State Media

POLICE yesterday fired three shots in the air to disperse rowdy residents throwing stones at moving vehicles after a failed search for the slain Murehwa boy’s head at his uncle’s house in Damofalls, Ruwa.

Scores of people, mainly Damofalls residents, thronged the street at the house owned by Thanks Makore to witness the search, after three informants told the police that the head was buried at the house.

But police confirmed last night that they had not found the skull or any other body parts during the search, despite rumours on social media.

Police have already recovered the torso, legs and arms of seven-year-old Tapiwa Makore, murdered in a suspected ritual killing in Murehwa last month.

The majority of the body parts were recovered in the Murehwa area.

Police cordoned off Thanks Makore’s house near Cream Shopping Centre in Ruwa to enable the uninterrupted search.

Thanks Makore, an uncle to the late Tapiwa Makore (Junior), is jointly charged with his twin Tapiwa (Senior) for their nephew’s murder. The pair, together with three other suspects are in remand prison pending the murder trial.

Acting on the information received, detectives yesterday took Thanks Makore from prison for indications at his house.

After a day’s search, scores of people who demanded to see the suspect, protested the police’s decision to “smuggle” him out of the house. When the Nissan Navara ferrying the suspect drove off, some people threw stones, while others attempted to scale the pre-cast wall into the Makore family house, resulting in the police firing warning shots. The residents throwing stones had running battles with the police.

When The Herald left Damofalls, police officers were still protecting the house from the rowdy residents.

The search started around 9am with the police digging in the yard without success.

Journalists were barred from entering the yard, but glimpses through gaps saw the police team digging up a concrete pavement.

While the investigators were busy searching inside, people mainly women were dancing and singing while holding placards.

Some of the placards read “Justice for Tapiwa now”, “Enough is Enough, we want Tapiwa’s head now”.

The rains that poured down in the afternoon could not deter the demonstrators and they continued singing and dancing under umbrellas, while some just braved the rains.

The numbers ballooned late afternoon, calling for the intervention of riot police.

Around 5pm, police brought sniffer dogs to the scene to assist in the search, but without success. The two dogs spent an hour in the yard, but gave no sign that they could smell human remains.

Interviews conducted by The Herald revealed that Thanks Makore and his family threw a party at their Damofalls house on October 21, which coincided with the disappearance of the boy in Murehwa.

“We were surprised because we knew about Tapiwa’s murder and we knew he was the family’s close relative,” said a neighbour.“How could someone celebrate at a time there was family bereavement.

“A big cake was delivered on the day and there were celebrations. We don’t know what the celebration was all about, whether it was a birthday party or just a party.”

Thanks Makore is married with five children. He stayed at the house with his wife, who goes to United Methodist Church and last born son who is at a boarding school doing Advanced Level. There is also a tenant at the house.

Thanks Makore and his wife are reportedly investing in Murehwa and had built a shop which is yet to open.

“They were now spending considerable time in Murehwa where they built the shop,” said another neighbour.

There was drama at the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) provincial complex here on Tuesday afternoon when one of the officials who had been cornered by undercover detectives reportedly swallowed US$60 he had received as a bribe to facilitate the issuance of a certificate of competency (driver’s licence).

Bekimpilo Sithole (46) of Rhodene allegedly received US$100 in US$20 and US$10 denominations and was arrested by undercover police detectives before he could swallow all the money.

The detectives managed to recover US$40 after wrestling him as he allegedly tried to destroy all the evidence.

The arrest resulted in a near stampede outside Masvingo Provincial Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters as driving school instructors and their bosses sought to negotiate Sithole’s release.

The arrest comes in the wake of incessant reports of corruption by VID officers who were reportedly demanding “facilitation fees” ranging from US$100 to US$150 to issue driver’s licences.

Allegations are that the officials were part of a well-knit syndicate involving driving schools, with instructors acting as the facilitators.

Most VID officers across Masvingo lead flashy lifestyles and own several properties whose value is inconsistent with their earnings.

Masvingo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Charity Mazula yesterday confirmed Sithole’s arrest.

She said investigations were continuing with Sithole expected to appear in court soon.-The Herald

Deputy Health and Child Care Minister Dr John Mangwiro was formally questioned by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) on Tuesday on allegations of applying pressure that was inappropriate, although ultimately unsuccessful, on NatPharm to buy medical supplies from a company in which the Deputy Minister had a personal interest.

The company in the end lost out in a competitive tender to other companies that quoted lower prices, although the process had started with a possible intention for direct purchase without seeking other bids before a competitive tender was floated and adjudicated.

Recently Dr Mangwiro issued a statement denying interfering in the process for the supply of the materials by Young Health Care to NatPharm, saying he only convened a meeting at night in August this year to establish what was causing delays at a time when infections were surging.

Dr Mangwiro was quoted describing the allegations that he abused office by interfering in NatPharm’s dealings with Young Health Care Limited for the procurement of Covid-19 supplies as malicious, mischievous and calculated to cause alarm, despondency and sensationalise the public.

But Zacc questioned him over the matter on Tuesday when he visited its offices in the company of his two lawyers.

Zacc spokesperson Commissioner John Makamure confirmed the questioning yesterday. “We have called him in for a warned and cautioned statement. The docket is not yet complete and we are still waiting for more vital information,” he said.

Although the details were still sketchy, The Herald understands Dr Mangwiro was questioned following a report recently compiled by Zacc that he allegedly applied what was seen by some as pressure during the tender bidding process for the supply of laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for Covid-19 to NatPharm.

The initial investigation carried out by Zacc between August 31 and September 4, was triggered by an anonymous letter dated

August 18 to Zacc alleging that NatPharm and the Ministry may not have followed procedures during the procurement.  Zacc interviewed Natpharm officials including the acting managing director and officers from National Microbiology Reference Laboratories in connection with the allegations.

“Given the extent to which the deputy minister was involved in the said tender process, indications are that he was acting on his own capacity and not on behalf of the ministry. The actions of the deputy minister signal a personal interest in the tender and this should have prompted him to declare his interest,” said the memo.

The memo recommended further investigations into the possibility that there had been criminal abuse of office and possible violation of the Public Finance Management Act through giving ministerial directives having financial implications when he allegedly demanded prepayment of undelivered goods to Young Health Care.

The memo states that initially Young Health Care was to supply the required goods under direct procurement, where there is no competitive bidding. Young Health Care quoted $5,6 million, which was coincidentally the same amount that was in the ministry coffers, suggesting that the company might have had inside information.

“When NatPharm insisted on a competitive bidding process, Young Health Care subsequently submitted a bid price of US$3,6 million for the same items. This saw a reduction of 36 percent in the price,” ZACC said.-The Herald

Seven students at Chinhoyi University of Technology have tested positive for coronavirus following tests conducted by the rapid response team in Makonde District.

The seven students, five females and two male, four of are symptomatic.

The development was confirmed by Chinhoyi Director of Health Services, Dr William Mayabo, who added that the seven students will be taken to Mzari clinic for isolation.

