watch the live video loading below…….(please be patient as it uploads)

Watch the live video loading below………..

Press Release

Demonstrating its commitment to the people of Zimbabwe, the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), launched two projects worth a combined US$78 million to provide critical HIV healthcare services for over half a million Zimbabweans.

“The United States is proud to stand with the people of Zimbabwe to address HIV,” stated USAID/Zimbabwe Mission Director, Mr. Art Brown.

“Together with our partners, USAID is ensuring that people living with HIV can start treatment early, adhere to treatment, reach viral load suppression, and live longer, healthier lives.

We are also working to reach 95 percent of the estimated 40,000 female sex workers in Zimbabwe to help reduce HIV infections, provide onsite initiation of anti-retroviral therapy (ART), and transfer clients to public sector facilities.”

Together with the Organization for Public Health Interventions and Development (OPHID), USAID will provide care and treatment services for more than half a million people living with HIV, at 700 health facilities in 24 districts, for the next five years.

OPHID will expand client-centered services in facilities and communities and train more than 12,000 healthcare workers on innovative models to increase testing, ART initiation and adherence, and viral load testing. USAID and OPHID will support the development of national level policy, strategy, and healthcare guidelines, which the Ministry of Health and Child Care will cascade to the whole country.

Through a one-year program, USAID and the Center for Sexual Health, HIV and AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) will help close the remaining gaps in HIV prevention and care for sex workers in the five hotspot districts of Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare, and Masvingo, and three border posts with Mozambique, Botswana, and Zambia.

Working directly with female sex workers, USAID will reduce new HIV infections through increasing the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), condoms, and other emerging prevention technologies.

“PEPFAR’s efforts to fight HIV will ultimately help Zimbabwe meet critical AIDS treatment targets. Our support breaks barriers and closes remaining gaps in sustaining and accelerating HIV prevention and care,” stated Ambassador Brian A. Nichols.

Since PEPFAR’s inception in Zimbabwe in 2006, U.S. investments of more than US$1.2 billion have led to an 80 percent decline in the annual number of HIV-related deaths, with more than 1.15 million Zimbabweans currently on lifesaving antiretroviral medicines (ARVs).

Since Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, the American people, through USAID, have contributed over US$3.5 billion in assistance to Zimbabwe. Current projects include initiatives to increase food security, support economic resilience, improve health systems and services, and promote a more democratic system of governance.

Issued by the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy.

For additional information, please contact Information Officer John Hishmeh at [email protected] or Development Outreach and Communications Specialist Doreen Hove at [email protected].

Police have launched an investigation into the Fidelity Printers and Refiners, the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe and security agents stationed at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport as they cast their net wider to fish out suspected members of the alleged gold smuggling syndicate that was busted after Henrietta Rushwaya was caught trying to smuggle 6kg of gold to Dubai on October 26.

Her arrest also led to businessman Ali Muhamad, two State security agents and two top policemen.

Detective Chief Inspector Michael Chibaya today told the court that they want to establish how Rushwaya and her accomplices got the 99.99 percent purified gold, which can only be obtained from Fidelity Printers and Refiners in the country.

He also said they wanted to establish how the closed circuit television (CCTV) was switched off during the attempt to smuggle out the 6kg of gold to Dubai by officials at the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe who are the custodians of the said CCTV at the airport.

He said those suspected to have played a role during investigations will be arrested.

“Investigations are still underway and more arrests are to be made.

“The gold which was recovered had a purity of 99 percent and can be done by a reputable refinery and in Zimbabwe, it is Fidelity Printers.

“When Rushwaya was arrested, amongst the documents she produced was a gold dealing agent permit issued to Ali Japan 786 Limited where Ali is one of the directors. Investigations are called to determine whether there is a relationship between Rushwaya, Ali Japan and the gold recovered.

“At the RGM Airport, the responsible authorities manning the CCTV are indicating that there was no ZESA between 10am and 2pm.

“Investigations have revealed that there was just a power cut for between 10 to 20 minutes.

“This led to the digital CCTV being tempered with, which we feel was made to conceal the crime. There are chances that there might be a syndicate and chances are high that Steven Tserayi and Raphious Mufandauya had influence on switching off the CCTV.

“Investigations are zeroing on Fidelity Printers and Refinery, security agents at airport and the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe security who are the custodians of the CCTV.”

Chibaya said this before magistrate Mr Ngoni Nduna and the State is opposing granting of bail to the five.

“Mufandauya is the officer in charge at airport and also a team leader responsible for operations at the airport. They do work closely with CAAZ and also I had the pleasure to watch the CCTV which shows when Rushwaya, Tserayi and Mufandauya arrive at the airport. They were received at the departures which shows that they were in communication,” he said.

-State Media

Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa remains the people’s hope despite attempts by Zanu PF to soil his image, an MDC Alliance official has said.

Speaking in an interview with ZimEye.com, MDC Alliance deputy spokesperson, Clifford Hlatywayo said people have confidence in the leadership of President Chamisa.Hlatywayo was commenting on Tongai Matutu’s defection to Zanu PF.

Hlatywayo also said it was sad to note that Matutu elected to join the collapsing Zanu PF House.

“It’s his democratic right to join any political formation of his choice at his own time.

The MDCA is a leading party in the country. We are the government in waiting that won the 2018 Presidential election vote by more than 2.6million.

People have confidence in the leadership of President Nelson Chamisa. He is the people’s Hope and he is ready to lead Zimbabwe to the promised land. Zimbabwe need a People’s Government urgently to resolve the crisis we are facing as a people,” said Hlatywayo.

“It’s very unfortunate that Tongai Matutu joined a collapsing house.

It is an understatement to say that ZANU pf is dead but it is at its later stages of decomposition.

ZANU pf is stinking, that’s where our brother has decided to go. Obvious he is motivated by certain things.

But the things we know in ZANU pf is corruption, abductions, violence, abuse of the people’s rights, intimidation, bleeding the nation, smuggling minerals including gold and diamonds among others. This is the ship where Mututu is joining.

It’s regrettable and unthinkable to find a young person of his stature joining an organization that terrorize the ordinary people.

In politics you must be guided by principles and values. This move is a clear testimony that his values has changed because of lack of principles.

MDCA is solid and focused on the goal that is to win Zimbabwe for change and install a People’s Government.”

By Jane Mlambo| The opposition MDC Alliance has accused state agents of frustrating their efforts to secure alternative office space following their violent displacement by a rival faction led by Dr Thokozani Khupe.

by victimizing and threatening estate agents and land lords until they pull out of any deal.

This was revealed by MDC Alliance Secretary General Charlton Hwende who fingered the Central Intelligence Organisation and Military Intelligence Department of tracking and victimizing estate agents and land owners not to entertain them.

“Since the day the army and police took over our Offices MRT House and handed it over to @DrThoko_Khupe the CIO and MID has also followed us to every Estate Agent and land lord that has attempted to lease offices to us. They victimize and threaten them until they block my number,” said Hwende.

The MDC Alliance has been embroiled in a bitter war for the control of the party headquarters in a matter that has spilled into the High Court.

Currently the Harvest House building is in the hands of the Khupe faction who were assisted by police to regain possession after they were displaced by youths aligned to Nelson Chamisa.

By A Correspondent- Former Bulawayo Publicity Association (BPA) director Mrs Valerie Bell has died.

She died this morning at Edith Duly Old People’s Home in Bulawayo.

Speaking by telephone, BPA director Mr Moreblessings Tshuma confirmed the death of Mrs Bell.

“I can confirm the passing on of Mrs Bell. It happened this morning at Edith Duly Old People’s Home where she has been staying,” he said.

Mrs Bell retired from retired from the BPA last year.

“She has not been good in terms of her health;  she’s been on and off and has not been well for the past week or two,” said Mr Tshuma.

By A Correspondent- The State has opposed bail for an alleged gold syndicate, which includes Zimbabwe Miners Federation president Henrietta Rushwaya, businessman Ali Mohamad and CIO operatives Steven Tserayi, Raphios Mufandauya and Gift Karanda claiming they will flee the country as there is a hovering minimum five year jail sentence.

The State made the submission yesterday during the bail application hearing by the five who are facing allegations of smuggling and unlawful possession of gold.

Rushwaya is jointly charged with business partner Ali Mohammed, Central Intelligence Organisation operatives Stephen Tserayi and Raphios Mufandauya, police bosses Douglas Shoko, Edward Chimhungu and ZMF colleague Gift Karanda.

…Tapiwa’s blood remains were taken to Harare on the carpet and washed off in the capital city’s Budiriro surbub…

By A Correspondent | The self confessed killer of the slain MUREHWA 7 year old boy, Tapiwa Makore, Tafadzwa Shamba, was seen carrying likely body parts wrapped inside a towel to Harare.

The latest details link well with those of a n’anga who alleges Tapiwa’s head was taken to Harare’s Dzivarasekwa Surbub, near ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa’s main house since independence 1980.

Last week ZimEye.com carried a lengthy news analysis and investigation exploring this murder and many others that ever happened since 1983.

The latest grissly details concerning the state in which the toddler’s body was found severally dismembered on 17th of September, were narrated on Tete Tilda’s program Tuesday morning.

Another woman who was arrested by the police last week, called Maud Hunidzarira, has the latest trail of detail concerning what happened to the body remains, as alleged.

The Makore family spokesperson, one, Gogo Beaulah, speaking from Murehwa announced saying:

“This Maud Hunidzarira is a resident of the area, at the place where Tapiwa snr and the self confessed killer, Tafadzwa buy Kachasu (dangerous Afro-whisky)beer”

She continued saying, “this is the woman who was taken by police officers yesterday.

