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

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!”.

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!

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…

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

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.

Own Correspondent

RESIDENTS in Gwanda yesterday woke up to the sight of a man who was brutally murdered by suspected fellow illegal gold miners and left outside a house at Senondo suburb.

Reports indicate that the illegal miners armed with Machetes chased after the deceased person for over five kilometres into Gwanda town and brutally killed him when he got tired of running and tried to sneak into a house at the town’s High Density suburb.

Sources told ZimEye.com that the gang of about ten machete thugs descended on the fleeing man and brutally killed him using the highly lethal man made weapons before fleeing into the night.

The deceased, Prince Mkhululi Moyo who resided in Phakama township was br_tally murdered around 03.30hrs.

Residents from the area said they heard the man screaming and calling out for help at around 3AM but they were afraid to intervene out of fear of being attacked. They found his body next to the door of a house belonging to Mr Bernard Sibanda.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Philisani confirmed the incident which occurred during the early hours of the morning. He said investigations were underway.

“I can confirm that we received a report on a murder case which occurred in Senondo area in Gwanda during the early hours of the morning. Investigations are underway,” he said.

Mr Bernard Sibanda said he heard noises of struggling and banging against the wall at around 3AM. He said there were visible marks of struggling on the muddy ground in his yard and his neighbour’s yard.

“It was really terrifying for me to wake up in the morning to find a body lying near my door. I heard the noise as this person was being attacked at around 3AM but I never thought it would get to this extent of me finding him dead at my house. This man was screaming and he called out for help but I was afraid to go out seeing that I might also be attacked.

“He kept pleading with his attackers to spare his life. I also heard a sound like banging against the wall, I think that they were banging his body against the wall. When I woke up in the morning I thought it was just one of the scuffles that occur in the community at night and the people were long gone. There were skid marks on the muddy ground which showed that these assailants dragged this man from my neighbour’s house to mine and there were visible marks of struggling,” he said.

Another resident Mr Norman Dube said the spine-chilling incident had scared him. He said he now felt unsafe with his family as the motive of the assailants was unknown and they could strike again.

Ward 9 Councillor, Thulani Moyo said the incident had left residents terrified and shocked. He said it was disturbing to see a young person die in such a cruel manner.
Clr Moyo said shebeens which were sprouting in his ward and nightclubs which closed late were largely to blame for the increase in violent crimes.

“When we see such a young person die as a result of being stabbed then we become disturbed as a community. There is a need to look into ways of controlling the behaviour of youths which has become wayward as some have become addicted to drugs and alcohol. We also have a problem of shebeens which are sprouting all over and nightclubs that close late,’’ said Clr Moyo.

He said there was a need to establish a Police Base in Phakama area.

Latest reports received by ZimEye.com, indicate that some of the gang members have since been arrested and police investigations are underway.

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

THE Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services will soon venture into vehicle number plates production, a move meant to further push the department to self-sustainability.

This emerged during a ceremony where outgoing ZPCS Commissioner General, Major General (Retired) Paradzayi Zimondi was handing over the reins to Commissioner General Moses Cyril Ngawaite Chihobvu after 23 years at the helm.

The ceremony was held last Saturday at the ZPCS Ntabazinduna training depot with President Mnangagwa as the Chief Witnessing Officer.

In his acceptance speech, Com-Gen Chihobvu paid gratitude to a number of projects that have been spearheaded by Maj Gen (Rtd) Zimondi inclusive of the vehicle number plates scheme.

“I am delighted to mention that in one of his (Maj Gen (Rtd) Zimondi) continental tours to Kenya he emulated a national bankrolled project on vehicle number plates that was awarded to Kenya Prison Services.

“Inspired by the undertaking, a project charter has already been penciled to partner one of the higher learning institutions for a similar project here in Zimbabwe,” said Com-Gen Chihobvu.

He revealed that through Maj-Gen (Rtd) Zimondi’s apt leadership some of the prisons had now ventured into motorcycle production noting that this was all in efforts to uplift the face look of ZPCS.

“General Zimondi put in place a Farms Policy Document to standardize operations with the help of our valued stakeholders.

