ZIMBABWE’s monthly cost of living shot by 4,1% to almost $18 000 in September, escalating fears of deepening poverty levels in a country where over 70% of working age people are unemployed.

The majority of these people have been thrown out of formal jobs by extensive de-industrialisation, which was compounded by firm shutdowns throughout the year as government battled to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

The cost of living was measured at $17 244 in August and $15 570 in July.

Analysts said yesterday its continued rise presented the biggest challenge to millions of people who now live on State assistance and donations from non-governmental organisations.

According to the Employers Confederation of Zimbabwe, over one million people have been thrown out of formal employment this year, adding to about five million more who earn a living through menial jobs.

The Zimbabwe National Statistics agency (ZimStat) measures the total consumption poverty line (TCPL) for a family of five.

“The TCPL for an average of five persons stood at $17 956,87 in September 2020. This means that an average household required that much to purchase food and non-food items for them not to be deemed poor. This represents an increase of 4,1% when compared to the August 2020 figure of $17 244,07,” ZimStat said in a statement on Wednesday.

The latest figure demonstrates how difficult life has become for Zimbabweans ahead of the festive season which starts next month.On average, government workers earn $11 350 per month.

State workers represent the bulk of formally employed people in Zimbabwe.

Economists say these workers cannot pay for the most basic requirements like school fees, healthcare and rentals.Civil servants have been on strike throughout the year demanding a living wage.

But government has dug in, saying it has offered them enough.

ZimStat said the September 2020 food poverty line (FPL) for an average of five persons in Zimbabwe stood at $7 382.This represented an increase of 2,4% when compared to the August 2020 figure of $7 210.

The food poverty line per person stood at $1 476 representing an increase of 2,4% over the August 2020 figure of $1 442

“The food poverty datum line represents the minimum consumption expenditure necessary to ensure that each household member can (if all expenditures were devoted to food) consume a minimum food basket representing 2 100 calories. An individual whose total consumption expenditure does not exceed the food poverty line is deemed to be very poor,” ZimStat said.

“The poverty datum lines vary by province as prices vary from place to place. The TCPL for an average household in September 2020 ranged from $17 410 in Mashonaland Central province to $19 753 in Matabeleland North province. The differences are explained by differences in average prices in the provinces,” ZimStat said.

Zimbabwe, which has the world’s second highest inflation of 659,4%, after Venezuela’s 1 813%, is experiencing its worst economic crisis aggravated by runaway inflation and currency depreciation.

About seven million people are food insecure, according to the United Nations.

By A Correspondent

State run media group Zimpapers is reportedly operating at its all time low due to alleged poor leadership under group chairman Tommy Sithole.

Sithole (72) is said to have failed to bring dynamism into the company despite a lofty profile as an international administrator and business executive.

In the last reporting period, Zimpapers’ financials showed the company barely scrapping a living with massive losses and poor business performances.

Several newspaper titles have been taken from the street and are now online, with little or no advertising while staff is being laid off.

Newspaper circulation has further plummeted under Sithole, with the major titles such as Herald and Sunday Mail now selling a couple of thousand papers each week – the worst business in years.

Facing a bleak future, a number of journalists and staff have resigned.

Nearly 30 have left the organisation in the past six months, with more expected to wave goodbye to what has been the country’s most stable media stable.

The low morale at the company is blamed on Sithole, described by insiders as interfering and self-imposing, a “feared and unpleasant character with no sound strategy to change the fortunes of the company”.

Sithole was appointed last year as a non-executive chairman. He had the backing of Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa with his appointment endorsed by President Mnangagwa.

“His first goal was to try and wrest power from the CEO, Pikirayi Deketeke,” said a source, adding that the under-fire Zimpapers boss wanted to elevate the group finance officer to assume the role of Chief Operating Officer.

It is understood that Deketeke, who has a frosty relationship with Sithole dating back to the former’s previous tenure as chairman around 2006, has been living in fear.

“He has been rescued by Permanent Secretary, Nick Mangwana who stood his ground when Sithole, with the support of Minister Mutsvangwa, tried to engineer the ouster of PD (Deketeke),” the source said.

Deketeke and Mangwana have reportedly grown closer over the past year.

But Sithole, a former editor at the flagship daily – The Herald – has gone on to try to get a grip on the operations because of what is described as an inordinate sense of entitlement.

According to sources, he has hired his friends and former lackeys Davison Maruziva and Funny Mushava as “consultants” at The Herald.

He also prevented one Gareth Willard from being retired this time last year.

It is also understood that he once sought to bring back Isaac Zulu, another retired contemporary of his, but Zulu turned the offer down.

“Sithole likes to surround himself with spies and lackeys so that he can control everything,” the source said.

“The consultants have been here for a year and we don’t know how much they earn, but there has certainly not been any improvement in the quality of the work.

“Stringers and correspondents have been laid off for lack of money, but Tommy influences the retention of his lackeys. This is something that must be investigated as it constitutes abuse of office and poor corporate governance,” the source said.

It is understood that Sithole does not enjoy good relations within the board, that also includes the likes of Shingi Munyeza and Rejoice Nharaunda.

Several journalists in The Herald newsroom told this publication that the workplace had become chaotic with Sithole’s lackeys taking charge.

“The editor (Hatred Zenenga) is powerless and even diary sessions are chaired by the consultants. The editor will just be there as a sitting duck. The other day he was complaining about mistakes in the paper but these are the guys that are said to be hired for quality control.

“As we speak Funny Mushava is the de facto news editor,” the source said. This follows the removal of Obert Chifamba from the position a month ago.

Zenenga himself is said to be confused, frustrated and unsettled.

“He sees shadows everywhere and accuses people of sabotaging him,” an editor said.

Ironically, Zenenga was elevated to head The Herald from Manica Post due to his close ties to both Minister Mutsvangwa and Sithole.

At the weekend, a senior journalist in the broadcasting division revealed that the company simply had no answer to massive staff exodus, which is coming at a time when there are at least six new players being licensed by Government.

Sunday Mail, once a mass circulating weekly that is now selling a few thousand copies, is also crippled by staff movements and low morale.

Sithole’s mobile was not going through when attempts were made to seek comment from him.

He had also not responded to questions sent to him via WhatsApp.

State Media

The High Court is today expected to hear the application by Justice Erica Ndewere for an interim interdict to halt the setting up of a tribunal by President Mnangagwa to investigate her judicial conduct, pending the determination of the legality of the process followed.

Justice Ndewere approached the court after the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) made recommendations to the President to set up a tribunal to look into the question of whether or not she was fit to hold office, reported for slipshod work and delayed judgments.

She is being accused of conduct inconsistent with a judicial officer.

Fellow judge, Justice Davison Foroma is expected to hear her application brought under a certificate of urgency.

In her papers filed at the High Court on Tuesday, Justice Ndewere claimed the misconduct allegations levied against her were victimisation for refusing to comply with “unlawful orders”.

She cited President Mnangagwa, Chief Justice Luke Malaba, Judge President George Chiweshe, JSC and Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi as respondents.

Through her lawyer Ms Beatrice Mtetwa, Justice Ndewere argued that Chief Justice Malaba instituted disciplinary proceedings against her without complying with the provisions of the Judicial Services Code of Ethics Regulations as read together with the Constitution.

She argued that the complaints against her were raised by the Chief Justice, who then submitted them to himself as the Chief Justice, before they were “improperly and unprocedurally” submitted to the JSC.

Justice Ndewere contends that the JSC prematurely advised the President to set up a tribunal to investigate her without first setting up a disciplinary committee comprising of three judges as per the standard disciplinary procedure for the judges.

“The setting up of the tribunal violates the applicant’s right to administrative justice, equality before the law and right not to be treated in an unfairly discriminatory manner,” she argued.

Justice Ndewere said since the President was in the process of setting up a tribunal to investigate her, if this was not interdicted, her rights would be violated and her dignity impaired.

In addition, the setting up of a tribunal will result in her automatic suspension based on a fatally flawed process, she said.

“If the tribunal is appointed in such circumstances, I am of the view that the applicant has a reasonable apprehension that it will cause irreparable harm both to the applicant, who will be automatically suspended from her position as a judge and suffer serious reputational damage, and to society as a whole as the abuse of the investigative and disciplinary process will strike fear into the judiciary as a whole and undermine public confidence in the judiciary,” she said.

None of the respondents have yet filed their response to the application.

Justice Ndewere’s suspension from the bench will be automatic by operation of law once the tribunal is put in place.

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

The tribunal is not a criminal court, but can report that certain conduct is not consistent with holding judicial office. Justice Ndewere becomes the second judge this year to be probed for conduct that constitutes judicial misconduct, and which calls for a tribunal hearing.

Paul Nyathi

Troubled High Court judge, Justice Erica Ndewere will on Friday finally hand down judgment on a bail appeal filed by Kossam Ncube of ZLHR on behalf of Terrence Manjengwa, who has spent two months in both police and prison custody.

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has recommended a tribunal to investigate whether or not Justice Ndewere is fit to hold office after allegedly discovering that she was not clearing her workload in reasonable time and that she had not properly studied the file on a thief’s conviction and sentence when she set aside a jail term.

Justice Ndewere is battling to stop President Mnangagwa from constituting the tribunal the JSC desires.

Through Sawyer & Mkushi Legal Practitioners, Justice Ndewere seeks an order stopping the set up of the tribunal on the basis that if the tribunal is set up she will be automatically suspended, causing her irreparable damage, as well as he belief that “the setting up a tribunal is wrong factually, procedurally and on points of law”.

Justice Ndewere believes she is being victimised.

Manjengwa was arrested by ZRP members outside Harare Magistrates Court and charged with unnecessary movement and possession of dangerous weapons while following proceedings during Zengeza West constituency legislator Hon. Job Sikhala’s court session.

Manjengwa staged a protest together with other MDC Alliance activists at the Harare Regional Magistrates Court demanding the release of Sikhala, who had been arrested and charged with inciting violence in connection with 31st July demonstrations against corruption.

He is currently detained at Harare Remand Prison after being charged with criminal nuisance.

He was denied bail by the magistrates court and is waiting for bail ruling at the High Court.

OVER 300 people had, by Wednesday, been arrested in Bulawayo for public drinking, while 15 bar owners were also detained for operating after hours in violation of Covid-19 regulations.

According to regulations, members of the public are allowed to buy beer and drink at home but defiant bars and nightclubs in the city are allowing patrons to drink in the bars until late at night thereby risking spreading the virus.

The arrests, according to police, were made from last week Friday.

Acting Bulawayo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said those who were arrested were fined.