“Her relationship with Tapiwa Makore senior, is not known at present,” she added.

“Maud Hunidzarira was arrested in Budiriro, Harare after residents alerted the police when they witnessed her washing a carpet full of blood, that is what she was caught washing.

“Two, others are saying they witnessed the man Tafadzwa being given a towel which Tafadzwa has said he used to carry the slain child.”

This statement correlates well with Tafadzwa Shamba’s own witness statement in which he says he carried the slain toddler in a towel.

Gogo Beaulah continued saying, “so people were seeing these things, so they are the ones who informed the police alerting them that this woman might have something to do with the murder of Tapiwa, so of the police then arrested her.

The development likely means that the killers took the carpet all the way to Harare where they would wash it.

“This is what it means,” Gogo Beaulah said.

Maud brews Kachasu beer and is a Murehwa resident, she is the same also called Mai Katsande who the killer says travelled to to buy Kachasu from after feeding the lad, still alive at that time with sadza meal and fish.

“We continue to thank the police because they are continuing to do their work we know that the truth will come out in the end,” Gogo Beaulah said.

On the whereabouts of the remains, she continued saying,

“We will continue talking until all the body parts have been found.

“The hands are missing, the private parts and the head, are all missing. We are not going to rest until the child has rested,” said the source only identified as Gogo Beula.

On the delay in burial, Gogo Beaulah said: “What has delayed the burial at the results of DNA, at the same time the police are still conducting their investigations we are still waiting for the police to give word,” she said.

FULL TEXT: MDC Alliance Namibia

It is quite exhilarating to receive the fascinating news that the belly politician remigrated to the clueless Zanupf regime as a way of establishing a delightful garden manned by the corrupt illegitimate leadership in the so-called revolutionary party. The leader of the regime yesterday rolled out the red carpet for the voracious Matutu who gave a dirty look to the national democratic revolution led by the political mountain, President Advocate Nelson Chamisa. As Mdc Alliance, we absolutely appreciate the suicidal resolution from the rapacious former Mdc Masvingo Urban legislator since it is instrumental in eroding selfish politicians who masquerade as social democrats for personal aggrandisement.

Desperate Matutu was frustrated beyond recovery when he dismally failed to snatch even a single nomination to grab the Chairmanship of Masvingo Province prior to the successful Mdc Alliance elective Congress held in May 2019. The effort to anathematise the political behemoth (Mdc Alliance) describing it as a political wilderness at the Zanupf State House epitomises his astounding defeat in the face of constitutional democracy as well his political ineptitude to fight for socio-economic transformation. Speaking during the reunion, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa was left elated beyond imagination. This was unearthed when he said, “he has come to us and he would like to ‘come back’ to his original party. We welcome him ‘back home”. This nature of hospitality is extremely astonishing given that the former legislator pretended all these donkey years that he is a vehicle for complete change.

Moreover, the posture of our erstwhile comrade resembles politics of greedy bereft of the will of Zimbabweans who continue to endure arbitrary arrests, abductions ,torture and shrinking of democratic space in the motherland. It becomes ironic and primitive to describe his resolve to reattain Zanupf as a national calling. As Mdc Alliance, we are really cognisant of our resounding 2.6 million votes attained by our party of excellence in 2018 harmonised elections where we were bullied and robbed by the monocratic regime. It is foolhardy to believe that the omnivorous Matutu made his adjudication to be reunited with ideologically bankrupt Zanupf is not out of an empty stomach, but national calling.

Moreso, it is a public secret that the dilapidation of our economy and infringement on the basic universal freedoms emanates from Zanupf politicians’ insatiable appetite to eat on behalf of the vulnerable citizenry therefore Matutu has displayed his determination to strategically position himself for incessant looting of state resources with impunity. Mdc Alliance Namibia’s political message is very clear, Matutu should not fool his Zanupf gods that there are multiple Mdc Alliance members who are yearning to riposte Zanupf come 2023. Mdc Alliance party is not for the erratic and capricious people who are readily available to donate the freedom train for three pieces of silver.

Furthermore, Zanupf Acting Secretary for Information and Publicity Patrick Chinamasa said the revolutionary party welcomes Matutu with ‘joy and in the spirit of comradeship’. He further elaborated that Matutu will undergo the requisite induction with Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology so that he appreciates the party ideology on abductions, torture, human butchery, corruption, looting, smuggling, rape of social democrats and rigging of elections. These are the popular political value systems and party ideology of repression. It is distinct insanity to carry the conviction that the ravenous Matutu’s settlement is a clear indication that the thugocratic Zanupf is the party of the future with the interests of Zimbabweans at heart. Where is your heart when you are criminalising the audible voices against corruption and gross misgovernance in Zanupf?, echoed Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu Branch Secretary General Simbarashe Ndoda.

In conclusion, Mdc Alliance Namibia encourages its membership around the globe to soldier on and resist political fatigue and superego in the mushrooming stomach politicians of plunder. Our economy is on a tailspin because of Zanupf misrule manifesting in rampant corruption hence hungered Matutu must be given a cold shoulder. Mdc Alliance is a political home to those who shun and fight totalitarianism being advanced by Zanupf morons. Victory is certain with vigilance and corruption-free minds. As an external district, we are delighted that Matutu did not hide behind the Mdc name in antithesis with Khupe and Mwonzora who disguise as social democrats but serving Zanupf dictators.

Unlike Khupe, Mwonzora, Komichi, Dumbu, Mashakada and cronies, Matutu’s decree to regain his looting position in Zanupf is worth celebrating because he is standing on his own compared to Zanupf surrogates who pretend to be agents of complete transformation. We would like to you wish good luck in your fruitless journey to the political dustbin and advise the Mwonzoras to follow suit than continue as political hypocrites. It is your democratic right to associate yourself with corrupt, heartless murderers.

By A Correspondent- Gogo Beaular, a relative to the murdered 7year old Murehwa boy has revealed that a family from their neighborhood bought and ate human flesh from one of the implicated murderers.

The flesh, believed to be from the murdered boy Tapiwa Makore was reportedly cut from his thighs and legs.

Said Gogo Beaular in an interview with Tilda:

“…the family initially refused to disclose the matter and a whistleblower told us. We notified the police and they came to investigate. …it could be true that they ate human flesh because the buttocks, thighs and legs had been cut and the flesh removed..it was just bone confirming our worst fears.”

She revealed that the family bought the meat from Tafadzwa Shamba the morning after the murderers had killed the boy.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest updates…

Different media organisations yesterday condemned the expulsion of a freelance journalist Nunurayi Jena by Zanu-PF members at a Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) function at the weekend.

Jena, a NewsDay correspondent, was ejected from a Zanu-PF provincial co-ordinating committee meeting at CUT, where only State controlled media journalists were allowed to cover the event.

This was despite the fact that he produced a valid Press card issued by the Zimbabwe Media Commission.

Zimbabwe National Editors Forum (Zinef) national co-ordinator Njabulo Ncube castigated the ejection of Jena, saying journalists should be allowed to do their work freely.

“Zinef condemns in the strongest terms the victimisation of journalists covering events that are of public interest. We, therefore, call upon political parties and public institutions to respect the media that have a constitutional right as the fourth estate to cover events,” Ncube said.

Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa)-Zimbabwe executive director Tabani Moyo said: “The targeting of independent media journalists, while doing their work is unfortunate and deplorable. As Misa-Zimbabwe, we urge members of the public, political parties and any other players where the Zimbabwe story is told to allow journalists to work without undue interference.”

Zanu-PF Mashonaland West provincial chairperson Ziyambi Ziyambi said he was unaware of the incident.

“I am not aware of that (Jena expulsion) and please don’t accuse me of victimising him as I never did that to him,” Ziyambi said.

Jena’s harassment coincides with commemorations of the International Day to end impunity on Crimes against Journalists which is celebrated on November 2 each year.

-Newsday

State Media

Six armed robbers pounced on two security guards delivering cash at Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe (CBZ) 8th Avenue branch in Bulawayo, disarmed them, hijacked their armoured vehicle before getting away with an undisclosed amount of money yesterday morning.

The robbery happened at around 8AM, in the full view of some people, who were oblivious of the drama unfolding in the sanitary lane along 8th Avenue, between Jason Moyo and Joshua Mqabuko Streets.

Like a scene from a Hollywood blockbuster, the suspects are said to have first hijacked a Mercedes Benz in Selbourne Park suburb at around 7AM and used it to commit the bank robbery. The driver of the hijacked Mercedes Benz is recovering in hospital.

After the robbery at the bank, the gang drove the armoured vehicle to Woodlands suburb where they dumped it before hijacking another car, this time a Nissan Hardbody which they used as a getaway car before dumping it again.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the robbery saying the cash belonged to Zupco.

“Police are investigating a case where a robbery occurred at a local financial institution in Bulawayo in the morning.

Fawcett cash-in-transit team was delivering cash from Zupco which was money from transactions conducted over the weekend. The Fawcett team arrived at the sanitary lane behind CBZ, corner Jason Moyo and 8th with about nine trunks. When they were taking in one of the trucks into the bank, a Mercedes Benz which we are told was hijacked from a complainant earlier on, drove behind them,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi

He said about six suspects who were armed attacked the Fawcett driver, took away a firearm that was on the dashboard and then turned on the other guard who was guarding the other trucks and again attacked him before driving off with the armoured vehicle and cash.

Ass Comm Nyathi said the robbers later dumped three empty trunks while driving towards Woodlands Shopping Centre.