This comes after 100 learners at Jones Tallach in Matebeleland North contracted the novel virus prompting the authorities to close the school.

Kwekwe Polytechnic and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo polytechnic also suspended lectures after some of their students tested positive for the virus.

The coronavirus curve in Zimbabwe has been flattening in recent months but is starting to rise again triggering fears of a second wave.

There has been complacency around the country with the majority of the citizenry flouting coronavirus regulations including the wearing of masks and maintenance of social distancing.

As a result of new cases that are being recorded, some government officials have hinted that the government might consider reimposing the lockdown to curb the spread and transmission of the virus.

Another lockdown will likely deteriorate further the economy that is already on a downward trend for the past 24 months.-ZBC

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa, has described the dearth of democracy in Africa as unfortunate and catastrophic.

In a statement released on Tuesday morning, President Chamisa denounced dictatorship, election rigging and persecution of opposition activists.

Commenting on electoral processes in Uganda, President Chamisa said:

I’ve been following election campaigns in Uganda.

Alternative Presidential candidate and Brother Bobi wine is being terrorized, blocked from campaigning and access to the media.Dictatorship must go.Young people must save and serve Africa.Real change is unstoppable.

No turning back.

Godisinit

peoplepower

mayibuyeafrica

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa, has described the dearth of democracy in Africa as unfortunate and catastrophic.

In a statement released on Tuesday morning, President Chamisa denounced dictatorship, election rigging and persecution of opposition activists.

Commenting on electoral processes in Uganda, President Chamisa said:

I’ve been following election campaigns in Uganda.

Alternative Presidential candidate and Brother Bobi Wine is being terrorized, blocked from campaigning and access to the media.Dictatorship must go.Young people must save and serve Africa.Real change is unstoppable.

No turning back.

Godisinit

peoplepower

mayibuyeafrica

Tinashe Sambiri|All dictators in Africa -including Emmerson Mnangagwa and Yoweri Kaguta Museveni are cowards and liars, social media analyst, Peter Mupondi has postulated.

Mupondi notes that dictators cannot suppress the will of the people forever.

Read his argument below:

By Peter Mupondi

About All Dictators

Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa included. ..

●They dont take lessons from other fallen dictators

●They know that a revolution is coming but they are not so sure when and how.

So they invest a lot in protecting themselves and scare every grain of threat around
●They capture all the institutions and weaponize them against descending voices

●They have enablers and supporters too
●They are cowards
●They lie
●They are corrupt and they surround themselves with corrupt officials!

But they finally fall in a similar fashion!

Ousted MDC-T 2014 Organising Secretary, Abednico Bhebhe, has rubbished his dismissal from the party saying the move was not constitutionally enforceable.

The opposition party’s National Council resolved to expel Bhebhe over allegations of gross violation of the MDC-T’s constitution by supporting another political party other than the MDC T.

His expulsion came after he had attacked party bigwigs, interim leader Thokozani Khupe, acting secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora, acting chairperson Morgen Komichi and former Energy minister Elias Mudzuri during provincial nominations held in Bulawayo recently.

Speaking to NewsDay,  Bhebhe said that his expulsion was not enforceable at law. He said:

I am not aware of any constitutional and legally enforceable expulsion except what I read in the Press.

Bhebhe was expelled ahead of the party’s Supreme Court-sanctioned Extraordinary Congress scheduled for December.

Meanwhile, Mwonzora has since defended Bhebhe’s expulsion saying the National Council acted above board in accordance with the law.
-NewsDay

ZIMTA

Our Beloved Members
ZIMTA exists for many things.

Mostly to promote , advance and protect the needs of teachers, and as such we will not stand by and watch as some vulnerable teachers lose their jobs, or salaries, or livelihood, due to some undue pressure from unrecognized, unorganized social media groups who continue to urge you to break the LAW.

Please be warned, these groups will be nowhere to be found in your time of need.

Move with the professionals, move with US.

Rising gospel artiste Fortunate Siziba has released a tribute song to the murdered for Murewa murdered boy Tapiwa Makore featuring Trevor Dongo.

Simply titled Zvipo, the inspirational song was recorded at Eternity Records, a Macdonald Macdee Chidavaenzi stable in partnership with Dongo and various artistes.

In an interview, Siziba said the song is dedicated to child abuse victims and ritual killings of minors in Zimbabwe and beyond.

“We have seen a number of kids losing their lives and this song talks about this.

“The message has to go out and sink in people’s minds that children are indeed a gift from God, so there is a need to take good care of them than harm them.

“The ritual murder of Tapiwa Makore is something which could have been avoided if people really appreciate how precious these kids are.

“There are a lot of people out there trying to have children but they cannot.-State media

Own Correspondent

Zimbabwe’s poverty datum line (PDL) for a family of five jumped 4.4 percent to $18 750 in October as the cost of living continues to go up on the back of inflationary pressures, latest data released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat) shows.

The PDL is the minimum amount of money that a family requires for food and other essential requirements for them not to be deemed poor.

“This means that an average household required that much to purchase both food and non-food items for them not to be deemed poor,” Zimbabwe’s official data provider said.

“This represents an increase of 4.4 percent when compared to the September 2020 figure of $17 956.87.”

Zimstat said one person required $1 521 for food alone and $3 750 for food and other essential needs.

Month-on-month inflation in October stood at 4.37 percent, after jumping from 3.83 percent the previous month, while annual inflation was 471.25 percent, down from 659.40 percent in September.

The slowdown in inflation has been largely attributed to stability in the country’s exchange rate since the introduction of the foreign currency auction system in June.

The continued rise in the cost of living comes against low wages and salaries especially at a time companies continue to battle for survival after the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe’s drive to lure investment has attracted the attention of Saudi Arabia, which has revealed plans to set up an embassy in Harare as well as incorporating the country into the Saudi Development Fund.

This was said by the Kingdom’s Minister of State for African Countries Affairs, Mr Ahmed Kattan, after meeting President Mnangagwa at State House in Harare yesterday.

Posting on micro-blogging site Twitter yesterday, President Mnangagwa said he was looking forward to cooperating with one of the world’s economic giants.

“It was my privilege to welcome to Zimbabwe Saudi Arabia’s Minister for Africa, Ahmed Kattan. The potential for trade between our two nations cannot be understated. I look forward to growing our cooperation and investment in the coming years,” tweeted President Mnangagwa.

The kingdom dispatched a high-powered delegation led by Minister Kattan to scout for opportunities in mining, agriculture, tourism and infrastructural development as well as strengthen diplomatic and trade ties between the two countries.

Speaking after his meeting with President Mnangagwa, Mr Kattan said his country was keen on scaling up diplomatic relations with Zimbabwe, beginning by setting up a local embassy, as well as helping the country address its humanitarian needs through the Saudi Development Fund.

The Saudi Fund finances close to 4 000 projects in more than 70 countries, and access to the fund will help Zimbabwe navigate the effects of Covid-19.

Mr Kattan said he had conveyed the greetings of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and their warm wishes for prosperity to “the friendly people of the Republic of Zimbabwe”.

