State Media

Investigations into charges that suspended Registrar-General Clement Masango misappropriated fuel coupons worth more than $100 000 from the Central Registry Department are almost complete and the State has promised to give him a trial date in four weeks.

When Masango and his co-accused Benjamin Makiwa and Arthur Mathews came to court yesterday for a routine remand on criminal abuse of office charges, the State indicated that it was going through the docket.

With only a few documents now needing certification, prosecutor Mr Taddy Kamuriwo was confident of being able to give the trial date on November 5 when they return to court.

Magistrate Bianca Makwande then remanded them to November 5 for a trial date.

Masango allegedly took possession of four pool vehicles of the Central Registry for personal errands at his home and farm between January last year and this year.

Acting with his co-accused, he would allegedly request for fuel purporting that the vehicles were carrying out official finance and administration duties.

He allegedly altered and overstated fuel quantities beyond those approved by his department’s chief accountant, Mr Peter Bwanya.

The scam allegedly prejudiced the department of over 1 400 litres worth more than $100 000.

A MAN employed as a carpenter by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has been sentenced to six months in jail after he broke into a library at the Hwange Magistrates’ Courts and stole a plane.

A hand plane is used for smoothing or shaping wood.

Tendayi Chikwaka (55) of Empumalanga suburb in Hwange was working at the Hwange Magistrates’ Courts where the Public Works Department was doing renovation work when he stole the tool belonging to a workmate, Mr Allan Chikubwe.

Chikubwe (22) is employed in the same ministry as a general hand and resides at Public Works quarters in Hwange.

He had left the plane at the court’s library when he knocked off on February 14.

Chikwaka pleaded not guilty to theft when he appeared before Hwange magistrate Ms Rangarirai Gakanje but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence.

The magistrate slapped him with six months in jail before suspending two months on condition of good behaviour.

The remaining four months were also suspended on condition that he restitutes the complainant of $3 600 being the value of the tool at that time.

The State led by Mr John Mutyakaviri led evidence from Mr Jack Munkuli who testified that he saw the stolen tool in Chikwaka’s car.

Chikwaka, however, claimed that what Mr Munkuli saw was a pint of milk, an argument which was dismissed as unreasonable by the court.

Mr Munkuli was working at the Magistrates’ Courts and was offered a lift home by Chikwaka when he saw the tool in his car.

“On the 14th day of February 2020 and 5pm the complainant and other workmates knocked off duty at Hwange Magistrates’ Courts where they had been doing some renovations to the court building. The complainant left his size 4 Stanley smoothing plane on the library shelves within the court building.

“The following day the complainant did not report for duty and the accused took advantage of his absence and proceeded to the library where he stole the plane and went away,” said the prosecutor.

Mr Chikubwe noticed that his tool was missing when he returned to work the following day and reported the matter to the police.

Chikwaka was arrested after investigations. The tool which was valued at $3 600 was not recovered.

WARD one councillor Mlandu Ncube has been voted as the new deputy mayor for Bulawayo.

Clr Ncube replaces Mr Tinashe Kambarami who was recently recalled by the Dr Thokozani khupe led MDC-T.

He beat ward 17 councillor, Sikhululekile Moyo who garnered just two votes for the second topmost position in the city.

In his acceptance speech Clr Ncube thanked the trust and acceptance he has had received from fellow councillors vowing to continue serving the Bulawayo community to the best of his ability.

“I would like to thank the level of trust I have received from my fellow councillors, Bulawayo is my home and I am determined to continue serving it in my capacity as deputy mayor,” said Clr Ncube.

The new deputy mayor has been angling for the position after he lost to Mr Kambarami in 2018 in the initial vote for the position.

Paul Nyathi

Zanu-PF members who caused mayhem at the party primary elections in Kwekwe on Sunday appeared in court on Tuesday and were remanded in custody for bail hearing on Wednesday.

The activists turned violent and assaulted police officers and other party members destroying some property including vehicles along the way.

The arrested members are Zvidzai Maisva (34) Burden Mawire (35), Amon Mutondorwa (34), Elliot Gideon (38), Itai Mutandwa (36) and Tafadzwa Mutema.

The activists are part of a bigger group that allegedly caused the mayhem which led to the abandonment of the elections.

Kwekwe Magistrate Florence Nago Tuesday heard that the arrested six and others who are still at large, assaulted police officers and destroyed property within the Zanu PF offices.

Heavy political rivals Kandross Mugabe and Energy Ncube, nephew to State Security Minister Owen Ncube were battling to earn the sole ticket to represent the party in an upcoming by-election.

Mugabe represented Zanu PF in the 2018 and lost to the late Masango Matambanadzo whose death necessitated the by election.

“The accused persons attacked police officers and manhandled Sergeant Mubika who was armed with a service pistol intending to disarm him. During the course, Sergeant Mubika’s grey uniform shirt got torn and buttons ripped off,” State papers read.

“Police had to use tear gas and fire warning shots to manage the scene and arrested the accused persons.”

“They teamed up and went to Zanu PF District Headquarters, Kwekwe where they engaged in public violence by assaulting people with stones, open hands and fists,” court further heard.

“The State further said the five went on to damage a “windscreen of a Toyota Landcruiser Reg No AFG 5827 and deflating all the four wheels of the vehicles by removing sticker valves.

“They further deflated all 4 wheels of a Toyota Hilux Reg No ACX 0369 by severing them with sharp instruments.

“The group went on to damage the front windscreen and fender of a Mazda Excella Reg Number ADY 3345 using stones. They stole people’s various property.”

MDC-Alliance spokesperson Fadzai Mahere, playwright Tsitsi Dangarembga, Paul Besa, Julie Gabriel Barnes, Chamunorwa Phillip Ndengu, Tinotenda Muskwe, Tinashe Murapata, Jessica Drury, Nyasha Musandu, Josee Lotter, Simon Drury, Terence Guta, and Phillip Ndengu who are in appearing in court for staging an illegal demonstration in Harare, have written a letter to the Prosecutor General objecting to the transfer of their matter from the ordinary court to the Special Anti-Corruption Court.

They said they want the matter to be referred back to the ordinary court where it was initially heard.

Lawyer Mr Chris Mhike, who is part of the activists’ legal team, said the letter dated October 6, 2020, was also copied to the Chief Magistrate, Harare provincial magistrate and senior regional magistrate.

“We addressed a letter to the PG’s Office placing on record our objection to the transfer of the matter from the ordinary court to the Special Anti-Corruption Courts.

“That letter is copied to provincial magistrate, chief magistrate and regional magistrate. We hoped to resolve the matter administratively, but the process did not yield expected results.

“We hoped the State to respond today but we expect them to respond on the next court appearance.

“We are mystified to see that a simple protest matter is now being dealt with those of corruption.

“With the incredible levels of corruption characterising our nation, we are surprised that a simple protest matter is now being dealt in court with sophisticated people,” he said.

Mr Mhike said they wish to have the matter be taken back to ordinarily courts.

“Justice must be done and must be seen to be done.

“It is unfortunate that our clients are being treated in a matter that is very unusual,” he said.

Mr Mhike raised the concerns during an application for bail relaxation of the activists before magistrate Mr Trynois Utahwashe.

Former Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) board chairman, Albert Mugabe, has been acquitted of the criminal abuse of office charges he was facing.

Mugabe was cleared of the offence after Harare Magistrate Mr Lazini Ncube granted his application for discharge at the close of the State case.

Mugabe, through his lawyer Mr Admire Rubaya, had made an application for discharge saying the State had failed to prove a case against him during trial.

He was being accused of approving a CBZ $300 000 loan facility to former Zinara CEO Mrs Nancy Chamisa-Masiyiwa sometime in 2017 without Board’s approval.

In his ruling, Mr Ncube cited lack of enough evidence presented by the State that incriminated Mugabe.

Paul Nyathi

MDC T acting president Dr Thokozani Khupe and six others from that party were on Wednesday afternoon sworn in as Members of the National Assembly under the Proportional Representative seat.

The other members who were sworn in are: Memory Munochinzwa, January Sawuke, Lindani Moyo, Sipho Makone, Yvonne Musarurwa and Lwazi Sibanda.

The seven were part of 15 MPs nominated by the MDC T to fill vacancies following the recall of MDC Alliance legislators in an agenda clear of a conspiracy between the ruling ZANU PF and the MDC-T to weaken the MDC Alliance in parliament for probable clandestine plans.

The oath was administered by Clerk of Parliament, Mr Kennedy Chokuda.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda said the swearing in of the MPs followed a letter written to him by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) notifying him of the persons nominated to fill such vacancies.

Khupe who enjoys very close relations with President Emmerson was propelled to lead the MDC-T and ultimately the MDC Alliance through a shock Supreme Court ruling early this year.

Since then she has been recalling MDC Alliance MPs willy nilly and has started replacing the proportional representation ones with her own collegues.

Media sources in recent months revealed that Mnangagwa has been hatching plans to have Khupe brought into parliament and declare her an official leader of the opposition from where they will enter into an agreement to enter into a transitional authority and defer the 2023 elections to 2030.

Human rights lawyers led by Alec Muchadehama, Tinomuda Shoko, Jeremiah Bhamu and Roseline Hanzi have ended the detention of Harare West legislator Joana Mamombe by obtaining a court order issued by Justice Muremba for her immediate release from Chikurubi prison.

Mamombe was detained following the state application that she be taken into remand to allow government doctors to conduct mental examination on her.

In a statement, ZLHR said:

The Judge said there was no just cause for placing Hon. Mamombe in custody thereby depriving her of her right to personal liberty which is jealously guarded by the Constitution.

Justice Muremba said Hon. Mamombe could still have been ordered to undergo mental examination at a state institution by state medical practitioners.

The Judge said there was no just cause for placing Hon. Mamombe in custody thereby depriving her of her right to personal liberty which is jealously guarded by the Constitution.

More to follow…

By A Correspondent| The Nelson Chamisa led MDC Alliance has retained the Bulawayo Mayoral seat after their candidate Mlandu Ncube defeated Skhululekile Moyo who was sponsored by a rival faction led by Thokozani Khupe.

Mlandu polled 18 to Moyo’s two votes.

This becomes the third Mayoral election where the Alliance have proved too powerful after also bagging Harare and Gwanda.

