By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe’s former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko will today appear at Harare Magistrates Court for his trial which is set to be held on camera.

We publish below pictures as he arrived at court.

By A Correspondent- Three police officers from Mutare have been arrested for allegedly stealing 79 of the 143 smuggled clothing bales they had intercepted.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi last night confirmed the arrest of the trio. “The police can confirm the arrest of detective Assistant Inspector R. Arovishi, Detective Sergeant K. Mushwete and Detective C. Chidakwa for criminal abuse of duty as public officers under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23,” he said.

Asst Comm Nyathi said they were working closely with the Special Anti-Corruption Unit on the matter.

According to police,  the trio intercepted a truck with 143 bales at around 1am on October 19.

The accused are said to have connived with Edward Muhamba to steal part of the contraband and they stored 79 bales at the latter’s garage in the eastern border city.

The remaining 67 were surrendered to police and the three accused officers got US$2 000 from Muhamba.

Asst Comm Nyathi said the offence came to light after the police officers failed to honour some of the terms of the agreement with Muhamba who then made a police report.

The 79 bales were recovered at Muhamba’s garage leading to the arrest of the trio.-The Herald

Paul Nyathi

The MDC Alliance has blast ZANU PF over utterances by their Buhera West MP Joseph Chinotimba claiming that the striking teachers were on the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance payroll and on a mission to make the country ungovernable.

“I rise on a point of privilege on the issue of schoolchildren. I wanted to ask tomorrow (today), but this has become a concern to us. In my opinion, teachers are no longer on strike, but are on an opposition mission,” Chinotimba said.

“Teachers, in my opinion, are on the payroll of the opposition. Our children are not going to school. If they go to school, they are not learning anything.”

Teachers downed tools in September when schools reopened for examination classes, demanding a US$520 salary which they used to earn during the United States dollar era, but government has ruled out paying US dollar-based salaries.

In reaction, the MDC Alliance told the ruling party to stop dragging them into issues of their failed governance.

Tweeted the opposition party:

BULAWAYO is recording a spike in diarrhoea cases in the middle of a deepening water crisis where most suburbs are receiving water for about 12 hours in a week.

Mzilikazi, Magwegwe and Luveve clinics are recording the highest number of cases, although sporadic incidents are received in various council-run health care centres across the city.

Bulawayo City Council (BCC) said tests are being conducted to ascertain what could be causing the diarrhoea outbreak.
The council however blamed poor hygiene for the disease outbreak.
The water situation has increased unhygienic practices such as open defecation as residents seek alternative ways of conserving water in their homes.

Experts have warned the practices could increase chances of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery.
In June, Bulawayo’s Luveve suburb recorded more than 2 000 diarrhoea cases, leading to the death of 13 people.

Human waste was blamed for contaminating water causing the typhoid and dysentery outbreak and in a number of suburbs effluent can be seen on the streets and at people’s houses.
Responding to Chronicle’s questions, BCC senior public relations Mrs Nesisa Mpofu said since September the city has recorded nearly 400 cases in three hot spots.

“Most clinics are recording an increase in the number of diarrhoea cases, however, Mzilikazi, Magwegwe and Luveve have higher figures compared to the rest.

“The figures below are for the three clinics starting at the time of the latest outbreak in Mzilikazi from 21 September 2020 to 13 October 2020. Magwegwe has recorded 89 cases, Luveve Clinic has recorded 55 cases and Mzilikazi Clinic has recorded 245 cases to date. However, the highest number was recorded in Luveve during the June to August period where over 2 000 cases were seen at the clinic and in the community,” said Mrs Mpofu.

In Mzilikazi and surrounding suburbs, children under the age of five are the hardest hit by diarrhoea.

She said unhygienic practices were the major causes of diarrhoea and council had taken measures to attend to the problem.

“Diarrhoea is generally caused by poor hygiene and non washing of hands. Regular hand washing addresses causative agents such as food, flies, fluids (drinks) and fingers,” she said.

“The city has a team dedicated to epidemic preparedness and response (EPR) responding to diarrhoeal conditions.
Ailments related to diarrhoea are also treated for free at council clinics.”

Bulawayo is experiencing the worst ever water crisis to affect the city in modern history.
To manage the water, the council has been implementing water conservation strategies which started with 48 hour water shedding exercise.

The council has been tightening the water shedding programme and is now implementing the Provisional Water Restoration Strategy Schedule where only a few suburbs are provided with water for almost 12 hours per week.

“Under the Provisional Water Restoration Strategy Schedule, council supplies residents with what is available at any given day from the service reservoirs. The schedule is also meant to ensure that the reservoirs do not collapse as any collapse of the reservoirs will leave the city without water for weeks,” said Mrs Mpofu.

“This is because we have limited quantities coming into the city from the supply dams and we also do not have any reserves in the raw water reservoir to provide a buffer should there be any challenges faced.”

–CHRONICLE

BUHERA West MP Joseph Chinotimba (Zanu PF) yesterday accused teachers of fronting for the opposition MDC Alliance through their endless industrial action, which he said had destroyed the education sector.

Chinotimba raised the issue as a matter of privilege in Parliament with the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Tsitsi Gezi.

He also alleged that the striking teachers were on the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance payroll and on a mission to make the country ungovernable.

“I rise on a point of privilege on the issue of schoolchildren. I wanted to ask tomorrow (today), but this has become a concern to us. In my opinion, teachers are no longer on strike, but are on an opposition mission,” Chinotimba said.

“Teachers, in my opinion, are on the payroll of the opposition. Our children are not going to school. If they go to school, they are not learning anything.”

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

grievances, but it seemed they wanted to continue with the strike action.

Teachers downed tools in September when schools reopened for examination classes, demanding a US$520 salary which they used to earn during the United States dollar era, but government has ruled out paying US dollar-based salaries.

The strike has left students unattended, with some reportedly engaging in drug abuse and sexy orgies.

“The teachers are being paid by one of the biggest opposition parties in Zimbabwe to make this nation ungovernable. It is better for the teachers to stay home,” Chinotimba

said.

Gezi ruled that Chinotimba should raise his issue in today’s question-and-answer session when Primary and Secondary Education minister Cain Mathema will be available to respond to the question.

Norton MP Themba Mliswa (Independent) then demanded that Chinotimba withdraws his accusations against teachers, saying the accusations would send wrong messages to the public about Parliament.

“If his statement that teachers are paid by the opposition is recorded in the Hansard, it will be a problem. It is wrong for this Parliament to be seen to be accusing teachers. My teachers in Norton are not paid by the opposition,” Mliswa said.

State Media

A 42-year-old Beitbridge man was killed, while three others were seriously injured in a road accident involving three light vehicles and a Zupco bus on Sunday evening.

The incident occurred at the 25km peg along the Beitbridge to Masvingo road near Tshapfuche area, after the first toll gate.

Police have identified the deceased as Francis Chipfuwa of Dulivhadzimu suburb, whose body has since been conveyed to Beitbridge District Hospital’s mortuary.

Three others (from Beitbridge) who were injured are being treated at the same hospital and are reported to be in a stable condition.

Acting police spokesperson for Matabeleland South, Sergeant Stanford Mguni yesterday said that further investigations into the matter were underway.

