VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

Last year @edmnangagwa gloried using an axe against people and this week he has complained over the murder of 7 year old Tapiwa Makore | IS HE SINCERE? pic.twitter.com/Yt7iUNxJs7

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 26, 2020

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has expressed concern over the recent reports of the gruesome murder of children in the country.

He speaks after a suspected killer of a 7-year-old Murewa boy has been arrested while his two accomplices are still at large.

Ongoing investigations have also suggested that many cases of children murder could be going unreported after the head of a different boy was discovered during the process.
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While addressing junior cabinet in a virtual meeting in Harare, President Mnangagwa urged stakeholders to quicken investigations to bring perpetrators to book. He said:

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My government is gravely concerned with the threats to the well-being of children and youths emanating from various forms of abuse. We continue to take several measures to give effect to commitments to end violence against children.

I am disturbed by the loss of life by young children as a result of heinous and evil actions for rituals and witchcraft purposes. These cold-hearted acts of murderers have no place in our country.

The stakeholders in our criminal justice system must speedily and strongly deal with perpetrators so that this evil trend is expunged from our society.

During the address, the president also said that the government had “put in place concrete interventions” through the ministries of primary and secondary education and also, higher and tertiary education innovation science and technology development to ensure that learners return to safe and hygienic schools or college environments.

This is however contrary to reports by teachers’ representative organisations who claim that schools are not prepared for reopening soon.

Schools are scheduled to reopen on the 28th of this month after they were prematurely closed in March following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

By Victor Maphosa- A friend had just dropped me off near Westgate Shopping Centre on the outskirts of Harare around 7pm on Thursday from where I intended to catch lifts to Gwebi College to visit my brother.

There were about 20 other commuters at the long-distance bus stop. I joined in the flagging down of lifts. Soon, a Chirundu-bound haulage truck crawled, huffed, puffed and screeched to a rattling halt. The air brakes puffed the last when the truck had already stopped.

Touts stampeded to get permission to load passengers into the truck, amid a waft of dust that we could only smell and not see, it being dark.

In the shadow of the silhouette rear brake lights, a blue Honda Fit appeared on tow and it stopped, looking for passengers too.

A tall lady who was going to Chinhoyi jumped into the back seat first, followed by another man and then yours truly.

“Tiri kuenda kuChinhoyi muface wangu,” (We are going to Chinhoyi my friend) said the driver after he stopped inches from where I was standing.

“Ndiri kuda kusara pa Gwebi and how much is it?” I said.Before boarding, I struggled to open the door, and the driver urged me to exert more pressure and it finally opened.

My sixth sense gave a warning, “This door is hard to open, what if this car belongs to robbers, will I be able to open it from inside, and oh, I did not check the number plates of this car?”

I quickly brushed that aside. We passed a police checkpoint in Mt Hampden.

About 5km from the check point, the driver started speeding. Well, I do not have a problem with speed. All I wanted was to be at my destination and come back as early as possible.

In the blink of an eye, one of the passengers seated in front slid back into his seat so that it blocked my view and immobilised my legs. In an instant, he produced a long shiny knife which he poised inches away from the left side of my chest.

He screamed, “Makwira mota yematsotsi, musatitarise, tsikitsirai musoro pasi, failure to do that tinokuurayai mose. Tiri kuda zvese zvamunazvo mafoni nemari. (You have boarded robbers’ car… surrender all you have or we will kill you).

“Driver, give me that spray, let me punish this man who seems to be defiant. If you try any tricks, we will not hesitate to kill you.”It happened so fast that there was no time or any chance to resist.

With his right hand firmly holding the knife, his left hand was busy in my pockets. I lost my two mobile phones, US$110 and $400 and my beautiful wrist watch. Yes, it is very beautiful.

At the other side of the vehicle, one of the men seated at the right side of the back seat, grabbed the tall lady by the neck and took her mobile phone and a handbag which I later learnt had her bank cards, driver’s licence and national identification card.

When all this was happening, we were pleading with the criminals not to kill us. I politely asked for my other documents and one of the criminals handed me back my ID, my Press card and bank cards plus US$1 to get transport back to town.

It happened in less than five minutes, we were cleaned of our belongings.They kept on threatening to kill us.

After robbing us, they drove off the main road to the left, passed a railway level crossing and turned right and then left again and drove for 400 metres before making a U-turn.

The one who was holding a knife at my chest disembarked and went to open the boot.We could not see what he was doing there.

After a minute, he came back and opened my door while pointing the knife at me. I made my final prayer, or my only prayer.

“Lord, I know I have not been communicating with you for a long time. This is my prayer today, if I am to die, I commit my spirit in your hands, forgive me of all my trespasses, Amen.”

I could hear the woman next to me saying her prayers also.The criminals ordered me out and forced me to kneel, with the knife now on the back of my neck.

I closed my eyes, waiting to feel the cold piercing knife slicing my neck.Instantly, the driver raved about the car and my-would-be executor jumped in and they drove off at high speed, with the woman inside.

My captor shouted to me, “Don’t you dare raise your head or else…” In defiance, I raised my head anticipating to see the number plates, but it was not visible. Some tape was stuck on the plate making the numbers invisible.

They drove for about 200 metres and shoved the woman out and drove off again at high speed. She screamed, wailed and cursed.

“They were now debating on whether to rape me or not. One of the criminals said they should let me go,” she said while shaking.

We found our way back to the main road and a Good Samaritan gave us a lift and left us at a police station at Westgate Shopping Centre where we were attended to by the police.

One of the cops assisted us with his mobile phone and airtime to call our relatives and inform them of our predicament.

Our police officers deserve a thumbs up, they are professionals. Thank you Westgate police post team.

It all started after my article had been cleared by the News Editor and I asked to be excused since I had a personal chore which I needed to do.I told my boss that I wanted to go to Gwebi and he said it was a bit late for that if I was not using my own vehicle.

“Victor, you like travelling in the evening, even during the night, that is very risky, robbers are everywhere,” he advised.

I asked him if I could use his car, well he told me to wait for a few minutes since he was still doing something, but I did not have those few minutes to wait, so as soon as he briefly left his desk, I eluded him.

I did not want him to see me, surely he was going to stop me. Well, I failed to listen to his advice and lost all my personal belongings

By A Correspondent- Independent Member of Parliament for Norton constituency Temba Mliswa accused ZACC of being captured by Billy Rautenbach as the anti-graft has failed to act on grand corruption surrounding the Aspindale land scandal which has a potential to leave 30000 people homeless.

“Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and Special –Anti Corruption Unit (SACU) has been captured by Billy” Said Temba Mliswa.

The agitated Mliswa went on to allege that  the Minister of Local Government July Moyo, Minister of State Oliver Chidawu and Matanga from Zimbabwe Republic police for working in cahoots with Billy Rotenberg to evict genuine land owners  and cause social unrest in  Aspindale.

“How can we have confidence in a system where the people who are supposed to investigate corruption are part of it” added Mliswa.

The in-action by ZACC on the Aspindale land saga has raised more questions than answers among residents as available evidence in the public domain point out that cooperatives are the legitimate owners of the land.

Mliswa accused Billy Rautenbach for using fraudulent titled deeds in the name of Marimba Properties, a company that is non –existent at the Registrar of Companies.

CHRA calls upon ZACC to act on the Aspindale land saga as it has a potential to water down its work on acting against graft.

By A Correspondent- There are growing concerns that Zimbabwe’s worsening economic situation could lead to the collapse of the education system and a spike in school dropouts after most schools exorbitantly hiked fees, with some demanding between $25 000 and $40 000 for the two months the pupils will be in school starting Monday.

Public schools reopen for examination classes on Monday after being forced to close in March this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other classes will reopen in two phases, with the last group on November 9. But parents with children attending Chishawasha Mission Primary School, Moleli, Matopo, Gokomere, Dadaya and Prince Edward among others have raised alarm after the school authorities charged upwards of US$341 for examination classes that will be attending lessons for the two months before writing their exams.

In a newsletter to the parents, Chishawasha Mission Primary School also requested parents to provide the school with 20kg bags of mealie-meal, 5kg rice, 5kg machine washing powder, 1-litre floor polish, 12 bath soaps among several demands per pupil.

In addition to the demands, Chishawasha demanded parents to pay a revised fee of US$341 and $19 800 before opening day.

“Following parents’ meeting which was held on September 16, 2020 at Our Lady of the Wayside in Mount Pleasant, it was agreed that the option of groceries be adopted at a revised fee of US$341 plus groceries. It was also agreed that the sum of US$100 be paid in full hard currency and the balance is optional to be paid in RTGS or US dollars,” the newsletter read.

But parents, who requested anonymity for fear victimisation of their children, felt that the school authorities were “robbing” them, saying one pupil could not exhaust a 20kg bag of mealie-meal and that the several demands were way above other schools across the country.

“Look what they are demanding for a Grade 7 pupil as compared to other schools. The fees and other demands are way out of the parents’ reach,” one parent said.

Chishawasha school secretary, who declined to be named, said: “I cannot respond to the allegations. I am only the secretary of the school. The person who can respond to you is the principal and is not around you can try other times.” The principal could not be reached for comment.

Parents at Eaglesvale junior and senior schools have also written to Primary and Secondary Education minister Cain Mathema protesting over the exorbitant school fees, arguing the school was fleecing them of their hard-earned cash.

The parents said the school was rating US$1 to $95 despite the official Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe foreign currency auction system rate. They said the school fees were currently pegged at US$1 000 for primary school up to Form 4 on both online and examination classes, while A-Level students are being asked to pay US$1 100.

“If you do not pay, online lessons are not optional and are being forced on parents. If you did not pay, the school sends threats to your email that your child should transfer. They also need to justify paying US$1 000 online because parents feel it’s too high, even in formal class,” the parents wrote.

The parents also complained that they were forced to pay US dollars at the school office and not into the school bank account, thereby risking falling prey to armed robbers. The school’s financial controller, one Mukoko, referred NewsDay Weekender to the school head, whose mobile phone number was not reachable.

Another parent who requested anonymity said other schools like Moleli High had proposed $39 000 to be paid for all the examination classes, Dadaya proposed $38 450 and Matopo High proposed $25 800 plus US$50, while Mutendi High School in Masvingo was demanding about $32 000 or US$320.

Gokomere pegged its fees at $29 000. Day schools like Prince Edward in Harare have also reportedly hiked their fees to around US$350 or the equivalent in Zimdollars. However, Primary and Secondary Education deputy minister Edgar Moyo called on the schools to stick to government guidelines when increasing or coming up with new fees structures. He said it was illegal for schools to use an exchange rate for US dollars which was different from the one pre-scribed by the RBZ auction system.

“Our position as government in terms of school fees increase is that the school development committee sits and comes up with an agreement on the rightful fees agreed by both parties,” Moyo said.

“They then write a recommendation to the permanent secretary of the ministry for approval. The receipts of the previous fee and the proposed new fees must be tied together for the permanent secretary to assess if it is worth approving.”

He added: “It is illegal for schools to use their exchange rate which is different from the official rate allowed by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. I want to reiterate that education must not be commercialised and it must not be a barrier to our children.”

Several schools have been plunged into turmoil with debates rising on the appropriate fees to charge for examination classes.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has expressed concern over the recent reports of the gruesome murder of children in the country.

He speaks after a suspected killer of a 7-year-old Murewa boy has been arrested while his two accomplices are still at large.

Ongoing investigations have also suggested that many cases of children murder could be going unreported after the head of a different boy was discovered during the process.

My government is gravely concerned with the threats to the well-being of children and youths emanating from various forms of abuse. We continue to take several measures to give effect to commitments to end violence against children.

I am disturbed by the loss of life by young children as a result of heinous and evil actions for rituals and witchcraft purposes. These cold-hearted acts of murderers have no place in our country.