“Recently he ventured into an industrialised partnership dimension that is set to uplift the face look of the service where motor cycles are being assembled in some of our provinces, a process targeted to cover all our provinces in the long run,” said the new Commissioner General.

Comm-Gen Chihobvu had been Acting Commissioner-General since Maj-Gen (Rtd) Zimondi went on three months pre-retirement leave in July.

THE six armed robbers who attacked two security guards delivering Zupco’s weekend cash collections to CBZ Eighth Avenue Branch in Bulawayo, got away with over $2,1 million, US$3 362 and R7 390, police confirmed yesterday.

Only $11 305 was recovered at a disused house at a plot in the Douglasdale area in Bulawayo where the getaway car, a Nissan Hardbody and trunks used by the security company to carry cash were recovered.

The robbers according to police, offered the $11 000 to a Bulawayo resident as they disposed of the trunks but the man refused the money. The robbers intercepted the Fawcett Security cash-in transit- van as it was about to deliver the cash at the bank.

They attacked the Fawcett driver, took away the firearm that was on the dashboard and then turned to the other officer who was guarding the trucks with cash and attacked him before driving off with the armoured van that had cash in trunks. The robbery happened at around 8am in full view of members of the public who were oblivious of the unfolding drama in the service lane along 8th Avenue between Jason Moyo and Joshua Mqabuko Street. After the Bulawayo robbery, the same gang proceeded to Kezi later at night with the hijacked Mercedes Benz where they robbed the Fidelity Printers agent of US$4 000 after masquerading as police officers.

The robbers first hijacked a Marcedes Benz in Selbourne Park at around 7AM and then drove to the CBZ branch where they attacked the two Fawcett security guards before driving away with the armoured cash-in transist van with the cash. They dumped the armoured van and hijacked a Nissan Hardbody in Ilanda suburb which they later abandoned in Douglasdale area with the empty trunks.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi yesterday appealed for information that could lead to the arrest of the robbers.

– Chronicle

State Media

High Court judge Justice Erica Ndewere yesterday locked herself in her office and refused to accept her letter of suspension after President Mnangagwa, following recommendations from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), set up a tribunal to inquire into her fitness to hold the esteemed office of a judge.

President Mnangagwa appointed a three-member tribunal chaired by retired judge Justice Simbi Mubako. The other two members are veteran lawyer Mr Charles Warara and Ms Yvonne Masvora. Justice Ndewere is being accused of conduct inconsistent with a judicial officer, reportedly for slipshod work and a large batch of delayed judgments.

When officials from the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs sought to serve her with her letter of suspension, an automatic move once a tribunal has been appointed, the judge locked herself in her chambers and could be heard shouting that papers should be served on her lawyer, Ms Beatrice Mtetwa.

The State officials then opted to shove the papers under her door.

Mr Tapiwa Godzi, a director in the ministry, confirmed the development.

“What happened is that following the setting up of the tribunal by the President, the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck Sibanda, wrote a letter advising the judge of the appointment of a tribunal to probe her,” he said.

“When officers went to effect the service, the judge refused to accept the letter and locked herself in the office. While in the office she shouted that the letter must be served to her lawyers. The officers had no option, but to slip the document under the door.”

Mr Godzi said the refusal to accept the letter did not mean that she is not suspended. Her suspension from the bench becomes automatic under the law once the tribunal is put in place to pave way for investigations.

The proclamation setting up the tribunal was issued yesterday.

Justice Ndewere had, after the recommendation of the JSC, already filed an urgent application seeking an interim interdict to stop the setting up of a tribunal by President Mnangagwa to investigate her judicial conduct, pending the determination of the legality of the process charted.

On Wednesday Justice Davison Foroma recused himself from Justice Ndewere’s urgent application to interdict the President from setting up a tribunal to investigate her for alleged misconduct, citing professional reasons including the fact that he was in the same criminal division as the troubled judge.

In addition, Justice Foroma said that judges in the same division interact closely with each other in a number of collaborative respects. He felt there was need to maintain collegiality amongst judges to avoid perceptions in the public domain and that it would be in the best interests of justice.

Ndewere had sought the judge’s recusal arguing that sitting judges would not easily rule against their superiors Chief Justice Luke Malaba, the Judicial Service Commission and Judge President Justice George Chiweshe, all listed as respondents in the matter.