The elections followed the recall of MDC Alliance councillors by the Khupe led MDC-T.

More to follow….

By Takura Zhangazha| Zimbabwe’s mainstream political opposition in its current divided formations, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance or MDC-Tsvangirai is evidently in crisis.  The MDC-Alliance which brought other opposition parties, including its own splinter groups, together for the 2018 general/harmonized elections has found itself in a split that has sought to distinguish the original MDC-Tsvangirai from the then electoral alliance. 

Based on a Supreme Court judgment that gave the then first vice president, Thokozani Khupe of the MDC- Tsvangirai (before the Alliance was formed) control of the party, there have now been recalls of opposition members of Parliament and also elected local government councilors.  It has not ended there.  There have also been battles for the control of the headquarters of the opposition in Harare. A development that means either this will not end well or will not end soon. 

It is an interesting if not tragic conundrum.  One which has had the characteristics of not only being personal but also populist. 

The personal has been mainly found in the leaders of these opposition factions taking potshots at each other’s integrity or intentions.  As well as their partisan supporters taking to social media and occasionally to their Harvest House headquarters to claim some sort of ownership of being the ‘authentic’ opposition leadership. Or argue on behalf of those that they deem best placed to lead a now very disunited opposition. 

I am however more interested in the populist dimensions of the state of the opposition and the attendant contradictions thereto.  I also use the term populist because to all intents and purposes that is the current approach of the  leadership of the opposition to what it considers its democratic change mandate.  It is a populism that has at least three main elements. 

The first being that it is Manichean.  It really does not matter who you are as long as you are against the ruling Zanu Pf party.  That is the tie that sort of binds.  Hence the formation of the MDC-Alliance while strategic forgot that the members of the same were only bound together by the same said Manichean view of Zimbabwean politics.   Attention to ideological detail was not high on the list of priorities as it was assumed that was already taken care of by supportive domestic or international ‘think-tanks’ in one form or the other. 

The second being that in either case of the MDC-Alliance or the MDC-T, there is the leveraging of the charisma of the founding leader, Morgan Tsvangirai. From arguments about his chosen successors through to quite literally claiming him for legitimacy (even though a majority of the current leaders were at loggerheads with him.) But even if they were to push it to its populist ends, it eventually wears off.  These leaders will need to stand on their own, even if they claim to be standing on Tsvangirai’s shoulders.

The third is that it’s a populism that seeks recognition from the global west.  A development that is understandable given the general Zimbabwean mindset of admiration of everything that occurs in the global north.  Opposition and also ruling Zanu Pf party leaders appear to need to be popularly recognized by Zimbabweans as being close to leaders of the United States of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland or the European Union. As opposed to taking more time to understand the Southern African Development Community (SADC) or the African Union’s (AU) historical and liberation struggle based international relations dynamics.  In their regional, continental and global elements.  This may be understandable given the legacies of colonialism as well as our overt admiration of those global north societies and neoliberal consumerism, but it unfortunately is not enough to cross Rubicons.

A frequent question however, and I am sure it will be asked in social media threads to this blog, is “What would you do better?” And it is an easy one to answer if I was an opposition political party leader.  In at least four parts.

With number one being that I would be ideologically clear.  No ambiguities.  To the extent of for example, not lauding current American President Trump’s xenophobic nationalism and neoliberalism.  Or Chinese President Xi Jinping’s version of state capitalism.  And always remembering Amilcar Cabral’s words at the first Tri-Continental continent in Havana, Cuba in 1966 where he advised delegates of the ‘the struggle against our own weaknesses.’

And also, “that however great the similarity between our various cases and however identical our enemies, national liberation and social revolution are not exportable commodities; they are, and increasingly so every day, the outcome of local and national elaboration, more or less influenced by external factors (be they favorable or unfavorable) but essentially determined and formed by the historical reality of each people, and carried to success by the overcoming or correct solution of the internal contradictions between the various categories characterising this reality.”

Secondly, it would be important to understand that it is internal political processes that give meaning to external ones.  No matter how unpopular or against the trends they may be.  Intra-party democracy matters as much as national democratic practice.  Even in the most populist of moments.

Thirdly, it remains important that we lead for posterity. Not just ourselves and our moment in the sun.  We must always lead for the future. While the past and present remain important, they are more relevant to an envisioned future if leadership is designed to perpetuate long-duree equality in our society.

Finally, in all of the aforementioned three points, it is important to have ‘praxis’.  To combine both ideological theory and practice. That is to create progressive counter-hegemonic frameworks that last beyond the moment.  All with an understanding of other existent hegemonies and how best to try and navigate a path toward the peoples’ progress going forward.

*Takura Zhangazha writes here in his personal capacity (takura-zhangazha.blogspot.com)

By A Correspondent- Party chairperson of the MDC T faction led by Dr Thokozani Khupe, Morgen Komichi has called for unity of purpose urging opposition political parties to confront Zanu Pf as a united family come 2023.

Komichi said this in a post on twitter:

Thokozani Khupe has been sworn into parliament as proportional representation MP for Bulawayo province.

Watch the full parliament seating in the video downloading below.

Farai Dziva|Former Zanu PF MP, Killer Zivhu has sensationally postulated that the displaying of Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s portrait in houses and public vehicles should be mandatory.

Zivhu also 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.

See below 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?”

Farai Dziva|Former Zanu PF MP, Killer Zivhu has sensationally postulated that the displaying of Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s portrait in houses and public vehicles should be mandatory.

Zivhu also 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.

See below 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?”

A 28-year-old man from Mpopoma suburb was stabbed to death in a bloody clash between rival gangs at a house party held in violation of lockdown regulations.

Bhekumuzi Nkomo was fatally stabbed between Saturday (10PM) and Sunday (1AM) as his family and police gave contradicting statements on the time when the crime could have been committed.

It is unclear why Nkomo was killed but the fight involved two rival gangs that were attending a birthday party in the same suburb on Saturday.

A blood-stained knife suspected to have been used to attack him was found 10 metres from his body.

His killer is yet to be arrested.

Nkomo’s younger brother Mr Mzimkhulu Nkomo told Chronicle on Monday that the fight started at about 10PM while they were at a party.

He said he does not know how the fight started but he joined in as he observed that a rival gang was assaulting his brother.

“We were attending a party, just a few blocks from home and while I was inside the yard someone called saying there were people who were fighting with my brother. I called my crew which was with me in the yard and we advanced towards them. They escaped as we approached and we chased after them together with my brother. As we returned, my brother complained that he had been scratched in his chest and collapsed shortly after. I asked him who he was fighting with but he did not respond,” he said.

Mr Nkomo said an ambulance was called and the crew pronounced him dead on arrival.

“Up to now I don’t know what he was fighting over. Yes, we joined the fight. But I cannot pin-point what caused the fight. It happens during a party that fights involving rival groups break out even over small issues but I don’t know what caused it. What I’ve been told is that he was stabbed by someone called Rabson, although I don’t know where he stays. Police are investigating three people who are suspected to be part of the crew that stabbed my brother but all of them are nowhere to be found,” said Mr Nkomo.

He said it was his first time to see Rabson.

Acting Bulawayo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said investigations into the murder were underway.

While Mr Nkomo said his elder brother died on Saturday at about 10PM in his presence, Asst Insp Msebele said he was stabbed after 1AM the following day.

“We are investigating a suspected murder where a 28-year-old man from Mpopoma was stabbed to death. We are yet to get the full picture on why he was stabbed and by who. But the deceased’s father reported to the police at Zimbabwe Republic Police Traffic West Police Station that his son had been stabbed to death by unknown assailants. Officers summoned an ambulance which confirmed him dead at about 2AM on Sunday as his body was found lying on the tarmac in the same suburb. The deceased’s father told police that he received a knock at the door, alerting him that his son was killed just before he reported the matter to the police,” said Asst Insp Msebele.

“The deceased was found lying facing upwards with both hands clutching a stab wound which was on the upper abdomen right side. On further inspection of the body, another deep stab wound was found on the right-hand side shoulder. A kitchen knife with a wooden handle was found about 10 metres from the body.”

She said investigation on the matter were in progress while appealing to community members who might have information relating to the case to come forward.

Asst Insp Msebele urged members of the public to abide by the country’s regulations.

“What has become clear is that this crime occurred during the 8PM to 6AM curfew. The deceased father told the police that as he retired for bed at 8PM, he had left his son in the house. We strongly appeal to members of the public to follow Covid-19 regulations while shunning violence,” said Asst Insp Msebele.

-State Media

By A Correspondent- SADC leaders have decided to take a strong action against President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the ZANU PF government, Patriotic Front Spokesperson Jealousy Mawarire has claimed.

Writing on micro-blogging site Twitter Mawarire said:

“SADC is expected to tighten screws on ED & his Junta-PF regime after SADC Chairperson, Malawian President, Lazarus Chakwera, cut short his state visit to Zimbabwe amid reports, from Malawi, suggesting that ED was unhappy with the message Chakwera was carrying, that the region was growing worried with ED’s increasingly despotic rule and gross abuse of human rights.”

Mawarire also added that the meeting between the two President, the Malawi president invited Zimbabweans of Malawi descent to relocate and get dual citizenship.  

“There were 3 unusual things coming out of Chakwera’s state visit to Zimbabwe. The first was his cutting short of the scheduled two-day state visit.” He said. “The second was Chikwera’s diplomatically unprecedented move to invite Zimbabweans of Malawian descent, some who have never set foot in Malawi, to come back to Malawi where his government promised them dual citizenship, a move perceived as an indictment to his host & his governance.

“In short, Chakwera just told Zimbabweans of Malawian descent, that Zimbabwe under @edmnangagwa was a hopeless case hence his move to provide his kinsmen an opportunity to leave Zimbabwe. The 3rd unusual thing was FL Auxilia Mnangagwa boycotting of the state banquet held for Chakwera, choosing, instead to visit Chiredzi at the time of Chakwera’s state visit.

“State visits are planned well in advance & the embarrassment of letting Chakwera’s wife accompany him for a state visit where her counterpart was not available to welcome her was a major diplomatic gaffe on ED and his blundering regime. The embarrassment reached a crescendo when the Malawi First Lady had to be presented a birthday cake by Oppah Muchinguri instead of Auxillia Mnangagwa who allegedly boycotted the banquet.”

