By A Correspondent- The father of four children who were killed by their mother in Chivhu on Tuesday, Lameck Brande, said it would have been better if his wife had killed him instead.

In an interview with The Herald in Chivhu on Thursday, Brande narrated how he was told of a fire at his Hillsview home and later saw the carnage that had been left behind by his wife Emelda Marazani.

He said:

When I heard that the house was in flames, I was at the shop and I quickly rushed home. I looked everywhere for the children but could not see any.

Together with my friends, we managed to break burglar bars of one of the windows and I rushed in. When I entered one of the rooms, I found two of my children covered in blankets and as I tried to pull them out, I discovered that their throats were slit. Vaiva vakachekwa muhuro nebanga zvakare vaiva vatofa.

I managed to pull them out. I proceeded to the other rooms and found my two elder daughters already burnt, they were tied with a rope.

When I heard that their mother had gone out running, I drove to the police station to make a report, thinking that after making a report I will then start searching for her.

I was surprised to see her already at the police station. She told me there that she had killed our children. She then said that she had drunk poison.

In no time, she collapsed and I poured her some water and she regained consciousness. I then used my car to rush her to the hospital.”

The couple’s children are Amanda (9), Yolander (5), Ayender (3) and Galender (1) and two of them were burnt beyond recognition.

Bande revealed that tension between them started when his wife saw a suspicious message on his phone, which also led her to destroy his mobile phones.

He said he thought the issue was over and did not suspect she would kill the children.

The four bodies are all in Chivhu General Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem.-statemedia

By A Correspondent | The under fire Drax scandal agent Delish Nguwaya threw barbs of insults against veteran journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, it has emerged.

According to Zengeza MP Job Sikhala, Nguwaya did this inside the courtroom at the magistrates courts.

Writing on Saturday, Hon Sikhala described the drama saying:

“When Delish Nguwaya stormed into Court 20 at Rotten Row taunting Hopewell that he will suffer in prison, he tried to play funnies with me about fighting mudhara wake.

“Ask him what he got. He got more than what he bargained. From me you get what you ask for.

“Dzungu hakusi kungwara.”

When Delish Nguwaya stormed into Court 20 at Rotten Row taunting Hopewell that he will suffer in prison, he tried to play funnies with me about fighting mudhara wake. Ask him what he got. He got more than what he bargained. From me you get what you ask for. Dzungu hakusi kungwara

— HON Job Wiwa Sikhala (@JobSikhala1) November 14, 2020

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (Zimche) has parted ways with its top operations manager Mrs Florence Chimbunu after it was exposed that she had a single Ordinary Level pass.

Chimbunu who started as a receptionist was promoted to the top managerial post in January this year after claiming that she had five O’ Level passes plus tertiary level qualifications.

The fraud was detected when Human Resources at the country’s quality regulator of degree and diploma programmes conducted an audit check which exposed that Chimhunu was using allegedly fake academic and tertiary qualifications.

Her new position came with the following benefits: private security guard,

an all-terrain Toyota Hilux double cab vehicle,

payment of school fees for three children, her tertiary fees and her spouse’s fees

a five-day international holiday and daily allowance for two people annually,

340 litres of fuel monthly,

a landline telephone and wi-fi allowance,

professional association allowance and dressing allowance.

a domestic worker’s allowance and

a monthly retention allowance,

entertainment allowance,

medical aid cover for spouse and four dependants,

cellphone and housing allowances.

Following the discovery, Zimche parted ways with Chimbunu who has since been arrested for fraud and forgery and now awaits trial.

By A Correspondent- Friends of Ginimbi’s spokesperson Ronald Muzambe has dismissed reports suggesting that there was a coffin bought prior to the socialite and businessman’s death.

Without disclosing all the costs involved, Muzambe told NewsDay Weekender that the late socialite’s coffin came from South Africa.

He said:

There was no coffin that was bought prior to Ginimbi’s death, there was no such thing. There are multiple stories doing the rounds with regards the issue of the coffin. Many people wanted to buy the coffin for Ginimbi. We then decided that no individual should buy the coffin and the coffin was brought through contributions.

After putting the contributions together, some money was used to buy the coffin and some to cover funeral expenses. So it was a joint effort, not an individual job. I will clarify that the coffin was imported from South Africa, it is a custom-made Versace coffin. We thought of making him a Versace coffin because it was his favourite brand.

The Deputy Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation and Zanu PF legislator for Hwedza South, Tino Machakaire, had on Monday pledged to buy a coffin for the late socialite.

Versace coffins cost between US$5 000 to $12 000 depending on the specifications which clients choose.

The National Council of the opposition MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe has expelled Abednico Bhebhe from the party over gross violation of the party’s constitution by supporting another political party other than the MDC T. Below are the resolutions of the MDC-T National Council meeting.

Upholding and Respecting the Supreme Court Judgment (SC56/2020) which ordered the holding of an Extraordinary Congress in terms of the party constitution to elect a substantive replacement for the late Party President Dr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai.

Acknowledging the same Supreme Court judgement recognises the existence of the constitution of the MDC without any qualifications.

Affirming that the Supreme Court judgement doesn’t entail deviating from the clear provisions of our constitution.

Realising that some members of the Party have left the party and joined or formed other political parties and that by that fact alone the said members have renounced their membership of the party.

Acknowledging the resolutions of the National Council Meeting of 9 May 2020, which meeting resolved to

a. acknowledge the 31st March 2020 Supreme Court judgment

b. go for the ordered Extraordinary Congress in line with the party constitution

c. recall those elected members, in parliament and local government, who have chosen to join or support other parties.

Recognising the resolutions of the National Council meeting of 18 October 2020

Recognising the public health challenges imposed on physical provincial nominations by the Covid 19 pandemic.

The National Council therefore unanimously resolves to

1. Expel Mr A Bhebhe from the party in terms of section 5.10.a and 5.11.a of the constitution for grossly violating the constitution of the party supporting another political party other than the MDC T. To that end he is formally disqualified to take part in any processes of the party.
2. Nominate T. Khupe, M. Komichi. E. Mudzuri and D.T.Mwonzora to contest the position of President of the party.
3. Hold the Extraordinary Congress of the party shall be held between the 13th and the 20th of December 2020 on a venue(s) to be advised.

Signed: Dr Tapiwa Mai-Marefu Mashakada 

Acting National Spokesperson

By A Correspondent- Justice Benjamin Chikowero has become the second judge to recuse self from Justice Erica Ndewere’s case after Justice Moses Foroma said he could not handle the matter involving a colleague.

Chikowero also argued that Ndewere was his colleague whom he had worked with for many years, therefore, he will be violating the principle of nemo judex in sua causa (there will be conflict of interest).

This is happening when Justice Ndewere recently filed an application challenging Chief Justice Luke Malaba’s order to have her investigated for alleged misconduct and to have a sitting judge to investigate her.

Rescuing himself from the case, Justice Chikowero said:

I sit on the High Court bench. So does the applicant (Justice Erica Ndewere). We are both stationed in Harare. She is my colleague.

I was appointed to this bench on December 14, 2017. Since then, I have always been paired with applicant (Justice Ndewere) on the urgent judge duty roster. She is the senior judge. I am the junior judge.This means the applicant has been my professional partner on that roster ever since I became a judge of this court. Professionally, I am, therefore, closely linked to the applicant.

Judicial office is a public trust. My view is that my continued sitting in this matter would not maintain public confidence in the Judiciary.

It would actually be an embarrassment to the Judiciary. It would bring the Judiciary into disrepute. Whatever my decision in the matter, justice would not be seen to have been done.

Justice Ndewere is accused of gross misconduct in the performance of her duties after she allegedly caused the setting aside of the jail term of a thief, Kenneth Majecha, referred the case back to the lower court for re-sentencing and recommended that he should perform community service on the basis that he was a youthful first offender.

The Judicial Service Commission argues that Justice Ndewere was wrong about Majecha being a first offender as he had three previous convictions.

Justice Ndewere, however, believes she is being victimised for refusing to take orders from Chief Justice Malaba to deny bail to former Tourism minister Priscah Mupfumira and MDC Alliance deputy chairperson Job Sikhala.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- Government has tabled a new salary offer to its workers that will see the least paid teacher earn about $19 975, including a 10% risk allowance and shut the door for further negotiations.

The latest offer was tabled during a National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) meeting held in Harare yesterday.

Although the Apex Council did not give figures regarding the government offer, a leaked news brief by Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) to its members revealed government simply went to confirm its offer announced by Cabinet on Tuesday, which teachers rejected.

“The NJNC meeting today agreed to adjourn to Monday 16 December 2020 to further consult their constituencies on an improved offer brought forth by the employer,” Dzatsunga said in a statement released after the meeting.

“Since the figures are yet to be finalised to the satisfaction of either party, it will be premature to disclose the quantum except to say there has been some tangible progress in the discus-sions.”

But according to the Zimta brief confirmed by its executive secretary Sifiso Ndlovu, the least-paid teacher, grade D 1, will now get $19 957 inclusive of the US$75 COVID-19 allowance and a 10% special allowance of $1 852,40.

Teachers’ grades range from D 1 to D5.

The least-paid government worker, B1, will now earn $14 524 while a Grade El employee will now walk away with $21 205.

“Bonus will be paid as announced earlier, but will now include basic salary, transport allowance and housing allowance,” part of the Zimta brief read.