“I reconfirmed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s keen interest in strengthening its relations with the Republic of Zimbabwe in light of the Kingdom’s vision 2030, including in the areas of trade and investment.

“I assured His Excellency (President Mnangagwa) that we are ready to present to His Excellency King Salman the humanitarian and aid relief sent to Zimbabwe’s urgent humanitarian needs for assessment and to continue our cooperation through supporting development projects by the Saudi Fund for Development which included the area of communication.”

The two countries have decided to sign an agreement soon to establish diplomatic relations.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Dr Sibusiso Moyo, said the visit by the Saudi delegation was a major milestone.

Dr Moyo said the two countries wish to enhance the level of cooperation and bilateral relations particularly trade and investment cooperation.

He noted that Zimbabwe is endowed with resources while Saudi Arabia was a great market.

Potential investments are also available in sectors such as agriculture, mining, tourism and infrastructure development.

“There is, for example, the Saudi Development Fund, whose function is to consider the viability of such kind of projects which Zimbabwe would consider as a priority,” said Dr Moyo.

Zimbabwe Miners Federation President Henrietta Rushwaya was recently arrested at the RGM Airport while trying to smuggle six 6kgs of gold to the Reserve Bank.

‌According to police reports, Rushwaya was arrested when the airport scanners indicated that her hand luggage contained suspicious objects.

Further reports from independent sources indicate that Henrietta Rushwaya was headed for Dubai in the UAE at the time of her arrest.

Paul Nyathi

It was a dramatic day at Doves Funeral Parlour in Harare on Wednesday as Moana`s funeral service could not happen after her paternal and maternal families were locked in a stalemate.

Her maternal side wanted her buried at Zororo Memorial Park while the father`s family insisted on Domboshava

Her father, Mr Ishamel Amuli wants her buried in a Muslim way as he is a Muslim himself while his estranged wife says Ishamel must not be anywhere near Moana’s funeral since he had a sower relationship with the deceased.

Some family members say Moana’s biological mother abandoned her at 18 months and she was raised by her father and stepmother whom she was very close to until about two years ago when her father slapped her for venturing into the socialite lifestyle.

Moana died in a road accident with friends while coming from celebrating her 26th birthday.

Genius Ginimbi Kadungure’s Rolls Royce Wraith in which Moana and two others were passengers was involved in a head-on collision with a Honda Fit along Borrowdale road before veering off the road, hitting a tree and catching fire.

After a long meeting, it appears the families finally reached a compromise. According to Moana`s uncle (maternal) she will be buried at Zororo Memorial Park on Thursday. Her paternal side still insists it will be a Muslim burial and it seems preparations have been adjusted accordingly.

Meanwhile, there was commotion at Doves Morgans funeral parlour chapel, as Passion Java arrived for Moanas funeral service. Java’s S Class Benz suffered a cracked windscreen during the chaos. The prophet had to escape from the excited crowd abandoning the event.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sworn in a three-member tribunal to investigate High Court judge Justice Erica Ndewere’s fitness to hold office.

The tribunal will be chaired by retired Judge Justice Simbi Mubako and comprises Yvonne Masora and Charles Warara.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed the tribunal following recommendations made by Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

The JSC accuses 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.

AllAfrica

THE ZIMBABWE Congress of Trade Unions’ leaders who were arrested for protesting against the high costs of living in Zimbabwe and the government’s imposition of the 2% transaction tax have been acquitted after the magistrate in Mutare found them not guilty.

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) in a report Tuesday revealed that Mutare Magistrate Sekai Chiundura acquitted 19 ZCTU activists who had been on trial since 2018 for allegedly protesting against the high cost of living in Zimbabwe and the imposition of a 2% transactions tax by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.

The 19 ZCTU leaders, who were represented by Passmore Nyakureba were arrested on October 11 2018 by the police and charged with participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of the peace or bigotry as defined in section 37 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

During the trial, the state alleged that the ZCTU leaders had contravened the law by taking part in a demonstration organised by the country’s largest labour union to protest against the government’s disastrous economic policies.

However, Chiundura found them not guilty and acquitted them at the close of the state case indicating that the state had failed to prove a prima facie case against them.

Own Correspondent

One person was seriously injured while property worth hundreds of thousands of dollars was destroyed in a fire that broke out at Chirundu Court near Divaris Shopping Centre in Belvedere, Harare this morning.

The fire, which completely destroyed the entire second floor of the City of Harare owned-double storey building, is reported to have started after a gas tank exploded in one of the apartments.

Tenants on the building said officers from the emergency services failed to respond in time and the first truck to arrive did not have enough water to put out the fire.

They said the second truck arrived when half of the floor was already burnt down.

“If the trucks had come in time and with enough water, some of the apartments could have been saved,” said an anonymous tenant.

The injured, only identified as Jenny is the owner of the apartment where the fire started.

She was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Two other residents were trapped but later rescued by a visitor to the building.

Paul Nyathi

At least seven Chinhoyi University of Technology students have tested positive for Covid-19.

Mashonaland West Provincial Medical Director Dr Gift Masoja said those who have tested positive include five females and two males.

Tests were conducted today on 31 people in Chinhoyi using the Gene Xpert machine and seven samples came out positive.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa, has described the dearth of democracy in Africa as unfortunate and catastrophic.

In a statement released on Tuesday morning, President Chamisa denounced dictatorship, election rigging and persecution of opposition activists.

Commenting on electoral processes in Uganda, President Chamisa said:

I’ve been following election campaigns in Uganda.

Alternative Presidential candidate and Brother Bobi Wine is being terrorized, blocked from campaigning and access to the media.Dictatorship must go.Young people must save and serve Africa.Real change is unstoppable.

No turning back.

Godisinit

peoplepower

mayibuyeafrica

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa, has described the dearth of democracy in Africa as unfortunate and catastrophic.

In a statement released on Tuesday morning, President Chamisa denounced dictatorship, election rigging and persecution of opposition activists.

Commenting on electoral processes in Uganda, President Chamisa said:

I’ve been following election campaigns in Uganda.

Alternative Presidential candidate and Brother Bobi wine is being terrorized, blocked from campaigning and access to the media.Dictatorship must go.Young people must save and serve Africa.Real change is unstoppable.

No turning back.

Godisinit

peoplepower

mayibuyeafrica

By A Correspondent- Rescue operations for the six miners trapped in a mineshaft at Matshetshe Mine in Esigodini last week are yet to commence because such an undertaking would be dangerous, police have said.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi on Tuesday said police were working with the local authority and the Department of Civil Protection to try and rescue the miners.

Said Nyathi:

We are working with various stakeholders including the Umzingwane Rural District Council, the district development co-ordinator and the Ministry of Mines to try and retrieve the trapped miners.

So far, the Ministry of Mines has highlighted that the mine is flooded and the ground is wet. This risks the further collapse of the mine.

So the Department of Civil Protection (DCP) will issue a report on the rescue, but as it stands, there are no rescue operations which have been conducted.

