By A Correspondent- The City of Harare municipal employees have threatened an industrial action following deadlock over salary increment.

The employees are complaining over monthly net salaries of ZW$4000.

Employee Party Trade Unions in the Harare Municipal Undertaking comprising Harare Municipal Union (HMWU), Zimbabwe Urban Councils Workers Union (ZUCWU), Water and Allied Workers Union of Zimbabwe (WAWUZ) and Zimbabwe Allied Municipalities Workers Union (ZAMWUZ) are representing the workers in grade 5 to 16.

In a letter addressed to the acting Town Clerk, Dr Prosper Chonzi, Harare Mayor, Jacob Mafume, acting Employer Party Chairman, Councillor Mutizwa and National Employment Council, Chairman, Advocate Matsikidze, the workers said:

“The City of Harare is giving a meagre salary which amounts to ZW$4000 net salary per month translating to about US$40.

“This is a slap in the face of the employees taking into account the fact the ZW$4000 is inclusive of allowances.

“At the moment transport allowance is ZW$480 and this can only allow an employee to report for duty for four days.

“This is a backdrop of Covid-19 pandemic wherein serious hardships have been induced.

“Government has been paying a US$75 allowance for Covid-19 to all civil servants.-HMetro

Farai Dziva|Former Zanu PF MP, Killer Zivhu has been criticized for “attempting to replace teachers’ salaries with mealie-meal, rice and meat.”

Zivhu pledged to donate mealie-meal and rice to teachers in his area.

Commenting on the former Zanu PF MP’s remarks, MDC Alliance, Namibia(Rundu Branch) spokesperson, Robson Ruhanya described Zivhu as a daydreamer.

Below is Zivhu’s argument:

Teachers in my area u can proceed kumba kwangu kunotora upfu ,mafuta,rice, nechibage mosvaka mombe ndobhadhara yeusavi.

Vana ngavadzidze I am overconfident that ED unogadzira nyika mupeyi nguva zvinhu zvava kutonaka .

For now I will help with food hendeyi kubasa

Zimbabwe nyika ndoida iyi hameno iwe ,goodnight guys ndini ndadini zvangu ndatodya nenyama sadza ini.

Vanopopota muchazvimba mukapora ED wapinda 2023 kusvika 2030.

MDC Alliance yapera,MDC-T yakainda naTsvangirayi mati madini mucharidza mhere kusvika mazvinyaradza ED achingotonga

Make it mandatory that ED’s picture inofanirwa kuiswa mudzimba ,shops ,public transport and all public places.

Vasingadi vasungwe hamudi President wenyu moda ani. Munhu wose pfeka face ya President wenyika yako wobva wada nyika yako nomoyo wose pose pose ED Zimbabwe yose ED.

In response Ruhanya said: “Mr Zivhu is daydreaming, he wants to force citizens to recognize the illegitimate Emmerson Mnangagwa as the President of Zimbabwe.Worse still Mr Zivhu wants to force us to display Mnangagwa’s portrait everywhere – that’s ridiculous.

Zivhu thinks he can place teachers under his armpits- who told him that teachers are working for rice and sadza?”

By A Correspondent- A fresh battle is looming in MDC over delegates to the party’s extra-ordinary congress in December with supporters of Nelson Chamisa barred from attending.

The supporters are now threatening to seek legal recourse.

MDC secretary general said that anyone in support of Chamisa after the Supreme Court ruling had automatically expelled themselves from the party and would not participate in the congress.

But MDC Alliance secretary general Charlton Hwende accused Mwonzora of politicking. He said any effort to bar the 2014 structures from participating in the congress would be resisted politically and legally.-DailyNews

High Court Judge Justice Esther Muremba on Wednesday 7 October 2020 ordered the release from prison of Harare West constituency legislator Hon. Joanah Mamombe, where she had been incarcerated for close to two weeks on the orders of Harare Magistrate Bianca Makwande.

Magistrate Makwande on Thursday 24 September 2020 ordered Hon. Mamombe to have her mental aptitude examined by two “neutral” doctors while being detained at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison.

Magistrate Makwande granted the order after Prosecutor Michael Reza filed an application seeking to have Hon. Mamombe examined in accordance with provisions of the Mental Health Act after she recently failed to appear in court to stand trial on charges of communicating falsehoods prejudicial to the state.

The Magistrate said Hon. Mamombe should be placed under thesupervision of the Superintendent of Harare Remand Prison while some “neutral doctors” evaluate her mental aptitude before her trial commences.

But Hon. Mamombe’s lawyers Alec Muchadehama, Jeremiah Bamu, Tinomuda Shoko and Roselyn Hanzi of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights on 25 September 2020 filed an application for review and an urgent chamber application at the High Court seeking a review of Magistrate Makwande’s decision to imprison the Harare West constituency
legislator and arguing that her detention was unlawful and an infringement of her right to liberty provided in the Constitution.

On Wednesday 7 October 2020, Justice Muremba agreed with Hon. Mamombe’s lawyers and ordered that she be immediately released from Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, where she had been incarcerated for 13 days.

In her judgment, Justice Muremba ruled that it was not necessary for Magistrate Makwande to place Hon. Mamombe in custody for purposes on being medically examined in terms of the Health Mental Act as she could have ordered her to undergo the examination whilst out of custody.

The Judge noted that Hon. Mamombe had not breached her bail conditions and nothing warranted her placement in prison custody for the purposes of her mental examination.
Hon. Mamombe, Justice Muremba ruled, could still have been ordered to undergo the mental examination as a state institution by the state’s medical practitioners.

The Judge stated that there was no just cause for placing the opposition legislator in custody thereby depriving her of her personal liberty, which is jealously guarded in the Constitution.

Nonetheless, Justice Muremba ordered that Hon. Mamombe should still comply with Magistrate Makwande’s order that she be examined by two doctors at Harare Remand Prison.

Hon. Mamombe who had been out of custody on bail, was arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police members together with opposition MDC-Alliance party Youth Assembly leaders Cecelia Chimbiri aged 31 years and Netsai Marova aged 25 years on 10 June 2020 and charged with publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the state as defined in section 31(a)(ii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the state as defined in section 31(a)(iii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

The trio was also charged with defeating or obstructing the course of justice as defined in section 184(1)(f) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

Hon. Mamombe, Chimbiri and Marova went missing on 13 May 2020, when they were abducted in Harare and were only found on 15 May 2020 after being dumped in Bindura in Mashonaland Central province.

The trio has already been charged with committing public violence after they were arrested on 26 May 2020 for allegedly participating in an anti-government protest against hunger during the national lockdown period as defined in section 37 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and for contravening section 5(3) (a) as read with section
5(1) of Statutory Instrument 99 of 2020 of Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) Order, 2020.-ZLHR

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.”

By A Correspondent- Sixteen MDC Alliance councillors who were recalled by MDC-T last month have approached the High Court challenging their recalls.

The councillors argue that Local Government minister July Moyo, who relied on a letter from Thokozani Khupe which purported that the councillors had been recalled, should not have interfered with political battles between the MDC-T and MDC-Alliance.

More to follow….

By A Correspondent- Former Zanu PF youth leader Godfrey Tsenengamu has surrendered himself to the police ending his close to 3 months on the run as the state arrested and charged people who were calling for 31 July protest for inciting public violence.

Tsengengamu reportedly surrender himself to CID officers this morning and ZRP National Spokesperson Assitant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they were still checking the facts before they can comment.

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

By A Correspondent| MDC Alliance legislator for Harare West, Joana Mamombe was yesterday pictured outside the Harare Magistrates Court protesting against the incarceration of ZINASU President Takudzwa Ngadziore who has been in custody since the 18th of September.

Mamombe met Ngadziore at Chikurubi Maximum Prison before she was released following a High Court judgement nullifying her detention.

Following her release, Mamombe appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court for her routine remand and on her way out, she held a placard demanding the release of Ngadziore.

By A Correspondent | When he was sworn into office 2 years ago, the Deputy Health And Child Care Minister, John Mangwiro swore saying he would help the country lower its health bill.

25 months later, a major investigation opened by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission investigates the circumstances in which, the pharmaceutical parastatal, Natpharm is being forced to award Young Healthcare Limited, a briefcase company, a tender for COVID materials. The Deputy Health Minister is under investigation for among other things, complaining and convening a meeting at 10pm on a date in August 2020, to complain why the tender team did not award dysfunctional firm the tender.

The investigation also looks into why COVID 19 materials were overpriced in the deal.

“Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Mangwiro convened a meeting with the adjudication team, where he queried the reasons why the team did not award the tender to Young HealthCare Limited.
Members were threatened with dismissal;” the ZACC report says.

The report investigates how minister Mangwiro allegedly pounced on Natpharm’s adjudicating team for tenders, late at night, at 10pm and grilled them why they are refusing to award Young HealthCare Limited the tender.

The value was at first set at USD5,6 million.

Young Health Care Limited was awarded a contract to supply nucleic acid and purification machines, transport media and reagents.

But to date, Natpharm has received supplies worth only US$124 630.

