President Chamisa on Twitter :

The unlawful detention and sending to Chikurubi maximum prison of Youth leader and MP Hon Mamombe is another new low, a classic case of continuing victimization.

It is clear that the State which is implicated in this case can not deliver justice. We demand an INDEPENDENT INQUIRY!

This continued persecution of these emblems of change is a direct threat to democratic tenets and freedom. Oppressors fear the power of the future that the young women represent. We stand with the young & fearless. We fight for their right to dignity, freedom and justice.

The MDC trio represent what Zimbabwe could be if we made room for the NEW.They are women of courage and conviction.The trio and all young pple are the embodiment of a New Zimbabwe we can create in which young women can freely participate in political activity and nation building.

State Media

Eradication of poverty and increased education are among key factors in dealing with early sexual activity among adolescents, Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Constantino Chiwenga has said.

VP Chiwenga said this when he appeared before a joint sitting of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care and the Thematic Committee on HIV and Aids on adolescents’ access to sexual reproductive health services.

The Vice President said statistics showed that children, especially girls from vulnerable backgrounds were likely to engage in early sexual activities, enter into child marriages and have early pregnancies.

“As we are discussing, let me make it very clear that the minors aged 12 or 13 or even younger are having these problems. We are very aware,” he said.

“The issue of child sex workers we are aware and various strategies are being formulated to try and address that problem and it’s an issue which we should all look at.

“Fundamentally it is an issue of education, communication and eradication of poverty that is key. Once we look at the fundamentals, the causers we reduce these cases.”

He said the Ministry of Health and Child Care was in the process of amending the Public Health Act which would incorporate stakeholder views on improving adolescents access to sexual reproductive health services.

VP Chiwenga said the ministry was guided by the Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health Strategy 2016-2020 in responding to sexual reproductive health challenges faced by adolescents. He said the strategy offers guidelines on the provision of age appropriate sexual reproductive health services.

“The underlying principle of the strategy is in the provision of services that are in the best interests of the child given their presenting circumstances.

“The aim is to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with sexual reproductive health activities among adolescents and young people through; increasing safe sexual health and HIV practices; increasing uptake of quality youth friendly integrated sexual reproductive health and HIV services; strengthening the protective environment of adolescent and young people,” VP Chiwenga said.

Other strategies include provision of friendly sexual reproductive and health services as an entry point for expanding adolescent health, establishment and creation of community based spaces for parent-child communication on sexual and reproductive health, capacity building for both pre and in-services health workers to provide friendly and age appropriate sexual reproductive health services.

Prepaid electricity charges rose 50 percent on Wednesday, raising the monthly bill for most families, who buy the basic subsidised 200 units by almost $100 from $198 to $297.

In a notice yesterday, Zesa’s distribution arm ZETDC, said the first 50 units a month would now cost 74c each for a total of $37, the next 150 units were now charged at $1,62, the third band of 100 units were now $4,41 and everything over 300kWh a month is charged at $6,92 a unit.

On top of these charges consumers need to add six percent for the rural electrification levy. While the tariffs exclude VAT there is no VAT on household supplies and no fixed charges on domestic or commercial supplies.

To benefit from subsidised rates consumers need to make a single purchase of a token in any one month, all subsequent tokens being charged at the full rate of $6,92 a unit.

Thus a family wanting to buy just 50 units needs to pay $39,22 once the levy is included. For a 200 unit token, the charge is $296,80 and for a 300 unit token the charge is $764,26. Every additional 100 units will cost $733,52.

The notice reminded consumers that Zesa can review tariffs monthly in line with inflation.

The increases come amid concerns that delays in raising the electricity tariff to a level that reflects generation, import and distribution costs was likely to return Zesa to the days when it could not afford to buy coal, pay for imports, maintain its power stations or repair faults.

Maximum demand customers, the giant consumers such as major factories or mines, have been asked to use more energy during off peak periods. A maximum demand tariff charges on the maximum power demand used in any month, even if that is just for a fraction of a second. So these consumers pay for power, not energy. But there are complicated tariff formulas that kick in when one of these consumers has large peaks and troughs in their demand, and basically they have to pay for energy they do not use in off-peak periods.

This is to encourage them to reduce their maximum peak in a month by using less at peak periods and more in off-peak periods.

Last year, Government took a decision to implement a tariff indexation formula that would align Zesa tariffs to movements caused by inflation and the exchange rate.

The decision was aimed at obtaining cost reflectivity in the supply of electricity and maintenance of value of tariffs to ensure Zesa’s viability and sustainability.

Paul Nyathi

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has addressed the United Nations General Assembly giving out a rather unconvincing speech which sounded more of a local State of The Nation Address than an UNGA address.

In his address, Mnangagwa called for mutual respect among nations, genuine multilateralism buttressed by the much-needed reforms in the United Nations (UN) to achieve a peaceful and stable world.

As expected Mnangagwa called for the unconditional removal of the targeted sanctions imposed by the United States and some Western nations in the European Union (EU).

The President said the economic sanctions imposed on the country must be removed as they were stifling the country’s economic growth.

“There is no better way of achieving a peaceful and stable world than through mutual respect, genuine multilateralism buttressed by much needed reforms and respect for international law. Recommitting ourselves to these ideals will pave the way for the just world that we all yearn for.” President Mnangagwa raised concern at the lack of reform of the Security Council, which has hitherto excluded the voice of Africa and Africans. “It is now more than 15 years since the adoption of the Ezulwini Consensus, reaffirmed in the Sirte Declaration. It is deeply regrettable that reform of the Security Council and implementation of Africa’s position has not been achieved. We cannot continue with a situation where over 16 percent of the world’s population does not have a voice in decision making. This is a serious indictment to our avowed commitment to multilateralism and the basic principles of natural justice, fairness and equity.”

Watch Mnangagwa’s Full Address to the UN in the video downloading below:

State Media

CID director Commissioner Chrispen Charumbira was arrested yesterday on allegations of accepting protection money from drug and gold dealers to stop criminal investigations.

He was arrested by the Special Anti-Corruption Unit (Sacu) after seven of his junior officers alleged he had been interfering with their duties by protecting drug and gold dealers after accepting bundles of US dollars in protection money.

Comm Charumbira was picked up for questioning by Sacu officers in the morning before being taken to Morris Depot for further investigations and last night was detained at Rhodesville Police Station.

He is expected to appear in court tomorrow.

Sacu has apparently recorded statements from some of the junior officers who claim to have been transferred to outlying stations for defying Comm Charumbira’s orders to release arrested suspects.

Head of SACU, Mr Thabani Mpofu, said he was still checking for the details of the matter.

