A DRUNK man from Pumula North suburb in Bulawayo ran to a police station to report his wife for beating him up after he allegedly called her a prostitute.

Narrating the dramatic incident pitting Victor Mahlangu (30) against his wife Sharai Sibanda (29), a family friend who spoke on condition of anonymity said Victor arrived home drunk and spewed derogatory verbal attacks on his wife.

“He came home dead drunk and headed straight to the bedroom where his wife was sleeping and insulted her saying she was a prostitute.

It happened so fast as he grabbed her by the neck and strangled her. But his wife managed to free herself from the tight grip of his hands.

Sharai grabbed his private parts and twisted them causing Victor to fall in agony,” said the family friend.

The family friend said Sharai who was seething with anger turned her drunk hubby into a punching bag with fists.

“She left him bleeding from the nose and mouth,” said the source.
Victor, the source said, crawled from the bedroom to the kitchen and his wife followed him and struck him with a cup on the head.

“She struck him once on the head with a dinner cup and it broke on his head. He then staggered to a police station where he reported the case,” said the source.

Sharai was arrested.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident and advised community members to live in harmony.

“Suspecting each other in a marriage does not help as it foments trouble which could lead to a break-up of the union. However, it is important to develop trust and respect for each other.

Therefore we urge community members to stay in harmony. When a couple faces problems in a marriage they should seek help from pastors or community leaders,“ he said.-B-Metro

Farai Dziva|Dynamos Football Club legend, Claudius Zviripayi’s daughter died in a terrible road accident yesterday.

According to Dynamos FC Fans Facebook page, Zviripayi’s daughter, Michelle(25) had just returned from the UK when the accident happened.

“On another sad note Claudius Zviripayi lost his daughter Michelle yesterday.

She was involved in a road accident in Nyanga and died on the spot. Coach Nesbert Saruchera’s daughter was injured too -they were together.

Coach Raru or Ralf Kaondera’s father passed on again in Murombedzi.What a terrible month we are in,” said a Dynamos supporter in a brief statement.

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance has challenged Emmerson Mnangagwa to remove guns from the streets.

This was said by MDC Alliance Secretary for Welfare, Maureen Kademaunga after visiting the party’s jailed councillor Godfrey Kurauone in Masvingo on Friday.

According to MDC Alliance Youth Assembly Secretary for Legal Affairs, Agency Gumbo, Kurauone is complaining of stomach disorders and he is also being denied access to medication.

Prison officers also confiscated his jersey, despite the chilly weather.

Watch video below:

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance has challenged Emmerson Mnangagwa to remove guns from the streets.

This was said by MDC Alliance Secretary for Welfare, Maureen Kademaunga after visiting the party’s jailed councillor Godfrey Kurauone in Masvingo on Friday.

According to MDC Alliance Youth Assembly Secretary for Legal Affairs, Agency Gumbo, Kurauone is complaining of stomach disorders and he is also being denied access to medication.

Prison officers also confiscated his jersey, despite the chilly weather.

Watch video below:

A GROUP of illegal gold miners on Tuesday invaded Tebekwe Mine in Shurugwi where they reportedly disarmed a security guard before handcuffing and severely assaulting him and his colleague using logs and iron bars.

Police in Shurugwi swiftly moved in and arrested eight suspects, some of whom were reportedly advancing towards the milling plant where they wanted to steal gold.

According to the mine manager, Mr Thamsanqa Maseko, the illegal miners were armed with iron bars and machetes and threatened to harm everyone at the mine.

They ordered the milling plant to stop running and declared that they were taking over the mine.

They were about 50, the majority armed with machetes and iron bars, said Mr Maseko. They went around the mine’s milling plant singing and stressing that they were taking over the mine.

We did not know that there was another group, which had attacked the security guards at the mine entrance.

Mr Maseko said police swiftly responded to their emergency calls and arrived at the scene to find the two security guards, including the one who was in handcuffs, being assaulted.

Upon seeing a police truck, the illegal miners fled in different directions, but police managed to arrest eight of them, he said.

One of the security guards was stabbed in the ear with a sharp object and was taken to Shurugwi District Hospital where he was admitted.

The other security guard who was disarmed and handcuffed was beaten with iron bars all over the body, said Mr Maseko. The handcuffs were later removed at Shurugwi Police Station.

Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko confirmed the incident, but said he was still to get full details from officers in Shurugwi- The Herald

TWO illegal gold panners died after a shaft they were working in collapsed and buried them at a mine in West Nicholson.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident which occurred on Wednesday at Majoda panning site in West Nicholson at around 4AM.

He said Kenneth Mathuthu (22) and Prosper Mbedzi (age unknown) both from River Block area in Collen Bawn died on the spot.

“I can confirm that we recorded a sudden death case where two illegal gold panners died after a shaft they were working in collapsed.

Kenneth Mathuthu and Prosper Mbedzi were working in a 12-metre-deep shaft at Majoda Panning Site in West Nicholson when the shaft collapsed and buried them underneath.

“The matter was reported to the police who attended the scene and the bodies of the two men were retrieved. They were taken to the Gwanda Provincial Hospital Mortuary,” he said.

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

He said people that wanted to engage in mining activities had to formalise their operations and follow the correct procedures in order to acquire necessary paper work before operating.

“It’s sad that we continue to record a number of mine accidents as a result of llegal mining activities which are rampant in the province. If people want to engage in mining they should formalise their operations.

By engaging in illegal mining they will not only be committing an offence but they will also be putting their lives at risk as they will be operating without necessary equipment and protective clothing.

“Some of these illegal miners operate in the early hours of the morning in order to evade police not knowing that they will be risking their lives,” he said-Chronicle

Tinashe Muzamindo who is the Head of Zimbabwe Institute of Strategic Thinking – ZIST has penned the following piece in which he warns President Mnangagwa that he risks suffering the same fate as his predecessor President Rober Mugabe, of being ousted by his own deputies or trusted friends.

Muzamindo opined:

When I looked at Nick Mangwana speaking, I simply said it’s all about pleasing his master, scrambling for few pieces falling from the master’s table, when I listened to George Charamba, he was spitting venom, remember this is the same George who was very close to Mugabe, the same guy who would pretend like he was in Mugabe’ s pocket, and he would defend him at any cost. Today, he is called Jamwanda, and this propaganda when the drama comes, they won’t be there to rescue you, all they do to conclude your journey in State House, is to laugh at you and say ” We tried our best, takambozvitaura”.

When I listened to Patrick Chinamasa, speaking from Zanu PF Headquarters, he was speaking like someone who is eyeing Finance Ministry for a second chance, all he could say is to defend anything which anyone can never justify. Let me categorically state it clear Mr President, all these people are simply doing it for their own supper, but deep down their hearts they are aware of what is right and wrong.

When you risk international isolation, you are out of the game, there are powers that you need for credibility, funding and diplomacy, and you cannot easily ignore Ramaphosa or South Africa, and get away with it. Patrick Chinamasa, when he Finance Minister, he was the same guy who would pump and heep praise on Former First Lady Grace Mugabe and the Former Zimbabwe leader, and he would go rogue and out of his way to praise Mugabe, on the very day of the military coup, he was already a changed vessel, in Highfield grounds, the same guy was now attacking Grace and Robert Mugabe in front of the whole world. Today, the same Patrick has run besserk attacking anyone who is perceived to be Mnangagwa’s opponent. President Mnangagwa be very careful with such characters, you need sound people around you, who can tell you the truth. Remember, these words.

Chinamasa, was the Finance Minister, he sat next to Mugabe, he would brief Mugabe on all budgets, before making an official move. We have Jamwanda , if you remember very well in AU meeting around 2008, he would go for a kill, when Mugabe was told by International media to step down, he nearly had a fist fight with some International media personnel, fighting for the former Zimbabwe leader.

South Africa envoy which Ramaphosa dispatched to Zimbabwe, was supposed to meet all key players in Zimbabwe. They were supposed to be briefed by everyone on the current situation. Ramaphosa appointed a special envoy as a response to the International outcry as a result of the popular hashtag ” Zimbabwe Livesmatter”, perhaps it was his last ditch to save his counterpart. Alas, the envoy left for South Africa without meeting anyone except Mnangagwa and his few cronies who declared ” There was no crisis in Zimbabwe”. My worry is those around you, who are feeding you with wrong information.

I listened to Lindiwe Zulu, the respected International Advisor, who openly castigated Mnangagwa. I listened to ANC leaders who openly told Mnangagwa about issues arising in their neighbouring country. This clearly shows the Zimbabwe leader is being isolated on International platforms. Think about this twice, why you are now being isolated from the whole International community. Nick and others can try their best, they have to sing for their supper, behind their back, they know exactly what is happening.

Let me say, you risk international pressure, and at the end, you risk sad departure. Remember, you need a legacy, a name, and you wouldn’t want to be remembered for a sad ending. You would love to be remembered for the good cause, you would want a situation where the council would seat down, or the local Government name roads after you, and you would love to have a farewell party, and bid your comrades a good farewell. From my own perspective, the route you have taken, I don’t see you getting to all this mantra. People one-day will reach a national consensus and it will be a sad day for you. This was an opportunity to redeem your name, and cleanse it from all the prejudice ( 1980 – 2017). It was an opportunity to redeem, and resemble the best.

