TWO more people have succumbed to Covid-19 in Zimbabwe, while 33 tested positive positive in the last 24 hours.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care says the two deaths were reported in Bulawayo and Manicaland provinces.

The new deaths bring Bulawayo’s total to 64 and the province has been reporting deaths almost every day.

Of the new 33 cases, 14 were recorded in Bulawayo, four in Harare four in Manicaland and four in Mashonaland East.

The other new cases were reported in Matabeleland South and Masvingo provinces.

“As at 08 November 2020, Zimbabwe had 8 531 confirmed cases, including 8 005 recoveries and 253 deaths,” read the report.

Standard

ZIMBABWE may be forced into another lockdown, if Covid-19 cases continue to rise at the current rate.

The chief coordinator for the National Response to the Covid-19 pandemic in the Office of the President and Cabinet Agnes Mahomva said this in court papers supporting a ban on elections in Zimbabwe.

She was responding to a challenge against Vice-President and Health minister Constantino Chiwenga’s Statutory Instrument 225A of 2020 indefinitely suspending by-elections citing Covid-19 regulations.

The Election Resource Centre (ERC), the Women’s Academy for Leadership (Walpe) and six other applicants have gone to court to challenge the Health minister’s order suspending elections. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and President Emmerson Mnangagwa are cited as respondents in the application.

The country is supposed to hold by-elections for over 20 parliamentary seats and 170 local government wards to replace mostly MDC Alliance MPs and councillors recalled by MDC-T interim leader Thokozani Khupe.

Although lobby groups have accused Chiwenga of violating the Constitution by suspending elections when countries such as the US and Tanzania, among others, have successfully conducted polls during the pandemic, Mahomva said it was not possible to hold by-elections in December because of Covid-19 fears.

She said cases of Covid-19 had risen since the government relaxed regulations to curb the spread that included opening of the tourism sector and resuming domestic flights.

“Whether directly or indirectly as a result of these new relaxations, the infection rate has started to go up,” Mahomva said. “While the growth may be marginal at this stage, it has the potential to spike upwards in a manner which might not be foreseen.”

She added: “It may be that more enforcement of existing measures is required as well, but certainly should there be a sudden spike like that experienced around July 2020, then there might be need for more stringent measures such as those which are being re-introduced in Europe and the Americas.”

Some European countries have been forced back into lockdown as Covid-19 cases rise.

Mahomva said the period around December 2020 would be one of the decisive phases in the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“As such, I urge against any measures which may create uncontrolled gatherings, whether small or large, throughout the country. Such gatherings will be inimical to the country’s efforts to contain the spread of the virus and have the potential to result in high death rates,” she said.

“I, therefore, give it as my opinion as aforesaid that it is not advisable to hold by-elections on December 5, 2020 as this may create uncontrolled gatherings, whether small or large, throughout the country. The events surrounding the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic are moving in a direction which justifies my position…”

She said in August, a team of global scientists from the World Health Organisation, the Africa Centre for Diseases Control and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine conducted a survey on Zimbabwe’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and their conclusion was that the country had successfully delayed the pandemic due to implementation of stringent public health and social measures enacted into law in March 2020 including a lockdown.

Last week, experts said the world was staring at a second wave of Covid-19 that could kill thousands in the country if regulations on social distancing and proper masking up were not observed.

Health and Child Care deputy minister John Mangwiro yesterday told The Standard that a possible second wave of Covid-19 would be harder to deal with than the initial outbreak.

The Standard

Henrietta Rushwaya says she wants her day in court to clear her name and recover her US$333 000 worth of gold which is kept at Fidelity Printers and Refiners pending her trial and acquittal.

Rushwaya, who is being represented by lawyer Mr Tapson Dzvetero, also told the court that the State has a weak case against her, which is doomed to collapse at trial.

She said this in her submissions during bail application heard before Harare regional magistrate Mr Ngoni Nduna.

Rushwaya maintained that she had no intentions to smuggle the gold as alleged.

“The accused person (Rushwaya) denies all the charges. She denies she ever had an intention to smuggle gold outside the country. The accused asserted this aspect on the day of her arrest to the arresting detail, Bruno Chiketo.

“She had no knowledge that the bag she had carried contained gold and that she was of the mistaken belief that the bag contained her clothes, food stuffs and other personal belongings. She states that she could not have been naive to bring gold through an airport which she fully knows has scientific detectors.

“She could have not expected freely without having been detected especially in the manner it was not even concealed. There is no mention or allegations that the first accused refused or attempted to dodge the scientific detectors for if she wanted she could have dodged that point because that would have been the pointed where she could be detected.

“The fact that there was gold in her bag at the airport on October 26 is therefore, common cause. What is in dispute relates to her knowledge and in an offence of smuggling, possession and the State would be expected not only to prove the actus bares, but also knowledge, which is a critical element. Accused gave a plausible explanation.

“She does not dispute that at her house she had and was in possession of the gold, as she is a fully fledged miner in her own right having several mines she owns through her companies one of which is Realm Technologies which has grant No.6324 42 hectare within Mupfurudza Safari areas and in other areas. It was not disputed by the State that she has a gold buying agents permit. In respect of the smuggling matter, the State had approached the court with a full docket and not on Form 242 as could be seen from the witness who was not even aware of the status of the docket which was produced in court,” said Mr Dzvetero.

Mr Dzvetero said the State’s decision to deny her bail was based on its desire to turn the matter into a political issue.

He said that was evidenced by the evidence given by investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Michael Chibaya when he took to the stand to oppose bail.

“He showed the court that he does not have any knowledge in respect of smuggling.

“He did not even think of reading the witness’ statement but concentrated on the aspects to do with politics. He was either feigning lack of knowledge or was not candid to the court.

“The State case is doomed to fail. It is a very weak case. State also shows lack of probity and appreciation of material aspects that relates to the case,” he said.

She also refuted offering a bribe to the Civil Aviation Authority official who spotted the gold at the airport.

“In respect of the bribery charge, she denies ever having attempted or offered to bribe anyone. No money was found on her even though she was searched, which indicates that she had no money at all.

“If she was found with US$5000, the State would have taken the money as it would have exceeded the maximum limit at law of US$2000.

“The alleged bribee, Owen Sibanda, gave a statement on the day in question.

“In his statement, he did not mention that Rushwaya tried or attempted to bribe him. The State could not even identify who made the allegations of bribery, where it was made and why it was not among charges when first charged on October 27. It is a misplaced allegation that they have overwhelming evidence when the Investigations Officer does not identify which evidence he is relying on. The State case is doomed to fail.

“It is clear that in its bid to turn a simple issue into a political issue, the State alleges some form of connivance in unconnected people who do not know each other.

“The State dismally tried to impute words and documents on Rushwaya, which she vehemently denies. It is difficult to comprehend how an IO who has not gone through witness statement in the smuggling case to attempt to rely on documents which he alleges were furnished to the same witness whose statement the IO did not go through. It is therefore, clear that the State case is doomed to fail.

“It is common cause that the gold is secured at Fidelity Printers and Refiners and it is submitted that the gold itself is in itself security to Rushwaya that when she is acquitted of the State ailing case, she is entitled to recover her value of US$333 000. This is why Rushwaya is not likely to abscond. She is a mother of two, she has dependents in excess of 50 including employees and has fixed family ties in the jurisdiction. She also has fixed and vast businesses interests as she has various mines and licenced gold buyer,” he said.

