Paul Nyathi

A 10-member delegation from South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) is expected in the country on Tuesday to meet ZANU PF and other stakeholders in the country in a bid to solve the country’s political crisis.

ZANU PF director for Information and Publicity Tafadzwa Mugwadi confirmed the visit.

“I can confirm that the delegation will arrive on Tuesday. I am not sure of the full names of the team, but obviously it is going to include the top brass of the ANC. I understand that ANC secretary-general Cde Ace Magashule will lead the team.”

One person from Bulawayo died of coronavirus on Saturday pushing the death toll for the city to 38 and that for the nation to 207.

There were 140 new cases and only 15 recoveries raising the number of active cases to 1 410.

The total number of cases now stands at 6 977 with 5 360 recoveries.

Globally the number of cases is now 27.1 million and includes 884 300 deaths, 19.2 million recoveries and seven million active cases.

South Africa seems to be on the mend with the number of active cases now down to 60 901. It has so far recorded 636 884 cases and 14 779 deaths.

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson says United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Brian Nichols has created a basis to “expel himself” after the envoy urged the region to be more proactive in handling the political and economic crisis in the country.

Mnangagwa’s government has reacted angrily to suggestions that Zimbabwe is facing a crisis after a vicious clampdown against dissent that followed the July 31 protests.

Nichols on Friday told South African broadcaster eNCA that the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) should help stop Zimbabwe from descending into chaos.

Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba reacted angrily to Nichols’ statements, saying they were undiplomatic.

“Why would you have an ambassador accredited to Zimbabwe featuring on a station when there is a sitting American ambassador to discuss a country hosting him in another country?

“Does it make diplomatic sense to you? “Actually somewhere it is a basis to expel him,” Charamba fumed.

“You give your letters of credence to President Mnangagwa and you go and discuss the host country in South Africa where there is another ambassador?

“Does it make diplomatic sense? It is very provocative actually.

“How does it arise that a person, who delivers letters of credence to Zimbabwe communicates with Zimbabwe over a foreign media, how does that happen?

“Why are you here then? Why do we need you here at all?”

Nichols had said Sadc can play a critical role in helping Zimbabwe return to normalcy.

“The country is facing yet another drought and food insecurity problems. “Sadc can play a vital role in supporting that effort,” he said.

“There are a tremendous number of challenges, let us talk about three specific areas.

“Promoting national dialogue and an inclusive approach to dealing with the country’s very profound challenges.

“Secondly, let us talk about the economy.

“The economy has seen over 800% inflation over the course of last year, basic incomes have not gone up and over 60% of the people need assistance to afford the basic food and market basket for them and the country is facing yet another drought and food insecurity problems and all three of these things require urgent attention and Sadc can play a vital role in support of that.”

Charamba last week also lashed out at South African politicians from both the ruling ANC and the opposition, who are pushing for a regional intervention in Zimbabwe.

He insisted that Zimbabwe had no crisis to warrant any outside intervention.

South African President Cyril Rampahosa last month despatched four envoys to Harare, but they were blocked from meeting the opposition after they held talks with Mnangagwa.

Ramaphosa, however, insisted last week that the envoys would return to Zimbabwe to meet all the protagonists in the Zimbabwe crisis.

– The Standard

Ruling Zanu PF party on Sunday said the late former President Robert Mugabe will be remembered for championing Zimbabwe’s land reform programme.

Mugabe died on September 6 last year in Singapore where he was receiving medical treatment at age 95.

In a tweet, Zanu PF also credited Mugabe for participating in the country’s war of liberation.

“Today marks the 1st year following the death of our founding father , National hero and African Statesman President Robert Gabriel Mugabe. Affectionately known as Gushungo , we remember him for leading the liberation struggle, land reform and the foundation of an independent Zanu PF,” said the party.

South African opposition party, Economic Freedom Fighters said Mugabe ‘s legacy was on land reform .

“Mugabe’s greatest legacy is the fast track land reform programme in Zimbabwe by which the world saw how resolute Mugabe was in his commitment to resolving the timeless question of the return of African land back to African people and the use of African wealth for the development of Africa.

“On this day, we remember Mugabe’s hard work in rebuilding a country ruined by the war against colonial powers. For his commitment to the fight for Africa and her wealth to be returned to her people, he faced unimaginable attacks from the West,” said EFF.

Paul Nyathi

MDC-T Spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni has warned inconsistent MDC Alliance Gwanda Councillors of stern measures from the MDC-T after four off the six councillors made a quick about turn and returned to the Nelson Chamisa led MDC Alliance having dumped him just under a week ago.

The six councillors were last week unveiled with pictures as newly recruited members of the Khupe led MDC-T at a meeting which was presided on by Phugeni and other senior party officials in the province.

The Matabeleland South Provincial executive of the MDC Alliance on Saturday wrote a memo to the party National leadership reporting that the councillors had expressed allegiance to Chamisa after meeting with the province’s management committee claiming that they never made any commitments to Khupe.

The party memo read as follows:

“As Mat south Management, we would like to take this opportunity to announce that not all our councillors crossed the flow to Makhuphe. We had a meeting with our councillors and Gwanda central CCC today, Saturday. The councillors explained that they were called for a meeting by Mdc T leadership which they attended and were adressed by Phugeni. The following four councilors did not accept their request;
His worship Jaston Mazhale
Councillor Nappy Moyo
Councillor Siziba
Councillor Tshuma

The four councillors said their President is Advocate Nelson Chamisa and are apologizing to the party members and their electorate for being “clumsy”.

“We hope their appology will be taken into consideration as you have assigned us to talk them.”

In response, Phugeni dismissed the councillors’ claim that they had only been invited for a meeting indicating that the councillors voluntarily invited the MDC-T to express their move to back Khupe over Chamisa.

“It’s all fallacy what they are saying now,” said Phugeni in an interview with ZimEye.com. “These councillors are playing cat and mouse games at the wrong time.”

“What they are trying to tell us is that even if ZANU PF was to invite them for a meeting tomorrow they will attend? They would do the same with Mujuru and Nkosana Moyo? It’s a serious lack of integrity from these councillors,” he said.

Phugeni further indicated that the party will be meeting this week to deliberate on the four councillors in the wake of their latest move.

Probed if the party will be recalling the councillors, Phugeni said the party will go through all its processes and definitely recall the councillors.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa has described veteran journalist Hopewell Chin’ono as a true freedom fighter.

Chin’ono was arrested and detained by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration for exposing corruption.

President Chamisa visited Chin’ono at his house on Saturday.