Last but not least you can’t ignore all these groups and get away with it:

1. Zanu PF your own party

2. ANC and South Africa

3. Main opposition ( Alliance & Nelson Chamisa)

4. Africa Union

5. Civic society and other groups

6. Ordinary Zimbabweans

7. EU and other International partners

8. Former Regional leaders like respected Ian Khama

9. Church leadership

10. Special envoys dispatched by respected regional leaders

“Ane nzewe dzekunzwa anzwa”

Solution focused Thinking towards the current trajectory is the way to go. It is necessary for us to have mindset transformation to deliver the best for our country.

Emmerson Mnangagwa has today with immediate effect fired the man who loyally deputised him during his Vice Presidency, the Energy and Power Development Minister Advocate Fortune Chasi and replaced him with little known Soda Zhamu.

It never rains but pours for Chasi who was the sacrificial lamb, while personally assisting to boost Mnangagwa’s reputation during the Grace Mugabe days when he, Mnangagwa, was Vice President, and Chasi deputised him in the Justice ministry.

The statement from Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda alleged that Chasi’s conduct had become incompatible with Mnangagwa’s expectations.

Axed Energy and Power Development minister Fortune Chasi has posted his last energy update following his dismissal by President Emmerson Mnangagwa today.

Posting on Twitter, Chasi thanked his followers for the support rendered during his short stint as Energy Minister while wishing his successor the best of luck in the powerful portfolio.

NewZWire

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has made two Cabinet changes that throw contrasting light on his leadership.

First, Mnangagwa fired Energy Minister Fortune Chasi, just as the Minister was out in the public fighting ZESA executive chairman Sydney Gata over claims of corruption. Chasi’s “conduct of Government business had become incompatible with the President’s expectations,” a statement said. No detail was given.

In Chasi’s place is now Soda Zhemu, MP for Muzarabani North, who is so little known that there has been a hunt online for pictures of the man. The only account of Zhemu’s professional record, given on the Parliament website, is that he worked as an accountant at Cottco Sanyati and as a regional manager at another cotton company until he retired in 2017.

In July, Chasi ordered the ZESA board to investigate allegations of corruption against Gata. However, Gata moved swiftly and fired the board instead. But on August 6, Mnangagwa then suspended Gata and gave the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission four weeks to investigate Gata.

Gata himself, through proxies, has alleged Chasi had corruptly benefited from ZESA, including having air tickets paid for by the company. There are also suggestions that Gata and Chasi clashed over the controversial Gwanda solar project, where Chasi wanted Wicknell Chivayo to be allowed to continue with the project. Gata is said to be opposed to it.

However, with no other information given on his firing, Chasi’s sacking reflects badly on Mnangagwa himself. Worse, Zhemu as a replacement looks like a case of picking a random name from a hat, as long as it is someone who can be bent easily.

Inside ZANU PF’s Mashonaland Central structures, Zhemu may not be so anonymous. In 2018, a month after elections, Soda said “even God himself had confirmed the presidency of Emmerson Mnangagwa”. In his own election, Zhemu got 17 098 votes against the rival MDC-Alliance candidate’s 1 161.

So, from a distance, it looks like Mnangagwa has, yet again, just gone for a loyal man who won’t question his decisions, as Chasi did on Gata.

There is also internal party politics at play. Mashonaland Central, for long a bastion of support for ZANU-PF, supplying such national leaders as Joice Mujuru, Chen Chimutengwende, Border Gezi, Elliot Manyika, Nicholas Goche Edward Chindori-Chininga, Chris Kuruneri and Saviour Kasukuwere, has looked decidedly lightweight of late. Perrance Shiri, the province’s leader since 2018 until his recent demise, was not from there and many were unhappy about that.

While removing Chasi, who is also from Mashonaland Central, Mnangagwa had to look within the province, or risk further alienating an already disenchanted key voting region. Home Affairs minister Kazember Kazembe, a Cabinet novice, is the only other minister from the province.

In February 2018, Mnangagwa was forced to make three additional Politburo appointments from Mashonaland Central, after the political leadership in the province protested at being overlooked.

Not so anxious
Then, there was the not-so-bad appointment. Anxious Masuka, Mnangagwa’s new Agriculture pick, is not as surprising as the one at Energy, at least on the face of it.

Masuka is widely respected in the industry. He is an academic who has written extensively on farming and forestry. More importantly, he has served in the private sector as Chief Operating Officer at ZSE-listed agro-processor Ariston, and as CEO of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS). So, he knows farming.

However, as many technocrats appointed to key offices in this government have found out many times, it’s not just the qualifications that count. Masuka takes over a Ministry that needs not just industry expertise, which he has in abundance, but strong political clout.

The man Masuka is replacing, the late Perrance Shiri, was at his death panned by political opponents, given his role in Gukurahundi and the military. But he was also praised by farmer groups, including the Commercial Farmers Union, once a foe of the Ministry.

What Shiri lacked in professional qualifications – and Masuka has piles of those – Shiri made up for in political influence, and Masuka doesn’t have a lot of that.

Shiri’s political clout allowed him to push through changes that were welcomed by many in the industry.

In John Basera, Masuka will find a competent Secretary at the Ministry. Appointing Masuka shows that Mnangagwa, while still a political animal as ever, still has some respect for professional competence. But it will take more than that.

Masuka’s in-tray is full of key issues that will need his qualifications, definitely, but also some political muscle. After three successive droughts, Zimbabwe is badly short of grain and needs a plan, quickly. In addition, Shiri was driving the farm “downsizing” programme, a politically dicey plan to cut farm sizes.

He backs cutting farm sizes, but wrote last year, in a ZAS report, that “generally, land availability remains the least impediment to increased production”. Instead, he said, it was the lack of funding and technology.

Energy and Agriculture are two key ministries.

Ministers don’t always need to be experts in the fields they are running, although they need some policy clarity and competence.

The Zhemu and Masuka appointments show what it takes to get into, and to stay in, a Mnangagwa Cabinet. Firstly, those who are loyal will be rewarded, but they need to stay in line. Secondly, technocrats are welcome, but they need their own political clout to survive.

Detained journalist Hopewell Chin’ono will remain in custody until August 18 when Magistrate Ngoni Nduna is expected to rule on the suitability of his lead defence lawyer to continue in that position.

The State, led by Prosecutor Whisper Mabhaudhi is pushing for lead lawyer, Beatrice Mtwetwa to recuse herself from the case on allegations of disrespecting the courts.

Mtetwa is alleged to have posted on “her” Facebook page titled Beatrice Mtetwa and the Rule of Law saying: “Where is the outrage of the international community that Hopewell Chin’ono is being held as a political prisoner?

“His life is in serious peril. Raise awareness about his unlawful imprisonment. Do not let him be forgotten. You or someone you love could be the next one abducted from your home and put in leg irons. SPEAK OUT”.

But Mtetwa, who is representing Chin’ono in a case in which he is being charged with inciting public violence, argued that the allegations of contempt, stemming from a Facebook page being run using her name, had no legal basis.

She denied being the owner of the page and was backed by her client Chin’ono who said the page belonged to a film documentary maker who is not based in Zimbabwe.

The matter has become a trial within a trial, as Mtwetwa was before the courts to re-apply bail for Chin’ono on changed circumstances.

She accused the State of “trying to choose a legal counsel for the accused which is completely unheard of.”

“Prosecutor Mabhaudhi is calling on the courts to remove the lead counsel from the case and we finalised the submissions today,” said lawyer, Roselyn Hanzi after the trial.

“The Magistrate has said that he needs time to write the ruling which he is going to deliver on Tuesday, 18 August, so that means the bail application is not going to proceed until we have the ruling and we know the position of our lead counsel Beatrice Mtetwa in this case.”

The decision by the magistrate means, Chin’ono, who was arrested with politician, Jacob Ngarivhume on the same charges, will spend yet another weekend in prison and will not know his own fate until the fate of his lawyer has been decided.

A number of attempts to have both the High Court and Magistrates Court grant them bail have so far failed.

This forced their lawyers from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) to re-apply for bail on changed circumstances given that the date for the planned action passed, with the demonstrations considered a non-event.

The hearing for Chino’no’s new application began on Wednesday before Nduna following the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays while that for Ngarivhume was pushed to Monday.

But Chin’ono’s hearing took a twist when the State alleged that Mtwetwa, through a social media page being run using her name, had disrespected the courts.

Meanwhile, the High Court granted an application by Chin’ono and Ngarivhume challenging the suspension of their rights in prison, with the court ordering the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services to allow the two access to their lawyers food and clothes, within reasonable administration restrictions, access to doctors of their choice and personal protective equipment in light of the Covid-19 outbreak while in remand prison.

The ruling followed complaints by the defence that their clients were being denied time and privacy with their lawyers as well as food provided from outside prison.

New Ziana

ZimLive

President Emmerson Mnangagwa sacked Energy Minister Fortune Chasi on Friday saying “his conduct of government business had become inconsistent with the president’s expectations.”

Mnangagwa named little-known Muzarabani North MP Soda Zhemu as Chasi’s replacement.