The stakeholders in our criminal justice system must speedily and strongly deal with perpetrators so that this evil trend is expunged from our society.

During the address, the president also said that the government had “put in place concrete interventions” through the ministries of primary and secondary education and also, higher and tertiary education innovation science and technology development to ensure that learners return to safe and hygienic schools or college environments.

This is however contrary to reports by teachers’ representative organisations who claim that schools are not prepared for reopening soon.

Schools are scheduled to reopen on the 28th of this month after they were prematurely closed in March following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

“…..Similarly, it is my administrations’ decisiveness in entrenching constitutionalism, democracy and rule of law including the protection of property rights. The commitment of my government to these cardinal rules remains unwavering.” said President Emmerson Mnangagwa to the UN

watch the full speech by Mnangagwa on the link below…..

DR MNANGAGWA https://t.co/AjpuvvAuQp

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 26, 2020

DR MNANGAGWA https://t.co/AjpuvvAuQp

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 26, 2020

MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has urged Zimbabweans to pray for jailed MDC MP Joana Mamombe and other political prisoners who are languishing in prison.

In a  Twitter post on Saturday, Chamisa said:

“Fellow citizens, Let us stand with our incarcerated Last Maengahama,Tunga Madzokere, @JoanaMamombe & @ngadziore currently in jail on account of politics and dictatorship. I kindly exhort you to pray for all the political prisoners. Happy Sabbath to you!”

Joana Mamombe was recently ordered by Judge Bianca Makwande to be evaluated by government doctors to ensure that she can stand trial in October.

DR MNANGAGWA https://t.co/AjpuvvAuQp

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 26, 2020

Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday called for the lifting of “illegal economic sanctions” imposed by the West on his nation, and appealed to the United Nations to help bring an end to them, saying they are seriously affecting the country’s development.

In a pre-recorded speech delivered virtually to the 75th United Nations General Assembly, Mnangagwa said like other nations, COVID-19 has had an adverse effect on Zimbabwe, which have been compounded by the sanctions.

Mnangagwa said his country has registered “notable achievements” toward reaching the SDG, as far as improving the lives of its citizens.

Sticking to his government’s position that there is no crisis in the country, despite the outcry by human rights groups, Mnangagwa told the General Assembly that Zimbabwe is respecting the constitution and the rule of law.

He also said Zimbabwe is respecting property rights, referring to the government’s recent pledge to compensate white farmers stripped of their land, $US3.5 billion.

DR MNANGAGWA https://t.co/AjpuvvAuQp

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 26, 2020

President Nelson Chamisa has called for an independent inquiry on the abduction, torture of MDC Alliance youth leaders @JoanaMamombe, @CeciliaChimbiri and @NetsaiMarova . Do you think Zimbabwe's listening president @edmnangagwa will LISTEN?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 26, 2020

By A Correspondent- Two armed robbers allegedly pounced at a Beitbridge businesswoman’s home and robbed her of property and cash worth R30 000 as well as a vehicle worth US$2 500.

This was heard by magistrate Maphios Moyo on Tuesday when Petious Ndou (26) and Decent Mbedzi (19), both from the border town, appeared in court charged with armed robbery.

Both denied the charges and were remanded in custody to September 28 for trial.

Prosecutor Munyonga Kuvarega told the court that the complainant in the matter was Shuman Nguluve (30), who runs a tuckshop at her house.

It is the State case that on August 28 at 9pm, the two, together with accomplices still at large, stormed Nguluve’s house while wearing face masks and armed with two pistols and okapi knives.

Kuvarega told the court that the gang then fired three shots directed at the sitting room door and pushed the door open before proceeding to Nguluve’s bedroom where they further fired two shots into the roof, demanding money.

Out of fear, Nguluve gave them R15 000 before they began assaulting her with clinched fists, demanding more.

When she failed, they allegedly demanded the keys of her Honda Fit before stealing other property such as mobile phones, laptops and shoes.

They drove away with their loot in her Honda Fit.

Nguluve reported the matter to the police, who recovered two rounds of live ammunition and 13 by 9mm spent cartridges at the scene.

Police tracked the vehicle’s tyre marks and recovered it dumped about 15km away.

Further investigations led to the arrest of the two.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance (MDC-A) president Nelson Chamisa has demanded an independent inquiry into the alleged abduction and torture of Harare West MP Joanna Mamombe and party activists Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova by suspected State agents earlier this year.

Chamisa made the remarks after Deputy Chief Magistrate Bianca Makwande jailed Mamombe at the country’s notorious Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison even though she was granted bail by the High Court.

The MDC-A leader argued that the State cannot be trusted to deliver justice for the three MDC-A activists since it was implicated in their alleged abduction and torture. Said Chamisa:

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 and fearless. We fight for their right to dignity, freedom and justice.

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

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has since filed an urgent application with the High Court seeking the immediate release of Mamombe from prison.

By A Correspondent- Opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has said he will today use his second e-rally to tell the nation that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime is stoppable despite its show of invincible power and heavy crackdown on dissenting voices.

The charismatic youthful leader, who has not made a public address since the passing on of his mother a couple of months ago, takes to the podium today to articulate the way forward for the opposition movement that, apart from being rocked by internal fights, is also under siege from Mnangagwa administration.

The address also comes at a time when the country is facing its worst economic downturn in a decade with majority citizens yearning for better days.

Chamisa’s spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda yesterday said the main opposition leader was aware of the challenges faced by his supporters and would today provide the way forward.

He said Chamisa will rally citizens to confront Mnangagwa’s regime headon in order to influence change in the country.

“The president will tell the people that the ball is now in our court as a nation,” Sibanda said.

“He will say that no one will save us, we have a duty to save ourselves, he will remind the people that this is their once proud country and that we can build this country and never have to live in fear of anyone ever again.”

He added:

“He will tell the people that it is not the army that is the enemy of the people, it is not the police, but the political elite who are abusing the army.

“He will say that no one is safe from the ferret force, both in the country or in the region and that the army or the police are not protecting the people who are killing us off, but that we have failed to protect our army from the regime.”

Sibanda further pointed out that Chamisa was aware of government’s plans arranged soon after the 2018 elections to destroy his party and brand altogether, but he would assure the nation that the plot will fail.

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has filed an urgent application with the High Court seeking the immediate release of Joana Mamombe from Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison.

Mamombe was sent to prison for a mental examination on Thursday by Deputy Chief Magistrate Bianca Makwande. The ZLHR said in a statement:

We are concerned about the situation of  Joana Mamombe and our lawyers have filed an urgent application at High Court seeking an order for her release from Chikurubi Prison where she has been detained since Thursday.

Mamombe, alongside fellow MDC Alliance activists, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova were allegedly abducted in April this year soon after staging a flash demonstration in Warren Park suburb, Harare.

They were reportedly tortured and sexually abused and dumped in Bindura. Soon after their release from abduction, the visibly injured and traumatised women were arrested by police and charged with faking their abductions.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Senior Hospital Doctors Association (SHDA) has called for the restoration of the rule of law in the health sector after the government abruptly introduced new rules which now make it difficult for doctors to leave the country.

In the Twitter thread below, the SHDA clarifies issues around Certificates of Good Standing (CGS) which have traditionally been granted to doctors when they leave for greener pastures:

A Certificate of Good Standing (CGS) is a document issued by a professional body to a sister professional body as clearance for a colleague with no hanging disciplinary issues regarding patient care and relations with colleagues. MDPCZ [Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe] plays the role in Zimbabwe.

The new council members are waiting to be inaugurated by the minister of MOHCC who is said to be too busy with other matters for now and therefore they have not yet even convened a meeting. They, therefore, have not officially made any amendments to any rules.

The changes that are purportedly being done at the MDPCZ are actually not being done by the council. It is all coming from an office at the Min of Health whose certainty is undisputed. These changes are null and void as only superficial scrutiny of the law has been done on it.

The CGS is never issued by a government anywhere in the world. The minister only administers the act that governs the operations of the professional body. Professional bodies are therefore independent bodies that practice in autonomy. CGS is never denied over labour issues.

The MDPCZ determines which doctor gets a Certificate of Good Standing (CGS) and any unilateral changes to it are a blatant disregard to the rule of law. The MOHCC has trampled on the Health Professions Act while attempting to solve a labour dispute with doctors.

Doctors are asking for PPE, medicines and sundries, and a review of their wages which are now so low that many cannot afford to come to work. Instead of providing solutions, the Govt has decided to throw away the books of the laws of the land.

Sister medical organizations intending to accept visiting or relocating doctors from Zimbabwe have been depending on the CGS. The registering authority has been invaded and until this issue is resolved the system has been poisoned to block migration.

The safe way to get a CGS devoid of political influence is to get two senior doctors signatures as has always been in Zimbabwe. Outside of that, reference letters from senior doctors of repute should be enough. The rule of law must be restored.-twitter

President Nelson Chamisa has called for an independent inquiry on the abduction, torture of MDC Alliance youth leaders @JoanaMamombe, @CeciliaChimbiri and @NetsaiMarova . Do you think Zimbabwe's listening president @edmnangagwa will LISTEN?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 26, 2020

MDC Alliance (MDC-A) president Nelson Chamisa has demanded an independent inquiry into the alleged abduction and torture of Harare West MP Joanna Mamombe and party activists Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova by suspected State agents earlier this year.

Chamisa made the remarks after Deputy Chief Magistrate Bianca Makwande jailed Mamombe at the country’s notorious Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison even though she was granted bail by the High Court.

The MDC-A leader argued that the State cannot be trusted to deliver justice for the three MDC-A activists since it was implicated in their alleged abduction and torture. Said Chamisa:

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 and fearless. We fight for their right to dignity, freedom and justice.

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

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has since filed an urgent application with the High Court seeking the immediate release of Mamombe from prison.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson, George Charamba, has told teachers to leave their profession and join other government departments if they are not happy with their salaries.

Charamba said this in response to the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union (ARTUZ), which had lamented the paltry monthly salaries of teachers which they said are less than the daily allowances for other civil servants.

In a post on Twitter, ARTUZ said:

A government official working under the drought relief program earns a daily allowance which surpasses a teacher’s monthly salary.

In response, Charamba told the teachers to try lateral transfer, which occurs when an employee moves from one position to another position at the same pay grade within an organisation.

He wrote:

In Government, there is something called lateral transfer; it’s perfectly legal. Try that!

This comes amid revelations that government officials who are working under the drought relief programme are earning US$5 for breakfast, US$10 for lunch, US$15 for dinner, and US$30 for unapproved bed and breakfast per day.

Fellow citizens, Let us stand with our incarcerated Last Maengahama,Tunga Madzokere @JoanaMamombe & @ngadziore currently in jail on account of politics and dictatorship. I kindly exhort you to pray for all the political prisoners. Happy Sabbath to you!#ZimbabweanLivesMatter

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) September 26, 2020

By A Correspondent- The Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) has announced that its graduation to be held on October 2 will be virtual and that proceedings will be live-streamed on ZTV and on the CUT Facebook page.

In a statement, CUT said only selected graduands will be formally invited to attend the physical proceedings in line with measures put in place to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The statement read:

The rest of the graduands will graduate virtually in the comfort of their homes with their families.

The Seventh-day Adventist-run Solusi University has also announced that its graduation ceremony will be held online.

This comes when many academic institutions the world over have been forced to postpone exams or resort to online graduations due to the threat posed by SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus which causes the respiratory disease called COVID-19.-statemedia

State Media

The High Court has thrown out Goromonzi farmer Mr Martin Grobbler’s bid to stop his eviction from Buena Vista Farm and told him to stop abusing the court.

Mr Grobbler has been trying to block the new owner Ms Ivy Rupande from occupying the property.