He said the armed robbers later hijacked a Nissan Hardbody and transferred the remaining five trunks with cash into the vehicle before dumping the armoured vehicle. The Nissan Hardbody was later found dumped again together with five empty trunks.

“Police are conducting investigations and we are appealing to people that might have information leading to the arrest of the suspects to contact any nearest police station,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

Fawcett managing director Mr Andy Laing, also confirmed the robbery.

“In a nutshell our vehicle was attacked when they were delivering cash at CBZ in Bulawayo 8th Avenue branch. I’m not sure how many armed robbers were there but they were several, at least four. There were two getaway cars, one of which was stolen in Bulawayo,” said Mr Laing.

“They disarmed two of our men, they offloaded tin boxes into their two vehicles and they couldn’t fit all the boxes into the vehicles and then they decided to take our vehicle.

“They drove to a house close to Woodlands Service Station in Ilanda suburb. Outside the house they stole a Nissan Pickup truck and dumped our vehicle there. I think the pickup truck has been recovered and our vehicle has also been recovered and we have located the empty boxes around the suburbs,” said Mr Laing.

He could not say how much was stolen.

“We had already made some deliveries during the day. At the time of robbery, it was one vehicle but other deliveries had been made earlier,” said Mr Laing.

“Our driver who was attacked, was treated and discharged. He was beaten at the back of the head with either the butt of a pistol or a baton. We hope they catch these guys,” he said.

CBZ regional manager Mr Abisha Gweshe, referred all questions to police as the matter was under investigation.

By A Correspondent- A relative of the 7 year old boy from Murehwa, Tapiwa Makore has revealed that a Murehwa family ate human flesh after one of the murderers implicated in case sold meat to the family a day after the murder.

This was revealed by Gogo Beaular in an interview with Tilda Moyo Tuesday:

Watch the live video loading below…..(please be patient as it uploads).

The Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T’s extra-ordinary congress is now hanging in the balance after police blocked the Matebeleland North provincial council meeting which is party of processes leading to the big event.

The MDC-T had applied to police to have its meeting last month but police said it violated the COVID-19 rules and regulations which bars gathering of over 100 people.

Below is the police letter blocking the planned provincial council meeting.

By A Correspondent- Legendary comedian Lazarus Boora, also known as Gringo, is seriously ill again and has failed to raise money for medication.

The 47-year-old is suffering from intestine obstruction and experiencing discomfort in sitting, backache coupled by hearing and talking difficulties.

Gringo had appendix surgery last before he relocated to his rural home in Rusape.

He later returned to Harare and is staying in Hatfield with his wife Netsai Meki and three children.

Meki told The Herald that her husband has been unwell for a long time and they decided to return to Harare as she works at the Tobacco Auction Floors. She said:

He is in pain compared to before. On Saturday we took him to a hospital in Waterfalls because his condition was worsening. They said he was dehydrated.

He is failing to eat properly, and if he eats, he vomits and is suffering from diarrhoea.

We give him only a few spoons of porridge and he eats a morsel of sadza, which he sometimes can’t finish.

Now he is having back problems. The doctor said he might have an infection in his intestines and needs to go for a scan.

The challenge now is finances to go back to his first surgeon.

Meki appealed to well-wishers for donations so that he can be attended to by the surgeon.-statemedia

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said by-elections will not be held this year because the government is channelling resources towards the fight against the coronavirus.

Speaking during a ZANU PF Mashonaland West provincial coordinating committee meeting in Chinhoyi over the weekend, Ziyambi said:

We cannot have by-elections this year because we are still faced with the coronavirus pandemic, so President Emmerson Mnangagwa said let’s defer by-elections.

We are simply deferring. We are not saying they will not be there, we said let’s defer, and use the resources that we have to fight the pandemic and save lives.

So we cannot risk the lives of our people and go to a by-election when we have an opportunity to do it after and save the lives of our people.

In October, Health and Childcare Minister and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga announced the indefinite suspension of elections citing the risk posed by COVID-19.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) had set 5 December as the day for the by-elections before Chiwenga’s directive.

However, according to a local legal think-tank, Veritas, the decision by the government to suspend the by-elections was unconstitutional.

Pindula

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the arrest of a third suspect in the murder of seven-year-old Murehwa boy Tapiwa Makore (Junior) in September this year.

National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, on Monday confirmed the arrest of Moud Hunidzarira (42) in Budiriro following a tip-off by the public.

Hunidzarira is alleged to have been in Murehwa when the murder occurred and a few days later was seen by some neighbours in Harare, cleaning an item that had blood.

Ass. Comm. Nyathi said:

The ZRP has arrested a third suspect in connection with the death of Tapiwa Makore. The suspect, Moud Hunidzarira (42), has since appeared in court.

She was arrested after a tip-off. She was seen cleaning an item with blood, believed to be that of the late Tapiwa Makore in Budiriro, and this culminated in her arrest. We are still carrying out investigations.

Tapiwa Makore Sr (57), who is an older brother to the murdered boy, and his herdsman Tafadzwa Shamba, are alleged to have carried the murder.

Makore and Shamba have both appeared in court were remanded in custody.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance vice-chairman and spokesperson of the 31st of July Movement, Job Sikhala has dismissed claims that he considered joining the MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe.

Speaking in an interview with NewsDay senior reporter Moses Matenga, Sikhala, who turned 48 last Friday, said the MDC should not continue expending its energy on petty fights but on fighting dictatorship in Zimbabwe.

Responding to a request for his comments on allegations made recently by MDC-T national spokesperson Khalipani Phugeni that he has warmed up to joining the judicially created party, Sikhala said:

If you are following what Khalipani Phugeni (MDC-T national spokesperson) said, then you are failing to read his intentions. He was setting me up for recall by claiming an individual in a struggle. Plus, I really don’t know that man. He thinks I care about being recalled. The power is theirs. They are free to use it as and when they want.

I will not lose an iota of sleep. His statement was widely provocative, immature and grandstanding. I don’t want to play to his cheap games. I am beyond that. The faith the people of Zimbabwe have in me should not be put to waste by concentrating on the Phugenis of this world.

Our people look forward to some of us to continue driving the fight against Mnangagwa and his dictatorship, not these sideshows. I think it’s taking me and the people of Zimbabwe for granted. I am not a hater. I smile to everyone, but don’t spite my smile with false claims as it is in my nature.

I remain the vice-chairman of the MDC Alliance and the spokesperson of the broad citizens’ movement, the 31st of July Movement. What I despise is the Zanu PF regime and everything related to it.

I witnessed several splits in the MDC over years. They are no longer interesting adventures for me because they never advanced the goals of our liberation.

Our energy is expended on petty fights and in the same vein, destroys the foundation of our liberty and freedom.-statemedia

Paul Nyathi

Two villagers in Murewa have reportedly been arrested after they allegedly bought human flesh from a herd boy, Tafadzwa Shamba, who had earlier murdered seven-year-old Tapiwa Makore in September.

The two women are said to have bought the human flesh cut off from the late boy’s thigh at Katsande’s homestead during a drinking session.

Tapiwa was allegedly murdered on 24 September for ritual purposes by Shamba and the deceased’s uncle Tapiwa Makore senior.

The two suspects are in custody awaiting trial.

Information from the relatives said police ZRP over the weekend picked-up two villagers who bought Tapiwa’s flesh, which is believed to have been chucked off from the deceased’s thigh. Tapiwa’s head remains missing and he is yet to be buried.

“Police came Sunday and picked-up Mai Mungandire and Mai Katsande, and both agreed they bought meat from the killer but had no idea that it was human flesh,” Beulah Makore, the family spokesperson revealed.

“One of them initially refused until police officers told her that Tafadzwa had admitted cutting flesh from the thigh of the deceased and sold it to them.

“The two unsuspecting women actually cooked the meat and ate. So, they were taken to Murewa police station for further questioning and were also ordered to carry the pots that they used to cook Tapiwa’s flesh.”

State Media

The MDC-Alliance appeal challenging a High Court decision that the party does not legally exist as a legal person who can sue or be sued in court, was struck off the roll after the organisation’s lawyers failed to turn up to argue the matter at the Supreme Court yesterday.

The party was challenging the whole judgment handed down by Justice Tawanda Chitapi in May this year, who also ruled that in the dispute of the MDC-T recall of legislators; the party did not have the legal footing to sue, suggesting that the affected recalled MPs would have to individually take their cases to court.

Yesterday, the Supreme Court convened to hear the appeal, but MDC-A lawyers did not show up, prompting Professor Lovemore Madhuku, acting for MDC-T, to plead with the court to stand down the matter in case the lawyers were delayed.

The court agreed and adjourned for 20 minutes, but still the lawyers did not show up.

MDC-A spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere, who was present when the matter adjourned, tried to contact the lawyers to no avail. The hearing proceeded in the absence of the MDC-A lawyers and in the end, the judges decided to strike the matter off the roll after Prof Madhuku raised a preliminary point that the appeal was defective and incurable at law.

When an appeal is struck off the roll, legally it means there is no appeal before the court, but the appellant is allowed to appeal out of time.

In this case, if the MDC-A wishes to appeal it must first seek condonation and an extension of time within which to appeal.

But they need to explain why they did not appeal, why they filed a defective appeal and why they did not appear before the court.

This will be determined by a judge sitting in chambers.

In an interview after the hearing, Prof Madhuku said they initially thought they could apply for the matter to be struck off the roll, but the court advised against that because the rules did not allow.

“If you are not present when you are the appellant, the matter is determined on merits,” he said.

