State Media

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has said the Government will not be arm-twisted by striking teachers into succumbing to their demands, saying only those reporting for duty will be paid.

Teacher representatives are calling for a minimum salary of US$520 or the equivalent at the auction rate.

However, the Government has indicated that it is not in a position to pay in US dollars given that the local currency has been reintroduced.

Government gave all examination classes the nod to resume a fortnight ago, but the reopening of schools has been marred by the teachers’ industrial action, forcing some schools to send pupils back home.

Speaking during a briefing in Mutare on Wednesday, the President said there was no going back in ensuring the smooth flow of lessons in schools.

“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,” said President Mnangagwa.

Earlier this week, teachers’ unions vowed to continue with the industrial action as negotiations with Government.

Some teachers were only clocking in, marking registers, giving pupils assignments and vanishing from their work stations.

Others are allegedly conducting illegal private lessons for a premium US$10 per subject or US$20 for Grade Seven classes monthly.

On Wednesday, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Cain Mathema said an average of 29 percent of teachers had been reporting for duty countrywide, adding that those teachers could cope with the examination classes that are back in school.

Minister Mathema said the Government was doing all it could to address the teachers’ grievances.

He said Government, with support from some partners, has created safe teaching and learning environments in schools.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has brought with it other socio-economic challenges that have impacted the education sector, including the welfare of our teachers, learners and their families.

“In line with the labour regulations of our land, negotiations are underway to address the teachers’ concerns to ensure their full attendance at schools.

“I commend the participation of all sectors, including the private sector, in ensuring that safe school environments are provided to all the children of Zimbabwe so that they enjoy their basic right to education. There is room for more contributions towards the promotion of quality 21st Century education that will transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income economy by 2030,” said Minister Mathema.

He said a lot of work has been done to ensure the safety of learners, teachers and non-teaching staff in schools.

“The first phase of the re-opening of schools is now underway while preparations for the remaining two phases are in progress. In line with the need to observe physical distancing, the ministry is currently recruiting 2 300 teachers. Thereafter, the ministry will be recruiting another 3 000 to cater primarily for the smaller classes as dictated by the Covid-19 guidelines.

“While many plans have been disrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Education Sector Response Plan recognises our commitment to fulfil the right to inclusive, quality and safe education for all. It is clear that the Covid-19 pandemic threatens this promise, particularly as it deepens other vulnerabilities and widens other inequalities,” said Minister Mathema.

He applauded development partners that have continued supporting the education sector.

“Development partners have provided additional funding to complement Treasury allocations for the provision of safe water sources and other WASH infrastructure in schools, the procurement and distribution of essential Covid-19 requirements such as personal protective equipment, hygiene kits, disinfectants, and infrared thermometers,” said the minister.

He said the education sector has been innovative during the prolonged closure of schools.

“The usual learning and teaching methods were affected while virtual learning was an alternative method to try and close the gap in learning,” said the minister.

A 75-YEAR-OLD village head in Dombodema in Plumtree allegedly struck his wife with an axe for allegedly cheating on him before shoving the body into a plastic bag and secretly buried it in an anthill to conceal the offence.

Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Nokuthula Moyo heard this when Foreman Sibanda of Village 13, Vulindlela Ward in Bulilima district appeared before her on Tuesday facing a murder charge in connection with the death of his wife, Petty Sibanda (66).

He was remanded in custody to today for judgment.

Sibanda allegedly struck his wife with an axe in November last year after accusing her of having an extra-marital affair.

He then allegedly put the body in a plastic bag before using a wheelbarrow to carry the body to his fields where he buried it in an anthill.

The offence came to light two weeks later after Sibanda decided to reveal what he had done to his son.

Upon exhumation, the body was in an advanced state of decomposition making it impossible for pathologists to determine the cause of death.

Prosecuting, Mr Blessing Gundani said on November 11 last year at around 6AM, Sibanda and his wife were at their homestead when an altercation ensued.

The dispute emanated from the fact that Sibanda accused his wife of having an extra-marital affair.

The court heard that after the dispute, the deceased left the accused person in their kitchen hut and went to her bedroom.

Sibanda went to a separate bedroom where he picked an axe and followed the deceased to her bedroom.

The two were now sleeping in separate bedrooms because of the misunderstanding.

“The accused person took an axe and went to the deceased’s bedroom hut and confronted her over the matter. They had a misunderstanding and Sibanda struck her three times on the back of the head and she died on the spot,” said Mr Gundani.

Upon realising that his wife was no longer breathing, Sibanda put the body into a plastic bag and placed it in a wheelbarrow before pushing it to the fields where he buried the body in an anthill.

The court heard that two weeks later, Sibanda phoned his son, Khayelihle who is based in South and disclosed to him what had happened.

Khayelihle then contacted his aunt via WhatsApp and notified her about the incident. The matter was reported to the police leading to Sibanda’s arrest.

Sibanda led police to the anthill where the remains were buried and they were exhumed.

According to the post-mortem report, the immediate cause of death could not be ascertained due to the advanced state of decomposition of the body.

In his defence through his lawyer Mr Nkosi Sibanda of Tanaka Law Chambers, the accused person said he acted in the heat of a moment following a misunderstanding with the deceased whom he accused of infidelity.-Chronicle

A Hwedza man is believed to have been murdered after he was caught between the sheets with a married woman in Pindura village under Chief Svosve last week.

Nicholus Chigwededza, 36, was reported to have been bedding 28-year-old Calvin Chipangura’s wife Rudo Chikuruwe, 18, for some days before they were caught in a compromising position in a hut.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident appealing for information that may lead to the arrest of Chipangura suspected to have fled the scene after attacking the now deceased.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is investigating a murder case involving a man alleged to have killed another villager over adulter0us allegations in Pindura village under chief Svosve in Hwedza,” said Ass Comm Nyathi.

“It is stated that on the 29th of September 2020 at around 1100hrs, Nicholus Chigwededza left his home proceeding to the homestead of a neighbour to share beer.

“At the homestead was the neighbour’s 18 year-old daughter in-law believed to have been dating Chigwededza.

“At around 1900hrs Chigwededza left and reported to have decided to go home and was escorted by his neighbour.

“At around 1940hrs Chigwededza allegedly returned to his neighbour’s homestead where he stealthily entered into the daughter in-law’s hut.

“While Chigwededza was in the hut with the alleged girlfriend, Chipangura arrived from Sadza Growth Point where he had gone for a piece job.

“The suspect reportedly banged open the door in which the two were allegedly sleeping and found Chigwededza in bed with his wife.

“The accused reportedly locked them inside and called his father to witness what he had seen.

“When the suspect and his father went back to the hut, he opened the kitchen door and Chigwededza allegedly bolted out of the room.

“The suspect gave chase and caught him in a nearby field and allegedly assaulted him on the head with a wooden log and left him lying unconsciously on the ground.

“The suspect returned with the intention to assault his wife and was disarmed and ran away.

“Chigwededza was taken to his home where he was pronounced dead,” said Ass Comm Nyathi.

One of the villagers told H-Metro that Chigwededza and Chipangura were related describing it as incestuous case.

“In short this is an incestuous case and traditional leaders attended the burial with a view to take action according to custom,” said the villager.

“The marriage was eight months old and this shocked the villagers considering that Chipangura’s sister is married to Chigwededza’s brother.

“This relationship delayed burial of Chigwededza as elders met to demand some beasts according to custom,” said the villager.
— HMetro

Farai Dziva|The return of Thokozani Khupe and her ilk to Parliament is a direct insult to the country’s voters, an opposition leader has said.

The leader of Simuka Zimbabwe Democrats party, Isaac Makomichi dismissed Khupe’s swearing in as a circus.

Khupe got a paltry 45 000 votes nationwide in the 2018 general elections.

Speaking to ZimEye.com on Thursday, the controversial preacher said:

“You can only see this in Zimbabwe and it’s a shame to our generation. She is doing this because she knows that her political career is over.

is this the democracy ED was preaching during his 2018 campaign?

This whole thing is about trying to fix Chamisa but now it’s an own goal for Khupe and her friends.

I will personally visit President Mnangagwa and share my thoughts with him about the issue.

Some people are destroying themselves while trying to destroy their opponents.”

Farai Dziva|Recalled MDC Alliance MP, Anna Myambo has died.

According to sources in the opposition party, Myambo succumbed to stroke.

Read statement below:
I am learning with great sadness that one of the recalled MPs Hon Anna Myambo has passed on.

After being recalled by ThokoZANU Khupe she had a stroke and never recovered.

She was such a good friend and fellow MP

May her soul rest in eternal peace

Hon Caston Matewu MP
Marondera Central

By Farai D Hove | ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa has opened war against school children who yesterday threatened to protest over the plight of their teachers.

We are giving the Gov six days to solve the teachers issue,we are pleading.Failure to reply will protest fighting for our right to Education as will submit a applicant to the Minister in large numbers.Schools are now night clubs due to absenteeism of teachers.@ZimEye #Fearnot pic.twitter.com/OqimfZZMrh

— RyanMugayi (@KFRMugayi) October 8, 2020

Mnangagwa is on record several times saying anyone who demonstrates will be removed from the earth, literally.

Yesterday, leaders of school children held a press conference where they announced: “We are going to peacefully demonstrate as children. As our constitution of Zimbabwe chapter 4:29 it allows every citizen to demonstrate peacefully…,” they said while saying they will present their letters to government.

They said, “We are fighting for Zimbabwean child.”

Responding to this Mnangagwa appeared to suggest that the children are being influenced by teachers. He said the Government will not be arm-twisted by striking teachers into succumbing to their demands, saying only those reporting for duty will be paid.

Teacher representatives are calling for a minimum salary of US$520 or the equivalent at the auction rate. However, the Government has indicated that it is not in a position to pay in US dollars given that the local currency has been reintroduced.

Mnangagwa told a briefing in Mutare on Wednesday that there was no going back in ensuring the smooth flow of lessons in schools.

“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,” he said.

He continued saying, “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,” he said.

Teachers’ unions have vowed to continue with the industrial action as negotiations with Government.

Should he repeat his method, Mnangagwa is set to assault the school children, in the way he announced to the people of Mwenezi:

“We deployed soldiers to stop the protesters and they quelled the disturbances,” he said.

“Now they are planning more chaos, but we are telling everyone in the country that if you do not want peace, take part in the noise!

“Those that want peace, stay at home, so that we deal with those that want violence.

“We will sort them out. Those who come to you inviting you to the protests, tell them to pass, what you are saying has bad omens of Legion.”

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance has castigated fired Zanu PF MP Killer Zivhu for insinuating that teachers are working for rice.

Zivhu pledged to donate rice, mealie-meal, cooking oil and meat to teachers in Chivi.

Below is the MDC Alliance, Namibia District, Rundu Branch’s response to Zivhu’s utterances:

07 OCTOBER 2020

OUR DILIGENT AND PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS DO NOT RENDER THEIR QUALITY SERVICES FOR RICE, BEEF AND MEALIE-MEAL, MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA RESPONDS TO KILLER ZIVHU.

