State Media

Private kombis and pirate taxes remain banned from carrying commuters and travellers as part of the precautions to contain the spread of Covid-19.

However, owners of suitable kombis can still apply to join the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (zupco) franchise.

In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works insisted that only zupco was allowed to ferry passengers.

zupco, and the private buses and kombis operating under its franchise, meet set health and safety standards that minimise risk to passengers.

They only allow passengers to board and disembark at designated bus stops and terminuses.

Government said it was concerned over the illegal operation of private kombis, which mainly ply urban routes while others were plying the intercity routes despite a ban under the national lockdown regulations.

“This is a health-induced transport strategy, that is meant to ensure that the further spread of Covid-19 is contained,” said the ministry.

Covid-19 remains a threat as new cases were being recorded.

Zimbabwe is recording cases ranging between five and 45 almost daily while more deaths continue to be recorded, a situation described by experts as worrying and indicative of the fact that “we are not yet out of the woods”.

Government said the ban on private kombis was not designed to disadvantage those who invested in the transport business, but to preserve lives in the wake of the health threat.

It has been noted with “great concern” that the operators who resist working with zupco, were usually the unregistered ones, and do not meet the requirements.

“We direct that private kombi and bus operators who intend to operate in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare, Masvingo and any other town or urban area, to register and work with zupco.

“The service is open to all kombi and bus owners who meet the stated requirements,” said the ministry.

To register, operators should have a current vehicle licence, vehicle insurance, certificate of fitness, passenger insurance and VID clearance.

Drivers of the vehicles under the zupco franchise should have a valid driver’s licence, medical fitness, retest, defensive driving certificate and Government authority. Kombi or bus operators plying intra-city routes in Harare or any city and town in Zimbabwe without a zupco sticker, and pirate vehicles (mshikashika), using undesignated pick-up points, risk being penalised and having their vehicles seized as provided for by law.

Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation (ZMF) boss Henrietta Rushwaya frantically tried to call First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa in vain.

Witnesses and other well-placed sources told The NewsHawks that as police moved in to strike and bust the smuggling racket involving 6kg of gold – with 99.99% purity levels – Rushwaya anxiously made several calls, watching with horror her illicit bid to salt away bullion worth at least US$330 000 collapse.

As a result of the quality of the gold, a new problem has now arisen in court as to where it came from. Investigators say the gold could only have been taken from the state-run Fidelity Printers and Refiners (Pvt) Ltd, a bullion buying company owned by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.

Fidelity Printers has capacity to refine gold to purity levels of 99.5% or more. Rushwaya’s gold was of the highest quality – 99.99% – purity pointing to a wider network involving Fidelity, ZMF and security agents, as well as their political handlers.

Fidelity Printers public relations officer Xelisani Moyo declined to comment over the phone.

In a well-calculated attempt to hide the gold heist, Rushwaya, with the help of state and airport security, was given safe passage after the closed-circuit television system (CCTV) had already been switched off.

“What happened was that after airport security and police had intercepted the gold, Rushwaya started fretting and moving up and down making calls. Among several people she called, she dialled the First Lady, but she didn’t answer,” a source close to Rushwaya said.

“Apparently at that time President Mnangagwa and the First Lady were not yet aware of what was happening. CIO Director-General Isaac Moyo and his agents were already in the picture, trying to manage the situation. They tried to reach Mnangagwa, but it took a while for them to find him. Rushwaya never found Auxillia. So those delays changed the course of events.”

The source said events moved too fast for Mnangagwa’s people to stop the drama.

“By the time Moyo spoke to Mnangagwa, they were already behind the situation as events were moving too fast, even if they still had a fighting chance to act to protect the President. Auxillia never got an opportunity to return Rushwaya’s call.

“There was a hive of activity to contain the situation. The CIO bosses were sweating on how to protect the President from the fallout of the well-coordinated bust involving police, CID and military intelligence.

“Intelligence needed to do that for two reasons: they had immediately picked that Auxillia and her son Collins were implicated by Karanda upon arriving at the airport after an urgent call from Rushwaya and there was also Stephen Tserayi, a CIO operative, involved.

“So it was an emergency and it was thus critical for Moyo and his team to act swiftly to protect their ultimate boss: Mnangagwa. State Security Minister Mudha (Owen Ncube), who is close to Mnangagwa, was also anxious about the situation.”

At that stage, the clumsy attempt – to be followed by a series of sequenced and related actions playing out behind the scenes and in the public domain to cover up the smuggling scandal which had gone horribly wrong – had started.

Rushwaya called the First Lady and Karanda, one of the arrested suspects, as she is close to them. She is related to the Mnangagwa family, despite official attempts to distance the President from her now.

That is one way in which officials and Mnangagwa’s supporters are trying to create a buffer between the President and Rushwaya to avoid him becoming collateral damage.

But the digital footprint of their printed remarks in the public record is betraying them.

When Gogo Mary Rushwaya, mother to Martin Rushwaya who is currently deputy chief secretary for administration and finance in the Office of the President and Cabinet, died last year, Mnangagwa attended the funeral at Number 4 Glen Lorne Drive in Glen Lorne suburb, Harare.

It was publicly said there that the families are related.

Gogo Rushwaya was Henrietta’s aunt, making the arrested gold dealer a cousin to Martin, former Ministry of Defence permanent secretary.

Sources said it was initially not clear to the police whether Karanda implicated Auxillia and Collins as name-dropping in a bid to help Rushwaya wriggle out or he was simply telling the truth.

But his statement was all the same initially recorded by police. It was supposed to form part of the docket from which the suspects are facing smuggling, criminal abuse of office and attempting to defeat the course of justice charges.

However, after realising that they had created an even bigger crisis by bringing Auxillia and her son’s names into the racket, they retreated and made frantic efforts to delete the record. But it was too late.

Sources said political pressure was at that point irresistibly mounting to protect them.

However, CID and military intelligence agents who were involved were working behind the scenes to ensure that the suspects did not wriggle out and tamper with the record. In the end, they managed to delete names.

Chief Inspector Michael Chibaya from Harare CID Law and Order told magistrate Ngoni Nduna this week during a bail hearing that Tserayi and his accomplices had demanded that Auxillia and Collins’ names be deleted.
While that was happening, Moyo, after talking to Mnangagwa, moved swiftly to boot out Tserayi to create a safe distance between the President and the scandal.

“Tserayi was at the airport and after the gold smuggling drama he returned to work in town and, as you know, he worked with the President’s close security unit. But that evening, last week on Monday, he was told that Mnangagwa and Moyo don’t want to see him anywhere near the President. He was told to go away. There was no due process followed,” a top security source said.

“The following day, he was arrested, out of fury and to create plausible deniability. When his phone went offline around midday on Tuesday last week, we knew he was gone.”

As these events were unfolding, The NewsHawks was in action. It was the first media platform to post on Twitter Rushwaya’s arrest after a source close to Mnangagwa’s family had sent in a tip, and later details.

Soon after getting a tip, The NewsHawks swung into action and called police to verify. Police asked for time to check, but instead of coming back with an answer, they posted their statement on Twitter, confirming Rishwaya’s arrest. At that point The NewsHawks broke the story. Other media platforms immediately followed. The NewsHawks then went on to report Tserayi’s quick removal on Tuesday and a day later, Wednesday, his arrest.

After their names has been deleted from the record, Auxillia moved to distance herself and Collins from the smuggling case.

“I do not engage in illegal narrow-minded pursuits like gold smuggling,” she said on social media.
Auxillia then publicly challenged police to issue a statement on the matter.

“I have no dealings nor involvement with Miss Henrietta Rushwaya of any illegal kind. I am challenging the police through their relevant office to issue a statement,” she said.

Police sources said this was almost certainly political interference and an obstruction of the course of justice.

Yet police obliged.

But Chibaya said police had not even interviewed Auxillia and Collins due to protocol hurdles.

When The NewsHawks yesterday asked Nyathi to explain how the First Lady and her son’s names disappeared from the dockets, he said: “With all due respect, that case is now before the courts, so it is now sub judice for the police to comment on it.”

The brazen cover-up continued with statements from the ruling Zanu PF and Information permanent secretary issued to protect Mnangagwa’s family.

“Following the arrests, government has been made aware that there are some individuals and groups, including one of the suspects in the case, who are abusing the First Family’s name in their illegal activities,” Mangwana said.

