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

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

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

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

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

ZBC

Business Times

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

State Media

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Police have launched an investigation into the shooting.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Business Times

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Machacha is yet to respond to Zivhu.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Watch videos below:

https://youtu.be/uzH_M7iJ5hQ

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Matanda-Moyo said:

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

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

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

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

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

Reads the letter:

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

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

More details to follow……

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 24, 2020

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

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 24, 2020

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

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 24, 2020

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

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 24, 2020

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

VIDEO-

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

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

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 24, 2020

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

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 24, 2020

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

The court starts at 9am.

The state alleges that, the two undermined President Mnangagwa.

However, the two accused are denying this charge.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Watch the live video for more….

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

— ZLHR (@ZLHRLawyers) September 24, 2020

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

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

Wednesday 23rd September 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yours sincerely

Comrade Patrick Zhuwao

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

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

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

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

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

Masakanire is out on $1 000 bail.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mr Talent Tadenyika is representing the State.

-State Media

Watch the live video loading below…..

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-State Media

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

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

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

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

She was then allegedly raped.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Paul Nyathi

Nine human rights defenders will today know their fate after they were arrested and tried for allegedly carrying a miniature coffin during an anti-government protest demanding an increase to teachers’ salaries.

The nine HRDs, who include members of Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) were arrested on 23 August 2019 and charged with criminal nuisance as defined in section 46 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

The nine HRDs namely Obert Masaraure, Gerald Tavengwa, Godfrey Chanda, Andrew Munguri, Nation Mudzitirwa, Shepherd Tazvivinga, Tryvine Musokeri, Simon Drury and Douglas Coltart, a human rights lawyer, were arrested at Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube’s offices in Harare during an anti-government protest dubbed “Pay Day Funeral”, where they allegedly gathered to “mourn the deaths” of their salaries, which they said were inadequate, poor working conditions and standards of living.

According to prosecutors, the nine HRDs, who are represented by Blessing Nyamaropa, Jeremiah Bamu and Tinomuda Shoko of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights allegedly interfered with the ordinary comfort, convenience, peace or quiet of the public by creating a nuisance or obstruction through singing and dancing while carrying a miniature coffin and a small wooden cross.

Harare Magistrate Rudo Mugwagwa is set to make a ruling today at 1415hrs on the "coffin trial" Our Cdes including @OMasaraure @DougColtart @NationMudzit are standing trial for carrying a miniature coffin to @MthuliNcube office on 23 August 2019, mourning tr salaries. Not guilty!

— Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe,ARTUZ (@ARTUZ_teachers) September 24, 2020

MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzai Mahere will today appear in court on charges of participating in an illegal demonstration.

She was arrested together with other activists including filmmaker and novelist Tsitsi Dangarembga and others from various pressure groups facing charges of participating in an illegal demonstrations in Harare on July 31.

They were separately charged with participating in a public gathering with intent to cause public violence and breaching the Public Health Act (Covid-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) Regulations 2020.The accused were not asked to plead to the charges and were remanded out of custody on $5 000 bail each.

The State, led by Mr Michael Reza and Ms Tendai Shonhiwa, had it that on July 31, MDC Alliance and other pressure groups organised an illegal demonstration to effect regime change.

The court heard that at different times and locations, but in Harare, the activists took to the streets demonstrating against the Government.

Mahere and five others were arrested between 11am and 11.30am while demonstrating between Alps Road and The Chase.

Police are said to have recovered placards from Jessica Drury’s car inscribed #FreeZim, #FreeMDCtrio, #stopabductions and #handsoff the Constitution. On the second count, they allegedly breached Covid-19 regulations while they were marching.

Today, @mdczimbabwe Spokesperson @advocatemahere & 5 others return to Rotten Row court charged with "inciting public violence" after they walked peacefully in their community on 31 July holding placards.
Stop state repression. Stop judicial harassment! #FreeOurSpokes pic.twitter.com/3JnKw1EYWp

— Citizens Coalition for Change Social Welfare (@cccwelfare) September 24, 2020

Paul Nyathi 

Specialist training has been put on hold at the University of Zimbabwe after the Ministry of Health, in an unusual development, decided to prohibit all Masters students from accessing public hospitals.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care under the leadership of Minister Constantino Chiwenga  banned top medicine students from accessing public hospitals forcing the University of Zimbabwe to immediately stop studies in three key programmes at the school of medicine.