“There were over 300 people arrested for public drinking from last week Friday until today (Wednesday). On top of that, we have arrested 15 owners of beerhalls and bottle stores for operating after hours, permitting patrons to drink inside the bottle store and beerhall,” said Asst Insp Msebele.

Ass Insp Msebele urged people and bar owners to adhere to regulations aimed at preventing the spread of Covid-19.

“We’d like to urge people and bar owners not to flout Covid-19 regulations. They should operate within the law so that they don’t find themselves on the wrong side of the law,” said Asst Insp Bulawayo’s night life, has of late, since bars and restaurants were given the green light to reopen, come alive, with hordes of people looking for fun.

Outside bottle stores in the city, the story is the same as many people congregate and drink their fill, clearly flouting regulations, oblivious of the dangers of Covid-19.

The city has recorded an increase in new Covid-19 cases and now has the highest number of active cases in the country.

According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Bulawayo has almost half of the country’s active Covid-19 cases at 123 while the national figure stood at 269 as of Tuesday. The city has recorded 52 deaths.

In council’s weekly top 10 Covid-19 hotspots log sheet, Bulawayo’s city centre is a Covid-19 hotspot with 27 active cases, while Entumbane and Nkulumane lead with three deaths each from Covid-19. The most recent death (one) was on Sunday.

Of the total active Covid-19 cases in Bulawayo, seven are in Mpopoma and three in Entumbane.

Worldwide, the opening of bars and leisure spots has been identified as the root cause of spikes in new infections.

According to NewStatesman newspaper, the United Kingdom’s chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, informed MPs that the number of Covid-19 patients in intensive care in northern England might surpass the April peak — and that one of the main culprits was the hospitality industry.

Whitty showed the MPs unpublished figures that suggested pubs, bars, restaurants and cafés accounted for 30 percent of common exposure settings in England, with the figure rising to 41 percent for those under the age of 30.

EMMERSON Mnangagwa jetted into Bulawayo yesterday and is today expected to preside over the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) 26th graduation ceremony and later on meet chiefs from the Matabeleland region.

Mnangagwa landed in Bulawayo yesterday evening and he was welcomed by Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister Judith Ncube, service chiefs, senior Government officials and Zanu-PF leaders in the province.

As part of his programme in the city, he will be at Nust in the morning where the graduation ceremony will be blended. Only those graduating with first class degree classes have been invited to attend the ceremony and the rest will attend virtually as it will be live streamed on the Nust Facebook and YouTube channel.

After the Nust graduation ceremony, Mnangagwa will meet chiefs to discuss issues affecting the Matabeleland region and also tour the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) museum.

Tomorrow, Mnangagwa will be the chief witness at Ntabazinduna Training School during the hand-over take-over ceremony following the retirement of Retired Major-General Paradzai Zimondi, after 22 years at the helm of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS).

Rtd Maj-Gen Zimondi will hand over the reins to Deputy Commissioner-General Moses Chihobvu, who was promoted to Commissioner-General with effect from 1 November. Dep Comm-Gen Chihobvu has been Acting Commissioner-General since Rtd Maj-Gen Zimondi went on three months pre-retirement leave and his promotion as substantive head will take effect after Comm-Gen Zimondi formally retires.

Bulawayo provincial information officer Ms Miriam Chigonde said Mnangagwa will start with the Nust graduation before moving to other programmes.

“The President is in Bulawayo today (yesterday) and is expected to preside over the Nust graduation ceremony before proceeding to the NRZ where he will conduct a tour. The museum holds the oldest trains that were used during the colonial era,” said Ms Chigonde.

“From there he is expected to meet traditional leaders to continue his engagements on Gukurahundi and the development of the two Matabeleland provinces.”

With regards to the meeting with chiefs, President of the Chiefs Council Chief Charumbira said the engagement will be held at State House.

“From time to time the President meets with chiefs from various regions, you might be aware that he was in Manicaland Province weeks ago, now he is coming to that part of the country. He will be meeting with chiefs from Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces” he said.

Mnangagwa has in the past engaged chiefs from Matabeleland on how Government could best tackle the Gukurahundi issue to come up with permanent solutions.

Nust director of communication and marketing Mr Thabani Mpofu said the blended graduation ceremony will start at 8.30AM.

“This year’s edition of the graduation will be a bit different as we only invited First Class graduands to attend the physical ceremony.

“We have a total of 2 528 graduands and those not invited to attend physically will access the ceremony through our Facebook and YouTube pages, and on ZBCtv,” said Mr Mpofu.

“In the light of the Covid-19 pandemic and in line with WHO guidelines and Government regulations, the 2020 Graduation will mainly be virtual, with selected graduands being capped physically at the Ceremonial Hall.”

He added that selected Master of Science graduands with distinctions from various faculties will also attend the physical graduation ceremony.

Nust has seven faculties which include Applied Sciences, Built Environment, Communication and Information Science; Medicine, Engineering, Science and Technology Education.

“All invited graduands must be in full graduation regalia: a gown, cap and hood, and also wear a face mask.

“The rest of the graduands will join online and participate in the graduation from the comfort of their homes. The ceremony will be live-streamed on ZTV.”

State Media

MORE arrests over corruption are imminent at Bulawayo City Council (BCC) and other local authorities following a series of investigations on land allocation and sales by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc).

Recently, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works sent a probe team to Bulawayo to investigate graft allegations, including the unprocedural allocation of stands to councillors and senior council officials.

The drive to clean up local authorities has gathered momentum with high profile arrests.

Early this month, Zacc arrested Bulawayo City Council director of housing and community services, Dictor Khumalo on allegations of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer as defined in the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

Last month Harare town clerk Hosiah Chisango was arrested in connection with the continued unravelling of alleged illegal land deals that have rocked the city, while director of works Zvenyika Chawatama was suspended without pay as allegations of potential disciplinary offences were investigated.

Countrywide, it has also been observed that land sales are benefitting councillors, their families and handlers.

Corruption has been identified as one of the problems affecting the country’s economic growth which eventually leads to debt due to misappropriation of funds and resources.

Zimbabwe scored 24 points out of 100 on the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International.

The index ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be.

A country’s score indicates the perceived level of public sector corruption on a scale of zero (highly corrupt) and 100 (very clean).

Zacc descended on the MDC-T run local authority in September after a whistle blower alleged corruption and malpractices in the municipality, particularly issues to do with allocation and sales of council land.

One of the cited cases involves Bulawayo mayor Councillor Solomon Mguni who was allocated a plot in Rangemore to the disgruntlement of many residents.

According to the notice flighted on May 29, the town clerk Christopher Dube revealed that Clr Mguni had been offered a land lease in Rangemore for agricultural purposes on Lot 3 of plot 3 Lower Rangemore.

The lease was for an initial 25-year period while monthly rentals were pegged at $165, subject to review.

Residents argued that the 25-year land lease being offered to Clr Mguni was tantamount to corruption and also accused council officials of abusing privileges and parceling out land to cronies at what they described as ridiculously low rentals.

The anti-graft team was also interested in the application by the mayor to construct duplex flats on stand number 19789 Bulawayo Township, which was eventually turned down by councillors.

Dube as well was being investigated after a proposed allocation of a stand to him ahead of the renewal of his employment contract as the city’s town clerk.

In an interview, Zacc spokesperson Commissioner Makamure said the probing is still ongoing but investigations done so far will result in some officials getting arrested.

“Investigations are continuing in local authorities and we have gone very far in investigating corruption. Arrests are imminent in many local authorities including the Bulawayo City Council,” said Mr Makamure.

“The probing has not yet come to an end and the issues where most officials have been wanting are mostly about land allocation.”

President Mnangagwa is on record saying the Government will continue investigating and clamping down on corruption as it continues to pursue goals to achieve Vision 2030 and removing impediments towards realisation of the objective.

He recently raised concern over the level of corruption in local authorities where public funds are converted to personal use, saying Government will not hesitate to punish councillors.

The President said under the Second Republic there was need to build a legacy of good governance, accountability and transparency for the prosperity of the country.

He added that councillors and council officials were key stakeholders in the country’s economic growth and attainment of Vision 2030 aimed at transforming Zimbabwe’s economy into an upper middle-income status.

State Media

PARLIAMENT has approved Victoria Falls’ city status following recommendations by a commission that was set up to assess the town’s capacity.

Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo set the commission three years ago following an application for city status by the municipality.

The commission submitted its report on January 19, 2018 recommending that the municipality was fit to be granted city status.

Minister Moyo tabled the matter in Parliament on Wednesday where he sought the nod for President Mnangagwa to accord the status to the country’s prime tourism town.

MPs commended the development saying Victoria Falls deserved city status as it has what it takes to be a world class destination city.

If granted the status, Victoria Falls will become the first city in Matabeleland North and also the first city based on tourism in the country.

This will cement its prestigious status as the only tourism destination that competes with Cape Town in South Africa in terms of the number of hotels.

Victoria Falls, which boasts of a state-of-the-art airport, is the core of the Victoria Falls Area Tourism Development Plan and recently approved special economic zone (SEZ) corridor which comprises Masuwe Stateland, Batoka City, Mlibizi, Binga Centre, Sijalila, Hwange Hinterland and Gwayi Shangani resort, which all seek to improve tourism in and around Victoria Falls.

Government wants to make Victoria Falls its conferencing capital and plans to build Masue Satellite Town which will have a multi-purpose convention centre and state-of-the-art facilities such as five-star hotels, medical centre, a university, a Zimbabwe Defence Forces camp and sporting facilities among other facilities.

Government also plans to build about 30 000 houses at Masue as part of the Victoria Falls Development Plan.

Last week Government opened the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange which will trade in foreign currency thereby enhancing the town’s attractiveness and also lure investors.

The resort town has hosted many international events such as the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting and United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly and conferment of a city status will attract more of such events.

“Following receipt of an application by Victoria Falls Municipality for upgrading to city status, I appointed a commission to investigate the suitability of the council to be elevated to a city status. Upon my receipt of the report from the commission in December 2017, I studied the recommendation contained therein and am now satisfied that the fast growing local authority and tourist epicentre of Zimbabwe should be awarded city status.

“I now move a motion for the adoption of the report so that we can proclaim Victoria Falls Municipality as a city. I therefore call upon Parliament to resolve and recommend to the President to proclaim the municipality as a city and thereby Victoria Falls assume the status of an eminent tourism city in the world,” said Minister Moyo.

Minister Moyo said growth was inevitable for Victoria Falls, which started as a railway station under Livingstone town during the colonial Federation period and achieved town status in 1971.

