By A Correspondent- The late socialite Michelle “Moana” Amuli will finally be laid to rest on Saturday, 28 November 2020 at 1 pm at Warren Hills Cemetery.
This comes after High Court judge Justice Pisirai Kwenda on Friday dismissed, with costs, an urgent chamber application filed by Moana’s mother Yolander Kuvaoga.
Kuvaoga filed the application at the High Court last week seeking to have the burial order issued on 18 November nullified.
She wanted her estranged husband and Moana’s father, Ishamel Amuli to be prevented from renouncing their prior agreement that Moana be buried at Zororo Cemetery.
However, Justice Kwenda today ruled that since Moana was born to the Amuli family, it is a constitutional value that cannot be taken away as she identified with the customs of her family.
He added that Amuli raised the deceased and was her sole custodian and he chose the religion (Islam) for her and there was no evidence that she openly renounced Islam from 2013 when she became an adult.
Justice Kwenda concluded by saying that the burial order of 18 November was correctly issued and there was nothing wrong with its issuance and therefore it remains valid.
Moana will therefore be buried in accordance with Muslim rites as her father, Ishmael Amuli, who raised her single-handedly is a Muslim.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance Deputy president, Hon Tendai Biti, has described Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube’s National Budget Presentation as a damp squib.
The budget has not addressed key matters affecting ordinary Zimbabweans, according to Hon Biti.
Below is Hon Biti’s argument:
“Joining SACU and the RMU is only logical … The USD has appreciated by 19 % in last two years so Zim must devalue same to a currency that’s weak but credible . Rand offers that .
Besides that is the faster way to SADC integration with all its economies of scale…
As expected this was yet another damp squib.A real missed opportunity to address the key distortion in the economy which is FX & monetary policy. The fiction of ZWL$ is not working .Real value , real wages & real incomes needed to be restored . Maintaining ZWL$ fiction is madness
The failure to restore USD wages and pensions is the ultimate theft & failure by regime .Failure to deal decisively with pensions&the Justice Smith Inquiry recommendations another disaster The raft of tax measures proposed are anti poor & anti people particularly presumptive taxes
The tax attack in the informal economy , the levying of taxes in USD, the punitive taxes on fuel makes the 2021 budget is vicious anti- working class budget. Budget assumptions are a pipe dream & 7% GDP growth rate is an illusion . The country is trouble . #ZimbabweanLivesMatter
By A Correspondent- The Daily News has dispelled media reports that Zimbabweans Mogul Kuda Tagwirei acquired a stake in a company that publishes the Daily News, The Daily News reports.
According to the publication, online media had claimed that Tagwirei bought the Daily News:
In its e-paper yesterday, the Zim Morning Post also claimed that Tagwirei is a shareholder in Modus Media the publisher of the iconic and market leading business newspaper, The Financial Gazette.
Similarly, the paper also claimed that Tagwirei is a shareholder in Jester Media Services, the owners of the newly licensed 3K television station. This is simply not true.
Rather embarrassingly too, the paper also claimed that Modus Media is owned by Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe the publisher of the Daily News. This is false.
Rather ridiculously, Zim Morning Post further claimed that “the Daily News’ application (presumably for a TV licence) coincided with a radical shift in the publications (sic) editorial policy” — adding, for good measure, that “The pro-government policy coupled with Tagwirei’s influence appears to have catapulted the publications’ TV licence application to land one of six slots on offer”.
This is false and defamatory, as it suggests that Jester Media Services won its openly and transparently tendered TV licence through devious and corrupt methods.
The publication dismissed these reports and said Jester Media Services, Modus Media and 3K TV are owned by one family and claimed by ZimMorning Post that Jester Media Services won its TV license tendered publicly through devious and corrupt methods is defamatory.
A spokesperson for the stakeholders affected by the alleged false reports denied even doing business with Tagwirei at any point and said:
Neither the shareholders nor the directors of Jester Media Services, Modus Media and ANZ (which publishes the Daily News) have ever met, let alone had any business or social dealings with Mr Tagwirei. The malicious intentions by those peddling all these falsehoods are clear, and this is to impact negatively on the concerned businesses.
A clear demonstration of this co-ordinated malice is that none of those who have written all these false stories have ever attempted to verify their misplaced claims with us. But it will be well,” a spokesperson for the shareholders said.
Because the Zim Morning Post story went beyond the boundaries of incompetence and erroneous reportage, legal action will be taken against it. The extreme fascination with our businesses is a source of major mystery for us, with many people, especially journalists who should know these things seemingly keen to donate shareholders to us
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has made a bold decision to expel the party’s provincial chairperson of the Women’s Assembly (Bulawayo) for disregarding standing principles.
MDC Alliance national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere on Thursday said the party had nothing to do with Masotsha’s utterances which she made soon after she was exonerated from allegations of plotting the abduction of Tawanda Muchehiwa by the dreaded Ferret team.
“The MDC Alliance unequivocally dissociates itself with the utterances expressed by Tendai Masotsha in an audio recording which was circulated publicly on or about the 24th of November 2020, post our internal inquiry.
The said utterances run contrary to the values, beliefs, principles and disposition of the party. As a matter of record, the alleged conversation with Hon Jameson Timba never took place.
As a party of rules, the National Standing Committee resolves and recommends to the National Council that Tendai Masotsha be expelled from the MDC Alliance in accordance with the provisions of the Party Constitution on the grounds that her conduct violates the values that govern the party and her continued membership would be detrimental to the MDC Alliance,” said Mahere.
Political analysts have urged the MDC Alliance to flush out all implants within its structures.
“This is the time to flush out moles within the party.The decision to expel Masotsha is wise and appropriate,” said a social media analyst identified as Mwana Wevhu.
Tinashe Sambiri|Mr Ishmael Amuli, the father of the late celebrity, Michelle “Moana” Amuli has said her daughter will be laid to rest at Warren Hills Cemetery in Harare on Saturday.
This follows a protracted battle with Moana’s mother over burial rights.
Mr Amuli has been granted permission to bury her daughter by the High Court.
NO PLACE outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area!!If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you.When you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter: a substantial building with electricity or plumbing or an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle with windows up.Stay in safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last sound of thunder.
Indoor Lightning Safety
Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity.
Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths and faucets.Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.
Do not lie on concrete floors, and do not lean against concrete walls.
Last Resort Outdoor Risk Reduction Tips
If you are caught outside with no safe shelter anywhere nearby the following actions may reduce your risk:
Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges or peaks
Never lie flat on the ground
Never shelter under an isolated tree
Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter
Immediately get out and away from ponds, lakes and other bodies of water
Stay away from objects that conduct electricity (barbed wire fences, power lines, windmills, etc.) Source: National Weather Service
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information follow /like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance Deputy president, Hon Tendai Biti, has described Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube’s National Budget Presentation as a damp squib.
The budget has not addressed key matters affecting ordinary Zimbabweans, according to Hon Biti.
Below is Hon Biti’s argument:
“Joining SACU and the RMU is only logical … The USD has appreciated by 19 % in last two years so Zim must devalue same to a currency that’s weak but credible . Rand offers that .
Besides that is the faster way to SADC integration with all its economies of scale…
As expected this was yet another damp squib.A real missed opportunity to address the key distortion in the economy which is FX & monetary policy. The fiction of ZWL$ is not working .Real value , real wages & real incomes needed to be restored . Maintaining ZWL$ fiction is madness
The failure to restore USD wages and pensions is the ultimate theft & failure by regime .Failure to deal decisively with pensions&the Justice Smith Inquiry recommendations another disaster The raft of tax measures proposed are anti poor & anti people particularly presumptive taxes
The tax attack in the informal economy , the levying of taxes in USD, the punitive taxes on fuel makes the 2021 budget is vicious anti- working class budget. Budget assumptions are a pipe dream & 7% GDP growth rate is an illusion . The country is trouble . #ZimbabweanLivesMatter
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has made a bold decision to expel the party’s provincial chairperson of the Women’s Assembly (Bulawayo) for disregarding standing principles.
MDC Alliance national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere on Thursday said the party had nothing to do with Masotsha’s utterances which she made soon after she was exonerated from allegations of plotting the abduction of Tawanda Muchehiwa by the dreaded Ferret team.
“The MDC Alliance unequivocally dissociates itself with the utterances expressed by Tendai Masotsha in an audio recording which was circulated publicly on or about the 24th of November 2020, post our internal inquiry.
The said utterances run contrary to the values, beliefs, principles and disposition of the party. As a matter of record, the alleged conversation with Hon Jameson Timba never took place.
As a party of rules, the National Standing Committee resolves and recommends to the National Council that Tendai Masotsha be expelled from the MDC Alliance in accordance with the provisions of the Party Constitution on the grounds that her conduct violates the values that govern the party and her continued membership would be detrimental to the MDC Alliance,” said Mahere.
Political analysts have urged the MDC Alliance to flush out all implants within its structures.
“This is the time to flush out moles within the party.The decision to expel Masotsha is wise and appropriate,” said a social media analyst identified as Mwana Wevhu.
The Zengeza West MP Job Sikhala has passed his exams for a master’s in Law.
Hon Sikhala is currently Zimbabwe’s most outspoken legislator, who has defeated Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa at court following treason charges laid ast year.
A statement of credits on the Midlands State University website stated that Sikhala has passed credits in all fields in the disciplines of: International Criminal Law, constitutional law, human rights law, human rights litigation, and criminal law.
Responding to questions Friday, Hon Sikhala told ZimEye:
“From prison I was determined to pass my Master of Laws degree Exams.
“Through the hand of God, I am happy to announce that I made it. I am now a Master of Laws.”
Tinashe Sambiri|Mr Ishmael Amuli, the father of the late celebrity, Michelle “Moana” Amuli has said her daughter will be laid to rest at Warren Hills Cemetery in Harare on Saturday.
This follows a protracted battle with Moana’s mother over burial rights.
Mr Amuli has been granted permission to bury her daughter by the High Court.
By A Correspondent | First Lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa was on Friday morning spotted in Domboshawa road driving with a reduced motorcade of only 2 cars, a Range Rover and a Toyota Hilux.
Her normal entourage comprises: 7 cars minimum: 3 in front, Range Rover in the middle, and 3 other cars at the back.
She was alone in the back seat; At the front was her driver and a female bodyguard. In the twin cab were 3 people, 2 male, and 1 female.
Inquiries by ZimEye.com at the time of writing could not establish the reason for her humble appearance.
WHY DO THINK IS THE REASON FOR THE REDUCED MOTORCADE?
The development comes against the backdrop of a rift between Auxillia and her husband, Emmerson, and as at mid last year, an audio recording surfacing of a woman sound-a-like the First Lady, pleading with a military intelligence officer to kill her husband in her stead.
The audio which surfaced around July, has ‘Auxillia’ telling the army officer he could go ahead and kill Mnangagwa.
“You are spying on me, if you ask Manjoro he will tell you that I told him that I will ask you about it, what do you want from me Murombo?
“If I die, it is on you who’s done it,” she continued.
She added saying:
You were using Manjoro to tell you of my whereabouts and now that he is gone you have started again.”
The woman then continued ranting saying
“Just tell me what you want from me Murombo because you cannot spy on me. It is almost a year and I have been quiet.
“Why are you spying on me? Why?”
She added:
“This matter wont stop. I am coming to your office, it is better you pull out your gun and shoot me.”
Just as the male at the end of the other line tried desperately to answer her, the female voice continued demanding answers:
“Who are you telling my whereabouts? What do you need that information for? I am coming to deal with you,” shouted ‘Auxillia.’
She then told him to kill her husband in her stead. She said:
“If it is Mnangagwa whom you do not want just kill him and leave me alone I have my own surname, I do not speak politics, I do not speak about the army, what if I die another death do you think you will survive?
“You planted Mhlanga in my office as low in rank as he is, do you think I am a fool. I am a trained somebody. You are seeking to deal with Mnangagwa through me through tracking my phone, am I Mnangagwa?” she asked.
Towards the end, she began pleading for the soldier to spare her life. She said:
“You are stupid, I will expose you, I do not care about your post but you personally. I am shocked. I am just a woman, a granny but I have powerful people like you spying on me. Go shoot Mnangagwa and spare me. I am no threat to anyone.
“Go and shoot Mnangagwa do not shoot me, I am not a threat, go and shoot Mnangagwa,” she said. – ZimEye
WHY DO THINK IS THE REASON FOR THE REDUCED MOTORCADE?
By A Correspondent- Henrietta Rushwaya today complained in court that her 6kg gold was being tampered with at Fidelity Printers and Refiners saying it has since lost three grams in weight and also lost 6 percent of its purity.
Rushwaya, through her lawyer Mr Tapson Dzvetero, said she was also subjected to harassment during the time she will be moved from Chikurubi Maximum Prison to Fidelity Printers and Refiners for re-assaying of the said gold, which is kept as an exhibit.
Rushwaya said she was harassed on November 19, 20 and 23 where she was taken from Chikurubi Maximum Prison to Fidelity Printers and Refiners for re-assay of the gold.
“The gold that has been seized from accused and its weight has since varied with three grams.
“The purity percentage has materially varied with some blocks ranging from 93 percent and others now more than 100 percent.
“It is our view that once this gold was taken in the hands of police as exhibit it is now subject to the court’s directive.
“She cannot be asked to sign for the gold as she is no longer in her custody. The gold has since lost its purity by 6 percent,” said Mr Dzvetero.
Rushwaya is jointly charged with businessman Ali Muhamad, security agents Stephen Tserai and Raphios Mufandauya, miner Gift Karanda on smuggling
By A Correspondent- Midlands Province Zanu PF Secretary for Education in the Youth League Tapiwa Muto has been arrested.
Sources privy to the development revealed that Muto was ambushed by MID officers and fully armed Support Unit officers.
Said one of the sources:
“They blocked his car at the ZanuPF Kwekwe district HQ and they forced him out of his car at gun point.
There were 8 support unit officers and 5 military intelligence officers. One of them is named Tapera.”
The source added that Muto is one of the youths who were advocating for a youthful candidate for Kwekwe Central By Elections.
Added another source:
“The Dispol was not at liberty to reveal details about the arrest and he said he knew nothing about the matter. He was referring all questions to the Deputy Minister of Defence since he is the one who directly gave him a list of people and instructed him to lock the youths in the cells.”
Another source alleged that Deputy Minister Victor Matemadanda is being accused of causing all these problems.
“It is alleged that Matemadanda is imposing G40 and his loyalists into the DCC because he is eyeing the Vice presidency post.”
Over the Kwekwe Central candidature, ZanuPF heavyweight are divided and Matemadanda, Daniel McKenzie Ncube who is the Midlands Provincial Chairman and Edmore Samambwa are backing a known G40 Kandros Mugabe. On the other hand, Minister of State Security Owen Ncube , July Moyo , Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri , Mable Chinomona are backing the youthful candidate Energy Dhala Ncube who is also a nephew to Owen Ncube.
It is said that the police are just hand picking ZanuPF and Lacoste loyalists in Kwekwe under the instructions of Matemadanda.
Some of the members on Matemadanda’s unwanted list are Denis Chikwanda , Jona Nyevera ,Moore Muzira, Takunda Chikwanda , Makomborero Mlambo , Luckson Nyika , Boss Munya ,Petros Makonde and Tapiwa Muganhu who are known as the Alshabab.”
The late socialite Moana born Michelle Amuli’s mother Yolanda Kuvaoga has suffered a major blow in her bid to take full control of her daughters’s burial after the High Court ruled against her application to have the burial order cancelled.