Mnangagwa’s spokesman George Charamba has also weighed in, a peddling conspiracy theory that The NewsHawks were investigating his boss in a bid to link him to some dealers, especially David Crosby who is said to be one of the biggest gold traders in Zimbabwe. Crosby was recently arrested for trying to defeat the ends of justice over a gold case.

–NewsHawks

GLENVIEW North National Assembly member, Kennedy Dinah (MDC Alliance), who died on Thursday at Chitungwiza Central Hospital, is set to be buried today.

Details of his burial arrangements remained sketchy by late last night.

MDC-A deputy chairperson Mr Job Sikhala confirmed that Mr Dinah would be buried today, but could not give more details.

“I heard that the burial is there tomorrow (today). We will revert to you surely, as soon as we get the burial arrangements,” said Mr Sikhala.

Mr Dinah died after a short illness.

Announcing his death, the MDC Alliance said: “We are saddened to learn of the untimely death of MDC-Alliance MP for Glen View North Hon Kennedy Dinah who passed on at Chitungwiza General Hospital this morning after a short illness.

“Our heartfelt condolences to the Dinah family. We have lost a dedicated and loyal cadre. We extend our sincere condolences to the Dinah family on this untimely loss. May his soul rest in peace.”

FORMER Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operative, Raphios Mufandauya who is jointly charged with Henrietta Rushwaya, businessman Ali Mohamad, Steven Tserayi and Gift Karanda has denied being part of the suspected gold smuggling syndicate.

Through his lawyer Joshua Chirambwe, Mufandauya said he instead initiated the arrest of Rushwaya last week at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport where the Zimbabwe miners boss was attempting to smuggle 6kg of gold to Dubai.

The former spy said he was at the airport on the day when Rushwaya was arrested as part of his duties which involved extracting information from prominent people.

“My client, is actually supposed to be a witness in the matter and nailing him is an attempt to avoid certain truths,” said Chirambwe during Mufandauya’s bail hearing Friday.

However, the investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Michael Chibaya, during cross examination said Mufandauya instead made sure Rushwaya had safe passage at the airport.

Chirambwe insisted his client should be granted bail because other accused persons have been granted bail for serious matters such as murder, rape and treason.

He also claimed there was no evidence linking Mufandauya to the alleged smuggling allegation and tampering with CCTV cameras at the airport as Rushwaya went through pre-departure clearance.

Meanwhile, Karanda, who is alleged to have name dropped the First Family to save Rushwaya from arrest said through his lawyer Dumisani Mthombeni he was not found in possession of the gold yet he was being charged for unlawful possession of the precious mineral.

Karanda said he never accompanied Rushwaya to the airport claiming he was at his home when Rushwaya was arrested.

It was his submission that he was initially arrested on a charge of impersonation, “confirming state’s confusion”.

“In his warned and cautioned statement, he never mentioned that the gold belonged to the First Lady as alleged but it is an insensitive and false allegation which is deliberately said to try and scandalise both himself and the First Lady.

“Whoever is alleging this is deliberately trying to advance a very sinister agenda through these false allegations,” said Mthombeni.

All Africa

State Media

TEACHERS who have been absconding from work risk action being taken against them as the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is now demanding the list of all those who have not been reporting for duty since the reopening of schools in September.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has directed the ministry to take appropriate action against those teachers who are not reporting for duty and apply the principle of “No work no pay”.

Provincial Education Directors have been directed to gather attendance information including names of teachers at all the schools and submit it to Head Office every Friday until further notice.

Primary and secondary schools in Zimbabwe closed in March, just a week before the end of the first term following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Following the relaxation of Covid-19 regulations, Government reopened schools in phases starting with examination classes — Grade 7, Form Four and Six which opened on September 28. All teachers were supposed to report for duty with effect from the date but some did not citing incapacitation.

On October 26 Grade Six, Form Three and Five reopened and the last group is reopening on Monday.

According to a memorandum from Primary and Secondary Education permanent secretary Mrs Tumisang Thabela all provincial education directors and schools authorities should submit names of teachers who have not been reporting for duty since September 28.

“Please refer to the attached minute from the Public Service Commission on the above-mentioned subject dated 26 October 2020 (Submission of names of teachers not reporting for duty since 28 September 2020). The Public Service Commission has requested for details of teachers that have not reported for duty since the opening of Phase 1 classes on 28 September 2020 in the format prescribed in the template provided,” wrote Mrs Thabela.

She said while provinces and districts have been submitting attendance statistics for teachers and learners to the Command Centres, these did not have names.

“In view of the above, Provincial Education Directors are hereby directed to submit the details of teachers that have been absent from duty for the period 28 September to 6 November to Head Office through their respective Human Resources Directors by end of day Wednesday, 11 November for onward submission to Public Service Commission,” said Mrs Thabela.

“Henceforth, Provincial Education Directors are further directed to gather attendance information including names of teachers at all the schools and submit to Head Office every Friday until further notice.”

The PSC said it noted with concern that from September 28 to date, some teachers in schools that have Zimsec Examination classes have not been reporting for duty.

“The Commission is therefore directing the ministry to take appropriate action against those teachers who are not reporting for duty on the bases of the Public Service regulations as well as the ‘No work no pay’ principle,” said PSC secretary Ambassador Jonathan Wutawunashe.

Responding to the latest developments, the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) chief executive officer Dr Sifiso Ndlovu said the approach by PSC is unreasonable as Government and the teachers are in salary negotiations aimed at finding a lasting solution to the educators’ incapacitation.

“This development by PSC smacks of intimidation and is a direct threat to the public educators. Its not like they have been absent by choice but have been and are still incapacitated as we speak. We have been in salary negotiation and thought we were on the road to finding a lasting solution but before we know it, there is this sad development by PSC unless they are saying no one is listening to us anymore,” he said.

Paul Nyathi

First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa has made a rather uncomfortable suggestion that single mothers and young girls are turning into prostitution to take care of their families.

In a speech read on her behalf by Zimbabwe Women’s Bank chief executive Dr Mandas Marikanda at an interface meeting with single mothers and girls in Chivhu, the First Lady said these women should do away with prostitution and start the highly labour intensive Pfumvudza crop planting programme.

“I have come here as a follow up after I was informed that most of the women who had turned into social vices to earn a living are willing to shun their acts and start doing projects to feed their families,” she said.

“As women, you should be firm enough to work hard and bring food to the table. Let us embrace the Pfumvudza programme, which is meant to alleviate hunger, especially in rural areas. This will help you secure food at household level.

“I also urge you to embrace small grain farming so that you can secure healthy food for your children.”

“As the patron of Angel of Hope Foundation, I have come with new projects which can help you earn a living. Some of these projects include baking, manufacturing detergents like soap and lotions. I hope you will embrace the knowledge I am giving you and use it to transform your lives,” she said.

The First Lady also discouraged women from terminating pregnancies as it could affect their health.

“For those who were impregnated out of wedlock and got dumped, do not lose hope,” she said.

“Do not ever think of terminating that pregnancy because you might risk having diseases like cervical cancer. There is life after break-ups and as a woman you have to take responsibility of your children by working hard to bring food to the table.”

One of the vulnerable women, Pamela Katsora, narrated her experience as a sex worker and thanked the First Lady for showing concern.

“I got into this profession when I was 16 years old. I thought it was the only solution to life. The experience was painful as I could be beaten or sometimes used for peanuts,” she said.

“I am so excited that Amai has come to our rescue with her projects. We want more of these projects so that we become prominent business women. We will never look back at our painful life again.”

Source: State Media

Paul Nyathi

Education Minister Cain Mathema has opposed his Deputy who early this week expressed fears that there will be chaos when schools fully open next week as the schools are generally not ready to receive learners.

Primary and Secondary Education deputy minister Edgar Moyo yesterday admitting that they don’t have enough teachers to cater for such huge volumes.

Schools are expected to open on Monday for Forms 1 and 2, Grades 1 to 5 and Early Childhood Development, meaning they will be operating at full throttle after closing in March due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

Teachers refused to return to work when schools reopened September for examination classes citing poor salaries.

However, despite teachers’ unions and other stakeholders advising government not to open schools yet, the ministry went on to announce a phased reopening of schools.

“The successful re-opening of phase three would require more teachers to attend classes because their numbers currently are insufficient to handle large volumes of students who will be coming in, which is about three million,” Moyo said.

Minister Mathema however says that when the last classes go back to school next week they will find that adequate measures informed by World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines have been put in place to ensure safety of pupils.

