FIVE men have appeared in court for an alleged armed robbery spree in which they killed one person in Beitbridge together with the notorious John Sithole, aka Kedha, who was recently killed in a shootout with the police.
Kedha held 10 people hostage at his rented house in Dulivhadzimu house in a 14-hour standoff with police.
He later released the captives after the intervention of the Police Special Tactics Team (PSTT).
The five, who appeared in court on Thursday are Blessing Itai Chiri (38), Dereck Ndou (34), Brian Mukosi (30), Mapfumo Makhado (31), and Taurai Coaster Dube (42), all of Dulivhadzimu in Beitbridge.
The accused, who were arrested on Tuesday, were not asked to plead to the charges when they appeared before Beitbridge resident magistrate Mr Toyindepi Zhou.
The five were remanded in custody to November 4 for trial at the regional court.
Allegations are that the accused, together with three others who are still at large, committed 35 robberies and one murder case in Beitbridge district.
Prosecuting, Mr Tariro Makaya said the five accused were arrested on Tuesday evening in Beitbridge following investigations.
The court heard that following the death of Sithole, the police got information on the whereabouts of the accused persons. They tracked them to a house in Dulivhadzimu suburb.
The detectives arrested Chiri first and he assisted with information leading to the arrest of his accomplices.
A cellphone stolen during the murder of one Andy Culkin Masuka a few weeks ago in a bush close to Makakhavhule Cemetery, west of Beitbridge town, was later recovered from Chiri. The state said the cellphone belonged to a woman who was with Masuka.
Police also recovered five other cellphones linked to armed robbery cases from the other four accused persons.
The young bogus doctor who served in the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals casualty unit for seven months remains behind bars this weekend after the State opposed bail, with the magistrate only ready to give a bail decision on Monday.
Admire Chisi (25) from Zimre Park, Ruwa, allegedly attended to patients and wrote medical affidavits and prescriptions until a senior doctor discovered his shenanigans this week.
Chisi was charged with impersonating a public official and fraud when he appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Judith Taruvinga.
In opposing bail, prosecutor Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa told the court that the State had a strong case against Chisi and that he endangered the lives of many patients as he was writing medical affidavits and prescriptions. As a result there was a high risk Chisi would abscond.
Chisi’s lawyer argued that the State had not previously mentioned the alleged danger that was encountered as a result of his client’s action. Chisi was a proper candidate for bail and was a man of fixed abode.
Mrs Taruvinga deferred the matter to Monday for ruling.
It is the State’s case that between April and Tuesday this week, Chisi went to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, where he misrepresented that he was a medical doctor.
He was apprehended after Dr Tapiwa Nyakudya finally noticed that Chisi was not acting as a professional doctor should and he failed to produce his practising certificate.
The court heard that Chisi was taken to the police where a report was made, leading to his arrest. Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals on Wednesday issued a statement confirming Chisi was a fake doctor and that they had handed him over to the police.
However, labour lawyers, medical experts and other commentators questioned how the hospital could be infiltrated by a bogus doctor for seven months. They blasted the leadership for failing to properly supervise staff while the security section of the institution was criticised for laxity.
VICE-PRESIDENT Constantino Chiwenga is now staying at the Golden Peacock Villa Hotel in Harare owned by Anjin – a joint venture between the Ministry of Defence and a Chinese investor – after he abandoned his matrimonial Borrowdale Brooke mansion that he says holds “sentimental value” to him amid a nasty fallout with his ex-wife Marry Mubaiwa.
Chiwenga’s new home is located along Kingsmead Road in Borrowdale in Harare. Even though he managed to evict Marry, with the help of the army, Chiwenga still moved out. Some people initially said he was staying in Chisipite, yet others speculated he was at the National Defence University, but this week The NewsHawks established Chiwenga now resides at the Kingsmead villa for security and personal reasons.
This reinforced the view that he is close to the Chinese who saved his life when he looked terminally ill before being flown to Beijing for treatment last year. It is not the first time for Chiwenga to abandon the Borrowdale Brooke mansion which is perched on a hill with a panoramic view inside Zimbabwe’s prime housing estate on 614 Nick Price Road.
With a screaming inscription C&M (Constantino & Marry), the house stands majestically on a hill facing an 18-hole golf course designed by South African architect Peter Makovitch.
The estate was developed by Zimbabwe’s famous golf legend Nick Price, once Number 1 in the world’s golf rankings. Initially Chiwenga left the Borrowdale Brooke house, where used to live with his other former wife Jocelyn, in April 2010 to stay with Marry on 11 Rosary Close in Greystone Park suburb also under Borrowdale area.
This time around he went to the Anjin villa. Anjin Investments (Pvt) Ltd is a joint venture between Chinese company Anhui Foreign Economic Construction (Group) Co. Ltd and a Zimbabwean entity Matt Bronze Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd, owned by the military, founded on December 2009.
The latest move came after Chiwenga evicted his estranged wife Marry with the assistance of the army. Just like in 2014 when he divorced Jocelyn, Chiwenga used armed soldiers to deny Marry access to the mansion, before the courts granted him the right to occupy the house.
Marry lost control of the house after Chiwenga got her arrested on allegations of attempted murder, fraud and money laundering in December last year.
She was granted bail on 6 January and told to stay at her matrimonial home, but was denied access to the house by armed soldiers. Chiwenga later challenged the court ruling which gave Marry access to the house on the grounds that the former model was dishonest and did not deserve bail as she had surrendered only one of her three passports to the court, a material fact which the vice-president’s lawyers said had not been disclosed when the judgment was made.
In any case, the lawyers argued, she could not stay with Chiwenga in the same house as he was the complainant. Chiwenga further said Marry found him staying at the residence in question when they married and thus she no longer had a legal right to be there following the termination of their customary union.
“Number 614 Nick Price Drive Borrowdale Brooke is my house of sentimental value awarded to me by the High Court in a former divorce matter by the late Justice Andrew Mutema,” Chiwenga said.
“I have no other home.” Locals in the Chinese villa’s vicinity said security has been beefed up since Chiwenga’s moved in. The villa is now fortified. In addition to private security, there are also soldiers guarding the hotel.
Informed sources say Chiwenga is locked in a fierce power struggle with President Emmerson Mnangagwa over Zanu PF’s unresolved leadership question. This has been variously confirmed with many credible sources.
A WOMAN from Bulawayo went berserk after she stumbled on a teenager performing sexual acts on her naked daughter.
The incident that has since spilled into court, happened last week on Monday when the woman in question spotted her 14-year-old daughter getting into a house in North End suburb.
Worried about that the woman followed and shockingly caught her daughter lying on a bed naked. As if that was not enough her daughter was fondling her boyfriend’s private parts while her lover was busy fondling her breasts and private parts, the source said.
Angered by that the woman grabbed her helpless daughter and bashed her several times. The teenage boy tried to flee but was grabbed by onlookers who handed her over to the woman who thrashed him with a stick all over the body, said the source.
The angry woman reported the teenage boy to the police for indecent assault.
The teenager appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Nomagugu Maphosa facing an indecent assault charge.
He pleaded guilty and asked for forgiveness.
“Your Worship, I’m sorry for what I did. May you kindly forgive me,” he pleaded with the magistrate.
He was remanded out of custody to next week on Tuesday for sentencing.
Farai Dziva|Hard-hitting MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti, has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State Of The Nation is fraught with deception and lies.
On Thursday Mr Mnangagwa chronicled what he described as the new dispensation’s achievements.
However, Hon Biti argued :
Failed regimes function on deception lies propaganda and spin .
The delusional regime makes crazy assertions in its Budget Strategy Paper. It claims a growth of 7.4 % for 2021 This is zany & not backed by any credible underlying assumption. @steve_hanke is right.This one has lost it
The claims of stability are the vortex of self delusion. “Stability “is a punchline in overkill.Truth is there is chaos out there.There is poverty, unemployment and instability.
There is low productivity and continued reproduction of an enclave economy.There is corruption and cluelessness.
By Jane Mlambo| The Nelson Chamisa led MDC Alliance which held its National Council meeting yesterday says its structures and branches remain strong and growing despite a serious state sponsored onslaught on the movement which saw over 40 of its legislators being recalled from Parliament by a rival grouping.
Party spokesperson Fadzai Mahere in a communique released after the National Council said they are at advanced stages in their preparation for by-elections to replace recalled parliamentarians and councillors.
“The council received a detailed elections report. All systems are in place to ensure that the party is well positioned to carryout its mandate in respect of people,” said Mahere.
“The National Council took note of the sound health of the party as all structures and branches of the party are solid and growing,” she added.
A MEMBER of a four-man machete gang has been sentenced to two years in jail after they robbed five miners and vendors in one night at Vhovha Mine in Gwanda.
Tavengwa Mudenda (23) of Njube suburb in Bulawayo pleaded not guilty to five counts of robbery but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence by Gwanda magistrate, Miss Lerato Nyathi.
His accomplices are still at large.
Mudenda was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment of which five months were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years. Five months were further suspended on condition that he pays R1 810 and $9 567 restitution to the complainants.
Prosecuting, Miss Faith Mutukwa said Mudenda and his three accomplices who were armed with machetes hatched a plan to rob people at Vhovha Mine on June 7.
“On 7 June at around 1AM Mudenda who was in the company of three others who are still at large went to Mr Marizani Phiri’s makeshift tent where he was asleep.
“Mr Phiri was awakened by the noise from accused persons. The accused persons who were armed with machetes ordered the complainant to come out of his tent and lie on the ground.
“They tied his hands and legs together with shoe laces and took his belongings which comprised a cellphone, R300 and $180.
“The accused persons then assaulted the complaint while demanding to know the whereabouts of a gold buyer before fleeing the scene,” she said.
Miss Mutukwa said the accused persons proceeded to a tent where Ms Siphilisiwe Ndlovu was asleep with her husband Mr Traya Sibanda and they threatened to assault them with machetes while demanding money. She said they took $3 600, R530, four cellphones and some groceries. The accused persons tied Ms Ndlovu and her husband with shoe laces before fleeing the scene.
Miss Mutukwa said the gang went to another makeshift tent where Ms Resifelipelo Sibanda and her younger sister Ms Rosemary Ncube were asleep. The demanded money and fled with R200, $300 and two cellphones.
“The accused persons proceeded to a makeshift tent where Ms Elizabeth Mhlanga was sleeping and they broke the iron sheet door of the tent. They threatened to attack the complainant with machetes while demanding money. They searched her room and took $2 000 and a cellphone before fleeing the scene.
“The gang went to a makeshift tent which belongs to Ms Patricia Ndlovu and forcibly opened the door to gain entry.
They searched her tent and took $1 000, R200, 12 by 750ml bottles of whisky, a cellphone and recharge cards and fled the scene,” she said.
Miss Mutukwa said after they were attacked the complainants alerted other mine workers and they teamed up and tracked down the accused persons and caught up with them while they were sharing the stolen property in a bushy area. She said Mudenda was apprehended by the complainants while his accomplices fled. The complainants escorted Mudenda to the police station resulting in his arrest.
WITH the blockbuster 2021 Afcon qualifier against Algeria looming large on the horizon, one of Manicaland’s former footballers, Shepherd “Dragline” Muradzikwa has called for Zimbabwe’s thorough preparations.
The Warriors visit the Desert Foxes before hosting them between November 9 and 17 in a crucial top-of-the-table double-header as their Group H campaign takes shape.
With the race for qualification heating up, the fixture comes hard on the heels of Zimbabwe’s drama filled trip to Malawi for a friendly match.
How Zifa handled the Blantyre battle drew criticisms from football fans.
While the Warriors were scrambling to put together a low-key encounter against the modest Flames, Algeria were engaging in high-profile warm-up duels against more fancied opponents — Mexico and Nigeria.
Muradzikwa, a former Under-20 and senior midfielder, reckons facing the tournament’s title holders demands robust preparations.
He says sending the Warriors into battle ill-prepared would be suicidal.
“The importance of our upcoming matches against Algeria is known to all. There is need for a pragmatic approach in preparing for these ties. How we went about business before leaving for Malawi is not how things should be done. We need to learn from the hiccups we faced so that we take our game to a higher level.
“Algeria have played Nigeria and Mexico as they prepare to tackle us, and that shows just how serious they are taking these qualifiers.
“The team needs to be assisted to achieve victory through sound preparations and thorough planning. That orderliness brings efficiency, which leads to success.
“Tournaments are scheduled well in advance to allow participants ample time to get their act together. What happens from the time the match is set affects how teams perform. When dates are announced, noone can argue that they were caught off guard,” said the Sakubva-raised three-time soccer star of the year finalist.
Caf announced the revised dates of the 2021 Afcon qualifiers in August following the suspension of action in March due to Covid-19.-Manica Post
THE court gallery was left speechless after a Mutare woman demanded 160 litres of fuel as part of her nine-year-old son’s monthly maintenance.
Victoria Manyange said her Mercedes Benz needs two full tanks for the whole month.
She told the court that when she was still living with Mirai Manyange, he would always fuel her car. Victoria also claimed that her estranged husband is a co-owner at a fuel station in Marondera.
“We are used to a luxurious life and we are entitled to that kind of life regardless of the fact that we are no longer together. Our lifestyle should not change,” she said.
“I used to get more than two full tanks a month from him. I am actually being lenient with him,” she said.
Asked if she could prove that Mirai is a co-owner of a fuel station, Victoria claimed that Mirai is a silent partner in the company and therefore it would be difficult to prove.
“All I know is that the fuel station is his property. However, he is a silent partner and the company papers do not mention his name. Maybe he was trying to evade paying maintenance by deliberately having his name omitted in the company registration papers,” she said.
However, Mirai denied owning a fuel station.
He said he is employed by his friend as a manager at the said Marondera service station.
“I started working at that fuel station way back. She knows that. If I owned the company, why would I have removed my name from the company registration papers?” he said.
Mirai went on to state that Victoria’s ‘‘obsession’’ with an extravagant lifestyle is the reason for their separation.
He told the court that he could afford paying US$100 monthly for the maintenance of his son, an amount which was granted by the court.
In her initial maintenance application, Victoria had demanded US$600 as monthly maintenance for her son.-Manica Post
The National Council of the MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa yesterday met and after the meeting, party spokesperson Fadzai Mahere released the communique below.
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has announced the strict protocols and match procedures ahead of the historic 2020/21 DStv Premiership season this weekend
After the success of the biological safe environment in Gauteng to end the Absa Premiership campaign last season, the PSL has confirmed a continuation of several rulings for the new season.
Having received a three-week pre-season before the MTN8 marked the start of the new campaign last weekend, there will no longer be mandatory water breaks but match officials will have the final say.
Compliance Officer’s will be required for each of the 16 professional clubs that will oversee that playing kits are changed at half-time while screening of players, match officials and the entire club staff and media will be undertaken.
Each fixture will have a moment of silence in remembrance for all those who have lost their lives during the global pandemic and in reference to the games, a few rules from last season remain in place.
A 20-man squad can be named for each matchday, which includes the starting eleven, nine substitutes – that will maintain a safe distance in the technical area – along with seven coaching staff members are also allowed.
Five substitutes will be available in order to safeguard players from injuries and fatigue but coaches have to make their respective changes with three separate opportunities.
However, in cup games, an additional opportunity is offered (4) to each team if the game is deadlocked and moved towards extra-time.-Kickoff.com.
Midlands Bureau Chief TWO Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara) toll collectors based at the Gweru North tollgate along the Gweru-Kwekwe highway, died on the spot when a commuter omnibus they were travelling in side-swiped with a haulage truck near Regina Mundi High School in Gweru recently.
The two collectors were part of six Zinara employees coming from their shift at the tollgate.
Zinara public relations manager Mr Tendai Mugabe confirmed the death of the two employees but said he was still to get more details.
Gweru City Council public relations officer Ms Vimbai Chingwaramusee said Gweru fire brigade team attended the accident at about midnight on Friday last week.
“Our fire brigade team rescued passengers and both drivers following a side swipe involving a haulage truck and a commuter omnibus near Regina Mundi High School around midnight. Two people who are said to be Zinara employees died on the spot,” she said.
The employees had knocked off from work and were being ferried home aboard a commuter omnibus.-Chronicle
A TOTAL of 1 085 students yesterday graduated at the Lupane State University (LSU)’s 11th graduation ceremony since the opening of the university in 2005.
Only a fraction of the 1 085 graduates who received accolades for excelling in their studies attended yesterday’s graduation ceremony which was held at the university’s main campus in Lupane, Matabeleleland North.
The rest of the graduates followed proceedings online.
This was done as part of the Covid-19 mitigation measures to minimise gatherings.
From the total number of graduates, 58 percent were females.
Among the graduates, 449 were conferred with post-graduate degrees and the university recorded its first PHD graduate while 474 received undergraduate degrees and 152 graduated with diploma certificates.