The University wrote as follows:

MDC Alliance national youth organiser, Godfrey Kurauone is set to appear at the Masvingo Magistrate’s Court today charged with undermining President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s authority.

Kurauone, is also Masvingo Urban Ward Four councillor.

Kurauone, a councillor for seven years, was arrested for breaking Covid-19 lockdown rules after he mobilised and fed homeless people in Masvingo on June 15, 2020, the day Mnangagwa called for a national day of fasting.

Kurauone is being represented by Advocate Martin Mureri.

Today 9:00am lets meet at Masvingo Magistrate Court in Solidarity with @godfreykurauone our @mdczimbabwe
Youth organiser who spend 46 days in Remand Prison for just but feeding the homeless and being the voice of the voiceless@nelsonchamisa @ZimEye#ZimbabweanLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/L2F2okCtmA

— Masvingo Province (@Citizens4Chamis) September 24, 2020

State Media

At least 87 percent of imported goods have not been checked for quality, while more than 61 percent of imported second-hand vehicles are rusty and had exceeded their lifespan, as there was no mechanism that ensured pre-shipment inspection of mechanical and structural conditions, an audit has shown.

The failure to check the quality of imported goods increased the risk of substandard goods in the country, while the failure by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to inspect second-hand vehicles at source endangered people’s lives and was costly in terms of insurance premiums as a result of accident rates.

This is contained in the 2019 audit report titled “Monitoring of the Quality of Goods Being Imported into the Country” that was produced by Auditor-General, Mrs Mildred Chiri.

On imported goods, Mrs Chiri said her audit showed that the Ministry of Industry and Commerce had shortcomings in monitoring the quality of the goods, inadequate monitoring of goods in transit, absence of destination inspection and lack of market surveillance, among other issues.

“The results of the audit showed that programmes implemented by the ministry were not adequately curbing the importation of substandard goods,” said Mrs Chiri in her report. “The consignment based conformity assessment programme did not have critical provisions that could help in combating influx of substandard goods.

“For example, the programme did not cover destination inspection and market surveillance. In addition, the audit noted that the ministry did not have regulations governing the quality assessment of 87,5 percent of imported products. The fact that most of the goods were not being checked for quality increased the risk of substandard goods finding their way into the country.”

In its response to the audit observations, Ministry of Industry and Commerce officials acknowledged the findings and indicated they were in the process of developing the national quality programme to curb the import and local manufacturing of substandard products.

On the import of second-hand vehicles, Mrs Chiri said there was need for inspection of mechanical and structural form at source so that vehicles that failed to meet set standards were not allowed into the country.

She said the motor industry development policy guiding the sector did not have in place monitoring of imported second-hand vehicles, which should guide car dealers and holders of franchises.

“If used vehicles are not checked for quality, the country could be flooded with sub-standard vehicles which could be costly in terms of insurance premiums as a result of a higher incidence of accidents and may endanger people’s lives,” said Mrs Chiri.

“Further expansion of the local motor industry may be greatly affected as people go for second-hand vehicles.”

Her audit at Chirundu Border Post showed that an average of 658 vehicles entered the country per month in 2016, 534 in 2017 and 832 in 2018, while at Kazungula Border Post there was an average of 320 a month.

“The imported vehicle register for 2017 revealed that 61 percent of the second-hand vehicles were rusty and had exceeded their lifespan,” said Mrs Chiri.

The ministry admitted that the country might be importing used motor vehicles with defects, hence the need for pre-shipment inspection.

“The ministry, through Standards Association of Zimbabwe, is now developing the standard of used motor vehicles that will be referenced into a mandatory standard called technical regulation,” said the ministry. “Those vehicles with mechanical and structural defects are repaired prior to shipping or repaired upon arrival at the port of entry depending on the adopted model.”

