By A Correspondent- A man from West Nicholson will rue the day he fell in love with a minor as he will spend the next 9 months of his life behind bars for bedding the girl.
24-year-old Melusi Tshuma of Atherstone in West Nicholson stood before Gwanda magistrate, Miss Lerato charged with statutory ra_pe and he was convicted of his own guilty plea to having se_xual intercourse with a minor.
The state-led by Miss Ethel Mahachi said:
Sometime in April Tshuma proposed love to the complainant who turned down his love proposal. Tshuma persisted up until the complainant accepted his love proposal in the month of May. Tshuma and the complainant started having se_x in the month of June up to August 20 at his home or at the complainant’s home when her parents were not around.
Their relationship came to light when a neighbour became suspicious after realising that Tshuma would spend the night at the complainant’s home while her parents were not around and she informed the complainant’s mother of her suspicions.
The complainant’s mother questioned her daughter on her association with Tshuma until she revealed that they were lovers and had been sleeping together. The matter was reported to the police resulting in Tshuma’s arrest.-statemedia
Patrick Chinamasa addressing the press conference.
Zanu PF acting spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa has all but ordered Local Government minister July Moyo to meddle in the affairs of Chitungwiza Town Council and reinstate the suspended Town Clerk.
Speaking at a ZANU PF press conference on Saturday, Chinamasa said the ruling party wants Moyo to reinstate Zanu PF member George Makunde as town clerk simply because he is ZANU PF.
“Zanu PF is demanding the reinstatement of the town clerk, George Makunde, who was removed by the MDC mayor to facilitate their corrupt activities,” he said.
“Zanu PF considers the suspension of the town clerk to be null and void.
“The appointment of the disciplinary board and the prosecutor was done without following laid-down procedures.
“Zanu PF is demanding that the acting clerk, the director of works and director of housing be suspended forthwith pending finalisation of their cases where they are being accused of abuse of office and corruption.
“Zanu PF is calling on the minister of Local Government July Moyo to exercise his powers and rescind all Chitungwiza Town Council resolutions passed by the MDC-led council to embed systemic corruption within council affairs.”
Makunde was suspended in December last year after he was allegedly implicated in the illegal selling of commercial stands.
By Wilbert Mukori- Democracy is the greatest gift the Greeks gave to mankind. “Government of the people, by the people, for the people,” as US President Abraham Lincoln defined democracy in his famous Gettysburg speech in 1863.
The Greeks realised, all those 2 500 years ago, that democracy will only work if the people are educated and are allowed to think for themselves freely. They embraced freedom of expression so whole heartedly they named their battle ships Freedom and Freedom of Expression.
Democracy has failed to take root in Zimbabwe for many reasons, one of which is that those brandishing the banner of democracy and claiming to champion it cause have been undermining democracy. Instead of educating the populous they have misinformed and confused them.
“This time last year, Excelgate was about to be published, in the expectation, inter alia, that the MDC Alliance, in particular, would capitalise on the revelations therein, to both fuel their legal challenge against the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the disputed 2018 presidential election; and mount a concerted political campaign that would include the exposure to the Zimbabwean population in general and, in particular, the millions whose votes were stolen of an electoral system so rotten that it has reduced elections in Zimbabwe to a mockery of democracy,” wrote Dr Ibbo Mandaza.
“Such a legal and political campaign might have at least contained or even pre-empted the impunity with which the Zanu-PF/State has now staged the most blatant assault on the electorate, the voter and democracy itself. Namely, the recall of democratically elected parliamentarians, to be replaced undemocratically, illegally and unconstitutionally by appointment to Parliament of persons who had performed dismally in the 2018 elections. Add to that the cynical act of declaring a loser as the “Leader of the Opposition” in Parliament. The Khupe Coup! A tragicomedy that includes the summary cancellation of by-elections in which the voters hoped, albeit naively given the history of elections in Zimbabwe, to re-affirm the choice they had made in 2018, and thereby have their recalled legislators returned to Parliament in December 2020.”
What a mouthful! Spit it out and thoroughly rinse your mouth because it is worse than nonsense.
I confess that I have not read Excelgate but from the extracts and synopsis it is clear the book deals with the irregularities in the counting of the votes in the July 2018 elections, the compilation of the results in the V11 at Polling Station, V23A and B at counting centres and the Excel Spreed sheet at ZEC command centre.
Excelgate did not mention at 3 million Zimbabweans in the diaspora were denied the vote (more than 2.3 million votes Mnangagwa claimed to win), ZEC had failed to produce something as basic as a verified voters’ roll, etc., etc.
The July 2018 elections were a mockery of democracy because it denied millions of voters their right to vote, failed to produce a verified voters’ roll, etc. Even is the counting of the votes had gone ahead without a single mistake, deliberate or otherwise, the elections would still be condemned.
The July 2018 elections should have never gone ahead without first implementing the democratic reforms to ensure all those eligible to vote are given the opportunity to do so, ZEC produces a verified voters’ roll, etc.
The truth is Dr Ibbo Mandaza does not know what constitutes free, fair and credible elections. So is given to condemning an election process today and praising the same process to the high heaven tomorrow depending on result, who is the winner, and not the process.
When Tendai Biti and a few others broke away from MDC in 2014, Morgan Tsvangirai recalled the lot. Dr Khupe has used the same constitutional provision to recall MPs and councillors and we are now told this “undemocratic, illegal and unconstitutional”. Was the recall democratic, legal and constitutional in 2014?
“A tragicomedy that includes the summary cancellation of by-elections!” The real tragedy, and it is no laughing matter, is the voters are being encourage to believe the cancelled by-elections was an attack on democracy when there is no democracy.
Zanu PF blatantly rigged the July 2018 elections to secure a 2/3 parliamentary majority and the presidency. The party has allowed the opposition to win a few gravy train seats, bait to entice them to participate in the elections regardless how flawed and illegal the process got.
All opposition candidates, including those from Khupe’s faction, Chamisa factions and the multitude of other parties and independent candidates, who participated in the July 2018 elections are sell-outs. They knew, by participating, they were undermining the fight for free, fair and credible elections.
Mnangagwa and Zanu PF know as long as they are able to attract the opposition to participate in the flawed elections they will derive some legitimacy and will not need to implement any reforms.
Zanu PF has not implemented even one meaningful democratic reform since the July 2018 election. Mnangagwa promised to allow the 3 million Zimbabweans in the diaspora to vote next time but has done nothing about it. Come 2023, the situation will not have changed much and, mark my words, Zanu PF will blatantly rig those elections.
The December 2020 by-elections will be conducted under exactly the same flawed and illegal conditions as the July 2018 elections. Right on clue, our cheer leaders of democracy are hoping mad that by-elections are being cancelled. No doubt the same cheer leaders and the populous will go berserk if the 2023 elections were to be delayed to allow meaningful reforms to be implemented.
In short, the foolish hysteria in defence of recalled MDC A sell-outs and cancelled by-elections, by the demagogues and ignoramus masquerading as champions of democracy, is helping to perpetuate the Zanu PF dictatorship by portraying the status quo as the epoch of democracy. There should be no elections, national or by-elections, in Zimbabwe until all the reforms are implemented to ensure the elections are free, fair and credible.
We must not give up the moral high ground; the demand for free, fair and credible elections; for the sake of fighting the by-election skirmish. The 2023 elections, the decisive battle, must be free, fair and credible or else be declared null and void and to be absolutely certain of that we must have and held the moral high ground at all times
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government is set to improve the perks for the leader of the opposition after MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe ascended to the position through the back door.
Khupe was sworn last week into Parliament alongside 14 other MDC-T officials as a direct replacement of MDC Alliance proportional representation legislators that she recalled under controversial circumstances.
She immediately took over as the official leader of the opposition, a position that was
previously held by MDC Alliance’s Tabitha Khumalo.
MDC-T officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said Mnangagwa was determined to formalise his proposal to create the office of the leader of the opposition, which he first made in 2018.
Mnangagwa dangled the carrot to MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa, who had rejected the outcome of the presidential election, which he argued was rigged.
Chamisa rejected the offer and Khupe is said to be now prepared to assume the position snubbed by her bitter rival.
Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba was not taking calls and did not respond to questions on his WhatsApp number yesterday.
Charamba, however, tweeted: “Leader of the opposition portfolio comes with perks.”
Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi was not picking calls and Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa referred questions to Parliament.
Kennedy Chokuda, the clerk of Parliament, said he could not comment on the alleged plans to strengthen the position.
“Ask the politicians,” Chokuda said.
“The position of leader of the opposition in the House has always been recognised, from way back, you recall Gibson Sibanda.
“The post is there in Parliament and the leader of the opposition is consulted when business is done.”
At the moment, the leader of the House is recognised under standing orders and rules of Parliament.
The leader of the House ordinarily gets a Parliament residence and car. Khupe herself stayed in a Parliament residence in Harare’s Mt Pleasant suburb when she was leader of the House under the leadership of the late MDC founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
She also reportedly got two cars from Parliament, one as a constituency MP and the other for her post as leader of the opposition.
Khupe’s spokesperson Khalipani Phugeni said he was not aware of the proposals to bump up Khupe’s perks and enhance her status.
“I am not aware of that, what I know is, she will simply take over from Tabitha Khumalo,” Phugeni said.
Khupe’s associates, however, said she has been promised an office in Parliament and perks that will include pension because she will occupy a ‘constitutional’ office.
The move is allegedly meant to create an impression in the international community that Mnangagwa is tolerant of opposition parties.
Mnangagwa in 2018, during interviews with United States television networks on the sidelines of the United Nations general assembly, said he planned to give Chamisa certain perks as leader of the opposition.
The gesture was seen as an attempt to end the dispute that ensued after the July elections where the MDC Alliance accused the Zanu PF leader of rigging the elections.
Chamisa declined the offer saying he was voted to go to State House, not Parliament.
At the time Ziyambi said the constitution could be amended to allow Chamisa into Parliament since he was not an elected MP.
Charamba said then that the office was going to be created as Mnangagwa’s capacity building measures.
Khupe and Mnangagwa are alleged to be working together to destroy Chamisa, an accusation they both deny.
They are allegedly plotting to have all Chamisa MPs recalled, a development to allow Zanu PF to amend the constitution to raise the presidential running age limit to 50 to block the MDC leader, who is in his 40s.
A 24-YEAR-OLD West Nicholson man has been jailed nine months for having sexual intercourse with his 15-year-old girlfriend.
Melusi Tshuma of Artherstone area in West Nicholson was convicted on his own plea of guilty to having sexual intercourse with a young person by Gwanda magistrate, Miss Lerato Nyathi.
He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and three months were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
Prosecuting, Miss Ethel Mahachi said Tshuma had sexual intercourse with the complainant who cannot be named for ethical reasons.
Tshuma had sex with the girl from June to August 20 this year. The matter came to light after a neighbour became suspicious and informed the complainant’s mother.
The man sometimes slept with the girl at her home when her parents were away.
“Sometime in April Tshuma proposed love to the complainant who turned down his love proposal. Tshuma persisted up until the complainant accepted his love proposal in the month of May. Tshuma and the complainant started having sex in the month of Jun up to August 20 at his home or at the complainant’s home when her parents were not around,” she said.
“Their relationship came to light when a neighbour became suspicious after realising that Tshuma would spend the night at the complainant’s home while her parents were not around and she informed the complainant’s mother of her suspicions.”
Miss Mahachi said the complainant’s mother questioned her daughter on her association with Tshuma until she revealed that they were lovers and had been sleeping together. The matter was reported to the police resulting in Tshuma’s arrest.
In his Malachi said he did not know that the complainant was below 16 years of age and added that she had consented to the sexual activities.
Blessing Chebundo the MDC Alliance National Executive Member popular for defeating President Emmerson in two elections in a row has dismally lost the party’s primary elections for Kwekwe Central.
MDC alliance deputy national youth assembly treasurer Judith Tobaiwa won the race with a landslide victory after polling 1 328 votes with Chebundo coming a distant second with 496 votes.
Chebundo defeated Mnangagwa in the 2000 and 2005 elections until ZANU PF moved the now state President to contest in the Chirumhanzi Zivagwe constituency where he won the election.
The Kwekwe constituency seat fell vacant after the death of National Patriotic Front MP Masango Matambanadzo in June this year.
Former Health Minister in the inclusive government also lost as he managed a paltry 43 votes, while Edmore Marongwe got 22 votes.
Last week ZANU PF failed to hold its own primary elections after heavy violence broke out among its members.
By Simba Chikanza | I’ve just received a message from Him Job Sikhala that he is not feeling well. This is certainly not what we want to hear at a time like this. I have been calling him numerous times but can’t get through.
A cluster of civil society organisations (CSOs) has pressured goverment to reverse VicePresident Constantino Chiwenga’s suspension of by-elections due to the Covid-19 scourge.
Chiwenga doubles up as Health and Child Care Minister. He issued his directive after the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) hinted that the polls would be held on December 5.
In a joint statement on Saturday, the CSOs working on democracy and human rights said the suspension of the polls was undemocratic.
“The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is constitutionally charged to be an independent institution supporting democracy, accordingly, in our view, the Ministry of Health and Child Care has overreached and has unduly limited fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the constitution,” reads the statement.
“We believe that the suspension of by-elections should have been a result of transparent multi-stakeholder consultations inclusive of voices from citizens, parliament, political parties, the academia, civil society, the private sector, trade unions, youths and persons with disabilities to ensure the fostering of trust in electoral processes so as not to further curtail the upholding of democracy in Zimbabwe.”
The organisations said countries such as Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, Guinea, Cameroon, Mali, Benin, Burundi and Ghana had successfully conducted electoral processes during the Covid-19 era without any major incidents.
“Zimbabwe, whose Covid-19 case-load is not in any way unique on the African continent, proceeds to ban by-elections indefinitely, which appears not to be driven by any Covid-19 science,” they added,
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care has provided guidance on the resumption of a wide array of socio-economic processes and activities, including but not limited to, the reopening of land and air borders, the resumption of the education sector, the expansion of food markets, and the extension of retailers and industry operating hours.
“The blanket ban of by-elections accordingly appears to be a unique limitation on electoral activities.
“Citizens should be allowed to express themselves politically, without restraint or compulsion, from anyone or any political party.
“Political participation is one of the cornerstones of a constitutional democracy and which facilitates discussion on politics, running for office and electing candidates of one’s choice into political positions in Parliament or the presidium,” they said.
Parliament notes with apprehension the article in the Newsday of Thursday 8th of October 2020, which alleges that Parliament ignored a Court Order.
Nothing could be further from the truth. The fact of the matter is that when the Members were sworn in, at 1415 hours and 1430 hours in the National Assembly and Senate respectively, there was no Court Order that barred Parliament from executing its constitutional mandate. Parliament of Zimbabwe respects the rule of law and the Courts. As such, Parliament has never gone against a Court Order.
It is critical to note that the Constitution of Zimbabwe being the supreme law of the land imposes certain obligations on institutions of the State and on holders of specific offices.
Parliament is obliged, once it receives a notice from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to action the notification and administer the oath of office in terms of section 128 of the Constitution. It is imperative to bear in mind that this is a constitutional obligation that can only be barred by a Court Order.
The filed Court application mentioned in the article could not stop a constitutional process in the absence of a valid Court Order.
The matter is now subjudice as it is before a Judge of the High Court and hence does not invite further comments from Parliament save to say Parliament acted in terms of the law. Parliament urges reporters to check their facts before they rush to print.
Parliament has always maintained an open-door policy in its interactions with the media and has never refused to respond to issues raised by Journalists.
Nigeria’s police chief has announced the dissolution of a notorious anti-robbery unit following days of widespread protests against police brutality.
The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has long been accused of harassment, unlawful arrests, torture and even murders. Thousands of people marched across the country this week to demand it be disbanded, while #EndSARS trended online in Nigeria for several days.
Former Zimbabwe government minister Professor Jonathan Moyo was the first to alert of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s own similar state security group called Ferret. Moyo said the unit is involved in the abduction of citizens in Zimbabwe. The Ferret team is made up of officials from the country’s security agents.
In a statement on Sunday, Muhammed Adamu, inspector general of police, said the unit had been abolished “with immediate effect”, a move that was “in response to the yearnings of the Nigerian people”.
He added, however, that all SARS officers would be redeployed to other police commands, formations and units, drawing condemnation by some activists online who pledged to keep up their campaign demanding accountability and justice for the victims of police brutality.
Adamu added the Nigerian police force would work with human rights groups and civil society organisations to investigate cases of alleged human rights violations.
The Nigerian presidency also said in a Twitter post that the police unit, which was founded in 1992 in a bid to combat robbery, would be disbanded immediately.
The latest demonstrations calling for the dissolution of SARS erupted after a video circulated last week alleging to show members of the unit shooting dead a man in the southern Delta state.
In June, a report by Amnesty International listed what it alleged were 82 cases of torture, ill treatment and extra-judicial execution by the SARS between January 2017 and May 2020.
The abuses were carried out under the supervision of high-ranking officers, it said.
It accused the squad of the “systematic use of torture” and alleged the existence of torture chambers within the Nigerian Police Force.
Mamelodi Sundowns have announced three signings to add to the ten players who have already arrived at the club ahead of the new season.
The South African giants have signed Kermit Erasmus from Cape Town City on a 3-year contract, Grant Margeman from Cape Umoya and Jody February from Ajax Cape Town.
Last week the club announced the capture of the BidVest Wits trio of Ricardo Goss, Haashim Domingo and Gift Motupa, as well as Aubrey Modiba from SuperSport United.
Other signings are George Maluleka (Kaizer Chiefs), Grant Margeman (Ajax Cape Town), Lesedi Kapinga (Black Leopards), Mothobi Mvala (Highlands Park), Peter Shalulile (Highlands Park) and Luvuyo Phewa (Real Kings), Nyiko Mobbie (Stellenbosch).-Soccer 24
In the video of married man caught red handed marrying another woman, pure nyanja is heard, suggesting that the incident happened somewhere between Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe (very unlikely). DO YOU KNOW THE EXACT PLACE WHERE THIS EMBARRASSING SCENE OCCURRED? pic.twitter.com/V4gwQiu6it
Rtr Lt Englebert Rugeje former ZANU PF political commissar
By A Correspondent | There was an attempt to assassinate the most powerful post coup military politician, only next to the Presidium, the former ZANU PF National Commissar, Gen Engelbert Eugeje has spoken for the first time following a gun attack at his Mt Pleasant house on Sunday morning.
Armed intruders were “repelled” by soldiers and one intruder was shot dead, when they tried to attack his house.
Speaking exclusively to ZimEye Gen Rugeje said, “I wasn’t there.”
He was asked if he knows what happened as well as details of possible injuries, and he said, “get the details from ZRP who attended the scene I wasn’t there.”
He was also asked if he has a clue of who is behind this and what their agenda is, and to this he replied with a long sigh and then said,
“I don’t have a clue when I was not there,”
Asked on his well being, how he feels, Gen Rugeje became non committal with responses.
His phone was hung up soon afterwards.
The development comes as Rugeje, who occupied the party’s most influential position, was rumoured to be next in line for disappearance or a car accident as has happened to many before him.
His immediate predecessor Saviour Kasukuwere fled Zimbabwe after his house was pounced on by skilled snipers.
Since independence 1980, every other political commissar has suffered either an assassination, or a humiliating ouster. The list of victims includes:
Mayor Urimbo,
Maurice Nyagumbo,
Movern Mahachi,
Border Gezi,
Elliot Manyika,
Webster Shamu,
In 2018, Rugeje hinted on a political sabbatical arguing that “people should not be mistaken that jobs are found at ZANU PF HQ”.
Rugeje took over from Saviour Kasukwere who was fired from Zanu Pf in 2017 for being linked to a faction which was coalescing around former first lady Grace Mugabe. The expulsion of the G40 faction resulted in some fissures ahead of the polls with some members of the party forming a new outfit called the National Patriotic Front which was also supported by former president Robert Mugabe.
The former army general was appointed by Mnangagwa at the party’s extra-ordinary congress in Harare before he presided over a chaotic primary election where he received brickbats from senior party members like Christopher Mutsvangwa for causing divisions in the party.
Watch the video loading below…….(please be patient as it uploads)
Marshall Munetsi will miss another game for Stade de Reims due to suspension.
The Zimbabwean midfielder, who didn’t travel for international duty this week, will not take part in the Ligue 1 Round 7 after receiving a third yellow card in a period of ten official matches.
Munetsi was booked in the 2-2 draw at Rennais last weekend while the other yellow card came in Round three of the campaign and the third one was carried forward from last season.
The suspension follows after the player served a red card ban in the game before the trip to Rennais.
Meanwhile, Munetsi has made seven appearances across all competitions in this season thus far.-Soccer 24
In the video of married man caught red handed marrying another woman, pure nyanja is heard, suggesting that the incident happened somewhere between Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe (very unlikely). DO YOU KNOW THE EXACT PLACE WHERE THIS EMBARRASSING SCENE OCCURRED? pic.twitter.com/V4gwQiu6it
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has implored Zimbabweans to remain steadfast in their quest for freedom from tyranny.
President Chamisa made the remarks at the funeral of MDC Alliance MP Hon Anna Myambo in Chitungwiza on Friday.
He took a swipe at Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa for using guns to silence dissenting voices.
Said President Chamisa: Mnangagwa is using guns to suppress the will of the people.Mnangagwa has guns and we have the people.
Don’t be intimidated, Mnangagwa cannot arrest the whole nation.
In Zimbabwe everyone is prison, Mnangagwa himself is in prison.”
He added:”(Thokozani) Khupe is playing with a snake.Wait and see you cannot play with a wild beast one day it will kill.Can you harness a snake’s eggs? It’s too risky – sadly that is what Khupe is doing.
Hon Myambo was a dedicated party cadre.This thing(recall) affected her.”
Zimbabwe held hosts Malawi to a 0-0 draw for an unbeaten start to coach Zvardko Logarusic’s reign as Warriors coach.
The hosts had the best of the chances but the Warriors created a result in difficult circumstances.
In times when there was pretty much no practice for the team, this was a result based on courage for Zimbabwe against a team that had been in camp September.
The Warriors had to change their squad multiple times in order to fulfill this fixture ahead of the matches against Algeria for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches next month.
For coach Zvardko Logarusic this serves as an opportunity to show his skills in the rustic African environment.-3-Mob.com
Joint Teachers Unions’ Statement On Mnangagwa’s Threat Against Striking Teachers
11 October 2020
▪️ Now that we are about to reach the Armageddon of our incapacitation struggle as witnessed by more teachers joining the action and schools being deserted;
▪️ Worried that His Excellency, President E. D. Mnangagwa made remarks threatening teachers on industrial action before seeking engagement and remaining indifferent to the plight of the teachers;
▪️ Observing that the $600 million meant for Covid-19 purposes did not filter into the schools as evidenced by acute shortage of PPEs and other Covid-19 abatement items in most of the schools;
▪️ Aware that Government is still acting in denial about the situation in our schools as evidenced by their threats to fire teachers or cease their salaries and pretending that the school system is functioning normally;
▪️ Shocked by some acts of ‘benevolence’ in the form of food handouts by some misguided elements who want to hijack the teachers’ incapacitation for personal aggrandizement.
Therefore, we, the undersigned teachers’ representatives, do hereby reiterate that:
▪️ No amount of force or threat can capacitate teachers who have all tested positive to poverty. The employer should swallow her pride and do the right thing.