If the tribunal clears her, she returns to the bench; if the tribunal makes other findings and recommendations she could well lose her job.

The tribunal is not a criminal court, but can report that certain conduct is not consistent with holding judicial office. The Constitution provides that a judge may be removed from office only for inability to perform the functions of his or her office, due to mental or physical incapacity, or gross incompetence, or gross misconduct. Otherwise judges serve until retirement or resignation. The process is deliberately designed to ensure judges have practical independence since ruling against the Government of the day in a judgment cannot lead to a tribunal hearing.

The Constitution further stipulates that if the Judicial Service Commission advises the President that the question of removing any judge, including the Chief Justice, from office ought to be investigated, the President must appoint a tribunal to inquire into the matter. He does not have much discretion in the matter.

In this case, the JSC last month formally advised President Mnangagwa to set up a tribunal to look into the question of whether or not Justice Ndewere was fit to hold office, reportedly for slipshod work and delayed judgments.

But she denies the allegations claiming the misconduct allegations levied against her were victimisation for refusing to comply with “unlawful orders”. However, it is understood that such a charge is not part of the tribunal’s brief, rather it has to investigate a growing pile of judgments delayed beyond the time limits set, and at least one review judgment that implied she had not read the file.

Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Mrs Virginia Mabhiza will be the secretary to the tribunal.

At the end of the inquiry, the tribunal is expected to establish whether or not the judge’s conduct can be deemed to have been tantamount to gross incompetence.

The tribunal will also seek to establish whether Justice Ndewere interfered with the course of deliberations of the JSC concerning allegations that were being levelled against her and to consider all information submitted by the JSC to arrive at an appropriate recommendation to the President.

After a full inquiry, the tribunal will make its recommendation on what it finds out about the judge’s performance in light of the allegations against her and has to report to the President these findings within a month from the date of conclusion of the inquiry.

Justice Ndewere becomes the second judge this year to be probed for conduct that constitutes judicial misconduct, and which calls for a tribunal hearing.

The China-dependant, Vice President  Constantino Chiwenga, who is also Health and Child Care Minister has expressed concern over reliance on donors as the situation poses a security threat to the country.

VP Chiwenga said this while presenting a paper titled; “Public health and national security” at the Zimbabwe National Defence University.

“Resources and funding of public health is also a potential security risk area. Have you ever imagined what would happen if foreign investment dwarfs local investment in public health care delivery? This in itself, could be a security concern,” he said.

“The more a country’s health system is dependent on foreign support, the greater the risk of disruption, should such support be withdrawn suddenly, for whatever reason.”

VP Chiwenga added: “We do have a well configured health care system framework. We also now have the relevant policies and strategies in place. However, the delivery of quality and affordable services can be compromised by lack of support and capacitation, particularly from domestic resources, which are inherently more sustainable than donor support.”

Government has deliberately put the welfare and wellness of health care employees at the top of priorities. VP Chiwenga also shed more light on the temporary ban on elections in line with WHO guidelines.

“The development, which is clearly meant to prevent spread of the pandemic, was characteristically misconstrued by some opposition political actors in the country.

“Some members of a prominent opposition party in Zimbabwe took to the streets to demonstrate in Warren Park, Harare. The temporary ban on holding of elections was also misinterpreted as Government’s attempts to stifle the opposition,” he said.

Such misdemeanours had potential to escalate unnecessary political tension in the country and compromise political security.

“To counter such cheap propaganda, we have instituted the National Health Information System as a key strategy.

“Thus, although the Government is honestly concerned about the well-being of the people, some sections among the society allege that they lost their personal security in the process.”

VP Chiwenga said the ministry was aiming at rapidly expanding health care services especially in new settlements.

“Let me point out at this stage that the land redistribution exercise resulted in new settlements, which the Ministry must cater for. “Plans to further decentralise through the creation of a ward-based health post, will be rolled out in the next few months,” he said.

VP Chiwenga said the recently refurbished and re-equipped radiotherapy centres at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Mpilo would provide relief to cancer patients, but still remained inadequate to effectively cover the nation.