The Deputy Minister also reportedly insisted on pre-payment and tasked the technical team from laboratory and Natpharm procurement to visit Young Health Care Limited in their country office and verify available stock in order to compel the Natpharm Acting MD to make a prepayment to Young Health Care Limited. Such actions violated the evaluation process since the technical team did not have the mandate to carry out the verification of supplies.

THE FULL ZACC REPORT IS BELOW:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. BACKGROUND……………………………………………………………………3
2. OBJECTIVES………………………………………………………………..…….3
3. METHODOLOGY…………………………………………………………………4
4. FINDINGS……………………………………………………………………..4-7
5. RECOMMENDATIONS…………………………………………..…………….8

6. CONCLUSIONS………………………………………………………………………9

• CLIENT’S COMMENTS ON RECOMMENDATIONS………….…………..9
• IMPLEMENTATION…………………………………………… ..…………..10
• MONITORING AND EVALUATION……………………………………….10
• ANNEXURES……………………………………………………………………11

1. BACKGROUND

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, as prescribed by Section 12 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act (Chapter9:22) is mandated, amongst other functions, to monitor and examine the practices, systems and procurement procedures of the public and private institutions; to advise and assist agency or institution in the elimination of minimization of corruption; and to assist in the formulation of practices, systems and procurement procedures of public institutions with a view to the elimination of corrupt practices.

It is against this background that the Commission assigned Compliance and Systems Department to carry out a Compliance and Systems Spot Check Exercise on the procurement procedures for Tender Number– International NAT TCB FWWK 04/2020- laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for COVID-19 at Natpharm.  The exercise was necessitated by allegations raised in the anonymous letter to ZACC dated 18^th August 2020 that Natpharm and Ministry of Health and Child Care did not follow proper procurement procedures for the procurement of laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for COVID-19 management (tender reference number: INT NAT ITCB FWWK 04/2020). 

2. OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the exercise were to ascertain the allegations made in the anonymous letter, which were as follows:-

1. The tender was awarded to a non-deserving company  (Young Healthcare), whose products were sub-standard and do not meet

World Health Organization and FDA specifications; and CE marked;

• The price quoted by Young International was higher than other competitors whose products were approved by WHO, FDA; and CE marked;
• Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Mangwiro convened a meeting with the adjudication team, where he queried the reasons why the team did not award the tender to Young HealthCare Limited.

Members were threatened with dismissal;

• To examine the systems, procurement procedures and practices related to Tender Number : International NAT TCB FWWK 04/2020- laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for COVID-19; and
• To come up with recommendations to plug loopholes and measures in view of the above allegations.

3. METHODOLOGY

1. Interviews

Interviews with members of the adjudication team for the tender for laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables, were held to ascertain what transpired during the procurement process with a view of ascertaining the allegations, tracing the systems used, identify weaknesses and possible remedies. The individuals interviewed were the Acting Managing Director of Natpharm, officers from National Microbiology Reference Laboratories (NMRL) and the procurement officer at Natpharm.

2. Documents Analysis

In order to confirm some statements made by the interviewees, the team requested for a number of documents listed below:

• Tender documents for 04/2020;
• Summary  Report of the tender; and
• Young HealthCare Limited company profile and communication with Natpharm and Ministry of Health and Child Care.

4. FINDINGS

4.1 Non-Compliance with provisions of PRAZ Circular 1 of 2020, Public Finance Management Act [Chapter: 22:19] and the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act [Chapter 10:31] by Ministry of Health and Child Care.

4.1.1 Numerous directives from the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), particularly Deputy Minister Dr. Mangwiro to

Natpharm Management

• Procurement process of the tender 04/2020 was marred by directives from the Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Mangwiro, resulting in delaying of the procurement. A letter from the then Acting Secretary of Health Dr. Mhlanga dated 15 July 2020, instructing Nat-Pharm to make direct procurement of supplies from Young Health Care (attached) was issued when the company was not registered with PRAZ. This is violation of some provisions of PRAZ Circular 1 of 2020 which stipulates that, only PRAZ listed suppliers are sources of COVID-19 supplies. When Natpharm insisted on competitive bidding, the tender process had to be postponed to allow Young Health Care Limited to register with PRAZ. This delayed the procurement of COVID-19 materials.

• The Deputy Minister has usurped the authority of the Permanent Secretary as the accounting Officer.

The Deputy Minister does not have the powers and mandate to undertake administrative duties, which are the responsibility of the Permanent Secretary. The Deputy Minister reportedly issued numerous directives to the Nat-Pharm management throughout the tender process.

4.1.2 Price-inflation by Young Health Care on Direct Procurement quotation ($5 600 000)

• Initial quotation by Young Health Care for supply of commodities under direct procurement, where prices quoted by Young Heath Care Limited were exorbitant amounted to USD$5 600 000-00, which was coincidentally the same amount that was in the Ministry coffers, suggesting that the company had inside information. 
• When Nat-Pharm insisted on competitive bidding, Young

Health Care Limited subsequently submitted a bid price of   USD$ 3 600 000-00 for the same items. This saw a reduction of 36% in the price. (see attached two quotations).

           4.1.3 Interference with the bidding process by the Deputy Minister

of Health and Child Care, Dr. Mangwiro. (see attached report from Natpharm).

Natpharm settled for competitive bidding, which saw other bidders coming on board to compete with Young Health Care. The tender was eventually floated on the 5^th of August and closed 7^th of August 2020, in line with PRAZ Circular 1 of 2020 which provides for emergency procurement, allowing tenders to be floated for 48hrs instead of 40 working days under normal circumstances. A total of 22 bidders participated. The adjudication of the tender started from the 8^th to 10^th of August 2020 and resumed from the 13^th and 14^th of August 2020. 

4.1.4 The results of the winners were announced except for tender item 24, 25 and 26 which are yet to be concluded to allow further technical evaluation of the samples from bidders.

4.1.5 Natpharm Acting MD reported that he received a phone call from the Deputy Minister instructing him to convene with his adjudication team during odd hours to explain why the tender was not awarded to

Young Healthcare Limited. The Deputy Minister also demanded that a purchase order be issued that same night. The adjudication team was picked from their homes around 2200 hours and were interrogated by the Deputy Minister until early hours of the following day.(see attached report) The Deputy Minister threatened the team with dismissal for failing to award Young Health Care the contracts.

      4.1.6 Violation of the terms and conditions of Supply Contract by

Young Healthcare Limited and the Deputy Minister 

(i). Young Health Care Limited was genuinely awarded the contract to supply nucleic acid and purification machines, transport media and reagents. To date, Natpharm has received supplies worth US$124 630, 40 as follows:

Young Healthcare Deliveries on the 31^st of August 2020

Source: Natpharm

Young Health Care Limited managed to deliver a paltry 6% of Nucleic Acid and another 6% of Transport Media but went on to request prepayment for the awarded contract, including undelivered supplies ( see attached request), contrary to the terms and conditions of the contract signed with Nat-Pharm, which stipulates that payment should be made 7 days after delivery.(post-payment)

(ii) The Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Mangwiro reportedly insisted on pre-payment and tasked the technical team from laboratory and Natpharm procurement to visit Young Health Care Limited in their country office and verify available stock ( see letter dated 25^th August 2020) in order to compel the Natpharm Acting MD to make a prepayment to Young Health Care Limited. Such actions violated the evaluation process since the technical team did not have the mandate to carry out the verification of supplies.

Natpharm Acting MD wrote a letter on the 26^th of August 2020 (attached) to the Permanent Secretary for Health and Child Care informing him of the pre-payment issue and seeking guidance on how to proceed. However, there was no response from the Ministry, prompting the Acting MD to decline taking the Deputy Minister’s instruction to pre-pay Young Health Care and he referred him to the signed contract (attached). Verification team noted that items amounting to US$127,643.20 were in-stock instead of US$922, 000.00 requested for prepayment. 

5. RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Given the extent to which the Deputy Minister was involved in the said tender process, indications are that he was acting on his own capacity and not on behalf of the Ministry.  The actions of the Deputy Minister signal a personal interest in the tender and this should have prompted him to declare his interest.

5.2 The conduct of the Minister during this tender process warrants further investigations for Criminal Abuse of Office for possible violation of  Section 174 of the Criminal Law Codification Act [Chapter 9:23]. Apart from this provision, further investigations should be conducted to ascertain possible violation of Section 14 of the Public Finance Management Act [Chapter 22:19]  by the Deputy Minister through giving ministerial directives having financial implications when he demanded prepayment of undelivered goods to Young Health Care.

           5.3 There is need for further investigations into the possible violation of the

Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act [Chapter 22:23] as

the conduct of the Deputy Minister might have compromised the independence of Natpharm as a procurement entity.

5.4 The Commission should closely follow the re-floated tender laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for COVID-19 to ensure competitive bidding and that undeserving bidders are not awarded the contracts.

5.5 Best practices and good corporate governance should always be applied during procurement processes. Officials who are appointed to carry out procurement process should be allowed to do so independently without interference.

5.6 Investigations into possible violation of the Cabinet Directive that granted Natpharm exclusive powers for procurement of Covid 19 materials.