“You actually proceed with the appeal and the court can simply dismiss it without even hearing it.

“In this case, the court decided that they would want to hear the matter on the merits.” Prof Madhuku said in this particular case, he raised a preliminary point that the MDC-A appeal was defective, which point was accepted by the court.

“The papers that were before the court did not qualify as a notice of appeal in the number of respects that we mentioned, particularly they were failing to understand what Justice Chitapi had ordered,” said Prof Madhuku, a Constitutional law expert.

“What they (MDC-A) were asking the Supreme Court to put in place of Justice Chitapi’s order was not competent at law.”

MDC-A lead counsel in the appeal Mr Alec Muchadehama could not be reached for comment.

In his judgment in the lower court, Justice Chitapi threw out the MDC-A application, finding that the only evidence brought before the court showed that the MDC-A was an alliance of other political parties, although it had been given the status of a political party under the Electoral Act.

However, participating in elections did not make MDC-A a legal person, in the absence of other requirements such as a decision to be a legally incorporated voluntary organisation or another type of body corporate.

State Media

IN the relentless fight against corruption, Government will not be deterred by malcontents, who abuse the name of the First Family to carry out their criminal activities, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has said.

Speaking at a Press briefing in Harare yesterday, Minister Mutsvangwa said there were some people who still lived in a time warp and continue to use tired tactics that resulted in corruption flourishing in the yesteryear.

“As such, on individual cases of corruption, every case will be investigated and punished in accordance with the dictates of our laws without fear or favour,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

The call comes at the back of several malicious reports that have sought to drag the name of the First Family, by alleging that it has a hand in corrupt and criminal activities.

Minister Mutsvangwa said these malicious reports that seek to link President Mnangagwa and his family to corrupt individuals are by no means a coincidence; but rather they are a well-coordinated attack on the system, which is intended to agitate Zimbabweans into demonstrations and uprising.

“Predictions by the country’s detractors to the effect that the economy would implode by year end have been shown to be wishful thinking; on the contrary, the country has achieved macroeconomic stability and tamed inflation much to the disappointment of purveyors of doom,” she said.

The goal of the Second Republic, Minister Mutsvangwa, said is to grow the economy transparently and to foster the spirit of hard work in citizens.

“It is against this background that the Government will never allow its structures to be havens of malcontents and criminals. Nor will Government turn a blind eye to those who seek to escape the wheels of justice through lies that they are connected to the First Family or other senior Government officials.

“His Excellency, the President has been very clear that there are no sacred cows in the fight against corruption and as such law enforcement agents will not be deterred by criminals who want to hoodwink them and the nation that those linked to senior Government officials are exempt from arrest,” the minister said.

From the onset, the Second Republic pronounced that it would prioritise economic growth and development, through a reform agenda that is clearly articulated in the Transitional Stabilisation Programme.

“This reform agenda, which is a deliberate shift from the yesteryear way of running Government and the country is stimulating economic growth and stabilising the macroeconomic situation.”

She further said that in his inaugural State of the Nation Address on December 20, 2017, President Mnangagwa categorically stated “Government will have a zero tolerance towards corruption”.

“This is because economic development requires a clean Government. Government has remained consistent in the fight against corruption and this has seen the establishment of a Special Anti-Corruption Unit, anti-corruption courts country wide, and the capacitation of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission. Under the New Dispensation, ZACC now has arresting powers and has the financial and human resources to carry out its duties.”

The goal of the Second Republic, Minister Mutsvangwa added, is to build a new Zimbabwe based on the crown values of honesty, transparency, accountability and hard work.

She added that measures continue to be taken to vigorously ensure that any and all criminal activities that prejudice the nation are stamped out.

Minister Mutsvangwa said such measures had resulted in the arrest and prosecution of several senior Government officials, a testimony to President Mnangagwa’s stance that there are no sacred cows in the fight against corruption.

“Prior to the New Dispensation, corruption had spread unchecked, negatively affecting the social and moral fabric of the nation, as rent-seeking behaviours raised the cost of doing business, and posed hardships for the unconnected majority who constitute the generality of the public. This criminality gave rise to persons in the public and private sector accruing wealth corruptly at the expense of the nation at large.”

Further she said bribery, embezzlement of public assets, fraud, smuggling, abuse of office for personal gain, extortion, misrepresentation, and other corrupt activities stall economic development and ultimately rob citizens of decent livelihoods.

As such, she called upon the media fraternity to introspect on their role in nation building and development.

Further to this, she said room must be given for due constitutional processes in criminal investigation, trial and judgment to be done without interference.

“Additionally, I urge each and every one of us to continue supporting the fight against corruption by using several platforms that include the whistle-blowers application to report fraud and corruption. The long arm of the law will catch up with any and all individuals who seek to criminally enrich themselves at the expense of the nation,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

Henrietta Rushwaya and her alleged gold smuggling syndicate comprising of Pakistan business tycoon Ali Mohamed and two State security agents face a mandatory five-year jail term if convicted on smuggling, the State has said.

The State said provisions of the Gold Trade Act state that anyone convicted of smuggling faces a mandatory five-year jail term.

Rushwaya is jointly appearing at the Harare Magistrates Court along with Mohamed, Stephen Chenjerai Tserai, Raphios Mufandauya and Gift Karanda on smuggling, illegal possession of gold, criminal abuse of office and defeating the course of justice.

“The offence under Gold Trade Act has a minimum mandatory sentence of five years and it cannot be taken as short time in prison,” said prosecutor Mr Garudzo Ziyaduma, when opposing the five’s bail.

Mr Ziyaduma, who is appearing for the State along with Mr Charles Muchemwa, told the court that Rushwaya and her accomplices were likely to evade trial once granted bail.

He said there was overwhelming evidence against them, which may induce them not to stand trial.

“Rushwaya is facing three allegations of smuggling, bribery and possession of gold without a licence, while Ali is facing smuggling and possession of gold without licence charges,” said Mr Ziyaduma.

“Tserai and Chenjerai are facing smuggling and illegal possession of gold and criminal abuse of duty charges, while Karanda is facing charges of defeating the course of justice, (and) illegal possession of gold. The offences are of a serious nature and they are likely to interfere with witnesses and evidence.”

Tserai and Mufandauya are alleged to have failed to arrest Ali after they met him and simply recorded his statement and left him, when he was supposed to be arrested, a conduct seen as suspicious.

Karanda is facing allegations of attempting to defeat the course of justice by trying to reach out to the officers to leave Rushwaya.

Mr Ziyaduma said the accused were known to the witness and there was a likelihood they will interfere with investigations.

He told the court that there was CCTV footage showing the three passing through the VIP section, deliberately avoiding the public section to ensure the safe passage of the gold.

Mr Ziyaduma said Mohamed was a Pakistan national and was in Zimbabwe on a business trip.

His visa expired as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown and there were fears that he could use his contacts across the world to evade trial since he had the means to sustain himself outside Zimbabwe.

“This country has no extradition treaty with Pakistan,” said Mr Ziyaduma.

“In the event that he is convicted, he will face five years in prison. Ali is the one who facilitated the travel arrangements for Rushwaya. This demonstrates that he is a man of means.

“He works for a company in Dubai where the gold was to be handed by Rushwaya. Because of the means he possesses, it is easy for him to facilitate for his co-accused to flee. All the accused know that there is a possibility that upon conviction, they maybe sentenced to five years in prison and this knowledge may induce them to abscond.”

Mr Ziyaduma called the investigating officer handling the matter, Detective Chief Inspector Michael Chibaya to testify in opposition of granting bail to the five.

Det Chief Insp Chibaya told the court that Rushwaya was well connected, with some of her connections dating from the time she was the Zifa chief executive.

The matter continues today before magistrate Mr Ngoni Nduna.

State Media

PERMANENT Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana told stakeholders in the media industry that the country is in the right direction in opening up the media space.

Addressing the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ) stakeholders annual conference in Harare yesterday, Mr Mangwana said a culture shift is underway to match the New Dispensation’s thrust towards media pluralism.

“The New Dispensation under President Mnangagwa is a beautiful thing. Starting at the beginning of the Second Republic when President Mnangagwa rolled out a session that happens every Tuesday after every Cabinet meeting where the public is informed of what has been discussed, I don’t have a country other than Zimbabwe which has such an arrangement,” he said.

Since the dawn of the Second Republic, media freedoms have flourished, contentious laws such as the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) being repealed while the Government is set to licence new players in the broadcasting industry.

“AIPPA was repealed, it is not partially gone, it’s gone, journalism is no longer being criminalised, but I have to admit that there are certain things that are happening that are not supposed to happen in the practice of journalism,” Mr Mangwana said.

He said journalists played a crucial role in the dissemination of information during the lockdown period and thus helped the Government curb the spread of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic, a global pandemic that Zimbabwe has been able to tackle successfully more than most countries in the West.

“We can change legislation, we can change everything, but culture takes more time to change. I would love to come to a time when we can snap our fingers and it goes away, but it does not work like that because culture is embedded.

“It will take a lot of time (and) it will take a lot of information building for that to happen, but we are heading in the right direction. You can only make progress if your direction is correct.”

Mr Mangwana called upon media practitioners to be professional when dealing with law enforcement agents and not to be agent provocateurs.

“Let’s work together, let us be professional, let us give people the right of reply. From my point as the Ministry we will walk with you, we will defend our profession”.

Organisations that form MAZ include the Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe (MMPZ), Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ), Zimbabwe National Editors’ Forum (Zinef), Gender and Media Connect (GMC), Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS), the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ), the Media Centre and African Community Publishing Development Trust (ACPDT).