“Ideally, each province should have its own radiotherapy centre, a vision that the ministry is pursuing in its restructuring programme,” he said. -Herald

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

IMBIBERS were treated to a free drama when a 49-year-old from Nguboyenja suburb confronted his niece at a bar and pummelled her with fists all over the body as punishment for frequenting a bar.

The fuming Melusi Moyo (49) did not accept it when he heard that his niece Nosizi Sibanda (22) was at a bar taking wise waters.

A family source said that he left in a huff to a bar and upon getting there he shouted obscenities at her hapless niece.

“His niece was slightly tipsy. She retaliated with furious shouts, sparking a dramatic incident which resulted in her uncle hitting her with fists and she fell on the ground,” said the source who witnessed the dramatic incident.

He did not stop as he continued kicking her until she started bleeding.

After escaping from the scene Sibanda went and reported the matter to the police leading to the arrest of her uncle.
Moyo was dragged to court and appeared before magistrate Amanda Moyo.

He pleaded guilty and attempts by his niece to withdraw the case before he was sentenced were in vain when the magistrate fined him $2 400 which he is supposed to pay before 6 November 2020 or spend two months in jail.

Sibanda tried to save her uncle saying they sat down as a family and agreed that she should forgive him.-B-Metro

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

Danisa Masuku
A MAN from Jotsholo who came home unexpectedly got the shock of his life after he caught his wife having sex with their herdboy on their matrimonial bed.

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

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

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

However, he quickly summoned courage and confronted them.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tinashe Sambiri|The facilitators of the July 31 Movement Job Sikhala and Jacob Ngarivhume have denounced the persecution of prominent journalist Hopewell Chin’ono by the panicky Zanu PF administration.

Sikhala also “confronted” Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa over violation of human rights.

“We will not allow the regime to kill us while we are silent -never.It’s better to die fighting for freedom than to be killed in silence.So we are not going back, very soon the regime will be out of power, whether they like it or not,” declared Sikhala.

According to Sikhala, the movement will not allow Mr Mnangagwa to torment citizens at will.

Ngarivhume also said:” We will not be silenced by Zanu PF’s threats.”

Watch video below:

Tinashe Sambiri|Engineer Elias Mudzuri’s hopes of landing the MDC-T presidency suffered a telling blow as he was literally rejected by his own relatives and friends in Zaka District.

Hundreds of villagers attended the MDC Alliance Youth Rally in Zaka North Constituency on Saturday, leaving Engineer Mudzuri’s followers quaking in their boots.

Engineer Mudzuri’s team was hoping the MDC Alliance Youth Rally would be a flop.

“Hundreds of MDC Alliance members attended the youth rally in Zaka, leaving Mudzuri’s followers stunned.

The attendance at the rally shows President Chamisa is adored even in Mudzuri’s home area.

Villagers in the area are firmly behind President Chamisa,” an MDC Alliance official told ZimEye.com.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance MP for Glen View North, Hon Kennedy Dinar has died.

Hon Dinar passed on at Chitungwiza General Hospital on Thursday afternoon.

“The MDC Alliance is saddened to announce the passing of Hon Kennedy Dinar, MP for Glen View North at Chitungwiza General Hospital today.

We extend our sincere condolences to the Dinar family on this untimely loss.

May his soul rest in peace,” MDC Alliance said in a brief statement.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance MP for Glen View North, Hon Kennedy Dinar has died.

Hon Dinar passed on at Chitungwiza General Hospital on Thursday afternoon.

“The MDC Alliance is saddened to announce the passing of Hon Kennedy Dinar, MP for Glen View North at Chitungwiza General Hospital today.

We extend our sincere condolences to the Dinar family on this untimely loss.

May his soul rest in peace,” MDC Alliance said in a brief statement.

MASVINGO – Two suspected thieves recently broke into a pharmacy in the CBD in Masvingo and stole US$5 200, ZAR 430 and ZWL$2 000.

One of the suspects, Misheck Dzinavatonga Mudzimuwatonga (35) an ex-convict also understood to also use the name Peter Mututu was nabbed after he dropped personal documents on the scene and he appeared in court last week.

Mudzimuwatonga who comes from Mukobvu Village under Chief Mukanganwi in Bikita appeared before magistrate Patience Madondo facing charges of unlawful entry and theft.