Paul Nyathi

President Mnangagwa, who is scheduled to address the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) today, has thanked South African counterpart President Cyril Ramaphosa for using the Assembly platform to call for the removal of sanctions on Zimbabwe.

President Ramaphosa made the call in his address at the opening of the 75th session on Tuesday in his capacity as AU chairperson.

Posting on his Twitter account, President Mnangagwa said: “Thank you to @CyrilRamaphosa for once again calling for an end to the debilitating sanctions that have injured the people of Zimbabwe for almost two decades.”

State Media

The public prosecutor handling the matter in which MDC Alliance legislator Joana Mamombe and party members, Netsai Marova and Cecilia Chimbiri are facing charges of faking their abduction in May this year, has said he has no personal vendetta against them or any of their defence team.

Mr Michael Reza made the remarks in court yesterday when Mamombe separately appeared to respond to the State’s application to have her mentally examined by two Government doctors.

The State made an application under the Mental Health Act after Mamombe told the court she was suffering from anxiety disorder and could not comprehend trial proceedings.

Mamombe’s lawyer Mr Alec Muchadehama yesterday demanded an explanation on why the State went ahead with the application on Tuesday despite an agreed position that the matter be postponed to another day to allow him to attend to another matter in Gweru.

“We seek an explanation as to why he changed from the undertaking he had made,” said Mr Muchadehama.

“Also, I want to know whether or not the State is a super litigant who determines when the matter will be heard. He has a duty to act fairly. We want to know whether he has something against me or accused.”

Mr Muchadehama said Mr Reza called him at night informing him that he was continuing with the matter.

In his response, Mr Reza said: “This is not a court of drama, but of law. I spoke to Mr (Jeremiah) Bamu and not Muchadehama. I told him to tell Mr Muchadehama that I would oppose their application.

“He is not denying it. I have absolutely nothing against Mr Muchadehama and the accused. I just do my work and I am prosecutor.”

Harare regional magistrate Mrs Bianca Makwande advised both Mr Muchadehama and Mr Reza to act in the best interest of justice.

Mr Bamu, who is part of the trio’s legal team, told the court the State had failed to satisfy the requirements of Mental Health Act in its application. He said there was no justification of having Mamombe examined by other doctors since she had already undergone treatment.

“No justification exists for that order to be made because when the accused person realised that she was not feeling well, she consulted a medical practitioner and the court heard Dr Fungi Mazhandu, who said she was examined by a general doctor who referred her to a specialist,” said Mr Bamu.

“What the State seeks to achieve has already been done.”

Mrs Makwande is today expected to make a ruling on the State’s application.

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

Speaking to the publication, Gumbo said:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hakuna chisingaperi (everything ends) and we say let’s not do that. Everyone is a Zimbabwean. There is no Zimbabwe for Zanu PF or MDC … Zimbabwe is for everybody.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Speaking to the publication, Gumbo said:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hakuna chisingaperi (everything ends) and we say let’s not do that. Everyone is a Zimbabwean. There is no Zimbabwe for Zanu PF or MDC … Zimbabwe is for everybody.

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

Farai Dziva|Senior MDC Alliance official Stanley Manguma has revealed how Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is using Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora to “pull down” President Nelson Chamisa.

According to Manguma, Mr Mnangagwa is keen to exorcize the illegitimacy ghost through elevating Khupe to the corridors of power.

Below is part of Manguma’s argument :

After realizing MDC-T is just a name without followers, they have changed to MDC Alliance, name of another party, our party.

They are fighting a Mnangagwa battle, they are ED puppets.

Make no mistake about that. This stupidity will be allowed to take effect because our laws only exist on paper.

Where the law is applied, it is applied selectively, to the advantage of ED and disadvantage of Pres. Nelson Chamisa.

We have a captured Judiciary that receives orders from Mnangagwa.

Everything Khupe Mwozora do, including recalls, remains illegal, after expiry of terms of Supreme Court judgement.

They are banking on Mnangagwa and crooked Judiciary for a lifeline.

Above all, the illegitimacy ghost is haunting Mr Mnangagwa.

Farai Dziva|Senior MDC Alliance official Stanley Manguma has revealed how Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is using Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora to “pull down” President Nelson Chamisa.