He said according to preliminary information three vehicles, an Isuzu KB250, a Toyota Hiace and a Nissan Caravan were travelling towards Beitbridge, and the bus was travelling to Chipinge when tragedy struck.

“The now deceased was driving a Toyota Hiace which was towing the Nissan Caravan using a rope and were travelling southwards (towards Beitbridge) when an Isuzu KB250 which was travelling behind rammed behind the Nissan Caravan.

“As a result, the rope gave in and the Toyota Hiace swerved to the right and it collided with the Zupco bus which was travelling in the opposite direction. Chipfuwa died instantly during the collision,” said Sgt Mguni.

He said all the light vehicles had two people each and that all the three passengers were injured.

Sgt Mguni said none was injured from the 15 people who were travelling in the bus.

A few months ago, six people, among them two minors, were burnt to death when a Ford Bantum they were travelling in veered off the road, hit a tree and caught fire a few kilometres from the same spot (along the Beitbridge-Masvingo road).

The vehicle was travelling from South Africa heading for Chitungwiza when tragedy struck soon after leaving Beitbridge Border Post.

State Media

Cabinet yesterday approved the draft of a proposed law that punishes Zimbabweans outside and inside the country who campaign for the continued imposition of sanctions with intent to harm the nation.

Strict conditions and definitions are incorporated in the proposals, basically requiring proof of intent to harm Zimbabwe and its people and so avoiding conflict with Constitutional rights.

According to the proposed law which will soon be tabled before Parliament, planned and timed protests deliberately meant to coincide with major international or regional events or visits by foreign dignitaries in order to tarnish the country’s image will also be criminalised.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting at State House Cabinet considered and approved proposals to amend the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act as presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.

“Cabinet noted that the current law does not criminalise the unauthorised communication or negotiation by private citizens with foreign governments. Such communication or negotiation has a direct or indirect implication on Zimbabwe’s foreign relations and policy,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

According to the Constitution, the country’s foreign policy must be based on the promotion and protection of the national interests of Zimbabwe, respect for international law, peaceful co-existence with other nations and the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means.

The Vienna Convention that governs diplomatic relations recognises only states as legitimate in foreign relations and negotiations, thus leaving private people and groups with no business in foreign relations and negotiations between countries.

“The amendments will criminalise the conduct of isolated citizens or groups who, for self-gain, cooperate or connive with hostile foreign governments to inflict suffering on Zimbabwean citizens and to cause damage to national interests. The individuals or groups involve themselves in issues of foreign relations without verifying facts or engaging domestic authorities,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

“Such wilful misinformation of foreign governments will therefore make the individuals or groups liable for prosecution. Other actions that will become punishable include planned and timed protests deliberately designed to coincide with major international, continental or regional events or visits. There are also various unsubstantiated claims of torture and abductions that are concocted to tarnish the image of the Government, and amendments will criminalise such conduct.”

Responding to questions from journalists, Attorney General, Advocate Prince Machaya said the proposed law was consistent with both the Constitution and international law.

“One of the requirements to be proven is that there was self-gain and connivance. The criteria on how to determine a hostile Government and other issues will be contained in the legislation. Another requirement is that the outcome is to inflict suffering for the people of Zimbabwe and that there was damage to the foreign interest of the country. Those will be the elements,” said Adv Machaya.

“The legislation will be clear so that citizens conduct themselves accordingly.”

The proposed law comes as Zimbabwe commemorated the Sadc-initiated Anti-Sanctions Day last Sunday, which was also endorsed by the African Union which was unanimous in calling for the removal of the embargo.

Opposition party activists and their supporters in civic organisations have in the past, come under fire for travelling to different Western capitals calling for the continued imposition of sanctions against Zimbabwe as a way of trying to effect illegal regime change.

State Media

President Mnangagwa last week signed into law the Attorney-General’s Office Amendment Act and the National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Act to bring the two laws in line with the Constitution.

Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda announced in last Friday’s Government Gazette.

The AG Office’s Amendment Act now provides for the appointment by the President of Deputy Attorneys-General and the AG will now chair the AG’s Office Board.

Ministries and other Government departments are now barred from employing lawyers to render legal services related to the AG’s Office without the approval of the AG while lawyers already employed by ministries are now deemed to be on secondment from the AG’s Office.

The NPA Amendment Act will provide for the appointment of Deputy Prosecutors-General to assist the Prosecutor- General and restructure the NPA Board.

A new position of Secretary to the authority has also been created by the new law.

The new structure of the NPA Board will see the PG and his or her deputy cease to be chairperson and deputy chairperson of the board.

The new Board now consists of the Prosecutor-General, a person who has been or is qualified to be a judge of the High Court or Supreme Court, appointed by the Justice Minister after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission, a Commissioner of the Civil Service Commission appointed by the Chairperson of the CSC.

Five members will be appointed by the Justice Minister of these five two shall be persons employed in the ministries responsible for justice and finance.

The President will also appoint from the membership of the board a chairperson and deputy chairperson, who shall be of different genders.

The secretary to the authority shall be the secretary to the board of the NPA.

State Media

Cabinet yesterday approved the draft of a proposed law that punishes Zimbabweans outside and inside the country who campaign for the continued imposition of sanctions with intent to harm the nation.

Strict conditions and definitions are incorporated in the proposals, basically requiring proof of intent to harm Zimbabwe and its people and so avoiding conflict with Constitutional rights.

According to the proposed law which will soon be tabled before Parliament, planned and timed protests deliberately meant to coincide with major international or regional events or visits by foreign dignitaries in order to tarnish the country’s image will also be criminalised.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting at State House Cabinet considered and approved proposals to amend the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act as presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.

“Cabinet noted that the current law does not criminalise the unauthorised communication or negotiation by private citizens with foreign governments. Such communication or negotiation has a direct or indirect implication on Zimbabwe’s foreign relations and policy,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

According to the Constitution, the country’s foreign policy must be based on the promotion and protection of the national interests of Zimbabwe, respect for international law, peaceful co-existence with other nations and the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means.

The Vienna Convention that governs diplomatic relations recognises only states as legitimate in foreign relations and negotiations, thus leaving private people and groups with no business in foreign relations and negotiations between countries.

“The amendments will criminalise the conduct of isolated citizens or groups who, for self-gain, cooperate or connive with hostile foreign governments to inflict suffering on Zimbabwean citizens and to cause damage to national interests. The individuals or groups involve themselves in issues of foreign relations without verifying facts or engaging domestic authorities,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

“Such wilful misinformation of foreign governments will therefore make the individuals or groups liable for prosecution. Other actions that will become punishable include planned and timed protests deliberately designed to coincide with major international, continental or regional events or visits. There are also various unsubstantiated claims of torture and abductions that are concocted to tarnish the image of the Government, and amendments will criminalise such conduct.”

Responding to questions from journalists, Attorney General, Advocate Prince Machaya said the proposed law was consistent with both the Constitution and international law.

“One of the requirements to be proven is that there was self-gain and connivance. The criteria on how to determine a hostile Government and other issues will be contained in the legislation. Another requirement is that the outcome is to inflict suffering for the people of Zimbabwe and that there was damage to the foreign interest of the country. Those will be the elements,” said Adv Machaya.