President Chamisa said:
“Today(Saturday), I visited a Hero and Veteran Journalist, Hopewell Chin’ono.

We thank God that he is recovering well after being released on bail. The freedom fighter spent 45 days in prison upon denial of bail.

Hope ignites hope. He remains steadfast in fighting corruption and speaking truth to power.

The March is not ended.#ZimbabaweanLivesMatter.”

Own Correspondent|Opposition leader Noah Manyika has said he is not desperate to join Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s POLAD.

Manyika described POLAD as a “captured platform.”

“I have just received an inquiry from a journalist about Mnangagwa’s statement today inviting those who have so far refused to join POLAD to do so. I responded as follows:

Mnangagwa is still operating under the delusion that everyone is desperate to join the gravy train. I am not.

He still believes everyone can be bought, threatened, coerced into cooperating with his repressive, corrupt and incompetent regime.

The fight is not to join POLAD, but for freedom. The fight is to change a sadistic and selfish system whose true colours have now become evident to all.

The real message from Mnangagwa is when we saw the abduction and torture of Mathuthu’s relative, and Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume in leg irons and much much more.

The message is evident through the Neanderthal thinking that the brutal reality in our country can be changed by denying it, or that calls by the clergy for the government to do what’s right should be used as an opportunity to threaten Ndebeles.

Mnangagwa’s message is clear when he attempts to use an issue as critical as land to separate the white community from the rest of the Zimbabweans who live tortured lives under his regime.

Mnangagwa’s imperious statements that assume everyone will go crawling to State House at his call demonstrate the extent of his delusions of grandeur.

Ultimately, no authoritarian, no matter how vicious, can escape the consequences of their own folly.

One day, Zimbabwe shall be free,” said Manyika.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance MP Joana Mamombe has been hospitalized after showing signs of severe traumatic disorders, it has emerged.

Joana, Mamombe, Netsai Marova and Cecilia Chimbiri were abducted, tortured and sexually assaulted by State Security agents for speaking on behalf of suffering citizens.

In a brief statement MDC Alliance spokesperson, Advocate Fadzayi Mahere said:

“We are advised that MDC Alliance MP Joanna Mamombe, one of the 3 activists abducted, tortured & sexually abused in May has been hospitalized.

She suffered severe trauma from the torture & abuse. Let’s keep her in our thoughts & prayers. #ZimbabaweanLivesMatter.”

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa has described veteran journalist Hopewell Chin’ono as a true freedom fighter.

Chin’ono was arrested and detained by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration for exposing corruption.

President Chamisa visited Chin’ono at his house on Saturday.

President Chamisa said:
“Today(Saturday), I visited a Hero and Veteran Journalist, Hopewell Chin’ono.

We thank God that he is recovering well after being released on bail. The freedom fighter spent 45 days in prison upon denial of bail.

Hope ignites hope. He remains steadfast in fighting corruption and speaking truth to power.

The March is not ended.#ZimbabaweanLivesMatter.”

WARNING- DISTURBING PICTURES @PoliceZimbabwe parade dead bodies of suspected Chivhu gunmen who were shot in the forest some estimated 20km from Chivhu pic.twitter.com/nq6p28LbrA

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 6, 2020

Two men believed to have shot two Zimbabwe National Army officers in Chivhu on Saturday have been shot dead about 20 kilometres from Chivhu Central Business District.

National Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi told a local publication that the two men suspected to have killed a soldier leaving another one seriously injured Saturday were killed after an exchange of fire with soldiers.

More details to follow…

Police will soon issue a statement regarding a fatal shootout with individuals linked to the murder and attempted murder of members of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA)

— Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) September 6, 2020

https://twitter.com/Jamwanda2/status/1302517231419568136?s=20

We are advised that MDC Alliance MP Joanna Mamombe, one of the 3 activists abducted, tortured & sexually abused in May has been hospitalized. She suffered severe trauma from the torture & abuse. Let's keep her in our thoughts & prayers. #ZimbabaweanLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/dVRa9GSeTp

— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) September 5, 2020

By A Correspondent- According to the Chronicle, the Ministry of Health published a statement that said one person succumbed to COVID-19 yesterday while 140 other tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

A statement released by the ministry reportedly said:

As of September 5, 2020, Zimbabwe had 6 977 cases, 5 360 recoveries and 207 deaths. One death was recorded in Bulawayo province in the last 24 hours.

All 140 cases are from local transmissions and 135 of those were in Harare from a backlog of samples collected over the week which are currently being processed.

629 PCR tests were conducted in the last 24 hours and the positivity rate was 22.2 percent.The total number of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 now stands at 6977 while 207 dearhs have been recorded since the onset of the pundemic.

Since the Ministry’s Twitter account was suspended, the Ministry Of Health and Childcare did not manage to send any daily update on the progression of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe on their Facebook Page or on their website.

By A Correspondent- War veterans say they “strongly support” Government’s recent move to compensate white former commercial farmers, black Zimbabweans and investors whose land was covered by Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) and Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (BIPPAs) for land lost during the land reform exercise.

Government made the undertaking by signing a US$3,5 billion Global Compensation Deed with the farmers in July.

The compensation is provided for in Section 295 of the country’s Constitution.

Only 37 farms were covered under BIPPAs.

Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) chairperson Christopher Mutsvangwa, on the sidelines of ZANU PF’s Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting in Gweru yesterday, said it was time to mend relations and correct some of the anomalies that resulted from the fast-track programme.

“We strongly support the initiative because we are doing it for goodwill. We have been viewed as being cruel to white former farmers by expropriating land without compensation. We also lost foreign direct investment,” he said.

“So, we are hoping that once we have established good relations, we will get foreign direct investment. We have also been given sanctions based on the issue of land. So, America and other countries that had imposed sanctions on us based on the land issue will not have any reason for continuing to impose the sanctions on us.”

Earlier on while addressing the meeting, Mutsvangwa said the liberation struggle was waged against a colonial system, and not against the white race.

He also implored people to respect the Constitution.

“We fought a non-racial war against a racial system. It has been 40 years after Independence. The white people who remained in Zimbabwe are now Zimbabweans. We should not stigmatise them and do racial discrimination in the country. President Mnangagwa wants a united nation regardless of race, creed, religion and gender. We were supported by some white people during the war. Let us not recycle racism in the country,” he said.

Addressing the same meeting, Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda said re-allocating the 37 BIPPAs farms to former farm owners was a constitutional provision.

“The issuing of tenure documents and 99-year leases as well as compensation of former owners are entitled by the Constitution. There are companies and individuals who were given land by Government to come and farm in Zimbabwe. In terms of our Constitution and international law, President Mnangagwa said let us allow these 37 farms to be given back,” he said.