In his ruling Justice Kwenda said there was no basis to cancel the order granted by an administrative office.
Kuvaoga approached the High Court to have the burial order after quarrelling with her ex-husband Ishmael Amuli over the funeral programme.
Kuvaoga argued that allowing Moana to be buried through the Islamic rites would deprive her as the mother an opportunity to bury her daughter since women are not allowed at the graveyard.
She also argued that her daughter had ceased to follow the Islamic religion as confirmed by the secular life she was living during her last days.
Kuvaoga also wanted the public who followed her to have a chance to bid her farewell, something she said would not be possible should she be buried in the way demanded by her father.
Thanks Makore bail application, verdict announcement delayed, as Judge says it will be passed on the 3rs Dec. Mr Thanks Makore is the uncle to the late 7 year old Murehwa child, Tapiwa Makore who was found killed and his body severally dismembered on 17th Sept 2020.
By A Correspondent- President Mnangagwa today left the country for Botswana where he will attend an extraordinary SADC Troika Summit. The news was shared by the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Service which shared the update on Twitter and said:
His Excellency, President @edmnangagwa has left the country for the Republic of Botswana where he will attend an Extraordinary SADC Organ Troika Summit. In his absence, VP KCD Mohadi is the Acting President.
According to The Herald, the agenda of the summit will be to address the challenge of terrorism and violent attacks affecting the region:
Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi will host the indaba that is expected to address the challenge of terrorism and violent attacks through interventions and which is also expected to fully operationalize the SADC Regional Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and urgently finalize the establishment of the SADC Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre (SADC-CTC).
By A Correspondent- Defiant teachers have dug in demanding provision of personal protective equipment for fear of contracting COVID-19 before returning to the classrooms.
The teachers also vowed not to invigilate Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) examinations, saying the examination body should have a separate arrangement with them.
Teachers last week begrudgingly accepted a 41% salary increase and have since registered their displeasure, but they have been under pressure from a shadowy Zanu-PFlinked union called Zimbabwe Parents Union (ZPU) to report back to work.
In a memo to members dated November 26, the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) said its members were still incapacitated and vowed to snub invigilating the examinations.
“This note serves to remind each and every one of us that we are still incapacitated, but we are encouraging all our members to attend school once every week for the next three weeks to assess adherence of schools to COVID-19 regulations,” the memo, signed by Artuz secretary-general Robson Chere, read.
“We are informed of shocking COVID-19 reports emanating from schools. As Artuz members, we will not take part in invigilating end of year Zimsec examinations. We will not be drawn to invigilate learners that we did not teach for the whole year due to incapacitation and COVID-19-induced lockdown.”
Another teachers union, the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) wrote to the Public Service Commission and Primary and Secondary Education ministry saying its members will not report full-time for duty, citing COVID-19 fears.
“We would like to officially notify you that our members will not be able to report for work full-time due to the continued state of incapacitation,” part of the letter by PTUZ secretary-general Raymond Majongwe, dated November 23 read.
“The agreement reached with government on remuneration last Monday did not capacitate us as expected. It still falls short of the minimum expenses that our members have to meet, which we estimate to be not less than US$520 which we demanded. Government has even failed to meet the consumer basket, announced by the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe as about $21 000 and by our own research, not less than $28 000.”
Majongwe added: “Our members have had to report for work under duress, but will be able to do so for a maximum of three days a week. This enables them to hustle around to fend for the families. We regret to inform you that this situation will persist until government fully capacitates them to report for work full-time.
“We also officially inform you that our members will not invigilate Zimsec examinations because they do not work for that parastatal. If Zimsec wishes to secure their services, it should negotiate with them for remuneration commensurate with that duty. We stand ready to facilitate that dialogue before the examination session starts in earnest on December 1.”
Majongwe also requested for a waiver on teachers with chronic conditions to stop reporting for duty until the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.-newsday
(A speech delivered at the launch of the campaign for the Presidency of the MDCT)
Douglas Mwonzora
26 November 2020:
By Douglas Togaraseyi Mwonzora
My loving spouse and long time friend Muchaneta Mwonzora, Members of the National Executive Committee and National Council of the Party. Members of the Provincial and district Executive Committees here present. The Chairman of the Harare Provincial Executive, Hon. Hove and your leadership. Members of the Mwonzora Campaign Team, the Donkeys.
All democracy loving Zimbabweans within and outside Zimbabwe. On the 11th of September, 1999 our forbearers heeded the national call and founded this great Movement. Its leadership was drawn from the Labour, Constitution and Student Movements and its mandate was to deliver Zimbabwe from the political, social and economic morass and quagmire that it had been consigned following long periods of national irresponsibility. The long cherished ideals of the liberation struggle, for which thousands of our gallant brothers and sisters paid the ultimate price had long been forgotten. In place thereof totalitarianism, tyranny, pestilent corruption, inequality, deprivation, paternalism, clientism, regionalism, tribalism and sexism had taken root in our national body politic. The projected economic development was substituted by mass poverty and want. Instead of long cherished peace was great strife and violence pitting kith against kin. We therefore, state it without equivocation that the Movement for Democratic Change was formed to complete the unfinished business of the Liberation Struggle.
The great Movement was predicated upon timeless and indelible values of freedom, justice, equality, constitutionalism and the respect for the rule of law. The leadership of this movement was conferred on merit and not on the basis of rank favouritism and friendship. It was not attained for personal glory or self-aggrandisement but on the basis of the need for service and sacrifice. To our founding fathers and mothers, it was the attainment of the common good that was paramount. Germaine to our struggle was the best interests of the Zimbabwean masses and not individual leaders. The initial stages of the democratic struggle saw us posting impressive and historic victories against our opponents. These include the historic NO vote in the 2000 referendum, the great parliamentary election campaign of 2000, the great presidential campaign of 2002 and the total electoral annihilation of Zanu PF in the historic 2008 Harmonised Elections. In that 2008 election we won the presidential, parliamentary and local government elections. Out of the love of the Zimbabwean masses above himself, our iconic leader, Morgan Tsvangirai signed the Global Political Agreement that ushered in the Government of National Unity. That development saw the lives of the common Zimbabwean change for the better. This selflessness on the part of our leaders spoke of the centrality of our timeless founding values. Unfortunately, as the people of Zimbabwe were beginning to warm up to the possibility of a future MDC government disaster struck. Greed, avarice, impatience and political corruption saw our party needlessly split in 2014. In February, 2018 our founding president Morgan Tsvangirai breathed his last. The party was immediately treated to an embarrassing power grab and violence. Democracy and constitutionalism were sacrificed on the altar of convenience and opportunism. Once again favouritism, avarice, hate, propaganda and criminalisation of competition took centre stage thus consigned our great movement to a new low. However, through the legal victory by Elias Mashavira in the Supreme Court our party was given a chance to retrace its steps and go back to constitutionalism and our founding values. We cannot afford to squander this historic opportunity. We now have another chance of positing the Party as a credible change agent once more. For that reason, immediately our party must go back to the practice where all leaders at all levels are democratically elected by the people. It is the membership of the party and not the leadership who must rank supreme in our party. Secondly, at all times the party must always exercise collective leadership and democratic decision making. In other words, decision making power must lie in the organs of the party and not with individual leaders. Any major decision must be made after consultation with the grassroots. It is these who must instruct the leadership and not the other way round.
Third, candidates must be selected following a democratic process. This means credible free and fair primary elections must be a new way of life for the MDC. Regarding all party candidates to be chosen under proportional representation, these must be chosen using an objective and fair process. We should practice the 50:50 gender representation principle as contained in both our party constitution and the national constitution without fail. We need more women in decision making positions.
It is wrong to say that the youth are leaders of tomorrow. No! They are leaders of today. We therefore have to make sure that we implement the agreed Youth Quota without fail.
In line with our principle of Zero Tolerance to corruption we will deal decisively with any of our officials who are involved in corruption. Violence as a means of resolving both external and internal disputes can never be tolerated and those who practice this barbarism have no place in our great Movement.
Sexism, regionalism, tribalism, favouritism have no place in our movement. They are anathema to our founding values. Our party must be prepared to play its part in the economic, social and political development of Zimbabwe. We will play our party in ensuring that there is love, peace and harmony in our great nation. To that end we will work hard to change the politics of Zimbabwe. We have to throw away the politics of intolerance, hate, rancour, acrimony and violence and substitute it with the politics of rational disputation and tolerance. Zimbabweans must be free to make political choice without fear of any form of reprisals. Our belief and commitment to dialogue is total. We believe that all dialogue should be genuine, inclusive and unconditional. We will therefore pursue dialogue as a principal means of resolving the national question
Further, we will play our role in trying to end Zimbabwe’s international isolation. The present state of affairs is hurting the common man and woman. We will play our part in fighting corruption at all levels.
Our party will continue to fight for equality and equal access to national resources on the party of all Zimbabweans. We will press for full compensation of all victims of political violence including the victims of Gukurahukndi and the 2008 violence.
Most importantly our party will work hard to achieve the unity of the opposition following periods of acrimony within the opposition. This unity should be predicated upon clear values and principles. I believe that we are operating in a period where the party is faced with many challenges which include the growing scepticism from the Zimbabwean people following long periods of unproductive bickering within the opposition. For that reason, we need a new leadership. The new leader must have proven knowledge of the politics of Zimbabwe and the world. He or she must have proven strategic thinking skills. He or she must have proven skills in negotiating and dialogue with political opponents. Our party is on the rise. This is the time to reclaim our party and win Zimbabwe.
By A Correspondent- Police in Lupane have arrested a man suspected to be a member of a three-man gang that armed itself with a machete, knife, screw drivers and catapult before unleashing terror on residents whom they robbed of valuables.
Qhubekani Sibanda (23) of Gomoza village who sometimes resided at 6825 Mkhosana in Victoria Falls allegedly committed the crimes in the company of two accomplices, Elvis Ntutha Manzini and another who is yet to be identified. Both are still at large.
The trio allegedly armed themselves with a machete, catapult, knife and two screw drivers.
Sibanda was apprehended by residents who mobilised and ambushed the gang. His two accomplices fled.
Sibanda was not asked to plead to seven counts of robbery when he appeared before Lupane resident magistrate Mr Ndumo Masuku who advised him to approach the High Court for bail.
He was remanded in custody to December 7.
Prosecuting, Mr Clive Gumbo said the trio hatched a plan to rob people and targeted cellphones and cash from those they found on the streets at night.
The complainants are Ms Siphethangani Msipha (22), Mr Shepherd Moyo (22), Mr Mmeli Nkomo (20), Mr Praise Dube (25), Mr Only Nyathi (53), Mr Mugande Dingane (25) and Mr Douglas Sibanda all of Lupane.
“On the 19th day of November at around 9pm, the accused person in the company of two accomplices Elvis Ntutha Manzini and another who is yet to be identified and at large, proceeded to New Stands armed with a machete, catapult, knife and two screw drivers with the intention to commit robberies. The accused person met the complainant Ms Msipha who was waiting for her boyfriend at a road near Roman Catholic Church and demanded a cellphone from her and she resisted,” said Mr Gumbo.
By A Correspondent| Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono has approached the Harare Magistrates Court to get his passport back in order to travel out of the country for medical attention.
Chin’ono had two cases before the Harare Magistrates court and is out on bail.
The award winning journalist said he met and had a chat with corruption accused Dellish Nguwaya at the magistrate Court.
By A Correspondent- Girls College in Bulawayo has indefinitely closed following a Covid-19 case which was detected after the school held a leavers’ party for Upper Six students.
This development comes at a time when Covid-19 cases are on the rise in Bulawayo which now has the highest number of active cases in Zimbabwe.
One more person had died of Covid-19 in Bulawayo on Tuesday, the only death recorded in Zimbabwe as new cases continue rising in the country.
The country recorded 110 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours with 106 being local and the remainder returnees from Botswana and no deaths were recorded in the same period.
Of the new cases, Bulawayo was leading after recording 53 followed by Matabeleland South on 28 and Midlands recorded 15.
As at 25 November 2020, Zimbabwe had 9 506 confirmed cases, including 8 336 recoveries and 274 deaths. Bulawayo has in the past five days recorded seven deaths which constitutes 77 percent of the total deaths reported in Zimbabwe during the same time.
The city has the highest number of active cases in Zimbabwe at 233 against 827 cases in the whole country.
Of the 462 new cases recorded in Zimbabwe in the last six days, 205 were from Bulawayo and authorities have said the upsurge is a testament of a good contact tracing and testing system.
Bulawayo provincial medical director Dr Welcome Mlilo confirmed the Girls College incident saying contact tracing is currently ongoing.
He bemoaned the increase of Covid-19 in the province saying it’s a worrying trend.
“We are recording a steady rise in number of Covid-19 cases in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province of late. This is obviously a worrying trend, but we believe it’s also testament to our strong surveillance system in the province. It means we are suspecting and testing the right segment of the population. It’s testament to good contact tracing,” he said.
“This unfortunately also reveals that Covid-19 continues to spread in the community. Bulawayo is expecting a sharp rise in number of returning residents from Botswana and South Africa, Injiva. As such, we are working on some measures to put in place to ensure safety of communities and to minimise spread of the virus over the holiday season.”
He called on residents to protect lives by practising safety measures which include the proper wearing of masks, social distancing and the washing of hands with either soap or hand sanitizer. “It is absolutely crucial that we practice these measures with a high level of discipline as we are now approaching the holiday season.
This can potentially present a challenge as the buzz of activity expected during this period will see an exponential rise in the number of cases. So, what we do now as Bulawayo will have a bearing on the number of cases we will experience over the festive period as well,” added Dr Mlilo.
Concerned parents said their children were informed yesterday morning that Girls College had to close to avert the spread of Covid-19.
In a letter addressed to parents dated November 24, Girls College principal Mrs Les Ross said the school continues to take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our staff and students with daily monitoring of temperatures, regular sanitising of all surfaces, mask wearing and social distancing.
“As you know, on Thursday 19th November Girls College held a Leavers’ Dinner Dance for our U6 Leavers. The event was held in a large open venue and numbers of both guests and staff working at the event were kept below 100. Unfortunately, since the dance one of the attendees has tested positive for Covid-19,” read the statement.
She said the virus has been contained within the U6 group as they had for the most part finished their exams and left the school and hostels some time before the dance.
“As the number of people testing positive for Covid-19 in Bulawayo is on the increase, we once again remind parents not to send their daughters to school if they are unwell or have a temperature.
“We continue to offer lessons and exams online to any students who feel they are at risk or may have been in contact with someone who is infected.
By A Correspondent- Gideon Mapokotera, the former Personal Assistant (PA) to fired Health and Child Care Minister Obadiah Moyo has been arrested.
Police picked Mapokotera on Thursday at about 2.30 pm on allegations of criminal abuse of office.
Mapokotera allegedly facilitated the issuance of visas to Ali Mohammad and his family to gain access into the country in contravention of section 174 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23.
It is the State’s case that Mapokotera created visa application letters on June 18, 2019, for a single entry visa, September 26, 2019, for a multiple entry visa and November 24, 2019, for multiple entry visas for Ali Mohammad’s family – wife and six children.
The accused person had not been given authority by his principal and further did not bring the heinous development to his attention up to the 25th of November 2020 when the principal was made aware after investigations commenced.
Meanwhile, Muhammad has a case pending before the courts. He is charged together with Henrietta Rushwaya and others on smuggling, unlawful possession of gold, charges which they all deny.