It was proclaimed a municipality in 1999.

“It is therefore befitting that they progress to the next level,” said Minister Moyo.

He said the Urban Council Act states that Parliament can resolve to request the President to accord city status which will lead to proclamation and gazetting.

Minister Moyo commended Victoria Falls management for keeping updated audited financials and for crafting a robust redevelopment concept aimed at improving infrastructure ahead of granting of city status.

“The city title embolden the impression of credibility and attracts development and potential investment from both local and international investors while simultaneously embracing the element of prestige which is what any local authority envisages. The local authority together with the Ministry have therefore initiated a process of upgrading the municipality to a city status,” added Minister Moyo.

He said Government will make sure that animal corridors, wetlands and river systems in Victoria Falls are preserved.

MPs welcomed the development saying granting Victoria Falls city status to the town was long overdue.

They however implored Government to avoid crowding the existing urban area and disturbing Victoria Falls’ natural habitat which is tourism’s draw card.

Chegutu West MP Cde Dexter Nduna said the development was long overdue adding that Victoria Falls has better facilities than Kadoma city in Mashonaland West.

Hwange West MP Mr Godfrey Dube in whose constituency Victoria Falls is located said the resort town should be allowed to retain part of revenue generated from the tourism activities for development of the new city.

“We are happy and celebrating that Victoria Falls has been given city status. There should be a special arrangement for the Victoria Falls city status as it should not be equated to other cities like Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru because this one is totally different. We are also expecting development which will not disturb what is already there because we know that our visitors come to Victoria Falls because of wildlife and the river,” said Mr Dube.

Hwange East MP Tose Sansole and Binga South MP Joel Gabbuza Gabbuza concurred that while the development was welcome, due attention should be given to keep the town in its pristine state.

State Media

The Government has condemned the move by Harare City Council to reinstate senior and middle managers with pending corruption court cases, saying such moves are tantamount to undermining the courts.

Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo on Wednesday said by reinstating the arrested and suspended employees, there was no guarantee that they will not interfere with evidence and or with witnesses since they were among their subordinates.

“If you start bringing people on the same job, will they not mess up with records?” he said.

“How can they not when they are facing jail?

“We are talking about people who have records, who are supervisors and all those under them, how can they not be intimidated?”

Minister Moyo said when there was prima facie evidence that they ought to answer in court, administratively the officials will have done something which the city must be worried about.

“To bring them back when investigations are still going on, what about the paperwork, the intimidation they can bring to the workers who are there,” he said.

Minister Moyo said he had told the city mayor Jacob Mafume that the courts were there to make sure that those who were accused were brought to book.

“So, l leave it to the council, but l am sure that the courts will look very unkind to the situation where there are ongoing investigations and that person is given access to documents,” he said.

Harare Residents Trust director Mr Precious Shumba said senior council officials implicated in corruption should be cleared by the courts and internal disciplinary hearings within the shortest possible time before they could be allowed back at work.

“The magnitude of corruption in the city of Harare needs urgent intervention,” he said.

“Any delay in concluding investigations will jeopardise service provision and take us back to the 2007-2008 levels where there was impunity and high levels of unaccountability in the whole system of council.”

Combined Harare Residents Association director Mrs Loreen Mupasiri-Sani said the reinstatement was not acceptable as it displayed the council’s lack of seriousness in addressing corruption.

Zimbabwe Combined Residents Association (ZICORA) president Mr McSteven Nyabvure said the reinstatement was an attempt to perpetuate corruption.

According to the recent Human Resources and General Purposes committee minutes, the council resolved to recommend the reinstatement of those with flexible bail conditions.

Among those under suspension are town clerk Engineer Hosiah Chisango, director of housing and community services Mr Addmore Nhekairo, acting human capital director Mr Matthew Marara.

A number of other city employees have also appeared in court and are on bail.

MARRIAGES are supposedly made in heaven but when things don’t go well even a spouse’s bladder control problems during sleep can be grounds for divorce.

A woman from Umguzana village in Nyamandlovu area of Umguza district has filed for divorce from her husband claiming she was tired of living with him because he was always bed-wetting.

In a matter yet to be heard at the Bulawayo Customary Court Violet Maphosa stated that she could no longer cope with her husband of 20 years Nkululeko Ndlovu’s habit of drinking almost every day and then wetting the bed.

She said her husband bed-wets several times during the night and when she talks to him about it, he turns violent.

She claimed their bedroom now smelt like a urinal adding that she had now resorted to sleeping in the spare bedroom.

In her suit she stated that her husband’s actions were straining their marriage and that there was no love anymore between her and Ndlovu. Maphosa reiterated that their customary marriage had irretrievably broken down and there were no prospects of a restoration to a normal relationship.

“The marriage relationship between the parties has irretrievably broken down and there are no prospects of restoration of a normal marriage between them for one or more of the following reasons: 

“My husband is a drunkard and whenever he drinks, he bed-wets even many more times before morning and when I talk to him about it, he turns violent and starts beating me. 

“I am sick and tired of living in the same house with him because he drinks almost every day and then wets the bed. 

In addition to that, as a couple we have also lost love, affection, trust and respect for each other and as a result I want a divorce,” read her papers in part. 

Maphosa stated that her husband’s bed wetting habit made their house stink and that she had tried her best to help him stop it to no avail.

She further claimed that whenever she confronted him about the issue; he became violent and started verbally and physically abusing her.

Maphosa, who wants custody of their three children upon the dissolution of their marriage, wants to have their property, mostly household items and livestock to be shared equally.

Ndlovu’s response is set to be heard when the parties appear in court.-B Metro

OVER 300 people had, by Wednesday, been arrested in Bulawayo for public drinking, while 15 bar owners were also detained for operating after hours in violation of Covid-19 regulations.

According to regulations, members of the public are allowed to buy beer and drink at home but defiant bars and nightclubs in the city are allowing patrons to drink in the bars until late at night thereby risking spreading the virus.

The arrests, according to police, were made from last week Friday.

Acting Bulawayo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said those who were arrested were fined.

“There were over 300 people arrested for public drinking from last week Friday until today (Wednesday). On top of that, we have arrested 15 owners of beerhalls and bottle stores for operating after hours, permitting patrons to drink inside the bottle store and beerhall,” said Asst Insp Msebele.

Ass Insp Msebele urged people and bar owners to adhere to regulations aimed at preventing the spread of Covid-19.

“We’d like to urge people and bar owners not to flout Covid-19 regulations. They should operate within the law so that they don’t find themselves on the wrong side of the law,” said Asst Insp Bulawayo’s night life, has of late, since bars and restaurants were given the green light to reopen, come alive, with hordes of people looking for fun.

Outside bottle stores in the city, the story is the same as many people congregate and drink their fill, clearly flouting regulations, oblivious of the dangers of Covid-19.

The city has recorded an increase in new Covid-19 cases and now has the highest number of active cases in the country.

According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Bulawayo has almost half of the country’s active Covid-19 cases at 123 while the national figure stood at 269 as of Tuesday. The city has recorded 52 deaths.

In council’s weekly top 10 Covid-19 hotspots log sheet, Bulawayo’s city centre is a Covid-19 hotspot with 27 active cases, while Entumbane and Nkulumane lead with three deaths each from Covid-19. The most recent death (one) was on Sunday.

Of the total active Covid-19 cases in Bulawayo, seven are in Mpopoma and three in Entumbane.-Chronicle

Police in Mashonaland East have launched a manhunt for a Marondera man who brutally assaulted his 12-year-old son with a switch for leaving the family garden at Rusternburd Farm, unattended.

A switch is a thin branch cut from a tree.

The boy sustained severe injuries, which resemble serious burns on both legs.

Nhamo Katsukunya allegedly went into hiding after he realised that he had left his son in a critical condition.

When The Herald visited Emmanuel Katsukunya at Marondera Provincial Hospital where he is admitted, the boy was writhing in agony as he nursed the wounds.

His mother, Tryness Thomas, cut a distraught figure as she tried to come to terms with the horror attack.

She is failing to buy medication and she is afraid to go home as rumour had it that her husband was threatening to kill her.

“Emmanuel was at our garden when his friend asked to be accompanied to the grazing area to look for lost cattle,” said Ms Thomas.

“Emmanuel agreed and left the garden unattended.

“The father went to check on Emmanuel at the garden and saw that he had left the garden unattended. He then went to the grazing area to look for the boy and when Emmanuel saw his father approaching the grazing area, he knew he was in trouble and immediately returned to the garden.

“Upon arrival, he saw his father waiting for him with 10 switches which he used to brutally assault him.”

Ms Thomas said when her husband told her that he had disciplined Emmanuel, she took it lightly, but later learnt that the boy had been badly injured.

“Emmanuel refused to have dinner that night and went to sleep,” she said.

“The next morning, I discovered that the child could not stand on his feet. When the father commanded him to stand up, he fell on his back.

“My husband realised Emmanuel’s condition was bad and he immediately fled from the scene and went into hiding.”

Ms Thomas said she sought help from local health personnel who then reported the matter to police who failed to locate the father.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the boy had been left almost paralysed.

“If anyone has information that could lead to the arrest of the accused, they should contact the nearest police station,” he said.-The Herald

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance has described the late women’s rights activist and former MP, Hon Fanny Chirisa as a dedicated cadre who spent her energy fighting for democratic change.

“The MDC Alliance is saddened to learn of the passing of prominent women’s rights activist and former MP, Hon Fanny Chirisa.

Hon Chirisa was a member of the MDC Alliance National Executive Committee.

We extend our deepest condolences to her family on this sad loss,” the party said in a statement.

Farai Dziva| Overzealous prison officers stunned all and sundry when they claimed jailed MDC Alliance activist, Terrence Manjengwa is a threat to security.

The prison officers, acting on instructions from Acting Assistant Commissioner General Chikobvu blocked MDC Alliance vice chairperson Job Sikhala from seeing Manjengwa at Harare Remand Prison.

“Dear Zimbabweans, today(Wednesday) I went to Harare Remand prison to see Terrence Manjengwa and the prison authorities through the Acting Commissioner General Chikobvu denied me authority to see him.

I had a 30 minutes meeting with the said Commissioner General but he said Terrence is a threat,” Sikhala said in a brief statement.

Farai Dziva|The ZIMSEC June results are out.

According ZBC TV, ZIMSEC results for candidates who sat for their exams in June are now out.

The credibility of the results is under scrutiny given the fact that the exams were written at the peak of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

Parents and teachers cite lack of adequate preparation time for the examinations.

