A self-styled prophet who started a virtual church on WhatsApp has admitted bedding several female congregants who came to him for prayer and confided in him about problems they were having in their relationships.

Panashe Madekebve (28) who said he founded Daylight Ministries International runs a virtual church in a WhatsApp group called Heavenly Voices, where he allegedly proposes to women and visits them individually for prayers.

All hell, however, broke loose recently after the prophet posted pictures of a woman that he said he had proposed marriage to in the church group.

He allegedly duped some women he had promised to marry, into contributing money he used to engage the woman from Cowdray Park suburb.

A number of women from the church accused Madekebve of sleeping with them and dumping them after promising them marriage in the church group.

The prophet admitted to B-Metro that he had a weakness for women.

He is accused of even dribbling past parents of some of the girls he has had sex with by seeking accommodation in their homes pretending to be homeless.

“We have opened a WhatsApp group for victims of the prophet and we discovered that he would lie to us that he had lost a relative in Maphisa following a mine collapse. He would say all family members went there and forgot to leave keys to the house and hence start asking for accommodation. Some of the girls would talk to their parents and they would accommodate him.”

The prophet allegedly sweet-talked some congregants into giving him money and gadgets such as cellphones, saying they would get blessings in return.

According to the emotive messages, Madekebve’s trail of destruction goes as far as South Africa, where he was allegedly once based, in Cape Town, and where a number of girls regret wasting their time and money they spent on him while others fear for their health.

Some women in South Africa were made to financially support him by “seeding” money with him.

“We have discovered that many of us have been played by Prophet Panashe. He has a sweet tongue and he promises marriage to everyone that he proposes love to. He had promised to pay lobola for me this year and then a wedding next year. He was actually putting me under pressure to agree to marry him saying his ministry does not want him to be single,” a woman in her early 20s told B-Metro.

She said she later discovered the prophet had just engaged someone in the same church when pictures started circulating within the Heavenly Voices group.

In Bulawayo, eight women claimed the self-proclaimed prophet had unprotected sex with them and one suspects she is pregnant after missing her period.

“I was introduced to his Heavenly Voices WhatsApp group by a friend. I was having problems with my boyfriend and wanted him to assist with prayers. I did one-on-one with him via WhatsApp and to cut a long story short we ended up having sex,” said one of the women.

A South Africa-based woman said she strongly suspected the prophet used some magic to get girls.

“It was in May this year, after talking on WhatsApp. He was sending some silly messages and we started the relationship. We introduced each other to our families. I think I am the only one who was shown his real relatives because the other girls seem to have been introduced to fake relatives,” she said.

She said they had even started discussing marriage with the prophet but everything fell apart when he engaged another girl in Bulawayo.

The woman said the prophet at one time claimed his father had died and requested money from congregants who contributed in large numbers.

“A girl based in South Africa told me that the prophet requested money claiming that his only son was sick in hospital and needed money for medication. The girl sent him the money, not knowing that he wanted to use the money to engage another girl who stays in Cowdray Park.”

Another South Africa-based girl said the prophet would ask that she sends him her tithes and offerings.

“He was insisting that I send my tithe to him as well as seed money so that he can pray on my behalf for my things to be well. I regret ever meeting him. We had sex many times and he never wanted to use protection saying he would marry me,” she said.

After the cat was out of the bag the man of the cloth could not withstand the heat, and he reportedly removed all those who were attacking him from the WhatsApp group.

A pastor who knows Prophet Panashe and who spoke to B-Metro on condition of anonymity said it was shocking that such a “gifted” man of God was a sex pest.

“I came to know him after he invited me to preach in his church after I was introduced to him. He has a WhatsApp group, Heavenly Voices. I think that is where he targets the girls. He does not have a church here in the city so he does his prophecies on the WhatsApp group then if there is a need for prayers he goes to houses of the affected people,” said the pastor.

“I have spoken to some of his victims. It seems he has a network of people he is working with because he has introduced some of the girls to some people he claimed were his relatives but he does not have any relatives in Bulawayo,” said the pastor.

Madekebve’s grandmother, Gogo Madekebve, after hearing about his sexcapades sent him a voice note decrying his “evil behaviour”.

“Panashe my grandchild, I cried after hearing that you have engaged yet another girl.

Because of your deeds, I am now only waiting for the coffin carrying your body. What you are doing will kill you. I have prepared a grave, just waiting for your death,” said the grandmother in a WhatsApp voice note in possession of B-Metro.-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.

The matter was reported at Renco Police Station.

Masvingo acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dewa confirmed the incident.

“We are appealing to anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the accused to contact any nearest police station.”-B-Metro

Farai Dziva|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa has vowed to deal ruthlessly with perceived government opponents.

Speaking at the Official Opening of the Third session of the Ninth parliament in Harare on Thursday, Mr Mnangagwa accused detractors of working round the clock to disrupt government efforts to revive the economy.

“I would like to commend our security forces for working hard to defend our sovereignty and integrity.

We know that there are individuals who are working round the clock to disrupt and destabilize government programmes.We will deal with them accordingly, ” said Mr Mnangagwa.

Mr Mnangagwa also spoke of what he described as tremendous achievements of the new dispensation.

“We are the in the process of creating jobs for our people.We are happy with the reopening of our companies,” said Mr Mnangagwa.

However, political analysts dismissed Mr Mnangagwa’s speech as a cacophony of high sounding words and mere rhetoric.

Meanwhile social media users have challenged Mr Mnangagwa to address issues that are affecting ordinary Zimbabweans- including civil servants.

“Your speech is divorced from the reality on the ground.Address the bread butter issues that are affecting us,” commented one, Esyln on Facebook.

“This is the usual rhetoric – nothing new.Concede failure and go -simple,” wrote Smartman.

Acting Zanu PF spokesperson, Patrick Chinamasa has accused Zimbabweans of being unpatriotic.

Speaking at a Zanu PF media briefing in Harare on Wednesday, Chinamasa claimed Zanu PF educated Zimbabweans and citizens must return the favour by defending their country.

Watch video :

Farai Dziva|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa has vowed to deal ruthlessly with perceived government opponents.

Speaking at the Official Opening of the Third session of the Ninth parliament in Harare on Thursday, Mr Mnangagwa accused detractors of working round the clock to disrupt government efforts to revive the economy.

“I would like to commend our security forces for working hard to defend our sovereignty and integrity.

We know that there are individuals who are working round the clock to disrupt and destabilize government programmes.We will deal with them accordingly, ” said Mr Mnangagwa.

Mr Mnangagwa also spoke of what he described as tremendous achievements of the new dispensation.

“We are the in the process of creating jobs for our people.We are happy with the reopening of our companies,” said Mr Mnangagwa.