Mnangagwa also named Anxious Jongwe Masuka as his new minister of lands, agriculture and rural resettlement, replacing Perrance Shiri who died on July 29 from Covid-19.

The 55-year-old Chasi, previously deputy transport minister, replaced Jorum Gumbo as energy minister in May 2019 as the country battled its worst energy crisis on record.

A combination of higher electricity tariffs to fund imports and increased inflows at Kariba Dam where the country draws most of its electricity have eased power outages which lasted up to 18 hours at the peak of the crisis.

Chasi had however battled to get a handle on the fuel crisis which has persisted for several years. The government recently allowed private importers to sell fuel in foreign currency as the country appears to be returning to full dollarisation.

Chasi’s exit is believed to be linked to his recent bruising battle with ZESA’s executive chairman Sydney Gata who has been married to Mnangagwa’s niece, Angie Mayahle, since 2014.

Late last month, the Mazowe South MP suspended Gata over corruption allegations, but Gata hit back accusing him of abusing his power and calling him an “impediment to my efforts… to uprooting corruption at ZESA”. Gata also dismissed Chasi’s directive to other board members to investigate him, stating that “the directive is contrary to the law and cannot be acted upon.”

Gata also told Chasi that he was seeking to activate the mediation role of the Office of the President and Cabinet “without delay.”

Mnangagwa subsequently suspended the entire board at the power utility while ordering an investigation into the allegations of wrong-doing. It was not clear on Friday if the “mediation” led to Chasi’s dismissal.

Gata has two children with Angie, described by some as Mnangagwa’s “most-loved niece.” She has reportedly invested in several solar projects, backed by Mnangagwa, with the aim of selling power back to ZESA.

Chasi was criticised for re-appointing Gata to ZESA after he previously left under a cloud of corruption allegations – but sources say the appointment was made on Mnangagwa’s directions.

When corruption allegations recently surfaced against Gata, Chasi saw an opportunity to elbow him out – a fight he would inevitably lose, and with it his ministerial job.

Meanwhile, Mnangagwa said Masuka – who has no parliamentary seat – has sat on 30 agriculture-related boards since 1991 including the Tobacco Industry Advisory Council; the Agriculture Research Council and the Zimbabwe Seed Trade Association.

He joins the Cabinet from his job as CEO of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society.

1. Anxious Jongwe Masuka is an agriculturalist whose career in agriculture spans for over 32 years since he graduated from college in 1988.
2. Masuka is an academic who holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture majoring in Crop Science from the University of Zimbabwe and he holds PhD from the same university, he has published over 6 publication while affiliated with Tobacco Research Board
3. He Is the current Chairman of the University Of Zimbabwe Council
4. He is the current Chief Executive officer of Zimbabwe Agricultural Society
5. He sits on the following boards: Tobacco Industry Advisory Council, Zimbabwe Seed Trade Association, Agricultural Research Council, National Economic Consultative Forum, International Mycological Association.

Masuka is the new Agriculture Minister, a technocrat who was appointed by President Mnangagwa today following the death of the former agriculture minister Perrance Shiri

Paul Nyathi

ZIMBABWE’S Covid-19 death toll has risen to 128 from 122 with 97 more people testing positive, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 4 990 cases.

A total of six new deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, however, the Ministry of Health and Child care did not disclose in its latest report, if they were at facility level or community deaths.

Manicaland Province recorded the most fatalities, with three people having succumbed to Covid-19 in the last 24 hours bringing the total number of deaths in the province to 13.

Bulawayo recorded one new death, bringing the total number of deaths in the province to 24.

The other two deaths were recorded in Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland West Provinces which recorded one case each.

According to the health ministry, all the 97 new Covid-19 cases are local transmissions.

Bulawayo recorded 11 new cases from 282 PCR tests conducted, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 1 161.

Mashonaland West province recorded the highest number of new cases, with 32 more people testing positive for the virus.

Harare recorded 28 new cases while the Midlands province recorded 17 new Covid-19 cases.

A total of 307 new recoveries were reported, bringing down the number of active cases to 2935.

“As of 12 August 2020, Zimbabwe has now recorded 4 990 cases and 128 deaths. 307 new recoveries were reported and active cases have gone down to 2 935,” read the ministry statement.

Pindula

Tamuka Denhere, pictured, an MDC Alliance activist who was allegedly abducted by suspected by state security agents on Wednesday was on Thursday dumped at Harare Central Police Station.

Denhere’s wife who was arrested upon arriving at Gweru police station to report that her husband was missing this Friday appeared before the courts for making a false report. MDC Alliance posted on its social media pages:

When Denhere was abducted in Gweru, his wife went to the police station to report him as missing. She was immediately arrested & charged with making a false report. She appears in court this morning. Denhere was later dumped at Harare Central Police Station by state agents.
The party’s vice president, Tendai Biti posted on Twitter claiming that Denhere was also brought to court this morning but would not state the charges levelled against him.
He said Denhere was brought to court “on some nebulous charge. His real crime is to belong to the MDC Alliance,” adding that the development signals an end of the administration led by President Mnangagwa.

Dozens of opposition activists and human rights defenders who have been abducted and tortured by suspected state agents recently.

President Emmerson Mngangagwa fired Energy Minister Fortune Chasi who only last week he ordered to have his strained relationship with the ZESA CEO to be investigated by the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission

Mnangagwa gave the ZACC four weeks to complete investigations of corruption allegations raised against ZESA’s Executive Chairman Dr Sydney Gata and his entire board by Chasi.

In a statement, the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda said President Mnangagwa suspended Dr Gata and the entire Zesa Board and instructed the ZACC Chairperson Justice Loice Matanda Moyo to immediately investigate graft allegations raised against Dr Gata, his entire Zesa board and the electricity sector as a whole.

“His Excellency the President, Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has, in terms of Section 16 (1) (a) read together with Section 16 (1) (d) of the public Entities Corporate Governance Act, suspended the Executive Chairman of the ZESA Holdings, Dr Sydney Gata and the entire ZESA Board Members with immediate effect, ”

“His Excellency the President has also directed the Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), Justice Loice Matanda Moyo to immediately undertake thorough investigations into the following issues: (1) the allegations against the Executive Chairman by Honourable Minister of Energy and Power Development Advocate Fortune Chasi and (2) Any other underlying corrupt activites bedevilling ZESA Board members and the electricity sector as a whole, ” reads the statement.

Chasi recently suspended Dr Gata who is believed to be very close to the First Familyand and barred from entering the power utility’s headquarters.

President Mnangagwa has relieved Advocate Fortune Chasi of his duties as Energy and Power Development Minister and replaced him with Muzarabani North legislator Soda Zhemu.

Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck Sibanda, announced this in a statement released Thursday afternoon.

The departure of Advocate Chasi and arrival of Zhemu are with immediate effect.

The Chief Secretary also announced the appointment of Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka as Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement. He takes over from the late national hero Air Chief Marshal Perrance Shiri who died last month.

The decision by Mnangagwa has left a lot of people confused as Chasi appeared to have been one of the hard working Ministers.

By A Correspondent- Funeral service providers and hospital mortuaries are struggling to clear bodies for burial owing to challenges in handling those that would have succumbed to Covid-19, coupled with a surge in deaths from other diseases.

Health officials revealed bodies are piling up in the mortuaries with relatives of deceased persons waiting for up to two days before their relatives’ bodies are released. The delay is mainly due to the guidelines set for dealing with infectious Covid-19 bodies.

Some funeral parlors have recorded a 100% increase in funeral services requests. This also comes as the country’s health system has crumbled to unprecedented levels, as people are dying unnecessarily due to non-availability of health care services.

Official statistics by the Health and Child Care ministry show that as of Wednesday 122 people have died of Covid-19 since March 2020.

A July Covid-19 internal audit report reveals that Parirenyatwa hospital recorded a 34% death rate of patients.

The report also noted a “delay in collection of deceased patients and returning bodies to bereaved relatives,” the audit reads.

Out of the 47 patients that were admitted at the Covid-19 unit of the hospital, 16 died. The hospital also handled bodies of people who died of other diseases at the institution or at home.

“We do not have major challenges with regards to handling of Covid-19 positive bodies. It’s only that there are protocols with strict precautionary measures, which have to be followed when handling such bodies,” Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals public relations officer, Linos Dhire said.

“Soon after the demise of a patient, the nurses liaise with the relatives to find out if the deceased has any funeral cover. If funeral cover is available, the parlour is immediately called to come and collect the body. The hospital has contracted a funeral parlour to collect bodies without funeral cover to Wilkins mortuary. Removal of the body from the ward is done by our own mortuary staff who require a minimum of 30 minutes to put on the appropriate PPE before they collect the body to a designated area where funeral parlours collect the body out of the hospital.”

Funeral service providers are also having a difficult time as their files have doubled per day.

“For us there has been a 100% increase. As you know written premium is less than 5% (of the population) leaving the majority not covered by funeral policies. For Doves it’s not a business, but a calling. Like l said there had been increased number of cash paying clients (people without policies caught unprepared in this pandemic) and in trying to lessen the burden we have come up with very affordable packages for everyone,” Doves Funeral Services general manager Nyasha Matsika said.