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa is expected to join other Heads of State and Governments in Botswana today for a one-day SADC Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit that will focus on emerging terrorism threats in the region particularly in Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The SADC Troika of the Organ of Politics and Defence includes Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe as the current, incoming and outgoing Chair of the Organ respectively.
The Heads of State Troika meeting follows yesterday’s indaba attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo (the outgoing Troika Ministerial Committee of the Organ chair), his South African counterpart Dr Naledi Pandor (incoming chairperson) and the chairperson of the committee Dr Lemogang Kwape, Botswana’s Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation.
Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi is hosting the indaba that is expected to address the challenge of terrorism and violent attacks through interventions.
The meeting is also expected to deliberate on the need to fully operationalise the SADC Regional Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and urgently finalise the establishment of the SADC Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre (SADC-CTC).
In his opening remarks, Dr Lemogang Kwape told the Troika that although the region was entrenching democracy and enjoying peace, emerging threats of terrorism from Mozambique and the DRC were a cause for concern.
“Your Excellencies, while much has been done to consolidate democracy and to ensure that our region remains peaceful, there are emerging challenges that pose a serious threat to the stability and tranquillity that we have become so accustomed to.
“This, therefore, means that we cannot afford to be complacent and bask on our past glories.
“We must seriously review the political and security challenges in the region, with a view to respond to these emerging threats,” said Minister Kwape.
She said SADC needed to work together in the spirit of solidarity and togetherness, to pre-empt any latent and active forces within and without, that may threaten the peace and tranquillity in the region.
The SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, known as the Troika is the body whose overall objective is to promote peace and security in the region in line with Article 2 of the SADC Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
It is mandated to steer and provide member states with direction regarding matters that threaten peace, security and stability in the region.
The organ is coordinated at the level of a summit, consisting of a chairperson, the next leader designated to be chairperson and immediate past chairperson.
Mozambique, which is under threat from an Islamic insurgency operating in its northern Cabo Delgado Province, has filed a formal request for support from the regional body.
A MAN who was caught having se_x in a car with his girlfriend almost died after three unknown men who were armed with a knife and a knobkerrie stabbed him several times all over the body and left him lying unconscious in a pool of blood.
They robbed him of a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and cash all with a total value of US$5 300.
They smashed windows on the passenger’s side and driver’s side before attacking Ngonidzashe Ninge (42) and his girlfriend Nozizwe Khumalo (21) at a bushy area which is between Hyde Park Shops and Nkulumane complex. The source said Ninge had lowered his trousers to knee level with a cond0m on while Nozizwe had pulled up her skirt while they enjoyed themselves in the car.
Unfortunately, the source said, one of the men grabbed the hapless Ninge and pulled him out of his black Nissan X-Trail car.
The source said he tried to reason with them but they would not listen to his pleas.
Another source who is close to the pair said: “They took turns to clobber Ninge while accusing him of taking advantage of Nozizwe saying she was too young for him,” said the source.
They were not done yet with Ninge as they demanded cash while assaulting him.
A source close to investigations said Ninge sustained three stab wounds on the head, another wound on the right side of the back and bruises all over the body. The accused persons took away his Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and cash.
Nozizwe phoned Pumula police station and made a report. Police attended the scene.
“They found Ninge lying unconscious on the ground in a pool of blood. They phoned an ambulance which came and ferried him to Mater Dei Hospital,” said a source close to the pair.
Efforts to get a comment from Ninge were fruitless. Khumalo could neither confirm nor deny as she only said “who told you that” before she terminated the call.
“We are investigating a case of attempted murder where a man was attacked while he was having se_x in a car with his girlfriend at around 7.30pm at a bushy area which is between Hyde Park Shops and Nkulumane complex. He was robbed of his Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and cash, all valued at US$5 300. We would like to urge community members not to indulge in se_x in the bush because it’s illegal and dangerous.”
Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume is expected to appear in court today on allegations of illegally parcelling out residential stands to his sister and secretary.
Mafume was arrested on Wednesday and is set to face criminal abuse of office charges.
National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the arrest.
The Herald could not establish some of the charges he might face, beyond his involvement in the illegal parcelling out of stands in Harare.
Mafume is alleged to have unlawfully allocated residential stands to his sister and secretary under unclear circumstances.
The stands are believed to be in Westlea, Harare.
A number of other council bosses have been arrested over the Westlea stands, while others were nabbed over the Kuwadzana stands scandal.
Mafume is councillor for Ward 17 and was elected mayor in September following the recall of the then mayor, Herbert Gomba, by the MDC-T.
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa, his deputy Constantino Chiwenga and Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo, locked in a vicious duel to wrest and consolidate state power, are manoeuvring to control the lucrative gold sector, in a country where US$1,5 billion in potential revenue is lost through smuggling of the precious mineral.
This was revealed by research think-tank International Crisis Group (ICG) in its latest report titled: All that glitters is not gold: Turmoil in Zimbabwe’s Mining Sector.
Chiwenga served as the Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander, while Moyo was a senior commander when Mnangagwa rose to power through a military coup that brought the late former president Robert Mugabe’s rule to a close in 2017.
The report by ICG comes after the First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa and her son Collins were implicated in the high-profile trial of Henrietta Rushwaya, who was arrested while attempting to smuggle a 6kg gold contraband, worth US$330 000, to Dubai.
In the report, ICG highlights that the trio have been making power play moves to gain control of the gold industry to outmanoeuvre each other politically. The three strong men are reportedly leading competing factions within Zanu PF and the government.
“On the other hand, artisanal miners are an important constituency in Zimbabwe’s patronage politics, particularly as practiced by the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (Zanu PF). Several Zanu PF politicians have been fingered as ‘patrons’ of illegally encroaching artisanal miners, or even machete gangs, and some mobilise such groups against rivals,” it says.
“Some observers contend that ‘whoever controls the gold, will control and rule Zimbabwe’, referring to power struggles between party factions loyal to Mnangagwa, on one side, and his Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, on the other . . . The latter is seemingly positioning himself to challenge Mnangagwa for Zanu PF leadership ahead of the 2023 elections, although another, possibly stronger challenger, Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo, has also emerged.”
ICG highlights that gold smuggling has thrived in Zimbabwe largely due to the monopoly to buy the precious metal the Central Bank enjoys through Fidelity Printers and Refiners (FPR).
It reads: “Several factors contribute to instability in Zimbabwe’s gold mining sector. A centralised gold buying scheme depresses government gold revenues, encourages smuggling and contributes to industrial mine closures. All gold producers in Zimbabwe, whether artisanal, small-scale or industrial, must, by law, sell to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe via its subsidiary gold buyer, Fidelity Printers and Refiners (FPR).
“This requirement has several deleterious effects on the gold sector. The main problem is that FPR underpays and sometimes pays late for gold. The body pays producers partially in US dollars and partially in amounts of Zimbabwe dollars determined by the official exchange rate.”
The bulk of the smuggled gold, according to ICG, is spirited to Dubai.
In yet another report by the Southern Africa Resource Watch (SARW), the research body advances that argument that gold production and its attendant marketing system in Zimbabwe presents an opportunity for cartels to launder money through smuggling of the precious metal.
The SARW report is called Artisanal Miners Robbed in Broad Daylight: Zimbabwe Gold Monopoly as a Conduit to Canalise Forex and Cannibalise Bodies.
As part of its investigation to cast light on the systemic gold smuggling in Zimbabwe fuelled by cartels with strong political ties, SARW emphasises that FPR declined to disclose the identity of its gold producers and the size of their sales.
“Though Securities and Exchange Commission documents show FPR as a supplier for US companies, from Acer to Control4, this is increasingly rare as the recourse to Dubai shifts origin to provenance allowing for companies to displace supplier origin with refiners. In addition, FPR declined to provide lists or details of enterprise names, jurisdiction, private external turnover and debt,” the report released last week reads.
“This extreme legal and financial secrecy works in tandem with Dubai’s hosting of the world’s only cash-for-gold market, where refiners can buy gold using only a receipt, thus eliminating origin on export. Bearing in mind that Dubai’s gold trade (estimated to be worth US$75-billion a year) refines more than 40% of the world’s gold, which is often exported to Switzerland, we have a major commodity market shielded from examination and legal oversight.”
In 2013, before legislation which monopolised gold buying in the hands of FPR, Zimbabwe produced 14 001kg of gold. Output rose to 20 022kg in 2015.
In 2018, production rose to over 35 042kg.
SARW attributes the upswing of gold output from 2013 to 2018, largely to the contribution of artisanal miners, whose mining operations are opaque.
“But this rapid turnaround in accumulated volume was not due to an increase in corporate production, efficiency by the state or fair dealing. If anything, the state deepened financial opacity and control by strategically canalising the hungry and desperate will of Zimbabwe’s artisanal miners who were the producers of such output,” the SARW report reads.
One person died while four others were injured on Monday after they were struck by lightning at Hippo Valley Mill in Chiredzi District as they were on their way to work.
The incident happened at around 3PM.
Chiredzi District Development Coordinator (DDC), Mr Lovemore Chisema who is also the local Civil Protection chairman confirmed the incident.
He said one of the victims died on the spot while four others were taken to Hippo Valley Medical Centre for treatment.
He said the now-deceased, Herbert Mukwetura ( 21) of Chishamiso Village, was on his way to work at Tongaat Hulett’s Hippo Valley Mill with four of his workmates.
“We had a challenge yesterday of a lightning bolt which struck five Tongaat Hulett workers killing one on the spot. We also received information about households in Ward 21 which also got the same problem although there are no injuries reported,” he said.
“The injured were taken to Hippo Valley Medical Centre while Mukwetura was taken to Chiredzi Provincial Hospital for postmortem.”
Mr Chisema advised the public to adhere to information from the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) to avoid loss of lives.
The tragedy happened a few days after the MSD warned members of the public about weather-related hazards including floods, hailstorms, lightning among others as the rain season has started.
Some schools have since been destroyed by hailstorms in Bikita and Zaka districts of Masvingo province.
MDC Alliance vice president Tendai Biti, who is a former Finance Minister, said the 2021 national budget, presented by Treasury chief Mthuli Ncube this Thursday, is yet another “damp squib” as expected.
Biti said the reintroduction of the Zimbabwe dollar has failed and the government should have re-dollarised the economy to restore the real value of wages and pensions.
Said Biti:
“As expected this was yet another damp squib. A real missed opportunity to address the key distortion in the economy which is forex and monetary policy.
“The fiction of Zimbabwe dollar is not working. The real value, real wages and real incomes needed to be restored. Maintaining Zimbabwe dollar fiction is madness.
“The failure to restore USD wages and pensions is the ultimate theft and failure by the regime. Failure to deal decisively with pensions and the Justice Smith Inquiry recommendations is another disaster.”
Biti also castigated the tax measures proposed by Ncube in his 2021 national budget which include a 20% levy on the export sales value of dried medicinal cannabis flowers.
Biti added:
“The raft of tax measures proposed are anti-poor and anti-people particularly presumptive taxes
“The tax attack in the informal economy, the levying of taxes in USD, the punitive taxes on fuel makes the 2021 budget is vicious anti-working-class budget.
“Budget assumptions are a pipe dream and 7% GDP growth rate is an illusion. The country is in trouble.”
Inside Ziscosteel when it was beginning to go go down
Finance minister Mthuli Ncube says that he will bring back to life defunct and debt-stricken Ziscosteel in 2021.
Mthuli Ncube made the big promise while presenting the country’s 2021 National Budget in parliament on Thursday.
“In 2021, Government will resuscitate Ziscosteel through innovation and harnessing inward opportunities, while working closely with local investors. This will be done through courting new investors who will bring new technology and new skills.
“The revival of Ziscosteel is key to the economy through its potential benefits in job creation and value chain impact in companies such as National Railways of Zimbabwe and Hwange Colliery and the resultant savings in foreign currency in excess of US$1 billion through importation of steel products,” Ncube said.
“While the search for new investors is in progress, Government is currently implementing a short-term roadmap of resuscitating the firm’s subsidiaries which include ZimChem, Lancashire Steel, and Buchwa Iron Mining Company (Bimco) among others,” Ncube said.
At its peak at independence,Ziscosteel was producing 30 tonnes of steel a day, and directly employed over 5 000 people and about 50 000 others in downstream and support industries.
By 1984, the plant was the country’s biggest earner of foreign currency, but only two years later, signs of poor management were beginning to show.
An inquiry into the operations of Ziscosteel between 1980, when former President Robert Mugabe took over power and 1986, revealed that already, the main issues that were affecting the company included poor management, corruption, nepotism and failure to refurbish and properly maintain equipment.
Almost four decades later and after several economic hiccups resulting from Mugabe’s inept policies, the massive Ziscosteel industrial complex lies dead, forgotten and rotten like a giant eyesore.
In September the Ziscosteel board cancelled all deals it entered into with various business entities as it views them as unfavourable to its revival plan.
This was confirmed by board chairperson, Martin Manhuwa while briefing a government inter-ministerial team that toured the giant Ziscosteel plant in Redcliff.
GIRLS College in Bulawayo has indefinitely closed following a Covid-19 case which was detected after the school held a leavers’ party for Upper Six students.
This development comes at a time when Covid-19 cases are on the rise in Bulawayo which now has the highest number of active cases in Zimbabwe.
As at 25 November 2020, Zimbabwe had 9 506 confirmed cases, including 8 336 recoveries and 274 deaths. Bulawayo has in the past five days recorded seven deaths which constitutes 77 percent of the total deaths reported in Zimbabwe during the same time.
Bulawayo provincial medical director Dr Welcome Mlilo confirmed the Girls College incident saying contact tracing is currently ongoing.
Concerned parents said their children were informed yesterday morning that Girls College had to close to avert the spread of Covid-19.
In a letter addressed to parents dated November 24, Girls College principal Mrs Les Ross said the school continues to take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our staff and students with daily monitoring of temperatures, regular sanitising of all surfaces, mask wearing and social distancing.
“As you know, on Thursday 19th November Girls College held a Leavers’ Dinner Dance for our U6 Leavers. The event was held in a large open venue and numbers of both guests and staff working at the event were kept below 100. Unfortunately, since the dance one of the attendees has tested positive for Covid-19,” read the statement.
She said the virus has been contained within the U6 group as they had for the most part finished their exams and left the school and hostels some time before the dance.
“As the number of people testing positive for Covid-19 in Bulawayo is on the increase, we once again remind parents not to send their daughters to school if they are unwell or have a temperature.
“We continue to offer lessons and exams online to any students who feel they are at risk or may have been in contact with someone who is infected.”
A former personal assistant to sacked Health and Child Care Minister Obadiah Moyo was arrested yesterday on allegations of criminal abuse of office.
Gideon Mapokotera was picked at 2.30pm yesterday by law enforcement agents on allegations of illegal issuance of visas in contravention of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act.
He is accused of illegally facilitating the issuance of visas to Ali Mohammad and his family to gain entry into Zimbabwe.
Muhammad has a case pending before the courts where he is charged together with suspended Zimbabwe Miners Federation president Henrietta Rushwaya and others with smuggling and unlawful possession of gold.
It is the State’s case that Mapokotera acted unlawfully in the discharge of his duties by signing and dispatching letters to the Department of Immigration to facilitate the issuance of visas to Ali Mohammad.
The accused created visa application letters on June 18, 2019, for a single entry visa, and September 26, 2019, for a multiple entry visa.
On November 24, 2019, he is alleged to have created multiple entry visas for Ali Mohammad’s family, made up of his wife and six children.