▪️ The nation should know that teachers in all public schools are not at work because the government has failed them and will not succumb to any threats. Where there are incidents of teaching taking place, it is just cosmetic.
▪️ Teachers are not for charity but professionals who are only crying for dignified treatment, reasonable salaries and befitting conditions of service.
▪️ It is only through meaningful engagement, improved salaries, eradication of discrimination among government workers, assurance of health and safety of teachers and pupils during this Covid-19 period, and harmonisation of labour laws that teachers’ return to schools can be guaranteed. Once government brings a meaningful offer, teachers are ready to report for duty thereafter.
▪️ We, as teachers, want a separate collective bargaining board where we can then articulate the education specific issues unlike the current scenario where the education sector is bundled up with everyone else.
▪️ Teachers should remain resolute and focused on our demands. All pusillanimous tendencies should be a thing of the past going forward. Teachers should encourage those who are still reporting for duty to join others in showing government that we deserve better.
▪️ Teachers are not against parents and students. In actual fact, what teachers are simply saying is that it is very dangerous to entrust the future on learners in the hands of a frustrated, poorly remunerated and stressed teachers. Once the impasse is resolved, teachers will do everything possible to help their learners.
▪️ President E. D. Mnangagwa should not ignore the plight of teachers. We don’t want to believe that he would want to be remembered for destroying the education system of this country.
Snake bites are common during the rainy season and people mostly affected or at risk are rural agriculture workers, hunters, herders, fisherman and people in poorly constructed houses. Most snakes in Zimbabwe are not poisonous but however when one gets a snake bite they should seek medical attention immediately.
First aid when one gets a snake bite:
Reassure the person bitten by the snake
Wash the area bitten with water to remove residual venom
Avoid excitement and exertion which accelerate circulation time and rapidly propel venom throughout the body
Splint limb and minimise movement
Urgently seek medical attention NB: Use of tourniquet (to tie limb proximal to bitten area) is not recommended by people without medical expertise as it may lead to gangrene leading to limb amputation.
THE MDC ALLIANCE ASSEMBLY OF WOMEN CELEBRATES THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL CHILD
Today the 11th of October, we join hands with our girls in celebrating the International Day of the Girl Child under the theme “My voice, our equal future” It is on this day when girls are helped to realise their dreams by supporting them and listening to them.
Today we mourn the collapse of the education sector in Zimbabwe where teachers are on strike and our children are not going to school. We all know that education is the key to success and as mothers and leaders in the society we can only help our girls realise their dreams by giving them their right to education. How then can this be possible when schools are not open? The pictures and audios that are going viral about what the boys and girls are doing in schools alone without teachers is really a cause for concern. We urge the government to fix the incapacitation of our teachers by engaging them and rewarding them a living wage.
This year’s theme focuses on inclusion, gender equality and listening to what the girls want, their dreams and aspirations. There is need to involve girls in all spheres of life and all developmental issues so that we do not experience the gender parities that are being experienced by women at the moment. We can not talk of gender equality without including our girls. It is therefore imperative as AOW to work hand in hand with the girl child so that we achieve gender equality together.
On this International Day of the Girl Child let us all remember that the girls are the new leaders of our time. The future is young and its female.
We wish all our girls in the Youth Assembly, in our homes and the world over a happy International Day of the Girl Child. As MDC Alliance, we shall continue to fight for a people’s government that will recognise and honour the girl child and making them realise their dreams in full.
B Tanyanyiwa Spokesperson – MDC A Assembly of Women
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has implored Zimbabweans to remain steadfast in their quest for freedom from tyranny.
President Chamisa made the remarks at the funeral of MDC Alliance MP Hon Anna Myambo in Chitungwiza on Friday.
He took a swipe at Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa for using guns to silence dissenting voices.
Said President Chamisa: Mnangagwa is using guns to suppress the will of the people.Mnangagwa has guns and we have the people.
Don’t be intimidated, Mnangagwa cannot arrest the whole nation.
In Zimbabwe everyone is prison, Mnangagwa himself is in prison.”
He added:”(Thokozani) Khupe is playing with a snake.Wait and see you cannot play with a wild beast one day it will kill.Can you harness a snake’s eggs? It’s too risky – sadly that is what Khupe is doing.
Hon Myambo was a dedicated party cadre.This thing(recall) affected her.”
Married man jumps out of matrimonial bed to go get married with another woman, wife follows him up and embarrasses him | WHERE DID THIS HAPPEN? pic.twitter.com/odkzPPdpJP
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF through its spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa has demanded the reinstatement of Chitungwiza Town Clerk who is also a member of their party George Makunde who was suspended from the council close to a year ago, The Standard reports.
Chinamasa further demanded that Local Governance Minister July Moyo should exercise his powers and reinstate Mukande when he said:
Zanu PF is demanding the reinstatement of the town clerk, George Makunde, who was removed by the MDC mayor to facilitate their corrupt activities. Zanu PF considers the suspension of the town clerk to be null and void.
The appointment of the disciplinary board and the prosecutor was done without following laid-down procedures.
Zanu PF is demanding that the acting clerk, the director of works and director of housing be suspended forthwith pending finalisation of their cases where they are being accused of abuse of office and corruption.
Zanu PF is calling on the minister of Local Government July Moyo to exercise his powers and rescind all Chitungwiza Town Council resolutions passed by the MDC-led council to embed systemic corruption within council affairs.-standard
Rtr Lt Englebert Rugeje former ZANU PF political commissar
By A Correspondent | The most powerful post coup military politician, only next to the Presidium, former ZANU PF National Commissar, Gen Engelbert Eugeje has spoken for the first time following a gun attack at his Mt Pleasant house on Sunday morning.
Armed intruders were “repelled” by soldiers and one intruder was shot dead, when they tried to attack his house.
Speaking exclusively to ZimEye Gen Rugeje said, “I wasn’t there.”
He was asked if he knows what happened as well as details of possible injuries, and he said, “get the details from ZRP who attended the scene I wasn’t there.”
He was also asked if he has a clue of who is behind this and what their agenda is, and to this he replied with a long sigh and then said,
“I don’t have a clue when I was not there,”
Asked on his well being, how he feels, Gen Rugeje became non committal with responses.
His phone was hung up soon afterwards.
The development comes as Rugeje, who occupied the party’s most influential position, was rumoured to be next in line for disappearance or a car accident as has happened to many before him.
His immediate predecessor Saviour Kasukuwere fled Zimbabwe after his house was pounced on by skilled snipers.
Since independence 1980, every other political commissar has suffered either an assassination, or a humiliating ouster. The list of victims includes:
Mayor Urimbo,
Maurice Nyagumbo,
Movern Mahachi,
Border Gezi,
Elliot Manyika,
Webster Shamu,
In 2018, Rugeje hinted on a political sabbatical arguing that “people should not be mistaken that jobs are found at ZANU PF HQ”.
Rugeje took over from Saviour Kasukwere who was fired from Zanu Pf in 2017 for being linked to a faction which was coalescing around former first lady Grace Mugabe. The expulsion of the G40 faction resulted in some fissures ahead of the polls with some members of the party forming a new outfit called the National Patriotic Front which was also supported by former president Robert Mugabe.
The former army general was appointed by Mnangagwa at the party’s extra-ordinary congress in Harare before he presided over a chaotic primary election where he received brickbats from senior party members like Christopher Mutsvangwa for causing divisions in the party.
Watch the video loading below…….(please be patient as it uploads)
Thi’s time last year, Excelgate was about to be published, in the ex-pectation, inter alia, that the MDC Alliance, in particular, would capitalise on the revelations therein, to both fuel their legal challenge against the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the disputed 2018 presidential election; and mount a concerted political campaign that would include the exposure to the Zimbabwean population in general and, in particular, the millions whose votes were stolen of an electoral system so rotten that it has reduced elections in Zimbabwe to a mockery of democracy.
Such a legal and political campaign might have at least contained or even pre-empted the impunity with which the Zanu-PF/State has now staged the most blatant assault on the electorate, the voter and democracy itself. Namely, the recall of democratically elected parliamentarians, to be replaced undemocratically, illegally and unconstitutionally by appointment to Parliament of persons who had performed dismally in the 2018 elections. Add to that the cynical act of declaring a loser as the “Leader of the Opposition” in Parliament. The Khupe Coup!
A tragicomedy that includes the summary cancellation of by-elections in which the voters hoped, albeit naively given the history of elections in Zimbabwe, to re-affirm the choice they had made in 2018, and thereby have their recalled legislators returned to Parliament in December 2020.
Could there be a more cynical statement than this, on the deficit of constitutionalism and democracy in Zimbabwe, or that the voter and the vote are of no consequence in a military-securocratic state?
Yes, ExcelGate destroyed forever the idea that the Zanu-PF/State will run a bona fide election; and now they are trying to make sure that there will be no credible opposition, creating a phony one with “safe seats”.
And, indeed, such a strategy on the part of the Zanu-PF/State is inherently self-defeating: it exposes them as an essentially military-securocratic state, driven by the military doctrine and its false and finite strategy, that the only way to contain those millions of your citizens that you have systematically alienated over the decades is simply to batter and brutalise them into submission. Therein lies the empirical evidence that this is indeed the endgame of the Zanu-PF/State, as precedents in history testify.
Besides, an “outlawed” opposition is more dangerous now than a parliamentary one, if also because the latter has tended to lend legitimacy to an anti-democratic system, largely the outcome of disputed elections, as Excelgate demonstrates.
So, is it not ironic that Emmerson Mnangagwa and his Zanu-PF/State have succeeded in placing the MDC Alliance precisely where they should have been, in the face of both the disputed election of 2018 and the recall of MPs in 2020?
Both the revelations (if not confirmation) in Excelgate and the recall of MP’s should have left the MDC Alliance with no option, but to formally withdraw all their legislators. This would thereby expose the sham that the supposedly august House has become in any case, whilst highlighting the legitimacy question associated with both the disputed presidential election of 2018, and the fact of the coup of November 2017 which continues to underscore the reality of a military-securocratic state, with no capacity for conducting free, fair and democratic elections.
But, then, there has always been a problem with an obliging and compliant opposition in contemporary Zimbabwe.
First, the MDC Alliance refused to acknowledge the contradiction between, on the one hand, having to walk out of Parliament each time Mnangagwa addressed the latter as Head of State regarded by the opposition as illegitimate (on the basis of the claim that he lost to Chamisa in the 2018 presidential elections); and, on the other, remaining in the same legislature, until this unceremonious recall of their MPs, to be replaced by surrogates and losers as part of an arrangement no different from the “Internal Settlement” of the Smith-Muzorewa era.
Second, how could the MDC be expected to afford such bold and principled positions when some in their midst greeted the November 2017 coup with glee? Besides, an advocate in the MDC’s legal team represented Mnangagwa and Constantino Chiwenga in the case in which Justice George Chiweshe ruled that there was no coup. It might have been that, like many others in the MDC camp, the advocate was caught in the shortlived euphoria that greeted the coup during those days. But, as history would have it, the same advocate is the one who led the legal team that represented Nelson Chamisa in his application to the Constitutional Court, seeking to set aside the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s declaration that Mnangagwa had won the presidential poll in July 2018. All this tends to detract from the moral authority expected of a strong and consistent opposition party.
Advocates of democracy, constitutionalism and the rule of law, have all the reason to condemn the “Khupe Coup”, and all the shenanigans associated with this assault on the millions of voters who elected their MPs and Chamisa in 2018, only to have them replaced by appointees. But here is also to call the MDC Alliance and indeed all of us who are concerned at the need for the restoration of constitutionalism, rule of law and a genuine and sustainable solution of the crisis in Zimbabwe to demonstrate resolute leadership and an organised programme of action.
Such pious and pastoral-like statements as have emerged in response to the “Khupe Coup” hardly inspire confidence, particularly for the mass of the people out there for whom almost every election over the last two decades has been greeted with the theft of their votes, and violence. On the contrary, it exposes a leadership afraid to lead from the front, not prepared to face the brunt and make the sacrifices necessary (as in the case of the previous generation of nationalist leaders in the period towards national independence), and thereby unable to compel the merchants of violence to the negotiating table.
This is the “agency-ship” to which Tendai Biti made reference during the Sapes Trust Policy Dialogue Forum on “South Africa’s Mediation in Zimbabwe’s Crisis: What should be the outcome?”(October 1, 2020): The region, the continent and, indeed, the international community can only scaffold and support a national process in which opposition forces, civic bodies and the diaspora are coordinated and united in a programme of action, and a loud chorus for political and economic reform in Zimbabwe.
—— Ibbo Mandaza is an academic, author and publisher; co-convenor (with Tony Reeler) of the Platform for Concerned Citizens (PCC); and Convenor of the Sapes Trust’s Policy Dialogue Forum. Here, he writes also as the publisher of Sapes Books, the publishers of ExcelGate by Jonathan Moyo; with the announcement of another print-run within the next week or two, and book launches on Zoom, at home in Zimbabwe, in South Africa, the UK and North America.-standard
By Patrick Guramatunhu- I am very disappoint to note that Professor Jonathan Moyo, Mugabe’s former Minister cum principle propagandist and strategist, has not used his forced sabbatical to redeem himself.
He still considers himself and his boss, Zimbabwe’s former Zanu PF dictator, as the centre of every Zimbabwean’s universe. And the November 2017 military as a catastrophe that rob us of that centre and left us lost of direction and purpose.
“Finger-pointing aside, the political paralysis & rot in ZanuPF & the MDCs is a direct result of the 2017 military coup, which overthrew the 2013 Constitution. Failure by Zimbabweans, most who supported the coup, to come to terms with this will push Zim deeper into the dark abyss!” Twittered Professor Moyo, presumably, from fox-hole in exile in Kenya.
There are eight things I would like to say to you, Professor Moyo:
Yes, Zimbabwe is sinking deeper and deeper into the dark abyss but not because Zimbabweans have failed to “come to terms”, whatever that is supposed to mean, with the November 2017 military coup. Zimbabwe has been on this disastrous trajectory ever since the country attain her independence and Mugabe rigged the first elections and imposed a de facto one-party dictatorship at the end of the 1983 to 1987 Gukurahundi massacre. It is Zimbabwe’s failure to hold free, fair and credible elections that is root cause of the country’s demise.
Decades of gross mismanagement and rampant corruption destroyed the country’s economy causing social unrest in society including within Zanu PF itself. The shrinking national cake left Zanu PF leaders fighting amongst themselves like hungry hyena. Mai Mujuru and her supporters were booted out of the party in 2014. The remaining faction divided into the G40 faction led by Grace Mugabe and yourself, Professor, and Lacoste faction led by Mnangagwa. The fighting was fierce and the latter prevailed and hence the reason you are in exile.
The ordinary people had no say in the November 2017 military coup other than wanting the demise one faction as a desirable part in the demise of the dictatorship. To choose between G40 and Lacoste is a false choice; it is comparable to a mouse choosing a black mamba or cobra.
There is talk of the Lacoste faction has already divide fuelled by worsening economic meltdown. There will be no meaningful economic recovery as long as Zimbabwe remains a Banana Republic; a pariah state ruled by corrupt, incompetent, vote rigging and murderous thugs.
The de facto one party dictatorship has stifled all meaningful democratic discourse forcing competent and quality individuals out of politics leaving the space for corrupt and incompetent individuals. There are no quality leaders in Zanu PF and the opposition and little wonder there is political paralysis.
The only time Zimbabwe had the golden opportunity to dismantle the Zanu PF dictatorships was during the 2008 to 2013 GNU. Sadly, Mugabe bribed Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC fiends with the trappings of high office and, with their snouts in the feeding trough, the forgot about the reforms. You, Professor Moyo, accompanied Patrick Chinamasa when he announced that Zanu PF would not postpone the July 2013 elections because it was not the party’s fault that no meaningful reforms were implement. It was Zanu PF’s victory lap!
So Zimbabwe’s march into the abyss has been a relentless starting back in 1980. It is proving very difficult to implement the democratic reforms and dismantle the dictatorship because the dictatorship is deep rooted and also because we are stuck with a corrupt and incompetent opposition.
If Zimbabwe ever get through this hell then the nation must marshal all the Zanu PF leaders and the cronies, wherever they are, and hold them to account for having dragged the nation into this hell-on-earth. The nations owes its to millions who have suffered and died at the hands of these Zanu PF thugs and owe it to themselves to make sure this never ever happen again.
By A Correspondent- Scores of civil society organisations (CSOs) have called on the government to reverse VicePresident Constantino Chiwenga’s indefinite suspension of by-elections imposed to ostensibly prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Chiwenga, who doubles as Health and Child Care minister, said the holding of by-elections to fill parliamentary and local government vacancies created by the mass recall of legislators and councillors by the MDC-T, would remain suspended as long as Covid-19 was a “formidable epidemic”.
He issued the edict after the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) hinted that the polls would be held on December 5.
Chiwenga’s move has raised questions about Zec’s independence as the electoral body seems to be taking instructions from the government.
In a joint statement yesterday, the over a dozen CSOs working on democracy and human rights said the suspension of the polls was undemocratic.
“The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is constitutionally charged to be an independent institution supporting democracy, accordingly, in our view, the Ministry of Health and Child Care has overreached and has unduly limited fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the constitution,” reads part of the statement.
“We believe that the suspension of by-elections should have been a result of transparent multi-stakeholder consultations inclusive of voices from citizens, parliament, political parties, the academia, civil society, the private sector, trade unions, youths and persons with disabilities to ensure the fostering of trust in electoral processes so as not to further curtail the upholding of democracy in Zimbabwe.”
The organisations said countries such as Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, Guinea, Cameroon, Mali, Benin, Burundi and Ghana had successfully conducted electoral processes during the Covid-19 era without any major incidents.
“Zimbabwe, whose Covid-19 case-load is not in any way unique on the African continent, proceeds to ban by-elections indefinitely, which appears not to be driven by any Covid-19 science,” they added,
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care has provided guidance on the resumption of a wide array of socio-economic processes and activities, including but not limited to, the reopening of land and air borders, the resumption of the education sector, the expansion of food markets, and the extension of retailers and industry operating hours.
“The blanket ban of by-elections accordingly appears to be a unique limitation on electoral activities.
“Citizens should be allowed to express themselves politically, without restraint or compulsion, from anyone or any political party.
“Political participation is one of the cornerstones of a constitutional democracy and which facilitates discussion on politics, running for office and electing candidates of one’s choice into political positions in Parliament or the presidium,” they said.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network argued suspending elections could never be an option whatsoever under the circumstances.-standard
Rtr Lt Englebert Rugeje former ZANU PF political commissar
By A Correspondent | The most powerful post coup military politician, only next to the Presidium, former ZANU PF National Commissar, Gen Engelbert Eugeje has spoken for the first time following a gun attack at his Mt Pleasant house on Sunday morning.
Armed intruders were “repelled” by soldiers and one intruder was shot dead, when they tried to attack his house.
Speaking exclusively to ZimEye Gen Rugeje said, “I wasn’t there.”
He was asked if he knows what happened as well as details of possible injuries, and he said, “get the details from ZRP who attended the scene I wasn’t there.”
He was also asked if he has a clue of who is behind this and what their agenda is, and to this he replied with a long sigh and then said,
“I don’t have a clue when I was not there,”
Asked on his well being, how he feels, Gen Rugeje became non committal with responses.
His phone was hung up soon afterwards.
The development comes as Rugeje, who occupied the party’s most influential position, was rumoured to be next in line for disappearance or a car accident as has happened to many before him.
His immediate predecessor Saviour Kasukuwere fled Zimbabwe after his house was pounced on by skilled snipers.
Since independence 1980, every other political commissar has suffered either an assassination, or a humiliating ouster. The list of victims includes:
By A Correspondent- Some MDC-T members have approached the High Court seeking to force the party’s interim leader Thokozani Khupe to release key information about the forthcoming extraordinary congress.
Gilbert Kagodora and Nason Mamuse cited MDC-T, Khupe, interim chairperson Morgen Komichi and acting organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe in the application.
Kagodora and Mamuse went to court after MDC-T interim secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora said MDC Alliance legislators and councillors that were recently recalled by his party would not be allowed to contest for positions at the congress.
The extraordinary congress was ordered by the Supreme Court, which ruled that MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa’s succession of the late MDC founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai was illegal.
Last month the court gave the MDC-T up to the end of next month to hold the congress.
Kagodora and Mamuse said before the congress is held, the party’s various internal organs must be involved.
They said the respondents made an announcement that the party’s national executive committee would meet on October 9, 2020 and the national council would meet on October 11, 2020,
The meetings were to be followed by provincial council meetings to nominate their preferred presidential candidate from October 25, but no notice of such meetings has been issued.
“The details of the venue, time or platform for the meeting have not been advised to applicants, who are entitled to attend such meetings,” they submitted.
“If a proper notice is not issued, and if the details of the meetings are not shared with the applicants, they stand to be excluded from the internal democratic processes of their party in violation of the constitution of the party.
“The dates for the meetings are close. The matter cannot wait.”
They added: “Respondents also announced that they had prepared a database of the electoral college to be used for the extraordinary congress.
“They further stated that all persons, who had been recalled from parliament or councils had lost party membership and were not entitled to attend the extraordinary congress.
“They also stated that all those who were members of the MDC Alliance national standing committee, national executive committee, national council, provincial, ward or branch structures were also not eligible to attend these.
“Given the fluidity between the MDC structures and those of the MDC Alliance, it is difficult to determine eligibility to these processes.”
Kagodora and Mamuse said it was important for the electoral college to be publicly shared to all members to provide clarity on this aspect and avoid arbitrary disenfranchisement of perceived political opponents or inclusion of non-eligible persons in the processes.
They want the court to issue a relief order directing the respondents to furnish them with full details such as date, time, venue, agenda and form of meetings with respect to all meetings in which they are entitled to attend in terms of the constitution of the MDC-T including all meetings of the national council, provincial councils, district councils, ward executive meetings and branch executive meetings.
The duo also asked Bhebhe as the organising secretary to furnish them with copies of the electoral college that will be used for the purposes of the extraordinary congress.
They asked the court to issue an order interdicting the respondents from barring from the extraordinary congress any person who was a bona fide member of the party as at the time the Supreme Court judgement.
Meanwhile, the High Court will tomorrow hear an application by a Kwekwe resident seeking to bar Khupe from carrying out her parliamentary duties.
Khupe and 14 of her associates were sworn in last week to fill in 15 proportional representation seats left vacant after she recalled 32 MDC Alliance MPs and 165 councillors.
Charles Madhiwa filed the court petition a day before the swearing-in ceremony seeking to interdict the parliamentary process.
Khupe immediately declared herself leader of the opposition in the House after the swearing-in.-standard
By A Correspondent- A group of Zanu-PF activists have allegedly invaded a farm in Mvuma owned by a former ruling party activist and started parcelling out land to each other.
Nothiwani Dlodlo, who recently resigned from Zanu-PF and surrendered party cards, said he was being persecuted.
Dlodlo has since petitioned the Agriculture and Lands ministry to eject the invaders who allegedly include a retired army major.
He expressed fears over the downsizing of his farm, subdivision 108 Central Estate.
“My farm is within the government-gazetted maximum farm size of 500 hectares for Midlands province,” Dlodlo said.