The trapped mineworkers have been identified as Nkosilathi Ndlovu (29), Blessed Ncube (24), Christopher Dube (23), Ndumiso Dube (age not known), Ndumiso Ntini from Lupane and one only identified as Mlilo from Gwanda.

This Wednesday marks the eighth day since the miners were trapped in a mineshaft collapse.

newsday

Gweru – A jealous man from Mberengwa has been jailed for 10 years after he chopped off his lover’s ring finger in a bid to ensure that she will not wear any other suitor’s ring.

Promise Moyo (27) swore to Linnet Chihora (25) that she was not going to put on any man’s ring after the latter announced her intention to quit the relationship. He took a machete and chopped off Chihora’s finger to make sure there will be no place to put a wedding ring.

Moyo was charged with attempted murder and he appeared before Regional Magistrate Phathekile Msipa. It also emerged in court that after chopping off the finger, Moyo attempted to chop off the palm of the hand.

Prosecutor Talent Tadenyika said on February 10, 2020 Moyo, Chihora and a neighbour Sibusisiwe Nyoni went to see the village head to discuss issues concerning the strained relationship.

They came back from the village head’s place and arrived at the complainant’s home at around midnight. On arrival the complainant went to her room but Moyo followed and pulled her out.

He then took a machete from his waist and struck the complainant several times on the hands, head and face with it.
Nyoni managed to stop Moyo from further assaulting the complainant and took her to the hospital.
A report was made leading to Moyo’s arrest.

Msipa suspended three years of the sentence on condition of good behavior.

-Masvingo Mirror

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

“The danger about voice notes are that they leave footprints (I.e the phone number they are sent from)…

“if she denies the voice then she has to explain who was using her phone at that particular instance…” – legal expert on torture crimes, Kennedy Masiye.

AUDIO LOADING BELOW….

By Showbiz Reporter | The Comedian Mai Titi (Felistas Murata) who was on Monday arrested yesterday at Marlborough Police station over hiring assailants to assault an events businesswoman, had a temporary moment of relief which she took to shoot a live video smiling while outside the Harare Magistrates Court.

The case was referred back to the police for further forensics after the three men she was arrested with changed statements at the last minute. Yesterday one of the men was filmed confessing that he was truly hired on the 5th November with two others by the comedian, but early Monday morning he changed statements.

Forensics will now determine which direction the case goes.

The first of the self confessed hirings, is Mr Desire Hendeni, who is together with two others only identified as Joshua, and Brincely.

Soon after the denials, Mai Titi whose Facebook account was somewhat taken down soon after the arrest yesterday, quickly went on camera from her Instagram account, where she appeared totally unconcerned about the case.

Meanwhile, the case relates mainly to audio recordings of a voice sounds alike Mai Titi instructing the men to go “electrocute” the Harare woman.

In the recorded audios, a voice fitting Mai Titi’s communication is heard plotting her attack for Mapalo Gardens, which is at 22 Lower Hampden Road, Marlborough, Harare.

The conversation with the alleged assassin is as follows:

Agent: there is no way that they will see me, it won’t happen, they will never see me. Don’t fear a thing, rely on me, don’t fear anything.

Mai Titi: Alright, if you can do it in the morning, it’s bho zvekuti, you can then come to the airport to meet me, and I will sort you out, because this person is getting too inflated too much. They are now too inflated.

Mai Titi: But I don’t want them to see you, if they see you they will become alert.

Agent: Are you now doubting me these days? We are literally there right now where … Isn’t it the place is called Mapalo Gardens? This is where I m standing right now. But this person will be electrocuted tomorrow morning. Wait, let me do my logistics. let me do my logistics, but this person is being electrocuted in the morning. For now we are just doing negotiations. for now we shall just be negotiating, but when we get to the morning, that is when we will finish this person. But you must rely on me, you must trust me.

Mai Titi: But if there is nothing you’ve done, it helps nothing. At the offices, they just do their thing, they don’t have offices. They are at their house where they do their events. So now, how will they be caught? Will you be able to do the catch? Is there any more hope? Is there any hope? I don’t think there’s any hope? Because if there is an excuse maybe by now they are now aware. You see? I will give you fuel money no problem, because I was always landing tomorrow, I am landing but I don’t know if this hit job will work.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) has slammed other unions representing teachers, saying they have no idea of what transpires during the meetings with government officials because they are “forever” absent.

ZIMTA has recently come under fire particularly from the Raymond Majongwe-led Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) and the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) led by Obert Masaraure.

The two unions have accused ZIMTA officials of hobnobbing with the government and abandoning teachers.

But in a statement this Wednesday, ZIMTA defended its actions and urged teachers to remain focused.

The statement read:

ZIMTA is the most professional teachers’ union in Zimbabwe, with a mandate to advocate for better salaries for teachers, to ensure that teachers keep their professional jobs and to continuously lobby for better conditions of service.

It is regrettable that a cautionary word urging teachers to act within the confines of the regulations is mistaken for threats by the enemies of this union.

We really are doing our best in ensuring that teachers’ conditions of service improve. However, it is sad that some teachers choose to be negative and side with rival unions who only speak on WhatsApp groups but are forever absent in the negotiating meetings.

It is such a sad scenario and really it is up to us teachers to choose between genuine representation and fake propaganda.

ZIMTA attends meetings, advocates, and negotiates in good faith.

Others wait for ZIMTA to return from Meetings, then wait for their circulars, because they have no idea of what transpires during the meetings.

When they copy ZIMTA’s feedback and distribute it on WhatsApp groups and critique it others believe them, BUT we all know, this is not representation, all that they do is mislead.

They have no clue of how the systems work, yet they want to Teachers to lose focus and believe in them. This is SAD.

We urge you to remain focused, ZIMTA is behind you all the WAY. We are here to Represent TEACHERS every day.

The struggle Continues.

Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA)

The suspended Harare City Council Human Capital Director Dr Cainos Chingombe who is reportedly poised to return to work is now facing a litany of sexual abuse allegations, this publication can reveal.

The revelations of Dr Chingombe’s sexual abuses are in a letter written by a former student attaché to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission(ZACC) to institute investigations against her former boss.

“In 2010 through a relative, Mrs Priscilla Charumbira who was a senior employee at Cleveland House, I got the opportunity to do my attachment at the council’s finance department housed at Rowan Martin building.

“It was not long before I was mysteriously transferred to Town House were Mr Chingombe turned me into his sex slave,” she narrated.

“I travelled with him to almost all workshops ,while many saw it as a favour so I earn extra income through allowances and make ends meet, Chingombe saw it as an opportunity to violate me, and violate me he did ,using intimidating tactics that came with job, as he portrayed himself as someone who could hire or fire at will,(sic),”added the former attaché.

She says after hearing of Dr Chingombe ’s sexual escapades with other female employees , she reported him to the police but could not pursue the matter because her relatives were against it .

“After learning that his office was the bedroom of many female employees, both students and the seniors I gathered enough nerve and reported him to Harare Central Police station as I was nearing the end of my attachment.

“He caused a public fight with his secretary and another Harare employee by the name Dorothy Hombarume as he was sleeping with both of them, both are still at council and can verify when contacted as they later realised they are both victims.