According to Manguma, Mr Mnangagwa is keen to exorcize the illegitimacy ghost through elevating Khupe to the corridors of power.

Below is part of Manguma’s argument :

After realizing MDC-T is just a name without followers, they have changed to MDC Alliance, name of another party, our party.

They are fighting a Mnangagwa battle, they are ED puppets.

Make no mistake about that. This stupidity will be allowed to take effect because our laws only exist on paper.

Where the law is applied, it is applied selectively, to the advantage of ED and disadvantage of Pres. Nelson Chamisa.

We have a captured Judiciary that receives orders from Mnangagwa.

Everything Khupe Mwozora do, including recalls, remains illegal, after expiry of terms of Supreme Court judgement.

They are banking on Mnangagwa and crooked Judiciary for a lifeline.

Above all, the illegitimacy ghost is haunting Mr Mnangagwa.

A GWANDA man has been arrested after he bit a police officer who tried to apprehend his for assaulting his wife.

Barbson Pande (40) from Jacaranda Suburb pleaded not guilty to charges of physical abuse and assaulting or resisting a peace officer but was convicted by Gwanda magistrate, Miss Lerato Nyathi due to overwhelming evidence against him.

He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment but six months were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years. The remaining six months were further suspended on condition that he performs 210 hours of community service at Gwanda Magistrate’s Court.

Prosecuting, Miss Glenda Nare said Pande assaulted his wife, Miss Farai Matekenya on July 9 and when she reported him to the police he went on to bite the lip of Constable Artwell Chokera who attended the scene.

”On 9 July at around 6PM Pande was at home with his family when he started accusing his wife of making noise for him together with their children. Pande threatened to kill his wife who went on to the call the police and reported the incident.

”Two police officers attended the scene and when Pande saw them he further insulted his wife, grabbed her by the neck and dragged her on the floor. The cops tried to apprehend Pande but instead he bit Constable Artwell Chokera on the upper lip before fleeing the scene,” she said.

In his defence Pande denied assaulting his wife. He said he only reprimanded her.

He said he resisted arrest as the police wanted to apprehend him for an offence that he did not commit.

Pande said the cops only wanted to apprehend him for their personal gain as one of them was having an affair with his wife.-Chronicle

21 September 2020

Joint statement by Teacher Unions in Zimbabwe Concerning Re-opening of Schools.

Realising that the gvt has since announced the dates for re-opening of schools for exam classes and commencement of exams, Irked that this announcement was not a product of widespread consultations and meaningful engagement with teacher unions but a ‘diktat’ by gvt,

Perturbed that gvt has totally ignored the welfare of teachers as evidenced by salaries that were received by teachers in September,Aware that the Total Consumption Poverty Line (TCPL) for a family of five is now above ZW$ 17 244 as given by Zimstat,Surprised by the continued salary discrepancies between teachers and the other civil servants, especially the uniformed forces,United in our diversity by our common desire for the entrenchment of a credible quality public education system in Zimbabwe,Acknowledging the worthlessness of current infinite negotiations under NJNC and lack of seriousless and urgency in such negotiations

Reaffirming the position that the economy has fully redollarised, with prices of most goods and services pegged in US Dollars, including those offered by gvt itself,Noting that there are still Covid 19 active cases, most of them being local,Adequately informed that most boarding schools have increased fees to between $20 000 and $40 000 while the teacher’s salaries have remained stagnant in a volatile economic environment,Emphasizing that well paid teachers in safe schools is a must for quality public education.

Aware that all teachers are financially crippled and have no capacity to report at their respective schools on 28 September

We, the undersigned Teacher Unions in Zimbabwe, now therefore, urge the government to:

Urgently expedite consultations with all teachers’ unions with a view to sharing ideas on the way forward before the opening of schools. This is informed by the fact that teachers’unions are a key stakeholder in the education sector and represent the very people who are implementers of gvt policies;

Restore the purchasing power parity of teachers’ salaries pegged at USD500 to USD550.Implement meaningful education sector-specific allowances that commensurate with teachers responsibilities and status.Pay a Covid allowance that is a product of negotiations or agreement between employer and teachers rather than the current benevolence gesture dubbed presidential prerogative. If schools reopen during this Covid period, it entails that teachers will be frontline workers who deserve a meaningful covid allowance;Pay salaries that resonate with workers’ qualifications, experience, responsibilities and promotion rather than the current scenario where physical fitness has become more rewarding.

