PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday mourned the death of long-serving Director of State Occasions in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Ambassador Evelyn Kawonza, saying she was a humble and hardworking public servant.
Ambassador Kawonza died on Friday after a long illness.
In a statement, the President consoled the Kawonza family over the death of the accomplished diplomat.
“The death of Ambassador Evelyne Kawonza following a long period of illness has robbed our nation of a long-serving civil servant and a loyal and diligent Ambassador,” he said.
“A long-time Director of State Occasions in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Ambassador Kawonza belonged to a pioneering crop of civil servants who shaped and manned our Government systems from Independence in 1980 when the country suffered from a dearth of skills in the civil service.”
President Mnangagwa said Ambassador Kawonza served the country diligently.
“She served the Government without blemish, a proud record which saw her rise through the ranks until she became Zimbabwe’s Ambassador in different parts of the world for more than a decade.
“A distinguished farmer, Ambassador Kawonza would cut a name for herself as a prominent potato seed producer in Mashonaland West where she farmed,” he said.
The President said after defending the Land Reform Programme in Western capitals during her tenure as a diplomat, Ambassador Kawonza proceeded to demonstrate what the new indigenous farmers could do once given access to their heritage.
“We have lost a humble civil servant and a hardworking citizen who believed in her own country and served it wholeheartedly and with honesty.
“On behalf of the Government, my family and on my own behalf, I wish to express my deepest condolences to the Kawonza family who have lost their loved one.
“May they derive solace from the distinguished public career of the dear departed, and the high regard in which our nation held her.
Publishing identities of members of security services, including names of confidential informants and sources, will soon be criminalised under new provisions that will be added to the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, adopted by Cabinet last week.
Cabinet approved seven broad amendments to the law which make unauthorised private negotiations of a foreign relations nature between citizens and foreign governments illegal.
Making false statements with the intention of influencing any dispute between Zimbabwe and a foreign government will also be outlawed.
The proposed amendments seek to broaden criminal acts against the State.
A memorandum on principles of the proposed amendments tabled in Cabinet by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi recommending the changes effectively vests negotiations with foreign governments solely under the exclusive ambit of the State.
Minister Ziyambi told The Sunday Mail that Government had elected to introduce the changes through amending an already existing law instead of crafting a new one, which could take longer.
“It is easier (to amend an existing law) because in the code we already have crimes against the State and this is one of them,” said Minister Ziyambi.
Legislation to protect the identities of security services personnel is common in most jurisdictions, including the United States.
The US Congress passed the Intelligence Identities Protection Act in 1982, which criminalises the unauthorised disclosure of information that exposes covert US intelligence agents.
The law was passed in response to concerns of members of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees “about the systematic effort by a small group of Americans, including some former intelligence agency employees, to disclose the names of covert intelligence agents”.
The Act prescribes punishment for disclosing the identities of covert agents with increasing severity according to the level of access to classified information the offender exploited.
The country could soon have a similarly crafted law once amendments sail through Parliament and are signed into law by the President.
“In the process of reviewing the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, it has been further identified that the current provisions do not cater for the protection from publication of the identity of members the security services, including informants and sources,” reads the Cabinet memorandum in part.
“Furthermore, it is proposed that Section 30 be amended to include the act of publication of the identity of members of the security services, including that of informants and sources as an offence of causing disaffection of officials.
“It is further proposed that “informants” and “sources” also be defined in terms of the Act.”
Some political activists have of late been using social media to publish the identities of security services personnel to suit their political agenda.
Negotiations
Justifying the proposed changes in the memorandum, Minister Ziyambi said the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) only recognises states as legitimate players in foreign relations and negotiations.
He argued that some private citizens were wilfully misinforming foreign governments in order to gain self-favour and discredit the Government.
Citizens will, however, not be prohibited from seeking redress for harm suffered from foreign governments.
Reads the memorandum: “It is proposed that the Act be amended to include the following provisions which criminalise conduct that falls within the following broad categories: Unauthorised private negotiations engaged in by citizens of Zimbabwe with a foreign government which directly or indirectly relates to the country’s foreign relations and policy with other sovereign nations.
“The law should be restricted to private negotiations that impact on the promotion and protection of the national interests of Zimbabwe, including its foreign policy agenda, but not negotiations by citizens on matters of purely private commercial interests.”
Provisions of the new law would avoid taking away the rights of individual citizens seeking redress for harm suffered as a result of conduct by a foreign sovereign government, its agents or citizens.
Citizen’s involvement in State-level diplomacy, added Minister Ziyambi, was now a source of chaos to the national interest and undermines the country’s foreign policy agenda.
“Zimbabwe, as many other countries, has not been spared from the malaise of isolated citizens or groupings, cooperating or conniving with certain hostile foreign governments to inflict suffering on its citizens, Government and generally its national interests.
“These self-appointed individuals are not shy to speak with indecent haste against their own country on issues of foreign relations without bothering to verify facts or engage domestic authorities.
“A substantial number wilfully misinform foreign governments in order to gain self-favour and discredit the Government. . .
“What is absent in our law are specific provisions that prescribe or criminalise the unauthorised communication or negotiation by private citizens with foreign sovereign governments that have a direct or indirect implication on Zimbabwe’s foreign relations and policy.”
Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs chairperson Mr Misheck Mataranyika said the law will engender patriotism.
“It is a delayed law, honestly, because it is an inherent thing that everyone should be patriotic to their country,” said Mr Mataranyika.
“If someone calls for the imposition of sanctions then they should be punished accordingly.”
Having noted the diplomatic chaos that comes with private citizens having unauthorised negotiations with foreign governments, the US government passed the Logan Act in 1799.
It specifically prohibits citizens from negotiating with other nations on behalf of the United States without authorisation and makes it a crime for a citizen to confer with foreign governments against the interests of the United States.
Several local opposition politicians and prominent civil society leaders have often been accused of engaging hostile foreign governments to adopt an antagonistic posture towards Harare.
The United States government unilaterally imposed harsh economic sanctions on Zimbabwe at the turn of the millennium at the instigation of leaders in the opposition and civic society.
The sanctions, which have continued to be renewed annually, have wreaked havoc on the country’s economy, with Zimbabwe now ineligible for balance of payment support and affordable loans from international finance institutions.
Some opposition leaders have become permanent features at the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, where they constantly campaign for further sanctions against the country.
Whistleblower website — Wikileaks — has also outed dalliances between some local politicians and officials at the US embassy in Harare, with one politician requesting US military intervention in Zimbabwe in order to facilitate an illegal change of Government.
JOHANNESBURG – The Democratic Alliance’s (DA) federal congress has elected John Steenhuisen as the party’s new leader.
Steenhuisen had been acting in the position following a tumultuous period, which saw the DA lose its leader when Mmusi Maimane resigned in October 2019.
Steenhuisen was competing for the top job against former youth leader Mbali Ntuli.
It was a clean sweep for Steenhuisen as he secured an 80% win to lead the country’s official opposition party. Presiding officers announced that 88.6% of the delegates cast their votes in the internal poll.
The results also saw Helen Zille being elected as the federal council chairperson.
Meanwhile, Steenhuisen also delivered his acceptance speech, saying he never imagined being elected leader of the party.
“I’ve fought to fix potholes when I was a councillor. I fought to expose corruption when I was a member of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature. I’ve held presidents accountable as a Member of Parliament, But never in my wildest imagination did I think that one day I would be a leader of this great party of ours,” Steenhuisen said.
List of DA’s new leadership:
• Federal leader: John Steenhuisen
• Chairperson of the federal council: Helen Zille
• Deputy chairperson of the federal council: James Masango
• Deputy chairperson of the federal council: Thomas Walters
• Federal chairperson: Dr Ivan Meyer
• First deputy federal chairperson: Refiloe Nt’sekhe
• Second deputy federal chairperson: Anton Bredell
• Third deputy federal chairperson: Jacques Smalle
PROMINENT Kwekwe lawyer, Liberty Mashanyare has been arrested for allegedly obstructing the course of justice after he allegedly instructed his client to dispose fuel that was meant to be used as an exhibit by the State.
Mashanyare (35) reportedly ordered Asif Kurawely, the director of Arman Puma Service Station to dispose 20 00 litres of diesel meant to be used as exhibit by the State.
The diesel had been fraudulently acquired from Harare and investigations were still underway.
Mashanyare has since been arraigned before Gweru Magistrate Mrs Magret Mukucha and was granted $5 000 bail.
He will be back in court on November 30.
The State alleges that Mashanyare of Mavhiringidze and Mashanyare Legal Practitioners directed Asif Kurawley, director of Puma Service Station to dispose 20 000 liters of diesel which was fraudulently acquired despite knowing that it was meant to be used as an exhibit by the police.
Kurawely allegedly fraudulently acquired the diesel from Onismas Kufazvinei of Phoenix Oil Pot Limited in Harare.
A report of fraud was reported at ZRP Kwekwe Central by Christine Matizha, who represented Phoenix Oil Pot against Kufazvinei.
On October 1, a warrant of search and seizure for the diesel was granted by Kwekwe Magistrate Mrs Florence Nago.
On October 3, detectives from CID Kwekwe served the warrant of search and seizure on Kurawely and advised him not to dispose the diesel as it was an exhibit.
On October 9, Kurawely through his lawyer Mashanyare, made an application for cancellation of the warrant for search and seizure.
The application was heard at Kwekwe Magistrate’s Courts and was reportedly dismissed.
On October 20, the accused person allegedly wrote a correspondence to Kurawely copied to the police advising him to dispose the diesel.
This prompted detectives to visit Arman Puma Services Station where they discovered that the diesel had been sold on the accused person’s directive.
This led to Mashanyare arrest and his subsequent appearance in court.
Ms Namatirai Chipere represented the State while Mr Valentine Mutatu and Davison Mujaya represented the accused person.
Police are worried that Tafadzwa Shamba (40), the prime suspect and witness in the ritual murder of seven-year-old Tapiwa Makore (Junior), could be leading investigators on a wild goose chase owing to his suspected mental condition.
Exactly 46 days since the murder took place, police are still to conclude investigations on account of Shamba’s “unreliable” and “incoherent evidence”.
There have also been inordinate delays in releasing the results of forensic tests done on dismembered body parts recovered near the crime scene.
Police detectives recovered a torso and legs, which are believed to belong to the deceased, and submitted them for DNA tests to ascertain whether or not they belong to the minor.
A head — believed to be of another minor — was also discovered in the same village, but there are, however, indications it could have been exhumed from a grave.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they were expecting DNA test results soon.
He said police were increasingly concerned about Shamba’s incoherent statements.
Shamba has admitted to beheading Tapiwa with the help of his employer, Tapiwa Makore (Senior), who is the boy’s uncle.
“The investigations are going on and we are waiting for the DNA test results, because that will determine our next step,” he said.
“But we are concerned with Shamba’s mental state. He appears to act normally sometimes and at times it appears as if he is trying to mislead investigations. We are, however, doing everything within our power to conclude this investigation as soon as possible.”
Traditional custom prohibits the Makore family from interring the boy’s remains with his head unaccounted for, leaving them in a quandary.
Family spokesperson Ms Beulah Musupai said the family would wait for the investigations to be concluded.
“So far, we are waiting for the police, whom we last spoke to on Tuesday and they said they are still investigating,” said Ms Musupai.
“We were told that the DNA test results will be released to the police, who will in turn hand them over to us after concluding investigations.
“As a family, we are just waiting, there is nothing more we can do at the moment. We will wait to hear from the police.”
Tapiwa’s father, Mr Munyaradzi Makore, told our sister paper The Herald last week that the family would consider burying the deceased without the head if forensic tests confirm that the torso is indeed his.
“We have paid US$330 and we hope to pay the balance on collection of the results. The results will determine the burial date,” he said.
“If the torso is indeed his, then we may proceed to bury the available parts of the body, but it is strange.
As first lady my duty is first and foremost to Zimbabwe as a nation. I serve each and every Zimbabwean whole heartedly and selflessly. I serve the interests of my nation and not any individual. I do not engage in illegal narrow minded pursuits like gold smuggling.
I have no dealings nor involvement with Miss Henrietta Rushwaya of any illegal kind. I am challenging the Police through their relevant office to issue a statement with regards the utterances by one officer during her arrest that falsely implicated me and my son Collins.
I am a strong advocate for transparency and honesty and any continued silence by the police can be misconstrued as a cover up. If there is any incriminating evidence against me I challenge the police to present it to the nation without fear or favour. If there be none I also challenge the police to say so.
I will not be dissuaded from working for those who need my help in both rural and urban areas. I will also support totally all anti corruption activities regardless of the many malicious attacks clearly designed to cow me from supporting them. I stand firm on my principles.
It pains me that my son who is hard working and an obedient son, is being attacked for no reason other than being a member of the first family. He is a hard working person and strives to improve himself day by day. As a mother I am proud of his work ethic and encourage him not be affected by malicious rumours.
I am an advocate for peace and love and work hard at helping those who I can. I am greatly aggravated by the continuation of these false stories and claims. However, I remain unshaken and will continue to serve my nation in its entirety to the best of my ability.
MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe has suspended her party’s national organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe after he exposed alleged plans to manipulate the forthcoming extraordinary congress to choose a new leader.
A standing committee meeting recommended Bhebhe’s suspension after he sided with MDC Alliance members Gilbert Kagodora and Nason Mamuse, who want the High Court to force Khupe to release key information about the crucial event.
Bhebhe was served with a suspension letter last week, well-placed sources said. MDC-T interim secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora yesterday professed ignorance about the suspension.
“I don’t know about that yet, you can ask the president, what I know is, she wanted to suspend him,” Mwonzora said.
Khupe and the party’s spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni were not available for comment.
Bhebhe did not respond to questions sent to him.
In court papers supporting Kagodora and Mamuse, the former Nkayi South MP claimed Khupe had blown $7 million given to the party under the Political Parties (Finance) Act.
He also claimed Khupe and Mwonzora were making decisions about the congress without the approval of the national council as per the party’s constitution.
The extraordinary congress was ordered by the Supreme Court, which ruled that MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa’s succession of the late MDC founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai was illegal.
Meanwhile, Mwonzora disclosed that the MDC-T had repossessed Morgan Tsvangirai House, that had been taken over by party youths who accused the Khupe group of working with Zanu-PF.
The youths were led by suspended Harare MDC-T provincial youth chairperson Paul Gorekore,
A Harare magistrare court granted the MDC-T the go-ahead to regain possession of the building.
“We are going to hold a press conference from Harvest House this Monday (tomorrow),” Mwonzora said.
Insiders said the youths, who had been at the building for weeks, were forced to give up because they had run out of food provisions.
MDC-T youths led by Shakespeare Mukoyi are said to have taken control of the building last week.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has promulgated Statutory Instrument 261 which stipulates the benefits to be enjoyed by former first ladies.
In Zimbabwe, however, there is no official title for a first lady. The country currently has two first ladies, Janet Banana, wife of the late ceremonial president Canaan Banana [1980-87] and Grace Mugabe, Robert Mugabe’s widow.
The benefits, to be paid for by taxpayers, of course, are as follows:
such security personnel as may be determined by the President but not less than two, and to be increased by such number as may be determined by the President whenever, and for such period, as the need arises
one driver
one Private Secretary
one aide-de-camp officer or personal assistant
office accommodation as may be determined by the President
a landline telephone and a cell phone
one computer
such other office facilities, equipment and materials as may be determined by the President.
suitable state residential accommodation
one domestic employee
one gardener
one cook and one waiter
An allowance covering medical contributions of the spouse of the former President
a diplomatic passport
business class air and rail private travel within Zimbabwe, if available up to a maximum of two trips per annum
business class international air private travel up to a maximum of two trips per annum
one sedan (Mercedes Benz E300 Series) or one four-wheel-drive station wagon or an equivalent or similar class of motor vehicle
one pick-up van
such number of motor vehicles as may be determined by the President must be put at the disposal of the security personnel and other staff serving the spouse of a former President
fuel as may be determined by the President from time to time
maintenance of vehicles referred to in paragraph 6(a)
which cost of maintenance shall be borne by the Government
replacement vehicles every five years
an entertainment allowance as determined by the President from time to time
telephone expenses in respect of the office and official residence of the spouse of the former President
water and electricity exemption in respect of the office and official residence of the former spouse of a former President
Warriors coach Zdravko Logarusic has praised his Algerian counterpart, Djamel Belmadi, saying he has much respect for the gaffer.
The two coaches will come against each other next month in the 2021 Afcon qualifiers, with the first encounter happening on November 12, in Algiers before meeting again in Harare four days later.