President Mnangagwa, who is also Chancellor of all State universities conferred degrees and diplomas to the limited graduates.
Delivering his keynote address, LSU Vice Chancellor Professor Pardon Kuipa said the graduation was being held under extraordinary circumstances due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said the higher and tertiary education sector had to quickly adapt and adopt to the new normal when Covid-19 disrupted normal learning.
“The 2020 second semester was something we never imagined. Our plans and normal routines were disrupted but we rose to the challenge and completed the semester against all odds. Our students and staff exhibited considerable flexibility during the peak period of Covid-19 pandemic by adapting quickly to a new mode of teaching and learning,” he said.
“In response to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic in delivering face-to-face tuition to students, the university trained its lecturers on online teaching methods through a workshop which was conducted virtually from the 25th of May 2020 to the 17th of July 2020 by the Association of African Universities (AAU) in collaboration with E-Learning Africa.”
The Covid-19 pandemic forced Government to close schools, colleges and universities as part of measures to curb the spread of the pandemic.
When the infection risk was perceived to be lower, the universities reopened thereby enabling students to complete their semesters.-Chronicle
Farai Dziva|Hard-hitting MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti, has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State Of The Nation is fraught with deception and lies.
On Thursday Mr Mnangagwa chronicled what he described as the new dispensation’s achievements.
However, Hon Biti argued :
Failed regimes function on deception lies propaganda and spin .
The delusional regime makes crazy assertions in its Budget Strategy Paper. It claims a growth of 7.4 % for 2021 This is zany & not backed by any credible underlying assumption. @steve_hanke is right.This one has lost it
The claims of stability are the vortex of self delusion. “Stability “is a punchline in overkill.Truth is there is chaos out there.There is poverty, unemployment and instability.
There is low productivity and continued reproduction of an enclave economy.There is corruption and cluelessness.
Farai Dziva|Hard-hitting MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti, has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State Of The Nation is fraught with deception and lies.
On Thursday Mr Mnangagwa chronicled what he described as the new dispensation’s achievements.
However, Hon Biti argued :
Failed regimes function on deception lies propaganda and spin .
The delusional regime makes crazy assertions in its Budget Strategy Paper. It claims a growth of 7.4 % for 2021 This is zany & not backed by any credible underlying assumption. @steve_hanke is right.This one has lost it
The claims of stability are the vortex of self delusion. “Stability “is a punchline in overkill.Truth is there is chaos out there.There is poverty, unemployment and instability.
There is low productivity and continued reproduction of an enclave economy.There is corruption and cluelessness.
By Own Correspondent| Kanyemba district, with its green scenery, thick vegetation, enchanting landscape and rich soils, is one of the most beautiful areas in Zimbabwe.
Located in a mountainous area that give the ever-green district an imposing feature, the expanse that run into the majestic Zambezi river, provides a mystic view good for wildlife conservation and game ranging.
Birds chirp in the morning while hyenas laugh endlessly during the night. In this part of the country, globalization and civilization together with all the vices associated with it, is yet to taint the people’s way of life.
Most people here still survive on hunting, fishing and gathering.
Wildlife roam freely in the virgin forests. Elephants and lions are some of the animals found in the teeming area.
The area, located about 400 kilometers north of Zimbabwe’s capital Harare, is probably one Zimbabwe’s remotest places and was until recently shut from the outside world.
However, because of its location- a gateway to Zambia and Mozambique- the government of Zimbabwe decided to develop a town which they hope to be the heartbeat for industry, commerce and trade between Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique.
Away from the prying eyes of the international community, Zimbabwe has found a willing ally, Belarus investors have poured in USD$15 million in exchange for 10 000 hectares of land for supposedly farming activities in the area.
According to a signed agreement between the government of Zimbabwe and the team from Belarus, the foreigners will focus on agriculture mainly in crop and livestock production.
The area however does not support livestock productions as it is along the Zambezi valley which is a tsetse-fly infested area.
Midlands State University scholar Bester Makuvire who has undertaken a three year study in the district said “the area was prone to incessant floods because it located in the Zambezi valley and erratic rainfall making it difficult for rain-fed agriculture”.
“Due to erratic rainfall, the area is considered unsuitable for dry-land cropping and as a result only flood-plain crop cultivation is practiced,” he said.
“It’s a bogus deal, everything does not favour agriculture there including weather, pests and diseases.
“It baffles the mind why Belarus would pour in $15 million to invest in agriculture in this part of the country when the country has rich arable soils elsewhere,” said economist Tapiwa Mangwiro.
The Belarus team has been allocated 10 000 hectares of virgin land which geologists state that is rich in Uranium deposits.
According to studies undertaken by the Zimbabwean government, the entire Kanyemba basin has 450 000 tonnes of uranium deposits.
“It is believed that the 10 000 hectares area allocated to the Belarus team sits on an estimated 40 000 tonnes of Uranium deposits,” said geologist Mike Vareta, “lets wait and see if they are going to ignore uranium for agriculture”.
Initially, the Kanyemba basin had been allocated to an Iran consortium in 2011 which was supposed to mine uranium but the deal fell off in 2016 due to fear by the Iranian team on the possibility of being sanctioned by the United States of America.
The Zimbabwe government in 2006 then partnered with CNNC Overseas Uranium Holding, a subsidiary of the Chinese uranium giant China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC).
Media reports said from 2009-12, Chinese were shipping over 3 000 samples to China every month without mining licence. At the time, the sources said the Chinese were camped at an airstrip close to the safari area where they were “guarded” by armed personnel.
The area is inaccessible making it a fertile ground for underhand dealings. However, road works are underway.
Government is targeting to clear at least 200 000 hectors to attract other investors especially in the tourism sector.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said Belarus is one of the investors identified by government and that they would focus in agriculture.
“As far as I know, we signed an agreement with Belarus so that they would come and invest in agriculture. As it stands, their land is lying idle and we are waiting for them to hit the ground running,” Chiwenga said.
The VP denied claims that the Belarus team will explore uranium.
While the vast land remains untapped, the local community said that they have witnessed an unusual frequency of the ‘white men in helicopters.’
“There are white men who usually come and inspect the area. Most of them will be accompanied by soldiers,” said Tafara Doma, a community member.
ABOUT 40 percent of sex workers in Zimbabwe are HIV-positive and have been subjected to some forms of stigma and discrimination which affects their health seeking behaviour.
According to Avert — an HIV and Aids data organisation — there are around 44 500 female sex workers in Zimbabwe.
Sex workers are part of key populations defined as groups who, due to specific higher-risk behaviour, are at increased risk of contracting or spreading HIV.
Key populations include young women, men who have sex with men, prisoners and people who inject drugs.
“There are around 44 500 female sex workers in Zimbabwe, around 40 percent of whom are living with HIV. This is concerning in an environment where sex work is illegal, condoms are being confiscated and gender inequality makes condom negotiation difficult. Despite this, some progress is being made; just under half, 44 percent of all sex workers are being reached with HIV prevention programmes,” says Avert.
“About 96 percent of sex workers reported using a condom with their most recent client. Around 93 percent of HIV-positive sex workers were aware of their status of whom 72 percent are on treatment.”
Avert added that sex workers’ vulnerability to HIV is exacerbated by police intimidation, harassment and arrest.
“This creates fear that stops sex workers from accessing health services. The Centre for Sexual Health, HIV and Aids Research (CeSHHAR) found that 20 percent of female sex workers in Zimbabwe had experienced violence from the police in one way or the other.
“Sex workers, and the organisations representing them, have minimal involvement in the Zimbabwean response to HIV. This marginalises them and prevents them from accessing services. Better inclusion of sex worker-led groups in HIV prevention initiatives would help improve the health of sex workers and the population as a whole.”
The organisation said stigma against people living with HIV and key populations could reverse gains that have been made in containing the disease.
“Stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV in Zimbabwe remains rife with one study finding that 65 percent of people living with HIV had experienced some form of discrimination due to their HIV status. The effects of stigma are far reaching as a majority of sex workers questioned said they avoid healthcare due to stigma and discrimination.” -Herald
A leaked JOC Internal Memo doing rounds in social media clearly exposes the state as more dangerous to Zimbabwean citizens than sanctions.
It is not only disheartening but defies logic as to how a whole state security apparatus whose lifeblood depends on taxpayers money can have the audacity to hatch clandestine operations that seek to exterminate citizens voicing against corruption.
Where in the world have we seen state security institutions plotting against citizens fighting societal ills like corruption?
It is only in the land of spineless dictators where state security institutions prey on innocent citizens speaking against societal ills like corruption that threatens national interest.
Is it not true that corruption has now become a cancer threatening our very existence as a people?
When state security institutions become more predatory to those speaking against threats to national interest like corruption, then that state has become rogue.
A state that is predatory to those fighting corruption is more dangerous to national interest than targeted sanctions that Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime parrots about everyday.
It is time Mnangagwa’s regime start thinking about #Anti-corruption galas instead of wasting taxpayers money on the proposed useless #Anti-sanctions gala.
The only credible list that threatens national security is the one that must be headlined by Covid-19 funds thief, Obadiah Moyo and his acolytes.
We are citizens and not terrorists!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDCAllianceYouthAssemblyNationalSpokesperson
A Bulawayo man apparently needs some cutting-edge tips on how to destroy evidence of cheating.
The call to leave no evidence of sex behind comes after he failed to keep his sex habits to himself when his wife found a used condom in his trouser pocket.
Joseph Davies Mkhethwa from Matshobane angered his wife Edith Mkhethwa and exposed himself as unfaithful after he allegedly brought home a used condom wrapped in a tissue paper.
Joseph’s “negligence” was revealed by his wife at the Bulawayo Civil Court where she was seeking a restraining order against him.
This was after her husband had shamed her by claiming she was having an affair with her pastor.
Edith, a nurse at Mpilo Hospital and also a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, decided to also shame her husband as punishment for labelling her a prostitute.
“I got married to Joseph Davies Mkhethwa in October 1993 and we have two children together.
“We started having marital problems in October last year after his retrenchment from work.
“Our disputes escalated until I was forced to move out of our matrimonial house in Matshobane. I am now staying at my parents’ house in Old Luveve.
“After moving out of the matrimonial house my husband is now coming to my workplace and house to harass me.
“He is also coming to my church spreading lies that I am having an extra-marital relationship with my pastor.
“He is also using my children’s cellphones to insult me and as a result I am now seeking a court order to bar him from insulting me, coming to my workplace, house and church to spreading lies that I am having an extra-marital affair with my pastor,” pleaded Edith.
She insisted that she was not of loose morals. She said that it was her husband that was promiscuous.
“I am not a prostitute. He is the one who brought a used condom wrapped in a tissue paper to our matrimonial home,” she protested.-B-Metro
A MAN from Gwezhera Village in Masvingo is on the run after he allegedly severely battered his daughter who died after a week at his homestead.
A source in the area said Tanyaradzwa Poruri (14) sneaked out of her bedroom hut through the window at night intending to attend a party. She headed to her cousin’s place and asked her to accompany her to the party but she refused. She ended up sleeping at her cousin’s home.
During the night, the source said, it rained heavily and raindrops poured into the bedroom hut through a window that the girl had left open.
Tanyaradzwa’s siblings cried for help, prompting their mother Merjury to head to their bedroom where she was shocked to find them alone, said the source.
The worried Merjury informed her husband Nhamoinesu Poruri (47) who in the morning went to a neighbour’s homestead and found her there.
“He tied her hands with tree fibre and dragged her to his homestead while thrashing her with a stick,” said the source.
Upon arrival at home he continued beating her with a stick and she was injured on the hands and legs.
It is reported that while he was beating her, Tanyaradzwa had a blackout and fell into the fire and suffered burns on the hands and thighs.
“They (parents) never took her to a hospital; they only soothed her with cold water. Sadly she died on Saturday.
When her father noticed that his daughter had died he fled and is still at large,” said the source close to investigation.
Chivhu – Two Chikomba Rural District MDC councillors have been dismissed from the local authority after they failed to comply with a Government directive to resign from Civil Service if they were to continue as councillors.
Bouncing ball Councillors Edwin Museva (Ward 11) and Emmanuel Punungwe (10) both teachers employed by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education were kicked out of council today because they are in violation of a Public Service Commission circular.
The circular says civil servants should resign from Public Service within 30 days of being elected either as MP or councillor.
The marching orders were read out by Chikomba District Development Co-ordinator (DDC) Michael Mariga during a full council meeting after he referred to a directive circulated by Public Service Commission secretary, Ambassador Jonathan Wutaunashe.
However Maseva told The Mirror that the two are not complying with the directive and they have since engaged a lawyer.
Punungwe left the boardroom before the end of the meeting.
The directive is in accordance with PSC circular number 10 of November 28, 2018. This was followed with a letter to the two dated March 25, 2020 to which the two responded through lawyers.
“Given the fact that it is an act of misconduct to engage in any other employment or service for remuneration without the consent of the Commission, it is advisable that you act immediately to correct the situation. For avoidance of doubt, the Commission hereby directs that as a civil servant, you should cease to serve as a councillor with immediate effect,” reads Wutaunashe’s letter.
“We (me and Punungwe) received the circular from PSC and we responded through our lawyers and we are still waiting for their response. We are not complying with what the DDC read today,” said Maseva.
1)I have seen a lot of msgs from junta apologists in Zim calling for the removal of sanctions. The most interesting thing is the insinuation that if these targeted sanctions are removed off the necks officials running the military regime here, immediately, Zim will be a paradise
2) Folks, do u think if those sanctions are removed, Zimbabweans will be free to demonstrate without Idhii & Gen Racto sending soldiers to murder them with AK47s? Do we believe if sanctions are removed, the looting of our diamonds, gold, platinum, chrome by Idhii & his cabal will
3) stop? Are we foolishly optimistic that the moment sanctions are removed, electoral theft will stop? Do Zimbabweans believe after removal of sanctions, ZBC will become a truly public broadcaster & afford every Zimbabwean a voice? Are we so gullible to believe that the day
4) sanctions are removed, no one will ever be arrested for “undermining the authority of the president? ” Do we believe, on the day sanctions are removed, if you get arrested,& u r an opposition politician, u won’t be denied bail for 40 days until some High Court judge releases u
5) and chides the magistrate for not applying themselves on the law? Are we sure on the day sanctions are removed, all abductions, even of university students, will cease? Tell me fellow Zimbabweans, do you believe once sanctions are removed, looting of Covid-19 funds will stop?
6) I would love to know, @nickmangwana, if the day sanctions are removed Zimbabweans will be allowed to vote for MPs & councillors of their choice without some dubious court ruling donating those seats to a politician they didn’t vote for? Will the removal of sanctions
7) end violation of property rights by Zanu-PF land barons? Will the removal of sanctions stop non-government officials, who are married to those in govt, from using dubious ambassadorial designations to steal from Natpharm? I wld love to know if the removal of sanctions
8) will end monopolies in the fuel industry? Tell me folks, will the removal of sanctions make the president realise that it’s corrupt for him & his chln to import buses, at a premium, for a State Owned Enterprise like Zupco? I might be naive, but help me Zimboz, would
9) the removal of sanctions put a stop to government expenditure on useless things like a statue of a dead spirit medium when our hospitals r underfunded? Will the removal of sanctions make sure provinces like Mash West, Mash Central, Mash East have even one resident gynecologist
10) instead of having more than 85 in Harare alone? Will the removal of sanctions stop thieving enterprises like Command Agriculture where more than US$7bn has been looted by Idhii & his cronies? Tell me Zimbabweans, will the removal of sanctions stop the deliberate ploy to kill 11) Econet & it’s Ecocash money payment system inorder to create space for Idhii & his Peter’s take over of Netone Data platform & mobile money platform through CBZ? I want to know, fellow Zimbabweans, if the removal of sanctions will give us a pro-people leadership. If u can 12) demonstrate to me, that all the ills I have listed above, and many more that others are raising, will automatically go away after sanctions are lifted, then & ONLY then, will you have my voice on the issue of sanctions removal.
1)I have seen a lot of msgs from junta apologists in Zim calling for the removal of sanctions. The most interesting thing is the insinuation that if these targeted sanctions are removed off the necks officials running the military regime here, immediately, Zim will be a paradise
A SHOWDOWN is looming between health workers and the government after the Health ministry banned flexi-hours which will see nurses working everyday instead of selected days per week. In a letter to all hospital chief executive officers and provincial medical directors, permanent secretary in the Health ministry Jasper Chimedza said flexi-hours were giving more problems to hospitals.
“All categories of nurses are supposed to work for 40 hours per week. However, they have been on flexi-hours since November 2019.
“The flexi-hours are causing the following challenges, no proper handover and takeover, no continuity of nursing care, compromised quality of patient care, exaggerated shortage of nurses resulting in inadequate ward coverage.
“Therefore, all heads of institutions are kindly advised to stop the flexi working hours forthwith. “All nurses should resume normal 40 working hours per week with immediate effect,” Chimedza wrote.