The accomplice, Onismo Mavhungira also using the name Tendai Mazanhanga is still at large.

Marlven Mapako, representing the State said the accused together with the accomplice entered the pharmacy premises through the back after cutting a razor wire on the pre-cast wall and jumping over.

They broke the rear door locking systems and entered into the shop and took away US$5 200, ZAR430 and ZWL$2 000.

The security alarm triggered but the two escaped before Fawcett security arrived on the scene. Mudzimuwatonga dropped a satchel with his clothes, a prison hospital card with his name and a NetOne sim card.

He was arrested a day later on October 21, 2020 and US$2 614, R10 and ZWL$157 was recovered.

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 months with five months suspended on condition he does not commit a similar offence in the next five years. -Masvingo Mirror

MASVINGO – Two suspected thieves recently broke into a pharmacy in the CBD in Masvingo and stole US$5 200, ZAR 430 and ZWL$2 000.

One of the suspects, Misheck Dzinavatonga Mudzimuwatonga (35) an ex-convict also understood to also use the name Peter Mututu was nabbed after he dropped personal documents on the scene and he appeared in court last week.

Mudzimuwatonga who comes from Mukobvu Village under Chief Mukanganwi in Bikita appeared before magistrate Patience Madondo facing charges of unlawful entry and theft.

The accomplice, Onismo Mavhungira also using the name Tendai Mazanhanga is still at large.

Marlven Mapako, representing the State said the accused together with the accomplice entered the pharmacy premises through the back after cutting a razor wire on the pre-cast wall and jumping over.

They broke the rear door locking systems and entered into the shop and took away US$5 200, ZAR430 and ZWL$2 000.

The security alarm triggered but the two escaped before Fawcett security arrived on the scene. Mudzimuwatonga dropped a satchel with his clothes, a prison hospital card with his name and a NetOne sim card.

He was arrested a day later on October 21, 2020 and US$2 614, R10 and ZWL$157 was recovered.

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 months with five months suspended on condition he does not commit a similar offence in the next five years. -Masvingo Mirror

ZANU PF has axed and suspended some party officials for name-dropping, while investigations are underway to name and shame more such malcontents, the governing party’s acting spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa has said.

This comes as President Mnangagwa has declared zero tolerance to corruption, saying any corrupt person, regardless of political status or connections, will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the country.

The latest move by Zanu PF to crack the whip on wayward members also comes at a time when some unruly elements both within Government and the party have been abusing the names of the First Family to cover up their repugnant criminal activities.

Consequently, Chinamasa told the media yesterday that the revolutionary party will not hesitate to weed out people who abuse the names of the First Family, with action has already been taken against certain individuals.

“We have noted with concern that these name-droppers are abusing the names of senior leaders in the party, Government and the First Family. They allege that they are relatives of senior leaders and go about conning people in the name of our leadership.

“That should stop forthwith. Here at the party, we have fired some of these name-droppers, conmen and con-women who abuse the name of the party and leadership.

We challenge all media players to expose these fraudsters and extortionists whenever you come across them. In the next press conference after full investigations, we will name and shame them,” he said.-The Herald

BULAWAYO continues to record an upward trend in Covid-19 pandemic cases, with the city as of Wednesday recording the only two deaths in the country.

This comes as the city also accounted for 11 out of the recorded 17 new cases in the country.

According to statistics provided by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the city recorded 17 new cases and two deaths with the seven-day rolling average for new cases rising to 15 from 13.

“854 PCR tests done today (Wednesday), with the positivity at 2 percent. All 17 are local cases

25 new recoveries reported: National Recovery rate stands at 94,5 percent and active cases go down to 212. As of 4 November 2020, Zimbabwe has now recorded 8427 Cases 7967 recoveries and 248 Deaths,” said the Ministry.

With the new deaths recorded the Ministry noted that the national case fatality rate now stands at

2,9 percent.

“Harare has the highest number of cases per capita followed by Bulawayo and Matabeleland

South. Manicaland, Mashonaland West, Bulawayo and Harare have case fatality ratios above the national average,” read part of the statistics.

NINE security guards of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) in Kwekwe have been arrested after they allegedly tortured and killed a suspect who had sneaked into the church premises and stole zinc roofing sheets.