The ill-advised and bootlicker, Killer Zivhu who was fired after being accused of siding with the G40 faction of Zanupf exhibited his lack of conviction and intellectual comprehension to the need to revamp the pathetic scenerio in the education fraternity.

The dethroned former Zanupf legislator, proved that he is neither a philanthropist nor social democrat after his satanic utterances encouraging our teachers to return to work regardless of the slave wages received by the intelligentsia of the nation. Mdc Alliance Namibia is resolutely behind the suffering citizenry in the education sector. It’s beyond nonsense to purport that teachers should hunt him for rice, beef and mealie-meal hand-outs.

Our hardworking educators deserve real packages in place of slave wages resembling unsalted peanuts.

The supposition that it’s mandatory to make Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s pictures available everywhere ,
including hungry people’s houses, expensive shops , public transport and all devastated public spaces is acceptable in constitutional democracy.

Zivhu’s utterances epitomise serious bootlicking in the status quo pioneered by clueless and despotic late President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe.

Mdc Alliance Namibia is resolutely focused on a genuine revolution anchored by the people’s President Advocate Nelson Chamisa who amassed 2.6 million votes in 2018 harmonised elections.

The chameleonic nature of Zivhu reflects inconsistencies and anti-people policies emanating from Zanupf as a champion of dictatorship in Zimbabwe.

Moreover, the pictures of Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa in our public spaces will accelerate poverty since our teachers are struggling to pay fees for their desperate children.

The sadist words can only be accepted by a disillusioned and cynical society that is unprepared to challenge stomach politics of rhetoric from Zanupf symphathisers.

As Mdc Alliance, we are convinced that the way-ward Zivhu cannot place teachers who are scratching their heads for the next nutritious meal per day under his stinking armpits – who told to him that teachers are working for rice and sadza?

Social democrats are in support of the frustrated teachers and we are going to exploit all constitutional mechanisms to defeat an illegitimate government led by the President of Zanupf.

Furthermore, Zivhu must seriously and intellectually revise his public scathing of MDC Alliance and our patriotic teachers who managed to subsidise the clueless Zanupf regime from the time they eroded the 520US$ salaries brought by our late Icon of Democracy President Morgan Richard Tsvangirai in the Inclusive Government from 2009 to 2013.

Teachers are not silly to return to work for rice and other goodies at the expense of the future of their children. Mdc Alliance is a political behemoth that cannot be demoralised by the little known former Zanupf legislator.

When he advocated for a meaningful dialogue between Mnangagwa’s wife and the political dynamo President Advocate Nelson Chamisa, people were fooled to celebrate him as a progressive citizen only to erase his political comprehension of the change that delivers.

It is quite perturbing to hear that the one who was sacked for challenging the senseless and barefaced corruption in Zanupf is now waffling about the holiness of the illegitimate Zanupf leader.

The reflection that the biting economic woes are caused by the unholy marriage between Khupe and Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa depicted that Zanupf is politically inept to put the economy on a sounder footing. This Zivhu is just an uneducated clown who does not value education and he believes in politics of patronage.

When he confessed that , ” I will remain a Zanupf member by heart and support the President on his vision 2030″, this is beyond nonsense to social democrats in Namibia.

In a nutshell, Mdc Alliance Namibia is categorically clear that our teachers deserve a living wage not sarcastic salaries offered to our qualified teachers by the despotic Zanupf government.

President Advocate Nelson Chamisa is the only vehicle to ferry us through the imminent new Great Zimbabwe. The struggle for socio-economic transformation is real.

Mdc Alliance Namibia
Rundu Branch Spokesperson
Robson Ruhanya

ZanupfMustGo

LootersMustGo

liberateourtrsfrompoverty

FreeAllPoliticalPrisoners

freetakudzwa

freemadzorere

freeJoana

Farai Dziva|President Nelson Chamisa has accused Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa of using Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora to thwart the struggle for democracy.

According to President Chamisa, every chosen person on an assignment will fight seven battles- accusation, frustration, criticism, rejection, disappointment, resistance and rebellion.

Read statement below:

BE ENCOURAGED…WIN THE RACE, KEEP MOVING.

The first evidence that you are on assignment is the battle that you attract.

The size of your opposition affirms and confirms the size of your anointing. The race you run determines the prize you will attain.

When David killed Goliath, Saul was after him.
When Jesus launched His ministry, the Pharisees and Sadducees were after him.
When Jeremiah prophesied, Pashur was after him.
Check the stories of Joseph, Daniel and Apostle Paul.

Every chosen person under assignment will fight these seven battles; accusation, frustration, criticism, rejection, disappointment, resistance and rebellion(betrayal).

The secret to victory is continuing the assignment with fortitude, focus and consistency. Beasts never target the worthless. Dogs never bark at parked objects. Pirates never capture empty vessels. A tree with fruits attracts stone throwers.In African wisdom, they say the sweetest fruit tree attracts the largest number of birds.

Just remember when the opponents cannot fight you, they use people around you to fight you, but the secret to victory is refusing to be moved by situations but keep on moving to your destiny.

Set the tone. Determine the destiny.Dictate the pace.Shape the events.Be a thermostat not a thermometer. Lead the mood not just read the mood.

After all trials, victory is always assured.

WIN THE RACE, KEEP MOVING.

Don’t stop. Victory is certain!

Godisinit

News review tonight looks into the events when it happened on the 8th of October 2020, the visit to the eastern Chimanimani areas, the inside details not covered by the state media; it also looks into the affairs of the MDC Alliance, their secret plan following the usurpation of the August house by Thokozani Khupe.

video loading below….

A VICTORIA Falls man who fatally assaulted his wife by hitting her head against a wall and floor while accusing her of going for a beer drink and leaving their children unattended at home, has been sentenced to five years in jail for culpable homicide.

Boniso Sibanda (40) of 9419 Mkhosana also suspected that his wife, Auxilia Nkomazana (31), was cheating on him as she spent time with male friends at Chinotimba Old Bar.

Sibanda was found not guilty of murder but guilty of a lesser charge of culpable homicide when he appeared before Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Christopher Dube-Banda who is on circuit in Hwange.

Sibanda will however, serve an effective three years after the judge suspended two years on condition of good behaviour.

In his defence, Sibanda who was represented by Mr Njabulo Ndlovu of Ncube Attorneys, claimed he acted out of provocation because his wife had left the couple’s minor children aged eight years and two years alone at home as she went to drink beer.

He said he also suspected that she was cheating on him with another man.

Prosecuting, Mrs Martha Cheda said Sibanda assaulted his wife at a bar where he found her drinking with some men, before continuing with the assault at home.

“On the 4th of March 2020 at around 4pm, Sibanda arrived home and found his wife not there. He followed her to Chinotimba Old Bar where she was drinking beer with other patrons,” said Mrs Cheda.

She said a misunderstanding ensued between the two as Sibanda dragged a drunken Nkomazana.

He slapped her and she fell down before he carried her out of the bar and placed her outside.

The two walked towards their place of residence and along the way Sibanda once again slapped his wife on the face and kicked her on the hips.

The court was told that when they got home, Sibanda continued assaulting Nkomazana by hitting her head against the wall, floor and wooden base of the bed.

After the assault, Sibanda slept on the bed while the now deceased slept on the floor. He discovered that she was not breathing in the morning and called an ambulance.

The ambulance crew confirmed Nkomazana’s death on arrival at the house.-Chronicle

POLICE have launched a manhunt for a woman who escaped from police custody after making a false rape report.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele said Kamogelo Ndebele (17) from Plumtree escaped from a place of safety at Plumtree Police Station in September. He appealed to members of the public with information on her whereabouts to contact the police.

Chief Insp Ndebele said Kamogelo made a rape report and was placed in a place of safety pending police investigations which later revealed that her report was false.

“We are appealing to members of the public with information on the whereabouts of Kamogelo Ncube a female aged 17-years-old. She is light brown in complexion, slim and of medium height. She was last seen putting on a black and white blouse and a cream skirt.

The woman was housed at a place of safety by the police as the rape allegations were being investigated.

When police discovered that she had made a false report, she was nowhere to be found when they when at the house.

It is a criminal offence to file a false report with the police.

“The suspect escaped from a safe place at ZRP Plumtree after making a false rape report.

She reported a rape case and was placed in a place of safety and when the police discovered that her report was false, they went to the place where she was being housed with an intention to arrest her and discovered that she had fled. Any person with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspect can contact Constable Shindi from Plumtree Police Station on 0718 995 631 or they can contact me Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele on 02842-22810 or 0715 431 235 or 0773 594 899,” he said.-Chronicle

By Dorrothy Moyo | Emmerson Mnangagwa was booed during his last visit to the cyclone hit Chimanimani area. This is the reason why why on Thursday he avoided the Ngangu areas, it has emerged.

Sources close to the ZANU PF leader announced saying, Mnangagwa and his member of parliament, Joshua Sacco were fearing humiliation during his flight to the area on Thursday.

The development led to the man ending up at Skyline Junction for his main do.

Asked for a comment on the matter neither George Charamba nor Nick Mangwana responded to questions. In the below video, Joshua Sacco speaks at skyline junction.

“Ngangu villagers who booed Mnangagwa and Joshua Sacco down last time, were preparing to protest again over the disappearance of donor materials and funds meant for the construction of houses for the homeless cyclone victims…

“that’s why ED avoided Ngangu on his visit,” the source said.

Last year Mnangagwa became animated when he found out US President Donald Trump has donated more Ethan USD2,2 million.

State Media

FOUR new Covid-19 cases were recorded while one person recovered from the virus yesterday.

All the four new cases emanated from local transmissions.

The country has 7 919 confirmed cases, 1 249 of them are active and the death toll is at 229.
The country’s Covid-19 recovery rate stands at 81,3 percent while the infection rate is at one percent.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care’s daily report revealed that: “As at 7 October 2020, Zimbabwe had 7 919 confirmed cases, including 6 441 recoveries and 229 deaths.”

Despite the decline in new infections, the public is encouraged to strictly adhere to Covid-19 prevention guidelines.

Members of the public are advised to mandatory wear face masks, observe social distancing and sanitize hands among other set regulations.

Paul Nyathi

Zimbabwe national soccer team coach Zdravko Logarušic has named a really experimental 18 member squad for an international friendly match against Malawi.

The match is scheduled for 11 October 2020 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

Preparations by the warriors have been mired with controversy following withdrawal of some international players who had been called for duty leaving the coach with no option but pick some local players most of whom last kicked a soccer ball in March at the start of the Coronavirus lockdown.

The team departs for Blantyre on the 9th of October 2020.