Ms Rupande had won several court orders against Mr Grobbler right from the magistrates, High and Supreme Courts, but all her efforts were being scuttled by the white farmer on the pretext of using the courts to seek justice in the dispute.

In the latest case, Mr Grobbler had approached the court seeking to stop the eviction on the grounds there was an application seeking to reinstate his appeal, which was struck off the roll at the Supreme Court.

But after hearing submissions from all parties yesterday Justice Joseph Mafusire threw out the urgent application by Mr Grobbler for lack of merit.

He also blamed his lawyers for showing lack of seriousness in prosecuting their appeals and applications, which has seen their cases suffering still birth at the Supreme Court.

The judge said he could not even understand why Mr Grobbler was coming to court requesting to be allowed to return to the farm, when all he has “are some dubious documents suggesting they have the right to the farm”.

Justice Mafusire found that Mr Grobbler and his co-applicant Protea Valley were properly evicted from the land on the basis of a court order plus a writ of ejection, which was lawfully issued by the Sheriff in circumstances in which there was no appeal pending at the Supreme Court.

The judge also accepted Ms Rupande’s contention that the applicants were using the court process to deny her access to the farm, when she had got several judgments in her favour.

The judge also ruled that even if the applicants’ appeal against the decisions given in the lower court, they have no prospects of success on appeal.

Through his lawyer Advocate Wilbert Mandinde instructed by Mugiya, Macharaga and Associates, Mr Grobbler told the court that he had a prima facie right to be at the farm saying the court processes instituted suspended the action taken against him by Ms Rupande.

In this particular case, it was Mr Grobbler’s contention that he had not received any notice to vacate the farm hence the eviction was unlawful.

Ms Rupande, a self-actor, successfully argued that Mr Grobbler’s application was procedurally flawed and substantively without merit and asked the court to dismiss it.

She argued that the action was premised on a lawful process derived from the judgment granted in her favour to evict Mr Grobbler.

“The so-called urgency is self-created and the court must decline to aid an illegality committed by the applicants when they continued to occupy gazetted land without authority,” she argued.

Mr Target Shumba assisted by Mr Nigel Muchinguri of the Attorney General’s office argued the matter for the Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement.

In his submissions Mr Shumba supported Ms Rupande, saying that she was the rightful owner of the farm in question by virtue of a valid offer letter.

He said Mr Grobbler did not have an offer letter to be on the farm. He urged the court to dismiss the application saying Mr Grobbler was abusing the court process in deliberate attempt to frustrate Ms Rupande’s move onto the farm.

Ms Rupande was allocated the land in 2003 at the height of the Land Reform Programme, but faced resistance from Mr Grobbler.

The farm had been acquired by the State and gazetted for redistribution under the Land Reform Programme.

State Media

Brigadier-General Ruphus Chigudu has died.

He was 64.

Brig-Gen Chigudu, whose Chimurenga name was Promise Chombo, died on Thursday September 24 at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.

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

Brig-Gen Chigudu is survived by his wife Vimbai and three children, two boys and a girl, Kudzai Matthew, Lenin Munashe and Chido Beauty.

Mourners are gathered at number 1137 Takura Road Houghton Park, Harare.

Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

State Media

SOLUSI University has continued pioneering digital innovations in the country with online graduation for its 24th edition which will see over 300 graduands follow proceedings from the institution’s Facebook and YouTube pages.

In August, Solusi successfully conducted its examinations online, while other universities around the country were looking at reopening campuses for final year students whose exams were disrupted after Government tightened lockdown restrictions.

The development will also save graduands from transport, hosting of two invited guests, lunch and other costly activities that come with a graduation ceremony.

Following the outbreak of Covid-19, many academic institutions the world over have been forced to postpone exams or resort to online graduations which often lack the prestige and passion of a real ceremony.

In an interview, Solusi public relations manager Ms Sihle Nyathi said graduands will be expected to wear their gowns while attending the ceremony.

“All graduands have been invited to attend the online graduation and it is our hope that they will be able to do so as we did not want students to wait until after there is no Covid-19 to graduate. If they are unable to do so this weekend, the graduation will be available on our social media pages and can be viewed when they are able to do so,” she said.

“Online graduation is an advantage because students need their certificates so that they can move on with their lives because some students desire to pursue further studies and some need to seek employment. In the past there were restrictions in terms of invitees because of space but now given that we will be streaming they will be able to view with all their friends and family members,” said Ms Dube.

She added that Solusi had accepted the reality that people now live in a socially mediated world and urged students to be positive as the ceremony will precede the collection of certificates and transcripts.

“The theme is ‘skilled hands and a cultivated mind’; this means that our graduates have been skilled and cultivated. They have acquired knowledge that will enable them to provide solutions that will help in national and international development. They will not have a physical graduation but they have the knowledge that has been acquired in the course of their studies.”

Chinhoyi University of Technology has also announced that its graduation to be held on October 2 will be virtual and that proceedings will be live streamed on ZTV and on the CUT Facebook page.

In a statement, the institution said only selected graduands will be formally invited to attend the physical proceedings as a measure in line with Covid-19 regulations.

“The rest of the graduands will graduate virtually in the comfort of their homes with their families. Proceedings will be live streamed on ZTV and CUT Facebook page. Graduands who are graduating virtually will follow proceedings in their gowns and respond to announcements as shall be beamed on the stated platforms,” read the statement.

The United States thorough its Embassy in Harare has expressed doubts at President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s commitment to promote human rights in the country

This comes after Mnangagwa told the UN General Assembly, that he is committed to democracy, constitutionalism and promotion of human rights in the country.

Addressing the UN General Assembly during the week Mnangagwa said:

“My administration is decisive in entrenching constitutionalism, democracy and rule of law, including the protection of property rights. The commitment of my government to these cardinal principles remains unwavering,”

However, the US government says he should walk the talk, and match his words to the UN with action on the ground.

In a Tweeter post on Friday, the US Embassy in Harare said the America goverment is watching Mnangagwa closely to see commitment to his statement.

During his speech to the UN General Assembly President Mnangagwa restated his commitment to fostering democracy, human rights and rule of law. We are listening and watching for action. pic.twitter.com/aCJV5OrJJb

— U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe (@USEmbZim) September 25, 2020

The Embassy said if Mnangagwa was sincere in his UN address, he should consider dropping criminal charges against MDC Alliance MP Joanna Mamombe, jailed for two weeks to allow state doctors to examine and assess her mental health status before she stands trial in court.

Allowing @JoanaMamombe to receive the healthcare she needs and dropping the case against her would show Zimbabwe's words match its actions. pic.twitter.com/9SAdP50pGu

— U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe (@USEmbZim) September 25, 2020

State Media

Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director, Commissioner Chrispen Charumbira who was arrested on Thursday for allegedly accepting bribes from drug and gold dealers to stop criminal investigations, is likely to face more charges when he appears in court today, after four more junior officers from Mutare lodged complaints against him with the Special Anti-Corruption Unit (SACU).

Charumbira was arrested by SACU on Thursday after seven of his junior officers alleged he had been interfering with their duties by protecting drug and gold dealers after allegedly accepting bribes.

He is assisting with investigations at Rhodesville Police Station pending his court appearance.

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

Four more junior officers from the Manicaland Provincial Specialised Crack Unit arrived in the capital yesterday to have their statements recorded.

The quartet said sometime in April this year, they teamed up and went to house number 10 Blesbok, Murambi, Mutare where a suspected gold dealer identified as David Crosby resides. The team was acting on information that Crosby was illegally dealing in Gold.

When they arrived at the house, they identified themselves to the occupants of the house through an intercom before asking to be allowed into the premises to conduct searches as they had a warrant issued at Mutare Magistrates Court.

The occupants reportedly denied them entry saying they wanted confirmation from Police General Headquarters (PGHQ) on whether or not they were real police officers.

Allegations are that Charumbira was contacted by the house occupants and told them not to comply with the officers who left without conducting their duties.

Investigations so far reveal that, among other allegations he is facing, is one dating from the days Charumbira was CID co-ordinator for Harare.

Another complaint states that three detectives from CID Drugs and Narcotics in Harare recently arrested two Mufakose drug dealers, Norman Chabata and his brother Charles, after raiding their home where they recovered dagga packed in sachets and bottles of BronCleer cough syrup.

While at the scene, Charumbira reportedly called and ordered the officers to release the pair. Their immediate boss however told them to follow proper procedures and proceed with investigations.

They were all later allegedly summoned by Charumbira who informed them that their days at CID Drugs were numbered. Later, they were transferred to CID Chiredzi, CID Lupane and CID Mount Darwin.

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 could be dagga. The driver was to meet with the recipients in the city and the junior officer teamed up with his colleagues and intercepted the consignment.

Two sacks of mbanje were collected by two suspects who were arrested but were later acquitted by the courts. Charumbira is alleged to have also interfered with investigations when the two were arrested.

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

Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) Coronavirus update: 25 September 2020

New cases: 35

Locals – 16

Returnees – 18
Deaths: 0

Recoveries: 14

PCR Tests Done: 667
National Recovery Rate: 78%
Active Cases: 1 503

Total Cumulative Cases: 7 787

Total Recoveries: 6 057

Total Deaths: 227

State Media

Civil servants and Government pensioners will continue to get their tax-free US dollar Covid-19 allowances until December.

The allowances, of US$75 a month for civil servants and US$30 a month for retired civil servants, were introduced in June as a temporary measure for three months to last month.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima announced the extension during a virtual Junior Cabinet meeting yesterday when responding to concerns raised by the Junior Cabinet that more should be done to improve the welfare of Government employees.

“There are currently negotiations taking place in the various forums and I am hoping that sooner rather than later the Government side and the workers would agree on a cost of living adjustment.”

The Minister noted that the President had put in a 50 percent increment and the US dollar allowances to help civil servants as interim relief while negotiations on a wage settlement were in progress.

Prof Mavima confirmed that the extension also applied to pensioners in an interview after the meeting.

The allowances were as an interim measure to help civil servants and Government pensioners cope with “transitory economic challenges being currently experienced in the country, which have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic”.

Soon after the introduction of the allowances, the exchange rate stabilised as a result of the foreign currency auctions and prices stabilised soon afterwards. The minister urged civil servants to be realistic with their demands.

“I have met with the members of the APEX Council and I have urged them to be realistic in their demands otherwise we will go back to the instability that was there before,” he added.

Paul Nyathi

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Ambassador Cain Mathema has said that no school will be allowed to increase school fees without his approval.

This comes after schools have been urged to be considerate in their proposals for new fees ahead of the reopening of schools from Monday.

“Schools know the procedure. They have either a school development committee or boards of governors that should have a meeting with parents first, and the ministry would like to see the minutes.

“No school will increase fees without me or the permanent secretary knowing.”

Many public schools are charging around $30 000 for boarding, while day schools are looking at pegging levies from $1 000 to $7 000, depending on level and type of school.

Levies for boarding schools range from $21 000 to $35 000, levies for day primary from $1 000 to $3 000 and levies for day secondary from $3 000 to $7 000.

National Association of Secondary Heads president Mr Arthur Maphosa told state media that while there was a strong case for schools to increase fees to remain viable, the hikes should be reasonable.

“The biggest challenge is that the increase in fees is not at par with the increase in most parents’ salaries,” said Mr Maphosa. “It is, however, difficult to come up with a blanket figure because the increases will depend on the size of the school but like I said, we need to be sensitive to the plight of parents.

“There is a process that is followed when increasing fees,” said Mr Maphosa.

Heads were told to present budgets to parents to justify the charges, and a number of schools have already submitted applications and should receive authority from provincial education directors soon.