However, among the allegations is one dating from the days Comm Charumbira was CID co-ordinator for Harare.

According to the complaints, three detectives from CID Drugs and Narcotics arrested two Mufakose drug dealers, Norman Chabata and his brother Charles, after raiding their Mufakose home where they recovered 443g of dagga packed in sachets and bottles of BronCleer cough syrup.

While at the scene, it is alleged that they received a call from Comm Charumbira ordering them to release the two. Their immediate boss told them to instead follow the proper procedures and proceed with the investigations.

They were all later allegedly summoned by Comm Charumbira who informed them that their days at CID Drugs were numbered and should brace for transfers. The three compiled the dockets and saw the two tried with Charles Chabata given an eight-month jail term and Norman Chabata a US$100 fine by Harare Magistrates Court.

But the three detectives were transferred to CID Chiredzi, CID Lupane and CID Mount Darwin. After a complaint to CID Headquarters they were transferred back to CID Harare but understood they might still be sent to stations outside the city.

Another junior officer also alleged that between February 2016 and March 2016, he received information from a truck driver who suspected that a consignment he was carrying from Malawi might be dagga.

The driver was to meet with the recipients in the city and the junior officer teamed up with some of his colleagues and intercepted the consignment. The two sacks of mbanje were collected by two suspects who were arrested but were later acquitted by the courts.

Comm Charumbira is alleged to have also intervened when the two were arrested.

The junior officer told SACU that he was transferred from Harare to CID Hwange.

The latest arrest comes after the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) recently arrested some police officers and chief public prosecutor, Clement Chimbare, on allegations of abuse of office and bribery over their handling of the investigation into the illegal sale of stands in Kuwadzana in a US$1 million scam.

Some of them were deputy director for the police CID commercial crimes unit, Assistant Commissioner Obeylaw Moyo (47), Superintendent Naboth Nyachega, Detective Assistant Inspector Claudious Majonga (37) and Detective Constable Aaron Karuru (32).

It was alleged that they were paid off with housing stands for not arresting or not charging suspected kingpins in the scam.

State Media

Pupils will proceed to the next grade next year despite limited learning this year, Senators heard yesterday.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said preventing pupils from going to the next grade would clog their streams.

Minister Mutsvangwa, who is the new leader of Government business in Senate, said this during the Question and Answer session.

Mashonaland East traditional leader, Chief Nechombo had asked if pupils were going to proceed to the next grade.

Minister Mutsvangwa said while the Government came up with several initiatives such as online learning and radio lessons to mitigate the challenges admitted time was lost.

She said this was because some pupils did not have access to radio programmes and online learning.

“There are pupils that are also waiting behind. So if they do not proceed it will affect those pupils who were behind who should be coming on-board, so they will have to proceed to the next grade,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

Turning to the preparedness of the schools for reopening, Minister Mutsvangwa said Government had provided funding to ensure there were no hurdles.

“Government is concerned that teachers and students should be safe.

“That concern cannot just remain as a concern without the requisite budget to procure personal protective equipment. That is why we provided a budget for that,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

All school classes will reopen over the next six weeks in three phases.

A 63-year-old Chitungwiza man died on Saturday afternoon after he was assaulted by three touts along High Glen Road in Harare.

The touts allegedly wanted to force him to board their unregistered commuter omnibus.

Mr Anias Chiyangwa of Zengeza 1 was pronounced dead at Parktown Clinic in Waterfalls where he was taken by his relatives.

Mr Chiyangwa was walking near Mashwede service station when he was approached by the touts who were travelling in an unregistered Nissan Caravan.

The touts tried to force him to board their vehicle, but he resisted and they started assaulting him until he became unconscious.

According to a witness, one of the touts kicked him several times on the head and another on the chest, until some members of the public intervened.

The touts jumped into their vehicle and sped off.

Members of the public searched Chiyangwa’s pockets and found his mobile phone, which they used to inform one of his relatives who attended the scene.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident and appealed for information leading to the arrest of the suspects.-The Herald

The Rapid Results approach adopted by the Second Republic has contributed to tangible socio-economic transformation and realisation of development goals set out in the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP).

Preliminary assessment by Government has picked positive indicators on the effectiveness of the Rapid Results Approach and the 100-day target based programme in expediting implementation of projects.

The current trajectory has laid a firm foundation for the attainment of Vision 2030, whose objective is to ensure that the country becomes a middle income economy in nine years’ time.

With massive infrastructure development programmes underway countrywide including rehabilitation and upgrading of roads, construction of dams and drilling of boreholes among others, the delivery tools have been identified as key performance indicators.

Infrastructure development is expected to spur economic development.

Speaking during a monitoring and assessment tour of the TelOne Makuti-Chirundu Fibre Optic Link project and the containerised village information centre in Chirundu, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and Monitoring, Implementation of Government Programmes Dr Joram Gumbo expressed satisfaction with the implementation of Government programmes.

Government adopted the performance enhancement tools after realising that there were inadequacies in some sectors.

After touring several projects across the country, results have been encouraging.

“The adoption of the programme (100 Day target based programme) therefore reflects a pledge by Government to ensure speedy and efficient implementation of projects for the benefit of citizens.

“I am happy to report that results on the ground indicate that the Rapid Results Approach is producing positive results and contributing to the improvement of the livelihoods of our people,” said Dr Gumbo.

Government is in the process of compiling a publication on achievements under the 100-day cycle showcasing projects that were successfully implemented during the 2nd and 5th 100-Day Cycles-The Herald

A Murewa herd boy was on Thursday arrested by police in connection with the gruesome murder of Tapiwa Makore (7) from Makore Village under Chief Mangwende, in a suspected ritual killing.

Tafadzwa Shamba (40) is suspected to have connived with other suspects to ambush the victim who was looking after the family garden on September 17 in the morning.

The suspect, together with others still on the run, are said to have abducted the boy, shepherded him to a mountain and kept him for the whole day before brutally murdering and chopping off his head, arms and legs at night.

It is understood that one of the suspects from Juru Growth Point took away the head leaving the herd boy guarding the other body parts.

Police allege that Shamba had been promised US$1 500 when the Juru suspect had returned to pick up more body parts.-The Herald

Impala Car Rental has claimed police are investigating the abduction and torture of Tawanda Muchehiwa.

The company has also claimed it has nothing to do with the abdcuction of Muchehiwa.

Watch video below:

Farai Dziva|The trial of Councillor Godfrey Kurauone has been postponed because of the of the absence of the Prosecutor.

Councillor Kurauone is being charged with undermining the authority of the President.

“The trial was postponed because of the absence of the Prosecutor.

The trial has been postponed to October 26,” an MDC Alliance official told ZimEye.com.