Goalkeepers
1. Talbert Shumba (Triangle United)
2. Nelson Chadya (Ngezi Platinum Stars)

Defenders
3. Ian Nekati (Chicken Inn)
4. Qadr Amin (Ngezi Platinum Stars)
5. Alec Mudimu (Sherriff Tiraspol, Moldova)
6. Takudzwa Chimwemwe (Buildcon Zambia)
7. Teenage Hadebe (Yeni Malatyaspor, Turkey)
8. MacClive Phiri (Sekhukhune United, South Africa)
9. Jimmy Dzingai (Nkana FC, Zambia)

Midfielders
10. Marvelous Nakamba (Aston Villa, England)
11. Tanaka Chinyahara (Red Arrows Zambia)
12. Ishamel Wadi (Ngezi Platinum Stars)
13. Khama Billiat (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa)
14. Wellington Taderera (Ngezi Platinum Stars)
15. Phenias Bamusi (Caps United
16. King Nadolo (Dynamos)

Strikers
17. Charlton Mashumba (Polokwane City, South Africa)
18. Stanley Ngala (FC Platinum)

State Media

A GANG of 11 men is on the run for allegedly fatally attacking a man with axes, machetes and knobkerries in a dispute over an undisclosed matter.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident which occurred in Mpisini area in Esigodini. He said the gang attacked the now deceased Mandlenkosi Dube (20) on Friday last week at around 3PM and he later died on Tuesday while admitted to Mpilo Hospital.

He said police had since launched a manhunt for the suspects who included Wellington Sibanda (28), Lungile Dlamini (20), Mzingaye Sibanda (28), Prosper Ncube (27), Moreblessing Sibanda (24), Blessed Sibanda (27), Emmanuel Sithole (27), Lameck Sibanda (23), Honest Mhlanga (23) and Mqondisi Nyoni and Talent Sibanda both who ages are unknown.

“I can confirm that we recorded a murder case which occurred at Mpisini Business Centre in Esigodini. Mandlenkosi Dube was drinking at the business centre with the 11 men when they had a misunderstanding over an undisclosed issue. They threatened to assault Dube who then fled from the business centre,” he said.

“The gang pursued Dube while they were armed with axes, machetes and knobkerries and the caught up with him. They assaulted him with the weapons and left him for dead and fled from the scene. Dube was assisted by a passerbye who alerted other villagers and he was ferried to Esigodini District Hospital where he was further referred to Mpilo Hospital. He died on Tuesday while he was admitted at the hospital. Investigations are underway and no arrests have been made but we are looking for these 11 men as we would like to interview them so that they can assist us with investigations.”

Chief Insp Ndebele appealed to members of the public with information on the whereabouts of the suspects to contact the police. He urged members of the public to desist from engaging in violence when they faced with disputes but rather find amicable ways of resolving issues. He said most fights were as a result of petty issues that could easily be resolved.

Chief Insp Ndebele also urged people to desist from carrying around dangerous weapons as they were used in committing many murder cases.

Paul Nyathi

Members of parliament who have previously asked government to provide thr constituency development funds in US Dollars have this year completely ignored applying for the fund from government.

Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday Speaker of the House Jacob Mudenda said 142 of the 210 parliamentarians had applied for the funding.

Below is his full statement in parliament.

Hon. Members, it has been brought to my attention that although we are now in the third quota of our Ninth Session, only 68 members have applied for the 2020 Constitutional Development Fund (CDF). Statistics show that 142 members have not applied for the year 2020; 67 Hon. Members did not apply for the 2019 allocations and 20 did not apply for the 2018 allocation.

I am aware that the money is not the right amount but surely it can be put to good use in the constituencies that you represent especially now during COVID-19, the period when schools and clinics are in need of PPEs, sanitiSers, extra chairs and desks.  I urge all Hon. Members who have not applied for their CDF allocation to do so as a matter of urgency.  May I request the Whips to assist in following up on the Hon. Members of their political parties.

Paul Nyathi

Mozambican authorities said they have discovered falsified negative COVID-19 test results, required for international travel, being sold at the country’s largest land border with South Africa.

Both countries re-opened borders for international travel on October 1 following closures imposed by the coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

It is mandatory for travellers in and out of Mozambique to present a negative coronavirus test taken less than 72 hours prior to departure.

“We will work on identification and authentication mechanisms to make the test results more reliable,” Daniel Chemane, health director for the capital city Maputo, told public radio.

A health ministry source said the government will now itself conduct tests and issue its own certificates for travellers planning to leave the country.

Coronavirus tests have so far been done only at private hospitals, mostly located in the capital Maputo which is 80 kilometres from the land border.

The tests cost between $50 (R830) and $100 (R1,660), which is equivalent to the monthly minimum wage in Mozambique.

Many travellers who use the Ressano Garcia land border crossing are informal traders who go to South Africa to buy goods for resale back home and find the test fees prohibitive.

Source: AFP

Own Correspondent

Villagers of Makwe Village in Gwanda North are on the verge of tearing each other apart as they have opted to engage spirit mediums and witch hunters to hunt out a suspected witch within their community who possibly owns a mysterious creature that has to date killed over 120 goats, a pig and also claimed to have slept with some women outside their knowledge.

The villagers have been experiencing mass deaths of their goats to what they believe to be a nocturnal creature that sucks the blood out of their livestock and leaves two puncture/teeth marks on their necks.

Some villagers believe the teeth marks and the fact that the creature leaves no tracks, are sure signs that the thing is a vampire on the loose.

In an interview with a ZimEye.com correspondent, a village head said that there were isolated incidents of a similar situation recorded in 2017 and a villager was hunted out as the owner of the mystery beast. The villager was subsequently thrown out of the village.

The palpable terror in the village has been magnified by the fact that the goverment through both the police and the veterinary services department have claimed that there is nothing that they can do to stop the killer beast.

The villagers have since agreed that they will this weekend bring in witch hunters and prophets to fish out the strange thing and find out who brought it into the community.

According to the village head who spoke to the ZimEye.com correspondent in the video downloading below, the police, the chief, other traditional leaders and the veterinary department have cleared them to do the potentially chaotic witch hunting ceremony.

Please be patient while the video downloads.

Correspondent

Teachers have described as irrational, utterances by the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Cain Mathema that government will hire unemployed trained teachers to administer lessons for examination sitting classes as the ongoing teacher-strike escalates.

The Minister recently said measures have been put in place to employ the bulk of qualified, but jobless, teachers.

Teachers are demanding salaries of US$520 per month or its equivalent in local currency for them to return to their work stations following the re-opening of schools last week.

Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) Chief Executive Officer, Sifiso Ndlovu described the Ministers’ utterances as a threat meant to intimidate teachers to return to work.

“Those are mere threats meant to coerce educators and at worst intimidate them into trooping back to schools even without financial support or meaningful review of salaries. It’s practically irrational to think about it let alone act on that position. It will be a waste of state resources,” said Ndlovu

He said the current situation will impact negatively on students who are sitting for their examination as there are no teachers.

“The impact on student performance in public examinations will be bad as there are no teachers in schools.”

He added “Those in attendance are now being motivated by private resources from parents and guardians who are forking out between USD5 and USD20 per child to pay to the teachers. This in the long term is unsustainable.”

Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure said the minister’s remarks mislead the nation.

“The Minister of Primary and secondary education is sponsoring neglect in public education. His utterances mislead the pace holders and the nation at large. There is no learning taking place in our public schools. We understand that they don’t care because their kids won’t be in those schools, those reckless statements will only disadvantage the poor majority who are in public schools.

“We understand business is normal in elite private schools but we cannot neglect the majority of our pupils because the office holders do not care about them. We are going to escalate the fight, we going to force this government to realise the need of inclusive access to education.” Masaraure said.

He urged parents and learners to take the fight to their government to defend the right to education as defined in section 75 of the Constitution.

Government and public workers wage negotiations have been dragging as there no signs of compromise from both sides and the utterances by the Education Minister could worsen matters on the negotiation table, with teachers seemingly unmoved by the threats.

Correspondent

A certain section of ZANU PF structures in Mashonaland Central have expressed anger over the arrest of ZANU PF Provincial Kingmaker Nicholas Goche over charges of stock theft and being accused of stealing an undisclosed number of cattle.

Goodman Tamuona Musariri a former ZANU PF District chairman in Mashonaland Central said, “Goche happens to be the most powerful leader in Mashonaland Central who was trained in the Intelligence. Chairman Kazembe Kazembe fears Goche because he is not a commoner in politics and Intelligence and he has far greater grip of Mashonaland Central than the late Shiri.”

Musariri urged President Emmerson Mnangagwa to make sure there is peace in Mashonaland Central.

“I implore on His Excellency President Mnangagwa to consider Unity, Peace and Reconciliation than arrests of loyalists like Cde Goche.” He added.

Commenting on the incident Professor Jonathan Moyo said, “What? Something fishy. It’s an open secret in ZanuPF corridors that Mnangagwa has unfinished business with Goche. Details of the case would be interesting to unpack!”

“Former minister Nicholas Goche arrested over stock theft”@HeraldZimbabwe 8 October 2020

What? Something fishy. It’s an open secret in ZanuPF corridors that Mnangagwa has unfinished business with Goche. Details of the case would be interesting to unpack!https://t.co/loMECT8gtl pic.twitter.com/lAhN94OMsl

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) October 8, 2020
A Mashonaland Central War Veteran who spoke on condition of anonymity said Chairman Kazembe Kazembe should desist from his scorched earth policy of using his cabinet position as minister of police to torment political rivals.

“While Minister Kazembe might use his scorched earth policy to evicerate political enemies, I am confident in the judiciary system of this country. They can try to embarrass and demoralise Goche because Kazembe feels like Goche is using his support base to replace Kazembe as provincial chairman.

“Goche has been living a quiet life far away from politics it is sad that Kazembe feels threatened by an old man who now spends his time farming. Kazembe should be on the ground executing development programs and campaigning for President Mnangagwa’s 2023 bid for office.”

Byo24

State Media

Agriculture experts have cautioned against planting with the current rains saying farmers must instead take advantage of the wet conditions to speed up land preparations before the onset of the rainfall season.

The onset of the rainfall season is when an area receives an amount of 20 millimetres or more of rainfall in about three days and there is no dry spell for the next 10 days.

The country has been experiencing some rain with other areas receiving as high as 27 mm. According to the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) rainfall updates, thunderstorms occurred in Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands, Masvingo, Manicaland, Mashonaland East and Harare Metropolitan provinces on Monday this week.

“The rainfalls were not much in most areas. Significant falls were recorded at Harare-Logan Park (27mm), Gweru (19mm), Bulawayo (17mm), Kutsaga (8mm). Goetz (8mm) and Buhera (9mm). The rest of the rainfall figures were below 5mm.

“The rains were accompanied with strong winds, hail, thunder and lightning,” said the MSD.

The department said as the season sets in, October usually has erratic rain but may have localised heavier downpours and it was incumbent on farmers to know their soils and practice smart agriculture.

Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement chief agronomist, Mrs Rutendo Nhongonhema on Tuesday urged farmers to take advantage of the rains to finish land preparations, preparing planting basins for Pfumvudza as the ground is now softer.

“We do not encourage farmers to plant with these rains. Normally the rains that come early October are not planting rains.

“This is the time to finish off land preparations especially for those who do conventional ploughing in anticipation of the planting rains.

“Normally our season comes end of October for farmers with irrigated maize. Around second week of October and end of October, we encourage them to start planting. We encourage those who rely on rain fed agriculture to start planting by first week of November,” said Mrs Nhongonhema.

She said the onset of rainfall differed from area to area and farmers could keep records and with the help of extension officers would be able to tell the periods of the onset for the particular areas.