Paul Nyathi

President Mnangagwa who himself is accused of several politically motivated murders and abductions yesterday condemned the killing of children for ritual purposes, saying the Government was concerned with all forms of threats and abuse to children and vowed to end violence against them.

The condemnation comes in the wake of the murder of a seven-year-old Murehwa boy, Tapiwa Makore, last week for ritual purposes, allegedly by a herder.

While it is noble for Mnangagwa to condemn the killings of innocent children the President himself has a history of killing which taints his otherwise noble call. Zimbabweans have through the years called on Mnangagwa to speak to the murders attributed to his authority and call for an end to the wanton killing of citizens for political purposes as he has done on the killing of children for ritual purposes.

“I am disturbed by the loss of young children as a result of heinous and evil actions for rituals and witchcraft purposes. These cold-hearted acts of murder have no place in our country.

“The stakeholders in our criminal justice system must speedily and strongly deal with perpetrators so that this evil trend is expunged from our society,” said Mnangagwa during a virtual Junior Cabinet meeting at State House on Friday.

While Mnangagwa was Minister of State for National Security, the 5th Brigade of the Zimbabwe National Army killed thousands of civilians in the Matabeleland region. These massacres, known as the Gukurahundi, lasted from 1983 to 1987, and resulted in an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 deaths.

More recently military officials – many behind his rise to power – have been accused of benefiting from the rich Marange diamond fields in eastern Zimbabwe, with reports of killings and human rights abuses there.

His ruthlessness, which it could be argued he learnt from his Rhodesian torturers, is said to have been seen again in 2008 when he reportedly masterminded Zanu-PF’s response to former President late Robert Mugabe losing the first round of the presidential election to long-time rival the late Morgan Tsvangirai.

The military and state security organisations unleashed a campaign of violence against opposition supporters, leaving hundreds dead and forcing thousands from their homes. Tsvangirai then pulled out of the second round and Mugabe was re-elected in a one man race.

On August 1 2018, the Zimbabwean army shot at protestors killing at least twelve and injuring many others. The government of Mnangagwa again denied involvement. A commission headed by Mohlante found the army responsible for the killings. The commission made recommendations and all were ignored by Mnangagwa’s military government. None of the recommendations were carried out.

In January 2019, more protestors were killed by the same army in cold blood. Scores of women were raped, some in front family members. A brazen Mnangagwa, would later demand to see graves of those killed and the women raped should come to him that he can believe that such atrocities took place at the hands of the army he directs. Many Zimbabweans were shocked and hurt by such reckless statements from a heartless president.

Additional reporting News Agencies

State Media

Tapiwa Makore was looking forward to resuming classes on November 9, and rejoining his peers at Nyamutumbu Primary School in Murehwa after a six-month hiatus.

Like millions of other pupils across the country, particularly his Grade One fellows, he was raring to go as the phased reopening of schools, which comes into effect on Monday, puts an end to their daily routine of playing house, horseplay and hopscotch, in-between errands as may be assigned by their parents.

The seven-year-old Tapiwa was his parents’ gift from God as was reflected in his name. With school lessons temporarily shelved owing to Covid-19, the bubbly boy, like the gift he was, often helped out his mother in tending to their vegetable garden.

In the morning of Thursday September 17, as she has always done, Tapiwa’s mother prepared food for him and set him off on the excursion to keep stray livestock away from their vegetable patch.

She and her husband were set to relieve him later in the afternoon.

However, fate had decided otherwise. It was set in the stars that they would never see their beloved son alive again, neither were they to bury him intact.

Unbeknown to them, the Makore family had set in motion a chain of events that would leave the serene community of Makore Village in Chief Mangwende’s domain of Murehwa District, dumbfounded, distressed and in deep mourning as a dark cloud of both grief and fear engulfed them.

Tapiwa’s story reads like a horror movie where death is traded with such abandon that the grisly ceases to be abnormal with the Grim Reaper, in his dark shrouds, hooded robe and scythe daring the living as they dare each other.

Bereft of words, the community fretfully tries to come to terms with what could have befallen their child; for in African societies, a child belongs to all. No one knows what he went through, and how the Grim Reaper tore through his fragile heart to “reap” his soul. All else pointed to ritual murder.

When Tapiwa’s parents got to the garden around 3pm, where they expected to see him as usual, they were confronted by his “last meal”, untouched, and his pair of shoes. Their boy was nowhere to be seen.

The parents’ enquiries on the whereabouts of their cherished son from other children, who were also keeping watch over their gardens revealed that Tapiwa had last been seen swimming in a pond close-by.

A visit to the pond, however, did not yield any result. Suddenly an air of fear filled them as they alerted other villagers of the missing boy, resulting in an immediate search of the area.

Nonetheless, the search, which was immediately conducted into the wee hours of the night and the morrow, yielded nothing; except more pain, anxiety and regret. By then, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) had joined in the search.

The following day, Friday September 18, villagers reported that a neighbour had woken up to an enigmatic sight in his yard. He discovered his dog and puppies feasting on human organs. The body had its head, neck, both legs and arms hacked off.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said of the discovery then:

“The body of the boy was later discovered on September18, 2020, being eaten by dogs with the head, arms and legs chopped off for suspected ritual purposes.”

With the police leaving no stone unturned, one of the suspects, Tafadzwa Shamba was nabbed on kidnap and murder charges, while his two alleged accomplices are still at large.

Shamba, a herdsman in the same village with the Makores, and his co-conspirators ostensibly allegedly waylaid the boy from his family’s garden, took him to a mountain and detained him for the entire day.

The herdsman was promised US$1 500 for his part in the kidnap and subsequent gruesome murder.

However, before the envisaged windfall, Shamba’s luck ran out, as the blood-stained clothes he wore on the day he allegedly committed the crime betrayed him.

Naturally, the discovery of Tapiwa’s dismembered body, and one of the suspects’ subsequent arrest would have put closure to the sad story, as some questions could have been answered.

That was not to be. More human body parts were found strewn all over the place including a skull. However, this turned out not to be Tapiwa’s. This discovery with all the trappings of the macabre, led to more questions than answers.

Could there be a conspiracy to wipe out children from the area for ritual purposes? Has the area’s Grim Reaper made a date with the Makore villagers for a ransom as an appeasement for some ill-informed engagement from the past?

Villagers and the police unearthed more than they could chew. Among the skulls found, was one that looked so old it could not be linked to the victim’s; the other one was still blood-stained, but with the eyes gorged out and missing jawline. The chin and tongue were also missing.

Also discovered were a fire-singed child’s palm, a jaw with seven lower teeth, and other body pieces.

It is not clear how many other children could have met their fate in Tapiwa’s manner, which has left a cold chill running through the villagers’ spines.

Tapiwa’s relatives are convinced that the discovered fresh skull could not be their “son’s”.

Mr Isaac Makore (57), the deceased boy’s granduncle, said the newly discarded skull they chanced on was not his grandnephew’s, but that of a 12-year-old, yet to be identified child’s.

As a result of the uncertainty, Tapiwa is still to find rest, as burial arrangements have been put on hold pending further investigations.

“My grandnephew went missing, and we later discovered his torso with other organs, like the head, hands, and legs missing. We also discovered separate sets of teeth; and two separate skulls, one with lower teeth and the other one with upper teeth but without a tongue.

“Indications are that the other skull belongs to a yet to be identified older child, and not our ‘child’s’, Mr Makore said.

However, the boy’s privates were untouched.

Following Tapiwa’s grisly murder, and the unearthing of more mutilated body parts, villagers are now living in fear of death merchants who could be on the prowl in the area, seeking children’s hearts for ritual purposes.

Tapiwa’s uncle, Mr Simbarashe Makore (38), said it is believed that there could be many children, although not from their area, who could have been killed for ritual purposes, and had their bodies dumped in the proximity of their village.

“We are now living in fear. Our prayer is that the police apprehend the culprits and rid our area of this menace. Who knows, after our children, they may also come for us, their parents. How could someone kill a fellow human being in such cold blood just like that?” he bemoaned.

Ms Easther Makore (52), Tapiwa’s aunt concurred, saying the police should not leave any stone unturned and get to the bottom of the issue as it was mind-boggling that so many human organs could be discovered hard upon her nephew’s demise.

Mr Summer Murwira (78), a nephew to the Makore family, at whose homestead Tapiwa’s dismembered body was found, said it (body) was bloodless when it was discovered.

Another villager weighed in, saying: “I do not think the place the torso was found is where he was murdered, otherwise there would have been blood stains all over. This is a serious matter.

“We now fear for our children. No one even wants to attend to the gardens anymore, or guard them against roaming livestock since the incident occurred.” —

(Additional reporting — Kwayedza).

OBERT MPOFU: Those who voted for that promise have the jobs. Why want to be included for what you didn’t contribute towards?

JONATHAN MOYO: Do you have a list of those who voted for your vain promise? Wait. You mean the soldiers who used an Excel Spreadsheet to falsify results of the 2018 presidential election at ZEC head office. Your outrageous tweet proves Mnangagwa’s criminal ZanuPF can’t protect ALL the citizens!

OBERT MPOFU: @ProfJNMoyo are you trying to validate your Excel-gate desktop research print-on-demand booklet? Coming from a veteran political scientist, this is laughable. You would know better we have the address of every ZANU PF supporter on our data-base. We know everyone from the cell.

Your post-November 2017 degeneration from your erstwhile robust scholarship of the 90s benchmarked by ‘Voting for Democracy’ (1992) among other books is a shame to the academia. Sad to see your “Fall from Grace” reproducing you to petty reactionary greviance intellectualism.

@Jamwanda2 diagnosed your current predicament before time: “Big Book minus Social Intelligence”. I have laughed at your “mind of a rat” banter claim about me. How ironic that your elephant-size academic accolades have only landed you in some lonely political oblivion.

JONATHAN MOYO: Hahaha. And you’re the ruling ZanuPF’s secretary general with this rat nonsense? Asambe sibone Mpofu. Oh you also masquerade as today’s Lobengula. Asifuni bumbulu uyazi. And is your PA Ndlovu, the one who wrote your…still with you? He used to consult me when he was writing it!

Mayor, Councillor Jacob Mafume says council will continue to take appropriate measures to ensure that wetlands are preserved.

Mayor Mafume was speaking during a recent meeting with Harare Wetlands Trust and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.

The two parties have been lobbying Council and Government to protect wetlands in the city which are the first port in the city’s water treatment process.

Clr Mafume said deliberate programmes are being put in place to protect wetlands.

“As a council, we will continue taking suitable action in making sure that the remaining wetlands in Harare are protected.

“We understand their importance to this city, especially considering that the city is built top of its water sources,” he said.

He said Council will conduct an audit of the trustees who own golf clubs at some of the wetlands.

Harare Wetlands Trust Coordinator, Julia Pierini, said wetlands are crucial to maintaining water sources hence should be protected at all costs.

“There is need to develop a policy that support the establishment and management of nature reserves on the remaining wetlands.

“We need to protect these wetlands so that they will be restored to their natural state.

“We are suggesting for these wetlands to be used as recreational parks, as this will prevent people from illegally building infrastructure and practising agriculture on the land,” said Julia.

Former ZANU PF official Shadreck Mashayamombe has said that he was diagnosed with colon cancer. Posting on Twitter, Mashayamombe advised young men and women to regularly go for cancer screening. He said:

“SAD to tell you that I have been diagnosed with COLON CANCER. I advise all young men and women to go for routine Colo-rectal Cancer Screening. Pray for me as I battle against this Monster. I am starting a new Journey in my life.”

This comes after the disease recently claimed the life of 34-year-old opposition MDC Alliance political activist Patson Dzamara who was a brother to missing journalist-cum political activist Itai Dzamara.