Establish an Inclusive Covid 19 Task Force to assess the level of preparedness of schools before re-opening.Ensure that schools are safe to receive the learners and teachers and their health, safety and welfare are highly prioritised. The $600 million set aside by gvt should reflect on the ground, in schools not in the media only or end in higher offices without reaching the intended beneficiaries.

Currently, there is almost nothing in public schools because the school coffers are dry since there hasn’t been any collection of fees after closure in March 2020.

Give teachers and learners enough time to cover syllabi and prepare for exams. The period of two months between 28 September 2020 and 1 December 2020 (the proposed date for commencement of exams) does not adequately compensate for the lost time of six months since schools closed.Listen to professional advice and provide a broad blue print that covers all learners than being restricted only to exam classes.

Indeed, there is nothing as dangerous as having under-paid, undernourished, under-resourced and demotivated teachers in the classrooms because teachers are in essence role models of their communities and society and help to shape the future of individuals, society and the country. It is only well-paid, healthy, motivated, innovative and dynamic teachers that can fulfill this vital cog of sustainable development.

Jointly signed by

ARTUZ – Chere R. (0775643192)

PTUZ – Zunde L. (0772198868)

TUZ – Phiri R. (0772680952)

ZDTU – Tasaranarwo F. (0773816324)

ZIMTA – Sibanda N. T. (0772803254)

ZINATU – Nyawo M. (0774013500)

ZINEU – Chinosengwa C. (0715815347)

ZRTU – Fambai F. (0775226380).

21 September 2020

Joint statement by Teacher Unions in Zimbabwe Concerning Re-opening of Schools.

Realising that the gvt has since announced the dates for re-opening of schools for exam classes and commencement of exams, Irked that this announcement was not a product of widespread consultations and meaningful engagement with teacher unions but a ‘diktat’ by gvt,

Perturbed that gvt has totally ignored the welfare of teachers as evidenced by salaries that were received by teachers in September,Aware that the Total Consumption Poverty Line (TCPL) for a family of five is now above ZW$ 17 244 as given by Zimstat,Surprised by the continued salary discrepancies between teachers and the other civil servants, especially the uniformed forces,United in our diversity by our common desire for the entrenchment of a credible quality public education system in Zimbabwe,Acknowledging the worthlessness of current infinite negotiations under NJNC and lack of seriousless and urgency in such negotiations

Reaffirming the position that the economy has fully redollarised, with prices of most goods and services pegged in US Dollars, including those offered by gvt itself,Noting that there are still Covid 19 active cases, most of them being local,Adequately informed that most boarding schools have increased fees to between $20 000 and $40 000 while the teacher’s salaries have remained stagnant in a volatile economic environment,Emphasizing that well paid teachers in safe schools is a must for quality public education.

Aware that all teachers are financially crippled and have no capacity to report at their respective schools on 28 September

We, the undersigned Teacher Unions in Zimbabwe, now therefore, urge the government to:

Urgently expedite consultations with all teachers’ unions with a view to sharing ideas on the way forward before the opening of schools. This is informed by the fact that teachers’unions are a key stakeholder in the education sector and represent the very people who are implementers of gvt policies;

Restore the purchasing power parity of teachers’ salaries pegged at USD500 to USD550.Implement meaningful education sector-specific allowances that commensurate with teachers responsibilities and status.Pay a Covid allowance that is a product of negotiations or agreement between employer and teachers rather than the current benevolence gesture dubbed presidential prerogative. If schools reopen during this Covid period, it entails that teachers will be frontline workers who deserve a meaningful covid allowance;Pay salaries that resonate with workers’ qualifications, experience, responsibilities and promotion rather than the current scenario where physical fitness has become more rewarding.