“Farmers can also apply pre-planting herbicide application as most of these chemicals need a bit of water to be incorporated or absorbed by the plant,” Mrs Nhongonhema said.

Agriseeds sales and marketing manager, Mr Ivan Craig said the current rains were beneficial to pastures that had deteriorated due to the dry conditions.

“The rains will improve pastures and help reshoot. Animals will have water to drink and will no longer walk long distances to water.

“the rains will also help wheat which was still at irrigation stage but if it is less than 22 mm, these rains will not substitute the normal irrigation cycle,” he said.

He said rains will soften the ground so that those farmers who failed to carry out winter plough will be in a position to carry out a proper land preparation.

“Farmers should not panic. The rains are a bit early. Under normal circumstances rains should start falling third week of October and those are rains which we recommend that farmers can a plant with.

“Maize requires 22 millimetres and above to germinate, for soya beans, 30mm and 35mm to be on the safe side. Not much has fallen and the chances of experiencing long periods of dry spell are quite high. The crop may germinate now but can be affected by the dry spell,” he said.

Meanwhile, widespread afternoon and evening thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds, hail and lightning with some localised heavy downpours were expected on Tuesday in Matabeleland, Midlands and areas along and to the south of the main watershed (Masvingo, Manicaland, Mashonaland East and Harare Metropolitan.

“Thunderstorms that occur now are violent. It is therefore important for the public not to expose themselves unnecessarily to the dangers associated with these violent thunderstorms.

“Current high temperatures and abundant moisture are also conducive to the continuation of these thunderstorms, at least up to Thursday 8 October after which there should be a reduction in rainfall activity country wide,” said the MSD.

State Media

THE tribunal probing the fitness of suspended Supreme Court Judge Justice Francis Bere to hold office has completed its inquiry and the report will be submitted soon to President Mnangagwa.

Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Mrs Virginia Mabhiza yesterday commended the three-member tribunal for having worked tirelessly despite challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and numerous court applications to challenge the proceedings.

“The report will be handed to the President who is expected to act in terms of the Constitution.”

However, the investigations were concluded in the absence the judge and his legal team after they walked out on the proceedings in protest over the tribunal’s refusal to have one of its members, Advocate Takawira Nzombe, recuse himself because of his alleged links to Harare lawyer Mr Itayi Ndudzo, who was a crucial witness in the inquiry.

The lawyers were also not content with the extension of the tribunal’s tenure by another six months after the expiry of its intial tenure of four months.

Lead defence counsel Advocate Firoz Girach, Advocate Lewis Uriri and Prof Lovemore Madhuku walked out of the hearing protesting over what they claimed to be a “violation of legal procedure”.

President Mnangagwa set up the tribunal inquiry on the recommendation of Judicial Service Commission after lawyer Mr Itai Ndudzo accused the judge of interference in a civil case involving the Zimbabwe National Road Administration and his relatives.

The judge allegedly telephoned Mr Ndudzo, who was representing Zinara, asking him to consider settling a civil dispute pitting Zinara against Fremus Enterprises.

Justice Bere was serving on both the Constitutional Court and Supreme Court benches when he was suspended in March this year.

The tribunal sought to establish whether or not Justice Bere conducted himself improperly in violation of the oath of office and the Constitution by interfering in the matter at the centre of the inquiry.

The tribunal is made up of retired judge retired Justice Simbi Mubako, Adv Nzombe and Harare lawyer Ms Rekayi Maposa.

Paul Nyathi

Some ANC members from the Free State gathered outside Luthuli House in support of the party’s Secretary-General, Ace Magashule.

This follows reports earlier this week, that an arrest warrant has been issued for Magashule, something the Hawks denied.

His supporters say any arrest warrant is aimed at settling political scores.

“You will remember it was us in the ANC who came out to speak on a rumour that would have suggested that the secretary-general was going to be arrested and indeed the SG, together with his legal team have also come out in the open to clarify that there was no warrant of arrest. There was no need really for the ANC to still be making commentary on that matter because we felt that it was sufficiently resolved,” said ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe.

Magashule’s supporters say any arrest warrant is aimed at settling political scores.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation described the report as a malicious intent to undermine the integrity of the organisation.

Meanwhile, former Free State Social Economic Development MEC Mxolisi Dukwana said Magashule must face the music.

“He must face his time and answer to a number of other things. We might not be saying, “he is guilty” but surely he has to answer.

“Failure to act is actually an offence. If there are problems in moral decision-making processes, you must face the music,” Dukwana said.

Source: eNCA

Paul Nyathi

The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services only managed to do one psychiatric test on Joana Mamombe in the time that she was bundled into Chikurubi Prison by a Harare Magistrate’s Court.

The failure by the Prisons Services to carry out two tests as directed by the court forced for a failed proceeding of the three Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (MDCA) ‘abductees’ case on Thursday.

The Harare Court ordered for a second mental assessment to be done on Mamombe by the Prisons Services before the trial continues.

The state told the court that there was no explanation from the ZPCS on why the second test was not done.

Mamombe has been incarcerated for two weeks for the mental health assessments after her lawyer had indicated that she was mentally unstable to stand trial.

Her lawyer Aleck Muchadehama advised the court that Mamombe will avail herself to the ZPCS for further assessment according to the standing court order that she be examined.

State Media

Former Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development Nicholas Goche has appeared in court facing stock theft charges after failing to surrender 18 heifers that he sold to a Shamva farmer.

He appeared before Bindura magistrate Ms Tendai Chifamba facing stock theft charges and was remanded to October 21 on $50 000 bail. As part of his bail conditions, Goche was order to surrender his passport at Bindura Magistrate Court, report every Friday at Shamva Police Station, reside at his Shamva farm residence and not to interfere with witnesses.

The complainant in the matter is Honest Mupanedengu (43) of house number 32 Dindingwe Road, Mufakose in Harare and is self-employed as a farmer.

It is alleged that on November 13, 2018 Goche sold 40 beasts to Mupanedengu. The payment was made through a bank transfer into a CABS account number 1036879593.

Mupanedengu collected 22 heifers out of the 40 leaving behind 18 beasts. The court heard that in 2019 Goche disposed of the 18 heifers without the complainant’s knowledge.

Mupanedengu approached Goche on several occasions to collect the beasts but he was told that the animals had already been sold.

State Media

ZIFA heaved a huge sigh of relief after Government granted the Warriors permission to travel to Malawi for an international friendly match set for Sunday in Blantyre.

The clash against the Flames was hanging in the balance after ZIFA sent their tour request, to the Sports and Recreation Commission, late. All national sports associations need clearance, from Government, to travel to foreign lands and regulations have been tightened, of late, because of concerns related to Covid-19 pandemic.

Youth, Arts, Sport and Recreation Minister, Kirsty Coventry, told reporters in Zvishavane yesterday, where she was on Government business, ZIFA only sent their application last Friday.

The Ministry should, therefore, under the circumstances, be applauded for expediting the application, which could have taken longer to process, under normal circumstances.

ZIFA spokesperson, Xolisani Gwesela, yesterday said they were relieved by the Government decision to allow the Warriors to travel to Malawi.

“We have been advised by the Sports Commission director-general (Prince Mupazviriho) that our trip to Malawi has been authorised. We are yet to get the official letter to that effect but it’s a huge relief. The coach will go ahead and name his team tomorrow (today) and they leave for Malawi on Friday (tomorrow). It’s unfortunate the process took long and some of the delays were due to the issues beyond ZIFA’s control.’’

Some reports yesterday had claimed Warriors coach, Zdravko Logarusic, was so frustrated by the chaos he even considered throwing in the towel. The 54-year-old flew back into Harare, after spending three months with his family, in Croatia.

He had wanted to use the match to assess the foreign-based players at his disposal ahead of next month’s back-to-back 2021 AFCON qualifiers against Algeria. But, as it has turned out, the bulk of the players he wanted for this assignment are unavailable for the match because of the bungling at the ZIFA office.

A number of letters, inviting the targeted players, were either sent late or ended up at the wrong clubs. The Warriors have no team manager and this has compounded the situation. The coach has been forced to revise his options after the Europe-based players, including skipper Knowledge Musona, Marshall Munetsi, Marvelous Nakamba, Tino Kadewere, Tendayi Darikwa, Adam Chicksen, Jordan Zemura and goalkeeper Martin Mapisa were ruled out of the game.

Under normal circumstances, the letters inviting the players should have reached the clubs 14 days in advance.

“These letters should have reached the clubs by September 20. These are things that are known everywhere in the football world. But, it appears, ZIFA were not prepared for the international window. To start with, they had not secured opponents on time and by the time the Malawi game was confirmed, it was late. Mostly, European clubs are very professional and they conduct their businesses to the letter.

“Again, it was going to be difficult for the clubs to release the players because of the difficulties in international travel, and the quarantine measures, which could mean players would need more days away from their teams once they return to their bases. Some countries in Europe are still demanding mandatory 14-day quarantines. So, the coach has had to go back to Plan B and that means drafting local players and, possibly, those based in Zambia. It also defied logic why, in the first place, he had called only 17 players.’’

Some European clubs, like Ajax Amsterdam, have decided not to allow their African internationals to travel and join up with their national teams this week. The club say they are not happy the players would have to quarantine on their return to the Netherlands.

Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus, the Moroccan pair Zakaria Labyad and Noussair Mazraoui and Lassina Traore from Burkina Faso have not been released. Ajax have made use of a FIFA ruling that allows clubs to choose not to release their players, this month, if they face a period of quarantine or self-isolation on their return. Usually players must be released if called up for international duty during the FIFA window.

But, the world football governing body relaxed regulations last week amid a spike in Covid-19 infections in recent weeks. Logarusic had said he would only consider foreign-based players for this international friendly because local players lacked match fitness since they have not featured in competitive football for over seven months.

However, letters have been sent to local clubs asking for them to release some of the players who have been targeted for this assignment as replacements. Many African teams are involved in international friendlies this week. Zimbabwe’s opponents in the upcoming AFCON qualifiers, Algeria, have two matches. They face Nigeria in Austria tomorrow and they have another date against Mexico next week in the Netherlands.

—The Herald

Farai Dziva|President Nelson Chamisa has accused Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa of using Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora to thwart the struggle for democracy.

According to President Chamisa, every chosen person on an assignment will fight seven battles- accusation, frustration, criticism, rejection, disappointment, resistance and rebellion.

Read statement below:

BE ENCOURAGED…WIN THE RACE, KEEP MOVING.

The first evidence that you are on assignment is the battle that you attract.

The size of your opposition affirms and confirms the size of your anointing. The race you run determines the prize you will attain.

When David killed Goliath, Saul was after him.
When Jesus launched His ministry, the Pharisees and Sadducees were after him.
When Jeremiah prophesied, Pashur was after him.
Check the stories of Joseph, Daniel and Apostle Paul.

Every chosen person under assignment will fight these seven battles; accusation, frustration, criticism, rejection, disappointment, resistance and rebellion(betrayal).