Colorectal cancer is the 3rd most common cancer globally, and the 6th most common in Africa. There has been a gradual temporal increase in the incidence of colorectal cancer in Zimbabwe over the past two decades

The exact cause of colorectal cancer is not known, but certain risk factors are strongly linked to the disease, including diet, tobacco smoking and heavy alcohol use.

Also, people with certain hereditary cancer syndromes or a family history of colorectal cancer have a high risk of developing the disease.

— Pindula

STAKEHOLDERS in the media industry yesterday warned government against threatening media organisations and interfering in editorial policies of independent newspapers as it posed serious danger to Press freedoms and the safety of practitioners.

This came after President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba yesterday launched a barrage of tweets on his handle @Jamwanda2, attacking NewsDay and its editor, Wisdom Mdzungairi, for not reporting South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s anti-sanctionas call at the United Nations General Assembly.

Charamba accused NewsDay of pursuing an “anti-Zanu-PF agenda” and threatened unspecified action.

He accused NewsDay of selectively ignoring Ramaphosa’s address and concentrating on the remarks by his International Relations minister Nalade Pandor, who challenged Zanu-PF to be honest about the crisis in the country.

“The dutifully opinionated editor of NewsDay avoids and ignores that address with the frightened care of a 19th Century man avoiding a leper. Instead, the wise Editor foregrounds some errant and non-committal comments by some South African minister who is an appointee of President Ramaphosa,” Charamba tweeted.

“Whatever it is the NewsDay editor is angling for won’t remain disguised for too long. His hostile editorial thrust simply has exceeded journalistic limits. It is now an anti-Zanu-PF, anti-government and anti-country crusade run consistently,” Charamba wrote.

“When a newspaper makes it its duty to play opposition to government of the day, well, it may be time to call it to order and invite it to formalise its chosen and desired role of opposition, but without hiding behind the parapet of the noble profession of journalism.”

He warned of unspecified consequences.

“They do that, they cross the line of professionalism which is their only shield against reactions that may inevitably come by way of consequences. The Constitution does not privilege editors …”

He accused NewsDay of ignoring stories that paint government in good light, including Tuesday’s currency auction that he claims “finds the Zim dollar retaining
its firming path which has been running for three sales in succession”.

But Zimbabwe National Editor’s Forum (Zinef ) national director Njabulo Ncube said the threats on NewsDay and its editor were uncalled for and Mnangagwa must rein in his lieutenants.

“We cannot allow civil servants to abuse journalists. Journalism is a profession. Let civil servants allow journalists to work because what we have noticed is there is lot of interference in the State media and we don’t want that to cascade to private media,” Ncube said.

He said the attack would result in Zanu-PF militia targeting NewsDay journalists.

Media Alliance of Zimbabwe chairperson Tabani Moyo said government officials should not interfere in the operations of media outlets.

“The good thing about Mr Charamba’s threats is that he is not the editor of the paper, so he cannot decide the content that comes out in the paper,” Moyo said.

“We stand firmly behind independent journalism in Zimbabwe as exhibited by NewsDay and encourage its editorial team not to budge to any forces of pressure and continue to abide by its ethical decisions they are taking in breaking stories daily.

“Being attacked by all quarters across the political divide, from Zanu-PF, the MDCs and other parties, it shows that (NewsDay’s) journalism has stood the test of time, so do not lose sleep in the sideshows and bushfires. You are on the correct side of the divide and it is the factual reporting that you are doing. That’s what matters and Zimbabwe is well-informed now because of what you are doing.”

Zimbabwe Union of Journalists secretary-general Foster Dongozi said such threats by Charamba were unacceptable.

“Threats have no place in a country that is engaging the international community,” he said.

Dongozi said what was more worrying was that Charamba’s attacks came days after journalists were attacked by unknown assailants while covering a Press conference in Harare and yet government remained silent.

Observers said government should leave media houses to carry out their mandate as their call was to hold the Executive to account and the behaviour by Charamba was a threat to the independence of the media.

-Newsday

EXILED former Zanu PF national commissar Saviour Kasukuwere has advised MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa against perennially resorting to the courts to settle political problems rocking the opposition party, but to take the game back to the people.

In a virtual interview with Centre for Innovation and Technology (CITE) director Zenzele Ndebele yesterday, Kasukuwere accused MDC-T president Thokozani Khupe

of grabbing the MDC Alliance using the courts after suffering a massive electoral defeat in 2018.“Politics is about the people and Nelson must take the game back to the people,” Kasukuwere said.

“Let the people make decisions. It is about the people voting and the verdict will come from the people.

“If they are to go to the by-elections and a determination is made by the people, it will make all those making those decisions think twice. As it stands, the people’s will and the people’s decision is being undermined on a daily basis.”

Khupe contested the 2018 elections under the MDC-T banner and garnered a paltry 45 000 votes against Chamisa’s over two million.

“Did people vote for Khupe? The answer is no, and for Khupe, to walk in and say I am now the president of this party, MDC Alliance, I think at a personal level, I wouldn’t take such a position because I know that I wouldn’t get 45 000 votes.”

“I wouldn’t want to take an institution that somebody has built. We all know the game at play and at the end of the day, do you get the best results out of the courts or it is a political game?” Kasukuwere said

Chamisa has accused Zanu PF and the courts of using Khupe in plotting his downfall.

This was after his party was left in chaos following a Supreme Court ruling in March that declared him an illegitimate leader of the opposition party.

Khupe, ruled the interim president, has recalled 84 councillors voted for under Chamisa as well as 21 MPs, apart from grabbing the party’s Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House and recently the name MDC Alliance.

-Newsday

Former Information Technology minister Supa Mandiwanzira was acquitted on a charge of criminal abuse of office on Friday, more than two years after his arrest.

The Nyanga South MP had been charged with “unprocedurally seconding” his personal assistant Tawanda Chinembiri – a government employee at deputy director level – to the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) board without following due process.

Prosecutors had charged that Chinembiri was not an employee of the government, but Mandiwanzira’s team always contended that he was, and accused prosecutors of bringing him to court on a false premise.

Harare magistrate Esthere Chivasa acquitted Manziwanzira on Friday after prosecutors admitted their charge was incompetent.

Prosecutor George Manokore said he took over the case mid-flight and even as he realised that the charge needed amending, he never got round to doing so.

“Having taken over the matter from a different team, we went through the state papers as was directed by the court but we believe that we underestimated the issues which we were supposed to deal with before we prepared the charge sheet,” Makonore said.

“As the state, we have no problem with the accused person being removed from remand.”

Mandiwanzira was arrested in 2018 on two charges. He was acquitted by Justice Nicholas Mathonsi at the Harare High Court last year on a charge of criminal abuse of office over a NetOne audit contract awarded to Megawatt Energy (Private) Limited without going to tender.

Megawatt unearthed overpricing of equipment by bought by NetOne by US$100 million. At least US$30 million of that money was recovered, and Justice Mathonsi ruled that Mandiwanzira had saved NetOne money, and not prejudiced it.

Mandiwanzira’s lawyer Fungai Chimwamurombe said Mandiwanzira should never have been arrested.

MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has called dupon an Independent inquiry into matters surrounding the incarceration of MDC leader Joana Mamombe.

A Harare court remanded the legislator for Harare West Joana Mamombe in custody for two weeks for her to be examined by two government doctors after the State said that it suspects her of faking mental illness to avoid trial. Magistrate Bianca Makwande said Mamombe has to be examined by doctors as the court cannot independently assess her mentality.

Said Chamisa, “The unlawful detention &sending to Chikurubi maximum prison of Youth leader &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 &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.”

-Online

MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has called dupon an Independent inquiry into matters surrounding the incarceration of MDC leader Joana Mamombe.

A Harare court remanded the legislator for Harare West Joana Mamombe in custody for two weeks for her to be examined by two government doctors after the State said that it suspects her of faking mental illness to avoid trial. Magistrate Bianca Makwande said Mamombe has to be examined by doctors as the court cannot independently assess her mentality.

Said Chamisa, “The unlawful detention &sending to Chikurubi maximum prison of Youth leader &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 &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.”

-Daily News

Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday called for the lifting of “illegal economic sanctions” imposed by the West on his nation, and appealed to the United Nations to help bring an end to them, saying they are seriously affecting the country’s development.

“These are a breach of international law and compromise Zimbabwe’s capacity to implement and achieve Sustainable Development (Goals) especially SDGs 2, 3, 8, 9 and 17,” said Mnangagwa, referring to the global commitment to end hunger, improve health and well-being, create jobs, develop industry, innovation and infrastructure, as well as build partnerships.

In a pre-recorded speech delivered virtually to the 75^th United Nations General Assembly due to the global coronavirus pandemic that has restricted public gatherings, Mnangagwa said like other nations, COVID-19 has had an adverse effect on Zimbabwe, which have been compounded by the sanctions.

“Like other nations in the region, we are facing humanitarian challenges which in our case have been worsened by the illegal sanctions, the negative impact of climate change and compounded by the outbreak of the COVID 19 pandemic,” said Mnangagwa in his 14-minute speech.

Zimbabwe has registered just under 8,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 226 deaths. In March, the government took measures to contain the spread of the virus but imposing several statutory instruments to allow for lockdown and other restrictive measures. During this time, nurses and many health care professionals went on strike for close to five months, citing poor working conditions, including shortages of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) such as masks and gloves, as well poor salaries.

Mnangagwa, however, assured the Assembly that Zimbabwe is closely following the World Health Organization’s recommendations on containing the spread of the virus, and providing adequately for its citizens, health institutions and its health workers and facility health care and protective clothing.

“Let me assure you that Zimbabwe continues to implement measures to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. Over and above instituting phased lockdowns following World Health Organization guidelines, my Government has also provided ZWL$18 billion (approximately US$720 million) economic stimulus package.”

Despite the impact of sanctions and COVID-19, Mnangagwa however said his country has registered “notable achievements” toward reaching the SDG, as far as improving the lives of its citizens.

“Our macro-economic stabilization reforms have seen the reduction of our budget deficit to a single digit, as well as a positive balance of our current account, coupled with foreign exchange rate and price stability.

Many economists have, however, disputed the government’s account of stabilization or ease of doing business, saying, with year on year inflation as recorded by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe at close to 800% and cost of living continuing to increase, the country is far from showing signs of improvement.

Political and economic commentator, Nokuthula Adonsi, says, “It is surprising that the government is saying all this yet it can’t raise money to compensate white commercial farmers whose land was seized by the government. At the same time, people are living from hand to mouth in a country where it is difficult to set up businesses due to stringent regulations.”

Sticking to his government’s position that there is no crisis in the country, despite the outcry by human rights groups of violations of citizens civil rights as demonstrated by the mass arrests of journalists, opposition members and activists, Mnangagwa told the General Assembly that Zimbabwe is respecting the constitution and the rule of law.

He also said Zimbabwe is respecting property rights, referring to the government’s recent pledge to compensate white farmers stripped of their land, $US3.5 billion.

“It is in this spirit and in line with our Constitution that in July this year, my Government concluded the landmark Global Compensation Deed, with former farm owners.”

Dismissing accusations from opposition parties like the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa of stifling democratic space and not fostering an environment of peace and unity through dialogue, Mnangagwa, who recently entertained two delegations from South Africa sent to investigate reports of various violations in the country, said his government has accommodated all voices.

“The culture of dialogue across all sectors is taking root, with activities and programmes under the auspices of our homegrown Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD), gaining momentum.”

On gender, Mnangagwa said in keeping with the Beijing Declaration of 1995 and the upcoming anniversary on October 1^st, his government has ensured the advancement of women in his country.

“These include the adoption of a gender-responsive Constitution, establishment of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, enactment of several pieces of legislation to outlaw all practices that infringe on the rights of women and girls, such as forced and child marriages and discrimination against women in inheritance matters,” said Mnangagwa, adding that his government had also ensured access to capital for women through the establishment of the Women’s Bank.

