By A Correspondent- A man from Jotsholo who came home unexpectedly got the shock of his life after he caught his wife having sex with their herdboy on their matrimonial bed.

A source close to investigations said Thando Sibanda (36) from Jotsholo who is an artisanal miner based in Inyathi and who was not feeling well busted his 26-year-old wife when he unexpectedly returned home.

The source said: “He went there without phoning his wife Thelma Dliwayo. He arrived at around 11.30PM and caught his wife busy dishing out his sexual goodies to their herdboy on their matrimonial bed.”

The source said for a few minutes he froze and became weak.

However, he quickly summoned courage and confronted them.

“As he tried to hit the two, the herdboy violently pushed him against the wall and bolted out of the room. He fled and left to his parent’s home in Binga,” the source said.

Seething with anger, Sibanda reportedly stood up and battered his wife several times all over the body.

His wife tried to apologise but the fuming husband would take none of that and showed her a red card.

He then ordered her to vacate their homestead as he felt betrayed by her.

As if that was not enough, he went on to burn her clothes.

Dliwayo reported the matter to the police leading to the arrest of her aggrieved husband.

Sibanda appeared before Lupane magistrate Ndumo Masuku charged with a crime of malicious damage to property.

He pleaded not guilty and was remanded out of custody to Tuesday next week.statemedia

By A Correspondent- A Bulawayo man is being accused of abusing and abandoning his family allegedly as a result of his girlfriend’s powerful love.

This matter came to light at the Bulawayo Civil Court where Shamiso Table sought a peace order against her husband Bright Table, a student at Bulawayo Polytechnic.

She claimed her then faithful husband went wild the moment he started dating another woman who is also a student at Bulawayo Polytechnic.

“I am the applicant in this matter and the respondent Bright Table is my husband. I am applying for a protection order against him because since February 2020, he has been verbally, physically and economically abusing me.

“The last incident occurred on 2 October 2020 when he physically assaulted me. He started abusing me the moment he started having an extra-marital affair with another woman who is also a student at Bulawayo Polytechnic. He forcibly removed me from our bedroom,” complained Shamiso.

She insisted that before her husband engaged in extra-marital affairs, he was a caring and God-fearing man.

Bright dismissed his wife’s allegations saying she was the one who was violating his peace.

“I am shocked that the applicant has approached the court with an application premised on blatant falsehoods. I deny that I am physically and verbally or emotionally violating her peace in any manner.

“She is the one who has been violating my peace by being physically and emotionally abusive towards me. She is provocative and confrontational. I have on several occasions been subjected to emotional and physical abuse by the applicant.

“Sometime this year I arrived home to find all of my clothes thrown outside the house. Prior to that she took my car keys and this has adversely affected me because I use the vehicle for commercial purposes to earn money since I am a student. I am of the view that she made the application as a way of preventing me from demanding my car keys which she has,” he responded.

Shamiso, however, insisted that her husband was abusive adding that they purchased the car together with her contributing more money.

For the purpose of maintaining peace the presiding magistrate granted a reciprocal order which requires both parties not to verbally and physically abuse each other.

The magistrate also ordered Shamiso to return the car keys to her husband and the latter not to dispose of any matrimonial property without the knowledge of the former.-statemedia

Opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has accused government of bullying teachers to force them to return to work as the deadlock continues without any sign of resolution.

Government recently announced a 40 percent salary increase which would see the lowest paid teacher taking home $18 000 but they have refused to accept anything less than an equivalent of USD520.

Posting on Twitter, Chamisa accused government of employing bullying to force teachers back to work.

“STOP BULLYING TEACHERS Education must not be allowed to sink. Engage Teachers and address their concerns.
Restore the dignity of the teaching profession. Examining without teaching is a no brainer. Rural child without access to TV, radio,computer,internet most vulnerable,” said Chamisa.

By A Correspondent- A Bulawayo man has been arrested for allegedly trying to undress a woman who was sleeping at his neighbour’s house.

Gift Mayibongwe Moyo (39) employed by Bernard Plumbers as an assistant plumber was arrested after the 20-year-old victim, whose name is being withheld for ethical reasons, told police that she woke up to find Moyo taking her clothes off.

According to court records the incident took place on 16 October 2020 and at Glamour Hair Salon Cottages situated along Fife Street and between 10th and 11th avenues.

It is reported that on the day in question and at around 10pm the victim was sleeping on the bed at her friend’s place when she felt that someone was sleeping next to her.

It is yet to be proven that in the process Moyo was removing her skirt and she quickly screamed for help.

While screaming for help that is when she reportedly discovered that it was Moyo who was trying to undress her. The seemingly terrified woman reportedly told him to stop, but he did not.

It is reported that a daring Moyo started proposing love to the victim who turned him down and in a fit of pique he brutally slapped her once on the face.

The matter was reported to the police leading to Moyo’s arrest. For the offence Moyo was dragged before Bulawayo magistrate Shepherd Mjanja facing two counts of assault and indecent assault.

He was, however, not asked to plead and was remanded out of custody to 9 November on $1 000 bail.-statemedia

Vigilance and Resilience Most Important in the Decisive Phase of Teachers’ Incapacitation

12 November 2020

The gvt has tried an array of methods to break teachers’ incapacitation, ranging from threats of dismissal, divisionism, unprocedural and unpalatable salary increase, to the current compilation of names of incapacitated teachers.

We reiterate our long held view that teachers are not voluntarily absenting themselves from work but have been incapacitated by the gvt that reduced their salary from US$520-US$550 in October 2018 to less than US$40 by September 2020.

At any rate it is not a crime to be absent in terms of public service regulations. What is punishable is being away without a good cause. *Incapacitation is surely a good cause and as Ptuz, we informed both the employer PSC and Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education about this.

As the United Front of Teacher Unions we have also informed the President of Zimbabwe, cde ED Mnangagwa about teachers’ predicament. Consequently, there is no way gvt can legally punish teachers after incapacitating them unless it would want to create a legal lacuna.

The futile exercise by the Ministry of Education and PSC is nothing other than intimidatory so that teachers can borrow in order to go to work and therefore sink deeper into debts.

We therefore advice teachers against borrowing but rather eagerly wait to be capacitated by gvt. Borrowing will dilute our message to gvt and weaken our bargaining power.

We urge school heads to disregard the unpalatable demand to compile names of incapacitated teachers. At any rate when the worst comes to the worst we will be readily available to defend you in terms of PSC regulations.

Gvt must abandon intimidatory tactics and engage leaders of the United Front of Teacher Unions in order to find an acceptable way forward. Gvt firefighting methods through archaic, obsolete, moribund Apex Council whose term of office has long expired has no traction.

Worse still we reiterate that salaries and conditions of service must be products of dialogue or engagement rather than the callous unilateral gvt paternalism that is an affront to trade unionism.

The time for parents and students to amplify their voices in support of teachers is now. Practical examinations are starting next week and if no solution is urgently found there would be disaster in schools.

Our commitment to dialogue must be harnessed by gvt so as to bring an end to the impasse in schools. Time is ticking away and teachers would not be blamed over whatever eventuality that may ensue and militate against the smoothy preparation of students for examibations, let alone the actual writing of examinations.

To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Vigilance demands that incapacitated teachers must always be resilient every time.

Aluta Continua

Dr Takavafira M. Zhou (Ptuz Presisent)

Controversial musician and politician Energy Mutodi has resurfaced at the late Genius Kadungure’s funeral and is posted a video on his Twitter account announcing funeral program while flanked by family and friends of the deceased.

Below is Mutodi’s video….

By A Correspondent| Journalist, Hopewell Chin’ono will appeal against Harare Magistrate Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa’s decision to deny him bail on the grounds that he has a propensity to commit offenses.

Chin’ono’s lawyer Doug Coltart said they disagree with the ruling and will approach the High Court.

“Hopewell Chin’ono has been denied bail (again) on the basis that he “has a propensity to commit offenses”. We disagree with the ruling & are filing an appeal to the High Court. He does not have any previous convictions. Our Constitution guarantees the presumption of innocence,” said Coltart.