OCTOBER 28, 2020

Ministry of Health and Child Care Coronavirus update 27 October 2020:

New cases: 124

Locals: 11

Returnees: 1 from Zambia

Deaths
: 0

Recoveries: 7

PCR Tests Done: 1050

National Recovery Rate: 94%

Active Cases: 269

Total Cumulative Cases: 8 315

Total Recoveries: 7804

Total Deaths: 242

A 22-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for drugging and raping his friend.

Mbusowenkosi Ncube of Spitzkop Medium Suburb had pleaded not guilty to a charge of rape but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence by Gwanda regional magistrate Mrs Sibonginkosi Mkandla.

He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and four years were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.

Ncube had appeared together with Silenkosi Ndlovu (18) also of Spitzkop Medium Suburb but Ndlovu was acquitted due to lack of evidence.

Prosecuting, Mr Khumbulani Nyoni said Ncube and Ndlovu raped the 14-year-old girl on June 28 after she had accompanied Ndlovu to his place of residence.

“On 28 June at around 2PM Ndlovu met the complainant who is his friend and asked her to accompany him to his house so that he could give her a birthday present. She agreed and when they got to his home Ndlovu gave her a 500ml bottle of 7UP drink which is suspected to have been laced with drugs and she blacked out. Ndlovu was later joined by Ncube and they took advantage and raped the complainant before releasing her to go to home,” he said.

“When the complainant got home her mother suspected that she was drunk. She questioned her daughter who narrated what had happened while at Ndlovu’s home. The complainant went to hospital for an examination and it was discovered that she had some fresh bruises on her private parts. The matter was reported to the police resulting in Ncube and Ndlovu’s arrest.”

In his defence, Ndlovu, through his lawyer Mr Themba Khumalo of Mlweli Ndlovu and Partners, said on the day in question he arrived home at around 5PM and found the complainant sleeping in his room with the door locked from the inside. He said the complainant told him that her mother had chased her away as she had arrived home drunk.

“My client didn’t enter the room where the complainant was sleeping. He had this conversation with the complainant through the window as she had locked herself inside. He didn’t at any point come into contact with the complainant or rape her. If the complainant was involved in any sexual activities it surely happened wherever the complainant went after leaving his place of residence,” he said.

In his defence, Ncube also through his lawyer Mr Khumalo said on the day in question the complainant called him using her friend’s phone and asked him to organise some beer for her which she was going to collect in the afternoon. Mr Themba Khumalo said his client never gave the complainant a 500ml 7UP drink.-Chronicle

Paul Nyathi

Information just received indicates that all three journalists and Harare City Council Officials arrested while in a full council meeting have been released with no charge.

Journalists Munashe Chokodza, Takunda Mandura and Blessing Chidhakwa were arrested together with Harare City Councillors and city officials on Thursday afternoon.

This followed an unannounced raid by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Special Anti-Corruption Unit (SACU) in the middle of the full council meeting.

The arrested journalists and councilors were taken to Harare Central police station where they were allegedly not formally charged.

More details to follow ……

Paul Nyathi

Information. Publicity and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana says that the hunt for “imaginary Big Fish” in Henrietta Rushwaya case will bring no results as no so called big fish is involved in the scandal.

Watch Managwana as he responds to questions asked about the headlining scandal.

The Zimbabwe Miners Federation president Henrietta Rushwaya’s gold saga involving 6kg that was seized while allegedly being smuggled to Dubai has sucked in two more Zimbabwe Republic Police bosses, police have revealed.

In a statement this morning, police said they have now arrested six people in connection with the recovered gold worth US$333 000.

“The ZRP confirms that six more suspects have been arrested in connection with the gold smuggling investigation on Henrietta Rushwaya. These are; Ali Mohamad, Gift Karanda, Stephen Chenjerai Tserayi, Raphios Mufandauya, Superintendent Shoko and Det. Chief Inspector Chimhungu,” Police said.

Police said all the suspects are expected to appear in court soon.

Rushwaya, who is seeking bail at the courts, remains in custody following her arrest at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Monday morning.

Paul Nyathi

A 23-year-old Bulawayo vendor was on Saturday morning crushed to death by a Zupco bus when he missed a step after allegedly being pushed out of the taking off bus by the bus crew.

Sources revealed that Mbongeni Lunga was vending inside the loading bus at the Renkini Bus Terminus when the bus took off and the vendors were bundled out by the crew.

All other vendors reportedly safely jumped out of the bus while Lunga was allegedly pushed out of the bus by the crew.

He allegedly missed a step and fell down before being crashed to death by the bus.

“Mbongeni was selling his foodstuffs in the Zupco bus going to Gutu/ Mupandawana. When the bus was about to leave the terminus, they were told to drop off and he with the other vendors jumped out of a moving bus. Unfortunately, it is not clear whether he was pushed or not but he fell close to a give way sign post and the bus ran over and crushed him,” said a family source.

Efforts to get a comment from the Bulawayo Zupco Depot were not fruitful.

State Media

POLICE in Beitbridge have arrested two Bulawayo men for allegedly smuggling into the country seven signal pistols, over 1800 units of Broncleer through an illegal crossing point along the Limpopo river. The duo reportedly entered the country through an illegal crossing point at the spillway at around 4AM on Sunday.

The place is located some 500 metres east of the Alfred Beit Bridge early on Sunday morning. They were also carrying empty cartridges for the pistols, mbanje (dagga) and an assortment of groceries. The suspects, Bekezela Tshongwe (34) and Hloniphani Masuku (36) of Old Magwegwe and Cowdray Park all in Bulawayo.

National Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said further investigations were underway. He said Masuku and Tshongwe had been charged for contravening sections of the Medicine and Allied Substances, Customs and Excise and the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Acts respectively.

“The suspects were spotted by our police details on patrol as they left an illegal crossing point at the Spillway. They were then trailed to Total Service station where they were then arrested,” said Assistant Commissioner Nyathi.

“Masuku and Tshongwe were then taken to the main police station in Beitbridge where a search was conducted on them and the vehicle. It was discovered that they were in possession of 50×36 boxes of Broncleer Cough Syrup, a paper bag of dagga, four Booster Batteries, seven signal pistols, 50×2 boxes of 9mm Pak Steel Blank Cartridges and 10×2 boxes of Pepper Cartridges and other various groceries”.

He said the firearms had been taken for ballistics. The other recovered goods, he added, were taken to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA).

Ass Comm Nyathi said the 50×36 boxes of Broncleer cough syrup and a paper bag of dagga were being held as exhibits. He said the value of the smuggled goods and weight of the dagga was yet to be ascertained.

“We will not take lightly to smuggling which besides affecting revenue collection is also fueling criminal activities along the borders and countrywide. Let me warn the smugglers that their days are numbered,” he said.

Paul Nyathi

Riot police who stormed the City of Harare full council meeting on Thursday and arrested councillors bundled three innocent journalists into the arresting trucks.

The three are Munashe Chokodza who is employed by online media 263Chat, Blessing Chidhakwa (Herald) and Takunda Mandura (Open Parly).

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)-Zimbabwe has condemned the arrest of the three journalists.

Asked for comment on the journalists’ arrests, Information Ministry permanent secretary Nick Mangwana said the scribes were going to be released without charge.

“Any journalist who may have been rounded by the police will be released. Currently, they are just confirming who is a journalist and who is not,” Mangwana said.

The Zimbabwe Miners Federation boss Henrietta Rushwaya was arrested in a movie-style at the Robert Mugabe International Airport on Monday as she attempted to fly out to Dubai with 6kgs of gold without export documents, the Zim Morning Post has heard.

Sources told the Zim Morning Post that Rushwaya arrived at the Airport in the company of two “aides” who played a movie-style technique to make sure she could quickly be cleared without undergoing heavy body searches.

“She was being driven in her car while the aides used their own vehicle,” said the source.

“One of the aides, Steven Tserayi quickly accompanied her into the lobby before proceeding to the passport checkpoint.

“Tserayi also ordered that the CCTV be briefly switched off and within a short period Rushwaya had completed all processes which normally take between 10 to 20 minutes.”

The source said Tserayi then left Rushwaya after making sure she was about to go to the boarding lobby.

It was around the boarding lobby that she was asked by officers from the Military Intelligence what she had in her hand luggage.

The involvement of the military intelligence brings into play another dimension to the whole saga.

The source said Rushwaya tried to call Tserayi back but the aide had already left for State House.

“After noticing that something had gone wrong Tserayi refused to come back to the Airport.”

“He even said he had never set foot at the airport on the day in question.”

“Police then called the Central Intelligence boss Isaac Moyo and explained what had transpired.”

Tserayi was arrested on Wednesday afternoon after his boss notified President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Observers say it is the presence of the two presidential aides that complicates the issue and drags Mnangagwa into the mud.

Whose gold is it?

Since her arrest on Monday, questions have been raised about the owner of the gold Rushwaya was about to smuggle to Dubai.

Upon her arrest, Rushwaya dragged into the saga, Transnational car dealers, Ali Japan 786, after she stated that the gold belonged to them.

Speculation is also rife that Rushwaya could have been a runner for powerful government officials, with some even claiming she is related to Mnangagwa hence the gold could have been from the highest office.

Is Rushwaya related to Mnangagwa?

The Rushwaya family comes from Gutu in Masvingo Province. The Mnangagwas on the other hand, are from Dambudzo village in Mapanzure near Zvishavane in the Midlands province.

Is politics at play?

Some observers have said factional politics could be at play in Zanu PF and Rushwaya can just be a victim of the factional fights playing out in the ruling Zanu PF.

“Rushwaya is close to Mnangagwa and it is common knowledge that factionalism in Zanu PF has reached unprecedented levels.

“Mnangagwa and his deputy Constantino Chiwenga are engaged in a vicious fight to control the party ahead of 2023 elections.”

“Factionalism is oiled by sponsors so that a war chest is built well in advance. Rushwaya is most likely helping Mnangagwa build a war chest and this got into the ears of his number two.”

“Just look at how Rushwaya was arrested. Within minutes the news was all over social media giving no time for Mnangagwa to influence her release.”

Power struggles within ZMF

Since inception, there have been power struggles within ZMF which saw Rushwaya winning her presidency after some legal battles.
Insiders said ZMF has endured protracted power struggles which resulted in other officials resigning.

“Unfortunately ZMF had three vice Presidents and one of them would have been acting now but all of them resigned,” the source said.
“Blessing Hungwe was the first one to resign a few months after the election.

“Engineer Murove resigned next and a Marufu just stopped attending meetings.This shows something was extremely wrong in the organisation. Rushwaya has been accused of railroading her way out.”