He, however, said the funeral service provider was experiencing sudden pressure on resources such as hearses.

“There is none testing of suspected Covid-19 bodies due to lack of testing kits. Ignorance on processes for both staff and the community (family members) on how to handle such cases. Resistance by family members in adhering to the SOPs (standard operating procedures) pertaining to the conduct of funeral services. And little or no cooperation from Ministry of Health officials in rendering the requisite services such as disinfection of premises, bodies and graves in cases of confirmed cases,” Matsika said.

He said they received two new ambulances from Faramatsi Motors to augment their fleet to provide a seamless service delivery to Zimbabwe in partnership with Zororo Phumulani in South Africa.

For Nyaradzo Funeral Services, the new guidelines and additional safety protocols on handling of the deceased have resulted in delays in response times, while at the same time there has also been a notable increase in requests for service, especially in Harare.

“We have engaged key stakeholders including the Ministry of Health, Home Affairs, Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Association of Funeral Assurers and most importantly customers to smoothen the response process and reduce the time lag between request for service by clients and provision of the same,” Nyaradzo operations manager Batsirai Simango said.

In rural areas, we are providing on site undertaking services for which our vehicles are fully equipped. This enables us to offer the same quality undertaking service without the risk associated with moving the deceased.”

He said there has been a significant increase in PPE expenses in order to augment the safety of their staff and customers.

“All our parlours, vehicles and equipment are being regularly disinfected and sanitised. We have also acquired Covid-19 test kits, which our Wellness Team is using to test and screen our staff for possible infection. Our in-house Group Counsellor is providing much needed psychological support to staff given the general fear and stigma associated with Covid-19,” Simango said. “Repatriation of human remains has also been impacted as follows: The global reduction in air travel has resulted in limited flights into the country which in turn has led to delays in receiving repatriated human remains. Some key offices which are involved in the processing of requisite paperwork have been opening and closing intermittently as they respond to their staff health situation, resulting in unpredictable service timelines.”

-Independent

Following the death of retired Air Marshal Perrance Shiri, who was the Minister of Land, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Minister, President Mnangagwa has appointed Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka as the new Agriculture Minister. The Update was posted by the Information Ministry’s secretary Nick Mangwana in a memo that reads:

APPOINTMENT OF THE SUCCESSOR TO THE LATE MINISTER OF LANDS. AGRICULTURE WATER AND RURAL RESETTLEMENT

His Excellency the President, Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, 505, 115 terms of Section 104 Ill and (3) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 201 Act 2013. appointed Dr. Anxious Jongwe Masuka. as Minister of Lands. Agnculture, Water and Rural Resettlement. Dr Masuka’s appointment follows the death last month of the former Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement, Air Chief Marshal (Rtd) Perrance Shirt. A Founding Fellow of the Zimbabwe Academy of Sciences in 2004, Dr Masuka holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Agriculture majoring in Crop Science from the University of Zimbabwe which he obtained in 1988, as well as Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Zimbabwe which he obtained in 1993.

Dr Masuka has a very Impressive professional record which beg, in the teaching field as a lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe, in the Department of Biological Sciences as well as at the, Zimbabwe College of Forestry between 1989 and 1995 Thereafter, his employment history follows a career path in the agricultural sector. His footprin. are found at the following Institutions, the Forestry Commission where he was Senior Research Officer between 1988 and 199, and the Tobacco Research Board where he served in various capacities rising through the ranks from Senior Plant Pathologist, Head ofthe Bio-Services Department, to General Manager from 1995 to 2012.

His star kept rising to senior executive positions becoming Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director at Ariston Holdings between 2013 and 2014, before moving on to the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society as its Chief Executive Officer from 2015 to the present. Dr Masuka has cumulatively sat on over 30 Boards and Associations from 1991 to the present including the following: Tobacco Industry Advisory Council; Zimbabwe Seed Trade Association; Agricultural Research Council; National Economic Consultative Forum; International Mycological Association; and University Councils. Including as Chairman of the University of Zimbabwe Council.

He has been involved in consultory work to OroJec. In fields of agriculture, forestry, environment, public health and rural development both here in Zimbabwe, in the SADC region and beyond. He is credited with innumerable publications to his name including books, technical handbooks, journals, conference papers, topical publications and book chapters in Agnculture and related disciplines. His appointment to the Ministerial portfolio takes immediate effect.

CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE PRESIDENT AND CABINET

By A Correspondent- 80 people that work at Munhumutapa Building, the building that houses president Mnangagwa’s offices reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.

A source privy to the developments told the publication that, Public Service Commission even sent 85% of its staffers on quarantine after the novel coronavirus hit the government department’s offices in Harare.

The matter came to light in a memo seen by the publication from PSC Secretary Ambassador Jonathan Wutawunashe to other staff members which reads in part:

In view of the continued increase in the number of COVID-19 cases within the civil service, the Commission has been left without a choice but to further reduce the number of essential staff. Reduce the number of essential service staff to 15% of the current members coming to work. Reduce the number of people who use public transport since local community transmission is on the increase

PSC reportedly also sent memos to ministerial heads advising them to reduce the number of workers in their offices and introduce remote working.

Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 cases are 10 cases short of 5000 positive cases since the onset of the virus on 20 March 2020.

-ZimMorningPost

Opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has appeared to deal with growing social media concern that he is failing to lead the nation at a time his leadership is needed.

Posting on Twitter, Chamisa said he is uncompromising on what he believes and is keen to push for change without joining hands with the system as happened in the November 2017 when people desperately helped the military displace the late Robert Mugabe.

“We are uncompromising, principled & relentless for real change. As a People we have seen the worst of our times but we are getting over it soon.We’re focused & on course.True Change is imperative in Zimbabwe.People power triumphs.Strategy is everything! Hatiitiswe tinoita tega!”

By A Correspondent- The President has fired the Energy Minister Fortune Chasi and replaced him with Soda Zhemu.

The matter came to light in a memo that was published by the government which reads in part:

The President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed Hon Soda Zhemu Member of Parliament for Muzarabani North as Minister of Energy and Power Development in place of current Minister Honourable Fortune Chasi.

The latter has been relieved of his ministerial post as his conduct of business had become incompatible with the president’s expectations. The appointment of Hon Zhemu and the removal of advocate Chasi is with remediate effect.

Chasi during his tenure as the minister rehired Sydney Gata who had been fired from ZESA close to a decade ago. Gata was then suspended on corruption charges 9 months after he was hired. A week after he was hired, the president fired the entire ZESA Board. 

Chasi’s dismissal was further confirmed by the Infomation ministry’s secretary Nick Mangwana on Twitter.

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance has challenged Emmerson Mnangagwa to remove guns from the streets.

This was said by MDC Alliance Secretary for Welfare, Maureen Kademaunga after visiting the party’s jailed councillor Godfrey Kurauone in Masvingo on Friday.

According to MDC Alliance Youth Assembly Secretary for Legal Affairs, Agency Gumbo, Kurauone is complaining of stomach disorders and he is also being denied access to medication.

Prison officers also confiscated his jersey, despite the chilly weather.

Watch video below:

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance has challenged Emmerson Mnangagwa to remove guns from the streets.

This was said by MDC Alliance Secretary for Welfare, Maureen Kademaunga after visiting the party’s jailed councillor Godfrey Kurauone in Masvingo on Friday.

According to MDC Alliance Youth Assembly Secretary for Legal Affairs, Agency Gumbo, Kurauone is complaining of stomach disorders and he is also being denied access to medication.

Prison officers also confiscated his jersey, despite the chilly weather.

Watch video below:

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance has challenged Emmerson Mnangagwa to remove guns from the streets.

This was said by MDC Alliance Secretary for Welfare, Maureen Kademaunga after visiting the party’s jailed councillor Godfrey Kurauone in Masvingo on Friday.

According to MDC Alliance Youth Assembly Secretary for Legal Affairs, Agency Gumbo, Kurauone is complaining of stomach disorders and he is also being denied access to medication.

Prison officers also confiscated his jersey, despite the chilly weather.

Watch video below:

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has with immediate effect fired Energy and Power Development Minister Advocate Fortune Chasi and replaced him with little known Soda Zhamu.

Statement from Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda said Chasi’s conduct had become incompatible with Mnangagwa’s expectations.

1. Today, @ZLHRLawyers are appearing in various courts. @gladyshlatywayo, @BitiTendai @KarenyiKore, David Chimhini, Vongai Tome, Lovemore Chinoputsa, represented by Alec Muchadehama appeared at Rottenrow Magistrates and were remanded to 28 August 2020.

2. @namataik_ & @zimudzi_vongai appeared in court on routine remand. They will be back at Rottenrow Court on 14 October 2020. They are represented by Rudo Bere.

3. @obeyshava1 is appearing at the High Court at 1100 hours in the case of ZLHR v JSC. This case challenges the way magistrates are hearing bail applications and the delays caused by the requirement to work from 0800 hours to 15:00 hours.

4. Another case that is set to be heard at the High Court at 11:00 hours is the case of Hopewell Chin’ono & Jacob Ngaruvhume v ZPCS, they are challenging conditions of detention at Chikurubi Maximum prison.