By A Correspondent- There is confusion in the handling of the cases of over 1 000 nurses whose suspension was ordered by government as some health institutions are reportedly reinstating them.

About 1 280 nurses were suspended by the Health Service Board and removed from the payroll pending disciplinary hearings after they failed to report for duty protesting the Health and Child Care ministry’s decision to scrap flexi working hours arrangement.

Vice-President and Health minister Constantino Chiwenga and Health secretary Jasper Chimedza had directed provincial medical directors to cancel the flexi hour system and revert back to the normal working hours.

However, nurses pleaded incapacitation and lack of personal protective equipment, which they said exposed them to COVID-19.

In Bulawayo, close to 500 nurses at the city’s two major hospitals, Mpilo Central and United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), are supposed to undergo disciplinary hearing.

Nurses at the two health institutions reported for the disciplinary hearing last week in the company of their lawyers, but officials reportedly suspended the process.

Mpilo has reportedly reinstated the nurses while UBH is said to have continued to issue suspension letters, some with wrong dates.

UBH chief executive Narcisus Dzvanga yesterday said: “I am not aware of that (reinstatement of nurses at Mpilo). We are all managed by the HSB and ministry.”

A source at the institution, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said their colleagues at Mpilo had returned to work, but UBH was adamant.

“They suspended hearings when we came with our lawyers last Wednesday. We had hoped that we would return to work like our colleagues at Mpilo. We were surprised to see management continuing issuing suspension letters, some of which have wrong dates,” a nurse said. Government suspended 266 nurses at UBH and 211 at Mpilo.

At Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in Harare, it is alleged that the affected nurses were told to resume duty, but were still to receive their salaries.

“I am one of them, some were given letters and during the process, they just stopped issuing letters, telling us to return to work. We did, but there is a rumour that we
were removed from the payroll,” the source said.

Another source said the issue was being treated differently from hospital to hospital, with Chitungwiza Central Hospital having “protected” its staff from suspension.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- A 22 year old Lobengula West man in Bulawayo on Tuesday disarmed an ex-police sergeant using a golf club during a robbery attempt prompting members of the community to bash the suspect.

The young man disarmed Ian Sibanda (54), who was accompanied by Learnmore Kwari intending to rob an old woman (name yet to be revealed) after getting wind that she had sold a house for US$20 000. Neighbours told Southern Eye that the 22-year-old young hero (name not disclosed)’s action resulted in the arrest of the suspect.

Acting Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele yesterday confirmed the arrest of Sibanda, adding that investigations were in progress.

“I can confirm that on November 10, the complainant was watching television in her sitting room with her three grandchildren,” Msebele said.

“The two robbers knocked at the back door of the house and were allowed in by one of the grandchildren. They had parked their dark green BMW vehicle in the neighbourhood.”

She added that Sibanda and Kwari were wearing caps and face masks, which partially covered their faces and they demanded cash from the old woman while holding an unregistered pistol whose serial numbers had been removed.

Msebele said the old woman fled from the room while screaming for help, and one of her grandsons came out of the bathroom and armed himself with a golf stick.

The police spokesperson said the young man used the golf stick to beat Sibanda until he dropped the gun.

The young man and Sibanda wrestled until neighbours, as well as police officers, arrived and apprehended the suspect.

Kwari managed to escape from the scene.

Police officers recovered BMW car keys which belong to Sibanda and a firearm with one live round of ammunition.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF has centralised the printing of ballot papers for its forthcoming district co-ordinating committee elections to avert cases of fraud and rigging.

Zanu-PF national political commissar Victor Matemadanda said the move was also meant to thwart wily attempts by G40 elements to impose their candidates.

The commissariat and security departments will be in charge of printing the ballot papers.

Matemadanda said there will be no names of disqualified people and ballot stuffing.

By A Correspondent- Parents and or guardians of learners at Welton Group of Schools in Beitbridge have withdrawn their kids from the private learning institution after they disagreed on a new fee structure.

The school is charging R3 000 in tuition fees, US$80 food, and US$25 for personal protective equipment and is also demanding another R2 000 in operation fees for term two.

The latest demand did not auger well with parents who want the meals allowances scrapped and are also against the payment of term two fees.

Schools were warned by the government against demanding second term fees since there is no term two on the 2020 school calendar after schools were closed due to the coronavirus.

A parent who spoke to Chronicle on condition of anonymity said all parents had resolved to withdraw their children after efforts to reach an agreement with the school director (Mr Moyo) had yielded no results.

The parents have also jointly written to school authorities requesting a full explanation of the fees for the second term.

Reads the letter in part:

We believe that school fees are charged per term after having considered all the running expenses that apply to the school term in question.

In view of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown, everyone across the world was affected and most of the parents were not working due to the lockdown.

You have been running the school for the past years and we believe the so-called operational costs were being included in the breakdown of school fees.

In that regard, we further request that you be frank with us as your clients and give us a budget for term 3 fees adding up to the figures you want parents to pay as fees.

Meanwhile, a team to engage the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has already been set up to resolve the impasse.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Fifty-one (51) Zimbabweans were arrested at the Beitbridge Border Post as they were trying to illegally enter into South Africa.

The group is among 124 people who had just been deported from South Africa for violating that country’s immigration laws.

The police officer commanding Beitbridge District, Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo said four crew members of a South Africa-registered bus which was carrying the border jumpers are in custody for allegedly assisting the immigrants.

A source with the Ferrets told Chronicle that the immigrants were found hiding under the bus seats to avoid detection.

The source said:

A team led by Major (George Mvura) from the army was patrolling the area when they stopped the two buses which had just dropped deportees from Lindela (in Johannesburg) at the NSSA hotel.

They conducted a physical search of the two buses, as per standard procedure leading to the discovery of 51 people hiding under the seats.

The source said after interrogations, the immigrants revealed they had paid R13 000 to bus crew members for transportation back to Johannesburg.

This comes amid reports that with the assistance of South African and Zimbabwean security personnel, many Zimbabweans have been flocking into South Africa illegally to get employment or to purchase goods for resale back home.

This is attributed to a myriad of issues in Zimbabwe including the government’s failure to produce enough passports and the collapse of the economy.

Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) coronavirus/COVID-19 situation report as of 11 November October 2020:

New cases: 57
Locals: 33
Returnees: 24 from South Africa
Deaths: 0
Recoveries: 6
PCR Tests Done: 613
National Recovery Rate: 92.8%
Active Cases: 366
Total Cumulative Cases: 8 667
Total Recoveries: 8 046
Total Deaths: 255

By Nelson Chamisa

Education must not be allowed to sink

Teacher’s concerns must be addressed.

Restore the dignity of the teaching profession.

Examining without teaching is a no brainier

Taking a child to an exam without having taught is scandalous.

Rural child without access to TV, radio, computer, connectivity most vulnerable.

Comedian Lazarus “Gringo” Boora’s co-actors in different local dramas have described him as the driving force behind the success of the productions.

They said Gringo was not just an actor, but someone who was dedicated to fighting for the rights of artistes.

Gringo succumbed to stomach cancer on Monday despite concerted efforts by doctors to stop the disease from spreading to other parts of the body.

He will be buried today at his rural home in Rusape.

Blessing Chimbowa, popularly known as “Mbudzi Yadhura” 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 said.

“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.”

Chimbowa said he started working with Gringo before he became popular and he was a talented person. He said if one met Gringo, he would learn a lot of things from him.

William Matenga, who acted alongside Gringo as Gweshegweshe, described the late Gringo as a person who was focused and determined.

“I worked with Gringo for a lot of years dating back to the 1980s acting for Screen Talent Drama Club,” he said. “What I noticed ever since I started working with him was that he was a person with a bright future. He was very creative and would look beyond things when it comes to acting.

“It is a great loss to the arts industry. If the arts industry was in a good shape, we would have honoured him because the guy was so much hilarious and his levels were compared to none. There will be no character so versatile like Gringo.”

Another actor, Chati Butao, who also acted with Gringo, said Gringo was a humble person who would want to see other artistes proper in their endeavours.