In an interview with Radio Algeria International, Logarusic said he is impressed by the Desert Foxes’ performances under Belmadi and even picked the gaffer as his best coach at the 2019 FIFA Awards.
“I voted for him to be voted the best FIFA coach of the year,” the Croatian said. “He had good results, he made a good team with good chemistry, and he does not need to talk about it, because his results speak for themselves.
“I take this opportunity to congratulate him for the work that he does with the Algerian national team. I respect that”
Algeria last lost a match in October 2018, a 0-1 defeat to Benin in an Afcon 2019 qualifier in Cotonou. The team went on to win the tournament in Egypt and have started the 2021 qualifying campaign on high, thrashing Zambia 5-0 before edging Botswana 1-0 in Group H.-Soccer 24
Zambian league side Nkana Football Club have confirmed the signing of Zimbabwean goalkeeper Tabelt Shumba.
The big goalkeeper, who was on the books of army side Chapungu, joins the Zambian side on a season long deal.
“Ladies and gentlemen, our latest addition to the goal keeping department, TALBERT SHUMBA. The Zimbabwean international joins us from Chapungu United FC on a season long contract,” announced the club via a statement.
Nkana is also home to Zimbabwean defender Jimmy Dzingai.
Shumba was between the sticks for the Warriors in the international friendly against Malawi and had a brilliant show.-Soccer 24
ZANU PF leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa’s wife has threatened a police officer who named her for gold smuggling in the case against former ZIFA boss Henrietta Rushwaya who was last week arrested at RGM airport with a bag full of 6kg uncleared gold.
She said ” I am challenging the Police through their relevant office to issue a statement with regards the utterances by one officer during her arrest that falsely implicated me and my son Collins.”
Below was Auxillia’s full statement.
As first lady my duty is first and foremost to Zimbabwe as a nation. I serve each and every Zimbabwean whole heartedly and selflessly. I serve the interests of my nation and not any individual. I do not engage in illegal narrow minded pursuits like gold smuggling.
I have no dealings nor involvement with Miss Henrietta Rushwaya of any illegal kind. I am challenging the Police through their relevant office to issue a statement with regards the utterances by one officer during her arrest that falsely implicated me and my son Collins.
I am a strong advocate for transparency and honesty and any continued silence by the police can be misconstrued as a cover up. If there is any incriminating evidence against me I challenge the police to present it to the nation without fear or favour. If there be none I also challenge the police to say so.
I will not be dissuaded from working for those who need my help in both rural and urban areas. I will also support totally all anti corruption activities regardless of the many malicious attacks clearly designed to cow me from supporting them. I stand firm on my principles.
It pains me that my son who is hard working and an obedient son, is being attacked for no reason other than being a member of the first family. He is a hard working person and strives to improve himself day by day. As a mother I am proud of his work ethic and encourage him not be affected by malicious rumours.
I am an advocate for peace and love and work hard at helping those who I can. I am greatly aggravated by the continuation of these false stories and claims. However, I remain unshaken and will continue to serve my nation in its entirety to the best of my ability.
Farai Dziva|President Nelson Chamisa has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration consists of clueless dealers who have dismally failed to transform the country’s economy.
The MDC Alliance is determined to address basic issues affecting ordinary citizens, according to President Chamisa.
See President Chamisa’s statement below:
“A NEW ZIMBABWE will only be possible with NEW POLITICS .
Nothing short of a cultural revolution, structural reset, system overhaul, infrastructure revamp and strategy rethink will set our country on a new trajectory.
Vision not division will make that miracle come true.
Leaders not dealers and rulers can only make this happen.
Planning not plotting will prosper our country.Love not hate will take us there.
Gautrain expansion plan links Soweto to Johannesburg. Bullet trains are a reality in our lifetime.
Bulawayo to Harare in 2 hours is doable in our lifetime.Yes we will address all basics -water, food, employment, education and health and yes we will bring bullet trains and Spaghetti roads to the people.”
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance has stepped up efforts to empower and equip rural women with essential skills for survival.
Speaking in Zvimba, Mashonaland West Province on Saturday, MDC Alliance Women’s Assembly chairlady, Hon Muchirairwa Mugidho bemoaned the persecution of rural women by Zanu PF. Hon Mugidho made the remarks an event held to celebrate International Rural Women’s Day.
In a statement released yesterday, MDC Alliance Mashonaland West said the International Rural Women’s commemoration event was successful:
Wow! The women have done it again.Yes the #International RuralWomens Day was held today in Zvimba West.
Zanu and it’s hell’s angels tried painstakingly to scuttle the event but the people stood up and defended the movement.
The MDC Alliance National Organising Sec Hon Chibaya,Women Assembly Chair Mama Mgidho and other National members graced the event.PC Magunje attended together with the members of his PAC.
Hundreds of women attended.They danced and sang.Modelling was part of the days proceedings and made the day colourful.
There was also food competitions among other competitions.
The women enjoyed themselves as they sang ,danced and ate their hearts out.
Indeed it was a beautiful day for the beautiful people who are the bedrock of our Struggle.
Here are seven steps you can take to navigate this wave of information and decide who and what to trust:
Assess the source
Who shared the information with you and where did they get it from? Even if it is friends or family, you still need to vet their source. To check for fake social media accounts, look at how long profiles have been active, their number of followers and their most recent posts. For websites, check the “About Us” and “Contact Us” pages to look for background information and legitimate contact details.
When it comes to images or videos, make it a habit to verify their authenticity.
For images, you can use reverse image search tools provided by Google and TinEye. For videos, you can use Amnesty International’s YouTube DatViewer, which extracts thumbnails that you can enter into reverse image search tools.
Other clues that a source may be unreliable or inaccurate include unprofessional visual design, poor spelling and grammar, or excessive use of all caps or exclamation points.
Go beyond headlines
Headlines may be intentionally sensational or provocative to get high numbers of clicks. Read more than just the headline of an article – go further and look at the entire story. Search more widely than social media for information – look at print sources such as newspapers and magazines, and digital sources such as podcasts and online news sites. Diversifying your sources allows you to get a better picture of what is or is not trustworthy.
Identify the author
Search the author’s name online to see if they are real or credible.
Check the date
When you come across information, ask yourself these questions: Is this a recent story? Is it up to date and relevant to current events? Has a headline, image or statistic been used out of context?
Examine the supporting evidence
Credible stories back up their claims with facts – for example, quotes from experts or links to statistics or studies. Verify that experts are reliable and that links actually support the story
Check your biases
We all have biases, and these factor into how we view what’s happening around us. Evaluate your own biases and why you may have been drawn to a particular headline or story. What is your interpretation of it? Why did you react to it that way? Does it challenge your assumptions or tell you what you want to hear? What did you learn about yourself from your interpretation or reaction?
Turn to fact-checkers
When in doubt, consult trusted fact-checking organizations, such as the International Fact-Checking Network and global news outlets focused on debunking misinformation, including the Associated Press and Reuters.
Information, misinformation and disinformation
Information is what we call things that are accurate to the best of our current knowledge. For instance, COVID-19 stands for coronavirus disease 2019 and is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. One of the difficulties with any new pathogen, like this coronavirus, is that information changes over time as we learn more about the science.
Misinformation, on the other hand, is false information.
Importantly, it is false information that was not created with the intention of hurting others. Misinformation is often started by someone who genuinely wants to understand a topic and cares about keeping other people safe and well. It is then shared by others who feel the same.
Everyone believes they are sharing good information – but unfortunately, they are not. And depending on what is being shared, the misinformation can turn out to be quite harmful.
At the other end of the spectrum is disinformation. Unlike misinformation, this is false information created with the intention of profiting from it or causing harm. That harm could be to a person, a group of people, an organization or even a country. Disinformation generally serves some agenda and can be dangerous. During this pandemic, we are seeing it used to try to erode our trust in each other and in our government and public institutions.
How to navigate misinformation and disinformation
It helps to think of misinformation and disinformation spreading in the same way as viruses. One person might share fake news with their friends and family, and then a handful of them share it with more of their friends and family, and before you know it, potentially harmful or dangerous information is taking over everyone’s newsfeed.
But just as we can protect against COVID-19 with hand washing, physical distancing and masks, we can slow down the spread of misinformation and disinformation by practising some information hygiene. Before sharing something, ask yourself these questions:
How does this make me feel?
Why am I sharing this?
How do I know if it’s true?
Where did it come from?
Whose agenda might I be supporting by sharing it?
If you know something is false, or if it makes you angry, don’t share it to debunk it or make fun of it. That just spreads the misinformation or disinformation further. Learn more about how you can report misinformation online.
Good places to go for reliable information are the websites of your national Ministry of Health or the World Health Organization. Remember, though: information will change as we learn more about the virus.
What WHO is doing
WHO has developed guidance to help individuals, community leaders, governments and the private sector understand some key actions they can take to manage the COVID-19 infodemic.
For instance, WHO has been working closely with more than 50 digital companies and social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitch, Snapchat, Pinterest, Google, Viber, WhatsApp and YouTube, to ensure that science-based health messages from the organization or other official sources appear first when people search for information related to COVID-19. WHO has also partnered with the Government of the United Kingdom on a digital campaign to raise awareness of misinformation around COVID-19 and encourage individuals to report false or misleading content online. In addition, WHO is creating tools to amplify public health messages – including its WHO Health Alert chatbot, available on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Viber – to provide the latest news and information on how individuals can protect themselves and others from COVID-19.
Source: World Health Organization
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information follow /like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
Farai Dziva|President Nelson Chamisa has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration consists of clueless dealers who have dismally failed to transform the country’s economy.
The MDC Alliance is determined to address basic issues affecting ordinary citizens, according to President Chamisa.
See President Chamisa’s statement below:
“A NEW ZIMBABWE will only be possible with NEW POLITICS .
Nothing short of a cultural revolution, structural reset, system overhaul, infrastructure revamp and strategy rethink will set our country on a new trajectory.
Vision not division will make that miracle come true.
Leaders not dealers and rulers can only make this happen.
Planning not plotting will prosper our country.Love not hate will take us there.
Gautrain expansion plan links Soweto to Johannesburg. Bullet trains are a reality in our lifetime.
Bulawayo to Harare in 2 hours is doable in our lifetime.Yes we will address all basics -water, food, employment, education and health and yes we will bring bullet trains and Spaghetti roads to the people.”
By Dorrothy Moyo | When a person gets infected with a Novichok agent loss of bodyweight is the first sign. The agent attacks the nervous system and stops chemical messages getting around the body, and some of the symptoms that may appear as a result of poisoning with Novichok include: Nausea and vomiting, Headache, Disordered mental state, Blurred/painful vision, Involuntary faecal incontinence.
Many Zimbabweans in the last 2 weeks have passed suggestions that Zimbabwe’s most prominent female politican, Oppah Muchinguri was poisoned.
The public allegations come at a time when several leading war veterans and military generals have died mysteriously since the 28th July 2020. One of the ‘victims’ is the coup general Perrance Shiri who is rumoured to have been poisoned.
By A Correspondent- Police stormed Harare City Council chambers to stop the city fathers from passing a resolution that would have seen suspended executives returning to work as fears of government interference in the operations of the local authority mount.
The dramatic swoop on October 26 saw 21 councillors and journalists being arrested during a full council meeting and they were taken to Harare Central Police Station.
Some senior government officials on social media were quick to link the arrests to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s anticorruption fight, but fresh details show that it was Harare Provincial Affairs minister Oliver Chidawu flexing his muscles.
Chidawu is said to have received information that council would adopt a report by its human resources committee paving the way for suspended directors to return to work.
The 25 officials include human capital director Matthew Marara, town clerk Hosea Chisango and director of housing and community services Admore Nhekairo.
Unbeknown to Chidawu and the police, councillors had agreed to put the report aside. This followed a meeting between MDC-T councillors and the minister.
The raid happened when councillors were rounding up the business of the day.
“There was a meeting recently with the minister and he was angry about the (human resources committee) report,” said a councillor, who requested to remain anonymous.
“We withdrew that report and these people came with a view that we wanted to bring back ‘thieves’ to council.”
Chidawu is said to have read the riot act to the MDC-T councillors during the meeting that preceded the police raid.
The councillors are said to have been told that the move to reinstate the suspended officials was driven by the fear that the local authority might incur losses arising from labour disputes.
“The report stated that those with bail conditions that would allow them back at work could be left to come back to work,” said another councillor.
Chidawu, sources said, was also told that council was still paying a former finance director, who was fired last year because his case was yet to be finalised by the Local Government Board.
Harare deputy mayor Luckson Mukunguma, who was chairing the full council meeting, was spared the embarrassment of being dragged to the police station after he temporarily left the chamber before the police pounced.
Mukunguma went to the police station on his own and was asked by the police to announce to his colleagues that they had been released without any charges being laid against them.
He confirmed to The Standard that police wanted to arrest them over the report by the human resources committee.
“They wanted to arrest us for a crime they thought we were going to commit,” Mukunguma said.
The journalists were released following the intervention of Misa Zimbabwe lawyer Chris Mhike.
“The police did not disclose any reason for the detention that the journalists had to endure for about three hours,” Mhike told Misa Zimbabwe.
Mnangagwa’s government says it is working to weed out corruption in local authorities and has so far only targeted councils controlled by the opposition MDC Alliance.-standard
By A Correspondent| Following First lady Auxillia Mnangagwa’s statement distancing herself from the former ZIFA Chief Executive Officer Henrietta Rushwaya gold smuggling saga, the police have also issued their own statement claiming to have completed investigations which they said exonerated President Mnangagwa’s wife.
The police said the person who implicated Auxillia, Gift Karanda was lying with intend to defeat the course of justice.
By A Correspodent- The Government has scrapped Value Added Tax (VAT) on the tourism industry as it moves to drum up support for the recently launched domestic tourism campaign meant to encourage locals to visit tourist attractions in the country.
In doing away with the levy, the Government also unveiled the ZIMBHO promotion which is part of a raft of measures being implemented in reviving the tourism sector which was hard hit by effects of Covid-19. As the pandemic ravaged, tourism spaces were closed and it spelt doom for the industry that was highly reliant on foreign visitors.
At least 80 percent of Zimbabwe’s tourism activity, as noted by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) is done by international tourists. The industry now pins hope on the local travel enthusiast. Fronted by the ZTA, the removal of VAT and the ZIMBHO campaign came at a time when the Government presented its master strategy of reviving tourism with the National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy.
Hopes are high that if locals engage in travel and tour, the $5 billion tourism economy will be achieved in five years.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign on Thursday in Kariba, Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Nqobizitha Ndlovu said the initiative was meant to boost the economy through the tourism sector. For the initiative to yield results, he said the Government has exempted VAT on all tourism services for domestic tourists.
“To support this campaign, the Government has exempted VAT on all tourism services for domestic tourists in a bid to reduce the prices being charged on tourism products and services. Government will continue looking at ways to make tourism affordable to the nationals and expects to see such incentives actually translating to price reductions in the sector for the benefit of the domestic market. In removing the VAT the Government had hoped that there will be a corresponding reduction in the cost of hospitality Institutions.”
He said the campaign and other measures put in place will ensure growth in the sector.
“The broad campaign is aimed at encouraging the growth of tourism through participation of Zimbabweans. This comes at a time when His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Dr ED Mnangagwa launched the National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy in which we were challenged to achieve a $5 billion Tourism Economy by year 2025.”
Minister Ndlovu said domestic tourism was at the centre of the sector’s recovery.
“One of the key pillars of this Recovery and Growth Strategy is the promotion of Domestic Tourism,” he said.
The idea behind the campaign, according to the Minister, was copied from countries where domestic tourism has been a success.
“In the past, before the Covid-19 pandemic, destinations that were deemed successful the world over were supported heavily by their domestic market constituting more than 60 percent of business. While all destinations compete for International Tourism as it brings in new money into the economy, domestic tourism assists in inducing expenditure and circulating wealth in the economy.
“Furthermore, domestic tourists become destination ambassadors, assisting in promoting the destination and also encouraging international tourists who are usually keen to visit areas visited by locals. Domestic tourism further expands the value chain and helps in building national pride at the same time promoting national understanding among locals,” he said.
Minister Ndlovu said in the past domestic tourism has been on the low as most tourists are of foreign origin. The nation, he said, needed to rally behind the campaign so as to achieve set goals.
“In the past decades the tourism industry has been characterised by low participation of locals. Let me hasten to say that Domestic Business Tourism has been active as it constituted above 80 percent of tourism activity in Zimbabwe in all regions except Victoria Falls which was dominated by foreign tourists.”