“Government has exhausted its mandate and will not be reviewing the figures beyond current levels.

“From this meeting, which seems to be shutting all doors of further search for improvement, government gave a cautionary notice stating that all teachers must now earn what they have worked for, forthwith. No work, no pay principle will now apply,” Zimta added: “Meanwhile, our negotiating team requested time-out to consult you our members on this development, and NJNC will reconvene on Monday 16 November 2020 at 1000hrs.”

“Please submit your views that will now inform the way forward. Let’s have further interrogations of our earlier positions in light of the circumstances,” Ndlovu expressed concern over government’s intimidatory tactics which he said were meant to stifle further negotiations.

Teachers have been on strike since September when schools reopened following a six-month-long COVID-19-induced closure.

The educators are demanding between US$520 and US$550, but Public Service minister Paul Mavima dis-missed the demand as “outrageous”, adding government had no capacity to pay US dollar salaries.

Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou yesterday said teachers would not accept anything below US$550.

“We don’t see any tangible progress. Any tangible progress should exceed US$550. We don’t even see how they can reach 80%. That will still be far less; it can even achieve half of what we want. That will still be not enough,” Zhou said.

“There won’t be any progress before the restoration of the US$550.”

He said government should first disclose how it is paying other civil servants like soldiers. The Apex Council, Zhou said, was anybody whose term of office has expired and will likely agree to anything. He however warned teachers will not be bound by any agreement running short of their demands.

“As long as our demands are not met, we will remain incapacitated and will not be able to report for duty” Zhou said.

Meanwhile, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s office has reportedly reached out to the militant PTUZ for dialogue as government yesterday reportedly raised its salary increment offer in a desperate bid to end the educators’ industrial action.

Zhou confirmed the offer for dialogue from the Office of the President, saying the parties would meet at the union’s offices in Harare on Monday after the unionists yesterday refused to meet Mnangagwa’s emissaries in the absence of other unions.

“Some men who said they are from the President’s Office approached us today (yesterday) for a meeting,” Zhou said.

“We said, no, we can’t meet as a single union, but as a united front of all teachers unions. So we have agreed the meeting will now take place on Monday at 10 am. We have agreed the meeting will be held at the PTUZ offices,” said Zhou.

Permanent secretary for presidential communications in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Regis Chikowore said he was not aware of the alleged meeting with PTUZ representatives.

By A Correspondent- It was apparently a bad move for a Mberengwa man to accommodate a sangoma he had consulted to cleanse his wife from goblins that she claimed were sexually harassing her during the night.

This was after the man, Edgar Rwodzi, of Mawire Village, under Chief Bankwe reportedly lost his wife Tendai Matamba to the self-proclaimed sangoma Andrew Man’ombe.

Rwodzi decided to enlist the services of Man’ombe after his wife complained that when in bed she was always being poked by an evil creature with the shape of a man.

So nasty was the alleged abuse that she also claimed she was waking up wet and tired every day.

After being hired a lustful Man’ombe who also seemed to have developed an affection towards Rwodzi’s wife requested that he should be accommodated at the couple’s house for some days claiming Matamba required a thorough cleansing process.

The seemingly unsuspicious Rwodzi agreed to Man’ombe’s request since he was desperate to have his wife cleansed.

His marriage was also on the verge of collapse because of the wife’s incessant complaints that the only time she enjoyed sex was when she was making love with the goblin.

In his bid to sexually dribble past his client, a source who spoke to B-Metro said Man’ombe asked Rwodzi and his wife to sleep in separate bedrooms saying if they slept together that would disturb the cleansing process.

After separating the couple, it is reported that during the night, Man’ombe would sneak into Matamba’s bedroom to indukge in sex with her under the pretext of cleansing her.

He would allegedly tell her that the sexual intercourse was the only remedy for her problem.

“One night, a suspicious Rwodzi woke up after he heard screams coming from his wife’s bedroom and when he went to investigate, he was shocked when he discovered the two-Matamba and Man’ombe indulged in sex.

“He brutally assaulted them and when he later confronted his wife, she confessed that Man’ombe would regularly sneak into her bedroom and requested her to remove her clothes and indulge in sex with her as part of the cleansing process,” said the source who requested anonymity.

The bashed Man’ombe, however, denied the accusations saying Matamba was the one who was inviting him to her bedroom saying her husband was sexually starving her.

He also claimed that Matamba was the one who suggested that he should be accommodated at the house under the pretext that the cleansing process needed regular attention.

Realising that Man’ombe had exposed her, Matamba reportedly packed her belongings and eloped with Man’ombe.

In a telephone interview Rwodzi confirmed the incident saying he was in the process of suing Man’ombe for betraying his trust and subsequently destroying his marriage.

“It was like a punch in the gut and I will sue him because splitting from my wife with whom I had four children with was unbearable. My relatives advised me to sue him because his (Man’ombe) actions destroyed my marriage. In fact, he knew that what he was doing would cause harm and damage my marriage,” said Rwodzi.

Matamba refused to comment and requested that all questions should be referred to her alleged lover, Man’ombe.

“It’s not my duty to respond to those useless allegations levelled against me. He should blame himself for not sleeping with his wife who later turned to me while complaining that their marriage had been turned to that of a sister and brother. Don’t talk to me again,” charged Man’ombe in a voice recording.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF has drawn parallels between opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa and United States losing presidential candidate Donald Trump who has refused to concede defeat in the just-ended American polls.

Addressing a Press conference, Zanu PF acting spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa said Chamisa was Trump’s “perfect biological son”.

“If you wanted to liken Donald Trump to any personality in our political arena, it will be Chamisa. In fact, it will be Chamisa. President (Robert) Mugabe was never defeated and never refused to vacate as we know historically. It is not true (that he was defeated). He was never defeated in any election as Zanu PF, as President Mugabe since 1980,” Chinamasa said.

His statements came after top news channels in the US likened Trump’s actions to those of Zanu PF and the late former President Mugabe who was toppled in a military coup in 2017.

Mugabe refused to step down after losing to the late MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai in 2008, leading to the formation of a coalition government.

But Chinamasa had other views.

“What sometimes people refer to as a defeat was in 2008 which led to the presidential rerun, where he trailed in the first run versus Tsvangirai,” he said.

“In our case, our President (Emmerson) Mnangagwa won 50% plus over 400 000. So, we won overwhelming majority. There is no comparison of the antics of Trump to Zanu PF. If anything, he (Trump) taught Chamisa the wrong things and that is what I said.”

Chinamasa said the US, through its embassy in Harare, taught Chamisa to refuse to concede defeat.

Zanu PF accused the US of behaving in an undemocratic manner and holding sham elections, by Trump’s own admission.

He said Zimbabwe had nothing to learn from the US elections which “exposed the rottenness of the country’s electoral system and so-called democracy”.

“The just-ended elections in the US by all standards have turned into a circus, from allegations of vote fraud to unbridled vote counts leading to a week’s long stalemate before elections could be announced despite there being a clear leader, Joe Biden,” Chinamasa said, accusing the US of trying to lecture Africans about democracy yet they were busy running the “mother of all undemocratic” elections.

“The Trump administration is, indeed, a threat to democracy and the global superpower must be stopped. In all the foregoing, we are however surprised by the silence of the United Nations, the European Union and their allies who have sought to prefect us on our electoral systems.

“I am surprised by the silence of the US ambassador to Zimbabwe, Brian Nichols, who always wants to school us about democracy.

“Where is he to tell us and update us about what is happening in the US and when his boss is going to hand over power to President-elect Biden.”-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Exiled former G40 kingpins, Jonathan Moyo and Saviour Kasukuwere have said the only option available for suffering Zimbabweans in getting rid of the current Zanu PF government was staging “a popular revolution”.

Moyo said mass uprisings remained the only viable option under the circumstances given that pursuing legal options to challenge the legitimacy of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who rose to power through a military coup in 2017, would be an exercise in futility.

Speaking on Thursday during a public debate organised by Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) titled Operation Restore Legacy: Unpacking the Democratic Transition in Zimbabwe, Moyo described Mnangagwa’s government as an unconstitutional military State.

“The matter of challenging it (legitimacy of the current government) in court is a dead one because it has been dealt with although controversially by Chief Justice Luke Malaba in July 2018,” Moyo said.

“We all know that a military coup is unconstitutional, its essence is to overthrow the Constitution.

“The only way of dealing with a military government is through a popular revolution. You cannot have reforms that are progressive or democratic in a military State.”

He said Zimbabweans find themselves in a difficult position given the fact that the military coup of November 2017 was supported by opposition political parties and civic society organisations.

Kasukuwere, the former Zanu PF national commissar, said there was an imperative need for Zimbabweans to organise, not agonise.

“The time has come. It is a fact that they will use any means necessary to silence the masses but that is the nature of any struggle. We need freedom; we need a better country and let’s fight this struggle from every angle,” Kasukuwere said.

“Let us take the battle straight to the administration. Each and every day, they must start to understand the pain in our society. The collective aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe will be much greater a force than any other thing; whether they are guns or arrests. Either we organise or we agonise forever.”

Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions president Peter Mutasa said Zimbabwe was now “a military State”.

National Patriotic Front spokesperson Jealousy Mawarire called for regional and international support in facilitating dialogue in Zimbabwe, adding that security sector reform was equally important.

