine collapsed in Bindura last Thursday.

Six men emerged alive after the collapse while the body of one man has been retrieved and one person died in the rescue attempt.

Rescue efforts failed to start until Friday after the generator used to drain the 100-meter deep mine shaft jammed and another had to be found, authorities say.

The accidents expose lack of adequate implementation of disaster and emergency preparedness measures in the mining sector.

It appears no one in the mining sector, including Government and the mining industry is learning anything from past mistakes, experiences and disasters. 

In February 2019 another disaster happened at Battlefields which killed 24 miners. However, during that disaster there were combined efforts from different actors and stakeholders to rescue those who were trapped,and this took a record four days.

The efforts were complimented by corporate social efforts from large scale mining companies who included ZIMPLATS, RioZim and Afrochine smelting company.

Mining is a leading source of foreign currency for Zimbabwe, where gold accounts for 60% of exports.

The gold sector provides work for nearly 10% of the country’s population, according to the International Crisis Group (ICG).

-Online

By A Correspondent- Binga South legislator Joel Gabbuza (MDC Alliance) has slammed government for its failure to assist flood victims in Binga amid revelations that the affected communities are in desperate need of assistance.

The floods hit Binga last Sunday following a storm that resulted in several villagers being displaced.

Reports say that over 200 villagers were left homeless after the heavy downpour that hit Lusulu area under Chief Sinamagonde.

The heavy downpour lasted for only 15 minutes.

Gabbuza told the Southern Eye in an interview that the government had not yet come in to assist the affected families.

He said the homeless villagers were still in desperate need for help.

“The government has not assisted the flood victims, and the situation is very bad.

“With the rains falling, people are struggling and they are desperate for help as they do not have shelter,” Gabbuza said.

However, Binga district development coordinator Farai Marinyane said that the government was doing all it could to assist the victims.

He dismissed Gabbuza’s claims that nothing had been done so far.

“It is our mandate as government to respond very quickly to disasters.

“We went to the scene just after the floods.

The MP is over exaggerating in his statements. We responded to the situation very quickly.

“It is only roof trusses that were blown off the buildings,” he said.

Binga district was also hit by floods in February this year, which killed one person and displaced nearly 200 families who are yet to be resettled.

The most affected area by the February floods was Nsungulwe village.-newsday

A stepson based in Mvurwi axed his father once on the head with whom he accused of abusing his mother.

The matter came to light at Bindura magistrates courts yesterday where Mighty Tembo was sentenced to 6 years in prison for attempted murder by regional magistrate Amos Mbobo.

The court heard that on October 15, this year, Tembo approached Johane Tobias (44) who was in the garden and accused him of abusing his mother Mavis Mbirimi.

During the confrontation, Tembo picked an axe before striking Tobias on the head.

Blood gushed out from a deep cut he sustained and his wife Mbirimi rendered first aid before taking him to the hospital for treatment.

Tembo was subsequently arrested.

By A Correspondent- A Beitbridge man, who attacked his landlord with an axe because he had attempted to stop him from feeding his dogs with chicken eggs, has been slapped with an effective four-year jail term.

Solomon Sigauke (31) denied an attempted murder charge when he appeared before Beitbridge magistrate Stanley Mambanje, but he was convicted and sentenced to five years in jail, with one year suspended on condition of good behaviour.

Prosecutor Munyonga Kuvarega told the court that the complainant in the matter, Samuel Moyo Chijekere (52), who owns a house in Dulibadzimu suburb in Beitbridge, was assaulted by Sigauke with an axe after he (Sigauke) fed the landlord’s dogs with eggs.

Kuvarega said Chijekere attempted to stop Sigauke but he went on to feed the dogs and this did not go down well with Chijekere, and, resultantly a quarrel ensured. He then struck Chijekere with an axe on the head and arms several times, which resulted in the landlord sustaining serious injuries and was subsequently hospitalised.

Sigauke was then arrested and charged with attempted murder. The State said Sigauke’s actions could have led to the death of Chijekere.-Newsday

Health And Child Care Deputy Minister John Mangwiro has told Parliament that the country is fully prepared to deal with the second wave of COVID-19.

The assurance by the deputy minister comes at a time when cases are on an increase in Zimbabwe.Most Zimbabweans are worried about the possibility of the second wave, due to the manner in which the government handled the first wave.

Countries in Europe such as the United Kingdom are currently experiencing the second wave due to winter.

Since the first case was detected in Zimbabwe in March this year, about 168 386 PCR and 110 591 tests have been done countrywide.

Of the total tests done about 9950 came positive with 8482 recovering.

Speaking in the National Assembly, the deputy minister said the country was upscaling its testing in response to the upsurge of infections, adding that Zimbabwe is now better pre-paid for the second wave.

“We are prepared much more than at the first wave of the virus. The advantage is that most of the PPEs, last time when it came, we were importing them. Right now things are being manufactured and produced locally almost 95%.

“So it is much easier for us. That is positive on our side that we have got these. So we are continuing to make sure we are prepared and we are really ready this time much more than the last time,” he said.

Mangwiro emphasised that the best solution to deal with COVID-19 was not to get the virus and by ensuring people continue to protect themselves, especially in schools by putting on masks, practising social distancing and also staying at home where necessary to avoid much physical contact.

Currently, Zimbabwe has 1192 active COVID-19 cases with Bulawayo taking the lead in the number of active cases.

-Open Parly

By A Correspondent- Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe is facing its toughest moments in many years, after a key union approached the financial institution’s South African headquartered parent, Standard Bank Group, raising a stink over ‘wage theft’ and ‘slave wages’ at the Harare operation.

NewDay Business can reveal that so deep has been the standoff that multiple letters have been dispatched to the South Africa Society of Bank Officials and the International Labour Union’s Sadc office by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions to complain about the state of affairs at Stanbic.

The dispute highlights the growing pressure on companies to pay staff living wages, as inflation, at 471% in October, eats into the earnings of Zimbabwe’s hard-pressed workers.

Most employees earn far below the poverty datum line, which was estimated at over $20 000 at the end of October.

Zimbabwe’s year-on-year inflation has been underpinned by an extensive depreciation of the domestic currency in the past year, although the rage has been tapering off since the second half of 2020.

In his frank letter to Standard Bank chief executive officer Simphiwe Tshabalala dated November 24, Zimbabwe Banks and Allied Workers Union (Zibawu) acting general secretary-Shepard Ngandu said Stanbic management had failed to consider the deteriorating crisis and respond to workers plight.

He said Stanbic could not claim inability to improve salaries given its healthy profits during the year ended December 31, 2019.

He said Stanbic had also made a profit during the half year ended June 30, 2020, and was recently voted as the country’s best bank.

Ngandu told Stanbic management that they were placing the bank at the risk of fraud by hard pressed staff.