“The accused person had not been given authority by his principal and further did not bring the heinous development to the attention of authorities up to November 25, 2020, when the principal was made aware after investigations commenced,” some of the allegations against him seen by The Herald read.
President Mnangagwa’s administration has been pulling all the stops in the fight against corruption and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and the Special Anti-Corruption Unit, have been mandated to deepen the fight against graft in all its forms.
The arrests are part of accelerated efforts by President Mnangagwa’s administration to fight corruption, which is seen as a major drawback in economic revival. President Mnangagwa has indicated that days for catching-and-releasing corruption suspects are over.
High-ranking officials, including ministers alleged to have been involved in corruption, have since been arrested and their cases are at various stages of completion.
Recently, President Mnangagwa tweeted: “Let me be very clear. If you engage in or promote corruption, you will be arrested and prosecuted. There are no excuses for corruption. No one is above the law.”
Those abusing offices, and name-dropping of high ranking figures have also been warned that the long arm of the law will descend on them.
Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Mnangagwa, yesterday promoted 11 Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) officers from the rank of Squadron Leader to Wing Commander.
The President made the promotions in terms of the Defence Act.
Congratulating the promoted, AFZ Chief of Staff Supporting Services, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Nzvede said the elevation demonstrated the trust that the President had in the officers.
“The elevation means a higher responsibility that demands good judgment, discipline, loyalty and hard work,” he said.
“This promotion demonstrates the trust that His Excellency, the President, has in your abilities to perform at the highest level.
“It is, thus, incumbent upon you to be diligent and prudent in exercising command and control in order to maintain sustainable security in Zimbabwe.”
Air Vice Marshal Nzvede urged the newly promoted officers to remain vigilant as the region and world at large were witnessing a surge in threats.
“There is regional and global upsurge in hybrid threats, so we expect you to remain vigilant and be ready to swiftly provide incisive leadership to your subordinates,” he said.
“It, therefore, stands to reason that the varied threats we may face as a country demand perceptive officers who quickly adapt to the fluid global, regional and local securoscape.”
The AFZ, which is the last line of defence, wants to continue aiding civil ministries and communities in times of need, in line with its responsibility to protect people from all forms of threats, said Air Vice Marshal Nzvede.
He said security was central to the success of the National Development Strategy 1, the latest national economic blueprint launched by Government, which runs from 2021 to 2025.
Air Vice Marshal Nzvede said security forces will continue to support Government initiatives, including safeguarding the nation against the deadly Covid-19 pandemic that has wreaked havoc across the globe.
One of the promoted officers, Wing Commander Primrose Ndlovu, thanked the President for the promotion, saying they will continue to work for the improvement of the AFZ and the nation at large.
“As newly-promoted wing commanders, we thank His Excellency for entrusting us with responsibility,” she said. “Through this promotion, he has re-energised us; we will continue working hard for the betterment of the AFZ and nation at large.
“It is common knowledge that this elevation in rank and status is associated with an increase in duties and responsibilities on our shoulders.”
The promotion comes a few days after President Mnangagwa promoted one AFZ Air Commodore to the rank of Air Vice Marshal, four Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) colonels to the rank of brigadier general and 54 majors to the rank of lieutenant colonel.
An MDC-Alliance supporter based in Chitungwiza, Richard Mutiti, will spend an effective 10 months in prison after he was convicted of inciting protesters who went on a rampage and destroyed Makoni Police Station during last month’s protests.
Chitungwiza resident magistrate Mr Nyasha Vitorini initially sentenced him to 18 months in prison before suspending eight months on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
Mutiti was convicted after the State submitted a video in which he was among people who were captured while being addressed by an unidentified MDC-Alliance member who was influencing the mob to join the protests while chanting their party’s slogan.
His co-accused and former Chitungwiza Deputy Mayor Jabulani Mtunzi was acquitted last week after the State failed to prove its case against him.
Prosecutor Mr Tatenda Mukatera told the court that on January 14 at between 10.30am and 11am, Mtunzi, Mutiti and others who are still at large gathered at Unit C junction during the violent protests.
Mtunzi was alleged to have incited other people who were gathered at the junction to burn down Makoni Police Station.
The pair was seen by Tawanda Hongoro, who was passing by and he reported the matter to the police, leading to their arrest.
The late Mitchelle Moana Amuli was dumped by her mother into the custody of her father at 8 months only to part ways with her father at 24 when she decided to lead a party life which ended her life.
Watch the interview below as the father emotionally tells his story.
Zimbabwe continues to record more Covid-19 cases, with 115 cases reported today.
This means the country has recorded a staggering 225 cases in 48 hours after 110 new cases were reported on Wednesday.
Tellingly, Zimbabwe has recorded 451 new cases in the last five days, a development that should naturally worry citizens, especially those that have abandoned face masks and other guidelines such as social distancing.
An update released by the Ministry of Health and Child Care today shows that 1 770 PCR tests were done, with 115 cases testing positive.
Worryingly, all of them are community transmissions.
However, no deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, for the second day running.
Active cases have since shot up to 952.
Bulawayo Province leads on active cases by a wide margin, with 326 cases followed by Matabeleland North which has 199, Mashonaland West 117, Harare 94 and Matabeleland South 76.
Other provinces have smaller numbers.
Sixty-one new recoveries were announced today, leaving the national recovery rate at 87,3 percent.
As of November 26, Zimbabwe has recorded 9 623 cases, 8 397 recoveries and 274 deaths.
GIRLS College in Bulawayo has indefinitely closed following a Covid-19 case which was detected after the school held a leavers’ party for Upper Six students.
This development comes at a time when Covid-19 cases are on the rise in Bulawayo which now has the highest number of active cases in Zimbabwe.
One more person had died of Covid-19 in Bulawayo on Tuesday, the only death recorded in Zimbabwe as new cases continue rising in the country.
The country recorded 110 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours with 106 being local and the remainder returnees from Botswana and no deaths were recorded in the same period.
Of the new cases, Bulawayo was leading after recording 53 followed by Matabeleland South on 28 and Midlands recorded 15.
As at 25 November 2020, Zimbabwe had 9 506 confirmed cases, including 8 336 recoveries and 274 deaths. Bulawayo has in the past five days recorded seven deaths which constitutes 77 percent of the total deaths reported in Zimbabwe during the same time.
The city has the highest number of active cases in Zimbabwe at 233 against 827 cases in the whole country.
Of the 462 new cases recorded in Zimbabwe in the last six days, 205 were from Bulawayo and authorities have said the upsurge is a testament of a good contact tracing and testing system.
Bulawayo provincial medical director Dr Welcome Mlilo confirmed the Girls College incident saying contact tracing is currently ongoing.
He bemoaned the increase of Covid-19 in the province saying it’s a worrying trend.
“We are recording a steady rise in number of Covid-19 cases in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province of late. This is obviously a worrying trend, but we believe it’s also testament to our strong surveillance system in the province. It means we are suspecting and testing the right segment of the population. It’s testament to good contact tracing,” he said.
“This unfortunately also reveals that Covid-19 continues to spread in the community. Bulawayo is expecting a sharp rise in number of returning residents from Botswana and South Africa, Injiva. As such, we are working on some measures to put in place to ensure safety of communities and to minimise spread of the virus over the holiday season.”
He called on residents to protect lives by practising safety measures which include the proper wearing of masks, social distancing and the washing of hands with either soap or hand sanitizer. “It is absolutely crucial that we practice these measures with a high level of discipline as we are now approaching the holiday season.
This can potentially present a challenge as the buzz of activity expected during this period will see an exponential rise in the number of cases. So, what we do now as Bulawayo will have a bearing on the number of cases we will experience over the festive period as well,” added Dr Mlilo.
Concerned parents said their children were informed yesterday morning that Girls College had to close to avert the spread of Covid-19.
In a letter addressed to parents dated November 24, Girls College principal Mrs Les Ross said the school continues to take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our staff and students with daily monitoring of temperatures, regular sanitising of all surfaces, mask wearing and social distancing.
“As you know, on Thursday 19th November Girls College held a Leavers’ Dinner Dance for our U6 Leavers. The event was held in a large open venue and numbers of both guests and staff working at the event were kept below 100. Unfortunately, since the dance one of the attendees has tested positive for Covid-19,” read the statement.
She said the virus has been contained within the U6 group as they had for the most part finished their exams and left the school and hostels some time before the dance.-Chronicle
A MAN who was caught having sex in a car with his girlfriend almost died after three unknown men who were armed with a knife and a knobkerrie stabbed him several times all over the body and left him lying unconscious in a pool of blood.
They robbed him of a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and cash all with a total value of US$5 300.
They smashed windows on the passenger’s side and driver’s side before attacking Ngonidzashe Ninge (42) and his girlfriend Nozizwe Khumalo (21) at a bushy area which is between Hyde Park Shops and Nkulumane complex. The source said Ninge had lowered his trousers to knee level with a condom on while Nozizwe had pulled up her skirt while they enjoyed themselves in the car.
Unfortunately, the source said, one of the men grabbed the hapless Ninge and pulled him out of his black Nissan X-Trail car.
The source said he tried to reason with them but they would not listen to his pleas.
Another source who is close to the pair said: “They took turns to clobber Ninge while accusing him of taking
advantage of Nozizwe saying she was too young for him,” said the source.
They were not done yet with Ninge as they demanded cash while assaulting him.
A source close to investigations said Ninge sustained three stab wounds on the head, another wound on the right side of the back and bruises all over the body. The accused persons took away his Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and cash. Nozizwe phoned Pumula police station and made a report. Police attended the scene.
“They found Ninge lying unconscious on the ground in a pool of blood. They phoned an ambulance which came and ferried him to Mater Dei Hospital,” said a source close to the pair.
Efforts to get a comment from Ninge were fruitless. Khumalo could neither confirm nor deny as she only said “who told you that” before she terminated the call.
“We are investigating a case of attempted murder where a man was attacked while he was having sex in a car with his girlfriend at around 7.30pm at a bushy area which is between Hyde Park Shops and Nkulumane complex. He was robbed of his Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and cash, all valued at US$5 300. We would like to urge community members not to indulge in sex in the bush because it’s illegal and dangerous.”-B-Metro
One person died while four others were injured on Monday after they were struck by lightning at Hippo Valley Mill in Chiredzi District as they were on their way to work.
The incident happened at around 3PM.
Chiredzi District Development Coordinator (DDC), Mr Lovemore Chisema who is also the local Civil Protection chairman confirmed the incident.
He said one of the victims died on the spot while four others were taken to Hippo Valley Medical Centre for treatment.
He said the now-deceased, Herbert Mukwetura ( 21) of Chishamiso Village, was on his way to work at Tongaat Hulett’s Hippo Valley Mill with four of his workmates.
“We had a challenge yesterday of a lightning bolt which struck five Tongaat Hulett workers killing one on the spot. We also received information about households in Ward 21 which also got the same problem although there are no injuries reported,” he said.
“The injured were taken to Hippo Valley Medical Centre while Mukwetura was taken to Chiredzi Provincial Hospital for postmortem.”
Mr Chisema advised the public to adhere to information from the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) to avoid loss of lives.
The tragedy happened a few days after the MSD warned members of the public about weather-related hazards including floods, hailstorms, lightning among others as the rain season has started.
Some schools have since been destroyed by hailstorms in Bikita and Zaka districts of Masvingo province. – Herald
A Bulawayo man was left shocked and upset after spotting “flirty” messages and nude pictures in his wife’s phone that she was exchanging with another man while making an appointment supposedly for a date.
After stumbling on the lewd pictures and messages Thamsanqa Dale failed to control his temper when he allegedly pummelled his wife Grace Dale accusing her of being promiscuous.
So severe were Thamsanqa’s repeated acts of violence on his wife that subsequently she was prompted to approach the Bulawayo Civil Court to seek a protection order against him.
In her papers Grace told the court how her husband’s constant acts of violence and verbal abuse left her distressed and fearful.
“Thamsanqa Dale is my husband of seven years and we have three children together. I am making this application for a protection order because of the physical and emotional abuse I’m subjected to. The abuse has become so unbearable and untenable. I am living in constant fear for my life. He recently seriously assaulted me and I fled and sought refuge at one of our relatives’ house.
“His violent behaviour is spiralling out of control and he is also constantly falsely accusing me of infidelity and continues to insult me while calling me a prostitute in front of our minor children. He is also causing so much pain, discomfort and distress as he continues to threaten and harass me. I pray that this honourable court intervenes and grants me a protection order,” pleaded Grace.
She also begged the court to bar her husband from visiting her workplace.
In response Thamsanqa justified his violent actions saying when he assaulted his wife, he was angered by her alleged flirtatious behaviour.
“I assaulted her because I saw messages, in which she was making an appointment with someone else and she had sent him nude pictures,” protested Thamsanqa.-B-Metro
Popular Sungura Musician Alick Macheso will before the year fold entertain his fans with a brand new single which will be released on 4 December 2020.
The single which is yet to be named, according to the sungura maestro is a Christmas present to his legion of fans and it will also be part of his forthcoming album to be released at an undisclosed date.
Macheso spoke briefly about the album before he referred all questions to his publicist and said:
The single will be out first week of December, it’s for the fans.
When contacted for comment, his Publicist Tich Makahamadze said the production of the said single is already at an advanced stage.
Macheso last made headlines when he featured in Freeman’s song Ngaibake whose video garnered over 2.8 million views on YouTube.-H-Metro
FC Platinum players have welcomed returning coach Norman Mapeza with open arms after the club rehired him last week to replace sacked Dutchman Pieter De Jongh.
Club captain and goalkeeper Petros Mhari told H-Metro that the majority of the players were elated when they were informed of Mapeza’s return as most of them had worked with him before. Said Mhari:
When we heard that coach Norman was coming back, everyone was happy. Most of the guys worked with him before so it was good news to hear that.
Ralph Kawondera, who joined FC Platinum after Mapeza’s departure, said he had always wanted to be trained by the former Chippa United gaffer. He said;
I am very happy to have coach Mapeza back at the club. It has always been my wish in my football career to be coached by him.
I will learn a lot from him and I think his tactics will help me become a good player.
I am not worried that coach Mapeza is back at the club, though I was signed by coach De Jongh who has since left.
I believe that I’m in his plans, all that I can say is I am happy that the coach is back.
Nomore Chinyerere also expressed happiness over Mapeza’s return saying the coach has a good philosophy and also understands the system and culture at the club.
FC Platinum begin their 2020-21 Champions League campaign with a trip to Costa Do Sol of Mozambique this Friday.-H-Metro
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa, has pointed out that the opposition party is an unbreakable formation despite efforts by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa to destroy it.
According to President Chamisa, a return to legitimacy is the only solution to the country’s deepening crisis.
He also commended the people of Uganda for their determination to fight for freedom.
“Uganda..keep on marching, you are almost getting there.Thank you Africa for standing with those seeking to break the always-temporary chains of oppression..Freedom!
Zimbabwe must be RESTORED TO PROSPERITY anchored on a return to a People’s government.
VP @BitiTendai delivered a State of the Economy address articulating our alternative SMART views on how to fix Zim economic challenges.
Join us in this fight to WIN Zimbabwe for Change.
Chinja is unbreakable..The people shall govern,” President Chamisa said in a statement.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa, has pointed out that the opposition party is an unbreakable formation despite efforts by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa to destroy it.
According to President Chamisa, a return to legitimacy is the only solution to the country’s deepening crisis.