Mawarire blasted Mnangagwa for surrounding himself with corrupt individuals.

Civic organisations under the banner of Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition are on record calling for “a genuine allstakeholders dialogue” as a way of addressing the myriad of challenges currently confronting Zimbabwe.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s office has reportedly reached out to the militant PTUZ for dialogue as government yesterday reportedly raised its salary increment offer in a desperate bid to end the educators’ industrial action.

Zhou confirmed the offer for dialogue from the Office of the President, saying the parties would meet at the union’s offices in Harare on Monday after the unionists yesterday refused to meet Mnangagwa’s emissaries in the absence of other unions.

“Some men who said they are from the President’s Office approached us today (yesterday) for a meeting,” Zhou said.

“We said, no, we can’t meet as a single union, but as a united front of all teachers unions. So we have agreed the meeting will now take place on Monday at 10 am. We have agreed the meeting will be held at the PTUZ offices,” said Zhou.

Permanent secretary for presidential communications in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Regis Chikowore said he was not aware of the alleged meeting with PTUZ representatives.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- A family in Pfungwe district, Mashonaland East province, is being investigated for allegedly dumping a male relative’s corpse at his girlfriend’s home, accusing her of murder, NewsDay Weekender has learnt.

Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza said detectives were seized with the matter.

“Some police officers have since been deployed to investigate the matter and the family has since collected the body for burial. The suspect is, however, still at large,” he said.

The deceased, Misheck Reza (25) was allegedly killed by his lover Juliet Munhuwa in a scuffle after he had caught her red handed with another man inside a makeshift tent along the Mazowe River banks.

Munhuwa, a gold panner from Gurupira village under Chief Chitsungo’s area, is currently on the run after the murder. NewsDay Weekender is reliably informed that Reza’s family members dumped his corpse at Munhuwa’s family home demanding compensation. The body was removed from the homestead yesterday following the intervention of police.

It is reported that on November 4, at around midnight, Reza stormed into the suspect’s tent and found her being intimate with another man, leading to a fist fight.

The suspect allegedly picked a stone and struck Reza on the head. The two later headed towards Chikukwa business centre.

Along the way, the suspect allegedly picked another stone and struck the now deceased again on the head, killing him on the spot.

After realising that she had committed a crime, the suspect returned to the tent to collect her belongings and fled from the area.-Newsday

Paul Nyathi

POPULAR businessman and socialite Genius Kadungure, better known as Ginimbi, was finally laid to rest at his Domboshava mansion shortly after 15:30 hours on Saturday before a mass number of mourners with thousands blocked off on the highway to Goromonzi by the police.

Norton legislator Temba Mliswa, befittingly described the funeral as the biggest in the country. Mliswa said no one, even among the country’s most prominent politicians, will ever receive a funeral as massive as that of Ginimbi.

Sports and Youth Deputy Minister Tino Machakaire was a conspicuous government official at the event also graced by area MP, Energy Mutodi.

Speaker after speaker spoke glowingly about the socialite who died in a horrific car crash while cruising on his princely Rolls Royce with three acquaintances who also perished in tragic circumstances last Sunday.

Ginimbi’s sister Juliet Kadungure narrated how she grew up with her enterprising younger brother who tried every idea – be it market gardening, selling cell phones and much later, gas – to break into what would later turn out to be a highly rewarding business career.

Among public officials and celebrities who attended the event were Mliswa, ex-Dynamos boss and Ginimbi’s maternal uncle Kenny Mubaiwa as well as Marry Mubaiwa.

By A Correspondent- A Mazowe sex worker who stole a client’s mobile phone on the pretext of charging it has been remanded in custody to tomorrow for sentencing.

Portia Maramba of Stories mine,Mazowe pleaded guilty to the charge when she stood before Concession Magistrate Nixon Mangoti Friday.

In her own plea of guilty Maramba who confirmed to be a sex worker said the phone acted as leverage since the complainant had refused to pay for two rounds they had together.

“Your worship l admit the charge but l took the phone as compensation to the two rounds l gave him since he did not pay me,” said Maramba.

Prosecutor Moses Kuimba told the court that sometime in October Morgan Bimha hooked Maramba and went to her house.

Upon arriving, Bimha gave Maramba his mobile phone to charge whilst enjoying the pleasantries of the night and he slept over her house.

When he was about to leave he asked for his charged phone but Maramba refused to give him.

He left and filed a police report leading to the recovery of his mobile phone and the arrest of the accused.

MDC T interim leader @DrThokozaniKhupe has expelled presidential aspirant Abednico Bhebhe who got more nominations ahead of her for the race for presidency at the upcoming EOC. Is Khupe a democrat of not?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 14, 2020

The National Council of the position MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe has expelled Abednico Bhebhe from the party over gross violation of the party’s constitution by supporting another political party other than the MDC T. Below are the resolutions of the MDC-T National Council meeting.

Upholding and Respecting the Supreme Court Judgment (SC56/2020) which ordered the holding of an Extraordinary Congress in terms of the party constitution to elect a substantive replacement for the late Party President Dr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai.

Acknowledging the same Supreme Court judgement recognises the existence of the constitution of the MDC without any qualifications.

Affirming that the Supreme Court judgement doesn’t entail deviating from the clear provisions of our constitution.

Realising that some members of the Party have left the party and joined or formed other political parties and that by that fact alone the said members have renounced their membership of the party.

Acknowledging the resolutions of the National Council Meeting of 9 May 2020, which meeting resolved to

a. acknowledge the 31st March 2020 Supreme Court judgment

b. go for the ordered Extraordinary Congress in line with the party constitution

c. recall those elected members, in parliament and local government, who have chosen to join or support other parties.

Recognising the resolutions of the National Council meeting of 18 October 2020

Recognising the public health challenges imposed on physical provincial nominations by the Covid 19 pandemic.

The National Council therefore unanimously resolves to

1. Expel Mr A Bhebhe from the party in terms of section 5.10.a and 5.11.a of the constitution for grossly violating the constitution of the party supporting another political party other than the MDC T. To that end he is formally disqualified to take part in any processes of the party.
2. Nominate T. Khupe, M. Komichi. E. Mudzuri and D.T.Mwonzora to contest the position of President of the party.
3. Hold the Extraordinary Congress of the party shall be held between the 13th and the 20th of December 2020 on a venue(s) to be advised.

Signed: Dr Tapiwa Mai-Marefu Mashakada 

Acting National Spokesperson

Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Namibia has strongly denounced the harassment and intimidation of teachers by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.

The party challenged Mr Mnangagwa to address the teachers’ grievances as a matter urgency.

Read full statement below:

13 NOVEMBER 2020

MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA DISTRICT APPLAUDS THE UNITY AND ZEAL TO FIGHT FOR A LIVING WAGE IN THE TEACHERS’ UNIONS IN ZIMBABWE.

As the People’s Democratic Movement, we are absolutely perplexed by the clueless Zanupf regime’s daylight threats to the rest of the civil servants who are unable to report for duty because of underpayment.

Mdc Alliance Namibia demands that the ruthless government led by Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa must spare their threats and pay our diligent teachers a living wage replacing their unsalted peanuts.

Zimbabwe’s teachers are severely incapacitated and can only be capacitated when the value of their salaries is restored to a minimum of US$520. We want to encourage teachers’unions to continue fighting against slave wages, our teachers are highly qualified to deserve this pathetic maltreatment by these belly politicians who continue to loot with impunity.

Moreso, Artuz, Ptuz, Zimta and other teachers’ unions must demonstrate unity, commitment and dedication to liberate the teaching fraternity from the jaws of authoritarians.

We salute the courage and varlour from Zimta which used to be pro-Zanupf in the remote and recent fights against suicidal policies in the education sector.

It was quite exhilarating to hear revolutionary words from Zimta when it pronounced that , “the Zimta family learned last night from a Government communique, that the salary of the minutest paid teacher will be ZWL 18 237. If this is true ,then the salary of the D1 grade has moved from ZWL 15 594 to 18 237. This offer is US$295 behind our October 2018 figure of US$520, It has not however, capacitated teachers to pick up their torn and tattered bags tomorrow and go back to various stations”.

The vibrant teachers’unions in the names of the radical Amalgamated Rural Teachers’Union championed by President Obert Masaraure and the progressive Progressive Teachers’Union led by President Dr Takavafira Zhou echoed the same revolutionary trajectory.

They concurred that the 40% salary elevation still falls short of their expectations to liberate teachers who are wallowing in poverty.

The united teachers’unions resolved that teachers remain incapacitated, they emphasised the need to confront those who are eating on their behalf.

It is an insult in the eyes of social democrats to see a junior soldier harvesting more than the Deputy Provincial Education Director. This a mockery to the intelligentsia of the nation that is why as Mdc Alliance Namibia, we are ready to fight for a people’s government.

Moreover, teachers’ unions have vowed to soldier on with their incapacitation action since negotiations with the desperate regime have faltered.

Mdc Alliance Namibia resonates with Artuz leadership who postulated that the Government should be upholders of the right to education yet they appear unperturbed by the deep crisis in the mismanaged education sector.

It becomes imperative for Zimbabweans to clamour for a people’s government that respects the basic fundamental human rights.

The power hungry Zanupf cronies must respect the constitution of the country as provided on section 75 of the constitution which clearly instructs the government to uphold and protect the right to education. It is our moral and political obligation as social democrats to hold duty bearers accountable and we should not allow the education sector to collapse with our eyes wide-open.