The Minister said in keeping with social distancing rules, the classes would be broken into smaller groups handled by additional teachers already employed at schools, while examinations will see pupils spread across more classrooms or sitting in spacious halls to minimise chances of infection.

Mathema said schools will not be allowed to crowd learners as some schools will do hot-seating while others students will be given specific dates for coming to school.

“Let us not get the impression that there is anarchy. There is no anarchy at schools. We are ready to welcome all learners back to school. It is all systems go, we are starting our exams in December.

“Let us allow the school heads to manage the schools as best as they can under the situation. We have recruited 5 300 more teachers. So it is those teachers who will assist us to manage the situation,” said Minister Mathema.

He said the ministry has done what needed to be done in terms of adherence to WHO protocols, including breaking classes into smaller groups and ensuring masks and sanitisers are available and used.

“What we want is to see all teachers at work. We are not happy that some teachers are not at work. We want them back to manage learners under the Covid-19 situation,” said Minister Mathema.

“Government through the Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Ministry is negotiating with all civil servants’ representatives and we hope the results of these negotiations will see all the teachers coming back to work.

“We have managed the situation under Covid-19. Let’s hope they will agree with the Government. We want the teachers back, the learners want them back and the parents want them back.”

But the industrial action by some teachers will have an impact.

“We will definitely experience a serious shortage of teachers to successfully attend to the extra classes created by social distancing requirements,” said National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH) president Mr Arthur Maposa.

National Association of Primary Heads (NAPH) president Mrs Cynthia Khumalo said there is also a challenge of adequate teachers reporting for duty.

Meanwhile, most private schools have been adhering to Government’s laid down protocols. Dr Tapera Chikandiwa, director of Higher Achievers School said they have further broken classes to ensure social distancing protocols are maintained.

Source: State Media

Journalist and anti-corruption campaigner Hopewell Chin’ono will spend the weekend in prison after a magistrate postponed his bail hearing to Monday.

Chin’ono was rearrested at his home in Harare, on Tuesday evening for allegedly breaking his bail conditions.

He was first arrested in July after publishing a series of investigations into corruption by senior public officials. He was held in an overcrowded cell in Chikurubi Maximum Prison for almost six weeks pending trial on charges of inciting violence.

On his release in September, Chin’ono was effectively banned from using social media for anything that could be seen as critical of the Zanu-PF government. He did, however, give a series of media interviews in which he described the horrific conditions he faced in prison.

His lawyer Beatrice Mtwetwa, told the court on Friday that Chin’ono, who has not yet faced trial, was being detained with convicted prisoners and had been held for more than 48 hours before being brought to court.

He was brought to court just before the end of the day on Thursday, which his lawyers said was a deliberate tactic to delay proceedings.

The new charge is related to comments Chin’ono made about possessing classified information from the national prosecuting authority relating to Henrietta Rushwaya, the president of the Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation, who was arrested last week at Harare’s airport and has been charged with attempting to smuggle gold to Dubai.

According to court papers, Chin’ono “claims to be engaged in a relationship with the national prosecution authority thereby jeopardising the integrity of the case against himself and that of Henrietta Rushwaya.” Rushwaya has denied any wrongdoing.

Chin’ono, who denies the new charge against him, was brought to court in leg irons.

Tinashe Sambiri|A senior MDC Alliance member has described Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora’s political project as a sinking boat.

MDC Alliance Midlands provincial spokesperson, Takavafira Zhou on Thursday urged party members to distance themselves from the “doomed” Khupe-Mwonzora project.

“We are clear as the MDC Alliance that being an MP or councillor is more of providing service and self-sacrifice.

Selfish leaders will not be tolerated in the MDC Alliance. Our grassroot support is solid and intact.

All those who wish to serve their personal interests or work with Mwonzora and Khupe must come out in the open because they are free to do so.

Our structures here will stand with President Chamisa, we are clear on the matter. So naysayers must calm down because President Chamisa is firmly in charge, everything is in order,” Zhou said.

THE reopening of schools for the last batch of pupils next week might be chaotic, with Primary and Secondary Education deputy minister Edgar Moyo yesterday admitting that they don’t have enough teachers to cater for such huge volumes.

Schools are expected to open on Monday for Forms 1 and 2, Grades 1 to 5 and Early Childhood Development, meaning they will be operating at full throttle after closing in March due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

Teachers refused to return to work when schools reopened September for examination classes citing poor salaries.

However, despite teachers’ unions and other stakeholders advising government not to open schools yet, the ministry went on to announce a phased reopening of schools.

“The successful re-opening of phase three would require more teachers to attend classes because their numbers currently are insufficient to handle large volumes of students who will be coming in, which is about three million,” Moyo said.

He, however, said government would ensure teachers returned to work, adding that a solution might be found soon.

“Attendance by learners started at 95% and attendance by teachers was at 39% of total teachers. These figures have continued to decline,” he said.

He added: “The teachers, including the school administrators, have been able to keep classes going in schools with a few exceptions where heads appear to be failing in their responsibilities by being absent themselves.”

Moyo also said there was need to procure 10 million washable masks which are not readily available.

“The supply of masks is being closely monitored. NatPharm is supplying to the best of its ability. Phase three requires 10 million masks at three masks per learner and per teacher,” he said.

The deputy minister said the masks that government had procured were used by June examination candidates and invigilators.

“The schools have not had the capacity to produce masks owing to late payment for the masks produced,” he said.

In order to enforce social distancing, Moyo said there would be hot sitting at some schools.

“The 2020 and 2021 examination classes will attend school everyday. For phase three classes, the week will be split with some learners coming on a particular day and others on the other.

Another strategy is to split the day with some learners coming in the morning and others coming in the afternoon,” Moyo said.

Meanwhile, education authorities in Chinhoyi raised the red flag over the readiness of the country to fully open schools next week.

Newsday

07-11-2020

MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Chairman, Obey Teererai Sithole was involved in a serious road accident today in the early hours of the morning.

The accident occurred at around 04:20 hours when the National Youth Commander was coming from attending yet another accident involving Mashonaland West Youth Chairman, Collen Mapfumo.

Cde Luther, as the Chairman is popularly referred to is in a very stable condition and being checked for internal injuries at a Bulawayo hospital.

As the MDC Alliance Youth Assembly, we wish our Commander a quick recovery.

We are also very much concerned by the state of our roads which have become death traps for the public under ZANU PF maladministration.

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Spokesperson

By Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance Youth Assembly leader, Tererai Obey Sithole has been involved in a horrific accident.

However, Sithole is in a stable condition.

Speaking to ZimEye.com, in an interview on Saturday morning, MDC Alliance Youth Assembly spokesperson, Stephen Sarkozy Chuma said:

“It’s true the chairman was involved in an accident but I can confirm that he is in a very stable condition.

He is currently being attended to at a private hospital in Bulawayo to check if there are internal injuries.

We thank God for saving his life and indeed the Commander still has an uncompleted mission to serve Zimbabwe.

He said the accident happened while he was on his way from visiting our Mashonaland West Youth Chairman, Collen Mapfumo who was also involved in an accident.”

Sithole posted on Facebook :
“And the Lord said it’s not yet time for me, I just cheated death. I have been involved in a road traffic accident. Please keep me in your prayers.”

Drama involving vice President Constantino Chiwenga and his estranged wife Marry Mubaiwa continues to unfold after reports of the powerful politician’s move to dump truckload of the former model’s clothes and household property at her offices in Harare’s Eastlea suburb.

This is despite the fact that their divorce settlement case is pending in court.

Chiwenga had earlier written to Marry’s lawyers notifying them of his intention, but the lawyers protested the move, arguing that it was unilateral and unfair.

Chiwenga’s decision to take Marry’s clothes from the couple’s mansion in Borrowdale Brooke and dump them in Eastlea is the latest episode in a long-running divorce saga. 

In this latest drama, it has emerged the Vice-President’s lawyers phoned Marry’s father, Kenny Mubaiwa, to inform him that they were delivering her belongings and cars at the Mubaiwas’ Glen Lorne home, to which he also protested.

MDC Alliance youth leader Obey Tererai Sithole has cheated death after being involved in an accident this morning.

Details on the accident are still sketchy but Sithole confirmed that no one was injured in the accident.