5. ZLHR team is at Rottenrow in case of Hopewell Chin’ono. Of concern is fact that this morning Chin’ono was taken to High Court, instead of Rottenrow Court. Although he requested to call his lawyer to seek clarity he was denied. This detour has delayed his arrival at court.

5.1 Proceedings have now commenced, Beatrice Mtetwa has complained that Chin’ono was transported to wrong court to delay the proceedings. Re-examination of Hopewell Chin’ono on Facebook page posting commences.

5.2 Beatrice Mtetwa submits that application to remove her from case is ‘sui generis’. It has no legal basis, prosecutor relied on ‘obiter’ remarks made by a High Court judge. She refers court to string of cases in matter of Patrick Chinamasa reported as In Re Chinamasa.

5.3 In closing submissions Mabhaudhi says that Beatrice Mtetwa must have taken action against people running the Beatrice Mtetwa and The Rule of Law Facebook page when she realised that they were denigrating the courts.

5.4 Mabhaudhi concludes that Beatrice’s conduct was unethical and unproffessional for failing to take action on information produced under her name denigrating the courts.

5.5 Ruling on application to remove Beatrice Mtetwa from Hopewell’s case will be delivered on 18 August.

According to a WhatsApp message shared by self exiled former cabinet minister Professor Jonathan Moyo from a whistle blower inside President Emmerson Mnangagwa chaired Joint Operation Command (JOC), there is a sinister plot to deal with MDC Alliance vice chairman Job Sikhala, former Zanu PF Youth leader Godfrey Tsenengamu and many other activists who are in hiding over threats of protests against corruption and worsening economic situation in the country.

Moyo warned the mentioned activists to be extra vigilant and avoid using local numbers which can be easily tracked.

More to follow….

Paul Nyathi

Six people died of coronavirus in Zimbabwe yesterday raising the total to 128 while 307 recovered but there were 97 new cases.

The country now has 4 990 cases of whom 1 927 have recovered but there are still 2 935 active cases.

Bulawayo seems to be turning the corner as 735 out of 1 161 cases have recovered. Twenty-four people have died and there are now 382 active cases.

Only 76 people in Harare have recovered, 71 have died and there are still 1 765 active cases making a total of 1 912.

The death toll in Manicaland seems to be high as 13 of the 284 cases have died and 57 have recovered leaving 214 active cases.

Manica Post

A 33-YEAR-OLD Dangamvura woman who produced and shared an offensive WhatsApp message attacking Officer Commanding Mutare Central District, Chief Superintendent Florence Marume, has been slapped with a three months jail term by a Mutare magistrate.

However, Rumbidza Totohwiyo of Area 16 was given the option to pay a $2 200 fine after she pleaded guilty to the offence.

She told the presiding magistrate, Ms Prisca Manhibi, that she acted out of ignorance.

Totohwiyo, who was facing public nuisance charges as defined in Section 46 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, Chapter 9:25, said she was not aware that writing an offensive message and posting it on WhatsApp is a crime.

Public prosecutor, Mr Nyasha Mukonyora said on August 10, Totohwiyo sent the offensive message to a Ward 18 WhatsApp group after Chief Superintedent Marume and her team had raided a shebeen in Nyamauru, Dangamvura.

In the message which was produced in court as an exhibit, Totohwiyo attacked the police boss and said Chief Superintendent Marume’s actions are ‘inhumane’.

Paul Nyathi

THE State was left heavily embarrassed on Thursday after wrongly issuing a warrant of arrest for MDC Alliance Harare West MP, Joanna Mamombe.

On Thursday, Harare magistrate Ngoni Nduna issued an arrest warrant for Mamombe after the State claimed the legislator had failed to turn up for court.

Her lawyer Jeremiah Bamu intervened and the warrant of arrest was cancelled as Mamombe was not supposed to appear in court on the day.

“There is confusion as to which matter because the warrant was issued on the charges of publishing falsehoods prejudicial to the State, a case which was postponed to 26 August last week,” Bamu said.

“The matter was initially set for today (Thursday), then State issued summons for them to appear on 31 July. Obey Shava (lawyer) appeared with them on 31 July and had the matter was postponed to 26 September.

“The State issued summons again and we came back to court on August 4 and the date was corrected from 26 September to 26 August, ” Bamu explained.

Business Times

The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) has cranked pressure on the government demanding to have an increment similarly awarded to security forces.

According to the latest salary increment figures awarded to the army starting in June, lowest-ranked soldier will earn ZWL$8,000 and the highest officer will earn ZWL$18, 000.

ZNLWVA national executive member Andy Mhlanga said the war veterans were eagerly waiting for their monthly wages to be reviewed upwards as they are regarded as a reserve force.

“We know that the uniformed forces have been awarded some salary increment and we also want to be in the same bracket with the service forces,” Mhlanga said.

“We are going to be engaging our parent ministry to consider us in awarding a salary increment as the war veterans’ leadership as a request from our membership.”

He said the veterans of the liberation struggle were still waiting for the Covid-19 allowance of US$75 which was given to the civil service.

The demand for a review of the allowances comes at a time war veterans have come out in the open that ZNLWVA membership was rallying behind President Emmerson Mnangagwa in face of demonstrations that were organised by the opposition MDC and civic society members last year.

Christopher Mutsvangwa chairperson of the war veterans had urged war veterans to come out in full force in support of the members of the defence forces in maintaining order and peace in the event that the demonstrations occur in the country.

War veterans have in the past years been demanding salary increment every time government awards salary increment to civil servants.

In his speech to mark Defence Forces Day on Tuesday, President Mnangagwa said the passing of the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Bill into law will address most of the welfare issues of veterans of the liberation struggle.

He said war veterans should take advantage of the “empowerment opportunities availed in all sectors of the economy and the implementation of the devolution policy”.

State Media

Banks must enable civil servants and pensioners to spend their US dollar Covid-19 allowances in shops by ensuring they have foreign currency accounts and the required debit cards.

On their part, retailers must have point of sale (POS) machines that can transfer hard currency between nostro accounts.

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development yesterday made it clear that bankers had to brief their customers on the new systems, and ensure that customers could spend their US dollars easily not just with a card but also using electronic platforms.

The ministry attacked those banks that have not yet put in place the systems and hardware that was agreed on, and instead are forcing their civil servant customers to liquidate their allowances in the bank, converting these allowances to local currency at the bankers’ buying rates.

Generally banks pay a little under the auction rate when buying, and a little over when selling, and also pick up a fee when making the conversion.

Retailers, on the other hand, usually offer to convert at the bankers’ buy rates, what they would have to pay their bankers, and pick up the fees themselves, since this is not only a sale, but one that feeds their own nostro account.

At better-organised supermarkets, it is now common to see a short queue of civil servants and civil service pensioners, lucky enough to be with a bank that has issued FCA cards, standing at the special till or desk and swiping for their purchases at what is probably the only FCA card machine.

Following an announcement in June by President Mnangagwa, that the Government was paying off its own bat, while negotiations on permanent pay settlements continue, a flat non-taxable Covid-19 allowance of US$75 a month to civil servants and US$30 a month to Government pensioners, the Government has made good on its pledge and transfers the money to the individual FCA accounts.

There was some delay, as more than 300 000 cards had to be made and issued, but the Government assumed a deal with all banks had been made, only to find that some banks were not living up to their promises.

Now the second batch of allowances is being processed, and the Finance Ministry wants action.

“Treasury is pleased to announce that it is today making a further release of the foreign currency to enable the payment of the US$75 Covid-19 allowance to civil servants as well as the monthly commitment to pensioners of US$30,” said yesterday’s statement.

“However, Treasury notes with concern and disappointment that some regulated banking institutions, in connivance with some major retailers, have conspired to limit or prevent beneficiaries of this scheme from accessing the full foreign currency value of their payments,” read part of the statement.

In the statement, the ministry also dismissed as bad practices by some banks that have not adequately communicated with civil servants and pensioners on the opening of Foreign Currency Accounts as they had agreed with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, and this has left many beneficiaries in the dark about the existence of new bank accounts.

“Some banks have not made any serious and visible efforts to issue suitable cards and deploy relevant and adequate supporting points of transaction equipment to enable the beneficiaries to use the cards to make payments for goods and services using the foreign currency-denominated cards.

“Additionally, electronic platforms for transacting in the USD allowances are either absent or inadequate, or information about this is not available,” read the statement.

As a result of banks failure to provide FCA cards and platforms for transactions civil servants and pensioners are forced to liquidate their cushioning allowances, which is disenfranchising them.

“Government has taken exception to these behaviours, and especially in regard to the fact that in addressing the wage challenges faced across the civil service. Government needs the assistance and cooperation of players in the banking system, who have a duty and obligation to ensure that their actions or omissions do not impose negative shocks on the market.

“It is therefore desirous that working closely with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, banks are strongly encouraged to urgently address the above concerns and immediately upgrade their domestic payments infrastructure as well as providing adequate internet and other banking platforms in light of the increased need for ‘translatability’ of the foreign currency allowances.

“Additionally, banks are encouraged

to immediately make available to the public, and more directly to their individual customers, information about the operation of the nostro accounts that have been operationalised for receiving the Covid-19 allowances. It is critical that the unhealthy information gaps and access issues that presently obtain are urgently addressed,” read the statement.