“My relatives were highly critical of this move which led me to abandon my Finance degree and relocate to South Africa,” she cites.

The former Chingombe subordinate believes that her boss did possess ‘political and financial power’ which made her case be swept under the carpet hence seeking ZACC to intervene.

“Having knowledge of his political and financial power, and being neglected by relatives because of the report I made ,I had no choice but to flee. As a lady I feel I was humiliated and abused through the help of South African women’s organisation I wrote several complaints to Harare Council, Police General Headquarters, former First Lady Grace among many other institutions and persons highlighting Chingombe’s abuses.

“It is against this background that as a private citizen entitled to all the rights enshrined in the constitution and having faith in your institution that I call upon the anti-corruption commission urgently Chingombe and his associates,”.

The victim claims that what prompted her to open up on these sexual abuses after hearing of the imminent return of Chingombe.

-BUSTOP TV

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe records 70 000 illegal abortions per year and a third of girls get married before they reach the age of 18.

This was said by Senator Morgan Femayi, the chairperson of the HIV and Aids thematic committee in the Senate during a public meeting held at Mkoba Hall in Mkoba Village Two suburb in Gweru recently.

The HIV and Aids thematic committee and other committees wanted to get the views of members of the public on the issue of allowing children aged 12 years and above access to contraceptives.

Senator Femayi said:

One in every three girls marries before the age of 18. We have 70 000 illegal abortions per year in the country and high school drop out. Girls below the age of 19 account for 15 per cent of the maternal mortality rate.

Therefore, the petitioner’s plea to Parliament is that there should be no restrictions in accessing health care by persons from the age of 12 or those below the age of 18 and that includes access to contraceptives and other health care matters.

Munyaradzi Chingwara, a counsellor, said parents or guardians should not bury their heads in the sand and pretend that children from the age of 12 were not having sex, because they are.

Chingwara said in 2016 alone, 4 500 girls failed to proceed to secondary education after falling pregnant.

He implored authorities to remove age restrictions to accessing health care services, saying reproductive health shouldn’t have restrictions so that there is universal access to health care services for all including children.-statemedia

Block of flats near Belvedere shops has been razed down by fire which is believed to have started at another block nearby.

Below are pictures of the fire shot by citizen journalists from Belvedere.

By A Correspondent- Government yesterday called on teachers and civil servants to be realistic in their salary demands, saying any unreasonable demands would push them into printing money to fund employment costs, which would, in turn, trigger a new wave of inflation.

This was revealed by Labour minister Paul Mavima during a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare, where he said teachers must also consider the economic fundamentals in the country instead of making irrational demands.

Mavima’s statement comes as three teachers’ unions the Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta), the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) and the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) refused to accept the 41% salary hike offered by government, insisting the deadlock be taken for arbitration.

They were, however, outvoted by other civil servants unions who accepted the 41% salary hike which government offered after the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) sat on Tuesday.

The offer, effective from November 1, will see the lowest paid teacher getting $19 000 and the lowest paid civil servant getting $14 000.

While Zimta ordered its members to go back to school, other teachers’ unions have vowed that their members would not go back to work until the employer has acceded to their demand for a US$520 salary.

“The alternative is to make demands that are unrealistic and then force government to print money and then bring back inflation and take us back to the yesteryear of 2008 which is not productive to anybody,” Mavima said.

“We have achieved stability. Let’s be realistic in our demands, let’s move our economy upwards together so that we can have decent salaries.”

He continued: “The Apex Council represents all civil service associations, including the teachers unions and, therefore, when the NJNC, which is the formal platform for negotiations, agrees on salary negations, individual unions cannot, therefore, come back and say we don’t agree, when their leadership has agreed and signed onto the salary negotiations.”

Mavima said government had been genuine in engaging with civil servants and was slowly moving them from the equivalent of US$30, to where they are now earning more than US$200.

“They have asked for a plough back to 2018 levels, that’s the US$520 they have been talking about, but we have already moved almost halfway to there and we are saying we are going to be realistic, we need to look at our fiscal space. We need to look at our economic conditions and realistically demand things that leave us as a country with the stability that we have achieved,” he said.

Mavima said hopefully with a good 2021 agricultural season, the economy would grow to the extent that government would be able to pay decent salaries.

However, Artuz president Obert Masaraure insisted that: “Teachers are not going back to school. Those who signed the document are sellouts. They are not teachers. Just signing a document does not capacitate teachers.”-newsday

By A Correspondent- The trial of two Beitbridge policemen Carrotnos Wafawanaka and Hardlife Shoko, who are accused of brutally assaulting a resident for allegedly breaking COVID-19 regulations, kicked off yesterday.

Wafawanaka and Shoko’s lawyer Tatenda Razemba challenged the State’s production of the complainant Tafadzwa Mukutiri’s medical affidavit saying the document was not properly prepared.

Razemba further argued that it had two similar stamps, but with two different doctor’s signatures.

But prosecutor Ronald Mugwagwa said the document was authentic.

Beitbridge magistrate Toyindepi Zhou ruled that there was need for a qualified medical doctor to do a medical examination on the complainant.

Mukutiri told the court how he was handcuffed and assaulted by Wafawanaka while Shoko held his deadlocked hair.

He said he was repeatedly hit by a thick switch at a bushy area in Dulivhadzimo.

Mukutiri said he did not resist arrest because police blocked his car.

In their defence, Wafawanaka and Shoko claimed that Mukutiri was injured when he tried to resist arrest and hit his head on the edge of a police van.

Mukutiri said he did not know Wafawanaka and Shoko prior to the incident, but admitted having heard about “a notorious policeman called Wafawanaka”.

“The whole of Beitbridge knows his name and that he is notorious for taking bribes and harassing people,” claimed Mukutiri.

It is alleged that Mukutiri sustained injuries which required nine stitches. The images of the injuries were exhibited in court.

The two are denying the charges and the trial continues today.-Newsday

A 33-YEAR-OLD Murewa man, Japhet Shamba, who is an uncle of confessed ritual murderer Tafadzwa Shamba who was nabbed for allegedly killing seven-year-old Tapiwa Makore, committed suicide yesterday morning.

The deceased’s body was found hanging on a tree a few metres from his homestead in Chinyani village under Chief Mangwende.

According to police sources, the late Shamba went missing from the homestead since last Thursday.

The deceased is said to have left a suicidal note stating that he regretted exhausting all the maize and peanut seeds from his grandmother’s granary.

He used to stay with his mother and wife at the same homestead.

The death of Shamba left villagers in Murewa concluding that the late Tapiwa’s spirit was now avenging after Tafadzwa confessed to the gruesome murder of the boy.

Tapiwa is yet to be buried as his head and hands are still missing.

Paul Nyathi

Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Professor Paul Mavima has urged all teachers to report for duty and deliver services to learners and regain time lost due to the Covid0-19 lockdowns.

Minister Mavima said yesterday in a statement that the cost of living adjustment made by the National Joint Negotiations Council (NJNC) should now motivate striking teachers to go back to work.