6. CONCLUSIONS

• The timeous intervention by the Commission has resulted in the cancellation of the controversial tender awarded to Young Health Care Limited, thus saving the nation from a potential loss of USD$2million, had the tender been awarded. 

• The Systems and Review Team recommendation – for cancellation of the tender- has however been pre-empted by NatPharm`s decision to cancel the tender. The Team is satisfied with this positive outcome which signals the importance of conducting such spot checks.

7. CLIENT’S COMMENTS ON RECOMMENDATIONS

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….      

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

      8. IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS

The implementation of these recommendations should be immediate considering the urgency of the matter.

11. MONITORING AND EVALUATION

The Commission should monitor the bidding process of the re-floated tender to be carried out in two weeks time.

11. ANNEXURES 

A. Anonymous  to ZACC dated 18 August 2020 B. Framework Agreement Reference Number :International NAT TCB

FWWK 04/2020- Laboratory Equipment, Reagents and Consumables for COVID-19 at Natpharm

C. Summary  Report of the tender ( official communication from

Ministry, Young Healthcare Limited and Natpharm); and

D. Young HealthCare Limited company profile

By A Correspondent- 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

By Luke Tamborinyoka| In the week that an anonymous regime apologist made a baseless attack on this column and on my person, the regime itself blew three kisses on its surrogates by banning all by-elections in the country while shockingly allowing the MDC Turncoat’s extra-ordinary Congress to proceed.

It was always clear Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora’s flickering political flame would be doused by angry voters at the by-elections and the regime had to blow the first kiss by providing them with a lifeline. Indeed, in the various wards and constituencies where by-elections are scheduled, the voters there are very angry that the MPs and councillors that they voted for were recalled by a party the people themselves had defeated. The voters were itching to teach Zanu PF and its surrogates a cardinal lesson come December.

Zanu PF saw the imminent embarrassment in the scheduled by-elections. As they have done since March, they once again found the perfect excuse in the Covid-19 pandemic to announce that the by-elections had been postponed indefinitely, in the process unnecessarily prolonging this political orgasm that the Khupe-Mwonzora cabal are needlessly enjoying.

The plot is very simple. By postponing the by-elections, the Zanu PF surrogates will continue to make further recalls, in the process increasing insecurity among the elected MDC Alliance MPs and councillors and deliberately prolonging the confusion among ordinary members around the party name and assets. The protracted confusion among Zimbabweans on what exactly is happening to their party of choice—the MDC Alliance—can only serve the regime well. And the postponement of the by-elections is meant to achieve prolongation of the confusion.

In the meantime, the Zanu PF surrogates will continue their MDC Alliance decimation agenda by making further recalls. As they say in Nigeria, the big iroko tree is not usually scaled, so one must get as much fruit as possible while they are still atop. And the surrogates will attempt to shred the people’s party as much as possible while they are still atop in this regime-actuated orgasm. For the surrogates know the forthcoming by-elections will annihilate them whenever they are held so they must cause as much confusion as possible during this lifeline!

So the postponement of the by-elections was the first kiss blown by the regime to its political spouse. I will leave the lawyers to explain to us whether Constantino Guvheya Nyikadzino Chiwenga did not go beyond his remit as Health Minister by making a decision on the by-elections, which decision should ordinarily fall under the exclusive purview of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, presumably an independent Commission established in terms of Constitution. It did not help matters that ZEC had already gazetted the dates for the by elections and all Chiwenga did was to show the Executive’s gross interference in the work of an independent Commission.

The Constitution is explicit that independent Commissions must not be directed by anyone, as Chiwenga did by reversing ZEC’s decision to hold by-elections in December.

The second kiss was the tragi-comedy we saw two days ago when Khupe and her retinue were sworn in as proportional representation (PR) MPs and senators, ostensibly elected in 2018 by voters who thought they were voting for the MDC Alliance! By voting for the MDC Alliance, the voters were in fact voting for the MDC-T.

This must have been the significance of that exercise in the Mathematics class in primary school when we learnt about “shading the unwanted area”!

For Khupe, the choice to become a PR MP is simply astounding. She has downgraded. She has chosen to become an MP using another party’s provincial tally of the very same election she lost as a Presidential candidate, much like a judge who fails the interview for Chief Justice but is now using another contesting judge’s score to be appointed a public prosecutor!

In retrospect, it now means Khupe was running twice—directly as her own party’s Presidential candidate while at the same time she was indirectly on yet another party’s PR list!

It’s only in Zimbabwe where one can eat their cake and still have it in this manner.

The third armorous kiss the regime planted on the cheek of the surrogates was the court relief to go ahead with their extraordinary Congress, though this may turn against them if the so-called Congress fails to be quorate.

For me, the big scandal is the regime’s duplicitous pronouncement to ban the holding of by-elections while granting permission for the EOC to go ahead.

An extraordinary Congress is an election and one cannot ban one set of elections while allowing the other to proceed. A Congress is unto itself an election that starts at provincial level with each of the provinces gathering to make their nominations. It was therefore duplicitous for the regime to postpone the holding of by-elections while allowing their surrogates’ EOC to proceed. One set of elections which entrenches democracy is being banned while the plebiscite for the regime’s acolytes is being allowed to proceed. What cheek!

In simple terms, this represents a kiss for the cabal and a stinging slap in the face of democracy!

So much for the regime’s three srmorous kisses to their surrogates in a single week.

The rantings of a lying regime apologist

We are in the month of October and the scorching heat associated with this month has a tendency of drawing a diverse assortment of fauna from their hovels. The searing October sun usually smokes out various creatures from their crevices nay those orifices that usually provide them with succour and sanatorium.

Similarly, the stinging truth and harsh verbiage of this column has drawn out regime apologists from their comfort zones. Recently, a self-confessed career civil servant who claims to have worked in the Prime Minister’s Office during the tenure of the inclusive government fired an acerbic attack on my person. The anonymous writer took great umbrage at my instalment of 25 September 2020 in which I attacked Thokozani Khupe, Douglas Mwonzora and their acolytes for purporting to defend Morgan Tsvangirai’s legacy when in fact they were undermining and savaging it. The instalment, entitled Morgan Tsvangirai must be turning in his grave , particularly drew the ire of one anonymous regime charlatan with a penchant for fibs, given the naked lies and personal attacks he spewed out in a raw sewage piece that was variously posted on social media platforms and posted on media groups by the media section of the CIO.

I am an avowed disciple of free speech but I particularly take great exception to perfidy and stark naked lies. Outright nude gibberish is just not on. With such calibre of this self-confessed career civil servant, such as this our anonymous writer who claims to have worked with me in the PM’s Office, it is little wonder we are saddled with this decrepit, vacuous, inept and clueless regime. With such a civil service that institionalises lying, we are certainly going nowhere as a country.

I just wish to debunk a few mistruths peddled by this infamous liar of a civil servant.

Firstly, it is instructive that our highly pretentious tell-all civil servant chose to hide behind the convenient cloak of anonymity. One must always be suspicious of such shadowy characters who don’t want to be known and whose drivel is often driven by nothing else but malice and hatred. Anyone who purports to tell the truth must be prepared to speak on record—facefully and nsmefully. But our ghost writer hid behind anonymity. He wrote like a Dear Aunty Rhoda letter writer fearful that revealing his name will only serve to expose him to colleagues and neighbours that he is suffering from genital warts. And indeed, the reeking lies in our anonymous career civil servant’s diatribe against my person were ordorous, to say the least.

But lies can never extinguish the truth, just as a fart, however boisterous and determined, will never blow out a raging inferno.

But first a few facts.

Contrary to our esteemed career civil servant’s claims, I never applied to join the PM’s Office from the party. I was invited to join following President Morgan Tsvangirai’s shake up of his office and the reshuffling of his ministerial team in government in order to improve on efficacy and to bolster the implementation of his mandate. He had the power to bring in his own people and to wring changes to his office given that the GPA, from whence he derived his powers was now part of the Constitution and was explicit that executive power was shared between the President, the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The shake up that brought me into the PM’s Office also saw Jameson Timba replacing Gorden Moyo as Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office. On my part, I was given conjoined roles, which meant I became overally in charge of all the communication platforms. The fact remains that I never applied for anything, contrary to the rantings of this all-knowing anonymous civil servant. All I did was to simply oblige and invitation, went there and served.

The other lie from this anonymous fella is that when I was involved in the near-fatal accident in 2012 I was coming from my rural home. He claims this is what came out of the government’s investigation team, which he claims he was in charge of. With such calibre of civil servants, it is no wonder government keeps going in the wrong direction. I was going to my rural home and not returning from there.

There were six of us in that vehicle, and that includes my uncle and four brothers. And everyone else except this inept government, everyone including the villagers from the nearby Pasipamire village which was the scene of the accident, knows I was headed for my rural home and not coming from there as purported by our esteemed career civil servant and his fellow “investigators.”

Further, this lying career civil servant falsely claims that the police never took up the case of my accident out of respect for the Office of the Prime Minister. For the record the police took up the matter and the investigating officer was one sergeant Karemba. A docket was opened and the case even went to court where no one was found guilty of any crime. I know that humanity generally loves scandal but there is always a world of difference between the truth and petty office gossip.