ZANU PF secretary for Legal Affairs Paul Mangwana said the party estimates less than one percent of resettled farmers will be affected by the possible return of farmers whose properties were covered under BIPPAs.

“There are very few farmers that are going to be affected by BIPPAs, but those that are affected will be given alternative farms. From our own calculations, it will affect less than one percent of the people that were resettled, so it’s a very a small group that will be affected,” he told a ZANU PF Matabeleland South Provincial Coordinating Committee meeting in Gwanda yesterday.
-statemedia

By A Correspondent- A woman who was electrocuted while relieving herself at a Zesa sub-station in Bulawayo City Centre on Thursday afternoon has been identified as Ms Samukeliso Moyo of Fort Rixon.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed her identity but said police could not establish her age.

He said they were investigating a case of sudden death. The incident occurred in a sanitary lane near a vegetable market along 5th Avenue between Robert Mugabe and George Silundika streets.

Ms Moyo reportedly came to Bulawayo to order some goods for resale.

According to reports she could not access a Bulawayo City Council public toilet as it was locked and she went into the sanitary lane to relieve herself. According to vendors who were nearby, they heard a spark sound coming from the sanitary lane and one of them rushed to see what was happening only to find the woman electrocuted.

“We heard a spark and someone went to investigate only to find the woman lying facing downwards. She apparently told someone she was pressed and could not wait to find a proper ablution facility,” said a vendor who declined to be named.

Ms Moyo was reportedly in the company of a child.

The incident, which occurred around 1pm, caused a power outage that affected the whole Central Business District (CBD) with some areas going for more than 24 hours without power.

Zesa’s acting western region general manager Engineer Lloyd Jaji said electricity supplies were restored after three hours in some parts of the CBD while an area directly supplied from the sub-station was only restored yesterday afternoon.

“The area from Leopold Takawira going upwards was restored approximately around 3.30pm while the remainder going northwards had electricity back just after 6pm. However, a small portion supplied directly by the sub-station got back on the grid yesterday around 4.30pm,” he said.

Eng Jaji urged members of the public to stay clear of electricity infrastructure as a safety measure.

By A Correspondent- MDC-T is plotting a wholesale recall of Harare and Bulawayo councillors after its candidate was defeated in mayoral elections in the capital city in a move observers say will virtually collapse the two local authorities.

The Thokozani Khupe-led party’s candidate Luckson Mukunguma was defeated by Jacob Mafume of the MDC Alliance in hotly contested polls last week.

Mafume replaced Herbert Gomba, who was recalled by the MDC-T a fortnight ago as part of a battle for the control of the capital.

Other councillors that were recalled along Gomba were Hammy Madzingira, Kudzai Kadzombe, Gaudencia Marere, Costa Mande and Happymore Gotora.

On Friday the MDC-T held an emergency Standing Committee meeting in Harare to review the mayoral election setback and insiders said a decision was made to recall 11 councillors from Harare and six from Bulawayo to hit back at the MDC Alliance camp led by Nelson Chamisa.

Five councillors would allegedly be recalled from Marondera council.

In Harare, the MDC-T strategy was allegedly to limit the MDC Alliance councillors to only eight, against the faction’s 14.

This would allow the party to use its majority in council to appoint its members to key positions such as committee chair posts.

“Eleven councillors are being targeted and they include deputy mayor Enock Mupamawonde, our chief whip Loveness Gomba and committee chairpersons and their deputies,” an MDC-T insider claimed.

“The idea is to target those who nominated Mafume and seconded him, strong councillors and those in key positions that should be taken over by the MDC-T.”

The insider said the MDC-T never expected to lose the mayoral election.

“The faction was thrown into a quandary after the loss because it had been assured by [interim secretary-general Douglas] Mwonzora that Mukunguma would win,” another source said.

“Other standing committee members want a lot of councillors who voted against them recalled, accusing them of being ungrateful for not being recalled.”

Sources said Mwonzora would write a letter to Local Government minister July Moyo ordering the recalls of the councillors accused of defying Khupe’s orders.

Mwonzora, however, denied that the meeting resolved to recall more councillors.

“The best person to talk to is the spokesperson [Khaliphani Phugeni] or the national chairperson,” he said.

“I was in the meeting briefly. Maybe something like that was discussed, but it is not true. When we make recalls, we will tell the whole country,” Mwonzora said.

“We don’t just recall, we recall pursuant to certain misdeeds. There is no truth in that.”

Morgen Komichi, the party’s interim chairperson, confirmed the meeting conducted a postmortem of the mayoral elections, but insisted there was no decision on the recalls.

“We had a postmortem of the elections of mayors,” Komichi said.

“We just made discussions, but no decision was made to recall anyone.”

Mafume warned the MDC-T against being “enemies of progress” as further recalls would collapse service delivery in the city.

“What we know is that if they continue on that path, they will collapse the council and it is the residents that will suffer and also, it is most likely that their own councillors will not be able to return should the council collapse and by-elections are held,” Mafume said.

“They need to be very mature and stop throwing toys out of the cot.

“They should focus on residents’ issues and the residents simply want their interests served and not to see politicians behaving in that manner.”

Eleven councillors have so far been recalled in Harare.

The capital had 45 councillors from the MDC Alliance and one from Zanu-PF before the recalls.

Thirty-five councillors voted with 19 opting for Mafume, 14 elected Mukunguma while one paper was spoilt after one councillor simply wrote “ED-PFee”, a campaign slogan for President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Jameson Timba, the MDC Alliance presidential affairs secretary, said they knew that the MDC-T was working with Zanu-PF to collapse councils run by the party.

“First, we are aware that Zanu-PF is working with Thokozani Khupe, Mwonzora and company to disrupt service delivery in Harare by paralysing the operations of the city council through their unlawful recall of councillors,” Timba said.

“We are also aware that they are inimical to democracy and will go out of their way to reverse the will of the people of Harare as expressed on July 31, 2018.

“Let me put it on record that the terms of office of the MDC-T anarchists, who masquerade as constitutionalists expired in October 2019, in addition, the court extended terms of office to July 31 and they do not have any legal mandate to purport to act for and on behalf of the defunct MDC.

“Any such purported recall is null and void. Any such purported recall is voidable.”

The recalls of councillors has been criticised by residents’ associations, who say it will give the government an excuse to impose handpicked commissions to run cities under MDC Alliance control.