Test case for the rule of law

Rushwaya’s proximity to the echelons of power presents a test case for the rule of law in Zimbabwe. Whatever happens, her case will be used to test judiciary independence. This puts whoever is hearing it in a difficult position.

Upon her initial hearing at the courts both the defence team and the State had agreed that Rushwaya be given bail.

However, barely 24 hours later magistrate Ngoni Nduna made a spectacular U-turn and objected to the granting of bail.

All eyes are on Nduna who has also ordered that more investigations be carried out as there is evidence that more people could have been involved in the smuggling racket.

Nduna argues that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) had not given compelling reasons why they consented to bail without opposing it.

– Zimbabwe Morning Post

Below is the full statement by Foreign Affairs Minister Dr SB Moyo

We take note of the debate which took place in the British House of Lords on 27 October and, once again, express our surprise at the level of invasive interest in our internal affairs which persists in the hallowed halls of Westminster Palace.

It is more than 40 years ago that the Union Flag was lowered and yet, it seems, our friends in London still regard Zimbabwe as part of their extended family – requiring constant supervision, correction and even punishment when, in their own assessment, we stray from the path they and others have chosen for us.

Naturally, we are disappointed at the overally negative tone and tenor of the debate and by the uninformed quality of much of the commentary or observation made by those who spoke.

The deliberate attempt to besmirch His Excellency the President, by way of innuendo, with the corruption and smuggling case involving Henrietta Rushwaya, is a new low, even for the noble Lords.

The Government representative in the House echoed London’s now well-known refrain simply dismissing our progress on reform as “inadequate” and dredging-up the usual, invariably unsubstantiated allegations of human-rights abuses and a failure to act on corruption.

We note, as deeply unfortunate, the implied threat of more sanctions from the UK and the assurance given to the Lords that such measures are currently under active consideration in London.

Equally unfortunate is the clear acknowledgement by the British Government that it is actively engaging others – including the African Union, the European Union, the Commonwealth, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and South Africa – with a view to further intensifying pressure upon Zimbabwe.

One would have thought that, by now, a lesson would have been learned. Zimbabwe is a sovereign state. We chart our own course based on our own national interests. We co-operate with our regional partners and indeed with all partners on the basis of mutual respect and understanding.

The openness of the New Dispensation, the sincere willingness to engage and re-engage with all who wish to engage with us is not an open invitation for interference or intrusion into our internal affairs.

Genuine friends and partners do not prescribe or dictate : they guide, advise and assist.

From Government’s perspective, the UK is a respected and important trade, development and investment partner. Notwithstanding our troubled history, the lingering legacy of British colonial rule and the occasional tension within the relationship today, Zimbabwe is determined to forge a productive, mutually-beneficial partnership with the UK. Our assumption, to date, is that that desire is fully reciprocated by the United Kingdom.

Just two weeks ago, we submitted the formal Instrument of Ratification of the Economic Partnership Agreement between Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom – which will allow for the continuity of preferential Zimbabwe-UK trade even after Brexit.

There are many other areas of cooperation and collaboration between Zimbabwe and the UK. These are the real building blocks of the relationship we seek to re-establish with our friends in London.

Harare 29 October 2020

A 20-YEAR-OLD Esigodini man has been arrested for allegedly raping a 47-year-old woman after she turned down his love proposal.

Brian Ndlovu of Tusi Village in Esibomvu area was not asked to plead when he appeared before Gwanda magistrate, Miss Lerato Nyathi facing a rape charge. He was remanded in custody to November 6.

Prosecuting, Miss Ethel Mahachi said Ndlovu met the woman while she was on her way home on June 30 and proposed love to her.

“On 30 June at around 6PM the complainant was on her way home from the business centre when she met Ndlovu. He proposed love to the complainant and she turned him down. The complainant left the accused person standing along the footpath and she proceeded home.

“On the same night at around 9PM Ndlovu arrived at the complainant’s place of residence while she was asleep in her bedroom hut. Ndlovu knocked on the door and when the complainant asked who it was he lied and pretended to be her neighbour who was in need of her help. The woman opened the door and Ndlovu requested to have sexual intercourse with her but she refused and ordered him to leave her homestead. This didn’t go down well with Ndlovu who then slapped the complainant several times on her face and threated to kill her if she didn’t give in to his demands,” he said.

Miss Mahachi said Ndlovu then ordered the complainant to remove her underwear and lie on the bed facing upwards and she complied. He said the accused person then raped the complainant.

Miss Mahachi said after committing the offence the accused person fled from the scene and the complainant rushed to a neighbour’s homestead where she sought refuge.

The matter was reported to the police resulting in the arrest of the accused person.

By Jane Mlambo| Three journalists Munashe Chokodza, Takunda Mandura and Blessing Chidhakwa have been arrested and together with Harare City Councillors and city officials.

This followed an unannounced raid by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Special Anti-Corruption Unit (SACU) in the middle of the full council meeting.

The arrested journalists and councilors have been taken to Harare Central police station though they have not been formally charged.

More to follow….

Zanu-PF acting spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa again savaged United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Brian Nichols, saying he is pushing a regime change agenda.

He alleged that Nichols was financing some private individuals to push an online anti-Zimbabwe narrative adding that the ambassador was at the forefront of pushing an CIA regime agenda.

Chinamasa said Nichols does not speak like a normal diplomat as he is not seeking to promote good relations.

He added that he felt sorry for Nichols given that he is African American and that he is being used in that manner.

Source – Daily News

We take note of the debate which took place in the British House of Lords on 27 October and, once again, express our surprise at the level of invasive interest in our internal affairs which persists in the hallowed halls of Westminster Palace. 

It is more than 40 years ago that the Union Flag was lowered and yet, it seems, our friends in London still regard Zimbabwe as part of their extended family  –  requiring constant supervision, correction and even punishment when, in their own assessment, we stray from the path they and others have chosen for us.

Naturally, we are disappointed at the overally negative tone and tenor of the debate and by the uninformed quality of much of the commentary or observation made by those who spoke.

The deliberate attempt to besmirch His Excellency the President, by way of innuendo, with the corruption and smuggling case involving Henrietta Rushwaya, is a new low, even for the noble Lords.

The Government representative in the House echoed London’s now well-known refrain simply dismissing our progress on reform as “inadequate” and dredging-up the usual, invariably unsubstantiated allegations of human-rights abuses and a failure to act on corruption.

We note, as deeply unfortunate, the implied threat of more sanctions from the UK and the assurance given to the Lords that such measures are currently under active consideration in London.

Equally unfortunate is the clear acknowledgement by the British Government that it is actively engaging others  –  including the African Union, the European Union, the Commonwealth, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and South Africa   –  with a view to further intensifying pressure upon Zimbabwe.

One would have thought that, by now,  a lesson would have been learned.  Zimbabwe is a sovereign state.  We chart our own course based on our own national interests.  We co-operate with our regional partners and indeed with all partners on the basis of mutual respect and understanding.

The openness of the New Dispensation, the sincere willingness to engage and re-engage with all who wish to engage with us is not an open invitation for interference or intrusion into our internal affairs.

Genuine friends and partners do not prescribe or dictate  :  they guide, advise and assist. 

From Government’s perspective, the UK is a respected and important trade, development and investment partner.  Notwithstanding our troubled history, the lingering legacy of British colonial rule and the occasional tension within the relationship today, Zimbabwe is determined to forge a productive, mutually-beneficial partnership with the UK.  Our assumption, to date,  is that that desire is fully reciprocated by the United Kingdom.

Just two weeks ago, we submitted the formal Instrument of Ratification of the Economic Partnership Agreement between Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom –  which will allow for the continuity of preferential Zimbabwe-UK trade  even after Brexit. 

There are many other areas of cooperation and collaboration between Zimbabwe and the UK.  These are the real building blocks of the relationship we seek to re-establish with our friends in London.

Paul Nyathi

Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) which on Monday rushed to vindicate gold smuggling arrested Henrietta Rushwaya has come to its senses and suspended her on allegations of putting the name of the organisation into disrepute.

Rushwaya who was the organisation’s President was suspended following her arrest on Monday at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe Harare International Airport while trying to smuggle 6kg of gold to Dubai.

The ZMF management board, which consists members of the national executive, the council and regional representatives convened a meeting on Thursday afternoon in Gweru and suspended Rushwaya.

Announcing the suspension, the ZMF national chairperson Mr Makumba Njenje said Rushwaya’s deputy, Mr Marufu Sithole would be acting president with immediate effect.

ZimEye is reliably informed that the Special Anti-Corruption Unit (SACU) has detained Harare City Council councilors and officials attending today’s full council meeting with the Deputy Mayor Luckson Mukunguma said to have disappeared from his chairing seat to evade arrest.

A number of council officials including Town ClerK, Hosea Chisango, former Mayor Herbert Gomba and Town Planners have been arrested in connection with corruption in the allocation of residential stands. THIS IS A DEVELOPIGN STORY

More to follow….

Farai Dziva| Overzealous prison officers stunned all and sundry when they claimed jailed MDC Alliance activist, Terrence Manjengwa is a threat to security.

The prison officers, acting on instructions from Acting Assistant Commissioner General Chikobvu blocked MDC Alliance vice chairperson Job Sikhala from seeing Manjengwa at Harare Remand Prison.

“Dear Zimbabweans, today(Wednesday) I went to Harare Remand prison to see Terrence Manjengwa and the prison authorities through the Acting Commissioner General Chikobvu denied me authority to see him.

I had a 30 minutes meeting with the said Commissioner General but he said Terrence is a threat,” Sikhala said in a brief statement.

Farai Dziva|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is punishing opposition members by making sure that they serve sentence before trial.

In a hard-hitting statement, MDC Alliance spokesperson, Stephen Sarkozy Chuma, condemned the illegal detention of party activist Terrence Manjengwa.

Read full statement below :

Terrence Manjengwa Case: When Sentence Precedes Trial

29-10-2020

Terrence Manjengwa, an MDC Alliance Youth Assembly Glen View North Organizer is languishing at Harare Remand Prison for more than two months now for attending court in solidarity with MDC Alliance Vice Chairman, Job Sikhala.

Terrence’s case is one of many where activists and dissenting voices serve jail sentences without trial.

It is a new wicked tactic by Emmerson Mnangagwa’s corrupt regime to set an example on voices that dare to raise a finger on his ever blundering government.

Serving two months in prison pending trial is worse than a situation of a criminal serving the same for a committed offence.

The new evil scheme is to bundle activists and opposition figures together with notorious criminals in prisons’ D section so as to break their spirits.