“Workers in your Zimbabwe subsidiary are thus seriously impoverished and require your urgent intervention to address their salaries and benefits,” Ngandu said in the letter to Tshabalala titled ‘Deplorable and Unmitigated Working Conditions for Stanbic Zimbabwe Staff ‘.

“Workers are borrowing to augment their meagre salaries, which is unsustainable and thus exposing them and the bank to potential risk of frauds and thefts.

“While many other banks pay for their employees’ school fees, Stanbic employees do not enjoy this benefit, leaving them worse off in comparison to their peers.

“Other financial institutions of comparable size have come up with better packages to cushion employees against the vagaries of inflation and currency volatility. There is no doubt that these workers are exposed to decent work deficits in your Zimbabwean subsidiary and susceptible to wage theft by local management.

“The obtaining situation, clearly in our view, is against Standard Bank Group values and ethos of sound corporate governance and responsible corporate citizenry.

“We demand that you urgently intervene so that the welfare of Standard Bank Zimbabwe non-managerial salaries is addressed without any further delay.

“We are advised that your organisation has the capacity to address workers’ issues but local management seems to pursue personal objectives at the expense of other stakeholders, particularly workers,” Zibawu said.

“We are advised that the bank and its workers had a reasonable salary arrangement which expired in February 2020.

“Social dialogue efforts were pursued between the workers’ committee and local management without success since the expiry of the previous arrangement to date.

“It is common cause that the Zimbabwe dollar continues to lose value both on the formal and informal markets currently at 81,8 and 110 against the United States dollar respectively.

“Inflation was recently reported at 471% while goods and services are pegged in United States dollars they track unofficial USD exchange rates.”

On Sunday, NewsDay Business emailed the Zibawu letter to Stanbic, which turned down a request for comment.

But Zabawu insisted that Stanbic had the capacity to improve workers’ salaries.

“The Zimbabwe poverty datum ZWL$17 956 as at September 2020 against average net salaries of less than ZWL$10 000 for most Stanbic Zimbabwe nonmanagerial workers,” Ngandu said.

“In 2019 and half year 2020, Stanbic Bank posted in historical terms a profit of ZWL$477 million and ZWL$1, 401million respectively.

“Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe was named “the best bank” of the year in 2019 by the Banker magazine. These accolades surely don’t befit a bank paying slave wages as is currently obtaining,” Zibawu said.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF has been forced to shelve its original plan to have polling officers in the district coordinating committee (DCC) elections due to financial and logistical constraints, it has emerged.

As a result, the ruling party has now resolved that the teams to supervise polling will comprise of senior leaders from the politburo, a commissariat commissioner, a provincial chairperson and a team from the province.

The ruling party has also demanded that the registers that were used for the 2018 general elections must be used for the DCC polls slated for December 5 and 6 in eight provinces.

In a letter addressed to provincial chairpersons from the party director for commissariat, Davison Gomo dated November 28, the ruling party polls will now be supervised by senior politburo members, who will be deployed in provinces as the new plan was “no longer sustainable”.

“Due to logistical and financial constraints, the original plan where all polling officers were meant to come from a supervising province is no longer sustainable,” Gomo’s letter read in part.

“The supervising team will be made up of senior leaders from the politburo, one commissariat commissioner, provincial chairpersons and a team from his or her province, from whom the presiding officer will be appointed.

“Consequently, the polling officers, at ward centre level will be selected from senior members of the party.”

In another letter of the same date, Gomo asked the provincial chairpersons to “facilitate the provision of district executive registers that were used in the 2017/18 polls for the general election of 2018”.

“The leadership determined that the forthcoming DCC elections will be conducted on the basis of the registers referred to above and therefore, there is urgent need to make these available to us at the earliest convenience possible.”

Only four provinces, Gomo said, had availed their registers by Sunday ahead of yesterday’s deadline.

The DCC elections will be held this week amid reports of divisions and tussling to control the districts.

There were reports of namedropping President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga by candidates as they jostle for positions.-Newsday

By A Correspodent- Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa yesterday defended her hosting a birthday party with other ministers and senior government officials without observing COVID-19 social distancing protocols or wearing masks saying she did “nothing wrong”.

Mutsvangwa insisted to NewsDay that the attendees to the party, who included ministers Joel Biggie Matiza, Ziyambi Ziyambi and Kazembe Kazembe as well as information secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana, observed all required protocols.

But pictures of the party, which were shared on social media by Mangwana himself, showed the high living officials hugging and partying without masks or any social distancing.

Mutsvangwa said she had no regrets after her family organised the surprise 60th birthday bash for her despite coming after police last week insisted that “weddings, birthdays, house parties, political and other social gatherings which include musical concerts were still banned” while Mangwana also tweeted that gatherings were ‘still limited to two persons.’

“So, my family cannot host a birthday party for me?” she asked rhetorically when NewsDay approached her for a comment.

“I have attended several events in the last week alone. I was in Nyanga, and there were more than 200 guests there. On Friday evening, I was at the Rainbow Towers and there were more than 400 guests there for the awards for Marketers Association of Zimbabwe, and then my family surprises me with a party with 50 guests comprising of my best friends and then it is a problem?

“Everything, and all measures were considered, COVID-19 tests were conducted, and the venue was enclosed. There was a disinfectant booth for all people coming in and isn’t it that there are people who just love to talk, who see everything as wrong?”

She said that she had a good time as the party was a memorable event for her.

Mutsvangwa, accompanied by her husband, Christopher who is also war veterans leader, as well as other close family members while notable business people were also present at the party.

“I enjoyed the party and I am still enjoying that party and really don’t have anything to say. It was memorable, I am very happy that my children went out of their way to make their mother happy and I am very grateful.

“It was a surprise party and really, I don’t know where the problem is. It is one or two people that have a problem with it and if they are hurt with me, they should just say it,” she said.

Mangwana defended the party saying the attendees were tested before ahead of their attendance and that all of the participants tested negative.

He added that less than 50 people were in attendance.

Last week, Mangwana maintained that gatherings remain limited to two persons while authorised events such as weddings are limited to 50.

Churches are limited to 100 people while parties remain prohibited.

The police on Saturday forced the Bulawayo Arts Awards ceremony to shut down for “violating COVID-19 measures.”

The Chief Coordinator on COVID-19 in the Office of the President and Cabinet Agnes Mahomva told NewsDay last week said that people were now acting as if the lockdown was already over, adding that people “must avoid crowds”.

Director of Epidemiology and Disease Control in the Ministry of Health adnd Child Care Portia Manangazira also warned that people must stop ‘wild parties’ and observe social distancing during a training session of community health workers in Mutare recently.

Manangazira also indicated that Bulawayo was likely to be put under tighter lockdown rules due to the rise in infections, where wild parties were the order of the day.

“The wild parties, especially in Bulawayo that has been the epicentre of the latest COVID-19 infections and the risky behaviour at the parties is a cause of concern to health workers. There is lot that we can do responsibly as a nation,” Manangazira said.