Sithole posted the pictures of his vehicle with the message below…

“And the Lord said it’s not yet time for me, I just cheated death. I have been involved in a road traffic accident. Please keep me in your prayers,” said Sithole

FRETTING like a cat on a hot tin roof as law enforcement agencies closed in on her in a dramatic public spectacle now a monkey on President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s back, suspended Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation (ZMF) boss Henrietta Rushwaya frantically tried to call First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa in vain.

According to an online news platform, The News Hawks, witnesses and other well-placed sources told said, as police moved in to strike and bust the smuggling racket involving 6kg of gold – with 99.99% purity levels – Rushwaya anxiously made several calls, watching with horror her illicit bid to salt away bullion worth at least US$330 000 collapse.

As a result of the quality of the gold, a new problem has now arisen in court as to where it came from. Investigators say the gold could only have been taken from the state-run Fidelity Printers and Refiners (Pvt) Ltd, a bullion buying company owned by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.

Fidelity Printers has capacity to refine gold to purity levels of 99.5% or more. Rushwaya’s gold was of the highest quality – 99.99% – purity  pointing to a wider network involving Fidelity, ZMF and security agents, as well as their political handlers.

Fidelity Printers public relations officer Xelisani Moyo declined to comment over the phone.
In a well-calculated attempt to hide the gold heist, Rushwaya, with the help of state and airport security, was given safe passage after the closed-circuit television system (CCTV) had already been switched off.

“What happened was that after airport security and police had intercepted the gold, Rushwaya started fretting and moving up and down making calls. Among several people she called, she dialled the First Lady, but she didn’t answer,” a source close to Rushwaya said.

“Apparently at that time President Mnangagwa and the First Lady were not yet aware of what was happening. CIO Director-General Isaac Moyo and his agents were already in the picture, trying to manage the situation. They tried to reach Mnangagwa, but it took a while for them to find him. Rushwaya never found Auxillia. So those delays changed the course of events.”

The source said events moved too fast for Mnangagwa’s people to stop the drama.

“By the time Moyo spoke to Mnangagwa, they were already behind the situation as events were moving too fast, even if they still had a fighting chance to act to protect the President. Auxillia never got an opportunity to return Rushwaya’s call.

“There was a hive of activity to contain the situation. The CIO bosses were sweating on how to protect the President from the fallout of the well-coordinated bust involving police, CID and military intelligence.

“Intelligence needed to do that for two reasons: they had immediately picked that Auxillia and her son Collins were implicated by Karanda upon arriving at the airport after an urgent call from Rushwaya and there was also Stephen Tserayi, a CIO operative, involved.

“So it was an emergency and it was thus critical for Moyo and his team to act swiftly to protect their ultimate boss: Mnangagwa. State Security Minister Mudha (Owen Ncube), who is close to Mnangagwa, was also anxious about the situation.”

At that stage, the clumsy attempt – to be followed by a series of sequenced and related actions playing out behind the scenes and in the public domain to cover up the smuggling scandal which had gone horribly wrong – had started.

Rushwaya called the First Lady and Karanda, one of the arrested suspects, as she is close to them. She is related to the Mnangagwa family, despite official attempts to distance the President from her now.

That is one way in which officials and Mnangagwa’s supporters are trying to create a buffer between the President and Rushwaya to avoid him becoming collateral damage.

But the digital footprint of their printed remarks in the public record is betraying them.

When Gogo Mary Rushwaya, mother to Martin Rushwaya who is currently deputy chief secretary for administration and finance in the Office of the President and Cabinet, died last year, Mnangagwa attended the funeral at Number 4 Glen Lorne Drive in Glen Lorne suburb, Harare.

It was publicly said there that the families are related.

Gogo Rushwaya was Henrietta’s aunt, making the arrested gold dealer a cousin to Martin, former Ministry of Defence permanent secretary.

Sources said it was initially not clear to the police whether Karanda implicated Auxillia and Collins as name-dropping in a bid to help Rushwaya wriggle out or he was simply telling the truth.

But his statement was all the same initially recorded by police. It was supposed to form part of the docket from which the suspects are facing smuggling, criminal abuse of office and attempting to defeat the course of justice charges.

However, after realising that they had created an even bigger crisis by bringing Auxillia and her son’s names into the racket, they retreated and made frantic efforts to delete the record. But it was too late.

Sources said political pressure was at that point irresistibly mounting to protect them.

However, CID and military intelligence agents who were involved were working behind the scenes to ensure that the suspects did not wriggle out and tamper with the record. In the end, they managed to delete names.

Chief Inspector Michael Chibaya from Harare CID Law and Order told magistrate Ngoni Nduna this week during a bail hearing that Tserayi and his accomplices had demanded that Auxillia and Collins’ names be deleted.

While that was happening, Moyo, after talking to Mnangagwa, moved swiftly to boot out Tserayi to create a safe distance between the President and the scandal.

“Tserayi was at the airport and after the gold smuggling drama he returned to work in town and, as you know, he worked with the President’s close security unit. But that evening, last week on Monday, he was told that Mnangagwa and Moyo don’t want to see him anywhere near the President. He was told to go away. There was no due process followed,” a top security source said.

“The following day, he was arrested, out of fury and to create plausible deniability. When his phone went offline around midday on Tuesday last week, we knew he was gone.”

As these events were unfolding, The NewsHawks was in action. It was the first media platform to post on Twitter Rushwaya’s arrest after a source close to Mnangagwa’s family had sent in a tip, and later details.

Soon after getting a tip, The NewsHawks swung into action and called police to verify. Police asked for time to check, but instead of coming back with an answer, they posted their statement on Twitter, confirming Rishwaya’s arrest. At that point The NewsHawks broke the story. Other media platforms immediately followed. The NewsHawks then went on to report Tserayi’s quick removal on Tuesday and a day later, Wednesday, his arrest.

After their names has been deleted from the record, Auxillia moved to distance herself and Collins from the smuggling case.

“I do not engage in illegal narrow-minded pursuits like gold smuggling,” she said on social media.
Auxillia then publicly challenged police to issue a statement on the matter.

“I have no dealings nor involvement with Miss Henrietta Rushwaya of any illegal kind. I am challenging the police through their relevant office to issue a statement,” she said.

Police sources said this was almost certainly political interference and an obstruction of the course of justice.

Yet police obliged.

But Chibaya said police had not even interviewed Auxillia and Collins due to protocol hurdles.

When The NewsHawks yesterday asked Nyathi to explain how the First Lady and her son’s names disappeared from the dockets, he said: “With all due respect, that case is now before the courts, so it is now sub judice for the police to comment on it.”

The brazen cover-up continued with statements from the ruling Zanu PF and Information permanent secretary issued to protect Mnangagwa’s family.

“Following the arrests, government has been made aware that there are some individuals and groups, including one of the suspects in the case, who are abusing the First Family’s name in their illegal activities,” Mangwana said.

Mnangagwa’s spokesman George Charamba has also weighed in, a peddling conspiracy theory that The NewsHawks were investigating his boss in a bid to link him to some dealers, especially David Crosby who is said to be one of the biggest gold traders in Zimbabwe. Crosby was recently arrested for trying to defeat the ends of justice over a gold case.

-Newshawks

MASVINGO – It is taking long to pass Bills in Parliament because MPs, particularly Zanu PF are skipping the august House to see their boyfriends and girlfriends, the ruling party’s national political commissar, Victor Matemadanda has said.

He said that there is serious indiscipline among party MPs to the extent that even President Mnangagwa has given up on them.

The MPs only attend Parliament for the purpose of collecting fuel coupons.

Matemadanda who is also Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans said this during a Zanu PF Masvingo Province Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting held at GZU School of Education on Saturday.

Matemadanda said Zanu MPs have a tendency of attending Parliament sessions only to get fuel coupons and disappear to their girlfriends and boyfriends leaving Bills unpassed.

He said the party is failing to pass Bills because of lack of quorum.

“Zanu PF is capable of passing laws on its own in Parliament because we have the numbers but our MPs are not patriotic to the party. We have MPs who soon after getting their fuel coupons on Wednesday disappear to their girlfriends and boyfriends leaving Parliament business unfinished.

“Some go to their farms and use the diesel for farming instead of Parliament business.

“The President assigned me to talk to these MPs but they have defied me. He even assigned VP Mohadi but they won’t listen to him. The President has given up on these MPs because he believes and has allowed democratic space in the party.

“Therefore as you elect your DCC members please don’t elect place holders; elect real cadres of the party,” said Matemadanda.