But Zimbabwe Nurses Association (Zina) president Enock Dongo wrote back to Chimedza demanding that he reverse his decision.
“We make the following requests: That you immediately revoke your letter dated the 19th of October, 2020.
That you give government representatives in the Health Service Bipartite Negotiating Panel (HSBNP) an opportunity to raise the issues in the appropriate forum so that we can try and resolve them if they have merit.
“We note that despite our best attempts, your office has not found time to engage us.
“We, however, feel that as a representative body of the largest number of health workers, you urgently find time to slot us in your diary so that you can have an opportunity to hear nurses’ grievances before they explode again.
“This, in our view, is good labour relations and allows for problems to be addressed in good time. “We look forward to your urgent response on the issues we raised, hopefully within the next forty-eight (48) hours, failure of which we will look into taking other options to protect the interest of our members,” Dongo wrote.
He said the move to ban flexi-hours would scuttle the negotiations between health workers and the government.
“At the time you were appointed, nurses had withdrawn their labour as they were incapacitated.
“However, in order to give dialogue a chance and to show the government that we want to give it an opportunity to resolve our grievances, nurses agreed to return back to work.
“Since returning to work, we have waited to be engaged on our grievances, but such engagement has not taken place. “With this as a background, your circular to heads of institutions to remove the flexible hour system is ill-timed and will definitely set the government at a warpath with its employees again,” Dongo added.
He said Chimedza’s circular ran contrary to other communication they received from the Health ministry on May 11 where the authorities said the flexible hour system would remain in place because it reduced exposure to Covid-19.
“You are aware, or should be aware, that dialogue in the health sector is done within the ambit of the Health Service Bipartite Negotiating Panel.
“All stakeholders under this negotiating panel are treated as equals and sector decisions are reached after discussions.
“The decision to implement the flexible working hours system is a product of agreement within the HSBNP.
“It was not given unilaterally by the government, neither did the employees adopt it on their own accord,” Dongo explained.
ZANU-PF MP for Nkayi South Stars Mathe shocked legislators on Wednesday after she requested for an opportunity to wail over sanctions in the National Assembly in the middle of a debate. This comes as Zimbabwe and Sadc will on Sunday mark the Anti-Sanctions Day after a declaration by regional member states last year to unite in the call for the unconditional removal of the “unjust” economic restrictions that have had a debilitating effect on the country’s economic development.
Mathe made the request to cry during Parliament’s question and answer session through a supplementary question to the leader of government business, Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, on what the executive was doing to help citizens who lost their jobs owing to coronavirus (Covid-19).
“Before I ask my supplementary question, allow me to cry because this week is meant for crying — mayibabo ngamasanctions mayibabo! My supplementary question Madam Speaker to the Honourable minister is what measures are you putting in place to make sure that those who have lost jobs are getting their jobs back and those who suffered extreme poverty due to Covid-19 are alleviated once the pandemic is over?” Mathe asked.
The request was met with sarcasm from MDC Alliance MP for Mbizo Settlement Chikwinya, who appeared puzzled and asked for a clarification after raising a point of order.
“Honourable Mathe made some noise and I thought I needed an explanation on what that meant. I took some time trying to figure out what the expression was and its relevance to Parliament.
“Can she be allowed to explain to us what she meant? It was like she was crying and I am not quite sure what the problem is,” Chikwinya said.
National Assembly acting Speaker Tsitsi Gezi explained that the majority of MPs had understood Mathe’s request as it was an expression of interest.
“As legislators, we have got a role to represent people and that is one of our mandates. Therefore, she was representing people in the call against sanctions,” Gezi said.
Yet Chikwinya did not relent on making a caricature of his fellow legislator, saying: “I was worried because I heard exactly the same cry last night at the hotel in room 306 so, I am not quite sure to whom she was referring”.
“I am not saying it was her crying — I am just saying there was a similar cry at the hotel in room 306,” Chikwinya said. This prompted Gezi to call Chikwinya to order and directed the opposition legislator to withdraw his words as they carried overtones of sarcasm, caricature and, therefore, un-parliamentary.
“When we are in this House, we believe that we are supposed to speak maturely. I understand those were your sentiments, but I do not think it will be good for you to be uttering words that can relate otherwise.
“I am kindly asking you to withdraw those words as much as it is something which happened which you are very much relating to but truly speaking, it leaves a lot to be desired. May you kindly withdraw those words?” Gezi said.
VICE-PRESIDENT Constantino Chiwenga is now staying at the Golden Peacock Villa Hotel in Harare owned by Anjin – a joint venture between the Ministry of Defence and a Chinese investor – after he abandoned his matrimonial Borrowdale Brooke mansion that he says holds “sentimental value” to him amid a nasty fallout with his ex-wife Marry Mubaiwa.
Chiwenga’s new home is located along Kingsmead Road in Borrowdale in Harare. Even though he managed to evict Marry, with the help of the army, Chiwenga still moved out. Some people initially said he was staying in Chisipite, yet others speculated he was at the National Defence University, but this week The NewsHawks established Chiwenga now resides at the Kingsmead villa for security and personal reasons.
This reinforced the view that he is close to the Chinese who saved his life when he looked terminally ill before being flown to Beijing for treatment last year. It is not the first time for Chiwenga to abandon the Borrowdale Brooke mansion which is perched on a hill with a panoramic view inside Zimbabwe’s prime housing estate on 614 Nick Price Road.
With a screaming inscription C&M (Constantino & Marry), the house stands majestically on a hill facing an 18-hole golf course designed by South African architect Peter Makovitch.
The estate was developed by Zimbabwe’s famous golf legend Nick Price, once Number 1 in the world’s golf rankings. Initially Chiwenga left the Borrowdale Brooke house, where used to live with his other former wife Jocelyn, in April 2010 to stay with Marry on 11 Rosary Close in Greystone Park suburb also under Borrowdale area.
This time around he went to the Anjin villa. Anjin Investments (Pvt) Ltd is a joint venture between Chinese company Anhui Foreign Economic Construction (Group) Co. Ltd and a Zimbabwean entity Matt Bronze Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd, owned by the military, founded on December 2009.
The latest move came after Chiwenga evicted his estranged wife Marry with the assistance of the army. Just like in 2014 when he divorced Jocelyn, Chiwenga used armed soldiers to deny Marry access to the mansion, before the courts granted him the right to occupy the house.
Marry lost control of the house after Chiwenga got her arrested on allegations of attempted murder, fraud and money laundering in December last year.
She was granted bail on 6 January and told to stay at her matrimonial home, but was denied access to the house by armed soldiers. Chiwenga later challenged the court ruling which gave Marry access to the house on the grounds that the former model was dishonest and did not deserve bail as she had surrendered only one of her three passports to the court, a material fact which the vice-president’s lawyers said had not been disclosed when the judgment was made.
In any case, the lawyers argued, she could not stay with Chiwenga in the same house as he was the complainant. Chiwenga further said Marry found him staying at the residence in question when they married and thus she no longer had a legal right to be there following the termination of their customary union.
“Number 614 Nick Price Drive Borrowdale Brooke is my house of sentimental value awarded to me by the High Court in a former divorce matter by the late Justice Andrew Mutema,” Chiwenga said.
“I have no other home.” Locals in the Chinese villa’s vicinity said security has been beefed up since Chiwenga’s moved in. The villa is now fortified. In addition to private security, there are also soldiers guarding the hotel. Informed sources say Chiwenga is locked in a fierce power struggle with President Emmerson Mnangagwa over Zanu PF’s unresolved leadership question. This has been variously confirmed with many credible sources.
WHILE the principle of land reform in Zimbabwe was primarily to address the skewed legacy of colonial land ownership imbalances, the late former president Robert Mugabe and his family engaged in greedy accumulation of farms establishing themselves as the new landed aristocracy.
Owen Gagare
By the time of his death on 6 September 2019, Mugabe had became a top land baron with 24 farms in violation of his regime’s one-man-one-farm policy.
Beneath the rhetorical veneer of a noble cause of to correct historical land ownership imbalances, there was a greedy accumulation agenda for Zanu PF elites and their cronies who amassed land but mainly failed to utilise it, spawning food insecurity and shortages.
Some displaced white Zimbabwean farmers are now doing well in South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia and Nigeria, among other countries. The land seizures also left Zimbabweans holding onto dead capital on farms, with uncertainty of ownership decreasing the value of the property and the ability to lend or borrow against it.
Contrary to public perception and widespread reports that the Mugabes 10 or 14 farms at most, The NewsHawks has managed to dig out the record showing the correct number of farms that they held: 24.
By violating his own government policy on land ownership, Mugabe and his family became the largest landowning black family after the chaotic and often violent fast-track land redistribution programme which began in 2000.
Ironically, Mugabe used to publicly complain about multiple farm ownership at various fora, including the 2002 Johannesburg Earth Summit where he denounced former British prime minister Tony Blair, telling him: “Blair, keep your England and let me keep my Zimbabwe” as he vowed to push on with the land reform programme.
Blair’s No. 10 Downing Street strongly criticised as needlessly unstructured and brutal. “Every one of them (white farmers) is entitled to at least one farm, but they would want to continue to have more than one farm. More than one farm, indeed 15, 20, 35 farms, one person. These are not figures I’m just getting from my mind, they are real figures, so no farmer is being left without land…,” Mugabe said.
“We don’t mind having and bearing sanctions banning us from Europe, we are not Europeans. We have not asked for an inch of Europe, any square inch of that territory. So, Blair keep your England and let me keep my Zimbabwe.” After self-righteously and repeatedly telling the world, he was only motivated by correcting a major historical injustice, Mugabe however went to acquire many farms and, in some cases, grabbing up to five farms before consolidating them into one big bloc of a landholding.
For example, the Mugabe family ow Smithfield Farm in Mashonaland Central, which is an amalgam of five farms, namely Smithfield Farm, Willows Plot, Lemon Pool, Mazowe Junction and Lot 5 of Yarrowdale which totalled 1 300 hectares.
“Although they grabbed those farms just like colonial predators, the Mugabes are not farming on that consolidated farm. They have subcontracted and leased it to the Rudland Brothers—Simon and Harmish. The offer letter for the farm is in the name of the Grace Mugabe Foundation,” a relative of the Mugabes said.
While Mugabe bought Highfield Farm in Norton in the 1980s, he went on to take advantage of the land reform programme to grab four surrounding farms before consolidating the five farms.
Police, army and intelligence security operatives were deployed to facilitate the acquisition of Tankatara, Cressydale, John O’Groats and Clifford farms before they became part of Highfield Farm. The five farms total 4 800 hectares.
The Mugabes also own Iron Mask Farm, which is a consolidation of three properties. The three farms, according to the farm handover letter seen by The NewsHawks, are B of Greater B, Remainder of Iron Mask and Portion of Irene Estate.
Documents obtained by The NewsHawks support and prove this. The handover letter is in the name of Grace Mugabe Children’s Home and has a total of 1 399.6 hectares. Grace played a huge role in building the Mugabes’ land empire.
In addition, the family also has Gushungo Dairy Estate in Mazowe, once known as Foyle Farm. The farm was initially parceled out to the state-owned Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (Arda) by former agriculture minister Joseph Made, a Mugabe farm manager and right-hand man. It was then renamed Arda Foyle before being acquired by the Mugabes and developed to become the flagship of their Mazowe business empire.
“All infrastructure and equipment that was mobilised by Arda was taken over and the farm became Gushungo Dairy Estate,” an informed said.
Also in Mazowe, the Mugabe family acquired five farms and consolidated them under Manzou, with a game reserve. The consolidated farms are Manzou Farm, Surtic Ranch, Arnolds Farm, Maggiesdale Farm and Glenbervile with a combined hectarage of 16 000 hectares.
The Mugabes’ also have the 310-hectare Kaseplan Farm in Pomona on their books. The farm was initially taken over by some local families during the land reform programme, among them Adonia Makombe, Sahungwe Hungwe and Nyika Chifamba, who were given offer letters.
The Mugabes however later acquired a handover letter in the name of one of their companies, Kaseplan Grand Industries, in 2011 before evicting the families with the assistance of the police, military and intelligence operatives.
The family then grabbed 100 hectares of state land next to the farm that was initially meant for a botanical garden. The Zunde botanical garden project was shelved by the state owing to a lack of underground water in the area.
Further, the Mugabes also own the 1 300-hectare Mwenewazvo Farm, formerly known as Sigaro. The farm was initially taken over by Arda before being named Arda Sigaro. Arda then mobilised equipment for the farm before the Mugabes took over the land.
Vusumuzi Farm, which is 800 hectares and formerly known as Gwina in Mashonaland West, is also owned by the Mugabes after they grabbed part of it from the then High Court Justice Ben Hlatshwayo. The judge had been allocated the farm formerly owned by prominent commercial farmer Vernon Nicolle.
The long list of farms belonging to the Mugabes include Bucklands Farm, originally named Buckland Estate. The 310-hectare farm is next to Wild Geese Lodge. The Mugabe family also owns a 120-hectare plot after Pomona Golf Course which was allocated to their company called Mawuya Zimbabwe.
BELEAGUERED Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga made spirited but futile efforts to save his allies from the Zanu PF political guillotine during Wednesday’s tense politburo meeting in which a titanic battle among senior party officials exploded into the open.
The most high-profile casualty from Wednesday’s meeting was Mashonaland East provincial affairs minister Aplonia Munzverengwi, who was demoted from the women’s league national political commissar position to become deputy secretary for lands in the influential wing.
Mashonaland West provincial vice-chairperson Dexter Nduna — also Chegutu West legislator — was demoted to a mere card-carrying member, prevented from holding any position in the party for a year, while Matabeleland North provincial youth chair Tamuka Nyoni suffered a similar fate.
They are all believed to be Chiwenga’s allies.
As reported by the Zimbabwe Independent in the past three years, there is a simmering power struggle between President Mnangagwa, who is also Zanu PF’s president and first secretary, and Chiwenga since the two men conspired to overthrow the late former president Robert Mugabe in a military coup in November 2017.
Chiwenga is widely seen as leader of a faction in Zanu PF and is reportedly itching to take over from the 78-year-old incumbent, who is planning to seek a second term in 2023. Zanu PF has roundly endorsed Mnangagwa as the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election.
Since the November 2017 coup, Mnangagwa’s camp has been working to decimate Chiwenga’s power base by weakening his influence on the military and other state departments. Mnangagwa has been making sweeping changes in the military and reassigning those perceived to be loyal to the Vice-President.
However, the former Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander, who orchestrated the coup, remains influential in the military and in Zanu PF.
Tension between the two has escalated dramatically over the past few months amid intense jostling for positions during the ongoing restructuring exercises, particularly the upcoming District Coordinating Committee (DCC) elections.
Having dealt Chiwenga a decisive blow by neutralising his military influence, sources said, Mnangagwa has now firmly set his eyes on decimating his political power base and this explains the decision during the Wednesday’s politburo meeting to purge Chiwenga’s political allies.
The Independent’s politburo sources said Chiwenga personally tried in vain to save both Munzverengwi and Nduna from facing stiffer penalties but successfully managed to convince the politburo to rescind the national disciplinary committee (NDC)’s decision to expel Nduna from the party.
Nduna was accused of attempting to use his influence as provincial deputy chair to impose candidates for various DCC positions, against the provincial executive’s resolution.
Sources however alleged he was punished for frequently clashing with his superior, the provincial chairman Ziyambi Ziyambi, who is also Justice minister.
Ziyambi is widely considered to be Mnangagwa’s right hand man.
A politburo member said during a discussion on his issue, Zanu PF secretary for security Lovemore Matuke suggested that Nduna must be suspended from the party for five years and forced to enroll in the Chitepo School of Ideology.
Chiwenga, sources said, quickly shot down the proposal saying the sanction would be too harsh.
“The province (Mashonaland West) had recommended that he should be suspended for five years and when the matter came up for discussion, Matuke suggested he should also be enrolled at the Chitepo School of Ideology. However, the vice president quickly dismissed the suggestion saying it would be an abuse of the facility. He declared that there was no way Nduna would be sent to the ideological school and in the end it was agreed that he should be suspended from holding a leadership position in the party for just one year,” the politburo member said.
Insiders further said the issue of Munzverengwi took much more time as some of the politburo members sympathetic to Chiwenga felt she was being treated unfairly.
According to the NDC report presented by Zanu Pf national chair Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Munzverengwi was accused of bringing the name of the party into disrepute after a nude picture of her went viral on social media last year.
However, it emerged during the deliberations some politburo members reportedly rubbished the allegation saying she was actually being victimised by women’s league boss Marble Chinomona, with whom she has had bad blood since early 2019, well before the picture was circulated.
Munzverengwi comes from Wedza district, a stone’s throw from Chiwenga’s rural homestead. She is also a former senior assistant commissioner in the police and is perceived to be one of Chiwenga’s most ardent supporters having made several appearances at his private functions in Wedza.