-newsday

By A Correspondent| Former Black Rhinos captain and 2002 Soccer Star of the Year finalist, Gift “Guava” Kamuriwo, has passed away.

Details are still sketchy but reports say the former Zimbabwe national soccer team player was not well for some time.

More to follow….

Rumbidzai Chizarura, a journalist who was severely attacked by suspected State agents while covering a Zimbabwe National Students’ Union (Zinasu) press conference on Impala Car Rental’s involvement in the abduction of a university student, Tawanda Muchehiwa, has been suffering from severe trauma, depression and physical pain.

Chizarura told TheNewsHawks that she was still in danger as some people were trailing and watching her since the incident occurred on 18 September.

She said she has been having neck problems, migraine headaches, poor eyesight and a loose jawbone. Chizarura opened up in an interview:

I was slapped, beaten to the ground and kicked. I have a bone around my neck here that sometimes gets out of groove, I have headaches which cannot be treated by pain medication. The doctors said I would need to go outside the country to get one of my jaw bones—which is loose—fixed as there were only two people who can do it in Zimbabwe, but one them is outside the country.

I do not sleep, I get panic attacks and I am depressed most of the time. I got to a point where I just gave up on life and cut myself. I am glad for the people around me and my boss who spoke to me. To make matters worse, I have people trailing me everywhere I go, it can’t be a coincidence that I see the same person at events I attend and at shops I get into and even when I visit my family.

The Techmag TV reporter also said the suspected state security agents ordered her out of her car and started beating her.

She then ran into one of the yards close by and only got out when they had gone. Chizarura got a phone and contacted her boss and family and together they went to Braeside Police Station but were turned away.

They also tried to report at Harare Central Police Station without success and then went to Rhodesville Police where an officer took down the items that had been stolen.

She added that until now, they have not been updated on anything.

More: TheNewsHawks

GOVERNMENT yesterday said plans were underway to construct 200 000 houses throughout the country in the next five years, most of them skyscrapers in a bid to reduce Zimbabwe’s housing backlog.

This was revealed by National Housing and Social Amenities minister Daniel Garwe who told NewsDay in an interview that the project would largely be funded by pension funds, banks and other domestic and international organisations.

He said Finance minister Mthuli Ncube had already announced a $2,8 billion allocation for the project through his 2021 budget announced last Thursday in Parliament, which further stated that the amount would cover housing for civil servants as well as rural housing.

Garwe said the 200 000 target was one of the projects highlighted in the National Development Strategy One (NDS1) policy document.

“The National Housing and Social Amenities ministry is private sector-driven. Basically, the housing schemes we are working on are predominantly financed by pension funds, insurance companies, banks and other domestic and international organisations. The target figure of 200 000 is planned to cover a period of 5 years from 2021 to 2025,” Garwe said.

“National housing delivery programme is planned, co-ordinated and aligned to NDS1. The human settlements policy stipulates that 40% of all land for human habitation will be set aside for the construction of high-rise buildings and apartments. We are obliged to preserve agricultural land as much as we can. The budget allocation we received suffices to cover for housing for civil servants including rural housing.”

The National Housing minister said skyscrapers and apartments would dominate the infrastructure as that was in conformity with the human settlements policy and international standards.

Last week, Garwe said government was proposing cutting the sizes of stands in low-density areas to create room for more human settlements as a lot of space was underutilised.

However, the move to cut the size of low-density areas was not yet a policy position. Garwe said it was a proposal to landlords to fully utilise their land and derive value from it.

He said the issue was a suggestion to make landowners see that they were sitting on gold and that there was no land appropriation.

The minister’s sentiments came at a time authorities were saddled with huge housing waiting lists. For instance, the Harare City Council alone has over one million people on its housing waiting list.

Harare ran out of land after space barons illegally parcelled out State land to unsuspecting home-seekers, who established illegal settlements, some of which have been demolished.

Garwe’s announcement that government has an ambitious plan to construct skyscrapers came exactly two years after Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga promised residents of Harare’s oldest suburb, Mbare, modern apartments with swimming pools during the 2018 electoral campaign period.

However, Chiwenga’s promise was still to come to fruition as Mbare’s hostels were still an eyesore with dysfunctional ablution facilities.

In 2018, Chiwenga had promised construction of blocks of flats, swimming pools and kindergartens in Mbare, adding that those from Harare’s oldest suburb that had relocated to plush areas like Borrowdale and Mount Pleasant would return to Mbare.

Zengeza West legislator Job Sikhala has accused the government of deliberately incapacitating bus operators who have leased their vehicles to ZUPCO through non payment, whilst at the same time expecting them to maintain their own buses.

Sikhala was responding to a statement made by Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi who had said that bus operators who have seconded their vehicles to ZUPCO have the responsibility of servicing and maintaining their own fleet and ensure they satisfy the Vehicle Inspection Department safety requirements.

However, Honourable Sikhala argued that there was no way bus operators could ensure their vehicles were roadworthy when they were not being paid.

“Since October, the government has not been paying bus operators who have leased their buses to ZUPCO. They used to be paid after two weeks but now it is three months before these people are paid their money.

“How would they be able to service the buses? We also want the Minister to tell us when they are going to restore the arrangement which was there where the owners of the buses will be paid after every two weeks,” he said.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government Marian Chombo however refuted claims from Honourable Sikhala, adding that outstanding payments were settled and that they had actually made a call for more operators to join the program.

Government has come under fire lately for accepting unroadworthy buses under the ZUPCO program.

The outcry comes on the back of a lot of accidents involving many unroadworthy vehicles which are under the ZUPCO program.

Some of the buses do not have insurance and are hardly stopped by the VID for safety requirements.

Zimbabwe is facing transport challenges following the decision by the government to ban the kombis.

Kombis had been the main source of transport for many Zimbabweans due to operational challenges at the state owned ZUPCO.

-Open Parly

NewsDay

INFORMATION minister Monica Mutsvangwa yesterday defended her hosting a birthday party with other ministers and senior government officials without observing COVID-19 social distancing protocols or wearing masks saying she did “nothing wrong”.

Mutsvangwa insisted to NewsDay that the attendees to the party, who included ministers Joel Biggie Matiza, Ziyambi Ziyambi and Kazembe Kazembe as well as information secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana, observed all required protocols.

But pictures of the party, which were shared on social media by Mangwana himself, showed the high living officials hugging and partying without masks or any social distancing.

Mutsvangwa said she had no regrets after her family organised the surprise 60th birthday bash for her despite coming after police last week insisted that “weddings, birthdays, house parties, political and other social gatherings which include musical concerts were still banned” while Mangwana also tweeted that gatherings were ‘still limited to two persons.’

“So, my family cannot host a birthday party for me?” she asked rhetorically when NewsDay approached her for a comment.