By A Correspondent- Presidential Spokesperson George Charamba has warned teachers that if they continue associating with the American Embassy in Zimbabwe they will be treated as enemies and political opponents.

Charamba was commenting on tweet by US Ambassador to Zimbabwe who had said,

“I met with Labor Minister Mavima today to encourage government and labor leaders to negotiate in good faith. Respect for workers’ rights will help create a more prosperous Zimbabwe.”

Said Charamba:

“When you re-read this tweet from the US Ambassador barely a week ago after his meeting with Professor Mavima, and relate it to the blatantly political actions and communications of a certain segment of teachers’ unions, is the connection not obvious??? Kana vada hondo, tinoitambira. The US Ambassador can only mislead them, nothing more.”

Posted President Emmerson Mnangagwa in a Facebook post- Today’s opening of Zvishavane Vocational Centre is just one of 42 centres devoted to the training of skilled workers across Zimbabwe. When we believe and invest in our young people, Zimbabwe will flourish once again #TheRealZimbabwe.

By A Correspondent- Police in Matabeleland North have launched a manhunt for a Binga man who allegedly fatally struck his ex-wife with an unknown sharp object before cutting off a finger which he disappeared with.

Matabeleland North police spokesperson Chief Inspector Siphiwe Makonese identified the suspect as Deny Mumpande (38) of Phukhoma 7 Chuzya Village under Chief Sinamagonde in Lusulu.

She said the murder took place last Friday when Mumpande stalked his ex-wife Ms Nolia Mudimba (33) after she had gone to fetch water from a nearby stream.

Mumpande allegedly could not stomach the fact that his wife had left him and went to stay with her parents.

The two had been living in separation for an undisclosed period.

“I can confirm that we received a report of a woman who was killed by her ex-husband in Lusulu. On 2 October at around 5pm the now deceased and Miss Believe Siamupa aged 18 were going home from the nearby Gungwe River where they had gone to fetch water. While on their way they met Mumpande who was carrying an unknown object which was wrapped in a sack,” said Chief Insp Makonese.

She said Mumpande asked the teenager to go as he wanted to talk to the now deceased.

“While Believe Siamupa was about 18 metres away she heard the now deceased screaming and asking for forgiveness from Mumpande. She also heard the sound of a falling bucket of water and an object hitting the now deceased,” said Chief Insp Makonese.

Miss Siamupa ran home and informed the deceased’s father Mr Charles Siamwele who teamed up with other villagers and proceeded to the scene of the attack.

They found the deceased lying on the ground facing downwards with two deep cuts on the head, another on the right hand and left knee.

A finger on her right hand was missing.

A report was made at ZRP Lusulu while the deceased’s body was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals in Bulawayo for post-mortem.-Chronicle

By A Correspondent | A Mabelreign man was found dead.

The 33 year old, Michael Devere, an OK Zimbabwe employee’s death comes after he vanished in Harare’s Greencroft area last week Monday.

He was an employee of OK Zimbabwe Greencroft branch where he was a supervisor.

He wanted to buy something he had seen on social media, so had left home Monday morning for the nearby shops while wearing blue jeans, a striped t-shirt and brown shoes. Soon after that he became unreachable, a source said.

An SOS for his whereabouts was later posted on Tuesday morning after his workmates had phoned his home to inquire on reasons for his failure to turn up for work.

His brother, Petros later announced on Wednesday, on social networking website, Facebook, as follows:

Mike was found dead in Rusape. His body [some words redacted], a family friend, Chrison Brighton, told ZimEye.

ZimEye is making a follow up investigation.

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By A Correspondent- The City of Harare has said garbage collections were greatly affected by the fuel shortage which was caused by a delay in the delivery of fuel to the council by their supplier.

This was communicated by the city fathers in a Facebook post that reads:

Garbage collection is being affected by a shortage of fuel. Council has paid for its supplies and is yet to get delivery of the product. We will update when we receive fuel.

The Harare City council has been under fire mainly from the government which accuses them of failing to provide adequate service to Harare residents.

The City Council has said the government interferes with council operations to the point of taking time to approve the budget proposed by the council during hyperinflation.

The MDC Alliance released the following statement following the suspension of the by-elections after the Health Ministry using SI 225A of 2020 idenfinetly suspended by-elections.

7 October 2020

SUSPENSION OF BY-ELECTIONS A VIOLATION OF THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE

On the 2nd of October 2020, the Minister of Health published SI 225 of 2020 which indefinitely suspends the holding of by-elections in Zimbabwe ‘So the duration of the period of the declaration of COV1D-19 as a formidable epidemic.

The MDC Alliance is deeply concerned with the unconstitutionality of the decision to suspend by-elections. Section 159 of the Constitution requires vacant elective public offices to be tilled within 90 ninety days.

This constitutional imperative cannot be overturned by subsidiary legislation as the Constitution is the supreme law. The effective banning of elections follows the unlawful recalls of elected representatives from Parliament and Local Government. The will of the people continues lobs violated by the illegitimate regime of Mr Mnangagwa.

We are of the firm view that h is grossly tutreasonable to ban by-elections when Covid19 restrictions confinue to be eased throughout the country. Various electoml activities are tatting place such as internal party elections by Zinn] PC and extraorthmuy congresses by other parties. In the circumstances. there is no justification for the ban.

We are funher concerned that the suspension of by-elections infringes upon the independence of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). ZEC has a constitutional duty to formulate electoral policies without the direction or control of anyone as set out in section 235 of the Constitution. The actions of the Minister of Health only serve to undermine ZEC’s independence and to use the excuse of CovidI9 to take away the right of citizens to vote and be represented by people of their choosing in Parliament.

The MDC Alliance calls for the urgent repeal of SI 225 of 2020 and for comprehensive electoral reforms that pave the way for credible elections in accordance with the Constitution.

Ian Makone

Secretary for Elections

By A Correspondent- MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe’s loyalists have claimed their leader should be allowed to continue at the helm of the party ahead of Morgen Komichi and Douglas Mwonzora, who they accuse of ditching the party only to come back after falling out of favour with the MDC Alliance leadership.

The calls have exposed deeprooted divisions in the party ahead of the extraordinary congress set for December with Khupe, Mwonzora, Komichi and Elias Mudzuri reportedly gunning for the party presidency.

The MDC-T is due to hold its congress to elect a new leader in December using the 2014 structures as ordered by the Supreme Court. Mwonzora, last week, however, said all members recalled from the party and Parliament would not be allowed to contest.

Mwonzora was MDC Alliance deputy secretary for international relations before he crossed the floor to Khupe’s MDC-T after the Supreme Court ruling.

Yesterday, Khupe loyalists circulated messages saying Mwonzora and Komichi, who also joined Khupe after the 2018 split when they lost in their bid to get positions at the party’s Gweru congress, should not be allowed to contest for positions at the congress.

Komichi lost to Tendai Biti and Lynnette Karenyi-Kore for the post of MDC Alliance vice-president, while Mwonzora lost to Chalton Hwende for the post of secretary-general before the two hatched a plan to join the MDCT following the March Supreme Court ruling.

“Good afternoon leaders, I am not speaking about congress but about what was on the ground. President Khupe was the vicepresident, Mwonzora, Komichi and Mudzuri fled with Chamisa and endorsed something which was not correct,” part of the audio allegedly of a member of the party said, while addressing a leadership group debate, said.

“If they wanted to contest, why didn’t they do that at that particular time, why did they follow Chamisa?

“Mwonzora is a lawyer and chose not to follow the constitution and endorsed wrong things. Khupe stood with the constitution and that is my point.”

The party is set to hold its national standing committee meeting today with Komichi saying the outcome of the meeting would be made public later in the day.

Asked why he should be allowed to contest at the congress when he once abandoned the MDC-T for Chamisa’s MDC Alliance, Komichi said that was water under the bridge and the party should be allowed to forge ahead.

“Those who are barred, it is not the end, we will reunite later. We had Tendai Biti parting ways with Morgan Tsvangirai but they were working together again by the time he died,” Komichi said.

As the MDC wars rage on, a group of youths led by Paul Gorekore has demanded a return to the 2014 structures and dialogue by leadership to unite the party.

The group has been camped at Harvest House (Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House) demanding an audience with the leadership that was elected and appointed in 2014 only.

By A Correspondent- The MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa yesterday won the Gwanda mayoral election, narrowly beating Zanu-PF.

MDC Alliance candidate Njabulo Siziba garnered five votes while Zanu-PF’s Albert Ndlovu got four.

There are five MDC Alliance councillors in Gwanda while Zanu has four.

The seat fell vancant following the recall of MDC Alliance’s Jastone Mazhale by Thokozani Khupe’s MDC-T.

Matabeleland South MDC Alliance spokesperson Ntato Ndlela said: “Siziba is our new MDC Alliance mayor for Gwanda. It was a hardwon victory. We are so happy that our councillors stuck to the strategy and played their cards close to the chest so to speak.”

“Khupe could not field any candidate because she has no councillors in Gwanda who support her. The only strategy she has is recalling our deployees and that strategy is fast losing value.”

MDC-T acting spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni was unavailable for comment yesterday.

Meanwhile, Siziba’s first-born son, Priority Siziba, who died on Friday last week in a road accident was laid to rest yesterday in Mawane area, Gwanda.

This was confirmed by Matabeleland South police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele.

“The accident happened on October 2 at around 10pm at the 121km peg along Beitbridge-Bulawayo Highway near Matshetsheni turn-off. The deceased is Priority Siziba (29).

He suffered head injuries and died upon admission at Gwanda Hospital,” Ndebele said.

“Priority had two passengers in the vehicle who escaped unharmed. He lost control and the vehicle overturned. Investigations are still ongoing to establish the cause of the accident.”DailyNews

By A Correspondent- MDC bigwigs say they are frustrated by the painfully slow progress towards the much talked about national dialogue amid claims that Government are blocking South African officials from returning to the country to assist Zimbabwe end its challenges.

MDC Alliance vice president Welshman Ncube said that the opposition party was not pleased with the current snail’s pace towards the resolution of the country’s challenges warning that failure to resolve them would lead to further complications of the problem.