Furthermore, the corrupt Zanupf government must desist from threatening and harassing innocent educators who are simply demanding a living wage. The perpetual infringement on the basic universal right to education for more than 4.6 million learners in Zimbabwe must be resisted with equal measure. Section 65 of the supreme law of the motherland provides the right to a fair remuneration against the satanic meagre salaries being offered by this greedy and insensitive government.

The Zanupf government has dismally failed to reasonably uplift the teachers’ salaries due to their clear insatiable appetite for personal aggrandisement.

In a nutshell, if these advocates of rhetoric politics remain obdurate, resisting to restore the genuine value of educators’ salaries to a minimum of US$520, our hungry teachers, abused learners and desperate parents must democratically fight for poverty liberation as well as the respect of their basic right to education.

This sadist Zanupf government does not care about the value of education because they thrive on looting, graft, bribery and smuggling. They subscribe to an informal economy where the uneducated enjoy at the expense of the intelligentsia. We really need a People’s Government to displace this corrupt dictatorship.

PayOurTeachersALivingWage

ZanupfMustGo

NoToSlaveWages

FreeHopewell

JournalismIsNotACrime

SaveOurEducation

Peoples’Government

ConstitutionAndConstitutionalism

LetsDefendOurChildren’sfuture

HandsOffJusticeNdewere

Mdc Alliance Namibia
Rundu Branch Spokesperson
Robson Ruhanya

Tinashe Sambiri|The late Harare socialite and controversial business tycoon, Genius ” Ginimbi” Kadungure’s maid has dismissed claims that her boss used juju to amass wealth.

His manager of seven years, Shaleen Nullens said he was an industrious man with over 200 employees in Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa.

“Ginimbi was a hard worker, he was focused and wanted results; he was also very innovative and had a business acumen and knew which deals to strike,” she said.

His maid of 15 years, Ms Fatuma Chikowore dismissed allegations that her former boss was involved with the underworld.

“I have known Ginimbi for 15 years, he was a good boss with a good heart always ready to step in.

Social media reports about rituals are not true- there is no sacred room in this house and whenever he was around he would spend most of his time home,” she said.

“He was our umbrella and whenever we encountered problems he would assist, he brought development our area,” said the village headman in his home area.

Ginimbi is expected to be buried at his Domboshava homestead on Saturday.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance deputy president, Hon Tendai Biti, has said Zimbabwe under the leadership of Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is a “living nightmare.”

Mr Mnangagwa’s sole agenda is to cause the suffering of citizens according to the hard-hitting MDC Alliance deputy president.

“It is the continued persecution of activists that is particularly hurtful .

The harassment of Hopewell,Ngadziore ,Job, Mahere, Ngaribvumwe ,Kura, the MDCATrio and all of us is a crime against humanity.The weaponization of the law is particularly unfortunate. The regime has no shame.

Zimbabwe under Emmerson is a living nightmare. It drains you sucks out entire soul like a JK Rowling dementor.When a regime has as its sole agenda the suffering of its people then that regime should be nowhere near the seat of governance .

The regime is the worst gvt in history of gvts.

At the end of the day the real issue in Zim is a crisis of governance and leadership .

The nation carries the burden of illegitimacy, of corrupt incompetent clueless and incompetent leadership. Collectively we change gears and put an end to this .It’s time for change,” argued Hon Biti.

Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly has lined up several programmes meant to fortify the party’s support base in the rural areas.

Rural areas are traditionally regarded as Zanu PF strongholds.However, the vibrant opposition party led by President Nelson Chamisa is determined to take its programmes to the rural areas.

See statement below:

Fellow Leaders

Please note that we are going to have two Rallies this weekend.

Saturday 14 Nov Bikita South at Chiremwaremwa

Sunday 15 Masvingo Central at Makoni Shops Chatikobo village

Let’s go in our numbers

Chamisa is our President

Together we can make a difference- MDC Alliance

By A Correspondent| The opposition MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe has fired Organising Secretary Abednico Bhebhe from the party after he defeated party leader and Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora in the race to succeed the late founding President Morgan Tsvangirai.

In a statement released by Acting Spokesperson Tapiwa Mashakada, the party expelled Bhebhe on charges of violating the party constitution by supporting another political party.

The expulsion disqualified Bhebhe from taking part in an party processes.

“The National Council therefore unanimously resolves to:

1. Expel Mr A Bhebhe from the party in terms of section 5.10.a and 5.11.a of the constitution for grossly violating the constitution of the party supporting another political party other than the MDC T. To that end he is formally disqualified to take part in any processes of the party.
2. Nominate T. Khupe, M. Komichi, E. Mudzuri and D.T.Mwonzora to contest the position of President of the party.

Watch below Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure burial proceedings :

Watch below Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure burial proceedings :

By A Correspondent | The under fire Drax scandal agent Delish Nguwaya threw barbs of insults against veteran journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, it has emerged.

According to Zengeza MP Job Sikhala, Nguwaya did this inside the courtroom at the magistrates courts.

Writing on Saturday, Hon Sikhala described the drama saying:

“When Delish Nguwaya stormed into Court 20 at Rotten Row taunting Hopewell that he will suffer in prison, he tried to play funnies with me about fighting mudhara wake.

“Ask him what he got. He got more than what he bargained. From me you get what you ask for.

“Dzungu hakusi kungwara.”

When Delish Nguwaya stormed into Court 20 at Rotten Row taunting Hopewell that he will suffer in prison, he tried to play funnies with me about fighting mudhara wake. Ask him what he got. He got more than what he bargained. From me you get what you ask for. Dzungu hakusi kungwara

— HON Job Wiwa Sikhala (@JobSikhala1) November 14, 2020

State Media

Demolitions of houses built illegally on private land in Harare south started yesterday and the Government will now be targeting unapproved and illegal settlements set up by land barons, with regularisation only an option for some built earlier on.

A few properties in the new Retreat suburb in Waterfalls were demolished yesterday as they were illegally built on private land owned by Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa, and were not part of a Government drive.

But National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Daniel Garwe said all houses built on illegally allocated public land will also be demolished as Government seeks to restore order in urban settlements.

Houses built on wetlands and open spaces zoned for recreation, along with informal structures built on land reserved for social amenities, are to be targeted under an exercise to rid towns and cities of illegal settlements. Some of these illegal housing stands were created by land barons, some were created by corrupt municipal councillors and officials.

Speaking on the sidelines of a stakeholders’ seminar organised by the Zimbabwe Builders and Contractors Association in Harare yesterday, Minister Garwe said land barons took advantage of an announcement by Government that it could consider regularising some illegal allocations and settlements. The barons took advantage of this to offload a flood of new stands and started hacking out further open land to subdivide.

“We are aware of what is happening in Harare now. There are areas reserved for recreational facilities and we have told local authorities not to sell that land and wetlands. These are not supposed to be destroyed by construction activities and the houses are not going to be spared from demolitions,” he said.

“The reason why there were massive activities of construction in those areas is because the ministry announced that some homes were not going to be destroyed, but would be regularised and land barons took advantage and started constructing new structures,” said Minister Garwe.

Writing on his Twitter handle yesterday, Permanent Secretary for Information and Publicity Mr Nick Mangwana warned of impending house demolitions and the closure of illegal or unregistered businesses as the Government seeks to clean up the capital.

“Expect demolitions of illegal structures, arrests of illegal vendors, land barons, sand and water poachers, money changers, closure of unregistered businesses and closing of unlicensed shops in Harare. Lawlessness is being clamped on,” said Mr Mangwana.

There has been criticism of Harare City Council for not moving in swiftly when unapproved building takes place. All those building houses, or any other structure, in an urban area have to have building plans approved and then have regular checks by inspectors at set points in the construction.

Under normal circumstances this would stop illegal structures, or structures on stands that should not exist, since municipal officials would simply not approve the plans. But some land barons pretend to the people they con that everything has been approved in bulk, and there are suspicions that corrupt officials may be implicated.

All stands have to be created on an approved layout, regardless of whether this is for private or public land, with large-scale private developers required to get town planning approval before subdivision and development, which must include agreed services such as roads, sewers, water pipes and Zesa servitudes. On public land the relevant council or ministry would create the layout plans.

Those whose houses are being demolished at the behest of Prophet Makandiwa were seeking help.

Moses Mutambara, a Form Six student who stays with his brother at one of the houses which was demolished yesterday, said they had lost a lot of valuables.

“I was called by neighbours that our house was being demolished. This is my brother’s house. He is at work now. As you can see, our property has been damaged and we have lost a lot of valuables. I cannot even locate my national ID and to make matters worse, we are scheduled to write exams next month,” he said.

It was a double tragedy for Mr Shadmore Muzeya who is processing repatriation papers for his sister who died in South Africa.

“We find ourselves in a very terrible situation. I have to quickly find a plan for the accommodation of the family. But our appeal is for the Government to help us against these unscrupulous land barons.”

The Zimbabwe Government has presented “an improved” salary offer to civil servants, union representatives said on Friday.

ZTN could not immediately establish the new proposed salary scales, and Public Service Ministry officials could not be reached for comment. Union leaders are expected to consult members before deciding whether or not to accept the offer.

Government officials and civil servant representatives met for third round talks in the capital, Harare, on Friday.