Then there is this lie that I am a perennial campaigner in Goromonzi South.

Goromonzi South, my foot!

The only thing that is south of the truth are the hallucinations of our anonymous civil servant. I don’t know why this faceless character seeks to foist much Goromonzi South on me. Or maybe it’s part of his ra nk madness.

My rural home is Tamborenyoka village of Shumba ward 3 in Domboshava in Goromonzi West constituency where I was a candidate only once on 2018. That I am a perennial campaigner in Goromonzi South is a reflection of the hallucinations of our anonymous but esteemed career civil servant.

The faceless charlatan maintains that I must quit because because President Nelson Chamisa has appointed me to what he purports to be the innocuous position of Deputy Secretary for Presidential, which I know to be hectic responsibility.

Let our faceless career civil servant know that it’s not so much about benevolence from anyone. I am the living evidence that we are a political formation borne out of the sweat and toil of labour. I will forever remain humbled that—probably by dint of my record of service—am so far the only employee ever to be democratically nominated into the national leadership of our party by all the internal and external provinces.

Moreover, our career civil servant doesn’t know that this struggle has never been about positions or the self. This our democratic struggle has never been about personal benefit but about the enduring values of service and sacrifice.

Given the option between principle and privilege, some of us will choose principle any time of the day!

Asante Sana.

Lubring positive _ Tamborinyoka is the Deputy Secretary for Presidential Affairs in the MDC Alliance led by Advocate Nelson Chamisa . He is a multiple award-winning journalist who was once elected and served as the secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists . Tamborinyoka also served as spokesperson for almost 10 years to the country’s democracy icon , Morgan Tsvangirai , until the latter’s death in 2018 . He is an ardent political scientist who won the Book Prize for Best Student when he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in _Political Science at the University of Zimbabwe . You can interact with him on Facebook or on the twitter handle @ luke_tambo .

By A Correspondent | When he was sworn into office 2 years ago, the Deputy Health And Child Care Minister, John Mangwiro swore saying he would help the country lower its health bill.

25 months later, a major investigation opened by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission investigates the circumstances in which, the pharmaceutical parastatal, Natpharm is being forced to award Young Healthcare Limited, a briefcase company, a tender for COVID materials. The Deputy Health Minister is under investigation for among other things, complaining and convening a meeting at 10pm on a date in August 2020, to complain why the tender team did not award dysfunctional firm the tender.

The investigation also looks into why COVID 19 materials were overpriced in the deal.

“Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Mangwiro convened a meeting with the adjudication team, where he queried the reasons why the team did not award the tender to Young HealthCare Limited.
Members were threatened with dismissal;” the ZACC report says.

The report investigates how minister Mangwiro allegedly pounced on Natpharm’s adjudicating team for tenders, late at night, at 10pm and grilled them why they are refusing to award Young HealthCare Limited the tender.

The value was at first set at USD5,6 million.

Young Health Care Limited was awarded a contract to supply nucleic acid and purification machines, transport media and reagents.

But to date, Natpharm has received supplies worth only US$124 630.

The Deputy Minister also reportedly insisted on pre-payment and tasked the technical team from laboratory and Natpharm procurement to visit Young Health Care Limited in their country office and verify available stock in order to compel the Natpharm Acting MD to make a prepayment to Young Health Care Limited. Such actions violated the evaluation process since the technical team did not have the mandate to carry out the verification of supplies.

THE FULL ZACC REPORT IS BELOW:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. BACKGROUND……………………………………………………………………3
2. OBJECTIVES………………………………………………………………..…….3
3. METHODOLOGY…………………………………………………………………4
4. FINDINGS……………………………………………………………………..4-7
5. RECOMMENDATIONS…………………………………………..…………….8

6. CONCLUSIONS………………………………………………………………………9

• CLIENT’S COMMENTS ON RECOMMENDATIONS………….…………..9
• IMPLEMENTATION…………………………………………… ..…………..10
• MONITORING AND EVALUATION……………………………………….10
• ANNEXURES……………………………………………………………………11

1. BACKGROUND

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, as prescribed by Section 12 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act (Chapter9:22) is mandated, amongst other functions, to monitor and examine the practices, systems and procurement procedures of the public and private institutions; to advise and assist agency or institution in the elimination of minimization of corruption; and to assist in the formulation of practices, systems and procurement procedures of public institutions with a view to the elimination of corrupt practices.

It is against this background that the Commission assigned Compliance and Systems Department to carry out a Compliance and Systems Spot Check Exercise on the procurement procedures for Tender Number– International NAT TCB FWWK 04/2020- laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for COVID-19 at Natpharm.  The exercise was necessitated by allegations raised in the anonymous letter to ZACC dated 18^th August 2020 that Natpharm and Ministry of Health and Child Care did not follow proper procurement procedures for the procurement of laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for COVID-19 management (tender reference number: INT NAT ITCB FWWK 04/2020). 

2. OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the exercise were to ascertain the allegations made in the anonymous letter, which were as follows:-

1. The tender was awarded to a non-deserving company  (Young Healthcare), whose products were sub-standard and do not meet

World Health Organization and FDA specifications; and CE marked;

• The price quoted by Young International was higher than other competitors whose products were approved by WHO, FDA; and CE marked;
• Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Mangwiro convened a meeting with the adjudication team, where he queried the reasons why the team did not award the tender to Young HealthCare Limited.

Members were threatened with dismissal;

• To examine the systems, procurement procedures and practices related to Tender Number : International NAT TCB FWWK 04/2020- laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for COVID-19; and
• To come up with recommendations to plug loopholes and measures in view of the above allegations.

3. METHODOLOGY

1. Interviews

Interviews with members of the adjudication team for the tender for laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables, were held to ascertain what transpired during the procurement process with a view of ascertaining the allegations, tracing the systems used, identify weaknesses and possible remedies. The individuals interviewed were the Acting Managing Director of Natpharm, officers from National Microbiology Reference Laboratories (NMRL) and the procurement officer at Natpharm.

2. Documents Analysis

In order to confirm some statements made by the interviewees, the team requested for a number of documents listed below:

• Tender documents for 04/2020;
• Summary  Report of the tender; and
• Young HealthCare Limited company profile and communication with Natpharm and Ministry of Health and Child Care.

4. FINDINGS

4.1 Non-Compliance with provisions of PRAZ Circular 1 of 2020, Public Finance Management Act [Chapter: 22:19] and the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act [Chapter 10:31] by Ministry of Health and Child Care.

4.1.1 Numerous directives from the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), particularly Deputy Minister Dr. Mangwiro to

Natpharm Management

• Procurement process of the tender 04/2020 was marred by directives from the Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Mangwiro, resulting in delaying of the procurement. A letter from the then Acting Secretary of Health Dr. Mhlanga dated 15 July 2020, instructing Nat-Pharm to make direct procurement of supplies from Young Health Care (attached) was issued when the company was not registered with PRAZ. This is violation of some provisions of PRAZ Circular 1 of 2020 which stipulates that, only PRAZ listed suppliers are sources of COVID-19 supplies. When Natpharm insisted on competitive bidding, the tender process had to be postponed to allow Young Health Care Limited to register with PRAZ. This delayed the procurement of COVID-19 materials.

• The Deputy Minister has usurped the authority of the Permanent Secretary as the accounting Officer.

The Deputy Minister does not have the powers and mandate to undertake administrative duties, which are the responsibility of the Permanent Secretary. The Deputy Minister reportedly issued numerous directives to the Nat-Pharm management throughout the tender process.

4.1.2 Price-inflation by Young Health Care on Direct Procurement quotation ($5 600 000)

• Initial quotation by Young Health Care for supply of commodities under direct procurement, where prices quoted by Young Heath Care Limited were exorbitant amounted to USD$5 600 000-00, which was coincidentally the same amount that was in the Ministry coffers, suggesting that the company had inside information. 
• When Nat-Pharm insisted on competitive bidding, Young

Health Care Limited subsequently submitted a bid price of   USD$ 3 600 000-00 for the same items. This saw a reduction of 36% in the price. (see attached two quotations).

           4.1.3 Interference with the bidding process by the Deputy Minister

of Health and Child Care, Dr. Mangwiro. (see attached report from Natpharm).

Natpharm settled for competitive bidding, which saw other bidders coming on board to compete with Young Health Care. The tender was eventually floated on the 5^th of August and closed 7^th of August 2020, in line with PRAZ Circular 1 of 2020 which provides for emergency procurement, allowing tenders to be floated for 48hrs instead of 40 working days under normal circumstances. A total of 22 bidders participated. The adjudication of the tender started from the 8^th to 10^th of August 2020 and resumed from the 13^th and 14^th of August 2020. 

4.1.4 The results of the winners were announced except for tender item 24, 25 and 26 which are yet to be concluded to allow further technical evaluation of the samples from bidders.