“I did not start working with Gringo on “Gringo Troublemaker” as most of you might think,” he said. “We started working together in the early 90s in community halls. We used to do theatrical dramas there before we ventured into films. We used to visit schools doing dramas there.

“His character did not change, what he was doing back then is what he was before he died. He was a person who would want to teach others and we consulted him on a lot of things. He helped us on a lot of things in the arts industry,” said Butao.

Antony Tongani Snr said Gringo wanted professionalism in the arts industry and he will be sadly missed.

“I started knowing Lazarus Boora in 1988 when he wanted to venture into the arts industry,” he said. “We used to have drama clubs then. He was a very consistent person and wanted to do things that were straight forward.

“He fought for the rights of artistes and wanted them to be treated as people of substance. He stood with artistes, especially on payment. The gap which he has left in the arts industry will never be filled.”

Gringo died on Monday at Westview Clinic in Zimre Park and is survived by seven children and wife Netsai.

The doctor who was attending to him, Dr Johannes Marisa, said the stomach cancer had spread to other parts of the body, making it difficult to contain.

“Gringo had stomach cancer which had already spread to some parts of the body,” he said. “It seems he suffered a lot in the past months, but didn’t know about his condition. It was too late for us to save him.”

Gringo became popular in the early 90s when he began his acting career.

He studied drama at Mutare Teachers’ College before furthering his education in arts at the University of Zimbabwe where he studied theatre and dance. His first role was a junior police officer in Aaron Chiundura Moyo’s popular television drama series “Chihwerure”, before meeting Enock Chihombori who created Gringo the drama series.

In 2002, Gringo won the best actor award at the inaugural National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) for his works in Gringo productions.

He subsequently featured in other spin-offs of Gringo like “Gringo Ndiani?” and “Gringo Mari Iripi?”

He recently starred as Gibbo in the series “Village Secrets”.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW – PLEASE BE PATIENT AS INTERVIEW LOADS

The driver of the Honda Fit which was involved in a head-on collision with Genius Kadungure’s car along Liberation Legacy Way (Borrowdale Road) on Sunday morning, resulting in the death of the flamboyant businessman and three of his friends, reckons the way he and his passenger survived was a miracle.

In an interview with The Herald yesterday, Mr Lucky Chikwanda said although he is alive, he is still in excruciating pain after the accident.

“I was coming from Hatcliffe and going to Mount Pleasant with my friend when the accident occurred. I remember just seeing this car coming towards us. The car was flying,” he said.

“The car encroached into my lane and the next thing I heard a loud bang, it was so sudden and unavoidable,” he said.

He said Kadungure’s car had overtaken two cars at once and was trying to avoid a collision with his car when the accident occurred.

“Before he switched back to his lane, he hit my car. The next thing I found myself lying on the ground. Someone poured some water on me and I regained consciousness,” he said.

“It was terrible. I don’t even know how I got out of the car. I am the one who was driving. I heard my friend managed to get out of the car and also collapsed, but he managed to shout for help and some people came and assisted us. But I do not know what happened after the collision.”

“We both have been discharged from hospital, but we are still in pain. My right side still hurts.

“I thank God for saving our lives.

“Up to now I do not even know how I came out of the car. It was a miracle from God.”

Paul Nyathi

Lawyer Admire Rubaya representing a CIO agent co-accused with Henrietta Rushwaya in a gold smuggling case has questioned Harare Magistrates Courts magistrate on why the courts are not giving bail to anti corruption accused as if the courts have been directed to do so.

Rubaya made submissions on behalf of Stephen Tserai who is accused of abuse of office after he illegally escorted Rushwaya through the VIP section of the airport with 6kgs of gold.

In his submissions he asserted that the Magistrates’ Court was slowly becoming a passage to superior courts when it comes to bail applications.

He said there was a worrying trend of those appearing at the Special Anti-Corruption Courts being treated differently from those appearing in ordinary courts.

Speaking on behalf of Tserai, the lawyer said the trend casts a misconception that those appearing before special anti-corruption court facing corruption or politically related offences were bound to be denied bail.

He said magistrates sitting in these courts should be mindful that the principles and laws of bail applications have not been muted by the administrative decision to create the special Anti-Corruption Courts.

“The court should be therefore slow to bask in an imagined or real zeal to advance a common euphoria associated with executive programmes of ruthlessly dealing with corruption while forgetting to abide with time honoured legal precepts governing the device of bail in a democratic society.”

“With due respect to these courts the applicant asserts that the real concern is that Magistrates’ Court is slowly being turned into a departure lounge en-route to the superior court because one is sure-footed of being denied bail by the magistrates’ court and once bail is denied he has to pray that he goes to a superior court as fast as possible where there is a belief that justice gets dispensed in a better manner and chances of being released on bail pending trial are higher,” he said.

Rushwaya, Pakistani businessman Ali Mohamad, Central Intelligence Organisation operatives — Stephen Tserai and Raphios Mufandauya — and miner Gift Karanda, will spend another five nights in custody after their bail ruling was moved to Monday.

However, there is a possibility that magistrate Mr Ngoni Nduna could make the ruling before the end of day tomorrow if he manages to go through all their submissions today.

Mr Nduna said he will inform the quintet’s lawyers through the State on whether he will be able to make a bail determination before end of day tomorrow.

State Media

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has gazetted vacancies for three more proportional representation National Assembly seats following the recall of legislators by the Dr Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T last month.

MDC-T has the right to nominate new members for these party-list seats, with the only restriction being that they must be held by women.

ZEC acting chief elections officer Mr Utoile Silaigwana announced in General Notice 2 846 of 2020 published in the Government Gazette.

The three seats were formally held by Ms Dorcas Sibanda from Bulawayo, Mrs Lynette Karenyi from Manicaland and Ms Concillia Chinanzvavana from Mashonaland West.

The three were part of the 10 MDC-T legislators that were recalled at the beginning of last month. Those representing constituencies can only be replaced in a by-election, and elections are at the moment delayed because of the need to avoid high risk of infection by Covid-19.

MDC-T has recalled 31 legislators in the ongoing feud within the opposition party’s ranks pitting Dr Khupe and Mr Nelson Chamisa.

Although the legislators were elected on the MDC-A ticket, the High Court has ruled that the MDC-A was an electoral pact with nominations allocated to members of the parties forming the pact, of which the MDC-T was the largest.

The feuding within the opposition followed what the Supreme Court ruled was a wrongful takeover of the leadership of the MDC-T by Mr Chamisa after the death of founding president Morgan Tsvangirai in 2018.

The High Court, backed by the Supreme Court on appeal, found in a civil suit that under the rules of the MDC-T itself, Dr Khupe and the rest of the old leadership should run the MDC-T until a new congress.

There are no laws governing political parties in Zimbabwe, so the State is never involved, but party members can sue each other in the courts as a civil matter if they feel their party is not following the party’s own internal constitution or rules.

State Media

POLICE investigations into the Murehwa boy’s ritual murder have revealed that an 11-year-old boy from Nyamutumbu Village was paid $5 to lure the now deceased Tapiwa Makore (Jnr) from the garden to his uncle’s homestead.

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

However, the boy handed over the money to his mother who kept the secret.

The uncle together with his herdsman Tafadzwa Shamba are in remand prison pending the murder trial. Police investigations have revealed that the boy was sent by both Makore (Snr) and Shamba to lure him.

It is alleged that the boy later revealed the matter to his mother who told him not to disclose the matter. The mother is said to have used the money to buy chicken.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the latest developments and said investigations were still in progress.

He said the boy will testify as a witness in the murder trial.

Two more women were recently picked up for questioning by police after they allegedly bought meat from Tafadzwa Shamba, the herdsman. The arrests came after reports that the meat bought by the two women might have been human flesh from the late boy’s thigh, which was sold to them at their homestead where they sell opaque beer and kachasu.

Shamba allegedly exchanged the meat for six containers of opaque beer with one of the women, Joina Tangirire, who sells beer at her homestead.