This is exactly the same scenario with ZINASU President, Takudzwa Ngadziore.

He had become a pimple in the *ss for ZANU PF interests at Impala Car Rental by his 101 meters demonstration against abductions.

Despite Ngadziore being a mere student leader voicing genuine concerns against abduction of fellow student, Tawanda Muchehiwa, the young man had to rot in prison serving a one month sentence before trial.

Investigative journalist, Hopewell Chin’ono had to go through the same punishment for becoming a sore finger to Mnangagwa’s regime due to his hard hitting corruption expose articles.

While the likes of Terrence Majengwa are serving sentences before trial, real criminals like Obadiah Moyo, Delish Nguwaya and Priscilla Mupfumira are walking scot free due to their proximity to the President’s Office.

Manjengwa and many other political prisoners rotting in prisons dotted around the country deserve justice.

It is time that as citizens we collectively demand our freedoms and justice, for the two are never voluntarily given by the oppressor.

Terrence represents all the young people itching for a just and corrupt free society. We are Terrence and Terrence is us, hence the regime must treat his issue as a matter of urgency.

As youths, we demand for the unconditional release of our fellow comrade.

#IAmTerrence!
#WeAreTerrence!
#FreeTerrence!

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Spokesperson

By A Correspondent| Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has suspended its president, Henrietta Rushwaya on allegations of putting the name of the organisation into disrepute following her arrest on Monday at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe Harare International Airport while trying to smuggle 6kg of gold to Dubai.

The ZMF management board, which consists members of the national executive, the council and regional representatives convened a meeting on Thursday afternoon in Gweru and suspended Rushwaya.

Announcing the suspension, the ZMF national chairperson Mr Makumba Njenje said Rushwaya’s deputy, Mr Marufu Sithole would be acting president with immediate effect.

-State Media

Farai Dziva|The ZIMSEC June results are out.

According ZBC TV, ZIMSEC results for candidates who sat for their exams in June are now out.

The credibility of the results is under scrutiny given the fact that the exams were written at the peak of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

Parents and teachers cite lack of adequate preparation time for the examinations.

By Stephen ‘Sarkozy’ Chuma| Terrence Manjengwa, an MDC Alliance Youth Assembly Glen View North Organizer is languishing at Harare Remand Prison for more than two months now for attending court in solidarity with MDC Alliance Vice Chairman, Job Sikhala.

Terrence’s case is one of many where activists and dissenting voices serve jail sentences without trial.

It is a new wicked tactic by Emmerson Mnangagwa’s corrupt regime to set an example on voices that dare to raise a finger on his ever blundering government.

Serving two months in prison pending trial is worse than a situation of a criminal serving the same for a committed offence.

The new evil scheme is to bundle activists and opposition figures together with notorious criminals in prisons’ D section so as to break their spirits.

This is exactly the same scenario with ZINASU President, Takudzwa Ngadziore. He had become a pimple in the ass for ZANU PF interests at Impala Car Rental by his 101 meters demonstration against abductions.

Despite Ngadziore being a mere student leader voicing genuine concerns against abduction of fellow student, Tawanda Muchehiwa, the young man had to rot in prison serving a one month sentence before trial.

Investigative journalist, Hopewell Chin’ono had to go through the same punishment for becoming a sore finger to Mnangagwa’s regime due to his hard hitting corruption expose articles.

While the likes of Terrence Majengwa are serving sentences before trial, real criminals like Obadiah Moyo, Delish Nguwaya and Priscilla Mupfumira are walking scot free due to their proximity to the President’s Office.

Manjengwa and many other political prisoners rotting in prisons dotted around the country deserve justice.

It is time that as citizens we collectively demand our freedoms and justice, for the two are never voluntarily given by the oppressor.

Terrence represents all the young people itching for a just and corrupt free society. We are Terrence and Terrence is us, hence the regime must treat his issue as a matter of urgency.

As youths, we demand for the unconditional release of our fellow comrade.

IAmTerrence!

WeAreTerrence!

FreeTerrence!

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Spokesperson

By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF acting spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa again savaged United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Brian Nichols, saying he is pushing a regime change agenda.

He alleged that Nichols was financing some private individuals to push an online anti-Zimbabwe narrative adding that the ambassador was at the forefront of pushing an CIA regime agenda.

Chinamasa said Nichols does not speak like a normal diplomat as he is not seeking to promote good relations.

He added that he felt sorry for Nichols given that he is African American and that he is being used in that manner–DailyNews

The Zimbabwe Miners Federation president Henrietta Rushwaya’s gold saga involving 6kg that was seized while allegedly being smuggled to Dubai has sucked in two more Zimbabwe Republic Police bosses, police have revealed.

In a statement this morning, police said they have now arrested six people in connection with the recovered gold worth US$333 000.

“The ZRP confirms that six more suspects have been arrested in connection with the gold smuggling investigation on Henrietta Rushwaya. These are; Ali Mohamad, Gift Karanda, Stephen Chenjerai Tserayi, Raphios Mufandauya, Superintendent Shoko and Det. Chief Inspector Chimhungu,” Police said.

Police said all the suspects are expected to appear in court soon.

Rushwaya, who is seeking bail at the courts, remains in custody following her arrest at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Monday morning.

-State Media

By Brian A Nichols| The Zimbabwean government announced on September 8 a mining ban in all national parks — reversing a decision to permit Chinese firms to explore for coal in the world-famous Hwange National Park.

This was a wise decision for sustainable development and a significant step to safeguard Zimbabwe’s protected areas and ensure wildlife conservation. The decision acknowledges that transparency is vital to create an open and fair business environment in Zimbabwe, to nurture homegrown enterprises, and to attract foreign investment.

Equally important, the reversal responded appropriately to Zimbabwean citizens who had exercised their constitutionally protected rights and demonstrated the high risks of not following the country’s established environmental compliance procedures, including serious ecological degradation of wildlife habitats that bring in valuable and sustainable international tourism revenue. Democracy in action means not just holding elections but responding to citizens’ concerns between elections as well.

The decision also sends a positive message to international companies interested in mining in national parks.

The US embassy strongly supports the combined efforts of all interested stakeholders to protect national parks, as these protected areas provide valuable revenue to the national parks authority, the tourism industry, and most importantly, to the communities that live around them.

Beyond just revenue, the national parks represent a magnificent piece of Zimbabweans’ heritage for all to cherish and enjoy.

Through the US Agency for International Development (USAid) community-based resilience and natural resource management programme, we work with targeted communities so that they receive the benefits from prudent use of the natural resources around protected areas in the southeast lowveld.

Additionally, we work closely with the tourism industry to assure that communities are an important partner to help conserve Zimbabwe’s natural resources — its spectacular protected areas that are world renowned for their diversity of stunning landscapes and wildlife.

The Chinese embassy in Zimbabwe claims they are “friends without strings” that do not “meddle in the internal affairs” of Zimbabwe”.

Let us examine this statement. What is meant by internal affairs? Is asking the government of Zimbabwe to honour its own regulations to conduct Environmental Impact Assessments of potential mining operations meddling in internal affairs? What about the prevention of the illegal wildlife trade that is run by criminal organisations who slaughter wildlife for sale outside Zimbabwe and destroy natural habitats — is this meddling in internal affairs?

When animals flee poachers and destroy crops or damage water sources outside protected areas during a humanitarian food security crisis that requires food assistance from the United States and other donors — is this an internal affair? Is the support, training, and technological assistance to the health sector in Zimbabwe considered meddling? What about ensuring a transparent and welcoming business environment in Zimbabwe to attract international business investors — another internal matter?

We encourage and support all democratic efforts to broaden local dialogue, strengthen independent media and provide the voiceless with a stake in the future of Zimbabwe — one more internal affair?

The US government has demonstrated time and again its long-standing friendship through our investments to improve the lives of the Zimbabwean people. Whether with local or international partners, we provide over US$300 million annually to the people of Zimbabwe on a wide range of domestic matters. Since 1980, the United States has provided over US$3,5 billion in assistance, including nearly US$1,2 billion in health assistance.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the US government has committed more than $19 million to assist Zimbabwe fight the pandemic and support essential health services. Our All-of-America approach highlights the generosity of American private businesses, nonprofit groups, charities, faith-based organisations, and individuals, as well as the ingenuity of our scientists, researchers, and innovators.

Through USAid programmes, we have trained more than 8 200 healthcare workers and experts to provide technical support at health facilities in Zimbabwe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through long-standing support from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for laboratory quality assurance and information management systems, high quality COVID-19 testing commenced rapidly at the onset of the pandemic.

Attracting international business partners, including US private sector enterprises, can play an important role in helping Zimbabwe restart its economy. We support US companies which seek to trade and invest in Zimbabwe.

This aids both of our nations’ prosperity, and the business practices of our companies — many of them global leaders which have a positive impact wherever they operate. US sanctions only restrict companies from doing business with 37 specific entities and 83 individuals.

These targeted sanctions have not hindered US companies which entered Zimbabwe with great fanfare and no complaints about sanctions. The US embassy facilitates private sector business relationships and promote US investment in Zimbabwe, which is why we know that credible private sector actors always conduct supply chain due diligence and their company policies do not support harmful activities.

Individual businesses decide where and when to invest based on the investment climate, predictable tax policies, and rule of law. Unfortunately, Zimbabwe ranks near the bottom on several key indicators, including the World Bank’s ease of doing business list; Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index; and the Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom report.

While we have seen US companies enter Zimbabwe, we have also seen some exit due to these challenges. It is up to Zimbabwe governmental institutions and private sector partners to demonstrate their commitment to transparency and integrity.

The ban on mining exploration in Zimbabwe’s national parks sends a clear signal that transparency and integrity will be applied in the sector. This is a meaningful step in the right direction. I encourage the government to continue on this path to realise the broad political and economic reforms that President Emmerson Mnangagwa promised when he took office. Once fully implemented, these necessary reforms will help improve Zimbabwe’s economic growth prospects as well as its ability to attract new investment.

Our continued partnership with the people of Zimbabwe and their government on these internal, domestic priorities demonstrates true friendship that improves the everyday lives of the people of Zimbabwe.

By A Correspondent- War veterans are demanding automatic tickets to represent the governing Zanu-PF party in the by-elections to fill vacant parliamentary and municipal seats.

They want the same to be done in the District Coordinating Committee (DCC elections).

The ruling party is holding primary elections ahead of the much-awaited by-elections to fill seats left vacant after the MDC-T interim President Thokozani Khupe recalled 30 legislators and 80 councillors saying they were no longer members of her party.