Besides the recalling of councillors, Khupe’s group has also been withdrawing legislators that were voted into the National Assembly and Senate via MDC Alliance tickets.-standard

By A Correspondent-  A suspected grenade explosion killed two children from Majindane area in Nyamandlovu on Friday morning.

Zimbabwe is risking the environment and wildlife in its biggest game park after the government, already battling to explain the deaths of 22 elephants, granted coal mining concessions to several Chinese companies in the Hwange National Park.

The decision has drawn widespread criticism from environmentalists who now fear the coal mining activities will harm the environment and worsen human-wildlife conflict as animals move location to get away from disturbances to their habitats.

Concerns have also been raised by scientists who say the government should prioritize sustainable environmental programs such as tourism and wildlife conservation in the Hwange National Park rather than potentially destructive mining activities for coal which Zimbabwe still relies on heavily for its electricity generation.

Zimbabwe also uses hydro-generated electricity but recent droughts, exacerbated by climate change, have meant subdued generation capacity for the country as well as neighboring Zambia from the Kariba Dam. For Zimbabwe, this has exerted more pressure on the need for coal mining to enhance power generation from Hwange although some generation units there are currently down.

The Hwange coal plans are yet another example of Beijing’s implicit encouragement for Chinese companies to develop coal-fired plants overseas. Even as China’s investment in renewable energy projects at home has soared becoming one of the world’s leaders in solar, for example, Chinese companies have been building hundreds of coal plants abroad, some in countries that currently burn little or no coal. This push has included African countries, where the promise of subsidized development was a draw for governments to welcome Chinese investment.

Last year, Kenyan judges stopped a Chinese-backed scheme to build Kenya and east Africa’s first coal plant because the owners had failed to conduct a thorough assessment of the plant’s impact on Lamu, an idyllic archipelago in the country’s northeast.

Big Five
The Hwange National Park is the biggest game reserve in Zimbabwe, and home to a wide range of “Big five” wildlife including elephants, lions, and giraffes. But the park is now under threat from the growing number of coal mining concessions being granted by the government. Another already established company, Makomo Resources, also mines coal from Hwange. Zimbabwe’s appetite to ramp up coal production, driven by its desire to avoid power shortages is already being criticized by environmentalists who are pushing for greater investment in cleaner power sources such as solar and wind.

The coal mining environmental impact in Hwange emerged this week after Bhejane Trust, a wildlife conservation group published evidence that some Chinese companies were already “drilling core samples for coal” after the government “allocated (them) two coal mining concessions” in the middle of the Hwange Park.

News of the pact couldn’t have been worse timed after Zimparks reported the unexplained deaths of 22 elephants near Hwange. Authorities have ruled out poaching as the tusks from the dead elephants were intact and early samples show the deaths were not caused by anthrax, which has been used by poachers in the recent past. There are now suspicions the deaths of the elephants were caused by a bacterial infection.

Neighboring Botswana has also struggled with sudden deaths of elephants that have prompted some scientists to blame climate change owing to habitats that are increasingly under pressure—both Zimbabwe and Botswana have more elephants than they can sustainably hold.

The Centre for Natural Resource Governance Zimbabwe has emphasized the greater environmental harm that the increasing coal mining activities by Chinese companies in Hwange are causing. The lobby group said in and around the Hwange Park, Chinese miners have been embarking on mining activities without undertaking environmental impact assessments, with the environment, animals, and local people being “subjected to disproportionate environmental” hazards.

“Authorizing coal mining within Hwange National Park is a serious environmental crime by the government and miners. This activity threatens biodiversity within the park,” says CNRG’s projects and communications officer, Simiso Mlevu.

Paul Nyathi

Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi has dispelled social media rumours that the two suspects in the Chivhu incident on Saturday have been arrested.

Speaking to ZimEye.com in an interview, Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said pictures of two men with one in handcuffs that have been doing rounds on social media are not at all related to the Chivhu incident.

Police have indicated that they are hot on the heels pursuing the matter and official information will be provided as and when it becomes available.

Paul Nyathi

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) on Saturday reviewed upwards to $97,93c the price of petrol per litre and $86,36 for diesel, while US dollar maximum prices have been reduced to US1,18 for petrol and US$1,04 for diesel.

Before the price adjustment, petrol cost $93.15 per litre +and $83.36 for diesel.

Foreign currency prices were pegged at US$1.09 for diesel and $1.28 per litre of petrol.

“Operators may however, sell at prices below the cap depending on their trading advantages,” said Zera in a statement.

Fuel is one of the country’s top imports and its availability has in the past five years been erratic owing to foreign currency shortages that the economy continues to grapple with.

Paul Nyathi

A RAM service station in Ruwa burst into flames on Saturday while a fuel delivery truck was offloading tonnes of litres of fuel.

The fire extensive damaged equipment at the filling station and the tanker was burnt to a shell.

The fire extended to shops located close to the station.

A City of Harare fire engine had difficulties putting out the fire until reinforcement was called in from the Zimbabwe National Army.

The manager at the filling station, Lynne Zata linked the source of the fire to the delivery truck.

“Ï just heard the sound from the tanker offloading the fuel. That is when the fire started but I have no idea what caused the fire,” she said, adding that no one was injured as a result of the incident.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the incident, Harare Fire Brigade Assistant Divisional Officer, Philip Marufu said the fire caused severe damage to property.

“The fire caused extensive damage, the fuel tanker, fuel pumps and the hardware shops have been extensively damaged,” said Marufu.

“Challenges were faced as we were fighting against a fuel tanker that carries 20.000 litres…so we mobilised for another fire truck from the army to be able to put out the fire.”

Paul Nyathi

A service officer of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) was shot and killed while another sustained life-threatening injuries after a shocking shooting incident at a police post in Chivhu on Saturday afternoon.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police have launched investigations into the matter.

“We have an incident which occurred this afternoon (Saturday) at a police post close to the Chicken Inn food outlet in Chivhu, where two service officers were shot by an unknown assailant,” said Asst-Comm Nyathi.

“A suspect, who is yet to be identified, entered the police post and requested to speak to a service member stationed at the post as part of the teams that are enforcing Covid-19 regulations.”

He said the assailant was accompanied outside by the ZNA officer before returning a short while later.

“It was on their return that the suspect produced a pistol and shot this service member before turning the firearm on another officer and shot him.

“The first service member died on the spot while the second one sustained serious injuries. The suspect then took two service arms from the deceased and the injured servicemen before fleeing the scene.

“More information on the incident will be released in due course.”

He said police were yet to establish whether the assailant was working alone or had accomplices.