However, political analysts dismissed Mr Mnangagwa’s speech as a cacophony of high sounding words and mere rhetoric.

Meanwhile social media users have challenged Mr Mnangagwa to address issues that are affecting ordinary Zimbabweans- including civil servants.

“Your speech is divorced from the reality on the ground.Address the bread butter issues that are affecting us,” commented one, Esyln on Facebook.

“This is the usual rhetoric – nothing new.Concede failure and go -simple,” wrote Smartman.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance Secretary General, Charlton Hwende has implored Zimbabweans to ignore the “Anti-Sanctions Day” arguing participating in the event will authenticate Zanu PF propaganda.

Hwende accused Zanu PF of being insensitive to the plight of suffering Zimbabweans.

“Participating in this call by @ZANUPF_Official is the same with endorsing Abduction and torture of innocent Zimbabweans.

21 people who were shot and killed in Jan 2019 by soldiers have not received justice.

You will be endorsing theft of elections and Corruption #Musaitiswe,” Hwende wrote on Twitter.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance Secretary General, Charlton Hwende has implored Zimbabweans to ignore the “Anti-Sanctions Day” arguing participating in the event will authenticate Zanu PF propaganda.

Hwende accused Zanu PF of being insensitive to the plight of suffering Zimbabweans.

“Participating in this call by @ZANUPF_Official is the same with endorsing Abduction and torture of innocent Zimbabweans.

21 people who were shot and killed in Jan 2019 by soldiers have not received justice.

You will be endorsing theft of elections and Corruption #Musaitiswe,” Hwende wrote on Twitter.

A 49-YEAR-OLD man from Sikombingo Village in Lower Gweru in the Midlands Province has been arrested for allegedly impregnating his 15-year-old stepdaughter after raping her three times.

Each time his wife, the victim’s mother, was away, the accused would sneak into the bedroom where the complainant slept with her other siblings before raping her.

In one of the counts, one of the siblings woke up to relieve herself and allegedly witnessed her father raping the complainant.

Each time the accused raped the complainant, he allegedly threatened her with death if she dared report the rape to anyone.

When the complainant’s mother discovered the pregnancy, she allegedly lied that her boyfriend was responsible as she feared being killed by the accused.

This was heard when the accused appeared before Gweru regional magistrate Mrs Phathekile Msipa facing three counts of rape.

The accused who has pleaded guilty to just one count, was remanded out of custody to October 27 for continuation of trial.

Mr Talent Tadenyika is representing the State.-Chronicle

Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
THE trial of former Kwekwe magistrate Story Rushambwa (48) who was arrested together with the Clerk of Court Bright Mpiyabo (45) on allegations of abuse of office, kicked off at the Gweru magistrates court yesterday.

The pair who apppeared before Gokwe regional magistrate Mr Taurai Manwere, pleaded not guilty.

The trial of the duo who are on $2 000 bail each, continues today.

Rushambwa was early this year suspended from work pending investigations after he was arrested together with Mpiyabo on allegations of illegally facilitating the release of a stolen vehicle to controversial businessman Shepherd Tundiya.

Rushambwa has since been dismissed from work following a disciplinary hearing on June 1 which found him guilty and recommended his dismissal.

It is alleged that sometime in October last year, a Toyota Hilux vehicle was impounded by the police anti-corruption unit from John Mapurazi, a miner in Kwekwe.

The vehicle was allegedly taken as an exhibit after it was fraudulently imported into the country.

The State alleges the vehicle was then handed over to Zimra for customs management.

It is alleged that on December 27 last year, Mapurazi made an ex parte application seeking the release of the vehicle.

Rushambwa and Mpiyabo allegedly hatched a plan to order the release of the motor vehicle to Mapurazi.

Mpiyabo deliberately withheld the record so that the matter could be presided over by Rushambwa despite the fact that Rushambwa was on leave.

The State alleges Mpiyabo then placed the record before Rushambwa well knowing he was on leave.

Rushambwa presided over the application in the absence of Mapurazi who was now being represented by Tundiya who is not a legal practitioner.

The magistrate went on to grant the order for the release of the motor vehicle to Mapurazi showing favour to him.

The former officer-in-charge of CID Gweru, Detective Inspector Leonard Gwandu has been sentenced to three years in jail for the same case.-Chronicle

Paul Nyathi

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa is spending Thursday night at the Bulawayo State House somthing that he rarely does.

Mnangagwa arrived in the City on Thursday evening on his way to Lupane where is set to preside over the state university’s graduation ceremony on Friday.

Mnangagwa who arrived aboard an air Zimbabwe plane, was met at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo international airport by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube, service chiefs, senior government officials and Zanu-pf party officials.

Both President Mnangagwa and his predecessor Robert Mugabe hardly spend the night at the State House in Bulawayo which was built by the colonial goverment on a land where the last Ndebele King, Lobengula built his palace.

Former MDC Alliance leaders Douglas Mwonzora and Engineer Elias Mudzuri have showered praises to President Emmerson Mnangagwa following his State of The Nation Address on Thursday.

The address by President Emerson Mnangagwa was pregnant with the message of how Zimbabwe has achieved economic stability in the “Second Dispensation” amid a myriad of past challenges inherited from the first Republic.

MDC-T Acting Secretary General, Mwonzora said now is the time to ensure that all the economic gains achieved so far achieved benefit all.

“We acknowledge the gains that have been made so far but let’s now build on them to ensure that our citizens can also benefit,” he said.

“We are very supportive of the President’s directive to show oneness in the manner we conduct ourselves for the purpose of building our country,” said Honourable Elias Mudzuri.

“In a very short space of time many infrastructure development projects have been undertaken hence this address put into focus what Zimbabweans should expect once all Government programs have been rolled out,” said Murehwa South legislator, Joel Biggie Matiza.

Turning to the legislative agenda for the third session of the ninth Parliament, Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly, Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi underscored the need for urgent action in passing bills.

“The President has set up the agenda for the bills we are supposed to debate and pass bills and our goal is to ensure that this is done with speed so that we harness the law-making function of this arm of the state,” said Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi, Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly.

“The SONA was very impressive and our position as a party was to listen to it so that we constructively debate the bills in the third session of the ninth assembly.”

With a rallying call by President Mnangagwa for all Zimbabweans to unite, the opposition concurred that national development will be in vain if we sow seeds of hatred and division.

President Mnangagwa revealed that despite several headwinds such as the cyclone Idai, drought and the Covid 19 pandemic, Zimbabwe has recorded significant milestones in all spheres hence the five-year National Development Strategy which is replacing the Transitional Stabilization Programme will spur economic growth towards achieving Vision 2030.