Victor Matemadanda, the secretary general of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWA) and Zanu-PF commissar revealed that war veterans were pushing for automatic slots in the elections as most of them were bona- fide party members.

Matemadanda, however, said “they have to be vetted” by the party’s politburo first.

“We are in the process of selecting candidates to contest in the by elections and DCC and most of the war veterans have said they wanted to be voted to represent the party,” Matemadanda said.

 “The candidates have to be vetted and approved by the party Politburo and most of the war veterans want an automatic entry into the race as the majority of them have a track record of the party.”

In the ongoing by elections in Zanu-PF some of the war veterans who have indicated that they want to contest in the by elections included Lawrence Katsiru in Marondera Central and Jeremiah Chiwetu Marondera East Constituency.

Some of the war veterans who are legislators include Joseph Chinotimba (Buhera South) and Matemadanda (Gokwe Central), among others.

ZNLWVA chairperson Christopher Mutsvangwa is the Zanu-PF shadow MP for Norton Constituency.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Vice Presidents Kembo Mohadi and Constantino Chiwenga and Zanu-PF national chairperson Oppah MuchinguriKashiri and secretary for administration Obert Mpofu are all war veterans.-BusinessTimes

Farai Dziva|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is deliberately lying to the entire nation as part of a calculated ploy to atone for his glaring blunders, President Chamisa has said.

Mr Mnangagwa claims the country cannot borrow from the World Bank because of sanctions.

According to President Chamisa, Mr Mnangagwa is bad borrower and the World Bank cannot support his administration financially.

“Mnangagwa tells supporters that they can’t borrow from the World Bank because of sactions.

Verdict: False. Mnangagwa cannot borrow because he is a bad borrower.

Their debt servicing record is very bad. They borrow and they don’t pay back.

First, they withdraw for themselves from the national account. The account gets depleted, and they raid people’s foreign currency deposits. The deposits get depleted and they now borrow from outside not to finance development but to fund their lavish lifestyles. To finance the construction of their huge mansions, purchase of fancy luxurious cars and purchase of women and opposition money mongers.

Nothing is reserved for Zimbabwe. That’s why the healthcare is in a mess. With such kind of corruption, I guarantee Zimbabwe can’t change as long the devil is in power.

A new government, totally free of Zanu pf, is the solution,” said President Chamisa in a strong statement.

By A Correspondent- In a leaked letter that was addressed to President Mnangagwa by Judges who were  complaining about Chief Justice Malaba, the Judges revealed that relatives of senior officials at the Judiciary service commission (JSC) are providing services to the commission in a clear case of corruption.

The letter further went on to reveal a case in point of how a law firm in which Chief Justice Malaba’s daughter is a partner is providing legal services to the JSC.

Complained the Judges:

…The renovation and furnishing of court rooms by relatives of senior JSC personnel across the country remains a topical issue which Commissioners do not appear to be addressing.

The provision of other services by relatives of other JSC personnel including by a firm of lawyers where the CJ’s daughter is a partner raises many conflict of interest issues as charges by the law firm are not likely to be subjected to scrutiny.

And given the wide powers that the CJ has arrogated to himself, there is the ethical Issue of whether this law firm can ever lose a case in the superior courts as the CJ determines who hears which case…

The judges also said the JSC abandoned hiring services from Rooneys and started hiring services from an events company owned by VP Chiwenga and his estranged wife Marry.

Source: Judges Complain to Mnangagwa about Chief Justice Malaba (1).

By Jane Mlambo| Bulawayo arts industry has been plunged into mourning again following the sad passing on of diversified cultural group IYASA founding member Sibonisiwe Sithole.

Sithole who was IYASA’s longest serving member remained in the group that was also home to famous names such as Sandra Ndebele among other top Bulawayo arts personalities.

“Rest in Power Sibonisiwe Sithole
You danced your way around the world and into many people’s hearts. Your talent and commitment was exemplary,” Baya said.

She was in her late 30s.

More to follow…

By A Correspondent- The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has in its latest report said reserve money increased by $2.2 billion to $17.6 billion for the week ending October 16, 2020.

According to the central bank, the surge is an indication of a rise in banking sector deposits at the RBZ as the Government paid its workers.

The central bank also reported that the stock of reserve money rose $2.1 billion while banks’ statutory reserves surged by a marginal $0.1 billion during the period under review.

Reads the report in part:

The increase in banks’ liquidity at RBZ was largely attributable to the decline of Government deposits at RBZ by $1.4 billion as the Government was paying salaries to its employees.

RBZ explained that a reduction in Government deposits at RBZ represents an injection of liquidity in the banking sector whilst an increase of deposits represents the withdrawal of money from the banks.

It also attributed the balance of $700 million increase in reserve money to the purchase of foreign exchange by the RBZ through banks for purposes of funding the foreign exchange auction system introduced in June this year.

The update also observed that purchases of foreign currency by the RBZ increase the amount of liquidity in the market, whilst the sale of foreign currency by the monetary authorities has the effect of withdrawing liquidity from the market.-statemedia

Harare City Council (HCC) has conditionally lifted suspensions of 25 officials who were implicated in an irregular sale of council stands saying their absence had negatively affected the local government’s delivery of public goods and services.

The alleged underhand dealings reportedly prejudiced the local authority of US$1 million in revenue as proceeds were never remitted into council accounts.

Director of housing and community services Admore Nhekairo is now back at work after his suspension was lifted in September.

The resolution to lift the suspension was passed by the council’s general-purpose committee meeting held on October 13. Read the minutes of the meeting:

Council notes the update on the cases of twenty-five (25) employees from its various departments who have been placed on suspension and or have pending investigation/disciplinary hearings over alleged illegal sale or improper allocation of council land.

Council notes the update on the cases of twenty-five (25) employees from its various departments who have been placed on suspension and or have pending investigation/disciplinary hearings over alleged illegal sale or improper allocation of council land.

Council notes that the employees referred to in paragraph 5(1) of the confidential report (October 12, 2020) by the acting human capital director are currently on bail whose conditions prohibit them from interfering with investigations and witnesses but do not prohibit them from reporting for duty.

The committee also agreed that employees whose bail conditions are flexible, without any strict condition may be allowed to report for duty under “very strict conditions and supervision of the investigation authorities.”

Over a dozen of Harare City Council officials including councillors were arrested and dragged to court facing charges of criminal abuse of office after selling land.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- The State yesterday made an about-turn and withdrew its earlier offer of bail to Zimbabwe Miners Federation president Henrietta Rushwaya, claiming she was likely part of a larger syndicate in a gold smuggling racket.

The State said it now had fresh details on the circumstances surrounding her case, confirming she was working with a central intelligence officer (CIO) and other purported intelligence officers.

The State threatened more arrests in connection with Rushwaya’s gold smuggling case.

The former football administrator is being charged with contravening section 182 of the Customs and Excise Act after she was arrested on Monday at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport while trying to smuggle 6 095,66 grammes of gold to Dubai.

State prosecutor Garudzo Ziyadhuma told the court that they were withdrawing their earlier consent to grant her bail and would justify why it is now being opposed.

Ziyadhuma said the manner in which the crime was committed pointed to a classic example of organised crime.

“When the accused person approached the exit point, the CCTV that was manning the area was switched off and her clearance took less than four minutes. The syndicate is actually wider and upon taking note of that in light of the scope of investigation, we are bringing some of the suspects in court on similar charges tomorrow (today),” Ziyadhuma told the court.

“There is also evidence availed that the accused person attempted to bribe the officers who captured her at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport. There are also other persons involved in assisting the accused person to smuggle the gold, a member of the Central Intelligence Organisation and another who purports to be a member of the CIO.”

Ziyadhuma said the State was also intending to investigate the destination of the gold.

Rushwaya’s lawyer Tapson Dzvetero opposed the withdrawal of the consent saying the State had not complied with the court order which asked it to provide reasons for consenting to the granting of bail.

“There is a directive by this court directed to the State on why they made concessions not to oppose bail and that directive has not been complied with by the State. The State has not submitted the reasons why they conceded to bail on Wednesday,” Dzvetero said.

Dzvetero said if there were any changed circumstances, the State was at liberty to bring them to court before it consented.

“The State’s approach leaves one with a sour taste in the mouth. Is it that the concession was made through corrupt means? If it was genuine, on which basis was it arrived at? If it was there, what was there that is now missing or has changed? The State is trying to jump the question of the concession and its basis in the first place,” Dzvetero said.

He said the approach had now scandalised the institution of the Prosecutor-General’s Office and the entire investigations.

Magistrate Ngoni Nduna postponed the matter to tomorrow, saying he needed time to assess all the points of law submitted by both parties before making a ruling.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Four more people who were arrested on Wednesday in connection with the foiled plot by Ms Henrietta Rushwaya Zimbabwe Miners Federation President (ZMF) to smuggle six (6) kgs of gold are set to appear at court today, ZimEye has learnt.

The four include:

• Ali Mohammed of the car dealership Ali Japan 786, whom Rushwaya allegedly fingered as the source of the four gold bars found in her luggage.
• Two security services officers, Steven Cherai and Rafius Mupandauya, who may have been involved in the attempt to get Rushwaya through the security checks with her gold.
• Gift Karanda who national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi last night said, when confirming the four arrests, had allegedly lied that he was a member of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) after he went to the airport to assist Rushwaya.

The state yesterday applied to withdraw their consent for bail for Rushwaya who remains in custody until Friday following her arrest at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Monday morning.

Prosecutors had initially agreed to $90 000 plus the surety of title deeds to her lawyer’s Borrowdale property.

Rushwaya is expected in court on Friday when the Harare Magistrates Courts will rule on whether or not the State can withdraw its earlier consent and if so whether Rushwaya can still be admitted to bail, and if so under what conditions.

Meanwhile, her arrest has caused concern as to how much the country could be losing through smuggling of minerals through porous borders.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission is pushing for changes in legislation that would allow it to keep 15% of crime proceeds that it recovers.

This comes after Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said that ZACC was under-resourced.

ZACC spokesperson John Makamure said that the institution had made the proposal in an Anti-Corruption Commission Lay Bill that was submitted to the AG’s office this year.

He said that the commission was hiring more skilled staff who in turn needed to be paid.

He also said that ZACC has more than 40 applications regarding asset forfeiture involving US$100 mln worth of assets that it has seized since July 2019.-FinGaz

By Jane Mlambo| The opposition MDC Alliance has announced the death of its national executive committee member and former legislator Fanny Chirisa early morning today.

Posting on Facebook, the MDC Alliance said Chirisa (69) was very active in pushing women’s rights issues.