“I have attended several events in the last week alone. I was in Nyanga, and there were more than 200 guests there. On Friday evening, I was at the Rainbow Towers and there were more than 400 guests there for the awards for Marketers Association of Zimbabwe, and then my family surprises me with a party with 50 guests comprising of my best friends and then it is a problem?

“Everything, and all measures were considered, COVID-19 tests were conducted, and the venue was enclosed. There was a disinfectant booth for all people coming in and isn’t it that there are people who just love to talk, who see everything as wrong?”

She said that she had a good time as the party was a memorable event for her.

Mutsvangwa, accompanied by her husband, Christopher who is also war veterans leader, as well as other close family members while notable business people were also present at the party.

“I enjoyed the party and I am still enjoying that party and really don’t have anything to say. It was memorable, I am very happy that my children went out of their way to make their mother happy and I am very grateful.

“It was a surprise party and really, I don’t know where the problem is. It is one or two people that have a problem with it and if they are hurt with me, they should just say it,” she said.

Mangwana defended the party saying the attendees were tested before ahead of their attendance and that all of the participants tested negative.

He added that less than 50 people were in attendance.

Last week, Mangwana maintained that gatherings remain limited to two persons while authorised events such as weddings are limited to 50.

Churches are limited to 100 people while parties remain prohibited.

The police on Saturday forced the Bulawayo Arts Awards ceremony to shut down for “violating COVID-19 measures.”

The Chief Coordinator on COVID-19 in the Office of the President and Cabinet Agnes Mahomva told NewsDay last week said that people were now acting as if the lockdown was already over, adding that people “must avoid crowds”.

Director of Epidemiology and Disease Control in the Ministry of Health adnd Child Care Portia Manangazira also warned that people must stop ‘wild parties’ and observe social distancing during a training session of community health workers in Mutare recently.

Manangazira also indicated that Bulawayo was likely to be put under tighter lockdown rules due to the rise in infections, where wild parties were the order of the day.

“The wild parties, especially in Bulawayo that has been the epicentre of the latest COVID-19 infections and the risky behaviour at the parties is a cause of concern to health workers. There is lot that we can do responsibly as a nation,” Manangazira said.

Paul Nyathi

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has scoffed at critics in some quarters claiming that the erection of statues of liberation war icons was idolatry.

“Those who say that also carry crosses around their necks and pictures symbolising Jesus Christ. Why wear that cross? If they were not part of us, we would have told them to go back to their countries of origin.

“What is wrong with us recognising those who led us during the liberation war? We recognise Jesus Christ because he died for us and we are also recognising Mbuya Nehanda because she led us during the war,” he added.

Speaking during a tour of Nyati Gallery near Snake Park, where the statue of Nehanda is being made by sculptor David Mutasa, President Mnangagwa said the Government decided to honour Mbuya Nehanda for the heroic rebellion against colonialism in which she paid the ultimate price by being hanged on April 27, 1902.

The memorial statue is being erected at the intersection of Samora Machel Avenue and Julius Nyerere Way in the capital.

President Mnangagwa said the onus was on those who took part in the fight against colonial rule to record the country’s history.

“The issue is that if us, former freedom fighters don’t document our history and where we came from, the young generation will not know where we came from. So we should depart after making sure that we have recorded our history.

“Mbuya Nehanda led the war during the First Chimurenga and she led us when we fought during the Second Chimurenga that is why we are recognising her so that the young generation will know who led the war against the colonial regime,” he said.

Apart from the statue that will be erected in Harare’s CBD, another one will be erected at the new Parliament in Mt Hampden where the new capital city is being constructed.

Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) coronavirus/COVID-19 situation report as of 30 November 2020:

New cases: 84
Locals: 61
Returnees: 23 (22 form SA) (1 Botswana)
Deaths: 1 Manicaland
Recoveries: 7
PCR Tests Done: 797
National Recovery Rate: 84.6%
Active Cases: 1268
Total Cumulative Cases: 10 034
Total Recoveries: 8 489
Total Deaths: 277

Rescue workers at Ran Mine in Bindura yesterday recovered one of the miners trapped after a tunnel collapsed on Wednesday last week.

The unidentified body was recovered in the afternoon and was taken to Bindura Hospital mortuary.

Mrs Melodious Katoratsoko from Gora Village in Madziwa under Chief Nyamaropa said they engaged traditional leaders and spirit mediums in the area in the hope that their son, Alexio Felix Nyamvura (29), whom they suspect to be among the trapped, will be saved.

Provincial Development Coordinator Mr Timothy Maregere said Government will assist in the burial of the 34-year-old-volunteer Wellington House, who died while assisting in the rescue efforts at Ran Mine.

State Media

Skulls and bones were recovered from the toilet of Tapiwa Makore (Senior) in Murehwa over the weekend as police intensify their hunt for the missing skull and other remains of his seven-year-old nephew Tapiwa Makore (Junior) who was murdered for suspected ritual purposes.

All the recovered remains have been sent for forensic tests to determine if they are of human or animal origin and if there is any link to the murdered boy.

Also recovered from Makore (Snr)’s house in Nyamutumbu Village was a blood-stained tail of a yet to be identified animal.

Makore (Snr) is in remand prison awaiting trial after he was arrested in September on charges of murdering his brother’s child with the help of his herdsman, Tafadzwa Shamba, who is also remanded in custody and has reportedly confessed to being involved.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said yesterday that on Saturday police hired excavators and graders and dug into the toilet.

“They recovered multiple bones and skulls. We are yet to know whether they are human bones and human skulls or if they belong to animals.

“The bones and skulls have been sent for forensic examination. Also recovered was a small tail which was in his house. It was blood-stained. All were sent for forensic examination.

“At the moment, we are not yet linking all these to the boy’s missing body parts. We are waiting for the forensic tests,” Ass Comm Nyathi said.

Recent police investigations into the boy’s ritual murder found that an 11-year-old boy also from Nyamutumbu Village was allegedly paid US$5 to lure the seven-year-old from his parents’ garden to his uncle’s homestead.

The uncle, Tapiwa Makore (Snr), allegedly gave the boy US$5 plus a T-shirt for the role he played, before warning him against disclosing the matter to anyone.

The boy allegedly handed over the money to his mother who kept the secret.

Recently, Makore (Snr)’s brother, Thanks Makore, was arrested in connection with the murder of Makore (Jnr), on allegations that he was given the boy’s head and arms. Police extensively searched Thanks Makore’s house in Damofalls, Ruwa, although they reportedly found no remains.

He has since appeared before a Mutoko magistrate, who remanded him in custody.

The two brothers and three other suspects are in remand prison pending the completion of investigations and the probable murder trial.

Paul Nyathi

Estranged wife to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga was on Monday brought to court in an ambulance and stretcher in a manner that left many people touched.

Marry Chiwenga, nee Mubaiwa was brought to court in the ambulance after earlier failing to appear in court.

A warrant of arrest was subsequently issued.