“The legislation will be clear so that citizens conduct themselves accordingly.”

The proposed law comes as Zimbabwe commemorated the Sadc-initiated Anti-Sanctions Day last Sunday, which was also endorsed by the African Union which was unanimous in calling for the removal of the embargo.

Opposition party activists and their supporters in civic organisations have in the past, come under fire for travelling to different Western capitals calling for the continued imposition of sanctions against Zimbabwe as a way of trying to effect illegal regime change.

The call for the illegal sanctions is premised on the hope that citizens will experience hardships and turn against the Government.

The United Nations, Sadc and the AU have all called for the unconditional removal of sanctions which have denied the country access to finance from multilateral agencies.

Zimbabwe was slapped with illegal economic sanctions by the US and European Union nearly two decades ago after it embarked on the fast-track land reform that sought to address land ownership imbalances.

The illegal sanctions have suffocated the economy as Zimbabwe cannot access lines of credit from global financial institutions.

The Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa has been on an engagement and re-engagement drive aimed at ending the country’s isolation and the efforts are beginning to pay dividends.

State Media

The Zimbabwe dollar moved marginally by less than a third of a Zimbabwean cent, against the US dollar at yesterday’s Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) foreign currency auction, trading 0,004 percent higher at 81,3531 compared to last week’s 81,3499.

Although both the lowest bid and the highest bid moved upwards, the lowest bid to $80 and the highest to $89, it is obvious that almost all bidders are now within a cent or two of the previous rate. October has seen hyper-stability on the auctions with weekly movements well below a hundredth of a percent.

“I think we will continue to see stability,” said economist Eddie Cross, “because that reflects the fundamentals.”

Key to the fundamentals indicated by Mr Cross has been Government’s deliberate efforts at expenditure containment.

Through the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), which is coming to an end this year, the authorities have managed to reverse both the country’s fiscal and current account deficits.

Data from Treasury shows that fiscal deficit as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) declined from -10,5 percent in 2017 to a surplus in 2019, and so far this year a balanced budget.

And the current account improved from a deficit of US$1,4 billion in 2018 to a surplus of US$311,2 million in 2019, with indications that Zimbabwe is continuing to export more than it imports.

Economic analyst Persistence Gwanyanya concurs: “Of course sustenance of this stability is dependent upon the determination by both RBZ and Treasury to contain money supply growth, which is the major driver of currency stability so far.

“Importantly, containing money supply growth hinges upon fiscal discipline by Treasury. It is actually fiscal indiscipline that got us into hyperinflation around 2008, which is why the new crop of economic managers have declared war against this economic adversary,” he said.

“All indicators on the ground suggest that Treasury is determined to continue with tight fiscal policy stance, which is encouraging. In fact, the market is actually feeling the heat from this fiscal stance to achieve surpluses as a way of rebalancing the country’s fiscal position.”

Yesterday’s auction saw the highest number of bidders, with total bidders on the main platform rising to 274 from last week’s 238. All 238 valid bids, that is those where bidders managed to get their paperwork in order, were successful.

Although the top bid on the main auction rose to $89 from $87,1 last week, the lowest accepted bid also rose to $80 (from $79 previously). But with the de facto range for almost all bids now having to be within a band of a few cents to produce such minute changes, these extremes have little effect. On the SMEs auction, the highest bid remained at $86, although the lowest successful bid rose to $79,9 from $79 last week.

Total bids on the SMEs board remained at 146. Total foreign currency allocation was marginally lower at US$27,8 million from US$28, 7 million although all valid bids were allotted, so the small drop was from reduced demand rather than reduced supply. The main auction accounted for US$26,1 million and SMEs took up US$1,67 million.

Yesterday, the raw materials segment accounted for the bulk of the allotments with US$10,45 million on the main auction and US$445 902 on the SMEs board.

Machinery and equipment came in second with US$4,3 million on the main and US$237 171 on the SMEs. And consumables came in third on the main auction at US$2,7 million. On the SMEs section, consumables took up US$454 901.

Although companies are accessing foreign currency from the auction system, a significant number of firms are still “double-dipping” by pegging the prices of their goods or services on the black market, resulting in pricing distortions in the market.

“Some shops are pricing their products higher in local currency by using the parallel market determined exchange rate, thus forcing buyers to opt to pay in US dollars instead of local currency.

“The implied parallel market rates are also not uniform among the different suppliers of goods,” noted the Zimbabwe Economic Policy Analysis and Research Unit (ZEPARU) in its Economic Barometer Report for September 2020.

State Media

Three police officers from Mutare have been arrested for allegedly stealing 79 of the 143 smuggled clothing bales they had intercepted.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi last night confirmed the arrest of the trio. “The police can confirm the arrest of detective Assistant Inspector R. Arovishi, Detective Sergeant K. Mushwete and Detective C. Chidakwa for criminal abuse of duty as public officers under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23,” he said.

Asst Comm Nyathi said they were working closely with the Special Anti-Corruption Unit on the matter.

According to police, the trio intercepted a truck with 143 bales at around 1am on October 19.

The accused are said to have connived with Edward Muhamba to steal part of the contraband and they stored 79 bales at the latter’s garage in the eastern border city.

The remaining 67 were surrendered to police and the three accused officers got US$2 000 from Muhamba.

Asst Comm Nyathi said the offence came to light after the police officers failed to honour some of the terms of the agreement with Muhamba who then made a police report.

The 79 bales were recovered at Muhamba’s garage leading to the arrest of the trio.

State Media

Zimbabwe Miners Federation president Henrietta Rushwaya, who is facing charges of attempting to smuggle 6kg of gold worth US$333 000 out of the country, was yesterday remanded in custody with a Harare magistrate ruling on her bail application today.

The State and defence have agreed on bail conditions, but Magistrate Ngoni Nduna said yesterday in the remand hearing that he wanted to consider the submissions first.

The State led by Mr Charles Muchemwa had proposed that Rushwaya be granted $90 000 bail, be ordered to report twice a week at CID Minerals Flora and Fauna Unit, Harare, and not to interfere with investigations and witnesses.

The State had also consented to Rushwaya surrendering the title deeds of the Borrowdale property of her defence lawyer, Mr Tapson Dzvetero, at No. 709 Crowhill Estate as surety. This would mean the lawyer was willing to ensure Rushwaya would appear in court when required.

Mr Dzvetero yesterday told the court that the defence would be ready for trial on Rushwaya’s next remand date, as she was eager to clear her name.

“The accused wishes to clear her name and wants the trial to commence. I am advised that the State completed its investigations and we hope that on the next remand date, the trial commences,” said Mr Dzvetero.

Charges against Rushwaya’s arose on Monday morning when she went to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport to catch a flight to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

She went through check-in procedures and her passport was stamped for departure. At the exit screening point on the VIP route she was asked to place her luggage through the X-ray machine by an official, who discovered a dense colour in her grey hard case.

Detectives from CID were then summoned and a physical check was carried out in the presence of other authorities. It was then allegedly discovered that she had 6 095,66 grams of gold in the form of four gold bars.

Rushwaya was asked to produce documents authorising her to take the gold out of the country and she allegedly failed to do so.