ZTA spokesperson Mr Godfrey Koti said the future of tourism was in domestic tourism.
“We continue to call upon our people to appreciate the beauty of our country. Let us travel and explore more. With the launch of the #Vakatsha ZIMBHO campaign, we see the industry picking up. It is a matter of restoring the sector and making sure citizens are ambassadors of the country’s tourism destinations,” said Mr Koti.
The Government invited the private sector to be part of the campaign according to Minister Ndlovu.
“As Government, we have opened up areas for tourism development to allow for product innovation and diversification in the form of cultural tourism, recreational areas and resort developments. Some of the areas earmarked for these developments include but are not limited to, Tugwi Mukosi, Kanyemba, Osborne Dam, Binga and Kariba. These are some of the initiatives that are being taken by the Government and require support from the private sector in implementation in order to grow our domestic tourism,” said Minister Ndlovu.
Minister Ndlovu said the campaign is the first step towards creating demand for the existing tourism products and services.
The issue of pricing of tourism products remains a major issue that Minister Ndlovu said must be looked at.
“I remain totally concerned that the rates charged by the hotels and lodges in Zimbabwe are still very high. I urge the industry to take stock of what is happening elsewhere, particularly in neighbouring countries and review prices downwards. It is disturbing that an average breakfast costs US$25 or more in our hotels. That’s the price of a goat! Surely that cannot be justified regardless of even the much touted “high cost of doing business” argument. I urge the hospitality sector to focus on volumes rather than high margins,” fumed Minister Ndlovu.
A tourism business owner told Sunday News that the ZIMBHO campaign will only be a success if all the country’s destinations were well marketed.
“There is more that this country has for tourism. It is not only Victoria Falls. People must be presented with choices of places to visit. The better we tell stories of other places that are not popular, the more our people will be encouraged to travel,” said Mr Langton Masunda, a safari operator in the Gwayi Conservancy in Matabeleland North.-DailyNews
By A Correspondent- First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has refuted reports that have linked her and her son Collins to the gold baroness, Henrietta Rushwaya.
Rushwaya was arrested on Monday last week at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport while attempting to smuggle 6kgs of gold to Dubai.
During Rushwaya’s arrest, one of the officers reportedly implicated Mnangagwa and her son Collins in the gold-smuggling syndicate.
In a statement, the First Lady said she does not engage in gold smuggling and she also challenged police to issue a statement regarding her alleged links with Rushwaya. The statement read in part:
I have no dealings nor involvement with Miss Henrietta Rushwaya of any illegal kind.
I am challenging the Police through their relevant office to issue a statement
I am a strong advocate for transparency and honesty and any continued silence by the police can be misconstrued as a cover-up.
If there is any incriminating evidence against me I challenge the police to present it to the nation without fear or favour. If there be none I also challenge the police to say so.
… It pains me that my son who is hardworking and an obedient son is being attacked for no reason other than being a member of the first family.
He is a hard-working person and strives to improve himself day by day. As a mother, I am proud of his work ethic and encourage him not to be affected by malicious rumours.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- An associate of Zimbabwe Miners Federation president Henrietta Rushwaya implicated first lady Auxillia Mnangagwa and her twin son, Collins, after Rushwaya was arrested for gold smuggling on Monday, it has emerged.
An internal police memo seen by ZimLive says after Rushwaya’s arrest at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport with 6kg of gold in her handbag, Gift Karanda tried to intercede on her behalf.
Karanda, 44, allegedly told police officers that the gold Rushwaya was carrying “belonged to the First Lady and one Collins, a son to the First Family who was supposed to have brought it but due to other commitments had requested Rushwaya to transport it on his behalf.”
Collins, who was previously linked to a Covid-19 procurement scandal involving US$60 million, has denied the claims to friends, a source told ZimLive.
In the National Assembly on Thursday, Zanu-PF MP Pupurai Togarepi stood up to deny that Rushwaya was related to President Mnangagwa, a claim made in the House of Lords in the United Kingdom on Tuesday.
Togarepi fumed: “Why is Lord Peter Hain lying, who lied to him that Henrietta Rushwaya is President Mnangagwa’s niece? Is there anything honourable in parroting and reproducing falsehoods from social media platforms in the so-called House of Lords, perhaps House of Lies?
“In his ignorance, Hain insinuates that what Henrietta Rushwaya did had the blessings of the President. What a load of rubbish from a supposed Lord.”
Police on Thursday confirmed the arrest of six people, including Karanda, who allegedly misrepresented that he was a Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operative.
Karanda, whose business address is listed as the Zimbabwe Miners Federation in the police memo, is being charged for defeating or obstructing the course of justice.
Police also confirmed the arrests of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s security aide Stephen Chenjerai Tserayi, 45, CIO operative Raphios Mufandauya, 37, and 52-year-old Pakistan businessman Ali Mohamad who owns a vehicle import company, Japan 786.
When she was arrested, Rushwaya told investigators that the gold worth US$333,000 belonged to Mohamad, who had given her instructions to take it to Dubai where she was to deliver it to an unnamed individual.
The police communication from the Criminal Investigations Department’s Minerals Flora and Fauna Unit (MFFU) says Mohamad is charged with smuggling, the same as Rushwaya.
Tserayi and Mufandauya, meanwhile, face charges of criminal abuse of office as public officials for “using their positions as members of the Central Intelligence Organisation to escort Rushwaya while evading all security check points at the airport with the intent to facilitate smuggling of the gold.”
As first lady my duty is first and foremost to Zimbabwe as a nation. I serve each and every Zimbabwean whole heartedly and selflessly. I serve the interests of my nation and not any individual. I do not engage in illegal narrow minded pursuits like gold smuggling.
I have no dealings nor involvement with Miss Henrietta Rushwaya of any illegal kind. I am challenging the Police through their relevant office to issue a statement with regards the utterances by one officer during her arrest that falsely implicated me and my son Collins.
I am a strong advocate for transparency and honesty and any continued silence by the police can be misconstrued as a cover up. If there is any incriminating evidence against me I challenge the police to present it to the nation without fear or favour. If there be none I also challenge the police to say so.
I will not be dissuaded from working for those who need my help in both rural and urban areas. I will also support totally all anti corruption activities regardless of the many malicious attacks clearly designed to cow me from supporting them. I stand firm on my principles.
It pains me that my son who is hard working and an obedient son, is being attacked for no reason other than being a member of the first family. He is a hard working person and strives to improve himself day by day. As a mother I am proud of his work ethic and encourage him not be affected by malicious rumours.
I am an advocate for peace and love and work hard at helping those who I can. I am greatly aggravated by the continuation of these false stories and claims. However, I remain unshaken and will continue to serve my nation in its entirety to the best of my ability.
By A Correspondent- MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe has suspended her party’s national organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe after he exposed alleged plans to manipulate the forthcoming extraordinary congress to choose a new leader.
A standing committee meeting recommended Bhebhe’s suspension after he sided with MDC Alliance members Gilbert Kagodora and Nason Mamuse, who want the High Court to force Khupe to release key information about the crucial event.
Bhebhe was served with a suspension letter last week, well-placed sources said. MDC-T interim secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora yesterday professed ignorance about the suspension.
“I don’t know about that yet, you can ask the president, what I know is, she wanted to suspend him,” Mwonzora said.
Khupe and the party’s spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni were not available for comment.
Bhebhe did not respond to questions sent to him.
In court papers supporting Kagodora and Mamuse, the former Nkayi South MP claimed Khupe had blown $7 million given to the party under the Political Parties (Finance) Act.
He also claimed Khupe and Mwonzora were making decisions about the congress without the approval of the national council as per the party’s constitution.
The extraordinary congress was ordered by the Supreme Court, which ruled that MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa’s succession of the late MDC founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai was illegal.
Meanwhile, Mwonzora disclosed that the MDC-T had repossessed Morgan Tsvangirai House, that had been taken over by party youths who accused the Khupe group of working with Zanu-PF.
The youths were led by suspended Harare MDC-T provincial youth chairperson Paul Gorekore,
A Harare magistrare court granted the MDC-T the go-ahead to regain possession of the building.
“We are going to hold a press conference from Harvest House this Monday (tomorrow),” Mwonzora said.
Insiders said the youths, who had been at the building for weeks, were forced to give up because they had run out of food provisions.
MDC-T youths led by Shakespeare Mukoyi are said to have taken control of the building last week.-Online
By Showbiz Reporter | Singer Soul Jah Love has exploded after fans expressed disappointment why he did not perform at his billed Capetown show.
Speaking via video the singer alleged that he was used by promoters who simply had an agenda to pull fan traffic and then sabotage on payments due to him.
While it was difficult at the time of writing to get a comment from the accused promoters, Paul Musaka said
Soul Jah Love: “I couldn’t perform because they came to pick me up at 12:11 midnight yet the club was supposed to be closed at 12. So now because they had JahMaster… they just wanted to use me to gather people so that they won’t pay me back my money -“@EargroundZw video
Soul Jah Love: "I couldn't perform because they came to pick me up at 12:11 midnight yet the club was supposed to be closed at 12. So now because they had JahMaster… they just wanted to use me to gather people so that they won't pay me back my money -@EargroundZw video pic.twitter.com/CdPoeDOzO9
By A Correspondent- A man from Masvingo slapped and punched two women after they refused to give him their cellphone numbers, moments after he had complimented them for their body structures.
This emerged when Paul Mutero (27) was convicted by Masvingo magistrate Ms Conceptor Ngwerume of assault last week. Although he pleaded not guilty to the assault charge, the magistrate found him guilty and ordered him to pay a fine of $1 200 or face two months in jail.
Prosecuting, Ms Heather Mhlanga told the court that on 17 October, Mutero met two women, Miss Shine Mudzanga and Miss Tatenda Mudavanhu in the city at about 7pm. Mutero then started commenting on their body structures but they ignored him.
He then asked for their contact numbers but the women again ignored him.
The court heard that Mutero got angry for being ignored and grabbed Miss Mudzanga and slapped her once on the left cheek.
Miss Mudavanhu tried to restrain Mutero but he hit her on the nose and left rib, the court heard.
Mutero only stopped assaulting the women when he saw an approaching car and fled.
The case was reported at Chesvingo police who launched a manhunt and arrested Mutero.
In an unrelated incident, a woman from Chief Shumba in Masvingo assaulted her housemate with a switch after she discovered that her clay pot that was boiling with peas on the fireplace had been removed and emptied while she was away.
Shelina Marasha appeared before Ms Ngwerume on 28 October 2020 for sentencing after she pleaded guilty to the assault case. She was ordered to pay a fine of $1 640.
Prosecutor, Ms Mhlanga told the court that on 20 October, Marasha who was staying with Ms Rumbidzai Chipundo arrived home at around 12pm from a neighbouring farm.
She found a clay pot which she had left on the fire place with peas emptied and set aside.
The court heard that Marasha quizzed Ms Chipundo on why her pot was now empty and when she did not get a satisfactory answer, an argument arose.
Ms Mhlanga said Marasha then started beating up Ms Chipundo with open hands several times on the face. She then took a switch and beat Ms Chipundo several times all over the body.
Ms Chipundo later reported the case to police leading to Marasha’s arrest.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- Private commuter omnibus operators in urban areas may not return to business again as government has no intentions of lifting the ban.
Permanent Secretary in the information ministry Nick Mangwana said this after an inquiry on the surge of private commuter operators trickling back to business in Masvingo City after government continues to relax Covid-19 induced lockdown restrictions.
“They are not authorised to ferry passengers and the police will treat them as pirate taxis.
“It’s not clear yet as to when government will consider lifting the ban. They may never (return to business),” Mangwana said.
Earlier, Mangwana’s junior Masvingo the provincial information officer Rodgers Irimayi emphasised the ZUPCO franchise will continue providing transport services to the urban commuters.
This is despite concerns from passengers in the country’s first urban settlement that the franchise was no longer adhering to fumigation, body temperature checks and sanitising of passengers before boarding.
“Zupco is operating and providing transport service to the commuting public.
“As a measure to control the spread of Covid-19 according to guidelines set by government, all buses and kombies are disinfected daily at the depot.
“The move guarantees that passengers are safe and may not get infection.
“As for sanitising, all bus crews maybe reluctant to sanitise but daily Zupco ensures that every conductor gets his or her sanitiser before work.
“Zupco goes an extra mile to ensure that they comply to the Covid -19 regulations.”
Since the outbreak of the global pandemic in March, government suspended all private commuter transport operations in city centres and urged those willing to continue operating to join its ZUPCO franchise, a move which was met with mixed feelings among operators.-DailyNews
By A Correspondent- The Government has scrapped Value Added Tax (VAT) on the tourism industry as it moves to drum up support for the recently launched domestic tourism campaign meant to encourage locals to visit tourist attractions in the country.
In doing away with the levy, the Government also unveiled the ZIMBHO promotion which is part of a raft of measures being implemented in reviving the tourism sector which was hard hit by effects of Covid-19.
As the pandemic ravaged, tourism spaces were closed and it spelt doom for the industry that was highly reliant on foreign visitors.
At least 80 percent of Zimbabwe’s tourism activity, as noted by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) is done by international tourists. The industry now pins hope on the local travel enthusiast. Fronted by the ZTA, the removal of VAT and the ZIMBHO campaign came at a time when the Government presented its master strategy of reviving tourism with the National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy.
Hopes are high that if locals engage in travel and tour, the $5 billion tourism economy will be achieved in five years.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign on Thursday in Kariba, Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Nqobizitha Ndlovu said the initiative was meant to boost the economy through the tourism sector. For the initiative to yield results, he said the Government has exempted VAT on all tourism services for domestic tourists.
“To support this campaign, the Government has exempted VAT on all tourism services for domestic tourists in a bid to reduce the prices being charged on tourism products and services.
Government will continue looking at ways to make tourism affordable to the nationals and expects to see such incentives actually translating to price reductions in the sector for the benefit of the domestic market. In removing the VAT the Government had hoped that there will be a corresponding reduction in the cost of hospitality Institutions.”
He said the campaign and other measures put in place will ensure growth in the sector.
“The broad campaign is aimed at encouraging the growth of tourism through participation of Zimbabweans. This comes at a time when His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Dr ED Mnangagwa launched the National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy in which we were challenged to achieve a $5 billion Tourism Economy by year 2025.”
Minister Ndlovu said domestic tourism was at the centre of the sector’s recovery.
“One of the key pillars of this Recovery and Growth Strategy is the promotion of Domestic Tourism,” he said.
The idea behind the campaign, according to the Minister, was copied from countries where domestic tourism has been a success.
“In the past, before the Covid-19 pandemic, destinations that were deemed successful the world over were supported heavily by their domestic market constituting more than 60 percent of business.
While all destinations compete for International Tourism as it brings in new money into the economy, domestic tourism assists in inducing expenditure and circulating wealth in the economy.
“Furthermore, domestic tourists become destination ambassadors, assisting in promoting the destination and also encouraging international tourists who are usually keen to visit areas visited by locals.
Domestic tourism further expands the value chain and helps in building national pride at the same time promoting national understanding among locals,” he said.
Minister Ndlovu said in the past domestic tourism has been on the low as most tourists are of foreign origin. The nation, he said, needed to rally behind the campaign so as to achieve set goals.
“In the past decades the tourism industry has been characterised by low participation of locals. Let me hasten to say that Domestic Business Tourism has been active as it constituted above 80 percent of tourism activity in Zimbabwe in all regions except Victoria Falls which was dominated by foreign tourists.”
ZTA spokesperson Mr Godfrey Koti said the future of tourism was in domestic tourism.
“We continue to call upon our people to appreciate the beauty of our country. Let us travel and explore more. With the launch of the #Vakatsha ZIMBHO campaign, we see the industry picking up. It is a matter of restoring the sector and making sure citizens are ambassadors of the country’s tourism destinations,” said Mr Koti.
The Government invited the private sector to be part of the campaign according to Minister Ndlovu.
“As Government, we have opened up areas for tourism development to allow for product innovation and diversification in the form of cultural tourism, recreational areas and resort developments. Some of the areas earmarked for these developments include but are not limited to, Tugwi Mukosi, Kanyemba, Osborne Dam, Binga and Kariba.
These are some of the initiatives that are being taken by the Government and require support from the private sector in implementation in order to grow our domestic tourism,” said Minister Ndlovu.
Minister Ndlovu said the campaign is the first step towards creating demand for the existing tourism products and services.