The bail application continues with Ali Mohamed, Stephen Tserayi, Raphios Mufandauya and Gift Karanda expected to make their bail application submissions.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa, has bemoaned the rampant looting of State resources by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.

President Chamisa made the remarks at the funeral service for the late MDC Alliance MP, Hon Kennedy Dinar in Harare on Saturday.Hon Dinar was laid to rest in Gutu on Sunday.

President Chamisa accused Mr Mnangagwa of “using the axe to intimidate children.”

He also described Hon Dinar as a man of love, humility and peace.

“Hon Dinar was a man of love, peace and humility.He was committed to the struggle for change and we will work hard to fulfil his wishes.

Unfortunately, rulers, not leaders are running the country.They don’t care about your welfare.They are busy plundering State resources.

The people of Zimbabwe are suffering because of rampant looting of State resources by the current administration.This is why people are suffering,” said President Chamisa.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa, has bemoaned the rampant looting of State resources by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.

President Chamisa made the remarks at the funeral service for the late MDC Alliance MP, Hon Kennedy Dinar in Harare on Saturday.Hon Dinar was laid to rest in Gutu on Sunday.

President Chamisa accused Mr Mnangagwa of “using the axe to intimidate children.”

He also described Hon Dinar as a man of love, humility and peace.

“Hon Dinar was a man of love, peace and humility.He was committed to the struggle for change and we will work hard to fulfil his wishes.

Unfortunately, rulers, not leaders are running the country.They don’t care about your welfare.They are busy plundering State resources.

The people of Zimbabwe are suffering because of rampant looting of State resources by the current administration.This is why people are suffering,” said President Chamisa.

By A Correspondent- National power utility, Zesa, reportedly lost close to $4,5 billion by charging uneconomic rates during the lockdown period, hence the recent decision to hike the tariffs by 150%.

Energy minister Zhemu Soda told Senate last Thursday that between March and September this year, Zesa cashflows dropped significantly as consumers’ disposable incomes were constrained.

As a result, he said the power utility owed Mozambique more than $100 million for power imports.

“People were not earning much because of the COVID-19 lockdown. The energy company lost a total of $4,5 billion. It was very difficult to rectify or fix anomalies within the power company because of lack of funds,” Soda said.

“As we speak, nothing was being done, but the government made it a point that people got
electricity even during the lockdown. There was a loss in value of electricity tariffs by 337%. In March the tariffs were valued at US$0,10. Now the tariffs have risen as at November 1, 2020 for domestic use to US$6,03,” he said.

The Energy minister said they were importing electricity at US$0,90 per kWh.

He said independent power producers also sold electricity to the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company at US$0,90 per kWh.

“For those who are using electricity for domestic use, the difference is being taken as a subsidy from government so that people do not pay all the money as expected from the electricity that is imported from other countries. There are also transmission costs to cover the cost of getting electricity to this country as well as distribution costs, including labour for the workers who are working in the energy industry,” Soda said.

By A Correspondent- Gogo Beaulah has revealed that two more culprits have been picked up by the police over the murder of Tapiwa Makore aged 7 in Murehwa.

Mai Lessie, is wife to one of the Makore brothers including the arrested Tapiwa Makore senior.

Her son is also a cousin to the deceased Tapiwa Makore was picked up by the police over his murder where he revealed what really transpired.

Said Gogo Beaulah, spokesperson for the family, while speaking to Tildah Moyo on TildaLive:

“Mai Lessie’s son who is in Grade 6 is the one that was sent to the garden to collect the late Tapiwa from the garden. The young boy was sent to collect the late Tapiwa Makore from the garden and he was given US$5 by Tapiwa Makore Senior to buy his silence. He was told to be quiet and never to reveal what happened to anyone.

He later told his mother about what had happened and his mother told him not to tell anyone. He gave the money to his mother who later bought a broiler which she slaughtered.

So Mai Lessie knew where the young boy was even when she embarked on the search for the missing boy. If she had reported earlier and revealed where the missing Tapiwa was, maybe he would not have been killed. What is most painful is that she was at the forefront of mourning and consoling the family yet she knew everything.

She was very very close to the deceased’s mother. This has destroyed Mai Tapiwa and she is totally torn.

Mai Lessie, it is said did not tell her husband about what happened. If only she had told someone. Maybe the little boy would not have been killed. Imagine the pain of knowing that someone concealed and sold someone’s life for a paltry US$5? This is really painful.

Please pray for our family. This is tearing us apart. We are at that point where this is now unbearable.”

By Tafadzwa Muranganwa| The 2018 presidential hopeful,FreeZim Congress leader Joseph Makamba Busha has castigated the idea of a Government of National Unity(GNU) and dialogue saying it was bordered on self-aggrandisement at the expense of the general citizenry.

The businessman-cum-politician was addressing the media after his party’s policy conference when he accused   his political peers of pushing the dialogue and GNU agenda  for personal gains.

“I have always been consistently saying I don’t believe in the idea of having a dialogue,GNU or any transitional authority because most of the proponents are strategically locating themselves for positions and access to wealth.

“Its a personal agenda at the expense of the majority who are starving,”the FreeZim Congress said.

His remarks comes at a time when rumours are rife that the Zanu PF government is working on another GNU with the MDC-T led by Khupe who has since assumed the role of the leader of opposition in parliament.

Meanwhile ,FreeZim Congress is already preparing for the 2023 elections and is determined to fare better this time since in 2018 elections they came third.

In its deliberations the party affirmed its value of preaching peace as a way to deal with the deep polarisation currently bedevilling this country.

“A free, open, and united society is  ideal for peace and advancement of mankind,”the FreeZim President said.

He also added that the party views the knowledge economy as crucial for economic growth .The knowledge economy (or the knowledge-based economy)is an economic system in which the production of goods and services is based principally on knowledge-intensive activities that contribute to a rapid pace of advancement in technical and scientific innovation as well as accelerated obsolescence.

The party also spoke about reducing the 10 administrative provinces by half .

“Once enacted into office we intent to reduce the 10 provinces we currently have to only 5 because we believe there are too many and it will go a long way in reducing government expenditure,”explained Busha.

An internationally-acclaimed   business consultant Mr Simon Kayereka who was a guest at the conference advised the party to extensively mobilise the young voters for the 2023 elections.

“Politics is a game of numbers and the youth constitute  60% of the population so if you want a fair chance of winning the elections there is the need to reach out and entice this demography,” urged Kayereka.

The policy conference was attended by the party’s delegates from across the 10 provinces.

A violent hailstorm blew off roofs of houses and classroom blocks in Chipinge and Chimanimani Districts in Manicaland while road networks were washed away.

This comes as the province in the Eastern parts of Zimbabwe has not fully recovered from the effects of the Cyclone Idai disaster which destroyed homes and also killing many people.

The hailstorm affected communities in Zamuchiya, Chisavanye and Chakohwa in Chipinge and Chimanimani districts.

Chimanimani District Development Coordinator Joseph Manyurapasi said resources had since been mobilised to help affected people.