“I am perturbed that after the national task force visit to my farm sometime last year, I have not received any formal written communication from the Chirumanzu district development coordinator [Vafias Hlabati].
“To my surprise since then I have witnessed several suspicious visits without appointment by the political leadership from Zanu-PF Chirumanzu led by Mvuma lands office.”
He noted that in their visit, they recently illegally subdivided his farm without any formal communication for such action from the Midlands provincial lands task force team led by Provincial minister Larry Mavima.
Dlodlo said he was later phoned by his neighbour, one Nyandoro, asking him if he was aware that his farm was being subdivided.
“This is not my first time to be victimised over my farm. The first victimisation over my farm, I reported it directly to both President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga (pictured) on April 12, 2018 when I lost eight cattle to Chirumanzu Rural District Council in cahoots with the Chivhu Messenger of Court,” he said.
Dlodlo said the matter, which was later handled by the police, spilled to the courts where the magistrate ruled it as a clear stock theft case.
He said after the first report, Chiwenga was then tasked by Mnangagwa to look into the matter.
In the petition, Dlodlo indicated that some people have multiple farms in Chirumanzu, but they were not being affected by the downsizing programme.
“I am the only Ndebele in the area and the sentiments are: How did this Ndebele man get a farm here?.
“In 2018 I campaigned strongly for President Mnangagwa from Beitbridge to Binga using personal resources, a case which can be verified,” he said.
Dlodlo said all this is even known by the invaders who only want to victimise him for being a Ndebele in the area.
Hlabati said he was not aware of the issue and questioned why Dlodlo did not visit his office if his case was genuine.
“I am not aware of that issue. Why is he not coming to my office to say that some people are invading his farm?
“Many people have done so and I would go to the farm in question accompanied by the police and the messenger of court to ask the settlers as to who gave them the land.
“I chair the district land committee here. I was posted by the president last year in November and since then I have never seen him.
“I don’t even know him. If he has a genuine case, he must come to the office and we hear him.”-standard
Rtr Lt Englebert Rugeje former ZANU PF political commissar
By A Correspondent | The most powerful post coup military politician, only next to the Presidium, former ZANU PF National Commissar, Gen Engelbert Eugeje has spoken for the first time following a gun attack at his Mt Pleasant house on Sunday morning.
Armed intruders were “repelled” by soldiers and one intruder was shot dead, when they tried to attack his house.
Speaking exclusively to ZimEye Gen Rugeje said, “I wasn’t there.”
He was asked if he knows what happened as well as details of possible injuries, and he said, “get the details from ZRP who attended the scene I wasn’t there.”
He was also asked if he has a clue of who is behind this and what their agenda is, and to this he replied with a long sigh and then said,
“I don’t have a clue when I was not there,”
Asked on his well being, how he feels, Gen Rugeje became non committal with responses.
His phone was hung up soon afterwards.
The development comes as Rugeje, who occupied the party’s most influential position, was rumoured to be next in line for disappearance or a car accident as has happened to many before him.
His immediate predecessor Saviour Kasukuwere fled Zimbabwe after his house was pounced on by skilled snipers.
Since independence 1980, every other political commissar has suffered either an assassination, or a humiliating ouster. The list of victims includes:
Mayor Urimbo,
Maurice Nyagumbo,
Movern Mahachi,
Border Gezi,
Elliot Manyika,
Webster Shamu,
In 2018, Rugeje hinted on a political sabbatical arguing that “people should not be mistaken that jobs are found at ZANU PF HQ”.
Rugeje took over from Saviour Kasukwere who was fired from Zanu Pf in 2017 for being linked to a faction which was coalescing around former first lady Grace Mugabe. The expulsion of the G40 faction resulted in some fissures ahead of the polls with some members of the party forming a new outfit called the National Patriotic Front which was also supported by former president Robert Mugabe.
The former army general was appointed by Mnangagwa at the party’s extra-ordinary congress in Harare before he presided over a chaotic primary election where he received brickbats from senior party members like Christopher Mutsvangwa for causing divisions in the party.
Watch the video loading below…….(please be patient as it uploads)
I note with concern my purported suspension by MDC-T Acting President Dr Thokozani Khupe. l need to make it clear that l remain Harare Province Youth Chairperson on the following basis;
1. The purported suspension was done from a misinformed position. No person, official or staff member was barred from entering MRT House as alleged in the letter .
2.It is unlawful & unconstitutional to suspend a member of the Party for simply calling for unity within the Party and amongst its leaders.Calling for unity within the Party is not an offense as enshrined in the Party Constitution.
3.I am of the view that the purported suspension is because of my personal and democratic political choice of one candidate over another. This suspension is a mockery of my constitutional right to support a candidate of my choice ahead of EOC.
4.Other than being Harare Province Youth Chairperson. I am employed by the Party as the person responsible of all security matters at MRT House therefore my contract with the Party still exists and is still valid.
On behalf of the MDC-T Harare Province Youth Assembly I reiterate that there is need for our Party leaders to unite so as to have undisputed EOC. Failure to unite and allow all 2014 Genuine Congress delagates will lead to a disputed EOC.
Ahead of EOC National Organizer through his organizing committee should publish all 2014 Genuine Congress delagates list for the purpose of verification. The Independent team that will oversee or supervise nomination processes should be agreed by all candidates and published for scrutiny.
2014 Genuine National Executive and 2014 Genuine National Council should physically seat so as to agree set road map for EOC.
We will not allow a situation whereby few National Executive members who do not constitute quorum make critical decisions via ZOOM ahead of EOC whilst congress delagates who are over 5000 are supposed to physically meet to elect a new leader .
I have instructed my legal representative to study the purported suspension and prepare an adequate response.
We remain in charge of MRT House as we await Court proceedings on the matter filled by 2014 MDC-T Secretary General Hon Douglas Mwonzora.
Any attempt to forcibly take over MRT House will be resisted and stopped.
We call for UNITY
On behalf of
MDC-T Harare Youth Assembly Paul Gorekore Chairperson
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF has accused its ministers of leaking confidential Cabinet minutes to “hostile” countries such as the united Kingdom amid allegations of a rift between President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s appointees and the ruling party’s heavyweights.
Patrick Chinamasa, the acting Zanu-PF spokesperson, yesterday told journalists in Harare, that Mnangagwa’s Cabinet had moles that served foreign interests.
Chinamasa said the leaked minutes had in the past become part of discussions in the British Parliament.
“It is very clear that some people are receiving advice from their colonial masters. They oppose everything,” Chinamasa said.
“They disregard the Official Secrets act and now publish cabinet minutes to their colonial masters.
“If you want to investigate this issue, journalists you can get it.
“Right now the British Parliament discusses our Cabinet minutes in their Parliament. We know that they work with the British.”
The former Justice minister refused to name the ministers that allegedly leak minutes after he was pressed by journalists.
British parliamentarians from time to time raise issues about human rights violations in Zimbabwe and the political crisis.
Zimbabwe’s former coloniser has of late taken a tough stance against Mnangagwa’s administration after initially warming up to the 77-year-old ruler when he seized power from former president Robert Mugabe in a military coup.
Chinamasa’s claims followed repeated allegations that former ministers that were deployed to Zanu-PF headquarters after Mnangagwa left them out of his Cabinet in 2018 are involved in a tug-ofwar with new ministers over supremacy. The Zanu-PF heavyweights want to dictate government policy, arguing that the party is supreme.
Chinamasa also appeared to be leaning on Local Government minister July Moyo to meddle in the affairs of Chitungwiza Town Council.
He said they want Moyo to reinstate Zanu-PF member George Makunde as town clerk.
“Zanu-PF is demanding the reinstatement of the town clerk, George Makunde, who was removed by the MDC mayor to facilitate their corrupt activities,” he said.
“Zanu-PF considers the suspension of the town clerk to be null and void.
“The appointment of the disciplinary board and the prosecutor was done without following laid-down procedures.
“Zanu-PF is demanding that the acting clerk, the director of works and director of housing be suspended forthwith pending finalisation of their cases where they are being accused of abuse of office and corruption.
“Zanu-PF is calling on the minister of Local Government July Moyo to exercise his powers and rescind all Chitungwiza Town Council resolutions passed by the MDC-led council to embed systemic corruption within council affairs.”
Makunde was suspended in December last year after he was allegedly implicated in the illegal selling of commercial stands.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government is set to improve the perks for the leader of the opposition after MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe ascended to the position through the back door.
Khupe was sworn last week into Parliament alongside 14 other MDC-T officials as a direct replacement of MDC Alliance proportional representation legislators that she recalled under controversial circumstances.
She immediately took over as the official leader of the opposition, a position that was previously held by MDC alliance’s Tabitha Khumalo.
MDC-T officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said Mnangagwa was determined to formalise his proposal to create the office of the leader of the opposition, which he first made in 2018.
Mnangagwa dangled the carrot to MDC alliance leader nelson Chamisa, who had rejected the outcome of the presidential election, which he argued was rigged.
Chamisa rejected the offer and Khupe is said to be now prepared to assume the position snubbed by her bitter rival.
Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba was not taking calls and did not respond to questions on his WhatsApp number yesterday.
Charamba, however, tweeted: “Leader of the opposition portfolio comes with perks.”
Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi was not picking calls and Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa referred questions to Parliament.
Kennedy Chokuda, the clerk of Parliament, said he could not comment on the alleged plans to strengthen the position.
“Ask the politicians,” Chokuda said.
“The position of leader of the opposition in the House has always been recognised, from way back, you recall Gibson Sibanda.
“The post is there in Parliament and the leader of the opposition is consulted when business is done.”
At the moment, the leader of the House is recognised under standing orders and rules of Parliament.
The leader of the House ordinarily gets a Parliament residence and car. Khupe herself stayed in a Parliament residence in Harare’s Mt Pleasant suburb when she was leader of the House under the leadership of the late MDC founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
She also reportedly got two cars from Parliament, one as a constituency MP and the other for her post as leader of the opposition.
Khupe’s spokesperson Khalipani Phugeni said he was not aware of the proposals to bump up Khupe’s perks and enhance her status.
“I am not aware of that, what I know is, she will simply take over from Tabitha Khumalo,” Phugeni said.
Khupe’s associates, however, said she has been promised an office in Parliament and perks that will include pension because she will occupy a ‘constitutional’ office.
The move is allegedly meant to create an impression in the international community that Mnangagwa is tolerant of opposition parties.
Mnangagwa in 2018, during interviews with united States television networks on the sidelines of the united nations general assembly, said he planned to give Chamisa certain perks as leader of the opposition.
The gesture was seen as an attempt to end the dispute that ensued after the July elections where the MDC alliance accused the Zanu-PF leader of rigging the elections. Chamisa declined the offer saying he was voted to go to State House, not Parliament.
At the time Ziyambi said the constitution could be amended to allow Chamisa into Parliament since he was not an elected MP.
Charamba said then that the office was going to be created as Mnangagwa’s capacity building measures.
Khupe and Mnangagwa are alleged to be working together to destroy Chamisa, an accusation they both deny.
They are allegedly plotting to have all Chamisa MPs recalled, a development to allow Zanu-PF to amend the constitution to raise the presidential running age limit to 50 to block the MDC leader, who is in his 40s.
Zanu-PF is also allegedly plotting to form a unity government with Khupe and suspend elections until 2027 to effectively shut Chamisa out.-standard
By A Correspondent | When he was sworn into office 2 years ago, the Deputy Health And Child Care Minister, John Mangwiro swore saying he would help the country lower its health bill.
John Mangwiro
25 months later, a major investigation opened by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission investigates the circumstances in which, the pharmaceutical parastatal, Natpharm is being forced to award Young Healthcare Limited, a briefcase company, a tender for COVID materials. The Deputy Health Minister is under investigation for among other things, complaining and convening a meeting at 10pm on a date in August 2020, to complain why the tender team did not award dysfunctional firm the tender.
The investigation also looks into why COVID 19 materials were overpriced in the deal.
“Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Mangwiro convened a meeting with the adjudication team, where he queried the reasons why the team did not award the tender to Young HealthCare Limited. Members were threatened with dismissal;” the ZACC report says.
The report investigates how minister Mangwiro allegedly pounced on Natpharm’s adjudicating team for tenders, late at night, at 10pm and grilled them why they are refusing to award Young HealthCare Limited the tender.
The value was at first set at USD5,6 million.
Young Health Care Limited was awarded a contract to supply nucleic acid and purification machines, transport media and reagents.
But to date, Natpharm has received supplies worth only US$124 630.
Dr John Mangwiro
The Deputy Minister also reportedly insisted on pre-payment and tasked the technical team from laboratory and Natpharm procurement to visit Young Health Care Limited in their country office and verify available stock in order to compel the Natpharm Acting MD to make a prepayment to Young Health Care Limited. Such actions violated the evaluation process since the technical team did not have the mandate to carry out the verification of supplies.
THE FULL ZACC REPORT IS BELOW:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BACKGROUND……………………………………………………………………3
OBJECTIVES………………………………………………………………..…….3
METHODOLOGY…………………………………………………………………4
FINDINGS……………………………………………………………………..4-7
RECOMMENDATIONS…………………………………………..…………….8
6. CONCLUSIONS………………………………………………………………………9
CLIENT’S COMMENTS ON RECOMMENDATIONS………….…………..9
IMPLEMENTATION…………………………………………… ..…………..10
MONITORING AND EVALUATION……………………………………….10
ANNEXURES……………………………………………………………………11
1. BACKGROUND
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, as prescribed by Section 12 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act (Chapter9:22) is mandated, amongst other functions, to monitor and examine the practices, systems and procurement procedures of the public and private institutions; to advise and assist agency or institution in the elimination of minimization of corruption; and to assist in the formulation of practices, systems and procurement procedures of public institutions with a view to the elimination of corrupt practices.
It is against this background that the Commission assigned Compliance and Systems Department to carry out a Compliance and Systems Spot Check Exercise on the procurement procedures for Tender Number– International NAT TCB FWWK 04/2020- laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for COVID-19 at Natpharm. The exercise was necessitated by allegations raised in the anonymous letter to ZACC dated 18th August 2020 that Natpharm and Ministry of Health and Child Care did not follow proper procurement procedures for the procurement of laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for COVID-19 management (tender reference number: INT NAT ITCB FWWK 04/2020).
2. OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the exercise were to ascertain the allegations made in the anonymous letter, which were as follows:-
The tender was awarded to a non-deserving company (Young Healthcare), whose products were sub-standard and do not meet
World Health Organization and FDA specifications; and CE marked;
The price quoted by Young International was higher than other competitors whose products were approved by WHO, FDA; and CE marked;
Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Mangwiro convened a meeting with the adjudication team, where he queried the reasons why the team did not award the tender to Young HealthCare Limited.
Members were threatened with dismissal;
To examine the systems, procurement procedures and practices related to Tender Number : International NAT TCB FWWK 04/2020- laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for COVID-19; and
To come up with recommendations to plug loopholes and measures in view of the above allegations.
3. METHODOLOGY
1. Interviews
Interviews with members of the adjudication team for the tender for laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables, were held to ascertain what transpired during the procurement process with a view of ascertaining the allegations, tracing the systems used, identify weaknesses and possible remedies. The individuals interviewed were the Acting Managing Director of Natpharm, officers from National Microbiology Reference Laboratories (NMRL) and the procurement officer at Natpharm.
2. Documents Analysis
In order to confirm some statements made by the interviewees, the team requested for a number of documents listed below:
Tender documents for 04/2020;
Summary Report of the tender; and
Young HealthCare Limited company profile and communication with Natpharm and Ministry of Health and Child Care.
4. FINDINGS
4.1 Non-Compliance with provisions of PRAZ Circular 1 of 2020, Public Finance Management Act [Chapter: 22:19] and the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act [Chapter 10:31] by Ministry of Health and Child Care.
4.1.1 Numerous directives from the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), particularly Deputy Minister Dr. Mangwiro to
Natpharm Management
Procurement process of the tender 04/2020 was marred by directives from the Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Mangwiro, resulting in delaying of the procurement. A letter from the then Acting Secretary of Health Dr. Mhlanga dated 15 July 2020, instructing Nat-Pharm to make direct procurement of supplies from Young Health Care (attached) was issued when the company was not registered with PRAZ. This is violation of some provisions of PRAZ Circular 1 of 2020 which stipulates that, only PRAZ listed suppliers are sources of COVID-19 supplies. When Natpharm insisted on competitive bidding, the tender process had to be postponed to allow Young Health Care Limited to register with PRAZ. This delayed the procurement of COVID-19 materials.
The Deputy Minister has usurped the authority of the Permanent Secretary as the accounting Officer.
The Deputy Minister does not have the powers and mandate to undertake administrative duties, which are the responsibility of the Permanent Secretary. The Deputy Minister reportedly issued numerous directives to the Nat-Pharm management throughout the tender process.
4.1.2 Price-inflation by Young Health Care on Direct Procurement quotation ($5 600 000)
Initial quotation by Young Health Care for supply of commodities under direct procurement, where prices quoted by Young Heath Care Limited were exorbitant amounted to USD$5 600 000-00, which was coincidentally the same amount that was in the Ministry coffers, suggesting that the company had inside information.
When Nat-Pharm insisted on competitive bidding, Young
Health Care Limited subsequently submitted a bid price of USD$ 3 600 000-00 for the same items. This saw a reduction of 36% in the price. (see attached two quotations).
4.1.3 Interference with the bidding process by the Deputy Minister
of Health and Child Care, Dr. Mangwiro. (see attached report from Natpharm).
Natpharm settled for competitive bidding, which saw other bidders coming on board to compete with Young Health Care. The tender was eventually floated on the 5th of August and closed 7th of August 2020, in line with PRAZ Circular 1 of 2020 which provides for emergency procurement, allowing tenders to be floated for 48hrs instead of 40 working days under normal circumstances. A total of 22 bidders participated. The adjudication of the tender started from the 8th to 10th of August 2020 and resumed from the 13th and 14th of August 2020.
4.1.4 The results of the winners were announced except for tender item 24, 25 and 26 which are yet to be concluded to allow further technical evaluation of the samples from bidders.
4.1.5 Natpharm Acting MD reported that he received a phone call from the Deputy Minister instructing him to convene with his adjudication team during odd hours to explain why the tender was not awarded to
Young Healthcare Limited. The Deputy Minister also demanded that a purchase order be issued that same night. The adjudication team was picked from their homes around 2200 hours and were interrogated by the Deputy Minister until early hours of the following day.(see attached report) The Deputy Minister threatened the team with dismissal for failing to award Young Health Care the contracts.
4.1.6 Violation of the terms and conditions of Supply Contract by
Young Healthcare Limited and the Deputy Minister
(i). Young Health Care Limited was genuinely awarded the contract to supply nucleic acid and purification machines, transport media and reagents. To date, Natpharm has received supplies worth US$124 630, 40 as follows:
Young Healthcare Deliveries on the 31st of August 2020
Item
Quantity Ordered
QuantityReceived
%
Purification machines
4
2
50
Nucleic Acid
220 000
13 824
6.3
Transport Media
220 000
14 000
6.4
Source: Natpharm
Young Health Care Limited managed to deliver a paltry 6% of Nucleic Acid and another 6% of Transport Media but went on to request prepayment for the awarded contract, including undelivered supplies ( see attached request), contrary to the terms and conditions of the contract signed with Nat-Pharm, which stipulates that payment should be made 7 days after delivery.(post-payment)
(ii) The Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Mangwiro reportedly insisted on pre-payment and tasked the technical team from laboratory and Natpharm procurement to visit Young Health Care Limited in their country office and verify available stock ( see letter dated 25th August 2020) in order to compel the Natpharm Acting MD to make a prepayment to Young Health Care Limited. Such actions violated the evaluation process since the technical team did not have the mandate to carry out the verification of supplies.
Natpharm Acting MD wrote a letter on the 26th of August 2020 (attached) to the Permanent Secretary for Health and Child Care informing him of the pre-payment issue and seeking guidance on how to proceed. However, there was no response from the Ministry, prompting the Acting MD to decline taking the Deputy Minister’s instruction to pre-pay Young Health Care and he referred him to the signed contract (attached). Verification team noted that items amounting to US$127,643.20 were in-stock instead of US$922, 000.00 requested for prepayment.
5. RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Given the extent to which the Deputy Minister was involved in the said tender process, indications are that he was acting on his own capacity and not on behalf of the Ministry. The actions of the Deputy Minister signal a personal interest in the tender and this should have prompted him to declare his interest.
5.2 The conduct of the Minister during this tender process warrants further investigations for Criminal Abuse of Office for possible violation of Section 174 of the Criminal Law Codification Act [Chapter 9:23]. Apart from this provision, further investigations should be conducted to ascertain possible violation of Section 14 of the Public Finance Management Act [Chapter 22:19] by the Deputy Minister through giving ministerial directives having financial implications when he demanded prepayment of undelivered goods to Young Health Care.
5.3 There is need for further investigations into the possible violation of the
Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act [Chapter 22:23] as
the conduct of the Deputy Minister might have compromised the independence of Natpharm as a procurement entity.
5.4 The Commission should closely follow the re-floated tender laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for COVID-19 to ensure competitive bidding and that undeserving bidders are not awarded the contracts.
5.5 Best practices and good corporate governance should always be applied during procurement processes. Officials who are appointed to carry out procurement process should be allowed to do so independently without interference.
5.6 Investigations into possible violation of the Cabinet Directive that granted Natpharm exclusive powers for procurement of Covid 19 materials.
6. CONCLUSIONS
The timeous intervention by the Commission has resulted in the cancellation of the controversial tender awarded to Young Health Care Limited, thus saving the nation from a potential loss of USD$2million, had the tender been awarded.
The Systems and Review Team recommendation – for cancellation of the tender- has however been pre-empted by NatPharm`s decision to cancel the tender. The Team is satisfied with this positive outcome which signals the importance of conducting such spot checks.
By A Correspondent- A nurse at Mbagwe Clinic in Plumtree has been arrested on charges of assaulting a colleague following a dispute over a $10 bill.
The nurse also faces two other charges after she attacked other two fellow colleagues in the past and the cases are pending in courts.
Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the arrest of Sikhethiwe Tshuma for allegedly assaulting Lynet Ndlovu (45) after they had a misunderstanding while at their work station.
“I have received the report and l can safely confirm that Tshuma from Mbagwe Clinic in Madabe had an argument with not only one of her colleagues, but three of them. The arguments led to her having rage and resorting to violence,” Ndebele said.
He said the minor argument was about lunch allowances, which had been allocated to her colleague.-standard
By A Correspondent- Former Miss Zimbabwe Bongani Dhlakama is embroiled in a messy divorce with her husband Bongani Ndlovu.
The couple has thrown all caution to the wind, accusing each other of poor sexual performance, among other issues.
In court papers exclusively obtained by the state media in which Ndlovu was seeking a restraining order against Dhlakama he said although they were still staying together, they have been using separate bedrooms since May 2019 after their relationship irretrievably broke down.
Ndlovu said it was around that time that they agreed that their relationship had come to an end, and the decision was communicated to their relatives. The couple has one child together aged two. Through his lawyers Malinga and Mpofu Legal Practitioners, Ndlovu alleged that the supermodel was verbally and emotionally manipulative towards him, adding that the “repeated abuse” was being meted out on him in front of his children, maid and anyone who would be present at their house in Bulawayo’s Burnside suburb.