Meanwhile, the MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa yesterday won the Gwanda mayoral election, narrowly beating Zanu-PF.

MDC Alliance candidate Njabulo Siziba garnered five votes while Zanu-PF’s Albert Ndlovu got four. There are five MDC Alliance councillors in Gwanda while Zanu has four. The seat fell vacant following the recall of MDC Alliance’s Jastone Mazhale by Thokozani Khupe’s MDC-T.

Matabeleland South MDC Alliance spokesperson Ntato Ndlela said: “Siziba is our new MDC Alliance mayor for Gwanda. It was a hardwon victory. We are so happy that our councillors stuck to the strategy and played their cards close to the chest so to speak.-DailyNews

By A Correspondent| Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Cain Mathema has claimed that the number of teachers who are reporting for duty are adequate to attend to pupils who are preparing for the December 5 examinations.

Mathema added that the learning in schools for the classes already open will not be disrupted, something that has been dismissed by teachers unions who have come up with a united position that they will only return to work once government meet their salary needs.

Speaking during a post cabinet press briefing yesterday, Mathema said 29 percent of teachers were reporting for duty.

“A number of teachers are not at work. About 29 percent are going to work…I want to assure learners and parents that exams will go on as scheduled. Learning will not be disrupted,” he said.

Labour and social welfare minister, Professor Paul Mavima also appealed to teachers to be realistic saying they should excercise moderation in the manner they demand salary increases.

“We are saying to civil servants please be realistic, exercise moderation in the manner in which you demand salary increases, we don’t want salary increases that will upset the stability & torpedo the economic recovery that we have started to see” Labour Minister Prof Paul Mavima.

But in response to Mavima’s remarks, PTUZ lashed back saying cabinet ministers were not being realistic as they did not have children in public schools.

The major problem is that none of the Cabinet ministers has a child in a public school. They have no dog in the fight. Their academic balance sheet won’t show red. That’s why they are thumping their nose at teachers. Sad for the learners

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has flown to Zvishavane to officially open a Vocational Training centre hostels and a private ward at the district hospital, information secretary Nick Mangwana has announced.

Mnangagwa went to Zvishavane where his deputy Constantino Chiwenga and Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri among other top government officials formed part of the delegation set to witness the ceremony.

“His Excellency President @edmnangagwa is in Zvishavane for the Handover Ceremony of the Zvishavane VCT Girl’s Hostel and the Zvishavane District Hospital Private Ward,” said Mangwana.

Meanwhile, social media has blasted Mnangagwa for paralysing government business to attend and officially open ceremonies and functions that can be done by responsible ministers.

Mnangagwa has in the past officially opened a 20 kilometre stretch of rehabilitated Harare-Beitbridge road among other less important projects done in the country.

By A Correspondent- The case of a 37-year-old Masvingo man, who fatally assaulted a taxi driver he had hired after accusing him of proposing love to his girlfriend, failed to take off yesterday after witnesses did not turn up.

Chakanetsa Kambarami allegedly hired Josiah Rimai (36) to take him and his girlfriend Caroline Banda (23) to the Great Zimbabwe monuments when the two men were involved in an altercation, leading to the assault.

Masvingo High Court Judge Justice Garainesu Mawadze postponed the matter to Thursday to allow the witnesses to attend court.

It is the State’s case that on June 3 last year, Kambarami, who had travelled to Masvingo from Harare hired Banda to take him to Great Zimbabwe monuments.

Rimai picked the couple up at a lodge in the city and along the way a misunderstanding arose when Kambarami accused Rimai of making advances on his girlfriend and assaulted him until he lost consciousness.

Police found Rimai lying in a bushy area between Rujeko suburb and Masvingo Teachers’ College.

He was taken to Masvingo General Hospital where he died upon admission.

Kambarami was arrested near Beatrice while driving Rimai’s vehicle to Harare.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- The Primary and Secondary Education Minister Can Mathema has said enough teachers to take the writing classes candidates through their exam preparation are reporting for duty countrywide.

Mathema said 29% of the teachers are reporting for duty and according to him they are enough:

It is correct that a number of teachers are not at work. On average about 29 percent are going to work. Remember only examination classes are back at school and those teachers going to work suffice the job at hand.

The teachers have their concerns and Government is addressing them. I want to assure learners and parents that exams will go on as scheduled. Learning will not be disrupted.

The first phase has resumed classes safely and we are now preparing for the next phase as well as putting in place measures to protect those already at school.

Meanwhile, teachers have vowed to continue with their strike as they said their meeting with the public service minister yielded no desired outcome:

We the undersigned teachers’ Unions wish to unequivocally state that the meeting that had been perceived to bring tangible results failed to bring such.

What the Honourable Minister Paul Mavhima did was to assure teachers that no one will be fired willy nilly from work as a result of incapacitation.

The position paper they presented to the government accused the government of prioritizing and showing favor to other civil servants especially the uninformed teachers.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- A Nyanga family says it is yet to come to terms with the death of six relatives in a road traffic accident which occurred along the Nyanga-Ruwangwe road at the weekend.

The Matizakurima family was plunged into mourning Saturday morning after six family members perished in a road traffic accident, which also left 28 others injured.

Five people died on the spot while the sixth passed on after admission at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutare.

The accident occurred when the Matizakurima family were on their way to a gravesite beautification ceremony.

Surviving relatives including Mutsawashe Matizakurima, who was driving the two-tonne truck carrying 34 passengers and cement, narrated their ordeal.

“The brakes failed and the I struggled to control the vehicle as it sped down the hill making it,” he said.

“I tried to stop the truck but I failed after the break failure. I failed to negotiate a curve due to the speed of the vehicle.”

A survivor added; “We told the driver to reduce speed after we realised that there was an unusual smell due to breaks. He told us that the vehicle has lost brakes. What happened there after I don’t remember but I just woke up being injured.”

Added another; “The driver told us that the car had lost breaks and I took a decision to jump out of the car after sensing danger.

“I lost two brothers in the accident with two sisters including the driver’s wife.”

Some of the injured were admitted at Nyanga District Hospital, while others have been discharged.

“We received 22 patience and five bodies,” said Nyanga Acting District Medial Officer, Dr Hamish Mubata.

“We referred five critical patience to Victoria Chitepo provincial hospital. Seven were discharged at Regina Coeli Hospital. We have discharged 16 we are left with eight patients with four still in Mutare.”

Local legislator, Honourable Chido Sanyatwe and Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba welcomed the support that the family has received so far while also calling for the use of roadworthy vehicles.

“We thank the assistance we got from government to assist the bereaved families and the injured pull through this difficult situation,” said Cde Sanyatwe.

Dr Gwaradzimba added; “The other issue is the issues of vehicles conditions. The VID and police should continue inspecting the cars and carrying capacities.

“I met the driver who confirmed that the vehicle’s breaks failed and could not be controlled due to the load.

“There is a need for families not to travel in large numbers to avoid an incident were family members died in a single accident.”

Police and other stakeholders have on several occasions urged motorists to adhere to road safety guidelines to avoid loss of life.-statemedia

By A Correspondent| The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has withdrawn charges against Dumisani Dube, a Bulawayo-based lawyer, who was arrested in June and charged with defeating or obstructing the course of justice.

Dube was arrested on 6 June 2020 by Zimbabwe Republic Police members and charged with contravening Section 184 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act for allegedly defeating or obstructing the course of justice.

The allegations arose from a matter wherein Dube represented his client and filed an urgent chamber application at the Bulawayo High Court, and obtained an order in favour of his client.

The state alleged that Dube filed a fake certificate of service purporting to have served one of the Respondents in the matter, when he had not, and thereafter proceeded to obtain an order by default.

But on Wednesday 30 September 2020, prosecutors withdrew charge against Dube, who was represented by Godfrey Nyoni of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights(ZLHR) and Prince Bhutshe-Dube,before plea.

Meanwhile, Harare Magistrate Ngoni Nduna on Wednesday 30 September 2020 dismissed an application filed by Prosecutor Michael Reza of the NPA seeking to revoke the bail granted to Tapiwa Makanza, a Harare-based lawyer, who was arrested in June and charged with defeating or obstructing the course of justice.

Reza had sought to have Makanza’s bail revoked after alleging that he had breached one of the conditions which barred him from interfering with Simbarashe Zuze, whom the state considered to be its witness in its ongoing case against the Harare-based lawyer.

But Magistrate Nduna ruled that the purported Zuze, whom Makanza allegedly interfered with is not a material witness to the State.

Magistrate Nduna stated that in any case Zuze is a defence witness and it’s the state which should be cautious in its interactions with him.

Makanza, who is represented by Obey Shava and Paidamoyo Saurombe of ZLHR, returns to court on Friday 9 October 2020.

Apart from Dube and Makanza, several lawyers are appearing in court on similar charges of defeating or obstructing the course of justice. The charges emanate from execution of their professional duties.

By A Correspondent- A retired army official Brigadier-General Sambulo Ndlovu, has died.

The Brigadier General succumbed to COVID-19 at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals yesterday.

His death was confirmed to the publication by Zimbabwe National Army Commander Lieutenant-General Edzai Absalom Chanyuka Chimonyo.

According to the Zimbabwe National Army, Sambulo Ndlovu’s burial will be carried out according to the World Health Organisation’s COVID-19 guidelines and burial arrangements will be announced in due course.

Ndlovu survived by his wife Sarah and 6 children:

1. Nguquko
2. Vezubule
3. Prince Majaha
4. Thobekile
5. Lindiwe
6. Sithulisiwe

Ndlovu’s death came a few short days after the burial of another top army officer Rhufus Chigudu who succumbed to an undisclosed illness on 24 September 2020 and was buried at the heroes acre.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Rescue efforts to retrieve the bodies of gold panners at Task Mine in Chegutu who were trapped underground after the shaft they were working in collapsed about a month ago have been suspended because there is no hope of finding survivors and more lives could be lost in the dangerous shaft.

The Local government deputy minister Marian Chombo revealed the Civil Protection Unit (CPU)’s desire to abandon the rescue mission because the mission could endanger more people:

The role of Civil Protection Unit, through its decentralised structures, is to coordinate operations while technical expertise come from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.

To date, from the reports they have sent to us, they’ve indicated that we need to abandon the rescue efforts due to the continuous collapse of the shaft.