He said:

  We received a lot of rains and houses were destroyed and as the District Civil Protection Unit we have since mobilised resources as we are working with our partners who are helping with tents to ensure that people are safe.

Affected villagers narrated their ordeal to ZBC News with some saying they didn’t know if they were normal rains or another cyclone. One villager said:

Our houses were destroyed by rains we don’t know if it’s a cyclone or not but we want to thank our village head and development partners who assisted us.

We had the unfortunate incident as our house and belongings were destroyed all the foodstuffs and clothing and we were assisted by our neighbours but our village head was quick to call for assistance we want to thank him.

Meanwhile, a bridge which was constructed as part of post-Cyclone Idai restoration efforts at Zamuchiya Growth Point and linked the community and a school was washed away by the violent hailstorm.

The Civil Protection Department (CPD) response teams in both districts have been activated to assess the extent of the damage and help mobilise temporary shelter, blankets and foodstuffs for the affected people.

Manicaland is one of the regions which are prone to disasters and emergencies.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has lamented the decay in the country’s public hospitals which he described as death traps where people now die from curable ailments as the Zanu-PF government has failed to mobilise adequate drugs and motivate health personnel.

Addressing mourners at the burial of Glen View North MP Kennedy Dinar (MDC Alliance) in Masvingo yesterday, Chamisa said his party had in the past few weeks lost several top officials as a result of government negligence which has resulted in a collapsed public health delivery system.

Dinar died last week at Chitungwiza Central Hospital after a short illness.

By A Correspondent- Environment, Climate Change and tourism minister Mangaliso Ndlovu’s nephew was recently arrested for theft of food aid earmarked for distribution to the needy.

The suspect, identified as Brandon Ndlovu, was allegedly arrested and detained at Njube Police Station in Bulawayo two weeks ago for stealing bags of rice and was released on October 23.

The stolen rice was reportedly being kept at the home of Mangaliso’s father, Richard, a Zanu PF central committee member and former legislator for Bulilima-Mangwe North constituency, Matabeleland South province.

The minister confirmed his nephew’s arrest but declined to give further details.

“I really don’t have much to say about this, but what I can say is that he is my sister’s son and the boy has been misbehaving for quite some time now,” Ndlovu said.

“I really don’t like commenting on such issues, but I understand the boy was arrested and is appearing in court. this, however, brings shame on the family.”

Brandon, popularly known as Rambo in Njube high-density suburb, Bulawayo, where he resides, is no stranger to criminal activities, particularly theft.

Bulawayo acting police spokesperson Assistant inspector Nomalanga Msebele professed ignorance over the issue when reached for comment.

Sources claimed that the rice was sourced by the ruling Zanu PF party for distribution to the needy.

Top Zanu PF officials have often been accused of diverting or stealing food aid for personal benefit.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Police in Bulawayo have impounded 127 vehicles that were pirating in defiance of the Government’s travel regulations meant to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Government in March banned private public service operators as part of measures to contain the pandemic. It said all commuter omnibus operators have to register under the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) franchise to be allowed to ferry passengers.

Some of the private operators joined Zupco but others are resisting insisting it’s unfair to force them to operate under Zupco franchise.

In banning the private kombi operators, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works said it was rationalising the public transport sector which had become chaotic.

In the past few weeks, an increasing number of kombis not registered under Zupco and pirate taxis had started to illegally ferry commuters on several routes in Bulawayo.

Zupco kombis are charging $24 per trip while pirate taxis and kombis not registered under Zupco are charging $40 or R10 per trip.

Some of the kombis impounded for operating illegally parked at Ross Camp in Bulawayo yesterday Acting Bulawayo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said police have launched an operation to arrest kombis operating illegally and pirate taxis.

“Police in Bulawayo have arrested 127 public service vehicles operating illegally and 100 are kombis, seven buses and 20 pirate taxis (Mshikashika). These vehicles were banned from ferrying passengers locally or plying the intercity routes,” said Asst Insp Msebele.

She said owners of the vehicles should comply with the law if they want their buses or vehicles to be back on the road.

“We urge them to approach relevant ministries to sort out their issues because as the police we will only allow those buses or vehicles that have the relevant papers to be on the road. Members of the public are advised to desist from boarding these vehicles to avoid unnecessary inconveniences as police will impound such vehicles,” she said.

In a statement on Friday, Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo expressed concern over the illegal operations of private kombis in cities and towns. He insisted that only vehicles operating under Zupco are allowed to ferry commuters because the Zupco arrangement has a mechanism to check on Covid-19 regulations compliance.

“The country is not yet out of the woods as we are still recording new Covid-19 cases hence the need to ensure safety measures are enforced by public transporters. The regulations that were put in place to prevent and contain the spread of Covid-19 are not meant to disadvantage those who invested in the transport business or any other sector but to save lives. We note with great concern that the operators who resist working with Zupco are usually those that do not enforce the recommended health protocols meant to curb the spead of the pandemic,” he said.

Minister Moyo said Government directed private kombis and bus operators who intend to operate in Bulawayo Harare, Gweru, Mutare, Masvingo and other towns to register and work with Zupco.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF bigwigs who include Cabinet ministers and MPs have engaged in fierce fights for top positions in the forthcoming district co-ordinating committee (DCC) elections as they seek to consolidate their influence in the ruling party.

In Chikomba district, Health and Child Care deputy minister John Mangwiro is vying for the post of secretary for health, where he is pitted against Chamunorwa Tseriwa and Pardon Mudzimu. Mangwiro is also Chikomba West legislator.

In Mutoko district, Mutoko East MP Richard Musiyiwa is gunning for the district chairmanship, where he will likely face stiff competition from former DCC vice-chairperson and businessman Zano Kahuni.

By A Correspondent- One of the victims in a road accident that claimed the lives of Zimbabwean socialite and businessman Genius Ginimbi Kadungure and friends was a wanted man in Malawi over an alleged US$30 million heist.

The accident happened Sunday morning along the Borrowdale road when Ginimbi’s speeding Rolls Royce was involved in a head-on collision with a Honda Fit before veering off the road, crashing into trees and bursting into flames.

Ginimbi and friends, Moana a fitness bunny whose birthday they had celebrated the previous night, Limumba Karim of Malawi and one Elisha from Mozambique.

Malawi publication Nyasa Times reports that Karim was a fugitive from justice, wanted in connection with the country’s biggest 2013 corruption scandal known as ‘Cashgate.’

The scandal saw over US$32 million being siphoned out of government coffers and resulted in donors who bankroll the country’s budget by up to 40% pulling the plug on aid.

Karim had faced money laundering charges related to the scandal involving US$2.6 million before he escaped justice and was reportedly based in South Africa.

His bail was revoked in January 2017 and an arrest warrant issued after he failed to attend court prompting his lawyer Wapona Kita to renounce agency. He told the Lilongwe High Court:

I would like to discharge myself from this case as counsel for seventh accused person Mr Limumba Karim.

I can’t get got of him. I don’t know where he is, he is out of reach and since there is no word from him I can’t continue standing here representing him without communication when I don’t know his whereabouts.

Karim is reportedly survived by three children, one in South Africa, a newly born in Mozambique and one in Malawi.

His remains are expected to be repatriated to Malawi for burial.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s lawyer says reports that military personnel were used to dump his estranged wife’s property at her house in Eastlea were not only misleading, but a vain attempt to scandalise their client’s name by a newspaper struggling to make sales.