State Media

Curfew hours have been relaxed from 8pm to 10pm for the convenience of travellers, while Government has resolved to open the country’s borders in phases beginning with private passenger vehicles and pedestrians from December 1, 2020, while assessments are undertaken regarding public transport.

Speaking at a post-Cabinet briefing in Harare yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said border posts that fall into the first phase are Beitbridge, Plumtree, Victoria Falls, Chirundu, Nyamapanda and Forbes.

“The borders will open first to private passenger vehicles and pedestrian traffic as from December 1, 2020, while further assessment is being undertaken with regard to preparations for handling public passenger transport.

“Cabinet wishes to inform the public that border operating hours are being fixed between 0600 and 1800 hours until further assessment of the situation. Curfew hours are being extended beyond the current 2000 hours to 2200 hours for the convenience of those who are cleared late at ports of entry,” Minister Mutsvangwa said.

The extension of curfew hours takes effect after gazetting.

This development comes after the Department of Immigration recently advised Government to consider reopening land borders for passenger traffic in phases, particularly at Beitbridge Border Post where 500 000 people crossed per month in both directions before the national lockdown began on March 30.

Between 13 000 and 15 000 people are passing through Beitbridge Border Post each day from SADC countries, a situation that needs examination to guarantee safe movement of travellers and within health protocols against the spread of Covid-19.

Last month, Zimbabwe reopened airports to tourism-related travel, but passenger traffic by road and rail remained restricted until the latest announcement.

Only returning residents, commercial cargo, diplomats on Government business and human remains for burial were being allowed entry through the country’s land borders.

Minister Mutsvangwa acknowledged the continued assistance the country was receiving from partners to contain Covid-19 and implored citizens not to be complacent as the contagion was still to be vanquished.

“On this very positive note, the Government of Japan is supporting Zimbabwe in equipping four central and eight provincial hospitals with state-of the-art medical equipment comprising bedside intensive Care Unit monitors, an ultrasound scope, operation and examination equipment, a portable X-ray system, bedside Coronary Care Unit monitors, emergency ventilators, electrocardiographs, an anaesthesia workstation, and artificial resuscitators,” she said.

The equipment from Japan would soon be distributed to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, Mpilo Central Hospital and United Bulawayo Hospitals.

Other provincial hospitals that are set to benefit are Bindura, Chinhoyi, Gwanda, Gweru, Kadoma, Marondera, Masvingo and Mutare.

Three police officers from Mutare have been arrested for allegedly stealing 79 of the 143 smuggled clothing bales they had intercepted.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi last night confirmed the arrest of the trio. “The police can confirm the arrest of detective Assistant Inspector R. Arovishi, Detective Sergeant K. Mushwete and Detective C. Chidakwa for criminal abuse of duty as public officers under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23,” he said.

Asst Comm Nyathi said they were working closely with the Special Anti-Corruption Unit on the matter.

According to police,  the trio intercepted a truck with 143 bales at around 1am on October 19.

The accused are said to have connived with Edward Muhamba to steal part of the contraband and they stored 79 bales at the latter’s garage in the eastern border city.

The remaining 67 were surrendered to police and the three accused officers got US$2 000 from Muhamba.

Asst Comm Nyathi said the offence came to light after the police officers failed to honour some of the terms of the agreement with Muhamba who then made a police report.

The 79 bales were recovered at Muhamba’s garage leading to the arrest of the trio.-The Herald

FIVE more people have succumbed to Covid-19 in Zimbabwe and 27 positive cases have been recorded.

According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, three of the latest deaths were recorded in Bulawayo province which has the highest number of active cases at 123.

Zimbabwe has 264 active cases.

The country has recorded 242 deaths so far.

“We recorded 27 new cases and five deaths reported in the last 24 hours and the seven-day rolling average for new cases rises to 21 today from 18 yesterday,” read a statement from the Ministry.

“All 27 are local cases and three of the deaths were reported in Bulawayo, one in Manicaland and the fifth one in Masvingo province. No new recoveries reported and the national recovery rate stands at 94 percent while active cases go up to 264.”

The Ministry said as of Monday, Zimbabwe had recorded 8 303 cases, 7 797 recoveries and 242 deaths.-Chronicle

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

MLISWA FINGERS POLICE GEN MATANGA https://t.co/sK8rRopJfl

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) October 27, 2020

Farai Dziva|President Nelson Chamisa has pointed out that Zanu PF leader, Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is personally blocking Zimbabwe’s economic stability.

President Chamisa described the “sanctions story”
as a total farce.

Read full statement below:

The Sanctions “story” is a total farce.

Corruption, mismanagement, unconstitutionalism, capture of public institutions, lawlessness (all combined) have destroyed Zimbabwe.

The sanctions “story” is just an excuse for further looting. And all the above mentioned malpractices are actions of a single entity namely Zanu pf.

This entity together with their thought-free president are standing in the way of prosperity.

Zanu pf removed, Zimbabwe is a land of milk and honey and it will only take a few years to get back on track.

MDC ALLIANCE Senator Hon Muzoda involved in a car accident near Shavanhohwe Bridge along Nyamapanda road.

He was rushed to Musami Hospital for treatment.

This comes in less than 24 hours after another MDC A MP for Marondera West Caston Matewu’s car burst two tyres while he was driving from Harare to Marondera yesterday.

A Marondera resident urged the MDCA leaders to tighten their security as there are possible assassination attempts from their political enemies.

We tried to get hold of Hon Muzoda but his phone went unanswered. Zimbabwe let’s pray for our leaders.-MDC Alliance

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.

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.

Farai Dziva|A 75-year-old man has been arrested for stealing bicycles and barbed wire from his neighbours.

See below full story published by Chronicle:

A 75-YEAR-OLD Colleen Bawn man has been fined $1 500 for stealing two bicycles from his neighbour and barbed wire from a nearby farm.

Hassan Phiri was convicted on his own plea of guilty to theft by Gwanda magistrate, Miss Lerato Nyathi.

He was ordered to have paid the $1 500 fine by October 30 or risk being jailed for two months in case of default. In addition, he was sentenced to five months imprisonment which was wholly suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.

Prosecuting, Mr Noel Mandebvu said Phiri stole two bicycles from his neighbours as well as barbed wire from Bromley Farm in Collen Bawn in May.

“On 13 May at around 9PM Mr Foster Hlongwane retired to bed and left his bicycle parked by the verandah. On the following day at around 5AM his wife got up to sweep the yard and she noticed that the bicycle was missing and informed her husband. Mr Hlongwane tried to check the footprints of the accused person but couldn’t find any,” he said.

“Later during that month Mr Hlongwane heard that the police had found some bicycles at the accused person’s homestead while they were investigating another case of theft of a bicycle. On 31 May at around 10AM Mr Hlongwane then proceeded to the accused person’s homestead with the police to identify his bicycle and he found it. The bicycle is worth US$100.”

Mr Mandebvu said under the second count on May 28 at around 8PM the complainant Mr Mbuso Moyo went to visit his relatives who live close to Phiri and left his bicycle unsecured in the yard. He said at around 10PM the complainant decided to go back to his home and discovered that his bicycle was missing from where he had left it.