4.1.5 Natpharm Acting MD reported that he received a phone call from the Deputy Minister instructing him to convene with his adjudication team during odd hours to explain why the tender was not awarded to

Young Healthcare Limited. The Deputy Minister also demanded that a purchase order be issued that same night. The adjudication team was picked from their homes around 2200 hours and were interrogated by the Deputy Minister until early hours of the following day.(see attached report) The Deputy Minister threatened the team with dismissal for failing to award Young Health Care the contracts.

      4.1.6 Violation of the terms and conditions of Supply Contract by

Young Healthcare Limited and the Deputy Minister 

(i). Young Health Care Limited was genuinely awarded the contract to supply nucleic acid and purification machines, transport media and reagents. To date, Natpharm has received supplies worth US$124 630, 40 as follows:

Young Healthcare Deliveries on the 31^st of August 2020

Source: Natpharm

Young Health Care Limited managed to deliver a paltry 6% of Nucleic Acid and another 6% of Transport Media but went on to request prepayment for the awarded contract, including undelivered supplies ( see attached request), contrary to the terms and conditions of the contract signed with Nat-Pharm, which stipulates that payment should be made 7 days after delivery.(post-payment)

(ii) The Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Mangwiro reportedly insisted on pre-payment and tasked the technical team from laboratory and Natpharm procurement to visit Young Health Care Limited in their country office and verify available stock ( see letter dated 25^th August 2020) in order to compel the Natpharm Acting MD to make a prepayment to Young Health Care Limited. Such actions violated the evaluation process since the technical team did not have the mandate to carry out the verification of supplies.

Natpharm Acting MD wrote a letter on the 26^th of August 2020 (attached) to the Permanent Secretary for Health and Child Care informing him of the pre-payment issue and seeking guidance on how to proceed. However, there was no response from the Ministry, prompting the Acting MD to decline taking the Deputy Minister’s instruction to pre-pay Young Health Care and he referred him to the signed contract (attached). Verification team noted that items amounting to US$127,643.20 were in-stock instead of US$922, 000.00 requested for prepayment. 

5. RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Given the extent to which the Deputy Minister was involved in the said tender process, indications are that he was acting on his own capacity and not on behalf of the Ministry.  The actions of the Deputy Minister signal a personal interest in the tender and this should have prompted him to declare his interest.

5.2 The conduct of the Minister during this tender process warrants further investigations for Criminal Abuse of Office for possible violation of  Section 174 of the Criminal Law Codification Act [Chapter 9:23]. Apart from this provision, further investigations should be conducted to ascertain possible violation of Section 14 of the Public Finance Management Act [Chapter 22:19]  by the Deputy Minister through giving ministerial directives having financial implications when he demanded prepayment of undelivered goods to Young Health Care.

           5.3 There is need for further investigations into the possible violation of the

Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act [Chapter 22:23] as

the conduct of the Deputy Minister might have compromised the independence of Natpharm as a procurement entity.

5.4 The Commission should closely follow the re-floated tender laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for COVID-19 to ensure competitive bidding and that undeserving bidders are not awarded the contracts.

5.5 Best practices and good corporate governance should always be applied during procurement processes. Officials who are appointed to carry out procurement process should be allowed to do so independently without interference.

5.6 Investigations into possible violation of the Cabinet Directive that granted Natpharm exclusive powers for procurement of Covid 19 materials.

6. CONCLUSIONS

• The timeous intervention by the Commission has resulted in the cancellation of the controversial tender awarded to Young Health Care Limited, thus saving the nation from a potential loss of USD$2million, had the tender been awarded. 

• The Systems and Review Team recommendation – for cancellation of the tender- has however been pre-empted by NatPharm`s decision to cancel the tender. The Team is satisfied with this positive outcome which signals the importance of conducting such spot checks.

7. CLIENT’S COMMENTS ON RECOMMENDATIONS

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….      

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

      8. IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS

The implementation of these recommendations should be immediate considering the urgency of the matter.

11. MONITORING AND EVALUATION

The Commission should monitor the bidding process of the re-floated tender to be carried out in two weeks time.

11. ANNEXURES 

A. Anonymous  to ZACC dated 18 August 2020 B. Framework Agreement Reference Number :International NAT TCB

FWWK 04/2020- Laboratory Equipment, Reagents and Consumables for COVID-19 at Natpharm

C. Summary  Report of the tender ( official communication from

Ministry, Young Healthcare Limited and Natpharm); and

D. Young HealthCare Limited company profile

By A Correspondent- A prostitute from Inyathi, Matabeleland North province, who reportedly confiscated the bag of a sangoma containing his bones and charms after he refused to pay for her services, is reportedly now out of business after the  sangoma  allegedly cursed her “tools of the trade”.

The hooker, whose name has since been established as Nothando Mpala, is not only out of business but will also now live without ever experiencing the joy of good sex after it emerged that every time she tries to have sex; she bleeds profusely.

Sources close to the shocking incident said Mpala suspected she was cursed by the sangoma, Hlongwane. The sangoma had threatened to curse her as punishment for embarrassing him by allegedly relieving him of his bag containing his bones and powerful spells and magic charms that he was boasting could cure all kinds of ailments.

Hlongwane, who according to a source is known at the business centre for looking for a little pleasure each time he had money, met his fate after he hired Mpala who charged him US$10 fee for an afternoon quickie.

After sexually feeding her, Mpala reportedly later shifted goalposts and demanded US$15 claiming she had also offered him oral sex. All hell broke loose after the sangoma refused to pay the $15 he had been charged, prompting Mpala to grab his bag containing his bones and other magic charms.

In a typical revenge plot, Hlongwane is alleged to have lived true to his threats and allegedly cursed Mpala’s private parts. 

“She initially didn’t take his threat seriously until she discovered that whenever she tried to have sex with a client, she starts bleeding continuously. Now she can’t work and enjoy sex and she suspects the sangoma is responsible for all her troubles. When she confronted the sangoma he refused to entertain her saying he knows nothing about the problem. Spirited efforts by her friends to beg the sangoma to reverse the curse were in vain. It seems no man will be able to ever poke her again if the curse is not reversed,” said the source who preferred anonymity.

The source further said after Hlongwane refused to reverse the curse, Mpala probably out of shame, and in pursuit of a cure, went to Binga.

“Someone took her to Binga where she is reportedly looking for a sangoma to help her reverse the curse,” said the source.

When contacted for comment, a hostile Hlongwane said he had nothing to do with Mpala’s troubles.

“I have nothing to do with her problem. Leave me alone. I am not even happy with the first story which you published in your paper. This is because what I do in private is my business and not yours, uyezwa (do you hear),” he charged before he ended the call.-Bmetro

By A Correspondent- A married man from Bulawayo’s Lobengula West suburb is tired of his ex-lover who is reportedly in the habit of visiting him at his house, presumably as a way of provoking him together with his wife.

Inambawo Ndlovu said his ex-lover Thobekile Sibanda, a lab technician with Bulawayo City Council and with whom he also had a child has made his married life hell because of her constant visits to his house.

He said the calls by Sibanda who is stationed at the Criterion Waterworks in Burnside suburb had nothing to do with the welfare of their child but were meant to provoke him together with his wife Phephile Ndlovu.

A seemingly restive Inambawo who was seeking a restraining order against Sibanda at the Bulawayo Civil Court said at one time Sibanda came to his house as early as 5am. He said Sibanda was also insulting him over the phone.

“I request the court to grant me a protection order against Thobekile Sibanda. She comes to my place uninvited and demands that I speak to her about a case that has nothing to do with our son. I don’t want her to visit my place.

“I request that she should also stop insulting me over the phone. Sometime in 2016 she phoned my wife and told her she was my girlfriend.

Then on 20 August this year she came to my house at 5am and demanded to speak to me in the presence of my wife.

“My fear is that if she is not restricted, she will make it a habit to come to my house and cause conflict. I also fear that she wants to provoke me so that I assault her as I already had a suspended sentence for assaulting her,” said Inambawo.

He said his wife was also emotionally disturbed or affected by Sibanda’s visits to their matrimonial home.

In response Sibanda didn’t refute her ex-lover’s claims leading presiding magistrate Nomasiko Ndlovu to grant an order in favour of Inambawo. The order requires Sibanda not to verbally harass him and also not to go to his house.

By A Correspondent- A Tsholotsho family whose son was allegedly fatally stabbed by a neighbour recently is reportedly being haunted by strange beings including the mysterious death of another member and a fire incident that burnt a hut after a clash with the alleged murderer’s family.

The strange happenings reportedly started about three weeks ago after Nkosana Moyo allegedly stabbed Blondy Sibanda with a knife following a misunderstanding over a girl they both were reportedly dating.

Both men whose ages were not given, reside in Malilahunda Village in Nemane’s Ward 11 under Chief Gampu.

The two were on their way home from a soccer tournament in neighbouring Godweni area in Ward 10 when the fatal incident occurred.

Moyo has since appeared at the Tsholotsho magistrates’ court for murder.

However, B-Metro was told that the bereaved and accused’s families clashed over the incident resulting in a series of meetings where both swore to “fix” each other.

Traditionally, it is believed that swearing at each other in such a manner is a bad omen that is bound to cause mysterious death.

It is alleged that two days after Sibanda’s burial, his maternal aunt Mrs Emely Ncube-Sibanda (70) reportedly started vomiting blood before she collapsed and died.