“There has been some tangible progress in the discussions,” the Apex Council, which represents civil servants, said in a communiqué.

“The National Joint Negotiating Council meeting (on Friday) agreed to adjourn to Monday 16 December 2020 to further consult their constituencies on an improved offer brought forth by the employer.”

Previous talks were inconclusive after workers rejected a 40 percent increment, which put the lowest-paid at ZW$13 000. The workers want the equivalent of US$500.

ZTN

MDC Alliance proportional representative for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Dorcas Sibanda has lost a bid to challenge her recall from Parliament after the High Court dismissed her application.
High Court judge Justice David Mangota dismissed with costs an application filed by Sibanda who was recalled from Parliament on October 1 after the Thokozani Khupe-led MDC had announced that she was no longer a party member and declared her position vacant.

She had cited reinstated MDC secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora, Khupe, the MDC, Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda and Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to have the decision nullified.

However, Mangota dismissed Sibanda’s application and slapped her with costs, ruling her arguments were baseless.

“The applicant’s statement which is to the effect that the congress of the Alliance elected her to the position of vice chairperson for Bulawayo Province works to her disadvantage.

One cannot tell if she is the chairperson of the Alliance or the third respondent. She could have easily filed one or two supporting affidavits deposed by the third respondent who worked with her in or under Bulawayo Province,” ruled Mangota.

“The applicant’s case falls short of the required proof. It is hinged on an allegation which remains completely unsubstantiated. It stands on nothing. It is, in the result, dismissed with costs.”

The court heard on October 2 Mwonzora addressed a press conference where he announced dates for meetings concerning holding of the party’s congress.

He also announced dates in October and November for the nomination of candidates for election to the position of party president.

Mwonzora was reported to have announced that all recalled Members of Parliament and councillors were not eligible to participate in the electoral process, at congress and would not be able to contest in the election.

Source – dailynews

Diamond miner Marange Resources has to pay Harare lawyer and Mudzi South MP, Mr Jonathan Samukange , the equivalent at the official rate of US$230 000 for using his truck for 11 years without payment.

The High Court made the award in the civil suit based on the value of the truck 11 years ago, which can also be deemed the value the miner has received from the truck over the same period.

Marange Resources stopped operations in February 2016 when Government directed all diamond mining firms to stop working for breaching their contracts.

The ruling by Justice Owen Tagu comes after Mr Samukange sued Marange for “unjust enrichment”, a legal term for using another person’s property to make money without paying.

He ruled in favour of Mr Samukange after a fully contested civil hearing, finding that his testimony was more credible and corroborated by the defendant’s sole witness.

The miner also has to pay 5 percent a year interest from August 2009 to the date of full and final payment.

With compound interest, this comes to a total of the equivalent of a little over US$393 000.

Justice Tagu noted that Marange’s defence to the claim was based on falsehoods, leaving him with no option, but to invoke the point of law that if a litigant lies in one material respect, “the court will be entirely justified in taking the view that he has lied in all other respects and in treating him accordingly”.

The dispute between the parties started when Mr Samukange imported the Toyota Dyna from South Africa in 2005. Three years later, he entered into a mining agreement with Robert van der Merwe, to operate at Benson Mine in Mutoko. But three months later, the truck was taken to Marange without Mr Samukange’s knowledge, where his business partner entered into a mining joint venture for diamonds with the diamond mining concern.

The vehicle was in August 2009 impounded by police in Mutare for failure to have a valid licence but after negotiations the truck was released into the hands of Marange where it is to date.

When issued with summons, Marange denied ever taking delivery of the truck or using it.

However, it emerged during the hearing that the firm used his truck for over 11 years without paying a cent.

This was corroborated by former Marange chief executive officer Mr Obert Dube.

He testified that the company used the truck and conceded under cross-examination that it has generated value out of such use over the years.

State Media

He was Zimbabwe’s foremost public hustler, a man of opaque sources of income, but clear spending habits.

Those who knew him vouched for his earnings’ legitimacy, while those who stood at a distance — including the taxman — held their doubts.

A child at heart, Genius Kadungure loved playing. Only that his toy collection ran into millions and his playground was an elite nightclub he owned and loved.

In urban nomenclature, Ginimbi was a Mbinga, a person of comfortable means.

Addicted to the camera, his happiness would be palpable with a lens pointing towards his face, even mobile phone cameras made him happy; this is how he became a meme.

On his Instagram, he had set-up Ginimbi TV, which provided comic relief for internet users, especially during the early Covid-19 lockdown days when he used to host twerking contests once a week.

It was a crazy platform; the only rule was that there were no rules.

Ginimbi so loved the camera that he got a permanent photographer for his nightclub, Dreams.

He wanted to sell the Dreams lifestyle and felt images would be central to his goal.

The man he entrusted with the role, Kirkpatrick Chidamba, was to become the last person to take images of him and fitness bunny, Moana, about two hours before their fatal car crash.

It is a day Chidamba is struggling to take off his mind, those around him are still afraid of bringing up the conversation in his presence.

Unlike others who have tried to tie together events in the club with the fatal events of that Sunday morning, he says the day to him was routine.

The videos and images shocking people on social media were, in his view, are a reflection of one of the most uneventful days at Dreams. The day now holds a different weight to him than it did when he took a picture of Ginimbi at 02:33am on November 8, just a few hours before the fatal car accident. That was the last time G, as he was known in his circles, smiled for the camera.

“My aperture was at F3.5, ISO 40. and my focal length was at 18 millimetres,” recalls Chidamba.

“I used a speed light.”

Those who appreciate photography know that on a 50 millimetre lens in low light, an object captured under those circumstances would appear the sharpest in an image.

On the day, Chidamba decided to take candid pictures of Ginimbi without asking him to pose, as it would have meant disturbing his boss who was having unbridled fun.

“He entered the club just after midnight, but I only got to enter his VIP booth at around 02:30am to take pictures of him,” he said.

“He was in a good mood. Some champagne had just been delivered to the table and he was ensuring everyone’s glass was full. I tried to be candid as I took my shots, but he noticed me and smiled as I took my last one.”

It appears Ginimbi would not go to Dreams only to have fun, partying came as an appendage to him being a present business owner, he loved to know the intricacies of the club.

“He loved the club scene, his club scene,” said Chidamba.

“Sometimes he would come to the club early. At some point being the first to sit in the VIP Booth. He would move around most booths having conversations with his clientèle. He believed in the “fadza mutengi” (customer is king) business philosophy. On occasions he would check the sound quality as well as the lights.

“On standards, he always strived to ensure that the brand remained locally competitive.”

The club was launched as Sankayi, but was renovated and rebranded to Dreams when it started appearing like it was lagging behind competitors like Pablo’s, which drew patrons from the same pool.

“This was a well-travelled guy, he had expectations of how the club should present itself, that he personally micro-managed,” Chidamba said.

Taking images of Ginimbi to Chidamba too easy, as the late seldom interfered with creative processes.

“He really did not demand a lot,” he said. “He would follow my lead as I directed the shots. He preferred wearing shades in most of his shots. For some reason, he trusted that I would do a good job and a thumbs up at the last flash of the speed light was all the assurance he needed.

“Ginimbi’s love for Rhumba and old school Reggae music was clear from the way he reacted when a DJ played those genres. He was a free spirit, some people would come to the club just to spend time staring at him.”

Did Ginimbi ever get agitated?

Even as he was facing his smuggling charges, he would wear his smile as he walked through the doors at Rotten Row Courts. Those who worked close to him speak of rare, isolated days he lost his cool.

“Ginimbi rarely communicated his displeasure when it came to the photos and it was mostly done through a member of the management,” said Chidamba.

“There is a day though, during a meeting, he asked me if I would go to a club which showed a particular image I had taken. It was a hard pill to swallow.”

Throughout Chidamba’s time shooting at the venue from the first day, he was a witness to what he describes as “acts of immense kindness.”

After quitting his job and deciding to take up photography, Chidamba’s first gig became the biggest career move he would make.

“It was around June 2018, a few days after my birthday,” he said.

“I got a call to go to the club, which was Sankayi then. I met him downstairs and he told me to go upstairs and get equipment, it was Ginimbi’s birthday on this day.

“This marked the beginning of my photographic career.”

Ginimbi gave a novice photographer a chance of a lifetime to gain his skill shooting for one of the biggest entertainment venues in the country. Many would have gone for tried and tested names, but Ginimbi was a man who confronted the usual for a living.

“This man allowed me to grow and experiment with my craft, with his space, time and resources, that’s a lot to give,” said Chidamba.

With loads of footage accumulated through an average of two shoots a week, Chidamba says he is waiting to be guided by Dreams Club on how some of the key content can be properly packaged and distributed.

“Genius’ images are not too many in my archives, but they are some of the most significant photos I have,” he said.

“On some, I could have done better, but I think I caught him in some of his happiest moments.

“I will be working in consultation with the club, but I am hoping to frame a few of his pictures for future exhibitions. It would be nice to showcase the images I took of the man who led me down the path of my current passion.”

On the fateful day on Sunday, Chidamba left the club at the same time as Ginimbi, just before 5am, as they gave each other a promise they would meet on the day in the evening.

“I left the club around same time as he did,” he said.

“Everything was normal, I expected to see him at Madd Sundays, a reggae session we always held on Sundays.

“I had plans to sleep through the day, but as I tried to nurture my doses, the terrible phone call came through.”