State Media

MIDLANDS Provincial Affairs Minister and provincial Covid-19 taskforce chairperson Senator Larry Mavima has gone into self-isolation after testing positive for Covid-19 and is using his infection to remind everyone that the disease exists and that they cannot relax the basic rules of masking, social distancing and sanitising.

Sen Mavima confirmed yesterday he was the latest high-profile person to be infected, but was in a stable condition while isolated at home.

“I can confirm that I have tested positive for Covid-19 and I am in isolation at home, but I would like to quickly inform the entire province and the nation at large that I am not in danger,” he said.

“I am grateful to a wonderful team of local specialist doctors who have been monitoring my situation and hope this is the type of commitment and care given to all victims of the pandemic.”

Sen Mavima said he was asymptomatic.

“I do not have any other symptoms and am actually working from home. I am, however, banking on your prayers and hoping to be back at work even stronger after the mandatory days in isolation,” said Sen Mavima, who sounded to be in very high spirits.

He said Covid-19 has no boundaries and urged people to observe WHO recommended guidelines in the fight against the pandemic.

“The pandemic is real and there is no stigma. What is needed is to follow the recommended safety rules like putting on a mask when in public place, maintaining social distancing and following the doctor’s instructions. I have been told to drink a lot of water and fluids,” he said.

Sen Mavima said the fight against the spread of Covid-19 was still on and urged members of the public not to relax.

“The fight is still on, we should not relax and forget to follow the laid down health and safety precautions,” he said.

He said his contacts, including aides and family members, were also in isolation to avoid the spread of the disease.

The Midlands province have so-far recorded nine Covid-19 related deaths and over 600 infections with the recovery rate pegged at 95 percent.

State Media

President Mnangagwa yesterday welcomed former MDC-T Masvingo Urban legislator Tongai Matutu to Zanu PF at State House, with the former MP decrying lost time in the political wilderness.

Matutu was welcomed by President Mnangagwa and the two Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, with the President saying he felt elated in welcoming Matutu back “home”.

“He has come to see us and he would like to come back to his original party. We welcome him back home,” said President Mnangagwa.

Briefing journalists after meeting the Presidium, Matutu, a lawyer and former Deputy Minister of Youth during the inclusive Government, described his decision to join Zanu PF as a national calling.

“I am taking this decision quite consciously of what I am doing. Since I left Parliament, I have never slept on an empty stomach or begged anyone to give me food or money for school fees.

“I am making this decision not out of an empty stomach, but out of a national calling. I am by myself, I am actually proud of what I have achieved after I left Parliament,” said Matutu.

The former MP said his coming to Zanu PF could be a harbinger of more MDC officials who would like to join Zanu PF from the ever squabbling opposition.

“At this point in time I am speaking on behalf of myself, but I know there are so many other people who are waiting on the fence.

“Most of the MDC members are biblical lepers caught between a rock and hard place on whether to remain there because ‘we are called MDCs by the other party or if we go there we might be ill-treated on account of us being political activists’.

“I would like to believe that if a sign or signal is given that all is well and they are welcome, I can tell you that by 2023 there will be an amazing number of people who will follow their conscience,” said Matutu.

Matutu said the MDC had lost its purpose as an opposition party and was now a movement in disarray because of constant bickering.

“I believe that there is very little that I can say that is not in the public domain, especially in my former party in its various forms, whether its MDC-T or you call it MDC-Alliance.

“I have taken this decision because I have done a very serious introspection — a reflection of where we are coming from and where we are going and also having considered the amount of time we have lost as a nation and what we want to achieve as a people and especially as politicians.

“I believe for the party (MDC) it has really lost the real purpose of its existence to exercise oversight over the ruling party. It is a party that has plunged into confusion and disarray as far as it has placed the nation into an election mode,” said Matutu.

During his stint as a legislator, he was a member of Parliament’s top decision making body, the Standing Rules and Orders Committee, chairing the Legal and Procedure sub-committee.

In a statement last night, ZANU PF Acting Secretary for Information and Publicity Patrick Chinamasa said the revolutionary party welcomes Matutuwith “joy and in the spirit of comradeship”.

“His decision is a clear indication that ZANU PF is the party of the future with the interests of Zimbabweans at heart,” he said.

In line with party procedure, Matutu will undergo the requisite induction with the Herbert Chitepo School of ideology so that he appreciates national interest, party ideology and value systems.

Henrietta Rushwaya, believed to be related to the president, is a prominent figure in the ruling Zanu-PF party and head of the miners’ federation.

Zimbabwe’s first lady and her son have been named as accomplices in a gold smuggling ring along with a woman found to have 14 gold bars in her handbag as she boarded a flight to Dubai.

Auxillia Mnangagwa, 57, and Collins Mnangagwa, 33, were implicated after the arrest of Henrietta Rushwaya, who tried to pass through an airport scanner last Monday with gold worth £280,000.

Ms Rushwaya’s arrest threatens to lift the lid on an elite trafficking cartel that is estimated to cost the bankrupt state millions of pounds every month.

In an interview with police, a colleague who was also held for attempting to interfere in the arrest, claimed that Ms Rushwaya was taking the 6kg haul to the United Arab Emirates on behalf of President Mnangagwa’s wife and son.

Gift Karanda, 44, told detectives that Ms Rushwaya was a courier for Mrs Mnangagwa and her son, a soldier turned businessman.

Ms Rushwaya, 53, believed to be related to the president, is a prominent figure in the ruling Zanu-PF party and head of the miners’ federation.

Published police documents claim that Mr Karanda said the seized gold “belonged to the first lady and Collins, who was supposed to have brought it but had requested Rushwaya to transport it on his behalf”.

In July, the president’s son was linked to a £45 million scandal over coronavirus facemasks and test kits that led to the sacking and arrest of Obadiah Moyo, the health minister. He denied any wrongdoing.

Hopewell Chin’ono, 49, the journalist who helped to expose the corruption, was arrested and held in brutal conditions in prison for five weeks.

Mrs Mnangagwa, the president’s second wife, wrote on Facebook that she and her son had been “falsely implicated . . . and had no dealings nor involvement with Ms Henrietta Rushwaya of any illegal kind”. She added: “I do not engage in illegal, narrow-minded pursuits like gold smuggling.”

Seven people have been arrested in connection with the case, including Stephen Chenjerai Tserayi, one of the president’s intelligence officers, and two senior police officers.

State prosecutors withdrew an initial offer of bail for Ms Rushwaya after evidence of a wider smuggling ring emerged.

She had said that she was flying the gold to Dubai on behalf of a licensed Pakistani dealer but could produce none of the required export papers.

Ms Rushwaya denies the charges, which include offering a $5,000 bribe to the airport officer who found the gold. Court documents said that CCTV cameras were switched off while she passed through security. A full bail hearing begins today.

Mrs Mnangagwa began her career as a secretary in the prime minister’s office before being trained as a spy. She has been married to Mr Mnangagwa, 77, for 34 years and they have three children.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/world/zimbabwe-gold-smugglers-worked-for-mnangagwas-wife-zrmkpsdtt

The ZANU PF controlled Zimbabwe Republic Police has moved in to arrest President Nelson Chamisa’s mayor for Chitungwiza for blocking demolition of houses in his town.

According to Chitungwiza Residents Trust (CHITREST), Chitungwiza Mayor Lovemore Maiko has been arrested for directing Council to stop Demolition of alleged illegal Houses and convening special Council meeting without following proper procedures.

He is being charged with abuse of office.

More to follow….

A third suspect linked to the murder of seven-year-old Murehwa boy Tapiwa Makore (Junior) in September was arrested in Harare over the weekend and appeared in court yesterday.

Moud Hunidzarira (42) was arrested in Budiriro following a tip-off by the public and appeared before a Murehwa magistrate yesterday and was remanded in custody.

It is alleged that when the murder occurred, Hunidzarira was in Murehwa and a few days later was seen by some neighbours in Harare, cleaning an item that had blood.

Eventually the neighbours tipped-off the police, leading to her arrest over the weekend.

National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, yesterday confirmed the arrest and said investigations were still in progress.

“The ZRP has arrested a third suspect in connection with the death of Tapiwa Makore. The suspect, Moud Hunidzarira (42), has since appeared in court,” he said.

“She was arrested after a tip-off. She was seen cleaning an item with blood, believed to be that of the late Tapiwa Makore in Budiriro, and this culminated in her arrest. We are still carrying out investigations.”

Last month, Tapiwa Makore (Senior) aged 57, the other suspect linked to the murder in the company of his herdsman Tafadzwa Shamba was arrested.

He appeared in court and was remanded in custody. Makore is the older brother to the murdered boy’s father.

When he appeared before magistrate Ms Chiedza Gatsi at Murehwa Magistrates Court facing murder charges, prosecutor Ms Paidamoyo Gutu told the court that on September 17 at around midday, Shamba lured the boy from his family garden to the home of Makore (senior), detaining him in the dining room, after giving him food.

It is further alleged that Makore joined other villagers to search for the boy till midnight and around an hour later he and Shamba carried the boy to a secluded area where Makore used a knife to cut off the deceased’s head.-The Herald

Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Senator Larry Mavima has gone into self-isolation after testing positive for the coronavirus.

Mavima told The Herald in a telephone interview from his home this Monday that he does not have the symptoms of the virus. He said:

I can confirm that I have tested positive to Covid-19 and am self-isolating at home. I would like to quickly inform the entire province and the nation at large that I am not in any immediate danger. I am grateful to a wonderful team of local specialist doctors who have been monitoring my situation. I don’t have any other symptoms.