Mr Mandebvu said the following day at around 6AM the complainant with the assistance of neighbourhood watch committee members and some villagers tracked the bicycle tyre marks which led to them to Phiri’s homestead where they found the missing bicycle in the accused person’s field. He said the matter was reported to the police resulting in the arrest of the accused person. The value of the stolen bicycle is R2 000.

“Sometime during the period between the year 2018 and 29 May 2020 Phiri proceeded to Bromley Farm in Colleen Bawn and stole three rolls of barbed wire which had been used to fence the farm and took it to his homestead. On 29 May at around 6AM police who were investigating a case of theft of a bicycle arrived at Phiri’s homestead and found three rolls of barbed wire.

“Police carried out investigations which later revealed that Phiri had stolen the barbed wire from Bromley Farm leading to his arrest. The value of the stolen barbed wire is R1 000,” he said.

Own Correspondent |
Controversial preacher Isaac Makomichi has claimed a 60- year-old man from Zaka has been sleeping with his daughters unknowingly.

On Sunday a family of seven reportedly visited Makomichi in a bid to resolve family issues.

“The father confessed experiencing nightmares- sleeping with his four daughters.

He thought it was just bad dreams but it was something else.

He went to a sangoma 20 years ago seeking charms to win lotto and he was given a goblin instead.

This is the reason why his daughters are having problems.

I urge everyone to be more concerned about dreams.

His daughters are also experiencing bad dreams.

I will accompany him to the sangoma to return the charm,” claimed
Said Makomichi

JOHANNESBURG – The bail application for self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri, his wife, Mary, and their co-accused has been postponed to Friday by the Pretoria Magistrates Court.

The Bushiris and their three co-accused were arrested last week and face charges, including fraud and money laundering involving R102 million.

The Bushiris and their co-accused will spend another four nights in the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria.

This after their case was rolled over to allow accused number one to explain to the court why he should be granted bail.

Lawyer for accused number two earlier said that the State had no case against his client, saying that it would be in the interests of justice to release her since she had a child who she was breastfeeding.

Earlier yesterday, Advocate Anneline van den Heever tried to persuade the magistrate to postpone the matter until today but the magistrate raised a number of concerns, saying that the court roll was full and she could only hear the matter on Friday.

“As with today, we are more than willing to come and sit and wait our turn. I would suggest, your worship, that it would be in the interest of justice with regard to the facts that the matter be rolled over until tomorrow.”

She also said that she was concerned about a large group of people outside the court building where social distancing was not being adhered to.-EyeWitnessNews.

ZIMBABWE dollar maintained its stability against the US dollar at the weekly auction floor after a marginal shift to trade at 81,35 from 81,34 last week.

According to the RBZ data released after Tuesday’s auction, the weekly movement of the official rate continues to be within the range of at least one percent.
The highest bidder on the main auction was at $89 while the lowest bid remained at $80.

On the SMEs auction the highest offered was at $86 while the lowest accepted bid was at $70.
University of Zimbabwe Business School Director, Dr Nyasha Kaseke says the continued stability of the local dollar will also depend on favourable fiscal and monetary policy measures.

“It is all about how the fundamentals in place are fine tuned in the context of stability,” he said.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers president, Mr Denford Mutashu said the stable exchange rate has seen a slowdown in prices.

“The gradual trend is therefore for everyone to see in the form of stable pricing models,” he said.
Large scale firms were the biggest beneficiaries of this week’s auction after accounting for over 27 million United States dollars while smaller businesses received a total of one comma seven million United States dollars.

Nelson Chamisa’s Lawyer Advocate Thabani Mpofu has dared Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi who he said was in a relationship with underfire Zimbabwe Mines boss Henrietta Rushwaya to ”bring it on”.

Last night Mpofu took to Twitter and revealed that Rushwaya was Hodzi’s live-in lover:

Henrietta is PG Kumbirai Hodzi’s live-in girlfriend. Did the PG not know anything about this smuggling? Why again was Gula-Ndebele dismissed? Hasn’t the question of Hodzi’s fitness to remain in office arisen? Is he going to properly prosecute his lady-love?

Hodzi who is denying the allegations filed criminal charges against Thabani Mpofu and Hopewell Chin’ono who also shared Mpofu’s tweet on his social media platforms.

Hodzi reportedly reported Chin’ono and Mpofu to the Police according to Prosecutor Michael Reza who said:

I can confirm that the Prosecutor General has filed criminal complaints against Advocate Thabani Mpofu and Mr Hopewell Chin’ono for their utterances against him.

Mpofu took to Twitter to confirm that he is ready for Hodzi and dared him to ‘bring it on’:

It has been brought to my attention that PG Hodzi has in criminal abuse of office laid charges against me. Bring it on Hodzi. I’m going to completely eviscerate him. He must explain himself before a tribunal and not try and cow me into silence. Let the games begin.

Leave @daddyhope out of this. I made the allegations. Why is Reza, my Prosecutor, already getting involved in the matter? This corrupt abuse of power must be confronted head on.

Source: Advocate Mpofu Twitter

ZBC

CABINET has approved changes to the criminal law to to allow the criminalisation and prosecution of “unauthorised communication or negotiation by private citizens with foreign governments”.

The development was confirmed by information publicity and broadcasting services minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, at Tuesday’s post-cabinet media briefing.

“… the Vienna Convention on diplomatic Relations (1961) only recognises States as legitimate players in foreign relations and negotiations,” said the minister.

“Private players thus have no business in foreign relations and negotiations between countries.”

At the weekend, Zimbabwe and the region marked the second SADC Day against sanctions imposed by the West to punish Harare for its land reforms.

Now in place for two decades, the crippling sanctions were imposed at the active instigation of local opposition parties and anti-Zimbabwe civil society groups.

“The amendments will criminalise the conduct of isolated citizens or groups who, for self-gain cooperate or continue to connive with hostile foreign governments to inflict suffering on Zimbabwean citizens and to cause damage to national interests,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

Wilful misinformation of foreign governments will also be liable to prosecution under the changes, including the staging of protests “deliberately designed to coincide with major international, continental or regional visits.”

The minister added; “There are also various unsubstantiated claims of torture and abductions that are concocted to tarnish the image of government, and (the) amendments will criminalise such conduct.”

In the following video recorded by HSTV, MDC T led by Thokozani Khupe ‘s spokesperson Khalipani Phugeni took the time to address a lot of issues which include the court-sanctioned congress, the takeover of Harvest House by MDC T youths and he also said the votes garnered by Nelson Chamisa in 2018 belong to them.

Watch the length video below:

Pindula

Paul Nyathi

MDC Alliance MPs allegiant to Nelson Chamisa on Tuesday braved axing from parliament when they walked out on MDC-T interim leader Thokozani Khupe as she made her maiden speech in parliament.

Khupe, recently seconded herself into parliament as a proportional representative MP for Bulawayo replacing MDC National Chairperson Thabitha Khumalo who she recalled following a supreme court ruling which made her interim leader of the opposition party.

As the MDC Alliance MPs walked out Khupe was cheered by Zanu PF MPs throughout her speech.