The issue of pricing of tourism products remains a major issue that Minister Ndlovu said must be looked at.
“I remain totally concerned that the rates charged by the hotels and lodges in Zimbabwe are still very high. I urge the industry to take stock of what is happening elsewhere, particularly in neighbouring countries and review prices downwards. It is disturbing that an average breakfast costs US$25 or more in our hotels.
That’s the price of a goat! Surely that cannot be justified regardless of even the much touted “high cost of doing business” argument. I urge the hospitality sector to focus on volumes rather than high margins,” fumed Minister Ndlovu.
A tourism business owner told Sunday News that the ZIMBHO campaign will only be a success if all the country’s destinations were well marketed.
“There is more that this country has for tourism. It is not only Victoria Falls. People must be presented with choices of places to visit. The better we tell stories of other places that are not popular, the more our people will be encouraged to travel,” said Mr Langton Masunda, a safari operator in the Gwayi Conservancy in Matabeleland North.-statemedia
Out of all the Chiefs in matabeleland you decided to take a chief from all the way deep in Masvingo, for what? So are you trying to say none of the chiefs in Matebeleland are capable of doing that? Is it not logical that you are different cultures? You keep on rubbing salt… pic.twitter.com/UK4MLGk73s
By A Correspondent- Somewhat faced with the embarrassment of being tagged alongside gold diggers (shona literal translation)- Auxillia Mnangagwa has refuted reports that have linked her and her son Collins to the gold baroness, Henrietta Rushwaya.
Rushwaya was arrested on Monday last week at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport while attempting to smuggle 6kgs of gold to Dubai.
During Rushwaya’s arrest, one of the officers reportedly implicated Mnangagwa and her son Collins in the gold-smuggling syndicate.
In a statement, the First Lady said she does not engage in gold smuggling and she also challenged police to issue a statement regarding her alleged links with Rushwaya. The statement read in part:
I have no dealings nor involvement with Miss Henrietta Rushwaya of any illegal kind.
I am challenging the Police through their relevant office to issue a statement
I am a strong advocate for transparency and honesty and any continued silence by the police can be misconstrued as a cover-up.
If there is any incriminating evidence against me I challenge the police to present it to the nation without fear or favour. If there be none I also challenge the police to say so.
… It pains me that my son who is hardworking and an obedient son is being attacked for no reason other than being a member of the first family.
He is a hard-working person and strives to improve himself day by day. As a mother, I am proud of his work ethic and encourage him not to be affected by malicious rumours.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- A secret meeting between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) has divided unions, who are pushing the government to improve working conditions for their members.
Teachers at public schools have been refusing to return to classrooms since the government began a phased reopening of schools in September after a prolonged break due to Covid-19.
The teachers are demanding foreign currency-indexed salaries and provision of personal protective equipment before they resume work.
In a rare development, at least eight unions representing teachers have presented a united front, but Zimta’s meeting with Mnangagwa on October 26 seems to have driven a wedge between the labour leaders.
Zimta executive secretary Sifiso Ndlovu confirmed Zimta’s meeting with Mnangagwa.
“As Zimta, we had an opportunity to meet the president on Monday and addressed the socio-economic issues,” Ndlovu said.
“A teacher is a social services provider and we articulated the level of incapacitation,” Ndlovu said.
“The president has directed Finance minister Mthuli Ncube to look into the issue.”
Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou, however, had no kind words for Zimta.
“My humble submission to colleagues in Zimta is that our current incapacitation struggle is not about how big a union is, but unity in diversity and collective decisions to guarantee maximum gains and minimum losses,” Zhou said.
“At any rate, what matters in a fight is not the size of the dog, but the size of the fight. In our united front, we combine both size and agility.
“I was shocked to read a confirmation circular from Zimta that they met Mnangagwa.”
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure said Zimta had sold out.
“They sneaked in secrecy to the ill-fated meeting with the head of state and government,” Masaraure said.
But Ndlovu said the other unions must not be confrontational, saying their meeting with Mnangagwa was not secretive as alleged.
“We did not go behind anyone’s back, our letter to he (his excellency) was sent on October 16 after our national executive pressured us to intensify our search for a breakthrough,” he said.
“The other unions congregated seeking solidarity and comfort later and submitted their paper to he on October 20.
“Initially, they had planned a demonstration march to Monomotapa Building to deliver the petition.
“Zimta’s mandate is to represent its 42 000 members and has led the teachers’ trade union movement for the last 80 years, traversing all the legal, trade union and political terrain with focus and decisiveness.-standard
By A Correspondent- Khupe and Hitler –
Even as the Third Reich he had once prophesied would last a thousand years crumbled all around him, Adolf Hitler desperately clung to his racist vision of the world. In March 1945, Allied forces poured over the Rhine River after the Americans captured the Ludendorff Bridge on March 7. On March 16, the German army’s last offensive of the war, Operation Spring Awakening in Hungary against the Red Army, collapsed. For the Führer the impending defeat proved that Germans were simply neither strong nor ruthless enough to do what was necessary to achieve victory. Deeming Germany a failure of a nation Hitler prepared a decree that would seal the country’s collapse with catastrophic finality.
MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe has suspended her party’s national organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe after he exposed alleged plans to manipulate the forthcoming extraordinary congress to choose a new leader.
A standing committee meeting recommended Bhebhe’s suspension after he sided with MDC Alliance members Gilbert Kagodora and Nason Mamuse, who want the High Court to force Khupe to release key information about the crucial event.
Bhebhe was served with a suspension letter last week, well-placed sources said. MDC-T interim secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora yesterday professed ignorance about the suspension.
“I don’t know about that yet, you can ask the president, what I know is, she wanted to suspend him,” Mwonzora said.
Khupe and the party’s spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni were not available for comment.
Bhebhe did not respond to questions sent to him.
In court papers supporting Kagodora and Mamuse, the former Nkayi South MP claimed Khupe had blown $7 million given to the party under the Political Parties (Finance) Act.
He also claimed Khupe and Mwonzora were making decisions about the congress without the approval of the national council as per the party’s constitution.
The extraordinary congress was ordered by the Supreme Court, which ruled that MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa’s succession of the late MDC founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai was illegal.
Meanwhile, Mwonzora disclosed that the MDC-T had repossessed Morgan Tsvangirai House, that had been taken over by party youths who accused the Khupe group of working with Zanu-PF.
The youths were led by suspended Harare MDC-T provincial youth chairperson Paul Gorekore,
A Harare magistrare court granted the MDC-T the go-ahead to regain possession of the building.
“We are going to hold a press conference from Harvest House this Monday (tomorrow),” Mwonzora said.
Insiders said the youths, who had been at the building for weeks, were forced to give up because they had run out of food provisions.
MDC-T youths led by Shakespeare Mukoyi are said to have taken control of the building last week.
By A Correspondent- Beitbridge armed robbers blamed for numerous violent incidents including some unsolved murders on the banks of the Limpopo River have fled their bases after vigilante groups killed three of the suspected criminals.
Some of the suspected robbers were stoned and whipped to death after being hunted down by crowds, who combed the bush a few hundred metres east of the south African side of Beitbridge.
Two died on the spot and the third is reported to have succumbed to injuries while admitted at Musina hospital.
Police in south Africa have not commented on the deaths, but videos that went viral on social media in Beitbridge showed the robbers being attacked by mobs, who later killed them.
It is understood the robbers were tracked down after a series of robberies in the small bushy area used by people illegally crossing into south Africa to shop.
By A Correspondent- First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has refuted reports that have linked her and her son Collins to the gold baroness, Henrietta Rushwaya.
Rushwaya was arrested on Monday last week at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport while attempting to smuggle 6kgs of gold to Dubai.
During Rushwaya’s arrest, one of the officers reportedly implicated Mnangagwa and her son Collins in the gold-smuggling syndicate.
In a statement, the First Lady said she does not engage in gold smuggling and she also challenged police to issue a statement regarding her alleged links with Rushwaya. The statement read in part:
I have no dealings nor involvement with Miss Henrietta Rushwaya of any illegal kind.
I am challenging the Police through their relevant office to issue a statement
I am a strong advocate for transparency and honesty and any continued silence by the police can be misconstrued as a cover-up.
If there is any incriminating evidence against me I challenge the police to present it to the nation without fear or favour. If there be none I also challenge the police to say so.
… It pains me that my son who is hardworking and an obedient son is being attacked for no reason other than being a member of the first family.
He is a hard-working person and strives to improve himself day by day. As a mother, I am proud of his work ethic and encourage him not to be affected by malicious rumours.-statemedia
By Farai D Hove | ANALYSIS | Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba on Saturday uploaded a video of himself driving in a road a third narrower and tinier than the ones built by the Ian Smith regime 70 years ago.
Zimbabwe is still to have a 50 km road of the multi lane simple, 70 years after the first dualisations were done by the former Rhodesian state establishment.
Harare roads in 1960s with three lanes aside
Charamba’s boast comes at a time when the government has continued to allow the road parastatal, ZINARA to continue running the national transport infrastructure despite cash leakages that are a result of crony fested management, repeating for 4 decades.
Charamba was ecstatic as he wrote: “mabasa eZANU PF vakomana!!!! Aahhh!!!!! Ichoooooo!!!!” – these are the works of ZANUPF.’
Yes, the road might not one in Harare, but the point remains that 70 years later, rural areas should surely have received road expansions of the 1960 glories, the same way other African countries like South Africa have developed theirs.
Ghana is constructing Africa's second 4-tier interchange, the $94 million Pokuase Interchange. pic.twitter.com/p7StL7wKW5
Take the EB Cloete Interchange, for instance: located within the eThekweni Metro, KwaZulu-Natal, has for years been the South African National Roads Agency Ltd’s (SANRAL) iconic interchange. Constructed in the 1970s, it has provided a full-system interchange for the N2 and N3 National Roads.
An inter city road 80 years ago should be twice that of an inner city 20 years later if there’s been development, especially in a country that’s been the world’s fastest growing crop economy. Comparators can be drawn from countries paired with Rhodesia in the UN 1975 World Book.
Charamba’s boasts also come at a time Zimbabwe has abandoned the complete dualisation of the Beitbridge – Harare, Chirundu highway.
Infor minister Monica Mutsvangwa says Government will now only rehabilitate and widen the highway over the next three years at a cost of $693 million, while dualisation will only take place on some sections of the road. The road will be widened from the current seven metres to 12,5 metres making it at par with the N1 highway in South Africa and the Chirundu-Lusaka Road in Zambia. Sections of the road to be dualised will cost $466 million.
The project will be carried out by local contractors while Government concludes negotiations with Chinese firm Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Group Limited (AFECC). Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Joel Biggie Matiza said first phase which is rehabilitation and widening, has already started with mobilisation of equipment. He said some of the equipment is on site and the contractors are working on detours.
“Cabinet received a briefing by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development (Joel Biggie Matiza) on progress in the rehabilitation and dualisation of the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway, following the decision by Government to use resources from the Road Fund, while waiting the conclusion of ongoing discussion with AFECC, a Chinese investor on the project,” Minister Mutsvangwa said at the end if 2018.
“It should be noted that the decision to commence work on the rehabilitation and dualisation of the highway using local resources was taken in light of the fact that a lot of time has already been lost on the project and that the lives of the travelling public continued to be at risk along this major highway which joins the North-South Development Corridor in the sub-region.
“In terms of this arrangement, the highway will be upgraded in two phases. Phase one entails the rehabilitation and widening of the existing road from the current seven metres width to Southern Africa Transport and Communications Commission (SATCC) standards of 12,5 meters width, and climbing lanes where necessary. This will bring the road to the same standard as N1 on the South African side and the Chirundu-Lusaka Road on the Zambian side.”
By A Correspondent- MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe has suspended her party’s national organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe after he exposed alleged plans to manipulate the forthcoming extraordinary congress to choose a new leader.
A standing committee meeting recommended Bhebhe’s suspension after he sided with MDC Alliance members Gilbert Kagodora and Nason Mamuse, who want the High Court to force Khupe to release key information about the crucial event.
Bhebhe was served with a suspension letter last week, well-placed sources said. MDC-T interim secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora yesterday professed ignorance about the suspension.
“I don’t know about that yet, you can ask the president, what I know is, she wanted to suspend him,” Mwonzora said.
Khupe and the party’s spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni were not available for comment.
Bhebhe did not respond to questions sent to him.
In court papers supporting Kagodora and Mamuse, the former Nkayi South MP claimed Khupe had blown $7 million given to the party under the Political Parties (Finance) Act.
He also claimed Khupe and Mwonzora were making decisions about the congress without the approval of the national council as per the party’s constitution.
The extraordinary congress was ordered by the Supreme Court, which ruled that MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa’s succession of the late MDC founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai was illegal.
Meanwhile, Mwonzora disclosed that the MDC-T had repossessed Morgan Tsvangirai House, that had been taken over by party youths who accused the Khupe group of working with Zanu-PF.
The youths were led by suspended Harare MDC-T provincial youth chairperson Paul Gorekore,
A Harare magistrare court granted the MDC-T the go-ahead to regain possession of the building.
“We are going to hold a press conference from Harvest House this Monday (tomorrow),” Mwonzora said.
Insiders said the youths, who had been at the building for weeks, were forced to give up because they had run out of food provisions.
MDC-T youths led by Shakespeare Mukoyi are said to have taken control of the building last week.
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance has stepped up efforts to empower and equip rural women with essential skills for survival.
Speaking in Zvimba, Mashonaland West Province on Saturday, MDC Alliance Women’s Assembly chairlady, Hon Muchirairwa Mugidho bemoaned the persecution of rural women by Zanu PF. Hon Mugidho made the remarks an event held to celebrate International Rural Women’s Day.
In a statement released yesterday, MDC Alliance Mashonaland West said the International Rural Women’s commemoration event was successful:
Wow! The women have done it again.Yes the #International RuralWomens Day was held today in Zvimba West.
Zanu and it’s hell’s angels tried painstakingly to scuttle the event but the people stood up and defended the movement.
The MDC Alliance National Organising Sec Hon Chibaya,Women Assembly Chair Mama Mgidho and other National members graced the event.PC Magunje attended together with the members of his PAC.
Hundreds of women attended.They danced and sang.Modelling was part of the days proceedings and made the day colourful.
There was also food competitions among other competitions.
The women enjoyed themselves as they sang ,danced and ate their hearts out.
Indeed it was a beautiful day for the beautiful people who are the bedrock of our Struggle.
By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance vice-chairperson Job Sikhala says Zimbabwe has reached a tipping point, warning President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government not to take boiling discontent against its leadership lightly.
Sikhala, who was recently detained for over 40 days for playing a leading role in organising the July 31 protests against corruption that were crushed by security forces, said a heavy-handed response to dissent would not forestall an uprising.
“Zimbabwe has reached the tipping point,” the Zengeza West MP told The Standard in a wide-ranging interview.
“If you don’t see a looming implosion, you must be living in a different world.
“Zimbabwe is pregnant with a revolution and delivery and birth is imminent.”
Sikhala was, alongside Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume, the voice of the 31st July Movement that spearheaded the protests.
The government justified the crackdown against the movement’s leaders saying they were sponsored by western countries to topple Mnangagwa.
Sikhala said the movement remained active and he would continue pushing its agenda.
“The 31st July Movement remains a citizen platform to air their grievances,” he said.
“It is a convergence platform of diverse characters representing different constituency groups. It is owned by citizens.
“It will continue to spearhead the cries of our people.
“It will continue calling for action to make the voices of our people from diverse constituencies heard.
“It will spearhead more collective citizen actions in the future.
“It will not rest until the voice of the people is heard.
“Watch its rapid strategy in motion that is in store by the citizens.”
The former student leader dismissed allegations by MDC-T spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni that he was about to join Thokozani Khupe’s camp.
“I think it’s taking me and the people of Zimbabwe for granted. I am not a hater,” Sikhala said.
“I smile to everyone, but don’t spite my smile with false claims as it is in my nature.
“I remain the vice-chairman of the MDC Alliance and the spokesperson of the broad citizens’ movement, the 31st of July Movement.”
He added: “What I despise is the Zanu-PF regime and everything related to it.
“I witnessed several splits in the MDC over years.
“They are no longer interesting adventures for me because they never advanced the goals of our liberation.”
He denied reports of splits in the MDC Alliance, saying the party led by Nelson Chamisa remained united.
“Fissures only exist in the figment of those, who form such illusions and believe them,” Sikhala said.
“You cannot stop enemies of progress to wish bad to us, when truth on the ground speaks differently.