-Masvingo Mirror

PRIMARY and Secondary Education Minister Cain Mathema has implored schools to invest in viable commercial projects and desist from relying on fees and levies to finance their day-to-day operations.

He also spoke strongly against the mobilisation of teachers’ incentives, highlighting that the practice was illegal.

In an interview with The Manica Post on the sidelines of the Zanu PF Provincial Coordination Committee meeting in Mutare on Sunday, Minister Mathema said School Development Committees that were mobilising incentives for teachers risked being prosecuted for conducting the illegal activities.

Minister Mathema said with SDCs struggling to finance their operations due to Covid-19, schools should do away with the “business as usual mentality” and devise strategies to make the best out of practical subjects like Agriculture, Wood and Textile Technology, Metalwork and Food and Nutrition, among   others.

Minister Mathema said education was a social equaliser.

“Public and council schools are not doing what is being done by trust schools.  These schools have between 12 and 24 hectares of land, and a hectare is enough for them to engage in commercial activities that can generate enough money for the development of the institutions.

“Public schools must engage in commercial activities to enable them to fund some of their needs.-Manica Post

Tinashe Sambiri|A senior MDC Alliance member has described Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora’s political project as a sinking boat.

MDC Alliance Midlands provincial spokesperson, Takavafira Zhou on Thursday urged party members to distance themselves from the “doomed” Khupe-Mwonzora project.

“We are clear as the MDC Alliance that being an MP or councillor is more of providing service and self-sacrifice.

Selfish leaders will not be tolerated in the MDC Alliance. Our grassroot support is solid and intact.

All those who wish to serve their personal interests or work with Mwonzora and Khupe must come out in the open because they are free to do so.

Our structures here will stand with President Chamisa, we are clear on the matter. So naysayers must calm down because President Chamisa is firmly in charge, everything is in order,” Zhou said.

Tinashe Sambiri|A senior MDC Alliance member has described Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora’s political project as a sinking boat.

MDC Alliance Midlands provincial spokesperson, Takavafira Zhou on Thursday urged party members to distance themselves from the “doomed” Khupe-Mwonzora project.

“We are clear as the MDC Alliance that being an MP or councillor is more of providing service and self-sacrifice.

Selfish leaders will not be tolerated in the MDC Alliance. Our grassroot support is solid and intact.

All those who wish to serve their personal interests or work with Mwonzora and Khupe must come out in the open because they are free to do so.

Our structures here will stand with President Chamisa, we are clear on the matter. So naysayers must calm down because President Chamisa is firmly in charge, everything is in order,” Zhou said.

Gibson Mhaka
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.-B-Metro

Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Mashonaland West Province has described the death of Glen North MP, Kennedy Dinar as a devastating loss.

Hon Dinar was a pillar of strength in the struggle for democracy, the party said in a statement:

“The MDC Alliance Mashonaland West Chairperson Mr Ralph Tawanda Magunje, party members and the entire MDC Alliance family join the MDC Alliance President Advocate Nelson Chamisa and the MDC Alliance family in mourning the passing on of one of our promising MPs Hon Kennedy Dinar of Glen View North.

We are saddened to lose such a promising Political figure whose only resolve was to see a better Zimbabwe for us all.

He will be sorely missed.”

IF you’re a man in an abusive relationship, it’s important to know that you’re not alone.

A man from Matopo in Matabeleland South province is allegedly living in “hell” at the hands of his abusive wife whom he described as a “dangerous woman”.

Giveness Sikhosana who has since deserted his matrimonial home to stay with a friend in Bulawayo said he missed death by a whisker after his wife Sigezekile Ndlovu violently attacked his manhood with an iron rod causing excruciating pain.

He said he was rushed to hospital for urgent medical treatment following the brutal attack on his genitals.

Sikhosana opened up on the savage attack at the Bulawayo Civil Court where he was seeking a protection order against his wife.

He asserts that there was more to the abuse than being attacked with a metal rod on his crotch. He claims his wife also repeatedly threatened to kill him and was even sending her brothers to attack him.

“I reported a case of assault at ZRP Matopo against my wife Sigezekile Ndlovu. She used a metal object to hit me to an extent that I sought medical attention. She also hit my manhood with that metal object and I experienced serious pain. I survived after being attended at hospital. She is so dangerous.

“She is also sending her brothers to beat me up. She also uses vulgar language and is threatening to kill me. I have since moved away from our home and I’m now staying with a friend here in Bulawayo. I am no longer safe because of her violent behaviour and I’m therefore seeking a protection order against her,” said Sikhosana.

He begged the court to protect him by granting an order that bars his wife from assaulting and chasing him away from their homestead.

His wife, however, disputed the accusations. She said Sikhosana was the one who was economically abusing her and the children.

“I am opposed to his application. We had a misunderstanding because he was no longer maintaining the children.

After the misunderstanding he left home and I don’t even know where he is now staying. At the height of the misunderstanding he also assaulted me with a stick and axe handle and I retaliated.

“When he was asked by the elders what had happened, he lied that I tore his clothes. When he assaulted me, the elders advised me to report him to the police but I refused because he was going to be arrested. The elders later sat us down and reprimanded us,” stated Ndlovu.

Sikhosana dismissed his wife’s response saying she was disrespectful to him and his parents.

“I dispute the allegations of assault made against me. In fact, she is the one who assaulted me and I ended up going to the hospital. She doesn’t respect me as her husband. She doesn’t wash and cook for me. She is also not respecting my parents. She is always insulting them with obscenities indicating that she is not their daughter-in-law. It is also not true that I am not maintaining our children. I take care of them and I always send them groceries,” he said.

In her ruling presiding magistrate Nomasiko Ndlovu ordered Ndlovu not to physically and verbally abuse her husband.-B-Metro

IF you’re a man in an abusive relationship, it’s important to know that you’re not alone.

A man from Matopo in Matabeleland South province is allegedly living in “hell” at the hands of his abusive wife whom he described as a “dangerous woman”.

Giveness Sikhosana who has since deserted his matrimonial home to stay with a friend in Bulawayo said he missed death by a whisker after his wife Sigezekile Ndlovu violently attacked his manhood with an iron rod causing excruciating pain.

He said he was rushed to hospital for urgent medical treatment following the brutal attack on his genitals.

Sikhosana opened up on the savage attack at the Bulawayo Civil Court where he was seeking a protection order against his wife.

He asserts that there was more to the abuse than being attacked with a metal rod on his crotch. He claims his wife also repeatedly threatened to kill him and was even sending her brothers to attack him.

“I reported a case of assault at ZRP Matopo against my wife Sigezekile Ndlovu. She used a metal object to hit me to an extent that I sought medical attention. She also hit my manhood with that metal object and I experienced serious pain. I survived after being attended at hospital. She is so dangerous.

“She is also sending her brothers to beat me up. She also uses vulgar language and is threatening to kill me. I have since moved away from our home and I’m now staying with a friend here in Bulawayo. I am no longer safe because of her violent behaviour and I’m therefore seeking a protection order against her,” said Sikhosana.

He begged the court to protect him by granting an order that bars his wife from assaulting and chasing him away from their homestead.

His wife, however, disputed the accusations. She said Sikhosana was the one who was economically abusing her and the children.

“I am opposed to his application. We had a misunderstanding because he was no longer maintaining the children.

After the misunderstanding he left home and I don’t even know where he is now staying. At the height of the misunderstanding he also assaulted me with a stick and axe handle and I retaliated.

“When he was asked by the elders what had happened, he lied that I tore his clothes. When he assaulted me, the elders advised me to report him to the police but I refused because he was going to be arrested. The elders later sat us down and reprimanded us,” stated Ndlovu.

Sikhosana dismissed his wife’s response saying she was disrespectful to him and his parents.

“I dispute the allegations of assault made against me. In fact, she is the one who assaulted me and I ended up going to the hospital. She doesn’t respect me as her husband. She doesn’t wash and cook for me. She is also not respecting my parents. She is always insulting them with obscenities indicating that she is not their daughter-in-law. It is also not true that I am not maintaining our children. I take care of them and I always send them groceries,” he said.

In her ruling presiding magistrate Nomasiko Ndlovu ordered Ndlovu not to physically and verbally abuse her husband.-B-Metro

The Seventh Day Adventist church in Zimbabwe is investigating the alleged poisoning of one of its senior pastors Fortune Chipunza.

Chipunza who is a senior pastor at the church’s North Zimbabwe Conference (NZC) is currently receiving treatment.