The defiant MPs left as soon a as Parliament deputy speaker Tsitsi Gezi recognised Khupe during a debate on the State of the Nation Address (SONA) by President Emmerson Mnangagwa last Thursday.

As they left the legislative chamber, some MPs from both benches all clapped for Khupe who was hailed by some who shouted, “Seva”.

MDC Alliance legislators last Thursday also boycotted President Mnangagwa’s speech as they have done so since the 2018 disputed elections claiming Chamisa was robbed of his victory by the incumbent.

Paul Nyathi

Award winning journalist Hopewell Chinono had hinted that Henrietta Rushwaya would not pay a US$5000 bail to unnamed officials at Harare’s RGM Airport which led to her arrest.

Chinono made the revelation in a Tweet on Tuesday which exposed police double standards in handling suspects. According to Chinono, Rushwaya was treated like a rockstar when she was taken to court compared to how they were treated on their arrest couple of months ago.

Paul Nyathi

Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation President Henrietta Rushwaya has been remanded in custody.

The state is not opposing the granting of bail.

State Prosecutor Charles Muchemwa messed up the case which was clearly predetermined after he begged Harare Magistrate Ngoni Nduna to grant Rushwaya bail before her lawyers submitted the bail request.

Nduna had to remind Muchemwa of the need to follow procedure and allow Rushwaya’s lawyer Tapson Dzvetero to make a formal bail application before the court.

“You can’t just bring your consent for me to rubberstamp. So bail application has to be done before me to give basis of the consent,” said Nduna to Muchemwa.

Dzvetero then asked for time to apply for bail, but Nduna said it was too late before postponing the matter to Wednesday.

The state had consented to Rushwaya being granted ZWL$90 000, residing at the given address and surrendering her passport to the police among other conditions.

A determination on the bail hearing will now be made tomorrow.

She is accused of attempting to smuggle out of Zimbabwe 6kg of gold.

By A Correspondent| Popular Harare prophet, T Freddy has filed urgent High Court application to stop Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) boss, Colonel Richard Mapanda from invading his mine in Mazowe.

According to Prophet T Freddy, Colonel Mapanda last week invaded the mine with a loaded gun threatening to shoot anyone who comes back on the pit head.

Through his lawyer Jivas Mudimu of Mudimu law chambers, Prophet T Freddy who is the director of Lazania Gold Mine said holds the license and certificates to carry mining activities at the mine in question.

“Applicant is a Mining company which is in the business of mining prospect for gold on an area of approximately 100 hectares situated within RA 1566 in the Mining District of Mashonaland central under special grant is attached hereto as “Annexure “A”,” wrote Prophet T Freddy in his founding affidavit.

He said his company had gone through all required processes for registration and for Environmental Impact Assessment Certificate and no objection was raised concerning the land in question which is under his name.

“Despite all this effort which Applicant did which was at the knowledge of the 1st Respondent, he never objected, now that the applicant started its operation the 1st respondent is now disrupting the operations of the mine using force and threats. The Applicant efforts to stop the 1st respondent has proved to be abortive with fears that more confrontational approach will lead to violence” reads the affidavit.

“The Likelihood that the 1st respondent would unleash terror on the Applicant’s members is not imagined one since he came with a gun, and promised to shot anyone who comes back to the mine,” said Freddy.

He said it is his belief that there is no basis upon which the Respondent conduct is premised and that left him with no choice than to approach the court for an urgent relief.

Prophet T Freddy said he treated the matter as urgent since the respondent chased away all workers threatening to kill them if they disobey his orders hence the operation of the mine has stopped.

Provincial Mining director Mashonaland East Province has been cited as the second respondent.

PARLIAMENT has played a critical role in unearthing corruption and white-collar crime by high profile public figures leading to some of them serving time in jail.

This was revealed by the Speaker of the National assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda during an interactive meeting with the media and Civic society organisations in Chinhoyi this Tuesday.

Responding to a question from a representative of a civic society organisation on the role parliament is playing in fighting corruption, Advocate Mudenda revealed that a number of high-profile cases were exposed by parliamentary committees leading to the arrest and conviction of public figures.

He singled out the NSSA report by the public service commission as well as the committee on energy whose reports revealed some corrupt activities at the Pension Fund and the energy ministry resulting in high-profile figures, including former ministers being arraigned before the courts.

“The problem with white collar crimes is that they tend to be intricate. But now some high profile public figures have been convicted. Some are serving sentence. Apart from the Auditor-General, we have some Parliamentary committees that came up with reports that reveal corruption like for example the NSSA reports the committee on public service came up with a report indicating there is something wrong in NSSA causing the conduct of a forensic audit which then came up with a report indicating the depth of corruption and the matter is in the courts now.

“The committee on energy for example also came up with recommendations that revealed some corruption in the ministry and the then minister is currently serving sentence in jail. The committee on local government revealed some corruption activities in the Midlands and the former minister of state was fingered, brought to court and is now serving sentence in jail,” he said.

A representative of the Southern African parliamentary support trust, Mr Israel Chilimanzi said the Zimbabwean parliament is open and accessible.

“There are numerous examples that show that our parliament is open and accessible. What the speaker is doing by conducting the speaker*s forum in our view is to demystify the institution. But not only demystifying it but also he is giving a practical application of the Constitution,” he said.

The Speaker of the National Assembly has been moving across the country interfacing with communities, articulating the role of parliament and how citizens should be involved in the law-making process.

FORMER Health Minister Obadiah Moyo’s bid to have his bail reporting conditions scrapped flopped after a Harare magistrate dismissed his application.

Regional magistrate Mr Trynos Utahwashe dismissed Moyo’s application saying his it was among a number of similar applications made by prominent people ‘seeking preferential treatment’ from the court.

Mr Utahwashe said such applications by prominent people should be discouraged as the courts do not discriminate against accused persons who appear before them.

In his ruling, Mr Utahwashe said such applications are usually made when there are no changed circumstances in their cases.

Moyo had applied for variation of his bail reporting conditions saying they were costly and making it difficult for him to plan for business that needs time beyond two days.

He was ordered to report to police thrice a week.

State had opposed to his application saying he consented to the conditions and should have contested them when he was initially granted bail.

Prosecutor General Kumbirai Hodzi has filed criminal charges against pro-MDC Alliance political activists Advocate Thabani Mpofu and Hopewell Chin’ono for alleging that he lives with former ZIFA chief executive officer Henrietta Rushwaya.

Acting Public Prosecutor for the the Eastern Region Michael Reza confirmed to The Herald that the PG has reported the duo to the police.

“I can confirm that the Prosecutor General has filed criminal complaints against Advocate Thabani Mpofu and Mr Hopewell Chin’ono for their utterances against him,” he said.

-State Media

Prosecutor General Kumbirai Hodzi has filed criminal charges against pro-MDC Alliance political activists Advocate Thabani Mpofu and Hopewell Chin’ono for alleging that he lives with former ZIFA chief executive officer Henrietta Rushwaya.

Acting Public Prosecutor for the the Eastern Region Michael Reza confirmed to The Herald that the PG has reported the duo to the police.

“I can confirm that the Prosecutor General has filed criminal complaints against Advocate Thabani Mpofu and Mr Hopewell Chin’ono for their utterances against him,” he said.