Paul Nyathi

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president, Dr Takavafira Zhou has said teachers have not changed from their previous stance and will not be intimidated by government into changing as they are still incapacitated to return to work.

We post below his unedited statement.

Incapacitation Rages On

22 October 2020

The struggle continues unabated. There will be no defeat no surrender. Concerted efforts by the United Front of all teacher unions are at an advanced stage to engage the President of the Country to intervene over the parlous state of affairs in schools.

Its good that we have education officials touring schools across the country this week and our greatest hope is that they would be able to report as accurately as possible rather than fabricate the sorry state in schools.

School Heads have been using personal data bundles and many have now been crippled by the incessant information requisition so much that they are no longer sending any statistics. We salaute this level of our struggle.

We salute decorated cdes who have stood firm in our incapacitation modus operandi. We cherish such distinguished dedication and commitment to a legitimate cause of incapacitation. Our struggle would have been won in the first week of our incapacitation had all comrades responded in this fashionable manner. All the same the ripple effects of our heroic incapacitation have reached far and wide and is now riverberating in gvt corridors.

We condemn outrightly the logging brigade epitomised by schools in Chiredzi ( Masvingo) which gives an impression of normalcy in schools when nothing is virtually happening there. Be warned that you will burn your fingers soon.

It is encouraging that some extortionist schools and teachers are beating a retreat. But we still have a few former Group A schools in Bulawayo, Gweru, Masvingo, Mutare and Harare still acclimitised to extortion and incentives. Chibi High, Chivi district (Masvingo province), St johns Chikwaka, Goromonzi District, Mashonaland Central, etc have become notorious for extortion. But let me won the teachers that the US$20 per month coming to you has added your names to a number of teachers’ enemies and soon you will reap the consequences of extortion. Let it sink in every teachers that the incapacitation battle cannot be fought on your behalf. It is a battle you must fully participate in for your dignity, status restoration and posterity.https://tpc.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html

Some parents have done the most noble thing, viz, taking their children back from boarding schools and stopping their children from going to school until gvt and teachers reach an understanding over issues of welfare of teachers and prioritisation of their health and safety. We urge parents to serious take our advice into consideration as it can only be neglected at their children’s peril.

There have been reported covid 19 cases among teachers and pupils and this justifies our call for testing teachers and pupils before congregation in schools. Blame us it doesnt matter, history has always absolved us.

The welfare of teachers matter and so likewise is their health and safety. Teachers are their own liberators and our clarion call for a living wage rages on. Forward ever and backwards never.

Aluta Continua

Dr Takavafira M. Zhou (Ptuz President)

Paul Nyathi

The US Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Brian Nichols, has belittled the Zimbabwe anti sanctions day set for Sunday.

Ambassador Nichols said that the amount of energy government is wasting on lobbying for the uplifting of the sanctions should instead be directed at efforts to bring about reforms prescribed for the sanctions to be lifted.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government has blamed the worsening economic environment on the punitive measures the West has slapped on Zimbabwe.

Watch the video below:

Paul Nyathi

Former MDC-T National Chairman, Lovemore Moyo has been named as potential contestants in the upcoming reconstructed MDC-T Extraordinary Elective Congress set for November or December.

Moyo the former speaker of Parliament and chairman is tipped for the post of vice president or chairperson.

Other MDC-T big names appearing in the contest are secretary general Douglas Mwonzora, national chairman Morgan Komichi, Paurina Mpariwa, Elias Mudzuri and Khupe.

Khupe wants to retain her position as the president of the party.

She is likely to battle it out with Mwonzora for the president position.

Komichi will likely square off against Mudzuri for the vice president position.

Mpariwa is likely to be nominated to be chairperson of the MDC-T women’s wing and Shakespeare Mukoyi being tipped to land the post of the youth chairperson.

Abednico Bhebhe is likely to be retained as the organising secretary.

Gift Chimanikire is tipped to be the secretary general. The party’s spokesperson Khalipani Phungeni is likely to retain his post.

Samuel Sipepa Nkomo is also in the race for one of the senior portfolios posts in the party.

Komichi confirmed that the nomination process has begun in the various provinces to select candidates.

“The candidates are campaigning in the various provinces and it is likely to be a highly contested congress with many candidates expressing their interest to contest and one has to be nominated by provinces,” Komichi said.

He said a number of the senior party members wanted to contest for powerful portfolios at the congress but were keeping their cards close to their chest.

The closing date for the nomination is October 25. Komichi said the preparation for the elective congress slated for December is going on smoothly with over 4 000 delegates being expected to participate.

Komichi said his party was going ahead with congress preparations and all the MPs and councillors and other leaders in the MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa were not welcomed to participate.

Other party members of the MDC Alliance have approached the court challenging the directive by Khupe to bar them from attending and contesting for any post at the congress.

“We know that party members of MDC Alliance are being sponsored by Chamisa and his party seeking to stop our congress or to gate-crash and participate but they will not be successful,” Komichi said.

Source – Business Times

State Media

Diversified media group Zimbabwe Newspapers 1980 Ltd’s online streaming service, Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN), has presented credentials for consideration of a television licence to the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ).

Fourteen companies have applied for TV licences, including ZTN, whose online streaming has already attracted interest from various quarters.

The group’s board chairman, Mr Tommy Sithole, led ZTN’s presentation on Wednesday, and said they will be guided by preserving the national interest.

“Our vision as a group is to fully serve the diverse needs of our content consumers, and television is the next big thing for us,” he said.

“A television license will give us more opportunities to serve our nation by doing the things we do best. Educating our people about themselves, the country and bringing the world closer to them.

“Entertaining them through the promotion of our own very rich culture, the arts and sport.”

Mr Sithole said they will be informing people about nation building and bring to life that of which the people fought for, with many others paying the ultimate price.

“We assure you that the national interest shall be our guiding principle as indeed it has always been,” he said.

“The welfare of our nation is the development and happiness of Zimbabweans and shall be the determining factor in how we apply for the licence we seek from you today.”

Zimpapers Chief Executive Officer Mr Pikirayi Deketeke said the application for a television licence was not only a financial proposition, but to also aid the stable’s goals to give expression to the country’s political, social and economic aspirations of the majority.

He said the company was already employing more than 1 000 people and was looking to add more human resources, which dovetails into President Mnangagwa’s vision of creating employment.

“As a business whose majority shareholders are the people of Zimbabwe, through the Zimbabwe Mass Media Trust, it is incumbent upon Zimpapers that it plays a leading role in the development of our country,” said Mr Deketeke.

“Over the last 40 years, we have invested in our capacity to create and distribute content on multiple platforms, and have demonstrated our ability to do so guided by the national interest and the public benefit while maintaining profitability for the benefit of all our shareholders.”