He also commended the people of Uganda for their determination to fight for freedom.
“Uganda..keep on marching, you are almost getting there.Thank you Africa for standing with those seeking to break the always-temporary chains of oppression..Freedom!
Zimbabwe must be RESTORED TO PROSPERITY anchored on a return to a People’s government.
VP @BitiTendai delivered a State of the Economy address articulating our alternative SMART views on how to fix Zim economic challenges.
Join us in this fight to WIN Zimbabwe for Change.
Chinja is unbreakable..The people shall govern,” President Chamisa said in a statement.
Is it possible for President Advocate Nelson Chamisa to be close to Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa?
●Zanu PF has a system which is eating its own key members.
What guarantees the safety of Chamisa who opposes it?
▪︎We can’t all be stupid to believe that General Mujuru died of a candle flame. He was a key member, yet he perished and nothing was done. People moved on! ▪︎We cant all be stupid to believe that Air Marshal Perrance Shiri died of Covid-19. It doesn’t kill instantly, we all know Covid-19.
What about the other Colonels who followed! People moved on! ▪︎We can’t ignore the fact the General Chiwenga survived polonium poison and he had to return nicodemusly without even telling his number 1!
▪︎We have a series of suspicious accidents that claimed the lives of key members that we all know.
Chindori Chininga, Moven Mahachi, Brigadier Gunda, Eliot Manyika, Border Gezi, Peter Pamire…. the list is endless. ▪︎Matemadanda who is their political çommissar (Vatete vomusangano) the auntie of the Party, has just survived food poisoning, but the damage has already been done, he will go slowly! We are waiting for his reaction…
▪︎What about abductions and assassinations?
●If the system kills those who support it, what then guarantees the safety of President Nelson Chamisa who opposes it?
Tinashe Sambiri|Former Manchester United, England and Real Madrid star, David Beckham, has said the death of Diego Maradona is a blow to the global football fraternity.
Maradona is famous for his “Hand of God” goal.
“A sad day for Argentina and a sad day for football as we celebrate the greatness of what this man gave us…
Someone that played with passion , spirit and was nothing less than a pure genius .. I was so excited to meet Diego and we will all miss him Rest In Peace,” Beckham said in a statement.
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Students Council says the arrest of Harare City Council Mayor, Councillor Jacob Mafume is shocking and unacceptable.
Mafume was arrested in Harare on Wednesday.
Political analysts say the arrest is meant to disrupt his progressive work at Town House.
In an interview with ZimEye.com on Thursday morning, the MDC Alliance Students Council Secretary General, Rujeko Hither Mpambwa said Mafume should be released with immediate effect.
“We view the persecution of Harare Mayor, Councillor Jacob Mafume as baseless and unacceptable.This is a clear case of political victimization.
The MDC Alliance Students Council is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Mayor Jacob Mafume.
We are calling upon all pressure groups to push for the release of our Mayor,” said Mpambwa.
“Let’s all speak with one voice- the persecution of MDC Alliance officials has reached an alarming level,” added Mpambwa.
Tinashe Sambiri|Controversial Masvingo preacher, Isaac Makomichi who has been attracting attention for the wrong reasons in the past few weeks, has reportedly gone into hiding after being bashed by a woman who accused him of wrecking her marriage.
Impeccable sources revealed Makomichi was confronted by the irate lady who accused the preacher of distributing love charms to a small house who snatched the woman’s husband.
Several women have also accused the cleric of destroying their marriages by distributing the love charm to single ladies.
It is understood the controversial preacher has gone into hiding following incessant pressure from disgruntled women in the ancient city of Masvingo.
“This time he will not get away with it, we are ready to take him on.Our marriages are crumbling because of the love charms,” fumed one woman.
Sources say the charm causes men to sell their belongings and abandon their respective wives for small houses.
Pressed for a comment on the matter, Makomichi’s personal assistant said: ” What are you talking about? The prophet is out of town for a prayer retreat, is that what you call going into hiding?
Tinashe Sambiri|Controversial Masvingo preacher, Isaac Makomichi who has been attracting attention for the wrong reasons in the past few weeks, has reportedly gone into hiding after being bashed by a woman who accused him of wrecking her marriage.
Impeccable sources revealed Makomichi was confronted by the irate lady who accused the preacher of distributing love charms to a small house who snatched the woman’s husband.
Several women have also accused the cleric of destroying their marriages by distributing the love charm to single ladies.
It is understood the controversial preacher has gone into hiding following incessant pressure from disgruntled women in the ancient city of Masvingo.
“This time he will not get away with it, we are ready to take him on.Our marriages are crumbling because of the love charms,” fumed one woman.
Sources say the charm causes men to sell their belongings and abandon their respective wives for small houses.
Pressed for a comment on the matter, Makomichi’s personal assistant said: ” What are you talking about? The prophet is out of town for a prayer retreat, is that what you call going into hiding?
A BEITBRIDGE tenant is in trouble for allegedly attacking the house owner with an axe several times during a dispute with his landlord over why he fed his dogs with eggs.
Solomon Sigauke (31) denied the attempted murder charges when he appeared before Beitbridge magistrate Stanley Mambanje.
He was remanded in custody to November 30 for continuation of trial.
Prosecutor Munyonga Kuvarega told the court that the complainant, Samuel Moyo Chijekere (52) who owns a house in Dulibadzimo suburb in Beitbridge was sitting outside his house on October 1 at around 11pm when Sigauke fed his dogs with eggs which did not go down well with Chijekere who then insulted him saying “Mbava dzinonetsa” (thieves are problematic).
A quarrel ensued between the two resulting in Sigauke striking Chijekere with an iron bar on the head and arms several times.
He allegedly went on to strike him with an axe on the forehead three times before he was restrained by one Margret Mbedzi.
Chijekere sustained serious injuries on the head and arm and was taken to hospital for medical attention. A report was made to the police leading to Sigauke’s arrest.-NewsDay
Three police office were yesterday dragged to court to face criminal abuse of duty after they reportedly demanded US$4000 from an accused person whom they had arrested for dealing in illegal drugs.
The trio of Donlad Dube, Charles Ndumo and Innocent Madziya were not asked to plead when they appeared before Harare magistrate Judith Taruvinga.
The three are stationed at CID Braeside.
Allegations are that on October 8, between 7 and 8pm, the trio who were on duty received information that there was a truck loaded with BronCleer Cough Syrup.
The three acting on the information went to N Richards Truck stop and found a truck loaded with goods from South aAfrica nd identified the owner of the goods Philda Makumbe and amongst the goods were 60 boxes of BronCleer syrup.
They reportedly produced their police cards and indicated that they were following up on the information they had received and ordered Makumbe to load the boxes into a car that they had hired and was being driven by Webster Madzoko.
While at the scene they reportedly started demanding US$6 000 from Makumbe in the presence of her brother so that they release the boxes prompting Makumbe to send her brother to collect the money and he came back with US$4200.
The trio received the moenyin the presence of Bellah Mbizi her business partner and after receiving it they took out two boxes of Bron Cleer before handing over the rest to Makumbe.
Makumbe later made a police report and when the realised that they were being investigated they re-arrested her after the found her in possession of one box of the illegal substances.-H-Metro
Minister for Finance Mthuli Ncube has delivered the 2021 National Budget which will be running under the recently launched economic recovery plan NDS1. The theme for the 2021 budget is “Building Resilience and Sustainable Economic Development”.
Here are some of the highlights from the document:
Economic Performance
Economy estimated to contract by -4.1% in 2020, reflecting weak demand due to necessary lockdown.
This suppressed output, productivity and capacity utilisation.
COVID-19 pandemic hit an economy already dealing with devastating impacts of climatic shocks of drought, Cyclone Idai and Cyclone Kenneth.
Mining, manufacturing, tourism, construction, distribution and other service sectors faced the full negative impact of containment measures.
Agriculture was less affected as the summer cropping season was almost over when the pandemic hit.
Government reprioritised budget allocations and announced $18.2 billion Stimulus Package to save lives and livelihoods.
Domestic Economy
Economy expected to rebound by 7.4% in 2021 from consecutive 2-year downturn.
Government’s response aimed at ensuring strong economic recovery building on the milestones from the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) and targeting additional support measures to cushion vulnerable households.
150 000 formal jobs are expected to be recovered after having been lost due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Inflation
Prices are expected to remain stable as fiscal and monetary measures complement in containing inflation.
Foreign Currency Auction market system is central in bringing stability to foreign exchange market.
Year on year inflation is projected to reach 9% by the end of 2021.
The full highlights and Nation Budget documents are in the links below:
Iranian ambassador to Zimbabwe Abbas Navazani this morning paid a courtesy call on Vice President Kembo Mohadi at his Munhumutapa offices in Harare where the two discussed possible areas of co-operation and strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries.
In an interview after the meeting, VP Mohadi said they discussed a number of issues including possible investments in the agriculture and mining sectors.
“There are quite a number of areas whereby we can benefit from each other. We have a joint commission together with Iran and under that joint commission, we discussed quite a lot.
“We discussed our cooperation on the international fora and organisations such as the Non-Aligned Movement and we also talked about our agriculture. At one time, we had tractors from Iran and we would want that to be established as well. We want to see those tractors assembled here,” he said.
Mr Navazani said they he had a fruitful meeting with Vice President Mohadi where they had the opportunity to review co-operation between Zimbabwe and Iran and also possible areas of boosting economic ties between the two countries.
“We have a cordial relationship which dates back to the days of the liberation struggle of Zimbabwe.
We have relationship politically and economically and we are trying to extend co-operation in economic and trade. I have a different mechanism this time to enhance our relations. Our political and international relation is close. We are trying and hope we will enhance our economic cooperation despite the oppressive sanctions imposed by Americans,” he said.
The ambassador expressed gratitude to the Zimbabwean Government ‘s for its unwavering support to Iran.
Exciting future beckons. Almost at the same time, China unveiled its 14th FYP & vision for 2035 and Zimbabwe launched NDS1. Ambassador Guo Shaochun explains China's blueprint and how it will boost China-Zimbawe cooperation. https://t.co/nN1hfovnQ2… #ChinaFiveYearPlanpic.twitter.com/60gtfKJdjb
Mthuli Ncube has presented his 2021 budget hinged on a good agricultural season, increased mining revenue and a stable currency.
The finance and economic development minister on Thursday presented his 2021 national budget, which he believes will work if these criteria are met.
He is also pinning hopes on a tourism recovery, which will depend on the Covid-19 pandemic not worsening.
As such, the 2021 budget has an “expenditure ceiling of ZW$421.6bn [US$5.08bn, or R77.33bn]”, he said.
Development partners were expected to lend or give the country a total of US$841.5m (R12.81bn), of which $282.1m (R4.29bn) would come from multilateral partners.
Ncube is projecting a 7.4% overall GDP growth, with year-on-year inflation by the end of 2021 reaching 9%.
These are some of the highlights of the budget:
ZW$46.3bn will be allocated to agriculture with the hope of growing the sector to a US$8.2bn (R124.83bn) industry;
The ministry of transport will receive ZW$30.1bn for infrastructure development, with dualisation of the Harare-Beitbridge highway to be allocated ZW$19bn;
A post-Covid recovery plan for the tourism sector will take up ZW$1.8bn;
Zimbabwe’s water sources countrywide are in an appalling state and Ncube resolved to allocate ZW$10.7bn — while an additional ZW$3.9bn will be set aside to deal with water issues;
The ministry of information technology has been allocated ZW$2bn as the country attempts integration into the digital revolution;
Local authorities and provincial councils will get ZW$19.5bn proposed for devolution. While the ministry of local government walks away with ZW$10.1bn;
The ministry of health will be allocated a staggering ZW$54.7bn, largely driven by how Covid-19 has exposed how badly the sector has been funded, and how poor its infrastructure and equipment is;
Higher education will receive ZW$14.4bn; and
The security sector, namely defence, will get ZW$23.8bn while the police under home affairs receive ZW$23.6bn.
The government has proposed a ban on the importation of second-hand motor vehicles aged 10 years and more.
An officer has been dismissed without notice following his conviction for misconduct in public office and conspiracy to acquire criminal property.
Two British policemen stand with backs to camera. Selectively focussed. A crowd of people appears in the background, out of focus. Policemen are wearing tall traditional British helmets and fluorescent Jackets.
A misconduct hearing was held on Thursday, 26 November for PC Kashif Mahmood, based at Central East, to answer allegations his conduct amounted to a breach of the standards of professional behaviour in respect of discreditable conduct, honesty and integrity and duties and responsibilities.
On Wednesday, 5 August at Southwark Crown Court PC Mahmood pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office and conspiracy to acquire criminal property. He is remanded in custody awaiting sentence on Tuesday, 22 December.
PC Mahmood was convicted alongside five other people for a number of offences following an investigation by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards’ Anti-Corruption Command.
The investigation began in March into the activities of PC Mahmood and his associates, involved in the wholesale movement of drugs and the laundering of hundreds of thousands of pounds. Between November 2019 and March 2020 PC Mahmood, in uniform and using a marked police car, worked with an associate dressed as a police officer to seize significant amounts of cash from couriers which was either due to be laundered or had been provided to the couriers as payment for drugs. He was first arrested on Tuesday, 28 April and again for further offences on Tuesday, 7 July. He was charged on Wednesday, 8 July.
The misconduct hearing, after considering the circumstances, found all allegations against PC Mahmood proven and that they amounted to gross misconduct. He was dismissed without notice.
Commander Paul Betts, MPS Directorate of Professional Standards, said: “This is a very serious matter and there is absolutely no place for corruption within the Metropolitan Police Service. Following his conviction at court it is entirely right PC Mahmood has been dismissed and he will also be placed on the College of Policing’s barred list.”
Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube has proposed an array of taxes in his projected 2021 national budget.
Ncube has proposed to introduce a Cannabis Levy, which is chargeable on the value of exports at varied rates of tax that correspond to the level of the process.
The Levy is premised on the projection that the potential value of cannabis exports for medicinal purposes is estimated at US$1.25 billion next year.
According to the levy proposal, 10% will be charged on the export sales value of finished packaged medicinal cannabis oils that are ready for resale; 15% on the export sales values of bulk extracted medicinal cannabis oils that require further processing and/ or packaging; and 20% on the export sales value of dried medicinal cannabis flowers.
On presumptive taxes, that is, taxes levied on informal traders, Ncube proposed that self-employed professionals will now pay a presumptive tax ranging from $250 000 to $1 million a month effective January 1, 2021.
Medical professionals will pay $500 000, engineers $500 000, legal $500 000, architects $250 000 and realtors $1 million.
Ncube, however, said the presumptive tax will, however, not apply to professionals who produce a valid Tax Clearance Certificate for the year of assessment.
On the fuel sector, Ncube said fuel excise duty will be paid in foreign currency unless the importer provides satisfactory documentary evidence to the effect that funds were sourced through the auction system.
To encourage the importation of fuel by pipeline, the Petroleum Importers’ Levy has been reviewed to USD$0.05 a litre on both diesel and petrol.
FINANCE Minister Mthuli Ncube has banned importation on second-hand private use vehicles above 10 years from the date of manufacture.
Ncube made the policy pronouncement while delivering his 2021 budget in parliament this Thursday.
“Mr Speaker Sir, about US$1.3 billion was spent on imported buses, light commercial and passenger motor vehicles from 2015 to September 2020,” said the minister.
“This is despite the existence of capacity by the local motor industry to assemble the above-mentioned range of motor vehicles.