The alleged poisoning has been linked to the church’s impending internal polls.  It is unclear whether the church has engaged the police or not.

The Seventh Day Adventist Church NZC spokesperson Pastor Ahmed Kahn told ZTN on Thursday that he is not aware of what really took place.

He added:

We are hoping that results provided by doctors who have worked on him can help us understand what happened and then we will take it from there.

We have asked (Pastor Chipunza) for the results, but he doesn’t want to show them to us. We have asked some people to go and talk to him because without the results, there is nothing we can do.

Pastor Chipunza said he was not in a position to speak to the Press at the moment adding that he was only “focusing on my recovery.”- ZTN News

Government said on Tuesday no cases of Covid-19 have been recorded at schools since their phased re-opening began.

Government re-opened schools for the first time since March at the end of September starting with examination classes which are Grade 7, form 4 and form 6 followed by grade 6s, form 3s and form 5s last week.

The remainder of the classes are set to return to school next Monday.

The re-opening was however against objections by some parents and teachers that it was not yet safe for children to return to school.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Cain Mathema told journalists at a post Cabinet briefing that the country had to date not recorded any Covid-19 case in schools.

“We will do the best to make sure that children are not affected and up to now we have no reports of children having been affected by Covid-19,” Mathema said.

He said it was imperative that more classrooms be built to ensure that social distancing is maintained among students.
“We have gone to the extent of splitting the learners, some coming at different times to ensure that social distancing is maintained,” he said.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa said Cabinet was informed that classes had resumed under Phase2 although overall learner attendance remained low.

“The overall leaner attendance rate under Phase 2 was 32.02 percent, with the highest attendance being recorded in Masvingo province at 54.95 percent while Matabeleland North and South had the lowest with 7.1 percent and 13 percent respectively,” she said.

Teacher attendance also remained very low at 27.16 percent.

New Ziana

Journalist and anti-corruption campaigner Hopewell Chin’ono will spend the weekend in prison after a magistrate postponed his bail hearing to Monday.

Chin’ono was rearrested at his home in Harare, on Tuesday evening for allegedly breaking his bail conditions.

He was first arrested in July after publishing a series of investigations into corruption by senior public officials. He was held in an overcrowded cell in Chikurubi Maximum Prison for almost six weeks pending trial on charges of inciting violence.

On his release in September, Chin’ono was effectively banned from using social media for anything that could be seen as critical of the Zanu-PF government. He did, however, give a series of media interviews in which he described the horrific conditions he faced in prison.

His lawyer Beatrice Mtwetwa, told the court on Friday that Chin’ono, who has not yet faced trial, was being detained with convicted prisoners and had been held for more than 48 hours before being brought to court.

He was brought to court just before the end of the day on Thursday, which his lawyers said was a deliberate tactic to delay proceedings.

The new charge is related to comments Chin’ono made about possessing classified information from the national prosecuting authority relating to Henrietta Rushwaya, the president of the Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation, who was arrested last week at Harare’s airport and has been charged with attempting to smuggle gold to Dubai.

According to court papers, Chin’ono “claims to be engaged in a relationship with the national prosecution authority thereby jeopardising the integrity of the case against himself and that of Henrietta Rushwaya.” Rushwaya has denied any wrongdoing.

Chin’ono, who denies the new charge against him, was brought to court in leg irons.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga who doubles as the Minister of Health and Child Care has reiterated that by-elections will not be held this year.

Chiwenga cites the prevalence of the coronavirus saying it would be irresponsible for the government to allow the elections to be held this year.

Last month, Chiwenga through Statutory Instrument (SI) 225A of 2020 indefinitely suspended by-elections which were meant to fill Parliamentary and council seats left vacant mainly by MDC Alliance members who were recalled since March by the interim MDC-T leadership.

Chiwenga said although the holding of elections is allowed under the World Health Organisation’s coronavirus guidelines’ it was incumbent upon the Zimbabwean government to ensure the safety of the citizenry.

He said:

Some countries in Europe, for instance, went overboard with relaxations, now they are hastily re-introducing the stringent measures which they had before. Now they are reaping the fruits of having opened up too much and having failed to exercise caution, we do not want our country to get into that same situation.

It should be noted that while WHO guidelines permit the holding of elections, they require that they should be held in circumstances where the risk of the spread of the pandemic is minimal or minimised.

With the kind of medical resources available to us, we cannot afford to have a situation such as is taking place in the United States. The numbers of infections and deaths in Zimbabwe may presently be low when compared to the statistics of other countries. This, however, is no justification for holding by-elections which may result in a spike in those numbers, leading to unnecessary suffering or deaths. Government would be irresponsible if it were to allow that to happen.

The indefinite suspension of by-elections has been described by observers as the government’s strategy to enable MDC-T to appoint replacements to recalled members.-Newsday

The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has threatened to seize privately owned commuter omnibuses and taxis known as Mshikashika which operate illegally.

The government in a statement that only buses and commuter omnibuses contracted under the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company were allowed to carry members of the public.

Reads the statement:

The Government of Zimbabwe is concerned with the Illegal Operation of private kombis which ply urban routes in Harare and other urban centers.

Government strongly advises the private operators and the public, that urban transport services for the carriage of passengers, is restricted to those provided by the Zimbabwe United Passengers Company (ZUPCO) as provided for in Section 2(a) of Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020, Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) Order 2020.

Government is committed to have sanity in the urban (Intra-city) transport services, and Law enforcement agents have the authority to penalize those who contravene the Law. As for Pirate vehicles (Mshikashika), they are illegal.

Any kombi or bus operator trying to ply intra-city routes in Harare or any City/ Town in Zimbabwe without a ZUPCO sticker, Pirate vehicles (Mshikashika), all vehicles using undesignated pick up points, risk being penalized and having their vehicles seized as provided for in the obtaining legislation.

Private commuter omnibuses and taxis were banned from the road in March when the government initially imposed the lockdown to curb the transmission and spread of the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, some analysts have argued for a well-coordinated return of kombis saying ZUPCO is overwhelmed by demand.

Commuters are spending hours in elongated queues waiting for their turn to board the buses.-statemedia

Addressing the media Wednesday, Senator and Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has claimed that the country's economy is on the rebound as inflation has been tamed. Is this FACT or UTTER NONSENSE?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 5, 2020

ZimEye ran a poll asking readers whether Senator Monica Mutsvangwa’s statement that the country’s economy was on a rebound was fact or utter nonsense.

At least 78.8 percent of the 518 voters said it was utter nonsense that the minister was making such claim.

Added El Patron:

“We don’t need to vote on it, if the economy was on the rebound everyone would be able to see it we wouldn’t wait for a minister to tell us that, the fact that we can’t and we have to wait for someone to feed us what is obviously lies basically tells you everything you should know.”

However, 9.3 percent of those who voted were of the opinion that the information minister’s claim was fact while 12 percent said they wanted nothing to do with the poll and said “Leave me out of it ok!”.

What is ED telling Zimbos in #HopewellChin'ono's case. He came to court handcuffed, in leg irons when #NSSA scandal's #PriscaMupfumira, #Drax scandal's #ObadiahMoyo & gold smuggling #HenriettaRushwaya come to court with aides, in own clothes, cars, with handbags & briefcases.

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 6, 2020

Vice President Retired General Dr Constantino Chiwenga says government is ready to allocate farming land to youths who have a proven track record in the agricultural sector.

Vice President Chiwenga revealed this at the 2020 National Young Champion Farmer Awards held in Harare this Friday.

Officiating at the ceremony which attracted several companies from the agricultural sector, Vice President Chiwenga applauded young farmers who are fully utilising land.

He assured them that government will avail land to all productive youths to venture into the farming business and contribute to the country’s food security.

“I am humbled and grateful to officiate at this second edition of the national young champion farmer awards. We are establishing vast tracts of land along the Zambezi, Save, Kanyemba, Limpopo Valley and Chimanimani for forestry, citrus, horticulture. This land is for production and the young farmers here is the opportunity for you to come on board and venture into estates, the government will support you, to get land there as long as you proved to be productive,” he said.

Vice President Chiwenga also assured farmers on the establishment of the much awaited Land Bank which he said is at an advanced stage.

“We are working around the clock to make sure land bank comes into fruition, and very soon the whole process of transforming Agribank into the land bank will be complete and it will open its doors for the farmers to access capital funding and boost productivity, he added.