However the chairman of the committee is to report to Cabinet on the technical advice given by the subnational structures. In this case, Cabinet will make the final decision.

While CPU Director Nathan Nkomo said they were waiting for the cabinet’s decision before sealing off the shaft as the effective grave of the trapped miners:We can’t put a final closure on the rescue effort as we are guided by the Cabinet’s decision. As the Civil Protection Unit, we acted upon recommendations provided by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development which has been an integral part in the rescue efforts of the five trapped miners.

We took seriously the recommendations given by Mines officials and decided to suspend rescue efforts until Cabinet’s decision on the way forward as was done to the Chimanimani Cyclone Idai rescue efforts. As CPU, we acted to save the lives of the rescuers who faced the danger of getting trapped by unstable ground,

The trapped miners include relatives Crynos Nyamukanga (44) Shingai Gwatidzo (20) and Munashe Christian (17). and Constantino Dzinoreva (47) and Charles Mutume (31).-statemedia

Paul Nyathi

Parliament on Tuesday kicked out a petition by a member of the Mthwakazi cessation proponents which was seeking parliament to pass a bill that would recognise Matabeleland Region as a seperate state under Mthwakazi Kingdom.

Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda dismissed the petition presented by Ndaniso Mpande of Gwanda saying the petition is admissible.

“On 30^th September 2020, Parliament further received a petition from Mr. Ndaniso Mpande of 12 Lawley Street, Gwanda requesting Parliament to come up with a Bill which accords Matabeleland region status of an independent territory.  The petition was deemed inadmissible and the petitioner was notified accordingly,” said Mudenda.

Proponents of the cessation agenda led by Mthwakazi Republic Party are calling for the restoration of 1893 “boundaries” which saw Matabeleland and Mashonaland exist as two seperate states before the fall of King Lobengula in the hands of the white settlers who got rid of the “boundaries” to establish present day Zimbabwe.

Paul Nyathi

Think-tank, Veritas, says Vice President Constantino Chiwenga can not block outstanding by elections from going ahead as it is a violation the country’s constitution.

Chiwenga, who doubles as the country’s health minister, last week stopped the by-elections for many vacant legislative and municipal seats using the Covid-19 scourge as the reason.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission had called for the By-elections to be held on December 5, 2020.

However, Chiwenga moved to amend Statutory Instrument 225A of 2020, Public Health COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 (No 4), a policy shift that also affected the holding of the mini-polls.

Bu

In a statement, Veritas said Chiwenga’s suspension of by-elections-was again the supreme law of the land.

“In publishing SI 225A of 2020, the Minister of Health amended section 3 of the Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention and Containment) Regulations to say that while the declaration of Covid-19 as a formidable epidemic disease is in force ‒ i.e. until the 1st January next year, i to extension ‒ the holding of by-elections to fill vacancies in the National Assembly and local authorities is suspended.

“The 90-day period within which by-elections must be held in terms of section 158 (3) of the Constitution begins to run from the date on which the declaration ends.

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

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

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

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

Paul Nyathi

ZANU PF Secretary for Administration Obert Mpofu has reiterated his unpopular sentiments that Zimbabweans must forget the Gukurahundi Genocide that killed more 20 000 citizens of Midlands and Matabeleland in the early 1980s.

Writing in his book Shoulders of struggle, Mpofu says, “Finally let bygones be bygones. Government should not be coerced into making reactionary subjective apologies for Gukurahundi by forces pursuing neo-colonial polarising agenda

“The Unity Accord formalised the needed reconciliation process as it brought the key stakeholder political entities to map out of conflict towards durable national healing.”

The quote prompted Professor Jonathan Moyo to call Mpofu a sellout. Moyo lost his father during the genocide.

“There you have it from a judas & #gukurahundi collaborator with bloody hands who betrayed Joshua Nkomo, Zapu & his own community & whose treachery is yet to be told; who also was used by Mnangagwa to leak #Willowgate fibs to the @ChronicleZim to destroy Maurice Nyagumbo & others!” Moyo posted on Twitter.

In a paper written in 2019, Mpofu made the following submissions:

The Gukurahundi disturbances ended in 1987 when Zanu and Zapu signed the Unity Accord. The next result of this Unity Accord was that it effectively dissolved both Zanu and Zapu and gave birth to a new party known as the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF).

On 18 April 1988, the Government announced an amnesty for all dissidents, and further called on them to lay down their arms. A general ordinance was issued stating all those who surrendered before 31 May would be granted full pardon.

Finally let bygones be bygones, if Government is to be dragged into formally apologising, this will open closed wounds which may be catastrophic to the party and government.

State Media

BULAWAYO’S water crisis has worsened with council only managing to provide water to as little as two out of nearly 100 suburbs a day.

Council has since abandoned the 144 hour-weekly water shedding schedule that saw it supplying water to all suburbs twice weekly, for 12 hours on each day.

According to its Provisional Water Supply Restoration Strategy (PWSRS), residents are supposed to get supplies once a week from 5PM to the following morning. However, the water usually comes well into the night and by 8AM all taps would have run dry.

For instance, according to the council’s strategy released yesterday, Pumula South and Pumula East were the only Bulawayo suburbs to receive water from 5PM to the following morning.

Only the city centre, mining and industrial areas are exempted from the water cuts.

The acute water crisis has even seen housebreakers targeting bulk water containers.

Residents have complained that council does not seem to have a plan to address the water crisis as the situation worsens by each passing day, with boreholes that had been saving the situation in the past few months reportedly drying up.

Bulawayo Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube yesterday admitted that council was in a water crisis dilemma.

“We suspended the water 144-hour weekly water shedding. We suspended it because we could no longer adhere to that schedule. This is so because we don’t have water as a city.

“We no longer have water in the city while consumption has increased. Residents have also resorted to buying Jojo tanks (bulk water containers) and whenever we shut supplies we do so because our reservoirs would have run dry,” said Mr Dube.

“We are forced to wait again while reservoirs are stabilising before we can reopen them again. The situation is worsened by electricity supplies which are very erratic. While power cuts have always been there, they were not visible because our reservoirs used to be stable for both raw water and purified. But at the moment we are living from hand to mouth. We have no water in the reservoirs. We only have purified water in reservoirs and whenever we experience power cuts everything stops.”

He said water consumption has also increased, although he could not give the daily statistics of the water consumption.

Mr Dube said under the PWSRS, council tries to isolate and prioritise high lying areas so that the areas also receive water.

“But there is an increasing phenomenon where some people open closed valves while some vandals damage our infrastructure just to draw water. This actually affects the water provision strategy,” said Mr Dube.

He described the water crisis as the worst to ever happen in Bulawayo.

“This is the worst ever water crisis in Bulawayo. Bulawayo has experienced water crises before but this one even supersedes the one that was experienced in 1992. It’s the worst because we have not received any meaningful rains since the 2016/17 rainy season. Even water levels at our boreholes are now very low.”

He said the only solution is implementing short to midterm strategies such as rehabilitating the Epping Forest and duplication of the 42km Mtshabezi-Ncema pipeline.

Mr Dube said if rains and fill up the dams, normal supplies will resume within a week’s time.

Acting Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said the water crisis has resulted in a new crop of thieves targeting Jojo tanks.

She said last month thieves stole bulk water containers at Premier High School and at a preschool in Pumula East suburb.

“We attribute the theft of these containers to the prevailing water crisis in the city. We encourage institutions to hire security guards while finding better means to secure their containers that have become targets for criminals,” she said.

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association co-ordinator Mr Emmanuel Ndlovu said council should just admit that it cannot provide water to residents.

“With the worsening water crises, we are most likely to have another outbreak of water-borne diseases. The council seems to have run out of a strategy to address the water situation. At the moment council is only providing water to only one ward per day. We are afraid that we might have a repeat of the Luveve situation,” said Mr Ndlovu.

Bulawayo United Residents’ Association (Bura) chairperson Mr Winos Dube said the water situation was dire in most residential areas as residents do not know when they will receive water.

“Council’s Provisional Water Supply Restoration Strategy water strategy is not reliable. Residents no longer know the next time they will receive running water in their homes. Survival has become difficult for most residents and the situation seems to be worsening by the day,” said Mr Dube.

“Year after year the city has been experiencing water problems but the city does not seem to have a better disaster management system to address the water crisis. There is no disaster management plan.”

Paul Nyathi

MDC-T Acting President Thokozani Khupe has suffered a setback after her much hyped swearing in ceremony as a Member of Parliament was cancelled at the last minute following a challenged by one Charles Madhiwa who took the matter to the High Court.

Madhiwa is seeking the following order to be granted:

That the Respondents shall show cause, if any, why a final order should not be granted in the following terms:

1. That the provisional relief granted be and is hereby confirmed:
2. That Government Notice 2553 of 2020 is declared to be inconsistent with section 157(1)8d) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, in that it purported to award seats in Parliament said to be vacant to the Sixth to Twentieth Respondents as nominees of MDC-T without ensuring that those nominated by MDC-T and appointed by ZEC were members of another political party MDC ALLIANCE, whose members had won and held those seats; and accordingly that Government Notice 2553 of 2020 and ail appointments announced therein are null, void and of no legal force or effect:
3. That it is declared that the Electoral Law is invalid and of no force or effect to the extent, if any, that it allows any vacancy in Parliament occurring in any seat filled under its system of proportional representation to be filled by persons who do not belong to the same political party as those who previously held the seat, in violation of section 157(1)(d) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe:
4. That it Is further declared that the ZIMBABWE ELECTORAL COMMISSION and the CHAIRPERSON OF THE ZIMBABWE ELECTORAL COMMISSION acted unreasonably and unlawfully by purporting to appoint persons nominated by MDC- T to Parliamentary seats which it had announced itself in 2018 had been won by members of MDC ALLIANCE, being a different political party, and which were held by those persons;
5. That it is declared that when any vacancy occurs in a seat which is filled under the system of a proportional system, then the ZIMBABWE ELECTORAL COMMISSION can only invite nominations to fill it from the party which had sponsored the person who had held that seat: and
6. Any Respondent who has opposed this Application shall pay Applicants’ costs jointly and severally, the one paying the others to be discharged, on the higher scale.