“There is loyalty and faith as to the leadership elected at the Gweru congress.”-standard
By A Correspondent- A clinic under Chief Sai in Gokwe South District, Midlands Province, was destroyed by fire on Wednesday living more than 30 000 families stranded.
Reports suggest that a gas leak from a refrigerator at Sai Clinic triggered the inferno which consumed drugs, medical equipment and property worth thousands of dollars.
The villagers are now forced to walk over 100km to the nearest clinic in the hot and dry district.
The incident was confirmed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi. He said:
Police are investigating a fire incident which occurred at Sai Clinic on 28 October.
It is said the fire broke out in the dispensary and spread to other rooms, destroying various properties including drugs.
No one was injured and the cause of the fire is yet to be established.
Meanwhile, Gokwe Civil Protection Unit head Netsai Mushauri said they have dispatched a team to ascertain what really happened and how they can assist.-ZTN
By A Correspondent- PUBLIC examinations for Ordinary Level candidates will spill into January next year, while results for Grade Seven candidates will be released before year-end to allow parents adequate time to secure Form One places for their children.
The examinations commence on 1 December with around 1,2 million candidates having registered to sit for the exams countrywide. Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) board chairperson Professor Eddie Mwenje told our Harare Bureau that Advanced Level examinations will however, be completed by year-end.
“Examinations will start on December 1 with Grade Seven candidates being the first to sit for the exams. This will enable their answer scripts to be marked and the results to be published in December so as to allow parents enough time to look for Form One places. Advanced Level candidates are also likely to write and complete their examinations in December. Ordinary Level classes will have their examinations spill into January.”
He said due to the large number of subjects offered at O’Level, it was inevitable that the exams would spill into 2021.-The Sunday News
By A Correspondent- Police stormed Harare City Council chambers to stop the city fathers from passing a resolution that would have seen suspended executives returning to work as fears of government interference in the operations of the local authority mount.
The dramatic swoop on October 26 saw 21 councillors and journalists being arrested during a full council meeting and they were taken to Harare Central Police Station.
Some senior government officials on social media were quick to link the arrests to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s anticorruption fight, but fresh details show that it was Harare Provincial Affairs minister Oliver Chidawu flexing his muscles.
Chidawu is said to have received information that council would adopt a report by its human resources committee paving the way for suspended directors to return to work.
The 25 officials include human capital director Matthew Marara, town clerk Hosea Chisango and director of housing and community services Admore Nhekairo.
Unbeknown to Chidawu and the police, councillors had agreed to put the report aside. This followed a meeting between MDC-T councillors and the minister.
The raid happened when councillors were rounding up the business of the day.
“There was a meeting recently with the minister and he was angry about the (human resources committee) report,” said a councillor, who requested to remain anonymous.
“We withdrew that report and these people came with a view that we wanted to bring back ‘thieves’ to council.”
Chidawu is said to have read the riot act to the MDC-T councillors during the meeting that preceded the police raid.
The councillors are said to have been told that the move to reinstate the suspended officials was driven by the fear that the local authority might incur losses arising from labour disputes.
“The report stated that those with bail conditions that would allow them back at work could be left to come back to work,” said another councillor.
Chidawu, sources said, was also told that council was still paying a former finance director, who was fired last year because his case was yet to be finalised by the Local Government Board.
Harare deputy mayor Luckson Mukunguma, who was chairing the full council meeting, was spared the embarrassment of being dragged to the police station after he temporarily left the chamber before the police pounced.
Mukunguma went to the police station on his own and was asked by the police to announce to his colleagues that they had been released without any charges being laid against them.
He confirmed to The Standard that police wanted to arrest them over the report by the human resources committee.
“They wanted to arrest us for a crime they thought we were going to commit,” Mukunguma said.
The journalists were released following the intervention of Misa Zimbabwe lawyer Chris Mhike.
“The police did not disclose any reason for the detention that the journalists had to endure for about three hours,” Mhike told Misa Zimbabwe.
Mnangagwa’s government says it is working to weed out corruption in local authorities and has so far only targeted councils controlled by the opposition MDC Alliance.-standard
Own Correspondent| Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa has promulgated Statutory Instrument 261 which stipulates the benefits to be enjoyed by former first ladies.
Analysts argue Mr Mnangagwa is keen to “appease” former First Lady Grace Mugabe following the fallout with his long time boss Robert Mugabe.
The benefits are as follows:
such security personnel as may be determined by the President but not less than two, and to be increased by such number as may be determined by the President whenever, and for such period, as the need arisesone driverone Private Secretaryone aide-de-camp officer or personal assistantoffice accommodation as may be determined by the President
a landline telephone and a cell phoneone computersuch other office facilities, equipment and materials as may be determined by the President
suitable state residential accommodationone domestic employee
one gardener
one cook and one waiter
An allowance covering medical contributions of the spouse of the former President
a diplomatic passport
business class air and rail private travel within Zimbabwe, if available up to a maximum of two trips per annum
business class international air private travel up to a maximum of two trips per annumone sedan (Mercedes Benz E300 Series) or one four-wheel-drive station wagon or an equivalent or similar class of motor vehicle
one pick-up van
such number of motor vehicles as may be determined by the President must be put at the disposal of the security personnel and other staff serving the spouse of a former President
fuel as may be determined by the President from time to time
maintenance of vehicles referred to in paragraph 6(a)which cost of maintenance shall be borne by the Government replacement vehicles every five years
an entertainment allowance as determined by the President from time to timetelephone expenses in respect of the office and official residence of the spouse of the former President
water and electricity exemption in respect of the office and official residence of the former spouse of a former President…
By A Correspondent- Some hundreds of Shona people living in Kenya have been going on peaceful marches in the streets to draw the attention of the government to their statelessness so that they can be recognised as Kenyan citizens.
About 5 000 Shona people live in Kenya. They are the descendants of about 100 Shona missionaries who moved to Kenya from Zimbabwe in the 1960s to establish the Gospel of God Church.
The move was accepted and welcomed by Kenya’s first president, Jomo Kenyatta, but his successors have not done much to integrate the Shona.
Most of the missionaries settled in the Kiambu area just on the outskirts of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
However, their descendants are stateless in Kenya despite living and being born in the country.
The Shona in Kenya do not have access to identity cards, passports or driver’s license and are hindered from accessing good jobs because they cannot be employed formally.
Mike Moyo, a carpenter in nearby Kiambu County, has 10 children and 7 grandchildren who were all born in Kenya but are stateless and do not have birth certificates or identity cards. Moyo’s eldest highlighted their predicament.
He said:
We can’t enjoy services that nationals enjoy. We don’t have mobile banking and going to the hospital is also a challenge.
Birth certificates are needed for class 8 registration for our children who are in primary school so sometimes we are forced to ‘buy’ parents so that our children can continue with education. We cannot even save money.
Meanwhile, the Kenyan government has made efforts to resolve the statelessness of the Shona people and in August 2019, 600 citizenships were offered to some of them.
Some 2,000 people have applied for birth certificates recently and they are yet to be processed.-Face2FaceAfrica
By A Correspondent- Intelligence services are reportedly keeping close tabs on opposition leaders, civil society activists and Western embassies in a well-calculated strategy to advance the narrative that Western countries are working to undermine peace and stability in Zimbabwe, NewsHawks.com reports.
Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) sources this week told the publication that MDC Alliance leaders Nelson Chamisa, Tendai Biti and Job Sikhala, as well as Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume, are under round the clock surveillance.
Informants planted at many Western embassies also feed the state with information on diplomats’ meetings with opposition and civil society leaders.
The idea is to smear the opposition leaders and possibly level criminal allegations against them using a new law which bars non-state actors from meeting foreign governments. NewsHawks.com quoted its intelligence source as having said:
The idea behind this security strategy is to build a case that Western embassies are in constant touch with influential opposition leaders in violation of diplomatic protocols and that they are sponsoring anarchy in the country.
Zimbabwean officials have of late been insinuating that. There is a list of top opposition targets who are being monitored closely.
Chamisa, naturally a target, is number one, Ngarivhume on number two, based on the political currency he gained leading to the July 31 demos, Wiwa (Sikhala) is number three and Biti on number four; these are their top targets.
They have been placed under close surveillance; even their mobile phone communications are being monitored. Not a single of their movements goes unchecked.
Cabinet has approved amendments to the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23) that will criminalise “unauthorised communication by private citizens with foreign governments” as well as planned and timed protests designed to coincide with major international and regional events and visits.-NewsHawks
The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has set up a special committee to probe alleged “secret” foreign currency bank accounts operated by suspended president, Henrietta Rushwaya without the knowledge of the federation.
ZMF general secretary, Philemon Mokuele has revealed that on the side-lines of a management committee meeting held in Gweru where part of the resolutions made was to suspend Rushawaya and secretary for external affairs, Gift Karanda.
ZMF general secretary, Philemon Mokuele Mokuele said miners were depositing their fees in the accounts amid fears that the ZMF members could have been duped of thousands of US dollars in the clandestine operations.
“In the meeting the treasurer general highlighted that there were CBZ nostro accounts, where miners deposited fees,” said Mokuele.
“We then discovered that these accounts were not official hence our decision to set up a special committee headed by the treasurer general to look into the issue as well as audit all the federation’s accounts.”
The alleged “secret” account numbers used with CBZ are 01122525790025 and 01122525790035.
Rushwaya was early this week arrested after attempting to smuggle 6 kgs of gold to Dubai.
In relieving Rushwaya of her duties Mr Makumba Nyenje, the national chairperson of ZMF said: “We have suspended Henrietta Rushwaya and Gift Karanda on the allegations of attempted to smuggle gold at the Robert Mugabe international airport in Harare.”
ZMF National chairperson Makumba Nyenje “We deemed it fit to act as we were left with no option because the allegations against her damages the reputation of the organization even if she was doing this on her own.”
He added: “We have elevated the first vice president Mr Marufu Sithole to the position of acting president pending finalization of the court case or the expiry of the term of office of Rushwaya because she was elected into office for 3 years and it’s coming to an end on 14 June 2021.”
“As of now it’s just a suspension because we will be guided by the court verdict as well as our constitution section 6 sub section 12 sub section 4, which provides that if a member is found guilty be it of any criminal offense he\she seizes to be a member of the national executive. We wait for the court verdict to see whether we implement the provisions of that of our section or we simply revert back to the original positions that we were,” said Nyenje.
He said some of the members alleged that they deposited their money for the Glow petroleum deal.
“We had the Glow petroleum deal whereby miners would buy fuel in forex around the country but the treasurer general doesn’t even know all about this money, so we have tasked the special team to make investigations.
There was a challenge in the board meeting whereby all the board members and the executive don’t even know about this license that is circulating on the social media that we have a license for ZMF Dubai.
Advertisement Rumours were indicating that the license has got Rushwaya’s name, her son, Gift Karanda and Takarasha the CEO, we don’t even know who approved those people to be on the ZMF and the treasure general is the one who expect to know all the details as of the finances but he indicated that he never even saw that license with his own eyes,” said Mokuele
THE Government will tomorrow convene a crunch meeting with the Apex Council to deliberate on the civil servants remuneration with a new offer on the table which will put to an end the tug of war, which has been going on since April.
Tomorrow’s meeting will be the last to be convened by the two parties and if they fail to reach a consensus, according to the law, the negotiations will be deemed as a deadlock. Both Government and the civil servants have expressed confidence that the meeting will yield positive results and that some teachers who were threatening to down tools and had taken a lethargic approach to go to work ahead of full-scale school opening next week will rethink their action.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima told Sunday News that Government will bring a new offer to the table, expressing hope that the workers will accept it.
“The meeting with civil servants representatives will be held on Monday. Government has a new offer for the civil servants. We will discuss the new offer in the meeting. Unfortunately, I can’t pre-empt the offer before the meeting. While we are meeting civil servants representatives, we are urging teachers to report for duty rather than withholding the service.
“They should not hold Government to ransom. They can report for work while we finish the negotiations. The Second Republic is a listening Government,” he said.
Apex Council chairperson Mrs Cecilia Alexander said tomorrow’s meeting will be the third and final meeting between Government and the civil servants representatives. Mrs Alexander said they were hopeful that the meeting will yield positive results failure of which would be a stalemate.
“The meeting with Government has been scheduled for Monday. Legally this will be the last meeting between Government and civil servants regarding this matter. We hope that we will reach an agreement. If we do not, it means we would have reached a deadlock and we can’t negotiate any further. These are the provisions of the law. We are not privy to what Government is bringing to the table on Monday. We will be updating you on the outcome of the meeting. We have been having the negotiations since April and the Monday meeting will be our last,” she said.
The Government recently effected a 40 percent cost-of-living salary adjustment for civil servants which they started receiving last month while negotiations continue with unions representing civil servants over a final agreement on wages and other employment terms.
The adjustment was in addition to the continuation of the US$75 a month Covid-19 allowance which are among interim steps taken by the Government to help cushion its employees while the negotiations are in progress.
The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), a subsidiary of ZESA Holdings, has increased electricity tariffs by 50 per cent with effect from 1 November 2020. The company said in a statement:
The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has adjusted the electricity tariffs by 50%.
This is in accordance with the Tariff Award of 2 October 2019, which approved the implementation of monthly tariff indexation formula for changes above 10%.
Below are the tariffs in ZWL that will be applicable effective 1 November 2020 for domestic metered customers:
1st 50 kWh – ZWL$1.67
51 to 200 kWh – ZWL$3.65
201 to 300 kWh – ZWL$9.92
Balance – ZWL$15.57
ZETDC increased electricity tariffs by 50 per cent on 23rd September, then by another 50 per cent on 1 October and again, by 50 per cent today.
*She trained as a teacher at Morgenster Teachers College
*She came to Harare and worked at the Sports and Recreation Commission
*She was selected to travel to Norway to study Sports Management on a scholarship in 2000
*She returned in 2004 and was asked to coordinate fundraising activities for the senior national soccer team, The Warriors
*Henrietta then got a job as the Director of Sport in then Vice-President Joseph Msika’s office
*In March 2007, she was appointed ZIFA Chief Executive Officer
*Between 2007 and 2008 she faced theft charges for stealing money from ZIFA and was tried at the courts in 2008.
*In 2008 Rushwaya tried and failed to secure the ticket to represent Zanu PF in Gutu South in the 29 March 2008 Parliamentary elections
*In February 2008, Henrietta was arrested and charged with attempting to defeat the course of justice after an investigation at the Attorney-General’s Office into questionable circumstances that led to her trial on theft charges being brought forward by two months.
*In January 2011 news broke around the country that Henrietta was having an affair with MDC politician Welshman Ncube.
*Henrietta was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission in February 2012 on allegations of bribery and match-fixing linked to the Asiagate matchfixing scandal. She appeared in court facing 11 counts of concealing transactions from a principal, two counts of fraud and 15 others of bribery involving US$1 million.
*In August 2014, Henrietta was arrested on charges of extorting hundreds of thousands of dollars from Walter Magaya, the leader of Prophetic Healing And Deliverance Ministries.
*In November 2015, pictures of her and popular musician Jah Prayzah went viral as it was rumoured the two were having an affair. The pair however denied the allegations.
*Rushwaya was reported to have had an exploitative sexual relationship with then Manchester City and Warriors striker Benjani Mwaruwari. She however admitted he had bought her a car for a gift.
*In April 2016, Henrietta was again arrested of manipulating more matches and being the central figure of a syndicate which involved referees, players and journalists.
*Henrietta was accused of having organised a trip by the Zimbabwe national team to Malaysia on 28 December 2009 during which matches are said to have been manipulated.
*In another match-fixing scandal commonly referred to as the Limpopogate, in March 2016, ZIFA announced that Rushwaya was allegedly the central figure in the match-fixing syndicate which had been fixing games from 6 years back.
*Henrietta was fired from ZIFA on 26 October 2016 after a disciplinary tribunal appointed by ZIFA ruled that she be dismissed for mismanagement and insubordination. She had been found guilty on the majority of the charges levelled against her.
*In 2018, she was elected President of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF)
*On 26 October 2020, Henrietta was arrested as she tried to smuggle 6kgs of gold (worth US$366,000) out of Zimbabwe at Robert Mugabe International Airport. She was charged with smuggling under the Customs and Excise Act.
*Henrietta’s co-accused is Steven Tserayi, they were arrested together attempting to smuggle 6kg gold at RG Mugabe Airport. He is a senior Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operative.