The meat was consumed by her whole family. Following a tip-off, police picked up Tangirire and a relative, Enia Tangirire, who are alleged to have admitted that they exchanged beer for the meat. The meat was, however, consumed by the whole family.

The developments also came after police arrested a third suspect linked to the murder of Tapiwa Makore (Junior) in Harare over the weekend and appeared in court on Monday.

Moud Hunidzarira (42) was arrested in Budiriro following a tip-off by the public and appeared before a Murehwa magistrate and was remanded in custody.

It is alleged that when the murder occurred, Hunidzarira was in Murehwa and a few days later, she was seen by some neighbours in Harare cleaning an item that had blood believed to be that of the late Tapiwa Makore.

Eventually, the neighbours tipped-off the police, leading to her arrest over the weekend.

Bulawayo city councillors have said it is better to license shebeens, rather than bottle stores calling for policies to make them legal.

According to the latest council report, councillors were debating an application for a development permit to establish a bottle store within a supermarket in Mpopoma, during a meeting of the Town Lands and Planning Committee.

Councillor Silas Chigora, in the minutes, said licensing bottle stores led to fouling at supermarkets by drinkers.

“Councillor S. Chigora supported the application. Previously similar applications had been acceded to. Fouling was one of the major challenges in most shopping centres. Council should have a policy on shebeens and relevant by-laws enforced,” read the minutes.

Cllr Felix Mhaka supported shebeens because they have adequate infrastructure for patrons.

“Councillor F. Mhaka was in support of shebeens. Shebeens had been there pre-independence and they promoted both local and international tourism. Council should have a policy with regards shebeens. He did not support standalone bottle stores. Most illegally operated shebeens had all the required infrastructure.”

Town Lands and Planning Committee deputy chairperson, Cllr Sinikiwe Mutanda, also did not support standalone bottle stores.

“She did not support the application (to establish a bottle store). A bottle store within a supermarket was not different from a standalone one. Fouling would still be experienced. Most bottle stores had turned out to be drinking spots without adequate infrastructure,” read the minutes.

“In response the deputy director of engineering services (town planning) explained that the supermarket was located at Bango Shopping Centre in Mpopoma. Council policy supported bottle stores within a supermarket. Most standalone bottle stores enjoyed existing user rights. Council was no longer in support of new standalone bottle store applications. In the CBD most supermarkets had bottle stores within. No fouling had been experienced.”

Earlier on, the committee considered the matter and Cllr Tawanda Ruzive sought clarification about the report.

He wanted to know if the applicant had started operations. It was now common for applicants to operate first without a development permit. Regularisation fees should be deterrent enough. The City at large should not support the establishment of shebeens. Shebeens were mostly associated with immoral behaviour and other criminal activities.

Council also supported the establishment of sports bars which was an improvement from standalone bottle stores.

It was resolved that a development permit to establish a bottle store on Stand 50291 Mpopoma Township be granted to Inathi Supermarket subject to full compliance with the requirements of the director of engineering services, director of health services, director of housing and community services, and any other municipal by-law requirements.

A BULAWAYO man allegedly teamed up with an ex-soldier to rob people that his in-laws were selling a house to, at gunpoint.

Covering their faces with face masks and caps tilted to further hide their faces, Learnmore Kwari (30) and the former soldier, Ian Sibanda (53), arrived at the sellers’ home in Lobengula West suburb on Tuesday between 5.30 and 6.30pm.

They, however, got more than they had bargained for when Mr Brendon Matshazi (24) disarmed Sibanda who was brandishing the gun at the family and demanding US$23 000.

Mr Matshazi bashed Sibanda into submission while Kwari took to his heels.

After witnessing the pounding his friend had taken, Kwari could not get away fast enough as he apparently felt getting into a getaway vehicle- a dark green BMW- would slow him down.

He streaked away on foot.

Kwari’s in laws were selling a house in the same suburb and he was part of the team that had engaged the Matshazi family in negotiations.

Sibanda is in police custody while Kwari is still at large.

Unbeknown to the duo, the money they were targeting was not at the house as it was yet to be delivered from South Africa.

Angry residents deflated the getaway vehicle’s tyres when news of the botched heist spread around the suburb.

There was a brief free-for-all as they stampeded to beat Sibanda up.

Mr Matshazi said he was angry Sibanda and Kwari burst into the house and threatened his grandmother and younger sister with a gun.

“I was so angry I did not stop to think. I jumped on him from behind and we tussled for the pistol. I overpowered him although he was bigger than me. I hit him with butt of the gun on the head until he fell to the ground. He begged for mercy while asking where I got the strength to fight an armed man,” said Mr Matshazi.-Chronicle

Comedian Lazarus “Gringo” Boora’s co-actors in different local dramas have described him as the driving force behind the success of the productions.

They said Gringo was not just an actor, but someone who was dedicated to fighting for the rights of artistes.

Gringo succumbed to stomach cancer on Monday despite concerted efforts by doctors to stop the disease from spreading to other parts of the body.

He will be buried today at his rural home in Rusape.

Blessing Chimbowa, popularly known as “Mbudzi Yadhura” 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 said.

“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.”

Chimbowa said he started working with Gringo before he became popular and he was a talented person. He said if one met Gringo, he would learn a lot of things from him.

William Matenga, who acted alongside Gringo as Gweshegweshe, described the late Gringo as a person who was focused and determined.

“I worked with Gringo for a lot of years dating back to the 1980s acting for Screen Talent Drama Club,” he said. “What I noticed ever since I started working with him was that he was a person with a bright future. He was very creative and would look beyond things when it comes to acting.-The Herald

The late socialite and flamboyant businessman, Genius Kadungure, better known as Ginimbi’s autopsy results have been revealed.

The autopsy results showed that Ginimbi died from internal bleeding, and this puts to rest various conspiracy theories flying around about the cause of the millionaire’s death.

Family spokesperson, Darling Kadungure, told Nhau/Indaba that Ginimbi underwent a post-mortem on Tuesday and the results said Ginimbi died from “haemorrhagic shock in polytrauma”.

According to online sources, hemorrhagic shock occurs when the body begins to shut down due to large amounts of blood loss.

People suffering injuries that involve heavy bleeding may go into hemorrhagic shock if the bleeding isn’t stopped immediately.

Common causes of haemorrhagic shock include severe burns, deep cuts, gunshot wounds and trauma amputations.

Meanwhile, Ginimbi’s burial will take place on the grounds of his Domboshava mansion, as per his instructions before he died.

Ginimbi is also said to have instructed his family no to rush his burial as “many people will come from all over the world”.

The controversial businessman died on Sunday between 5 am and 6 am when his Rolls-Royce hit a Honda Fit and veered off the road before hitting a tree along Borrowdale Road.

Eyewitness accounts have indicated that Ginimbi was pulled out of the wreckage alive but died shortly afterwards. His colleagues, Malawian Limumba Karim, Mitchelle “Moana” Amuli and popular Mozambican model Alichia Adams, were trapped in the car and were burnt beyond recognition when the car burst into flames.-Nhau/Indaba

Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa has exposed Zanu PF leader, Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s plot to destroy the MDC Alliance.

Mr Mnangagwa is using the SMICE strategy to destroy his political foes.

“They use S.M.I.C.E against all progressive opposition, leaders and activists.

S.M.I.C.E strategy involves the following; Sex Money Infiltration Coercion Elimination.”

President Chamisa also paid tribute to veteran actor Lazarus Boora popularly known as Gringo:

“A talented man indeed! RIP Gringo.”

Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa has exposed Zanu PF leader, Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s plot to destroy the MDC Alliance.

Mr Mnangagwa is using the SMICE strategy to destroy his political foes.

“They use S.M.I.C.E against all progressive opposition, leaders and activists.

S.M.I.C.E strategy involves the following; Sex Money Infiltration Coercion Elimination.”

President Chamisa also paid tribute to veteran actor Lazarus Boora popularly known as Gringo:

“A talented man indeed! RIP Gringo.”

Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly is ready to defend the people’s struggle, Secretary General of the assembly, Gift Ostallos Siziba has said.