A few days later, a kitchen hut at the deceased’s elder brother Brown Sibanda’s homestead mysteriously caught fire resulting in all the property that was inside burning. Only minor children were at home when the fire broke out.

Chief Gampu said the whole community was still in shock because of the strange happenings.

“I was supposed to go to the funeral of a boy who was stabbed by a neighbour but I ended up sending one of my headmen to represent me as I was committed. Later I was told about the mysterious death of the deceased’s aunt and a fire incident that burnt a hut. I am yet to go there but the headman has briefed me about the strange incidents. I am told the families are fighting and swore at each other which everyone believes is the reason behind all the strange things,” said Chief Gampu.

He could not be drawn into revealing how the issue would be resolved.

Mrs Ncube-Sibanda was spokesperson for the Sibanda family during talks with the Moyo family.

None of the two families could be reached for comment.-BMetro

By Dorrothy Moyo | Emmerson Mnangagwa was humiliated 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

From rags to riches.

The adage perfectly sums up Itai Gombakomba (46)’s life.

He has been a punter for four years with very little luck, but in a sudden turn of fate, he became an instant millionaire after winning the Africa Lotto jackpot prize of ZWL$1 million, US$10 000.

His was the biggest lottery winner from Mutare since 2010. And he could not hide his joy as he received the huge cheque on Thursday.

That cheque is his ticket to a better life for him, his wife and their four children.

Life as they know it is about to change.

A security guard working at a local company in Nyakamete industrial area in Mutare, Gombakomba says he has always had the hope that one day he would win. But never in his imagination did he dare to dream of winning a million dollars.

“It has been four years since I started playing Africa Lotto, but I only got my first win of $1 120 in July. I realised that I could win again if I kept on playing. On September 26 I bought a ticket at Meikles Park which had 5 correct numbers. When I went to Spar Mutare with my ticket, they told me that I had won more than I thought but I didn’t believe them,” he said.

He could not believe that he had really won, so he went home and kept the news to himself. He did not tell even his wife that he had bought a winning ticket.

Only after he had received a message from Africa Lotto on his winnings and the date he would be receiving the cheque, did he finally tell his wife.

That was two days ago.

Gombakomba’s wife, Nyarai Nyamaropa said: “I used to see him playing this game and I would reprimand him that he was wasting money when nothing good would come from his betting. He ended up doing it secretly so that I wouldn’t see it. I was shocked to hear him tell me that he had won $1 million. I now see that I should not have questioned him, but supported him, it has paid off big for us.”

For the two of them, the number one priority is buying a stand and building a home for their small family.

They want to move from their humble lodgings as soon as they possibly can.

Once that is done, Gombakomba hopes to revive some income generating projects that he had to let go because he could not afford to finance them.

“Investment is the way to go. I have projects that I had abandoned because of lack of funds like the chicken rearing project which I had to stop sometime back. My father-in-law also gave me a small plot in Nyanga to grow potatoes, but I did not have the capacity to start that project. So that is the first project I will embark on,” he said.

This season, he says, he will definitely be growing potatoes, which he hopes will give him more income.

Africa Lotto general manager Nozipho Dube said more than 100 people had won jackpot promotions run by the organisation since 2010.

“This year, we started the ‘Jackpot must go’ promotion where we are saying someone should win $1 million. For the month of September we said if there was no ticket with six correct numbers, then the prize money would go to the next lower level and this is how Gombakomba won with five correct numbers. We have had a number of winners over the years but this is the first big one in Mutare and we hope it debunks the perception that no one ever wins the lottery. This is proof that the ordinary people can win this,” she said.

While winning such a huge amount can change people’s lifestyles, Gombakomba says he has no plans to start being extravagant.

He has firmly set values when it comes to family. He believes family will always come first and he will not be turning his back on them just because he now has a bit of money.

“I have friends, but I will not start splashing my money on them. If you start doing that before looking after the family, you would have lost the plot. God does not give you riches so that you can please friends. You take care of your family. Friends will be there for a while but family will always be here. Life should not change because you now have money. Your life and the way you interact with people should be constant regardless of how rich or poor you are. Once you start distancing yourself, you are lost. When the money finishes, who will you look to? You will only have your family,” he said.

Gombakomba will also not be leaving his job as a security guard because his fortunes have turned.

He said one has to be firmly set up in business before leaving employment.

“I will not be leaving work because people make the mistake of thinking the jackpot money will always be there. Instead you need to set something up for your family and when that is running and bringing in more money, only then can you can you consider it,” he said.

So for now, he remains a security guard worth a million dollars.

There was an alleged break-in at Mvurwi hospital where an Administrator’s laptop and scan equipment was stolen last week, Bulawayo24.com has learnt.

Sources familiar with the incident allege the equipment contained financial records of the hospital and scan equipment.

“The hospital lost financial documents and scan equipment to thieves who broke into the administrator’s office.” said the source.

“Foul play is suspected because there was a looming audit at the hospital and the records have gone missing.”

The scan used to serve much of the Provincial places since we had only two hospitals Bindura and Mvurwi which had such equipment.”

Mvurwi administrator Florence Makombe who once made headline for allegedly stealing ARVs at the hospital could neither confirm or deny.

“I am not in a position to comment you can contact the Provincial Medical Doctor for comment,” Makombe said.

Efforts to contact Mash Central PMD were fruitless.

Police are still investigating the matter.

By A Correspondent | Former ZANU PF youth leader Godfrey Tsenengamu has been arrested, at Harare Central Police Station. He is being charged with inciting public violence, his colleague Sybeth Musengezi told ZimEye.com. The development comes after the man had early Friday morning handed himself over to the cops.

The top ZANU PF man, has been in hiding since the 31 July 2020 demo that he personally campaigned for while complaining about corruption inside ZANU PF. He had presented what was then termed the pyramid of corruption which directly points fingers at the ZANU PF leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa.

He also accused Mnangagwa’s children of corruption saying the late Robert Mugabe’s children were better morally.

Announcing the development, Tsenengamu said he is,

“fully aware of the imminent risks and dangers that come with this decision and also the possiblities of unpleasant outcomes to my health, safety and life in the short and long term. “

Earlier on, he wrote in full: “Hello Zimbabwe

A blessed morning to you all.

Today Friday the 9th of October 2020 at 0630 I have came out and walked in at Harare Central Police Station to engage with the police authorities at Harare Central Police Station’s Law and Order section as I seek to physically make enquiries with the ZRP in a bid to understand and seek closure to what has been happening to me, my family, relatives and friends for the past 3 months.

I am fully aware of the imminent risks and dangers that come with this decision and also the possiblities of unpleasant outcomes to my health, safety and life in the short and long term.

However, I trust and believe in God the Almighty as the final and ultimate authority above all, for He has a plan and reason for everything that comes our way. Let His Will be done.

All I ask for from you are your prayers.

God bless you all. God bless Zimbabwe? “

By A Correspondent- Police in Glendale, Mashonaland Central province said a three-year-old girl drowned in a pool yesterday while her mother was busy gardening.

According to police Mercy Manyika (33) of Plymouth farm, Glendale took her two children  Kudakwashe Mushore (13) Sharon Mushore (3) to her garden and left the children playing near a pool.

Sharon drowned and her body was later seen floating in the pool and was retrieved by neighbours before filing a police report.

Police warned people to look after children and monitor them when playing near water bodies.

Charamba Death Threats Against President Chamisa, Poetry or Pure Attack? – ZimEye https://t.co/fUlyYahNc9.

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) June 15, 2020

By A Correspondent | On the 15th June, MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa had death threat undertones subtly worded against him by his memesis Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesman. They suggest the ongoing Khupe fallout is part of the plan.

Writing on his microblogging portal, Charamba five times repeated undertones that suggest Chamisa will soon suffer a sudden health crisis, just before twice mentioning death as the end of it all.

While some said Charamba’s words were mere poetry, experts said they were clearly pointing at death and certainly the threat thereof.

An academic at the Baltimore School Of Law says: “threats that place individuals in great fear can (and often have been
found to) constitute acts of mental or psychological torture.”

Charamba was commenting on allegations of Chamisa leading a fractured MDC Alliance.

He said: ” Clearly both the young man and all those around him, all of them barely sharper than a mallet by way of intellect and analysis, thought silence in politics means nothing, however brooding and foreboding!

“And looking into the crystal ball? Well, Chamisa

“…set to bleed terminally, both from internal injuries & from external blows. After this analysis has settled, & all those who think can yell and bark angrily for him are done, I will come back on the external blows that await him, mortal blows at that. Good evening maComrades!”

Commenting over the development, was the MDC Alliance Youth Assembly Secretary General, Gift Ostallos Siziba. VIDEO LOADING BELOW –

By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF bigwigs are imposing candidates ahead of the District Coordinating Committee (DCC) elections amid revelations of infighting in the governing party.

The DCCs are making a comeback, eight years after they were disbanded for allegedly fanning factionalism in Zanu-PF.

So far Zanu-PF has managed to hold successful DCC elections in Harare and Bulawayo Provinces.