Mubaiwa is accused of attempting to kill VP Constantino Chiwenga when he was admitted in hospital in South Africa and externalising foreign currency. In the morning session, Ms Mtetwa explained her client’s absence: “She is not feeling well and she is at her house. She cannot come to court.”

The State, led by Mrs Netsai Mushayabasa, applied for the warrant of arrest.

Ms Mtetwa then applied to be allowed to hire an ambulance to ferry Mubaiwa to court and returned with her in an ambulance at around 2pm.

Mubaiwa was then placed in a wheelchair and taken into the courtroom with two paramedics assisting her. Ms Mtetwa applied for the cancellation of the warrant of arrest, which Mrs Mushayabasa did not oppose on the grounds of Mubaiwa’s ill-health.

Mrs Mushayabasa then suggested that the matter involving attempted murder and money laundering be postponed to 28 January next year since investigations were still underway.

The warrant of arrest was cancelled following her emotional appearance in court in a hospital bed.

The court indicating that it was ready for trial on another charge assault charges against her.

Mubaiwa’s lawyer, Ms Beatrice Mtetwa however, indicated that they were not ready to proceed with the trial because of her ill health.

Ms Mtetwa told the court that Mubaiwa is set to travel outside the country for medical attention and applied that the matter set for January 28 to enable her time to recover and seek medical attention.

Mubaiwa appeared before magistrate Mr Trynos Utahwashe.

Watch video, click the link below.

https://www.facebook.com/ZimEye/videos/1316848875324879/

ZIMBABWE has recorded one more Covid-19 death with reports that 128 people tested positive to the global pandemic yesterday.

The death was recorded in Matabeleland South.

With new cases continuously on the rise countrywide especially in Matabeleland region, the country now has a total of 1 92 active cases and the national recovery rate has dropped to 85.2 percent.

According to the Ministry of health and Child care 965 PCR tests were conducted in the last 24 hours and the weekly positivity average now stands at 104 up from 93.

“We recorded 128 new cases and one death in the last 24 hours.  All 128 are local cases and the death was reported by Matabeleland South province,” read the statement.

“Of the 123 cases, 63 were recorded in Bulawayo, 25 in Harare, 25 in Matabeleland South and 14 in Midlands provinces. As of 29 November 2020, Zimbabwe had recorded 9950 Cases 8482 recoveries and 276 Deaths”-Chronicle

Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday toured the new Parliament building under construction in Mt Hampden on a busy day for the Head of State during which he also toured the site where the Mbuya Nehanda memorial statue will be erected in the city centre and an art gallery on the western outskirts of the capital where the statue is being carved.

Mnangagwa said the erection of a memorial statue for Zimbabwe’s First Chimurenga war icon, Mbuya Nehanda, in Harare was part of efforts to document the country’s history, especially the fight against colonial rule.

Speaking during a tour of Nyati Gallery near Snake Park, where the statue of the icon is being made by sculptor David Mutasa, Mnangagwa said Government decided to honour Mbuya Nehanda for the heroic rebellion against colonialism in which she paid the ultimate price by being hanged on April 27, 1902.

The memorial statue is being erected at the intersection of Samora Machel Avenue and Julius Nyerere Way in the capital.

Mnangagwa said the onus was on those who took part in the fight against colonial rule to record the country’s history.

“The issue is that0 if us, former freedom fighters don’t document our history and where we came from, the young generation will not know where we came from. So we should depart after making sure that we have recorded our history.

“Mbuya Nehanda led the war during the First Chimurenga and she led us when we fought during the Second Chimurenga that is why we are recognising her so that the young generation will know who led the war against the colonial regime,” he said.

Mnangagwa scoffed at critics in some quarters claiming that the erection of statues of liberation war icons was idolatry.-State Media

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has also put in place obligatory processes to ascertain the safety of candidates and invigilators during the course of the examinations.

Pupils sitting for examinations who have tested or may test Covid-19 positive will sit for their exams under special health protocols, that include sitting in isolated exam rooms with strict monitoring by caregivers under strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as guided by Ministry of Health and Child Care and World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.

Examination centres have also been disinfected in line with Ministry of Health and Child Care guidelines.
Thermometers, disinfectants, face masks, wash facilities and hand sanitisers have been procured for all examination centres to combat Covid-19.

Standard Operating Procedures have been invoked at schools such as John Tallach Secondary School in Ntabazinduna and Anderson High School in Gweru, Chinhoyi High School in Chinhoyi and Matopo High School in Matobo to curb further spread of the deadly virus.

Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations start today while Grade Seven candidates start writing on Thursday.

Practical examinations, however, started two weeks ago.

Zimbabwe had by last Sunday recorded 9 950 Cases 8 482 recoveries and 276 deaths with Bulawayo leading in terms of active cases.-Chronicle

Dollarisation was a big mistake as it took away the country’s monetary autonomy and made industry uncompetitive, Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube said yesterday.

Besides, bringing enough US dollar bills was costing the country over US$300 million annually, making the dollarisation process unsustainable.

Although the multi-currency system brought short-term stability after hyperinflation around 2008, it largely stifled growth as the country could not utilise monetary instruments to influence economic activity and gradually lost competitiveness compared to major trading partners.

Last June, the authorities took a decisive step to address the anomaly, by re-introducing the local currency.  The Zimbabwe dollar was re-introduced through Finance Act No.2 of 2019 and Statutory Instrument 212 of 2019, which provides for exclusive use of the Zimbabwean dollar to settle all domestic transactions as well as penalties for failure to do so.

However, adjustments have since been made to allow for United States dollar transactions (free funds), alongside the Zimbabwe dollar, through Statutory Instruments 85, 185 and 196.

“Our biggest mistake was making the United States dollar our main currency of reference. By taking away the Zimbabwe dollar we destroyed industrial capacity,” he told delegates attending a post-Budget breakfast meeting in Harare. Competitiveness comes from having your own currency.”

Constrained production during the multi-currency era meant that there was an increase in import dependency, which needed to be sustained by billions of US dollars to pay for essentials that include food, fuel, electricity, raw materials, equipment and medicine.

With the economy structurally incapacitated to generate enough forex to sustain such a huge appetite for imports, the authorities were left with little room to manoeuvre, thereby necessitating the re-introduction of the Zimbabwe dollar.

Secretary for Finance George Guvamatanga, concurred with Minister Ncube, saying the reintroduction of the local unit will drive the economy forward.

“We will build this economy on the basis of the Zimbabwe dollar. The local currency will anchor this budget.”

Both fiscal and monetary authorities have been making a concerted effort to ensure the success of the Zimbabwe dollar.

Experts say a successful de-dollarisation strategy should comprise a comprehensive mix of structural reforms that address the macroeconomic environment to ensure a positive fiscal balance, positive current account balance and improvement on the global debt position.