Even up to now, the Ginimbi story is a tale he is approaching with caution.

Chidamba regrets chasing the perfect shot at the expense of conversations with one of the most novel names to ever emerge in Zimbabwe’s social spaces.

“Maybe I should have talked to him more, got to understand him better,” Chidamba mused.

At least Ginimbi smiled through his final day and Chidamba has images to prove that.

Chidamba was a man who followed G with one eye and it made his most powerful body of work, the most painful.

State Media

Thousands of mourners yesterday lined the streets of Harare to get a glimpse of the flamboyant funeral cortège, as the body of the late businessman and socialite Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure was taken to his Domboshava house where hundreds more lay in wait.

The streets of central Harare were jam packed with curious onlookers as the body of Ginimbi was taken from a city funeral parlour to his Dreams Nightclub on Kwame Nkrumah Avenue before it was taken to his home where it lay in state overnight ahead of burial today.

Ginimbi, who died in a horrific car crash along Liberation Legacy Way on Sunday morning, along with three friends, will be buried in a mausoleum at his imposing mansion.

Activities in Harare city centre came to a halt as thousands of people gathered outside Doves Funeral parlour to pay their last respects to the socialite.

People sang funeral songs while waiting for his body to be taken away from the parlour.

Only family and friends were allowed into the funeral service, among them socialites Pokello Nare, Prophet Passion Java, Roland Muchegwa aka Uncle Roland, Mike Chimombe, Albert Ndabambi known as Chief Albert and Tazvi Mhaka popularly known as Chief Joze.

Ginimbi was the group chief executive of Piko Trading which owns Rivonia Gases, City Centre Freight, Pioneer Gases and Quick Gases, with offices in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Botswana.

After the funeral service, Ginimbi’s body was taken to his club before it was ferried home.

Liberation Legacy Way ( Borrowdale Road) was congested with cars as mourners headed for Domboshava.

People in Borrowdale, Hatcliffe and Domboshava were standing on roadsides to watch the spectacle as the hearse carrying Ginimbi’s body and the entourage passed.

At Ginimbi’s home, parking space was scarce, with thousands of people gathered in tents and inside the yard, with little regard for Covid-19 regulations such as social distancing.

Family spokesperson Mr Clement Kadungure said Ginimbi will be buried the normal way in his yard.

“As a family we have agreed that Genius will be buried tomorrow afternoon inside his yard,” he said. “There will be a church service, speeches and testimonies before the burial.”

State Media

The former top operations manager at the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (Zimche), Mrs Florence Chimbunu, who was exposed recently for using allegedly fake certificates when only a single O-Level pass could be certified, lived large, enjoying luxurious perks at the country’s quality regulator of degree and diploma programmes.

After landing the top managerial post in January this year, Mrs Chimbunu enjoyed the luxury of a private security guard, an all-terrain Toyota Hilux double cab vehicle, school fees and international holiday allowances.

This lifestyle was cut short after Zimche discovered she was using allegedly fake academic and tertiary qualifications.

Mrs Chimbunu’s contract of employment shows that she was entitled to a five-day international holiday and daily allowance for two people annually, payment of school fees for three children, 340 litres of fuel monthly, a landline telephone and wi-fi allowance, professional association allowance and dressing allowance. Zimche would also pay tertiary fees for Chimbunu, her spouse and three children.

She was also entitled to a domestic worker’s allowance and a monthly retention allowance, entertainment allowance, medical aid cover for spouse and four dependants, cellphone and housing allowances.

Chimbunu has been enjoying the benefits for the first nine months of 2020 after her promotion in January to a top manager, having originally started as a receptionist.

She reportedly produced fake certificates indicating she had five O-Level passes plus tertiarY qualifications.

She ran out of luck when a human resource audit checked up.

The embarrassed education quality regulator and Mrs Chimbunu have now parted company, although it is unknown if she resigned or was fired.

This was after Zimche found via the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council and the Higher Examination Council that she had submitted fake qualifications.

She was caught after a Zimche internal audit, a check normally done by human resources officers before one is hired. Chimbunu has since been arrested for fraud and forgery and she now awaits trial.

She was promoted under a restructuring initiated by the new chief executive, Professor Kuzvinetsa Dzvimbo.

The recent restructuring saw the recruitment of 11 new managers, creating a management-rich organisation.

The new positions included two chief directors, directors of finance, audit, administration, information and communications technology (ICT) and chief operations officer, the post held by Chimbunu, among other positions, in addition to the other managers already in employ.

The new appointees assumed duty on January 6, 2020, after being selected in interviews conducted in November last year. Daniel Nemukuyu

High Court judge Justice Benjamin Chikowero has recused himself from presiding over the case involving suspended judge Justice Erica Ndewere, saying he is professionally linked to the judge.

Justice Ndewere brought to the court an urgent chamber application seeking to interdict President Mnangagwa from setting up a tribunal to investigate the question of her removal from office in terms of the Constitution, which has since been done before the hearing of the judge’s application.

She sought that the Judicial Service Commission’s decision to advise the President to set up a tribunal to enquire into the question of whether she should be removed as a judge or not, should be declared unlawful and be set aside.

Justice Ndewere argued that the complaints raised against her should initially have been dealt with in terms of the JSC code of ethics before resorting to the procedure set out in the Constitution for removal of a judge from office.

Following a request for him to recuse himself, Justice Chikowero found merit in the request on the grounds that he sat on the High Court bench together with the suspended judge and both were stationed in Harare.

“She is my colleague,” he said. “She is the senior judge and am the junior judge.” Justice Chikowero, who was appointed to the bench December 2017, said since then, he had always been paired with Justice Ndewere on the urgent duty judge roster.

This, he said, meant the suspended judge had been his professional partner on that roster ever since he became a judge of the High Court. Professionally, I am therefore closely linked to the applicant (Justice Ndewere),” he said.

To this end, Justice Chikowero said judicial office was a public trust and expressed the view that his continued sitting in the matter would not maintain public confidence in the judiciary.

“It would actually be an embarrassment to the judiciary,” he said. “It would bring the judiciary into disrepute. Whatever my decision in the matter, justice would not be seen to have been done. In the result, I recuse myself from presiding over this matter.”

Justice Chikowero becomes the second judge to recuse himself from the case after Justice Davison Foroma recently removed himself from the matter citing professional reasons. Justice Foroma said he was in the same criminal division as the troubled judge.

He stated that judges in the same division interact closely with each other in a number of collaborative respects.

He felt there was need to maintain collegiality amongst judges to avoid perceptions in the public domain and that it would be in the best interests of justice.

President Mnangagwa appointed a three-member tribunal chaired by retired judge Justice Simbi Mubako, with lawyers Mr Charles Warara and Ms Yvonne Masvora as the other members.

Justice Ndewere is being accused of conduct inconsistent with a judicial officer, reportedly for slipshod work and a large batch of delayed judgments.

She had, after the recommendation of the JSC for the President to set up a tribunal, already filed an urgent application seeking an interim interdict to stop the setting up of a tribunal by President Mnangagwa to investigate her judicial conduct, pending the determination of the legality of the recommendation. – Herald

Watch video downloading below. Please be patient as the video downloads.

Should we believe this?

https://youtu.be/XLnTgZ2X0A8

IT was apparently a bad move for a Mberengwa man to accommodate a sangoma he had consulted to cleanse his wife from goblins that she claimed were sexually harassing her during the night.

This was after the man, Edgar Rwodzi, of Mawire Village, under Chief Bankwe reportedly lost his wife Tendai Matamba to the self-proclaimed sangoma Andrew Man’ombe.

Rwodzi decided to enlist the services of Man’ombe after his wife complained that when in bed she was always being poked by an evil creature with the shape of a man.

So nasty was the alleged abuse that she also claimed she was waking up wet and tired every day.

After being hired a lustful Man’ombe who also seemed to have developed an affection towards Rwodzi’s wife requested that he should be accommodated at the couple’s house for some days claiming Matamba required a thorough cleansing process.

The seemingly unsuspicious Rwodzi agreed to Man’ombe’s request since he was desperate to have his wife cleansed.

His marriage was also on the verge of collapse because of the wife’s incessant complaints that the only time she enjoyed sex was when she was making love with the goblin.

In his bid to sexually dribble past his client, a source who spoke to B-Metro said Man’ombe asked Rwodzi and his wife to sleep in separate bedrooms saying if they slept together that would disturb the cleansing process.

After separating the couple, it is reported that during the night, Man’ombe would sneak into Matamba’s bedroom to have sexual intercourse with her under the pretext of cleansing her.

He would allegedly tell her that the sexual intercourse was the only remedy for her problem.

“One night, a suspicious Rwodzi woke up after he heard screams coming from his wife’s bedroom and when he went to investigate, he was shocked when he discovered the two-Matamba and Man’ombe having sex.

“He brutally assaulted them and when he later confronted his wife, she confessed that Man’ombe would regularly sneak into her bedroom and requested her to remove her clothes and have sexual intercourse with her as part of the cleansing process,” said the source who requested anonymity.

The bashed Man’ombe, however, denied the accusations saying Matamba was the one who was inviting him to her bedroom saying her husband was sexually starving her.

He also claimed that Matamba was the one who suggested that he should be accommodated at the house under the pretext that the cleansing process needed regular attention.