ZTN General Manager Nomsa Nkala gave a detailed overview of the operations of the online streaming services.

By A Correspondent| Former war veterans minister Tshinga Dube has told Zanu PF bigwigs to wait for the party congress to succeed President Emmerson Mnangagwa whom he said should be given time to deal with the current economic problems facing the country.

Dube dismissed current succession fights as useless outside a party congress.

He made the remarks in an interview with The Daily News.

“Bigwigs must wait for the Zanu PF congress if they want to succeed Mnangagwa. This is where the succession issue can be dealt with. All the current fights are useless.

“For now, I think those who are talking about succession must wait and give … Mnangagwa time to deal with the current economic problems. Succession is decided by congress,” Dube said.

“President Mnangagwa must be supported to execute his mandate, not factionalism and unnecessary succession wars. These are not necessary at all.

“There is an urgent need for unity of purpose in the party,” he said.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance Secretary General, Charlton Hwende has implored Zimbabweans to ignore the “Anti-Sanctions Day” arguing participating in the event will authenticate Zanu PF propaganda.

Hwende accused Zanu PF of being insensitive to the plight of suffering Zimbabweans.

“Participating in this call by @ZANUPF_Official is the same with endorsing Abduction and torture of innocent Zimbabweans.

21 people who were shot and killed in Jan 2019 by soldiers have not received justice.

You will be endorsing theft of elections and Corruption #Musaitiswe,” Hwende wrote on Twitter.

By A Correspondent- Buhera South Member of Parliament Joseph Chinotimba’s second wife is demanding a divorce token after she moved out of her matrimonial house on Tuesday.

Locardia Dzitiro wants MP Chinotimba to take her back to her parents according to the Shona custom.

“There is nothing like divorcing a wife at a police station,” said Dzitiro.

“If he no longer loves me he must give me a token of divorce and leave me in the hands of my parents.

“He never caught me nakεd or having s_εx with that man the way he wants his relatives to believe.”

“They interrogated me with the assistance of his sisters who never attended the funeral of our child only to appear at the police station to force me out of the house,” said Dzitiro.

Dzitiro said she hasn’t had a chance to get her belongings.

“They want to remove my property in my absence as if they caught me at a lodge,” said Dzitiro.

“We were in the company of two other men and the car was parked by the roadside but his sisters are spreading falsehoods.

“Midziyo yangu haibviswe mumba mangu ndisipo uye ngavatevedzere tsika dzechivanhu kwete kuita zvinhu muhasha nemufungidziro,” she fumed.

Dzitiro was reported to have been caught ki_ssing and carεssing a married man identified as Mahachi near VID in Belvedere on Tuesday.

A scuffle ensued and the matter ended at Milton Park Police Station where they received counselling.

Speaking at the police station on Tuesday after the scuffle, Dzitiro said Hon Chinotimba was neglecting her needs.

“VaChinotimba lost affection for me long ago and does not give me the attention I expect as a young woman; apa havabvire nekuda vana vadiki vavasingazokwanisa.

“I am his second wife with three children and we lost a child recently. He had taken that child for DNA saying the baby was not his.

“He opened up about accessing the DNA results which he never showed me; only to tell a police officer.

“Vanogara vari Buhera saka ini vanoda kuti ndiite seiwo?”

She also took a swipe at her lover’s wife whom she accused of not giving her husband enough love.

“Kana zviri zva Mai Mahachi handisini ndinovati vagare vachingoti kumurume ndakaneta ndakaneta.

“VaChinotimba ordered me to pack my belongings and I do not care. I am leaving him,” said Dzitiro.

At the same police station, Hon Chinotimba also narrated how he come to track Dzitiro and take their late baby for DNA tests.

“In May this year I discovered that this woman was cheating on me and I decided to take our last born for DNA tests but I ended up harassing the DNA officials over delaying to give me results which I want to believe were influenced by this woman.

“I later collected the results and kept them although the child later passed on.”

He then ordered Dzitiri to pack her belongings and leave–HMetro

By A Correspondent- Former Zanu PF Youth League chairperson Kudzanai Chipanga has been ordered to vacate, with immediate effect, a farm he was allocated in Manicaland Province.

Following a meeting of the ZANU PF politburo in Harare on Wednesday, the party’s acting spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa said Chipanga was illegally allocated the farm which is set to be occupied by the Manicaland State University by the vanquished G40 faction.

Chinamasa further told reporters that the politburo also threw out an application from Chipanga to rejoin the ruling party.

Said Chinamasa:

As you are aware he was expelled from the party in November 2017 for his activities and alignment with the G40 elements who did much damage to the party causing mayhem and disunity in the party.

He applied to be readmitted first in 2018 and then again in January this year. After taking into account the pivotal role that Kudzai Chipanga played in driving the G40 agenda, carrying out the activities and the gravity of the offences that he committed, the Politburo has seen it fit to turn down his application to join the party.

By A Correspondent- Government workers Tuesday expressed anger on the government after it had announced that the state will give US$500 in funeral assistance to families of civil servants who would have died.

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) described the gesture as “insensitive” suggesting that the government should rather address the workers’ salary issue instead of offering the funeral assistance.

ZCTU’s resident, Peter Moyo, said workers deserve some respect, better lives and “not better burials.”

His remarks were echoed by Raymond Majongwe the secretary-general of the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe who told ZimLive that workers wanted better living standards.

He said: They (government) are simply saying we should smile all the way to our graves and not our banks. It’s very unfortunate that the government is planning more on our funerals than our present conditions of living.

We want better living and working conditions, not death conditions. Our take is that there’s nothing compassionate about splurging on an employee when he or she passes on. True compassion will be seen when you start paying a living salary to our members.

This comes when government workers have since last year embarked on a spate of protests over poor salaries and poor working conditions.

Scores of health caregivers in the public sector embarked on protests and some ended deserting public institutions opting for privately owned one which offered attractive remuneration and working conditions.

Meanwhile, teachers have not returned to work since the reopening of schools on 28 October demanding the restoration of their 2018 salaries (US$500).

They are currently earning about US$30 per month.

The government has for a sustained period of time failed to come up with a way to resolve the impasse it has with workers.statemedia

BUHERA South Member of Parliament Joseph Chinotimba on Tuesday caused a scene at Belvedere Vehicle Inspection Department by blocking a Norton man’s vehicle he suspected of carεssing and kissing his second wife.

VID officials and onlookers were treated to a show as Chinotimba and team dragged Mahachi of Maridale Park while assaulting him accusing him of dat_ing his second wife Locardia Dzitiro.