“The general feeling in the meeting was that she was being treated unfairly. Again it was Chiwenga who leapt to her defence first. He clearly stated that there was nothing immoral about the photograph, which only showed her body from the chest upward. He actually left the meeting in stitches when he suggested that there were some very senior party members who had done much worse things and no such punishment had been imposed on them,” a source who attended the meeting said.
“So basically, it was agreed that since she had accepted her demotion during the hearing, it should not be altered,” the source added.
Nyoni was punished for attending meetings organised by shadowy pressure group, #tajamuka and receiving payments ahead of the thwarted July 31 protests.
“On being quizzed by the NDC, he said he had been sent by the provincial chair Richard Moyo to infiltrate and spy on the pressure group and give information back to the party. However, Moyo denied the allegation, leaving us with no option but to recommend that he should be demoted to being a card-carrying member,” another source said.
According to inside sources, the party bigwigs also viciously clashed when debating the fate of former Zanu PF secretary for youth affairs Kudzi Chipanga who had applied to rejoin the party from which he was jettisoned at the height of the 2017 military coup.
While those in the Mnangagwa camp like July Moyo and Matuke reportedly wanted him to be readmitted as a card-carrying member ineligible to occupy any leadership position for five years, Chiwenga and party secretary for finance Patrick Chinamasa came out guns blazing saying there was no way he could be allowed back into the party since he was the chief instigator of their woes during Mugabe’s last days in power.
Chipanga traversed the length and breadth of the country rallying youths against Mnangagwa and his then Team Lacoste faction and promoting his bitterest rival at the time, former first lady Grace Mugabe against whom he fought for the right to succeed Mugabe.
As further punishment, Chipanga will lose his farm in Rusape, again at the instigation of Chiwenga and Chinamasa.
“Basically, Chiwenga and Chinamasa argued that readmitting Chipanga would be a mistake as it would imply tolerance for G40 and there was a likelihood that he could be their conduit,” a senior politburo member said.
“On the issue of the farm, July Moyo had actually said he preferred the issue to be referred to the ministry of lands since it was not a party issue but an administrative issue to be best addressed through government. But Chinamasa and Chiwenga sharply disagreed saying the politburo had the right to make a determination on the case and in the end it was resolved that he should be asked to vacate the property,” the politburo member said.
Sources further said the politburo referred the cases of other G40 acolytes Tapiwa Matangaidze and Makhosini Hlongwane back to the Midlands provincial coordinating committee after strong objections from Sibusiso Moyo, Joram Gumbo, July Moyo, Tsitsi Muzenda and Simbarashe Mbengegwi, who argued that their applications had not been deliberated on at provincial level.
“The five, who are the most senior members from the Midlands province, accused secretary for legal affairs Paul Mangwana of misrepresenting to the politburo that their case had been deliberated on by the provincial PCC. The five then said they did not remember any such PCC meeting being converged and this resulted in the meeting referring the case back to the provincial structures,” a source said. —
FORMER Highlanders assistant coach, Reuben “Exe” Tsengwa has died.
Tsengwa died at the age of 60 Thursday after a lengthy illness. His sister, Shylet Mpofu said while his brother had been unwell for a while, he had actually shown signs of recovery before his death on Thursday. He is survived by three children, one boy and two girls.
Mourners are gathered at Q44 Mzilikazi. The family is making plans to lay him to rest on Saturday.
A defensive midfielder during his playing days, Tsengwa came through the Highlanders ranks and went up to the reserve team before he left for Gweru United where he played most of his senior football.
When he retired from playing, Tsengwa came back to Highlanders as a coach where he started off with the juniors and was promoted to the first team under Methembe Ndlovu in 2006, the year Highlanders last won the championship, which saw them take part in the 2007 Caf Champions League. Tsengwa took over in July 2008 as Highlanders caretaker coach when Ndlovu was fired in what turned out to be one of the worst seasons for Highlanders. He took charge of the team until the end of the season.
The late Tsengwa reunited with Ndlovu at Bantu Rovers where he worked as a juniors coach.
Mobile money service EcoCash has begun moving funds held in the recently banned agent lines with the transactions liable to 2% tax.
The liquidation follows the immediate ban of agent lines in August by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe saying that they were no longer serving any legitimate purpose.
While the Central Bank said that the liquidation process could be done after a legitimate source of funds could have been produced.
The mobile money platform announced the development in a notice , “ We wish to advise all EcoCash agents of the liquidation process as approved by RBZ.”
All transactions are being subjected to the famous 2% IMTT (Intermediate Money Transfer Tax).
“All transactions above $100 000 are subject to approval by the FIU,” said EcoCash
While most agent lines hold much funds in them the Central bank will most likely make a killing out of it.
Agent line holders are being required to produce documents certified by the police , fill in liquidation forms and show proof of bank accounts.
Government in August banned agent lines alleging that they were being used for illegal forex dealings fuelling the black market.
As an act of compliance Ecocash has since closed them down.
However , this has caused a dent in the black market and on daily transactions.
THIRTY musical acts among them Jeys Marabini, Sandra Ndebele, Iyasa, Jah Master, Enzo Ishall, Minister Mahendere, Madlela Skhobokhobo, Selmor Mtukudzi and Judgement Yard will be part of the Anti-Sanctions Virtual Gala tonight.
The Gala will be held in Bulawayo at the Rainbow Hotel and will be broadcast live on ZBCtv, Heritage Tv and Zimpapers Television Network. The show will start at 6PM and end the next day at 6AM.
Other artistes include Sniper Storm, Diamond Musica, Progress Chipfumo, Juntal, Allan, Tryson and Douglas Chimbetu, Chief Hwenje, Mechanic Manyeruke, Mzoe7, Hwabaraty, Bolamba Culture Birds, Kireni Zulu, LMG Choir, Poptain/Allana, Franco Dhaka Slomo, Peter Moyo, Bruce Machingura, Irene Mutangadura, Mahendere Senior, Enzo Ishall, Sweet Moby and Vimbai Zimuto.
Zanu-PF and the government of Emmerson Mnangagwa demonstrate that there are no lengths to which they will not go to humiliate and torture women who speak out against corruption.
At the time of this article, a Harare court was yet to decide whether Joanna Mamombe’s trial should be separated from her comrades.
On 13 May 2020, a group of young people held a peaceful demonstration in Harare demanding accountability on Covid-19 resources received by the government of Zimbabwe from different countries, organisations and local stakeholders.
On their way from the protest march, three women — Cecilia Chimbiri, Joanna Mamombe and Netsai Marova — members of Zimbabwe’s biggest opposition party, the MDC Alliance, were arrested at a Zimbabwe Republic Police roadblock.
They managed to notify some of their comrades about the arrest and police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed to two newspapers, the state-owned Herald and Newsday, a privately owned newspaper, their arrest for organising and participating in an illegal protest.
On hearing of the arrest, the three women’s lawyers rushed to Harare central police station, but police there claimed they did not have the women in their custody.
The lawyers and the women’s colleagues went to police stations in Harare searching for them, but were given the same response: “We do not have them in our custody.”
It became clear to everyone who understands the methods of the state that the women had been abducted. The police spokesperson also distanced himself from his earlier admission that they had arrested the three women.
Fortunately, the car they had been driving on the day of the protest was found parked at Harare central police station, so we knew the police were lying.
Zimbabweans took to Twitter and other media platforms to call for the immediate release of the women, undoubtedly victims of enforced disappearance. There has been a systematic and widespread use of abductions and enforced disappearance by the state on dissidents.
On 15 May, two nights after their disappearance, the three women were found dumped on a roadside near Bindura about 86km from Harare, traumatised and seriously injured. They were admitted to hospital for treatment. Zimbabweans were relieved when we heard they had been found. We thought their troubles were over, but it seems they were just beginning.
The women narrated their ordeal and in tears explained how after their arrest they had been abducted from police custody by armed men and taken to a forest where for two days they were physically and sexually assaulted and forced to perform humiliating and degrading acts such as drinking one another’s urine.
While still in hospital, on 26 May, they were charged with “inciting public violence”. A magistrate went to the hospital to hear the matter and a kangaroo court-style hearing was held at their hospital bedsides. Zimbabweans were outraged by the brazen continuation of the victimisation of these women, who had already been tortured. They were granted bail for that charge 29 May.
On 8 June they were discharged from hospital to finish their recovery at home. As they were attempting to pick up their lives after the traumatic experiences, just two days after they were discharged, on 10 June, they were arrested again and this time charged with faking abduction. They were sent to Chikurubi maximum prison only to be granted bail by the high court more than two weeks later on 26 June.
It is clear that the state is hellbent on forcing the MDC Three to face trial despite their mental health challenges. Everything that is happening to them is not because they broke any laws, but persecution for daring to question the government on how it used Covid-19 donations.
The bail conditions barred them from using social media, they were to report to police three times a week and they had to surrender their passports and pay Z$10,000 (about $100).
They were also banned from talking to the media. The media ban has meant that the world has no access to the finer details of the lengths to which Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government has gone to abuse the women. There were rumours that all three were struggling with depression, anxiety and other stress- and trauma-induced conditions. Through it all, they observed their bail conditions religiously. They have not given any interviews, they have not participated in public gatherings and they have been reporting to the police three times weekly as stipulated.
Unfortunately, that has not prevented the state from victimising them further.
On 4 September, Mamombe had a psychological breakdown which saw her admitted to a mental institution. She was diagnosed with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
While in hospital she missed a court hearing for her ongoing trial of faking an abduction. Her lawyers explained to the magistrate that she was in hospital and therefore could not attend the hearing, but the magistrate would have none of it. On 15 September, police brandishing an arrest warrant descended on Mamombe and forcibly discharged her from hospital in her nightwear, despite pleas from her doctors to allow her to continue treatment.
On 24 September, to our disbelief and shock, a magistrate by the name of Bianca Makwande ordered that Mamombe be sent back to Chikurubi maximum prison for 14 days on the pretext that she had to be assessed by two state psychiatrists to see if she could stand trial. She was housed in the mental health section of Chikurubi maximum prison where the sickest members of the country are imprisoned. This is where the criminally insane are housed.
It is reported that on the day she was admitted they tried to inject her with an unknown substance, but she violently protested until they let her go. I believe the government put her there in a bid to drive her insane and thus have an excuse to commit her to a mental asylum.
Mamombe was released through a high court order on 7 October, but after having already spent 13 days in prison. The assessments by the doctors at a hearing held on 22 October 2020 indicate that Mamombe is not ready for trial and needs medical attention.
When I heard the news I believed it was good news, but unbeknown to everyone the state had something up its sleeve. Instead of waiting until Mamombe is well enough to stand trial, they say they now want to separate the trials of the MDC Three by trying Mamombe separately from her co-accused. This seems like a clear attempt to frustrate Mamombe further and to isolate her from the support and solidarity she shares with her co-accused. It also ignores the fact that the other two victims are also struggling with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.
In December 2019, in the case of the State vs former Minister Prisca Mupfumira who is facing corruption charges involving theft of $95-million in pensioners’ funds, Prisca’s lawyer told the court that she was not mentally fit for trial. A psychiatrist had recommended that she be given three months to recover. The court granted her request and till today, she is free.
It is clear that the state is hellbent on forcing the MDC Three to face trial despite their mental health challenges. Everything that is happening to them is not because they broke any laws, but persecution for daring to question the government on how it used Covid-19 donations.
It is important that the world takes an interest in the case of these three women, victims of torture, enforced disappearance, persecution, grave forms of sexual violence, imprisonment and other inhuman acts; all crimes against humanity, according to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Article 7.
Today, Friday 23 October, the court will give its ruling. I pray we all take a keen interest.
What kind of people would we be, what kind of world would this be, if all of us, Zimbabweans and citizens of the world, human rights defenders, women’s organisations, mental health organisations, political parties, civil society organisations, neighbouring and other countries, allow the government of Zimbabwe to continue these gross violations of human rights, unchecked?
The Victoria Falls Stock Exchange has been launched today, in a development that marks the establishment of an Offshore Financial Services Centre in the world famous resort town.
Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said the bourse is expected to create a global platform for the trading of stocks in foreign currency in a way that promotes foreign investment into Zimbabwe and the region.
Prof Ncube said: “The establishment of the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange marks the beginning in earnest, of our journey towards the establishment of an Offshore Financial Services Centre in Victoria Falls.
“The move will go down as the laying of the foundation stone of the Offshore Financial ServicesCentre and thus is a key pillar supporting efforts to grow Victoria Falls’ status as not just a Special Economic Zone, but an offshore financial hub,” said Prof Ncube.
He said Government saw an opportunity to work with the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange in creating a global platform for the trading of stocks in foreign currency.
As Elders, we call today on world leaders to urgently strengthen, defend, and realise the potential of the multilateral system. This is the fundamental requirement to end the current disarray in the global order, and tackle existential threats such as COVID-19, the climate crisis and nuclear conflict.
We also call for their clear commitment to erase the moral stain of economic and social inequality, both within and between nations, that has been exacerbated by the pandemic.
The collective failure of leaders to articulate the benefits of effective multilateralism, which serves the self-interest of all countries, has further damaged the effectiveness and reputation of the wider rules-based multilateral system.
We deplore the isolationist and nationalist politics that have shaped too much of the world’s response to the pandemic, with US President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization being only the most egregious example.
In the face of COVID-19, all of us need access to essential medicines and vaccines, especially those in developing countries. In this regard, we support the campaign by South Africa and India for the World Trade Organization to waive certain provisions of the TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) agreement.
We affirm our support for the United Nations as the only body through which the people of the world and their leaders can collectively address their gravest challenges.
As Elders, we share the diagnosis of the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in his recent Mandela Lecture, that the global political and economic system is not delivering for the world’s people in this hour of crisis. We encourage him now to use the platform of his office and the full potential of the UN to address the challenges that he so clearly identifies. We urge all leaders to show the confidence and courage to build a UN which truly advances peace, justice and human rights.
COVID-19 has laid bare manifold failures, including insufficient coordination and information-sharing to contain the pandemic, inadequate economic coordination by the G20 to protect the global economy, and insufficient financial assistance to support the global South.
There has been nearparalysis in the UN Security Council as geopolitical rivalries trump humanitarian priorities, and sustained attacks on democratic safeguards, human rights and the rule of law, sometimes under the pretext of “emergency measures”.
We insist that world leaders assume their responsibilities to address the long-term drivers of inequality. This includes tackling racial and gender discrimination, violence against women, the pernicious legacy of colonialism, inadequate social security nets and workers’ rights, and chronic indebtedness across the nations of the global South.
The damage to collaborative decision-making has been exacerbated by the deliberate spread of online misinformation and hate speech; better governance and regulation of the Internet is now a democratic imperative.
In addition to toxic online polarisation, there have been instances of violence committed by both protesters and state authorities in relation to democratic election results across the world. We call on political leaders, citizens and security forces alike to respect decisions made at the ballot box and ensure peaceful transfers of power when voters have spoken. Leaders in the United States have a particular responsibility in the coming weeks to uphold electoral norms and the rule of law.
As we look forward to 2021, we urge leaders to heed the voices of their citizens, especially young people, and break the cycle of short-termism and neglect of multilateral cooperation. The COP26 climate summit, the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference and the CBD15 UN Biodiversity Conference are significant opportunities for collaborative leadership.
Collectively, we should use the chance to “reset” global governance to fully exploit the potential of digital technologies, renewable energy and medical advances to build a stronger, more just and resilient world for all.
Speaking for all the Elders, our Chair Mary Robinson, said:
“COVID-19 has placed unprecedented strain on the multilateral system and cruelly exposed its failings. All leaders share in the responsibility for not living up to the values of the UN Charter, but the greatest culpability must lie with the five Permanent Members of the Security Council who were entrusted in 1945 with a specific mandate to rebuild a fairer and more peaceful world. A fresh approach is urgently needed in 2021 with an unrelenting focus on justice and equality.”
Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and Chair of The Elders
Ban Ki-moon, former UN Secretary-General and Deputy Chair of The Elders
Graça Machel, Founder of the Graça Machel Trust, co-founder and Deputy Chair of The Elders
Lakhdar Brahimi, former Algerian foreign minister and senior UN diplomat
Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway and former Director-General of the WHO
Zeid Raad Al Hussein, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Hina Jilani, Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and co-chair of the Taskforce on Justice
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia and Nobel Peace Laureate
Ricardo Lagos, former President of Chile
Juan Manuel Santos, former President of Colombia and Nobel Peace Laureate
The World Food Programme has swiftly removed the names of two Kariba council officials, including Mayor George Masendu, who had been included on the list of vulnerable people in the area that are expected to benefit from a cash disbursement programme.
WFP got wind of the development through anonymous calls to their toll free hotline, prompting investigations and the removal of the names.