In fact, the Vice President hired a vehicle to deliver the personal items, which cannot be part of a divorce settlement to Ms Marry Mubaiwa after a pre-trial conference agreement that the property would be delivered.

But her family suggested it should be handed over at Ms Mubaiwa’s house, rather than her parents’ house. It was only after this delivery that a letter was received from Ms Mubaiwa’s lawyer asking for the delivery of the personal items to be delayed until Ms Mubaiwa had given her lawyer instructions on where the personal property should be sent.

The Vice President and his estranged wife Ms Marry Mubaiwa are entangled in a divorce action at the High Court, centred on a custody dispute for their three children and the usual discussions over how property should be divided.

The private weekly newspaper, The Standard, in its article titled “Chiwenga humiliates ‘seriously ill’ ex-wife Marry”, claimed that VP Chiwenga used military personnel to embarrass his estranged wife by dumping her property at her house in Eastlea on Friday.

The VP’s lawyer, Mr Wilson Manase, dismissed the report as meant to deliberately scandalise the good name of his client.

“We read with utmost dismay the report which is replete with falsehoods,” he said.

“We are studying the purport of the article in order to correctly advise our client on whether he should take an appropriate action, more particularly when they claim that military personnel were involved.

“I do believe this is a headline to sell the newspaper, more particularly in an economic environment where people are not buying their paper.”

Vice President Chiwenga, said the lawyer, never wanted to humiliate his estranged wife, with whom he has children together.

“VP Chiwenga never used military personnel to transport the property in question but hired a truck.”

To set the record straight, Mr Manase said the property alluded to in the report was delivered to Ms Mubaiwa following an arranged meeting attended by both parties in Advocate Lewis Uriri’s chambers and an agreement that purely personal property belonging to Ms Mubaiwa should be delivered to her.

Ms Mubaiwa’s lawyer, Ms Beatrice Mtetwa, and her father, Mr Kenny Mubaiwa and his wife Helga, were all present and made a request that they be urgently given immediate access to all outstanding clothing, her vehicle and her personal items, said Mr Manase.

According to the lawyer, Ms Mubaiwa had alleged that the Vice President was denying her access to clothes which are not part of the dispute over the sharing of property now before the courts.

“These sentiments were aptly captured in the pre-trial conference minutes drafted and filed with the High Court,” he said.

Initially the property was supposed to be delivered to where Mubaiwa is staying, which is her parents’ home in Folyjon Crescent in Glen Lorne. According to correspondences between the parties’ lawyers, an attempt was made to deliver the property at the agreed address, but Ms Mubaiwa’s father, Mr Kenny Mubaiwa, indicated that the goods should not be delivered there since his house was not his daughter’s home, as she had her own house in Eastlea.

Mr Manase said after delivering the goods to the Eastlea house, he afterwards received a letter from Ms Mtetwa advising them that she had not got full instructions from her client on the delivery of the property to Eastlea house.

“Without instructions from client, we are unable to respond to your letters,” wrote Ms Mtetwa to VP Chiwenga’s lawyer, requesting for stay of the delivery until she has received full instructions.

In this regard, Mr Manase said the reporter should have verified the facts from both parties to come up with an accurate and objective piece imbued with credibility.

“The article clearly insinuate that our client was abusing his position which the paper is repeating for the second time now, just to tarnish the image of the Vice President,” he said.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- A former top official in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has been arrested on allegations of criminal abuse of office after facilitating the sale of a Borrowdale residential stand in Harare to a minor for just US$65.

The ex-chief estates officer in the Local Government Ministry – Rejoice Pazvakavambwa (46) of 5 Tungsgate Road, Mt Pleasant, Harare – was hauled before the Harare magistrates court facing charges of contravening Section 174 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9: 23 or criminal abuse of office by a public officer.

She was denied bail and placed in remand prison until November 20, 2020.

Allegations against Pazvakavambwa are that in 2008, she connived with one Taruvinga Hamura to allocate stand number 300 Carrick Craegh, in Borrowdale, Harare to the minor who was aged eight at the time.

The residential stand measures over one hectare in size.

In his affidavit, investigating officer Inspector Gilbert Manyore stated that the minor who is Hamura’s daughter had no contractual right to possess land title.

Court documents say, “Taruvinga Hamura paid US$65 to the State for the said property after valuation instead of the actual value of the stand which is US$24 384 according to a memorandum from the valuation and estates management development referenced UL/162/12 dated 5/03/09.”

Independent realtors told The Sunday Mail yesterday that at prevailing market prices, 1,2 hectares of land in Carrick Craegh can fetch over US$2 million.

The Borrowdale land belongs to the State and was developed by Arosume Property Developers in partnership with Sally Mugabe Housing Cooperative in terms of a tripartite agreement with the Ministry of Local Government dated 7 June 2007.

“The accused (Pazvakavambwa) facilitated the issuance of title deeds for the said property to Taruvinga Hamura after having given the same power of attorney despite the fact that he had no letter of declaration from the land developer Arosume Property Development.

“Hamura did not pay any developmental costs to the developer as required and in the tripartite agreement signed between the land developer (Arusome), Sally Mugabe Housing Co-operative and the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works as well as the allocation letter from the ministry dated 12 December 2008.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- The 5 300 teachers recently engaged to beef up staff at schools following Government’s decision to reduce classes to maximum of 30 pupils to allow for social distancing start work today.

The last group of pupils that include Early Childhood Development ECD A and ECD B, Grade One to Five and Form One and Two classes are reopening today.

The schools reopened in phases starting with examination classes which are Grade Seven, Form Four and Six which reopened in September and this was followed by Grade Six, Form Three and Five last month. Schools were closed in March as part of Government’s measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education director of communications Mr Taungana Ndoro said schools are ready for the reopening of the last group of pupils today. He said the Provincial Education Directors (PEDs) and their teams will be monitoring activities in schools to make sure that there is compliance to Government regulations.

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education devised the Standard Operating Procedures to guide safe reopening of schools in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“As a Ministry we are ready for the third and last phase of the reopening of schools. This phase will see the last group of classes which are ECD A, B, Grades One to Five and Form One and Two reopening. It is all all systems go from the reports so far received from regions across the country. We have put in place modalities to make sure the schools reopen,” he said.

Mr Ndoro said schools that do not have adequate classrooms have been advised to have morning and afternnon classes so that they adhere to the requirements of a maximum of 30 pupils per class to allow for social distancing. He said Government has also directed PEDs to monitor teachers’ attendance and those that do not report for duty will be disciplined.

“Teachers will fill in attendance registers which will be taken to provinces before they are forwarded to the Head Office,” said Mr Ndoro.

The Public Service Commission directed the education Ministry to take action against teachers who have not been reporting for work since schools reopened in September. The PSC said the ministry should apply the principle of “no work no pay” . Yesterday parents with children attending boarding schools welcomed Government’s decision to reopen schools even for a short period.

A Chronicle news crew visited some of the schools pick up points such as City Hall Car Park where pupils showed excitement over the schools reopening.

In Gweru, schools such as Regina Mundi High School, Chaplin High School, Fletcher High School, Anderson High School and Stanley Primary School received their last group of boarders.