The official added :
“The State papers were not readily available so trial was postponed.This shows how the whole process has been captured by Zanu PF.”

Former liberation stalwart and former war veterans leader, Rugare Gumbo has said for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to solve Zimbabwe’s problems, he must unite all people and be open to speaking to members of the opposition.

Speaking to the publication, Gumbo said:

The situation on the ground doesn’t seem to allow the continuation of the crises because people are now tired of all this. There must be a change in the attitude of those who are in power.

They must unite the people, as any failure to do that will mean that they will be digging their own political graves,He (Mnangagwa) must absolutely make sure that he unites Zimbabweans as he is the president. He has the power to sit down with all Zimbabweans.

Gumbo spoke at length about the need for oneness and even cited fellow liberation war hero Simon Muzenda and his quest for unity:

He must be able to contact his rivals and talk with them so that they can solve the current problems I was watching vaMuzenda’s (the late former Vice President Simon Muzenda’s) video, where he was encouraging unity among Zimbabweans.

Without unity, the future of Zimbabwe is bleak. It is going to be problematic for the ruling party to go into 2023 without uniting Zimbabweans. They are digging their own grave if they fail to talk to all political parties and unite all people to solve the country’s current crises,

He (Mnangagwa) must seriously rethink the future of the country and … the young generation. He must not think about himself and power, but the young generation that we have.What are they going to inherit? Are they going to inherit the violence and divided country? These are the kind of things the president must think about.

Gumbo also condemned people who prioritise power only and said the ruling party must either shape up or ship out:

If you think of power only without thinking about the life of the ordinary person you have a problem. The ruling party must shape up or ship out. Mnangagwa must be man enough and accept the challenges facing the country. If there is no unity, there will always be external and internal threats. You don’t need that. You need … to unite even with people who oppose your views so that you can bring stability in the country.

The ruling party must know that one doesn’t know what lies in the future. Change does occur and for anybody to think that he will remain in power for ever is not good. In Shona they say chinobhururuka chinomhara.

Hakuna chisingaperi (everything ends) and we say let’s not do that.

Everyone is a Zimbabwean. There is no Zimbabwe for Zanu PF or MDC … Zimbabwe is for everybody.

Meanwhile, another Zanu PF stalwart and a member of the politburo Tshinga Dube over the weekend echoed Rugare Gumbo’s sentiments and said the leaders have to first accept that they need help for the ANC to intervene and mediate in Zimbabwe. -Daily News

Farai Dziva|Fearless MDC Alliance vice chairperson Job ‘Wiwa’ has bemoaned the pathetic situation at Chikurubi Maximum Prison.

Addressing journalists at Chikurubi Maximum Prison on Wednesday, Sikhala said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration should consider the sad plight of civil servants.

“When I was arrested a civil servant’s salary was worth five road runners.Now it is even worse – a civil servant’s salary is worth three road runners.

This is totally unacceptable . Zimbabwe resembles Chikurubi Maximum Prison.I see Zimbabwe as another prison because people are suffering.

I want to assure you that Zimbabwe shall be free.They think they can silence us but that will never happen. I am ready to go to jail for speaking the truth.To me incarceration is a reward for confronting the wicked regime,” said Sikhala.

Farai Dziva|Fearless MDC Alliance vice chairperson Job ‘Wiwa’ has bemoaned the pathetic situation at Chikurubi Maximum Prison.

Addressing journalists at Chikurubi Maximum Prison on Wednesday, Sikhala said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration should consider the sad plight of civil servants.

“When I was arrested a civil servant’s salary was worth five road runners.Now it is even worse – a civil servant’s salary is worth three road runners.

This is totally unacceptable . Zimbabwe resembles Chikurubi Maximum Prison.I see Zimbabwe as another prison because people are suffering.

I want to assure you that Zimbabwe shall be free.They think they can silence us but that will never happen. I am ready to go to jail for speaking the truth.To me incarceration is a reward for confronting the wicked regime,” said Sikhala.

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance led by President Nelson Chamisa will on Saturday hold an e-rally to celebrate the Movement for Democratic Change’s 21st anniversary.

The e-rally will be held under the theme “Mobilizing and Fighting for a People’s Govt”.

“On Saturday 26 September 2020, the MDC Alliance will host an E-rally to celebrate 21 years since our cause was founded. Tune in to all our platforms. This year’s theme is “Mobilizing and Fighting for a People’s Govt”. #ZimbabweanLivesMatter,” the MDC Alliance tweeted.

A FILABUSI man fell to his death off a moving vehicle while a man from Gwanda died after a vehicle he was travelling in overturned in two separate incidences.

Matabeleland South acting provincial police spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena confirmed the two incidents.

She said in the first incident which occurred on Sunday, Nkosiyapha Nyoni (39) was seated in the loading box of a pick-up truck when he stood up to talk to the driver while the vehicle was in motion.

“I can confirm that we recorded two fatal road accidents. The first one occurred in Dekezi Business Centre in Filabusi. Mr Danisa Nyoni was driving a pick-up truck along the Filabusi-Avoca Road with nine passengers on board. When he got to Dekezi Business Centre one of the passengers who was in the loading box Nkosiyapha Nyoni stood up intending to talk to the driver.

“He fell off the vehicle and he was run over by the right rear wheel and he died on the spot after sustaining head injuries. The matter was reported to the police who attended the scene and Nyoni’s body was ferried to Filabusi District Hospital Mortuary,” she said.

Insp Mangena said in the second incident one person died while five others sustained injuries after a vehicle, they were travelling in overturned at Manama Business Centre-Chronicle

HARARE magistrate Mrs Bianca Makwande has ordered that MDC-Alliance member Joana Mamombe be examined by two neutral doctors while in the care of Harare Remand Prison authorities.

Mrs Makwande also stayed the trial proceedings in which Mamombe is facing allegations of faking her abduction, along with Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.

The court made the decision after the State applied that she be mentally examined under the Mental Health Act after her lawyers said she was not able to comprehend proceedings because of anxiety disorders.

In the interim, Prosecutor Michael Reza has applied that the matter be deferred to October 8, 2020.

ZIMBABWE’S active Covid-19 cases continue to decline with the country recording a further 28 recoveries on Wednesday.

According to statistics provided by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the country recorded 14 new cases and a single death bringing the total cases recorded in the country to 7 725 and 227 deaths.

“630 PCR tests were done today (Wednesday), positivity for today 2,2 percent. All 14 are local cases, the death was reported by Manicaland province. 28 total new recoveries were recorded, national recovery rate stands at 78 percent and active cases go down 1 491.

“As of 23 September 2020, Zimbabwe has now recorded 7 725 cases, 6 007 recoveries and 227 deaths,” reads part of the statistics.