“Furthermore, due to lack of effective standards and regulation, road unworthy vehicles, which, in some instances fail to meet environmental and safety standards, find their way onto the market.
“In line with the NDS1, which underscores value addition, I propose to remove second-hand motor vehicles aged 10 years and above, from the date of manufacture at the time of importation, from the Open General Import Licence.
“In the interim, commercial vehicles such as tractors, haulage trucks, earth-moving equipment and other specialised vehicles used in mining and construction will be exempt from this requirement.”
Police have launched a manhunt for seven men who attacked and killed a 29-year-old man they suspected to have stolen gold ore from their mine in Inyathi, Matabeleland North Province.
The suspects allegedly beat the deceased with logs and fled the scene. It is alleged that the suspects confronted the man at his homestead before taking him to their mine where they accused him of stealing gold ore.
Some of the suspects were armed with logs, which they allegedly used to attack the victim.
The man later died as a result of the assault.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident and said that investigations were in progress.
“Police in Inyathi are looking for a group of seven male adults who fatally assaulted a man (29) after suspecting him of having stolen some gold ore from their mine on November 19, 2020. The group assaulted the victim using logs and took him to their mine where he later died.
“They then fled the scene. Investigations are underway,” he said.
Police in Umguza, Matabeleland North Province, are also looking for 10 men who kidnapped a 60-year-old man on September 27 after they broke into his premises, searched for money and took away his rifle.
The man was released the same day.
Last Wednesday, the man found his stolen rifle dumped by his gate. A report was then made to the police who are still investigating the case.
Meanwhile, an 81-year-old Rushinga man recently died after he was attacked by two men who were armed with a machete and wearing black clothes after they raided his homestead on the pretext that they wanted to pay for services they had gotten from a late traditional healer in the area.
Kingstone Kasazi of Nyamakoronga Village, Chief Makuni in Rushinga, was an aide to the late traditional healer identified as Evaristo Meki or Chiokoto.
He was struck with a machete several times on the head. The two men, who are still at large, are reported to have fled the homestead using a motorcycle they had parked about 300 metres away from the scene.
They had tricked the victim into believing they had come from Mozambique and wanted to pay for the services they once got from Chiokoto, before producing a machete and attacking the man.
Another six armed robbers who were brandishing machetes, raided a mine in Esigodini and attacked a family which they robbed of US$87 000, R38 800 and cellphones.
The gang was armed with a bolt cutter which they used to break burglar bars to enter the house.
They tied two of the house occupants with an electrical cable and shoe laces before ransacking the house, getting away with US$87 000 and R38 800, which was in the safe, four Samsung Galaxy tablets, a Samsung laptop and a flash disk.
1555: Professor Ncube has concluded his address and that brings an end to our updates.
1554: Going around the country, meeting with all groups of people, I came up with the following observations. Out there, confidence is improving and the Budget is committed to cement that hope by addressing various expectations.
These expectations evolve around provision of basic services such as water, housing, food, health, education of children, among other issues. The young at colleges and those leaving colleges look forward to find and keep the jobs. In fact, people of all backgrounds want to be assured that, through the Budget, we are doing all we can to make sure that promises become a reality.
And that’s what is required of us now, each playing our part to meet the common goal of growing our economy. Precisely, this what this Budget and the NDS1 are seeking to address.
I end with a quote from an English Philosopher and Economist, John Stuart Mills, ‘All good things which exist are the fruits of originality’. And indeed, we are charting a better future through the NDS1 and this Budget.
I commend the 2021 National Budget to this August House.
President Mnangagwa and his two deputies VPs Chiwenga and Mohadi attend the budget presentation
1552: Mr Speaker Sir, about US$1.3 billion was spent on imported buses, light commercial and passenger motor vehicles from 2015 to September 2020. This is despite the existence of capacity by the local motor industry to assemble the above-mentioned range of motor vehicles. Furthermore, due to lack of effective standards and regulation, road unworthy vehicles, which, in some instances fail to meet environmental and safety standards, find their way onto the market.
In line with the NDS1, which underscores value addition, I propose to remove second hand motor vehicles aged 10 years and above, from the date of manufacture at the time of importation, from the Open General Import Licence. In the interim, commercial vehicles such as tractors, haulage trucks, earth-moving equipment and other specialised vehicles used in mining and construction will be exempt from this requirement.
1547: Mr Speaker Sir, Government remains committed to improving workers’ disposable income as part of the broader agenda to increase aggregate demand and savings. The recent salary and wage adjustments for public and some private sector employees necessitates a corresponding review in the personal income tax framework.
I, therefore, propose to review the Tax-Free Threshold from $5 000 per month to $10 000 per month. I, further, propose to adjust the tax bands to begin at $10 001 and end at $250 000 per month, above which the Highest Marginal Tax rate of 40 percent will apply. The above measures are effective from 1 January 2021.
1542: Honourable Members would be aware that Government has implemented a presumptive tax structure on informal businesses that include micro and small enterprises, with a view to ensure that they contribute to the Fiscus.
A number of enterprises operate from designated business premises where the landlords are either Local Authorities or private property owners such as the Gulf Complex and Kwame Mall, among others. Their place of business is, thus, comprised of partitioned units in commercial buildings.
The fixed nature of business, thus, presents an opportunity for the tax administration to improve tax collections from presumptive taxes. I, therefore, propose to introduce a presumptive tax of an equivalent of US$30 per unit per month.
Landlords will be responsible for the collection of the above taxes which take effect from 1 January 2021. Landlords that fail to collect and remit the tax will be subject to a penalty equivalent to the amount of tax payable and interest. Furthermore, landlords have the responsibility to keep accurate records regarding the number of occupants or operators in respective properties, in order to facilitate administration of tax.
1538: Notwithstanding the abundant phosphate deposits, fertilizer manufacturing has gradually declined due to antiquated equipment and competition from imports, among other factors.
In order to complement the thrust of the National Development Strategy which includes recapitalisation of fertilizer manufacturing companies and investment in new technology, I propose to introduce a Fertilizer Manufacturers’ Rebate, whereby raw materials used in the production process will be imported tax and duty free by Approved Manufacturers.
1535: As part of a broader reform process under the TSP, 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.
Therefore, Government has made a decision to compensate the small and vulnerable depositors who had US$1000 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).
1533: Parliament, on its part has been allocated $7,2 billion. Farmers compensation: 2021 National Budget to allocate $2 billion to vulnerable farmers.
1529: In recognition of the importance of peace, the security sector has to be adequately supported and hence, the 2021 Budget has made provision for essential requirements of security services such as training, accommodation, mobility, equipment, uniforms, medical facilities and other welfare essentials. Defence, Security and War Veterans, $23,8 billion; and Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage $23,6 billion.
1527: Basic education: Minister Ncube says 2021 National Budget will fund for the acquisition of PPEs. $52 billion to go towards the Ministry of Primary Education
1526: The 2021 National Budget will allocate $54,7 billion to the health sector. Tertiary education sector will get $14, 4 billion
Professor Mthuli Ncube
1524: $19,5 billion to be allocated towards Devolution in 2021. Housing and Social Amenities Ministry to be allocated $2,8 billion.
1520: Water supply and sanitation. Dam projects across the country to receive $10,7 billion. $3,9 billion to go towards urban water projects.
1516: Ministry of Mines to receive $1,4 billion. Tourism Ministry to be allocated $1,8 billion. Transport Ministry to receive $30,1 billion and $10,1 billion of that amount to go towards the Harare-Beitbridge road
1514: Govt to set aside US$37 million for youth, and a similar amount for war veterans. 2021 National Budget to allocate $2,2 billion to SMEs Ministry. Ministry of Youth and Sport to receive $3,2 billion
1513: Minerals that have been targeted for beneficiation include PGMs, gold, coal and chrome
1509: Agricultural output targeted increase to US$8, 2 billion. Agriculture Ministry to be allocated $46,3 billion in the 2021 National Budget. Govt to resuscitate Zimbabwe Agricultural Exchange.
1507: Monetary policy will be based on exchange rate stability, financial stability and management of money supply.
1500: Revenues next year expected to reach $390,8 billion. Government is targeting a budget deficit of $30,8 billion next year. It will be on line with SADC threshold. Prof Ncube says there will be an expenditure ceiling of $421,6 billion. Employment costs next year to be capped at $142 billion.
1458: Zimbabwe’s current account expected to remain positive despite vulnerabilities in the global economy. $88, 7 billion in revenues generated to date. A budget deficit of $4,9 billion is expected by year end.
1457: Annual inflation to reduce to an average of 135 percent in 2021. Finance Minister Ncube says exchange rate has been range bound at $81 to the US dollar between July and November 2020. Exchange rate to remain stable next year, says the Treasury boss.
1454: He says Government response is to ensure that economy rebounds in 2021. 7,5 percent GDP growth expected for 2021.
1453: Prof Ncube says Zimbabwe’s economy to contract by – 9 percent this year.
1449: Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube commences his presentation of the 2021 National Budget.
The director police Intelligence Commissioner Douglas Nyakutsikwa yesterday made an application for referral of his matter to the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) where he intends to challenge the constitutionality of the establishment of the Special Anti-Corruption Unit (SACU) headed by Mr Thabani Mpofu.
Com Nyakutsikwa, who is jointly charged with City of Harare director of works and housing services Addmore Nhekairo on criminal abuse of office, said he wants the ConCourt to make an order declaring SACU’s activities unconstitutional.
He also indicated that he wants the ConCourt to declare his arrest, brief detention and prosecution under the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs unconstitutional, a legal nullity and void.
Making an application for referral of the matter to the ConCourt on behalf Com Nyakutsikwa, lawyer Mr Tapson Dzvetero said: “The first accused is challenging the constitutionality of SACU and he wishes this court to refer the aforesaid issues to the highest court on constitutional issues -ConCourt- to make judicial pronouncements on the issues aforesaid.
“He will seek amongst other ancillary issues if this matter is referred for an order declaring that the conduct of the establishment of the Special Anti-Corruption Unit be here declared unconstitutional and of no legal effect.”
He will seek that ConCourt declare his arrest, brief detention and prosecution under the co-ordination of Ministry of Justice be and here declared unconstitutional, a legal nullity and void.
“He will seek the ConCourt to order a permanent stay of his prosecution.”
Mr Dzvetero said he also intends to challenge the powers of SACU in arresting, detention and prosecution of suspects and the involvement of the Ministry of Justice and Parliamentary Affairs in the processes.
He took Com Nyakutsikwa to the witness stand to testify on other reasons why he decided to take the matter to the ConCourt.
In his testimony, Com Nyakutsikwa told the court that he noted that people employed under SACU, including its director Mr Thabani Mpofu and his deputy Mr Pearson Mbalekwa, were not public officials.
“I thought since they were under SACU they were civil servants. I thought since they were under President Office they were part of our intelligence world, that is, maybe under Military Intelligence Department or Central Intelligence Organisation,” he said.
“This led me to tell them information that was classified and sensitive. I gave them information that should not be shared with someone who is not under oath. When you hold such office you should be public officer.”
Com Nyakutsikwa said he was surprised to note that they SACU director Mpofu and his deputy were not even civil servants despite being paid by tax payers’ money and using Government facilities.
“Mpofu and Mbalekwa are earning Government money and using facilities that must be for civil servants. Their earnings should be coming from a particular Government vote,” he said.
Com Nyakutsikwa narrated how he was arrested although he refused to divulge some of the details, which he said were classified and not fit for public consumption.
He told the court that he relinquished the stand that SACU alleges was corruptly allocated to him after connivance with Nhekairo to City of Harare after being advised by the Environmental Management Authority that it was on wetland.
“I said no if you check for my records it will show that I was given when I was chief staff officer in 2018 and I was on the waiting list. I relinquished the stand because I did not want to be involved in scandals. I approached the director general EMA because I wanted to understand the implications of building at that stand,” he said.
The former Personal Assistant to fired Health and Child Care Minister Obadiah Moyo has been arrested on allegations of criminal abuse of office.
Gideon Mapokotera was picked at 1430hours by law enforcement agents on allegations of illegal issuance of visas in contravention of section 174 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23.
Mapokotera is accused of illegally facilitating the issuance of visas to Ali Mohammad and his family to gain access into the country.
Muhammad has a case pending before the courts where he is charged together with Henrietta Rushwaya and others on smuggling, unlawful possession of gold charges.
It is the state’s case that Mapokotera acted unlawfully in the discharge of his duty, signed and dispatched letters to the department of immigration to facilitate the issuance of visas to Ali Mohammad.
The accused created visa application letters on June 18, 2019 for a single entry visa, September 26, 2019 for a multiple entry visa and November 24, 2019 for multiple entry visas for Ali Mohammad’s family – wife and six children.
“The accused person had not been given authority by his principal and further did not bring the heinous development to his attention up to the 25th of November 2020 when the principal was made aware after investigations commenced.”
"I am 58," Moana's father has told ZimEye in an exclusive interview. He also dismissed an alleged verdict circulating which claims he has been granted burial rights of his daughter Mitchel Amuli. THESE AND MORE ARE REVEALED IN THE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW – ZIMEYE pic.twitter.com/g4WBtBEA0Q
Marseille coach Andre Villas-Boas has called on FIFA to retire the number 10 shirt from the game to honour Argentine great Diego Maradona.
The 1986 World Cup hero died on Wednesday, aged 60, after suffering a heart attack.
The former Barcelona and Napoli forward was regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, with fans in Argentina referring to him as “The God”.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday after his team lost 2-0 to Porto in the Champions League, Villas-Boas said:
“Maradona, yes it is tough news, I would like FIFA to retire the number 10 shirt in all competitions, for all teams.
“It would be the best homage we could do for him. He is an incredible loss for the world of football.”
Napoli have not used the No. 10 shirt since 2000 as a mark of respect for the player who guided them to several trophies-Soccer 24
Social media was yesterday awash with condolences for the late Argentine great Diego Maradona.
The 1986 World Cup hero and former Barcelona, Servilla and Napoli star, considered by some as the greatest ever footballer in history, succumbed to a heart attack at the age of 60.
Football stars across the globe took turns to post messages of condolence for him.-Soccer 24
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa, has pointed out that the opposition party is an unbreakable formation despite efforts by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa to destroy it.
According to President Chamisa, a return to legitimacy is the only solution to the country’s deepening crisis.
He also commended the people of Uganda for their determination to fight for freedom.
“Uganda..keep on marching, you are almost getting there.Thank you Africa for standing with those seeking to break the always-temporary chains of oppression..Freedom!
Zimbabwe must be RESTORED TO PROSPERITY anchored on a return to a People’s government.
VP @BitiTendai delivered a State of the Economy address articulating our alternative SMART views on how to fix Zim economic challenges.
Join us in this fight to WIN Zimbabwe for Change.
Chinja is unbreakable..The people shall govern,” President Chamisa said in a statement.
Warriors striker Prince Dube will likely be sidelined with injury for a while after he was stretched off in Azam’s 0-1 loss to Young Africans in the Tanzanian Premier League yesterday.
The 23-year-old was replaced in the first half of the game due to what the club confirmed to be a broken ulnar (the long bone found in the forearm that stretches from the elbow to the smallest finger, and when in anatomical position, is found on the medial side of the forearm.)
He is set to travel to Cape Town, South Africa, for treatment.-Soccer 24
CAF president Ahmad Ahmad has challenged a decision by FIFA to ban him from all football activities for five years after he was found guilty of corruption.