Although under the SOP, hugging is banned, the learners hugged each other, claiming they had not seen each other for a long time. Parents who spoke to the news crew said they were worried about their children’s education. Mr Thembani Moyo with a child a Solusi High School said it was good that the children were returning to school.

“It’s pointless for them to remain at home because time is moving while they are not attending classes.

 “They should go to school even if its just for a month but the fees being demanded are too high given that they will only be there for just a month,” said Mr Moyo.

Another parent Mr Mthabisi Moyo with a child at the same school said school authorities have to be more vigilant to ensure pupils attend classes.

“These children have learnt a lot of things which are morally wrong during their extended stay at home. Our hope is that they will not try to experiment some of these ills when they are now at school. However, we feel that it is good that the children return to school,” said Mr Moyo.

Mrs Noma Sibindi said she fully supported the idea of reopening of schools though it’s only one month left.

“It’s good that schools are reopening for the last group of pupils. Lives cannot stop because we have Covid-19. It was created by us, life has to go on and we have to learn to live under the new normal with the pandemic. The children have to go back to school even for this short period,” said Mrs Sibindi.

Some of the parents said their worry was that some teachers might not report for work resulting in their children being idle when they have paid fees.-statemedia

Veteran comedian Lazarus “Gringo” Boora has died.

He was 47.

Gringo who was admitted at Westview Hospital in Zimre park died this morning.

The development was confirmed by a close family member and the association of private practitioners in zimbabwe MDPPZA!

Read the tweet:

more details to follow..

By A Correspondent | The driver of the honda fit car that was crashed into by the late businessman Genius Kadungure was discharged the same day of the accident yesterday.

The driver, Lucky Chikwanda’s nephew who is the Councillor for Harare West, Denford Ngadziore, speaks out –

Video loading below….

On Lucky Chikwanda the owner of the Honda fit that collided with Ginimbi’s car.

I send my uttermost condolences to the Ginimbi family, friends and Zimbabweans for the sad loss of this patriot. Other deceased Maona, Karim and Elisha, the families and friends.

Around 10am I was shocked to see a message in a family WhatsApp group that that my uncle, Lucky Chikwanda was the one driving the Honda fit which collided with Ginimbi. This afternoon l visited my uncle Lucky Chikwanda soon after being discharged from Parirenyatwa Group of Hospital.

He is the brother to my Late mother. Several checks were done at the Hospital but he still complains of some pain on both right arm and leg.

Acording to Uncle Lucky, Ginimbi was overspeeding on a steep curve and he tried to at once overtake three vehicles in front of him. When he was about to overtake the third vehicle the blue Honda fit which was being driven by Uncle Lucky which was coming from the opposite direction reduced speed and stopped in the middle of the road. It was during that time Ginimbi car collided with the Honda fit and immediately off road where it hit a trea before it caught fire.

In the Honda fit Khule lucky was in the campany of his male friend.

Please note that my uncle was not sent by anyone to cause the accident and is not a member of any political party. There are accusations being peddled on social media that the tragic death of Ginimbi and three others was deliberately caused by the driver of the Honda fit who was on agenda to cause death or harm the deceased.

My uncle is a Christian family man and has no such agenda to cause harm to anyone on this Mother Earth. Though he survived, he is actually a victim of overspeeding on a steep curve.

May the souls of the deceased rest in internal peace.

By Councillor
Denford Ngadziore

Paul Nyathi

…..

The father to Mitchelle “Moana” Umali, one of the three other people killed together with Genius Kadungure, Ginimbi, in a horrific accident early Sunday morning says he had literally discarded her because of her behaviour.

Moana’s father Mr Ishamel Amuli said he last saw his daughter early last year and was distressed and worried about her partying behaviour.

Speaking at the funeral wake in Highfield, Mr Amuli (58) told State Media that his relationship with Moana went sour in 2017 when she left her husband.

“In 2017, Mitchelle had problems with her husband, who came to drop their child in Domboshava. Mitchelle later came to pick her daughter and I sat down with her, telling her that I wasn’t happy with her behaviour. I heard a lot about my daughter that she had become a party animal and was featuring in several musical videos. I got angry and slapped her twice and she left home for good.

“Last year I saw her, but we never talked much. I am a Muslim and what she was doing was against our religion. Now how do I tell my elders at church and how will she be buried? We are now at her mother’s house in Highfield because I did not fully pay lobola for her mother. I still owe in-laws, but that is a story for another day,” he said.

Mr Amuli said he broke up with Moana’s mother while his daughter was still a toddler.

“I quit my job to look after my children. I had five children and Mitchelle was the second born and only girl. She had a daughter named Tyra. I stay in Domboshava in Chirombo Village. I used to hear some neighbours telling me that my daughter was at Ginimbi’s house. Today, was told that she had a birthday party at a night club in Harare and she died on her way back,” he said.

Mr Amuli broke down during the interview. Moana’s funeral wake is at Number 547 Engineering, Highfield.

Burial arrangements will be announced after post-mortem.

Moana featured in several musical videos which include Takura’s popular track “Zvemoyo”, Enzo Ishall’s “Mwenje” and Freeman’s video “Muridzo”.

Apart from being video vixen, she was a fitness trainer.

State Media

BUSINESSMAN Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure, who died on the spot along Liberation Legacy Way in Harare, ordinarily known by many as Borrowdale Road, when his speeding Rolls Royce collided head-on with a Honda Fit, veered off the road and hit a tree before catching fire, was with two foreigners who had come for the Saturday night party.

Limumba Karim from Malawi and a Mozambican, who was only iden- tified as Elisha and the birthday girl, Mitchelle “Moana” Umali were burnt beyond recognition after the doors of the Rolls Royce jammed on impact and it took many hours for police and the Fire Brigade to retrieve their remains from the wreckage.

Yesterday, Ginimbi’s sister, Nelia, said her brother was having fun at Dreams Nightclub and had invited his other two friends — Karim and Elisha — to celebrate Moana’s birthday.

I did not meet the two who were involved in an accident with my brother. I only heard him saying he was going to Moana’s party with friends.

“The next thing I get a phone call that my brother was involved in an accident. I am still in shock and it is scary. I arrived at the scene and saw the remains of my brother and his friends. “I am hurt. We were now four in our family thus, my sister Juliet, myself, Ginimbi and my father Anderson. The funeral wake will be at his Domboshawa home,” she said.

Tinotenda Marimo, popularly known as “Dj Rimo”, who was Ginimbi’s close friend, described the accident as a shock. “It seems mukomana (Ginimbi) was speeding. I am trying to think of how the car exploded and hit the tree. Usually that is his time of going home after partying, the wee hours of Sunday. I am saddened and at a loss for words,” he said.

Ginimbi’s friends, family and other local celebrities and businesspeople gathered at the accident scene as they tried to comprehend what could have happened.

Notable faces included comedienne Madam Boss, Albert Ndabambi, Jackie Ngarande, Thompson Dondo, Keen Mubaiwa and Wanisai Mtandwa (Mahwindo) among others.

One security guard identified as Martin said that he was patrolling the area when he witnessed the accident.

“I always see Ginimbi at this hour (5am) when I finish work and he will be driving to his Domboshava house. Today he had his Rolls Royce and was speeding as usual. I heard a bang and I rushed to investigate. I saw him trying to open the doors with a view to rescuing his friends.