-State Media

By Jane Mlambo| As widely predicted, the state did not oppose the granting of bail to Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) President Henrietta Rushwaya when she appeared before the Harare Magistrates Court this afternoon.

Rushwaya was asked to pay ZWL$90 000 bail, reside at given address and surrender her passport to the police.

She was arrested yesterday afternoon after being busted while trying to smuggle 6 kilograms of gold to Dubai.

A Central Intelligence Organisation employee who was implicated in the Rushwaya gold heist was reportedly relieved of his duties by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

More to follow…

Paul Nyathi

Reports just received indicate that a Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operative who has been President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s security aide, Steven Tserayi, has been fired after being arrested together with Henrietta Rushwaya while trying to smuggle 6.09kgs of gold bars to Dubai.

Tserayi worked in the pool of motorcade chauffeurs for President Mnangagwa.

The value of the gold is worth an estimated US$360,000 and police confirmed the arrest.

“The ZRP confirms the arrest of Henrietta Rushwaya at RGM International Airport this afternoon after scanners at the airport checkpoint indicated that there was something in her hand luggage.

“As a result, searches revealed that the suspect had 6,09kgs of gold which had not been legally and properly cleared with Customs and relevant offices for export. This is a suspected smuggling case and police are now conducting investigations.”

According to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the 53-year-old who is the president of the Zimbabwe Miners Association, failed to produce documents indicating that she had been cleared by Customs to export the gold to Dubai.

Impeccable CID sources indicated that Tserayi, a CIO with links to senior government officials, was also arrested at the RGM International Airport. However, police would not officially confirm his arrest and the statement made public by the police makes no mention of his name at all.

Please be patient as the video downloads.

By Jane Mlambo| Former Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) Chief Executive Officer Henrietta Rushwaya has now arrived at the Harare Magistrates Court for her initial appearance.

She was arrested at the Robert Mugabe International Airport yesterday while trying to smuggle 6 kilograms of gold to Dubai.

Rushwaya is also the President of Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF).

More to follow….

THE Attorney-General (AG’s) Office is investigating complaints filed against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government and other accomplices of unlawful arrest, detention and malicious prosecution of Masvingo Urban Ward 4 Councillor Godfrey Kurauone, who recently spent more than 40 days in prison before he was acquitted of charges of obstructing free movement of traffic.

Kurauone, who serves as the National Organising Secretary for the MDC-Alliance political party’s Youth Assembly, was acquitted by Masvingo Magistrate Patience Madondo on 10 September 2020 after undergoing trial on charges of obstructing the free movement of
traffic during an anti-government protest to demonstrate against rampant corruption.

He had been arrested on 31 July 2020 by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers and charged with obstructing or endangering the free movement of persons or traffic as defined in Section 38(c) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. During his trial at Masvingo Magistrates Court, prosecutors alleged that Kurauone blocked roads by
putting stones and burnt tyres along Gaths Mine to Chirumanzu road for a stretch of 500 metres on 31 July.

Kurauone had also been charged with criminal nuisance as defined in section 46 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act for allegedly circulating a video on WhatsApp on 20 July 2020 showing him singing a song with lyrics which authorities deemed derogatory to President Mnangagwa.

But prosecutors later withdrew the criminal nuisance charge and prosecuted him over the charge of obstruction of free movement of persons and traffic of which Magistrate Madondo acquitted him after his lawyer Martin Mureri of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights applied for discharge at the close of the prosecution case thereby ending his
much publicised prison ordeal.

In a notice of intention to sue, which was recently served on Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe, ZRP Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga, Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi, Detective Constable Muonde, who arrested him and the Officer In Charge at Masvingo Central Police Station, Kurauone asked the respondents to take appropriate action in paying him RTGS$2.4 million as compensation for gross violation of his rights.

The Masvingo Urban Ward 4 Councillor charged that his arrest by some ZRP officers and prosecution by representatives of Hodzi was motivated by malice and improper motives.
In response to Kurauone’s lawsuit, a representative of Machaya only identified as Magunde, said the “matter is receiving attention” and promised to furnish Kurauone’s lawyers with a detailed response in “due course”.

Out of the RTGS$2.4 million that he is demanding, RTGS$500 000 is for damages for unlawful and wrongful arrest, RTGS$800 000 for unlawful and wrongful detention, RTGS$800 000 for malicious prosecution and RTGS$300 000 for legal expenses incurred while defending himself against the malicious allegations levelled against him.

-ZLHR

By A Correspondent- A self proclaimed Bindura-based apostolic prophet Forget Mahachi (33) was yesterday sentenced to a month in jail for assaulting his wife’s boyfriend with a stick.

Mahachi was sentenced on his own plea when he appeared before magistrate Samantha Dlamini. The magistrate wholly suspended the sentence on condition of good behaviour for five years.

Prosecutor Vincent Marunya told the court that Mahachi discovered through text messages that his wife was cheating on him with Chipika Chigwida (36) .

Upon being interrogated, the wife admitted to the cheating, accusing him of spending most of his time at the shrine.

Mahachi called Chigwida to resolve the matter. When Chigwida arrived, Mahachi, in a fit of rage, struck him with a stick.

Chigwida was injured and medically examined.

In mitigation, Mahachi pleaded for a lighter sentence saying his wife had since deserted him.

“Your worship, may you please give me a lighter sentence because my wife has since left our matrimonial home. I assume she has followed the complainant who is her boyfriend,” he said.-Newsday

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 a 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.

Farai Dziva|President Nelson Chamisa has pointed out that Zanu PF leader, Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is personally blocking Zimbabwe’s economic stability.

President Chamisa described the “sanctions story”
as a total farce.

Read full statement below:

The Sanctions “story” is a total farce.

Corruption, mismanagement, unconstitutionalism, capture of public institutions, lawlessness (all combined) have destroyed Zimbabwe.

The sanctions “story” is just an excuse for further looting. And all the above mentioned malpractices are actions of a single entity namely Zanu pf.

This entity together with their thought-free president are standing in the way of prosperity.

Zanu pf removed, Zimbabwe is a land of milk and honey and it will only take a few years to get back on track.

By A Correspondent- A Harare magistrate Judith Taruvinga yesterday denied bail to a bogus doctor who served in the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals casualty unit for seven months before he was unmasked.

Taruvinga described Admire Chisi (25) of Zimre Park, Ruwa as a danger to society.

The court heard that Chisi allegedly illegally attended to patients and wrote medical affidavits and prescriptions until a senior doctor discovered his shenanigans.

He is being charged with impersonating a public official and fraud.

The prosecution led by Sebastian Mutizirwa had opposed bail, saying Chisi was a flight risk.

Chisi argued that the State had not previously mentioned the alleged danger.

He said he was a proper candidate for bail and was of fixed abode.

But the magistrate ruled that Chisi was a danger to society and a flight risk.

It is the State’s case that between April and Tuesday last week, Chisi went to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, where he attended to patients masquerading as a medical doctor.

He was apprehended after doctor Tapiwa Nyakudya noticed that Chisi was not acting like a professional doctor and handed him to police, leading to his arrest.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- THE MDC Alliance in Marondera has embarked on a massive voter education exercise ahead of the hung local authority and constituency by-elections.