*Henrietta’s sister Heliete Rushwaya is the Chief Executive Officer of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC)
*Henrietta’s is cousins with Martin Rushwaya, the former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Of Defence…..he is now Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration and Finance in the Office of the President and Cabinet. Henrietta’s father and Martin’s father are brothers. Martin’s mother the late Gogo Mary Rushwaya is sister to Emmerson’s mother
*On 29 October 2020, Henrietta was suspended from her post of President of ZMF for her role in the smuggling syndicate.
By Farai D Hove | ANALYSIS | Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba on Saturday uploaded a video of himself driving in a road a third narrower and tinier than the ones built by the Ian Smith regime 70 years ago.
Zimbabwe is still to have a 50 km road of the multi lane simple, 70 years after the first dualisations were done by the former Rhodesian state establishment.
Harare roads in 1960s with three lanes aside
Charamba’s boast comes at a time when the government has continued to allow the road parastatal, ZINARA to continue running the national transport infrastructure despite cash leakages that are a result of crony fested management, repeating for 4 decades.
Charamba was ecstatic as he wrote: “mabasa eZANU PF vakomana!!!! Aahhh!!!!! Ichoooooo!!!!” – these are the works of ZANUPF.’
Yes, the road might not one in Harare, but the point remains that 70 years later, rural areas should surely have received road expansions of the 1960 glories, the same way other African countries like South Africa have developed theirs.
Ghana is constructing Africa's second 4-tier interchange, the $94 million Pokuase Interchange. pic.twitter.com/p7StL7wKW5
Take the EB Cloete Interchange, for instance: located within the eThekweni Metro, KwaZulu-Natal, has for years been the South African National Roads Agency Ltd’s (SANRAL) iconic interchange. Constructed in the 1970s, it has provided a full-system interchange for the N2 and N3 National Roads.
Charamba’s boasts also come at a time Zimbabwe has abandoned the complete dualisation of the Beitbridge – Harare, Chirundu highway.
Infor minister Monica Mutsvangwa says Government will now only rehabilitate and widen the highway over the next three years at a cost of $693 million, while dualisation will only take place on some sections of the road. The road will be widened from the current seven metres to 12,5 metres making it at par with the N1 highway in South Africa and the Chirundu-Lusaka Road in Zambia. Sections of the road to be dualised will cost $466 million.
The project will be carried out by local contractors while Government concludes negotiations with Chinese firm Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Group Limited (AFECC). Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Joel Biggie Matiza said first phase which is rehabilitation and widening, has already started with mobilisation of equipment. He said some of the equipment is on site and the contractors are working on detours.
“Cabinet received a briefing by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development (Joel Biggie Matiza) on progress in the rehabilitation and dualisation of the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway, following the decision by Government to use resources from the Road Fund, while waiting the conclusion of ongoing discussion with AFECC, a Chinese investor on the project,” Minister Mutsvangwa said at the end if 2018.
“It should be noted that the decision to commence work on the rehabilitation and dualisation of the highway using local resources was taken in light of the fact that a lot of time has already been lost on the project and that the lives of the travelling public continued to be at risk along this major highway which joins the North-South Development Corridor in the sub-region.
“In terms of this arrangement, the highway will be upgraded in two phases. Phase one entails the rehabilitation and widening of the existing road from the current seven metres width to Southern Africa Transport and Communications Commission (SATCC) standards of 12,5 meters width, and climbing lanes where necessary. This will bring the road to the same standard as N1 on the South African side and the Chirundu-Lusaka Road on the Zambian side.”
THE National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) has expressed anger over its recent snub by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who went on to task chiefs to lead the exhumation and reburial of Gukurahundi victims’ remains.
Mnangagwa last Saturday met traditional leaders from Matabeleland and Midlands provinces and tasked them with leading the process following public reservations over government’s involvement.
The Zanu PF leader, believed to have engineered the mass killings during his tenure as State Security minister, also pledged to facilitate the issuance of identification documents for the survivors.
The NPRC Bulawayo provincial committee recently met and expressed displeasure over government’s handling of the matter.
NPRC chairperson Justice Selo Nare said as a commission, they were not happy with government’s decision to shut them out of the process and to task chiefs to lead the exhumations and reburials.
“The big issue is that, we were not invited to the recent meeting with the President and we have heard that the chiefs will be taking part in the exhumation process which was one of the mandates of the NPRC,” he said.
“We do not have information about the recent meeting, but this is what we are hearing from the media.”
Commission members also complained about a reconciliation report Vice-President Kembo Mohadi recently presented in Parliament without their knowledge.
“We have two reports for 2018 and 2019. These reports are produced by the commission and staff after it has been through the responsible minister, in this case Mohadi. We send these reports to him and he has a meeting with the Cabinet ministers before the final report is produced,” Nare said.
“As we speak, the final report has not yet been finalised. The reports are from us the commissioners and staff and there is no input from the committees. The upcoming reports will, however, have inputs from committees as you are also stakeholders.”
The commissioners said they felt left out, with Mnangagwa preferring to work with chiefs and non-governmental organisations under the banner of Matabeleland Collectives.
“We feel like NPRC has been left out. We are surprised that such things are happening without our knowledge as committee members,” said the committee member.
“It’s like the President wants to meet with Matabeleland Collectives, and chiefs and NPRC is being left out.”
The committee also complained over lack of funding.
The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) estimated that 20 000 people were killed during Gukurahundi in Matabeleland and Midlands between 1983 and 1987 as government pursued perceived ex-Zipra dissidents.
Although the late former President Robert Mugabe later described the massacres as “a moment of madness”, he nonetheless declined to publicly apologise.
Sir Sean Connery has died at the age of 90, his family has said.
The Scottish actor was best known for his portrayal of James Bond, being the first to bring the role to the big screen and appearing in seven of the spy thrillers.
Sir Sean died peacefully in his sleep, while in the Bahamas, having been “unwell for some time”, his son said.
His acting career spanned five decades and he won an Oscar in 1988 for his role in The Untouchables.
Sir Sean’s other films included The Hunt for Red October, Highlander, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and The Rock.
Jason Connery said his father “had many of his family who could be in the Bahamas around him” when he died overnight in Nassau.
He said: “We are all working at understanding this huge event as it only happened so recently, even though my dad has been unwell for some time.
“A sad day for all who knew and loved my dad and a sad loss for all people around the world who enjoyed the wonderful gift he had as an actor.”
‘The original Bond’ Sir Sean, from Fountainbridge in Edinburgh, first played James Bond in Dr No in 1962 and went on to appear in five other official films – and the unofficial Never Say Never Again in 1983.
He was largely regarded as being the best actor to have played 007 in the long-running franchise, often being named as such in polls.
He was knighted by the Queen at Holyrood Palace in 2000. In August, he celebrated his 90th birthday.
Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said they were “devastated by the news”.
They said: “He was and shall always be remembered as the original James Bond whose indelible entrance into cinema history began when he announced those unforgettable words ‘the name’s Bond… James Bond’.
“He revolutionised the world with his gritty and witty portrayal of the sexy and charismatic secret agent. He is undoubtedly largely responsible for the success of the film series and we shall be forever grateful to him.”
Sir Sean was a long-time supporter of Scottish independence, saying in interviews in the run-up to the 2014 referendum that he might return from his Bahamas home to live in Scotland if it voted to break away from the rest of the UK.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I was heartbroken to learn this morning of the passing of Sir Sean Connery. Our nation today mourns one of her best loved sons.
“Sean was born into a working class Edinburgh family and through talent and sheer hard work, became an international film icon and one of the world’s most accomplished actors. Sean will be remembered best as James Bond – the classic 007 – but his roles were many and varied.
“He was a global legend but, first and foremost, a patriotic and proud Scot – his towering presence at the opening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 showed his love for the country of his birth. Sean was a lifelong advocate of an independent Scotland and those of us who share that belief owe him a great debt of gratitude.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a second national lockdown for England to prevent a “medical and moral disaster” for the NHS.
He said Christmas may be “very different” but he hoped taking action now would mean families can gather.
Pubs, restaurants, gyms and non-essential shops will have to close for four weeks from Thursday, he said.
But unlike the restrictions in spring, schools, colleges and universities can stay open.
After 2 December, the restrictions would be eased and regions would go back to the tiered system, he said.
Mr Johnson said: “Christmas is going to be different this year, perhaps very different, but it’s my sincere hope and belief that by taking tough action now we can allow families across the country to be together.
The prime minister told a Downing Street news conference that he was “truly, truly sorry” for the impact on businesses, but said the furlough system paying 80% of employee wages will be extended through November.
“No responsible prime minister” could ignore figures which suggested deaths would reach “several thousand a day”, with a “peak of mortality” worse than the country saw in April, Mr Johnson said.
He said hospitals even in the south-west of England, where cases are among the lowest, will run out of capacity in weeks.
“Doctors and nurses would be forced to choose which patients to treat, who would get oxygen and who wouldn’t, who would live and who would die,” Mr Johnson said.
Under the new restrictions:
People are being told to stay at home unless they have a specific reason to leave, such as work which cannot be done from home and education And people are also allowed to leave home for exercise medical reasons, food and other essential shopping and providing care for vulnerable people or for volunteering.
Meeting indoors or in private gardens will not be allowed But individuals can meet meet one other person from another household outside in a public place Pubs, bars, restaurants and non-essential retail across the nation will close but takeaways and click-and-collect shopping can remain open Leisure and entertainment venues, including gyms, will also close Construction sites and manufacturing workplaces can remain open People are still allowed to form support bubbles Children can move between homes if their parents are separated Clinically vulnerable people are asked to be “especially careful” but people are not being asked to resume shielding.
Harare residents have blasted the Harare City Council for announcing four-fold to 10-fold increases in its tariffs for water, sanitation and hygiene (the WASH group), which are set to take effect on Sunday without any consultation.
Harare City Council on Monday announced a four-fold increase in water and sewer charges and an almost 10-fold rise in refuse collection charges with effect from November 1, meaning that an average high-density family will have to pay $450 a month for water, $189 for a single toilet and $270 for one bin a week, bringing the total to $909 a month.
For low-density suburbs, the equivalent will be $500 for the water, $388 for the single toilet and $383 for the bin, giving a total of $1 271 a month.
These are just the minimum charges. A second toilet, a bit of extra water, and the charges will soar.
Combined Harare Residents Association director Mrs Loreen Mupasiri-Sani said her organisation was concerned by Harare City Council’s decision, which has seen the supplementary budget being passed without the input of key stakeholders.
“We reject the supplementary budget, which seeks to increase water, sewerage and refuse collection fees for the following reasons: the budget advisory committee was not informed or consulted on the proposed budget, which is a product of an exclusionary process,” she said
“The City of Harare cannot increase tariffs for a service they are failing to provide. With the current rates compliance or collection efficiency below 40 percent, the move will punish the few ratepayer’s that have been paying their rates religiously. We expected the city to come up with measures to improve revenue collection rather than to increase tariffs.”
Mrs Mupasiri-Sani said there was no need to come up with a supplementary budget for the next two months when the 2021 budget was being crafted.
“The local currency has been stabilising so there is no need to increase rates,” she said.
File picture of an illegal miner going underground
Reports just received indicate that fellow illegal gold miners known as Makorokoza have retrieved two bodies of the five artisanal miners trapped fifty meters underground when a Chegutu mine shaft collapsed.
The five miners were trapped underground on September 8 after a 110-metre mine shaft they were working in collapsed at Task Mine Syndicate situated on the outskirts of Chegutu.
They were identified as Crynos Nyamukanga (44), Munashe Nyamukanga (17), Shingai Gwatidzo (20), Costantino Dzinoreva (47) and Charles Mutume (31).
The ill-equipped Civil Protection Unit (CPU) and other State agencies abandoned the rescue mission on 2 October.
“We are relieved that our children have been found. Although dead, feel we can now find closure,” said a relative.
Another distraught relative, said his nephew could have been found alive had government rendered timely help to the trapped artisanal miners.
“Government let us down. They abandoned the search midway without exhausting all possible avenues to rescue our relatives alive,” he said.
The CPU has reportedly pledged coffins and other resources to facilitate burial of the discovered bodies.
Bulawayo residents drowing water from an unsafe source.
A diarrhoea outbreak has hit the Bulawayo Polytechnic with an undisclosed number of students and lecturers affected with the institution reportedly responding by banning the consumption of tap water.
This comes as the Bulawayo City Council has reported that the diarrhoea outbreak in Mzilikazi suburb has affected more than 400 people with the local authority upping containment measures to ensure that it does not continue to spread. City Health Director Dr Edwin Sibanda yesterday confirmed the latest figures revealing that the daily figures at their health facilities were, however, gradually declining.
“As of Friday we handled just one case while on Thursday we had seven, this thus bringing the overall total to date to just over 400. Our teams are busy on the ground educating residents on preventative measures as we work to contain this outbreak.
“However, our major challenge right now is the unavailability of water because, you can imagine people going for all this while without supplies, some turn to contaminated sources of water which goes on to affect their health,” said Dr Sibanda.
Last week the local authority revealed that Mzilikazi, Magwegwe and Luveve clinics were recording the highest number of cases, although sporadic incidents are received in various council-run health care centres across the city.
In June, Bulawayo’s Luveve suburb recorded more than 2 000 diarrhoea cases, leading to the death of 13 people. Human waste was blamed for contaminating water causing the typhoid and dysentery outbreak and in a number of suburbs effluent can be seen on the streets and at people’s houses.
Meanwhile, Dr Sibanda also confirmed that Bulawayo Polytechnic was the first learning institution to be affected by the outbreak, with college sources revealing that there was a danger that it might be forced to close to help contain the outbreak.
“At Bulawayo Poly the outbreak started shortly before the writing classes resumed lectures, affecting mainly the lecturers and the ancillary staff. As we speak now the outbreak has also affected the students although I do not have the figures of those affected off hand,” said Dr Sibanda.
According to an internal memorandum dated 29 October 2020 from the institution’s principal Mr Gilbert Mabasa, the institution has since banned the consumption of council tap water.
Efforts to get a comment from Mr Mabasa were fruitless as his mobile phone went unanswered. Sources at the learning institution, however, revealed that authorities could be forced to close before the writing of examinations so as to contain the outbreak and ensure a reliable supply of water before exposing more learners to the outbreak.
Top Bulawayo musician Calvin “Cal-Vin” Nhliziyo is being buried in Bulawayo this Sunday morning.
Several dignitaries including the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Kirsty Coventry will be at the burial and is expected to deliver a message on behalf of the Ministry.
Also in attendance will be the Mayor of the City of Bulawayo, Councillor Solomon Mguni and Bulawayo Province Minister of State Judith Ncube.
Calvin received a huge send off from residents of Bulawayo on Saturday when a road show organised by the arts fraternity in the city attracted an overwhelming response.
Watch video downloading below. Please be patient while the video downloads
Watch video downloading.
Meanwhile, Mthwakazi Republic Party has disassociated itself from some unruly elements who joined the road show blaming Cal-vin’s death on a perceived Gukurahundi hand.
Renowned Bulawayo journalist and radio personality Ezra Tshisa Sibanda extended the message from the MRP President Mqondisi Moyo.
“MRP President Mqondisi Moyo has disassociated his party from the embarrassing and mischievous behaviour by some unruly elements who invaded King Cal Vin”s funeral road show in the Western surbubs of Bulawayo this Saturday afternoon. They were carrying the banner which linked Cal Vin’s killing to Gukurahundi operations. Mr Moyo was in the rural areas, had no knowledge of that protest and told me the banner is not even from MRP and doesn’t have its logo. While MRP, like all Bulawayo people want justice for Cal Vin, they would never act so clumsy and direspct Cal Vin and his family bringing such protest to people who are celebrating the King’s life,” said Sibanda on Facebook.
Former Studio 263 actress Yvonne Mangunda who broke boundaries when she joined the sportscasters’ desk, which is a male dominated field, at Star FM eight years ago has unceremoniously left the radio station at a time when she was at her peak.
Mangunda who presented the Daily Sports Zone on Star FM on weekdays at 6PM, recently won the Sports journalist of the year award (Electronic) at the Sports Journalists Association Northern Region Awards.
She announced her departure from the radio station on her Twitter page leave fans and listeners dejected.
She leaves at a time when a number of other presenters also left the station under unclear circumstances.
After almost 8 and half years at the number radio station in Zimbabwe, I say goodbye. Thank you to everyone who has supported my journey. Thank you for allowing me into your space and helping my brand grow. Thank you to @StarfmZimbabwe for giving me a platform to flourish. pic.twitter.com/FUmoBpYLFw
A ZANU PF Member of Parliament has called on the speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda to withdraw MDC Harare West legislator Joana Mamombe from Parliament after doctors confirmed that she suffers from a mental illness.