“He was struggling to breathe and was visibly shaking. Genius was shouting for help. When I arrived, the car exploded. “The fire was scary and we could not do anything to help.

“Some neighbours gathered at the scene of the accident. We unsuccessfully tried to put out the fire using water buckets and tree branches,” he said.

Ginimbi’s manager identified as Shally said she was deeply hurt.

“I feel like hell. I don’t even know which words to even use. Genius Kadungure has been called by God. He is no more. He was in a terrible accident around 5am and he died on the spot with three of his friends in the car, Karim, Elisha and Moana,” she said.

Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) coronavirus/COVID-19 situation report as of 7 November October 2020:

• New cases: 27
• Locals: 27
• Returnees: 0
• Deaths: 2
• Recoveries: 12
• PCR Tests Done: 687
• National Recovery Rate: 94.1%
• Active Cases: 252
• Total Cumulative Cases: 8 498
• Total Recoveries: 7 995
• Total Deaths: 251

FORMER MDC-Alliance spokesperson Mr Obert Gutu has apologized to Zimbabweans for taking part in lobbying for the imposition of economic sanctions on the country when he was still a “lost sheep” in opposition political trenches.

Mr Gutu, who has retired from politics, said in a statement on social media platform Twitter that he was ashamed of having been a supporter of the punitive economic sanctions imposed by Western nations as punishment for embarking on the revolutionary Land Reform Programme.

“I would like to sincerely apologise to all patriotic Zimbabweans for having played a part in calling for the imposition of unilateral and punitive sanctions against Zimbabwe by some powerful Western nations. I’m very sorry and ashamed of having let down my beloved country,” said Mr Gutu.

Mr Gutu said the endgame of the illegal economic sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom, the United States and allies at the turn of the millennium was “designed to engineer a socio-economic and political uprising against the Zanu PF-led Government and replace it with a puppet and pliant government that would not only reverse the land reform programme by giving back land to the white former commercial farmers but that will also, both directly and indirectly, take instructions from London and Washington DC in particular”.

“This was a grand plan that was oiled by big money. No less than US$10 million was channelled to MDC over the years in order to push this regime change agenda that, inter alia, also took the form of so-called targeted sanctions. These illegal sanctions are tantamount to a weapon of mass destruction ( WMD). They are anything but targeted. In reality, these demonic sanctions hit the ordinary people more than they hit the ruling elite in Zimbabwe. By closing all normal access to financial packages and loans from conventional sources such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, these illegal sanctions literally made Zimbabwe’s economy to scream for almost two decades.

“While other developing countries in Africa and elsewhere receive financial bailouts in the form of budgetary support and funding for infrastructural development, Zimbabwe has been losing out on this front.

Consequently, the cost of money in Zimbabwe has become unusually high compared to other Sub-Saharan African countries. Because money is expensive in Zimbabwe largely as a result of the direct effects of these illegal economic and financial sanctions, the knock-on effect on the cost of doing business has been nothing short of catastrophic,” said Mr Gutu.

For the past 20 years, Zimbabwe has been groaning under the weight of illegal economic sanctions that were imposed at the instigation of the MDC-A.

The sanctions were meant to generate discontent among the masses and rise against the Government.

State Media

VICE PRESIDENT Constantino Chiwenga’s lawyer has confirmed that he delivered loads of personal goods and clothing bringing m belonging to his estranged wife at her house in Eastlea though denying that the goods were delivered were delivered by army personnel.

The lawyer said the Vice President hired a vehicle to deliver the personal items, which cannot be part of a divorce settlement to Ms Marry Mubaiwa after a pre-trial conference agreement that the property would be delivered.

But her family suggested it should be handed over at Ms Mubaiwa’s house, rather than her parents’ house.

It was only after this delivery that a letter was received from Ms Mubaiwa’s lawyer asking for the delivery of the personal items to be delayed until Ms Mubaiwa had given her lawyer instructions on where the personal property should be sent.

The Vice President and his estranged wife Ms Marry Mubaiwa are entangled in a divorce action at the High Court, centred on a custody dispute for their three children and the usual discussions over how property should be divided.

The VP’s lawyer, Mr Wilson Manase, dismissed the report that army personnel and vehicle were used as meant to deliberately scandalise the good name of his client.

“We read with utmost dismay the report which is replete with falsehoods,” he said.

“We are studying the purport of the article in order to correctly advise our client on whether he should take an appropriate action, more particularly when they claim that military personnel were involved.

“I do believe this is a headline to sell the newspaper, more particularly in an economic environment where people are not buying their paper.” he said referring to the weekend Steward

Vice President Chiwenga, said the lawyer, never wanted to humiliate his estranged wife, with whom he has children together.

“VP Chiwenga never used military personnel to transport the property in question but hired a truck.”

To set the record straight, Mr Manase said the property alluded to in the report was delivered to Ms Mubaiwa following an arranged meeting attended by both parties in Advocate Lewis Uriri’s chambers and an agreement that purely personal property belonging to Ms Mubaiwa should be delivered to her.

Ms Mubaiwa’s lawyer, Ms Beatrice Mtetwa, and her father, Mr Kenny Mubaiwa and his wife Helga, were all present and made a request that they be urgently given immediate access to all outstanding clothing, her vehicle and her personal items, said Mr Manase.

According to the lawyer, Ms Mubaiwa had alleged that the Vice President was denying her access to clothes which are not part of the dispute over the sharing of property now before the courts.

“These sentiments were aptly captured in the pre-trial conference minutes drafted and filed with the High Court,” he said.

Initially the property was supposed to be delivered to where Mubaiwa is staying, which is her parents’ home in Folyjon Crescent in Glen Lorne.

According to correspondences between the parties’ lawyers, an attempt was made to deliver the property at the agreed address, but Ms Mubaiwa’s father, Mr Kenny Mubaiwa, indicated that the goods should not be delivered there since his house was not his daughter’s home, as she had her own house in Eastlea.

Mr Manase said after delivering the goods to the Eastlea house, he afterwards received a letter from Ms Mtetwa advising them that she had not got full instructions from her client on the delivery of the property to Eastlea house.

“Without instructions from client, we are unable to respond to your letters,” wrote Ms Mtetwa to VP Chiwenga’s lawyer, requesting for stay of the delivery until she has received full instructions.

In this regard, Mr Manase said the reporter should have verified the facts from both parties to come up with an accurate and objective piece imbued with credibility.

“The article clearly insinuate that our client was abusing his position which the paper is repeating for the second time now, just to tarnish the image of the Vice President,” he said.

Own Correspondent|An irate social media user has literally blamed controversial preacher, Isaac Makomichi for the death of the girlfriend of popular Harare businessman and socialite Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure.

A social media user by the name Charity took to Twitter and accused the controversial preacher of giving
Moana what she described as “miti yerudo” while he could not pray for her.

According to the police, four people -including Ginimbi and Moana died in the horrific accident that has shaken the entire nation.

Charity tweeted : “Ginimbi’s girl hanzi aitora miti yerudo yerudo kwaMakomichi,
ko seyi muporofita asina kumisa rufu?Maporofita enyu ayaka @IsaacMakomichi makatadza kuona rufu here men of gold not God.