And through the outgoing Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) and other measures such as the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s foreign currency auction system, stabilisation of the Zimbabwe dollar is already apparent.  But the move to bring back the local unit was not without negative consequences, as the process resulted in a loss of value to savings for both business and individuals.

However, last week the authorities made the first move to address anomalies arising out of de-dollarisation.

Presenting the 2021 National Budget, the Finance Chief said small and vulnerable households with deposits less than US$1 000 in the bank at conversion will be compensated.

“As part of a broader reform process under the Transitional Stabilisation Programme, Government through the Central Bank introduced market determined exchange rate through the Monetary Policy of (SI 33 of 2019) on 20 February 2019. This entail transition from exchange rate of US$1: $1, initially to US$1: $2,5 and thereafter determined by the interbank market activities.  This transition resulted in currency losses to small and vulnerable households with deposits less than US$1 000 in the bank. The movement in the exchange rate from US$1:$1 to US$1: $2,5 resulted in a loss for such depositors,” he said.

“Therefore, Government has made a decision to compensate the small and vulnerable depositors who had US$1 000 and below, for the exchange rate movement loss from US$1: $1 to US$1: $2,5, with resources equivalent to US$75 million. The resources will be administered by the Deposit Protection Corporation (DPC).

He added that this compensation will also extend to the country’s pensioners.-The Herald

31 more pupils have tested positive for COVID-19 at Chinhoyi High School, bringing the number of confirmed cases to 88 up from 57 in the last three days.

The development was confirmed by Mashonaland West provincial medical director Gift Masoja on Sunday who said the number of positive cases was not of schoolchildren only but could include staff.

In a related development, at least 13 Beitbridge Border Post officials have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Of the 13 cases, eight are said to be from the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) and three from the Customs and Excise Department.

Beitbridge district medical officer Linos Samhere could neither deny nor confirm the development saying he was not authorised to speak to the press.

Active coronavirus cases have been on the rise in recent weeks with the figure now at 1 192 as of 29 November 2020 after 128 more people tested positive.-NewsDay

By A Correspondent | Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife, Marry, has three charges against her, two of which were laid by the husband a year ago, it has emerged.

https://youtu.be/h1OkXPT-Rug

Marry Mubaiwa was forced to court on a stretcher on Monday afternoon.

Her lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa told ZimEye: “Well, in the morning magistrate Nduna issued warrants for her arrest for not coming to court, despite being told that she is unwell.

“Magistrate Butabwashe refused to issue a warrant of arrest and said we can make the arrangements that we have since made, and she has now been remanded to the end of January.

“If she is well enough to stand trial, we hope she comes for trial back[sic] on the assault charge.

“On the two earlier charges for which she was arrested in December last year, the state still says it is conducting its investigation. Of course COVID is being used as an excuse now that they are doing extra territorial investigations, yet when the matter first went to court, they said they had done those investigations.

“And it then shows how our justice system works: You arrest first and investigate later. If there were investigations to be done in SA they ought to have been done before she was arrested, so that they arrest her on the basis of information that they already have.

“So you can see what? You can’t say they had evidence when they arrested her if a year later they are still looking for evidence.”

Tinashe Sambiri|Zanu PF, through Gutu Rural District Council has blocked a proposal by President Nelson Chamisa to construct a hospital in his home area.

Zanu PF officials in the council, acting on Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s instructions, reportedly blocked the noble project.

See statement below :

ZANU PF Stone Age Mentality Drags The Country Backwards

29-11-2020

Disturbing reports that the ZANU PF run Gutu Rural District Council shot down a noble proposal by MDC Alliance President, Nelson Chamisa to build a state of the art boarding school and a hospital in his rural home must be condemned in strongest terms by all rightful thinking citizens.

In this 4th Industrial Revolution era when other countries are bridging the gap between rural and urban areas, it will be folly for us to allow the barren ZANU PF Stone Age mentality to take centre stage at the expense of development of our rural areas.

Honestly how in this modern age can a local government board turn down such a rare opportunity to uplift people’s lives when the same Rural District Council has failed to build even a single pit latrine.

It’s a pity that the very same regime that has reduced rural areas into burials areas are allergic to rural development.

It is time we question and confront this ZANU PF abnormal normal!

Remember this is the very same regime that is encouraging our people on archaic and arduous farming methods like Pfumvudza at a time when smart agriculture is the way to go.

The barbaric approach to developmental issues by the Gutu Rural District Council also better sums up ruralization agenda of our urban areas by Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime.

Urbanization of our rural areas as summed up in our DURA document is the way to go.

Rural dwellers matter too!

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Spokesperson

Tinashe Sambiri|Two senior MDC Alliance officials were involved in a terrible accident near Mutimurefu Prison in Masvingo on Sunday.

The two, MDC Alliance provincial chairperson(Masvingo) Senator Misheck Marava and Hon Muchirairwa Mugidho had just attended the party’s management committee meeting and they were travelling back to Zaka and Chiredzi respectively .Hon Mugidho’s husband was also in the vehicle.

“Senator Marava sustained serious head injuries while Hon Mugidho is yet to be examined by doctors.

The vehicle they were travelling in was hit by an oncoming car.

There is need to beef up the security of our officials.

During the meeting, Senator Marava emphasized the need for unity in Masvingo Province,” the MDC Alliance said in a brief statement.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister, Paul Mavima has attempted to allay education stakeholders’ fears emanating from a ballooning number of coronavirus cases in schools, saying the government is on top of the situation.

Speaking in an interview before commissioning a new service delivery vehicle fleet bought by Gokwe town council over the weekend, Mavima asserted that the government will not hesitate to shut down schools if the situation threatens to spiral out of control.

He said:

If there is a serious problem, the Government will not hesitate to take measures to protect pupils and their teachers because their lives come first. We have had a few worrying cases and we hope the situation remains under control.

Several schools across the country have recorded worrying numbers of COVID-19 cases at a time when Grade Seven, Ordinary and Advanced Level candidates commence examinations this week.

John Tallach High School in Ntabazinduna has recorded over 100 coronavirus cases, Chinhoyi High Schools 88 and Mtshabezi High School in Matabeleland South Province has registered 15 cases.-statemedia

Tinashe Sambiri|Two senior MDC Alliance officials were involved in a terrible accident near Mutimurefu Prison in Masvingo on Sunday.

The two, MDC Alliance provincial chairperson(Masvingo) Senator Misheck Marava and Hon Muchirairwa Mugidho had just attended the party’s management committee meeting and they were travelling back to Zaka and Chiredzi respectively .Hon Mugidho’s husband was also in the vehicle.

“Senator Marava sustained serious head injuries while Hon Mugidho is yet to be examined by doctors.

The vehicle they were travelling in was hit by an oncoming car.

There is need to beef up the security of our officials.

During the meeting, Senator Marava emphasized the need for unity in Masvingo Province,” the MDC Alliance said in a brief statement.

Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume’s lawyer speaks on the denial of bail.

Watch video below:

Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly elected its provincial leadership in Masvingo at the weekend.

Although police violently disrupted the programme, the elective congress was eventually held.

“Through consensus the following are the substantive MDC Alliance provincial youth leaders in Masvingo:

Bernard Chimwango is the new provincial youth Chairperson.

Gilbert Mutubuki is the new provincial youth Secretary General

Maxwell Madhuna is the new provincial Organising Secretary,” an MDC Alliance official told ZimEye.com.

The new leadership has pledged to work tirelessly to defeat Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa and Zanu PF in the 2023 polls.

“United we stand, divided we fall,” said one member of the MDC Alliance Youth Assembly.

By A Correspondent- A 33 year old Mt Darwin man who lured a 9-year-old girl with zap nax before raping her was sentenced to 14 years behind bars by Bindura regional magistrate Amos Mbobo.

Austine Kapiri of Makaza village, Mt Darwin will, however, spend 12 years in jail after the magistrate suspended 2 years on condition of good behaviour.

Prosecutor Ngoni Kaseke told the court that on September 8 around 7 pm the convict visited the complainant’s homestead with his friend where they found the victim playing at the backyard with her friends.

Kapiri lured the complainant in the bush with 40bond and promised to buy her zap nax after the rape.

The victim followed the rapist in the bush where he raped her once and never gave her the 40 bond and zap nax as he had promised.

A brother to the victim noticed that she was missing and followed in the bush where he saw the rapist and the victim walking back home.

The brother quizzed his sister who divulged everything leading to the arrest of Kapiri

Tinashe Sambiri|Popular contemporary musician Tocky Vibes, whose real name is Obey Makamure is now 27.

See below a congratulatory message posted by Legendary Family :

Happy Birthday Shout To Tocky Vibes

Tocky Vibes was born Obey Makamure on 29 November 1993 in Rugare Suburb, Harare.

He began singing at a very young age where it all seemed like a joke until he released a single called “Tirikumhanya”.

He was moved to rural Masvingo where he had to make a living, as things were difficult for him.

He returned to Harare in December 2012 and picked up where he left off, only to find that things were not so easy.

Tocky Vibes then moved to Rusape where he found a job as a herd boy, and would later find that the amount of signing gigs increased for him in Harare and he’d travel frequently.

Tinashe Sambiri|Popular contemporary musician Tocky Vibes, whose real name is Obey Makamure is now 27.

See below a congratulatory message posted by Legendary Family :

Happy Birthday Shout To Tocky Vibes

Tocky Vibes was born Obey Makamure on 29 November 1993 in Rugare Suburb, Harare.

He began singing at a very young age where it all seemed like a joke until he released a single called “Tirikumhanya”.

He was moved to rural Masvingo where he had to make a living, as things were difficult for him.

He returned to Harare in December 2012 and picked up where he left off, only to find that things were not so easy.

Tocky Vibes then moved to Rusape where he found a job as a herd boy, and would later find that the amount of signing gigs increased for him in Harare and he’d travel frequently.

Three years ago it was President Robert Mugabe who the nation’s citizens hoped would step down. Tonight Zimbabweans have written saying they hope the ZANU PF usurpist Emmerson Mnangagwa will resign when he addresses the nation on live ZTV broadcast.

Mnagagwa is expected to address the nation this evening on ZTV after the Main News, the state broadcaster said in a statement.

This was followed by requests and wishes for him to resign.

“Hopeful he resigns,” said Tendai Zinyama.

Another only identified as Twoboy, said: The only good news to come from his address will be his resignation. The rest Sleeping accommodation. Sleeping accommodation.

“Sleeping accommodation.

“Sleeping accommodation nebhutsu.”

Others however such as Isiah Mataruka, said the address is still crucial for the nation. Said Mataruka: People want this address.

“Those who feel otherwise may just turn off their TVs. But haikona kuzonetsa muchiti zvanzii or waking up makapfeka wrong color muchiti we did not know.

“Stock markets respond to these important broadcasts.”

Hopeful he resigns

— Mfencane?? (@Tendayizinyama) November 30, 2020

By A Correspondent- Diaspora remittances increased by 48 percent to reach US$760 million in the 10 months to October 2020 compared to the same period last year, according to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ).

The apex attributes this to the switch to formal channels amid Covid-19 restrictions. Diaspora remittances are a critical source of forex in the country together with exports.

The World Bank had predicted that remittance inflows to Sub Saharan African countries will drop by 23,1 percent from $48 billion in 2019 to $37 billion in 2020 in the wake of the Covid-19 economic crisis.

Zimbabwe is among the leading recipients of remittances in the Comesa region alongside Egypt, Kenya, Tunisia and DR Congo.

The country also leads in terms of contribution of remittances to Gross Domestic Product at 13,5 percent, according to the Comesa secretariat.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe will not consider using the US dollar as its default tender again, saying it won’t repeat its past mistake of abandoning the local currency.

“One of the biggest mistakes was dollarising and removing your own currency,” Secretary for Finance George Guvamatanga told business leaders Monday in the capital, Harare. “We will build this economy on the basis of the Zimbabwe dollar. The local currency will anchor this budget.”

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube last week presented a budget that targets spending of 421.6 billion Zimbabwean dollars ($5.2 billion) next year, with a deficit of 4.9 billion Zimbabwean dollars. The government sees the economy rebounding to expand 7.4% in 2021 after contracting 4.1% this year.

Zimbabwe reintroduced its own currency last year, after a 10-year hiatus caused by the scrapping of the Zimbabwe dollar in 2009 following a bout of hyperinflation. The country used multiple foreign currencies during this period, with the greenback as the main unit of reference.

The central bank announced in June that it will introduce a foreign-exchange auction trading system, abandoning a peg of 25 to the US dollar that was introduced three months before. The currency slumped about 70% before stabilizing at just more than 80 the greenback from September.

Inflation peaked at 837.5% in July and slowed to 471.3% last month. Price growth could ease to 9% by the end of 2021 due to exchange-rate stabilization measures adopted by the central bank, Governor John Mangudya said earlier this month.

-CGTN

By A Correspondent- Businessman Fidelis Chuma on Saturday appeared in court on allegations of money laundering involving $300 million.

Chuma, who runs a floor polish company King Cobra, is being accused of using a mobile money transfer platform to allegedly mop up foreign currency on the black market.

Harare magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti-Guuriro will make a ruling on his bail application today. The State led by Constance Ngombengombe opposed bail, with the investigating officer Munyaradzi Shanga saying money laundering is a serious offence with ripple effects on the economy.

He said Chuma was a flight risk and with the amounts involved he had the capacity to start a new life elsewhere. The State also said there is risk of interference with over 100 witnesses, some of whom have admitted giving him foreign currency.