“Respondent and I were customarily married sometime in 2016 and we have one minor child together who is two years old. Prior to my involvement with the respondent I was married to my ex-wife with whom I had two children, one who is now at university and the other one doing Lower Six. I also have another one who is 13 years old who occasionally visits. Over the past 17 months my relationship with the respondent has deteriorated to an extent that I can no longer have her under the same roof with me because of her continuous abuse towards myself and my children from my first wife,” Ndlovu’s affidavits reads in part.
Ndlovu claimed that he now lives “scared” at the thought of him and his children being poisoned by Dhlakama.
“On the 31st of August 2020, the respondent threatened to poison me together with my children. She has made it clear that she can carry out her threat upon my children at any time. Prior to respondent sending me the WhatsApp message she had indicated to me that she can get rid of me by poisoning me and I will be gone for good. The said threat was uttered when I tried to engage her concerning her behaviour towards me and the children,” he said.
He alleged that his estranged wife has also threatened to enlist the services of thugs to “deal” with him. This was after his efforts to engage relatives had dismally failed.
“She further indicated that should I continue to seek help from family members and friends she will make it a point that I regret it. She also said that she will simply go and make a false report that I have assaulted her and I will find myself in prison where I will be sodomised and damaged forever.”
He further said in March this year, Dhlakama squandered ZW$20 000 that he had given her for deposit and first month’s rental and US$150 to transport her property. This was after she had indicated that she wanted to move out, as it was untenable for them to be in the same house due to the breakdown of their relationship. He said he lost his job on 30 June 2020, as a result of Dhlakama’s violent behaviour as she was in the habit of going to his workplace to shout and cause a scene.
“Sometime when I was not feeling well, the doctor prescribed for me some antibiotics, multivitamins and mineral syrup. I administered the first dose when I got home but later when I was administering the second dose, I discovered that the medicine was now diluted with another liquid I would like to think was water. I discarded the bottle and got another one. When I engaged her on the issue, she made it known to me that she can do whatever she wants.”
Ndlovu then begged the court to consider his application as a matter of urgency claiming his life and that of his children were in danger.
Responding to Ndlovu’s claims through her lawyers Vundla-Phulu and Partners, the ex-Miss Zimbabwe said her estranged husband approached the wrong court for relief.
She, however, admitted that their relationship has irretrievably broken down with no reasonable prospect of the restoration of a normal marriage relationship.
“I accept that our marriage is practically over. If applicant is to remove me from the property he must do so lawfully and for cogent reasons. I now sleep in a separate bedroom with my daughter. This was a decision taken for my safety and also to avoid sexual imposition by the applicant. In spite of the abuse meted out by the applicant he would still attempt to have sexual intercourse with me but I will not be in a position to entertain him sexually.”
Dhlakama also refuted abuse allegations and that she once tampered with Ndlovu’s medication and that she had also threatened to poison him and his children. She argued that Ndlovu’s life and that of his children were not in any danger except in his mind, adding that Ndlovu was the one who had abused her in several ways.
“I deny that I have abused the plaintiff and his children. I have tried to be a mother to the minor children, however, we failed to bond as a result of the applicant’s constant interference. I have never acted in a manner to cause harm to the children,” argued Dhlakama.
She then labelled Ndlovu a “serial adulterer” while giving explicit evidence of why their marriage has broken down.
“The applicant is a serial adulterer who I found at one point engaging in relationships with three women. This has caused grave stress to myself and emotionally. The applicant did not apologise for his affairs but defended himself. In fact, he gloated about his affairs and insulted my femininity and my capacity to please him physically as a wife.”
She corroborated her claims by attaching a vile WhatsApp conversation in which they end up accusing each other of poor sexual performance. Ndlovu’s attacks read: “Go to your talk clever cassanovas who promise to marry you and dump you. Lawe awumnandi (and you too not sweet). Because of what or who you are . . . you’re not inspiring to any man . . . deceiving portraying beauty but full of rotten heart.”
And Dhlakama hit back saying: “F***yourself. You dumb barbarian. “Your p**** doesn’t do me really. You may think you didn’t want to sleep with me but I also didn’t look forward. Even back then, you were just a lump of dead flesh. And you are weak. I felt like I was being touched by a woman.”
Dhlakama also disputed her estranged husband’s claims that he lost his job because of her abusive behaviour.
“He insulted his own superior at work resulting in problems for him. I deny that I caused the scene at his workplace. I went there to look for him since he had a habit of disappearing for days and not being reachable on his phone.”
In her ruling presiding magistrate Adelaide Mbeure ordered Dhlakama not to physically, verbally and emotionally abuse her estranged husband and also not to go to any place or premise where he would be employed or carrying out his business.
Dhlakama was crowned Miss Zimbabwe in 2012 and held the crown until 2014 when another contest was held.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF National Political Commissar Victor Matemedanda is reportedly using liberation war-time strategies of mobilisation to ensure the ruling party has 5 million members by the 2023 elections.
Zanu-PF has repeatedly said it aims to win the 2023 elections by a landslide so as to bury once and for all the issues of legitimacy and contested electoral outcomes.
Recently, sources in the ruling party revealed that Matemadanda called a meeting of all the party’s provincial political commissars and let them in on a “secret to recruitment of supporters to the scale Las seen during the 1970s war of liberation”, said the source in an interview with the a local publication.
“Remember that during the last days of Cde Robert Mugabe in office, war veterans were pushing for full control of the commissariat department. They felt that Saviour Kasukuwere lacked the gravitas to pull together party mobilization to levels of liberation war era when structures countrywide were solidly behind the party,” said the source, requesting anonymity.
“But soon as President Mnangagwa came into office, he granted the war veterans component their wish and that is why the DCC structures which had been declared divisive under the late Cde Robert Mugabe have been resurrected.
“Also, Cde Matemadanda met with all commissars recently and you’ll see how the party will solidify its stranglehold on especially rural structures in upcoming by-elections.
“But make no mistake of thinking that the strategy is for rural support only. Remember the ruling party won a Cowdray Park election against the MDC-A and MDC-T not so long ago. 2023 will shock many opposition politicians who think they have a God given right to win in some constituencies, especially urban ones.”
As if to confirm that, the Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial commissar Maidei Mpala while speaking after the party’s Provincial Coordinating Committee(PCC) in Bulawayo yesterday said Matemadanda taught them how they can attain the 5 million members by 2023.
“When we went to Harare to meet the commissar, we were told about the party’s plan to get at least five million members by the time that we go for elections in 2023. We were also taught ways in which this was attainable.
“The commissar told us that in his first two weeks in office, President Mnangagwa had already outlined his vision for the country and that was a vision tied to the year 2030,” she said in a report by the State-owned Sunday News.
She added: “So, when we met the commissar in Harare he wanted to know if we were following in the President’s footsteps. He wanted to know if we had a vision or we were just approaching elections without a necessary strategy.
“The commissar made it clear that, as a party of the people, we should be in touch with the issues that are really affecting people in Bulawayo because the city has many problems.-statemedia
By Farai D Hove | All is not well in Emmerson Mnangagwa’s deputy, Constantino Chiwenga’s family as serious allegations around child molestation grow. This complaint is released pursuant to Child Protection laws and guidelines.
Kuda Blessing Chiwenga
During an emotional family squabble, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s “son,” Kuda Blessing, has exploded to suggest that the man he calls his father, is a thief who survives on stealing.
Writing publicly, on Wednesday, he said his dad is a monkey- anasoko “ nekuti munopona nezvekuba.” Chiwenga’s totem (African surname) is a monkey. [This translates to mean a monkey that survives on stealing].
He also offloaded a series of old pictures while penning out his thread. In the piece he also made several allegations against the father concerning his love life.
He alleged that he has been molested, without however elaborating what he means by that type of abuse whether metaphoric or literal. He said, “I may have no memory of this, but I do believe I was loved then. After that, it was just molestation, abuse, and a whole bunch of horrors. 2020 has seemed to exceed them all. There truly is a devil out there. God help us all. #The_Poet “
Chiwenga in the early 1980s with wife
He alleged that a woman named “Getty” is destroying the whole Chiwenga clan. He then penned out several staggering allegations against the said, Getty.
He said, “Nhai Getty, woparadza dzinza rese here, wodya murume, kushandisa Charles kuba maunderwear evanhu, zvino shop yako naMwamuka yakasvikepi.
VP Constantino Chiwenga with wife in the 80s
“ Zvino vana vawakabheja kuti tichafa tingoripo.
“Nhai ngatigarei dare, musungise vakandibata chibharo. Ndosaka wakavengwa nedzinza rekumurume wako. Kubatirira pahanzvadzi kutya mhosva. Repent. All of this is your fault. Ndini ndazvitaura.”
After this he went on to point the accusing finger against his father saying that he is conspiring with stepmothers to ruin children’s lives. He said: “You see a whole grown man conspire to help some stepmothers ruin lives. Kubva kuna Jocy, toti Maria. Asi nhai Muradzi wakakwana here nemumwe wako Chaminuka. Zvamave retired muchiri double agent here Mr Chams.
“Ndimi vatingati anasoko nekuti munopona nezvekuba, ko mumwe Njenje akatizira kupi? Ko tsaga vamakatuma paye ndiri pasports diner. Did you think you could destroy me you imbeciles?”
The last block of allegations he offloaded is about the father. He said in full:
If I can calculate the amount of rituals some ladies from our family do. You may discover that the blue uniform they wear is where they truly belong. Imagine someone is sick for four months, he comes back and his sisters and aides conspire to release false articles to confuse the family. We know you were part of the crew that tried to kill him in the first place. Lawyers changing names and stuff. People, there’s a whole to this than people understand. Hatina kwatiri kuenda. Yet they same people are still masquerading as allies. Does your boss know of your other activities? Ana Muringi, idzungu rekunzi munogona kudhedha vanhu here? Takakunzwai nembiri yesabotage. Watooneka nekachiremerera kufamba nashefu asi brain ndopasina.
While attempts to get a comment from VP Chiwenga and his three former lovers were fruitless at the time of writing, several family members had joined in to somewhat commiserate with Kuda, with some saying the running complaints need to be attended to by family as a matter of urgency- this is a developing story.
Today the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Zimbabwe pays tribute to adolescent girls in the country as the world marks the International Day of the Girl Child under a global theme – “My voice, our equal future”.
The 2020 theme calls us to reimagine a better future inspired by the ideas and innovations of adolescent girls.
Girls in Zimbabwe, as in the world over, face myriad challenges, including gender-based discriminations that result in less opportunities across a range of sectors like education, training and employment, compared with boys.
By age 19, when most children are expected to be starting their university or tertiary education, half of the girls in the country are already married. Reducing the chances of girls being able to pursue their aspirations and dreams.
Girls and young women under the age of 24 account for 30% of maternal deaths in the country. One in three women and girls in Zimbabwe experience sexual and gender-based violence at least once in their lifetime.
The prevailing humanitarian and economic challenges in the country, and the added burden of the COVID-19 pandemic have shown that gender inequality continues, as women and girls bear a disproportionate brunt of the socio-economic hardships.
The UN and its partners support national development priorities in education, skills training, protection of children, HIV and AIDS, food security To address the deeply rooted challenges girls and young women face in Zimbabwe, the UN and its partners support national development priorities in education, skills training, protection of children, HIV and AIDS, food security.
The UN team in Zimbabwe are also working to ensure that girls in rural and urban areas have access to information and services on sexual and reproductive health.
Through strong and ambitious partnerships such as the Spotlight Initiative, funded by the European Union, the UN is working with the Government of Zimbabwe, Civil Society Organizations and communities to eliminate violence against women and girls.
Promoting the rights of the girl child demands a commitment to ensure that policy and laws are in place and enforced, preventative and supportive services are available, including access to justice and the UN continues through its programmes to support all Zimbabwean stakeholders to uphold the rights of the girl child.
Despite the myriad of challenges, girls are breaking boundaries and barriers posed by stereotypes and exclusion, including those directed at children with disabilities and those living in marginalized communities. As entrepreneurs, innovators and initiators of local, national and global movements, girls are creating a world that is relevant for them and future generations.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals is about ensuring no one is left behind.
On the occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child, the UN Country Team in Zimbabwe renews its commitment and calls on all stakeholders to support and amplify the demands and voices of girls to:
Live free from gender-based violence, harmful practices including child marriages, and HIV and AIDS; Learn new skills towards the futures they choose; and Lead as a generation of activists accelerating social change
International Day of the Girl Child has been commemorated since 2011, when the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 in recognition of and commitment to address the unique challenges girls face in the world.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Country Team (UNCT), Zimbabwe.
Mnangagwa with Drax boss, Delish Nguwaya (standing right of him) and others. RBZ governor John Mangudya also present (third from Mnangagwa’s left)
The first family through drax, did the same thing . Their sons involved but zacc is not doing anything about it. Zacc is being used by the first family to tarnish Chiwenga in a subtle way. Zacc is a toothless institution
By A Correspondent | When he was sworn into office 2 years ago, the Deputy Health And Child Care Minister, John Mangwiro swore saying he would help the country lower its health bill.
John Mangwiro
25 months later, a major investigation opened by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission investigates the circumstances in which, the pharmaceutical parastatal, Natpharm is being forced to award Young Healthcare Limited, a briefcase company, a tender for COVID materials. The Deputy Health Minister is under investigation for among other things, complaining and convening a meeting at 10pm on a date in August 2020, to complain why the tender team did not award dysfunctional firm the tender.
The investigation also looks into why COVID 19 materials were overpriced in the deal.
“Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Mangwiro convened a meeting with the adjudication team, where he queried the reasons why the team did not award the tender to Young HealthCare Limited. Members were threatened with dismissal;” the ZACC report says.
The report investigates how minister Mangwiro allegedly pounced on Natpharm’s adjudicating team for tenders, late at night, at 10pm and grilled them why they are refusing to award Young HealthCare Limited the tender.
The value was at first set at USD5,6 million.
Young Health Care Limited was awarded a contract to supply nucleic acid and purification machines, transport media and reagents.
But to date, Natpharm has received supplies worth only US$124 630.
Dr John Mangwiro
The Deputy Minister also reportedly insisted on pre-payment and tasked the technical team from laboratory and Natpharm procurement to visit Young Health Care Limited in their country office and verify available stock in order to compel the Natpharm Acting MD to make a prepayment to Young Health Care Limited. Such actions violated the evaluation process since the technical team did not have the mandate to carry out the verification of supplies.
THE FULL ZACC REPORT IS BELOW:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BACKGROUND……………………………………………………………………3
OBJECTIVES………………………………………………………………..…….3
METHODOLOGY…………………………………………………………………4
FINDINGS……………………………………………………………………..4-7
RECOMMENDATIONS…………………………………………..…………….8
6. CONCLUSIONS………………………………………………………………………9
CLIENT’S COMMENTS ON RECOMMENDATIONS………….…………..9
IMPLEMENTATION…………………………………………… ..…………..10
MONITORING AND EVALUATION……………………………………….10
ANNEXURES……………………………………………………………………11
1. BACKGROUND
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, as prescribed by Section 12 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act (Chapter9:22) is mandated, amongst other functions, to monitor and examine the practices, systems and procurement procedures of the public and private institutions; to advise and assist agency or institution in the elimination of minimization of corruption; and to assist in the formulation of practices, systems and procurement procedures of public institutions with a view to the elimination of corrupt practices.
It is against this background that the Commission assigned Compliance and Systems Department to carry out a Compliance and Systems Spot Check Exercise on the procurement procedures for Tender Number– International NAT TCB FWWK 04/2020- laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for COVID-19 at Natpharm. The exercise was necessitated by allegations raised in the anonymous letter to ZACC dated 18th August 2020 that Natpharm and Ministry of Health and Child Care did not follow proper procurement procedures for the procurement of laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for COVID-19 management (tender reference number: INT NAT ITCB FWWK 04/2020).
2. OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the exercise were to ascertain the allegations made in the anonymous letter, which were as follows:-
The tender was awarded to a non-deserving company (Young Healthcare), whose products were sub-standard and do not meet
World Health Organization and FDA specifications; and CE marked;
The price quoted by Young International was higher than other competitors whose products were approved by WHO, FDA; and CE marked;
Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Mangwiro convened a meeting with the adjudication team, where he queried the reasons why the team did not award the tender to Young HealthCare Limited.
Members were threatened with dismissal;
To examine the systems, procurement procedures and practices related to Tender Number : International NAT TCB FWWK 04/2020- laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for COVID-19; and
To come up with recommendations to plug loopholes and measures in view of the above allegations.
3. METHODOLOGY
1. Interviews
Interviews with members of the adjudication team for the tender for laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables, were held to ascertain what transpired during the procurement process with a view of ascertaining the allegations, tracing the systems used, identify weaknesses and possible remedies. The individuals interviewed were the Acting Managing Director of Natpharm, officers from National Microbiology Reference Laboratories (NMRL) and the procurement officer at Natpharm.
2. Documents Analysis
In order to confirm some statements made by the interviewees, the team requested for a number of documents listed below:
Tender documents for 04/2020;
Summary Report of the tender; and
Young HealthCare Limited company profile and communication with Natpharm and Ministry of Health and Child Care.
4. FINDINGS
4.1 Non-Compliance with provisions of PRAZ Circular 1 of 2020, Public Finance Management Act [Chapter: 22:19] and the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act [Chapter 10:31] by Ministry of Health and Child Care.
4.1.1 Numerous directives from the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), particularly Deputy Minister Dr. Mangwiro to
Natpharm Management
Procurement process of the tender 04/2020 was marred by directives from the Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Mangwiro, resulting in delaying of the procurement. A letter from the then Acting Secretary of Health Dr. Mhlanga dated 15 July 2020, instructing Nat-Pharm to make direct procurement of supplies from Young Health Care (attached) was issued when the company was not registered with PRAZ. This is violation of some provisions of PRAZ Circular 1 of 2020 which stipulates that, only PRAZ listed suppliers are sources of COVID-19 supplies. When Natpharm insisted on competitive bidding, the tender process had to be postponed to allow Young Health Care Limited to register with PRAZ. This delayed the procurement of COVID-19 materials.
The Deputy Minister has usurped the authority of the Permanent Secretary as the accounting Officer.
The Deputy Minister does not have the powers and mandate to undertake administrative duties, which are the responsibility of the Permanent Secretary. The Deputy Minister reportedly issued numerous directives to the Nat-Pharm management throughout the tender process.
4.1.2 Price-inflation by Young Health Care on Direct Procurement quotation ($5 600 000)
Initial quotation by Young Health Care for supply of commodities under direct procurement, where prices quoted by Young Heath Care Limited were exorbitant amounted to USD$5 600 000-00, which was coincidentally the same amount that was in the Ministry coffers, suggesting that the company had inside information.
When Nat-Pharm insisted on competitive bidding, Young
Health Care Limited subsequently submitted a bid price of USD$ 3 600 000-00 for the same items. This saw a reduction of 36% in the price. (see attached two quotations).
4.1.3 Interference with the bidding process by the Deputy Minister
of Health and Child Care, Dr. Mangwiro. (see attached report from Natpharm).
Natpharm settled for competitive bidding, which saw other bidders coming on board to compete with Young Health Care. The tender was eventually floated on the 5th of August and closed 7th of August 2020, in line with PRAZ Circular 1 of 2020 which provides for emergency procurement, allowing tenders to be floated for 48hrs instead of 40 working days under normal circumstances. A total of 22 bidders participated. The adjudication of the tender started from the 8th to 10th of August 2020 and resumed from the 13th and 14th of August 2020.
4.1.4 The results of the winners were announced except for tender item 24, 25 and 26 which are yet to be concluded to allow further technical evaluation of the samples from bidders.
4.1.5 Natpharm Acting MD reported that he received a phone call from the Deputy Minister instructing him to convene with his adjudication team during odd hours to explain why the tender was not awarded to
Young Healthcare Limited. The Deputy Minister also demanded that a purchase order be issued that same night. The adjudication team was picked from their homes around 2200 hours and were interrogated by the Deputy Minister until early hours of the following day.(see attached report) The Deputy Minister threatened the team with dismissal for failing to award Young Health Care the contracts.
4.1.6 Violation of the terms and conditions of Supply Contract by
Young Healthcare Limited and the Deputy Minister
(i). Young Health Care Limited was genuinely awarded the contract to supply nucleic acid and purification machines, transport media and reagents. To date, Natpharm has received supplies worth US$124 630, 40 as follows:
Young Healthcare Deliveries on the 31st of August 2020
Item
Quantity Ordered
QuantityReceived
%
Purification machines
4
2
50
Nucleic Acid
220 000
13 824
6.3
Transport Media
220 000
14 000
6.4
Source: Natpharm
Young Health Care Limited managed to deliver a paltry 6% of Nucleic Acid and another 6% of Transport Media but went on to request prepayment for the awarded contract, including undelivered supplies ( see attached request), contrary to the terms and conditions of the contract signed with Nat-Pharm, which stipulates that payment should be made 7 days after delivery.(post-payment)
(ii) The Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Mangwiro reportedly insisted on pre-payment and tasked the technical team from laboratory and Natpharm procurement to visit Young Health Care Limited in their country office and verify available stock ( see letter dated 25th August 2020) in order to compel the Natpharm Acting MD to make a prepayment to Young Health Care Limited. Such actions violated the evaluation process since the technical team did not have the mandate to carry out the verification of supplies.
Natpharm Acting MD wrote a letter on the 26th of August 2020 (attached) to the Permanent Secretary for Health and Child Care informing him of the pre-payment issue and seeking guidance on how to proceed. However, there was no response from the Ministry, prompting the Acting MD to decline taking the Deputy Minister’s instruction to pre-pay Young Health Care and he referred him to the signed contract (attached). Verification team noted that items amounting to US$127,643.20 were in-stock instead of US$922, 000.00 requested for prepayment.
5. RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Given the extent to which the Deputy Minister was involved in the said tender process, indications are that he was acting on his own capacity and not on behalf of the Ministry. The actions of the Deputy Minister signal a personal interest in the tender and this should have prompted him to declare his interest.
5.2 The conduct of the Minister during this tender process warrants further investigations for Criminal Abuse of Office for possible violation of Section 174 of the Criminal Law Codification Act [Chapter 9:23]. Apart from this provision, further investigations should be conducted to ascertain possible violation of Section 14 of the Public Finance Management Act [Chapter 22:19] by the Deputy Minister through giving ministerial directives having financial implications when he demanded prepayment of undelivered goods to Young Health Care.
5.3 There is need for further investigations into the possible violation of the
Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act [Chapter 22:23] as
the conduct of the Deputy Minister might have compromised the independence of Natpharm as a procurement entity.
5.4 The Commission should closely follow the re-floated tender laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for COVID-19 to ensure competitive bidding and that undeserving bidders are not awarded the contracts.
5.5 Best practices and good corporate governance should always be applied during procurement processes. Officials who are appointed to carry out procurement process should be allowed to do so independently without interference.
5.6 Investigations into possible violation of the Cabinet Directive that granted Natpharm exclusive powers for procurement of Covid 19 materials.
6. CONCLUSIONS
The timeous intervention by the Commission has resulted in the cancellation of the controversial tender awarded to Young Health Care Limited, thus saving the nation from a potential loss of USD$2million, had the tender been awarded.
The Systems and Review Team recommendation – for cancellation of the tender- has however been pre-empted by NatPharm`s decision to cancel the tender. The Team is satisfied with this positive outcome which signals the importance of conducting such spot checks.