Harare is now being chaired by Godwills Masimirembwa and deputised by Godfrey Gomwe.

Former Kuwadzana legislator Betty Kaseke was elected provincial chairperson for the Women’s league.

However, it is in other 8 provinces that other powerful provincial leadership had been imposing preferred candidates to be in the leadership of the DCC resulting in chaos in the provinces, according to Zanu-PF national commissar Victor Matemadanda.

There are a lot of problems and factionalism taking place in the various provinces as we are having senior politicians trying to impose candidates to be leaders in the DCC and this is causing problems as some of them are not popular with the electorate.

We had to move in and stop everything and demand that every candidate who wants to contest submits his or her CV for vetting at the party headquarters,” Matemadanda said.

Since the ouster of former President Robert Mugabe in 2017, factionalism in Zanu-PF has not subsided with the party recently expelling two senior members for allegedly fanning factionalism, three years after the party said the G40 faction had been vanquished.

In August, Zanu-PF expelled former politburo member Cleveria Chizema and Tendai Savanhu for allegedly causing divisions and factionalism in the party and province.

In June, former Chivi South legislator Killer Zivhu was expelled from the party for breaking party protocol after he pushed, through social media, for a dialogue between First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa and MDC-Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa’s wife Sithokozile.

He said the duo would push their husbands to the negotiating table and help end the political and economic crisis.-businesstimes

By A Correspondent- Former cabinet minister who served under the late Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe Nicholas Goche has been granted $50 000 bail.

Goche,  who was arrested for allegedly stealing 18 cattle was granted bail by a Bindura magistrate Thursday.

As part of his bail conditions, he was also ordered to surrender his passport, continue residing at the given address, report at the nearest police station every Friday and to not interfere with state witnesses.

It is the state’s case that on 13 November 2018, Goche sold 40 beasts to one Mupanedengu and the payment for the cattle was made through a bank transfer into a CABS account number 1036879593.

Mupanedengu collected only 22 heifers out of the 40, leaving behind 18 beasts. However, in 2019, Goche reportedly disposed of the 18 heifers without the complainant’s knowledge.

Mupanedengu reportedly tried to collect his remaining beasts to no avail and he was informed that his cattle had already been sold.

The value of the cattle was pegged at US$18 000 and nothing was recovered.

However, exiled former cabinet minister Jonathan Moyo said Goche is being prosecuted because President Mnangagwa has a score to settle with him,

Tweeted Moyo:

What? Something fishy. It is an open secret in Zanu PF corridors that Mnangagwa has unfinished business with Goche. Details of the case would be interesting to unpack

Paul Nyathi

Police in Bulawayo are appealing for the month of a one-month-old baby girl who was found dumped next to a busy road in Bulawayo.

According to police National Spokesperson Paul Nyathi, the baby was found dumped and wrapped in a green and pink baby towel and left under a tree along the Bulawayo-Harare Road.

The infant was found by passers-by at around 4PM on Wednesday afternoon exposed to a heavyly cold and wet weather

“Investigations are ongoing to identify and locate the mother. The baby was sent to Mpilo Hospital for further management,” Nyathi said.

The baby was taken to Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo where she is reported to be recovering from hypothermia caused by exposure to the bad weather.

The Department of Social Welfare will take over the baby as soon as she recovers from hospital.

The Hospital receives an average of a baby per month who would have been dumped by their mothers.

State Media

A self-styled prophet from Chivi communal lands has been jailed for an effective 14 years for raping an 18-year-old woman he was assisting and infected her with HIV.

Hupenyu Muhwati, a member of Johane Masowe Apostolic Church from Muzondo Village under headman Makonese in Chivi was tried by Masvingo regional magistrate Ms Dambudzo Malunga and convicted of multiple rape.

The court found Muhwati told the young woman who consulted him that her sickness was caused by a goblin or spiritual husband and she could only be healed if she slept with him.

Magistrate Malunga described Muhwati as someone unfit to live with others in the community.

Prosecutor Mr Liberty Hove told the court that in November 2018, Muhwati told young woman’s mother to leave her at his homestead for him to pray for her. In January 2019 at around 4pm, Muhwati ‘prophesied’ that the woman was being tormented by a ‘spiritual husband’ and insisted that he should sleep with her to exorcise the demon.

Muhwati took her for routine prayer in the nearby bush at around 8pm, forcibly kissed her and raped her.

Muhwati told her that if she divulged the incident, it would be very difficult for her to rid herself of the spiritual husband.

High Court judge Justice Pisirayi Kwenda has refused to step down from presiding over a lawsuit by four MDC-Alliance parliamentarians contesting their recall from Parliament, saying the motion for recusal was without merit.

Chalton Hwende, Lilian Timveos, Prosper Mutseyami and Thabita Khumalo had asked him to disqualify himself from their case since he had already ruled against 14 other MPs who made a similar application two months ago.

But Justice Kwenda rejected the motion, saying the MPs’ legal team had failed to identify circumstances that showed he would not be impartial.

In the previous case, Justice Kwenda said he dealt with an urgent application and this did not mean that he would be disqualified from dealing with a substantive case.

“I do not see the application or relevance of the ‘no-one is judge in his own cause’ rule to this matter,” he said.

“In the result, I am not persuaded that the applicants have shown that there is a sound basis for my recusal from this case.”

The purpose of recusal is to underpin the twin pillars of independence and impartiality.

“To withdraw from a case merely because a party suggests that a judge do so impairs judicial fairness. It allows parties to cherry-pick a bench of their choice,” said Justice Kwenda.

The four were recalled from Parliament by the MDC-T for supporting the MDC-Alliance.

The basis of the recall was that the Supreme Court found in a civil suit that under party rules, Thokozani Khupe was acting leader of the MDC-T and that the MDC-T is legally entitled to recall any legislators placed on the MDC-A list through an MDC-T nomination.

Through their lawyer, Mr Tendai Biti, the four first wrote to Judge President George Chiweshe asking for the matter to be placed before another judge on the basis that Justice Kwenda had already decided on the main issues raised in the present application in his previous ruling against Basilia Majaya and others.

State Media

From rags to riches.

The adage perfectly sums up Itai Gombakomba (46)’s life.

He has been a punter for four years with very little luck, but in a sudden turn of fate, he became an instant millionaire after winning the Africa Lotto jackpot prize of ZWL$1 million, US$10 000.

His was the biggest lottery winner from Mutare since 2010. And he could not hide his joy as he received the huge cheque on Thursday.

That cheque is his ticket to a better life for him, his wife and their four children.

Life as they know it is about to change.

A security guard working at a local company in Nyakamete industrial area in Mutare, Gombakomba says he has always had the hope that one day he would win. But never in his imagination did he dare to dream of winning a million dollars.

“It has been four years since I started playing Africa Lotto, but I only got my first win of $1 120 in July. I realised that I could win again if I kept on playing. On September 26 I bought a ticket at Meikles Park which had 5 correct numbers. When I went to Spar Mutare with my ticket, they told me that I had won more than I thought but I didn’t believe them,” he said.

He could not believe that he had really won, so he went home and kept the news to himself. He did not tell even his wife that he had bought a winning ticket.

Only after he had received a message from Africa Lotto on his winnings and the date he would be receiving the cheque, did he finally tell his wife.

That was two days ago.

Gombakomba’s wife, Nyarai Nyamaropa said: “I used to see him playing this game and I would reprimand him that he was wasting money when nothing good would come from his betting. He ended up doing it secretly so that I wouldn’t see it. I was shocked to hear him tell me that he had won $1 million. I now see that I should not have questioned him, but supported him, it has paid off big for us.”

For the two of them, the number one priority is buying a stand and building a home for their small family.

They want to move from their humble lodgings as soon as they possibly can.

Once that is done, Gombakomba hopes to revive some income generating projects that he had to let go because he could not afford to finance them.

“Investment is the way to go. I have projects that I had abandoned because of lack of funds like the chicken rearing project which I had to stop sometime back. My father-in-law also gave me a small plot in Nyanga to grow potatoes, but I did not have the capacity to start that project. So that is the first project I will embark on,” he said.

This season, he says, he will definitely be growing potatoes, which he hopes will give him more income.

Africa Lotto general manager Nozipho Dube said more than 100 people had won jackpot promotions run by the organisation since 2010.

“This year, we started the ‘Jackpot must go’ promotion where we are saying someone should win $1 million. For the month of September we said if there was no ticket with six correct numbers, then the prize money would go to the next lower level and this is how Gombakomba won with five correct numbers. We have had a number of winners over the years but this is the first big one in Mutare and we hope it debunks the perception that no one ever wins the lottery. This is proof that the ordinary people can win this,” she said.

While winning such a huge amount can change people’s lifestyles, Gombakomba says he has no plans to start being extravagant.

He has firmly set values when it comes to family. He believes family will always come first and he will not be turning his back on them just because he now has a bit of money.

“I have friends, but I will not start splashing my money on them. If you start doing that before looking after the family, you would have lost the plot. God does not give you riches so that you can please friends. You take care of your family. Friends will be there for a while but family will always be here. Life should not change because you now have money. Your life and the way you interact with people should be constant regardless of how rich or poor you are. Once you start distancing yourself, you are lost. When the money finishes, who will you look to? You will only have your family,” he said.