I am in isolation but in high spirits for there is no stigma to this pandemic as everyone is at risk of contracting it. I am also banking on prayers from all corners.

He joins a growing list of senior government officials and political elites to contract the novel virus. Some of them including the former minister of Agriculture, Perrance Shiri have since died.

Meanwhile, coronavirus cases in the country have been going down in the most recent weeks prompting the government to take steps towards easing lockdown restrictions.-The Herald

02-11-2020

Just a day before the release of Terrence Manjengwa, who spend more than 60 days in prison before trial, two other young activists were caged at Harare Remand Prison.

The two, Prince Gora and Young Matate are student leaders and their only crime is demanding answers from Impala Car Rental on why the company aided in abduction of fellow student, Tawanda Muchehiwa.

This is not the first time that Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime has raised a middle finger on the students community for demanding a safe learning environment.

ZINASU President Takudzwa Ngadziore, had to spend more than a month in prison for simply demanding a safe environment where students study without fear of abductions from the regime.

A regime that do not respect students certainly has no respect for academic freedoms and such a regime is doomed!

Universities and tertiary institutions are meant to be a universitas when knew horizons of knowledge are shared and at the center of that is a student.

What this entails is that students’ sphere of influence like homes must be safe from evils like abductions if the country is to reap benefits from academics.

Where abductions and arbitrary arrests and imprisonment of students reigns supreme, disaster looms.

Mnangagwa’s regime has since turned Harare Remand Prison and Chikurubi Maximum Prison into concentration camps for student leaders and political activists.

For Mnangagwa, the rightful place of students is filthy prisons and not university campuses!

It time for the students community and the society at large to demand for an end to persecution by prosecution of students.

If students and youths of the past successfully challenged the evil colonial system in the 1970s, surely this generation can equally do the same against abductions, arbitrary arrests and sentence without trial.

Gora and Matate deserve freedom.

#FreeYoungAndPrince!

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Spokesperson

BUHERA – Members of a Buhera family recently set eight vicious dogs on cops who had come to make an arrest.

They then stripped one of the officers naked before forcing him to leave without his clothes and two cellphones. They also severely assaulted the officers with knobkerries.

Constable Fungai Chiminya and Obert Kambewu were assaulted at Hwechuma Village under Chief Nyashanu in Buhera at around 9pm on October 22, 2020.

Two members of the family, Most Hwechuma (20) and Morris Chuma (31) have since been arrested and Most was sentenced to two years in jail by Murambinda magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai after being convicted for assaulting police officers.

He was sentenced on Tuesday while Morris who appeared in court on Wednesday is yet to hear his verdict.
The two cops and had come to arrest Morris who was wanted on a rape case. Six months of Most’s charges were suspended for five years. Three other accused members of the family are still at large.

Witness Hamudi representing the State said the two cops Chiminya and Kambewu went to Hwechuma Village to arrest Morris wanted in connection with a rape case.

Upon arrival the cops introduced themselves to Morris and tried to apprehend him but he overpowered them and called family members to help him.

Morris, Most and others who are on the run attacked the two cops with stones thereby forcing them to run away. Morris then unleashed eight dogs on cops.

Morris caught up with Kambewu and stripped him of all his clothes down to the underwear.

Hetook away the clothes and two cellphones and let him go naked.

Kambewu sustained bruises on the back, swollen legs and wounds on the legs as a result of dog bites and was having difficulties in walking.

Minya managed to escape and seek refuge in a kitchen at Diana Hwechuma’s homestead.

A report was made to ZRP Murambinda who then attended the scene.

Kambewu’s clothes were recovered dumped at Diana Hwechuma’s homestead.

The two cell phones were recovered from Morris’ bedroom hidden under the blankets.

Two knobkerries which were used to commit the crime were also recovered from the same room.

Morris was arrested on October 28 after a raid by the Police. 
Source :Masvingo Mirror

Farai Dziva|A girl whose age has not been identified hanged herself at her boyfriend’s house in Mucheke Suburb, Masvingo on Sunday morning.

The incident has stunned residents of the populous Mucheke Suburb.

It is believed the girl had a misunderstanding with her boyfriend.

Details of the disturbing incident are still sketchy.

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance has intensified efforts to protect fundamental constitutional rights.

The party has also implored democratic forces to resist attempts by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa to muzzle alternative voices.

Read statement below:

02 NOVEMBER 2020

MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA DISTRICT LAMBASTS THE RECENTLY ACCLAIMED ZANUPF ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS LAW AS A DESPERATE MECHANISM OF DETERRENCE TO SOCIAL DEMOCRATS.

Mdc Alliance Namibia is perturbed by the fact that the Zanupf government continues to trample on the basic fundamental rights of the Zimbabwean citizenry.

Irrespective of the clearly visible provisions of Section 59 of the Constitution of the Motherland which states that, “Every person has the right to demonstrate and present petitions but these rights must be exercised peacefully”.

This is in line with diverse International Human Rights Instruments , including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. As social democrats, we appeal to the illegitimate Zanupf government to respect its own constitution and international human rights instruments to which our beloved country is a signatory.

It was mesmerising to witness the regime’s perpetual suffocation of constitutional democracy when the Zimbabwe cabinet recently applauded proposed statute that would make it a crime for activists to make “spurious claims” of human rights violations, hold anti-government protests that could draw international attention or speak with foreign governments empty of state endorsement. The undemocratic development was backed by Monica Mutsvangwa who said President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s cabinet has appreciated the prospective amendments to the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act to criminalise the unauthorised communication or negotiation by denationalised citizens with foreign governments.

Although these proposed alterations to the law are expected to be backed by Zimbabwe’s August House which is monopolised by Mnangagwa’s ruling Zanupf party, Mdc Alliance Namibia goes on to solicit absolute justice in Zimbabwe. We want to encourage the disillusioned despotic regime to tolerate divergent views and expressions fundamental in any constitutional democracy, but in Zimbabwe, where we have no protections, it is vital. This foolish and selfish law has been criticised by both domestic and international Lawyers as well as social democrats in the vicinity.

As a district, we are astonished by Zanupf’s shift from hard-line policy to hard-line law which is completely worrisome in a purported ‘new dispensation’ after the 17 November Coup.

Moreso, while such hard-line and suicidal policies on political opposition are not novel in monocracy, the rigorousness and diameter of the law to enforce such a detrimental policy remains a mammoth task.

Brennan said: it would be a parody of democracy to confer on the people a power to choose their Parliament but to deny the freedom of public discussion from which the people derive their political judgements. In light of this postulation, Mdc Alliance Namibia supposes that the autocratic regime must halt controlling or schooling us on how hungry citizens should express serious national issues since it can greatly inoculate the strength of their political message, if not extinguish its revolutionary impact altogether.

Moreover, as genuine revolutionaries, we are clear that this law raises adverse questions about the contemporary attitudes and commitment to representative and responsible government in the country. Zanupf must be cognisant of the fact that in a society awash with national consciousness, independent individuals must embrace varying-perhaps sensational -avenues and measures to publicise nonconformity and remonstrance to ill-advised government policies. As an “alternative government”, Mdc Alliance is aware of the fact that, although the government has the obligation to regulate actions that undermine the public interest, such austerity legal measures should be tailored and balanced against the constitutional duty to ensure freedom of political expression in the Motherland.

Furthermore, the unceremonious inception of the Zanupf law has just generated fear in social democrats because it gives room to the captured securocrats to escalate the levels of human slaughter or massacre by overambitious Zanupf Satanists. Zimbabwe has seen multiple opposition activists being exterminated and desensitised by police with amnesty.

The police, army and state agencies must refrain from violence , including the exploitation of live ammunition against unarmed innocent civilians. In a democratic dispensation , we urge the Zimbabwe Republic Police , like any other professional police force , to guide and assist the protesters as they peacefully march through the streets anywhere in the country.

The enactment of this apartheid and repressive law is simply meant to entrench authoritarianism.

We shall continue to demand justice and our basic universal freedoms enshrined in the constitution. We advocate for the alignment of the 2013 Constitution before it is amended.

Social democrats have the conviction that it is alignment that comes first before any transformation is done. It is imperative to to remove unconstitutional jargon in our beloved constitution in the country.

In conclusion, Zanupf must ALIGN the 2013 Constitution instead of AMENDING it.

We shall continue to protest and petition the government against arbitrary arrests, abductions, torture and high levels of murder to opposition activists as stipulated in Section 59 of the constitution of Zimbabwe. We are not deterred by Zanupf shenanigans driven by greed and massive looting!

Mdc Alliance Namibia
Rundu Branch Spokesperson
Robson Ruhanya

Zanupfmustgo

Looters must go

FreeAllPrisonersOfConscience

ConstitutionalDemocracy

Zimbabweanlivesmatter

CorruptionMustGo

ConstitutionAndConstitutionalism

OurRightsToProtests

Farai Dziva|President Nelson Chamisa has denounced the persecution of church leaders by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.

President Chamisa said the church should be allowed to play a leading role in praying for the nation without fear of being victimized.

President Chamisa made the remarks at the funeral service for the late MDC Alliance National Executive member, Hon Fani Chirisa at the St Peter’s Anglican Church in Mabelreign, Harare on Sunday.

He described Hon Chirisa as a great unifier.

“We have lost a great unifier and dedicated party cadre. We will remember her noble deeds forever,” said President Chamisa.

“Let me take this opportunity to encourage church leaders to pray for the nation.Church leaders should not be persecuted for doing their work – that is unacceptable.Let the church leaders play a leading role in praying for politicians and the nation,” added President Chamisa.