By Dorrothy Moyo | ZANU PF youths allegedly threatened teachers with violence if they do not return to work by Tuesday 13th October.
The union of 8 teachers’ organisations from around the country announced saying,
“ZANU PF Youths have threatened to attack all teachers who are in rural schools but not reporting for duty.
“Teachers have been given an ultimatum expiring on Tuesday 13 October. Violence will not capacitate poor trs. @edmnangagwa restrain your party youths. Pay us USD 520. ”
Meanwhile, the organisation also released the following statement, titled – “Teachers’ Incapacitation” 11 October 2020 Now that we are about to reach the Armageddon of our incapacitation struggle as witnessed by more teachers joining the action and schools being deserted; Worried that His Excellency, President E. D. Mnangagwa made remarks threatening teachers on industrial action before seeking engagement and remaining indifferent to the plight of the teachers; Observing that the $600 million meant for Covid-19 purposes did not filter into the schools as evidenced by acute shortage of PPEs and other Covid-19 abatement items in most of the schools; Aware that Government is still acting in denial about the situation in our schools as evidenced by their threats to fire teachers or cease their salaries and pretending that the school system is functioning normally; Shocked by some acts of ‘benevolence’ in the form of food handouts by some misguided elements who want to hijack the teachers’ incapacitation for personal aggrandizement.
Therefore, we, the undersigned teachers’ representatives, do hereby reiterate that: No amount of force or threat can capacitate teachers who have all tested positive to poverty. The employer should swallow her pride and do the right thing. The nation should know that teachers in all public schools are not at work because the government has failed them and will not succumb to any threats. Where there are incidents of teaching taking place, it is just cosmetic. Teachers are not for charity but professionals who are only crying for dignified treatment, reasonable salaries and befitting conditions of service. It is only through meaningful engagement, improved salaries, eradication of discrimination among government workers, assurance of health and safety of teachers and pupils during this Covid-19 period, and harmonisation of labour laws that teachers’ return to schools can be guaranteed. Once government brings meaningful offer, teachers are ready to report for duty thereafter. We, as teachers, want a separate collective bargaining board where we can then articulate the education specific issues unlike the current scenario where the education sector is bunched up with everyone else. Teachers should remain resolute and focused on our demands. All pusillanimous tendencies should be a thing of the past going forward. Teachers should encourage those who are still reporting for duty to join others in showing government that we deserve better.
Teachers are not against parents and students. In actual fact, what teachers are simply saying is that it is very dangerous to entrust the future on learners in the hands of a frustrated, poorly remunerated and stressed teachers. Once the impasse is resolved, teachers will do everything possible to help their learners. President E. D. Mnangagwa should not ignore the plight of teachers. We don’t want to believe that he would want to be remembered for destroying the education system of this country.
The party was still to comment on the allegations at the time of writing.
Tanzania today joins the rest of the world to celebrate the international day of the girl child, Mugabe Secondary school students highlight challenges they experience during their menstrual cycle.
The day is an international observance day declared by the United Nations. It focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face to promote girl empowerment.
In view of the above girl students at Mugabe secondary school have called on the government and the public at large to find solutions they face including lack of facilities for menstrual hygiene, sexual harassment to enable them have equal learning opportunities.
One of the students whose names are withheld has called on the school administration to refrain from punishing them by canning them on the buttocks.
“When I am in my menstrual cycle I experience stomach cramps and when beaten on my buttocks the pain increases,” she said.
Another student said their parents cannot afford to buy pads and are therefore forced to use makeshift pieces of clothes that are not reliable forcing them to remain home during the duration of the cycle.
“That’s not all, the school also lacks a dustbin for disposing the used pads making it very cumbersome,” she stressed.
Some of the students further highlighted how they are forced to have sexual relationships with their uncles who are taking care of them or else get taken out of school.
“Students who live with their uncles and depend on them for their daily needs are forced to have sexual relationship with them and if they refuse they are threatened to be taken out of school,” they said.
They further highlighted how they are sexually molested in fully packed commuter buses and when they try to raise their voices they are threatened by the culprits.
The Integrating Capacity and Community Advancement Organization (ICCAO) Managing Editor, Zahara Salehe said they work with youths in various capacities to understand their challenges and aspirations.
She noted that they have started a programme that will enable them visit schools in the country to understand the challenges students experience that they will share with the teachers and parents to find solutions.
“We believe that every child, youth whether boy or girl have equal right for opportunity,” she said.
By Farai D Hove | Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has been accused of conspiring with one of his wives against his kids’ welfare.
As serious allegations around child abuse grow, this complaint is released pursuant to Child Protection laws and guidelines.
Kuda Blessing Chiwenga
During an emotional family squabble, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s “son,” Kuda Blessing, has exploded to suggest that the man he calls his father, is a thief who survives on stealing. Writing publicly, on Wednesday, he said his dad is a monkey- anasoko “ nekuti munopona nezvekuba.” Chiwenga’s totem (African surname) is a monkey. [This translates to mean a monkey that survives on stealing].
He also offloaded a series of old pictures while penning out his thread. In the piece he also made several allegations against the father concerning his love life.
He alleged that he has been molested, without however elaborating what he means by that type of abuse whether metaphoric or literal. He said, “I may have no memory of this, but I do believe I was loved then. After that, it was just molestation, abuse, and a whole bunch of horrors. 2020 has seemed to exceed them all. There truly is a devil out there. God help us all.
#The_Poet “
Chiwenga in the early 1980s with wife
He alleged that a woman named “Getty” is destroying the whole Chiwenga clan. He then penned out several staggering allegations against the said, Getty.
He said, “Nhai Getty, woparadza dzinza rese here, wodya murume, kushandisa Charles kuba maunderwear evanhu, zvino shop yako naMwamuka yakasvikepi.
VP Constantino Chiwenga with wife in the 80s
“ Zvino vana vawakabheja kuti tichafa tingoripo.
“Nhai ngatigarei dare, musungise vakandibata chibharo. Ndosaka wakavengwa nedzinza rekumurume wako. Kubatirira pahanzvadzi kutya mhosva. Repent. All of this is your fault. Ndini ndazvitaura.”
After this he went on to point the accusing finger against his father saying that he is conspiring with stepmothers to ruin children’s lives. He said: “You see a whole grown man conspire to help some stepmothers ruin lives. Kubva kuna Jocy, toti Maria. Asi nhai Muradzi wakakwana here nemumwe wako Chaminuka. Zvamave retired muchiri double agent here Mr Chams.
“Ndimi vatingati anasoko nekuti munopona nezvekuba, ko mumwe Njenje akatizira kupi? Ko tsaga vamakatuma paye ndiri pa Sports Diner. Did you think you could destroy me you imbeciles?”
The last block of allegations he offloaded is about the father. He said in full:
“If I can calculate the amount of rituals some ladies from our family do. You may discover that the blue uniform they wear is where they truly belong. Imagine someone is sick for four months, he comes back and his sisters and aides conspire to release false articles to confuse the family. We know you were part of the crew that tried to kill him in the first place. Lawyers changing names and stuff. People, there’s a whole to this than people understand.
“Hatina kwatiri kuenda. Yet they same people are still masquerading as allies. Does your boss know of your other activities? Ana Muringi, idzungu rekunzi munogona kudhedha vanhu here? Takakunzwai nembiri yesabotage. Watooneka nekachiremerera kufamba nashefu asi brain ndopasina. ”
While attempts to get a comment from VP Chiwenga and his three former lovers were fruitless at the time of writing, several family members had joined in to somewhat commiserate with Kuda, with some saying the running complaints need to be attended to by family as a matter of urgency- this is a developing story.
ZANU-PF has selected a controversial nine candidates to that will represent the party in the Bulawayo council by-elections to replace a councillor that passed away and eight others that were recalled by MDC-T leader Dr Thokozani Khupe.
The list has already been met with resistance from activists in Bulawayo who claim that it is dominated by people who are not originally from the city.
Gwinyai Mucheki will represent the party in Ward 3 while Jairos Maropa will stand in Ward 8. In Ward 18 Enock Madzimure will represent the party, Phumulani Nsingo will stand in Ward 19. Admire Masikati will contest in Ward 9 while Mary Ncube will do so in Ward 12. Dennis Sibanda will be the Zanu-PF candidate in Ward 20 while Sailas Chirosho will stand in Ward 21. In Ward 26, Lungisani Sibanda will be the party candidate.
Last month, Dr Khupe recalled Clayton Zana of Ward 19, Tinevimbo Maposa of Ward 21, Ernest Rafamoyo of Ward 20, Donald Mabuto of Ward 9, Tinashe Kambarami of Ward 3, Lilian Mlilo of Ward 12, Concilia Mlalazi of Ward 18 and Norman Hlabano of Ward 26. There is also a vacant seat in Bulawayo following the death of Ward 8 councillor Ronnian Mudara.
Speaking on the sidelines of a Provincial Co-ordinating Committee (PCC) meeting yesterday, Zanu-PF Bulawayo Province Secretary for Information and Publicity Canaan Ncube said the party was happy with its selection, as it believed they were best candidates to return the City of Bulawayo to its former glory.
“We have what we call a selection of who will represent us. The most important thing is to realise that Bulawayo is in the midst of several major crises. It needs councillors that are genuine, councillors that will stand for the city and take it back to its past glory. That’s what we want and that’s what we had in mind when we selected the men and women that are going to represent us. We want them to take Bulawayo back to what it was. That’s the most important thing,” he said.
Ncube said the MDC-Alliance councillors that had been recalled had brought disgrace to the council chambers and it was now up to the ruling party to get council back on track.
Some MDC-T members have approached the High Court seeking to force the party’s interim leader Thokozani Khupe to release key information about the forthcoming extraordinary congress.
Gilbert Kagodora and Nason Mamuse cited MDC-T, Khupe, interim chairperson Morgen Komichi and acting organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe in the application.
Kagodora and Mamuse went to court after MDC-T interim secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora said MDC Alliance legislators and councillors that were recently recalled by his party would not be allowed to contest for positions at the congress.
The extraordinary congress was ordered by the Supreme Court, which ruled that MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa’s succession of the late MDC founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai was illegal.
Last month the court gave the MDC-T up to the end of next month to hold the congress.
Kagodora and Mamuse said before the congress is held, the party’s various internal organs must be involved.
They said the respondents made an announcement that the party’s national executive committee would meet on October 9, 2020 and the national council would meet on October 11, 2020,
The meetings were to be followed by provincial council meetings to nominate their preferred presidential candidate from October 25, but no notice of such meetings has been issued.
“The details of the venue, time or platform for the meeting have not been advised to applicants, who are entitled to attend such meetings,” they submitted.
“If a proper notice is not issued, and if the details of the meetings are not shared with the applicants, they stand to be excluded from the internal democratic processes of their party in violation of the constitution of the party.
“The dates for the meetings are close. The matter cannot wait.”
They added: “Respondents also announced that they had prepared a database of the electoral college to be used for the extraordinary congress.
“They further stated that all persons, who had been recalled from parliament or councils had lost party membership and were not entitled to attend the extraordinary congress.
“They also stated that all those who were members of the MDC Alliance national standing committee, national executive committee, national council, provincial, ward or branch structures were also not eligible to attend these.
“Given the fluidity between the MDC structures and those of the MDC Alliance, it is difficult to determine eligibility to these processes.”
Kagodora and Mamuse said it was important for the electoral college to be publicly shared to all members to provide clarity on this aspect and avoid arbitrary disenfranchisement of perceived political opponents or inclusion of non-eligible persons in the processes.
They want the court to issue a relief order directing the respondents to furnish them with full details such as date, time, venue, agenda and form of meetings with respect to all meetings in which they are entitled to attend in terms of the constitution of the MDC-T including all meetings of the national council, provincial councils, district councils, ward executive meetings and branch executive meetings.
The duo also asked Bhebhe as the organising secretary to furnish them with copies of the electoral college that will be used for the purposes of the extraordinary congress.
They asked the court to issue an order interdicting the respondents from barring from the extraordinary congress any person who was a bona fide member of the party as at the time the Supreme Court judgement.
Meanwhile, the High Court will tomorrow hear an application by a Kwekwe resident seeking to bar Khupe from carrying out her parliamentary duties.
Khupe and 14 of her associates were sworn in last week to fill in 15 proportional representation seats left vacant after she recalled 32 MDC Alliance MPs and 165 councillors.
Charles Madhiwa filed the court petition a day before the swearing-in ceremony seeking to interdict the parliamentary process.
Khupe immediately declared herself leader of the opposition in the House after the swearing-in.
Should the remaining MDC Alliance MPs remain in Parliament now that Thokozani Khupe is leading the party in Parliament? This is part of the ongoing MDC Alliance consultations. Help the party with your view.
By Farai D Hove | As Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s family was hit by serious allegations around child molestation, his son wrote out saying they are engaged in many rituals.
This complaint is released pursuant to Child Protection laws and guidelines.
Kuda Blessing Chiwenga
During an emotional family squabble, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s “son,” Kuda Blessing, also exploded to suggest that the man he calls his father, is a thief who survives on stealing. Writing publicly, on Wednesday, he said his dad is a monkey- anasoko “ nekuti munopona nezvekuba.” Chiwenga’s totem (African surname) is a monkey. [This translates to mean a monkey that survives on stealing].
He also offloaded a series of old pictures while penning out his thread. In the piece he also made several allegations against the father concerning his love life.
He alleged that he has been molested, without however elaborating what he means by that type of abuse whether metaphoric or literal. He said, “I may have no memory of this, but I do believe I was loved then. After that, it was just molestation, abuse, and a whole bunch of horrors. 2020 has seemed to exceed them all. There truly is a devil out there. God help us all.
#The_Poet “
Chiwenga in the early 1980s with wife
He alleged that a woman named “Getty” is destroying the whole Chiwenga clan. He then penned out several staggering allegations against the said, Getty.
He said, “Nhai Getty, woparadza dzinza rese here, wodya murume, kushandisa Charles kuba maunderwear evanhu, zvino shop yako naMwamuka yakasvikepi.
VP Constantino Chiwenga with wife in the 80s
“ Zvino vana vawakabheja kuti tichafa tingoripo.
“Nhai ngatigarei dare, musungise vakandibata chibharo. Ndosaka wakavengwa nedzinza rekumurume wako. Kubatirira pahanzvadzi kutya mhosva. Repent. All of this is your fault. Ndini ndazvitaura.”
After this he went on to point the accusing finger against his father saying that he is conspiring with stepmothers to ruin children’s lives. He said: “You see a whole grown man conspire to help some stepmothers ruin lives. Kubva kuna Jocy, toti Maria. Asi nhai Muradzi wakakwana here nemumwe wako Chaminuka. Zvamave retired muchiri double agent here Mr Chams.
“Ndimi vatingati anasoko nekuti munopona nezvekuba, ko mumwe Njenje akatizira kupi? Ko tsaga vamakatuma paye ndiri pasports diner. Did you think you could destroy me you imbeciles?”
The last block of allegations he offloaded is about the father. He said in full:
If I can calculate the amount of rituals some ladies from our family do. You may discover that the blue uniform they wear is where they truly belong. Imagine someone is sick for four months, he comes back and his sisters and aides conspire to release false articles to confuse the family. We know you were part of the crew that tried to kill him in the first place. Lawyers changing names and stuff. People, there’s a whole to this than people understand. Hatina kwatiri kuenda. Yet they same people are still masquerading as allies. Does your boss know of your other activities? Ana Muringi, idzungu rekunzi munogona kudhedha vanhu here? Takakunzwai nembiri yesabotage. Watooneka nekachiremerera kufamba nashefu asi brain ndopasina.
While attempts to get a comment from VP Chiwenga and his three former lovers were fruitless at the time of writing, several family members had joined in to somewhat commiserate with Kuda, with some saying the running complaints need to be attended to by family as a matter of urgency- this is a developing story.
Zanu PF acting spokesperson Parrick Chinamasa has revealed that President Emmerson’s Ministers are selling out on the party to the opposition MDC Alliance and other hostile” countries such as the United Kingdom by leaking confidential Cabinet minutes.
Speaking in a weekly ZANU PF press briefing at the party headquarters in Harare, Chinamasa said Mnangagwa’s Cabinet had moles working with the party’s perceived enemies.
Chinamasa claimed that some cabinet minutes found their way into the British Parliament.
“It is very clear that some people are receiving advice from their colonial masters. They oppose everything,” Chinamasa said.
“They disregard the Official Secrets Act and now publish cabinet minutes to their colonial masters.
“If you want to investigate this issue, journalists you can get it.
“Right now the British Parliament discusses our Cabinet minutes in their Parliament. We know that they work with the British.”
The former Justice minister refused to name the ministers that allegedly leak minutes after he was pressed by journalists.
Watch the full press conference in the video downloading below.
By Farai D Hove | All is not well in Emmerson Mnangagwa’s deputy, Constantino Chiwenga’s family as serious allegations around child molestation grow. This complaint is released pursuant to Child Protection laws and guidelines.
Kuda Blessing Chiwenga
During an emotional family squabble, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s “son,” Kuda Blessing, has exploded to suggest that the man he calls his father, is a thief who survives on stealing. Writing publicly, on Wednesday, he said his dad is a monkey- anasoko “ nekuti munopona nezvekuba.” Chiwenga’s totem (African surname) is a monkey. [This translates to mean a monkey that survives on stealing].
He also offloaded a series of old pictures while penning out his thread. In the piece he also made several allegations against the father concerning his love life.
He alleged that he has been molested, without however elaborating what he means by that type of abuse whether metaphoric or literal. He said, “I may have no memory of this, but I do believe I was loved then. After that, it was just molestation, abuse, and a whole bunch of horrors. 2020 has seemed to exceed them all. There truly is a devil out there. God help us all.
#The_Poet “
Chiwenga in the early 1980s with wife
He alleged that a woman named “Getty” is destroying the whole Chiwenga clan. He then penned out several staggering allegations against the said, Getty.
He said, “Nhai Getty, woparadza dzinza rese here, wodya murume, kushandisa Charles kuba maunderwear evanhu, zvino shop yako naMwamuka yakasvikepi.
VP Constantino Chiwenga with wife in the 80s
“ Zvino vana vawakabheja kuti tichafa tingoripo.
“Nhai ngatigarei dare, musungise vakandibata chibharo. Ndosaka wakavengwa nedzinza rekumurume wako. Kubatirira pahanzvadzi kutya mhosva. Repent. All of this is your fault. Ndini ndazvitaura.”
After this he went on to point the accusing finger against his father saying that he is conspiring with stepmothers to ruin children’s lives. He said: “You see a whole grown man conspire to help some stepmothers ruin lives. Kubva kuna Jocy, toti Maria. Asi nhai Muradzi wakakwana here nemumwe wako Chaminuka. Zvamave retired muchiri double agent here Mr Chams.
“Ndimi vatingati anasoko nekuti munopona nezvekuba, ko mumwe Njenje akatizira kupi? Ko tsaga vamakatuma paye ndiri pasports diner. Did you think you could destroy me you imbeciles?”
The last block of allegations he offloaded is about the father. He said in full:
If I can calculate the amount of rituals some ladies from our family do. You may discover that the blue uniform they wear is where they truly belong. Imagine someone is sick for four months, he comes back and his sisters and aides conspire to release false articles to confuse the family. We know you were part of the crew that tried to kill him in the first place. Lawyers changing names and stuff. People, there’s a whole to this than people understand. Hatina kwatiri kuenda. Yet they same people are still masquerading as allies. Does your boss know of your other activities? Ana Muringi, idzungu rekunzi munogona kudhedha vanhu here? Takakunzwai nembiri yesabotage. Watooneka nekachiremerera kufamba nashefu asi brain ndopasina.
While attempts to get a comment from VP Chiwenga and his three former lovers were fruitless at the time of writing, several family members had joined in to somewhat commiserate with Kuda, with some saying the running complaints need to be attended to by family as a matter of urgency- this is a developing story.
The Zimbabwe National Army is recruiting doctors, pharmacists and radiographers at a time when the same staff employed by government have remained on a crippling strike over salaries and working conditions.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga who is also the Minister of Health and Child Care recently indicated that government will start employing health staff through the army instead of the public service through the Health Services Board.
Goverment later disputed the plan which looked set to block health personnel from being involved in industrial actions.
In an advert made available to ZimEye.com, the army promises that it will offer a basic salary, free accommodation and some allowances to recruited personnel.
MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa has sent an early Sunday morning from Buhera where he has condemned the ZANU PF led goverment for falling to address concerns raised by teachers who have remained on strike completely collapsing the education sector.
In a Twitter post, Chamisa called on the government to pay teachers “real money.”
I’m in Buhera.Parents are concerned about education & the dignity of students in schools.Teachers must be paid real money& given decent conditions of service.A nation that neglects its education neglects its civilization.A government that ignores its teachers ignores its future! pic.twitter.com/KYFcVUVOuc
Zimbabwe, like other African countries, is trying a phased re-opening of schools after closing in March due to COVID-19.
But teachers are refusing to return to class, pointing to low pay and unsafe conditions.
The teachers said they want at least US$520 per month or equivalent in local currency and equipment like masks, face shields, and hand sanitizer to protect themselves against COVID-19.
In response, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said his government will stop paying the more than 100,000 teachers who have not reported for duty.
Speaking from an event in Mutare during the week, Mnangagwa said his goverment will never be held at ransom by the teachers.
“I have heard that after schools reopened in Manicaland, only 30 percent of teachers have reported for duty. Let me assure all of you that government will never be held to ransom by the teachers. By failing to report for duty, they think they will push us to do what they want. No, we are very principled on that. However, we are happy that some have gone back to work. We will apply the principle that those who work will get paid. Those who are at home are not considered to be at work.”
The drama in the Gwanda Mayoral elections continues with the ruling ZANU PF now also being drawn into it.
Highly placed sources within the party have told ZimEye.com that the ZANU PF councillor for ward 9 in the town, Tulani Moyo, is set to be recalled and effectively dismissed from the party.
The overly ambitious Moyo last week defied a directive by the party National Political Commissar Victor Matemadanda and the party caucus when he nominated himself as candidate for the mayoral election in the process leading to the defeat of the ZANU PF official candidate by one vote in the tightly contested election.
According to the sources, the party dismissed Moyo’s desire to stand as its candidate in a caucus meeting which was presided over by Matemadanda a day before the elections. Councillor Albert Ndlovu was approved as the candidate for the party.
Moyo shocked all and sundry on election day when he nominated himself as a candidate. His fellow ZANU PF councillors did not second his nomination and was seconded by an MDC Alliance Councillor seeing the chance to have ZANU PF divide its votes.
Cllr Njabulo Siziba of the MDC Alliance emerged winner after polling five votes beating councillor Ndlovu of Zanu-PF who garnered four votes following a rerun.
In the first round of voting, Cllr Moyo garnered one vote while his rivals garnered four votes each leading to a re-run.
According to the sources, the party’s Gwanda district structures have called on President Emmerson to immediately recall the councillor and dismiss him from the party altogether.
“The party leadership in Gwanda has unanimously agreed that Moyo is a deviant and the party can not accommodate such behaviour,” said the source to ZimEye.com.
The source shockingly revealed that the ruling party had successfully lobbied one of the opposition MDC Alliance Councillors to vote for them only for Moyo to “sellout.”