The incident occurred on Wednesday around 12 midnight when nine security guards, Farai Mauto (20), Felix Mapfumo (27), Takawira Dhururu (23), Artwell Muteya (20), Cosmas Mudzingwa (57), Stephen Jakata (23), Maxwell Mafuta (20), Suspicion Dzingirai (24) and Tatenda Zhou (22), who were manning the ZCC church premises in Kwekwe allegedly tortured a suspected thief only identified as Tafadzwa for 11 hours until he died after they allegedly caught him stealing zinc roofing sheets.

A police source said on the said date the now deceased connived with his friend Desire Musonza to go and steal roofing sheets from ZCC premise.

“On Wednesday at around 12 midnight, Tafadzwa who was in the company of Musonza entered the ZCC premises which is along Harare-Bulawayo road scaling the precast wall. The two allegedly stole three zinc sheets.

They were however spotted by the guards who were manning the premises. The two dropped the sheets and ran away. The guards chased after them and managed to apprehend Tafadzwa but Musonza managed to escape,” said the source.

The source added that the security guards tied Tafadzwa with an electric cable on both hands and legs and tortured him.

“The guards assaulted him with sjamboks, wooden sticks, a shovel all over the body whilst interrogating him. They assaulted him until the following morning. At around 11 am the guards noticed that Tafadzwa had died. A pastor at the church Mr David Moyo reported the matter to the police leading to the guards’ arrest,” said the source.
Tafadzwa was rushed to Kwekwe General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

National Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner, Paul Nyathi could neither deny nor confirm the incident.
“I am not aware of the incident. We will give you the details once we receive a report,” he said.

Zimlive

BULAWAYO – A woman who attended a graduation ceremony at which President Emmerson Mnangagwa was the guest of honour on October 30 has succumbed to Covid-19.

The 47-year-old resident of Cowdray Park in Bulawayo was at the National University of Science and Technology to witness a friend’s graduation.

The married mum-of-three was taken ill this week and was initially treated at Cowdray Park Clinic before she was transferred to the United Bulawayo Hospitals where she died on Wednesday.

She was one of two deaths reported by the ministry of health on Wednesday, both of them in Bulawayo which also saw 11 new Covid-19 cases. The other is a 64-year-old woman.

The ministry said both women had pre-existing conditions which militated against their recovery from the lung disease.

Infection … A woman who died of Covid-19 is thought to have been infected at this graduation ceremony at NUST
Health workers on Thursday began trace procedures for contacts of the two victims, and focus will fall on the graduation ceremony which was attended by hundreds of people, including Mnangagwa and ministers.

Mnangagwa capped more than 200 graduands who were invited to the event which was scaled down in size due to Covid-19. A total of 2,528 students graduated, although many followed proceedings online from home.

Zimbabwe reported 17 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, taking national tally to 8,427, of which 248 have resulted in death. At least 7,967 people have recovered, leaving 212 active cases.

A 26-year-old man from Shurugwi, who had gone to visit his relatives in Mberengwa died after he was allegedly shot three times on the chest by police who were looking an armed robbery suspect.

The incident occurred on Tuesday morning when Lordrick Mutsveru of Musara village under Chief Nhema in Shurugwi was shot and killed by police who were looking for an armed robbery suspect Tichaona Mushanduri (21).

It is understood that eight police details who were armed with rifles raided a homestead in Mberengwa after getting a tip off that an armed robber was hiding at the homestead.

National Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident saying it was unfortunate that Mutsveru was killed as police were looking for an armed robber.

“We are investigating the incident. We will fully investigate the matter and establish what really happened. We understand some of the relatives of the deceased had approached some sections of the media over the matter. We will not sweep anything under the carpet. We also advise the public to allow the police to conduct their investigations. If people are not happy we advise them to approach the Officer Commanding District Zvishavane,” he said.

A source said police were looking for the suspect who had allegedly robbed a haulage truck.

“The eight police officers were armed and when they got to the homestead, they knocked on the door where the suspect was said to be sleeping in the company of Lordrick Mutsveru. It is suspected that the suspect opened the door.