Realising that Man’ombe had exposed her, Matamba reportedly packed her belongings and eloped with Man’ombe.

In a telephone interview Rwodzi confirmed the incident saying he was in the process of suing Man’ombe for betraying his trust and subsequently destroying his marriage.

“It was like a punch in the gut and I will sue him because splitting from my wife with whom I had four children with was unbearable. My relatives advised me to sue him because his (Man’ombe) actions destroyed my marriage. In fact, he knew that what he was doing would cause harm and damage my marriage,” said Rwodzi.

Matamba refused to comment and requested that all questions should be referred to her alleged lover, Man’ombe.

“It’s not my duty to respond to those useless allegations levelled against me. He should blame himself for not sleeping with his wife who later turned to me while complaining that their marriage had been turned to that of a sister and brother. Don’t talk to me again,” charged Man’ombe in a voice recording.-B-Metro

A Nyanga man who was facing allegations of raping and impregnating his 14-year-old sister committed suicide last week on Sunday.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the death of the man, whose name has been withheld to protect the identity of the minor.

Inspector Kakohwa said the man was a Gohoto villager under Chief Katerere.

He was found hanging from a baobab tree in Nyapomboro Mountain.

Inspector Kakohwa said on November 5, the man’s family met and accused him of sexually abusing and impregnating his sister.

This was after the minor had told the family that her brother was responsible for her pregnancy. “He insisted that he was not the culprit, but the family remained adamant, threatening to take him to the police. The following day, the man told his son that he was going to Nyapomboro Mountain, but never returned,” said Inspector Kakohwa.

Other family members became suspicious and decided to form a search party, only to discover the man’s body hanging from a tree branch. Police at Ruwangwe Police Station attended the scene and retrieved the body.

Inspector Kakohwa advised the public to resolve family issues amicably and involve the police as soon as they suspect abuse of minors.

“We suspect no foul play, but we urge people to resolve issues amicably.

There is need to consult traditional or community leaders in family matters like these to avoid unnecessary loss of lives,” he said.-Manica Post

Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa has described the persecution of journalists and human rights activists by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration as shocking.

President Chamisa was commenting on the relentless persecution of prominent Harare journalist, Hopewell Chin’ono.

Speaking to the media in the capital Harare on Wednesday, President Chamisa said:

Democracy is under siege. Why are they arresting those who are fighting corruption instead of arresting those who are behind corruption?

Journalists must be allowed to do their job without being victimized.

Corruption is grossly affecting our economy.

Hopewell has done nothing wrong.Exposing corruption and criminal activities is not a crime.”

Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa has described the persecution of journalists and human rights activists by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration as shocking.

President Chamisa was commenting on the relentless persecution of prominent Harare journalist, Hopewell Chin’ono.

Speaking to the media in the capital Harare on Wednesday, President Chamisa said:

Democracy is under siege. Why are they arresting those who are fighting corruption instead of arresting those who are behind corruption?

Journalists must be allowed to do their job without being victimized.

Corruption is grossly affecting our economy.

Hopewell has done nothing wrong.Exposing corruption and criminal activities is not a crime.”

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance deputy president, Hon Tendai Biti, has said Zimbabwe under the leadership of Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is a “living nightmare.”

Mr Mnangagwa’s sole agenda is to cause the suffering of citizens according to the hard-hitting MDC Alliance deputy president.

“It is the continued persecution of activists that is particularly hurtful .

The harassment of Hopewell,Ngadziore ,Job, Mahere, Ngaribvumwe ,Kura, the MDCATrio and all of us is a crime against humanity.The weaponization of the law is particularly unfortunate. The regime has no shame.

Zimbabwe under Emmerson is a living nightmare. It drains you sucks out entire soul like a JK Rowling dementor.When a regime has as its sole agenda the suffering of its people then that regime should be nowhere near the seat of governance .

The regime is the worst gvt in history of gvts.

At the end of the day the real issue in Zim is a crisis of governance and leadership .

The nation carries the burden of illegitimacy, of corrupt incompetent clueless and incompetent leadership. Collectively we change gears and put an end to this .It’s time for change,” argued Hon Biti.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance deputy president, Hon Tendai Biti, has said Zimbabwe under the leadership of Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is a “living nightmare.”

Mr Mnangagwa’s sole agenda is to cause the suffering of citizens according to the hard-hitting MDC Alliance deputy president.

“It is the continued persecution of activists that is particularly hurtful .

The harassment of Hopewell,Ngadziore ,Job, Mahere, Ngaribvumwe ,Kura, the MDCATrio and all of us is a crime against humanity.The weaponization of the law is particularly unfortunate. The regime has no shame.

Zimbabwe under Emmerson is a living nightmare. It drains you sucks out entire soul like a JK Rowling dementor.When a regime has as its sole agenda the suffering of its people then that regime should be nowhere near the seat of governance .

The regime is the worst gvt in history of gvts.

At the end of the day the real issue in Zim is a crisis of governance and leadership .

The nation carries the burden of illegitimacy, of corrupt incompetent clueless and incompetent leadership. Collectively we change gears and put an end to this .It’s time for change,” argued Hon Biti.

Tinashe Sambiri|The late Harare socialite and controversial business tycoon, Genius ” Ginimbi” Kadungure’s maid has dismissed claims that her boss used juju to amass wealth.

His manager of seven years, Shaleen Nullens said he was an industrious man with over 200 employees in Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa.

“Ginimbi was a hard worker, he was focused and wanted results; he was also very innovative and had a business acumen and knew which deals to strike,” she said.

His maid of 15 years, Ms Fatuma Chikowore dismissed allegations that her former boss was involved with the underworld.

“I have known Ginimbi for 15 years, he was a good boss with a good heart always ready to step in.

Social media reports about rituals are not true- there is no sacred room in this house and whenever he was around he would spend most of his time home,” she said.

“He was our umbrella and whenever we encountered problems he would assist, he brought development our area,” said the village headman in his home area.

Ginimbi is expected to be buried at his Domboshava homestead on Saturday.

Tinashe Sambiri|The late Harare socialite and controversial business tycoon, Genius ” Ginimbi” Kadungure’s maid has dismissed claims that her boss used juju to amass wealth.

His manager of seven years, Shaleen Nullens said he was an industrious man with over 200 employees in Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa.

“Ginimbi was a hard worker, he was focused and wanted results; he was also very innovative and had a business acumen and knew which deals to strike,” she said.

His maid of 15 years, Ms Fatuma Chikowore dismissed allegations that her former boss was involved with the underworld.

“I have known Ginimbi for 15 years, he was a good boss with a good heart always ready to step in.

Social media reports about rituals are not true- there is no sacred room in this house and whenever he was around he would spend most of his time home,” she said.

“He was our umbrella and whenever we encountered problems he would assist, he brought development our area,” said the village headman in his home area.

Ginimbi is expected to be buried at his Domboshava homestead on Saturday.

Tinashe Sambiri|Blessing Chimbowa, popularly known as Mbudziyadhura, has described Lazarus” Gringo” Boora’s demise as a body blow to the arts industry.

Mbudziyadhura,
quoted by The Herald, said Gringo’s death came as a shock to the arts industry.

“Boora was a person who did not want artists to be looked down upon.”

“He was open and would speak his mind, especially when it comes to low payment of actors, that is why he did not feature in many productions. Many people used to say that Boora was a problem because of that.

The other thing is that I am begging to all those who worked with Boora, he has left a family behind and I appeal to companies that worked with Boora to help his family not financially, but even to employ his children. Let us try to support his family,” Mbudziyadhura told the publication.

Mbudziyadhura added he started working with Gringo before he became popular and he was a talented person.

Paul Nyathi

Three members of the opposition MDC Alliance employed at the Gweru City Council died in a car accident when the vehicle they were travelling in burst its rear tyre and veered off the road before hitting a tree along Masvingo-Harare road near Featherstone on Thursday.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the accident but could not give details.

“We are still waiting for the accident details from Mashonaland East Province,” he said.

Gweru Mayor Councillor Josiah Makombe said the three were going to Harare to recover a council vehicle which had broken down.

“We have learnt with deep sadness the passing on of three council employees who died in a car accident near Furtherstone along Beitbridge-Harare highway. The three were on their way to Harare to recover a broken-down council vehicle which was being used by former Director of Engineering Services, Engineer Robson Manatsa.

We are informed that the Nissan NP 300 they were travelling in had a rear tyre burst, resulting in the driver of the vehicle losing control and it veered off the road before hitting a tree. The three died on the spot.

We would want to extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. May their dear departed souls rest in eternal peace,” he said.

The MDC Alliance wrote:

We have lost three MDC Alliance Gweru Urban officials in a Road traffic accident. The three who are also Gweru City Council workers are
Hosia Rufasha
Luwis Rufasha
Sydney Mbewe.

The accident happened at Furtherstone while on they way on Council duty to Harare

May their soul rest in peace

Paul Nyathi

THE late socialite and businessman Genius Kadungure, popularly known as Ginimbi has proved to be a character larger than life itself as this Friday thousands of people thronged Doves Harare street to catch a glimpse of his funeral procession.

SUV courtesy vehicles, an array of top-of-the-range cars, a police escort and a hearse whose estimated cost is US$500,000 was part of a flamboyant send-off organised by Doves Funeral Services in last respects to him.

Because of his love for cars, Doves Funeral Services did not let him down as he became the first passenger in their US$500 000 Mercedes Pilato bought in Germany and custom fitted in Italy.