Harare still remains the Covid-19 hotspot with 3 243 cases and 2006 recoveries.

You raise Zesa tariffs by 50%, Doves raises subs by over 350%, NSSA by 100% and then keep teachers' salaries stagnant, then say let's meet in class. @nickmangwana and @MthuliNcube get serious. Pay us USD520 now pic.twitter.com/McSZCdaewo

— PTUZ_Official (@ProgressiveOf) September 24, 2020

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A 19-year-old Marange teen, Talent Samupindi, has been slapped with an 18-year jail term following his conviction on two counts of stock theft.

The teenager who pleaded guilty to two counts of stock theft has been handed down the jail term by a Mutare court.

The teenager stole a total of 10 heifers from two complaints on different days and sold them in neighbouring villages.

He was apprehended after police was tipped off that he was selling heifers.

In a similar matter, Taona Adhonzi 36 and James Chitsiku, 46, were each sentenced to 9 years in jail for stock theft, by the Mutare court.

ZBC

Business Times

EMIRATES will resume flights between Dubai and Harare on October 1 with two weekly flights after Zimbabwe relaxed measures which had been imposed to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Emirates stopped flights to Harare on March 20 in response to global lockdowns to contain the spread of the virus.

“Emirates will operate to Harare with two weekly flights linked to its Lusaka service. The linked services will connect Zambia and Zimbabwe to key destinations across Europe, the Far East, the Americas, Australasia and West Asia with one convenient stop in Dubai,” the airline said.

Flights between Lusaka, Zambia and Dubai resumed on September 4.

Before it halted flights, one of the world’s leading airlines had daily flight to Harare since August 2012. The airline began flights to Harare since February 2012 with five weekly flights.

In a post Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said Cabinet received a report from Vice President and Health minister Constantino Chiwenga on his to take stock of preparedness of the airports and related infrastructure ahead of the resumption of the international flights on October 1.

“Cabinet noted with satisfaction that the three airports visited, namely the Robert Mugabe International, the J.M. Nkomo and Victoria Falls Airports as well as hotels are now ready to receive travellers in line with Covid-19 guidelines. The necessary guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures for travellers will be announced by the sector as the dates approach,” Mutsvangwa said.

Police have confirmed arresting a suspect in the murder of a seven-year-old Murewa boy Tapiwa Makore who was found with missing body parts.

According to the police, they recovered blood stained clothes worn by Shamba on the day he allegedly murdered the 7-year-old boy.

The police further noted that two other suspects involved in the Makore’s murder were still at large.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms that a suspect, Tafadzwa Shamba (40) has been arrested in connection with the murder of Tapiwa Makore (7) for ritual purposes. The other two suspects are currently on the run and police are looking for them.’

“It is alleged that Tafadzwa Shamba, a herd boy in the same village with the victim, worked with other suspects to waylay the victim at the garden. They took him to a mountain where they kept him for the whole day. They then killed him at night and one of the other suspects who is from Juru Growth Point took away the head/skull leaving the herd boy with the other body parts after promising to give him US$1 500 on coming back.

“The police has recovered the blood stained clothes worn by Tafadzwa Shamba on the day he committed the crime. No stone will be left unturned in order to account for the other suspects,” said Police.

State Media

Zupco has been appointed to co-ordinate urban public transport but does not have a monopoly since all transport operators can register with Zupco and provide services, Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo told Parliament yesterday.

Government had rationalised the urban transport system but any owner of a bus or kombi in urban areas could register with Zupco since the Government was not intending to exclude private operators.

Minister Moyo was responding to questions in the National Assembly from backbenchers who wanted to know why other operators were not allowed to provide urban public transport. They accused the Government of creating a monopoly for Zupco.

“We have rationalised the urban transport system. We have given an opportunity to everyone with a bus or kombi in the urban areas to come and register with Zupco. The choice of Zupco does not create a monopoly that excludes other operators. We are clear on what we want to achieve,” said Minister Moyo.

Responding to another question, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza said most long-distance bus operators were complying with the Government directives on how to provide inter-city services after Cabinet approved the resumption of these services.

Operators, including taxis, could resume operating subject to strict compliance to Covid-19 regulations.

Responding to another question, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister John Mangwiro said there was no need re-test those who tested positive to Covid-19 when they had no symptoms or when their condition was improving.

It had been established and agreed by scientists and the World Health Organisation that after eight or 10 days the virus causing Covid-19 would have died down thereby removing the need for a retest. He was responding to a question on why people were deemed as negative even without a retest.

“We know that after eight or 10 days the virus would have died down. It would therefore be futile to retest that person especially when he or she is showing signs of recovery or when there are no symptoms,” said Deputy Minister Mangwiro.

Government remained the major provider of testing for Covid-19 although it still allowed private facilities to test given the intensity of the pandemic. “In a pandemic like this you cannot stop a private facility from testing. But the Government provides about 80 percent of testing,” said Deputy Minister Mangwiro.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said all was on course for the reopening of schools. The necessary personal protective equipment was being mobilised on time for the reopening of schools.

Armed police opened fire on an unregistered speeding kombi yesterday killing one passenger and seriously injuring another near Juru along the Mutoko-Nyamapanda road.

Police have launched an investigation into the shooting.

The kombi was on its way to Bhora when it diverted through Glenwin suburb to avoid a tollgate, had an altercation with the owner of a boomgate in the suburb, sped off back to the tollgate when police were called, hit the boom at the tollgate, escaped on a road to Shamva, dumped the passengers including the injured, and drove off.

Police described the death and injury as sad and unfortunate saying they had launched a full-scale investigation into the matter. Police were still looking for the driver of the unregistered kombi last night.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the injured passenger was admitted in hospital while the name of the dead woman will be disclosed today.

“The ZRP is deeply saddened by the death of a woman and another passenger who were on board following the unfortunate shooting incident which happened this afternoon along the Mutoko-Nyamapanda Road.

“There was a kombi, which was travelling along the road going to Bhora with passengers on board. It then diverted route in an attempt to evade the tollgate by going through Glenwin suburb,” he said.

Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said the commuter omnibus reached a boom-gate at one of homes in the suburb, which was being manned by security guards, and the crew had an altercation with the guard, who then informed their employer.

“The owner of the house who installed a boom-gate in front of his house called police who reacted swiftly.

“Upon seeing the police, the kombi crew sped off with passengers on board resulting in a high speed chase towards the tollgate. Upon arrival at the tollgate, the driver of the kombi hit the boom-gate and did not stop. Along the way, police fired shots which unfortunately hit some passengers,” he said.

Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said upon reaching Juru Growth Point the kombi driver turned into a road leading to Shamva and then dumped the passengers including the woman who died and the other injured passenger.

“Commuter omnibus crew especially the drivers should abide by the law, the behaviour of some of them is deplorable,” said Assistant Commissioner Nyathi.

Business Times

MDC-T secretary general Douglas Mwonzora could be headed on a collision course with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Zanu PF after he said South Africa should play a mediatory role in pacifying Zimbabwe’s socio-economic crisis.

Mwonzora, who is currently one of the most senior opposition officials in Parliament, said Zimbabwe’s situation required assistance from outside.

His remarks contradict Mnangagwa’s assertion that there was no crisis and that Zimbabwe would not welcome South Africa to address her domestic affairs.

The southern African nation is battling rising inflation, critical shortages of medicines in public hospitals, high unemployment levels, hunger and political intolerance.

“There is no question that we have a crisis in this country. We have a crisis of the economy, we have a crisis of corruption, the social crisis—poverty and the crisis of contested legitimacy.

“Every time after elections, there is a contest on legitimacy and so on. We have a crisis that needs the help of our neighbours and we think that the coming in of South Africa is a very good initiative. It is part of the African diplomacy by a neighbour who is affected when something wrong happens in Zimbabwe,” Mwonzora said in an interview with Business Times.

“It is very regrettable that Mr. Chinamasa [Zanu PF acting spokesperson Patrick] says something like that. This is a neighbour who wants to help; this is a neighbour who is affected if something wrong happens here. Yes, Zimbabwe is not a province of South Africa but South Africa has played throughout history a positive role in Zimbabwe’s affairs.”

Pretoria played a crucial role in the mediation process that came after the contested 2008 presidential election runoff.

The negotiations led to the signing of the Global Political Agreement which gave birth to a coalition government which included Zanu PF and two MDC formations.

“We must thank them for being responsible neighbours; we must thank them for being concerned about what is happening in Zimbabwe.

To say that there is no crisis in Zimbabwe, that is very, very wrong because first of all the economy is not normal, we have unprecedented levels of poverty, we have debilitating corruption that is happening at local government level as well as national government level,” he said.

Mwonzora’s remarks tally with African National Congress chairperson of the International Affairs committee Lindiwe Zulu’s assertion that South Africa has every right to ask questions on the Zimbabwe crisis because the situation affects Pretoria too.

“I think we will stand by that statement (that there is a political crisis in Zimbabwe) until the situation has improved,” Zulu told Business Times last week.

“Let me also say that we must not be dragged into words, using those words at all. We must be able to first of all appreciate the situation because if the situation was happening in South Africa, we take it that Zanu PF would stand up and say hey ANC, you can’t afford to do the following things because they have a negative impact on us.” Zulu said this after the ANC had announced that it would soon engage with opposition parties, civic society organisations and the clergy as many look up to South Africa to assist resolving challenges in Zimbabwe.

Earlier on, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa sent envoys led by Sydney Mufamadi to meet with Mnangagwa over the prevailing political situation in the country.

However, South Africa overtures to the opposition have riled Mnangagwa and other hawkish Zanu PF officials who oppose the move saying Zimbabwe can resolve her domestic affairs.

Immediate past Botswana President Ian Khama has also waded into the crisis urging SADC to intervene.

“Forty years after independence in Zimbabwe the only thing that’s changed is the name of the country and leaders, in plain English, there’s a crisis in Zimbabwe, not just challenges and that’s why Zanu PF officials used the word crisis more than 40 times and Zimbabwean lives matter,” Khama said in a virtual meeting on Zimbabwe.

“I call upon Sadc to urgently convene a special summit on Zimbabwe. If they don’t do that they are culpable in the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe. I call on civic society organisations in other countries to get involved.”

After taking over from long-time ruler Robert Mugabe, Mnangagwa promised to tackle corruption in the public sector but his critics say his administration appears to have lost steam in this fight.

Mnangagwa has also clamped down on dissent leading to the arrest of opposition leaders and activists.

Commenting on the divisions within the main opposition party, Mwonzora said there has been an “ideological rupture” which he said would be fixed by the time Zimbabwe goes for the next elections in 2023.

“Former trade unionists went on one side then you have former student leaders and pro-capital people went on the other side.

This is an ideological rupture and that does not spell doom for opposition politics,” Mwonzora said.

“In 2005, the MDC split. It was split by Welshman Ncube as a result of very simple issues but it split nevertheless.

“But it 2008 posted its biggest win against Zanu PF since its formation in 1999—it won the presidential election, it won the Parliamentary election and it won almost all the local authority elections. The fact that there has been a problem in the opposition does not spell doom.”

HARARE magistrate Mrs Bianca Makwande has ordered that MDC-Alliance member Joana Mamombe be examined by two neutral doctors while in the care of Harare Remand Prison authorities.

Mrs Makwande also stayed the trial proceedings in which Mamombe is facing allegations of faking her abduction, along with Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.

The court made the decision after the State applied that she be mentally examined under the Mental Health Act after her lawyers said she was not able to comprehend proceedings because of anxiety disorders.

In the interim, Prosecutor Michael Reza has applied that the matter be deferred to October 8, 2020.

By A Correspondent- Transport minister Joel Biggie Matiza yesterday said government ordered a clampdown on vehicles without number plates after witnessing a spike in accidents involving unregistered vehicles.

Responding to questions in the National Assembly, Matiza also disclosed that vehicle number plates were being manufactured locally.

Binga North MP Prince Dubeko Sibanda had sought clarity over the impounding of vehicles without number plates.

Sibanda also demanded to know how the Transport ministry would deal with the chaos at the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) and Central Vehicle Registry (CVR) offices with motorists seeking to secure the number plates.

This was after it emerged that the CVR had run out of number plates, with motorists paying but only getting receipts, which were not recognised at police roadblocks.

“A study has been done by our institutions of higher learning and approved by Cabinet, where we will be coming up with superior number plates,” Matiza said.

“As we speak now, the production of number plates is done locally,” he said; but did not explain why motorists were being forced to pay for the number plates in foreign currency.

He said the reason why there was chaos in the issuance of number plates was due to the COVID-19 lockdown, whereby imported number plates arrived late due to transport problems.

“Secondly, disbursements of number plates started in July and we noticed that there were cars that were not registered and had no number plates. There was a spike in accidents related to vehicles without number plates and security became an issue. We had to intervene and ask the police to do what they did,” Matiza said.

He said after the clampdown, people started coming in large numbers to get number plates, thus crowding CVR and Zimra offices.

“We have increased the number of hours and decentralised the offices and as we speak, we have number plates which will last us up to the first week of November.”