A police detail then fired some shots. Mutsveru allegedly staggered and fell back into the house. The suspect took advantage of the situation and fled the scene. Mutsveru was rushed to Mberengwa District Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival,” he said.

Correspondent

Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono will spend his third night in state custody this after a Harare magistrate was Thursday forced to postpone the scribe’s bail ruling when detectives brought him to court late.

Chin’ono is facing charges of defeating the course of justice.

The state, led by Audrey Chogumaira, said Chin’ono created a network with some National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) officers who would often give him inside information on the operations of the judiciary.

Chin’ono is accused of having insinuated that detained Zimbabwe miners boss Henrietta Rushwaya would be corruptly granted bail when she faced serious charges of attempting to smuggle 6kgs gold to Dubai through the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.

Chin’ono’s lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa argued her client was unlawfully before the courts because the 48-hour period permitted by the law for suspects to be presented before court by police upon arrest had lapsed.

“The accused is unlawfully before this court because the accused is only being brought in after the 48-hour detention period allowed by the Constitution has lapsed. This court has no jurisdiction to hear this case and we demand that he be released immediately,” said Mtetwa.

But the magistrate said the point raised required her to hear arguments from both parties before making a ruling.

She ordered the matter to be rolled over to Friday.

Correspondent

About ten machete wielding thugs in Gwanda are reported to have brutally killed a fellow illegal miner early hours of Thursday morning after a dispute arose at the notorious Vhovha mining area some kilometres outside Gwanda town.

Reports indicate that the illegal miners armed with Machetes chased after the deceased person for over five kilometres into Gwanda town and brutally killed him when he got tired of running and tried to sneak into a house at the town’s Pakama High Density suburb.

Sources told ZimEye.com that the gang of about ten machete thugs descended on the fleeing man and brutally killed him using the highly lethal man made weapons before fleeing into the night.

The deceased, Prince Mkhululi Moyo who resided in Phakama township was br_tally murdered around 03.30hrs.

Benard Sibanda, the owner of the house where the incident took place narrated the ordeal

“It was around 03.30hrs when I heard someone screaming for help and pleading for forgiveness from his killers. After hearing the screams, I immediately woke up but i could not go out to investigate as i was not sure of what was happening outside.

“While he was being assaulted, he cried out, Mbongeni please don’t kill me,” Sibanda narrated.

He added that his last words were,”Ahaa wangigamula, selingibulele (you have axed me to death).”

The deceased had two deep cuts in the head and five cuts on the lower part of his right leg.

Matabeleland South Police Provincial Spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele referred all questions to the National Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi.

More details on the murder are still coming through and these will be provided as they unfold.

MDC-Alliance legislator, Joana Mamombe, has been deemed not fit to stand trial after results from three doctors revealed that she is suffering from a mental disorder.

Mamombe is already receiving treatment with the court ordering that she goes for medical review every fortnight.

Deputy chief magistrate Mrs Bianca Makwande accepted the medical results from tests run by three doctors.

Mrs Makwande also dismissed the State’s application to have her examined by another doctor under supervision of remand prison authorities.

She is being charged for faking her abduction along with other MDC-Alliance members Netsai Marova and Cecilia Chimbiri.

Prosecutor Mr Michael Reza last week rejected a medical affidavit bearing results of tests obtained from Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals’ Annex Department saying it was obtained against the initial court order.

Mr Reza said the court initially ordered that Mamombe be examined under the supervision of Harare Remand Prison authorities and not at Annex.

“Thereafter, the accused was granted bail by the High Court through an urgent chamber application and was released from remand, but at that time, she was seen by one doctor in compliance with an order.

“She must be seen by another doctor under the supervision of the remand prison authorities.

“We now have two medical affidavits, but not obtained under the conditions stipulated by the judge or this court. We apply that the accused be examined under the supervision of Harare Remand Prison,” said Mr Reza in his dismissed application.

In response, Mamombe’s lawyer, Mr Alec Muchadehama said he took Mamombe to Annex Department at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals as per arrangements made by authorities at Remand Prison.

He argued that there were no medical doctors at the prison and authorities there took inmates to Parirenyatwa following prior arrangements.

Mamombe is expected to appear in court on November 16 along with Chimbiri and Marova.