The matter has since been forwarded to Government, through the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare for further action.
In a statement yesterday, WFP Zimbabwe Country director and representative, Ms Francesca Erdelmann, said fraud would not be tolerated.
“The World Food Programme is aware of media reports that two officials in Kariba were incorrectly included on a list of people there said to be eligible for WFP food assistance,” said Ms Erdelmann.
“A prompt WFP investigation of both allegations resulted in the two officials being removed from our list. The two cases have been referred to the Ministry of Public Service and Social Welfare for further action. WFP has zero tolerance for fraud and is committed to ensuring its assistance goes to those who meet strict eligibility criteria.”
Disbursements have not yet started in the affected wards, although those in other wards have already started withdrawing their money via electronic money transfer platform, Mukuru.com.
Officials in Government said the process of verification and cleaning up the list was ongoing adding that ineligible people would be flushed out.
WFP has set up platforms for the public to provide feedback on its work, processes, errors of inclusion and exclusion, among others.
Tapuwa Kapini believes locally-based keepers are good for national team selection but has urged the Warriors technical team to consider those in foreign leagues for the back-to-back Afcon qualifiers against Algeria next month.
Zimbabwe fielded Talbert Shumba of Triangle United in the friendly match versus Malawi early this month with Ngezi Platinum Stars’ Nelson Chadya sitting out as reserve keeper.
Despite doing well in the encounter, Kapini feels the coach will need to look elsewhere and call those who have been active.
“I think we are doing well as a country in producing quality goalkeepers,” the former Warriors captain told B-Metro. “Any goalkeeper that would be in top form can represent the nation.
“Those who are playing regularly wherever they are attached they do deserve to be assessed by the coaches just to give them the much-needed confidence to say go and do well for the nation.
“I’m talking of the likes of Tatenda Mukuruva, George Chigova, Edmore Sibanda and Elvis Chipezeze. I have also heard people talking about Martin Mapisa (based in Spain), but I don’t know him that much.
“I’m not taking anything away from all the locally-based goalkeepers, but it has been almost a year for them without playing competitive football. So, it is going to be difficult for them to adjust to national team demands.”
Kapini further explained saying the Algeria games will be more difficult and the coaches need those who have played football recently.
“I know some of the locally-based goalkeepers played over the weekend against Malawi. However, the real test is going to come against Algeria, and we will need people who have been playing.
“Thumbs up to those goalkeepers (Talbert Shumba and Nelson Chadya) because it’s not easy to make it into the national team when you have been inactive and go on to keep a clean sheet.
“Just like what the coaches do with midfielders, strikers and defenders, other locally-based goalkeepers that include Ariel Sibanda and Munyaradzi Diya need to be given a chance,” he added.
Zimbabwe will travel to Algeria in Matchday 3 of the qualifiers on 12 November before hosting the North Africans at National Sports Stadium in Harare four days later-Soccer 24
By A Correspondent- Two medical reports handed over to court yesterday state that MDC Alliance member Joana Mamombe has a psychological problem that requires treatment, with her defence lawyer arguing for postponement of her trial on charges of incitement or participating in a public gathering with intent to cause public violence.
Her lawyer, Mr Alec Muchadehama, told the court that two of the three medical reports now before the court concurred that Mamombe has a psychological problem. “It is clear that Mamombe should be treated by a psychologist and the court would be given the review results,” he said. The third and earlier report said she was fit to stand trial.
Mr Muchadehama told the court that the trial should be postponed until such time his client would be fit to comprehend court proceedings.
Mamombe is jointly charged with other MDC Alliance activists Cecilia Chimbiri, Netsai Marova, Lovejoy Chitengu, Stanley Manyenga and Obey Tererai Sithole on the charge arising from an alleged illegal demonstration in Warren Park.
Prosecutor Mr Michael Reza said there was confusion as one doctor said on October 5 that Mamombe was perfectly well, but barely 15 days later, it was said she cannot comprehend court proceedings.
Mr Reza said the State will consider whether to try the accused separately, the five in one trial and Mamombe on her own at a different time.
Harare regional magistrate, Mrs Bianca Makwande, rolled over the matter to today to make a ruling on Mamombe’s treatment plan.
Mamombe also faces another charge of allegedly faking her abduction, together with Chimbiri and Marova.
On the current case, the six allegedly staged an illegal demonstration in Warren Park, Harare, in May this year, in violation of Covid-19 national lockdown measures. They were later intercepted and dispersed by police
Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Juventus’ Champions League clash against Barcelona next week after testing positive for coronavirus again.
The 35-year old contracted the virus on national duty with Portugal during the October international break and had hoped to recover before the clash against the Catalan giants on Wednesday.
But after the second test, he is still infected, ruling him out of the tie in Turin, according to Marca.
The latest developments, meanwhile, delays the first Champions League meeting between Ronaldo and his long time rival, Lionel Messi. The two will have to wait for the Matchday 6 game in December to play against each other for the first time in the tournament.-Soccer 24
Farai Dziva|Hard-hitting MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti, has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State Of The Nation is fraught with deception and lies.
On Thursday Mr Mnangagwa chronicled what he described as the new dispensation’s achievements.
However, Hon Biti argued :
Failed regimes function on deception lies propaganda and spin .
The delusional regime makes crazy assertions in its Budget Strategy Paper. It claims a growth of 7.4 % for 2021 This is zany & not backed by any credible underlying assumption. @steve_hanke is right.This one has lost it
The claims of stability are the vortex of self delusion. “Stability “is a punchline in overkill.Truth is there is chaos out there.There is poverty, unemployment and instability.
There is low productivity and continued reproduction of an enclave economy.There is corruption and cluelessness.
After their Mamelodi Sundowns tenure started on a losing note with a 0-1 defeat to Bloemfontein Celtic in the MTN 8, the club’s coaches Rulani Mokwena, Manqoba Mngqithi and Steve Komphela face a stern test this weekend.
Masandawana meet a familiar enemy in the headline fixture of the 2020/21 DStv Premiership match day one at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, Kaizer Chiefs.
The trio’s appointment and how the setup works has generated a lot of debate in South Africa, with Mnggithi and Mokwena co-head coaches while Komphela was roped-in as ‘senior coach.’
What is not up for discussion however is that they will be looking to kick start the new league campaign with a victory over Kaizer Chiefs.
In Amakhosi, they face a side who came back from behind to beat Maritzburg United in the MTN 8 last Sunday, with new coach Gavin Hunt showing his tactical prowess by masterminding a second half turnaround after being dominated by the Team of Choice in the first stanza.
Chiefs will welcome back midfield linchpin Willard Katsande and Lebogang Manyama after the duo missed the win over Maritzburg due to suspension.-Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance Youth Assembly spokesperson, Stephen Sarkozy Chuma has pointed out that Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa and his coterie of looters pose a threat to national stability due to rampant plundering of State resources.
According to Chuma, Mnangagwa’s administration is “more dangerous than sanctions.”
Read full statement below :
22-10-2020
A leaked JOC Internal Memo doing rounds in social media clearly exposes the state as more dangerous to Zimbabwean citizens than sanctions.
It is not only disheartening but defies logic as to how a whole state security apparatus whose lifeblood depends on taxpayers money can have the audacity to hatch clandestine operations that seek to exterminate citizens voicing against corruption.
Where in the world have we seen state security institutions plotting against citizens fighting societal ills like corruption?
It is only in the land of spineless dictators where state security institutions prey on innocent citizens speaking against societal ills like corruption that threatens national interest.
Is it not true that corruption has now become a cancer threatening our very existence as a people?
When state security institutions become more predatory to those speaking against threats to national interest like corruption, then that state has become rogue.
A state that is predatory to those fighting corruption is more dangerous to national interest than targeted sanctions that Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime parrots about everyday.
It is time Mnangagwa’s regime start thinking about #Anti-corruption galas instead of wasting taxpayers money on the proposed useless #Anti-sanctions gala.
The only credible list that threatens national security is the one that must be headlined by Covid-19 funds thief, Obadiah Moyo and his acolytes.
We are citizens and not terrorists!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDCAllianceYouthAssemblyNationalSpokesperson
Farai Dziva|Hard-hitting MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti, has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State Of The Nation is fraught with deception and lies.
On Thursday Mr Mnangagwa chronicled what he described as the new dispensation’s achievements.
However, Hon Biti argued :
Failed regimes function on deception lies propaganda and spin .
The delusional regime makes crazy assertions in its Budget Strategy Paper. It claims a growth of 7.4 % for 2021 This is zany & not backed by any credible underlying assumption. @steve_hanke is right.This one has lost it
The claims of stability are the vortex of self delusion. “Stability “is a punchline in overkill.Truth is there is chaos out there.There is poverty, unemployment and instability.
There is low productivity and continued reproduction of an enclave economy.There is corruption and cluelessness.
Farai Dziva|Transform Zimbabwe leader, Jacob Ngarivhume, has described Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State of The Nation Address as meaningless and out of sync with reality.
Ngarivhume challenged Mr Mnangagwa to stop playing with the lives of suffering citizens.
See statement below:
I spent the night at the Karanda mission hospital, talking with the people and experiencing what they are going through. There are no words to fully describe my experience. I will be releasing a video on Sunday.
Emmerson Mnangagwa’s state of the nation address is a delusional rant of meaningless achievements and a total insult to our suffering .
Zimbabweans are suffering in this country but ED is too selfish to consider a solution which is solely in the people’s interest.
This is not the time to play president. This is not the time to criminalize citizens who believe that the time for games is over.
Zimbabwe needs to take very serious steps to address the challenges we have. These are challenges which cannot be solved by the people who created them.
I implore ED to seriously consider putting the people first and tender his resignation for the sake of our nation.
Zanu PF needs to put Zimbabwe first ahead of its personal interests.
Heartburn is a burning pain in your chest, just behind your breastbone. The pain is often worse after eating, in the evening, or when lying down or bending over.
Occasional heartburn is common and no cause for alarm. Most people can manage the discomfort of heartburn on their own with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications.
Heartburn that is more frequent or interferes with your daily routine may be a symptom of a more serious condition that requires medical care.
Symptoms
Symptoms of heartburn include:
A burning pain in the chest that usually occurs after eating and may occur at night Pain that worsens when lying down or bending overBitter or acidic taste in the mouth
When to see a doctor
Seek immediate help if you experience severe chest pain or pressure, especially when combined with other signs and symptoms such as pain in the arm or jaw or difficulty breathing. Chest pain may be a symptom of a heart attack.
Make an appointment with your doctor if:
Heartburn occurs more than twice a week Symptoms persist despite use of over-the-counter medications You have difficulty swallowing You have persistent nausea or vomiting You have weight loss because of poor appetite or difficulty eating.
Causes
Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach (esophagus).
Normally when you swallow, a band of muscle around the bottom of your esophagus (lower esophageal sphincter) relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow down into your stomach. Then the muscle tightens again.
If the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes abnormally or weakens, stomach acid can flow back up into your esophagus (acid reflux) and cause heartburn. The acid backup may be worse when you’re bent over or lying down.
Risk factors
Certain foods and drinks can trigger heartburn in some people, including:
Spicy foodsOnionsCitrus productsTomato products, such as ketchupFatty or fried foodsPeppermintChocolateAlcohol, carbonated beverages, coffee or other caffeinated beveragesLarge or fatty meals
Being overweight or pregnant also can increase your risk of experiencing heartburn.
Complications
Heartburn that occurs frequently and interferes with your routine is considered gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
GERD treatment may require prescription medications and, occasionally, surgery or other procedures.
GERD can seriously damage your esophagus or lead to precancerous changes in the esophagus called Barrett’s esophagus.
Source :Mayo Clinic
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information follow /like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
Auxillia Mnangagwa introducing the primary schools feeding programme at Silverstreams to today. 2,000 primary school children from Chimanimani District have been rounded to the programme. Pregnant women have also been taken pic.twitter.com/uSV1asu6T4
MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA READY TO GRACE SADC ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMEMORATIONS NOT THE SO-CALLED ANTI-SANCTIONS CELEBRATIONS SET FOR 24 OCTOBER.
Mdc Alliance Namibia is absolutely clear that the clueless Zanupf regime’s deliberate invitation to the Mdc Alliance to grace the SADC Anti-sanctions commemorations is an insult to constitutional democracy.
Through their overambitious Secretary of Information Nick Mangwana, the government genuinely invited Mdc-T led by Thokozani Khupe and ironically extended their sadist invitation to the political dynamo, President Advocate Nelson Chamisa to add their amplified voices against sanctions.
It must be vividly open to Zanupf that as Mdc Alliance Namibia, we are direct victims to the satanic abuse of basic universal freedoms enshrined in the constitution of the country therefore, we declare that sanctions must go with the advent of comprehensive political, economic and electoral reforms in the country to combat the perpetual stealing of elections through the visibly captured Zec by despotic Zanupf regime.
Moreso, the West and US imposed targeted sanctions against a number of individuals both within the Zimbabwean government and their enablers. We are aware that the EU sanctions are also targeting perpetrators of arbitrary arrests, torture and abductions of progressive citizens who stand firm castigating corruption and daylight looting of state resources with impunity. There is little or no evidence to suggest that US and EU sanctions are responsible for the economic meltdown. The US are completely blaming the crisis on what an official described as ‘catastrophic mismanagement’ of the economy by Zanupf politicians who continue to loot national resources.
Moreover, it is quite apparent that since the 17 November Coup of 2017, The US, United Kingdom and the EU have been willingly donating cash and kind to Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s defiant government.
During cyclone Idai, he was caught over excited when the US Government gave Zimbabwe millions of US$ to bail out the victims of the catastrophic experience.
Besides that, the UK government has always been clear that it believes changes to sanctions regimes against Zimbabweans should reflect progress on the political and economic reforms promised by Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa #ActionOnReform, Melanie Robinson elaborated.
It is imperative to acknowledge that the UK and US support Zimbabwean businesses and jobs for economic development but Zanupf continues to delay the much awaited wholesome political and economic changes. As Mdc Alliance Namibia, we are delighted that travel restrictions and freeze on ill-gotten assets have been effectively imposed, along with the sale of military hardware and equipment which will be undoubtedly exploited for internal repression on social democrats. Commemorations against sanctions is the same with endorsing Abductions and torture of innocent citizens. 21 people were butchered in January 2019 shortly after more than 7 were shot in cold blood on the streets of Harare on the 1st of August 2018, demonstrating against a deliberate delay to announce results as a shenanigan to rig the will of the people.
Meanwhile, in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, it was not perplexing to hear wayward Mashakada Tapiwa , the Mdc-T Secretary for Finance and Economic affairs , who is also the Mp for Hatfield , saying that the opposition was opposed to sanctions against Zimbabwe.
The judicially-sponsored party is now unraveling its unholy marriage with the corrupt and authoritarian regime. As Mdc Alliance Namibia, we want to state our position clearly that we are the ones who are being murdered by Zanupf thugocrats not Mdc-T.
Has anyone seen their members in police custody or a mere invitation to law and order? Asked the furious Chairperson of Mdc Alliance Namibia District.
These are Zanupf surrogates led by Khupe who confessed to the whole world that she is in politics for money.
Furthermore, Mashakada said Khupe, as the Chairperson of the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) International re-engagement committee and engagement, she must be supported.
This is a clear reflection that our erstwhile comrades have sold the people’s project to their desperate Zanupf masters.
Lets first advocate for the unconditional release of all political prisoners who are languishing in jail for demanding justice and freedom from Zanupf dictatorship.
Social democrats are clear on the revolutionary trajectory, we demand the end to senseless corruption, state capture of government institutions, politicisation of food aid, exploitation of traditional leaders in the intimidation of opposition leaders and their membership who are vulnerable in the rural areas, the holding of credible, free and fair elections and and an absolute end to arbitrary arrests and torture of progressive citizens.
In conclusion, Zanupf must halt political hypocrisy if they are seriously committed to put the economy on a sounder footing. They must acknowledge that moaning sanctions is a mere wastage of the precious citizens’ time. There is need for Zanupf and their surrogates in the Mdc-T to abandon politics of rhetoric.
Zimbabweans don’t eat their foolish blame game. Stomach politicians must go now before sanctions go.
A BRAWL over a missing cellphone charger ended tragically last Friday when a Buhera man was fatally assaulted by his three colleagues.
Tafadzwa Makore, Tafirenyika Chiwere and Effort Chiwere assaulted Lovemore Muchizi over a cellphone charger.
Following the attack, Muchizi of Makore Village under Chief Nyashanu bled profusely and died on the spot. Police confirmed Muchizi’s death.
“The four were at Mathew’s homestead for a beer binge. They bought 10 litres of a home-made brew and started drinking. An altercation ensued between Muchizi and the three accused persons.
“The trio then assaulted Lovemore all over his body until he became unconscious. Muchizi later regained consciousness and continued drinking. A few hours later, he asked for his cellphone charger but was allegedly pushed to the ground by one of the accused persons. Muchizi started bleeding and died on the spot,” said Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa.