“The MDC Alliance is saddened to learn of the passing of prominent women’s rights activist & former MP, Hon Fanny Chirisa. Hon Chirisa was a member of the MDC Alliance National Executive Committee. We extend our deepest condolences to her family on this sad loss,” the party said.

Meanwhile, party members have taken turns to remember Honorable Chirisa paying tribute to the work she did in the upliftment of women.

“She was committed to the upliftment of women especially in politics. Thank you for the consciousness Sisi Fanny Chirisa. Rest In Power qhawe lamaqhawe! Till we meet again,” party Secretary for International relations Gladys Hlatywayo said.

More to follow…

NewsDay

SUSPENDED High Court judge Justice Erica Ndewere has claimed interference by Chief Justice Luke Malaba, whom she accused of ordering her to deny bail to former Tourism minister Priscah Mupfumira and MDC Alliance deputy chairperson Job Sikhala who separately appeared before her on appeal.

Justice Ndewere was recently suspended by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for improperly quashing a prison sentence imposed on a thief and also taking too long to deliver judgments and a recommendation has already been made to President Emmerson Mnangagwa to set up a tribunal to investigate her.

She, however, denies the charges, claiming she was being victimised for spurning Chief Justice Malaba’s “unlawful” orders.

On Monday, she approached the High Court seeking an interdict order to block Mnangagwa from setting a tribunal to investigate her.

In an urgent chamber application filed on Monday, Justice Ndewere accused Chief Justice Malaba of interfering with her verdicts, thus compromising judicial independence.

Through her lawyers Mtetwa and Nyambirai Legal Practitioners, Justice Ndewere said she was being victimised by Chief Justice Malaba for refusing to deny bail to Mupfumira and Sikhala.

“… In addition, the alleged complaints amount to victimisation in that I refused to comply with the said unlawful order,” Justice Ndewere said.

“The allegations are not only false and malicious, but are calculated to compromise my independence as a judge and give the second respondent unlawful power to control and direct judges to act upon his instructions as it suits him.”

She further said the setting up of the tribunal violated her right to administrative justice, equality before the law and right not to be treated in a discriminatory manner.

The beleaguered judge also said the complaints against her were improperly and unlawfully presented and submitted to the JSC by unknown persons without following due process.

“In addition, I shall move for an order that any disciplinary proceedings against a sitting judge shall be conducted in accordance with the regulations as read with the Constitution of Zimbabwe,” Justice Ndewere said, adding that she was not opposed to being investigated as she had nothing to hide.

“… however, this investigation is being weaponised as a means of attacking not just my independence as a judge, but the independence of the Judiciary as a whole,” she argued.

Justice Ndewere said Chief Justice Malaba threatened to investigate her in August 2019 after she spurned an order to deny Mupfumira bail.

She said on September 15, 2020, she reserved judgment in Sikhala’s bail appeal, but Chief Justice Malaba’s interference continued to haunt her.

“However, I refused to be intimidated and I considered the bail appeal on the merits and, after determining that it was a meritorious case, I granted Sikhala bail,” she said.

The judge also said after complaints were raised against her, her lawyers took issue with the fact that the complainant before the JSC was Chief Justice Malaba, not her immediate supervisor Judge President George Chiweshe.

The matter is yet to be set down for hearing.

NewsDay

BULAWAYO residents have given the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) a two-day ultimatum to fulfil its promise to supply water from the Epping Forest to the city.

Most Bulawayo residential areas are facing serious water shortages, with some going for more than three weeks without tap water. High-lying areas have been without water for over five months.

The Bulawayo Water Action (Buwa), in a statement yesterday, said it had started the countdown with members displaying posters reminding Zinwa to fulfil its promise to provide water by month end.

The residents said in August, Zinwa confirmed through public media that it had received $205 million for the Nyamandlovu Epping Forest Bulawayo water augmentation project.

“On October 10, Buwa and Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association members toured the project site where they were apprised by Zinwa operations manager, one Matare and Gwayi Catchment manager Tonny Rosen on the progress made,” Buwa said.

“During the tour of Epping Forest, the Zinwa officials reiterated their position to have the project completed by the end of October. Buwa has, therefore, begun a process where it is using social media to get Bulawayo residents to count down to the end of October deadline.”

Buwa said the countdown was meant to remind Zinwa of its commitment and to show it that as residents they were seriously in need of the water from Epping Forest to alleviate the water crisis.

“The countdown will be done until October 31 where we expect Zinwa to issue an official statement clarifying if they have met their target or not. Should Zinwa confirm that water is now flowing to Bulawayo on October 31, we shall shift our focus to Bulawayo City Council and ask it to prove that there are 10 megalitres of water coming by improving the water schedule scheme,” Buwa said.

“This is not a protest, but it is active citizenship where residents are exercising their fundamental rights and freedoms and their duty to hold duty bearers to account. This action is open to anyone who wants water seriously and we invite even those outside Bulawayo to stand in solidarity with us. It shall continue everyday until the 31st of October 2020.”

Zinwa in September started drilling boreholes at Epping Forest in Nyamandlovu as part of efforts by the government to augment water supply in Bulawayo following the release of $205 million for the project.

The money was disbursed to Zinwa which is mandated to supply raw water to the local authority.

Part of the money was channelled towards upgrading the Mtshabezi Dam pipeline. Treasury released the funds in August as the government affirmed its commitment to address Bulawayo water woes.

As of mid-September, it was revealed that five boreholes had been drilled at the Nyamandlovu Aquifer with five more expected to be completed before year-end.

TEACHERS’ unions have dismissed Buhera West MP Joseph Chinotimba’s claims that they were on the opposition MDC Alliance payroll and involved in plotting government’s downfall.

The educators advised the Zanu PF legislator to concentrate on resolving his marital problems instead of delving in matters that don’t concern him.

The firebrand legislator taunted striking teachers on Tuesday, saying they were being paid by the opposition MDC Alliance to embark on a strike in order to discredit President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.

Chinotimba made the claims in Parliament after teachers insisted on United States dollar-indexed salaries.

However, teachers’ unions had no kind words for him and advised him to desist from making blanket statements, but name those whom he had identified being paid by the opposition.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Raymond Majongwe yesterday threw a salvo at Chinotimba, urging him to invest his energy in solving his domestic issues with his “many wives”.

“Chinotimba should just leave us alone. Instead, he should concentrate on solving his issues with his estranged wives. I have nothing more to say. We’re not going back to work until the employer played its part and incapacitate us,” Majongwe said.

Chinotimba made headlines last week after his second wife, Locardia Dzitiro, was caught in a compromising position with another man in Harare.

Zimbabwe Teachers Association chief executive officer Sifiso Ndlovu dismissed Chinotimba’s claims, saying his organisation was purely a teacher union representing the interests of teachers.

“We, as Zimta, are not fronting any agent,” Ndlovu said.

“We are an agent on our own representing our teachers who are drawn from all walks of life to improve their socio-economic issues. We have never been used by any agent other than trade union and social responsibility for our members. It is up to (Hon) Chinotimba to define who are these teachers on the MDC Alliance payroll.

“It is a question of incapacitation for our teachers to go to back to work. When we used the word incapacitation, it was deliberate to show that the onus lies with the employer to see into the welfare of teachers so that they deliver a social service to the people.”

The Zanu PF legislator claimed that government had done its best to address teachers’ grievances.

Teachers have been on strike since September when schools reopened for examination classes.

This strike has left students unattended, with some reportedly engaging in and sexy orgies and drugs.

Schools opened on Monday for non-examination classes, but teachers have vowed not to go back to work until government has adjusted their salaries.

Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) coronavirus/COVID-19 situation report as of 27 October 2020:

• New cases: 5
• Locals: 5
• Returnees: 0
• Deaths: 0
• Recoveries: 41
• PCR Tests Done: 571
• National Recovery Rate: 94%
• Active Cases: 233
• Total Cumulative Cases: 8 320
• Total Recoveries: 7 845
• Total Deaths: 242

NewsDay

SUSPENDED High Court judge Justice Erica Ndewere has claimed interference by Chief Justice Luke Malaba, whom she accused of ordering her to deny bail to former Tourism minister Priscah Mupfumira and MDC Alliance deputy chairperson Job Sikhala who separately appeared before her on appeal.

Justice Ndewere was recently suspended by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for improperly quashing a prison sentence imposed on a thief and also taking too long to deliver judgments and a recommendation has already been made to President Emmerson Mnangagwa to set up a tribunal to investigate her.

She, however, denies the charges, claiming she was being victimised for spurning Chief Justice Malaba’s “unlawful” orders.

On Monday, she approached the High Court seeking an interdict order to block Mnangagwa from setting a tribunal to investigate her.

In an urgent chamber application filed on Monday, Justice Ndewere accused Chief Justice Malaba of interfering with her verdicts, thus compromising judicial independence.

Through her lawyers Mtetwa and Nyambirai Legal Practitioners, Justice Ndewere said she was being victimised by Chief Justice Malaba for refusing to deny bail to Mupfumira and Sikhala.

“… In addition, the alleged complaints amount to victimisation in that I refused to comply with the said unlawful order,” Justice Ndewere said.

“The allegations are not only false and malicious, but are calculated to compromise my independence as a judge and give the second respondent unlawful power to control and direct judges to act upon his instructions as it suits him.”

She further said the setting up of the tribunal violated her right to administrative justice, equality before the law and right not to be treated in a discriminatory manner.

The beleaguered judge also said the complaints against her were improperly and unlawfully presented and submitted to the JSC by unknown persons without following due process.

“In addition, I shall move for an order that any disciplinary proceedings against a sitting judge shall be conducted in accordance with the regulations as read with the Constitution of Zimbabwe,” Justice Ndewere said, adding that she was not opposed to being investigated as she had nothing to hide.

“… however, this investigation is being weaponised as a means of attacking not just my independence as a judge, but the independence of the Judiciary as a whole,” she argued.

Justice Ndewere said Chief Justice Malaba threatened to investigate her in August 2019 after she spurned an order to deny Mupfumira bail.

She said on September 15, 2020, she reserved judgment in Sikhala’s bail appeal, but Chief Justice Malaba’s interference continued to haunt her.

“However, I refused to be intimidated and I considered the bail appeal on the merits and, after determining that it was a meritorious case, I granted Sikhala bail,” she said.

The judge also said after complaints were raised against her, her lawyers took issue with the fact that the complainant before the JSC was Chief Justice Malaba, not her immediate supervisor Judge President George Chiweshe.

The matter is yet to be set down for hearing.