Source: State Media

Following the skirmishes that took place in Chivhu yesterday where a soldier was disarmed and shot to death by armed civilians, an internal police memo circulating on social media has revealed further details of what transpired.

Read the memo below….

The opposition MDC Alliance has reported that its youngest female legislator Joana Mamombe is in hospital due to the trauma she went through from the time she was abducted, arrested and detained by the state.

It was not clear what Mamombe was suffering from but the party stressed that it was related to the traumatic experience she went through at the hands of the state.

“We are advised that MDC Alliance MP Joanna Mamombe, one of the 3 activists abducted, tortured & sexually abused in May has been hospitalized. She suffered severe trauma from the torture & abuse. Let’s keep her in our thoughts & prayers. #ZimbabaweanLivesMatter,” said the party.

Mamombe was abducted together with other two MDC Alliance members namely Cecelia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.

Opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa yesterday visited journalist Hopewell Chin’ono following his release from detention where he spend 45 days after his arrest on charges of inciting public violence.

Chamisa later posted on Twitter saying;

“Today,I visited a Hero and Veteran Journalist,Hopewell Chin’ono.We thank God that he is recovering well after being released on bail.Hope ignites hope. He remains steadfast in fighting corruption and speaking truth to power.The March is not ended.#ZimbabaweanLivesMatter.”

MEMORANDUM

SUBJECT : MURDER AS DEFINED IN SECTION 47 OF THE CRIMINAL LAW [CORDIFICATION AND REFORM] ACT, CHAPTER 9:23 WHICH OCCURRED AT CHICKEN INN POLICE BASE, CHIVHU.
This memo serves to place on record circumstances surrounding the above subject matter.

Deceased : Lorance Mupanganyama
NR : 24- 183675 C 24
Age : 30years
Regimental Number : 839423 P
Bus : ZNA 21 Reserve Force, Mount, Darwin

Injured : Peter Zvirevo
NR : Not held
Age : unknown
Regimental number : 836311 H
Bus :ZNA 21 Reserve Force, Mount, Darwin

Accused : 2 unknown male adults.

Circumstances:
On 05 September 2020 and at around 0800 hours number 99574 M Constable Madzvamuse, 994121 Q Constable Lunzwe, 990590 C Constable Chiorera 996672 N C, 839423 Q Coporal Mupanganyama and 836311 H Coporal Zvirevo were deployed in Chivhu Central Business District to conduct foot patrols.

Lance Coporal Mupanganyama was armed with an AK rifle serial number ZA 52410 with a fully loaded magazine of 30 rounds and a reserve magazine loaded with 30 rounds while Coporal Zvirevo was armed with an AK rifle serial number ZA 49103 with a fully loaded magazine of 30 rounds and a reserve magazine loaded with 30 rounds.

On the same date and at around 1445 hours the 6 members proceeded to Chicken Inn Police Base on surveillance.

During the course of the surveillance, one unknown male adult who was wearing a green covid 19 face mask, a black bomber jacket, tattered blue jean trousers and black safety shoes, approached the now deceased and signalled him to meet him outside the Police base and he complied.

The now deceased after learning that the accused had told him that he is an EX member in the ZNA and not his superior as he anticipated, was angered and went back into the police base where other members were.

The purported EX member followed the deceased in the Police base talking to the deceased on top of his voice.

All of a sudden the other accused approached at the entrance of the Police base without saying anything he produced a corked pistol and started firing directly at the two army members.

After sensing danger the female police officers took cover under the visitors’ bench.

The 2 accused persons automatically disarmed the 2 soldiers and took away the 2 AK rifles and 4 fully charged magazines loaded with 30 rounds each.

The 2 accused got out of the police base and showed off strength by pointing the rifles in the air and people started running in different directions for their safety.

The accused persons ran away on a nearby bush in the eastern direction of the Police base and went away to an unknown destination.

The police officers at the police base sought assistance from members of the public who ferried the two army details to Chivhu General Hospital where Lance Coporal Mupanganyama was pronounced dead.

Coporal Zvirevo was admitted at Chivhu General Hospital.

Scene was attended by both C.I.D Chivhu and ZRP Chivhu who made the following observations;
There were 12 X 9mm spent cartridges and 2 bullet heads inside the police base.
There were blood stains on the floor in the Police base.

A visit was made at Chivhu General hospital where deceased was seen in the mortuary and the following were observed :-
1. A gun shot wound on the nose which perforated through the
Head.
2. A gun shot wound on the left palm.
3. A gun shot wound which glazed on the chest.

The team proceeded to the male ward where Coporal Zvirevo was admitted and the following were observed :-
1. 3 gun shot wounds on the back.
2 gun shot wounds on the left hand.

1 gun shot wound on the abdomen.
Same is in a critical condition and has been transferred to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.
Outstanding
To send body for Post mortem.

To send spent cartridges to CID ballistics for examination.
To investigate the case in a view to bring culprits to book.

The case is being investigated under Chivhu RRB 4221997
Your office will be appraised of any developments.

CID CHIVHU MEMORANDUM DATED 05/09/20

Two children from Majindane area in Nyamandlovu died instantly on Friday morning when a suspected grenade detonated at their homestead while they were washing dishes.

The massive explosion tore through the Mthethwa homestead in Ward 10 in Nyamandlovu, killing a 13-year-old girl and her three-year-old brother, leaving their body parts strewn all over the yard.

One of the neighbours who spoke to CITE said they were working at a community nutrition garden, with the mother of the deceased when the explosion occurred.

“We were working at our community garden with the mother of the deceased children. She then returned home and barely 30 minutes later when we heard a massive explosion.

People ran to the scene and the mother, who was in the kitchen, rushed out to find her two children lying on the ground with some of their body parts all over the place,” said the neighbour.

“We then picked up the body parts and covered the deceased with blankets. The explosion was so massive that all the plates and other utensils were reduced to fragments.”

The police were called to the scene and they came and collected the remains of the two children.

While searching for clues as to what might have caused the explosion, the mother of the deceased children reportedly picked up a piece of metal which they suspected to have been a part of a grenade.

“She handed over the metal pieces to the army bomb disposal unit which came to the homestead to carry out investigations.

They inquired if the children had gone into the bush and whether they had been playing with some strange objects. These children were always at home and we are not sure where this grenade came from.”

Matabeleland North police spokesperson Chief Inspector Siphiwe Makonese, confirmed the incident but referred this publication to the national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi for more details.

“So far there are no leads, the army bomb disposal unit came to do their investigations.

The information I have is it was a sister and her sibling who were doing dishes outside when the incident occurred. We don’t have a result from that investigation,” she said briefly.