ZANU PF has four councillors in the town with the MDC Alliance holding on to five after the recall of the MDC Alliance Mayor Jastone Mazhale.
“Our local commissar had managed to bag the one vote we needed from the MDC to win the mayor but Moyo decided to sellout on the party and this can not be forgiven in ZANU PF,” said the source.
Efforts to get a comment from councillor Moyo had not been successful at the time of writing this news article.
THE mystery surrounding the whereabouts of slain seven-year-old Tapiwa Makore’s missing head and hands has deepened.
The traditional healer suspected to be the brains behind the ritual murder is saying it was pure coincidence that he happened to visit the village the week that the boy disappeared and was allegedly murdered.
Tapiwa disappeared on Thursday September 17, only for his torso to be dragged by dogs into a village compound the following morning.
Tinei Makore, also known as Marvellous Muchedzi, who is a known traditional healer, had left the village the previous day, Wednesday September 16.
The Sunday Mail tracked him down and found him at his compound in the Mvurwi farming area. He confirmed that he had, indeed, visited his home village in the three days preceding Tapiwa’s disappearance and subsequent murder.
He revealed that he spent his three-day stay in the village with Tapiwa Makore Senior, the co-accused in the disappearance and alleged murder of Tapiwa Junior.
“I had been away from my village for slightly more than a year. I got a witch-hunting job to do at Chabwino Farm, in the Shamva area and after I was paid, I decided to go home and catch up with my cousins,” narrated Tinei.
“I left this farm (Mvurwi area) on Saturday and arrived in Makore village Monday. Since I moved out of the village some three years back and there is no one staying in the home which we used to stay, Tapiwa Senior said I could spend my days in the village staying with him.
“On the Monday, we spent time in the village mixing with other folks, trying to catch up. That night I slept at Tapiwa’s home. The following day, I spent almost the whole of it attending to my motorbike which had a puncture.
“Tapiwa Senior said he was going to work with other villagers on deepening his well, as the water was no longer enough for his cabbages.”
Tinei said he slept at Tapiwa Senior’s home as well that Tuesday evening before bidding him farewell on Wednesday morning as he returned to Mvurwi.
“I stopped-over at Kashiri’s place, Fraser Farm, around the Bindura area, on my way here. I slept there Thursday and arrived back on Friday. Then on Saturday morning, I received a call from the person I had visited at Chabwino, asking me if it was true, the news that was coming from Makore village that a child had been found murdered.
“That is how I got to know that there had been a murder back in my village. I told him I was back in Mvurwi and had not heard anything. Then the news started circulating on social media and I phoned some relatives back home, only to find out if it was true.”
A self-confessed traditional healer since 1992, “when I was 20 years old”, Tinei said it was happenstance that he decided to visit his village the same week that Tapiwa Junior disappeared and coincidental that he stayed with Tapiwa Senior, the co-accused in the disappearance and murder of Tapiwa Junior.
Chief Superintendent George Mugonda, Officer in Charge at Murehwa Police Station, confirmed that Tinei is a suspect, though they were not sure about his whereabouts.
“We have been informed by the family that a relative, for long known as a traditional healer, visited the village in the days leading to the disappearance of Tapiwa Junior. We are yet to interview him as we don’t know his whereabouts,” the police supremo in Murehwa district said.
At Makore village, Munyaradzi Makore and wife, the parents of the murdered boy, said though they do not have any conclusive evidence linking Tinei to the murder, what they cannot understand is the coincidence around their relative, a known tsikamutanda (witch hunter), visiting at about the same time their son disappeared.
“For the time being we are working with what Tafadzwa Shamba has indicated and further than that, we are not privileged to comment neither can we assume. Just that the coincidence is too much to stomach for us. We will leave the police to conclude their investigations,” said Munyaradzi, the father.
Chief Supt Mugonda said besides Shamba’s confessions, which led to the discovery of the boy’s legs, they have no further information.
“The co-accused, Tapiwa Makore Senior, is refusing any involvement in the murder. In fact, he is not saying anything apart from his name. So all the information that we have so far, is what Tafadzwa has told us.”
According to Makore villagers, Tapiwa Senior lived in Harare for several years before returning to the village in July this year with a proposal to do a cabbage project. And for effect, there are times he came with his “investors” to have a look at his settings.
The long-term plan was to drill a borehole, with the help of the “investors”. However, after a couple of visits, the “investors” stopped coming to the village for the progress checks. Besides the cabbage nursery, land had been prepared for transplanting the same.
Stuck with more than enough cabbage seedlings, Tapiwa Senior is said to have started selling the seedlings, which apparently found no takers, as the water sources were drying up in the area. He, however, managed to transplant some of them in his garden.
Then Tinei, the traditional healer, paid the three-day visit, arriving on a Monday, departing on a Wednesday, a day before Tapiwa Junior disappeared.
On Friday September 18 morning, a dog dragged a human torso into a nearby village compound.
“What pains us up to now,” narrated Mrs Makore, Tapiwa’s mother, “is that uncle Tapiwa accompanied us on the six-hour party that we had to look for my son. But looking back now, we now understand, he was interfering a lot with the search, saying things that dispirited us. We abandoned the search around midnight, which tallies with the time that Tafadzwa said they killed my son.
“The following morning, as soon as daybreak, we resumed the search. Then a boy was sent to where we were, advising us to abandon the search and go home. I started crying, I knew that my son was dead. But my thinking then, as I had sent him to the garden, was that he had drowned in a well. I was asked not to go where everyone was going, but asked to go to my mother-in-law’s place.
“This was around 7am. I was only asked to attend to the scene around 3pm when the police had already been called in. My husband, though, had been there. When I got there the torso was covered with a blanket and I did not see anything. The only time I saw it, was when it was put into the steel coffin.”
At the time of his disappearance, Tapiwa Junior was putting on a maroon trousers and a white round-neck jersey with blue stripes. His shoes were found by the garden but the clothes have not been found as yet.
When investigating officers came back after collecting the body, they asked everyone in the village to stand with his wife. All the women were asked to stay in one place and as the men went on a search of each household.
A trousers with blood stains was found in Tafadzwa’s room. Tafadzwa was staying with Tapiwa Senior as his herd boy. On initial and separate questioning, Tapiwa Senior is said to have said that the blood was that of a chicken that he had asked Tafadzwa to kill for their meal. On the other hand, Tafadzwa is said to have said he had slept with a virgin the previous day. When the named girl was asked, she refused having slept with Tafadzwa.
Interestingly, Tinei, the traditional healer, in admitting that for two nights he slept in one of Tapiwa Senior’s spare bedrooms, said that Tafadzwa was not staying with Tapiwa Senior, but was staying at the Katsande homestead, a stone’s throw from Tapiwa’s homestead. He said Tapiwa Senior prepared the Tuesday meal for him.
In accordance with local traditions, Chief Mangwende has ordered that no corpse will be buried in his area without a head.
Thus, the Makores’ appeal to the co-accused is to come clean on the whereabouts of their son’s head so that he can be accorded a decent burial.
“We want our son to finally be put to rest but we are appealing to those who have our son’s head to come clean, there is no need to keep hiding it because the whole world now knows what happened. We want closure on the matter, at least for now,” said the mother.
Chief Supt Mugonda was singing from the same hymn book, pleading with anyone who might have information that might bring the matter to finality to come forward.
“This issue is no longer a Murehwa issue, but it is now a national issue, so if there is anyone out there who might have any information that might help us locate the boy’s head, please let them come forward.”
Tinei, the traditional healer, said no one, not even the police, had approached him to give his side of the story but has nothing to hide.
“It is just pure coincidence that I happened to be at the village the same week this murder occurred, otherwise I am prepared to go back to the village to clear my name.”
On the two Tapiwas’ sharing the same name, Mr Munyaradzi Makore said it was pure coincidence that they gave their son the name of his cousin, and that they did not give him the name as an honour to Tapiwa Senior.
“True, we once stayed with him (Tapiwa Senior) in Mufakose for some four months. At the time, I had separated with my wife and during the course of reuniting, we had this son, and we were just elated that we had been blessed with a son, as our first-born was a girl. So we named him Tapiwa. It had nothing to do with my cousin.”
Drama continues to unfold in the Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T as the militant Harare province youth leader Paul Gorekore has dismissed as baseless a suspension imposed on him by party Khupe.
In a letter dated September, 30, Thokozani Khupe indicated that the party had suspended Gorekore for leading the take over of the party headquarters by the party youths.
The letter read as follows:
However, in a follow up press release, the youth leader dismissed Khupe.
The statement reads:
I note with concern my purported suspension by MDC-T Acting President Dr Thokozani Khupe. l need to make it clear that l remain Harare Province Youth Chairperson on the following basis;
The purported suspension was done from a misinformed position. No person, official or staff member was barred from entering MRT House as alleged in the letter .
2.It is unlawful & unconstitutional to suspend a member of the Party for simply calling for unity within the Party and amongst its leaders.Calling for unity within the Party is not an offense as enshrined in the Party Constitution.
3.I am of the view that the purported suspension is because of my personal and democratic political choice of one candidate over another. This suspension is a mockery of my constitutional right to support a candidate of my choice ahead of EOC.
4.Other than being Harare Province Youth Chairperson. I am employed by the Party as the person responsible of all security matters at MRT House therefore my contract with the Party still exists and is still valid.
On behalf of the MDC-T Harare Province Youth Assembly I reiterate that there is need for our Party leaders to unite so as to have undisputed EOC. Failure to unite and allow all 2014 Genuine Congress delagates will lead to a disputed EOC.
Ahead of EOC National Organizer through his organizing committee should publish all 2014 Genuine Congress delagates list for the purpose of verification. The Independent team that will oversee or supervise nomination processes should be agreed by all candidates and published for scrutiny.
2014 Genuine National Executive and 2014 Genuine National Council should physically seat so as to agree set road map for EOC.
We will not allow a situation whereby few National Executive members who do not constitute a quorum make critical decisions via ZOOM ahead of EOC whilst congress delagates who are over 5000 are supposed to physically meet to elect a new leader .
I have instructed my legal representative to study the purported suspension and prepare an adequate response.
We remain in charge of MRT House as we await Court proceedings on the matter filled by 2014 MDC-T Secretary General Hon Douglas Mwonzora.
Any attempt to forcibly take over MRT House will be resisted and stopped.
We call for UNITY
On behalf of
MDC-T Harare Youth Assembly Paul Gorekore Chairperson
Former ZANU PF Youth League commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu, who surrendered himself to the police on Friday, will spend the weekend behind bars after he was remanded in custody by a Harare court yesterday.
Tsenengamu (38) appeared before Harare magistrate Ngoni Nduna charged with incitement to commit public violence.
Prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti told the court that during the period from March 1, 2020, Tsenengamu posted video and audio messages on social media, inciting people across the country to participate in the July 31 demonstrations. In one of the audio clips, Tsenengamu is alleged to have said: “From 31 July and beyond, you must know that people will die as never previously witnessed in this country.
“Masses will be beaten heavily; thievery and corruption will increase to unprecedented levels. Boys and girls who are in the Diaspora with parents in the country, encourage your parents to attend the protests in their numbers and fight for themselves, fight for you and fight for the country as you are being oppressed in the Diaspora where you are based so that you will be able to come to them.”
The accused is also alleged to have incited the public using his Twitter handle @GodfreyTsenaz in which he posted: “I am not sure about the results of this approach. Anyway Zimbabwe must win. The Green Revolution is saying corruption and looting must fall on July 31.”
Tsenengamu will return to court tomorrow for a ruling on his bail application.
By A Correspondent| Independent Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has angered MDC Alliance supporters after he appeared to set an agenda for MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe who was on Wednesday sworn in as a Member of Parliament under questionable circumstances.
Khupe’s return to parliament has attracted backlash from MDC Alliance who accuse of shamelessly accepting to replace recalled legislators from the party to which she contested against in the 2018 general elections.
Mliswa said it refreshing that Khupe had returned to parliament where he said she made a name for herself pushing cancer issues.
“It was refreshing to see @DrThoko_Khupe in Parly this week. She’s certainly a woman with capacity. It’s no coincidence seeing her back during the month of #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth. Her advocacy on cancer had been missing&we welcome it &her participation in other matters back,” said Mliswa.
Former Miss Zimbabwe Bongani Dhlakama is embroiled in a messy divorce with her husband Bongani Ndlovu.
The couple has thrown all caution to the wind, accusing each other of poor sexual performance, among other issues. In court papers exclusively obtained by Sunday News in which Ndlovu was seeking a restraining order against Dhlakama he said although they were still staying together, they have been using separate bedrooms since May 2019 after their relationship irretrievably broke down.
Ndlovu said it was around that time that they agreed that their relationship had come to an end, and the decision was communicated to their relatives. The couple has one child together aged two. Through his lawyers Malinga and Mpofu Legal Practitioners, Ndlovu alleged that the supermodel was verbally and emotionally manipulative towards him, adding that the “repeated abuse” was being meted out on him in front of his children, maid and anyone who would be present at their house in Bulawayo’s Burnside suburb.
“Respondent and I were customarily married sometime in 2016 and we have one minor child together who is two years old. Prior to my involvement with the respondent I was married to my ex-wife with whom I had two children, one who is now at university and the other one doing Lower Six. I also have another one who is 13 years old who occasionally visits. Over the past 17 months my relationship with the respondent has deteriorated to an extent that I can no longer have her under the same roof with me because of her continuous abuse towards myself and my children from my first wife,” Ndlovu’s affidavits reads in part.
Ndlovu claimed that he now lives “scared” at the thought of him and his children being poisoned by Dhlakama.
“On the 31st of August 2020, the respondent threatened to poison me together with my children. She has made it clear that she can carry out her threat upon my children at any time. Prior to respondent sending me the WhatsApp message she had indicated to me that she can get rid of me by poisoning me and I will be gone for good. The said threat was uttered when I tried to engage her concerning her behaviour towards me and the children,” he said.
He alleged that his estranged wife has also threatened to enlist the services of thugs to “deal” with him. This was after his efforts to engage relatives had dismally failed.
“She further indicated that should I continue to seek help from family members and friends she will make it a point that I regret it. She also said that she will simply go and make a false report that I have assaulted her and I will find myself in prison where I will be sodomised and damaged forever.”
He further said in March this year, Dhlakama squandered ZW$20 000 that he had given her for deposit and first month’s rental and US$150 to transport her property. This was after she had indicated that she wanted to move out, as it was untenable for them to be in the same house due to the breakdown of their relationship. He said he lost his job on 30 June 2020, as a result of Dhlakama’s violent behaviour as she was in the habit of going to his workplace to shout and cause a scene.
“Sometime when I was not feeling well, the doctor prescribed for me some antibiotics, multivitamins and mineral syrup. I administered the first dose when I got home but later when I was administering the second dose, I discovered that the medicine was now diluted with another liquid I would like to think was water. I discarded the bottle and got another one. When I engaged her on the issue, she made it known to me
that she can do whatever she wants.”
Ndlovu then begged the court to consider his application as a matter of urgency claiming his life and that of his children were in danger.
Responding to Ndlovu’s claims through her lawyers Vundla-Phulu and Partners, the ex-Miss Zimbabwe said her estranged husband approached the wrong court for relief.
She, however, admitted that their relationship has irretrievably broken down with no reasonable prospect of the restoration of a normal marriage relationship.
“I accept that our marriage is practically over. If applicant is to remove me from the property he must do so lawfully and for cogent reasons. I now sleep in a separate bedroom with my daughter. This was a decision taken for my safety and also to avoid sexual imposition by the applicant. In spite of the abuse meted out by the applicant he would still attempt to have sexual intercourse with me but I will not be in a position to entertain him sexually.”
Dhlakama also refuted abuse allegations and that she once tampered with Ndlovu’s medication and that she had also threatened to poison him and his children. She argued that Ndlovu’s life and that of his children were not in any danger except in his mind, adding that Ndlovu was the one who had abused her in several ways.
“I deny that I have abused the plaintiff and his children. I have tried to be a mother to the minor children, however, we failed to bond as a result of the applicant’s constant interference. I have never acted in a manner to cause harm to the children,” argued Dhlakama.
She then labelled Ndlovu a “serial adulterer” while giving explicit evidence of why their marriage has broken down.
“The applicant is a serial adulterer who I found at one point engaging in relationships with three women. This has caused grave stress to myself and emotionally. The applicant did not apologise for his affairs but defended himself. In fact, he gloated about his affairs and insulted my femininity and my capacity to please him physically as a wife.”
She corroborated her claims by attaching a vile WhatsApp conversation in which they end up accusing each other of poor sexual performance. Ndlovu’s attacks read: “Go to your talk clever cassanovas who promise to marry you and dump you. Lawe awumnandi (and you too not sweet). Because of what or who you are . . . you’re not inspiring to any man . . . deceiving portraying beauty but full of rotten heart.”
And Dhlakama hit back saying: “F***yourself. You dumb barbarian. “Your p**** doesn’t do me really. You may think you didn’t want to sleep with me but I also didn’t look forward. Even back then, you were just a lump of dead flesh. And you are weak. I felt like I was being touched by a woman.”
Dhlakama also disputed her estranged husband’s claims that he lost his job because of her abusive behaviour.
“He insulted his own superior at work resulting in problems for him. I deny that I caused the scene at his workplace. I went there to look for him since he had a habit of disappearing for days and not being reachable on his phone.”
In her ruling presiding magistrate Adelaide Mbeure ordered Dhlakama not to physically, verbally and emotionally abuse her estranged husband and also not to go to any place or premise where he would be employed or carrying out his business.
Dhlakama was crowned Miss Zimbabwe in 2012 and held the crown until 2014 when another contest was held.
By Jane Mlambo| Teachers unions in Zimbabwe have jointly urged government to address their salary grievances for them to return to work saying they are willing to return to work once the current impasse is solved.
In a statement released today, teachers said they are not against parents and students but simply stressing the dangers of teaching learners while frustrated and stressed.
“Teachers are not against parents and students. In actual fact, what teachers are simply saying is that it is very dangerous to entrust the future on learners in the hands of a frustrated, poorly remunerated and stressed teachers. Once the impasse is resolved, teachers will do everything possible to help their learners,” reads the statement.
Teachers have made a desperate plea for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to stop ignoring their plight saying he might be remembered for destroying the once thriving education system in the country.
In a statement released today, teachers said they are willing to return to work once the current impasse is addressed.
Teachers have vowed that they will not return to work until government improves their working condition.
This has stalled the schools re-opening programme and final examinations as there is little activity in schools.
“President E. D. Mnangagwa should not ignore the plight of teachers. We don’t want to believe that he would want to be remembered for destroying the education system of this country,” reads the statement.
The teachers unions added that they should not be taken as a charity initiative demanding to be treated as professionals instead.
“Teachers are not for charity but professionals who are only crying for dignified treatment, reasonable salaries and befitting conditions of service,” teachers noted.
Former energy and power development minister Advocate Fortune Chasi lost his mother yesterday.
The firebrand politician who was fired from government by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and replaced by Soda Zhemu shared a picture of his last meeting with his mother before her death.
By Jane Mlambo| Yesterday 10 October 2020, Zimbabwe recorded one more Covid-19 related death from the 16 new cases recorded, ministry of health and child care has announced.
According to ministry of health, all the 16 new cases are local while the single death recorded was from Bulawayo.
The ministry further reported that the 7 day rolling average number of cases has gone down to 18 from 19 recorded the previous day.
The Government has given the green light to schools and parents to work out a pro-rata system for the third term’s school fees for non-examination classes, as some pupils will only have face-to-face learning for 30 days.
Last month, the Government announced a phased approach to schools opening that saw three examination classes — Grade 7, Form 4 and Upper Sixth — opening on 28 September under Phase One. Under Phase Two, next year’s examination classes — Grade 6, Form 3 and Lower Sixth will open on 26 October while the rest ECD A and B, Grades 1 to 5 and Forms 1 and 2 will open on 9 November.
Under the new directive, Zimsec public examinations will begin on 1 December while other classes will close on 18 December.
Under these rules, Phase 1 pupils will have face-to-face learning at school for an average of 60 days, Phase 2 classes 40 days while Phase 3 pupils will learn for 30 days. The majority of schools have, however, throughout the lockdown, been offering online classes, which some academics have said are not effective.
Director of communications and advocacy in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Mr Taungana Ndoro told Sunday News yesterday that it was procedural that schools management meet parents and agree to come up with a fees pro-rata system for pupils who will attend classes for face-to-face learning for a few days.
“That is the procedure, schools and parents come together and agree the pro-rata system, once they agree on the amount the classes will pay, they then forward to us for approval,” he said.
The Government also scrapped Term Two fees since schools were closed in March due to Covid-19. School management and parents have been holding meetings to try to ensure that parents also contribute in buying some of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) material although Government has insisted that it has set aside money for to cater for the PPEs.
“The problem is that some schools are now taking advantage to demand too much. We have heard that some schools want to have a thermometer for every class but no pupils must be screened when they are getting into class but at the gate so there is no need to be buying thermometers to cater for every classroom,” said Mr Ndoro.
He insisted that schools have already received some of the PPEs including sanitisers and face masks from Government.
“Still some schools are making their own and as Government we commend that, and we have said we will support them by buying from them.”
On preparation for the examination classes, Mr Ndoro said 631 000 pupils will sit for Grade Seven, Form Four and Upper Sixth examinations this year and preparations have been going on well.
“About 27-30 percent of the teachers are reporting for duty and remember not all classes have been opened so using these figures each teacher is catering for 23 students which is commendable.”
Some teachers have not been reporting for duty since schools opened as they are trying to push the Government to review their salaries. The Government has continued to reiterate its commitment to ensure that its workers are remunerated fairly.
Early this month, the Government awarded civil servants a 40 percent cost-of-living salary adjustment, while negotiations continue with unions representing civil servants over a final agreement on wages and other employment terms.
The adjustment was on top of the continuation of the US$75 a month Covid-19 allowance, which is part of interim steps taken by the Government to help cushion its employees while salary review negotiations are in progress. President Mnangagwa last week, however, warned that those teachers who were not reporting for duty risk not being paid their salaries.
“Government will not be taken to ransom by striking teachers. The Second Republic proceeds on principles, not blackmail. Teachers will be paid for working, never for staying at home, away from their work stations,” he said.
The opposition MDC Alliance has selected Judith Tobaiwa as its candidate for the Kwekwe Central seat that fell vacant following the death of NPF member Masango Matambanadzo early this year.
Below is Tobaiwa’s poster circulating on social media
By Jane Mlambo| Teachers have made a desperate plea for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to stop ignoring their plight saying he might be remembered for destroying the once thriving education system in the country.
In a statement released today, teachers said they are willing to return to work once the current impasse is addressed.
Teachers have vowed that they will not return to work until government improves their working condition.
This has stalled the schools re-opening programme and final examinations as there is little activity in schools.
“President E. D. Mnangagwa should not ignore the plight of teachers. We don’t want to believe that he would want to be remembered for destroying the education system of this country,” reads the statement.
The teachers unions added that they should not be taken as a charity initiative demanding to be treated as professionals instead.
“Teachers are not for charity but professionals who are only crying for dignified treatment, reasonable salaries and befitting conditions of service,” teachers noted.
By Jane Mlambo| Teachers unions in Zimbabwe have jointly urged government to address their salary grievances for them to return to work saying they are willing to return to work once the current impasse is solved.