The Malagasy administrator said he will launch an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
In a statement posted on his Twitter account on Wednesday night, Ahmad described the ban as unfair and partial.
“I challenge the sanction that has been imposed. Beyond my case, it is the self-determination of football in Africa that is under attack,” the 60-year-old said.
“This decision was not rendered in a fair and impartial manner.”
The ban has affected his bid for re-election as head of the African confederation in March 2021. He took the office in 2017 after beating long-time CAF chief Issa Hayatou.-Soccer 24
A close member to the late Moana’s parents has dismissed as fake a circulating High Court judgment which claims that the video vixen’s father Ishmael Amuli had been granted burial rights in consultation with the mother Yolanda Kuvawonga.
According to the source, High Court judge Justice Pisirai Kwenda promised to reach out to both parties once his ruling was ready and had not done so.
“Its fake, the parents have not been called by the High Court, we dont know where it is originating from, we even read articles posted online where they were saying a ruling had been made,” said the source.
Justice Kwenda told both parties yesterday that the case was novel and required more time as the courts had never dealt with an issue where parents quarreled over the funeral of a child.
Moana’s mother approached the High Court requesting for cancellation of a burial order which requires that both parents be available to collect the body for burial.
NO PLACE outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area!!If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you.When you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter: a substantial building with electricity or plumbing or an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle with windows up.Stay in safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last sound of thunder.
Indoor Lightning Safety
Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity.
Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths and faucets.Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.
Do not lie on concrete floors, and do not lean against concrete walls.
Last Resort Outdoor Risk Reduction Tips
If you are caught outside with no safe shelter anywhere nearby the following actions may reduce your risk:
Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges or peaks
Never lie flat on the ground
Never shelter under an isolated tree
Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter
Immediately get out and away from ponds, lakes and other bodies of water
Stay away from objects that conduct electricity (barbed wire fences, power lines, windmills, etc.) Source: National Weather Service
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information follow /like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
BY DR MASIMBA MAVAZA | The 2030 vision set by President ED Mnangagwa is an inch away.
Ngulube with President Mnangagwa
MPs have pulled up their socks and pulled the constituencies towards success. Honourable Albert Ngulube the member of parliament for Beitbridge East Constituency has taken the area by storm. His constituency is in region 5. One of the least developed Constituency but however the coming in of 2nd Republic the new dispensation has brought in a lot of changes and hope. Comrade Ngulube came into the constituency with one sole goal,to change the mind set of the people of his constituency.
He wanted them to have ownership of the development taking place in their respective wards. Ngulube worked hard to involve people in coming out with development projects and own them. This made the people have a pride of their own area and guard any development woth their lives. This was a change in people mindset which made Beitbridge see great developments and developing a slogan “ Iwe neni tine basa” Besides following the Party’s Manifesto Ngulube’s focus was on Infrastructure Development, health, education and roads. Beitbridge embraced and supported all HE’s programmes aimed at Vision 2030.
This we can confidently say Albert Ngulube came out tops and involved the constituency in the self defining projects.
In most cases due to the tight financial constraints Albert Ngulube had to use his personal funds. He donated 200 bags of cement for a construction of a school block and a clinic at Langeni school and Dumba clinic in ward 15. Again working with the rural Council and using Devolution funds the constituency managed to finish another clinic at Tshabili in Ward 2. Honourable Ngulube eased the water problems by drilling 4 boreholes at River Range Irrigation scheme. Thanks to the DFF. The constituency so more than 30 boreholes being repaired all over the Counstituency making water easily assessable for livestocks and people at large. Chikwarakwara Irrigation is currently being rehabilitated and water will be dlowing very soon. This Albert Ngulube had vowed to accomplish soon.
The development in the constituency will mot be enough if we do not mention The Beitbridge – Masvingo- Harare Highway currently underway. The constituency is grateful to cde ED Mnangagwa and the new dispensation for such developments in Beit Bridge. It has created a lot of employment and business in the Constituency. Social Welfare and business partners have continued to feed people but this will be a thing of the past as the programmes being brought bu the new dispensation are life changing and everlasting. The main challenge is drought and livestock feed but with the bore holes being sunk The constituency is hopeful that things will change. Albert Ngulube is one of the MPs who made promises during elections and kept each one of the promises made. During campaigns Ngulube promises to give Brahman Bulls to the Community starting a good breed of food cattle. His aim is to improve the cattle quality. True to his word he will be giving 10 Bulls a year for the quality of the cattle to be born. The Honourable MP has encouraged goat farming. Currently he os spearheading the formation of an add value company dealing with beef production. This will go a long way to by pass the middle man.
With the effects of the COVID 19 Cde Ngulube has donated food to the vulnerables in his Constituency through churches and traditional leaders. Every year he throws a Xmas party for the elderly and also a separate party for the Chief and all his traditional leadership.
He has further Managed to push through for Presidential scholarship for youngsters from his Constituency.
For the First time in thirty years Beitbridge will have a Community Radio Station of which it will get it’s licence in December this will be known as BB-Shashi Venda Community Radio Station.
Ngulube has brought in the diaspora in the developing plans. He has formed Development Groups with the diaspora in order to give those in diaspora a chance to own the development in their area.
Contrary to what people say out there ED has put a positive energy on all constituencies. Zimbabwe is indeed open for business
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa, has pointed out that the opposition party is an unbreakable formation despite efforts by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa to destroy it.
According to President Chamisa, a return to legitimacy is the only solution to the country’s deepening crisis.
He also commended the people of Uganda for their determination to fight for freedom.
“Uganda..keep on marching, you are almost getting there.Thank you Africa for standing with those seeking to break the always-temporary chains of oppression..Freedom!
Zimbabwe must be RESTORED TO PROSPERITY anchored on a return to a People’s government.
VP @BitiTendai delivered a State of the Economy address articulating our alternative SMART views on how to fix Zim economic challenges.
Join us in this fight to WIN Zimbabwe for Change.
Chinja is unbreakable..The people shall govern,” President Chamisa said in a statement.
Tinashe Sambiri| Former Mayor of the city of Harare, Ben Manyenyeni, has urged current Mayor, Councillor Jacob Mafume to remain strong and courageous because occupying the powerful post requires resilience in the wake of persecution.
Manyenyeni described Harare’s Town as a trauma centre because of persecution of opposition politicians by Zanu PF.
“Wishing His Worship the Mayor of Harare, Cllr Jacob Mafume strength following news of his arrest yesterday.
We, the 3 most recent occupants of the most difficult job in the country, have been “Guests of the State” at some point.
Who wants this job at Trauma Centre, the pain station which we call Town House?
PRAYING FOR JUSTICE,” said Manyenyeni in a statement.
Tinashe Sambiri| Former Mayor of the city of Harare, Ben Manyenyeni, has urged current Mayor, Councillor Jacob Mafume to remain strong and courageous because occupying the powerful post requires resilience in the wake of persecution.
Manyenyeni described Harare’s Town as a trauma centre because of persecution of opposition politicians by Zanu PF.
“Wishing His Worship the Mayor of Harare, Cllr Jacob Mafume strength following news of his arrest yesterday.
We, the 3 most recent occupants of the most difficult job in the country, have been “Guests of the State” at some point.
Who wants this job at Trauma Centre, the pain station which we call Town House?
PRAYING FOR JUSTICE,” said Manyenyeni in a statement.
By A Correspondent- A 42 year-old woman and her five children aged between six months and 10-years-old have been found murdered at their home in Dabekweni near Mqanduli in the Eastern Cape.
The police were alerted by neighbours who suspected something bad had happened at the home of the deceased.
On arrival, police found the six bodies in a pool of blood. Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga says it is inconceivable that this horrible crime happened on the opening day of 16 Days of Activism.
Police spokesperson Tembinkosi Kinana says the deceased were all hacked to death with an axe that was also found at the crime scene.
He says the motive behind the gruesome killing is investigated and are calling for assistance in finding the perpetrators.
“Six murder cases have been registered for investigation. A man believed to be a husband to the deceased mother has disappeared without any trace at the moment. We are therefore requesting community assistance in finding the husband whom we believe is in a position to assist police investigation into the incident. Any information received will be treated with strict confidentiality.”
#SAYIT Campaign launched to support victims of GBV
Earlier in November, a campaign to support women and young girls who are victims of violence was launched in Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape.
The #SAYIT Campaign aims to provide adolescent girls and young women with a basket of services that will enhance their health, psycho-social and socio-economic wellbeing. They will be able to access these services at a designated site.
Similar projects are already operating in the Free State, Limpopo and one other site in the Eastern Cape in Nyandeni.
Launch of the campaign:
Women facing a double pandemic
Yesterday, Deputy President David Mabuza said women continue to face a double pandemic as they struggle to stay safe from the coronavirus as well as their violent partners. With cases of murder, rape and assault on the rise, activism groups have called on society to actively assist those being abused.
Mabuza was speaking in Pretoria as South Africa observes 16 Days of Activism.
“We call for the unity of purpose and commitment in tackling the fight against the twin pandemics; COVID-19 and Gender-Based Violence. We are certain that if we work together as a nation to repair the social fabric of our society, victory is guaranteed. We can now eradicate all these social ills and build a nation that is stronger and united.”
NO PLACE outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area!!If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you.When you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter: a substantial building with electricity or plumbing or an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle with windows up.Stay in safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last sound of thunder.
Indoor Lightning Safety
Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity.
Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths and faucets.Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.
Do not lie on concrete floors, and do not lean against concrete walls.
Last Resort Outdoor Risk Reduction Tips
If you are caught outside with no safe shelter anywhere nearby the following actions may reduce your risk:
Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges or peaks
Never lie flat on the ground
Never shelter under an isolated tree
Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter
Immediately get out and away from ponds, lakes and other bodies of water
Stay away from objects that conduct electricity (barbed wire fences, power lines, windmills, etc.) Source: National Weather Service
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information follow /like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
Is it possible for President Advocate Nelson Chamisa to be close to Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa?
●Zanu PF has a system which is eating its own key members.
What guarantees the safety of Chamisa who opposes it?
▪︎We can’t all be stupid to believe that General Mujuru died of a candle flame. He was a key member, yet he perished and nothing was done. People moved on! ▪︎We cant all be stupid to believe that Air Marshal Perrance Shiri died of Covid-19. It doesn’t kill instantly, we all know Covid-19.
What about the other Colonels who followed! People moved on! ▪︎We can’t ignore the fact the General Chiwenga survived polonium poison and he had to return nicodemusly without even telling his number 1!
▪︎We have a series of suspicious accidents that claimed the lives of key members that we all know.
Chindori Chininga, Moven Mahachi, Brigadier Gunda, Eliot Manyika, Border Gezi, Peter Pamire…. the list is endless. ▪︎Matemadanda who is their political çommissar (Vatete vomusangano) the auntie of the Party, has just survived food poisoning, but the damage has already been done, he will go slowly! We are waiting for his reaction…
▪︎What about abductions and assassinations?
●If the system kills those who support it, what then guarantees the safety of President Nelson Chamisa who opposes it?
Tinashe Sambiri|Former Manchester United, England and Real Madrid star, David Beckham, has said the death of Diego Maradona is a blow to the global football fraternity.
Maradona is famous for his “Hand of God” goal.
“A sad day for Argentina and a sad day for football as we celebrate the greatness of what this man gave us…
Someone that played with passion , spirit and was nothing less than a pure genius .. I was so excited to meet Diego and we will all miss him Rest In Peace,” Beckham said in a statement.
Tinashe Sambiri|Controversial Masvingo preacher, Isaac Makomichi who has been attracting attention for the wrong reasons in the past few weeks, has reportedly gone into hiding after being bashed by a woman who accused him of wrecking her marriage.
Impeccable sources revealed Makomichi was confronted by the irate lady who accused the preacher of distributing love charms to a small house who snatched the woman’s husband.
Several women have also accused the cleric of destroying their marriages by distributing the love charm to single ladies.
It is understood the controversial preacher has gone into hiding following incessant pressure from disgruntled women in the ancient city of Masvingo.
“This time he will not get away with it, we are ready to take him on.Our marriages are crumbling because of the love charms,” fumed one woman.
Sources say the charm causes men to sell their belongings and abandon their respective wives for small houses.
Pressed for a comment on the matter, Makomichi’s personal assistant said: ” What are you talking about? The prophet is out of town for a prayer retreat, is that what you call going into hiding?
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Students Council says the arrest of Harare City Council Mayor, Councillor Jacob Mafume is shocking and unacceptable.
Mafume was arrested in Harare on Wednesday.
Political analysts say the arrest is meant to disrupt his progressive work at Town House.
In an interview with ZimEye.com on Thursday morning, the MDC Alliance Students Council Secretary General, Rujeko Hither Mpambwa said Mafume should be released with immediate effect.
“We view the persecution of Harare Mayor, Councillor Jacob Mafume as baseless and unacceptable.This is a clear case of political victimization.
The MDC Alliance Students Council is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Mayor Jacob Mafume.
We are calling upon all pressure groups to push for the release of our Mayor,” said Mpambwa.
“Let’s all speak with one voice- the persecution of MDC Alliance officials has reached an alarming level,” added Mpambwa.
Rujeko Hither Mpambwa, MDC Alliance Students Council Secretary General
By A Correspondent- The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is working on a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency trading platforms operating in the country.
Governor John Mangudya said that the central bank was not against financial development as it had formed the national Fintech group to look at digital currencies.
Already circulars have been sent to banks about the sandboxes and requesting for their proposals.
Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has approached local banks to help clear a two-week backlog of unpaid importers invoices amid indications that the auction is struggling to keep up with demand for foreign currency.
Eddie Cross a member of the MPC said the central bank was asking the banks to fund the cash flow for a week.
He said they had agreed to aim for 14 days to clear all applications.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has ordered power utility ZESA to reduce its stepped electricity tariff from about US$0.19 per kilowatt hour (kWh) to about US$0.10 /kWh following a public outcry.
ZESA recently increased power tariff by more than 100% in a space of a month, a move that triggered panic in the critical sectors of the economy and the public.
“The president issued a directive to ZESA to reduce the tariff. ZESA has complied,” a well-placed ZESA source said. His sentiments were echoed by several other sources at the Ministry of Energy and Power Development.
Energy and Power Development Minister, Zhemu Soda confirmed the reduction of the tariff saying this was after consumers complained about the skyrocketing tariff.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has ordered power utility ZESA to reduce its stepped electricity tariff from about US$0.19 per kilowatt hour (kWh) to about US$0.10 /kWh following a public outcry.
ZESA, wholly owned by the government, recently increased power tariff by more than 100% in a space of a month, a move that triggered panic in the critical sectors of the economy and the public.
There were growing fears that the tariff hike would worsen the operating environment by increasing the cost of production. Well-placed ZESA and government sources told Business Times that President Mnangagwa had to intervene.
“The president issued a directive to ZESA to reduce the tariff. ZESA has complied,” a well-placed ZESA source said.
His sentiments were echoed by several other sources at the Ministry of Energy and Power Development.
Efforts to get a comment from deputy chief secretary in charge of Presidential communications, George Charamba, were futile.
Contacted for comment Energy and Power Development Minister, Zhemu Soda confirmed the reduction of the tariff saying this was after consumers complained about the skyrocketing tariff.
“ZESA had indicated that it wanted to absorb their running cost, that’s why they were granted tariff increases.
But, consumers were not happy about the tariff increase and they raised a complaint.