On Thursday ZANU PF legislator for Mberengwa North Hon Tafanana Zhou moved a motion for the removal of Mamombe from Parliament after state doctors confirmed to court that she has a mental disorder and thus cannot stand trial on charges of faking abductions along with two other MDC-A activists.
“Good afternoon Mr. Speaker Sir. My point of privilege arises from our national Constitution, Section 129 (1) (m) that states that, ‘The seat of a Member of Parliament becomes vacant if the Member is certified to be mentally disordered or intellectually handicapped under any law in force in Zimbabwe… Hon. Joanna Mamombe was certified as mentally ill by two Government doctors. I therefore Hon. Speaker Sir, ask that a Privileges Committee be set to look into the matter. I thank you” – Hon Tafanana Zhou (Zanu-PF Mberengwa North)
THE HON. SPEAKER: “Thank you. We should be able to get an official response from the Judiciary and the doctor’s reports accordingly.”
Hansard
And with doctors saying she cannot stand trial, Hon Zhou said the Constitution of Zimbabwe is clear on what should happen when a person is suffering from a mental illness.
“Mr. Speaker Sir. My point of privilege arises from our national Constitution, Section 129 (1) (m) that states that, ‘The seat of a Member of Parliament becomes vacant if the Member is certified to be mentally disordered or intellectually handicapped under any law in force in Zimbabwe’…Honourable Joanna Mamombe was certified as mentally ill by two government doctors.
“I therefore honourable Speaker Sir, ask that a Privileges Committee be set to look into the matter,” said Zhou.
In response, the Speaker of the National House of Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda said Parliament will get direction from the judiciary which is handling the fake abduction matter involving Mamombe.
“We should be able to get an official response from the judiciary and the doctor’s reports accordingly and compare with whosoever is the sponsor of the honourable member.
“However, because the matter is still with our courts and the courts have not pronounced themselves as to the results of the medical findings, we shall have to be cautious in proceeding accordingly until such time that the matter has been fully ventilated by the courts.”
Mnangagwa surrounded by his security team and some ZANU PF heavyweights
It is now official. Zimbabwe has become a fully-fledged banana republic.Not that people did not know that we had become a banana republic, but events surrounding the arrest of one notorious Henrietta Rushwaya reflect that Zimbabwe has gone to the dogs in terms of people, who are determining our destiny as a country.
Maybe the rot started with the State House grab of 2017, but Zimbabweans were ready to give Ngwena and his fellow Junta PF members a chance, but what is now happening in the corridors of power makes one cringe in embarrassment.
Last week we touched on the subject of whether Mnangagwa was surrounded by criminals or if he was surrounding himself with criminals.
Up to now we are still not very clear. According to what has been written and not refuted, Mnangagwa is a relative of Rushwaya, a person, who has appeared before the courts numerous times facing charges of dishonesty.
We saw Henrietta during Mnangagwa’s inauguration after the coup where she was playing some official role and wondered what he thought about her history of appearing in court facing charges of dishonesty.
Maybe he doesn’t think anything about it. Or doesn’t care about that kind of history or background.
Maybe that is why we have another Rushwaya, who is reportedly a sister of Henrietta and presumably a relative to Mnangagwa running the show at Dead BC.
We guess there is no harm in getting roles and jobs for relatives.
We certainly won’t begrudge her getting the responsibility of heading the organisation as watching Dead BC occasionally requires one to have a huge pile of painkillers to survive the excruciating torture.
The lame excuse that Mnangagwa is being sabotaged has been peddled, but that is absolute tosh.It is time Mnangagwa took responsibility for the mess that he has been creating for himself.
The president or person occupying the office may not necessarily be a respectable individual, but the office should at all times be respected and be kept clear or away from embarrassing episodes such as the ones unfolding before us.
After having interacted with Robert Mugabe for many years, surely Mnangagwa should have learnt a lot about keeping the office respected and respectable.
Snake oil salesmen and other charlatans driving their vulgar Lamborghinis and Ferraris should not be seen anywhere near Mnangagwa.
The same should be the case with shadowy conmen from Asia, who pose as businessmen.
If a president is constantly surrounded by conmen and shadowy characters, people will soon conclude that he is of a similar disposition, rightly or wrongly.
In short, last week, Henrietta Rushwaya was arrested at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport after being found in possession of about 6kg of gold, which was reportedly destined for Dubai, where a lot of donations have been coming from of late.
These donations include a plane that we can use “anytime for free” and a lot of medical donations amid interest to donate to Auxillia’s Angel of Hope Foundation.
Could that gold have been going to pay for all those opaque deals and operations?
After all, did we not have a visit recently from a senior member of the royal family of the UAE where his intention and outcome of his visit were very opaque?
Back to sister Henrietta, after being arrested, they reportedly tried to bribe civil aviation officials, who had detected the gold.
What is even more intriguing is that Rushwaya was reportedly escorted to the airport with the gold by one of Mnangagwa’s aides.
At the airport, they reportedly sabotaged the CCTV system to ensure that their movements and activities were not recorded.
Here lies the problem.
Why would an aide of the president escort a gold smuggler? That leaves room for all kinds of interpretation with most people likely to link the office of the president to the smuggling attempt.
People will also be interested to know where Rushwaya and her team got the power and influence to turn off the airport CCTV.
No ordinary person can turn off or order the disabling of the CCTV system at an international airport as there are serious security implications.
Only powerful people can do that.
This is why the president and his minders should not allow shadowy characters access to him or his office.
Another development has torched off debates around the country and beyond.
Upon being quizzed about the source of the gold, Henrietta, who was the president of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation, implicated a certain Ali, who has of late been hanging around our minister of Mines.
Ali was then arrested.
We are told that one of the aides after being nailed, told officers that the gold belonged to Auxillia and Collins — the president’s wife and son.
Right or wrong, this should not be happening as it can only do untold damage to the highest office in the land.
Surely, the illicit export of our mineral resources is one of the clearest signs of being unpatriotic sellouts as this deprives the country of any revenue inflows and results in under development.
It looks awkward when the same people associating with the president have in the past been unpatriotic to the point of throwing matches involving the national football team, the Warriors.
It smells or looks like gangsters’ paradise.
It looks untidy, Comrade President. When you are the president and not a minister where you could hide behind Robert Mugabe the Bobster, you have to be seen to be squeaky clean.
Surrounding yourself with people or relatives with a propensity for scandal and criminal activities is bound to smear you with mud and hurt your legacy as people will assume the misdemeanours have your approval or indulgence.
A 29-year-old man from Zvishavane and his girlfriend died in an accident when a Honda Fit they were travelling in veered off the road, hit a tree and overturned before landing on its roof after allegedly spending the greater part of the night drinking at a local nightspot.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the accident which occurred just after midnight on Friday at the 28km peg along the Gweru-Zvishavane highway. Asst Comm Nyathi said the vehicle was going towards Zvishavane and was being driven by Timothy Java with one passenger Caroline Mamvura (26) when the accident occured. He said Mamvura died on the spot while Java died on admission to the hospital.
“I can confirm that two people died in an accident on Friday at around 12.45am when the driver of the vehicle lost control on approaching the 28km peg and it veered off the road, hit a tree, overturned and landed on its roof. The car had one female passenger who died on the spot.
The driver died on admission to the Shurugwi District Hospital,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi said police attended the scene and Java and Mamvura’s bodies were taken to Shurugwi District Hospital mortuary.
Witnesses said the two, who are both from Zvishavane, were drinking beer at a local place for the greater part of the evening while celebrating their friend’s birthday.
A friend who declined to be named said Mamvura lived in Mapanzure on the outskirts of Zvishavane Town while Java is an artisanal miner.
The friend said the two could have been cuddling which resulted in the accident as they were discovered half naked on the scene of the accident.
“The two left the night club around midnight. Java said he would drop his girlfriend at Mapanzure before proceeding to Zvishavane Town. Soon after they left we were informed that they had been involved in an accident. The two were found not fully dressed,” said the friend.
Sikhala: We do not belong to mdct we belong to MDC Alliance.
Khupe: Ya, keep lying to yourself ulimenemene. Ulimenemene Sikhala iMDC Alliance is not a political party. Everyone knows that. iHigh Court vele.
Sikhala: Aaah, iwe Thokozani, mapolitical parties are not created in the High Court. The MDC Alliance is the people’s party do you understand? Do you hear?
Khupe: Whatever Sikhala.
Whatever Sikhala and you and your boss iRule of Law igailithandi, know that you are illegal.
UKhamisa can keep his 2.6 million votes, mina I will keep my rule of law or the rule of law will keep me.
Sikhala: aah iwe Khupe, look at my face look at me straight in the eye. Do I look like I am playing games here?
I did tell you that I am giving you 3 seconds did I not?
Khupe: Aah, whose 3 seconds? Whose 3 seconds?
3 seconds is what you do in your bedroom wena siphukuphuku, man. Shut up!
Sikhala: haah damn it Khupe, you don’t tell me to shut up.
Below is the full text of the singer Jah Prayzah’s rendition as he praised Emmerson Mnangagwa saying that he is a great bandit who freely changes the constitution, an attribution he further acknowledges at a public meeting with Mnangagwa and the then the Telecomms Minister Supa Mandiwanzira (video).
This review is revisited 3 years after the artist promoted Mnangagwa. In his song he uses repetitions of the term, Ndaakuchinja mutemo. The most frequently repeated term is – bandit “gamba.”
A ZimEye commentary 3 years ago (graphic below) passed a warning to the nation on what the country would become as a result of the singer’s praises of Mnangagwa.
The singer in the below video acknowledges that the song also made him make a lot of money, as announced by the then cabinet minister Supa Mandiwanzira.
Verse 1] Haa woo ti Tisvikewo pano Ndini Mwendamberi Ndaakuchinja mutemo Zaruraiwo dura Dzasvika rova ngoma Nyangwe huku dzamawundura Ndaakuchinja mutemo Zaruraiwo dura Dzasvika rova ngoma Nyangwe huku dzamawundura Woye mambo
[Verse 3] Haiwa hongu here ndende vasikana Pamusoroi mambo Hongu here ndende muchadura Pamusoroi mambo Haiwa hongu here ndende vasikana Pamusoroi mambo Hongu here ndende muchadura Pamusoroi mambo Tioneiwo Tioneiwo Tioneiwo Tioneiwo Tioneiwo Tioneiwo Tioneiwo Tioneiwo Kundinyenyeredza Vanondidedera Kundinyenyeredza munzira Vanondidedera Nyangwe kutondizonda ndakavaorora ini Kundizonda ndakavaremera ini Kuedza kundizonda, ndakavaorora ini Nyangwe kutondizonda ndakavaorora ini Heee rasvika
[Bridge] Haiwa hongu here ndende vasikana Pamusoroi mambo Hongu here ndende muchadura Pamusoroi mambo Haiwa hongu here ndende vasikana Pamusoroi mambo Hongu here ndende muchadura Hongu here ndende varumewee Hongu here ndende muchadura
JAH PRAYZAH PRAISES ED SAYING HE'S A GREAT WARLORD WHO FREELY CHANGES LAWS AT WILL https://t.co/ZSfVDz3zkP
Own Correspondent| Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa has promulgated Statutory Instrument 261 which stipulates the benefits to be enjoyed by former first ladies including his wife should he relinquish power any time.
Analysts argue Mr Mnangagwa is keen to “appease” former First Lady Grace Mugabe following the fallout with his long time boss Robert Mugabe.
The benefits are as follows:
such security personnel as may be determined by the President but not less than two, and to be increased by such number as may be determined by the President whenever, and for such period, as the need arisesone driverone Private Secretaryone aide-de-camp officer or personal assistantoffice accommodation as may be determined by the President
a landline telephone and a cell phoneone computersuch other office facilities, equipment and materials as may be determined by the President
suitable state residential accommodationone domestic employee
one gardener one cook and one waiter
An allowance covering medical contributions of the spouse of the former President
a diplomatic passport
business class air and rail private travel within Zimbabwe, if available up to a maximum of two trips per annum
business class international air private travel up to a maximum of two trips per annumone sedan (Mercedes Benz E300 Series) or one four-wheel-drive station wagon or an equivalent or similar class of motor vehicleone pick-up van such number of motor vehicles as may be determined by the President must be put at the disposal of the security personnel and other staff serving the spouse of a former President
fuel as may be determined by the President from time to time
maintenance of vehicles referred to in paragraph 6(a)which cost of maintenance shall be borne by the Government replacement vehicles every five years
an entertainment allowance as determined by the President from time to timetelephone expenses in respect of the office and official residence of the spouse of the former President
water and electricity exemption in respect of the office and official residence of the former spouse of a former President…
THE Government will tomorrow convene a crunch meeting with the Apex Council to deliberate on the civil servants remuneration with a new offer on the table which will put to an end the tug of war, which has been going on since April.
Tomorrow’s meeting will be the last to be convened by the two parties and if they fail to reach a consensus, according to the law, the negotiations will be deemed as a deadlock. Both Government and the civil servants have expressed confidence that the meeting will yield positive results and that some teachers who were threatening to down tools and had taken a lethargic approach to go to work ahead of full-scale school opening next week will rethink their action.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima told Sunday News that Government will bring a new offer to the table, expressing hope that the workers will accept it.
“The meeting with civil servants representatives will be held on Monday. Government has a new offer for the civil servants. We will discuss the new offer in the meeting. Unfortunately, I can’t pre-empt the offer before the meeting. While we are meeting civil servants representatives, we are urging teachers to report for duty rather than withholding the service.
“They should not hold Government to ransom. They can report for work while we finish the negotiations. The Second Republic is a listening Government,” he said.
Apex Council chairperson Mrs Cecilia Alexander said tomorrow’s meeting will be the third and final meeting between Government and the civil servants representatives. Mrs Alexander said they were hopeful that the meeting will yield positive results failure of which would be a stalemate.
“The meeting with Government has been scheduled for Monday. Legally this will be the last meeting between Government and civil servants regarding this matter. We hope that we will reach an agreement. If we do not, it means we would have reached a deadlock and we can’t negotiate any further. These are the provisions of the law. We are not privy to what Government is bringing to the table on Monday. We will be updating you on the outcome of the meeting. We have been having the negotiations since April and the Monday meeting will be our last,” she said.
The Government recently effected a 40 percent cost-of-living salary adjustment for civil servants which they started receiving last month while negotiations continue with unions representing civil servants over a final agreement on wages and other employment benefits.
The adjustment was in addition to the continuation of the US$75 a month Covid-19 allowance which are among interim steps taken by the Government to help cushion its employees while the negotiations are in progress.
By Jane Mlambo| MDC-T Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora has castigated a Zanu PF legislator who called for parliament to expel Joana Mamombe on account of suffering from mental illness saying it is sadistic and hypocritical as she needs time to recuperate.
Mwonzora made the remarks on Twitter where he challenged anyone without any mental malady to cast the first stone.
“The calls by a Zanu PF MP for the recall of Hon. Joanna Mamombe on account of her illness are sadistic, unfair, unjust and hypocritical. She must be given enough time to rest and recuperate. Let he who is without a mental malady cast the first stone,” said Mwonzora.
Last week, a Zanu PF legislator Honourable Tafanana Zhou moved a motion to have Mamombe removed from parliament arguing that rules of the August House requires mentally sound people only.
“Mr. Speaker Sir. My point of privilege arises from our national Constitution, Section 129 (1) (m) that states that, ‘The seat of a Member of Parliament becomes vacant if the Member is certified to be mentally disordered or intellectually handicapped under any law in force in Zimbabwe’…Honourable Joanna Mamombe was certified as mentally ill by two government doctors.
“I therefore honourable Speaker Sir, ask that a Privileges Committee be set to look into the matter,” said Zhou.
Zhou’s remarks have attracted wide criticism from pro-democratic forces who felt he was abusing his privilege.
By Jane Mlambo| The opposition MDC Alliance Youth Assembly has begun a rural offensive meant to energizer party supporters in the face of attempts by the Zanu PF regime to destroy the movement ahead of the 2023 plebiscite.
Yesterday the Youth Assembly leader Obey Sithole and his Secretary General Ostallos Siziba were in Masvingo where they held well attended rallies, while party Vice President was spotted in Mutare on another grassroots engagement.
Siziba confirmed their rural offensive saying they are working to re-organise the party to prepare for the worst as they continue to be confronted with internal divisions.