In a statement released today, teachers said they are not against parents and students but simply stressing the dangers of teaching learners while frustrated and stressed.
“Teachers are not against parents and students. In actual fact, what teachers are simply saying is that it is very dangerous to entrust the future on learners in the hands of a frustrated, poorly remunerated and stressed teachers. Once the impasse is resolved, teachers will do everything possible to help their learners,” reads the statement.
A female nurse based at Embakwe Mission Hospital in Mangwe District allegedly bashed her colleague who is asthmatic and living with albinism before shoving her to a gate with barbed wire and calling her a “useless inkawu” over US$10, Sunday News has learnt.
Inkawu is a derogatory SiNdebele word for people living with albinism. The female nurse, Sithethiwe Tshuma attacked her ill colleague allegedly after she was irked by the fact that she was given a lunch allowance of US$10 ahead of her. Matabeleland South police provincial spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident which happened on 23 September at the Roman Catholic Church-run institution.
“We are handling a case of assault involving nurses at Embakwe over a dispute relating to a lunch allowance,” said Chief Insp Ndebele.
Matabeleland South Provincial Medical Director Rudo Chikodzo declined to comment but sources at the institution who witnessed the incident said they were shocked when their colleague who is employed as a primary care nurse was bashed by Tshuma who works as a registered nurse midwife over US$10. The source said on the day, the nurse-in-charge made a paysheet for lunch allowances and the primary care nurse’s name was included.
“However, when Tshuma discovered that her name was not on the paysheet instead of approaching the nurse-in-charge, she confronted this nurse and asked why she had been paid while she has not received the money,” said the source.
The source added that colleagues advised Tshuma to talk to the nurse-in-charge but she refused and started confronting her colleague who had been paid the allowance.
“She pounced on her and pushed her against the gate which had barbed wire, she fell down and sustained a slight head injury and lacerations on the hands. As if that was not enough, Tshuma strangled her while her other hand was clawing her lips,” said the witness.
The witness said colleagues pulled Tshuma from the top of the other nurse who was now struggling to breathe.-The Sunday News
▪️ Now that we are about to reach the Armageddon of our incapacitation struggle as witnessed by more teachers joining the action and schools being deserted;
▪️ Worried that His Excellency, President E. D. Mnangagwa made remarks threatening teachers on industrial action before seeking engagement and remaining indifferent to the plight of the teachers;
▪️ Observing that the $600 million meant for Covid-19 purposes did not filter into the schools as evidenced by acute shortage of PPEs and other Covid-19 abatement items in most of the schools;
▪️ Aware that Government is still acting in denial about the situation in our schools as evidenced by their threats to fire teachers or cease their salaries and pretending that the school system is functioning normally;
▪️ Shocked by some acts of ‘benevolence’ in the form of food handouts by some misguided elements who want to hijack the teachers’ incapacitation for personal aggrandizement.
Therefore, we, the undersigned teachers’ representatives, do hereby reiterate that:
▪️ No amount of force or threat can capacitate teachers who have all tested positive to poverty. The employer should swallow her pride and do the right thing.
▪️ The nation should know that teachers in all public schools are not at work because the government has failed them and will not succumb to any threats. Where there are incidents of teaching taking place, it is just cosmetic.
▪️ Teachers are not for charity but professionals who are only crying for dignified treatment, reasonable salaries and befitting conditions of service.
▪️ It is only through meaningful engagement, improved salaries, eradication of discrimination among government workers, assurance of health and safety of teachers and pupils during this Covid-19 period, and harmonisation of labour laws that teachers’ return to schools can be guaranteed. Once government brings a meaningful offer, teachers are ready to report for duty thereafter.
▪️ We, as teachers, want a separate collective bargaining board where we can then articulate the education specific issues unlike the current scenario where the education sector is bundled up with everyone else.
▪️ Teachers should remain resolute and focused on our demands. All pusillanimous tendencies should be a thing of the past going forward. Teachers should encourage those who are still reporting for duty to join others in showing government that we deserve better.
▪️ Teachers are not against parents and students. In actual fact, what teachers are simply saying is that it is very dangerous to entrust the future on learners in the hands of a frustrated, poorly remunerated and stressed teachers. Once the impasse is resolved, teachers will do everything possible to help their learners.
▪️ President E. D. Mnangagwa should not ignore the plight of teachers. We don’t want to believe that he would want to be remembered for destroying the education system of this country.
A circulating picture of Chiendambuya Police Station in Makoni District has caused social media stir among Zimbabweans on Twitter who said the dilapidated nature of the structure spoke volumes about corruption and plunder at the expense of national development.
Chiendambuya police station in Makoni district
Opposition MDC Alliance vice President Tendai Biti said;
“This is Exhibit A of 40 years of ZANU PF’s failure, indifference, cruelty & cluelessness. Chendambuya is capital of Makoni North, like all of Zim it pays price of corruption & neglect. Development & urbanization of rural areas is a top priority (#DURA) #ZimbabweanLivesMatter.”
Patrick Chinyoka had this to say;
“Theres overwhelming evidence of failures by the regime across all areas not just Councils, therefore we will criticise #Corruption #humanrightsabuses children learning under trees,failed economy
Local govt should release the necessary funds to enable Councils to run efficiently.”
FORMER Gwanda Mayor Rido Mpofu has been arrested for allegedly raping his 15-year-old relative on several occasions while she was staying with him.
Mpofu (70) from Jacaranda suburb in Gwanda was not asked to plead when he appeared before Gwanda magistrate, Miss Caroline Matanga facing a rape charge last week. He was remanded in custody to 23 October.
Prosecuting, Mr Noel Mandebvu said Mpofu raped the minor once sometime last year and three times this year. The court heard that Mpofu would threaten to chase the complainant away from his home or stop supporting her if she reported the matter.
“Sometime during the year 2019 the complainant was at accused person’s place of residence where she used to stay and one night when she was about to sleep the accused person went into the complainant’s bedroom and asked her to polish his shoes.
“Complainant woke up and as she was receiving the shoes from the accused person, he pushed her onto the bed and raped her. Accused person went further to rape the complainant on three other occasions this year and would threaten to chase her away from his house or stop paying her school fees if she revealed the matter to anyone,” he said.
Mr Mandebvu said the complainant later revealed the matter to her grandmother sometime in August and the matter was reported to the police on 25 September. Mpofu was arrested on Wednesday last week following police investigations.
Meanwhile, a 13-year-old teenager has appeared in court for allegedly raping his 11-year-old neighbour.
The teenager who cannot be named for ethical reasons, who is also a school dropout was convicted on his own plea of guilty to rape by Gwanda regional magistrate, Mrs Sibonginkosi Mkandla last week. Passing of his sentence was postponed to this week.-The Sunday News
THE Government has given the green light to schools and parents to work out a pro-rata system for the third term’s school fees for non-examination classes, as some pupils will only have face-to-face learning for 30 days.
Last month, the Government announced a phased approach to schools opening that saw three examination classes — Grade 7, Form 4 and Upper Sixth — opening on 28 September under Phase One.
Under Phase Two, next year’s examination classes — Grade 6, Form 3 and Lower Sixth will open on 26 October while the rest ECD A and B, Grades 1 to 5 and Forms 1 and 2 will open on 9 November.
Under the new directive, Zimsec public examinations will begin on 1 December while other classes will close on 18 December.
Under these rules, Phase 1 pupils will have face-to-face learning at school for an average of 60 days, Phase 2 classes 40 days while Phase 3 pupils will learn for 30 days. The majority of schools have, however, throughout the lockdown, been offering online classes, which some academics have said are not effective.
Director of communications and advocacy in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Mr Taungana Ndoro told Sunday News yesterday that it was procedural that schools management meet parents and agree to come up with a fees pro-rata system for pupils who will attend classes for face-to-face learning for a few days.
“That is the procedure, schools and parents come together and agree the pro-rata system, once they agree on the amount the classes will pay, they then forward to us for approval,” he said.-The Sunday News
THREE men from Chivi in Masvingo province have been arrested for allegedly teaming up to murder their 72-year-old mother after accusing her of witchcraft.
The accused — Duduzile, Bright and Daniel Tizirai of Makuvire village — last week appeared before Masvingo High Court judge Justice Garainesu Mawadze charged with murder.
Prosecutor Emmanuel Mathose alleged that on April 5 this year, the co-accused approached their now deceased mother, Nyengeterai Tizirai, and accused her of causing the death of her daughter-in-law.
The trio reportedly took the deceased to Nyaningwe dip-tank, tied her hands with a rope and took turns to assault her using a rubber strip and logs.-The Sunday Mail
BUSINESS was brought to a halt at Mutare Central Police Station last week when a man whose phone had been confiscated by the police ordered a cop to perform some ritual to ‘cleanse’ his phone.
The act backfired for the man as he was arrested.
He appeared in court two days later.
Obert Muchirahondo (30) appeared before Mutare magistrate, Ms Audrey Muzhinji last Friday on charges of engaging in practices commonly associated with witchcraft.
Muchirahondo denied the allegations and was remanded in custody to October 28.
Mr Chris Munyuki prosecuted.
It was the State’s case that on Tuesday last week, Muchirahondo went to Mutare Central Police Station to collect his confiscated cellphone.
When the police tried to give it to him, Muchirahondo ordered a police officer to ‘cleanse’ it first.
He produced some rapoko and a knife that was wrapped in a red cloth from his pocket. Muchirahondo then ordered police officer Betserai Mabeza to cleanse the phone by touching the knife.
Said Mr Munyuki: “Muchirahondo told the police officer that he had been given the items by a popular Hauna-based traditional healer.
“He told her (the police officer) that he had consulted the traditional healer after the police had confiscated his phone at the roadblock,” he said.-Manica Post
CHIEF Musarurwa of Chivhu has blocked villagers from naming a road in rural Hokonya area after former First Lady Grace Mugabe, arguing that proper procedures were not followed.
The villagers had resolved on their own to honour Grace by naming a seven-kilometre gravel road which leads to her family’s homestead in Ndwere village off the Chivhu-Murambinda Road, as Grace Way.
But Chief Musarurwa (Enos Masakwa) said if the villagers wanted to name the road, there were certain procedures which had to be followed and processed through Cabinet.
“There is no such road named Grace Way in Chivhu. As far as I know, no Cabinet sat and resolved to name it that way. Do not mislead citizens by issuing out names that are not approved by the government,” he said.
A villager, Andrew Mazhawidza, said: “The road was named after Grace by villagers some two decades ago when she got married to the now late former President Robert Mugabe. It was a prestigious marriage in this community, hence the road to her homestead became very popular.”
The road passes through Madondo Primary School, a few metres from the Marufu homestead as it proceeds to St Francis of Assisi High School, where Grace was a patron during the time she was First Lady. Apart from the gravel road which villagers had named in her honour, no other institution or place has been named after the once powerful Grace in her rural home.
The venue for the Sunday’s friendly match between Malawi and Zimbabwe has been changed, Malawi FA confirmed on Friday.
The game was supposed to happen in Kamuzu Stadium but will now take place on Sunday at Mpira Village Stadium in Blantyre.
Kick-off time is at 2:30 pm CAT.
The encounter will be played behind closed doors, but football fans in Malawi, Zimbabwe and other regions can watch it via live stream on Malawi FA’s official Facebook page.
THE mystery surrounding the whereabouts of slain seven-year-old Tapiwa Makore’s missing head and hands has deepened.
The traditional healer suspected to be the brains behind the ritual murder is saying it was pure coincidence that he happened to visit the village the week that the boy disappeared and was allegedly murdered.
Tapiwa disappeared on Thursday September 17, only for his torso to be dragged by dogs into a village compound the following morning.
Tinei Makore, also known as Marvellous Muchedzi, who is a known traditional healer, had left the village the previous day, Wednesday September 16.
The Sunday Mail tracked him down and found him at his compound in the Mvurwi farming area. He confirmed that he had, indeed, visited his home village in the three days preceding Tapiwa’s disappearance and subsequent murder.
He revealed that he spent his three-day stay in the village with Tapiwa Makore Senior, the co-accused in the disappearance and alleged murder of Tapiwa Junior.
“I had been away from my village for slightly more than a year. I got a witch-hunting job to do at Chabwino Farm, in the Shamva area and after I was paid, I decided to go home and catch up with my cousins,” narrated Tinei.
“I left this farm (Mvurwi area) on Saturday and arrived in Makore village Monday. Since I moved out of the village some three years back and there is no one staying in the home which we used to stay, Tapiwa Senior said I could spend my days in the village staying with him.
“On the Monday, we spent time in the village mixing with other folks, trying to catch up. That night I slept at Tapiwa’s home. The following day, I spent almost the whole of it attending to my motorbike which had a puncture.
“Tapiwa Senior said he was going to work with other villagers on deepening his well, as the water was no longer enough for his cabbages.”
Tinei said he slept at Tapiwa Senior’s home as well that Tuesday evening before bidding him farewell on Wednesday morning as he returned to Mvurwi.
“I stopped-over at Kashiri’s place, Fraser Farm, around the Bindura area, on my way here. I slept there Thursday and arrived back on Friday. Then on Saturday morning, I received a call from the person I had visited at Chabwino, asking me if it was true, the news that was coming from Makore village that a child had been found murdered.
“That is how I got to know that there had been a murder back in my village. I told him I was back in Mvurwi and had not heard anything. Then the news started circulating on social media and I phoned some relatives back home, only to find out if it was true.”
A self-confessed traditional healer since 1992, “when I was 20 years old”, Tinei said it was happenstance that he decided to visit his village the same week that Tapiwa Junior disappeared and coincidental that he stayed with Tapiwa Senior, the co-accused in the disappearance and murder of Tapiwa Junior.
Chief Superintendent George Mugonda, Officer in Charge at Murehwa Police Station, confirmed that Tinei is a suspect, though they were not sure about his whereabouts.
“We have been informed by the family that a relative, for long known as a traditional healer, visited the village in the days leading to the disappearance of Tapiwa Junior. We are yet to interview him as we don’t know his whereabouts,” the police supremo in Murehwa district said.
At Makore village, Munyaradzi Makore and wife, the parents of the murdered boy, said though they do not have any conclusive evidence linking Tinei to the murder, what they cannot understand is the coincidence around their relative, a known tsikamutanda (witch hunter), visiting at about the same time their son disappeared.
“For the time being we are working with what Tafadzwa Shamba has indicated and further than that, we are not privileged to comment neither can we assume. Just that the coincidence is too much to stomach for us. We will leave the police to conclude their investigations,” said Munyaradzi, the father.
Chief Supt Mugonda said besides Shamba’s confessions, which led to the discovery of the boy’s legs, they have no further information.
“The co-accused, Tapiwa Makore Senior, is refusing any involvement in the murder. In fact, he is not saying anything apart from his name. So all the information that we have so far, is what Tafadzwa has told us.”
According to Makore villagers, Tapiwa Senior lived in Harare for several years before returning to the village in July this year with a proposal to do a cabbage project. And for effect, there are times he came with his “investors” to have a look at his settings.
The long-term plan was to drill a borehole, with the help of the “investors”. However, after a couple of visits, the “investors” stopped coming to the village for the progress checks. Besides the cabbage nursery, land had been prepared for transplanting the same.
Stuck with more than enough cabbage seedlings, Tapiwa Senior is said to have started selling the seedlings, which apparently found no takers, as the water sources were drying up in the area. He, however, managed to transplant some of them in his garden.
Then Tinei, the traditional healer, paid the three-day visit, arriving on a Monday, departing on a Wednesday, a day before Tapiwa Junior disappeared. On Friday September 18 morning, a dog dragged a human torso into a nearby village compound.
“What pains us up to now,” narrated Mrs Makore, Tapiwa’s mother, “is that uncle Tapiwa accompanied us on the six-hour party that we had to look for my son. But looking back now, we now understand, he was interfering a lot with the search, saying things that dispirited us. We abandoned the search around midnight, which tallies with the time that Tafadzwa said they killed my son.
“The following morning, as soon as daybreak, we resumed the search. Then a boy was sent to where we were, advising us to abandon the search and go home. I started crying, I knew that my son was dead. But my thinking then, as I had sent him to the garden, was that he had drowned in a well. I was asked not to go where everyone was going, but asked to go to my mother-in-law’s place.
“This was around 7am. I was only asked to attend to the scene around 3pm when the police had already been called in. My husband, though, had been there. When I got there the torso was recovered with a blanket and I did not see anything. The only time I saw it, was when it was put into the steel coffin.”
At the time of his disappearance, Tapiwa Junior was putting on a maroon trousers and a white round-neck jersey with blue stripes. His shoes were found by the garden but the clothes have not been found as yet.
When investigating officers came back after collecting the body, they asked everyone in the village to stand with his wife. All the women were asked to stay in one place and as the men went on a search of each household.
A trousers with blood stains was found in Tafadzwa’s room. Tafadzwa was staying with Tapiwa Senior as his herd boy. On initial and separate questioning, Tapiwa Senior is said to have said that the blood was that of a chicken that he had asked Tafadzwa to kill for their meal. On the other hand, Tafadzwa is said to have said he had slept with a virgin the previous day. When the named girl was asked, she refused having slept with Tafadzwa.
Interestingly, Tinei, the traditional healer, in admitting that for two nights he slept in one of Tapiwa Senior’s spare bedrooms, said that Tafadzwa was not staying with Tapiwa Senior, but was staying at the Katsande homestead, a stone’s throw from Tapiwa’s homestead. He said Tapiwa Senior prepared the Tuesday meal for him.
In accordance with local traditions, Chief Mangwende has ordered that no corpse will be buried in his area without a head.
Thus, the Makores’ appeal to the co-accused is to come clean on the whereabouts of their son’s head so that he can be accorded a decent burial. “We want our son to finally be put to rest but we are appealing to those who have our son’s head to come clean, there is no need to keep hiding it because the whole world now knows what happened. We want closure on the matter, at least for now,” said the mother.
Chief Supt Mugonda was singing from the same hymn book, pleading with anyone who might have information that might bring the matter to finality to come forward.
“This issue is no longer a Murehwa issue, but it is now a national issue, so if there is anyone out there who might have any information that might help us locate the boy’s head, please let them come forward.”
Tinei, the traditional healer, said no one, not even the police, had approached him to give his side of the story but has nothing to hide.
“It is just pure coincidence that I happened to be at the village the same week this murder occurred, otherwise I am prepared to go back to the village to clear my name.”
On the two Tapiwas’ sharing the same name, Mr Munyaradzi Makore said it was pure coincidence that they gave their son the name of his cousin, and that they did not give him the name as an honour to Tapiwa Senior.
“True, we once stayed with him (Tapiwa Senior) in Mufakose for some four months. At the time, I had separated with my wife and during the course of reuniting, we had this son, and we were just elated that we had been blessed with a son, as our first-born was a girl. So we named him Tapiwa. It had nothing to do with my cousin.” -Sunday Mail
Celebrations of upcoming major Hindu festivals in October and November have been reportedly cancelled in Harare (Zimbabwe) due to Covid-19.
According to an announcement of The Hindoo Society Harare (HSH), traditional celebrations of upcoming festivals of Navratri, Sharad Poonam, Diwali and Bestu Varsh have been cancelled in the interest of the safety and well-being of the community.
Two Hindu temples in Harare, run by HSH, which had been closed for few months due to Covid-19, opened again on September 26 with various protocols.
Temperature of each person entering the premises of the Hindoo Society will be taken and hands will be sanitized at the entrance. Individuals with a temperature not in the permissible range (36.1 °C to 37.2 °C) will be denied entry, an announcement of HSH Executive Committee stated at their opening.
Wearing of masks is compulsory and visitors will be required to give their names and contact numbers at the entrance and abide by the tape demarcations to observe social distancing (minimum two meters) within the temple. Any person refusing to follow the procedures will be required to leave the premises, the announcement added.
Ridgeview Shree Omkar Mandir will be open daily from 06:00 am 07:30 pm, while Cameron Street Shree Omkar Mandir will be open daily from 07:30 am to noon. Mandir (Temple) will be disinfected daily by a professional company, per the announcement.
Commending HSH for attempting necessary precautions and actions to combat deadly coronavirus and educating the community, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, urged Hindus to draw closer to God through prayer during Covid-19.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, suggested Hindus to pray at least twice daily in their home shrines with total devotion and pure heart. These prayers might include making offerings to ista-devata, chanting mantras, reading sacred texts, performing aarti and bhajans, doing puja, etc.
Hindus are God’s people, full of courage and generosity. Petition God for the common good of all the local and world communities during these times of confusion and suffering, Rajan Zed says.
Lord Ganesh murti in Ridgeview Shree Omkar Mandir in Harare.
Cameron Street Shree Omkar Mandir celebrated 90th anniversary in February 2019, while 25th anniversary of Ridgeview Shree Omkar Mandir was observed in 2017. HSH “intends to publish a written record” of the hundred years of “community’s existence in Zimbabwe”.
In the pre-Covid-19 times, HSH reportedly had been conducting various bhajan events, twice-weekly yoga classes, Hindi lessons, cultural/social activities; organized daily aarti at both the temples with Havan on Sundays; and offered funeral assistance for bereaved families; etc.; besides running Mahila Mandal, Shishu Mandal and Yuvak Mandal. HSH has also been running various schools—Westridge High School, Westridge Primary School, Gujarati School.
Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.1 billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has implored Zimbabweans to remain steadfast in their quest for freedom from tyranny.
President Chamisa made the remarks at the funeral of MDC Alliance MP Hon Anna Myambo in Chitungwiza on Friday.
He took a swipe at Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa for using guns to silence dissenting voices.
Said President Chamisa: Mnangagwa is using guns to suppress the will of the people.Mnangagwa has guns and we have the people.
Don’t be intimidated, Mnangagwa cannot arrest the whole nation.
In Zimbabwe everyone is prison, Mnangagwa himself is in prison.”
He added:”(Thokozani) Khupe is playing with a snake.Wait and see you cannot play with a wild beast one day it will kill.Can you harness a snake’s eggs? It’s too risky – sadly that is what Khupe is doing.
Hon Myambo was a dedicated party cadre.This thing(recall) affected her.”
By A Correspondent | When he was sworn into office 2 years ago, the Deputy Health And Child Care Minister, John Mangwiro swore saying he would help the country lower its health bill.
John Mangwiro
25 months later, a major investigation opened by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission investigates the circumstances in which, the pharmaceutical parastatal, Natpharm is being forced to award Young Healthcare Limited, a briefcase company, a tender for COVID materials. The Deputy Health Minister is under investigation for among other things, complaining and convening a meeting at 10pm on a date in August 2020, to complain why the tender team did not award dysfunctional firm the tender.
The investigation also looks into why COVID 19 materials were overpriced in the deal.
“Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Mangwiro convened a meeting with the adjudication team, where he queried the reasons why the team did not award the tender to Young HealthCare Limited. Members were threatened with dismissal;” the ZACC report says.
The report investigates how minister Mangwiro allegedly pounced on Natpharm’s adjudicating team for tenders, late at night, at 10pm and grilled them why they are refusing to award Young HealthCare Limited the tender.
The value was at first set at USD5,6 million.
Young Health Care Limited was awarded a contract to supply nucleic acid and purification machines, transport media and reagents.
But to date, Natpharm has received supplies worth only US$124 630.