Establish an Inclusive Covid 19 Task Force to assess the level of preparedness of schools before re-opening.Ensure that schools are safe to receive the learners and teachers and their health, safety and welfare are highly prioritised. The $600 million set aside by gvt should reflect on the ground, in schools not in the media only or end in higher offices without reaching the intended beneficiaries.

Currently, there is almost nothing in public schools because the school coffers are dry since there hasn’t been any collection of fees after closure in March 2020.

Give teachers and learners enough time to cover syllabi and prepare for exams. The period of two months between 28 September 2020 and 1 December 2020 (the proposed date for commencement of exams) does not adequately compensate for the lost time of six months since schools closed.Listen to professional advice and provide a broad blue print that covers all learners than being restricted only to exam classes.

Indeed, there is nothing as dangerous as having under-paid, undernourished, under-resourced and demotivated teachers in the classrooms because teachers are in essence role models of their communities and society and help to shape the future of individuals, society and the country. It is only well-paid, healthy, motivated, innovative and dynamic teachers that can fulfill this vital cog of sustainable development.

Jointly signed by

ARTUZ – Chere R. (0775643192)

PTUZ – Zunde L. (0772198868)

TUZ – Phiri R. (0772680952)

ZDTU – Tasaranarwo F. (0773816324)

ZIMTA – Sibanda N. T. (0772803254)

ZINATU – Nyawo M. (0774013500)

ZINEU – Chinosengwa C. (0715815347)

ZRTU – Fambai F. (0775226380).

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance vice president Hon Tendai Biti has said party vice chairperson Job Sikhala should not have been arrested in the first place.

However, Hon Biti commended Sikhala’s lawyers for working hard to secure the fiery politician’s freedom.

On Tuesday Hon Biti wrote on Twitter :

Job Sikhala has been granted bail .

We are extremely indebted to the lawyers for their perseverance and tenacity.

But he shouldn’t have been arrested . It is not a crime to hold a different political view point !! #ZimbabweanLivesMatte

A GWANDA man has been arrested after he bit a police officer who tried to apprehend him for assaulting his wife.

Barbson Pande (40) from Jacaranda Suburb pleaded not guilty to charges of physical abuse and assaulting or resisting a peace officer but was convicted by Gwanda magistrate, Miss Lerato Nyathi due to overwhelming evidence against him.

He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment but six months were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years. The remaining six months were further suspended on condition that he performs 210 hours of community service at Gwanda Magistrate’s Court.

Prosecuting, Miss Glenda Nare said Pande assaulted his wife, Miss Farai Matekenya on July 9 and when she reported him to the police he went on to bite the lip of Constable Artwell Chokera who attended the scene.

”On 9 July at around 6PM Pande was at home with his family when he started accusing his wife of making noise for him together with their children. Pande threatened to kill his wife who went on to the call the police and reported the incident.

”Two police officers attended the scene and when Pande saw them he further insulted his wife, grabbed her by the neck and dragged her on the floor. The cops tried to apprehend Pande but instead he bit Constable Artwell Chokera on the upper lip before fleeing the scene,” she said.

In his defence Pande denied assaulting his wife. He said he only reprimanded her.

He said he resisted arrest as the police wanted to apprehend him for an offence that he did not commit.

Pande said the cops only wanted to apprehend him for their personal gain as one of them was having an affair with his wife.-Chronicle

Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) Coronavirus Daily Update : 22 September 2020

New cases: 5

Locals – 5

Returnees – 0

Deaths: 0
Recoveries: 31

PCR Tests Done: 637

National Recovery Rate: 78%

Active Cases: 1 506

Total Cumulative Cases: 7 711

Total Recoveries: 5 979

Total Deaths: 226

By A Correspondent- As parliamentarians remembered Perrance Shiri who passed on on 29 July 2020 in parly yesterday, Zanu PF MP for Bindura North Kenneth Musanhi while speaking about Shiri broke down as he recounted fond memories about the late retired Air Marshall, The Herald reports.

Musanhi could not finish his contibution as emotion overcame him while he outlined how he had worked with Shiri who he said helped him fight a tough Tyson (Savior Kasukuwere). Musanhi said;

We fought together against G40. Tyson was a tough guy. Cde Shiri would just give me advice from the background saying he ought not to be seen.