On Friday, the police announced the arrest of Chuma on the money laundering allegations. “The ZRP is investigating a money laundering case involving $361 632 498 where a suspect…Chuma, has been arrested and is being charged for … (contravening the) Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act,” the police said.

Through his lawyer Zivanai Makwanya, Chuma stated that he is a proper candidate for bail and all the alleged transactions were legit as he was a registered and authorised mobile money agent.

He said he is a bulk supplier of floor polish in the country through his company King Cobra and he was bound to have huge amounts.

Makwanya said the alleged money was frozen following direction by the central bank and suggestions that he would survive from that were far fetched.

He added that he was not personally dealing with the alleged witnesses and does not even know them as he has employees who operate on his behalf.

-Dailynews

Banned commuter omnibus operators in Harare are reportedly giving police officers US$1 per trip to avoid arrest at roadblocks.

The police officers are said to be working with vendors who receive money from kombi conductors on their behalf as they fear arrest for accepting bribes. A kombi driver ferrying passengers along Domboshawa route said:

We pay them money, a USD$1 per trip is not really much since we are charging the same amount per person.

Sometimes they act rough on us and we are forced to increase the amount but, at the end of the day, we go home with something.

The government banned private commuter omnibuses in March as part of measures to curb the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus which causes the disease called COVID-19 but after more than six months of inactivity, drivers and conductors are feeling the pinch.

Kombi operators are expected to register under the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) franchise for them to operate but most of them are either unwilling or unable to do so

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has promoted 24 members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to the rank of Colonel.

The 24 members of the Zimbabwe Defence Force (ZDF) including three females were promoted to the rank of colonel in line with section 15, Sub 1B, Chapter 11.02 of the constitution.

On behalf of Commander Zimbabwe National Army Lieutenant General, Edzayi Chimonyo, the ZDF Chief of Staff Administration Staff Major General Paul Chima conferred the ranks to the 24 newly promoted colonels at a ceremony held in Harare this Monday.

“For the first time in your career, your dress code now comprises of georgettes and scarlet stripes. However, these are not entirely meant to adorn you as decorated senior officers in the ZNA but are also meant to portray a particular symbolism. These red ribbons must serve as constant reflectors and hallmarks of the magnificent responsibilities that have been bequeathed to you by virtue of your elevation to this rank and status.”

Major General Chima reminded the newly promoted colonels that the nation has enjoyed peace and tranquillity over the past decades which they should guard jealously at all cost.

“We have witnessed a heightened and coordinated attack on our sovereignty by some surrogate political entities as well as some elements in the civil society. The defence and security of our nation is a sacrosanct call which cannot and should never be mortgaged or compromised under whatever guise or pretext. Let all those who cherish and thrive on fomenting chaos in this nation be warned.”

The newly-promoted colonels pledged their loyalty and allegiance to safeguard the gains of the country’s hard-won independence by protecting the legacy of the liberation struggle.-statemedia

Police have no legal right to question citizens over their customs clearance documents, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) commissioner general Faith Mazani has said.

Speaking during the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators in Zimbabwe annual conference in Nyanga last week, Mazani urged Zimbabweans to stand up to police as they have no locus standi in dealing with customs matters.

There are many instances when people have cleared their imported goods with customs officials at ports of entry, however, police would later stop them to check the clearance documents.

It is alleged this practice by the law enforcement agents is meant to solicit for bribes from citizens.

“They should stand up to such police officers. Unless people are bold enough to stand up against corruption, nothing will change,” she said.

She also implored Zimbabweans to report corrupt activities by her staff.

“Let’s fight corruption together. This nation is being driven by domestic resources. Therefore, your role in accounting and administering taxes is critically important to building Zimbabwe,” she said.

-DailyNews

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By A Correspondent- In an exclusive interview with ZimEye, incarcerated Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume’s lawyer revealed the real reason why his client was denied bail after spending the weekend in custody.

Mafume was arrested last week over alleged corruption where he reportedly corruptly parcelled out residential plots of land, including to his sister, when he was a city councillor in 2010.

Said Mafume’s lawyer:

“… he has been denied bail. Basically the court was of the view that if released on bail, Mr Mafume is likely to interfere with the evidence and the state witnesses who are people who are still working within council. So that is the long and short of it. So I have received instructions from my client to file for an appeal at the High Court. So we are working on the conscription of the court record so that we can file our appeal.as soon as possible. Basically that is the only reason that the court has used.”

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Police in Murehwa have recovered some bones and parts of a skull in a toilet at the homestead of Tapiwa Makore Senior, who is one of the accused in the murder case of seven-year-old Tapiwa junior who was killed in September.

Zimbabwe Republic Police National Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner, Paul Nyathi said acting on a tip-off, police sought the services of Murehwa Rural District Council, which provided a grader and a front end loader that destroyed the toilet where some bones were picked and taken for forensic examination.

Assistant Commissioner Nyathi, however, said they cannot link the bones to those of Tapiwa Makore Junior until they get forensic examination results.

The police also found a bloodstained tail of an unidentified animal in the accused’s bedroom and have since taken it for forensic examination.

In another development, police are investigating the cause of a fire which burnt down Tapiwa Makore Senior’s kitchen this Saturday.

A local villager, who is the informant in the matter, is said to have noticed the inferno while on his way to the garden before alerting fellow villagers who tried to put off the fire without success.- state media

Tinashe Sambiri|Zanu PF, through Gutu Rural District Council has blocked a proposal by President Nelson Chamisa to construct a hospital in his home area.

Zanu PF officials in the council, acting on Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s instructions, reportedly blocked the noble project.

See statement below :

ZANU PF Stone Age Mentality Drags The Country Backwards

29-11-2020

Disturbing reports that the ZANU PF run Gutu Rural District Council shot down a noble proposal by MDC Alliance President, Nelson Chamisa to build a state of the art boarding school and a hospital in his rural home must be condemned in strongest terms by all rightful thinking citizens.

In this 4th Industrial Revolution era when other countries are bridging the gap between rural and urban areas, it will be folly for us to allow the barren ZANU PF Stone Age mentality to take centre stage at the expense of development of our rural areas.

Honestly how in this modern age can a local government board turn down such a rare opportunity to uplift people’s lives when the same Rural District Council has failed to build even a single pit latrine.

It’s a pity that the very same regime that has reduced rural areas into burials areas are allergic to rural development.

It is time we question and confront this ZANU PF abnormal normal!

Remember this is the very same regime that is encouraging our people on archaic and arduous farming methods like Pfumvudza at a time when smart agriculture is the way to go.

The barbaric approach to developmental issues by the Gutu Rural District Council also better sums up ruralization agenda of our urban areas by Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime.

Urbanization of our rural areas as summed up in our DURA document is the way to go.

Rural dwellers matter too!

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Spokesperson

The Mayor of the city of Harare, Jacob Mafume has been denied bail.

Information received indicates he has been denied bail because” he is likely interfere with witnesses.”

More to follow. ..