Dr John Mangwiro
The Deputy Minister also reportedly insisted on pre-payment and tasked the technical team from laboratory and Natpharm procurement to visit Young Health Care Limited in their country office and verify available stock in order to compel the Natpharm Acting MD to make a prepayment to Young Health Care Limited. Such actions violated the evaluation process since the technical team did not have the mandate to carry out the verification of supplies.
THE FULL ZACC REPORT IS BELOW:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BACKGROUND……………………………………………………………………3
OBJECTIVES………………………………………………………………..…….3
METHODOLOGY…………………………………………………………………4
FINDINGS……………………………………………………………………..4-7
RECOMMENDATIONS…………………………………………..…………….8
6. CONCLUSIONS………………………………………………………………………9
CLIENT’S COMMENTS ON RECOMMENDATIONS………….…………..9
IMPLEMENTATION…………………………………………… ..…………..10
MONITORING AND EVALUATION……………………………………….10
ANNEXURES……………………………………………………………………11
1. BACKGROUND
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, as prescribed by Section 12 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act (Chapter9:22) is mandated, amongst other functions, to monitor and examine the practices, systems and procurement procedures of the public and private institutions; to advise and assist agency or institution in the elimination of minimization of corruption; and to assist in the formulation of practices, systems and procurement procedures of public institutions with a view to the elimination of corrupt practices.
It is against this background that the Commission assigned Compliance and Systems Department to carry out a Compliance and Systems Spot Check Exercise on the procurement procedures for Tender Number– International NAT TCB FWWK 04/2020- laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for COVID-19 at Natpharm. The exercise was necessitated by allegations raised in the anonymous letter to ZACC dated 18th August 2020 that Natpharm and Ministry of Health and Child Care did not follow proper procurement procedures for the procurement of laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for COVID-19 management (tender reference number: INT NAT ITCB FWWK 04/2020).
2. OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the exercise were to ascertain the allegations made in the anonymous letter, which were as follows:-
The tender was awarded to a non-deserving company (Young Healthcare), whose products were sub-standard and do not meet
World Health Organization and FDA specifications; and CE marked;
The price quoted by Young International was higher than other competitors whose products were approved by WHO, FDA; and CE marked;
Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Mangwiro convened a meeting with the adjudication team, where he queried the reasons why the team did not award the tender to Young HealthCare Limited.
Members were threatened with dismissal;
To examine the systems, procurement procedures and practices related to Tender Number : International NAT TCB FWWK 04/2020- laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for COVID-19; and
To come up with recommendations to plug loopholes and measures in view of the above allegations.
3. METHODOLOGY
1. Interviews
Interviews with members of the adjudication team for the tender for laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables, were held to ascertain what transpired during the procurement process with a view of ascertaining the allegations, tracing the systems used, identify weaknesses and possible remedies. The individuals interviewed were the Acting Managing Director of Natpharm, officers from National Microbiology Reference Laboratories (NMRL) and the procurement officer at Natpharm.
2. Documents Analysis
In order to confirm some statements made by the interviewees, the team requested for a number of documents listed below:
Tender documents for 04/2020;
Summary Report of the tender; and
Young HealthCare Limited company profile and communication with Natpharm and Ministry of Health and Child Care.
4. FINDINGS
4.1 Non-Compliance with provisions of PRAZ Circular 1 of 2020, Public Finance Management Act [Chapter: 22:19] and the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act [Chapter 10:31] by Ministry of Health and Child Care.
4.1.1 Numerous directives from the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), particularly Deputy Minister Dr. Mangwiro to
Natpharm Management
Procurement process of the tender 04/2020 was marred by directives from the Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Mangwiro, resulting in delaying of the procurement. A letter from the then Acting Secretary of Health Dr. Mhlanga dated 15 July 2020, instructing Nat-Pharm to make direct procurement of supplies from Young Health Care (attached) was issued when the company was not registered with PRAZ. This is violation of some provisions of PRAZ Circular 1 of 2020 which stipulates that, only PRAZ listed suppliers are sources of COVID-19 supplies. When Natpharm insisted on competitive bidding, the tender process had to be postponed to allow Young Health Care Limited to register with PRAZ. This delayed the procurement of COVID-19 materials.
The Deputy Minister has usurped the authority of the Permanent Secretary as the accounting Officer.
The Deputy Minister does not have the powers and mandate to undertake administrative duties, which are the responsibility of the Permanent Secretary. The Deputy Minister reportedly issued numerous directives to the Nat-Pharm management throughout the tender process.
4.1.2 Price-inflation by Young Health Care on Direct Procurement quotation ($5 600 000)
Initial quotation by Young Health Care for supply of commodities under direct procurement, where prices quoted by Young Heath Care Limited were exorbitant amounted to USD$5 600 000-00, which was coincidentally the same amount that was in the Ministry coffers, suggesting that the company had inside information.
When Nat-Pharm insisted on competitive bidding, Young
Health Care Limited subsequently submitted a bid price of USD$ 3 600 000-00 for the same items. This saw a reduction of 36% in the price. (see attached two quotations).
4.1.3 Interference with the bidding process by the Deputy Minister
of Health and Child Care, Dr. Mangwiro. (see attached report from Natpharm).
Natpharm settled for competitive bidding, which saw other bidders coming on board to compete with Young Health Care. The tender was eventually floated on the 5th of August and closed 7th of August 2020, in line with PRAZ Circular 1 of 2020 which provides for emergency procurement, allowing tenders to be floated for 48hrs instead of 40 working days under normal circumstances. A total of 22 bidders participated. The adjudication of the tender started from the 8th to 10th of August 2020 and resumed from the 13th and 14th of August 2020.
4.1.4 The results of the winners were announced except for tender item 24, 25 and 26 which are yet to be concluded to allow further technical evaluation of the samples from bidders.
4.1.5 Natpharm Acting MD reported that he received a phone call from the Deputy Minister instructing him to convene with his adjudication team during odd hours to explain why the tender was not awarded to
Young Healthcare Limited. The Deputy Minister also demanded that a purchase order be issued that same night. The adjudication team was picked from their homes around 2200 hours and were interrogated by the Deputy Minister until early hours of the following day.(see attached report) The Deputy Minister threatened the team with dismissal for failing to award Young Health Care the contracts.
4.1.6 Violation of the terms and conditions of Supply Contract by
Young Healthcare Limited and the Deputy Minister
(i). Young Health Care Limited was genuinely awarded the contract to supply nucleic acid and purification machines, transport media and reagents. To date, Natpharm has received supplies worth US$124 630, 40 as follows:
Young Healthcare Deliveries on the 31st of August 2020
Item
Quantity Ordered
QuantityReceived
%
Purification machines
4
2
50
Nucleic Acid
220 000
13 824
6.3
Transport Media
220 000
14 000
6.4
Source: Natpharm
Young Health Care Limited managed to deliver a paltry 6% of Nucleic Acid and another 6% of Transport Media but went on to request prepayment for the awarded contract, including undelivered supplies ( see attached request), contrary to the terms and conditions of the contract signed with Nat-Pharm, which stipulates that payment should be made 7 days after delivery.(post-payment)
(ii) The Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Mangwiro reportedly insisted on pre-payment and tasked the technical team from laboratory and Natpharm procurement to visit Young Health Care Limited in their country office and verify available stock ( see letter dated 25th August 2020) in order to compel the Natpharm Acting MD to make a prepayment to Young Health Care Limited. Such actions violated the evaluation process since the technical team did not have the mandate to carry out the verification of supplies.
Natpharm Acting MD wrote a letter on the 26th of August 2020 (attached) to the Permanent Secretary for Health and Child Care informing him of the pre-payment issue and seeking guidance on how to proceed. However, there was no response from the Ministry, prompting the Acting MD to decline taking the Deputy Minister’s instruction to pre-pay Young Health Care and he referred him to the signed contract (attached). Verification team noted that items amounting to US$127,643.20 were in-stock instead of US$922, 000.00 requested for prepayment.
5. RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Given the extent to which the Deputy Minister was involved in the said tender process, indications are that he was acting on his own capacity and not on behalf of the Ministry. The actions of the Deputy Minister signal a personal interest in the tender and this should have prompted him to declare his interest.
5.2 The conduct of the Minister during this tender process warrants further investigations for Criminal Abuse of Office for possible violation of Section 174 of the Criminal Law Codification Act [Chapter 9:23]. Apart from this provision, further investigations should be conducted to ascertain possible violation of Section 14 of the Public Finance Management Act [Chapter 22:19] by the Deputy Minister through giving ministerial directives having financial implications when he demanded prepayment of undelivered goods to Young Health Care.
5.3 There is need for further investigations into the possible violation of the
Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act [Chapter 22:23] as
the conduct of the Deputy Minister might have compromised the independence of Natpharm as a procurement entity.
5.4 The Commission should closely follow the re-floated tender laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for COVID-19 to ensure competitive bidding and that undeserving bidders are not awarded the contracts.
5.5 Best practices and good corporate governance should always be applied during procurement processes. Officials who are appointed to carry out procurement process should be allowed to do so independently without interference.
5.6 Investigations into possible violation of the Cabinet Directive that granted Natpharm exclusive powers for procurement of Covid 19 materials.
6. CONCLUSIONS
The timeous intervention by the Commission has resulted in the cancellation of the controversial tender awarded to Young Health Care Limited, thus saving the nation from a potential loss of USD$2million, had the tender been awarded.
The Systems and Review Team recommendation – for cancellation of the tender- has however been pre-empted by NatPharm`s decision to cancel the tender. The Team is satisfied with this positive outcome which signals the importance of conducting such spot checks.
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has implored Zimbabweans to remain steadfast in their quest for freedom from tyranny.
President Chamisa made the remarks at the funeral of MDC Alliance MP Hon Anna Myambo in Chitungwiza on Friday.
He took a swipe at Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa for using guns to silence dissenting voices.
Said President Chamisa: Mnangagwa is using guns to suppress the will of the people.Mnangagwa has guns and we have the people.
Don’t be intimidated, Mnangagwa cannot arrest the whole nation.
In Zimbabwe everyone is prison, Mnangagwa himself is in prison.”
He added:”(Thokozani) Khupe is playing with a snake.Wait and see you cannot play with a wild beast one day it will kill.Can you harness a snake’s eggs? It’s too risky – sadly that is what Khupe is doing.
Hon Myambo was a dedicated party cadre.This thing(recall) affected her.”
A panoramic view: MDC-T supporters rally at Mkoba Stadium
Mat South YA statement (2014)structures
The Matebeleland South Province Youth Assembly for(2014) have gathered today to reaffirm our position on the developments in our beloved party.
After realising the changes and developements after the so said Suprime Court judgment,we as the youth assembly are so worried about how these decisions made without the mandate of the National Executive and the National Council,which are the boards that make decision in between congresses.
We are very worried about the captured courts and the leadership that is very clear that is working hand in hand with Zanu PF,this therefore gets to a point that,we the young people of this rainbow province (Mat South) who were part of the 2014 leadership we are taking over the security of the party effectively today 10/10/20
This therefore serves that we are now in charge of the security of the organization or the peoples project temporarily until the national council sits and map a way forward.
We call for unity amongst the membership and leadership for the swift execution of our vanguard role,together stronger,stronger together.
For and on behalf of the MDC T YA Mat South Denis Mkhokha Moyo Prov YA Spokesperson 2014
The ruling ZANU PF has underplayed the importance of by-elections to fill vacant council and Parliamentary seats left vacant mainly by MDC Alliance members who were recalled by the interim MDC-T leadership.
These remarks were made by the party’s acting secretary of Information, Patrick “Czar” Chinamasa during the party’s weekly media briefing held in Harare this Saturday.
The former Finance Minister said that ZANU PF awaits guidance from the relevant authorities like the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission on how to go about the process. Chinamasa added:
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However, the Party makes it categorically clear that the By-elections are not even an issue of much interest as the Party already dominates the representation in Parly. He adds that the Opposition should therefore desist from claiming that the Party is influencing the delay. This comes when the Minister of Health, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga indefinitely suspended by-elections citing the coronavirus. ZEC also confirmed the suspension reiterating Chiwenga’s point of the prevalence of the pandemic.
The ban on by-elections was criticised by some especially members of the opposition MDC Alliance who opined that it was a strategy by the ruling party to allow MDC-T to appoint replacements. Some analysts believe ZANU PF is conniving with MDC-T to weaken its rival MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa ahead of the 2023 elections.
FORMER ZANU PF Youth League political commissar chair Godfrey Tsenengamu has been remanded in custody to the 12th of this month. He appeared in court this Saturday on allegations of inciting public violence. The state-led by Mr Lancelot Mutsokoti and Desire Chidanire opposed the granting of bail to the accused. Investigation officer in the matter Detective Inspector Clifford Mugaviri argued that if the accused is granted bail there are chances that he will team up with his accomplices and continue to pursue violent acts against the government. Tsenengamu’s co-accused Jim Kunaka and Promise Mkhwananzi are still at large. The court also heard that police are yet to record witness statements from a possible number of other seven people. Tsenengamu through his legal representative Mr Harrison Nkomo argued that what has been presented before the court does not show any compelling reasons for the state to deny him bail since 31 July had come and gone without any violence. Tsenengamu surrendered himself to the police on Friday. Tsenengamu is among 14 political activists, including MDC Alliance national vice-chairperson Job Sikhala and Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe President Obert Masaraure who were on the police wanted list for inciting public violence ahead of the flopped July 31 protests.
FILE PHOTO: Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Nelson Chamisa
MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa has told the citizenry to brace for mass protests against the deteriorating state of affairs. He said the socio-economic and political crises in the country were a signal enough to make the citizenry throng to the streets.
Chamisa said the citizenry must be united since the state cannot kill all the people. He speaks after the state previously used sheer force to disperse protesters.
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) notes with concern the attack on democracy and violation of the electorate’s choice through the swearing in of the “Fake” members of Parliament and senators on 07 October 2020. Fifteen MDC T members were sworn in as members of Parliament and senators to replace those in the MDC Alliance proportional representation and Senators who were recalled following factional fights in the main opposition party.
The National Assembly proportional representatives reserved for women are filled from party lists based on the proportion of votes party candidates for constituencies garnered in the last general election. It is based on this, that ZimRights feels saddened that in 2018, the electorate voted for the candidates under MDC Alliance despite that there was a choice on the ballot. It is therefore unfathomable that Dr Thokozani Khupe who ironically fielded her own candidates against the recalled MPs in the 2018 elections and garnered about 45 000 votes has been brought back as the leader of the opposition through a supreme court ruling which conferred her legitimacy in the acting capacity.
The Vacant Constituency seats in the National Assembly are filled in through by-elections which also were suspended by the Minister of Health through Statutory Instrument (S.I) 225A of 2020, another attack on democracy. Vice President Constantino Chiwenga who doubles as the health Minister said that by-elections which were slated for December will be suspended in terms of section 68 of the Public Health Act (Chapter 15:17).
This attempt to stifle democracy and interfere in the operations and functions of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission undermines democracy. The elections are supposed to replace the recalled MDC Alliance members and those that have passed on. The constitution of Zimbabwe in chapter 4 section 67 accords citizens the right to vote and choose political representatives of their choice. It is shocking and disgusting that institutions mandated to respect and implement the constitution are now on the fore front of abrogating and tearing apart the very same constitution which brought them into existence. What is even more shocking is that while by-elections have been suspended, the ruling party is proceeding to prepare for elections as evidenced by ongoing primary elections.
ZimRights therefore does not understand why the electorate can be forced to continue without representatives because of COVID-19 while other gatherings have been allowed.
ZimRights distaste the imposition of leaders some who were rejected by the electorate in 2018 and calls on the “fake” representatives to step down and allow the will of the people to prevail. Parliament of Zimbabwe is not a heaven of political losers and “fake” representatives.
ZimRights also reminds government and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission of section 159 of the Constitution that states: Whenever a vacancy occurs in any elective public office established in terms of this constitution, the authority charged with organising elections to that body must cause an election to be held within ninety days.
ZimRights is clear on its position that as a young democracy, Zimbabweans should choose their own representatives as per the provision of the constitution and that the will of the people should be respected.
ZimRights also calls on the main opposition party, MDC, to stop politicking and the factional fights that have seen the sacking of representatives chosen by the citizens.
Issued by Benedicta van Minnen MP – DA Member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts
Nkosazana Maphisa Ngqakula
During a meeting of Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) today, the Minister of Defense and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, indicated that she did not see any problems with illegal crossings at South Africa’s borders.
This was in response to a question about soldiers allegedly accompanying illegal border crossers to do their shopping. The Minister indicated that it was humane to allow poor Zimbabweans to illegally cross the border to access shopping and medical care at South African clinics. She acknowledged that many Zimbabweans were suffering from the effects of poverty and lack of medical care and admitted to knowing that the army was providing transport to assist people in these actions.
SCOPA recently visited the Beitbridge Border fence commissioned by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) stemming from an illegal directive from Minister Patricia De Lille.
Beitbridge is the busiest border post in Southern Africa and sees thousands of people and hundreds of trucks cross daily in a legal and orderly manner. During this lockdown period that regulation is vitally important to the proper management and containment of Covid-19, a disease which has killed thousands of South Africans and people across the region.
However, the border fence has not been built according to the specifications, and it has seen multiple illegal crossings, breaks and defects which allows for many illegal border crossings.
Minister Mapisa-Nqakula stated that these persons were not illegal immigrants as they were merely crossing back and forth across the border to access services and shopping.
The Minister quite rightfully identifies that poverty is a huge problem in Zimbabwe and that it has the effect of driving people to illegally cross the border. However, in admitting her knowledge of the multiple illegal border crossings and her apparent justification of the army’s role, the Minister has demonstrated utter contempt for the rule of law in South Africa.
It also directly contradicts the regulations and requirements of the National State of Disaster declared by the President and the regulations of the National Command Council. The Minister does not seem to appreciate that it is the role of the Beitbridge Border crossing to facilitate legal entry and exit into the Republic and that there is no justification for illegal crossings.
How can a Cabinet Minister, one directly responsible for national security, not only admit knowledge of illegal actions to a Committee of Parliament, but then seek to justify this behaviour instead of using her Department to enforce legal border crossings?
So, not only is the fence that was commissioned not fit for purpose, but the Ministry of Defence has no problem justifying the illegal crossing of the border it is designed to stop, and the financial implications of facilitating illegal border crossings to the South African taxpayer.
In admitting knowledge of illegal action and in justifying same, Minister Mapisa-Nqakula has added to her long list of indiscretions. It is clear that the President must fire her immediately.
Former ZANU PF Youth League political commissar, Godfrey Tsenengamu has chosen to be remanded in custody saying his security was jeopardised as unidentified men were always following him.
Tsenengamu who appeared before the courts this Saturday facing charges of inciting public violence made the remarks during police interviews.
He surrendered himself to the police after three months on the run. The incitement of public violence charges were levelled against him and many others after he allegedly said:
From 31 July and beyond people will die as previously never witnessed in this country….and people will be beaten…levels of corruption will rise…
31 July was a day scheduled for the foiled 31 July anti-corruption protests following reports of grand corruption by some senior government officials.
HStv reports that prosecutors Lancelot Mutsokoti and Desire Chidanhire opposed the granting of bail to Tsengengamu saying he would abscond.
They called to the witness stand, Detective Assistant lnspector Clifford Mugaviri who argued for Tsenengamu’s continued detention saying he was likely to abscond since he is facing a serious offence.
Tsenengamu’s lawyer Harrison Nkomo told the court that Tsenengamu who is married, has four children and was never convicted before is a good candidate for bail. He was remanded in custody to the 12th of this month.
Some rogue elements within the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) are ripping off Zimbabwean business people by demanding huge bribes to facilitate their entry into South Africa for the purpose of restocking their wares.
The so-called South African “good Samaritan” soldiers have on numerous occasions caught on camera escorting illegal cross border traders from the Zimbabwean side to South Africa.
Reports of some SANDF involved in some corrupt dealings with Zimbabweans recently came out when South African Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula, appeared before that country’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts where she seemed unaware of the illegal activities.
She instead defended argued that the soldiers were merely assisting “needy Zimbabweans purchase food supplies and medication”.
However, sources in Beitbridge dismissed the South African minister’s submissions as gross misrepresentation of facts, arguing that this was clear corruption being masked as benevolence.
They said that it was as clear as sunshine that the soldiers’ clients were anything but needy but business people who are paying handsome monies for trouble free access into South Africa, in a typical case of officially facilitated nefarious activities.
“Many people who cross daily to the South African side are traders operating along the border seeking to restock their wares”, said Lovemore Ndlovu, who is tuckshop owner in Gwanda.
“During this lockdown period, we have to pay between 300 rands to 500 rands for safe passage into South Africa” added Ndlovu.
Tafadzwa Bwanyai, a regular cross border trader said that SANDF soldiers sometimes obtain goods at prices which were much lower than in South African shops.
He boasted that the soldiers could buy goods directly from manufacturers or wholesalers at a discount.
“SANDF soldiers are making a killing by being bush immigration and customs officials for Zimbabweans and other nationalities. This bribery is not limited to Zimbabweans only,” he said.
Corruption among SANDF officers has risen to a level where the soldiers are being employed by Zimbabwean traders as messengers or porters.
Byron Sithole told The Herald that for 750 rands, “SANDF mules” could fetch groceries for traders from as far as Musina and deliver them to sites along the Limpopo from where one then collects them.
When asked if such payments did not render their business unprofitable, Sithole said that the officers were sourcing the goods cheaply and that the traders were saving a lot by not paying duty and avoiding transport and other costs.
Investigations also revealed that the SANDF forces along the border had mutated into some form of organised crime gang.
The proceeds of their corrupt activities are reportedly distributed to all, including the command element. The security implications of the alleged corrupt activities in Beitbridge poses a grave security threat given the existence of drug mules, human traffickers, terrorists, who can easily manipulate SANDF and the South African police to gain passage for a fee.
More than 150 illegal settlers have invaded the 3 467 hectare citrus farm near Chinhoyi owned by businessman and Zanu PF Zvimba South legislator Philip Chiyangwa.
Chiyangwa said in an interview that the illegal settlers remained on the farm in defiance of a recent court order and were building structures and clearing land in preparation for the 2020-21 farming season.
“We have taken the matter to the courts and the invaders have been served with notices of vacation,” he said. “A security company dealing with the invaders will help remove the invaders from the farm.”
Recently, leaders in Makonde district, which has seen a lot of illegal settlers turning grazing land and conservancy areas into farming land, convened a meeting where they agreed to thwart the invasions.
Makonde district development coordinator Mr Benjamin Zivanai recently said the invasions that have been witnessed in the district had either led to the injuries after clashes or arrests. The meeting saw district heads from police, Environment Management Agency and Mining and Lands ministries deliberate on the moves needed to avoid any future invasions and clashes.
The venue for the Sunday’s friendly match between Malawi and Zimbabwe has been changed, Malawi FA confirmed on Friday.
The game was supposed to happen in Kamuzu Stadium but will now take place on Sunday at Mpira Village Stadium in Blantyre.
Kick-off time is at 2:30 pm CAT.
The encounter will be played behind closed doors, but football fans in Malawi, Zimbabwe and other regions can watch it via live stream on Malawi FA’s official Facebook page.
Meanwhile, the Warriors are scheduled to leave the country this morning on a chartered plane.