Farai Dziva|President Nelson Chamisa has denounced the persecution of church leaders by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.

President Chamisa said the church should be allowed to play a leading role in praying for the nation without fear of being victimized.

President Chamisa made the remarks at the funeral service for the late MDC Alliance National Executive member, Hon Fani Chirisa at the St Peter’s Anglican Church in Mabelreign, Harare on Sunday.

He described Hon Chirisa as a great unifier.

“We have lost a great unifier and dedicated party cadre. We will remember her noble deeds forever,” said President Chamisa.

“Let me take this opportunity to encourage church leaders to pray for the nation.Church leaders should not be persecuted for doing their work – that is unacceptable.Let the church leaders play a leading role in praying for politicians and the nation,” added President Chamisa.

Own Correspondent| Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa has promulgated Statutory Instrument 261 which stipulates the benefits to be enjoyed by former first ladies.

Analysts argue Mr Mnangagwa is keen to “appease” former First Lady Grace Mugabe following the fallout with his long time boss Robert Mugabe.

The benefits are as follows:

such security personnel as may be determined by the President but not less than two, and to be increased by such number as may be determined by the President whenever, and for such period, as the need arisesone driverone Private Secretaryone aide-de-camp officer or personal assistantoffice accommodation as may be determined by the President

a landline telephone and a cell phoneone computersuch other office facilities, equipment and materials as may be determined by the President

suitable state residential accommodationone domestic employee

one gardener
one cook and one waiter

An allowance covering medical contributions of the spouse of the former President

a diplomatic passport

business class air and rail private travel within Zimbabwe, if available up to a maximum of two trips per annum

business class international air private travel up to a maximum of two trips per annumone sedan (Mercedes Benz E300 Series) or one four-wheel-drive station wagon or an equivalent or similar class of motor vehicleone pick-up van
such number of motor vehicles as may be determined by the President must be put at the disposal of the security personnel and other staff serving the spouse of a former President

fuel as may be determined by the President from time to time

maintenance of vehicles referred to in paragraph 6(a)which cost of maintenance shall be borne by the Government
replacement vehicles every five years

an entertainment allowance as determined by the President from time to timetelephone expenses in respect of the office and official residence of the spouse of the former President

water and electricity exemption in respect of the office and official residence of the former spouse of a former President…

A clinic under Chief Sai in Gokwe South District, Midlands Province, was destroyed by fire on Wednesday living more than 30 000 families stranded.

Reports suggest that a gas leak from a refrigerator at Sai Clinic triggered the inferno which consumed drugs, medical equipment and property worth thousands of dollars.

The villagers are now forced to walk over 100km to the nearest clinic in the hot and dry district.

The incident was confirmed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi. He said:

Police are investigating a fire incident which occurred at Sai Clinic on 28 October.

It is said the fire broke out in the dispensary and spread to other rooms, destroying various properties including drugs.

No one was injured and the cause of the fire is yet to be established.

Meanwhile, Gokwe Civil Protection Unit head Netsai Mushauri said they have dispatched a team to ascertain what really happened and how they can assist.-ZTN

Press Statement on 02 November 2020

ZIMTA IS A PROFFESIONAL TEACHER TRADE UNION EXISTING TO SERVE TEACHERS

1. The first choice professional trade union for teachers in Zimbabwe, (ZIMTA), takes this opportunity to remind and reassure all professional teachers in Zimbabwe that the necessary groundwork and research needed for teachers to deal decisively with incapacitation is being done. Teachers will continue to be fully represented without fear or favour.
2. ZIMTA and its leadership thanks all of you who have been taking time to engage on issues of incapacitation and everyone who is taking part in the ongoing discussions about NJNC talks and scenarios and the choices available for teachers.
3. We hereby urge all of you professional teachers not to be disturbed by the ongoing side shows being put up by rival teacher unions and individuals who spend loads of precious time on social media discussing imaginary meetings, talks, discussions and situations taking place in ZIMTA. Obviously we as the leading professional teacher association in Zimbabwe do not expect much from these briefcase teachers unions, cum political parties whose main agenda is to drag ZIMTA’s professionalism into the mud.
4. As Bona –Fide members would know, OURS is a professional union, for professional teachers whose main occupation is teaching, not politics or gambling or smear campaigns.
5. Bona Fide Teachers would also be aware that there is absolutely nothing wrong with engaging the government of the day, with a view to explaining our situation and seeking for win –win scenarios rather than dwelling on adversarial campaigns that might not bring teachers out of their incapacitation dilemma.
6. ZIMTA is a legend in the game of trade unionism. Not only do we lead in terms of membership, but our ideas and strategies have kept teacher trade unionism alive for the past 80 years in Zimbabwe. We are still here and still leading.
7. Contrary to what you hear from projects such as Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe(ARTUZ) with an estimated 100 teachers in their data-base and PTUZ which has about 15 percent of TOTAL ZIMTA’s membership, ZIMTA is officially the leading trade union of choice, professionally delivering on teachers’ needs and welfare issues and practical labour matters.
8. We are aware of the all the hate speech campaigns, lies and misrepresentations about ZIMTA ‘s engagement with the State President, But we are not moved or irked by ARTUZ and Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ)’s machinations or other much insignificant rivals aspiring to get to the ZIMTA level of professionalism and skill, Contrary to their actions , ours is to encourage them to join us , so that we may capacitate them and work with them for the benefit of the Teachers, whom they purport to represent.
9. Finally, WE CALL on Teachers to remain FOCUSED, remain CALM. WE are here to Represent YOU.
10. ZIMTA is the Teachers, the Teachers are ZIMTA.

Solidarity Forever! ……ALUTA Continua………ZIMTA FOR LIFE

Paul Nyathi

The country’s toll fees on major highways are set to go up by at least three hundred percent within the next few days, ZimEye.com can reveal.

A draft Statutory Instrument with the proposed new tariffs was made available to ZimEye.com by highly trusted sources within the Transport Ministry.

According to the document, light motor vehicles will pay $120 up from $45.

Below is the draft Statutory instrument:

State Media

The High Court will this week hear an application by Justice Erica Ndewere, who is seeking to block the setting up of a tribunal to look into her judicial conduct, pending the determination of the legality of the process adopted.

Justice Davison Foroma moved the hearing to Wednesday to allow President Mnangagwa and Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi to file their responses to the application today (Monday) before the parties’ counsel make oral arguments in chambers.

Law officers from the Attorney-General’s Civil Division sought the postponement for them to file opposing papers on behalf of President Mnangagwa and Minister Ziyambi.

Before granting the postponement, Justice Foroma requested that parties file heads of argument. He directed the Civil Division to file opposing papers by Monday and ordered that Justice Ndewere file her heads of argument by morning on Tuesday and all the respondents by 3pm on the same day.

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

She is facing charges of conduct inconsistent with a judicial officer.

In her urgent application, Justice Ndewere claimed the misconduct allegations leveled against her were victimisation for refusing to comply with “unlawful orders”.

It is Justice Ndewere’s contention that Chief Justice Malaba brought about disciplinary proceedings against her without complying with the provisions of the Judicial Services Code of Ethics Regulations as read together with the Constitution.

She accused the JSC of prematurely advising the President to set up a tribunal to investigate her without first setting up a disciplinary committee comprising of three judges as per the standard disciplinary procedure for judges.

This, she argued, infringes upon her right to administrative justice, equality before the law and right not to be treated in an unfairly discriminatory manner.

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

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

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

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance vice-chairman and spokesperson of the 31st of July Movement, Job Sikhala has dismissed claims that he considered joining the MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe.

Responding to a request for his comments on allegations made recently by MDC-T national spokesperson Khalipani Phugeni that he has warmed up to joining the judicially created party, Sikhala said:

If you are following what Khalipani Phugeni (MDC-T national spokesperson) said, then you are failing to read his intentions. He was setting me up for recall by claiming an individual in a struggle. Plus, I really don’t know that man. He thinks I care about being recalled. The power is theirs. They are free to use it as and when they want.

Our people look forward to some of us to continue driving the fight against Mnangagwa and his dictatorship, not these sideshows. I think it’s taking me and the people of Zimbabwe for granted. I am not a hater. I smile to everyone, but don’t spite my smile with false claims as it is in my nature.

I remain the vice-chairman of the MDC Alliance and the spokesperson of the broad citizens’ movement, the 31st of July Movement. What I despise is the Zanu PF regime and everything related to it.

I witnessed several splits in the MDC over years. They are no longer interesting adventures for me because they never advanced the goals of our liberation.

Our energy is expended on petty fights and in the same vein, destroys the foundation of our liberty and freedom.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Three hundred and sixty-six (366) Zimbabweans returning from South Africa are said to be stranded at the Beitbridge Border post after the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) refused to handle them.

The Herald reports that the returnees had already been cleared for re-entry by the Department of Immigration. An unnamed official told the publication that clearance by the immigration department had been completed around 10 pm local time.

The official said:

By 10am, they had all completed immigration formalities and the delays are only at Zimra where they were told that the customs officials were not clearing travellers in buses as yet.

The report was corroborated by one of the returnees only identified as Mai Panashe of Harare who said they were having challenges with Zimra officials.

She said:

We arrived here in the morning and were cleared by the immigration officers. Now our challenge is with Zimra who are saying we should return to South Africa since they are not processing arrivals in buses. This is very unfair. How can they deny us entry into our own country?