“As Government, we appreciate the noble profession and will always attempt to provide better working conditions. Yours is a noble profession because you carry the future of the nation.

Responding to journalists at the post-Cabinet briefin on Tuesday, Minister Mavima said he did not expect any teachers’ union to reject the agreed position as their leaders had agreed and signed for salary negotiations.

“The Apex Council represents all civil service associations and unions including teachers’ unions and therefore when the National Joint Negotiating Council, which is a formal platform for negotiations that we have at the moment, agrees on salary negotiations, individual unions cannot come back and say they do not agree when their leadership has agreed and signed onto the salary negotiations.

“I have seen a letter from Zimta, which is the largest teachers’ union, suggesting a roadmap for teachers to go back to their stations. If there are other unions that are saying they do not agree, I will have to understand their basis for not agreeing,” he said.

Minister Mavima said Government had between February and November moved from where teachers were complaining of earning the equivalent of US$30 and US$40 to where now they are earning more than US$200.

“We need to be realistic, we need to look to our fiscal space, economic conditions and realistically demand things that leave us as a country with the stability that we have achieved and also saying how do we move from here to where we want to go.

“We want to give our teachers a status they deserve but it has to be a realistic process. All genuine unions who do not have other agendas than the welfare of teachers are going to agree to this roadmap and the country will move forward,” he said.

MDC-T Acting President Thokozani Khupe has turned 57 years today.

The former Deputy Prime Minister and MDC founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s deputy has fallen out of favour with democratic forces following the Supreme Court ruling which handed her the leadership of MDC-T.

She together with now MDC-T Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora, now MDC National Chairperson Morgan Komichi and Elias Mudzuri have regained ownership of the party headquarters Harvest House.

She was born on 18 November 1963.

Posting about her birthday on social media, Khupe said;

‘On the 18th of November 1963, my beloved late parents Catherine & Fanelo gave birth to a lovely girl whom they named Thokozani, which means happiness. This girl has grown up & today she turns 57. I am very grateful to my parents for bringing me up to be the woman that I am today,”

Paul Nyathi

Prominent Masvingo businessman Ali Lambert of Ali&Co has died.

He died at 3am at Masvingo 24 Hour Medical Center on Wednesday after succumbing to pneumonia.

Lambat owned Ali and Company with his son Zubair, Zimbabweans of Indian origin. The family is one of the oldest Indian families in the city.

Soon after the start of the 20th century, Ali’s grandfather, Ebrahim Lambat, left his village of Chasa in Gujarat, some 230 km north of Bombay (the present-day Mumbai), in search of new opportunities in Africa.

Ebrahim landed in Portuguese East Africa (now Mozambique) and then trekked inland, making his way to the British territories of Southern Rhodesia (present-day Zimbabwe), Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) and Nyasaland (Malawi).

Like most Indians in these parts of Africa, the Lambat family initially made a living as merchants in rural communities, the larger towns and cities being effectively off-limits to non-White business owners.

Masvingo, Zimbabwe’s oldest town, was founded (as Fort Victoria) in 1890. From its early years, Hindu and Muslim Indians have been a small, but economically significant, presence; like the Lambat family, most members of the community were Gujaratis. It was here where Ebrahim’s son, Ismail, opened a general store. Ismail died in 1968 and in the same year Ali started up Ali & Co.

Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) coronavirus/COVID-19 situation report as of 17 November October 2020:

• New cases: 48
• Locals: 47
• Returnees: 1 from Tanzania
• Deaths: 2
• Recoveries: 49
• PCR Tests Done: 875
• National Recovery Rate: 91.3%
• Active Cases: 521
• Total Cumulative Cases: 8 945
• Total Recoveries: 8 164
• Total Deaths: 260

A 33-YEAR-OLD Murewa man, Japhet Shamba, who is an uncle of confessed ritual murderer Tafadzwa Shamba who was nabbed for allegedly killing seven-year-old Tapiwa Makore, committed suicide yesterday morning.

The deceased’s body was found hanging on a tree a few metres from his homestead in Chinyani village under Chief Mangwende.

According to police sources, the late Shamba went missing from the homestead since last Thursday.

The deceased is said to have left a suicidal note stating that he regretted exhausting all the maize and peanut seeds from his grandmother’s granary.

He used to stay with his mother and wife at the same homestead.

The death of Shamba left villagers in Murewa concluding that the late Tapiwa’s spirit was now avenging after Tafadzwa confessed to the gruesome murder of the boy.

Tapiwa is yet to be buried as his head and hands are still missing.

State Media

The economy is expected to grow by an average 5 percent over the five-year tenure of the newly-announced economic policy — the National Development Strategy (NDS1 2021-2025) — in order to achieve its goal of transforming the economy to an upper middle income status by 2030.

NDS1 is premised on the adoption and swift implementation of bold strategies, policies and programmes aimed at achieving economic transformation.

The blueprint is themed; “Towards a Prosperous and Empowered Upper Middle Income Society by 2030”.

President Mnangagwa launched the blueprint on Monday and said his administration will continue to implement robust, innovative and responsive strategies while the NDS1 will entrench the prevailing strong pillars of democracy, constitutionalism and respect for the rule of law.

Zimbabwe has previously implemented several brilliant economic policies to drive growth and reduce poverty, however, the results were suboptimal due to both “exogenous and endogenous factors” and the new policy thrust is to rekindle the economy’s unrealised potential.

“This will be done through the creation of a thriving private sector led competitive economy, implementation of sound macroeconomic policies anchored on fiscal discipline, monetary and financial sector stability, including an open business friendly environment, which promotes both foreign and domestic investment.

“The specific macro-economic objectives for the five-year period of NDS1 are achieving an average annual real GDP growth rate of at least five percent, maintain fiscal deficits averaging not more than three percent of GDP or below in line with SADC target, achieve and maintain lower single digit inflation, increase international reserves to at least six months import cover by 2023 . . .” excerpts from the policy document say.

Further, other key objectives of the policy framework include maintaining public and publicly guaranteed debt of below 70 percent of GDP, maintain current account balance of not more than -3 percent of GDP, create at least 760 000 new jobs during the period of NDS1, improve key infrastructure and investment in energy, water, sanitation, roads and housing.

University of Zimbabwe economics lecturer, Professor Ashok Chakravati, who is also a member of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Monetary Policy Committee said in an interview that NDS1 was poised for success as it is building on a firm foundation laid by the TSP.

Through the NDS1, Prof Chakravarti said the Government will be able to release the energy of the private sector to inject much needed capital into the economy and thus stimulate economic activity and growth.

“The first thing to note is that the NDS1 is almost entirely based on domestic resources and it’s based on the concept of self-reliance,” said Prof Chakravati.

“Of course if re-engagement is successful and we get additional resources from the international community that will be positive and it will bring a major boost.

“But the growth rates that have been put in for NDS1 are feasible and achievable, and we believe this is one of the most realistic strategies and development plans since independence.