The Vice President, flanked by Lands, Agriculture, Water, and Rural Resettlement Minister Dr. Anxious Masuka, and Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Mary Mliswa handed over certificates to outstanding young farmers.

Ecocash has announced that there shall be a system maintenance exercise from Saturday to Sunday which will affect access to some of the mobile money operator’s services. We present Ecocash’s notice in full below.

Customer Notice Planned System Maintenance

Dear Valued Customer.

Please be advised that we will be carrying out a planned maintenance on the EcoCash system from 11pm on Saturday the 7th of November 2020 to 6am on Sunday the 8th of November 2020. During this period customers will not be able to access the following services: 1 All Banking Services (Bank to Wallet 8 Wallet to Bank) 2 All incoming and outgoing ZimSwitch transactions.

All other EcoCash Services will be available and working normally during this period. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Live Life the EcoCash Way!

@daddyhope was not brought to court within that 48-hour period. The magistrate is saying if you are arrested and once you enter this door, the 48-hour is complied with, we respectfully disagree with that, says @ZLHRLawyers lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa pic.twitter.com/H9SHtchZgy

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 6, 2020

Tinashe Sambiri|A senior MDC Alliance member has described Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora’s political project as a sinking boat.

MDC Alliance Midlands provincial spokesperson, Takavafira Zhou on Thursday urged party members to distance themselves from the “doomed” Khupe-Mwonzora project.

“We are clear as the MDC Alliance that being an MP or councillor is more of providing service and self-sacrifice.

Selfish leaders will not be tolerated in the MDC Alliance. Our grassroot support is solid and intact.

All those who wish to serve their personal interests or work with Mwonzora and Khupe must come out in the open because they are free to do so.

Our structures here will stand with President Chamisa, we are clear on the matter. So naysayers must calm down because President Chamisa is firmly in charge, everything is in order,” Zhou said.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

We bring your live updates from the Hopewell Chin’ono court case at the Harare Magistrates Court…

Magistrate Marehwanazvo has ruled against Chin'ono's acquittal on the basis of illegal detention. She says the accused was taken to court within the 48hour period required by law. https://t.co/XGwgakA6vI

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 6, 2020

Ruling on Chin'ono application against illegal detention deferred to 3pm https://t.co/8IsiCGOSm6

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 6, 2020

State says the accused was within the precinct of the court by 1710hrs which is well within the 48 hour period https://t.co/rxiMS9fYnV

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 6, 2020

State says Chin'ono is properly before the court as his record was opened at 1645hrs which the defense counsel does not dispute https://t.co/5xhMIiqsu6

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 6, 2020

Mtetwa says the court now has irrefutable evidence that Chin'ono is illegally before the court. https://t.co/uRNCAG1Xet

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 6, 2020

Mtetwa says @daddyhope must be immediately released as he is illegally before the court https://t.co/pJ99cI9Xkr

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 6, 2020

State asks Chin'ono if the arresting police officer placed a hand on him when he announced his arrest https://t.co/FzARjU2QBf

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 6, 2020

State objects to the CCTV footage says it is now on a laptop and the equipment used has not been brought before the court. State says the picture quality is poor which cannot show the registration number of vehicles, raises tempering questions https://t.co/xUVQewrnvf

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 6, 2020

Chin’ono says he has a 32 camera cctv which shows every part of his house including bedrooms. The footage has been brought to court to prove that he was arrested just after 5 https://t.co/liOaSVfcnU

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 6, 2020

Chin’ono says the police arrived at his house just after 5 https://t.co/gYGmdbNpgC

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 6, 2020

Chin’ono takes to witness stand to be cross-examined by Beatrice Mtetwa on her application for over detention https://t.co/LQkxapRpc3

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 6, 2020

Chin’ono’s lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa says her client was taken to remand and whisked to Chikurubi where he was leg ironed despite not being a security threat. Demand answers why he was taken to Chikurubi and subjected to security procedures done on serious criminals #FreeHopewellNow https://t.co/2JPgtnhGtC

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 6, 2020

WE GRILL PRISON AUTHORITIES ON WHY @DADDYHOPE IS IN LEG IRONS WHILE GOLD SMUGGLER SUSPECT RUSHWAYA IS ALL CLEAR https://t.co/zhAe62Oa9R

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) November 6, 2020

Tinashe Sambiri|The lawyer representing prominent journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, Beatrice Mtetwa is not happy with the fact that her client was taken to Chikurubi Maximum Prison in leg irons.

Arguing in court on Friday, Mtetwa said her client was not a “dangerous criminal” and there was no need for the prison officers to take him to Chikurubi in leg irons.

According to Mtetwa, Chin’ono was illegally detained.

Chin’ono is not a security threat, according to Mtetwa.

She also demanded to know Chin’ono was taken to Chikurubi and subjected to security procedures done on serious criminals.

Mtetwa also argued the time indicated on the remand form is different from the 1715hrs stated by the IO which means his evidence is false.

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe Nurses Association (Zina) yesterday came out guns blazing and requested President Emmerson Mnangagwa to intervene in its impasse with the government, saying the situation regarding their welfare is now out of hand.

This comes as the Health Services Board (HSB) removed 1 032 defiant nurses from its payroll after they refused to resume normal working hours, preferring flexi-hours.

Speaking during Tuesday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said nurses who were defying a government directive banning flexi-hours would face disciplinary hearing.

Zina president Enock Dongo told the Daily News yesterday that they were not moved by the threats.

“The government cannot threaten its citizens like that. It is surprising that the whole government agrees on removing nurses from the pay sheet and taking them  to disciplinary hearings, this is uncalled for and not necessary.

“Right now morale is low in hospitals, the situation has deteriorated, there is no equipment to use. In 2019, the government agreed that salaries were not enough and nothing has changed. We told them that their so-called salary increment is too little and we will remain incapacitated.

“The permanent secretary doesn’t have the mandate to ban flexi-hours and it’s not a lawful order.

“The only way forward is for the president to intervene because you are going to find nurses at hospitals doing nothing.

“We will soon write a letter to the president. The move taken by the government will not work. Ordinary Zimbabweans will be the losers.”

Earlier, Zina, Confederation of Nurses Association, Theatre Nurses Association and the Nurses Educators Association had met with the Health Services Board and resolved to comply with the government directive but Zina later decided to defy it.

The 1 280 nurses who failed to heed to the call to return to normal working hours face disciplinary action.

“The Health Services Board has started instituting disciplinary hearings for the defiant nurses,” said Mutsvangwa, who was adamant that the government would not reverse the ban on flexi-hours.

“At its 38th  meeting held on 28 October, 2020 Cabinet was informed that Zina openly challenged the Cabinet decision on the cancellation of the flexi-working arrangement and defied the secretary for Health and Child Care’s directive for the association to reverse its statement.

“Cabinet resolved to cancel the flexi-hours arrangement and that nurses who fail to report for duty be subjected to disciplinary processes, that daily attendance registers for nurses be submitted to the Health Services Board and the ministry of Health and Child Care head office; and that nursing services be restructured to be supported by three pillars; namely contract workers; health service permanent workers; and secondment from the uniformed forces,” Mutsvangwa said.-DailyNews

12:06pm- State asks Chin’ono if the arresting police officer placed a hand on him when he announced his arrest

12:05pm- State now cross examining Chin’ono

12:04pm- Chin’ono says he appeared in court at 1832hours yesterday.

12:03pm- The state says the number that sent the voice note is currently online yet the accused person has been in remand.

12:01pm- The state is objecting the use of the voice note as evidence saying there is no voice expert. The state also says the nature, model of the phone has not been brought to court.

11:55am- Chin’ono says he communicated of his arrest to his lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa through a voice note

11:53am- Asked where he was at 1800hrs on the day he was arrested, Chin’ono says he was at the Law and Order section at Harare Central police station

11:49am- Cross examination continues

11:45am- Magistrate Gofa rules against use of CCTV footage saying the issues raised by the state cannot be ignored.

11:42am- In response, Beatrice says the onus is on the state to prove its case that Chin’ono was not over detained

11:38am- State objects to the CCTV footage says it is now on a laptop and the equipment used has not been brought before the court. State says the picture quality is poor which cannot show the registration number of vehicles, this raises tempering questions.

11:35am- State papers says they arrested him at 1800hrs

11:30am- Chin’ono says he has a 32 camera CCTV which shows every part of his house including bedrooms. The footage has been brought to court to prove that he was arrested just after 5

11:26am- Chin’ono says the police arrived at his house just after 5pm.