Paul Nyathi

Zimbabwe has been ranked number 102 by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The rankings were crafted in such a manner that countries in the single digit category did not do well in fighting the pandemic while those with double digits did better and those with three digits did well.

Countries that recorded the most deaths and infections such as the United States, Britain and Italy, are in the single digit category.

Addressing corporates and organisations from Bulawayo who had come to present Covid-19 donations towards the operationalisation of Ekusileni Hospital in Bulawayo at State House yesterday, President Mnangagwa said although the country’s health sector was facing challenges, Government and the people were more conscious and took mitigatory measures more than other countries.

President Mnangagwa said WHO had ranked countries according to how they were faring with regards to the impact and mitigation of the pandemic.

“Those with single digits didn’t do well. Those with double digits were better than those with single digits but Zimbabwe goes to the three digits. We are number 102,” he said.

He said the US was on number 1, Brazil 2, Russia 3, India 4, Britain 5 and South Africa 7.

“When you look at the capacity of these individual countries’ economies, one would think they have more muscle and both capacity and capability to deal with the pandemic far much more than us who have weak economies.

“Because of the realisation that we do not have a solid health infrastructure system in place, we become more conscious than those who have,” he said.

President Mnangagwa said Government had prioritised serving lives even if it meant negative impact on the economy.

“Post Covid-19 pandemic we can still sit around the table as we are and discuss how to resuscitate our economy and how to grow our economy. Since time immemorial before Christ, even before the Roman empire, we have never had a conference where people discuss on how to raise the dead.

“So we will not be an exception. We need to take measures to preserve lives. But we need to identify that which is critically important and correct and quite another to be able to carry the nation with that vision. We as Government feel extremely proud that our people: individually, as groups, communities, companies, churches, organisations and as societies, have moved and responded to this appeal to show compassion and make contributions to fight and mitigate the impact of this pandemic,” said the President.

Source: State Media

Paul Nyathi

Zimbabwe recorded another Covid-19 death on Tuesday following the death of 65 year old Brigadier-General Sambulo Ndlovu (Retired) due to a Covid-19-related illness.

Brig-Gen Ndlovu died at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals

Zimbabwe National Army Commander Lieutenant-General Edzai Absalom Chanyuka Chimonyo confirmed the death.

Brig-Gen Ndlovu (Rtd) is survived by his wife Sarah and six children, three boys and three girls, Nguquko, Vezubule, Prince Majaha, Thobekile, Lindiwe and Sithulisiwe.

The ZNA said in a statement that funeral and burial arrangements will be carried out according to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on Covid-19.

The army official’s death takes the national Covid-19 deaths to 229 since the outbreak of three killer disease in March.

7915 cases of Covid-19 have been recorded in the country so far with 17 new cases recorded on Tuesday. 6440 have recovered with 16 new recoveries reported on Tuesday.

State Media

Disciplinary tribunals headed by retired judges have now been set up by President Mnangagwa for Frank Muchengwa of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) and Zimbabwe Land Commission deputy chairperson Tadious Muzoroza and commissioner Jeanette Marrie Manjengwa.

The commissions were set up under constitutional provisions that call on the President to establish these on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission.

The three-member team for Muchengwa will be chaired by retired High Court judge Justice Nicholas Ndou sitting with University of Zimbabwe law lecturer Dr Tarisai Mutangi and lawyer Ms Clara Mapota.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Secretary Mrs Virginia Mabhiza will provide the secretariat to the tribunal.

ZACC is an independent body in terms of the Constitution and disciplinary procedures governing the body are the same as those relating to judges and the Prosecutor-General.

In the event of a misconduct, an independent tribunal must be set up to investigate and make recommendations to the President.

The Constitution states that such a tribunal must consist of at least three members appointed by the President and the chairperson must be someone who once served as a judge of the Supreme or High Court.

According to the Government Gazette published yesterday, the tribunal shall be held for five months from the date of swearing in of the members, at such appropriate venue as shall be determined by the tribunal.

Muchengwa was sworn-in by President Mnangagwa in July last year following public interviews conducted by Parliament’s Standing Rules and Orders Committee chaired by Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda. This committee is the top committee of Parliament.

Parliament invited applications and shortlisted candidates after the resignation of the Commission that was led by Dr Job Whabira.

Following the interviews of 38 candidates, Parliament submitted the names of the constitutionally-prescribed 12 people from which the President was obliged to appoint eight to be members of ZACC.

Other commissioners that took office were Fungai Jessie Majome, John Makamure, Gabriel Chaibva, Thandiwe Thando Mlobane, Michael Dennis Santi, Kuziva Phineas Murapa and Mabel Ndakaripa Hungwe.

The President set up another three-member tribunal to look into the misconduct allegations against two officials from the Zimbabwe Land Commission.

Retired Justice Maphios Cheda will chair the tribunal and sit with Telecel Zimbabwe chief executive Ms Angeline Vere, and Gweru lawyer Mr Godfrey Mutseyekwa.

Muzoroza and Manjengwa are accused of allegedly co-authoring and uploading onto the World Bank Conference website an abstract, which painted a negative picture of the country’s land reform programme in respect of the land tenure and allocation of land to women, youths and farm workers.

It is alleged the abstract made reference to the Zimbabwe Land Commission National Comprehensive Land Audit Phase One Report.

State Media

Enough teachers are reporting for duty to cope with the examination forms already back in class in the phased schools reopening.

In order to minimise the risk of Covid-19 infections, Government directed the reopening of examination classes first, and teachers who are supposed to take care of these pupils have been reporting for duty.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Cain Mathema said an average of 29 percent of teachers have been reporting for duty countrywide, which is enough.

There have been threats of industrial action from teachers’ unions to apply pressure in salary negotiations.

In response, Minister Mathema acknowledged that teachers have their concerns, but said the low turnout was as a result of the phased reopening approach.

“It is correct that a number of teachers are not at work. On average about 29 percent are going to work. Remember only examination classes are back at school and those teachers going to work suffice the job at hand.

“The teachers have their concerns and Government is addressing them. I want to assure learners and parents that exams will go on as scheduled. Learning will not be disrupted.

“The first phase has resumed classes safely and we are now preparing for the next phase as well as putting in place measures to protect those already at school,” said Minister Mathema.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima said Government held a meeting with teachers’ union representatives on Monday.

Prof Mavima said the economy is recording some positive stability and improvements on the macroeconomic front which the country and the civil service cannot afford to disrupt by demands that torpedo the progression.

After yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa updated the public on schools and on the civil service salary negotiations.

“With regard to the re-opening of schools the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is monitoring the situation and updating the Public Service Commission daily, while awaiting the outcome of the ongoing National Joint Negotiating Council talks.”

“Priority training of teaching and non-teaching staff on Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures for phase 1 is underway in all the provinces, while logistical arrangements for phase 2 staff training are being organised.”

Minister Mutsvangwa said the Government has come up with guidelines to ensure effective care and support for both teaching and learning, with effective catch-up learning and remedial teaching, in preparation for public examinations.

On the issue of international travel, Minister Mutsvangwa said citizens can travel outside the country as long as they meet requirements of the country they want to visit.

Minister Mutsvangwa said Cabinet noted that all three international airports now had laboratory facilities that can produce PCR Covid-19 test results within two hours.

“With regard to laboratory facilities, Cabinet noted that Lancet Laboratories commissioned its laboratory at Victoria Falls International Airport, and pledges to deliver PCR results within two hours for both arriving and departing travellers. The Robert Gabriel Mugabe and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airports have similar private and public testing facilities.”

“The taskforce will be dispatching teams to the country’s land ports and airports of entry to assess their readiness in handling the large numbers associated with the complete opening up of the country to domestic and international flights,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

State Media

Efforts have been suspended to rescue or recover the bodies of five miners trapped underground at Task Mining Syndicate in Chegutu 30 days ago when a mineshaft collapsed since more people may die in the dangerous ground although there is now no hope of finding survivors.

Once Cabinet confirms the abandonment of the search mission, all access points into the shaft will be sealed off, making the shaft in effect a grave for Constantino Dzinoreva (47), Charles Mutume (31), Crynos Nyamukanga (44) Shingai Gwatidzo (20) and Munashe Christian (17).

Local Government and Public Works Deputy Minister Cde Marian Chombo said the Civil Protection Unit (CPU), which falls under the ministry, had indicated the need to abandon the rescue efforts because the continuous collapse of the shaft could endanger more people.

She said the unit was working with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development which is an active member of the Cabinet Committee on Environment Disaster Prevention and Management.

“The role of Civil Protection Unit, through its decentralised structures, is to coordinate operations while technical expertise come from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development. To date, from the reports they have sent to us, they’ve indicated that we need to abandon the rescue efforts due to the continuous collapse of the shaft. However the chairman of the committee is to report to Cabinet on the technical advice given by the subnational structures. In this case, Cabinet will make the final decision,” she said.

CPU director Mr Nathan Nkomo said they were awaiting Cabinet’s decision on the way forward with the unit’s decision to suspend the rescue effort being premised on findings by the Ministry of Mines.

Cabinet would deliberate on the final report presented on the rescue operations after which a decision on whether or not to permanently halt operations would be made.

“We can’t put a final closure on the rescue effort as we are guided by the Cabinet’s decision. As the Civil Protection Unit, we acted upon recommendations provided by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development which has been an integral part in the rescue efforts of the five trapped miners.

“We took seriously the recommendations given by Mines officials and decided to suspend rescue efforts until Cabinet’s decision on the way forward as was done to the Chimanimani Cyclone Idai rescue efforts.

“As CPU, we acted to save the lives of the rescuers who faced the danger of getting trapped by unstable ground,” he said.

Chief Government mining engineer, Michael Munodawafa, said he had earlier recommended that operations be done carefully considering that the ground was wobbling.

“The last time we recommended to the CPU that since operations were becoming dangerous considering unstable ground, there was a need to be careful and monitor operations. However, the decision to halt operations by CPU was a collective decision emanating from discoveries and recommendations given,” he said.

A report written by Chegutu district development coordinator, Mr Tariro Tomu to Task Mining Syndicate management, shows that the operations were stopped after they proved to be unsuccessful owing to safety challenges.

“A technical report from the Ministry of Mines has shown that operations are proving to be unsuccessful because of safety challenges. There is continuous fall of ground within the collapsed zone,” read part of the report.