Nyathi said he did not have more information and he was out of office.-CITE

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance vice president Hon Tendai Biti has accused Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa of running the country like a bottle store.

Hon Biti also took a swipe at Mr Mnangagwa and Zanu PF apparatchiks for stealing State resources at an alarming rate.

“The challenge of Zim is a leadership that runs the country like a bottle store Patronage extraction and primitive accumulation are the DNA of regime Everything is for sale. Everything has a price and in every transaction the pimp must get a cut.A Head of State should not pimp country…

Zim has huge coal deposits that extend from Gokwe all the way to Hwange Sinamatela.The granting of coal concessions in Hwange National Park is extremely crude&reflects that the grantee of those rights is not fit for the office he holds . He is an imposter #ZimbabaweanLivesMatter

Special Grants are only issued by one office in Zim . Under Emmerson we are are witnessing the primitive asset stripping of Zim from resources ,concessions and land,” argued Hon Biti.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance has described Douglas Mwonzora and Thokozani Khupe as fake democrats who cannot represent the interests of the people of Zimbabwe at any level.

In a statement released on Friday, MDC Alliance Namibia commended party councillors for refusing to be cowed into submission by Khupe and Mwonzora.

See statement below:

04 SEPTEMBER 2020

MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA DISTRICT CONGRATULATES ITS POLITICAL DYNAMO JACOB MAFUME AS THE NEWLY DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED MAYOR OF HARARE.

To the chagrin of Zanupf surrogates, Mdc-Thokozani, President Nelson Chamisa’s Mdc Alliance scooped the Mayoral position with 19 votes humiliating fake constitutionalists led by the captured Khupe.

Zanupf apologists were represented by the feeble Mukunguma who polled a pathetic amount of votes. Reading through the frustrated faces of second-hand democrats, we can witness that they are moody, resentful and despondent to the victory of genuine revolutionaries but such is the social democracy and constitutionalism they always pout and sulk.

As Mdc Alliance Namibia, we are very jovial and jocund upon witnessing the People’s victory.

We want to open our political envelop of exuberance celebrating the ascension of our outspoken and diligent councillor Advocate Jacob Mafume to the apex of the council of the city of Harare. It is quite frustrating to Khupe, Mwonzora and Festus Dumbu after illegally removing the former Mayor Hebert Gomba alleging him of being loyal to the People’s project led by President Nelson Chamisa.

We are wildly jubilant to register our initial victory in the test of democratic legitimacy between the Mdc Alliance and the Zanupf-manufactured Mdc-T. It was proven that the court of politics is completely non-identical or divergent from the court of law, which can be easily converted to a Zanupf functionary.

Furthermore, it was made bare that the judicially-sponsored Mdc-Thokozani can only achieve mastery in the captured courts that are not subject to a constitutional and democratic vote by social democrats.

Khupe and cronies dismally lost because the election of Mayor is by councillors not Border Gezi trained court officers who protect partisan interests at the expense of the downtrodden masses. Their cancer of manipulating state apparatus aided by sadist Zanupf could not save them from embarrassment at the hands of the political mountain , Mdc Alliance.

Moreso, we have confidence that His Worship Jacob Mafume will continue with our smart governance of our beloved city of Harare. We encourage our leader to shun corruption and provide quality social services. There is need to fight for the independence of local government from the central government that is interfering in the governance of our local councils. It is imperative to sanitise everything spoiled by the unconstitutional involvement of the corrupt and voracious Zanupf belly politicians of plunder and self-enrichment.

In conclusion, the pulsating defeat of the sons and daughters of Zanupf masquerading as genuine revolutionaries is both a political and moral lesson to Mdc-Thokozani so that they gather their political capital if they want to compete in any democratic elections with the Political behemoth, Mdc Alliance. The most effective arsenal in politics is Political Capital. Go back to the drawing board!

Mdc Alliance Namibia
Rundu Branch Spokesperson
Robson Ruhanya

Own Correspondent|Opposition leader Noah Manyika has said he is not desperate to join Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s POLAD.

Manyika described POLAD as a “captured platform.”

“I have just received an inquiry from a journalist about Mnangagwa’s statement today inviting those who have so far refused to join POLAD to do so. I responded as follows:

Mnangagwa is still operating under the delusion that everyone is desperate to join the gravy train. I am not.

He still believes everyone can be bought, threatened, coerced into cooperating with his repressive, corrupt and incompetent regime.

The fight is not to join POLAD, but for freedom. The fight is to change a sadistic and selfish system whose true colours have now become evident to all.

The real message from Mnangagwa is when we saw the abduction and torture of Mathuthu’s relative, and Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume in leg irons and much much more.

The message is evident through the Neanderthal thinking that the brutal reality in our country can be changed by denying it, or that calls by the clergy for the government to do what’s right should be used as an opportunity to threaten Ndebeles.

Mnangagwa’s message is clear when he attempts to use an issue as critical as land to separate the white community from the rest of the Zimbabweans who live tortured lives under his regime.

Mnangagwa’s imperious statements that assume everyone will go crawling to State House at his call demonstrate the extent of his delusions of grandeur.

Ultimately, no authoritarian, no matter how vicious, can escape the consequences of their own folly.

One day, Zimbabwe shall be free,” said Manyika.

Own Correspondent|Opposition leader Noah Manyika has said he is not desperate to join Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s POLAD.

Manyika described POLAD as a “captured platform.”

“I have just received an inquiry from a journalist about Mnangagwa’s statement today inviting those who have so far refused to join POLAD to do so. I responded as follows:

Mnangagwa is still operating under the delusion that everyone is desperate to join the gravy train. I am not.

He still believes everyone can be bought, threatened, coerced into cooperating with his repressive, corrupt and incompetent regime.

The fight is not to join POLAD, but for freedom. The fight is to change a sadistic and selfish system whose true colours have now become evident to all.

The real message from Mnangagwa is when we saw the abduction and torture of Mathuthu’s relative, and Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume in leg irons and much much more.

The message is evident through the Neanderthal thinking that the brutal reality in our country can be changed by denying it, or that calls by the clergy for the government to do what’s right should be used as an opportunity to threaten Ndebeles.

Mnangagwa’s message is clear when he attempts to use an issue as critical as land to separate the white community from the rest of the Zimbabweans who live tortured lives under his regime.

Mnangagwa’s imperious statements that assume everyone will go crawling to State House at his call demonstrate the extent of his delusions of grandeur.

Ultimately, no authoritarian, no matter how vicious, can escape the consequences of their own folly.