Waipa munhu mupfuhwira worega kumupa muti wekuvhika rufu? Rest in POWER gyz.ndarwadziwa.”
Makomichi was not readily available for a comment but his assistant said the preacher would be back in the office next week.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has described the US polls as a great inspiration as the opposition movement continues to push for freedom from Zanu PF tyranny.

Below is President Nelson Chamisa’s congratulatory message to US President-Elect Joe Biden:

Congratulations President-Elect @JoeBiden and Vice President-Elect @KamalaHarris. In electing you, Americans have spoken and delivered a historic and progressive result whose implications for democracy and diversity will inspire many beyond American borders and around the world.

Let us all build a peaceful, prosperous, democratic and free world.

We are inspired to fight for what is right. We will not give up!

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has described the US polls as a great inspiration as the opposition movement continues to push for freedom from Zanu PF tyranny.

Below is President Nelson Chamisa’s congratulatory message to US President-Elect Joe Biden:

Congratulations President-Elect @JoeBiden and Vice President-Elect @KamalaHarris. In electing you, Americans have spoken and delivered a historic and progressive result whose implications for democracy and diversity will inspire many beyond American borders and around the world.

Let us all build a peaceful, prosperous, democratic and free world.

We are inspired to fight for what is right. We will not give up!

NON-EXAMINATION classes will not attend school daily but instead will alternate attendance days to allow for proper implementation of social distancing rules, as the last group of classes resume learning tomorrow.

Early Childhood Development classes going up to Grade Five, as wellas Forms Ones and Twos return to school tomorrow and will join the ongoing intense crash programme designed to ensure that pupils catch up on lost learning time.

Authorities have designed an ad-hoc learning programme entailing intensified one-on-one learning, provision of self-study guidelines and rigorous homework in order to accelerate catching up. The 2020 and 2021 examination classes, which returned to school in September and October respectively, are already undertaking the improvised learning regime.

Government is encouraging hot-sitting at schools that may have inadequate infrastructure and resources to properly implement Covid-19 prevention regulations. “Hot-sitting” is when the school day is split into morning and afternoon sessions for different classes to allow for sharing of classrooms and other resources at schools.

The development comes as education authorities have started compiling names of teachers who have not been reporting for duty since schools reopened, ostensibly to initiate disciplinary procedures.

Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson Mr Taungana Ndoro told The Sunday Mail that only classes that will sit for this year’s public examinations should attend school every day.

“For all other levels, school authorities are encouraged to follow alternate schooling days with some learners coming on particular days of the week,” said Mr Ndoro.

“We envisage that some schools are likely to face challenges in implementing social distancing requirements because of inadequate infrastructure.

“Alternatively, schools may split the schooling day, with some classes coming in the morning and others in the afternoon, with groups alternating every fortnight.”-The Sunday Mail

A FORMER top official in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has been arrested on allegations of criminal abuse of office after facilitating the sale of a Borrowdale residential stand in Harare to a minor for just US$65.

The ex-chief estates officer in the Local Government Ministry — Rejoice Pazvakavambwa (46) of 5 Tungsgate Road, Mt Pleasant, Harare — was hauled before the Harare magistrates court facing charges of contravening Section 174 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9: 23 or criminal abuse of office by a public officer. She was denied bail and placed in remand prison until November 20, 2020.

Allegations against Pazvakavambwa are that in 2008, she connived with one Taruvinga Hamura to allocate stand number 300 Carrick Craegh, in Borrowdale, Harare to the minor who was aged eight at the time.

The residential stand measures over one hectare in size.

In his affidavit, investigating officer Inspector Gilbert Manyore stated that the minor who is Hamura’s daughter had no contractual right to possess land title. Court documents say, “Taruvinga Hamura paid US$65 to the State for the said property after valuation instead of the actual value of the stand which is US$24 384 according to a memorandum from the valuation and estates management development referenced UL/162/12 dated 5/03/09.”

Independent realtors told The Sunday Mail yesterday that at prevailing market prices, 1,2 hectares of land in Carrick Craegh can fetch over US$2 million.

The Borrowdale land belongs to the State and was developed by Arosume Property Developers in partnership with Sally Mugabe Housing Cooperative in terms of a tripartite agreement with the Ministry of Local Government dated 7 June 2007.

“The accused (Pazvakavambwa) facilitated the issuance of title deeds for the said property to Taruvinga Hamura after having given the same power of attorney despite the fact that he had no letter of declaration from the land developer Arosume Property Development.-The Sunday Mail

A man from Zaka District in Masvingo Province was last week beaten to death by his relatives on suspicions that he possessed mubobobo, a magical way of having sexual intercourse with women without their consent.

Masvingo assistant provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the murder of 73-year-old Patrick Mhou of Mhou Village, Chief Nhema on Tuesday last week.

He died after being attacked by his brothers from the same village, Prosper Mhou (34), Evans Mhou, (28), Solomon Mhou, (38), Aaron Mhou, (38), and Solomon Fushai, (62), of Village Chipinda in the same area who was accompanied by his wife, Emily Chekenyere (44).

“Patrick Mhou had a long outstanding dispute with his brothers who accused him of using mubobobo to have supernatural sex with women,” Asst Insp Dhewa said.

“On 27 October around 9PM, the five brothers and Chekenyere went to Patrick’s homestead where they woke him up and started beating him all over the body until he fell unconscious.

They took him back into his bedroom hut and left him there.

The following day at around 6am, Menace Denhere, (38), of Matiza Village under Chief Nhema passed through Patrick’s house wanting to greet him and saw his bedroom door half open. He opened the door and saw Patrick sleeping with no sign of life.”

Police said Denhere told Fushai who later went and handed himself to the police in Zaka.

Patrick had bruises on the thighs, blisters on the feet, buttocks and backbone, deep cuts on the right eye and bruises on the forehead. He had swollen testicles and bruises above the ribs.

His body was taken to Ndanga District Hospital for a post-mortem and investigations are in progress.

In a separate incident a 19-year-old woman committed suicide after she was turned away by her mother for coming back home in the evening from her boyfriend’s house.

Neighbours in Masvingo said on Saturday last week, Bertha Muchatsikwa, (19), of 2496 Save Street, ZBS, Masvingo, was in the company of her boyfriend, Stanford Madzivo, (20), who resides in the Majange area when she arrived home towards dusk.

When they arrived at Muchatsikwa’s place, the mother denied her entry and advised her to go back to where she had been since she had come home late. The two lovebirds are said to have waited outside the house for some time thinking that the mother would relent and open for Muchatsikwa but she did not.

The two later on went to Madzivo’s place where they engaged his relatives to intercede on behalf of the two lovers but to no avail resulting in Muchatsikwa spending the night at Madzivo’s place.

At around 6pm the following day, Madzivo escorted Muchatsikwa back to her house and left her there.

The mother again chased Muchatsikwa away and she went back to her boyfriend’s place. When she arrived at the house she found that her boyfriend was not around and she hanged herself on a tree in the yard using a hosepipe.-The Sunday News

Own Correspondent|An irate social media user has literally blamed controversial preacher, Isaac Makomichi for the death of the girlfriend of popular Harare businessman and socialite Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure.

A social media user by the name Charity took to Twitter and accused the controversial preacher of giving
Moana what she described as “miti yerudo” while he could not pray for her.