Moving on to issues outside his country, Mnangagwa picked up from his predecessor, former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, called for an end to the occupation of Western Sahara, and also for the inclusion of Africa in the UN Security Council.

“We cannot continue with a situation where over 16% 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.”

This year marks the 75^th Anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and the ongoing sessions which end Saturday, are taking place under the theme, “The future we want, the United Nations we need: reaffirming our collective commitments to multilateralism-confronting COVID-19 through effective multilateral action.”

-VOA

A woman from Umzingwane District under Chief Sigola’s area and who is also a builder by profession has reversed a common perception that only men beat up women in relationships after she allegedly rained blows on her husband as punishment for stopping her from meeting her boyfriend.

This problem of female-on-male domestic violence which is often trivialised in society was heard at the Esigodini Magistrates’ Court where the victim, Hloniphani Msipa, narrated his ordeal before resident magistrate Nomagugu Sibanda.

Msipa, who was seeking a restraining order against his wife Tafadzwa Moyo, was brave enough to tell the court that he was living a hellish life at the hands of his violent better half.

He stated that in a fit of anger, his wife brutally assaulted him after he stopped her from visiting her boyfriend.

As if the beating was not enough, Msipa said a daring Moyo went on to destroy their matrimonial property before she burnt down their bedroom hut.

“I declare that my wife Tafadzwa Moyo is destroying our matrimonial property and she recently burnt down our homestead. I need the court to strongly warn her against her conduct. She has since gone back to her parents’ homestead and I have done the same due to the fact that we both no longer have a place to call home,” complained Msipa.

He said he once sought help from the police to no avail.

“I engaged the police over the issue about my wife who is not taking any action to account for the damage she caused. Instead of apologising she is now prohibiting me from visiting our homestead because I am willing to do the repairs. I can’t imagine that I am now homeless yet I used to own my own homestead.

“I am living in fear and my efforts to check out on the livestock which we left behind is being hindered by my wife as she is threatening me with unspecified action through a string of text messages. All I want now is a protection order against her so that I live in peace,” begged Msipa.

In response Moyo didn’t refute her husband’s accusations leading the magistrate to grant an order stopping her from beating or threatening her husband as well as not to prevent him from going to their homestead.-B-Metro

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance Assembly of Women has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Hon Joana Ruvimbo Mamombe.

In a statement on Friday, MDC Alliance Assembly of Women spokesperson, Barbara Gwangwara Tanyanyiwa described the harassment of Hon Mamombe as barbaric.

See full statement :

The MDC Alliance Assembly of women notes with great concern the continued harassment of the Harare West MP Hon Joana Mamombe by the state.

From the time she was abducted, tortured and sexually abused by the state security together with Cecilua Chimbiri and Netsai Marova, the trio have never been treated justly by the government.

Their abductors are walking freely because they are protected by the state and instead of being treated as victims, they are being accused of faking their abduction, an act which we found to be absurd.

The detention is unlawful and her continued harassment and victimisation is uncalled for.

The corrupt Priscah Mupfumira has been out on bail for the past 9 months after pleading with the Court that she was not mentally fit to stand trial which is the same case with Mary Mubaiwa Chiwenga. The Prosecuters had no problem with that and the magistrate only asked for Mupfumira psychiatrist to testify. So why is Joanna being treated differently from these two women? This discrimination and selective application of law must stop.

We are deeply concerned and worried about these developments and know that they are meant to break us and stop women from actively participating in politics and issues that affect our lives. We are not going to keep quiet but will continue speaking out and expressing ourselves as per our constitution.

We call upon all progressive women and other women’s organisations to unite and denounce this government that violates women’s right. We call upon the government to respect the rights of the women.

*We demand the immediate release of Joana Mamombe and other political prisoners*

The Assembly of women will continue to fight for a people’s government that respects human rights and the dignity of women.

Barbara Gwangwara Tanyanyiwa
AOW Spokesperson

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance(Namibia Branch) has described the detention and torture of the party’s Youth Assembly member, Hon Joana Mamombe as totally unacceptable.

The MDC Alliance has also called for widespread protests at the harassment of women and the youth by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.

Read full statement below:

25 SEPTEMBER 2020

GENUINE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS MUST COORDINATE IMMEDIATE ACTION DEMANDING JUSTICE AGAINST SEXUAL HARASSMENT, TORTURE AND DENIAL OF PSYCHO-SOCIAL SERVICES FOR HON JOANA MAMOMBE, MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA FUMES

Mdc Alliance Namibia is infuriated by the perpetual incarceration of Hon Joana Mamombe who has just been remanded in custody for two (2) weeks for her to be examined by two (2) government doctors after the state said it suspects her of faking mental illness to avert trial.

The outspoken legislator has been imprisoned for actively supporting democratic rights that conflict with the views of despots in rogue Zanupf regime.

Ms Joana Mamombe is a prisoner of conscience and we should demand her immediate release from the hell- hole of Chikurubi Maximum Prison.

On 2 March 2019, she was arbitrarily arrested and charged with treason.

It was alleged that she was attempting to subvert a constitutionally elected government led by Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa,after she led a protest on 14 January 2018. On 13 May 2020, she and two other women , Mdc Alliance vibrant Youth Assembly leaders Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova were initially arrested by the police before they were surrendered to masked abductors at Harare Central Police Station.

Two days later, the women were found badly injured and traumatized , by the side of the road sixty miles from Harare.

Given this authoritarian narrative, Mdc Alliance Namibia urges all Social Democrats around the globe to pent-up their outrage forcing Zanupf government to address the longstanding obstruction to justice and constitutionalism for the victims of rape and other sexual abuse perpetrated by Zanupf state security agents.

Instead of allowing the further victimisation, we should coordinate action to assist Hon Joana Mamombe to obtain legal , medical , psychosocial services and political freedom.

We need to gather the much needed varlour , mettle and nerve to compel Zanupf to lift restrictions on freedom of expression and association , and allow civil society, including female human rights defenders, to demonstrate peacefully and engage in public action and discourse.

Furthermore, all genuine revolutionaries must confront the ruthless security forces to halt targeting activists and end all abuses, including sexual and gender-based violence , and hold accountable those perpetrators.

We would like to urgently call for the United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU) rapporteurs on human rights defenders to escalate their engagement on Zimbabwe, conduct visits to investigate and report on incessant patterns of gross abuse against female activists including sexual violence and the adverse repercussions on their agenda to ensure gender equity in the Motherland.

Moreover, Mdc Alliance Namibia believes that the imprisonment of our youthful leader on spurious charges is an attempt to muffle and then silence her altogether. Lets demand democratic reforms and castigate Zanupf for suffocating voices of dissent in Zimbabwe.

We should remain resolute in our clamour to end arbitrary detentions of all activists and human rights defenders, release those held unlawfully or charge them lawfully according to full due democratic and constitutional processes. Zanupf sadists should be called to order and respect the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa.

Moreso, Social democrats must ensure that all victims of sexual violence and physical assault have access to medical care including pyscho-social support.

Hon Joana Mamombe, Cecilia and Netsai need our serious confrontation with Zanupf thugocrats for their liberation.

In a nutshell, Mdc Alliance Namibia shall not be silenced by Zanupf terrorists. We shall continue to audibly call for democratic reform in Zimbabwe. We reject to be bullied by our murderers. Mdc Alliance Namibia advocates for dangerous freedom against thugocracy and maltreatment of women in the alternative government.

Mdc Alliance Namibia
Rundu Branch Spokesperson
Robson Ruhanya

Farai Dziva|The relentless persecution of Hon Joana Mamombe indicates that Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration is afraid of the power of the future, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

The harassment of women and the youth is a threat to democratic tenets, according to President Chamisa.

“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 cannot deliver justice. We demand an INDEPENDENT INQUIRY!

This continued persecution of these emblems of change is a direct threat to democratic tenets and freedom,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

” Oppressors fear the power of the future that the young women represent. We stand with the young and fearless. We fight for their right to dignity, freedom and justice.

The three 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,” he added.

Farai Dziva|The relentless persecution of Hon Joana Mamombe indicates that Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration is afraid of the power of the future, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

The harassment of women and the youth is a threat to democratic tenets, according to President Chamisa.

“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 cannot deliver justice. We demand an INDEPENDENT INQUIRY!

This continued persecution of these emblems of change is a direct threat to democratic tenets and freedom,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

” Oppressors fear the power of the future that the young women represent. We stand with the young and fearless. We fight for their right to dignity, freedom and justice.

The three 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,” he added.

In the video footage below, Mr Emmerson cries for the removal of sanctions.

Mnangagwa UN speech:

In the video footage below, Mr Emmerson cries for the removal of sanctions.

Mnangagwa UN speech:

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

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

NewsDay

THREE police officers who were actively involved in the arrest of Delish Nguwaya, the Zimbabwean representative of Drax International, a company implicated in the US$60 million COVID-19 equipment procurement scam, have been arrested.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests but referred further questions to the Special Anti-Corruption Unit (Sacu), which also refused to comment on the matter, throwing back the questions to police.

“You can check with Sacu, is the one handling the case,” Nyathi said.

Sacu head Tabani Mpofu said his organisation had no arresting powers.

“I don’t have the full details now; I cannot assist you beyond this. I am yet to receive the full details.”

But NewsDay is reliably informed that Sacu investigators arrested Criminal Investigations Department head Chrispen Charumbira and his two subordinates Superintendent Naboth Nyachega and Obeylaw Moyo.

It is understood that on May 14, Nyachenga wrote to Finance secretary George Guvamatanga raising a red flag over suspected money laundering in the Drax saga.

Nyachenga was the investigating officer in the Drax case where Nguwaya was arrested by Moyo. Charumbira sanctioned the arrest. Charumbira was last night detained at Rhodesville Police Station while the whereabouts of Moyo and Nyachenga could not be established.

AN illegal gold panner died after a shaft he was working in collapsed in West Nicholson.

Matabeleland South acting provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Loveness Mangena confirmed the incident which occurred on Tuesday at Umzingwane Panning Site in West Nicholson at around 1PM.

He said Noel Gumbo (41) from Mwenezi was working in a 10-metre-deep shaft when it collapsed and he was buried inside.

“I can confirm that we recorded a mine accident which occurred at Umzingwane Panning Site in West Nicholson. Noel Gumbo was illegally panning for gold in a 10-metre-deep shaft together with his nephew.

“Gumbo further went underground and entered into a tunnel which is about five metres long. The tunnel collapsed while he was inside and buried him underneath. His nephew sought help from other panners who were in the area and they managed to pull Gumbo out of the shaft while he was still alive,” she said.

Insp Mangena said Gumbo died before he could be taken to hospital. She said the matter was reported to the police who attended the scene.

Insp Mangena said it remains a cause for concern that the province kept recording a number of fatal mine accidents as a result of illegal mining activities. She said people were failing to take heed of the advise that was coming from law enforcements agents.

Insp Mangena urged members of the public to desist from engaging in illegal panning activities as they were putting their lives in danger in addition to violating the law.

She said people who want to engage in mining activities have to formalise their operations and follow the correct procedures in order to acquire necessary paper work before operating.

“It’s sad that we continue to record a number of mine accidents as a result of illegal mining activities which are rampant in the province. If people want to engage in mining they should formalise their operations. By engaging in illegal mining they will not only be committing an offence but they will also be putting their lives at risk as they will be operating without necessary equipment and protective clothing.

“Some of these illegal miners operate in the early hours of the morning in order to evade police not knowing that they will be risking their lives. People should learn to listen and also value their lives,” she said.

By Al Jazeera

BEHIND bars and confined in a tight space shared by dozens of other detainees, Zimbabwean opposition leader Jacob Ngarivhume was anxious about catching coronavirus.