Below is Siziba’s full statement:

We held a successful MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Council in this city of kings this weekend- below are the key resolutions made:

1. Prepare for action- a radical mass mobilisation program to energise the base, organise communities and fight dictatorship.
2. Defend the people’s project with utmost precision.
3. Launch I Million Youth campaign in all Provinces as a harbinger of a radically different Youth Assembly.
4. Take the Youth Assembly back to the rural areas- Focus on rural Youth mobilisation, voter education and economic empowerment programs.
5. Initiate a Political education program as a grassroots class consciousness drive for young people.
6. Join forces with the progressive Youth Movements in and around Zimbabwe to form a formidable fight against military dictatorship in the country.

Until then its Aluta continua

One Million Youth Voices For Change

Gift Ostallos Siziba- [Secretary General]

We held a successful MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Council in this city of kings this weekend- below are the key resolutions made:

1. Prepare for action- a radical mass mobilisation program to energise the base, organise communities and fight dictatorship.
2. Defend the people’s project with utmost precision.
3. Launch I Million Youth campaign in all Provinces as a harbinger of a radically different Youth Assembly.
4. Take the Youth Assembly back to the rural areas- Focus on rural Youth mobilisation, voter education and economic empowerment programs.
5. Initiate a Political education program as a grassroots class consciousness drive for young people.
6. Join forces with the progressive Youth Movements in and around Zimbabwe to form a formidable fight against military dictatorship in the country.

Until then its Aluta continua

One Million Youth Voices For Change

Gift Ostallos Siziba- [Secretary General]

Own Correspondent|A leader of a Sex Workers Union in Masvingo has sensationally claimed Michelle “Moana” Amuli broke love charm rules.

This follows insults hurled at controversial Masvingo cleric Isaac Makomichi who is accused of failing to protect Ginimbi’s “girlfriend”-Moana.

Irate social media users are accusing Makomichi of failing to reprimand Moana over her association with Genius ” Ginimbi” Kadungure.

Sources claim Moana was a beneficiary of Makomichi’s controversial love potion herb.

On Tuesday evening the leader of the Sex Workers Union in Masvingo said no mortal being can prevent death.

“I’m not defending the prophet but only God has the grace to save life.

The other thing is that I think Moana broke love charm rules.

We use that herb to attract rich people but it has a rule that one must follow.

Some prominent people come at night to collect the herb.

This is the time to stand with the prophet.

May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” the Sex Workers Union leader wrote on social media.

Makomichi was not immediately available for a comment.

However, his personal assistant said the preacher was fixing his mobile phone.

Own Correspondent|A leader of a Sex Workers Union in Masvingo has sensationally claimed Michelle “Moana” Amuli broke love charm rules.

This follows insults hurled at controversial Masvingo cleric Isaac Makomichi who is accused of failing to protect Ginimbi’s “girlfriend”-Moana.

Irate social media users are accusing Makomichi of failing to reprimand Moana over her association with Genius ” Ginimbi” Kadungure.

Sources claim Moana was a beneficiary of Makomichi’s controversial love potion herb.

On Tuesday evening the leader of the Sex Workers Union in Masvingo said no mortal being can prevent death.

“I’m not defending the prophet but only God has the grace to save life.

The other thing is that I think Moana broke love charm rules.

We use that herb to attract rich people but it has a rule that one must follow.

Some prominent people come at night to collect the herb.

This is the time to stand with the prophet.

May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” the Sex Workers Union leader wrote on social media.

Makomichi was not immediately available for a comment.

However, his personal assistant said the preacher was fixing his mobile phone.

The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) has sent its condolences to the Boora family following the death of veteran actor and comedian Lazarus Boora, 47, popularly known as Gringo.

Gringo succumbed to stomach cancer yesterday morning with Dr Johannes Marisa who was treating him saying the cancer had already spread to some parts of the body when he was sent to Westview Clinic in Zimre Park, Ruwa.

In its message to the Boora family, NACZ said the arts sector had been robbed of one of the most recognisable TV personalities. Reads the statement:

The NACZ management and staff would like to express their sincerest condolences to Amai Boora and the Boora family, the arts fraternity and the nation at large following the passing on of one of the country’s most recognisable television personalities.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Gringo rose to fame in 1997 when he took the leading role in Enock Chihombori‘s drama series ‘Gringo.’

He is scheduled to be buried on Thursday at his rural home in Rukweza, Rusape.-Chronicle

A 60-YEAR-OLD man from Kamativi in Matabeleland North allegedly tried to kill his estranged wife by hitting her with an iron bar for refusing to have sex with him.

Martin Sibanda of Tatatongwa Village in Tinde area under Chief Pashu allegedly hit Ms Joyce Muletambo Mathe, whose age was not given, once on the chest with an iron bar after she turned down his sexual advances.

The two are living in separation following undisclosed marital problems and Sibanda allegedly visited Ms Mathe and asked her to have sexual intercourse with him.

He picked an iron bar and attacked her, striking her on the chest after she refused and she fell down.

Sibanda allegedly sat on her stomach and punched her several times on the face.

He also stomped on her neck and stomach as she lay helplessly on the ground.

Sibanda pleaded not guilty to attempted murder when trial opened before Hwange regional magistrate Mr Collet Ncube.

He was remanded in custody to today for continuation of trial.

The State alleges that Sibanda proceeded to his estranged wife’s homestead and demanded to have sex with her.

“On the 1st day of September 2019 at around 6.40pm the accused person went to the complainant’s place of residence and requested to have sexual intercourse with her but she refused.

“This angered the accused person who then hit the complainant with an iron bar once on the chest and she fell down,” said the prosecutor Mr Vumizulu Mangena.

The court was told Sibanda punched the complainant on the face as she lay on the ground.

A report was made to the police leading to Sibanda’s arrest.

The complainant was taken to hospital where she was treated and discharged.-Chronicle

Paul Nyathi

GOVERNMENT’s proposed 40 percent salary increase for civil servants will not destabilise an economy that has been on a positive trajectory over the last few months, Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has said.

Cabinet announced yesterday that it had awarded a 10 percent risk allowance for teachers while proposing a 40 percent salary increase for civil servants which will result in the lowest paid employee getting over $14 500.

The new salary structure is with effect from November 1.

With the local currency standing firm and inflation on a downward trend since the Government introduced a cocktail of measures which include the Foreign Currency Exchange Auction, Prof Ncube said the latest increases would not reverse the gains made over the last few months.

“We’re making sure that the ordinary civil servant can be as close to the Poverty Datum Line as possible. So, for example for a teacher that salary of above the Poverty Datum Line. That’s what we’re trying to achieve and we will be able to do this without destabilising the stability. In fact, when you look at the ratios, in terms of the salary to total revenue ratio per month that won’t move much. At the same time, it would have given the employees a decent wage, a wage that is a real increase. You’ll agree with me that when a currency is stable, inflation is falling, an increase in wages is a real increase and that’s a good thing,” he said.

Prof Ncube said the latest increase was meant to close the gap, between the bottom of the pyramid in civil service to the higher rungs. Salary increases as the year came to a close, Prof Ncube said, could be beneficial to the economy.

“I think that extra demand from the economy and wages from consumers is not a very bad thing. We also want to make sure that there’s enough demand to support the economic growth that we need to move our country forward,” he said.

Paul Nyathi

Genius Kadungure popularly known as Ginimbi, left a huge estate which has left a huge number of people talking.

In response to bizarre claims, such as him supposedly having a snake that spits money, his friends asked in a statement why no one inquired about the source of wealth when he was alive, yet chose to speculate after his death.

“We all had 36 years to know and understand Ginimbi and his numerous sources of wealth. If no one asked him while he was alive, why speculate now that he is dead.