“The fundamental pillars that NDS1 will stand on from TSP are the liberalisation of the economy, control of Government expenditure and releasing the energies of the private sector. The idea is to focus on private sector investment, which will be either domestic or foreign and let people make money, there is nothing wrong with that,” Prof Chakravati said.

Growth projections are underpinned by gradual economic recovery, estimated at over 7,4 percent next year, anchored in stable, predictable macro and policy environment, ensuing projected economic decline of 4,5 percent this year due to the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which extensively disrupted global trade and value chains.

To unlock investment, which is key in driving sustainable inclusive economic growth during the NDS1 period, Government will prioritise swift implementation of the ongoing ease of doing business reforms, enhance respect for property rights, ensure adherence to rule of law, combat corruption and drive investment in key infrastructure enablers.

The blueprint is premised on key pillars of macro-economic stability and financial re-engagement, inclusive growth, good governance, provision and expansion of key infrastructure and utilities as well as social development in line with the Vision 2030 agenda.

Targeted sustained economic growth of five percent per annum will be driven by agriculture, mining, electricity and manufacturing coupled with structural reforms aimed at collapsing all bottlenecks and improving economic efficiency. Specific interventions will entail improving food security by driving production across sectors and resolving security of land tenure issues, moving the economy up the value chains through increased domestic production and productivity, efficient infrastructure delivery, improving access to and usage of ICTs, improved housing delivery and governance, better public service, justice delivery (rule of law) and social protection (reducing extreme poverty).

Additionally, the policy priorities will focus on image building, international cooperation and re-engagement, climate change strategies, youth sport and culture, health and well-being, human capital development and local authority and community-centred development (devolution).

But the Government intends to get things right on key elements of macroeconomic stability namely fiscal, monetary and external sectors. Fiscal measures will seek to control and reduce public debt to below 70 percent of GDP while expenditure should track the national budget.

On the monetary front, Government will continue to implement the monetary targeting framework to stabilise the exchange rate while interventions on the external sector will cover measures to keep the current account deficit below minus three percent of the budget.

As such, Government has worked on strategies for agriculture, mining sector, tourism and manufacturing, which seek to drive production and productivity as well as drive domestic value chains to reduce dependence on imports and enhance creation of new jobs in the economy.

For instance, strategies for the anchor sector of agriculture will include resolving outstanding issues around land tenure to attract investment, creating conditions for bankability of agricultural projects, restructuring Agribank into a land bank and expanding contract farming to include other crops and livestock.

“Further, the Government will incentivise banks to lend to agriculture, and persuade them to move away from the current practice where most banks are investing in non-productive short-term instruments,” the NDS1 policy document says.

In order to climate-proof agriculture, irrigation rehabilitation and expansion, promotion and adoption of research that improves productivity of seed and animal varieties, up scaling of climate smart agriculture and capacitation of extension service workers will be prioritised.

In mining, Government intends to formulate a rare earths policy, under its thrust to expedite implementation of mineral specific policies, issue more exclusive prospecting orders to increase exploration and push on with efforts to formalise and capacitate small scale miners.

During NDS1, Government will also accelerate long planned operationalisation of the automated mining Cadastre information management system to increase efficiency and transparency in mining title management.

In addition, programmes will be undertaken to enhance exploration through use of carrot and stick measures under the use or lose it policy, with investors given reasonable time first to productively work on their claims.

“Regarding mineral beneficiation, the NDS1 priority is to strengthen gold processing, diamond cutting and polishing, platinum base metal refining and ferrochrome processing,” the blueprint says.

Measures will be undertaken to achieve sustained growth through improved performance and contribution of the manufacturing sector, which will be reoriented towards higher value added production by strengthening the existing value chains and mineral beneficiation.

THE Gwanda Civil Protection Unit (CPU) has tightened enforcement of regulations to contain cases of Covid-19 which are on the increase in the mining town.

The town has recorded 15 positive cases over the past week. Six of the people are admitted to Gwanda Provincial Hospital isolation centre while the other nine are in self isolation.

The Joshua Mqabuko Polytechnic College has suspended face-to-face lectures indefinitely after six cases were reported at the institution.

Speaking during a CPU meeting held on Monday, Gwanda Disrict Environmental Health Officer, Mr Kgositsile Mtlokwa said there was a need for a monitoring team to be deployed within the town to enforce regulations.

“As a district we have recorded 15 positive cases over the past week and all these are local transmissions within Gwanda Urban. As the Emergency Preparedness Response Committee we recommend tightening of measures in order to contain the situation.

“Lack of compliance to Covid-19 regulations has been identified as one of the causes of this spike in cases. A monitoring committee comprising of officials from Ministry of Health, ZRP and Local Government should also be set up in order conduct inspections to ensure that people adhere to regulations. The community of Gwanda also needs to be reminded through a hailer of the importance of observing Covid-19 regulations,” he said.

Gwanda acting District Development Co-ordinator, Mr Thulani Moyo said it was alarming how people within the town were disregarding Covid-19 regulations. He said some people were moving around without masks, some shops were no longer sanitising people or exercising social distancing, transport operators were not enforcing regulations and some public offices such as the passport office and banks were not enforcing social distancing.

Mr Moyo called on various partners to come on board and assist the district with resources. He said they have informed the provincial office of their exercise.

“15 cases within seven days isn’t a joke and we should take this matter seriously. We are going to be reactivating all thematic committees that were already operational and we want to ensure that we fully enforce regulations that are in place in order to contain the situation.

“What we want to do as a district is to work flat out to enforce the regulations which have been set under the Level 1 stage of the lockdown that we are at now,” he said.

Officer-in-Charge of Gwanda Urban Inspector John Mabhungu said there was a need to engage the business community as some were breaking regulations. He said at food outlets and supermarkets some workers were serving people without wearing masks and bottle stores were operating throughout the night.

Gwanda Provincial Hospital acting Medical Superintendent, Dr Blessing Gwarimbo said the positive cases which have been recorded in the town were all symptomatic which meant that they were highly contagious and likely to spread the virus.

State Media

BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) workers are threatening to down tools citing incapacitation and delays in salary payments, a development that is likely to affect the city’s service delivery system.

On Monday, workers under the banner Zimbabwe Urban Councils Workers Union (ZUCWU) convened outside the Bulawayo City Hall to express their concerns over failure by BCC management to address their grievances over poor salaries among other demands.

The least paid BCC worker earns a basic salary of $1 900. According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat), the latest Poverty Datum Line (PDL) for an average family of five stands at $17 244,07.

In July, the Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube admitted that council was struggling to pay its workers and delivering effective service to its residents.

Council’s revenue declined by 80 percent in the past four months.

According to a council report, in March, the local authority managed to collect $15 million but after the declaration of the lockdown, revenue inflows tumbled to $3 million in April.

The chairperson of ZUCWU Bulawayo branch, Mr Ambrose Sibindi said they gave council management a petition expressing their grievances around poor salaries and non-payment of Covid-19 allowances.

He said workers were now incapacitated due to poor salaries.