According to the police, four people -including Ginimbi and Moana died in the horrific accident that has shaken the entire nation.

Charity tweeted : “Ginimbi’s girl hanzi aitora miti yerudo yerudo kwaMakomichi,
ko seyi muporofita asina kumisa rufu?Maporofita enyu ayaka @IsaacMakomichi makatadza kuona rufu here men of gold not God.

Waipa munhu mupfuhwira worega kumupa muti wekuvhika rufu? Rest in POWER gyz.ndarwadziwa.”
Makomichi was not readily available for a comment but his assistant said the preacher would be back in the office next week.

POLICE in Bulawayo have arrested three men in connection with the murder of a Cowdray Park man who was stabbed to death in August.

Bhekimpilo Tshuma, Vumindaba Mkhwananzi and Eric Mpofu have been arrested while Ntokozo Moyo (25) is still on the run.

The four allegedly accosted Gugulethu Ngwenya (17) and accused him of threatening their 13-year-old friend (name withheld) before they stabbed him once on the chest and fled with his cellphone and money.

Bulawayo acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele appealed to members of the public who may have information about the whereabouts of the fugitive suspect to report to the police.

TSHOLOTSHO chiefs have crossed swords with an aspiring Zanu-PF district co-ordinating committee (DCC) chairperson, Owen Sibanda, who faces charges of grabbing vast tracts of land in their areas of jurisdiction.

In recent weeks, Sibanda was engaged in a land dispute with villagers under Chief Magama following claims that he had been allocated about 30 hectares of land under controversial circumstances in 2018.

The land dispute has spilled into the courts as villagers tried to evict Sibanda from their communal lands under Chief Magama without success.

Over 120 villagers were also arrested in 2018 for public violence and malicious damage to property belonging to Sibanda as they sought his violent removal.

In the latest incident, Sibanda faces charges of seizing over 40 hectares of land in the Natha area, ward 16 under Chief Gampu, raising the ire of villagers and traditional leaders in the district.

Sources say the area has gold deposits.

It is understood traditional leaders summoned Sibanda on Wednesday over the issue, but the businessman was in no show.

Another meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, Chief Gampu told Sunday Southern Eye.

“We want to understand the motive behind these land grabs; and also to find out who is sponsoring him,” Gampu said.

“We were supposed to meet him, but the meeting did not take place.

“We are supposed to have another meeting on Monday with him and other traditional leaders about the land issues.

“Who pegged that land without consulting us?

We were never consulted, and even if we were consulted, there is no way we could have given him that much communal land that belongs to the people.”

Gampu also confirmed that the chiefs have sought audience with the Presidents’ office over the land dispute.

When contacted for comment by Sunday Southern Eye, Sibanda claimed his political opponents want to tarnish his reputation.

“It’s politics,” he said. “They want to soil my political image.”

On September 24, some aspiring Zanu-PF Tsholotsho DCC candidates wrote to the provincial elections directorate seeking the disqualification of Sibanda protesting that he had already started campaigning before the national commissariat had announced when candidates should start canvassing for votes.

Tsholotsho CEO Nkululeko Sibanda on Friday said council was concerned about land grabs in the district involving Sibanda.

“I have been informed, but not officially from Chief Gampu,” he said.

“I am still waiting for the official report.

“However, it’s an issue of great concern to the council.

“We will make a follow-up and take it from there.”

The land in question under Chief Magama that Sibanda got under controversial circumstances in 2018 cost former Tsholotsho CEO Themba Moyo his job.

Moyo resigned in February 2019 while he was on suspension over 33 counts of misconduct and misappropriation of funds.-standard

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has congratulated United States President-Elect Joe Biden following his victory over incumbent Donald Trump.

Posting on his Twitter handle @edmnangagwa on Saturday evening, President Mnangagwa wished Biden Godspeed.

He wrote:

On behalf of all Zimbabweans, a huge congratulations to President-Elect @JoeBiden on his election victory.

Zimbabwe wishes you every success in leading the American people. I look forward to working with you to increase cooperation between our two nations.

The Associated Press announced on Saturday that Biden has won the US presidency by clinching Pennsylvania and its 20 electoral votes.

Victory in Pennsylvania took Biden’s electoral vote count to 284, surpassing the 270 needed to win the White House.

Paul Nyathi

A lecturer at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic In Gwanda on Wednesday reportedly collapsed during a lecture and was rushed to hospital where he was confirmed to be Covid-19 positive.

Sources close to the incident told ZimEye.com that the College Principal adviced all members of staff of the case.

Below is the Memo sent to staff members.

To All Staff Members of Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic

Greetings to you ladies and gentlemen. You are being notified that XXXXXXXX, Head of XXXXXXX tested COVID-19 positive on Friday, 6 October 2020. Presently, he is admitted at Gwanda Hospital Isolation Centre. Let us pray for him and his family as they go through the trying times. We continue to urge all of us to always wear our masks, frequently wash and sanitise our hands and maintain social distance even as we travel by car. We wish Mr XXXXXX a speedy recovery.

The Provincial COVID Committee is managing the situation. The Committee will continue to guide and advise us on how to operate amidst this unfortunate development. For now they have advised us to continue with our scheduled lectures and examinations while ensuring strict adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols. 28 lecturers and 25 students have been identified as the primary contacts who should be tested for COVID. If you are convinced you are a primary contact but your name is not on the list please see the COVID Committee Chairperson, Ms T. Hove or the Deputy Chairperson, Ms Leah Ndlovu.

Please stay safe.

Dr N. Moyo
Principal

More details to follow……

Own Correspondent

The video of Ginimbi‘s last status on social media before he died that same night in a car crash that also took the lives of his 3 friends.

In the status video Ginimbi’s said he was heading out in his Rolls Royce to celebrate the birthday of a friend, Moana.

In the morning of the 8th of November around 5 AM, the Rolls Royce collided with another car resulting in the car crashing into trees and bursting into flames. Ginimbi was thrown out of the vehicle and died on the spot.

His friends who were in the car, 3 ladies, also lost their lives in the burning car. Moana was among the dead.

Paul Nyathi

On the 14th of October self-styled Harare prophet, Advocate Joshua said Ginimbi might be harmed by fire, water or have his body plagued by strange ailments.

Ginimbi was this morning killed in a horror accident where his car burst into flames following a head on collision with another car.

Watch the video downloading below:

Paul Nyathi

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday led Zimbabweans in congratulating United States president-elect Joseph Robinette Biden (Joe Biden) who won the US presidential election, beating incumbent Donald Trump.

Mr Biden’s was confirmed the 46th president of the US yesterday evening, denying Trump a second term after a deeply divisive presidency defined by a once-in-lifetime pandemic, economic turmoil and social unrest.

Posting on microblogging site Twitter, President Mnangagwa wished Mr Biden success, undertaking to work to intensify co-operation between Zimbabwe and the US.

“On behalf of all Zimbabweans, a huge congratulations to President Elect @JoeBiden on his election victory,” said President Mnangagwa.

“Zimbabwe wishes you every success in leading the American people. I look forward to working with you to increase co-operation between our two nations.”

Relations between the US and Zimbabwe have been frosty over the past two decades after the US, the EU and the UK imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe over its bad human rights record and holding flawed elections.