Another Zanu PF legislator, Chikomba Central’s Felex Mhona (Zanu PF) described him  as a meek and humble person:

His meekness and humility was a marvel to the people of Njanja, Chikomba Central.

While Pupurai Togarepi said Shiri helped him during the time he was going through a tough time politically:

At one point in my political life I faced challenges. He would give me confidence when chips were down

Meanhwile Norton Legislator Temba Mliswa urged parliamentarians to stop associating Shiri with the Gukurahundi Masscres even after details of his alleged involvement in the masceres evolved.

WATCH- Touts manhandle @PoliceZimbabwe officers? #Zimbabwe #ZimbabweansLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/rJNFeA2SVq

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 23, 2020

By A Correspondent- The Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Matabeleland South province deputy director Mr Elfas Siziba (58) allegedly hanged himself in a bushy area near his house in Gwanda town following a misunderstanding with his first wife.

Matabeleland South acting provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Loveness Mangena confirmed the incident which happened near Nssa Complex in the Central Business District.

Insp Makonese said the late Mr Siziba was last seen by his family on Saturday at around 10PM and he was found hanging from a tree by a passerby on Sunday at around 9AM.

“I can confirm that we recorded a case of sudden death by hanging near Nssa Complex in Gwanda. Elfas Siziba was last seen by his family on Saturday at around 10PM as he retired to bed. He was found hanging from a tree at around 9AM. The matter was reported to the police who attended the scene and his body was taken to Gwanda Provincial Hospital mortuary,” she said.

Insp Mangena said investigations were underway. A source said the late Mr Siziba left a suicide note indicating that he had a misunderstanding with his first wife.

By A Correspondent- The trial of  Prisca Mupfumira in which she stands accused of siphoning public funds amounting to US $95 Million from National Social Security Authority (NSSA) will kick off on 19 October.

According to the publication, the state which will be led by George Manokore has notified magistrate Trynos Utawashe that they are ready to proceed:

Prosecutor George Manokore yesterday told magistrate Trynos Utawashe that the State was now ready for trial after several false starts, with Priscilla Mupfumira’s lawyer Advocate Silvester Hashiti threatening to file for refusal of further remand in protest over the delays.

Mupfumira who was publicly arrest last year in July and was in remand for close to a month before being released on bail has denied the allegations levelled against her that she used pensioners’ money to buy properties in Dubai, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

President Mnangagwa fired Prisca Mupfumira from her job as a cabinet minister after she was released from prison and her case could not commence at some point as she was said to be suffering from mental instability.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Residents Associations are calling for the immediate amendment of the constitution which gives powers to political parties to recall councilors without consulting citizens.

Speaking at a radio program recently in Harare, Harare Metropolitan Residents Forum (HAMREF) Chairperson Mr Marvellous Kumalo said:

As residents we are going to lobby for the amendment of the constitution, these forms of recalls should go through a referendum of that particular constituency.”

CHRA Director Mrs. Loreen Mupasiri Sani highlighted that, the political contestations of the opposition parties has resulted in the wild recalls of councilors and left the electorate on the periphery of the local governance.

“Councilors are the bridge between the residents and the council officials”, said the CHRA Director.

The Secretary for Local Governance for MDC Alliance, Sesel Zvidzai lamented that the recalls were not procedural. “If recalls were to be made there are processes and procedures to be followed not just a mere letter,” said Zvidzai.

Zvidzai added that:

“Councilors were being recalled because they were refusing to be raped politically.”

Mr Morgan Komichi the National Chairperson for the MDCT defended the recalls and highlighted that there were a necessity.

“These recalls are informed by Supreme Court ruling which regard Thokozani Kuphe as the president of MDC Alliance and Councilors recalls is a process of dealing with indiscipline among councilors ,issues of service delivery will be dealt with later”, said Komichi.

So far twenty one (21) Councilors out of forty-six (46) have been recalled to a situation that has crippled council committees and operations.

The recalls come at a time when Council was in an important political process of budget formulation.

CHRA calls for the fighting political parties to prioritize residents and service delivery; they are crippling as these recalls are affecting representative democracy and quality service delivery.