To guard against the potential misuse of the US-denominated cushion allowances, that come to a combined US$32 million per month for both civil servants and pensioners, the Government decided to secure the money through forms of FCA accounts.

Key considerations that the Government took include the market shocks implied in an increase on its wage bill from 30 percent of annual revenue to 40 percent, but which the Government in present circumstances can afford by adjusting its spending so it can handle the allowances without borrowing.

RT https://t.co/lJ3gJqfR4r

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 14, 2020

ZUPCO chaos as people rush to beat Mnangagwa's 6pm curfew – FILE pic.twitter.com/PuQ2B3ml9N

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 13, 2020

After more than 105,000 people have been arrested in Zimbabwe since March for violating social distancing regulations, Mnangagwa pulls self closer to the Cemetery while committing same offence | ONE WORD FOR HIM pic.twitter.com/hiWSX8mvmQ

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 13, 2020

BREAKING NEWS: The MDC trio Joana, Netsai, Cecilia have been issued with a warrant of arrest this afternoon, Mr Chimbiri has told ZimEye – MORE FOLLOWS pic.twitter.com/zYOe5h8YWY

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 13, 2020

Paul Nyathi

White farmers, who were evicted from their land almost 20 years ago under the ZANU PF government’s chaotic land reform program, are set to benefit from a landmark deal: On average, each of the 3,500 farmers who applied for compensation will receive almost US$1 million.

The Commercial Farmers’ Union (CFU) and government representatives agreed to the US$3.5 billion deal following lengthy negotiations. Half of this sum is expected to be distributed within one year, while the remaining payments will be spread over the following five years.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa hailed the new compensation plan as a “historic in many respects,” while CFU President Andrew Pascoe branded it a “miracle.”

Addressing a post cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the decision was not only a fulfilment of aspirations of Zimbabweans as expressed in the 2013 constitutional referendum, but was on the basis of Zanu PF election manifesto, which it campaigned for and won in 2018 harmonised elections.

“Zanu PF was elected inclusively on the basis of that political undertaking. Let it be also noted that the signing of the Global Compensation Agreement on July 27, 2020, was a fulfilment of the aspirations of the Zimbabwean people as expressed in the referendum of March 16, 2013. In that instance, nearly 95 percent of the population endorsed the new Constitution with the quoted provisions therein,” she said.

She said compensating white former farmers for the improvements that they had put on their farms did not in any way mean that Government was reversing the land reform programme.

“This mischief is purveyed by the loony and extreme right wing circles, just that they camouflage with the mantle of left-wing populism and infantile pan-African radicalism,” she said.

She said Zanu PF was a revolutionary party that fought a non-racial and just struggle for majority rule.

On the economy, Minister Mutsvangwa said the government had introduced a raft of measures to stabilise prices that included the foreign exchange auction system, much to the relief of Zimbabweans.

“The opposition and their foreign handlers, with their varying ignorance and mischief, have been trying to create a psychosis of crisis. On the other side President Mnangagwa has been busy on a positive and rewarding trajectory much to the relief of the people of Zimbabwe. He has signed a raft of astute Statutory Instruments that have since tamed a wild west jungle that was hitherto the monetary and foreign exchange markets,” she said.

Paul Nyathi

Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has belittled the much talked about meeting between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s envoys saying that the visit was a peer-to-peer engagement between the two Presidents.

Addressing the media in Harare after a cabinet meeting, Minister Mutsvangwa said there had been false claims from several quarters that there was a crisis in Zimbabwe.

“All said, there is no crisis in Zimbabwe that needs external intervention under established international treaties and conventions. It is important that we refute press claims of a crisis in Zimbabwe. ‘Crisis’ in diplomacy has specific and defined circumstances that go beyond day-to-day banter,” she said.

On Monday, President Mnangagwa held a meeting with three envoys from President Ramaphosa who included former South African Minister of Safety and Security Dr Sydney Mufamadi, who was leading the team, the former Speaker of Parliament Baleka Mbete and former Minister of Public Service and Administration Advocate Ngoako Ramatlhodi.

“This was at the peer-to-peer level of brotherly Heads of State of two sister nations that enjoy excellent diplomatic bilateral relations. The envoys brought in their message, which was duly delivered to the host President. In return they received a briefing from President ED Mnangagwa. The reciprocal messages are the property of the leaders and it is their prerogative as to how they can be handled or disseminated,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

She said comments from some figures in the ANC, and irate remarks from South African opposition ranks, should not be taken as the basis of creating perceptions or attributions of a crisis in other nations.

She said in Zimbabwe there is no crisis to talk about but a mere opposition, which lost elections in 2018 but then threatened not to accept elections results that did not declare them as winners.

“The subjective opinions, be they from third party political entities or diplomatic circles, are not the proper guide in the conduct of diplomacy among sovereign and friendly nations,” she said.

Paul Nyathi

Zimbabwe is not on the agenda of the Sadc summit to be held next Monday, neither is it up for discussion at the African Union (AU), since there is no crisis to warrant its placement on anyone’s agenda, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said yesterday.

“It is common knowledge that there is no Zimbabwean issue before the Sadc Organ on Politics, Defence and Security. Neither is there any such issue before the Sadc Summit. Definitely there is no such issue before the continental body, the African Union.”

The 40th Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and preceding meetings will be held virtually from the 10th to the 17th of August, 2020.

In view of the challenges posed by the COVID 19 Pandemic, the Summit and preceding meetings will be conducted virtually.

The SADC Secretariat has since indicated that the summit will proceed with a reduced agenda, focusing on the hand-over of the SADC Chairperson-ship, and critical Institutional matters.

The Republic of Mozambique will host the virtual meetings as the Incoming Chair of the 16 Member regional economic bloc.

The SADC Summit is responsible for the overall policy direction and control of functions of the community, ultimately making it the policy-making institution of SADC.

The SADC Summit is made up of all SADC Heads of States or Government and is managed on a Troika system that comprises the current SADC Chairperson, the incoming Chairperson and the immediate previous Chairperson.

The Ordinary SADC Summit usually meets once a year around August or September in a Member State of the incoming SADC Chairperson.

Paul Nyathi

The authorof the Facebook page “Beatrice Mtetwa And The Rule Of Law,” Laurie Conway has come out and challenged the Harare Magistrates Court to get her to court to prove she is the brains behind the page.

This comes after Prosecutor Whisper Mabhaudhi Thursday filed an application with Harare Magistrate Ngoni Nduna seeking to bar Beatrice Mtetwa from representing jailed journalist Hopewell Chin’ono accusing Mtetwa of professional misconduct.

The State alleges Mtetwa has been posting Hopewell Chin’ono court case proceedings on the page “Beatrice Mtetwa and the Rule of Law” Facebook page.

Mabhaudhi told the court Mtetwa acted unprofessionally by posting on the alleged Facebook Page her client court and detention updates.

Mtetwa told the court that she does not own the Facebook Page established in her name.

“I am not on Facebook. It does not belong to me. It belongs to Laurie Conway who made that documentary,” Mtetwa told journalists later at Harare Magistrate Court Thursday.

Beatrice Mtetwa and the Rule of Law is a film documentary by Conway which highlights the importance of the rule of law by focusing on Beatrice Mtetwa legal work in Zimbabwe.

Chin’ono is a co-producer of the documentary was also asked to take the witness stand to explain the origins of the Facebook page.

Conway wrote on the page:

To the Prosecutor in Zimbabwe:

#FREE HOPEWELL, Signed, Lorie Conway, Filmmaker and Journalist

Paul Nyathi

The court hearing journalist Hopewell Chinono’s bail hearing has temporarily stopped proceedings to have a case within the case after the prosecutor presented papers seeking to bar lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa from representing Chin’ono.

The prosecutor is accusing Mtetwa of professional misconduct.

The State alleges Mtetwa has been posting Hopewell Chin’ono court case proceedings on; “Beatrice Mtetwa and the Rule of Law” Facebook page, which however is common knowledge that she is not running.

Chin’ono’s bail hearing has since been set aside to attend to the State’s submissions against Mtetwa. Until that application is finalised, the bail hearing will not be proceeding.

Speaking outside the court, Mtetwa told journalists that she does not own the Facebook Page established in her name.

“I am not on Facebook. It does not belong to me. It belongs to Laurie Conway who made that documentary,” Mtetwa told journalists later at Harare Magistrate Court Thursday.

Beatrice Mtetwa and the Rule of Law is a film documentary by Conway which highlights the importance of the rule of law by focusing on Beatrice Mtetwa legal work in Zimbabwe.

Chin’ono is a co-producer of the documentary was also asked to take the witness stand to explain the origins of the Facebook page.

He told the court the application by the State to remove Mtetwa as lead legal counsel based on the Facebook page, was targeted at denying him the right to access lawyers of his choice.

“It deliberate calculation to deprive the accused (Chin’ono) a lawyer of his choice. It will be quite outrageous to seek to arrest someone on the basis of information which is on Facebook as anyone can do so in solidarity,” Chin’ono told the court.

Magistrate Ngoni Nduna is expected to make a ruling on the State submissions on Friday.

State Media

THE chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health, Dr Ruth Labode, who tested positive for Covid-19 early this month, has said the healing process for infected patients begins in the mind.