But Sibanda said Matiza was misleading Parliament as currently there were no number plates at centres throughout the country.

He asked Matiza to explain why he reversed the position set two years ago, where motorists were allowed to use temporary number plates, adding that the congestion at Zimra and CVR offices was exposing people to COVID-19.

“On temporary number plates – this gesture was being abused,” Matiza said.

Meanwhile, Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe said the Central Registry had started issuing birth certificates after it had closed due to the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

“During the lockdown period we were not issuing birth certificates. We only issued burial orders, but we have partially reopened for services. We are starting with those children born when the lockdown started and then we will look at those born in September. People that want birth certificates are given numbers and dates to get them to avoid crowding,” Kazembe said.

By A Correspondent- One person was shot dead and another seriously injured in Harare yesterday as police pursued an unregistered commuter omnibus.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi last night confirmed the incident.

He said the victims were taken to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.

“What we have collected is that a kombi was coming to Harare from Murewa and went through Gletwin to avoid paying toll fees,” Nyathi said.

“Because the kombis avoiding the tollgate are becoming a menace, Gletwin residents have mounted some boom gates manned by guards. The driver of the kombi had an altercation with the guards at a boom gate. The kombi crew overpowered the guards and went past. The owner of the house where the boom gate is located rushed to pick up police officers and pursued the kombi, which went past the tollgate towards Murewa, with the police in pursuit.”

“The police fired warning shots, but he did not stop. The kombi finally stopped and dumped all the passengers. Unfortunately, one of the woman was shot in the shootout and died while a man was injured. They have been taken to Parirenyatwa. We shall give you more details when we get them.”

He condemned the behaviour of the kombi driver, who is still at large.

By A Correspondent Zanu-PF Chivi South legislator Killer Zivhu has made a passionate plea for his readmission into the ruling party.

Before his full readmission, the outspoken former MP had requested to be enrolled as a student at the Zanu-PF’s Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology.

The politician was fired from Zanu-PF on charges of misconduct after he wrote on his Twitter handle that for Zimbabwe’s challenges to end there was a need to push for dialogue between the first lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa, and MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa’s wife Sithokozile.

However, after his expulsion, Zivhu further infuriated some identified senior Zanu-PF Politburo members for pushing his fall after a US$1.5 million deal went sour.

Zivhu, a property developer, later made threats to expose corruption in the ruling party, but to-date, he has remained mum on the issue.This week, the politician admitted it was cold outside the ruling party and wrote to the principal of the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology begging for a chance to enrol at the indoctrination centre.

“I wish to be enrolled at the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology, I appreciate the role and function of this important institution in reorienting party cadres, teaching us the history of the party,” he said in the letter to the school’s director Munyaradzi Machacha.

“I further wish to express my sincere apologies to His Excellency, the President and first secretary of the party Cde ED (Emmerson) Mnangagwa and his two deputies (Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi), the entire party leadership and the Masvingo party leadership for the whole spectacle and bad publicity that happened to the party.”

Zivhu said he remained a loyal son of Zanu-PF and believes his enrolment at the school of ideology will further enrich his knowledge and understanding of the vision of the party.

Machacha is yet to respond to Zivhu.

Farai Dziva|Fearless MDC Alliance vice chairperson Job ‘Wiwa’ has bemoaned the pathetic situation at Chikurubi Maximum Prison.

Addressing journalists at Chikurubi Maximum Prison on Wednesday, Sikhala said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration should consider the sad plight of civil servants.

“When I was arrested a civil servant’s salary was worth five road runners.Now it is even worse – a civil servant’s salary is worth three road runners.

This is totally unacceptable . Zimbabwe resembles Chikurubi Maximum Prison.I see Zimbabwe as another prison because people are suffering.

I want to assure you that Zimbabwe shall be free.They think they can silence us but that will never happen. I am ready to go to jail for speaking the truth.To me incarceration is a reward for confronting the wicked regime,” said Sikhala.

By A Correspondent- Joanna Mamombe, Harare West MP has been placed under the care of a superintended at Harare Remand Prison effective today for 2 weeks to assess her mental problem to stand trial.

This was after her lawyers argued that Mamombe was not well and she could not stand trial after she failed to attend court last week.

Police officers had to “discharge” Mamombe from a local medical facility she was seeking medical attention from last week when a warrant for her arrest was issued.

Meanwhile, the state is alleging that Mamombe is not unwell as she was caught on CCTV shopping on 4 September the day she was reported to be unwell to stand trial.

This is a developing story we will update it as new details emerge.

Impala Car Rental has claimed police are investigating the abduction and torture of Tawanda Muchehiwa.

The company has also claimed it has nothing to do with the abdcuction of Muchehiwa.

Watch videos below:

https://youtu.be/uzH_M7iJ5hQ

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe is one huge Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, where people need to be freed from the yokes of dictatorship and gross human rights violations, opposition MDC Alliance vice-chairperson Job Sikhala said on his release from prison yesterday.

Sikhala was arrested last month after spending close to a month in hiding, fearing arrest for his alleged role in planning the foiled July 31 protests.

He was released on $50 000 bail after appealing to the High Court.

Sikhala said the conditions in which he lived in remand prison at Chikurubi were no better than those of an ordinary person outside the prisons.

“We must also believe that Chikurubi Maximum prison is a prison in which all Zimbabweans are confined in.

The conditions that are there in the prison are also the conditions that the people of Zimbabwe are experiencing.

I define Zimbabwe as a big Chikurubi Maximum Prison where the people are currently under incarceration and are also in prison because of the dictatorship that is in our country. We know that the civil liberties and rights of our people have been taken away.”

The fight for liberties and civil rights is something that is very fundamental. It is not criminal for us to say that we need a government that is accountable to the people that they are governing. We have seen how this country has been brought to where it is because of corruption and theft of public resources.”

By A Correspondent- ZACC’s chairperson, Justice Loice Matanda Moyo implored Parliament to enact legislation that ensures the recovery of assets from high profile individuals nabbed for corruption.

On Wednesday, the Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda revealed that the country had lost more than US$3 billion in illegal financial flows between 2015 and 2017.

Matanda-Moyo said:

It is the role of Parliament to ensure corruption prevention measures are in place, to promote transparency and accountability, the criminalisation of corruption and the recovery of assets and, therefore, this will require APNAC to influence Parliament to enact favourable laws to assist Zacc to recover all assets siphoned within and outside the borders of Zimbabwe.

She was speaking during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Parliament, Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) and the African Parliamentarians Network against Corruption (APNAC) where the organisations vowed to collaborate in fighting graft.

When President Emmerson Mnangagwa rose to power in 2017, he pledged to confront corruption “head-on” but observers say there is no concrete action to support the rhetoric as corruptio cases are also being reported within his inner circle.