Zimbabweans from neighbouring South Afric are returning home after the government indicated last month that Zimbabwean citizens may now return from South Africa via Beitbridge without having to seek authorisation from the Zimbabwean embassy or the South African government.

Borders were closed in March following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.-statemedia

Paul Nyathi

Reports coming through indicate that a Fawcett Security Cash In Transit vehicle was on Monday morning robbed of an indisclosed amount of cash at a CBZ Bank in Bulawayo.

According to the reports, the heavily armed robbers first carjacked a Mercedes Benz in Selbourne Park and used the vehicle to execute the robbery.

The Fawcett armoured vehicled was intercepted inside a sanity lane behind the bank where the cash was meant to be brought through into the bank.

According to the report, he Fawcett guards were outnumbered and outgunned by the thugs who drove away from the scene in the Security Vehicle which they later ransacked and dumped in Ilanda suburb some kilometres away from the bank.

The gang hijacked a pick-up truck after cleaning the Fawcett van and disappeared.

Police are yet to make a statement on the issue.

Cash In Transit robberies are not a common issue in Zimbabwe but a very common occurrence across the border in South Africa.

By A Correspondent- Former MDC legislator for Masvingo Central Tongai Matutu has rejoined the ruling Zanu PF saying the opposition party “in its various forms” has lost direction.

President Mnangagwa said he felt elated in welcoming back “home” Cde Matutu.

He said more people were expected to follow suit as they were fed up by the loss of direction within the MDCs.

The former Youth and Indigenisation deputy Minister and MDC member in 2019 failed to secure a single nomination for the MDC’s Masvingo chairperson post.

He is among MDC members who left the party to form the People’s Democratic Party, then led by Tendai Biti.

Matutu’s departure from MDC comes when the main opposition in the country is arguably at its weakest point due to the leadership crisis that manifested during the last days of its late leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

-statemedia

263chat

MDC-T secretary general, Douglas Mwonzora has urged a rival faction led by Advocate Nelson Chamisa to stop taking advantage and exploiting unemployed youths from high density suburbs to engage in acts of violence.

According to Mwonzora, youths aligned to Chamisa attempted to break into Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House on Sunday evening with their efforts thwarted by an alert MDC-T security team.

Addressing journalists at the party headquarters Monday afternoon, Mwonzora implored the MDC Alliance to engage youths from Borrowdale and other affluent suburbs.

“We are saddened that the MDC Alliance on the orders of G40 are exploiting the desperation of the youths to force them to commit act of violence, lawlessness and anarchy in return of ridiculously low sums of money and cheap labor.

“We urge all the youth to resist all these unlawful engagements. Most of these youths are taken from Mbare, Mufakose and Highfields, we challenge those who are using these youths to engage youths from Borrowdale, Mt Pleasant, Glen Lorne and other suburbs,” said Mwonzora.

He said the MDC-T will not sit back to acts of violence but will use lawful means to thwart any violent conduct from their rivals.

“We are not going to bend down or give in to anarchy, lawlessness and violence from whichever quarter. We will resist the same by all lawful means. Those who want to engage us in violence are trying to engage us in a race to the bottom. We decline that invitation.

“The reason why these acts are being perpetrated is to try and disturb our Extra Ordinary Congress preparations. We are happy to announce that our preparations are at an advanced stage.” he said.

Contacted for comment MDC Alliance deputy national spokesperson Clifford Hlatshwayo dismissed Mwonzora’s allegations saying the Alliance does not have anything to do with what is happening at Harvest House.

“MDC-A has nothing to do with what is happening at MRT House. Mwonzora came in the middle of the night with armed soldiers and took over MDC-A headquarters MRT house and handed it to ZANU PF. MDC A has not set its foot at MRT house.

“We heard Mwonzora and crew looted computers, printers, office furniture, and heavy duty equipment worth thousands of US dollars. We heard they were cooking using firewood and brew beer in MRT house.

“The People of Zimbabwe must not worst their time to listen to a liar who is working with darkness ZANU PF. Let him do what he is doing with Zanu PF, very soon he will cry. His madness will be stopped. He is a kind of a person who loves money and power. But it will backfire very soon. MDC-A has nothing to do with what is happening and happened recently at MRT house.” Hlatshwayo said.

The MDC-T is due to hold its Extra Ordinary Congress during the second week of December.

Paul Nyathi

MDC Alliance lawyers on Monday failed to appear in the Supreme Court today for the much awaited hearing of a challenge of the ruling by High Court judge Justice Chitapi that MDC Alliance is not a legal persona.

“Their absence forced the Supreme Court of Appeal to struck the case which means that the earlier judgement remains.

The High Court Judge had ruled that the MDC-Alliance does not legally exist as a legal person who can sue in court.

The High Court said the only evidence brought before the court showed that MDC-A was an alliance of other political parties.

Although it had been given the status of a political party under the Electoral Act, this did not make it a legal person able to sue and be sued, in the absence of other requirements such as a decision to be a legally incorporated voluntary organisation or another type of body corporate.

The appeal today was supposed to be heard by the Deputy Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza, sitting with Justice Tendai Uchena and Justice Samuel Kudya.

Own Correspondent

Former MDC T legislator for Masvingo CentralTongai Matutu who all but joined ZANU PF before the 2018 elections when he was disqualified from contesting party internal elections because of his continued disregard of the party policies today unveiled himself as a ZANU PF member to ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House.

The former legislator was disqualified from contesting the MDC Alliance Masvingo chairmanship on the grounds that he once quit the party then led by late ex-Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai before he re-joined after heeding the MDC founding leader’s call for renegade members to return before his death.

Mr Matutu dumped Tsvangirai’s party and teamed up with Mr Tendai Biti and others to form the People’s Democratic Party.

He rejoined the party before the 2018 harmonised elections and according to his party’s constitution he was barred from holding office for five years for his misdemeanor.

In a rare occurance where an ordinary member joining ZANU PF does so at State House, Matutu told Mnangagwa that he was crossing over to Zanu PF saying the opposition party “in its various forms” has lost direction as it is now wasting precious time bickering among themselves.

Mnangagwa welcomed him together with his two Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi at State House in Harare on Monday afternoon.

President Mnangagwa said he felt elated in welcoming back “home” Matutu.

Briefing journalists, Matutu said he was not joining Zanu PF because he was desperate but he was guided by his conscience and was convinced that his decision was the best choice not only for him but for the nation.

He said more people were expected to follow suit as they were fed up by the loss of direction within the MDCs.

Farai Dziva|President Nelson Chamisa has denounced the persecution of church leaders by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.

President Chamisa said the church should be allowed to play a leading role in praying for the nation without fear of being victimized.

President Chamisa made the remarks at the funeral service for the late MDC Alliance National Executive member, Hon Fani Chirisa at the St Peter’s Anglican Church in Mabelreign, Harare on Sunday.

He described Hon Chirisa as a great unifier.

“We have lost a great unifier and dedicated party cadre. We will remember her noble deeds forever,” said President Chamisa.

“Let me take this opportunity to encourage church leaders to pray for the nation.Church leaders should not be persecuted for doing their work – that is unacceptable.Let the church leaders play a leading role in praying for politicians and the nation,” added President Chamisa.

• READER COMMENT REVIEW

By Dorrothy Moyo | In 2017, he was daily tormented by the First Lady leading to his humiliating ouster from government, this time it is a different kind of attack. The former energy minister, Fortune Chasi, who was dramatically removed from the contentious job this year (the second time in 2 years) has written complaining alleging that he has had scary owls sent after him to torment him.

Chasi made the claim in a tweet on Monday apparently pleading with the senders saying “what have I done to get at least 4 owls singing in a choir a few metres from my window?”

In Shona mythology, an owl is a sign of a very bad thing about to happen. The albeit beutiful creature is used by mysticists to associate it with witchcraft and bad luck. Since the days of the fake Nehanda Nyakasikana, the 1890s days witchdoctor, there has never been any proof that the majestic creature has got any spiritual power or association thereof.

Chasi’s possible joke was met with responses from religious people who suggested that he must consider repenting and he will be forgiven.

“Try to be right with God and Declare the all powerful Blood of Jesus Christ. Do not be afraid for no evil can stand when you call on the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen!,” wrote the United democratic Alliance leader Daniel Shumba.

Below were some of the interactions Monday morning.

By Claire Nyamubarwa| The battle for Zanu PF  District Coordinating Committee(DCC) chairmanship for Mazowe turned  bloody over the weekend when one member of a rival group was severely assaulted.

The assaulted youth leader Paul Kasvosve has since reported the case which is yet to be tried at the courts but indications are that it will appear today(Monday).

According to reports, a group allegedly working under the instruction of Kazembe Kazembe who is rooting for John Mudzonga ,besieged a joint in Concession assaulting members  of a rival group which left Kasvosve badly injured with a broken upper lip and broken teeth.

There are allegations that the   youths brazenly told police officers who were investigating the case that they were untouchable as they were taking orders from their boss (Minister of Home Affairs, Kazembe Kazembe)

The case which had suspiciously took time to be   tried is set to appear this Monday (today).

“There are worries that the violent incident happened some weeks ago but the police was dragging its feet pointing to suspected interference from the Minister,” claimed one informant who requested anonymity.

It is alleged that Kazembe has vowed that John Mudzonga who is the Mazowe Rural District Council Chairman will be the next Mazowe DCC Chairperson at whatever cost.

Efforts to get a comment from Minister Kazembe were unsuccessful.

Interestingly Kazembe was quoted in a local daily saying there will be a bloodbath if anyone dare challenge his position as Mashonaland Central chairman. His preferred candidate John Mudzonga is his campaign manager.