Doves Life Assurance Managing director, Dr Talent Maziwisa said Doves is the only company with the capacity to bury a person of Ginimbi’s calibre.

Among the people who attended the Doves church service was socialite and businesswoman Pokello Nare who took to her Instagram to thank the masses who had come out in their numbers to bid farewell to the late saying he would have been proud of the send-off.

Only a few people were allowed inside the Doves chapel to witness an emotional send-off of a man who even in death remains a celebrity.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police had to come in to control the crowds as everyone jostled to catch a glimpse of the Mercedes Pilato carrying the body as well as the famous Lamborghini.

From Harare Street, people lined down the streets to his nightclub dreams situated between 6th and 7th along Kwame Nkrumah Avenue.

From there, the procession proceeded to Domboshava where the body will lie in state at his Domboshava homestead ahead of burial set for tomorrow afternoon.

Ginimbi is being sent off in style as his friends and business associates alike have come forward pledging to assist with the funeral and on Monday, Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation deputy minister and Zanu PF legislator for Hwedza South, Tino Machakaire, committed to purchasing a Versace coffin estimated to cost US$8,000 for the late socialite.

In the same spirit, Norton Independent legislator Temba Mliswa who was a close friend of the late ‘energy mogul’ donated several beasts while Acie Lumumba pledged 1,000 litres of diesel among other donations from wellwishers.

His body was taken to his Dreams nightclub during the procession before proceeding to his Domboshava mansion before his burial scheduled for this Saturday.

A maximum of 100 people will attend the funeral at his mansion in line with Covid-19 regulations.

Family spokesperson Mr Clement Kadungure said there will be a church service led by Salvation Army, which is their family church.

“The programme for the burial of Genius is that we have agreed that his body will come home tomorrow morning and lie in the house,” he said.

“There will be a church service and testimonies from family and friends. We are expecting a lot of people, including senior Government officials.

“The body will be taken to the tents on Saturday and that is where the body viewing will be taking place before the burial.

“He will be buried in his yard, not inside the house as being alluded to by some people. He will be buried according to our normal ways and according to tradition, not what different people are saying.”

Mr Kadungure said a mausoleum will be built soon after his burial, but it will have his statue instead.

The NewsHawks

AN investigation by a seven-member team from the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) into the looting at Chiadzwa diamond fields in Manicaland has revealed cartels connected to military and political elites continue smuggling the precious mineral out of the country and salting away proceeds, The NewsHawks have established.

The team visited Chiadzwa on 9 September to conduct a weeklong investigation, which confirmed massive looting, including on claims owned by the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company and Anjin.

State security sources revealed the team compiled a report for CIO director-general Isaac Moyo which named diamond looting syndicates, but the dossier was doctored to avoid exposing those close to top officials.

“The report mentioned three cartels in particular, one linked to the security sector, the other one to a politically connected tycoon who has been on an asset-acquiring spree in the past few years and the other to a deputy minister,” a state security official revealed.

“The report gave headaches to the CIO top brass, given that the kingpins of the cartels are connected to the top most powerful people in government and the security sector.”

Moyo, security officials said, was cautious after seeing the names of persons involved and recommended the tightening of security to plug leakages instead of going after the looters.

“He watered down the report because he did not want to step on certain toes,” a security official said.

“Tightening security became the priority and not nailing the syndicates.”

Rampant looting and smuggling of diamonds, particularly by organised syndicates and state actors, have characterised operations at Chiadzwa since 2008.

Companies with intricate links to the security services were among the players licensed by the government when Zimbabwe began mining diamonds in Chiadzwa.

However, the firms were booted out of Chiadzwa in 2016 on allegations of understating earnings, tax evasion and smuggling. This led to the formation of the ZCDC in 2017, which was the only firm extracting diamonds in Chiadzwa until early this year when Anjin Investments was allowed back in. Anjin Investments (Pvt) Ltd is
a joint venture between Chinese company Anhui Foreign Economic Construction (Group) Co. Ltd and a Zimbabwean entity, Matt Bronze Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd, owned by the military, founded on December 2009.

Besides the smuggling by syndicates, armed robbery gangs, suspected to comprise members of Zimbabwe’s security forces and some artisanal miners have also in the past raided the Chiadzwa diamond fields, getting away with tonnes of precious ore after overpowering ZCDC security in movie-style raids of the mining area.

One such heist was carried out in April last year, four months after another dramatic robbery.

ZCDC last year fired 80 employees on suspicion of involvement in the diamond heists.

Paul Nyathi

Top performing Bulawayo High School, John Tallach High School has suspended learning after five pupils tested positive for coronavirus this week.

The five pupils exhibited higher than normal body temperatures during routine screening leading tests that produced positive result.

The affected pupils have been released to their parents to self-isolate at home.

The school advised parents of the development late Friday afternoon. The memorandum to parents reads as follows:

Dear Parents/Guardians
I would like to inform you that after some of our learners showed covid 19 symptoms, and as per Covid regulations we immediately contacted the Ministry of Health who promptly and professional attended to the situation on the ground and the five learners were confirmed.

Following the confirmation of these five, the Ministry of Health is carrying out further testing and screening in order to determine the extent of the spread.

We believe everything is under control as we continue to work with the Ministry of Health and other relevant Authorities to contain it.

The affected learners have been sent home for self isolation and the school is communicating with them and they are doing very well in their recovery. As we await the PCR results , the safety of all our learners and staff is of uttermost importance and highest priority, and for this reason and also on the recommendation from the covid task force lessons have been temporarily suspended with immediate effect and both learners and staff shall quasi isolate in their rooms.

Meantime the school is in quasi isolation for ten days as no one can come in or go out on the advice of the ministry of Health. We shall continue to keep you updated on the ground situation.

Please let us all continue to pray for the speedy recovery of all those affected.

Should you have any questions or seek any clarification do not hesitate to utilise the official lines of communication through the school and administration

Kind regards
B Ncube (H/M).

Paul Nyathi

Late Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure’s favourite” toy” the red Ferrari dented fans roadshow to bid him farewell in the streets of Harare when the vehicle overheated at around midday along Herbert Chitepo Street and 2nd Avenue abandon it there.

The luxurious vehicle which was one of the late Ginimbi’s personal favourites was apparently being driven by his best friend, DJ Rimo who was en-route to Doves Funeral Services Parlour where Ginimbi’s memorial service was taking place.

Witnesses who were gathered where the car gave in said Rimo was reportedly doing high raves before the engine overheated.

Earlier on today, DJ Rimo posted a live video on Facebook of Ginimbi’s convoy as people made their way to the parlour. The convoy where the Ferrari was one of the cars, was met with cheers and ululations along the Domboshava-Harare highway.

Ginimbi got Bulawayo wild a couple of weeks ago when he took the Ferrari to the city for his last trip The City of Kings last month.

GINIMBI'S RED FERRARI GOES UP IN SMOKE https://t.co/wAttk06asd

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 13, 2020

Expect demolitions of illegal structures, arrests of illegal vendors, land barons, sand and water poachers, money changers, closure of unregistered businesses and closing of unlicensed shops in Harare. Lawlessness is being clamped on.

— Nick Mangwana (@nickmangwana) November 13, 2020

Emmerson Mnangagwa’s niece HENRIETTA Rushwaya and four others, Stephen Tserayi, Raphios Mufandauya and Gift Karanda have been denied bail while Ali Muhammad has been freed on $100 000.

Harare magistrate Mr Ngoni Nduna ruled that Rushwaya, Tserayi, Mufandauya and Karanda have connections outside the country and have means to abscond trial.

Mr Nduna also said there was high risk of them interfering with investigations. They were all remanded to November 27 for their routine remand.

Meanwhile, the State has indicated that it will appeal against Harare magistrate Mr Ngoni Nduna’s decision to grant businessman Ali Muhammad bail.

Muhammad was today granted $100 000 bail coupled with other conditions.

Indications are that prosecutor Mr Garudzo Ziyaduma will this afternoon approach the High Court to place notice of an appeal against Mr Nduna’s decision.

Muhammad is being charged with Henrietta Rushwaya, Stephen Tserayi, Raphios Mufandauya and Gift Karanda on smuggling, unlawful possession, criminal abuse of office charges and obstruction of course of justice. – State Media/additional reporting

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council was this week forced to suspend the setting of examination papers after examiners downed tools, rejecting a $4 000 payment offer, which they deemed too little.

On Tuesday, over 100 examiners, mostly teachers who were camped at Chinhoyi University of Technology refused to prepare questions for compilation into examination papers for future use after Zimsec had duped them into starting work without signing contracts.

The teachers demanded to be paid the equivalent of US$300 for the 12 days they are supposed to work.

Zimsec said the strike by the teachers would not affect this year’s examinations, which had already been set.-DailyNews

Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa has described the persecution of journalists and human rights activists by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration as shocking.

President Chamisa was commenting on the relentless persecution of prominent Harare journalist, Hopewell Chin’ono.

Speaking to the media in the capital Harare on Wednesday, President Chamisa said:

Democracy is under siege. Why are they arresting those who are fighting corruption instead of arresting those who are behind corruption?

Journalists must be allowed to do their job without being victimized.

Corruption is grossly affecting our economy.

Hopewell has done nothing wrong.Exposing corruption and criminal activities is not a crime.”