Mahachi’s movements with Dzitiro were reportedly being monitored and his luck ran out when he parked his vehicle near VID where he is reported to have received a thorough beating.

Dzitiro confirmed her shenanigans with Mahachi arguing that Hon Chinotimba was no longer giving her the attention she needed as a young woman.

“To be honest with you they found us. We were not having sεx but they were quick to accuse us of ki_ssing and carεssing,” said Dzitiro.

“VaChinotimba lost affection for me long ago and does not give me the attention I expect as a young woman, apa havabvire nekuda vana vadiki vavasingazokwanisa.

“I am his second wife with three children and we lost a child recently. He had taken that child for DNA saying the baby was not his.

“He opened up about accessing the DNA results which he never showed me; only to tell a police officer.

“Vanogara vari Buhera saka ini vanoda kuti ndiite seiwo?”

She also took a swipe at her lover’s wife whom she accused of not giving her husband enough love.

“Kana zviri zva Mai Mahachi handisini ndinovati vagare vachingoti kumurume ndakaneta ndakaneta.

“VaChinotimba ordered me to pack my belongings and I do not care. I am leaving him,” said Dzitiro.

Mahachi refused to entertain H-Metro as he struggled to walk.

His clothes were soiled with dust after the scuffle that saw him being dragged out of the car.

“I have no comment,” said Mahachi.

Mai Mahachi removed her wedding ring and handed it over to Mahachi before police officers claiming that God had disclosed the latter’s evil actions that had caused suffering to her family for some time.

MP Chinotimba narrated how he came to track Dzitiro and take the late baby for DNA tests.

“Mahachi usandipewo muyedzo ini handingakuchengetere mukadzi; nekudaro toranai muende,” MP Chinotimba was heard saying on top of his voice.

“Saka unoda kuti tochinjana vakadzi here tiende mbiri munyika muno yekuti kune varume vakachinjana vakadzi.

“God who is above knows everything and I am sure all the photographs of what you were doing will be shown to you in due season.

“In May this year I discovered that this woman was cheating on me and I decided to take our last born for DNA tests but I ended up harassing the DNA officials over delaying to give me results which I want to believe were influenced by this woman.-H-Metro

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

Farai Dziva|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa has vowed to deal ruthlessly with perceived government opponents.

Speaking at the Official Opening of the Third session of the Ninth parliament in Harare on Thursday, Mr Mnangagwa accused detractors of working round the clock to disrupt government efforts to revive the economy.

“I would like to commend our security forces for working hard to defend our sovereignty and integrity.

We know that there are individuals who are working round the clock to disrupt and destabilize government programmes.We will deal with them accordingly, ” said Mr Mnangagwa.

Mr Mnangagwa also spoke of what he described as tremendous achievements of the new dispensation.

“We are the in the process of creating jobs for our people.We are happy with the reopening of our companies,” said Mr Mnangagwa.

However, political analysts dismissed Mr Mnangagwa’s speech as a cacophony of high sounding words and mere rhetoric.

Meanwhile social media users have challenged Mr Mnangagwa to address issues that are affecting ordinary Zimbabweans- including civil servants.

“Your speech is divorced from the reality on the ground.Address the bread butter issues that are affecting us,” commented one, Esyln on Facebook.

“This is the usual rhetoric – nothing new.Concede failure and go -simple,” wrote Smartman.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance Secretary General, Charlton Hwende has implored Zimbabweans to ignore the “Anti-Sanctions Day” arguing participating in the event will authenticate Zanu PF propaganda.

Hwende accused Zanu PF of being insensitive to the plight of suffering Zimbabweans.

“Participating in this call by @ZANUPF_Official is the same with endorsing Abduction and torture of innocent Zimbabweans.

21 people who were shot and killed in Jan 2019 by soldiers have not received justice.

You will be endorsing theft of elections and Corruption #Musaitiswe,” Hwende wrote on Twitter.

Farai Dziva|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa has vowed to deal ruthlessly with perceived government opponents.

Speaking at the Official Opening of the Third session of the Ninth parliament in Harare on Thursday, Mr Mnangagwa accused detractors of working round the clock to disrupt government efforts to revive the economy.

“I would like to commend our security forces for working hard to defend our sovereignty and integrity.

We know that there are individuals who are working round the clock to disrupt and destabilize government programmes.We will deal with them accordingly, ” said Mr Mnangagwa.

Mr Mnangagwa also spoke of what he described as tremendous achievements of the new dispensation.

“We are the in the process of creating jobs for our people.We are happy with the reopening of our companies,” said Mr Mnangagwa.

However, political analysts dismissed Mr Mnangagwa’s speech as a cacophony of high sounding words and mere rhetoric.

By A Correspondent- Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe on Wednesday promised to deal with the issue of learner drivers whose provisional licences expired during the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

This comes after scores of learner drivers whose provisional licences expired when the country was under lockdown were this week turned away by the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID).

Reports indicate that the VID advised the learner drivers to rewrite their provisional licence tests. A provisional licence costs US$15.

Meanwhile, Kazembe admitted that nobody had thought about the issue but his Ministry will now look into the issue urgently.

He said:

I think it’s an issue that needs to be looked at. It’s a genuine concern. Nobody thought of it. I will attend to the issue as a whole as I’m sure a lot of people are affected.

Through Statutory Instrument 144 of 2020, the government extended by six months from March 30 the validity of certain documents including learner’s licences, defensive driving certificates and public service vehicle driver retests.

The Zimbabwean government imposed a hard lockdown at the end of March to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus and since June, restrictions have been gradually lifted allowing most economic and social activities to resume.-statemedia

Manicaland Provincial Affairs Minister Ellen Gwaradzimba who is under investigation for alleged abuse of office on Tuesday told the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Justice Mayor Wadyajena to behave well and restrain himself in his conduct

She told him this when she appeared before his committee in parliament recently..

She told him he was a disrespectful child who was big trouble to elders. She threatened to approach president Emmerson Mnangagwa to influence his dismissal as the chair of the committee.

Wadyajena accuses Gwaradzimba of misleading the late Lands Minister Perrance Shiri, to allocate a part of Farfell Coffee Estates to her son Remembrance Mbudzana.

By A Correspondent- The body of a two-year-old girl allegedly murdered by its parents and buried in a shallow grave in Mhangura, a town in northern Zimbabwe, has been exhumed.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the development, adding that the girl’s parents have been arrested.

It is alleged that the father, Norest Masvosva (30), assaulted the child to death using a wooden switch after accusing her of soiling herself and later buried the corpse along the Hunyani riverbank.

The alleged murder occurred on August 30 when the couple had gone for gold panning along the Hunyani River

The case came to light last week after the child’s mother, Elizabeth Dinhidza reported her husband to the police following a domestic dispute.