The three were arrested and are assisting police with investigations.
Meanwhile, an Odzi man died after an unidentified villager hit him with a farm brick last week on Saturday. The incident happened in the Old Location section of Odzi. Edson Mhere (32) died after sustaining serious head injuries.
“Phillip Machipisa and Farai Hlupo were coming from Odzi 1 and 2 Mine where they are employed. There had a misunderstanding and started fighting. People gathered around and Edson tried to stop the fight.
“However, an unidentified man threw a farm brick at Edson. He was rushed to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital but died upon admission.
“We are appealing to members of the public with information leading to the arrest of the unidentified man to contact their nearest police station,” said Inspector Kakohwa.-Manica Post
Only those who remain in the party and those position which remain in the party will be allowed to vote. Now there're certain characters who've already moved away they've said they have got their own party, you don't need to say it's @nelsonchamisa – @EngMudzuripic.twitter.com/XmRMCgQ91V
“…We also discovered separate sets of teeth; and two separate skulls, one with lower teeth and the other one with upper teeth but without a tongue…”
By A Correspondent | This week marks 5 weeks after 7 year old Tapiwa Makore was discovered dead in Murehwa.
His relatives this week tell ZimEye, the story is still the same since that fateful day on the 17th September when Tapiwa’s body was found dismembered without several parts that include his head.
5 days later two skulls of children were discovered and one of them they boldly deny could ever be Tapiwa’s.
Makandiwa, Magaya, Chiwenga have failed to reveal Murehwa Murder Tapiwa Makore's head | WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
They said they are convinced that the first discovered fresh skull could not be their “son’s”.
Mr Isaac Makore (57), the deceased boy’s granduncle, said the newly discarded skull they chanced on was not his grandnephew’s, but that of a 12-year-old, yet to be identified child’s.
As a result of the uncertainty, Tapiwa is still to find rest, as burial arrangements have been put on hold pending further investigations.
“My grandnephew went missing, and we later discovered his torso with other organs, like the head, hands, and legs missing. We also discovered separate sets of teeth; and two separate skulls, one with lower teeth and the other one with upper teeth but without a tongue.
“Indications are that the other skull belongs to a yet to be identified older child, and not our ‘child’s’, Mr Makore said.
However, the boy’s privates were untouched.
Following Tapiwa’s grisly murder, and the unearthing of more mutilated body parts, villagers are now living in fear of death merchants who could be on the prowl in the area, seeking children’s hearts for ritual purposes.
Tapiwa’s uncle, Mr Simbarashe Makore (38), said it is believed that there could be many children, although not from their area, who could have been killed for ritual purposes, and had their bodies dumped in the proximity of their village.
“We are now living in fear. Our prayer is that the police apprehend the culprits and rid our area of this menace. Who knows, after our children, they may also come for us, their parents. How could someone kill a fellow human being in such cold blood just like that?” he bemoaned.
Ms Easther Makore (52), Tapiwa’s aunt concurred, saying the police should not leave any stone unturned and get to the bottom of the issue as it was mind-boggling that so many human organs could be discovered hard upon her nephew’s demise.
Meanwhile more confusion has built up following the police’s delay in catching the N’anga who allegedly ordered the killing.
This comes at the backdrop of an unnamed N’anga at the weekend making allegations that Tapiwa’s head was taken to a property in Dzvivarasekwa. – the investigation continues
WILL TAPIWA MAKORE’S HEAD EVER BE FOUND?
Dear Editor. The N'anga speaking on the MUREHWA murder, announced saying Tapiwa Makore's head is at a house in Dzivarasekwa. Can you please ask va Mnangagwa who also has a house in DZ on this. How can he keep quiet after it's rumoured the head is somewhere around his house?
bY A Correspondent- Tragedy struck two Chitungwiza families when a neighbour’s galvanised steel stand gave in to the weight of a loaded 5 000 litre water tank and collapsed on three children, resulting in the death of two of them and hospitalisation of the third.
The incident occurred at house number 1495 in Unit A, Seke, on Wednesday at around 4pm.
The deceased are Trinity Saungweme (9), a Grade Four pupil at Dzidzai Primary School in the dormitory town, and Colleen Kamonere aged 18 months.
Trinity’s brother Thulani (7), who is in Grade Two at the same school, fractured his right leg as the falling deluge of water threw him a few paces from where he was playing.
He was initially hospitalised at Chitungwiza Central Hospital but has since been discharged with a plastered leg and is recuperating at home.
Trinity’s father, Mr Challenge Saungweme (31), said he was alerted to the tragic incident by a woman from the neighbourhood, who rushed to a car park where he whiled away time with his friend, Mr Gumisai Kamonere, Colleen’s father-statemedia
By A Correspondent- Three MDC Alliance youth leaders Joana Mamombe, Netsai Marova and Cecilia Chimbiri are today appearing at court ZimEye has learnt.
The three are appearing at Rotten Row Magistrates court.
Revealed, one of the trio’s close ally:
“Today the MDC Alliance trio, Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova are again before the Court at Rotten Row.
The State prosecutor Mr Michael Reza and the Magistrate Bianca Makwande are working out a sinister agenda to have the trio separated on the same case. They are advocating go have Joana appear on her own while the other two appear together separately.
This then follows according to Achemedes Principal of displacement that if they so wish to incriminate the two or one on trial they all go to prison.
The State through Michael Reza is now the super litigant on the accused who are victims of state torture and forced disappearance.
When the trio reported their case they then got arrested by the State which is alleging that they faked their torture and abduction.
The ZTV also produced a photoshoped video that became a shame. The State wants by all means to incarcerate the girls. The women groups are all silent on this injustice.”
By A Correspondent- The secretary-general of the Supreme Court reconstituted MDC-T, Douglas Mwonzora, expressed disappointment over President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered at State House on Thursday.
Mwonzora said Mnangagwa’s address was silent on critical issues such as electoral reforms which include, but not limited to the amendment of the Electoral Act and granting the right to vote to Zimbabweans living in the diaspora. Mwonzora posted on Twitter:
The address by [President Mnangagwa] does not mention any plans to initiate electoral reforms in Zimbabwe nor does it mention plans to amend the Electoral Act. We need electoral reforms that will among other things guarantee the crucial diaspora vote.
Mnangagwa gave a State of the Nation Address and the opening the Third Session of the Ninth Parliament at State House in Harare yesterday.
This year the opening speech and the State of the Nation was done virtually in keeping with measures aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
Only a minority of legislators were present in the chamber of the National Assembly and the rest followed the proceedings on television or online platforms.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- The bogus Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals doctor, Admire Chisi, appeared before Harare magistrate Judith Taruvinga on Thursday charged with impersonating a public official and fraud.
The matter was rolled over to this Friday for the continuation of the bail hearing.ht
Chisi (25), from Zimre Park, Ruwa attended to patients and wrote medical affidavits and prescriptions for seven months at the country’s largest referral hospital without a practising certificate.
Doctor Tapiwa Nyakudya apprehended Chisi on 20 October after discovering some anomalies on his conduct that contrasted the medical profession and he failed to produce his practising certificate.
Chisi was taken to the police where a report was made leading to his arrest.
In a statement on Wednesday, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals confirmed that Chisi was a fake doctor and that they had handed him over to the police. The statement read:
“On October 20 2020, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals discovered that the Accident and Emergency Department had been infiltrated by a fake medical doctor who posed as a physician registrar.
The matter was discovered after our vigilant casualty staff doubted his medical proficiency and made some inquiries. The suspect has been handed over to the police who are now handling the matter.”
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday passed a bill that prevents marriage officers from refusing to conduct same-sex marriages.
According to the Civil Union Amendment Bill, the Home Affairs Minister must ensure a marriage officer is available to solemnise a civil union at every office.
Earlier, the Centre for Human Rights welcomed the passing of the bill by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).
Spokesperson Thiruna Naidoo said the bill repealed Section 6 of the Civil Union Act 17 of 2006 (CUA), which provided that a marriage officer may, in writing, inform the Minister of Home Affairs that he or she objects to solemnising a civil union between persons of the same sex on the ground of conscience, religion, and belief.
Naidoo added that this provision had long been a barrier to the legal recognition of same-sex couples by marriage officers in the Department of Home Affairs.
Said Naidoo: Under the Civil Union Amendment Bill, a transitional period of 24 months is given [for] the Department of Home Affairs to train those officials that had previously been granted an exemption by the minister.
During this transitional period, a marriage officer, other than those granted exemption, must be available to solemnise a civil union at every Department of Home Affairs office to ensure that same-sex couples are no longer turned away.
Naidoo further said the bill was a positive step toward eliminating existing differentiation between marriages and civil union partnerships, reducing discrimination against same-sex relationships and achieving equality for same-sex couples in South Africa.
The development comes as the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis said in a film released on Wednesday that homosexuals should be protected by civil union laws.-News24
By A Correspondent- Eight unions representing teachers have written a joint petition to President Emmerson Mnangagwa seeking to meet him urgently and highlighting their continued incapacitation and requesting the restoration of their salaries as they existed before October 2018.
The teachers, currently earning basic salaries of about US$70, are demanding United States dollar salaries of at least US$520 or the Zimbabwe dollar equivalent, as well as sector-specific allowances.
They argued they are not on strike but are simply incapacitated and cannot continue subsidising the government by reporting for duty.
The petition read:
In light of the prevailing situation in the education sector and teachers’ incapacitation, we want to plead with you to intervene and save the education sector from total collapse and capacitate teachers so they can report for duty.
Zimbabwe has embarked on a phased re-opening of schools since their premature closure in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Exam-sitting classes re-opened on September 28 and will be joined by Grade 6, Form 3 and Lower Sixth pupils starting next week with the rest of the classes expected to return to school on November 8.-
A leaked security document has shown that the State security establishment is reportedly planning to track and attack perceived opponents of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.
The document reveals that those targeted are local and foreign-based journalists, ex-security officers, ex-Zanu PF and opposition politicians.
The document is based on the minutes of a Joint Operations Command (JOC) meeting held on 10 August this year.
It was compiled on August 20 and copied to directors of the Zimbabwe Military Intel Corps (MIC), Air Force of Zimbabwe Intelligent Corps, Police Intelligence and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZCPS) Intel.
The document discloses the names of individuals who were under constant surveillance for allegedly working against and sabotaging the government. Top on the list of these people the document placed Simba Chikanza of ZimEye.com at the top of the list.
The minutes showed that the meeting resolved that all those who spread hate-speech and anti-government statements communicating violence by the government like ZimbabweanLivesMatter and ZanuPFMustGo hashtags should be tracked down and arrested.
The meeting noted the “successful” arrests of journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and opposition Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume.
Some of the listed individuals identified as the peddlers of misinformation about the country include, among others, ex-Central Intelligence Organisation member Philip Nyevero, who is accused of releasing official secrets, Shepherd Yuda ex-ZPCS member, former Zanu PF youth leader Jim Kunaka, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions president Peter Mutasa and ex-military member Albert Matapo.
Ex-Zanu PF youth commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu, Tajamuka’s Promise Mkwananzi, journalists Edmund Kudzayi, Mduduzi Mathuthu, Lance Guma as well as Kelvin Sikhosana a member of the Special Air Service and MDC Alliance’s Stephen Sarkozy Chuma are also on the list.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said his government is encouraged by the economic stability which he attributed to the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP).
Mnangagwa made the remarks in his state of the nation address (SONA) during which he also indicated that sanctions imposed on the country by Western states continued to choke efforts to revive the collapsed economy.
The president said:
Our Transitional Stabilisation Programme has delivered and there are causes for optimism. My government is indeed encouraged by the current economic stability evident since the launch of the foreign exchange auction system in June.
The system has resulted in the stability of the foreign exchange rate as well as the prices of our goods and services.
In spite of the global and local economic impact of the covid-19 pandemic, our exports increased by 4.9 % to $USD1,96 billion during the first half of 2020 from $USD1,86 billion in 2019 for the comparative period.
Meanwhile, imports declined by 5,9% from $USD1,96 billion to $USD1,84 billion during the 2019 and 2020 first half comparative periods. In addition, foreign currency receipts have performed better than anticipated, appreciating by 18% as at end of August 2020 coupled by diaspora remittances which further stability.
Zimbabwe aims to have achieved an upper-middle-income economy status by 2030 and the government believes it is on the right track.
Some economic analysts, however, say the Southern African country has a long way to go after suffering the worst recession in a decade when the incumbent government came to power two years ago.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects that the economy will further dip this year before regaining next year.
IMF’s projection is contradicting with that of the minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube who says the economy will not sharply recede contrary to earlier projections.-statemedia
Police have arrested two notorious armed robbers in connection with 15 counts of unlawful entry and theft, and rape.
The two, Mukudzei Zhou (25) and Edwin Kazakula (28), were arrested after a Nokia 1200 cell-phone stolen from the woman they had raped was recovered from the person who had bought it.
A statement issued by the national police spokesperson Paul Nyathi read:
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has arrested Mukudzei Zhou (25) and Edwin Kazakula (28) of Zvishavane in connection with 15 counts of unlawful entry and theft.
The accused persons broke into various homes during the period extending from July to September 2020.
They would threaten the occupants and later rob them of electrical gadgets such as televisions, cellphones, laptops, radios, cash and various groceries.
In one such incident, on 7th July 2020, the accused persons broke into a woman’s house and threatened her with a knife, raped her and stole her laptop, cell-phone and 8.5kg gas cylinder.
The woman (28) was then forced into her vehicle and driven towards Masvingo where she was raped again before being given back her vehicle.
The duo’s luck ran out when a Nokia 1200 cell-phone stolen from the woman was recovered from a person who had bought it from Mukudzei Zhou.
Investigations led to the identification of fourteen other complainants and recovery of property worth USD$5 130.00 against USD$ 10 057.00 worth of property stolen.
MUDHARA HAS A SOLUTION: -Electricity was a problem – Mudhara ED had a solution✅ -Fuel was a problem -Mudhara ED had a solution✅ -Inflation was a problem- Mudhara ED had a solution✅ -Did not have own currency-Mudhara ED had a solution✅ Mudhara vataiti vachauya, vakauya! pic.twitter.com/RmZoGQGhGl
Elias Kurapi who in 2009 made headlines after he murdered his lover and walked out carrying the deceased’s private body parts has been acquitted at the Harare High Court.
He was cleared of any wrongdoing after doctors concluded he was mentally ill when he committed the offence.
In his ruling High Court judge, Justice Joseph Musakwa said; “Whereupon after reading documents filed and hearing counsel, it is ordered that not guilty by reason of insanity. Accused is ordered to be committed to the Chikurubi Psychiatric Unit”.
Doctors said Kurapi was unstable to release him.
“An autopsy was conducted by Dr A Mapfumo on December 7, 2009, on the remains of the deceased, concluded that the death was due to decapitation,” reads part of the court papers.
“He was referred to the Chikurubi Psychiatric Unit following the commission of the offence that he is being charged with. On September 19 2017 Dr Patrick Mhaka compiled an affidavit containing his finding after treating the accused. He concluded that at the time of the commission of the offence the accused was mentally disordered.
“The autopsy concluded that the accused cannot be properly found guilty of murder as he lacked the requisite mental capacity, that this Honourable Court retains a special verdict and that accused be found not guilty by reason of insanity and that in terms of the Mental Health Act that accused may be returned to Chikurubi Psychiatric Unit for further treatment until such a time as he may be discharged back to the society.”
According to the state, on 30 November 2009, Kurapi visited the deceased at Botas Farm in Chinhoyi. He later asked her to accompany him to Chisaki Farm.
Whilst at Chisaki Farm, the accused used a pocket knife to slit deceased on the throat and further stabbed her in the stomach.
Kurapi went on to cut off two fingers from the deceased’s right hand, two toenails from the right foot, private parts and inner part of the left knee.
He was later arrested while in possession of the deceased private parts.
During the trial Mackriel Chauruka employed at Mumi Farm said on December 1 2009, the accused told him that he wanted assistance to raise his niece from the dead so that she would avenge her death.
“He further indicated that he had his niece’s vagina for use in raising her spirit. The accused showed him the vagina. The witness sought assistance from the members of the police Neighbourhood Watch Committee who then arrested the accused. On December 3, 2009, he learnt that the accused had murdered the deceased.”
A neighbourhood cop, Munyaradzi Mwenendiyani told the court after receiving a report from Chauruka, he and other officers arrested Kurapi before he showed them where he had buried the deceased.
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has tasked Parliament to fast track the Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Bill which his goverment wants to use to subdue Non Governmental Organisations he accuses of derailing government programmes.
Mnangagwa made the call during his opening of the third session of the ninth parliament broadcast from the state house.
Mnangagwa accused the NGOs and private voluntary organisations (PVOs) of deviating from their humanitarian agenda and venturing into partisan politics.