“To break the cycle of poverty, we need to do better as a society. The colonisation of the mind is a terrible thing. Please may we gather the little humanity we have left in us to give this legend a great send-off with respect to his friends and family during this difficult time,” read the statement attributed to Ronald Muzambe.Lady Zamar is mourning the death of her friends in Rolls-Royce crashLady Zamar’s friends were in the tragic Rolls-Royce accident on Sunday.TSHISALIVE1 day ago

Ginimbi rose to prominence at the age of 26 as a supplier of liquefied petroleum (LP) gas. That’s when he started hosting birthday parties. Though modest at the time, they drew the attention of the “who’s who” in Harare.

He would later become a social media star, with his life akin to a reality show. Over the years he bought expensive cars and was never shy to announce their acquisition.

At the time of his death, he was awaiting the arrival of a Lamborghini Aventador.

In his garage, the vehicles he leaves behind include:

• Rolls-Royce Ghost (2016 model);
• Rolls-Royce Ghost (2020 model);
• Rolls-Royce Wraith (involved in his fatal crash);
• Bentley Continental GT (2014 model);
• Bentley Continental GT W12 (2020 model);
• Bentley Bentayga;
• Bentley Mulsanne;
• Lamborghini Aventador S Coupe;
• Ferrari 488 Spider;
• Mercedes G Wagon Brabus (2016 model);
• Mercedes G Wagon G63 (2020 model);
• Range Rover Vogue Autobiography (2019 model);
• Range Rover Sport SVR (2019 model);
• Range Rover Sport Lumma (2017 model);
• Range Rover Sport (2018 model);
• Range Rover Velar (2018 model);
• Mercedes-Benz S Class (2014 model); and
• Mercedes-Benz S Class (2019 model).

Plus many other luxury wheels featuring the badges of BMW, Jaguar and Lexus.

Source: Times Live

Paul Nyathi

The final party to be thrown for Zimbabwean socialite and businessman Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure will be on Friday, but this time guests will have to bring their own champagne because he won’t be there to top up their glasses.

It will be the second party at the Domboshava residence, about 30km on the northern outskirts of Harare, in the space of two months. The first was his 36th birthday party, when he spent at least $50,000 (about R780,000) to entertain 400 invited guests.

The upcoming one will be his funeral wake, a day before he is buried at his upmarket mansion. And to make things clear, the invitation says “bring your own bottle”.

Kadungure died instantly in an accident in the early hours of Sunday in his R5m Rolls-Royce Wraith which veered off the road and hit a tree before going up in flames. Three other people died in the crash.

Since most of those around Ginimbi were relatively well-off businesspeople living champagne lifestyles of their own, drinks such as Ace of Spades, Veuve Clicquot Rich, Moet, and a variety of expensive reserve whiskies are likely to be produced from the boots of Range Rovers and other luxury cars.

All roads will lead to Domboshava, a village known for pottery and market gardening. Kadungure was born there and he saw it fit to build a mansion there when he “made it” instead of the usual thatched mud huts that are a characteristic of the area.

His sister Juliet said he often spoke about wanting to “go out with a bang” because he was a “big” person. As such, he will be buried almost a week after his tragic death.

“He always reminded us how he wanted his funeral to be. He had a plan and always said “ndiri (I am) big”, so make sure at my funeral, you do not hurriedly bury me. Everyone who will be at my funeral must be dressed in all white, no matter who. He said he had friends all over the world, so when he died they should be given time to come and attend, so never hurry,” she said.

Ginimbi had a way with international celebrities. In 2018 he set tongues wagging when he hosted Ciamera Jimenez, a New York adult performer of Puerto Rican descent who goes by the alias Cici Amor, at his mansion for two weeks.

Among friends he counted Nigerian pop superstar Davido, Big Brother Africa star Pokello Nare and SA celebs Bonang Matheba and DJ Tira, among others.

ZBC

Zimbabwe plans to select a financial adviser by Christmas to help it raise $3.5 billion to compensate White farmers it violently evicted from their land two decades ago, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said.

Resolving the issue is seen as crucial to restoring Zimbabwe’s relations with Western nations and multilateral lenders, including the U.S. and the International Monetary Fund, which have imposed sanctions on the country’s leaders and frozen financial assistance.

Seven applications were received after a call was made for an advisory firm and three of those, including local and international companies, have been shortlisted, Ncube said in a virtual interview on Monday. The government has identified some assets it can use as “seed capital” for the payments, which are meant to cover improvements made to the farms, such as dams, rather than the land itself.

“It is my hope that well before Christmas we can choose a winner,” he said.

The state-sanctioned invasion of White-owned commercial farms by Black subsistence farmers was said by the government to have rectified a historical wrong as White colonists had forced Black Zimbabweans off the land. Still, the expulsions slashed exports and kicked off 20 years of economic turmoil that has seen bouts of hyperinflation and the collapse of what had been one of Africa’s most advanced economies.

The plans to raise the money, possibly getting some of it from an international bond sale, is complicated by the poor state of the Zimbabwean economy and a track record of failing to pay creditors. The country has external debt of more than $8 billion.

Ncube said the economy is improving and he expects to post a current-account surplus of $1.2 billion this year as well as a “very small budget deficit, if not a balanced budget.”

Measures taken to halt the slide of the Zimbabwe dollar have seen the currency stabilize at about 82 to the U.S. dollar since mid-August, after a precipitous plunge from 25 in late June when a peg to the U.S. unit was lifted.

“Stability, stability, stability is going to be critical going forward,” he said.

The country is trying to restore relations with the IMF and other multilateral organizations and hopes to have a staff visit by the time the Washington-based lender holds its so-called Spring Meetings in April, Ncube said. “Token payments” to creditors will resume this month, he said.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa will launch the first of two five-year economic plans on Nov. 16, he said. The aim is to almost triple the per capita earnings of Zimbabweans to $3,500 by 2030 from $1,300 now.

Ncube also said:

His ministry doesn’t plan to clamp down on business being done in foreign currencies in the country
There are no plans to increase the frequency of weekly currency auctions
The government is targeting mining and industrial companies in a drive to have more firms list on a dollar-denominated stock exchange in the resort town of Victoria Falls

Paul Nyathi

Michelle ‘Moana’ Amuli’s family has decided to bury her remains this Thursday after previously demanding for a DNA test to positively identify her charred remains.

Experts had advised that the process would have forced the family to wait for up to three weeks before burying the remains.

Her sister, Tatts, told reporters on Wednesday that the family had agreed to bury the socialite at Zororo Cemetery, Harare this Thursday.

Moana died with Genius Kadungure and two others in a fatal road accident along Borrowdale Road, Harare early Sunday morning.

The four were coming from Moana’s 26th birthday party held at Dreams Nightclub when Ginimbi’s Rolls and Royce was involved in a head-on collision with a Honda Fit and hit a tree before bursting into flames.

Moana and the two other passengers in the car were burnt to death in the car.

Speaking to the reporters Tatts said video footage taken at the accident scene had been used to identify Moana.

“She will be buried tomorrow (Thursday) her body will arrive home today.

“The person we thought was her yesterday was not her, it was the other lady.

“Today other family members were shown a video of Moana before she was burnt beyond recognition so they can now tell who is who hence her body will be home today and her remains will be buried tomorrow at Zororo Cemetery,” she said.

Meanwhile, her family is pleading for donations from the public to foot her funeral expenses and ‘give her a good and decent send off’.

Skylake Borehole Drilling has dismissed social media reports that it used the late Lazarus Boora popularly known as Gringo to market its brand when he was bed-ridden.

A picture of Skylake Borehole Drilling ambassadors in the company of Gringo is circulating on social media with inferences that the firm used Gringo when he was unwell to market its brand.

In a statement, the firm said the picture had nothing to do with marketing of its brand but was a mere good gesture they undertook as part of their corporate social responsibility.

They said the picture in question was taken on a day when they were doing a road show in Chitungwiza and decided to pass through the clinic where Gringo had been admitted to make a small donation.

“This picture was taken last year (2019) when we had our road show in Chitungwiza. We never circulated it because it was not our intention to market our brand using Gringo. It was a good and innocent gesture that we decided to undertake after receiving the news that Gringo was not feeling well.