Assistant Commissioner Nyathi told ZTN News that the reasons given for the murder were incredible, hence the investigation.

Nyathi, however, refused to comment on speculation that the murder could yet be another ritual killing of an innocent child.

He said:We are conducting investigations and the two parents have been arrested and the body has since been exhumed.

We want to find out the motive because the reasons being given are just unbelievable, that the child was killed for just messing up some pants, which is really disturbing.

… As police we don’t want to speculate, let’s just wait for investigations to proceed.

Last month a seven-year-old boy from Murewa, Tapiwa Makore, was murdered by his uncle in a suspected ritual killing.

Some of Tapiwa’s body parts are still missing and he is yet to be buried.-statemedia

ZimEye will be livestreaming on our facebook page the State of the Nation Address by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The address will be at 12pm at State House

Refresh this page for this and more

MDC Alliance (MDC-A) supporters in Chiredzi have castigated the party’s president, Nelson Chamisa, for neglecting a former Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) officer fired for supporting him.

John Mahlabera is reportedly living in abject poverty after he was sacked from ZPCS on charges of using traitorous or disloyal words towards President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2018.

Chamisa promised to include Mahlabera in his security team when he was campaigning for the 2018 general elections but has reneged on the pledge two years on.

Mahlabera, who was stationed at Chiredzi Prison, attended a Chamisa campaign rally held at Tshovani Stadium, Chiredzi on June 10, 2018, when the youthful leader praised Mahlabera’s “bravery” for openly criticising Mnangagwa’s government.

The State accused Mahlabera of “showing loyalty to the opposition party president, thereby exhibiting disloyalty and disgraceful conduct to the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe.”

Mahlabera said following his discharge from the ZPCS, he tried to follow up on the job offer through text messages to Chamisa but his mobile number became unreachable.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- About 150 workers at Diamond Cement, a Chinese run company near Kwekwe have reportedly been forcibly separated from their families for the past five months by the company.

The company management allegedly made the decision because they fear that if the workers go home, they will bring back the coronavirus.

The workers are reportedly living in squalid conditions and are being made to sleep in cargo containers.

The workers recently petitioned the company management to be allowed to go and see their families but they were reportedly told that anyone who leaves the company will not come back.

Diamond Cement spokesperson George Makonese told Masvingo Mirror that the workers were not forced to stay at the company’s premises but did so voluntarily.

He said:

Yes, we have employees staying at the plant but they signed indemnity forms. No one was forced to stay at the plant.

However, if one leaves, there is a process by which one will come back because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is true that the workers had a meeting with the Managing Director over the issue recently and everything was resolved.

Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) secretary-general Japhet Moyo said it was unfair for companies to keep workers at the workplace for more than two weeks.

Moyo said he will send a delegation to go and look into the matter.

By A Correspondent- On Sunday at around 9pm, the 10 unknown men pounced on the four victims who were at their house at Ayimersfield farm in Goromonzi.

They introduced themselves as police officers from CID minerals department and were looking for Mr Alexio Kambasha whom they wanted in connection with illegal gold panning issues.

Kambasha confirmed that he was the one they were looking for and they handcuffed him.  Three of the gang members entered the house and ordered the other three artisanal miners to sit.

The suspects demanded that Kambasa give them a gun and he told them that he did not have one.

They reportedly lifted the bed and took a safe containing 12g of unpurified gold and US$10 000.

They also took a satchel containing airtime worth $3 000 and escaped, leaving Mr Kambasa handcuffed.statemedia

By A Correspondent- Admire Chisi, a 25-year-old Ruwa man who was on Tuesday arrested for practising medicine without qualifications, was able to convince his neighbours that he was a genuine doctor working at Parirenyatwa Hospital.

Chisi’s neighbour, Brian Chivona told The Herald that the whole neighbourhood was satisfied that the young man, who stays in Zimre Park with a friend and a sister, was a medical doctor as he went to Parirenyatwa Hospital daily.

Meanwhile, Harare lawyer Wellington Pasipanodya of Manase & Manase Legal Practitioners urged the health profession to introduce more stringent security measures to detect masquerades in time.

He said:

This type of mischief is common to many professions in Zimbabwe. What needs to be done is to introduce an electronic tag system to identify each hospital staff member using identity tags.

Further, all doctors must be issued with practising certificates which can be produced upon demand by the general public.

Lastly, ordinary accountability systems like staff meetings, duty rosters and random spot checks of medical personnel against the database of the Health Professions Authority can be done to prevent a repeat of this act.

Another lawyer, Caleb Mucheche, accused the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals management of negligence and dereliction of duty and called for an overhaul of the HR and security departments.

Said Mucheche:

Failure to detect such a bogus doctor for that long smacks of gross negligence or dereliction of duty by hospital management, human resources and security departments.

The bogus doctor committed a serious criminal offence by falsely posing as a doctor and endangering human lives at such a big and busy hospital especially now during coronavirus.

There is a need for an overhaul of management, human resources department and security departments at that hospital to prevent future incidents like this.

Correspondent

Professor Lovemore Madhuku says Zimbabweans wasted their time and votes when they went out to vote for both Emmerson Mnangagwa and Nelson Chamisa in 2018.

Madhuku said this while addressing members of his National Constitutional Assembly in Kwekwe recently.

“People voted for Mnangagwa and Chamisa in 2018 elections. These were the main contenders in the elections since they polled more votes than any other leaders on the ballot,” said Madhuku.

He added it was a waste of votes cast for Mnangagwa and Chamisa.

“Those who voted for Mnangagwa, what can they really say they voted for? The economy is now in worse shape. People are now suffering more while those who voted for Chamisa, it was a vote which has gone to waste again,” said Madhuku.

“Besides giving Chamisa prestige that he gained a considerable number of votes, and inflating the vote figures and vote-rigging claims, there is nothing much he can do for the people as he is not in power. So voting for those two didn’t change the prospects of Zimbabweans.”

“Either MDC or Zanu PF do not care about the people. Give me an example of an MDC councillor or MP who did anything for the people if not for their personal development. The only development seen in opposition MPs is their own personal development,” Madhuku said.

“In rural areas, people have been voting for Zanu PF since 1980, but is there any noticeable development from the party? No! People will tell you it’s our party. In urban areas, people have been voting for the MDC since 2000 but have there been any change in their lives?”

“In Manicaland where I come from, there is an MP for Mutare Central Innocent Gonese. Gonese has been in Parliament since 2000 but he has done nothing for the people of Mutare for all those years. He even wants to contest in the 2023 elections. The Zimbabwean electorate must be better than that,” he said.