“As workers we are saying we are now incapacitated because the money that we are getting as workers is now peanuts with the lowest getting $1 900 basic salary. What can you do with $1 900? We wrote our position paper to council on the 28th of August 2020 so that we negotiate and that process is still outstanding,” said Mr Sibindi.

“Council is taking too long because in that position paper we were clear that we were supposed to have salaries reviewed effective September and now we are in mid-November we haven’t agreed on anything and as workers we are fed up and enough is enough.”

Mr Sibindi said workers were also demanding clarity on the issue of their annual bonuses.

“Our employer is not clear on when we are getting our bonuses because naturally, we get bonuses in November and we are just three or four days away from bonus payment date and council hasn’t communicated and we are worried because there is no response,” he said.

Mr Sibindi said council is also failing to honour pay dates with some workers yet to receive their October salaries.

“We demand that council must pay us on the stipulated pay dates which is the 23rd of each month. There is also an issue of staggering and we are saying all workers must be paid on the same day because this is dividing workers, and council is talking advantage of that because there won’t be a collective decision,” he said.

Mr Sibindi said they wrote to council in March demanding Covid-190 allowances and up to now the issue hasn’t been resolved.

“We are aware that the world over and even here in Zimbabwe some organisations are paying their workers Covid-19 allowances. As council workers we are very much exposed to Covid-19. Our argument is that most of our services we deal with the community,” he said.

“We gave the management our petition on Monday and they haven’t responded. We are saying the least paid workers should get at least $18 000. Most of the people in that category are due for retirement and that basic salary will be considered in terms of pension, which means those people will be affected even after work.”

Mr Sibindi said top management enjoys huge perks while the majority of workers were struggling. He said if council delays in addressing their issues, they will be forced to declare incapacitation, affecting service delivery.

Mr Dube, the town clerk, yesterday confirmed having received the petition.

He said low revenue inflows made it difficult for council to meet some of the workers’ demands.

“We received the workers’ petition and we are going to act on those demands that are within our reach, but most of them are beyond capacity of council. We are however, going to have negotiations with all stakeholders until a solution is found,” he said.

“Year 2020 was a very difficult year for council for both employees and residents who are struggling to pay their council dues. We will have no option but to opt for vigorous and tougher ways to force residents to honour their obligations otherwise we sink.”

Revenue inflows into council coffers have been erratic since the country went into lockdown on 30 March.

In a recent report, BCC indicated that it was considering billing residents in foreign currency and has re-adopted selling of residential stands in US dollars. The council said it was no longer sustainable to use local currency as it was losing value and affecting service delivery.

Last month BCC proposed a supplementary budget of $550 792 328 and a 2021 annual budget of $16 billion.

Residents are however, accusing BCC of directing a huge chunk of its resources towards salaries and administration costs at the expense of service delivery.

Civil servants will start getting their annual bonuses this month with the last groups being paid out next month.

The payments are based on the 41 percent salary rise and new allowance agreed on Monday, with those increases with effect from this month, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Professor Paul Mavima said yesterday in a statement on the cost of living adjustment made by the National Joint Negotiations Council (NJNC).

Teachers are now included in the groups getting the 10 percent risk allowance.

In line with previous statements, the minister made it clear that while the Government had to operate within its revenues, it wanted to improve the pay of its employees as fast as its tax revenues rose and had agreed to formalise this process.

Minister Mavima said the council agreed to come up with a roadmap by end of January next year, informed by the National Budget, to continuously review conditions of service with a view to maintaining the value of salaries.

“The agreement that was concluded provides for; an average salary increase of 41 percent of the total package (basic salary, transport, housing, special civil service allowances, representation where applicable), effective from November 1, 2020.

“It also provides for the annual bonus that is inclusive of transport and housing allowances on a staggered basis in November and December 2020. Government prioritises the health and safety of workers in the public sector. It is in this regard that Government awarded a 10 percent Special Covid-19 Risk Allowance to those in the teaching fraternity given the predisposition to Covid-19 in their work environment. Teachers join other frontline staff who were already receiving the Covid-19 Risk Allowance,” Prof Mavima said.

All outstanding issues will be addressed, as negotiations between the employer and employees continue.

“I also note with firm hope that there is an agreement to continue with negotiations with a view to continuously improve conditions of service. As Government, we look forward to the roadmap, which parties to the NJNC are expected to conclude by end of January, 2021.

“I am aware that there are outstanding issues which still need to be finalised and that the parties have agreed to defer them to future negotiations. This is the spirit of negotiations as we must allow public service workers to enjoy some relief whilst parties to the NJNC continue to find convergence on all outstanding issues.”

Prof Mavima said issues like housing are long-term programmes which Government is determined to implement.

Rising gospel artiste Fortunate Siziba has released a tribute song to the murdered for Murewa murdered boy Tapiwa Makore featuring Trevor Dongo.

Simply titled Zvipo, the inspirational song was recorded at Eternity Records, a Macdonald Macdee Chidavaenzi stable in partnership with Dongo and various artistes.

In an interview, Siziba said the song is dedicated to child abuse victims and ritual killings of minors in Zimbabwe and beyond.

“We have seen a number of kids losing their lives and this song talks about this.

“The message has to go out and sink in people’s minds that children are indeed a gift from God, so there is a need to take good care of them than harm them.

“The ritual murder of Tapiwa Makore is something which could have been avoided if people really appreciate how precious these kids are.

“There are a lot of people out there trying to have children but they cannot.”-State media

Ousted MDC-T 2014 Organising Secretary, Abednico Bhebhe, has rubbished his dismissal from the party saying the move was not constitutionally enforceable.

The opposition party’s National Council resolved to expel Bhebhe over allegations of gross violation of the MDC-T’s constitution by supporting another political party other than the MDC T.

His expulsion came after he had attacked party bigwigs, interim leader Thokozani Khupe, acting secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora, acting chairperson Morgen Komichi and former Energy minister Elias Mudzuri during provincial nominations held in Bulawayo recently.

Speaking to NewsDay,  Bhebhe said that his expulsion was not enforceable at law. He said:

I am not aware of any constitutional and legally enforceable expulsion except what I read in the Press.

Bhebhe was expelled ahead of the party’s Supreme Court-sanctioned Extraordinary Congress scheduled for December.

Meanwhile, Mwonzora has since defended Bhebhe’s expulsion saying the National Council acted above board in accordance with the law.
-NewsDay

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti has said Zimbabwe has gone to the dogs as a result of violation of human rights by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.

The hard-hitting MDC Alliance deputy president described Mr Mnangagwa as a heartless man.

“Mr Mnangagwa and his many children slept peacefully last night.They slept like babies .

Somewhere in lice -infested Chikurubi Hopewell struggled to sleep on a hard cold concrete floor.

The abuse of human rights and the Mnangagwa tragedy must end soon . #FreeHopwellNow #ZimbabweanLivesMatter

The denial of bail to Hopewell, his incarceration and abuse reflects the brutality , ruthlessness and incorrigibility of Mnangagwa.

Zim now finds itself in the hands of paranoid psychotic predatory renegades without shame or elasticity.

We have truly gone to the dogs,” Hon Biti wrote on Twitter.