The secret to victory is continuing the assignment with fortitude, focus and consistency. Beasts never target the worthless. Dogs never bark at parked objects. Pirates never capture empty vessels. A tree with fruits attracts stone throwers.In African wisdom, they say the sweetest fruit tree attracts the largest number of birds.

Just remember when the opponents cannot fight you, they use people around you to fight you, but the secret to victory is refusing to be moved by situations but keep on moving to your destiny.

Set the tone. Determine the destiny.Dictate the pace.Shape the events.Be a thermostat not a thermometer. Lead the mood not just read the mood.

After all trials, victory is always assured.

WIN THE RACE, KEEP MOVING.

Don’t stop. Victory is certain!

Godisinit

By A Correspondent- The State today availed only one medical report for the MDC Alliance trio’s trial despite a court order compelling the state to avail at least two medical reports.

Said a source privy to developments:

“Only one medical report was produced when Joana Mamombe appeared before a Harare magistrates court Thursday afternoon.

According to the last court sitting it was per State Order basing on the Mental Health Act , et al , where it was stated that the state should avail two medical reports within a period of two weeks.

However, the case has been postponed to 22 Oct 2020 in order for the state to get ample time to avail the second medical report.

It is baffling why the chief state prosecutor did not turn up for the case despite him being the most vocal on trial delay.

It is a deliberate move to delay due process” in order to keep the girls, Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova under bondage.

The present abusive court systems , state intelligence and police is exhibiting its brutality and satanism.

State agents are stalking families of the MDC Alliance trio thus torturing them psychologically.

On 13 Oct ober2020, the girls will be in court again.”

By A Correspondent- Nurses at Bulawayo’s Ingutsheni Hospital are reportedly walking to and from work because there is no transport to ferry them back and forth, the Daily News reports.

The matter came to light when the Ingutsheni Hospital acting CEO Nemache Mawere told touring health minister VP Constantino Chiwenga that:

We need more vehicles for our nurses. Sometimes when our nurses finish work, it’s always difficult for them to go home, but they continue coming to work even deciding to walk from town to here.

In response, Vice President Chiwenga promised the mental health institution staff that the ministry would allocate more busses to them and said:

As we go back to Harare, I think in our kit we have some money, we shall provide you with buses for Ingutsheni Hospital Let’s provide these for the hospitals, but the first priority is the buses must come here then go to Mpilo Central Hospital and United Bulawayo Hospitals. Those buses will have to be bought. God forbid, we want those buses to be here by the end of this year.

When we go back to Harare, the minister of Transport will have to work with BCC. He should just make sure that roads are fixed and tarred. We have agencies such as the Zimbabwe National Road Administration, which can come and do that piece of road. Let’s make it a better place to live. 

Another promise to the hospital staff was made by the local government minister July Moyo who was on tour with VP Chiwenga who also said:

I will talk to Zupco to allocate a bus for staff here. This hospital is outside town, as for the road I will discuss the issue with the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to do something, I’m sure the minister of State (for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Bulawayo, Judith Ncube) will also do the same.-DailyNews

Farai Dziva|President Nelson Chamisa has accused Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa of using Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora to thwart the struggle for democracy.

According to President Chamisa, every chosen person on an assignment will fight seven battles- accusation, frustration, criticism, rejection, disappointment, resistance and rebellion.

Read statement below:

BE ENCOURAGED…WIN THE RACE, KEEP MOVING.

The first evidence that you are on assignment is the battle that you attract.

The size of your opposition affirms and confirms the size of your anointing. The race you run determines the prize you will attain.

When David killed Goliath, Saul was after him.
When Jesus launched His ministry, the Pharisees and Sadducees were after him.
When Jeremiah prophesied, Pashur was after him.
Check the stories of Joseph, Daniel and Apostle Paul.

Every chosen person under assignment will fight these seven battles; accusation, frustration, criticism, rejection, disappointment, resistance and rebellion(betrayal).

The secret to victory is continuing the assignment with fortitude, focus and consistency. Beasts never target the worthless. Dogs never bark at parked objects. Pirates never capture empty vessels. A tree with fruits attracts stone throwers.In African wisdom, they say the sweetest fruit tree attracts the largest number of birds.

Just remember when the opponents cannot fight you, they use people around you to fight you,but the secret to victory is refusing to be moved by situations but keep on moving to your destiny.

Set the tone. Determine the destiny.Dictate the pace.Shape the events.Be a thermostat not a thermometer. Lead the mood not just read the mood.

After all trials, victory is always assured.

WIN THE RACE, KEEP MOVING.

Don’t stop. Victory is certain!

Godisinit

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has published the following statement in which they clarified the suspension of by-elections and said they will only be conducted when the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic has completely vanished.

ZEC also said the filling of the proportional representation in parliament that saw Thokozani Khupe and her allies being sworn in in parliament yesterday after she recalled the MPs she replaced, did not receive any valid objections.

Read the statement below:

Further Suspension of By-Elections The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) would like to Inform the public that, while it has lifted the suspen-sion placed on the conduct of electoral activities which it had put In place as a measure to curb the spread of CovId-19, it Is important for It to heed advice from the necessary authorities and take the necessary precau-tions to avoid the spread of the virus. The Commission thus advises that the holding of by-elections remains suspended in line with the Public Health (Covid-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 (No. 4) being S.I. 225A of 2020, until the declaration of Ccrvid-19 as a formidable pandemic has been lifted. Please be advised that the conduct of other electoral activities will resume in line with the Ministry of Health and Child Care protocols as well as the guidelines established by the Commission on saniti-zadon, wearing of face masks and social distancing.

Regarding the filling in of Proportional Representation (PR) seats, the Commission received several objections but found that there were no valid grounds for objecting to the list of submitted candidates. The Commission therefore, proc.ed to publish a notice in the Gazette confirming the nominations as provided for in section 39(7)(a)of the Electoral A.

The Commission would like to advise Its stakeholders that Its district and provincial offices will be open for all other electoral activities such as:
Voter registration Voter education Voters’ roll inspection Registration transfer Prellmthary delimitation Issues.

ZEC would like to sincerely thank all its stakeholders for exercising patience and understanding in the face of the global pandemic which Is an Act of God.

U Silaigwana

Chief Elections Officer

ZIMBABWE ELECTORAL COMMISSION

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) on Wednesday confirmed the suspension of by-elections citing the COVID-19 regulations.

The by-elections were scheduled for December to fill parliamentary and local government seats which became vacant after the opposition MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe recalled MDC Alliance members.

ZEC’s statement comes after Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care Constantino Chiwenga last Friday announced an indefinite suspension of by-elections, citing COVID-19 as a formidable pandemic in the country.

Utoile Silaigwana who is the chief elections officer of the electoral body said Wednesday that it is important for the commission to follow the advice from the necessary authorities and take precautions to curb the spread of the virus.

He said:

The commission thus advises that the holding of by-elections remains suspended in line with public health regulations until the declaration of COVID-19 as a formidable pandemic has been lifted.

The prolonged suspension of by-elections is permissible under constitution.

Silaigwana speaks after the suspensions of by-elections has received widespread criticism from the opposition and some legal experts.

Veritas, a Parliamentary and legal think-tank said the ban on by-elections is a violation of the constitution which does not make any “provision for an extension of the 90-day period, even during a state of emergency ‒ and a state of public emergency is not currently in force.”

Some political analysts view the ban as a way to allow the Khupe-led MDC outfit to field their preferred candidates as the party is allegedly nervous about elections.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- The Nelson Chamisa led MDC Alliance will have to recognize the Supreme Court ruling that resurrected the MDC T 2014 structures and made Thokozani Khupe the outfit’s interim leader, if they want to talk to Khupe’s camp, Business Times reports.

This was revealed by MDC T Secretary-General Douglas Mwonzora who said Chamisa’s deputies Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube were not supposed to be involved because they were not part of the MDC T:

Chamisa and his group have to recognise the Supreme Court ruling and there is no need for the involvement of Biti and Ncube as they were not part of the structures and were leading their parties. Chamisa was a member of the national executive.

However, MDC Alliance’s Secretary-General Chalton Hwende said they are just waiting for the by-elections to move forward:

We are waiting for the by elections to replace the recalled MPs and councillors and the people will vote for their representatives again and our youths want the party to be united and we can move forward but Mwonzora and his group are working with Zanu PF to destabilise the party.

MDC T and MDC Alliance national executive councils are reportedly holding separate strategic meetings in a bid to craft a way forward after the MDC T youths declared that the 2 leaders should meet last week.-BusinessTimes

By Patrick Guramatunhu| ”Given the onslaught, machinations and clandestine shenanigans by our detractors, isu tasara, ngatirambei takabatana (we the living must remain united) … in defence of our hard-won independence,” Mnangagwa told mourners at Heroes Acre.

“Violence, destruction of property and making Zimbabwe ungovernable can never be democratic and that is not what we fought for.” 

This is just nonsense. 

If anyone has made Zimbabwe ungovernable it is Zanu PF every time the party has felt its iron grip on power threatened, it has blatantly rigged the elections and, time and time again, resorted to wanton violence, abductions, beatings, rape and even cold blooded murder of its political critics and opponents. All “done in defence of our hard-won independence”!

Zimbabwe is in this economic and political mess because the country has been stuck with a corrupt, incompetent and tyrannical regime that rigged elections to stay in power. All “done in defence of our hard-won independence”! 

All attempts to restore the citizens’ basic freedoms and rights including the right to free, fair and credible elections and even the right to life have been ruthlessly resisted. All “done in defence of our hard-won independence”! 

Of course, this is nonsense Zanu PF is a party of corrupt, incompetent and ruthless thugs who believe they have the divine right to rule the country and are not democratically accountable to the people. They have rigged elections and use brute force to impose their will under the pretext if anyone else got into power they would undermine the country’s independence, sovereignty, etc., etc.

It the last 40 years the regime has accused all its critics and political opponents of all manner of crimes and treason but has never produced the evidence. Allowing citizens to exercise the freedoms and rights including the right to a meaningful vote does not threaten the nation’s independence. On the contrary, nation that have upheld the citizens’ freedoms and rights have also enjoyed peace, justice, liberty and economic prosperity.

Zimbabwe is facing its most serious economic and political crisis and to end it we must, first and foremost, end the curse of rigged elections and bad governance. We totally reject Zanu PF’s attempts to maintain the status quo under the pretext that change will threaten the nation’s independence. The status quo has been a disaster for the nation and it must go! 

Ending the status quo will end the Zanu PF dictatorship and will have no effect on the country’s independence! This is just Zanu PF project fear of the unknown!

Fear and violence have ruled Zimbabwe these last 40 years. We demand an end to fear and violence. We demand the implementation of the democratic reforms to ensure the next elections are free, fair and credible. 

Since Zanu PF is not going to reform itself out of office, the party must step down to allow the nation to appoint an interim administration that will implement the reforms.  

Zimbabwe is a dictatorship, not a democracy, and Zanu PF cannot keep up the pretence the party is the defend of democracy. 

Mnangagwa cannot claim to be the peacemaker after 40 years of the big bad wolf, up stream, attacking the lambs, down stream, accusing them of mudding his drinking water. 