The government has with immediate effect suspended the University of Zimbabwe’s Masters of Medicine and Masters of Obstetrics and Gynecology programmes and banned enrolled students from accessing public hospitals.

In a letter dated 23 September 2020, addressed to the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Dr Mutongoreni suggests the decision had been handed down from the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

Reads the letter:

SUBJECT: RE: SUSPENSION OF THE MASTER OF MEDICINE AND MASTER OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY CLASSES
Reference is made to the above subject. Following communication from the Ministry of Health and Child Care to the effect that Registrars’ enrolled for the University of Zimbabwe’s Masters of Medicine and Masters of Obstetrics and Gynecology programmes are no longer allowed to access public hospitals, the University has suspended dasses for the programmes with immediate effect. Be advised accordingly.

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ZimEye will be livestreaming a press conference by Impala Car Rentals this afternoon.

More details to follow……

By A Correspondent- Government has given commuter omnibuses the nod to start operating but they have to register with relevant authorities and also strictly comply with Covid-19 health guidelines.

The kombis among other public transporters excluding pirate taxis, can approach the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development for licences to start operating. Kombis had been banned from operating since the start of the national lockdown at the end of March except for those operating under Zupco.

Addressing journalists during a post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, Defence and War Veterans Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who is also the chairperson of the Ad Hoc Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on the Covid-19 said once kombis regularise their operations they will be allowed to start operating.

She said Cabinet took the decision after considering that Covid-19 cases were relatively declining in the country.

“Originally, every private operator who wanted to operate had to register with Zupco but we realise that Zupco also has some challenges. There are now new players in the economy hence the need to open up the transport sector especially the inter-city transport,” she said.

“Those that are legal including kombis, will be required to register with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development and comply with the rules and regulations.” Minister Kashiri said some kombis were not roadworthy and as such could not regularise their operations.

BREAKING- Opposition MDC Alliance Councillor Godfrey Kurauone's trial has been postponed to October 26. pic.twitter.com/RpC25TCAVl

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 24, 2020

Update on Godfrey Kurauone Trial- The State says its papers are not ready.

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 24, 2020

Kurauone is facing charges of undermining the authority of the President #ZimbabweansLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/sVgzSxeW6t

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 24, 2020

Latest on Godfrey Kurauone Trial- The PP is not available and the papers are locked in his office. The trial has been postponed to October 26… pic.twitter.com/KUpVVJUCZQ

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 24, 2020

https://twitter.com/ZimEye/status/1309069612462542848?s=20

VIDEO-

There were wild celebrations in Chitungwiza’s St Marys when the MDC Alliance vice chairperson Job Sikhala arrived back home from Chikurubi maximum prison where he had been detained since his arrest on the 21st of August on charges of inciting public violence.

WATCH VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

BREAKING- Opposition MDC Alliance Councillor Godfrey Kurauone's trial has been postponed to October 26. pic.twitter.com/RpC25TCAVl

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 24, 2020

BREAKING- Opposition MDC Alliance Councillor Godfrey Kurauone's trial has been postponed to October 26. pic.twitter.com/RpC25TCAVl

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 24, 2020

By Wezhira Munya| MDC Alliance National youth organiser and Masvingo urban ward 4 councillor Godfrey Kuraone and human rights activist Mr Mthombeni will appear before Masvingo Magistrate Patience Mandondo today.

The court starts at 9am.

The state alleges that, the two undermined President Mnangagwa.

However, the two accused are denying this charge.

Human Rights lawyer Advocate Martin Mureri said, “Yes, today councillor Godfrey Kuraone and Mr Mtombeni will appear before Masvingo Magistrate Patience Mandondo today.”

Two weeks ago, councillor Godfrey Kuraone was acquitted on the other offence.

He was acquitted after spending 42 days in cold Masvingo Remand Prison.

Councillor Godfrey Kuraone was deprived of his liberty for a record of 42 days. He was treated like Chidhumo and Masendeke. He came to court in leg irons, handcuffed and was gaurded by heavily armed prison officials.

His relatives , friends and MDC Alliance party members were denied entrance into court room to hear his court proceedings.

Kimberely Tariro Mamhende a political analyst said, “ZANU PF is persecuting and prosecuting opposition leaders using lawfare to imprison political prisoners such as Masvingo councillor Godfrey Kuraone, MDC Alliance National vice chairperson honourable Jacob Sikhala, renowned journalist Hopewell Chin’ono , opposition party President Mr Jacob Ngarivhume among others.”

In addition, renowned legal expert Advocate Alex Magaisa said, “Zanu PF led government is using judiciary system to persecute its opponents. This is lawfare.”

MDC Alliance President advocate Nelson Chamisa described Godfrey Kuraone, Honourable Jacob Sikhala, President Ngarivhume and journalist Hopewell Chin’ono as “new set of political prisoners under ED administration.” He further called for government to stop arresting opposition leaders.

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Vice President Constantino Chiwenga says society and christians will attack the current the government for allowing pregnant girls back into school but added that they are taking a human rights approach.

Watch the live video for more….

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Join us in thanking Kossam Ncube of @ZLHRLawyers who today ended the detention of Blessed Changara&Barnabas Gura by getting them released on RTGS$5 000 bail by Justice Ndewere. pic.twitter.com/go0AVNMkf7

— ZLHR (@ZLHRLawyers) September 24, 2020

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Open letter by Patrick Zhuwao to ANC SG on request for ANC intervention
Comrade Ace Magashule, Secretary General of the African National Congress

Luthuli House, 54 Pixley Ka Isaka Seme St, Johannesburg, 2001

Wednesday 23rd September 2020

I write to categorically state and place on record that I do not wish nor intend to re-join ZANU  PF. I have taken the rather unusual move to write this open letter in light of public statements made by ZANU PF’s Patrick Chinamasa on Monday 21st September 2020
https://youtu.be/PjRIFn5qHRc.

Chinamasa claimed that you told ZANU PF’s Obert Mpofu that I, together with Cdes Saviour Kasukuwere and Dr Walter Mzembi, requested the ANC to intercede on our behalf to facilitate our re-joining ZANU PF.

It is so wrong to even imagine that I would be so foolish as to wish to re-join ZANU PF, which has lost all semblance of being a liberation movement and which has placed stability in the region at risk.

As indicated in my covering letter to the request for intervention written by Professor Jonathan Moyo and myself on 5th July 2020, I am concerned about how “ZANU PF is imploding and placing the security of liberation movements in Southern Africa at risk”. Professor Moyo and I trace the multiple crises in Zimbabwe to the unconstitutional takeover of state and governance institutions by the military in November 2017.