One day, Zimbabwe shall be free,” said Manyika.

In a heart-rending incident a 67-year-old granny threw an 11-year-old child into a 16-metre deep well after she found her fetching water from her well at Norwood Farm in Gutu, Masvingo province.

The incident that has put Eunice Shangwa in the firing line with villagers happened last week on Saturday.

A source close to investigations said an 11-year-old girl went to fetch water at the farm in question with her younger sister aged three.

“While they were fetching water Shangwa who is the owner of the well arrived and accused them of fetching water without her permission.

The granny beat the 11-year-old with a stick all over the body,” said the source.
After thrashing the minor, the source said, she threw her into the well.

“The fuming granny lifted the child and threw her into the deep well and instructed the younger sister to report to her parents that she had thrown her sister into the well,” said the source.

The source said the child rushed home and informed her parents. Sensing danger the granny went into hiding.

The girl’s parents informed other villagers who rushed to the well and saved the child from the jaws of death.

“Villagers rushed to the well and found the child crying inside the well. Luckily she was not submerged by the water and they saved her.

She was rushed to Gutu Mission Hospital where she is being treated. She is complaining of painful ribs and knees,” said the source.

Masvingo deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dewa confirmed the incident:

“We urge community members to value the sanctity of life and refrain from taking the law into their hands. We appeal to members of the public to assist us with information that could lead to the arrest of Shangwa.”-B-Metro

Farai Dziva|Only an honest leader can steer the nation to prosperity, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

Government patronage is detrimental to nation building, according to President Chamisa.

Said President Chamisa:
“Hoping for that day when people’s representatives and public servants get self sustained and not rely on government patronage.

We need forward thinking people with uncommon wisdom, servants not crooks.

Let’s entice more honest and progressive citizens to enter politics and build a SMART nation.Happy sabbath!”

I offer you lands in the national parks so that as you play golf you can be mixing with the elephants and the lions – @edmnangagwa pic.twitter.com/VTDIMqPtbQ

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 5, 2020

Newly-elected Harare mayor Jacob Mafume said he will carry on with the work the MDC Alliance-dominated council started when it was elected in 2018.

The Mt Pleasant Ward 17 Councillor won against Luckson Mukunguma of Ward 25 (Highfield) during an election held at Town House on Thursday afternoon.

Mafume asserted that the Council will prioritise delivering services for Harare residents and turn the Capital into a smart city.

He said:
When we were elected a few years ago, the mandate is still the same, we were elected on a smart policy to turn Harare into a smart city.

We are behind schedule, the residents want to see us deliver, and the residents are not interested in the round-robin of politics where we take turns to replace each other.

… The residents require, water, good roads, proper services and that we are orderly in our conduct.

Mafume added that there will be no room for corruption under his watch. He said:

We have to be corruption free, avoid the temptations that come with office, avoid quarrelling with each other.
… We shall try and put the residents at the centre of our efforts and that there are no sacred cows, if we cannot deliver, there will be consequences to pay.

We will try to work together and see that we avoid the pitfalls of the dramatics politics of the day and hope that there will be stability at Town House.

The election was held after the Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T expelled Herbert Gomba, who refused to swear his allegiance to the judicially-constructed party.-H-Metro

By A Correspondent | Two soldiers were disarmed and then shot by “civilians today at Chicken Inn, in Chivhu in an incident revealed by ZimEye 3hrs ago.

One of the soldiers was reported dead while the other was taken to the nearby hospital, which is 2km away.

Two soldiers were disarmed and then shot by "civilians today at Chicken Inn, in Chivhu in an incident revealed by ZimEye 3hrs ago.

One of the soldiers was reported while the other was taken to the nearby hospital, which is 2km away…. pic.twitter.com/hPbXvRxMT2

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 5, 2020

The men who attacked the soldiers appeared very skilled at using guns, they were armed with their own rifles and as soon as they arrived they targeted only soldiers, leaving the police officers unharmed.

Soon after shooting, they announced saying hondo yatanga – the war has started.

After the attack, they walked away on foot; they did not even use vehicles.

https://youtu.be/1DVASsTIklg

The incident comes 3 months after two Chivhu CID police officers who were in plainclothes were beaten up by armed soldiers who pounced on Seequick shop in the small town and indiscriminately beat up people for improperly putting on face masks.

The CID duo together with three other civilians who were also assaulted by the soldiers reported the matter to Chivhu Police Station. The cases were reported under RRB numbers 2187968; 2187969; 2187970; 2187971 and 2187972.
According to a report in the Mirror, the two detectives Austin Chikwinya and Sam Mutausi were buying groceries when the soldiers pounced on the shop and beat up people over failure to observe the mandatory putting on of face masks during the current lockdown.

Robert Mugabe’s nephew has said the former Zimbabwean leader died a “very bitter” man.

Mr Mugabe, who died aged 95 last week, led Zimbabwe for nearly four decades until he was ousted by a coup in 2017.

“Imagine people you trusted – people that were guarding you, looking after you – [turning] against you,” Leo Mugabe said.

“He was very bitter and it dented his legacy,” he told the BBC from his uncle’s rural home.

“It was not an easy thing for him to take,” he added.

Initially praised for broadening access to health and education for the black majority, Mr Mugabe later used violence against his political opponents and presided over Zimbabwe’s economic ruin.

He was removed from office after he fired his deputy, with many fearing he was preparing for his wife, Grace Mugabe, to succeed him.

His former deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa, then became president after the army intervened and forced Mr Mugabe to step down.

The long-serving president’s legacy has been the subject of fierce debate since he died.

Mr Mugabe’s death at a hospital in Singapore on Friday followed a long illness. He had been receiving medical care in the city since April.

Close relatives and government officials have travelled to the city and his remains are due to be returned to Zimbabwe on Wednesday.

His body is expected to be taken to his home village, which is about 80km (50 miles) west of the capital Harare, for an overnight wake.

His official funeral will take place on Saturday at the 60,000 capacity National Sports Stadium in Harare, according to government officials.

But there has reportedly been disagreement over where Mr Mugabe will be buried.

Some of his relatives want him to be buried at his rural homestead in the village of Kutama in Mashonaland West province. But government officials have pushed for a burial at a shrine near Harare.

Most of Zimbabwe’s national heroes – those who fought against white-minority rule – are buried at the Heroes’ Acre shrine just outside of the city.

“The [traditional] chiefs will bury him on Sunday, where I don’t know,” Leo Mugabe told AFP news agency on Monday.

If Mr Mugabe is buried at his rural home, it would represent a final snub to the comrades he believed betrayed him, the BBC’s Shingai Nyoka in Harare says.