“Making Zimbabwe undemocratic and ungovernable is not what we fought for!” And yet that is exactly what Zanu PF has done these last 40 years. The cup is full to overflow, Zanu PF cannot be allowed to hold the nation to ransom any more. 

Zanu PF rigged the July 2018 elections, the regime is illegitimate and it must step down.

SOURCE: zimbabwelight.blogspot.com

Residents Resolve To Protect Water Infrastructure.

Residents of Mabvuku have vowed to protect water infrastructure in the suburb against any forms of vandalism.

These sentiments were expressed at the community meeting organized by the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) with the Water Point User Committees (WPUC) in the area.

Apart from being hit by incessant water shortages, the suburb has also seen rising cases of vandalisation of water pipes, which has created problems in the local water distribution network.

 “As community leaders we are going to work together with our local District Office, reporting cases of vandalism to council property specifically water pipes and which is increasing non-revenue water”, said Mr Kagoro CHRA Ward 21 Coordinator.

Water bursts have emerged in Mabvuku as the local authority has resumed pumping water to the area after many years of a dry spell with some main water pipes being vandalized.

Previously Water Point User Committees have been focusing on managing public water points especially boreholes.

The latest development will see Water Point User Committees and council working together in reducing non-revenue water through reporting incidences of vandalism and protecting municipal water infrastructure.

CHRA welcomes the development as it promotes community stewardship in water resources management.

By A Correspondent- ZRP in Bindura last night reportedly arrested former cabinet Minister Nicholas Goche over stock theft, The Herald reports.

Goche stands accused of stealing an undisclosed number of cattle and was held in custody yesterday and will appear in court today.

His arrest was confirmed to the publication by ZRP National Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi who is yet to get the details of his arrest.

We will update this article as new details emerge.-statemedia

President Emmerson Mnangagwa today visited Chimanimani to assess progress made towards rehabilitating roads and infrastructure destroyed during Cyclone Idai in 2019.

VIEW PICTURE BELOW…

Recalled Marondera Central legislator, Caston Matewu has announced that one of the MDC Alliance parliamentarians Honorable Anna Myambo had a stroke after she was recalled by MDC-T which she never recovered from until she passed on today.

“I am learning with great sadness that one of the recalled MPs Hon Anna Myambo has passed on. After being recalled by ThokoZANU Khupe she had a stroke and never recovered. She was such a good friend and fellow MP,” said Matewu.

More to follow….

Top Zimbabwean musician Jah Prayzah’s decision to remain mum during the #ZimbabweanLivesMatter campaign is proving costly after Zimbabweans on social media teamed up to snub his request for votes after being shortlisted for Africa Entertainment Awards USA alongside Burna Boy, Eddy Kenzo and Yemi Alade among others.

The Hokoyo hitmaker who is not a stranger to political backlash posted on Twitter, celebrating his nomination among Africa’s best 10 while appealing to Zimbabweans to vote for him.

This angered a section of social media users who were quick to remind him that when they needed his voice against human rights abuses by the President Emmerson Mnangagwa regime he was nowhere to be found.

Some even rooted for Burna Boy who during that period posted something using the then trending hashtag.

Below is Jah Prayzah’s message and responses from angry and bitter Zimbabweans;

JAH PRAYZAH: Team JP your support for the works is being recognized out there. We have a nomination for top entertainer at the @aeausa. The nomination in itself is a win. Go and vote on their website http://aeausa.net

CHIBS: I love JP music but I won’t vote for him. Everyone knows why. Anyway, I voted for Burna Boy! #ZimbabweanLivesMatter

EULITA DUBE: I remember when Zim twitter was begging you to participate in the #ZimbabweanLivesMatter you muted http://us.Now i believe we will return the favour kind sir.Those that butter your bread(Zanu pf) will vote for http://you.Im sure Nick will RT & mobilise for you

LACTO: U nw want us 2 vote for u but when soldiers & police were abducting, torturing & brutalizing innocent civilians who were exercising their constitutional rights you kept mum.The same pple who support yo music hv suffered for too long & still u said nothing #ZimbabweanLivesMatter

ChimbwidoTee: Rega tikandire Burna Boy kaVote! He stood with us during #ZimbabweanLivesMatter!!! Vhoterwa nema Zanu PF youthies

NEWLY SWORN-IN MP and acting MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe Wednesday opposition legislators remaining in parliament were loyal to her party.

The politician also pledged to use her time in the house to work towards improving the livelihoods of ordinary Zimbabweans.

“I’m glad that I’m back. I’m going to be advancing the interests of all the 14.6 million Zimbabweans so that they have better lives,” she told journalists soon after emerging from parliament building.

“I have been working even if I was not in parliament. But like I said, I’m very happy that I’m back. Parliament is an arena where we are supposed to come and raise people’s issues so that they are addressed.

“We have to work Zimbabweans. We want Zimbabweans to have jobs, food, clean water food, functioning hospitals and good education system,” Khupe said.

Khupe said opposition legislators who now remained in parliament belonged to her party.

“I don’t know those MPs who have defied me. All those who are in parliament belong to MDC-T,” she said, adding that she was now leader of the opposition in parliament.

“Currently, I’m the senior member of the main opposition, the MDC-T in Parliament. So, I’m the leader in Parliament.”

Khupe spent two hours in parliament before leaving.

Senators Morgen Komichi and Morgan Femai were among top party members who cheered their leader as she exited parliament building.

-NEWZIMBABWE

The newly elected Bulawayo Mayor Mlandu Ncube has told his fellow councillors in Zimbabwe’s second largest city that he belongs to a rival faction led by Dr Thokozani Khupe.

He made the revelations in a Councillors Whatsapp group where a fellow City Father accused him of belonging to Khupe faction to which he confirmed that he indeed was part of the MDC-T party.

Following his victory yesterday, MDC Alliance claimed that he belonged to their faction.

Top Zimbabwean musician Jah Prayzah’s decision to remain mum during the #ZimbabweanLivesMatter campaign is proving costly after Zimbabweans on social media teamed up to snub his request for votes after being shortlisted for Africa Entertainment Awards USA alongside Burna Boy, Eddy Kenzo and Yemi Alade among others.

The Hokoyo hitmaker who is not a stranger to political backlash posted on Twitter, celebrating his nomination among Africa’s best 10 while appealing to Zimbabweans to vote for him.

This angered a section of social media users who were quick to remind him that when they needed his voice against human rights abuses by the President Emmerson Mnangagwa regime he was nowhere to be found.

Some even rooted for Burna Boy who during that period posted something using the then trending hashtag.

Below is Jah Prayzah’s message and responses from angry and bitter Zimbabweans;

JAH PRAYZAH: Team JP your support for the works is being recognized out there. We have a nomination for top entertainer at the @aeausa. The nomination in itself is a win. Go and vote on their website http://aeausa.net

CHIBS: I love JP music but I won’t vote for him. Everyone knows why. Anyway, I voted for Burna Boy! #ZimbabweanLivesMatter

EULITA DUBE: I remember when Zim twitter was begging you to participate in the #ZimbabweanLivesMatter you muted http://us.Now i believe we will return the favour kind sir.Those that butter your bread(Zanu pf) will vote for http://you.Im sure Nick will RT & mobilise for you

LACTO: U nw want us 2 vote for u but when soldiers & police were abducting, torturing & brutalizing innocent civilians who were exercising their constitutional rights you kept mum.The same pple who support yo music hv suffered for too long & still u said nothing #ZimbabweanLivesMatter

ChimbwidoTee: Rega tikandire Burna Boy kaVote! He stood with us during #ZimbabweanLivesMatter!!! Vhoterwa nema Zanu PF youthies

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has warned teachers that his administration will not take lightly their demands of better pay but will deal with them as ransom.

Speaking in Mutare on Wednesday night, Mnangagwa said, ” 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 working stations.”

Mnangagwa’s statements follow a threat by Presidnetial Spokesperson George Charamba who said if the teachers were declaring war on their employer, the government was ready for the war.

Mnangagwa will spend a night in Mutare in readiness for a tour of remedial infrastructures in areas badly hit by Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani District. The projects will include a new settlement for relocated families displaced by the Cyclone.

The President’s visit follows an invitation by National Disaster Committee on Cyclone Idai meant to get him to gauge progress registered to date. This evening, the President urged Party and Government officials to mobilize communities for greater participation in the PFUMVUDZA programme.

By A Correspondent- MDC leader Nelson Chamisa’s lawyer Advocate Thabani Mpofu has dared Presidential anti-corruption special prosecution unit head Tabani Mpofu to produce his law degree to prove that he is qualified to head SACU.

Posting on Twitter and appealing to Secretary for Information Nick Mangwana, Mpofu said:

“Please help us toe-the-line. Where did Tabani Vusa Mpofu read his law? Have you ever seen his degree certificate? Ever met any of his classmates? If he has no law degree can he legitimately head SACU. Corrupt-less?”

The question invited one Twitter user with the moniker @Davidmuchuchu to say,

“Ko Mhofu Inga renyu Dhigoz i hybrid re 6 years wani….(GZU + UZ) but tongokudayi makadaro.”

Mpofu responded saying he qualified for his degree.

“But I have it. Even if you say I picked it up from a rubbish heap, you still accept that I have it. Turns out, we not talking about mine but his. Are you able to assist us in that regard?”

Veritas, a Parliamentary and legal think-tank, has said the indefinite suspension of by-elections in the country is an unconstitutional move.

This comes after Vice President Constantino Chiwenga recently amended Statutory Instrument 225A of 2020, Public Health COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 (No 4) to suspend by-elections citing the prevalence of coronavirus.

The suspension of by-elections has attracted criticism from some observers with some arguing that the move by Chiwenga who is also the Health minister was a political one with nothing to do with the coronavirus.

Veritas observed that section 158 (3) of the Constitution stipulates that once a Parliamentary or council seat becomes vacant, by-elections must be held within 90 days. Added the think tank:

This is unconstitutional. In our Election Watch 1 of 2020 of the 17th May, we commented on an earlier attempt by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission [ZEC] to suspend by-elections because of the Covid-19 pandemic and concluded that ZEC could not do it. The same goes for this attempt.

Section 158 (3) of the Constitution states quite clearly: Polling in by-elections to Parliament and local authorities must take place within ninety days after the vacancies occurred …

The Constitution makes no provision for an extension of the 90-day period, even during a state of emergency ‒ and a state of public emergency is not currently in force.

Just as ZEC had no power to suspend by-elections by administrative decree, so too the Minister of Health has no power to suspend them through regulations under the Public Health Act.  The Constitution overrides administrative decisions and regulations.  The Constitution must be obeyed.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission presided over a number of by-elections over the weekend thereby worsening the confusion on the rationale behind the SI.

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions has in its message to mark the 13th World Day for Decent Work said the Zimbabwean government has condemned all workers into modern-day slavery.

We present the statement in full below.06 October 2020RE:

STATEMENT TO MARK 13TH WORLD DAY FOR DECENT WORK

WEDNESAY 7 OCTOBER 2020 is World Day for Decent Work (WDDW), a day workers across the globe stand up for decent work as they seek to build secure workplaces and better livelihoods.