“Building from the rubble: Today With Zaka North compatriots as we seek to reorganize the party realist that we are now entering the shadows a new season. We kiss goodbye to the era of state sponsored internal contradictions, intrusion and slithery. The social base is strong and the task upon our shoulders is to steer the ship towards radical change,” said Siziba.
By Business Reporter | Emmersom Mnangagwa is to officiate at the upcoming National Young Champion Farmers Awards on the 6th Nov.
“The Ministry’s economic recovery programme leaves no one behind. 2020 Awards, brick by brick we are building our economic base as a nation,” the ministry of Agriculture said in a tweet.
Below is the program poster:
Preparation for National Young Champion Farmers are at advanced stage.The Ministry's economic recovery programme leaves no one behind. 2020 Awards, brick by brick we are building our economic base as a nation.#YouthCanpic.twitter.com/4jxZrk2CID
— MinofLands,Agric,Fisheries,Water&Rural Development (@MoLAFWRD_Zim) November 1, 2020
Honourable Peter Moyo who dumped Nelson Chamisa for Thokozani Khupe has told Parliament that President Emmerson Mnangagwa is doing his best for the country but he is alone.
The Southerton legislator said the President is fighting for every Zimbabweans to have a better life but there are others who are working against him.
Speaking in the National Assembly, the legislator said if the President was not on the forefront of fighting corruption, Henrietta Rushwaya would not have been arrested.
“The President is trying his level best, but he is alone in this fight. If he was not on the forefront to fight corruption, you can be rest assured that the person who was arrested with gold at the airport was not going to be arrested.
“People had the audacity to switch off the CCTV so that they would not be seen but we thank God, there were people who were honest to defeat this Lucifer. I am happy for those people who are courageous enough,” he said.
Honourable said the situation is the same when it comes to local authorities where the President want everyone to have a roof over their head, but other are coming to destroy those houses.
He said it was high time that President Mnangagwa look around him adding that there are big brains out there waiting to be tapped.
“You go to the local authorities out there; they sell residential stands to desperate home seekers. They have become land barons in every local authority.
“The President is fighting for every citizen to have shelter over his or her head, but some people are busy demolishing those houses. They are working against the President. It is high time the President looks around. There are big brains out there.
“There are big brains in the opposition who can take this country forward than the people he thinks love him. Even as I speak, I can be a very good Minister. I can do a better job than the people we think are in front of us and they are better equipped to do a better job,” he said.
According to Honourable Moyo, people surrounding President Mnangagwa pretend to defend him during the day but fight him during the night.
“They are working against the President but if they come here, they say ‘ah, we are here to defend the President, we are here to support him’ but during the night, they work against him. Therefore, corruption must be fought from all cylinders,” said the legislator.
Yesterday, 31 October 2020, one more person died from Covid-19 taking the cumulative total to 243 from the 8367 people who tested positive to the deadly disease since it was first reported in the country.
Five new cases were also recorded yesterday from the 681 PCR tests done while 10 recoveries were also reported to take the recovery rate to 94 percent.
Below is the full report from the ministry of health and child care.
PUBLIC examinations for Ordinary Level candidates will spill into January next year, while results for Grade Seven candidates will be released before year-end to allow parents adequate time to secure Form One places for their children.
The examinations commence on 1 December with around 1,2 million candidates having registered to sit for the exams countrywide. Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) board chairperson Professor Eddie Mwenje told our Harare Bureau that Advanced Level examinations will however, be completed by year-end.
“Examinations will start on December 1 with Grade Seven candidates being the first to sit for the exams. This will enable their answer scripts to be marked and the results to be published in December so as to allow parents enough time to look for Form One places. Advanced Level candidates are also likely to write and complete their examinations in December. Ordinary Level classes will have their examinations spill into January.”
He said due to the large number of subjects offered at O’Level, it was inevitable that the exams would spill into 2021.-The Sunday News
A man from Masvingo slapped and punched two women after they refused to give him their cellphone numbers, moments after he had complimented them for their body structures.
This emerged when Paul Mutero (27) was convicted by Masvingo magistrate Ms Conceptor Ngwerume of assault last week. Although he pleaded not guilty to the assault charge, the magistrate found him guilty and ordered him to pay a fine of $1 200 or face two months in jail.
Prosecuting, Ms Heather Mhlanga told the court that on 17 October, Mutero met two women, Miss Shine Mudzanga and Miss Tatenda Mudavanhu in the city at about 7pm. Mutero then started commenting on their body structures but they ignored him.
He then asked for their contact numbers but the women again ignored him.
The court heard that Mutero got angry for being ignored and grabbed Miss Mudzanga and slapped her once on the left cheek.
Miss Mudavanhu tried to restrain Mutero but he hit her on the nose and left rib, the court heard.
Mutero only stopped assaulting the women when he saw an approaching car and fled.
The case was reported at Chesvingo police who launched a manhunt and arrested Mutero.
In an unrelated incident, a woman from Chief Shumba in Masvingo assaulted her housemate with a switch after she discovered that her clay pot that was boiling with peas on the fireplace had been removed and emptied while she was away.
Shelina Marasha appeared before Ms Ngwerume on 28 October 2020 for sentencing after she pleaded guilty to the assault case. She was ordered to pay a fine of $1 640.
Prosecutor, Ms Mhlanga told the court that on 20 October, Marasha who was staying with Ms Rumbidzai Chipundo arrived home at around 12pm from a neighbouring farm.
She found a clay pot which she had left on the fire place with peas emptied and set aside.
The court heard that Marasha quizzed Ms Chipundo on why her pot was now empty and when she did not get a satisfactory answer, an argument arose.
Ms Mhlanga said Marasha then started beating up Ms Chipundo with open hands several times on the face. She then took a switch and beat Ms Chipundo several times all over the body.-The Sunday News
KAIZER Chiefs’ new coach Gavin Hunt wants a “frustrated” Khama Billiat to simplify his game.
Hunt spoke about the Zimbabwean striker soon after Chiefs’ 1-0 win against Chippa United on Tuesday night.
Billiat once again failed to find the back of the net on his 49th league appearance for Amakhosi.
“He is a little bit frustrated, any striker would be frustrated, he hasn’t scored much in the last couple of games, so he has to simplify the game a little bit more,” Hunt was quoted by Soccer Laduma.
“Even in the second half, he tried to get too clever. But to be fair, in three games he’s had a good couple of chances.
“But as long as he keeps working hard, keeps running off the ball, defending and doing the right things then he will keep playing.
“I think it’s just to break the ice with him.”
Billiat is still to find the net in Kaizer Chiefs’ opening two league matches.
The Warriors star looked a dejected figure last season under former Chiefs gaffer Ernest Middendorp.
However, new coach Hunt has vowed to turn the star’s fortunes.-The Sunday News
Own Correspondent| Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa has promulgated Statutory Instrument 261 which stipulates the benefits to be enjoyed by former first ladies.
Analysts argue Mr Mnangagwa is keen to “appease” former First Lady Grace Mugabe following the fallout with his long time boss Robert Mugabe.
The benefits are as follows:
such security personnel as may be determined by the President but not less than two, and to be increased by such number as may be determined by the President whenever, and for such period, as the need arisesone driverone Private Secretaryone aide-de-camp officer or personal assistantoffice accommodation as may be determined by the President
a landline telephone and a cell phoneone computersuch other office facilities, equipment and materials as may be determined by the President
suitable state residential accommodationone domestic employee
one gardener one cook and one waiter
An allowance covering medical contributions of the spouse of the former President
a diplomatic passport
business class air and rail private travel within Zimbabwe, if available up to a maximum of two trips per annum
business class international air private travel up to a maximum of two trips per annumone sedan (Mercedes Benz E300 Series) or one four-wheel-drive station wagon or an equivalent or similar class of motor vehicleone pick-up van such number of motor vehicles as may be determined by the President must be put at the disposal of the security personnel and other staff serving the spouse of a former President
fuel as may be determined by the President from time to time
maintenance of vehicles referred to in paragraph 6(a)which cost of maintenance shall be borne by the Government replacement vehicles every five years
an entertainment allowance as determined by the President from time to timetelephone expenses in respect of the office and official residence of the spouse of the former President
water and electricity exemption in respect of the office and official residence of the former spouse of a former President…
A clinic under Chief Sai in Gokwe South District, Midlands Province, was destroyed by fire on Wednesday living more than 30 000 families stranded.
Reports suggest that a gas leak from a refrigerator at Sai Clinic triggered the inferno which consumed drugs, medical equipment and property worth thousands of dollars.
The villagers are now forced to walk over 100km to the nearest clinic in the hot and dry district.
The incident was confirmed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi. He said:
Police are investigating a fire incident which occurred at Sai Clinic on 28 October.
It is said the fire broke out in the dispensary and spread to other rooms, destroying various properties including drugs.
No one was injured and the cause of the fire is yet to be established.
Meanwhile, Gokwe Civil Protection Unit head Netsai Mushauri said they have dispatched a team to ascertain what really happened and how they can assist.-ZTN
A Marange man who is determined not to impregnate his wife due to his fear of paternal responsibilities has resorted to using condoms, The Weekender can reveal.
Responding to a maintenance claim by his ex-wife, Blessing Mandimutsira said the three children from his first marriage are enough as he is struggling to provide for them.
“Intimacy with my new wife is less exciting as we are using protection. I cannot afford to have more children. Having three children in this economy is very expensive. I am failing to take care of my children and I do not want to overburden myself by having more,” said Mandimutsira.
He had been hauled before the courts by Mispa Mukwavaya, the mother of his children.
Mukwavaya was seeking $6 000 as maintenance for her three minor children. The pair appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mr Lazarus Murendo.
Mandimutsira offered to pay US$10 every month for the upkeep of the children. He highlighted that he is unemployed.
“Your Worship, I am struggling and she knows that. That is why she left me. She told me that I was poor and neglecting my family’s needs, yet I had been providing for them to the best of my abilities. Now she wants maintenance from a pauper like me,” said Mandimutsira.
“During our marriage we survived from the commission I got from selling bales of second hand clothes. Now with the Sakubva Flea Market closed, l’m really struggling to make ends meet,” said Mandimutsira.
However, Mukwavaya argued that a monthly pay-out of US$10 would be inadequate for her three children.
Mr Murendo told Mandimutsira to fork out $3 000 every month for the upkeep of the three kids until they turn 18 or become self-sufficient
“You are a father and should look after your children. You cannot come here and boast about your inability to provide for your children.
A minimum of $1000 should be offered for each child, although it is still inadequate,” said Murendo.-Manica Post
Farai Dziva|A Zanu PF councillor is moving around Zvimba area, Mashonaland West Province threatening to eliminate opposition members.
According to a statement released by the MDC Alliance Mashonaland West Province, the Zanu PF councillor, Mutevera is blocking party members from attending crucial meetings.
Police in the area have refused to reprimand Mutevera, it has emerged.
“Mutevera, a Zanu Cllr for ward 2 Zvimba West is moving around intimidating people not to attend our programmes…
Zanu Pf is running scared as we bring the party to the people with our heavy programmatic thrust. We are ready…”
“For #Zimbabwe to achieve its full potential #ZanupfMustGo because #ZimbabweanLivesMatter .The regime in Zimbabwe must reform. They abduct people, THEY ARE VERY CORRUPT, they unleash soldiers on defenceless civilians…”
Farai Dziva|Former Zanu PF MP Killer Zivhu has triggered a raging social media storm after claiming Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is a man of God.
Zivhu received a backlash on social media after attempting to glorify the cornered Zanu PF leader.
“Gold repa airport iro siyai ED imwi vekutaurisa saka kana hama yaba newe wabawo here.Kana ED achida zve gold ungatadza here kubudisa iye ari President.ED munhu waMwari haabiri nyika yake haana kuita President kuti asvake mari but kubatsira vanhu ve Zimbabwe mari dzake unadzo.
ED is the legitimate President of Zimbabwe,hapana chakaipa kuti President vaone vanhu kana kutorwa pictures with him.Musati kana munhu akaita zvinhu zvake kana kuba moti wakambotorwa picture na President zvine basa reyi izvozvo pakatorwa picture ndipo paibiwa here siyanayi na ED,” Zivhu wrote on Twitter.
Farai Dziva|Former Zanu PF MP Killer Zivhu has triggered a raging social media storm after claiming Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is a man of God.
Zivhu received a backlash on social media after attempting to glorify the cornered Zanu PF leader.
“Gold repa airport iro siyai ED imwi vekutaurisa saka kana hama yaba newe wabawo here.Kana ED achida zve gold ungatadza here kubudisa iye ari President.ED munhu waMwari haabiri nyika yake haana kuita President kuti asvake mari but kubatsira vanhu ve Zimbabwe mari dzake unadzo.
ED is the legitimate President of Zimbabwe,hapana chakaipa kuti President vaone vanhu kana kutorwa pictures with him.Musati kana munhu akaita zvinhu zvake kana kuba moti wakambotorwa picture na President zvine basa reyi izvozvo pakatorwa picture ndipo paibiwa here siyanayi na ED,” Zivhu wrote on Twitter.
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance deputy president, Hon Tendai Biti has pointed out that Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa himself is the “godfather of looting.”
Hon Biti was commenting on the arrest of Henrietta Rushwaya for attempting to smuggling six kilograms of gold out of the country.
Hon Biti argued : “The tragedy of Zim is that it is now run by the worst of its lot .
Thorough scumbags with no respect for rules, law and decency They have no values, no morality, no limits,no elasticity.
A vacuous extractive lot that should be seen nowhere near the State Palace A kakistocracy .
The Henrietta Rushwaya case is microcosm of the huge rot that is the commodities sector.Billions are being siphoned off Zim particularly in gold,diamonds,chrome and platinum.
The Godfather of illicit gold dealings is a well known thief masquerading as a leader.He is the Arch-Bishop.”
Following the death of our NEC member Hon Chirisa her Body will be taken to Waterfalls tomorrow evening to lie in state then burial on Sunday at Glen Forest.
Meanwhile Mourners are gathered at number 1391 Picknic Rd, Waterfalls, Harare.
Hon Chibaya (National Organising and Party Building Secretary)
Police officers last week caught a Sakubva man sodomising his girlfriend’s 12-year-old son ‘as punishment for consuming his rabbit meat’.
Victor Musonza (43) has since been hauled before the Mutare Magistrates’ Court.
He is facing aggravated indecent assault charges.
Musonza pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Ms Nyasha Kutureo on Thursday.
He was denied bail and remanded in custody to November 5 for trial.
Mr Brian Goto represented the State.
It is the State’s case that on October 20 around midday, Musonza went to his girlfriend’s home and asked the juvenile to roast his rabbit.
The boy roasted the meat but ate it.
“At around 8pm the same day, Musonza returned to collect the meat but the minor told him that he had eaten the meat as he had nothing else to eat.
“Musonza lost his temper and assaulted the boy with a wooden plank. He force-marched the child to his house. On their way there, Musonza bought some beer at a sheeben.
“Upon arrival at his house, Musonza dragged the complainant into his wooden cabin and locked the door from inside,” said Mr Goto.
The minor was forced to drink the alcohol.
Musonza then allegedly sodomised the boy.
“As he was doing so, Musonza heard some voices outside and quickly put on his clothes, thereby forgetting to wear his underwear.
As it turned out, Constables Matare and Muchiri were investigating a kidnapping case that had been reported by the minor’s mother.
They forced the door open and discovered two pairs of underwear on the floor.
The minor’s underwear and shorts were soiled with semen. When the police asked what had happened, the minor spilled the beans.
By A Correspondent- The Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa has urged information officers to highlight success stories of tobacco farmers and gold miners who are contributing much to the country’s economic growth.
Senator Mutsvangwa made the remarks while officially opening her ministry’s 2021 strategic plan meeting in Kariba.
She said:
By and large the repression and decay of the past have been dispensed with. Henceforth the challenge for information is to seize the future as game-changing reforms in economics and finance take hold and deepen.
The public has been gripped by a new sense of self-confidence as consumers too. The business sector is bullish as they produce in a more predictable market environment. Our task as information officers is to be alive to this new vista of opportunities.
We must tell stories of the plucky 190 000 TIMB registered contract farmers who have contributed billions to the national fiscus. Year after year the golden leaf sales since 2004 have rendered singular success to the historic Land Reform.
While the government believes the public is not well informed about achievements made by the incumbent government led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, some say authorities are amplifying their success stories.
Some believe the government is failing to fulfil its election promises as targets such as employment creation, improvement of living standards and stabilisation of the economy remain a pie in the air.
Zimbabwe still has the issues which the second republic pledged to “tackle head-on,” some have deepened while some new challenges are emerging each day.-statemedia