Designed to hold 16 people, the crammed cells at the Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison were full with more than 40 people, he said.

“I was very afraid I would contract Covid-19 because the cells were overcrowded,” said Ngarivhume, who spent 43 days in detention for organising outlawed anti-government protests in late July.

“If prison authorities had observed social distancing rules of a metre (3.3 feet) apart, the cell would have accommodated only 10 people.”

Instead, he said, detainees were barely 30cm (12 inches) apart. At night, the inmates at the small facility on the outskirts of the capital, Harare, spread filthy and lice-infested blankets on the hard-concrete floor, forming elongated rows for going to sleep.

“You could literally smell the breath of the next guy,” said Ngarivhume, who was charged with inciting violence and freed on bail in his fourth attempt earlier this month.

With physical distancing virtually impossible, and major shortages in essential items to protect against Covid-19 such as soaps, hand sanitisers and clean face masks, Zimbabwe’s prison population is at great risk of being exposed to the highly infectious disease, according to experts.

Already, some cases have been recorded.

In late July, 43 inmates and 23 prison officers tested positive for the highly infectious respiratory disease in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city.

In facilities based in Harare and elsewhere, no cases have officially been confirmed. But two former detainees at Chikurubi said several people tested positive last month when authorities decided to conduct random tests.

“In the hall where I was staying, there were 10 cells housing inmates,” according to Ngarivhume. “Prison authorities randomly selected an inmate for Covid-19 testing from the 10 cells. Of the 10 who were tested, seven were positive for Covid-19.”

But with “no quarantine facilities … they put them back in the cells”, said Ngarivhume, adding that this took place in the week before his release on September 2.

Questions sent days before the publication of this article to Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) spokeswoman Meya Khanyezi were not responded to. Additional efforts to get a comment were unsuccessful.

Overall, Zimbabwe has so far registered 7,752 coronavirus cases, including 227 related deaths. Some 6,043 people have recovered. In late March, President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a “national disaster” as he introduced a tight lockdown to stem the spread of the pandemic. Schools were closed, borders were shut and large gatherings were banned, while mask-wearing in public was made mandatory.

The threat of coronavirus could not have come at a worse time for people in the country. In December last year, the World Food Programme warned that Zimbabwe was facing its worst hunger crisis in 10 years with half of the population – 7.7 million people – food insecure.

After years of underfunding, the country’s healthcare system is in shambles and doctors say medicines are in short supply. Depleted state coffers mean the government is unable to purchase sufficient supplies for state-run medical facilities.

The country is in the throes of a deepening economic crisis characterised by high inflation of more than 800 percent and foreign currency shortages, as well as a devastating mix of a rapidly weakening currency and stagnant salaries.

Amid the economic woes, government departments such as ZPCS have struggled to cope. In March, authorities said Zimbabwe’s prisons, with a holding capacity of 17,000 inmates, had a population of 22,000. Between March and June 2020, a total of 4,208 prisoners were pardoned by Mnangagwa – but the number of people in crowded conditions remains high.

A prison officer, who spoke to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity, confirmed prisons were overcrowded, with facilities designed to hold 1,400 inmates having in excess of 2,000 people.

“Overcrowding also affects food rations because when budgets are drawn, funds will be released against 1,400 people. Any number above that is not provided for,” the officer said, adding that prison authorities had to go to great lengths to ensure everyone is fed.

“Chikurubi is like a concentration camp,” said Hopewell Chin’ono, a prominent journalist who was detained on the same day as Ngarivhume after expressing support for the anti-government demonstrations. He was also released on bail from Chikurubi in early September.

“Prison conditions were horrible and I think they generally reflect the state of affairs in Zimbabwe,” Chin’ono said, raising alarm over the lack of safeguards against the coronavirus and warning that Covid-19 is a real threat for detainees in tight spaces.

“Inmates don’t have basic things like soap and running water in cells,” he added. “Prisons are failing to provide basic things like food. Prisoners eat only sadza and cabbages and beans. In the morning they are fed porridge that has no sugar. For me, this is a reflection of the corruption in the government system.”

Chin’ono said the situation has been worsened by restrictions imposed by prison authorities to curb Covid-19. Under the new rules, relatives of inmates can no longer make visits and deliver essentials such as food and medication.

“There is no medication in there for those showing symptoms. Those who show symptoms such as sore throats are given warm water to drink and that is it. The prisoners don’t have masks. Most are given masks when they are set to appear in court to conform with the law,” he added.

‘Time bombs’

Norman Matara, secretary-general for the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights, said prisons are “potential Covid-19 time bombs, by their nature”.

“But we don’t have specific information at the moment on the state of affairs regarding the Covid-19 situation.”

He said his group was working with authorities and would provide educational and material support once they have assessed their needs.

Last month, ZPCS Assistant Commissioner Mzila Moyo said his service had introduced various measures at all prisons in Bulawayo to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Covid-19 “knows no boundaries, and as Bulawayo Metropolitan Province we have a number of programmes that we have put in place to curtail the spread of the virus. Social distancing, mask-wearing are a must in the prisons in the whole province”, he said.

“Our health teams are moving around educating the inmates and officers on preventive measures. In each and every prison, we have sanitisers and foot baths at all points of entry.” – AlJazeera

State Media

POLYTECHNICS, teachers’ colleges and industrial training colleges will reopen on October 5 for face to-face learning.

Authorities will be required to strictly adhere to the health guidelines and the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology’s standard operating procedures.

Studies were initially discontinued on March 24 as part of a raft of measures by Government to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Teachers’ colleges, polytechnics and vocational training centres then briefly reopened on July 13 before Government abruptly suspended face-to-face lectures at all tertiary institutions a week after a Chinhoyi University of Technology lecturer tested positive for Covid-19.

On Tuesday, Government announced that all school classes will reopen over the next six weeks in three phases, but with smaller numbers of pupils, more teachers and other health-related measures so that children can resume education without the risk of a spike in Covid-19 infections.

The phased reopening, approved by Cabinet will be done in three stages. Th e three examination classes — Grade 7, Form 4 and Upper Sixth — open on September 28 in phase 1 as was announced several weeks ago. Four weeks later, on October 26, next year’s examination classes — Grade 6, Form 3 and Lower Sixth or Form 5 — open in the second phase and a fortnight aft er that, on November 9, everyone else goes back to school — ECD A and B, Grades 1 to 5 and Forms 1 and 2.

In a letter addressed to principals of tertiary education institutions and copied to the Minister, Professor Amon Murwira among other senior o fficials in the ministry, the Permanent Secretary for Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation Science and Technology, Professor Fanuel Tagwira said all polytechnics, teachers’ colleges and industrial training colleges will reopen on October 5 for face-to-face learning for the second term which ends on December 11.

The third term will run from January 4, 2021 to February 26, 2021.

“Please be advised that all tertiary education institutions will reopen for face-to-face learning on 5 October 2020. The academic calendar will be as follows: second term from 5 October 2020 to 11 December 2020 and then third term will begin on 4 January 2021 to 26 February 2021,” he said.

“In this regard, all principals are advised to adhere to the given guidelines and the standard operating procedures as enshrined in the Ministry’s Roadmap dated 9 June 2020.”

Prof Murwira said the ministry is convinced that it is safe for colleges to reopen for face-to-face learning.

“When we opened for the first time, it coincided with the peak of the infection period and we had to close. As I said, our policy is that if anything goes and data tells us we should close, we close. If data tells us that we open we will open. We are very flexible, it’s a pragmatic policy, we are not dogmatic, we will retreat and re-organise and do it again,” said Prof Murwira.

He said the ministry has procured laptops to capacitate lecturers to teach students both online and face to face.

“We have ordered a lot of laptops for our college lecturers. We hope on the 28th of September our servers would be coming in so that we capacitate our e-learning because we will still do the blended learning,” he said. Prof Murwira said the ministry has also facilitated cheap access to data for students.

TWENTY-SEVEN new Covid-19 cases were recorded on Thursday while 36 people recovered from the virus as the cumulative figure rose to 7752.

Bulawayo had the highest number of new infections after recording 15 cases with Harare coming second with six while Manicaland recorded five.

Of the new cases, 26 are local transmissions and one imported case from Germany.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care’s daily report shows that the country recovery rate is at 78 percent as 36 people recovered from the pandemic.

Mashonaland West had the highest number of recoveries with 15 cases followed by Mashonaland Central with 12 cases, Bulawayo coming third with eight and while Matabeleland North recorded a single recovery.

On Wednesday the country’s active cases stood at 1491 dropping to 1482.

No Covid-19 death was recorded yesterday.

“As at 24 September 2020, Zimbabwe had 7 752 confirmed cases, including 6 043 recoveries and 227 deaths,” reads the daily report.

Harare remains with the highest number of active cases 1122 cases, Matabeleland South coming second with 164 cases while Bulawayo came third with 100 cases.

The rest of the country’s provinces have 30 or less active each.

Despite the Covid-19 cases steadily decreasing in the country, Government has challenged citizens to guard against complacency as the country is not out of the woods.

The public is encouraged to wear face masks, sanitize hands while observing social and physical distance.

Correspondent

FORMER Information minister and Nyanga South legislator Supa Mandiwanzira is now a free man after he was acquitted of a charge of criminal abuse of office by Harare magistrate, Esthere Chivasa.

The state was forced to withdraw charges against the former broadcaster after it emerged that its charges against him were misplaced.

Mandiwanzira was arrested in 2018 on allegations of having appointed one Tendai Chinembiri on the board of the Postal Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) board when he was not a government employee.

The state, however, provided a contract that confirmed Chinembiri was a government employee crumbling its case.

The contract came into play after the former minister requested that the state produces further particulars in order for him to file his defence.

After this outcome, the state failed to amend its charges against Mandiwanzira.

“Having taken over the matter from a different team we went through the state papers as was directed by the court but your Worship we believe that we underestimated the issues which we were supposed to deal with before we prepared the charge sheet and having seen some issues that we need to attend to we then resorted Your Worship, as an office to have adequate time [to] apply our minds and see the way forward on the matter,” said George Manokore for the state.

He added: “As the state Your Worship, we have no problem with the accused person being removed from remand,” said Manokore before Magistrate Chivasa acquitted Mandiwanzira.

Besides accusing Mandiwanzira of appointing Chinembiri, the state also accused him of illegally engaging Megawatt Energy to investigate corruption at NetOne without going to tender.

However, the charge was quashed by the then High Court Judge, Justice Nicholas Manthonsi in 2019.

This was after it emerged the audit had led to the recovery of more than US$30 million after Megawatt Energy unearthed overpricing of equipment by over US$100 million on Chinese supplied telecommunication equipment.

Mandiwanzira was represented by Fungai Chimwamurombe of Chimwamurombe Legal Practice.

All Africa

Bindura Nickel Corporation (BNC), a mining company based in Mashonaland Central province, lost over US$66 000 through an alleged well-orchestrated fraudulent scam by one of its majority shareholders and executive director.

Through its lawyers, Mawere Sibanda Commercial Lawyers, the mining giant recently filed a court application at the High Court in Harare seeking leave to issue summons against Yat Hoi Ning, its majority shareholder, believed to be based in Hong Kong and its executive director, Yim Chiu Kwan, who is believed to be based in Canada.

According to the court papers gleaned by the Zimbabwe Independent, Ning was a major shareholder in ASA Resource Group Plc, which is an indirect majority shareholder of the BNC. And, in that position Ning is said to have been directing the policy and operational activities of the mining firm in Zimbabwe, whereas his co-respondent in the matter, Kwan was an executive director of the company having been appointed by Ning.