Trade unions under the banner of the ITUC are commemorating the day under the theme “A New Social Contract for Recovery and Resilience” to ensure the global economy can recover and to build the resilience required to meet the convergent challenges of the pandemic, climate change and inequality.

A lot of work has been put in place by social partners towards the realization of decent work across the world but as we commemorate the 13th WDDW Zimbabwean workers are mourning the death of that dream.

The precarious nature of employment for both public and private sector employees is a mockery to decent work. The government and employers are gradually dismantling the four pillars of decent work condemning virtually all workers into modern day slavery.

Hope for economic recovery is fast fading under the clouds of corruption, mis-governance and lack of rule of law.We note that Employment Creation, Rights at Work, Social Protection and Social Dialogue have over the years been under attack and the Covid-19 pandemic has presented government and employers with lethal ammunition to disregard the pillars.

Decent work deficits are deepening and the progress that had been achieved over the past decade is being decimated.

Labour rights are being relegated to the periphery and massive arbitrary retrenchments have been rolled out particularly in the Hotel and catering industry.

Social dialogue has been suppressed at all levels spearheaded by government which is dithering on fully constituting the Tripartite Negotiating Forum to set the tone for new social contract.

Zimbabwe need a new social contract that would be central to charting the path to recovery from the effects COVID-19 as well as to building an economy of shared prosperity and sustainability but lack of political will remains a key barrier.This year, we are restricted from our usual gatherings to mark the commemorations due to the risk of spreading the virus.

We will however continue to engage workers through other platforms. Our key message to workers in Zimbabwe is that the ZCTU would continue to push and demand for the realization of decent work standards, including decent wages, for workers despite the unprecedented assaults directed at it.

Our demands for wages as per those workers earned as at August 2018 will remain our prime demand. We salute our nurses, teachers and all other sectors which are fighting for decent wages despite all the threats directed at them.

Its time workers rally around decent work and chat a new beginning that secures a pro-poor people centred future.

Japhet Moyo

SECRETARY-GENERAL

By A Correspondent-authorities here1 have launched an investigation into mysterious deaths of goats in Makwe area, Ward 8 in Gwanda.

A team comprising officials from Gwanda Rural District Council, Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks) and the Department of Veterinary Services visited the area on Tuesday.

The development comes as villagers from the area are growing impatient with some pressuring the local leadership to invite prophets and tsikamutandas (witch-hunters) to intervene.

Speaking after a meeting with the community, Gwanda Rural District Council natural resources management officer, Mr Sijabuliso Masango said they had decided to bring experts to assist in the investigations.

“We got a report of goats being killed by a mysterious creature in the Makwe area. We then contacted ZimParks and the Department of Veterinary Services to assist in the investigations.

“We have to establish whether indeed there is such a creature and if so we then devise strategies to either trap or kill it,” said Mr Masango.

A villager from the area Mr Norman Nkomo said he strongly believed that the creature which was terrorising villagers was not a wild animal but a goblin. The councillor for the area Rachael Ncube said people were now becoming impatient and were demanding traditional intervention.

“We are glad that authorities came to assess the situation and we hope to get feedback from them soon. People are however, growing impatient hence some are now calling for the intervention of tsikamutandas or prophets,” said clr Ncube.

Chief Mathema said he decided to first engage experts because tsikamutandas were notorious for robbing people of their livestock. He said in the event the experts fail to resolve the mystery, he will engage a respectable traditional spirit medium. Chief Mathema said the community had to first establish whether the creature was a wild animal or not through the help of experts.

“While we are faced with a problem it’s important for us to follow the legal route. I have alerted the RDC about this matter and they have taken the necessary measures. It’s not wise to invite a tsikamutandas because they have a tendency of robbing people of their livestock or causing unnecessary friction by accusing people of practising witchcraft,” he said.

The villagers have lost about 70 goats and they say the yet to be identified creature sucks goats’ blood and leaves two puncture/ teeth marks on their necks.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- A gold thief was arrested after asking colleagues and workmates on social media how he could smuggle 400 grammes of stolen gold out of the country.

The incident comes after Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube told Parliament that gold was being smuggled out of the country resulting in the country losing out millions of United Dollars in potential revenue.

He observed that the country was producing large volumes of gold but some was being smuggled through the country’s porous borders since the official gold price in the country was not attractive.

State Media

THE United States cannot determine the parental rights of a minor child in the case involving estranged partners — Russian-American Allen Gassen and former model Priscilla Chigariro — on the grounds of the Hague Convention, the High Court has ruled.

The application was brought in terms of the Child Abduction Act as read with Article 15 of The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, which is the first schedule to the Child Abduction Act (The Hague Convention).

Chigariro brought the child to Zimbabwe from Russia in November last year without the consent of his partner, prompting Gassen to approach the High Court.

He sought a declaratory order that the removal of the minor child from Russia and its retention in Zimbabwe was unlawful and wanted her to be sent to the US for determination of the parties respective parental rights.

The child was born in Russia through surrogacy arrangement, as the mother could not carry pregnancy to the term because of medical health issues.

After hearing submissions from both parties’ counsel, Justice Ester Muremba dismissed the application by Gassen, finding that at the time the child was removed from Russia, she had no habitual residence there and the parties never intended to have their child stay in Russia.

In this regard, she ruled that Gassen claim that Chigariro breached his custody and access rights to the minor was untenable.

Justice Muremba said the child could not be sent to the US when it was not the child’s habitual residence before her removal to Zimbabwe.

Though Gassen wanted the US to decide the parental rights of the parties over the child on the basis of the Hague Convention, Justice Muremba disagreed saying the convention would have been applicable if the child had been wrongfully removed from the US.

“That the USA was the intended child’s habitual residence by the parties as parents of the child does not entitle the bringing of an application under the Hague Convention,” she said.

“In order for applicant to enforce what he says the parties had agreed upon that the child be raised in the USA, the applicant ought to have used a different cause of action instead of The Hague Convention.”

The convention is designed to protect children from harm in cases of wrongful removal or retention by securing their prompt return to the State with which they had the strongest connection.

An order granted under the convention is a return order, which is designed to restore the status quo that existed before the wrongful removal or retention of a child.

In this case, the child’s habitual residence immediately prior to the abduction would provide the most appropriate forum for a determination of parental rights.

Justice Muremba said even if she had made a finding that Russia was the child’s habitual residence at the time that she was removed from there to Zimbabwe, all she could grant was a declaratory order that her removal was wrongful.

She would not be inclined to allow the consequential relief that the child be sent to the US for determination of the parental rights.

“Such an order would not be consistent with the purpose of the Convention, which is to restore the status quo,” said Justice Muremba.

In his application, Gassen argued that the parties, who are on separation, had agreed to have their children raised in the US, where their son has already settled in the American system.

He argued that contrary to the parties’ agreement, Chigariro had wrongfully kept their daughter in Zimbabwe and registered the child in the country using fraudulent documents.

On the other hand, Chigariro averred that the Russian court declared her to be the mother of the minor child.

She argued that since the child was born out of wedlock, she had the full parental rights, which could only be interfered with by Gassen obtaining a court order.

Chigariro denied ever entering an agreement with Gassen to relocate to the US and the claims of fraud levelled against her.

Paul Nyathi

MDC-T Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora says that his party does not regret recalling the MDC Alliance MPs they recalled in the course of the year.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday soon after the swearing in of MDC-T interim leader Thokozani Khupe and 14 other party loyalists as both MPs and Senators.

Mwonzora said it was not the wish of the party to recall the MPs but the legislators forced the party to do the recalls.

“It is not our intention to always get rid of people. Recalls are regrettable but it happened because that leadership sacrificed their own people.

“Those people were recalled because they had ceased to be members of the MDC-T.

“They said it in writing that they did not belong to the MDC-T anymore.

“There are legal consequences to that. Some of them were involved in violence and corruption. We have zero tolerance to violence and corruption. We took action and do not regret it,” said Mwonzora.

“We recall people for a reason. Those recalled people were at fault. There was no need for them to sign affidavits denouncing the MDC-T and renouncing their membership of the MDC-T. Once they did that, legal consequences arose.”

Commenting on the appointment of the MPs and Senators, Mwonzora said “we are quite happy with the quality of Senators and MPs who have come. It is time for delivering and time to carry the party’s legislative agenda.

“We want to make a difference, to focus on the developmental issues affecting the nation, dealing with new politics in Zimbabwe and get rid of hate politics, acrimony. It is going to be a vibrant Parliament.

“We are going to do our job as opposition in Zimbabwe.”

Paul Nyathi

The MDC-T says that MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa must first recognise Thokozani Khupe as the genuine leader of the opposition before any talks between the two parties.

The Khupe MDC-T National Executive Council made the resolution at its latest meeting as both parties’ NECs have been meeting seperately to foster for negotiations following the declaration by the party’s youths wings that the two leaders Chamisa and Khupe must meet face to face to resolve their differences.

Key amongst the issue that the youth are demanding the leaders to discuss is the recall of MPs and Councillors. Khupe has recalled 32 MPs and about 100 councillors countrywide for supporting Chamisa.

One of the contentious issues on the table is re-engagement of party leaders which will result in recognising the 2014 MDC structures set up by the late Morgan Tsvangirai and which will make some of the top leaders in the MDC Alliance redundant including the two vice presidents Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube.

MDC-T secretary general Douglas Mwonzora said his party leadership had set conditions for re engagement with the MDC Alliance leadership.

“Chamisa and his group have to recognise the Supreme Court ruling and there is no need for the involvement of Biti and Ncube as they were not part of the structures and were leading their parties,” Mwonzora said.

“Chamisa was a member of the national executive.

This must be a starting point and the youths that have occupied the Harvest House have no legal right to occupy the building and must not give any order as we don’t recognise them.

Chamisa and his group must be organising participating at an elective congress as ordered by the Supreme Court not to continue to confuse party members.”

He said the recall of 10 more MPs was in line with the resolution passed by the party of recalling MPs and councillors who were not recognising the leadership of Khupe.

But MDC Alliance secretary general Charlton Hwende said his party was aware of the political machinations being instigated by Mwonzora and Zanu PF to weaken the party.

“We are waiting for the by elections to replace the recalled MPs and councillors and the people will vote for their representatives again and our youths want the party to be united and we can move forward but Mwonzora and his group are working with Zanu PF to destabilise the party,” Hwende said.

Khupe’s bid to bounce back into Parliament together with his other members as proportional representatives this week hit a snag following an urgent court application to stop the process.

Last week she also recalled 10 more MPs from parliament bringing the number to 32 MPs.

Her party also announced the dates for the elective congress slated from 13 to 20 December.

Government also further suspended the holding of by elections to elect new MPs and councillors until Covid -19 recedes.

Source: Business Times

State Media

Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has appealed for peace among the greater Victoria Falls community to allow the law to take its course following fatal shooting of two Chisuma villagers by soldiers recently.

Addressing hundreds of mourners drawn from Victoria Falls town, Cjidobe and Kachechete wards that gathered for a double burial of Morgan Sibanda (36) and Mr Dumisani Mpofu (38) in Chisuma 2 village under Chief Mvutu on Tuesday, One Infantry Brigade Deputy Commander Colonel Maxwell Masuku said the law should take its course.