He told party members the NCA was going to offer an alternative leadership in the 2023 elections.

Correspondent

The case against MDC Alliance MP Joana Mamombe is set for record breaking turnout now with the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) demanding to be included in it.

The JSC has approached the High Court seeking to be included in the ongoing case.

In an urgent chamber application filed with the High Court, the JSC argues as the employer of the trial magistrate, it must be afforded an opportunity to be heard on the question of costs and make representations in that regard.

It said this was now impossible because the magistrate, Bianca Makwande, did not refer the matter to it.

JSC said its intention is not to meddle or interfere with the merits of the case but solely for administration purposes.

“The applicant has become aware of the proceedings under Case HC5435/20, as is the employer of the third respondent (Bianca Makwande),” reads part of the application file at the High Court.

“The third respondent was obliged, under terms of her employment, to refer the matter to the applicant (JSC). The applicant does not wish to participate in or be drawn in respect of the substantive merits or demerits of the main application as between the respondents.

“The applicant’s interest is limited to the draft order, in particular paragraph three which seeks to depart from the precedent in this jurisdiction by inviting this Honourable Court to make an order of costs against a judicial officer in respect of conduct that has occurred during the normal course and scope of his or her employee,” said JSC.

It said it has an interest in the outcome of the proceedings, especially regarding the issue of costs.

Mamombe is cited by the JSC as the first respondent while Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi is the second respondent and Makwande as the third respondent.

In his founding affidavit to support the application, the JSC secretary, Walter Chikwanha said the commission “must be afforded an opportunity to assist the court in arriving at a decision as regards the order of costs sought, which protect the interests of the JSC, its employees and the broad interests of justice insofar as punitive orders of costs are proposed to be made against JSC officers.”

The matter is yet to be heard.

A totally bogus doctor, a young man without a medical qualification to his name, worked in the Parirenyatwa casualty unit for seven months until Tuesday this week, accepted by staff, security and patients simply because he wore a white coat and carried a stethoscope.

Admire Chisi (25) was finally rumbled when the head of casualty took an interest, found the young man was remarkably ignorant, investigated and called the police, who took him away on charges of impersonating a public officer although other charges may be laid. It is unlikely that he was paid, but that is not yet certain

But what concerns a lot of people is how human resources, security and hospital administration generally could admit him into the building, let alone allow him to deal with patients, for so long.

Social commentators have claimed that the bogus doctor could have been a CIO agent and someone within the hospital is aware of that.

Chisi took advantage of the doctors’ strike and the general staff shortage in the health sector to penetrate the hospital system in April this year, although that was when there was a tight lockdown and security had been supposedly tightened. But the increased pressure on senior medical staff might explain why it took so long to figure out he was a very bad doctor if qualified.

Parirenyatwa Hospital yesterday 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 enjoy the services of 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.

Top labour lawyer Mr Caleb Mucheche said the hospital management exhibited negligence and dereliction of duty.

“Failure to detect such a bogus doctor for that long smacks of gross negligence or dereliction of duty by hospital management, human resources and security departments.

“The bogus doctor committed a serious criminal offence by falsely posing as a doctor and endangering human lives at such a big and busy hospital especially now during coronavirus.

“There is need for an overhaul of management, human resources department and security departments at that hospital to prevent future incidents like this,” he said.

Zimbabwe Medical and Dental Practitioners Council president Dr Francis Chirowa said it was surprising that a hospital with sectional heads could take that long to detect the fraud.

“One cannot just walk into the hospital and assume duties of a medical practitioner without producing a practicing certificate. It is surprising considering there is a head of Casualty who should be able to know all the doctors under him and ensure there is a duty roster for all staff,” he said.

Dr Chirowa said Chisi’s case was the third such fraud since independence and measures must be put in place to protect patients.

“In the 1980s we had a similar case at Harare Hospital (now Sally Mugabe Hospital) where someone masqueraded as a doctor. We also had another case of another man who illegally practiced at Mpilo, United Bulawayo Hospitals and Mberengwa. That one ended up causing deaths.

“The Parirenyatwa case is now the third one and there is need for management at hospitals to be more vigilant to save our patients from fake doctors,” he said.

A security expert Mr Brian Kashangura of Vandrift Security Services said the case exposes the laxity of the security at the hospital.

“It clearly shows there are no systems to protect patients at the hospital. How can a stranger work for that long without being questioned? The chief executive officer should do the honourable thing and step down,” he said.

Harare lawyer Mr Wellington Pasipanodya of Manase & Manase Legal Practitioners said the health profession must introduce more stringent security measures to detect bogus doctors in time.

“This type of mischief is common to many professions in Zimbabwe. What needs to be done is to introduce an electronic tag system to identify each hospital staff member using identity tags. Further, all doctors must be issued with practicing certificates which can be produced upon demand by the general public.

“Lastly, ordinary accountability systems like staff meetings, duty rosters and random spot checks of medical personnel against the database of the Health Professions Authority can be done to prevent a repeat of this act,” he said.

Source: State Media

Paul Nyathi

President Mnangagwa delivers his annual State of the Nation Address (SONA) today when he opens the Third Session of the Ninth Parliament and sets the Government’s legislative agenda for the coming session.

The Head of State and Government will address virtually a joint sitting of both the National Assembly and Senate, with all legislators following the speech on Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN) and ZBC.

This first virtual SONA is because of the need to minimise risks of Covid-19 infection.

Since the 2018 elections that saw Mnangagwa snatch victory from MDC Alliance’s Nelson Chamisa, the opposition MPs have been walking out on Mnangagwa as soon as he settles in parliament for his address.

Speaker of parliament Jacob Mudenda has even gone to the extent of punishing the MPs by docking their allowances.

In an interview yesterday, Clerk of Parliament Mr Kennedy Chokuda said all was set for SONA and official opening of the Third Session of the Ninth Parliament.

Some legislators will follow proceedings from the Chamber, with others follow from their gadgets such as phones and television.

“All is now set for the official opening by His Excellency President Mnangagwa, who will also deliver the State of the Nation Address. The President will give us direction in terms of Government’s legislative agenda,” said Mr Chokuda.

He said entrance to Parliament Building will be restricted as part of measures to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.

In his announcement last week, Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda said the official opening of the Third Session of the Ninth Parliament was consistent with Section 140 of the Constitution, which relates to Presidential addresses and messages to Parliament.

“The President may at any time address either House of Parliament or a joint sitting of both Houses,” reads the Constitution.

“At least once a year the President must address a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on the state of the nation, and the Speaker and the President of the Senate must make the necessary arrangements for Parliament to receive such an address.”

There are a number of Bills that are still outstanding that Parliament will deal with in the coming session.