Gombakomba will also not be leaving his job as a security guard because his fortunes have turned.

He said one has to be firmly set up in business before leaving employment.

“I will not be leaving work because people make the mistake of thinking the jackpot money will always be there. Instead you need to set something up for your family and when that is running and bringing in more money, only then can you can you consider it,” he said.

So for now, he remains a security guard worth a million dollars.

State Media

Chitungwiza Municipality is set to demolish houses and other buildings in 35 illegal settlements across the town, in a move that could leave hundreds of families homeless.

Structures that will be demolished are houses built on wetlands, sewer lines, under electricity power lines and on road and railway servitudes.

Most home-seekers bought land from land barons and were assured by those criminals that required authority for building had been obtained.

Since they started building, the municipality has been issuing further warnings and telling builders about the necessary processes required, but has been ignored.

Houses to be demolished in St Mary’s are those built on Macheke Square, a school site, behind St Mary’s Police Station, behind Zengeza Main Primary School, near the pump station number 3, St Mary’s Council Creche, St Mary’s Primary School site, wetland adjacent to and behind St Mary’s cemetery, the site from Seke Road Bridge along Manyame River, St Mary’s Administration Offices entrance and Chaminuka Main Road.

In Zengeza, the local authority is demolishing houses built in Zengeza 5 along Chitungwiza Road, Zengeza 5 wetland on Rockview Extension, Zengeza 4 Pagomba wetland along the stream and a wetland under high voltage ZESA power lines opposite Girl Child Network, Zengeza 3 Cone Textile opposite Delta and Zengeza 4 wetland, known as PaChief.

In Seke, the municipality will be demolishing structures on Unit J wetlands, Unit K Key College and at Chirunga Shopping Centre, Along Mharapara Road, Unit A wetland from Chibuku to Tafa Shops and adjacent to Chibuku Stadium, Unit G Road buffer along Harare-Dema Road Servitude, Unit O along Duri River, Unit NOP extension, Unit P wetland, wetland between Ubit N and F, areas between Garikai Hlalani Kuhle, Unit L extension, wetland adjacent Unit L cemetery and Zanoremba.

Those who have invaded Nyatsime Cemetery and built houses will not be spared from the demolitions.

Chitungwiza public relations officer Mr Lovemore Meya confirmed the demolitions and said the council was targeting structures that were constructed on wetlands, on top of sewer lines, under electricity power lines as well as along road and railway servitudes.

“These are the areas that earmarked for demolition as well as those houses that were constructed on institutional land,” he said. “This follows a press statement by the provincial development coordinator where he emphasised that there is need to sanitise the Harare Metropolitan Province, so that is the issue that has triggered the demolitions.”

Acting town clerk Mrs Evangelista Machona yesterday notified the residents of the demolitions saying once the demolitions were effected, council will not incur the costs.

“Therefore, take note that in terms of Section 35 of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29: 12) 1996 you are ordered to depart from the land, remove all your property from the land, demolish any structures erected and remove all the rubble from the land, and restore the land to its original state. This order comes into operation forthwith and the demolitions and action outlines herein should be completed within five days by 12 October 2020.”

Mrs Machona said all those buildings without adequate council papers and inspections will risk their structures being demolished.

Paul Nyathi

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has said the Government will not be held at ransom by teachers who have refused to resume duty demanding for a salary review from goverment.

Teachers are currently earning a salary equivalent to US$30 per month and have been asking government for a minimum salary of US$520 or the equivalent in local currency using the prevailing auction rate.

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 private lessons for a premium US$10 per subject or US$20 for Grade Seven classes monthly.

Source: State Media

State Media

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) is engaging an international organisation to help track and recover assets illegally siphoned out of the country as it moves a gear up in the fight against corruption.

This initiative is under the asset recovery unit of the Commission, which is currently seized with 36 domestic applications for the forfeiture of assets worth about US$4,5 million.

The unit has been boosted by the establishment of the Unexplained Wealth Orders.

However, there are some assets hidden out of the country that should be recovered, prompting ZACC to engage an international organisation that will help investigating, tracing and the eventual recovery of such stolen assets.

This comes as there have been concerns that arrests alone on corrupt personalities are not enough as long as the assets are never recovered.

Although ZAAC Commissioner and spokesperson John Makamure could not give finer details of the international organisation and the terms and conditions of the agreement, he revealed this was one of the major initiatives being put in place to help the organisation fight corruption and being perpetrators to book.

“We need to recover assets hidden abroad, but as ZACC, we are not fully capacitated to investigate and trace them so we need to work with other organisations abroad.

“Now we are in agreement with an international organisation that specialises in asset recovery and we should be able to recover some assets from abroad acquired through corrupt means.

“Corruption has to be fiercely fought because of its devastating effects on the economy, it worsens public debt and there is a causal relationship between corruption and debt,” said Comm Makamure at the ongoing three-day Zimbabwe Annual Multi-Stakeholder Debt Conference in Bulawayo hosted by the African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD) in conjunction with Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD).

Comm Makamure added more efforts were being put in place to fight corruption in the country. For the first time in the fight against the scourge, the country has a National Anti-Corruption Strategy.

State Media

Acting Harare city planner, Fani Machipisa, yesterday appeared in court on allegations of parcelling out stands without following due process.

Machipisa (54) was arrested on Wednesday. He is facing two counts of criminal abuse of office when he appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mr Ngoni Nduna.

The State, led by Mrs Constance Ngombengombe, opposed bail, saying Machipisa was a flight risk and was likely to interfere with witnesses.

Mrs Ngombengombe called investigating officer Superintendent Moreblessing Gandinyaru to back her two grounds for opposing bail.

Supt Gandinyaru told the court that Machipisa was a flight risk and was likely to abscond given that he was facing a serious offence which attracted a custodial sentence upon conviction.

Machipisa’s lawyer, Professor Lovemore Madhuku, had earlier on told the court that he wanted the State to consider that his client had lost his mother that morning.

His client needed to mourn his mother who died at the age of 84 and that he was the eldest in the family.

The bail application hearing will continue today.

The court heard that in 2018 between June 19 and 22, Machipisa allocated fictitious stands in Mabelreign with an unknown layout plan to prospective home-seekers who were not on the City of Harare waiting list.

It is alleged that Machipisa, as the acting director of Housing and Community Services, deliberately took advantage of the absence of the director who was attending a week-long workshop to fast-track the allocation process so it could be done in that single week.

Upon the return of the director of Housing and Community Services from the workshop in Kadoma, Machipisa did not report the allocation, the court heard, and this was with the intent to conceal this development from him.

The purported stands 7246-7250 and 7253-7262 did not exist in the City of Harare stand number register and all processes were fast-tracked on the same day Friday 22 June 2018.

The court heard that the purported stand number 7249 was allocated to Knowell Katiyo who is said to have applied to join the housing waiting list in September 2005 when he was a juvenile aged 13, contrary to the City of Harare housing allocation policy.

On the second count, the court heard that sometime in September this year, Machipisa directed George Mukodzi, who is the district officer for Mufakose to halt work in progress at lot 2 of subdivision B of subdivision A of Willowvale Township, which was procedurally allocated to Youth in Business Trust by the State.

It is alleged that Machipisa ordered that an earth-moving machine which was busy carrying out development be stopped and leave the site.

He allegedly indicated that the documents that were given to Youth in Business by the local authority for land ownership were fake and that the land in question was owned by City of Harare and allocated to Taringana Housing Consortium.

The court heard that Machipisa indicated that there was a court order granted in favour of Taringana Housing Consortium, well knowing that Youth in Business had been given the ownership by the State as it was State land.

Meanwhile, two men also appeared in the same court facing fraud charges after they parcelled out stands belong to Youth in Business to unsuspecting home seekers, knowing fully well that the stands did not belong to them.

Nziradzinengwe Taurai (37) and Tatenda Selemani (37) were remanded in custody today for their bail application.

State Media

More than 5 300 extra teachers are being employed to enable schools to run smaller classes and minimise the risk of a spike in Covid-19 infections.

The first batch of 2 300 teachers is expected to be recruited before the last classes return to schools in the phased reopening on November 9, while the other 3 000 are expected to be employed before the end of the year.

The smaller classes are part of measures recommended by the World Health Organisation.During early phases of the reopening process other teachers can help out.

Zimbabwe has a reservoir of unemployed qualified teachers who are waiting for a chance to join the Public Service and the chance might come earlier if teachers continue with their industrial action.

Confirming the development, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Cain Mathema said in keeping with social distancing, the classes would be broken into smaller groups handled by additional teachers.

“We are recruiting 2 300 teachers, and the process has already started as we speak. We will recruit 3 000 more and we expect to employ 5 300 teachers before the end of the year.”

“WHO and the Ministry of Health requires us to reduce the number of learners in a classroom to minimise the risk of spreading the virus,” said Minister Mathema.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said training in infection prevention and control is underway in all provinces for everyone employed at schools to help them handle pupils during the pandemic.

“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,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

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.”