11:23am- Chin’ono takes to witness stand to be cross examined by Beatrice Mtetwa on her application for over detention

11:20am- State says it is up to the accused’s lawyer to prove if her client was over detained.

11:17am- Mtetwa is making an application that Chin’ono was over detained beyond the 48 hours

11: 15am- Hopewell Chin’ono’s lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa says her client was taken to remand and whisked to Chikurubi maximum prison where he was leg ironed despite not being a security threat.

She demand answers why he was taken to Chikurubi maximum security and subjected to security procedures done on serious criminals.

By A Correspondent- Parliament has summoned Primary and Secondary Education minister Cain Mathema to appear before it next week to explain measures the government has put in place to address the crisis in the education sector.

This comes as teachers have been on a nationwide boycott of classes since schools reopened in September, demanding salary payments in United States dollars and improved working conditions.

During yesterday’s question and answer session, MDC MP for Kambuzuma Willias Madzimure called on National Assembly Speaker Jacob Mudenda to cause Mathema to present a ministerial statement on the situation in public schools and how the government intended to go ahead with the writing of examinations when teachers have not been attending classes.

In response, Mudenda tasked Higher and Tertiary Education minister Amon Murwira to convey the MPs’ demands to Mathema, who was not in the House.

“You must tell him to come and present a comprehensive ministerial statement next week, explaining the ministry’s plans regarding what is happening in the education sector,” Mudenda said.

Earlier, MDC MP for Magwegwe Anele Ndebele had taken Murwira to task over the matter, asking why the government was not postponing the public examinations.

“Doesn’t  the  insistence by the government to go ahead with the writing of the examinations when there has not been any learning taking place in public schools suggest that education is now for a few who can afford to send their children to private schools? What is the government’s policy regarding access to education?” Ndebele asked.

In response, Murwira said it was everyone’s responsibility to ensure that children were not short-changed.

But Ndebele argued that the minister had ducked the question and demanded a clearer response regarding the proposal to postpone examinations.

Murwira, however, referred the question to Mathema saying “it is technical to say whether or not a learner has been taught enough to sit an examination”.

All this comes as civil servants rejected a 20 percent salary adjustment offer tabled by the government during Tuesday’s National Joint Negotiating Council meeting in Harare.

Speaking to the Daily News after the meeting, deputy secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Confederation Public Sector Trade Unions, formerly the Apex Council, Gibson Mushangu described the government’s offer as “an insult”.-DailyNews

By A Correspondent- War veterans have challenged the leader of the opposition MDC Alliance Nelson Chamisa to dialogue with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other political players to gain acceptance from the former liberation war combatants.

The Zimbabwe Liberation War Veterans Association secretary general, Victor Matemadanda said Chamisa should follow in the footsteps of his bitter rival Thokozani Khupe who has agreed to participate in the Political Actors Dialogue [Polad].

“We want Chamisa and his leadership to participate in the Polad and to meet the war veterans’ leadership if he wants to see the country progress.

We fought for the liberation of this country and we want our country to be moving forward in terms of political and economic development,” Matemadanda said.

“Chamisa must join other political actors and discuss the problems facing the country like what his counterpart Thokozani Khupe has done.”

Mnangagwa established the Polad in 2018 where leaders of political parties meet to propose solutions to Zimbabwe’s socio-economic challenges.

But, Chamisa has ignored the calls questioning the legitimacy of Mnangagwa despite the Constitutional Court upholding the Zanu-PF leader’s victory in the 2018 presidential elections.

The war veterans said Chamisa risked being dumped into political dustbin and remain in the periphery if he continued ignoring calls to join Mnangagwa and other political actors.

Khupe recently assumed the reins as the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and has vowed to continue participating in Polad.

Matemadanda said Chamisa’s refusal to participate in Polad “is tantamount to selling out”.

Chamisa argues that he can only participate in the dialogue that has been underwritten by Sadc leaders with a recognised statesman chairing the meeting.

During the course of the year, South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa sent a delegation to mediate between Chamisa and Mnangagwa.

But the attempts appear to have failed.

MDC Alliance deputy spokesperson Clifford Hlatshwayo said his party and leader were not going to be meeting Mnangagwa and the war veterans without mediation from Sadc leaders.

“We have stated that we are ready for dialogue with Zanu-PF and the war veterans that is to be chaired by an internationally arbitrator not having Mnangagwa chairing the meeting.

The war veterans should understand that we are ready for dialogue which is genuine and legitimate and not the Polad which is a circus to us,” Hlatshwayo said.-BusinessTimes

By A Correspondent- Some parents have withdrawn their children from Amazing Kids Primary School in Victoria Falls citing ‘exorbitant’ fees.

The school is owned by Ozias Marange of Makomwe Transport and Hardware and has more than 100 pupils from Early Childhood Development (ECD) to Grade Two.

The parents are not happy with the US$130 per term per pupil fees levied by the school this term.

The school is also reported to be demanding US$6 per pupil for masks, an additional US$1 per pupil for fumigating the school premises and US$10 security fees per child.

One of the irate parents said:

We have a problem with the school authorities. The school only has ECD up to Grade Two hence is supposed to open on November 9.

They requested to open earlier which we didn’t have a problem with but as parents, we asked them to at least reduce fees but they refused.

We feel US$130 is too much for just one month. Instead of engaging us, they went on to block all parents on the school’s official WhatsApp platform so that no one raises the issue.

That’s when parents resolved to withdraw kids.

The school director a Mr Marange declined to comment saying he couldn’t talk about the issue over the phone.

Meanwhile, the Director of communications and advocacy in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Taungana Ndoro promised to investigate the issue.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- The Seventh Day Adventist church in Zimbabwe is investigating the alleged poisoning of one of its senior pastors Fortune Chipunza.

Chipunza who is a senior pastor at the church’s North Zimbabwe Conference (NZC) is currently receiving treatment.

The alleged poisoning has been linked to the church’s impending internal polls.  It is unclear whether the church has engaged the police or not.

The Seventh Day Adventist Church NZC spokesperson Pastor Ahmed Kahn told ZTN on Thursday that he is not aware of what really took place. He added:

We are hoping that results provided by doctors who have worked on him can help us understand what happened and then we will take it from there.

We have asked (Pastor Chipunza) for the results, but he doesn’t want to show them to us. We have asked some people to go and talk to him because without the results, there is nothing we can do.

Pastor Chipunza said he was not in a position to speak to the Press at the moment adding that he was only “focusing on my recovery.”-StateMedia

President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday suspended High Court judge Justice Erica Ndewere and appointed a three-member tribunal to investigate her for alleged misconduct following a recommendation by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

The tribunal is chaired by retired judge Justice Simbi Mubako and other members are Yvonne Masvora and Charles Warara.

Earlier this week, the JSC recommended that a tribunal be set up to investigate whether or not Justice Ndewere was fit to hold office.

The JSC accused Justice Ndewere of failure to clear her workload in reasonable time and failure to properly study the file on a thief’s conviction and sentence when she set aside a jail term.

However, the judge lashed out at Chief Justice Luke Malaba, accusing him of trying to fix her for defying his unlawful order in cases involving bail for former Tourism minister Priscah Mupfumira and MDC Alliance vice-chairperson Job Sikhala.

ZBC

ZANU PF Midlands Provincial chairman, Engineer Daniel Mackenzie Ncube’s son Brian (26), who was fatally attacked by machete-wielding gangs on Saturday following a gold rush in Zhombe, was buried this Thursday.
Brian was killed in cold blood by a gang of illegal gold panners, who were accusing him of preventing them from carrying out their illegal mining activities at his grand parents’ homestead, where some gold deposits had been found.
Eng Ncube said his son had visited his grandparents homestead after reports that gold had been found in their fields.
“There were reports of a gold rush in Zhombe and it so happened that the gold rush was at my parents homestead. My son went there so he could see and maybe regularise the mining activities which were taking place there. He clashed with some illegal miners and they attacked him with machetes and he died,” said Eng Ncube.
He said the matter was reported to the police and only one suspect had been arrested so far.
“I understand the police now have names of suspects and one of them has since been arrested. Some are still on the run,” he said.
“We have just buried Brian and I thank friends and relatives who helped us during the burial it was a great loss, but what can we do,” he said.
Machete-wielding gangs, which wreaked havoc around mining areas early this year are slowly resurfacing, especially in the Midlands province, where there are a lot of mining activities.