“The conduct of some non-governmental organisations and private voluntary organisations who operate outside their mandate and out of sync with the government’s humanitarian priority programmes, remain a cause for concern,” he said.
“This august House will, therefore, consider the PVO Amendment Bill to revamp the administration of NGOs and PVOs and correct the current anomalies,” said Mnangagwa.
The Zanu PF government has for over the years been at war with NGOs, most of whom it accuses of either funding opposition political parties or promoting anti goverment messages.
By Charles M. Mutama | Student politics of the 1980s was revived with the advent of Job Wiwa Sikhala’s vibrant activism in the late 1990s. His election into the Students Representative Council (SRC) alongside the late President Learnmore Jongwe, Vice President Fortune Molokele, Secretary General Moffat Chikuni, and Tafadzwa Changamire Dombo Musekiwa among others made the students movement in the national discourse relevant and students from tertiary institutions stakeholders and stockholders in Zimbabwe.
Job Wiwa Sikhala led a series of earthquake demonstrations at the University of Zimbabwe and all other Universities and throughout the country agitating for socio and economic rights for students in particular and the citizens in general. The contentious issue surrounding the timely disbursement of student grant and loans by the Robert Mugabe regime became his personal struggle on behalf of his constituency. In order to appeal broadly to the national students’ body, Job Sikhala and his contemporaries were instrumental in the reconstitution of the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) in which he was elected the Secretary for Information and Publicity. That Zimbabwe National Students Union leadership also included the late President Learnmore Jongwe, Vice President Daniel Molokele Tsiye, and Secretary General Charlton Hwende. In 1997, he became the Secretary General of the University of Zimbabwe Students’ Union which also had the current member of Parliament for Hwange Central, Advocate Daniel Molokele Tsiye as President and former member of Parliament for Zengeza Tafadzwa Musekiwa as Vice President.
This aforementioned student leadership galvanized students nationally to engage the government through intense demonstrations against the fifty percent fees policy which would see the over-burdened and underpaid peasant and urban working poor parent paying for school fees for the first time in Zimbabwe. Job Sikhala and this generation of student leaders rekindled the vibrancy only matched by the previous crop of leaders who included former Deputy Prime Minister Prof. Arthur Guseni Mutambara, former legislator and International Socialist Organization (ISO) Munyaradzi Gwisai and others who campaigned against Mugabe’s one-party state endeavors. The series of demonstrations led by Job Sikhala and his peers were so radical and epic that the government-captured administration of Professor Graham Hill shut the university for a year.
During the period 1998-1999 which was the formative stage of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Job Sikhala worked closely with the late former Prime Minister Dr. Morgan Richard Tsvangirai culminating in his election into the new student and worker led political party as the Secretary for Defence and Security. In the year 2000, he was elected as the Member of Parliament for St. Marys’ in the dormitory town of Chitungwiza where he has been residing ever since. Job Sikhala’s parliamentary career has been exceptional judging by the lively debates and engagements that have become part of the Zimbabwean legislature against the backdrop of Zanu PF partisanship. He epitomizes the solid, critical, and vocal servant of his constituency who raises pertinent issues affecting the citizens in general and the people of Zengeza in particular.
The distinct characteristic of his illustrious political career has been his bold and confrontational approach when dealing with the political bigotry of Zanu PF. During the height of Zanu Pf’s siege of MDC supporters in rural areas, Job Sikhala successfully repelled merchants of violence in Bikita and Mount Darwin after distress appeal by members of his party. He defiantly staged rural area based demonstrations during the era of Zanu PF’s no-go zone policy against the MDC to the astonishment of Dickson Mafios and Savior Kasukuwere who were prominent in enforcing the Machiavellian approach there. His lack of fear and resistance to paralysis during the political contestation that emerged with the emergency of the MDC against Zanu PF hegemonic control of the nation-state has seen him being arrested 63 times facing spurious charges ranging from incitement to cause public violence to Treason. On 13th January 2003, Job Sikhala together with his lawyer Gabriel Shumba, Charles Mutama, and his aide Taurai Magaya were arrested and severely tortured at the Kabri Barracks for allegedly training a military wing to fight Zanu PF. Major Mzilikazi who was head of military intelligence then was responsible for the inhuman and degrading treatment that Job Sikhala and his counterparts experienced.
He views his legal profession in Fanonian philosophy as simply putting at the people’s disposal the intellectual and technical capital that he snatched when going through the native colonial academic institutions. In other words, practicing law is a national duty intended to benefit the poor who are emasculated by the bourgeois Zanu PF government which has become anti-national, stupid, contemptible and a cynically exploitative ruling class. After the aftermath of the 14th January 2020 crackdown on opposition supporters by the Mnangagwa regime, Job Sikhala represented 186 illegally detained MDC Alliance members who were accused of violating the country’s constitution for participating in demonstrations against fuel and price increases.
In 2020 alone, he has been hauled to the courts and incarcerated twice on trumped up charges. In February he was accused of allegedly uttering treasonous statements in Bikita during an MDC Alliance rally and in August he was also accused of allegedly inciting public violence during the 31 July anti-corruption nationwide protest. He was detained illegally for a month and defiantly addressed the nation as he went to Chikurubi Maximum Prison stating that, Zimbabwe is for everyone and the people shall be victorious. He has joined forces with fellow anti-corruption campaigners Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume on a new frontier that he believes is fundamental in arresting the economic rot brought about by Zanu PF. He has since returned to the native colonial university to study a graduate degree in Human Rights while playing prominent roles in the MDC Alliance and the July 31st Movement. In the grand scheme of things, Job Sikhala does not leave his political goals to chance and fate but edges on towards a huge national responsibility of rescuing the nation from the jaws of a brutal dictatorship.
Teachers’ unions have requested an urgent meeting with President Emmerson Mnangagwa to “put you into picture of the real situation in the education sector.”
The eight unions say Mnangagwa is badly advised by his ministers about the depth of a job boycott by teachers since schools re-opened on September 28.
The teachers, currently earning basic salaries of about US$70, are demanding United States dollar salaries of at least US$520 or the Zimbabwe dollar equivalent, as well as sector-specific allowances.
Calling on Mnangagwa to prioritise the health and safety of teachers, the unions said “there is not enough Covid-19 abatement equipment in place for teachers such as PPEs and sanitisers.”
Teachers were “frog-marched to re-open schools without testing for Covid-19,” the unions said, adding that they were not aware of any member who had been tested for the virus in readiness for the re-opening of schools.
Zimbabwe has staggered the re-opening of schools since their premature closure in March. Exam-sitting classes re-opened on September 28 and will be joined by Grade 6, Form 3 and Lower Sixth pupils starting next week with the rest of the classes expected to return to school on November 8.
Unions say very little teaching is going on at schools, which has compromised pupils who are sitting their final exams. Teachers want the government to close schools or postpone the exams for at least another term while it attends to their grievances.
“In light of the prevailing situation in the education sector and teachers’ incapacitation, we want to plead with you to intervene and save the education sector from total collapse and capacitate teachers so they can report for duty,” the unions said, calling themselves the United Front of Teacher Unions.
Calling him a “listening president”, the unions pleaded with Mnangagwa to “come to our rescue for the good of current and future generations.”
Harare resident Enock Mukudu of ward 30 in Glen View, has approached the High Court challenging the recent suspension of by-elections by Health minister, Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga on health grounds.
In his court application, Mukudu said the move was not only irrational, but also infringed upon the independence of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) which has a constitutional mandate to implement electoral policies as set out in section 235 of the Constitution.
Mukudu joins nine other Harare residents who filed a similar court application last week.
Mukudu said he was seeking the intervention of the court to declare that Statutory Instrument (SI) 225A of 2020 Public Health COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 (No 4) as unconstitutional and that it is ultra vires sections 56, 57 and 58(3) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
“I submit that the suspension of by-elections by the first respondent (Health minister) is challenged on the grounds that it is unlawful, irrational and unconstitutional,” he said.
“In these circumstances, there is no justification for the ban on by-elections. In addition, section 159 of the Constitution requires vacant elective public offices to be filled within 90 days, it follows, therefore, that the provisions of the Constitution must be respected, protected and fulfilled,” Mukudu said.
“With greatest respect, it is humbly submitted that the suspension of by-elections infringes upon the independence of the third respondent that has a constitutional duty to formulate electoral policies without the direction or control of anyone as set out in section 235 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.”
Mukudu further said the suspension of by-elections by Chiwenga was not a result of transparent multi-stakeholder consultations with citizens, Parliament, political parties, the academia, civil society, the private sector, trade unions and the youths.
He added that President Emmerson Mnangagwa reasonably used his presidential powers in terms of the law and put in place reasonable measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that the prohibition of large gatherings was reasonable, but these had been relaxed with certain conditions imposed so as to contain the spread of the pandemic.
MDC Alliance Vice President Tendai Biti on Thursday made light of Professor Lovemore Madhuku’s submissions to challenge the High Court’s jurisdiction in presiding over cases brought by recalled legislators.
Biti successfully got the court to throw out the submissions by Madhuku.
Recalled MDC Alliance legislators Chalton Hwende, Prosper Mutseyami, Thabita Khumalo and Lilian Timveos approached the High Court after they were booted out of Parliament and their seats declared vacant.
They cited Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda, MDC reinstated secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora, acting president Thokozani Khupe and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission as respondents.
The matter was heard before High Court judge Justice Pisirai Kwenda, who ruled that the High Court had jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
Lovemore Madhuku had submitted on behalf of the respondents that the matter could not take off in the High Court, arguing that the Constitution only mandated the Constitutional Court (Con-Court) to decide on any matters involving the President or Parliament.
“According to Section 167 of the Constitution, only the Con-Court has jurisdiction to determine whether a president or Parliament has failed to fulfil a constitutional mandate … this clearly shows that the applicants have approached the wrong court,” he said.
In response Tendai Biti, representing the legislators, said the Con-Court was relevant in confirming an order issued by the High Court, but did not take away its powers to preside over matters involving the president or Parliament.
“The only caveat is that the order has no force and effect unless confirmed by the Con-Court,” Biti said.
Biti then argued that Mwonzora did not have the authority to recall MDC Alliance MPs, adding that the Supreme Court judgment which declared Khupe the acting leader in March did not make them substantive leaders since they are yet to convene a congress for that purpose.
“The Supreme Court judgment gives a narrow bridge versus the succession issue, but now Mwonzora thinks he has powers. The judgment cannot be vandalised in the manner that Mwonzora is doing,” argued Biti.
“That judgment presupposes freezing of a button until someone fills the big shoes of the late leader Morgan Tsvangirai. So, when Mwonzora writes those letters he cannot derive paternity from that judgment.
“That judgment was to remedy the mischief of the manner in which Tsvangirai was succeeded.
“Mwonzora does not become the secretary-general, but is there for purposes of creating a road map to the congress.”
By A Correspondent | Drama is expected today as the minister currently under investigation (by the Zimbabwe anti-corruption commission) for inflating tender prices for COVID materials, is allowed to continue at work.
Deputy Minister of Health John Mangwiro will today be busy in Norton officiating a function there, ZimEye can reveal.
Mangwiro will officiate a special handover of COVID materials together the provincial Minister for Mashonaland West.
While the value of donations could not be disclosed, projections placed in in the tens of thousands of US dollars.
By Dorrothy Moyo | The Zimbabwe Republic Police plans to arrest the MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa, it has emerged.
The main motive is to punish Chamisa for his refusal to accept the job offer passed to him by his own opponent Emmerson Mnangagwa.
This was first revealed in televised deliberations during the Motlanthe Commission over the 1 August killings.
During the hearings, the police general Godwin Matanga announced saying that Chamisa is guilty of inciting violence.
He then went on to say that Chamisa’s only way out of guilt is to accept the job given him by his very opposite during the 2018 elections, Emmerson Mnangagwa. The supposedly advertised job is that of Leader Of The House, an offer which Nelson Chamisa scoffs at saying it means nothing as he already holds it.
https://youtu.be/BvwN4MLdgac
Godwin Matanga during the Motlanthe Commission hearings
But whichever swing that is, there was drama yesterday when Mnangagwa practically ‘handed over the job’ to election loser Thokozani Khupe.
Khupe revealed as Leader of The Opposition on Thursday.
Said Matanga:
“So really up to this hour I still feel that it would be very improper for me to arrest the leader of the opposition party in the name of Nelson Chamisa because not too long ago when our State President was in New York attending some conference that he also extended some own relief where he was going to propose to his parliament to open a special office to accommodate the opposition leader.
“And I still feel today the doors are still open and it will be very improper for me to arrest him.
“But at the same time I would want to say crime does not rot like meat.”
An except of the deliberations is below:
COMMISSIONER CHIEF EMEKA ANYAOKU (To witness) Q. Just a few questions. First is there any law that empowers the police to do something about inciting public violence? A. The law is there. Fortunately we had a seminar a week before the Election Day which was conducted by the Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Justice Chigumba at one of our conference rooms and it was very clear and it’s still very clear that the Electoral Act did not allow people to incite violence. Q. So it’s a law on which the police have never acted. Would that be right to say that?
A. Can you come again? Q. Would it be correct to say that the police have never really acted on this law? A. Going back to history I borrowed some facts from within the continent where by arresting a leader of the then opposition party could have worsened the situation. I will tell you a clue whereby queer situation where more than a 1000 people died during the election period and to go further it is already known that the lawyer of the main opposition leader in Kenya Roila Odinga by the name Silas Jaracumba if I am not mistaken was in the country to advice our main opposition leader on how to proceed with actions which took place on the 1st of August. When I got that information unfortunately he had left the country on the 31st of July going back to Kenya. So really up to this hour I still feel that it would be very improper for me to arrest the leader of the opposition party in the name of Nelson Chamisa because not too long ago when our State President was in New York attending some conference that he also extended some own relief where he was going to propose to his parliament to open a special office to accommodate the opposition leader. And I still feel today the doors are still open and it will be very improper for me to arrest him. But at the same time I would want to say crime does not rot like meat. The records are there to tell and anytime he can be arrested if the time permits. Q. The people who died as a result of 1st of August violence have you been able to establish whether they all died from gunshots from the army alone or was there any fatality to police gunshots? A. Our investigations have not come up with the culprits involved. And for me to say these people were shot by the army it will be very unfair because I was expecting to get evidence in the form of cartridges or bullet heads only to read through the papers
that there are Zimbabwean citizens who do have these cartridges and through the Commission I am appealing to them to come forward so that investigations can be carried out. COMMISSIONER GENERAL DAVIS MWAMUNYANGE (To witness) Q. Based on the intelligence that you might have collected before 1st of August did you foresee the occurrence and extent of the violence that took place on the 1st of August? A. Unfortunately from the time of the election date and even before was announced by the State President, people, political leaders were campaigning peacefully to include Nelson Chamisa and his party. And I if I do recall its on record it is the first time when the opposition party was allowed to have their main rally in the Africa Unit Square. According to our plans which we discussed together with the opposition convenors and I want to say and to remain on record that at the end of their rally we did not record any mishap. So with that in mind but of course I was not seating on to say it was peaceful but I can assure you the situation was reasonably comfortable, peaceful up to the end of the ballot dates. So we were then expecting results from ZEC and of course they were fishers that certain individuals wanted to announce the results before the official board ZEC could do it which again is a serious offence. So I want to say before the Commission the situation was very comfortable and considering that the people had voted up to the end peacefully at some point I did not expect the violence which took place on the 1st of August to take place. Q. When violence erupted on the 1st of August did you make any attempt to contact the leader of the opposition and other institutions?
Turning to the Public Order and Security Act, after the approval by the President was there any need for the Defence Forces to operate under the regulating authority for Harare? A. Definitely yes. If it was on a normal operation the members of the Defence Forces were supposed to come down to the regulating authority who was then Chief Superintendent Ncube to be given instructions. Of course a situation which did not take place. Q. Does that mean there you agree with the witness who came early on the regulating authority for Harare that that section of the law was not complied? A. Mr Chairman this questions is coming from a specialist in the Constitution. CHAIRMAN KGALEMA MOTLANTLE Q. You are protected. A. He is asking me to spit hell here. It’s now here nor there when it comes to law but then of course it was not done but it was not done deliberately. That one I must accept. COMMISSIONER LOVEMORE MADHUKU (To witness) Q. I accept that I think I took your words in here. Correct me if it is not correct. Your language says that the normal process could not be followed because they was no time for that process. You are saying again that regard that you couldn’t then follow those provisions because there was no time for it? A. That is surely Mr Chairman if the time was there this channel was going to be followed for sure.