Dr Labode, who is MDC-T’s proportional representation legislator for Matabeleland North Province decided to go for testing after fellow Parliamentarians tested positive last month.

The MP and her husband tested Covid-19 positive on August 3.

She has since urged all people who have tested positive to maintain a positive outlook on life and their healing process and keep the faith.

Dr Labode said she felt she just had to go and get tested for Covid-19 after some of her colleagues tested positive for the virus.

At the time, she felt flu-like symptoms.

An RTD test gave her a negative result, which prompted her to go and seek a PCR test at a private facility.

She made a trip to Mater Dei Hospital and arranged for herself and her husband to get tested at a private laboratory, which guaranteed test results in a short space of time.

Speaking via telephone from her Hillside suburb home, where she is isolating, Dr Labode said her fears were confirmed when she tested positive for the virus on August 3.

The flu-like symptoms she experienced before had made her decide to start self-quarantining before testing.

Dr Labode is one of the many Zimbabweans who have tested negative via the RDT test, only to test positive using the PCR, which is more conclusive.

She said she is isolating with her husband and it is just the two of them, although they got lonely sometimes and wished for the presence of other people, they still enjoyed each other’s company.

Asked if boredom had not yet crept in, since her ‘‘workaholic’’ routine had been disrupted when she was confined home, Dr Labode said she was still very busy as her work allowed her to work remotely.

She is due to retest today and her results will be ready by Monday.

“It’s funny that I have just gotten used to the routine of working from home very fast. I’m actually thinking it is not a very bad arrangement after all. I am busy writing reports and attending virtual meetings. Most of the time is spent in my study, my mind will be very busy so boredom has not really visited. I may have been anxious about what I will be doing at home the whole time, when I started quarantine, but in reality, there’s been so much to do around the house and in my line of work, I have not felt it,” she said.

“I have also been focusing my mind on my health and my husband’s health and staying positive, and with the support of our networks who are just a gadget away, it has been easy to stay connected with the people that matter.”

Speaking of her personal experience, she said she had fear at some point, and had breathing problems although she later learnt to take charge of her mental health so as not to plunge into Covid-19-induced depression.

“I had a lot of fear at some point, and at one time it was late at night and I felt I could no longer breathe. Issues of faith came in and I just woke up to kneel down and pray. I could take all sorts of pills and herbal remedies, but God has to do the rest. I am now well, I am feeling okay, so is my husband but we are just going to go for testing and are hoping for the best,” she said.

She said the family’s pharmacy, which closed down after she and her husband tested positive for the virus, was not yet open as test results for some members of staff were not yet out.

Those whose results were out had tested negative.

“At the pharmacy, we are still not yet open as test results for staff members are still pending and those whose test results have come are not an enough staff complement that we can work with. Results pending are for 11 staff members,” said Dr Labode.

She called for awareness on the role of isolation of Covid-19 patients saying a lot of stigma surrounded isolation.

“I just want people to know and understand that isolation is not a punishment but is one sure way of not transmitting the virus to the next person. People must understand that they must not stigmatise, they must just do as instructed by health personnel and stay safe. When a person has come back and is Covid-19 free, she or he can be treated the same. They are healed,” she said.

Dr Labode urged other legislators to get tested for Covid-19 before Parliament resumes on August 24.

She said enclosed spaces such as Parliament Building are a conducive environment for the spread of Covid-19.

“I want to speak to the Speaker of Parliament, to recommend that there be no Member of Parliament going back to resume duties on the 24th of August without producing a PCR test certificate that shows one has tested negative of Covid-19. We should all carry our certificates and ensure that we protect each other, our families, our communities and the general public. The parliament building due to its set up, is so enclosed and is good ground for mass Covid-19 infections,” she said.

The MP called for the decongestion of Government offices and said even those in the private sector must decongest and have only skeletal staff working at workplaces, which have since been a hotspot for Covid-19 transmissions.

“I support those pushing the motion that Government offices must close. These are abnormal times. We must not deliberately overwhelm our already stretched frontliners by risking getting infected. Those that can work from home must work from home, leaving only the most critical workers reporting physically for work,” she said.

Dr Labode commended the Bulawayo City Rapid Response team for what she described as a sterling job in contact tracing, despite having had tested at a private facility.

Dr Labode said BCC needed its own Covid-19 testing laboratory, saying it would help to speed up the issuance of test results to people, beating the backlog caused by shortage of test kits at public testing labs.

State Media

A driver and an armed guard delivering cash to Mukuru money transfer agency in Gokwe area allegedly snatched US$306 000 in cash on Wednesday and are now on the run, police report.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the two — Desbro Kadzurunga (23) and Leon Kahoka (35), both from Gokwe town — dumped the special van belonging to their employer, Safeguard Security, their uniforms and a firearm near Gokwe Hotel before they vanished.

Gokwe Safeguard office received US$300 000 and R250 000 from the Kwekwe office to be delivered to various Mukuru branches in Gokwe. Kadzurunga and Kahoka were given an additional US$13 000 and R350 000 and were sent out to do the deliveries with a third guard, not identified by police.

While at N Richards Gokwe Mukuru branch, the two sent their colleague in with part of what they were supposed to deliver.

“They were even under-declaring what they were supposed to deliver at N Richards Mukuru and while their colleague was still signing receipts they pretended to be answering calls on their cellphones. They then went out and drove away with the cash amounting to US$306 000 and over R100 000,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

“We appeal to members of the public who might have information, which could be of help in tracking down and arresting the suspects, to approach the nearest police station,” he said.

Meanwhile, police close to investigations yesterday said the two left all the company uniforms, guns and bullets including R210 000 in the van. But the US dollars were missing.

They said the rands were found in the cash box.

“What is surprising is that they left some of the money in the van, about R210 000,” said the police source.

Safeguard Security company director Mr Nelson Zimunya yesterday declined to comment on the matter.

A GROUP of illegal gold miners on Tuesday invaded Tebekwe Mine in Shurugwi where they reportedly disarmed a security guard before handcuffing and severely assaulting him and his colleague using logs and iron bars.

Police in Shurugwi swiftly moved in and arrested eight suspects, some of whom were reportedly advancing towards the milling plant where they wanted to steal gold.

According to the mine manager, Mr Thamsanqa Maseko, the illegal miners were armed with iron bars and machetes and threatened to harm everyone at the mine.

They ordered the milling plant to stop running and declared that they were taking over the mine.

They were about 50, the majority armed with machetes and iron bars, said Mr Maseko. They went around the mine’s milling plant singing and stressing that they were taking over the mine.

We did not know that there was another group, which had attacked the security guards at the mine entrance.

Mr Maseko said police swiftly responded to their emergency calls and arrived at the scene to find the two security guards, including the one who was in handcuffs, being assaulted.

Upon seeing a police truck, the illegal miners fled in different directions, but police managed to arrest eight of them, he said.

One of the security guards was stabbed in the ear with a sharp object and was taken to Shurugwi District Hospital where he was admitted.

The other security guard who was disarmed and handcuffed was beaten with iron bars all over the body, said Mr Maseko. The handcuffs were later removed at Shurugwi Police Station.

Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko confirmed the incident, but said he was still to get full details from officers in Shurugwi- The Herald

TWO illegal gold panners died after a shaft they were working in collapsed and buried them at a mine in West Nicholson.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident which occurred on Wednesday at Majoda panning site in West Nicholson at around 4AM.

He said Kenneth Mathuthu (22) and Prosper Mbedzi (age unknown) both from River Block area in Collen Bawn died on the spot.

“I can confirm that we recorded a sudden death case where two illegal gold panners died after a shaft they were working in collapsed.

Kenneth Mathuthu and Prosper Mbedzi were working in a 12-metre-deep shaft at Majoda Panning Site in West Nicholson when the shaft collapsed and buried them underneath.

“The matter was reported to the police who attended the scene and the bodies of the two men were retrieved. They were taken to the Gwanda Provincial Hospital Mortuary,” he said.

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

He said people that wanted to engage in mining activities had to formalise their operations and follow the correct procedures in order to acquire necessary paper work before operating.

“It’s sad that we continue to record a number of mine accidents as a result of llegal mining activities which are rampant in the province. If people want to engage in mining they should formalise their operations.

By engaging in illegal mining they will not only be committing an offence but they will also be putting their lives at risk as they will be operating without necessary equipment and protective clothing.

“Some of these illegal miners operate in the early hours of the morning in order to evade police not knowing that they will be risking their lives,” he said-Chronicle

Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration is desperate to pour cold water on the #ZimbabweanLivesMatter Campaign as international groups continue to denounce violation of human rights in the country.

See report below:

There is no crisis in Zimbabwe of whatever nature and magnitude and calls for foreign intervention to deal with the so called urgent situation were unwarranted, a Cabinet Minister said on Thursday.

In recent weeks, opposition political activists with the support of Western embassies have, through social media, sought to portray Zimbabwe as sliding into a deep human rights crisis which could only be solved through foreign intervention.

Running under social media hash tags such as ZimbabweanLivesMatter, the desperate activists have sought to bring Zimbabwe under international spotlight as part of a larger regime change plot.