“So, they appealed and the regulator, ZERA ordered ZESA to revise downwards its tariffs. You can imagine ZESA is importing at US$0.10 but wanted to sell at US$0.19. So, the regulator reviewed downwards the tariff,” Soda told Business Times.
This is not the first time that consumers have challenged ZESA’s tariff increase.
In 2011, the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industry, successfully challenged ZESA’s proposed tariff increase in the Administrative Court.
ZESA, however, refused to budge and maintained the tariff at the contested level.
That increase had been approved by ZERA which claimed the judgement reversing the then agreed tariff had the potential to plunge the country into darkness, if implemented.
ZESA appealed to the Supreme Court saying the court judgement would open floodgates of lawsuits from consumers who had paid bills based on the new tariff.
A ruling on the appeal has not yet been made.
Some analysts say it would be illegal for ZESA to review upwards the tariff in the absence of a decision from the Supreme Court.
Last year in August, ZESA introduced the domestic stepped tariff to encourage consumers to use electricity efficiently and to make power affordable to low consumption households.
It had four steps.
But, it now has six steps following President Mnangagwa’s directive.
In a notice to customers, the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), a unit of ZESA, this week advised of structural changes to the stepped prepayment tariff structure which has been increased to six from four.
“ZETDC would like to advise that it has revised the domestic prepayment tariff structure from four to six stepped tariff structure to give customers more buying options,” ZETDC said, adding that customers who bought prepaid electricity tokens on the old stepped tariff structure before this adjustment to six steps “will be credited the difference in due course”.
The new tariff will see ZESA charging US$0.016/kWh for the first 50kWh and US$0.03 /kWh for units between 51-100kWh.
After the 100kWh, consumers start paying about US$0.06 per unit.
Between 201 to 300kWh, it will be US$0.086 per unit.
From 301 to 400kWh, it will cost US$0.09 per unit while those purchasing more than 400kWh, will have to fork out US$0.10 per unit.
This means the lower bands are now more expensive than the higher bands. Consequently, the directive to reduce tariff, analysts say would encourage reckless consumption of electricity.
This would render the demand side management concept useless.
The demand side management concept was encouraging consumers to save power, apparently creating or realising a virtual power station.
By Nomusa Garikai- MDC Alliance treasurer-general David Coltart has welcomed the appointment of United States human rights defender and career diplomat Linda Thomas Greenfield as US ambassador to the United Nations.
“I don’t know what she is going to do. The main point is that she is sympathetic to human rights issues. Her appointment definitely puts Zimbabwe on her radar since she has an understanding of the ongoing persecution of journalists, opposition activists and human rights defenders,” said Coltart.
President-elect Joe Biden and his incoming administration must read 2004 to 2007 USA Ambassador Chris Dell’s report describing the late MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai as “a flawed and indecisive character who, if he got into power, would be an albatross round the nation’s neck!” Time has proven beyond all reasonable doubt that Ambassador Dell was right.
MDC did get into power in the 2008 to 2013 GNU and the party’s primary task was to implement the democratic reforms and end the curse of rigged elections. They failed to implement even one reform because Mugabe bribed them with the trapping of high office and, to demonstrate their appreciation, they throw away the reforms.
Ever since the GNU, MDC leaders have participated in elections, knowing fully well that Zanu PF was rigging the election; they did because Zanu PF was giving away a few gravy train seats to entice the opposition. They remembered the good-time of the GNU years and could not resist the bait.
Worst of all, the MDC leaders KNEW that by participating in flawed and illegal elections they will give the process credibility, as David Coltart himself admitted in his book.
“The worst aspect for me about the failure to agree a coalition was that both MDCs couldn’t now do the obvious – withdraw from the (2013) elections,” wrote Senator Coltart in his Book, The Struggle Continues 50 years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe.
“The electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process credibility.”
Of course, by giving the flawed election process credibility the opposition also gave the vote rigging, ipso facto illegitimate, Zanu PF regime legitimacy!
It really is very frustrating that Zimbabwe should still groaning under the yoke of this corrupt, tyrannical Zanu PF dictatorship when the country has had so many golden opportunities to end the dictatorship and wasted them. Worst of all that it should be the same corrupt and incompetent MDC leaders who have wasted the chance and are now the greatest impediment to meaningful democratic change who are pontificating about Zanu PF dictatorship.
The Americans’ 2001 ZDERA sanctions on Zanu PF leaders have failed to bring about any meaningful political change in Zimbabwe because those tasked to deliver the change have sold-out and betrayed the nation and cause. Like it or not MDC leaders are now an albatross round Zimbabwe’s neck!
MDC leaders have made a big song and dance about fighting for free, fair and credible elections for the last 20 years and yet they have failed to deliver even one meaningful democratic change even when they had the golden opportunity to do so. MDC leaders have been running with the hare whilst, nicodemously, hunting with the hounds. The renewed sanctions must not only target Zanu PF leaders but their clandestine partners in crime – the MDC sell-outs. It is time for some clever boxing!
HON. MAMOMBE: Good afternoon Madam Speaker and thank you for the exception.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Good afternoon Honourable.
HON. MAMOMBE: Madam Speaker, I am rising on a point of privilege. The 16 days of activism against gender based violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off today on the 25th November which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and it runs until the 10th December, which is the Human Rights Day. Madam Speaker, statistics in Zimbabwe show that one in three women between the ages of 15 and 49 experience gender based violence. The gender based violence undermines opportunities for women and denies them the ability to fully….
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: You are not connected Hon. Mamombe. Hon. Mamombe, there is a motion already on the Order Paper about Gender Based Violence. You can go straight to your issues.
HON. MAMOMBE: I was saying that Parliament of Zimbabwe has not been spared, especially on female Hon. Members from the gender based violence. As elected Members we are expected to reduce tolerance to gender based violence both in our communities as well as in the Hon. House. Madam Speaker Maam, I would like to refer you to some of the cases that undermine and violate the rights of female MPs in the House, especially in this Ninth Parliament. Madam Speaker Maam, I want to refer you the Hansard of 21st November 2018 where Hon. Karenyi, who is no longer with us today raised an issue of sexual harassment by one of the male MPs.
In the Hansard of 4th December 2019, Hon. Toffa brought to your attention another matter of sexual harassment by the same male Member of Parliament. Again, the Chair noted the matter and promised to look into this. Madam Speaker Maam, yourself being a female Hon. Member, I expect you to also act on these issues. This Member of Parliament is the one from Mberengwa North Hon. Tafanana Zhou. The abuse cannot be tolerated any further. Madam Speaker, if you look at these two matters, my name as Joana Mamombe was cited as a victim of abuse in these two matters that I have told you about.
On the 29th October 2020, Hon. Zhou raised in this House that I should be recalled from Parliament due my mental illness. This is perpetuated abuse on my being by this Hon. Member. While the MP enjoys his status he forgets that he is a perpetrator of sexual harassment in his province and has a case before the Bulawayo High Court. Madam Speaker Ma’am, my prayer today is that sexual harassment against female Hon. Members must stop. Therefore, my prayer today is that a privileges committee be set up for the two matters, one that was raised by Hon. Karenyi in 2018 and the other one that was raised by Hon. Toffa in 2019. Let there be a Committee on Privileges that will be set up. I thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, Hon. Members. Hon. Biti, order please. Hon. Mamombe, I have heard what you said. I am going to look into it. Thank you.
Hon. Chinotimba having stood up on a point of order.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Sorry Hon. Chinotimba, we are not allowing points of order on Wednesdays. You will raise your point of order tomorrow on Thursday – [HON. CHINOTIMBA: Madam Speaker, munoumu mapinda munhu anorwara, anopenga. Tomubvumidza kuti ngaataure-] – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – [AN HON. MEMBER: Ngaabude panze!] – – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjection.] – Order, Hon. Members! Order! – [HON. MLISWA: Inaudible interjections.] – Order, Hon. Members! – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Hon. Members, please take your seats or I will order you out of the House – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
HON. BITI: Madam Speaker, Hon. Chinotimba must withdraw his offensive statement. It is abuse to gender. We are in the week of gender-based violence and he perpetrates gender based violence. We ask for your ruling to expel that bearded man from this House for abusing this young lady. Parliament must protect women. Women must feel secure in this august House, so this man Hon. Chinotimba must be expelled from this House. Thank you.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER having recognised Hon. Masenda – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
HON. T. MLISWA: Madam Speaker, ataura kuti anopenga. A medical report must be produced kuti munhu is not stable and without that he must withdraw. He cannot get away with it. The precedent we are setting is wrong. You said there are no points of order. You gave him a chance.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Withdraw that statement Hon. Chinotimba…
HON. CHINOTIMBA: Anorwara you – [HON. T. MLISWA: Inaudible interjections.] – You are MDC. – [HON. MEMBERS: Withdraw your statement.] –
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Chinotimba, please withdraw your statement –
Hon. Tsunga and Hon. Kwaramba having walked in.
HON. T. MLISWA: Thank you Hon. Tsunga and Hon. Kwaramba for standing in for women.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Chinotimba, please withdraw your statement and sit down.
*HON. CHINOTIMBA: Madam Speaker, before I withdraw, I would like to say something – [HON. MEMBERS: Withdraw.] – Madam Speaker, let me withdraw. I am withdrawing my statement that Hon. Mamombe murwere.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Withdraw your statement Hon. Chinotimba – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections, hazvisi right murwere mune macard ake here?] –
HON. CHINOTIMBA: Madam Speaker, I withdraw, that Hon. Mamombe murwere – [AN HON. MEMBER: Haudaro chingoti I withdraw.] Ndozvaataura. – [HON. T. MLISWA: Haubati mukadzi mushe kumba uko.] – Madam Speaker, I withdraw. Can Hon. T. Mliswa withdraw his statement also?
HON. T. MLISWA: I will not withdraw because it was in the newspaper, it is in the public that you are failing to give your wife conjugal rights – [HON. CHINOTIMBA: It is written in the Affidavit that Hon. Mamombe vanorwara zvakabuda mucourt.] – Enda unobata mukadzi zvakanaka kumba.
*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. T. Mliswa, what you are doing is abusing me by the noise that you are making.
HON. T. MLISWA: I am sorry Madam Speaker.
*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon Members, I want you to stretch your hands. If your hands touch another person, you are not one metre apart.
By Martin Chihoka and Garai Donald Barahanga | This article focuses on Paramount Chief Mbari of the Shumba Gurundoro clan, the ruler of Harare and part of Mazowe before colonialism – the man whom Harare, Mbare, Dzivarasekwa and a number of iconic geographical features in the region are named after.
This time we focus on the gallant fight put up by Mbari’s people in the First Chimurenga/Umvukela and the resultant genocide suffered by the clan. We want to introduce a few of Mbari’s heroic people who were edited out of the First Chimurenga history for reasons that shall be highlighted in the coming series.
Chief Mbari’s area was the hotbed of the First Chimurenga, the nucleus of resistance from which the war spiralled to other regions in Mashonaland. Most of the key players in the uprising: Mkwati, Nehanda, Kaguvi, Makombe (not to be confused with the Makombe of the Humba people) Nyamadzawo and Mapondera operated in Mbari’s area. During the time of the upheaval it was Makombe (Mbari’s brother) who was the ruler. The following are some of Mbari’s people who played a pivotal role in the uprising.
MUDAVANHU (MKWATI)
Most readers are familiar with the powerful spirit, Mkwati, but not his medium, Mudavanhu – much as Nehanda is more popular than her medium of the war-period – Charwe. Mudavanhu was Mbari’s son. Mkwati was the brains behind the uprising. He co-ordinated the uprising in Matabeleland and Mashonaland, giving spiritual guidance to the chiefs who fought gallantly in the revolt which caused shock-waves not only in the region but in Empire capitals such as London. After consulting with the Voice at Matonjeni, Mkwati gave the signal for the revolt to start. Mudavanhu (Mkwati) moved from place to place galvanising hesitant groups into action. Mudavanhu was never caught. Befittingly, one of the tallest buildings in Harare – Mkwati Building – is named after the mastermind of the uprising.
MAKOMBE
When Mbari died in 1872 due to old age, the chieftaincy passed on to his younger brother, Makombe, who in settler accounts of the popular revolt is referred to as Makombi. Nicknamed Chimurenga (a term that was later broadly used to refer to the uprising), Makombe organised the revolt in the Mazowe area. A number of settlers (estimated at more than fifty) perished in the region. The most famous casualty was the brutal Native Commissioner Henry Pollard, the colonial administrator who subjected Africans to forced labour and brutality.
Makombe himself was captured three times but his deep knowledge of the terrain, including its underground tunnels (ninga) enabled him to escape each time. In disguise, he was able to collect the body of Mbuya Nehanda, amongst others, and buried it at a place unknown to enemies.
Makombe would not have succeeded without the participation of his nephews (Mbari’s sons) namely Nyamadzawo and Mutinha and Chiridzambira.
NYAMADZAWO
Much attention has been paid to the spiritual leaders of the 1896/7 revolution but little to the people who actually did the fighting. One such is Nyamadzawo, Mbari’s son, who commanded the insurgents and carried out daring attacks, despite the inferior weapons at their disposal. Nyamadzawo mastered guerrilla tactics which had never been employed elsewhere in the region. These were surprise attacks, ambush, siege, and hit and run. He made the Mazowe area dangerous for white settlers. A master tactician, Nyamadzawo also cut off telegraph wires to isolate settler families in the region. These guerrilla tactics were used decades later by the Chinese under Mao tse Tung in the Chinese Revolution.
To make matters worse for settlers, the influential spirit of Mbuya Nehanda operated from Makombe’s (Mbari’s) territory. Combining spiritualism with guerrilla warfare, the fighters gained in confidence. Colonial documents of this period refer to the area as the “troubled Mazowe area.”
Some of the white settlers who died in the area were Frank Austin, a prospector, and James Steel who were killed on 24 June 1896. The others were Walter Tapsell (21 June), Louis Herman (21 June) and William Harvey Brown (23 July).
The siege of Deary’s Store lasted from 21 June to 13 July.
When the revolt was suppressed, Nyamadzawo evaded arrest and died of natural causes.
MUTINHA
Another of Mbari’s sons, Mutinha, by then a sub-chief in the Mazowe area, is best known for organising the capture of the notorious Native Commissioner, Henry Pollard. With the co-operation of Mbuya Nehanda, the capture and subsequent killing of Pollard, a symbol of colonial power, dealt a heavy blow for the Administration.
CHIRIDZAMBIRA
Outsiders did not and still do not understand the complex two-tier chieftaincy system of Mbari’s Shumba Gurundoro people. Chiridzambira, one of the several of Mbari’s sons, was ordained by his father to be the spiritual leader of his kingdom while Makombe was the de-facto Paramount Chief. Chiridzambira, though his reign was short-lived due to the annihilation of the clan by colonial rule, had almost the same powers as Mbari, that of King-maker who gave land and jurisdiction to fugitives such as Seke. Chiridzambira gave his blessing for the start of the uprising.
GENOCIDE
All the gallantry of Mbari’s clan effectively ended on the 1st of March 1897 when the settlers massacred everyone in sight in Makombe’s settlement. Some escaped to the caves where they were betrayed by well-known collaborators. They were dynamited. This will be the subject of a follow up article.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police’s crack anti-theft vehicle unit is appealing to motorists to be on the lookout for robbers that are masquerading as hitch hikers on the country’s high ways.
This comes as the criminal investigation department vehicle theft squad has in recent weeks attended to numerous incidents were motorist have been hijacked by be would be passengers.