In her founding affidavit, BNC’s company lawyer Abigail Mbuyisa said some time in February 2017 Ning and Kwan allegedly misrepresented to BNC that there was need to purchase some bags for use by the company and that the said bags had already been sourced from a Chinese company called Qiaoyu Limited, which company apparently later turned out to be owned and controlled by the two men.

“The first and second respondents (Yat Hoi Ning and Yim Chiu Kwan) fraudulently misrepresented to the applicant (BNC) that an amount of US$65 559 had to be paid to Qiaoyu Limited, a certain Chinese company for the purchase of bags,” Mbuyisa said.

“Acting on the misrepresentation by the respondents, the applicant made the payment to Qiaoyu Ltd on March 3, 2017. Pursuant to the payment aforesaid, applicant discovered that first and second respondents controlled Qiaoyu Limited and were using it as a conduit to perpetrate the fraud.”

Mbuyisa also said through investigations, her company further discovered that no orders for the bags were ever made and neither was there any delivery of the same to BNC.

“Consequently, due to the fraudulent misrepresentation by the first and second respondents, the applicant was prejudiced in the sum of US$65 559 being the amount it paid for the purchase of the bags to Qiaoyu Ltd. It is the applicant’s intention to institute legal proceedings against the first and second respondents jointly and severally for the recovery of the US$65 559 together with interest thereon at the rate of 5% per annum calculated from the date of summons to the date of payment in full,” Mbuyisa said adding, “The respondents are jointly and severally liable to the applicant … despite demand the first and second respondents have failed and/or neglected to discharge their indebtedness to the applicant.”

According to the Zimbabwean law, and particularly in terms of Order 6 Rule 44(1) of the High Court Rules, 1971, where summons are to be served outside of Zimbabwe, the applicant in the matter must first seek leave from the court and state the matter of service which the court should authorise.

Mbuyisa said because of the law, BNC has now sought to approach the court for leave to issue summons against the two men now based abroad.

“I pray that a registered bailiff in Hong Kong be authorised to serve the summons on first respondent and further that another professional process server in Canada be authorised to serve the summons on the second respondent,” she said.

According to the court papers, Ning’s current address is given as Flat A, 46/F Tower 9, 68 Bel-Air Peak Avenue, Island South, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, whereas Kwan’s current address is given as 190 Harding, Boulevard W, Richmond Hill, Ontario, 14C0J9, Canada. The matter is pending and is yet to be set down for hearing.

Independent

By A Correspondent- Former Information Communication Technology and Cyber Security Minister Minister Supa Mandiwanzira has been acquitted of corruption charges.

Mandiwanzira was facing charges of criminal abuse of office after he allegedly awarded Megawatt Energy, a South African-based company consultancy, work to audit the US$218 954 843.00 deal between Net-One and Huawei Technologies.

The Zanu-PF Nyanga North legislator has been seeking acquittal on charges of corruption, arguing the indictment is defective.

Mandiwanzira is one of the several high-profile figures to have been charged in court for corruption in the Second Republic in which President Mnangagwa has vowed to fight graft and cronyism.

The former ICT Minister has for the past two years been contesting trial magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo’s ruling, dismissing his application for exception to charges of breaching procurement regulations.

Mandiwanzira, who was accused of corruptly engaging Megawatt for consultancy services rendered to NetOne Pvt Ltd, wanted the court to quash the charges and uphold his application for exception on the grounds that the charges were out-of-place because the telecommunications company was not a procuring entity.

In his application for exception to the charges, Mandiwanzira, who was being represented by Advocate Thembinkosi Magwaliba averred that he acted in public interest and recovered US$30 million that Net-One had lost in the contract for network expansion and modernisation of equipment.

If convicted, Mandiwanzira would have faced a minimum prison term of 20 years, fine, or both.

By A Correspondent- Aspiring candidates in Mutare district have begun secret campaigns as the watershed Zanu-PF district co-ordinating committee elections scheduled for November draw nearer, defying a directive by the party not to campaign as that would trigger division.

Five candidates, who include the owner of the now-defunct premiership side Highway Football Club, Clever Muparutsa, war veteran ivan Mbengo, Cecilia gambe and Blessing Haragu have allegedly handed in their curriculum vitaes for the chairmanship in Mutare district.

Sources told NewsDay yesterday that Banayi Yard and Muparutsa appeared to have an upper hand because they had grassroots support.

“Five candidates are vying for the chairmanship for Mutare district and they have already started campaigning secretly in various wards,” a source said.

“Some candidates are even dishing out money and groceries to the electorate with the support of some party bigwigs who want to consolidate their power.”

“Comrade Yard seems to have the grassroots support and has higher chances of winning, the same with Muparutsa, who is said to be enjoying the support of provincial chairman Mike Madiro,” the source added.

“To become a chairman, rules are very clear that you need to be a district executive for at least five years and that you should have no criminal record,” the source added.
Madiro declined to comment on alleged secret campaigns, but claimed his province had done what was needed in running DCC elections.

“As a province, we have done what is needed by the party to run the DCC elections and the processes went on well,” he said.

“I cannot comment further than that as there are people who specifically comment on DCCs. The issue of people secretly campaigning, I am not privy to that.”

By A Correspondent- Independent Member of Parliament for Norton constituency Temba Mliswa accused ZACC of being captured by Billy Rautenbach as the anti-graft has failed to act on grand corruption surrounding the Aspindale land scandal which has a potential to leave 30000 people homeless.

“Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and Special –Anti Corruption Unit (SACU) has been captured by Billy” alleged Mliswa.

The agitated Mliswa went on to allege that  the Minister of Local Government July Moyo, Minister of State Oliver Chidawu and Police Commissioner Matanga are working in cahoots with Billy Rotenberg to evict genuine land owners  and cause social unrest in  Aspindale.

“How can we have confidence in a system where the people who are supposed to investigate corruption are part of it,” added Mliswa.

The in-action by ZACC on the Aspindale land saga has raised more questions than answers among residents as available evidence in the public domain point out that cooperatives are the legitimate owners of the land.

Mliswa accused Billy Rautenbach for using fraudulent titled deeds in the name of Marimba Properties, a company that is non –existent at the Registrar of Companies.

CHRA calls upon ZACC to act on the Aspindale land saga as it has a potential to water down its work on acting against graft.

Abductions are gaining momentum. But forgive ignorance in the West about these issues. We must educate the West not to use @UN as propaganda platforms. I have reported human rights violations to UN many times. Then they allow a President of Zimbabwe to speak there and lie

— Muzvare Shonga Betty Makoni (@MuzvareBetty) September 25, 2020

Farai Dziva|The relentless persecution of Hon Joana Mamombe indicates that Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration is afraid of the power of the future, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

The harassment of women and the youth is a threat to democratic tenets, according to President Chamisa.

“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 cannot deliver justice. We demand an INDEPENDENT INQUIRY!

This continued persecution of these emblems of change is a direct threat to democratic tenets and freedom,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

” Oppressors fear the power of the future that the young women represent. We stand with the young and fearless. We fight for their right to dignity, freedom and justice.

The three 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,” he added.

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance Assembly of Women has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Hon Joana Ruvimbo Mamombe.

In a statement on Friday, MDC Alliance Assembly of Women spokesperson, Barbara Gwangwara Tanyanyiwa described the harassment of Hon Mamombe as barbaric.

See full statement :

The MDC Alliance Assembly of women notes with great concern the continued harassment of the Harare West MP Hon Joana Mamombe by the state.

From the time she was abducted, tortured and sexually abused by the state security together with Cecilua Chimbiri and Netsai Marova, the trio have never been treated justly by the government.

Their abductors are walking freely because they are protected by the state and instead of being treated as victims, they are being accused of faking their abduction, an act which we found to be absurd.

The detention is unlawful and her continued harassment and victimisation is uncalled for.

The corrupt Priscah Mupfumira has been out on bail for the past 9 months after pleading with the Court that she was not mentally fit to stand trial which is the same case with Mary Mubaiwa Chiwenga. The Prosecuters had no problem with that and the magistrate only asked for Mupfumira psychiatrist to testify. So why is Joanna being treated differently from these two women? This discrimination and selective application of law must stop.

We are deeply concerned and worried about these developments and know that they are meant to break us and stop women from actively participating in politics and issues that affect our lives. We are not going to keep quiet but will continue speaking out and expressing ourselves as per our constitution.

We call upon all progressive women and other women’s organisations to unite and denounce this government that violates women’s right. We call upon the government to respect the rights of the women.

*We demand the immediate release of Joana Mamombe and other political prisoners*

The Assembly of women will continue to fight for a people’s government that respects human rights and the dignity of women.

Barbara Gwangwara Tanyanyiwa
AOW Spokesperson

Farai Dziva|The relentless persecution of Hon Joana Mamombe indicates that Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration is afraid of the power of the future, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

The harassment of women and the youth is a threat to democratic tenets, according to President Chamisa.

“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 cannot deliver justice. We demand an INDEPENDENT INQUIRY!

This continued persecution of these emblems of change is a direct threat to democratic tenets and freedom,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

” Oppressors fear the power of the future that the young women represent. We stand with the young and fearless. We fight for their right to dignity, freedom and justice.

The three 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,” he added.

By A Correspondent- The jailing of MDC Alliance MP Joanna Mamombe on Wednesday at Harare Remand Prison by Harare magistrate Bianca Makwande so that her mental illness is evaluated has been described as simply cruel.

A mental health doctor, Denver Ncube, has explained how mental health can affect any person and the need to have empathy for mental patients rather than subjecting them to inhumane treatment.

He wrote on Twitter:

At some point in my life, I did an attachment at Parirenyatwa Ward 12 or Annexe/Psychiatric Ward. It was a pivotal experience in my life and partly contributed to the career I have taken up in Neuroscience.

Seeing young and old people afflicted by various mental ailments, albeit some of them not of their own doing. Mental illness has multiple causes if you have noticed some people can abuse alcohol for years and yet some only do the same for a few weeks/months and they tip over.

I remember how hard it was to encourage patients to understand how some seemingly harmless behaviours could impact their mental health outcomes. Talking to patients daily was really touching, many would express how their illness had robbed them of friends and family.

The stigma around mental health in Zimbabwe is appalling, our people need a lot of help to understand that anyone can become afflicted. We all don’t know what life events could tip us over. This realization made me understand the need for empathy in such matters.

So when I hear that Joanna is afflicted by mental illness my first response is to trust the diagnosis of the doctor who made that conclusion. I have seen it first hand, people who are fully functional one day and patients the next. It is not a surprising phenomenon at all.

I know of patients who were teachers, some were officials in Government, yet on medication for various mental conditions, some were even doctors but they still needed that support from institutions. Mental illness isn’t any different from hypertension or diabetes.

That Joanna would be seen in a shop buying foodstuffs and alcohol is not anything to make noise about. Would it be surprising if Minister X was leading a meeting yet they have a mental health problem? If you are on effective medication you can function normally.

But like any condition you have good days/weeks and bad ones too. Persecuting someone because they differ with you on a political level yet there is evidence that they are unwell is just cruel. It is cruel to detain someone in a maximum-security prison so that u assess them

By A Correspondent- CID Director Commissioner Chrispen Charumbira was arrested Thursday morning by the Special Anti-Corruption Unit (SACU) in the office of the President, on allegations of accepting protection money from drug and gold dealers to stop criminal investigations.

The allegations against the CID director emanate from his junior officers who alleged he had been interfering with their duties by protecting drug and gold dealers after accepting unclean money.

CID boss Commissioner Charumbira was picked up for questioning by SACU officers Thursday morning and spent the night at Rhodesville Police Station.

Sources close to the developments told this reporter that these are internal squabbles which have resulted in the arrest and suspension of senior police officers including CID Commercial Crimes boss Obeylaw Moyo.

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

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.