The report also showed that the accident area was becoming more unstable and unsafe as most of the support pillars were mined out before the accident.

“There is no second escape route in case of emergency and the plan of installing a bulkhead and allowing people to work below it is a risky operation as there is a high risk of it falling thereby exposing the workers to great danger if trapped,” reads the report.

Under the Mining Management and Safety Regulations, all rescue operations and retrieval of the bodies were ordered stopped with immediate effect.

Task Mining Syndicate chairperson, Mr Timothy Masviba said the mine was going to engage the Government to be allowed to rescue the trapped miners.

Families have not lost hope of finding their relatives alive and are still camped at the mine premises where they are imploring Government to extend the operation to help the trapped workers.

They have also petitioned Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Winston Chitando, the local legislator, Webster Shamhu and Chief Ngezi to convince CPU to continue with the operation.

Minister Mliswa-Chikoka urged the family members to understand the Government’s decision as it was coming from experts and aimed at protecting lives.

ZBC

MUTARE: A Nyanga family says it is yet to come to terms with the death of six relatives in a road traffic accident which occurred along the Nyanga-Ruwangwe road at the weekend.

The Matizakurima family was plunged into mourning Saturday morning after six family members perished in a road traffic accident, which also left 28 others injured.

Five people died on the spot while the sixth passed on after admission at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutare.

The accident occurred when the Matizakurima family were on their way to a gravesite beautification ceremony.

Surviving relatives including Mutsawashe Matizakurima, who was driving the two-tonne truck carrying 34 passengers and cement, narrated their ordeal.

“The brakes failed and the I struggled to control the vehicle as it sped down the hill making it,” he said.

“I tried to stop the truck but I failed after the break failure. I failed to negotiate a curve due to the speed of the vehicle.”

A survivor added; “We told the driver to reduce speed after we realised that there was an unusual smell due to breaks. He told us that the vehicle has lost brakes. What happened there after I don’t remember but I just woke up being injured.”

Added another; “The driver told us that the car had lost breaks and I took a decision to jump out of the car after sensing danger.

“I lost two brothers in the accident with two sisters including the driver’s wife.”

Some of the injured were admitted at Nyanga District Hospital, while others have been discharged.

“We received 22 patience and five bodies,” said Nyanga Acting District Medial Officer, Dr Hamish Mubata.

“We referred five critical patience to Victoria Chitepo provincial hospital. Seven were discharged at Regina Coeli Hospital. We have discharged 16 we are left with eight patients with four still in Mutare.”

Local legislator, Honourable Chido Sanyatwe and Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba welcomed the support that the family has received so far while also calling for the use of roadworthy vehicles.

“We thank the assistance we got from government to assist the bereaved families and the injured pull through this difficult situation,” said Cde Sanyatwe.

Dr Gwaradzimba added; “The other issue is the issues of vehicles conditions. The VID and police should continue inspecting the cars and carrying capacities.

“I met the driver who confirmed that the vehicle’s breaks failed and could not be controlled due to the load.

“There is a need for families not to travel in large numbers to avoid an incident were family members died in a single accident.”

Police and other stakeholders have on several occasions urged motorists to adhere to road safety guidelines to avoid loss of life.

A 28-YEAR-OLD man from Mpopoma suburb was stabbed to death in a bloody clash between rival gangs at a house party held in violation of lockdown regulations.

Bhekumuzi Nkomo was fatally stabbed between Saturday (10PM) and Sunday (1AM) as his family and police gave contradicting statements on the time when the crime could have been committed.

It is unclear why Nkomo was killed but the fight involved two rival gangs that were attending a birthday party in the same suburb on Saturday.

A blood-stained knife suspected to have been used to attack him was found 10 metres from his body.

His killer is yet to be arrested.

Nkomo’s younger brother Mr Mzimkhulu Nkomo told Chronicle on Monday that the fight started at about 10PM while they were at a party.

He said he does not know how the fight started but he joined in as he observed that a rival gang was assaulting his brother.-Chronicle

POLICE in Matabeleland North have launched a manhunt for a Binga man who allegedly fatally struck his ex-wife with an unknown sharp object before cutting off a finger which he disappeared with.

Matabeleland North police spokesperson Chief Inspector Siphiwe Makonese identified the suspect as Deny Mumpande (38) of Phukhoma 7 Chuzya Village under Chief Sinamagonde in Lusulu.

She said the murder took place last Friday when Mumpande stalked his ex-wife Ms Nolia Mudimba (33) after she had gone to fetch water from a nearby stream.

Mumpande allegedly could not stomach the fact that his wife had left him and went to stay with her parents.

The two had been living in separation for an undisclosed period.

“I can confirm that we received a report of a woman who was killed by her ex-husband in Lusulu. On 2 October at around 5pm the now deceased and Miss Believe Siamupa aged 18 were going home from the nearby Gungwe River where they had gone to fetch water. While on their way they met Mumpande who was carrying an unknown object which was wrapped in a sack,” said Chief Insp Makonese.

She said Mumpande asked the teenager to go as he wanted to talk to the now deceased.

“While Believe Siamupa was about 18 metres away she heard the now deceased screaming and asking for forgiveness from Mumpande. She also heard the sound of a falling bucket of water and an object hitting the now deceased,” said Chief Insp Makonese.

Miss Siamupa ran home and informed the deceased’s father Mr Charles Siamwele who teamed up with other villagers and proceeded to the scene of the attack.

They found the deceased lying on the ground facing downwards with two deep cuts on the head, another on the right hand and left knee.

A finger on her right hand was missing.

A report was made at ZRP Lusulu while the deceased’s body was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals in Bulawayo for post-mortem.-Chronicle

Brigadier-General Sambulo Ndlovu (Retired) has died.

He was 65.

Brig-Gen Ndlovu (Rtd), whose Chimurenga name was Stanley Hlayibeni, died yesterday at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals due to a Covid-19-related illness.

Zimbabwe National Army Commander Lieutenant-General Edzai Absalom Chanyuka Chimonyo confirmed the death.

Brig-Gen Ndlovu (Rtd) is survived by his wife Sarah and six children, three boys and three girls, Nguquko, Vezubule, Prince Majaha, Thobekile, Lindiwe and Sithulisiwe.

The ZNA said in a statement that funeral and burial arrangements will be carried out according to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on Covid-19.-The Herald

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance has described its victory in the Gwanda Mayoral election as a body blow to Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora’ s political formation.

According to MDC Alliance, the two are “working tirelessly to thwart the struggle for real change”

Read full statement below:

06 OCTOBER 2020

The insatiable appetite to bring Mdc Alliance to extinction hit a brick wall in Gwanda when the judicially-constructed Mdc-T suffered another heavy blow at the hands of our resolute Mdc Alliance Councillor, Njabulo Siziba who won the Mayoral position recently. We are quite conscious to the support that Zanupf is currently giving to Khupe and her cabal aimed to dismember our party by sponsoring internal divisions.

Despite the illegal Zanupf induced recalls by a despot in the making , Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora, Mdc Alliance Mayoral candidate snatched the mayorship of Gwanda. We salute our remaining loyal and resilient councillors who strongly defied Mdc-T directive to vote the Zanupf-backed mayoral candidate. As Mdc Alliance Namibia, we are resolutely behind our objective councillors who exhibited lack of greedy and phobia to be fired from the council. It is now apparent that the Mdc Alliance leaders are not in politics for money in antithesis with their erstwhile comrades who subscribe to politics of plunder and self-aggrandisement.

Moreover, the district would like to laud its councillors in Gwanda for vanguishing state-sponsored Mwonzora and cronies. Securing the Mayorship against all odds is a profound demonstration of the political prowess and popularity in the political dynamo, Mdc Alliance fronted by President Advocate Nelson Chamisa.

As we celebrate this gigantic victory, it is imperative to acknowledge the perfect work done by our organic and pragmatic Provincial leadership and our vibrant National Local Government Secretary Hon Zvidzai.

Furthermore, Mdc Alliance Namibia district is also cognisant of the fact that Mdc-T led by Khupe has been winning Zanupf-anchored court cases but dismally losing democratic elections such as the Harare Mayoral elections won by advocate Jacob Mafume of Mdc Alliance. Our support to the national democratic revolution shall perpetually multiply since we are dedicated to exploit all our organs to defend the people’s project. This Zanupf plan to block our President from participating in 2023 presidential elections will never suffice.

In a nutshell, Mdc Alliance Namibia jubilates when the struggle for socio-economic transformation triumphs. We shall remain absolutely dedicated and committed to the change that delivers engineered by none other than the political mountain, President Advocate Nelson Chamisa who amassed a record of 2.6 million votes in 2018.

Mdc Alliance Namibia
Rundu Branch Spokesperson
Robson Ruhanya

ZanupfMustGo

freetakudzwa

FreeJoana

freemaengahama

LootersMustGo

freemadzorere

liberateourtrsfrompoverty

FreeAllPoliticalPrisoners

Farai Dziva|President Chamisa has accused Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration of governing through fraud.

Those who are running the country are using fraudulent ways to suppress the will of the people, according to President Chamisa.

President Chamisa, quoted by NewsDay said:
“We have people who are in government out of a criminal conduct and fraud and they can only continue to be in government through fraud.

Their foundation and framework is fraudulent and we cannot allow that to continue…”

Farai Dziva|Key stakeholders are threatening to pull out of a clinic construction project in Gutu District, Masvingo Province, due to political interference, it has emerged.

Impeccable sources told ZimEye.com on Saturday, the construction of a clinic at Chitsa Business Centre has been stalled by political interference.

Key stakeholders are reportedly unhappy with the politicization of the project.

“Villagers were forced to chant Zanu PF slogans at stakeholders meeting last week.

This has angered those interested in funding the clinic construction project.

In actual fact the project has been grabbed by Zanu PF.

Zanu PF is already using the project as a campaign tool,” a government official told ZimEye.com.

A member of the clinic construction committee also revealed:
” The whole project has been grabbed by Zanu PF and decisions are being made at party level.”

A speeding vehicle with poor lights last week Thursday rammed into a Nissan Caravan killing some of the people who were behind it trying to help a trapped motorist who had been involved in an accident.