The request that Professor Moyo and I made for the ANC to intervene is consistent with President Mugabe’s request to President Mbeki in August 2017 on the back of the ANC’s desire, at that time, to understand the succession issue in Zimbabwe.

President Mugabe requested President Mbeki to persuade General Chiwenga to desist from
involving himself in civilian politics. Unfortunately, the military’s insistence on anointing
Mnangagwa has culminated in the current crisis in the country, with the military now fighting to contain what is increasingly being referred to as Mnangagwa’s Korokokoza faction.

Recently, the military brazenly carried out two audacious operations against one of Mnangagwa’s closest allies in his Korokoza faction, State Security Minister Owen Mudha Ncube;
https://twitter.com/ProfJNMoyo/status/1308418146735403011?s=03.

This same tactic was used to intimidate President Mugabe’s preferred successor, Dr Sidney Sekeremayi in June 2017 in favour of Mnangagwa. The military anointment of Mnangagwa has been an extreme disaster.

The military continues to use ZANU PF as cover for its involvement in civilian politics. It is
therefore totally untenable for any right-thinking person to ever want to re-join ZANU PF and continue to be used as, according to General Chiwenga’s lexicon, mbato; the blacksmith’s glove which is used to handle hot metal.

Can you please allow me Comrade SG to thank you most heartily for your sterling effort in the face of ZANU PF intransigence and humbly request you to express our gratitude to the ANC leadership for positively considering the plight of Zimbabweans and intervening appropriately.

Yours sincerely

Comrade Patrick Zhuwao

Former ZANU PF Politburo Member and Minister of Labour, Public Service and Social Welfare

A Gweru prophetess, arrested for allegedly sexually molesting a female member of her church, bribed the complainant with US$16 and made several EcoCash transactions to buy her silence, the court heard.

Juliet Masakanire (29), the founder and pastor of Pray Deliverance and Testimony Ministries International, is alleged to have sexually molested a 32-year-old member of her church.

Masakanire appeared before Gweru regional magistrate Mrs Phathekile Msipa facing aggravated indecent assault charges.

She pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded to today for continuation of trial.

Masakanire is out on $1 000 bail.

The complainant told the court that Masakanire whom she referred to as prophetess, sucked her breasts while putting her fingers in her privates on three different occasions.

The complainant said the two were staying together and shared the same bed.

“She used to give me money every time she abused me. She gave me US$10, US$6, R50 and transferred varying amounts to my account via EcoCash. She said I should do what she wanted if I entertained any thoughts of getting married,” said the complainant.

She said the accused told her to seed something so that she could get a husband and she surrendered her smartphone.

The complainant said she later demanded her smartphone back after realising that the accused was lying and it was given to her.

In her defence, Masakanire said the complainant and her allies wanted to defame her in order to destroy her church.

“I was giving her money for groceries and other things since we stayed together. She is framing me because they want to destroy me and my church,” she said.

Mr Talent Tadenyika is representing the State.

-State Media

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Government has given commuter omnibuses the nod to start operating but they have to register with relevant authorities and also strictly comply with Covid-19 health guidelines.

The kombis among other public transporters excluding pirate taxis, can approach the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development for licences to start operating.

Kombis had been banned from operating since the start of the national lockdown at the end of March except for those operating under Zupco.

Addressing journalists during a post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, Defence and War Veterans Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who is also the chairperson of the Ad Hoc Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on the Covid-19 said once kombis regularise their operations they will be allowed to start operating.

She said Cabinet took the decision after considering that Covid-19 cases were relatively declining in the country.

“Originally, every private operator who wanted to operate had to register with Zupco but we realise that Zupco also has some challenges. There are now new players in the economy hence the need to open up the transport sector especially the inter-city transport,” she said.

“Those that are legal including kombis, will be required to register with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development and comply with the rules and regulations.”

Minister Kashiri said some kombis were not roadworthy and as such could not regularise their operations.

She said Government is prepared to listen to genuine kombi operators but will not tolerate pirate taxis commonly known as mshikashika.

Kombi operators in Bulawayo welcomed the Government’s decision to allow them to resume operations.

Tshova Mubaiwa managing and marketing director Mr Ndabazabo Mabunda said they have started processes to ensure that they comply with Covid-19 regulations.

Mr Mabunda said they already have a rank where vehicles would be disinfected and does not believe they will have challenges meeting Government’s regulations.

“We will be engaging the relevant ministries to ensure that we don’t fall short of the requirements. We want to commend Government for allowing us to start operating. This will bring relief not to us as operators but also commuters who have been experiencing transport challenges,” said Mr Mabunda.

He said the ban on public transporters gave them time to introspect and listen to the public’s views on where they should improve.

“Although our service as Tshova Mubaiwa is second to none in Bulawayo, we have heard concerns about abuse of clients especially by conductors. We will be conducting refresher courses for our drivers and customer management courses for our conductors. But I believe that the lockdown has even opened eyes for the conductors who now should appreciate that the customer is a king,” he said.

Bulawayo United Public Transporters’ Association (Bupta) spokesperson Mr Keeper Ndlovu, said he could not comment on the matter as they were still engaged in meetings discussing how they would start operating.

In the past Government, commended the Bupta for being the most organised in the country.

According to the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) transport policy, all kombi owners have to belong to an association.

The policy enables council to approach the association when players start operating illegally and can be easily traceable in case they commit offences.

-State Media

A Harare teenager was last week raped by a man who enticed her through social media to come for a modelling audition, with police worried about the increase in criminal use of social network sites.

The suspect, aged 25, has since been arrested and will appear in court soon.

It is alleged that the 19-year-old came into contact with her assailant on Facebook, where she was duped into believing that he wanted models who would appear on his branded designer hats.

The teenager agreed to meet him at his “offices” in Waterfalls, but once there was told the only way she would get the job was after they became intimate.

She was then allegedly raped.

She reported the case to the police, leading to the arrest of the suspect.

National police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi warned people against trusting strangers they meet online.

This is not the first time that rapists have lured teenagers and women through online contacts.

In December last year, flirting on social media turned violent for a Harare woman who was raped by her “online boyfriend”.

The two knew each other through social media and they chatted until they agreed to meet in Harare.

The first meeting resulted in the man raping the woman (29).

The victim met the suspect along Samora Machel Avenue, Harare, for the first time and the two drove to a house where the complainant was later raped.

The victim became the second in a month after another 18-year-old woman from Masvingo was raped under similar circumstances at a Harare lodge.

The Masvingo woman reportedly travelled to Harare to meet her social media male friend, who tricked her into entering a lodge, where she was raped.

He claimed the lodge was his parents’ house and vanished after the assault.