Col Masuku had been literally camped in the community since last week engaging the local leadership in a series of meetings over the issue.

The meetings were between the army, police, traditional leaders, councillors and villagers.

He told mourners that the incident tarnished the image of the army which depends on the community.

“This was an accident and the matter is now in the hands of the police. The case is now in the courts and let’s allow the law to take its course. The issue does not sit well with us in terms of our image in the community. As ZNA we are what we are because of the community, if the community is not there we are not there too,” said Col Masuku.

He said the army will always work with the community for development.

Bernard Sibanda (30) and Bonang Nare (21) who are both stationed at 1.2 Infantry Battalion in Hwange have since appeared in court facing two counts of murder and were remanded in custody to Friday next week.

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The soldiers were deployed to Chisuma together with police to enforce anti-poaching activities along Zambezi River on the border with Zambia.

ZNA assisted in preparing for the burial and transported the bodies from Victoria Falls Hospital mortuary to Chisuma.

The deceased who were cousins were buried about 200 metres apart at their respective families’ cemeteries.

Sibanda who was known as Zhuzha in the community, was a rafting guide employed by Wild Horizons and left behind four children and a wife while Mpofu was single and not employed.

Wild Horizons corporate affairs director Ms Barbara Murasiranwa said the rafting sector had lost a valuable worker who was instrumental in various tourism activities including retrieval of bodies of people who drowned.

The community wants Government to institute an inquest into the shooting.

They also called for relocation of the army and police base from Chisuma Primary School to a disused camp near Zambezi River saying this would help quell emotions among community members.

“As a community let’s be calm as the issue is being handled at a higher authority. We call on Government to make an inquiry on the shooting,” said Kachechete ward councillor Givemeagain Moyo.

His sentiments were echoed by Victoria Falls Mayor Cllr Somveli Dlamini and Hwange West Constituency MP Godfrey Dube who said he will push for the inquest.

State Media

Another MDC-led Harare City Council’s (HCC) top official, acting housing director of services, Fani Machipisa has been arrested by the Special Anti-Corruption Unit (SACU) on alleged land scams, a few months into the position.

Machipisa replaced suspended substantive housing director Addmore Nhekairo in June who is also facing allegations involving land scams.

Head of SACU Mr Tabani Mpofu this afternoon confirmed arresting the Harare official.

“Yes, we have arrested Machipisa and more details will be availed later,” he said.

The arrest comes as Government has been unearthing massive land scams under which MDC-Alliance-led councils are allegedly fundraising for their party through illegal sale of State land.

Since June, among top officials arrested at HCC are the town clerk Engineer Hosiah Chisango, Nhekairo, human capital director and former housing director Matthew Marara and former city mayor Hebert Gomba.

The other arrested officials include five councillors that all sat in the Housing Committee, among other several middle and junior employees.

State Media

PARENTS and learners should not be overly concerned about the preparedness of students writing exams this year, as catch-up learning and remedial teaching will be prioritised in the run-up to the exams, Cabinet has said.

Schools in Zimbabwe opened last month, with Cambridge examination classes starting earlier on 14 September while those sitting for Zimsec exams opened on 28 September. Zimsec exams begin on 1 December.

After a six-month hiatus, there have been some concerns raised by teachers, parents and learners would not be prepared giving the little time they had between reopening and exams.

After yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said that Government was implementing measures to make sure that both learners and teachers were teachers were adequately prepared for the exams.

“Noting the concerns and anxieties expressed by learners, their parents/guardians, as well as teachers, on the limited lesson time before public examinations, the Ministry has come up with guidelines to ensure effective care and support for both teaching and learning, effective catch-up learning, remedial teaching, and preparations for examinations,” she said.

Minister Mutsvangwa also said that while engagement with teachers over salaries was ongoing, training of both teaching and non-teaching staff in infection control and prevention was also in progress.

“With regard to the re-opening of schools the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is monitoring the situation and updating the Public Service Commission daily, while awaiting the outcome of the ongoing National Joint Negotiating Council talks. Priority training of teaching and non-teaching staff on Covid-19 Infection Prevention and Control measures for Phase 1 is underway in all the provinces, while logistical arrangements for Phase 2 staff training are being organised.”

MDC-T acting president Dr Thokozani Khupe is set to resume her role as leader of the opposition in Parliament after she and 14 others from her party were sworn-in yesterday as members of the National Assembly and Senate.

They were nominated by the party to replace those in proportional representation seats who were recalled.

Senators and the block of special proportional representation seats in the National Assembly reserved for women are filled from party lists based on the proportion of votes party candidates for constituencies won in the last general election.

Vacant constituency seats in the National Assembly are filled through by-elections.

In the National Assembly, Dr Khupe was sworn in together with Memory Munochinzwa, January Sawuke, Lindani Moyo, Sipho Makone, Yvonne Musarurwa and Lwazi Sibanda.

In the Senate, MDC-T spokesperson Kaliphani Phugeni was sworn in together with Piniel Denga, Chief Ndlovu, Nomalanga Khumalo, Teti Chisorochengwe, Gertrude Moyo, Tamani Moyo and Molly Dorothy Ndlovu.

Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda and Senate President Cde Marble Chinomona told both Houses separately that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) had written to the Clerk of Parliament, Mr Kennedy Chokuda, notifying him of the persons nominated to fill vacancies that occurred following the recall of MDC-T MPs elected under proportional representation.

In the National Assembly, Mr Chokuda administered the oath while in the Senate, Deputy Clerk of Parliament Ms Helen Dingane presided over the swearing-in ceremony in terms of the Constitution.

Legislators from the MDC-T could be heard ululating as Dr Khupe and her team of legislators walked into the Chamber for the swearing-in.

Hatfield MP, Dr Tapiwa Mashakada congratulated Dr Khupe on her return to Parliament.

In an interview after taking oath, Dr Khupe said she would deliver her maiden speech next week spelling out her vision as leader of the opposition.

“I am glad that I am back, but I am going to advance the interests of all the 14,6 million Zimbabweans so that they have a better life,” she said.

“I have been working for the people even if I was outside Parliament. This is an arena where we raise issues concerning people so that they are addressed.

“I am the leader of my political party so nothing has changed. I am back as leader of the opposition in Parliament, by virtue of being the most senior person in Parliament.”

Some of the newly sworn MPs were legislators in previous Parliaments.

Ms Khumalo was elected Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly in 2008 on an MDC-T ticket, while Mr Denga and Ms Sibanda are former legislators.

The legislators were recalled in terms of a constitutional provision that declares seats held by members of the party that sponsored them in the last election vacant, if the party writes to the Speaker of the National Assembly or to the Senate President to declare that the persons no longer represented that party.

TWO people are believed to have been murdered in separate incidents this week before their bodies were found hanging in unclear circumstances in Battlefields and Highfield respectively.

Police have since launched investigations into these two murder cases. No arrests have since been made.

In Highfield, a man was found hanging at an entrance of a bar on Monday morning and police suspect that he could have been robbed and fatally assaulted by unknown assailants.

The man believed to have been a gold panner, was drinking beer at a shopping centre popularly known as MaStones when the incident occurred.

Police said in Battlefields, Cosmas Mataruse (19) was found dead and his body was in a decomposing state a few days after he had been embroiled in a dispute with another man over a cellphone he had dropped.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said last Thursday, Mataruse was at a shopping centre in Battlefields where he dropped his cellphone which was then picked up by the man, aged 25.

Mataruse is alleged to have later confronted the man who denied having picked up the cellphone and this resulted in an argument. The man later left and it is reported that Mataruse later followed him and no one knows what happened after that.

“His body was found two days later in a sitting position and he had a wire tied to his neck and then tied on a tree branch about 158 metres from a gravel road. The body was in a decomposing state.

“We are still investigating the case since the circumstances are not clear. It is still not clear what transpired,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.

In a related incident, a Bulawayo man was fatally assaulted with a bench on the head by one of his colleagues he was drinking beer with at a shebeen after being accused of selling him a defective car battery.-The Herald

POLICE have launched a manhunt for a woman who escaped from police custody after making a false rape report.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele said Kamogelo Ndebele (17) from Plumtree escaped from a place of safety at Plumtree Police Station in September. He appealed to members of the public with information on her whereabouts to contact the police.

Chief Insp Ndebele said Kamogelo made a rape report and was placed in a place of safety pending police investigations which later revealed that her report was false.

“We are appealing to members of the public with information on the whereabouts of Kamogelo Ncube a female aged 17-years-old. She is light brown in complexion, slim and of medium height. She was last seen putting on a black and white blouse and a cream skirt.

The woman was housed at a place of safety by the police as the rape allegations were being investigated.

When police discovered that she had made a false report, she was nowhere to be found when they when at the house.

It is a criminal offence to file a false report with the police.

“The suspect escaped from a safe place at ZRP Plumtree after making a false rape report.

She reported a rape case and was placed in a place of safety and when the police discovered that her report was false, they went to the place where she was being housed with an intention to arrest her and discovered that she had fled. Any person with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspect can contact Constable Shindi from Plumtree Police Station on 0718 995 631 or they can contact me Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele on 02842-22810 or 0715 431 235 or 0773 594 899,” he said.-Chronicle

A VICTORIA Falls man who fatally assaulted his wife by hitting her head against a wall and floor while accusing her of going for a beer drink and leaving their children unattended at home, has been sentenced to five years in jail for culpable homicide.

Boniso Sibanda (40) of 9419 Mkhosana also suspected that his wife, Auxilia Nkomazana (31), was cheating on him as she spent time with male friends at Chinotimba Old Bar.

Sibanda was found not guilty of murder but guilty of a lesser charge of culpable homicide when he appeared before Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Christopher Dube-Banda who is on circuit in Hwange.

Sibanda will however, serve an effective three years after the judge suspended two years on condition of good behaviour.

In his defence, Sibanda who was represented by Mr Njabulo Ndlovu of Ncube Attorneys, claimed he acted out of provocation because his wife had left the couple’s minor children aged eight years and two years alone at home as she went to drink beer.

He said he also suspected that she was cheating on him with another man.

Prosecuting, Mrs Martha Cheda said Sibanda assaulted his wife at a bar where he found her drinking with some men, before continuing with the assault at home.

“On the 4th of March 2020 at around 4pm, Sibanda arrived home and found his wife not there. He followed her to Chinotimba Old Bar where she was drinking beer with other patrons,” said Mrs Cheda.

She said a misunderstanding ensued between the two as Sibanda dragged a drunken Nkomazana.

He slapped her and she fell down before he carried her out of the bar and placed her outside.

The two walked towards their place of residence and along the way Sibanda once again slapped his wife on the face and kicked her on the hips.

The court was told that when they got home, Sibanda continued assaulting Nkomazana by hitting her head against the wall, floor and wooden base of the bed.

After the assault, Sibanda slept on the bed while the now deceased slept on the floor. He discovered that she was not breathing in the morning and called an ambulance.

The ambulance crew confirmed Nkomazana’s death on arrival at the house.-Chronicle