Who was Robert Mugabe?
He was born on 21 February 1924 in what was then Southern Rhodesia – a British colony, run by its white minority.

After criticising the government of Rhodesia in 1964 he was imprisoned for more than a decade without trial.

Once released, he headed to Mozambique, from where he directed guerrilla raids into Rhodesia but he was also seen as a skilled negotiator.

Political agreements to end the crisis resulted in the new independent Republic of Zimbabwe.

With his high profile in the independence movement, Mr Mugabe secured an overwhelming victory in the republic’s first election in 1980.

But over his decades in power, international perceptions soured. Mr Mugabe assumed the reputation of a “strongman” leader – all-powerful, ruling by threats and violence but with a strong base of support. An increasing number of critics labelled him a dictator.

He famously declared that only God could remove him from office.

He was forced into sharing power in 2009 amid economic collapse, installing rival Morgan Tsvangirai as prime minister.

But in 2017, amid concerns that he was grooming his wife Grace as his successor, the army – his long-time ally – turned against the president and forced him to step down.

Is Nick Mangwana moonlighting for delta beverages

Zimbabwe ndiyo yenyika yedzimwe nyika shoma isina kubhana kutengesa hwahwa ?.Aiwa takanaka fani! pic.twitter.com/tiVF4Ai7DM

— Nick Mangwana (@nickmangwana) September 5, 2020

Former President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, died on September 6, 2019 in Singapore.
Tomorrow marks the first anniversary of his death.
What are your memories of RG?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 5, 2020

Manica Post

THREE Mutambara brothers allegedly teamed up to brutally murder their uncle before stealing his corpse from the hospital and dumping it at his homestead, while five Rusape men stoned a 94-year-old granny to death.

Police confirmed both incidents and said a manhunt had been launched for the three Munjoma brothers — Nehumani, Dhabi and Hazel.

On the other hand, the Rusape gang was last week arraigned before the courts on murder charges.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa said the Munjoma brothers are members of the Johanne Marange Apostolic Church.

They allegedly murdered their uncle, Mr Tella Munjoma, on Monday morning in Maunzani Village under Chief Mutambara.

Before committing the heinous crime, the trio claimed to have received prophecies accusing Mr Munjoma of causing the family’s misfortunes.

The three brothers reportedly attacked Mr Munjoma with rods all over the body until he became unconscious.

Upon realising the gravity of their actions, the trio rushed their uncle to Mutambara Mission Hospital.

“Mr Munjoma was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. After learning that they had murdered their uncle, the three stole the corpse as the hospital staff was preparing to take the body to the mortuary.

“They sneaked out of the hospital with the corpse.

“They dumped the body in a motor vehicle at Mr Munjoma’s homestead, where it was found hours later by their younger brother, Shiba Munjoma. The Munjoma brothers disappeared from the scene and are on the run.

“The matter was reported to Cashel Police Station and the body was conveyed back to Mutambara Mission Hospital for post-mortem,” said Inspector Kakohwa.

Meanwhile, the five Rusape men allegedly attacked a 94-year-old woman with a syjambok, before stoning her to death.

Brian Makamba, Emmerson Nyamagodo, Edmore Murinda, Gibson Murinda and Ephraim Tundumarano have since appeared in court for allegedly murdering Mrs Tayisekwa Zimbudzi of Village 13, Chinyika West, Headlands.

The late Mrs Zimbudzi was a traditional healer.

The five men were not asked to plead when they recently appeared before Rusape magistrate, Mr Gift Manyika.

They were remanded in custody to next week on Monday.

Mr Marlon Makamba appeared for the State, while Mr Leonard Chigadza of Chigadza and Associates represented the five.

Mr Makamba said the five were Mrs Zimbudzi’s neighbours.

Things got ugly after her grandsons allegedly stole honey from the gang’s beehive.

“The five allegedly effected a citizen’s arrest on Mrs Zimbudzi’s grandchildren – Munashe, Takunda and Guidance Muchakwaya — for allegedly stealing honey from Brian Makamba’s beehive. Mrs Zimbudzi’s grandchildren were kept at Makamba’s homestead,” said the State prosecutor.

This did not go down well with the elderly woman. She therefore teamed up with her other grandson, Mr Tongai Mashamba, and went to Makamba’s homestead to rescue them.

While deliberating over the issue, Tundumarano allegedly struck Mrs Zimbudzi with a rod on the back.

“Mrs Zimbudzi returned to her homestead but the accused persons followed her and threw stones randomly. In the process, the elderly woman was hit on the chest.

“She went to Headlands Clinic to seek medical attention and was referred to Marondera Provincial Hospital. However, she died on her way to the hospital. A post mortem revealed that the cause of her death was thoracic trauma,” said Mr Makamba.

A total number of 23 Members of Parliament have tested positive for the Covid19 pandemic following tests conducted on Tuesday, Zwnews has gathered.

Addressing delegates on the sidelines of the Zanu PF Midlands Extra-ordinary provincial coordinating committee meeting in Gweru Saturday morning, Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda made the revelations and said the infected parliamentarians have since been placed under self-quarantine.

Mudenda also revealed that, apart from the 23 legislators, 11 staffers from the Parliament of Zimbabwe have also contracted the virus.

“As Parliament, we are having compulsory tests on our members and I can confirm that after we conducted tests on Tuesday this week, 23 of our MPs were found to be Covid19 positive,” Mudenda said.

“Next week, we are also going to conduct compulsory Covid19 tests on senators. As Parliament, we are giving the infected MPs psychological support in face of the pandemic,” he said.

The Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) has increased bus and kombi fares by 100 per cent effective today.

ZUPCO, in a social media post, said the move is meant to ensure reliability. The statement read:

Effective 5/10/20 Zupco will be increasing fares.

This is to ensure we keep providing Safe and Reliable transport whilst ensuring Operational efficiency to all stakeholders.

Please report under or overcharging and those crews recycling tickets. Adopt a Tap card to avoid Cash.

Bus fares have been hiked from ZWL$8.00 to US$16.00, while kombi fares have been increased from ZWL$16.00 to ZWL$32.00 per trip.

Just over a month ago, the transport utility hiked bus fares by the same margin. ZUPCO chief executive Evaristo Madangwa said then:

The price of fuel has gone up and operating costs have also increased. By adjusting the fares upwards, we will be able to improve efficiency.

Meanwhile, illegal transport operators (Mushikashika) are charging the equivalent of US$0.50 or ZWL$45.00 for short trips which makes ZUPCO kombis cheaper in comparison.