The Zimbabwe Media Commission Bill, which has sailed through the National Assembly, must now be considered by the Senate.

The Cyber Security and Data Protection Bill, the Financial Adjustment Bill, the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (Number 1) Bill, the Marriages Bill, the Constitutional Court Amendment Bill, the Pension and Provident Funds Bill, the Manpower Planning and Development Bill, and the Centre for Education, Innovation, Research and Development Bill are in various stages of becoming law.

Some of the Bills are meant to align statute law with the Constitution or bring into effect the necessary political and legal reforms that the Second Republic has set out to achieve.

There is also the much-awaited Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, which initially went through Parliament, but President Mnangagwa withheld his assent and referred it to the House so that it could address concerns that he felt were not consistent with the Constitution.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa yesterday said the SONA was important for every Zimbabwean.

“This is when the President will talk to the Parliamentarians to give his legislative agenda, the Bills which are supposed to come to Parliament. He will also talk about the economic and social progress in the country. He will also talk to the nation about what the country has achieved.

“This is a very important day for all Zimbabweans across the political divide; we all need to listen to the President, let us all watch on TV, we should be able to understand where this country is coming, where we are and where it is going,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

She said today will be the first time that the opening of the a session of Parliament would be done virtually due to the Covid-19 restrictions that discourage huge gatherings.

President Mnangagwa will address the nation from State House while all National Assembly and Senate representatives will assemble at Parliament Building around 11am.

President Mnangagwa will be at State House by noon, where he will inspect a guard of honour and then proceed to address the nation.

Additional reporting by State Media

Paul Nyathi

Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) coronavirus situation report as of 21 October 2020:

New cases: 28
Locals: 28
Returnees: 0
Deaths: 3 Bulawayo Province
Recoveries: 33
PCR Tests Done: 805
National Recovery Rate: 94%
Active Cases: 254
Total Cumulative Cases: 8 215
Total Recoveries: 7 725
Total Deaths: 236

Acting Zanu PF spokesperson, Patrick Chinamasa has accused Zimbabweans of being unpatriotic.

Speaking at a Zanu PF media briefing in Harare on Wednesday, Chinamasa claimed Zanu PF educated Zimbabweans and citizens must return the favour by defending their country.

Watch video :

A 49-YEAR-OLD man from Sikombingo Village in Lower Gweru in the Midlands Province has been arrested for allegedly impregnating his 15-year-old stepdaughter after raping her three times.

Each time his wife, the victim’s mother, was away, the accused would sneak into the bedroom where the complainant slept with her other siblings before raping her.

In one of the counts, one of the siblings woke up to relieve herself and allegedly witnessed her father raping the complainant.

Each time the accused raped the complainant, he allegedly threatened her with death if she dared report the rape to anyone.

When the complainant’s mother discovered the pregnancy, she allegedly lied that her boyfriend was responsible as she feared being killed by the accused.

This was heard when the accused appeared before Gweru regional magistrate Mrs Phathekile Msipa facing three counts of rape.

The accused who has pleaded guilty to just one count, was remanded out of custody to October 27 for continuation of trial.

Mr Talent Tadenyika is representing the State.-Chronicle

Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
THE trial of former Kwekwe magistrate Story Rushambwa (48) who was arrested together with the Clerk of Court Bright Mpiyabo (45) on allegations of abuse of office, kicked off at the Gweru magistrates court yesterday.

The pair who apppeared before Gokwe regional magistrate Mr Taurai Manwere, pleaded not guilty.

The trial of the duo who are on $2 000 bail each, continues today.

Rushambwa was early this year suspended from work pending investigations after he was arrested together with Mpiyabo on allegations of illegally facilitating the release of a stolen vehicle to controversial businessman Shepherd Tundiya.

Rushambwa has since been dismissed from work following a disciplinary hearing on June 1 which found him guilty and recommended his dismissal.

It is alleged that sometime in October last year, a Toyota Hilux vehicle was impounded by the police anti-corruption unit from John Mapurazi, a miner in Kwekwe.

The vehicle was allegedly taken as an exhibit after it was fraudulently imported into the country.

The State alleges the vehicle was then handed over to Zimra for customs management.

It is alleged that on December 27 last year, Mapurazi made an ex parte application seeking the release of the vehicle.

Rushambwa and Mpiyabo allegedly hatched a plan to order the release of the motor vehicle to Mapurazi.

Mpiyabo deliberately withheld the record so that the matter could be presided over by Rushambwa despite the fact that Rushambwa was on leave.

The State alleges Mpiyabo then placed the record before Rushambwa well knowing he was on leave.

Rushambwa presided over the application in the absence of Mapurazi who was now being represented by Tundiya who is not a legal practitioner.

The magistrate went on to grant the order for the release of the motor vehicle to Mapurazi showing favour to him.

The former officer-in-charge of CID Gweru, Detective Inspector Leonard Gwandu has been sentenced to three years in jail for the same case.-Chronicle

Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
THE trial of former Kwekwe magistrate Story Rushambwa (48) who was arrested together with the Clerk of Court Bright Mpiyabo (45) on allegations of abuse of office, kicked off at the Gweru magistrates court yesterday.

The pair who apppeared before Gokwe regional magistrate Mr Taurai Manwere, pleaded not guilty.

The trial of the duo who are on $2 000 bail each, continues today.

Rushambwa was early this year suspended from work pending investigations after he was arrested together with Mpiyabo on allegations of illegally facilitating the release of a stolen vehicle to controversial businessman Shepherd Tundiya.

Rushambwa has since been dismissed from work following a disciplinary hearing on June 1 which found him guilty and recommended his dismissal.

It is alleged that sometime in October last year, a Toyota Hilux vehicle was impounded by the police anti-corruption unit from John Mapurazi, a miner in Kwekwe.

The vehicle was allegedly taken as an exhibit after it was fraudulently imported into the country.

The State alleges the vehicle was then handed over to Zimra for customs management.

It is alleged that on December 27 last year, Mapurazi made an ex parte application seeking the release of the vehicle.

Rushambwa and Mpiyabo allegedly hatched a plan to order the release of the motor vehicle to Mapurazi.

Mpiyabo deliberately withheld the record so that the matter could be presided over by Rushambwa despite the fact that Rushambwa was on leave.

The State alleges Mpiyabo then placed the record before Rushambwa well knowing he was on leave.

Rushambwa presided over the application in the absence of Mapurazi who was now being represented by Tundiya who is not a legal practitioner.

The magistrate went on to grant the order for the release of the motor vehicle to Mapurazi showing favour to him.

The former officer-in-charge of CID Gweru, Detective Inspector Leonard Gwandu has been sentenced to three years in jail for the same case.-Chronicle