Commissioner you have told this Commission that when your request to get the army to assist was granted they was no time to go back to the regulatory authority so are you telling this gathering that it is you who said the army could go? You gave the last word? A. Can you come again madam so that I can answer correctly. Q. I am saying according to procedure it was supposed to be the regulatory authority as stated by Assistant Inspector Ncube that he was then supposed to command the army to go. I am saying since there was no time to go to the authority was it then you who sent the army out, who commanded rather? A. Mr Chairman I can’t run away from the fact it’s me. Q. What was your instruction to the Forces? What did you instruct them to go and do? A. The deployment of the army like I already indicated was to make sure that these demonstrators were not going to run over the Rainbow Towers which was accommodating the Command Centre, secondly the ZANU PF National Headquarter where in normal circumstances our Ministers are housed. The ZEC officers, the ZEC offices themselves where Justice Chigumba and the rest were accommodated and lastly the ZANU PF provincial headquarters along Simon Muzenda Street. Along the way and it was very clear for me that I would not know what will happen in between because the town was already on fire. Q. When the town is on fire what would you specifically state to the army that goes? Did you just tell them just go and do what you can do or they was an instruction?
Unfortunately through the Chair it’s like I am going through a jungle. I will not be too sure whether one will encounter an elephant, a lion or whatever but only to say please try to be careful the situation is not favourable. Just what I said to the commander of the army. Q. So in other words there was an open instruction for them to use their discretion within their training abilities? A. I wouldn’t say an open instruction because in day to day training program there is what they call military aid to civil power. And there are trained to quail out disturbances of that nature which took place on the 1st of August. And to say it was an open instruction I would not take that. No. Q, The reason why I am asking is because we heard all the witnesses coming but it looks like the public want to know who gave instruction, who said what, when the shootings happened who had said go and shoot. That’s why I am trying to ask? A. Through the Chair, right now I cannot even tell you who were part of the 5000, 4000 demonstrators who were in town. So for me to say they were going to do this at cnr Chitepo and Simon Muzenda Street it was going to be very difficult for me. But as trained officer I would and even right now I would still feel that that was not a situation which they would not be able to quail. Q. But in your own assessment was the power or the force used commensurate to the events that were happening? A. Depending on what corner we are looking at this situation from. From a civilian point of view for those who were viewing it on television and for those who were going on to the actual ground the assessment will be different but without maybe provoking the
bereaved families I still believe that minimum force was used because I know that our Defence Forces are armed with AKs. If those arms were carelessly used I can assure you we could have counted 1000 bodies in Harare central. COMMISSIONER RODNEY THOMAS DICKSON (To witness) Q. Commissioner General I just need you to clarify this point because I thought I heard you saying loud and clear that there was no space for discussion because of the urgency of the situation. That meant that you couldn’t place the Defence Forces that were coming in under your command? They maintained a separate command under the Defence Forces. Am I wrong in that understanding? A. As I have already said, when authority was granted for me to invite the Forces mostly all the Forces were on the ground and these colleagues of ours also did come to assist us and to say there was this possibility of them meeting to discuss on how to go forward I would lie to the Commission, there was no time for that. Like I have already indicated these demonstrators were not on one place they were all over town and if I remember my officers also were very much in danger the same as maybe those who lost their lives. Q. So to be clear there you did receive command of both your Forces and the Defence Forces that joined them on the ground. A. I did because I was getting information from individual offices who were at different corners of the town. So to say I did not I will be lying. I was on top of the situation. Q. When you take command as my fellow Commissioner asked you you gave orders as to how they should conduct the operations in quailing the demonstrators is that what happened?
Is there any possibility from your investigations so far that individual soldiers acted outside of the law for framework that you have now told us about? They acted as individuals unlawfully is there any possibility of that? A. I was told that some members of the ZDF appear on social media in some kneeling position but that is not enough for me to say this is the person who killed that particular person. I am not in that position until investigation is completed. Q. I asked about that particular question because we saw the videos of the person kneeling, what we also saw is what appeared to be a commander appearing to be telling the person by hitting on the shoulder to stop shooting. That’s why I was asking the question whether there is more information at this stage? A. Unfortunately Mr Chairman for that commander to get to that position of restraining his colleague definitely I would want to leave that one to that particular officer otherwise I would say something wrong on his behalf. Q. We appreciate the investigations are going on, can you clarify whether or not it’s the military doing those investigations or its solely the police. Sometimes there is a difference of jurisdiction? A. Whilst I don’t want to talk on behalf of the ZDF I know there is a department they call Military Police I want to believe that they could be carrying out their own investigations but in the ZRP for sure my CID department is investigating, the Law and Order department. Q. Do you know whether they have interviewed the families of the deceased or those people who were injured yet?
there any possibility from your investigations so far that individual soldiers acted outside of the law for framework that you have now told us about? They acted as individuals unlawfully is there any possibility of that? A. I was told that some members of the ZDF appear on social media in some kneeling position but that is not enough for me to say this is the person who killed that particular person. I am not in that position until investigation is completed. Q. I asked about that particular question because we saw the videos of the person kneeling, what we also saw is what appeared to be a commander appearing to be telling the person by hitting on the shoulder to stop shooting. That’s why I was asking the question whether there is more information at this stage? A. Unfortunately Mr Chairman for that commander to get to that position of restraining his colleague definitely I would want to leave that one to that particular officer otherwise I would say something wrong on his behalf. Q. We appreciate the investigations are going on, can you clarify whether or not it’s the military doing those investigations or its solely the police. Sometimes there is a difference of jurisdiction? A. Whilst I don’t want to talk on behalf of the ZDF I know there is a department they call Military Police I want to believe that they could be carrying out their own investigations but in the ZRP for sure my CID department is investigating, the Law and Order department. Q. Do you know whether they have interviewed the families of the deceased or those people who were injured yet?
Two medical reports handed over to court yesterday state that MDC Alliance member Joana Mamombe has a psychological problem that requires treatment, with her defence lawyer arguing for postponement of her trial on charges of incitement or participating in a public gathering with intent to cause public violence.
Her lawyer, Mr Alec Muchadehama, told the court that two of the three medical reports now before the court concurred that Mamombe has a psychological problem. “It is clear that Mamombe should be treated by a psychologist and the court would be given the review results,” he said. The third and earlier report said she was fit to stand trial.
Mr Muchadehama told the court that the trial should be postponed until such time his client would be fit to comprehend court proceedings.
Mamombe is jointly charged with other MDC Alliance activists Cecilia Chimbiri, Netsai Marova, Lovejoy Chitengu, Stanley Manyenga and Obey Tererai Sithole on the charge arising from an alleged illegal demonstration in Warren Park.
Prosecutor Mr Michael Reza said there was confusion as one doctor said on October 5 that Mamombe was perfectly well, but barely 15 days later, it was said she cannot comprehend court proceedings.
Mr Reza said the State will consider whether to try the accused separately, the five in one trial and Mamombe on her own at a different time.
Harare regional magistrate, Mrs Bianca Makwande, rolled over the matter to today to make a ruling on Mamombe’s treatment plan.
Mamombe also faces another charge of allegedly faking her abduction, together with Chimbiri and Marova.
On the current case, the six allegedly staged an illegal demonstration in Warren Park, Harare, in May this year, in violation of Covid-19 national lockdown measures. They were later intercepted and dispersed by police.
Dear Editor. The N'anga speaking on the MUREHWA murder, announced saying Tapiwa Makore's head is at a house in Dzivarasekwa. Can you please ask va Mnangagwa who also has a house in DZ on this. How can he keep quiet after it's rumoured the head is somewhere around his house?
Dear Editor. The N’anga speaking on the MUREHWA murder, announced saying Tapiwa Makore’s head is at a house in Dzivarasekwa. Can you please ask va Mnangagwa who also has a house in DZ on this. How can he keep quiet after it’s rumoured the head is somewhere around his house? – Anon
Police have released the names of seven people who died when a Honda Fit collided head-on with a Toyota Raum 192km from Harare on the highway to Mutare on Tuesday morning.
Five who were serioulsy injured were admitted to Rusape General Hospital. Amongst the dead were four children aged between 4 and 8.
The dead were identified as Lincolin Mukwenje (4), Mufaro Chirewa (5), Aydila Mukwenje (6), Nomatter Marera (22), Donwell Banganywa (8), Cleopatra Chirevo (29) and Orient Chirevo (23).
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the accident happened at around 4am when the Honda Fit was on its way to Harare with five occupants while the Toyota Raum was headed for Mutare with seven occupants.
“On approaching the 192km peg, the driver of the Toyota Raum lost control of the vehicle and encroached into the lane of the oncoming Honda Fit.
“As a result, there was a head-on collision and two passengers died on the spot while five were pronounced dead on arrival at Rusape Hospital.
“The Honda Fit caught fire and was burnt out,” he said.
On Monday morning, 13 people were seriously injured when an unregistered Nissan Caravan collided with a Honda Fit at the intersection of Churchill Avenue and Liberation Legacy Way near Borrowdale Racecourse.
Of the 13 people that were injured, 12 were in the kombi and both vehicles were extensively damaged.
Ass Com Nyathi said the driver of the Nissan Caravan drove through a red robot resulting in the collision.
Meanwhile, the death toll for people involved in an accident the along Mvurwi-Kanyemba road on Sunday has risen to five.
Three people died on the spot when a Nissan Caravan driven by a police officer Superintendent Macron Machipisa (46), burst its rear tyre at the 14km peg, veered off the road and overturned.
Two more people died at Mvurwi Hospital while 14 were injured.
Modetsa Chingamba and Eva Rupiya died on the spot while Margret Kambarami died on the way to Mvurwi Hospital.
The following day Martin Ndoro (82) died at Mvurwi Hospital from injuries sustained during the accident.
Zimbabwe is back to battling with power cuts and the reinstated ZESA Holdings Chief Executive Officer Sydney Gata has blamed the troubles on targeted sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West.
Gata who has made a sudden shift from blaming the power issues on obsolete equipment and low levels of water in Kariba says the sanctions have crippled ZESA Holdings operations, resulting it generating less than half of its capacity of between 4 000 to 5 000 megawatts.
Speaking during a meeting with stakeholders in Bindura, Dr Gata said sanctions have affected the company’s ability to get financial support internationally.
“Countries like the United States are making sure that the country does not get financial investment support and as a result our economy and the power utility are struggling to raise money or find investment that improve operations,” he said.
“Independent Power Producers (IPP) and international investors are failing to assist us because of the sanctions.
“In my estimation, Zimbabwe should be able to supply 4 000 to 5 000 megawatts for the population size that we have but due to sanction we are performing less than half that capacity.”
He said the country inherited the Rhodesian economy that was structured around an agricultural economy and there was need to keep supporting the sector.
“Ian Smith had the courage to declare independence after discovering that Kariba dam had 600 megawatts of cheap power. He had no worries about energy,” he said.
“The engineering industry and other sectors that were sufficient to support a modern economy were supported by agriculture. We have added to those efforts and between 2000 and 2005 we extended the grid by several thousand kilometres of distribution lines under the rural electrification programme. This saw connections of 6 500 schools most of them in the remote parts of the country.
“We still have to expand and do more in rural electrification. If we fail to supply electricity to the agriculture sector we would have failed the economy.”
Dr Gata said they were trying hard to revamp their operations and had started replacing copper wire with aluminium on infrastructure following continuous vandalism and theft of mainly copper and transformers.
Last year the power utility lost over US$18 million through vandalism and theft. They are continuing to lose copper and a section of transmission in Matebeleland was built using copper wire.
Midlands and Harare regions have lost the largest number of transformers.
“I have understood the grievance of our consumers who came from different sectors including agriculture, mining and residents associations in Bindura,” he said.
“Our challenge is quality of service and culture of service by Zesa. I have captured testimonies from the affected people who are the customers.
“I have recorded the depth of the frustration you have been experiencing. It is a waste of time to avail resources when there is no culture change. The final resource that I request you to invest in this process is time.”
Admire Chisi has a lot to tell when he goes on trial.
A 25-year-old man appeared in court yesterday after masquerading as a medical doctor at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals casualty unit for seven months.
Admire Chisi from Zimre Park, Ruwa attended to patients and wrote medical affidavits and prescriptions until a senior doctor discovered him.
Chisi was charged with impersonating a public official and fraud when he appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Judith Taruvinga.
Prosecutor Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa opposed bail saying Chisi was facing a serious offence. The matter was rolled over to today for continuation of bail hearing.
It is the State’s case that between April 2020 to October 20, Chisi went to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals where he misrepresented that he was a medical doctor.
He was apprehended by Doctor Tapiwa Nyakudya after discovering some anomalies on his conduct that contrasted the medical profession and he failed to produce his practising certificate.
The court heard that Chisi was taken to the police where a report was made leading to his arrest. Parirenyatwa Hospital on Wednesday issued a statement confirming Chisi was a fake doctor and that they had handed him over to the police.
“On October 20 2020, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals discovered that the Accident and Emergency Department had been infiltrated by a fake medical doctor who posed as a physician registrar.
“The matter was discovered after our vigilant casualty staff doubted his medical proficiency and made some inquiries. The suspect has been handed over to the police who are now handling the matter,” reads the statement.
However, labour lawyers, medical experts and other commentators questioned how the hospital could be infiltrated by a bogus doctor for seven months.
They blasted the leadership for failing to properly supervise staff while the security section of the institution was criticised for laxity.
ZIMBABWE Cricket have confirmed that two local cricketers — Regis Chakabva and Timycen Maruma — have tested positive for Covid-19.
The duo, who are not part of the Chevrons currently touring Pakistan, were roommates for a week in a bio-secure bubble set up for players who were on standby at the ZC Academy House in Harare.
Two other members of staff, who were providing support services at the same facility, have also tested positive for the coronavirus.
This follows a screening, and testing exercise, for those who came into close contact with Chakabva and Maruma.
The rest of the Chevrons,who are on tour in Pakistan, stayed at a separate facility in a secluded wing at a Harare hotel.
They all tested negative before leaving for, and upon their arrival, in Islamabad this week.
The touring side are scheduled to undergo another round of coronavirus tests at the end of their quarantine period on Tuesday.
Chakabva and Maruma, as well as the other two infected backroom staffers, are now observing a period of self-isolation in accordance with Covid-19 protocols.
‘”We wish the four a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming them back at work soon,” ZC said in a statement.
“The health and well-being of our players, and staff, remains our highest priority at ZC.
“Therefore, apart from providing support to those infected, and affected, we will continue to adhere to Government and public health guidelines with regards to our facilities and staff and will be taking further steps to curb the spread of the corona virus.
“’In the meantime, ZC has temporarily closed the Academy House for disinfection.’”
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe captain, Chamu Chibhabha, is confident conditions in Pakistan will help his side get their campaign, for a place at the next ICC Cricket World Cup, off to a good start.
The Chevrons are scheduled to face Pakistan in three one-day international matches in Rawalpindi.
All three ODIs will be day-night affairs.
Chibhabha, who is one of the six Zimbabwe players in the current squad who toured Pakistan in 2015, said they were still trying to get accustomed to the local conditions.
But, he said, he expects high-scoring encounters.
“From our experience in 2015, we know we are going to play on a flat wicket — some might have a bit of spin on them, slow and turning, but we are expecting a lot of runs on the board in this series,” he said.
“Obviously, it’s going to be hot but it’s not as bad as we expected.
“We will also be playing day-night matches, so dew is going to play a huge factor.”
The first game is scheduled for October 30, with the other two fixtures are set for November 1 and 3.-Chronicle
Zimbabwean cricket players celebrate after winning against Bangladesh
A Bulawayo man apparently needs some cutting-edge tips on how to destroy evidence of cheating.
The call to leave no evidence of sex behind comes after he failed to keep his sex habits to himself when his wife found a used condom in his trouser pocket.
Joseph Davies Mkhethwa from Matshobane angered his wife Edith Mkhethwa and exposed himself as unfaithful after he allegedly brought home a used condom wrapped in a tissue paper.
Joseph’s “negligence” was revealed by his wife at the Bulawayo Civil Court where she was seeking a restraining order against him.
This was after her husband had shamed her by claiming she was having an affair with her pastor.
Edith, a nurse at Mpilo Hospital and also a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, decided to also shame her husband as punishment for labelling her a prostitute.
“I got married to Joseph Davies Mkhethwa in October 1993 and we have two children together.
“We started having marital problems in October last year after his retrenchment from work.
“Our disputes escalated until I was forced to move out of our matrimonial house in Matshobane. I am now staying at my parents’ house in Old Luveve.
“After moving out of the matrimonial house my husband is now coming to my workplace and house to harass me.
“He is also coming to my church spreading lies that I am having an extra-marital relationship with my pastor.
“He is also using my children’s cellphones to insult me and as a result I am now seeking a court order to bar him from insulting me, coming to my workplace, house and church to spreading lies that I am having an extra-marital affair with my pastor,” pleaded Edith.
She insisted that she was not of loose morals. She said that it was her husband that was promiscuous.
“I am not a prostitute. He is the one who brought a used condom wrapped in a tissue paper to our matrimonial home,” she protested.-B-Metro