“We then said since we are having a road show here, why don’t we show the spirit of ubuntu and extend our helping hand to Gringo. We are very much concerned that our good and noble gesture is now being twisted by social media bullies to send a wrong signal to the public.”

The statement from Skylake Borehole Drilling comes at a time when social media is awash with fake news on different personalities.

By A Correspondent- A Chivhu woman today reportedly killed her 4 children before torching the family’s home after she found out that her husband had impregnanted another woman.

The woman reportedly “slaughtered” her minors using a knife and put them inside the couple’s matrimonial home and set it on fire.

Said a source privy to developments:

“Mashura kuno kuChivhu mukadzi acheka vana 4 kuuraya nebanga kwaakupisira Mumba iye akumwa poison aripanze imba ichitsva. The husband has impregnated another woman. Two vaburitswa Mumba vangonzi 6yrs and 4 vatswa yet to establish. Murume haasi kuonekwa people hunting for him. Mukadzi now in hospital under police guard. “

According to the above message the woman killed 4 children using a knife and torched the house before consuming poison while outside the burning home. The husband had impregnanted another women. Two of the minors aged 6 and 4 have since been removed from the burning home but they were burnt. The husband is nowhere to be seen and people are looking for him. The woman who committed this heinous crime is currently in hospital under police guard.”

The development was confirmed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police who said:

Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa has exposed Zanu PF leader, Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s plot to destroy the MDC Alliance.

Mnangagwa is using the SMICE strategy to destroy his political foes.

“They use S.M.I.C.E against all progressive opposition, leaders and activists.

S.M.I.C.E strategy involves the following; Sex Money Infiltration Coercion Elimination.”

President Chamisa also paid tribute to veteran actor Lazarus Boora popularly known as Gringo:

“A talented man indeed! RIP Gringo.”

By A Correspondent- Transport minister Joel Biggie Matiza has been fingered in a $66 000 fuel scam by his aide who told the Harare Magistrates Court on Monday that he took 19 000 litres of fuel with the minister’s knowledge.

Cephas Chiwetu, who was employed as Matiza’s personal assistant, yesterday said he gave his former boss some of the fuel coupons and kept others for stakeholders, including journalists to facilitate their covering of Cyclone Idai.

Chiwetu allegedly got the fuel and a Ford Ranger on the pretext that the minister wanted to use it to visit cyclone-hit areas in Chimanimani and Chipinge. He did that several times allegedly abusing the fuel, defrauding government of $66 000.-Newsday

Petros Manyuchwa- The face-off between government and its workers over salaries has protracted to a magnitude that it’s now threatening the realisation of the national vision.

The new political dispensation committed itself to transforming Zimbabwe into an upper middle income economy. That vision is only realisable if all hands are put on the deck and there is unity of purpose within all government structures.

The national vision entails and provides an opportunity for reconstruction and transformation of the economy to one which is capable of creating maximum opportunities for citizens to live a full and dignified life.

This informs the incessant demands for salary adjustments by civil servants whose current wages have admittedly dishonoured their dignity.

If the current salary regime is maintained, as it now seems, this sector of the populace will be left out in the envisioned upper middle income economy. With disgruntled civil servants, the journey to Vision 2030 will be bumpy and might even deflate the bus.

It is a fact that civil servants are critical enablers of economic transformation; as such their genuine grievances must be listened to. The step taken by President Mnangagwa recently when he met one of the teachers’ unions, the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA), is very positive and one hopes that such an engagement will find a lasting solution to the salary logjam.

The salary standoff has been largely caused by lack of sincerity by both players, the employer and the employee. The workers and the employer are respectively demanding and offering unworkable salaries.

The two should come up with a practical salary structure that enables workers to live a dignified life while leaving a room for realisation of budget savings, supportive of re-orienting expenditures away from consumption towards development.

Understandably, government has a lot in its hands apart from meeting the salary obligation. The situation is exacerbated by lack of productivity within the economy, a condition that requires indulgence of the workers.

However, there are a lot of other avenues that government can exploit as non-monetary incentives for its workers. When workers demand those astronomical salaries, they will be bench marking with market prices of basic needs like shelter.

It will remain a pipe dream for an honest civil servant to buy a house in an urban area with the current salary regime. As a result, most of the government workers are tenants and some of them are lodging in pathetic apartments. They have no choice. An apartment commensurate with their professions can consume the whole salary.

But government owns vast stretches of state land in and around several towns. It’s not a bad idea to give its workers residential stands for free.

Government set for itself a target to build —-houses.That should start in Jerusalem. No sane father can donate food to neighbours when his own family is hungry.

The civil servants can be organised to pull together their resources for servicing their stands. With a roof above their heads, the salary that government is offering will be enough.

There will be no need to pay rent which is currently chewing the largest chunk of the civil servants’ salaries. This does need workshops or a clever minister to do this, just a will power is needed.

It’s unfortunate that instead of striving to provide a roof over the civil servants’ heads, there is actually a deliberate effort to remove those roofs. This is not an allegation but a founded veracity established when this writer visited the local government ministry this week.

A civil servant with melancholy visible on his face told this writer that they received a directive from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to convert all the outstanding lease rentals to US dollars at 1:1 rate. To avoid receipting in USD, as that would cause an outcry, they were also directed to convert it to Zim dollars at the RBZ auction rate.

Unfortunately the majority of the lessees are civil servants who had hoped that they would be house owners through a rent to buy facility. One civil servant revealed that he had an outstanding balance of ZWL$7123 for a stand in one of the medium density suburbs which was effectively converted to US$7123. This then means he is expected by his employer to pay ZWL$576 963 within a period of four years towards a stand to build his house. 

Simple arithmetic shows that the land hungry civil servant is to pay ZWL$12 020 every month. On average, a civil servant earns a gross of ZWL$12 591. This means that for the next four years, the whole salary will go towards the purchase of a stand from his employer.

What he will do with other financial obligations is none of the employer’s business. Does this arrangement reflect a government that is willing to provide houses to its citizens?

Last week, deputy minister of Local Government, Marrian Chombo warned local authorities against demanding payment of bills in foreign currency at 1:1 exchange rate. She told Parliament that if one volunteered to pay in foreign currency, the auction rate should be used and she stressed that the 1:1 rate was since abolished.

Going by what she prescribed to the local authorities, the aforesaid civil servant’s outstanding lease rental is supposed to be US$88. It might sound economically ridiculous to Mthuli Ncube but that’s government’s policy which should be implemented for the greater good.

Therefore, what is happening at the Local Government ministry borders on double standard and inconsistency. Policy inconsistency was one of the evils that eroded investor confidence in the old dispensation.

It is most unlikely that the President is in the know of this thoughtless endeavour to reverse the advances government had gone in addressing housing challenges within the civil service.

By converting its charges to USD, government is admitting something. This gives credence to civil servants’ demand for their previous salaries to be converted on a 1:1 rate and then indexed to the existing auction rate.

As much as there is need for budget surplus and need to harness revenues from all sources, there is also need to have a human face in doing so. President Mnangagwa committed himself to servant leadership, one who listens with empathy. Here is a situation that will test his sincerity to that leadership style.

Tinashe Sambiri|Businesswoman Zodwa Mkandla has claimed she is Genius ‘Ginimbi’ Kadungure’s rightful spouse.

Sources say Zodwa is processing some court documents to enable her to claim ownership of Ginimbi’s vast mansion and posh cars.

“Zodwa claims she is the rightful inheritor of Ginimbi’s properties,” a source told ZimEye.com

It is understood Zodwa is in possession of a standing marriage certificate.

Zodwa’s move has reportedly unsettled the Kadungure family.

By A Correspondent- High Court judge Justice Erica Ndewere has asked President Emmerson Mnangagwa to probe the conduct of Chief Justice Luke Malaba, arguing his interference with judges’ independence was a danger to the judicial system.

This came as the hearing to interdict Mnangagwa from suspending her will be heard before Justice Benjamin Chikowero today after Judge President Justice George Chiweshe ignored her request to have a retired judge for her case.

In August, Justice Chikowero dismissed former Supreme Court judge Justice Francis Bere’s application challenging the legality of a tribunal set to determine his fitness for office.