The accident was confirmed by Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Fidelis Dhewu who said two died on the spot, one on the way to the hospital while others were admitted at Mvurwi Hospital.

Police say Edward Makumbe (52) was driving a Mazda Bongo towards Mvurwi when he hit a cow and was trapped inside the vehicle.

Notice Makaza (34), who was driving a Nissan Caravan parked his vehicle to assist the trapped motorist. Assistant Inspector Dhewu added:

Jumbe Trymore (43), who was driving a truck with poor lights and was also speeding, failed to keep a proper lookout and hit the Nissan Caravan and as a result the three people who were behind the Nissan Caravan were knocked down.

Shamu and Kasaira died on the spot while Mvurumu, who had come from nearby houses to render assistance, died on the way to Mvurwi Hospital. Makaza is in a stable condition.

He added that Jumbe has since been charged with culpable homicide while the owner of the cow is charged under the Road and Traffic Regulations.

The accident happened around 6 pm along Guruve-Mvurwi Road.

Those involved in the accident were identified as Lilian Shamu, Tarisai Kasaira, Delight Mvurumu, Norman Makaza and Darlington Guvamombe.-The Herald

Three people who died in a road accident that occured along the Nyanga-Nyamaropa road at the weekend have been laid to rest at their family home in Kanyimo, Nyanga this morning.

The other two are expected to be buried tomorrow morning in Nyanga.

The five died when the truck they were travelling in, which was carrying more than 25 people, lost brakes and veered off the road at around 3am on Saturday.

Manicaland Provincial Development Coordinator Mr Edgars Seenza said the accident had been declared a disaster and Government was assisting in the burial of the deceased.

“Three of the deceased were buried in Kanyimo village this morning. Their bodies were ferried from Nyanga to their village last night. The other two will be buried in Nyanga tomorow in another village. Government is providing coffins and hearse for those who died and will also be taking care of the hospital fees for those who are in the hospital,” he said.

He said of those who had been injured, nine out of 17 who had been admitted at Nyanga District hospital had been discharged by last night while all those who had been admitted at Regina Coeli hospital had also been discharged. Five are still admitted at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutare.

Mr Seenza said the Minister of State for Manicaland Affairs and Devolution Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba would lead a delegation from the province to visit the injured today before meeting with families of the deceased in Nyanga later in the day.

According to witnesses, the truck was carrying members of the Matizakurima family who were going to their rural home for a tombstone unveiling ceremony when the accident occurred at the same spot where the Regina Coeli bus disaster occurred in 1991-The Herald

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has ordered the country’s security arms to decisively deal with ritual murderers and people who betray their country by engaging in criminal activities for money.

Addressing mourners at the burial of national hero Cde Ruphus Chigudu, who was interred at the sacred National Heroes Acre yesterday, the President said Zimbabweans should pluck a leaf from the illustrious generation of the country’s liberators who knew that guns were for the defence and protection of national interests and not for criminal deeds.

“Government is very concerned about growing cases of ritual murders of minors,” said President Mnangagwa. “Let me reiterate that all stakeholders in our criminal justice system should speedily and strongly deal with perpetrators so that this evil trend is expunged from our society.

“Equally worrisome are the growing cases of armed and violent crimes. We must draw lessons and inspiration from the late Brigadier General Chigudu whose profession was founded on use of firearms, who knew that guns are for the defence and protection of national interest, unlike others in our midst who turn up against their own nation, betray their own people for the love of money, engage in criminal activities due to lack of principle. I have ordered our security arms to deal with such misdeeds.”-Chronicle

ZIMBABWEAN midfielder, Marvelous Nakamba has stayed put at English Premier League club Aston Villa despite speculation linking him with a loan exit to Turkey.

With the transfer having closed in England on Monday, Nakamba remained at Villa where he is now expected to fight for a place in the starting lineup. In his team’s three league matches so far, Nakamba has started on the bench with Brazilian Douglas Luiz chosen ahead of him in the central midfield role. In the last two matches, Nakamba has replaced Luiz with a few minutes to go.

On Sunday, Nakamba was introduced as an 80th minute substitute for Luiz as Villa hammered defending champions Liverpool 7-2. Nakamba even had a shot on target taken with his left foot, which was smothered by Liverpool’s second choice goalkeeper, Spaniard Adrian who had a terrible time in goal for the Reds in place of the injured first choice Alisson Becker

The Zimbabwean started and played 90 minutes in Villa’s three matches in the Carabao Cup where they were booted out in the fourth round of the competition after a 1-0 defeat to Stoke City at Villa Park last Thursday.

Nakamba joined Villa on a five year deal from Club Brugge of Belgium in August last year, with the Claret and Blue said to have paid £11m for the Warriors star.

While Aston Villa manager Dean Smith said Nakamba fits the criteria of the type of player they were looking for when he joined, the defensive midfielder has struggled to command a place in starting lineup. The arrival of England midfielder Ross Barkly on loan from Chelsea has made life even more difficult for Nakamba who has to work extra hard for a place in Villa’s midfield.

Media Statement

SALARY NEGOTIATION FEEDBACK MEETING

To: Members of all the undersigned Unions/Associations

Ccc :Parents and Learners

We the undersigned teachers’ Unions wish to unequivocally state that the meeting that had been perceived to bring tangible results failed to bring such.

What the Honourable Minister Paul Mavhima did was to assure teachers that no one will be fired willy nilly from work as a result of incapacitation.

We managed to present successfully our position paper. The Minister promised to take our demands to cabinet for further discussion

There was no progress from the meeting at all.

Therefore we wish to state it clearly that members of the teaching fraternity remain incapacitated

To parents and learners we would like to advice them that it is risky to keep learners at a school environment where there are no teachers

Jointly Signed by
ARTUZ – Chere R
PTUZ – Zunde L
TUZ – Phiri R
ZDTU – Tasaranarwo F
ZIMTA – Sibanda N. T
ZINATU – Nyawo M
ZINEU – Chinosengwa C
ZRTU – Fambai F

Paul Nyathi

Watch this tuesday’s post cabinet meeting press briefing in the video downloading below: please be patient as the video downloads.

Paul Nyathi

The Foreign Exchange Auction Results of 6 October 2020 by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has seen the Zimbabwe Dollar gaining strength against the US$ by from 8.4439 the previous week to 8.13486.

The grand total of bids made at the auction was US$24 691 329 32.

THE State has indicated that it wants MDC Alliance MP Joanna Mamombe to spend four to six more weeks at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison while waiting for the release of the results of her mental examination.

Mamombe yesterday appeared before magistrate Bianca Makwande together with five other accused persons that include MDC Alliance youth leader Obey Sithole on charges of participating in an unsanctioned protest during the COVID-19 lockdown period.

The MDC Alliance legislator was committed to prison by magistrate Makwande for two weeks and she will be back in court on October 8, when the results are expected to be available.

But the State said Mamombe would not be out of prison on October 8 as was ordered by the court because results of the tests conducted on her would only be released after four to six weeks.

Prosecutor Michael Reza told the court that the accused were in court for trial, but it could not start because the government doctors had not availed the mental examination results for Mamombe.

Reza said the State was expecting the mental examination results in four to six weeks’ time and that is when they would provide a trial date.

The legislator’s lawyers Obey Shava and Gift Mtisi of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, however, put the State on notice that if they failed to resume trial by October 30, they would file for refusal of further remand.

But Reza said the trial would be guided by the availability of the results.

Mamombe was remanded in custody for mental examination after her lawyer submitted in court that she was not mentally fit to stand trial.

She was supposed to stand trial in a matter she is accused of faking abduction together with MDC Alliance members Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.

The trio was reportedly abducted in May and found dumped in rural Bindura after being sexually abused and tortured by suspected State security agents.

Makwande, however, postponed the matter to October 13 for a possible trial date.

Source – NewsDay

Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) leader has been sent back to prison following the High Court’s judgement to reserve his bail appeal ruling.

Ngadziore has been in prison since September facing a charge of participating in a gathering with the intent to promote public violence after he was allegedly caught addressing a press conference at OK Mart near Impala Car Rental premises.

High Court Judge, Justice Davison Foroma reserved Takudzwa Ngadziore’s bail saying the parties will be notified when he will be ready to hand down the judgment.

A few days before his second arrest, he had been granted bail for similar allegations after staging a demonstration at the troubled car rental company which was fingered in the abduction of Tawanda Muchehiwa in Bulawayo.

Paul Nyathi

VP CONSTANTINO Chiwenga condemned authorities at UBH for maintaining memorabilia plaques with colonial names, saying they should be removed and replaced with names of pioneer black doctors and nurses at the institution.

“I have seen some names which I think need to be removed and replaced with names of our heroes and heroines. We had our own heroines such as Queen Lozikeyi Dlodlo who was hanged from a tree at Masotsha Ndlovu Avenue,” she said.

“We have national heroes here such General Mtshana Khumalo. We need to preserve and regenerate our own history and those names should reflect the history of this region so that we educate the younger generation. Why not honour our first black doctors and nurses?”

A 20-YEAR-OLD illegal miner died after a shaft collapsed while he was searching for gold at a mine in Esigodini.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident which occurred on Monday at around 5PM at Alice Farm Compound in Esigodini. He said Nkosilathi Mkandla was in the company of two friends when he entered into a shaft at a disused mine.

“I can confirm that we recorded a fatal mine accident which occurred in Alice Farm Compound in Esigodini. Nkosilathi Mkandla was in the company of two others when they arrived at a disused mine shaft. He went down the shaft in search for gold samples while his peers remained outside.

“The shaft collapsed while he was inside and buried him. His friends dug him out but by the time they got to him he was already dead. The matter was reported to the police who attended the scene and Mkandla’s body was ferried to Esigodini District Hospital mortuary,” he said.

Chief Insp Ndebele urged members of the public to desist from engaging in illegal mining activities as by so doing they were endangering their lives. He also urged miners to stay away from disused or abandoned shafts as they were a life threat.

“Mining is a dangerous activity which requires people to follow the necessary rules and requirements. People must desist from engaging in illegal mining activities as they will be risking their lives. Disused or closed shafts should be left alone as they are a risk to human life. If shafts have been abandoned it means that experts realised that further operations in those shafts will endanger the lives of people. Those shafts would have also been ruled out as unsafe and that should be respected,” he said.