The Marondera Central seat fell vacant after the recall of youthful legislator Caston Matewu by the Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T.

The MDC-T also recalled five Marondera town councillors, including mayor Chengetai Murova, a move that has since paralysed the local authority.

In a bid to reclaim the lost wards and constituency, the Nelson Chamisa-led party is mobilising the youths to register to vote ahead of the by-elections which were recently indefinitely suspended by government.

The ban has, however, been challenged in court and the matter is still pending.

MDC Alliance Marondera district organising secretary Misheck Manyere confirmed the development, saying they would continue to mobilise the youths as the party seeks to get more new voters.

“We are out there in full force mobilising the youths and other citizens to register to vote. As we are gearing for a by-election. It is different from the harmonised one, hence we need new voters. We are happy about the response from the youths,” he said.

The opposition party has since announced that no by-elections are to be held in all wards and constituencies affected by recalls. Matewu yesterday told NewsDay that his party’s mobilisation exercise was targeting the youths.

Meanwhile, the hunt for a candidate in Marondera Central has begun in the Zanu-PF party.

It is reported that party stalwart Lawrence Katsiru is set to bounce back and contest against educationist Cleopas Kundiona in the primary elections.

Kundiona defeated Katsiru in the 2018 primary elections, with the former subsequently losing to Matewu in the July 31 harmonised elections. NewsDay is reliably informed that a faction within the Zanu-PF party is pushing for Kundiona to go unopposed.-Newsday

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- Inhuman conditions at the country’s prisons have been exposed in a court application by human rights lobby group, the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum and a former inmate, Taurai Mbewe who are seeking to compel Treasury to release funds for the construction of more prison facilities.

The applicants cited the Commissioner-General of Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS), Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, Health minister Constantino Chiwenga as well as Finance minister Mthuli Ncube as respondents.

Mbewe was detained at Harare Remand Prison between June 15 and August 19, 2020 on charges of unlawful entry and is awaiting trial at Mbare Magistrates’ Court.

He is challenging the respondents over the inhuman conditions in prisons which he was exposed to during his detention.

In his founding affidavit, Mbewe said the section where he was detained, which is generally reserved for Class C inmates, was extremely over-crowded with between 50 and 55 inmates in place that should accommodate less than 30.

“During transportation to court from prison, and back to prison from court, the congestion in the prison trucks was always extreme. On each trip, there could be as many as 50 to 60 or more inmates in that truck, whose ventilation is poor, and whose capacity is well below those high numbers,” Mbewe and the NGO Forum said.

“These cramped conditions at prison, on the vehicles that transport us to court, in the holding cells at the courts, and in many other instances within the prison system, eliminate the opportunity for us inmates to socially distance, as per the recommendations of health experts.”

Mbewe said in respect of COVID-19 prevention, prison authorities supplied him with a face mask only and was not supplied with sanitisers.

“Medical facilities in prison are underresourced. For instance, during the time of my detention, I once asked for stomach pain medication, but was told by prison officials that I should just drink water, and I would be fine,”

Mbewe claimed many people in the cells were not in good health and constantly coughed and sneezed and many were afflicted with diarrhoea, but were not separated from the rest.

“The cells are generally dirty, and there are constant water shortages. As prisoners, we did not get bath soap from the prison, the diet was very poor. I did not feel safe at all in prison as I realised that the potential for contracting COVID-19 or other commonly known diseases was extremely high. I survived by the grace of God.”

NGO Forum executive director Musa Kika also submitted an affidavit in support of Mbewe, saying the application was particularly tied to prevailing COVID-19-related problems, threats and risks.

“This issue being clearly tied to the right to life and the right to health, among other rights and freedoms; and the question of enforcement and protection of human rights being part of the forum’s mandate, we humbly submit that first applicant is a suitable party to institute these proceedings, in representative and institutional capacities; acting in the public interest,” Kika said.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- A Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) ecologist who was reported missing from the wreckage of a crashed light aircraft was located on Monday.

This followed the deployment of four light aircraft and helicopters, sniffer dogs and a party of 25 people by ZimParks on Saturday.

The official, whose age is unknown, set off on foot Saturday in a bid to get help after their Cessna 182 crashed on an escarpment in the Chewore area on Friday.

A South African national died in the accident while two other men – the Zimbabwean pilot and a South African wildlife expert – were critically injured and are admitted at a local hospital.

ZimParks spokesman Tinashe Farawo told ZimLive that he was yet to make contact with the search team but a member of the search party, speaking to the publication on condition of anonymity said the missing person had been found.

He said:

He was fine but very dehydrated. He most probably couldn’t have survived another night in the heat surrounded by dangerous animals.

It is not yet clear what caused the light aircraft to come down but the ZimParks official has commended the pilot for his heroics in trying to save the plane.

Said Farawo:

We understand the pilot made a heroic effort to save the aircraft. The particular area they were flying over is mountainous, and we understand the pilot battled to land the aircraft as best as he could on a gentler escarpment, possibly saving three lives.-ZimLive

By A Correspondent- Health Services Board (HSB) chair Paulinus Sikosana has said healthcare workers will get another COVID-19 allowance in addition to the standard relief allowance for all Government staff.

Sikosana told The Herald last night that only health workers considered being in the red zone, that is, those who work in the wards with people who have contracted the coronavirus will receive the additional allowance.

Everyone working in the red zone including doctors, nurses to general hands will get the additional COVID-19 allowance.

Said Sikosana:

There was an additional allowance for those in the red zone. Not all of them are in the red zone.

It is those who work in the wards with people that have been actually diagnosed with Covid-19, and it includes everyone from doctors, nurses to general hands.

For healthcare workers, there is low, medium, high risk and red zone.

The red zones are the ones in the thick of things. It is correct that the frontline workers received Covid-19 risk allowances from the Treasury last week but so far, the allowance was received by those in the red zone.

Meanwhile, Vice President and Health and Childcare Minister Constantino Chiwenga criticised nurses for leaving their patients to die as a strategy to force the government to increase their salaries.

He said:

Without taking away the freedoms enshrined in our Constitution, surely can we allow the ministry to maintain registers of health professionals who frequently abandon their patients?

My heart bleeds for our beloved Zimbabwean citizens who might have lost their lives owing to neglect by some of our healthcare workers.-statemedia

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By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers deployed in the Harare Gardens are reportedly extorting money from citizens for allegedly not wearing face masks properly.

National Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said a team has been dispatched to Harare Gardens to investigate the matter but said he suspected the victims were swindled by fake cops.

The victim further told The Mirror that she was supposedly arrested for violating coronavirus regulations, something which she claimed the police officers were also guilty of.

She said:

I am so disgusted and shocked by the rogue behaviour of the Police that I am ready to identify the culprits if a professional parade is to be put together…

Those cops were so rude and menacing you don’t understand why they are so angry. A female cop said her speciality in the force is to torture and beat up suspects.

What surprised us is that the officers arrested us for allegedly violating Covid-19 regulations but the Police base where we were taken to had no sanitisers, the cops had no masks and there was no social distance.

When we asked them about those, they got angry.

Police and soldiers are paid far much more than other government employees such as teachers, nurses and doctors.-MasvingoMirror

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