By A Correspondent- Former Botswana President Festus Mogae  and Choppies managing director Ottapathu Ramachandran have been sucked into the legal battle between former Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko and retail group, Choppies Enterprises.

Mogae and Ramachandran are expected to explain their role in allegedly helping Choppies bypass provisions of Zimbabwe’s Indigenisation Act.

The developments came after Mphoko and his son, Siqokoqela, recently sued Nanavac Investments in Bulawayo, Choppies Enterprises and Choppies Distribution Centre (Proprietary) Limited both in Gaborone, Botswana, demanding payment of their 51% shares which they held before they were “unlawfully” divested of their entire shareholding by the company.-Newsday

Friends of the late Genius ‘Ginimbi’ Kadungure have taken over funeral processes at a time his business partner and ex-lover Zodwa Mkandhla also seems to be edging towards total control of his wealth and properties.

The friends, yesterday donated groceries and cash to Moana’s family amid reports the Kadungure family were struggling to foot funeral expenses.

The friends led by spokesperson Ronald Muzambe have also emerged to water down social media claims that the flamboyant businessman used juju in his business saying they walked together with him when he started small selling vegetables in Harare.

On the other hand Zodwa is believed to have claimed inheritance on all wealth and properties owned by Ginimbi claiming they were business partners.

The coming on board of Ginimbi’s friends and Zodwa partially addresses the challenges surrounding his funeral which was being funded by well-wishers including Deputy minister of youths, Tinoda Machakaire who donated a coffin while other notable personalities including Temba Mliswa contributed to the mega funeral.

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By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has dismissed as uninformed reports that it was captured by the executive arm of government after it failed to stand firm on by-election dates.

This comes after the electoral body has received criticism from various quarters including law expert Alex Magaisa for confirming the indefinite suspension of by-elections Vice President Constantino Chiwenga who doubles as the Health minister.

Blocking the by-elections, Chiwenga cited the prevalence of the coronavirus pandemic but some view the suspension as a political strategy with nothing to do with the novel virus.

ZEC chairperson, Justice Priscila Chigumba, speaking in Darwendale Tuesday at a training workshop for journalists organised by Zec, said the commission was just an administrative body with no power whatsoever to make policy or challenge the Executive.

She said:

When you go and look at the Constitution and the Electoral Act, only His Excellency, the President, can announce the date of by-elections. He does that by gazetting it.

He only does that in consultation with us. We do not have a mandate where we can stand up and say by-elections will be conducted tomorrow.

There is a piece of paper that is signed by His Excellency to say he has consulted us, he has consulted other stakeholders, he in his considered view agrees that by-elections can be held on such and such a date.

It is my very considered view that this is not a reflection of a lack of independence on the part of Zec, if by independence you mean Zec should willy-nilly proclaim election dates which it has no power to do, then I would say it’s premised on the lack of understanding of the Electoral Act and the Constitution.

Zec has been criticised particularly by opposition political players and their supporters over allegations of lack of independence.

MDC Alliance, in particular, claims ZEC connived with the ruling ZANU PF to manipulate results of the 2018 presidential election in favour of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The by-elections were meant to fill posts left vacant mainly by MDC Alliance legislators who were recalled by MDC-T interim leadership.

The late socialite and businessman Genius ‘Ginimbi’ Kadungure was a hard worker who accumulated his wealth through his business acumen, his friends have said.

They dismissed social media messages indicating that Ginimbi bought his own coffin and that he used juju to prosper.

Ginimbi died in a horror road traffic accident along Liberation Legacy Way on Sunday morning together with three others.

One of his closest friends, Brian Nyanyiwa, said he worked with Ginimbi from scratch and he fully understood how the late socialite accumulated his wealth.

He said Ginimbi was focused and determined to make it in life and would not let any one come between him and his vision, although he had his ups and downs.

“I worked with Ginimbi from scratch and he was doing well with his business from the start and he started rising to fame,” said Nyanyiwa. “So, what people are saying that he used juju are lies meant to discredit him even in his death.”

Another friend, Tazvi Mhaka, popularly known as Chief Joze, said Ginimbi was an inspiration to many youths and alluding that he used juju would be unfair since he was a businessman many youths looked up to.

“What would the young generation think when people are saying things like these were gotten through juju,” he said. “Ginimbi was a hard worker and an inspiration to many people in the country. They must not think that every rich man’s source of wealth is juju.”

Another friend, Tino Tumbare, said there was no coffin in Ginimbi’s house.

“People should not be misled into believing those rumours,” he said. “It is false that Ginimbi had prepared for his funeral arrangements and there is nothing like that. These are just rumours that there is a coffin in his house. There is nothing like that.”

The friends said Ginimbi used to be broke like any other person, but would come up with business ideas which he would execute and make more money.

Ginimbi will be buried at his mansion in Domboshava on Saturday.

I am in Matabeleland where I am complementing Government’s efforts in the goal to attain the Sustainable Development Goals particularly in the area of ensuring that Zimbabwe’s children live in a safe and clean environment, and have a fair chance in life.

The National Schools Feeding Program is an initiative that is part of the targeted social safety nets that provide both educational and health benefits to the most vulnerable children, thereby increasing enrollment rates, reducing absenteeism, and improving food security at the household level.

Beyond improvements in access to food, the school feeding program also has a positive impact on nutritional status, gender equity, and educational status, each of which contributes to improving overall levels of country and human development.

As part of this initiative, I am encouraging schools and parents to include as much cultural food as they can in their children’s diets.

Yesterday and today, I met with parents, children and school authorities from different schools in Matabeleland South and Bulawayo.

It was an opportunity to teach, learn and share ideas on improving nutrition in children and also how to best tackle the fight against Covid19.

By A Correspondent- The late comedian Lazarus “Gringo” Boora died a grateful man.

The actor was admitted at Westview Clinic Zimre Park following the deterioration of his health last week and his Dr Johannes Marisa had said if all goes well he be discharged in seven days.

But fate had other ideas.

Dr Marisa had dismissed the rumours as fake news.

“I wish I could recover, it can only be God, he is the healer, and I have changed.

“I am seeing changes from how I came here, ipapa Mwari haasi kuda kutendwa zvedambe ka, akuda kutendwa chaizvoizvo.

“When I was at home I did not think I will be talking like what I am doing now.

“I was in pain. Some people even said they will help me, but some people always have rubbish claims, they are there to change everything from what has been said.

“Vanotaura nepasipo, but they will be pushing each other, iwe ndiwe wakonzeresa izvi, zvaunoona zvisina maturo, ndivanasatan vanenge vachingotaura,” he said.

Added Gringo:

“So some of these things, I keep quiet and ignore what we see on the social media.

“I still have a problem, but if I eat hot food, I can eat well, tiri kuwirirana chaizvo, ndoda kuti ndikamuka makuseni paya ndoti kachu kachu.

By A Correspondent- All government workers have been awarded a 40 percent salary increment while teachers would be awarded a further 10 percent risk allowance.

This comes when teachers have since the reopening of schools on 28 September been refusing to go back to school citing poor salaries and working conditions.

The Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa made the announcement on Tuesday during a post-cabinet media briefing.

Said the minister:

Noting its obligations to pay a decent wage, Government has reviewed upwards, the salary increase offer to civil servants by 40 percent which will be awarded to deputy director grade and below.”

In addition to the salary increase, the teachers will also be awarded a 10 percent risk allowance. The new basic salary package for a teacher is $18 237, which is above the Poverty Datum Line (PDL).

This means that the compounded review percentage of the teacher grade salary is 1 284 percent since the beginning of the year. The lowest paid civil servant will receive a salary of $14 528. This is effective from November 1, 2020.

Since last year, there has been a stand-off between the government and workers who have been declaring incapacitation.

They argued that their salaries had been eroded by inflation that has been soaring in the past 24 months.

Authorities introduced a number of measures including cheap transport, garrison shops for the security sector and Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) in an endeavour to cushion them from the bumps of life but they have not had the intended effect.