The renewed onslaught is also meant to coincide with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government summit due to be held via video conference next week.

Rubbishing the false assertions, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said Zimbabwe remained peaceful contrary to claims that all was not well.

“It is important that we refute press claims of a crisis in Zimbabwe,” she said.

“It is common knowledge that there is no Zimbabwean issue before the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security. Neither is there one such issue before the SADC Summit.

Definitely there is no such issue before the continental body, the African Union. All said there is no crisis in Zimbabwe which needs external intervention under established international treaties and conventions.”

Mutsvangwa said the crisis narrative was being perpetuated by the opposition MDC-Alliance which was still bitter over the heavy electoral loss it suffered at the hands of the ruling Zanu PF party in 2018.

“The position of Zimbabwe is that there is a domestic opposition which lost elections in 2018. Prior to voting day it had threatened then declared that it will not accept any result other than that which declared them winners.

Otherwise they were going to ensure that the country is ungovernable. All subsequent events thereafter are a manifestation of this threat.

The subjective opinions be they from third party political entities, diplomatic circles are not the proper guide in the conduct of diplomacy among sovereign and friendly nations,” she said-New Zimbabwe

A DRUNK man from Pumula North suburb in Bulawayo ran to a police station to report his wife for beating him up after he allegedly called her a prostitute.

Narrating the dramatic incident pitting Victor Mahlangu (30) against his wife Sharai Sibanda (29), a family friend who spoke on condition of anonymity said Victor arrived home drunk and spewed derogatory verbal attacks on his wife.

“He came home dead drunk and headed straight to the bedroom where his wife was sleeping and insulted her saying she was a prostitute.

It happened so fast as he grabbed her by the neck and strangled her. But his wife managed to free herself from the tight grip of his hands.

Sharai grabbed his private parts and twisted them causing Victor to fall in agony,” said the family friend.

The family friend said Sharai who was seething with anger turned her drunk hubby into a punching bag with fists.

“She left him bleeding from the nose and mouth,” said the source.
Victor, the source said, crawled from the bedroom to the kitchen and his wife followed him and struck him with a cup on the head.

“She struck him once on the head with a dinner cup and it broke on his head. He then staggered to a police station where he reported the case,” said the source.

Sharai was arrested.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident and advised community members to live in harmony.

“Suspecting each other in a marriage does not help as it foments trouble which could lead to a break-up of the union. However, it is important to develop trust and respect for each other.

Therefore we urge community members to stay in harmony. When a couple faces problems in a marriage they should seek help from pastors or community leaders,“ he said.-B-Metro

Farai Dziva|The persecution and harassment of perceived Zanu PF opponents is a clear reflection of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s shocking level of callousness, the MDC Alliance has said.

Read full statement below:

13-08-2020

The denial of bail today of MDC Alliance Youth Organizer Godfrey Kurauone by Emmerson Mnangagwa’s brutal and corrupt regime is totally unacceptable and barbaric.

This follows hotly after refusals of bail to journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume by the High Court few weeks ago.

It is abundantly clear that Emmerson Mnangagwa’s corrupt regime has since consigned the principles of separation of powers of the three arms of government into dustbins.

What we now have is a domineering Executive that is giving political orders to Judiciary thereby upsetting legal balance.

The influence of the Executive on the Judiciary effectively puts our justice delivery system into a pit latrine.

This is sad chapter in the history of country!

Despite the persecutions by prosecution, we shall not relent in our fight against corruption.

*#ZimbabweanLivesMatter!*
*#KushingaMberi!*

*Stephen Sarkozy Chuma*
_MDC_ _Alliance_ _Youth_ _Assembly_ _National_ _Spokesperson_

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance Namibia Branch has warned Zanu PF leader, Mr Emmerson Mnangangwa that no single individual can stop the wave of change.

Mnangangwa is desperate to stifle dissenting voices in the country.

See statement below :

MDC Alliance Namibia Branch Cancels Anniversary Celebrations Due To Covid-19

14 AUGUST 2020

MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA RUNDU BRANCH POSTPONES ITS ANNIVERSARY
AS THE COUNTRY RETURNS TO COVID-19 LEVEL THREE (3).

Saturday 16th of August has been set aside for the anniversary celebrations in Rundu, Namibia, unfortunately the country returned to Covid-19 level three(3) and the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance Namibia Rundu branch ( Mdc-A) could not forge ahead with their schedule since gatherings have been downscaled to only 10 people.

This followed a stern announcement by HE President Hage who made it point blank that given the escalating numbers of Covid-19 infections in the country, it was imperative to revert to level 3.

MDC Alliance Namibia Rundu branch was launched on the 10th of August 2019 with the zeal to transform our livelihoods and freedoms in Zimbabwe. After realising that the economic regeneration of a state can’t be divorced from its political regeneration, we pledged as social democrats in Namibia to pile political and diplomatic pressure on the satanic Zanupf morons so that they commence to restore our lost dignity as a people. The anniversary will be celebrated after the level 3 lockdown probably after 16 days.

MDC Alliance Rundu branch will gyrate under the theme: Confronting stinking corruption, looting , arbitrary arrests , torture and gross misgovernance.

Moreso , the celebrations will give us the opportunity to strengthen our resolve to utilise the regional and international symphathy on the heavy-handedness of the thugocratic rogue regime on dissenting voices who are challenging Zanupf looters.

The brave commitment and dedication exhibited by the branch is quite magnificent hence a jovial mood on the faces of genuine revolutionaries becomes inevitable.

We shall continue on the path of participatory democracy since we are an organic political branch ever ready for personal sacrifice towards socio-economic development in our Motherland.

Mdc Alliance Rundu branch shall perennially seek political wisdom from their political dynamo and the only vehicle for real change The People’s President Wamba dia Wamba.

Furthermore, MDC Alliance Namibia Rundu branch is in solidarity with the July 31st Movement prisoners of conscience in the names of our journalist of the year Hopewell Chin’ono, Opposition Leader Jacob Ngaribvumwe, National Youth Organiser Godfrey Kurauone not forgetting our radical and democratic Job Wiwa Sikhala who is on the run only to mention but a few who continue to endure incessant incarceration and torture in the hands of Zanupf terrorists. We say #ZimbabweanLivesMatter , No to corruption and daylight looting , Zanupf terrorists must go as they have dismally failed to revamp our ailing economy.

In a nutshell, through our MDC Alliance Namibia Rundu branch communications department, we shall furnish you on the date after our executive meeting obviously after our level 3 has lapsed. We are craving for the change that delivers.

MDC – Alliance Namibia
Rundu Branch Spokesperson
Robson Ruhanya

Farai Dziva|Another MDC Alliance official has been abducted by state security agents as Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration intensifies persecution of opposition members.

Tamuka Denhere, the party’s Secretary for Security and Defence for Mkoba District was abducted by government agents for unknown reasons.

“MDC Alliance Mkoba District Secretary for Security and Defence, Tamuka Denhere has just been abducted by state agents. His whereabouts are currently unknown.

Please RETWEET for awareness.

We are still unable to establish the whereabouts of Tamuka Denhere who was abducted by suspected state agents yesterday in Mkoba.

We demand his immediate release. Security of every person and freedom are Constitutional rights,” the party said in a statement.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Organizer and ward 4, Masvingo Urban Councillor Godfrey Kurauone was on Thursday morning denied bail by High Court Judge Justice Neville Wamambo.

Kurauone is facing three charges- undermining the authority of the President, Criminal Nuisance and Obstruction of Traffic.

Kurauone is unwell and he is being denied access to medication.

Kurauone was denied bail on the basis that he would “continue to commit similar offences.”

His lawyer, Advocate Martin Mureri said the charges have been “cooked up by political rivals in a bid to nail the youthful councillor.”

“The whole thing has been crafted by political foes who are determined to nail the young man.

For instance, Kurauone has not been feeling well for some time and above all he never went to Mashava where the State alleges he incited protests against the government,” said Advocate Mureri.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Organizer and ward 4, Masvingo Urban Councillor Godfrey Kurauone was on Thursday morning denied bail by High Court Judge Justice Neville Wamambo.

Kurauone is facing three charges- undermining the authority of the President, Criminal Nuisance and Obstruction of Traffic.

Kurauone is unwell and he is being denied access to medication.

Kurauone was denied bail on the basis that he would “continue to commit similar offences.”

His lawyer, Advocate Martin Mureri said the charges have been “cooked up by political rivals in a bid to nail the youthful councillor.”

“The whole thing has been crafted by political foes who are determined to nail the young man.

For instance, Kurauone has not been feeling well for some time and above all he never went to Mashava where the State alleges he incited protests against the government,” said Advocate Mureri.

Joana Mamombe, Netsai Marova and Cecilia Chimbiri have been issued with a warrant of arrest.

Mr Henry Chimbiri, Cecilia’s father has confirmed the latest development…

Watch video below :

Joana Mamombe, Netsai Marova and Cecilia Chimbiri have been issued with a warrant of arrest.

Mr Henry Chimbiri, Cecilia’s father has confirmed the latest development…

Watch video below :

A 59-YEAR-OLD Hwange man has been arrested for rape and indecent assault after he allegedly inserted fingers into his 14-year-old daughter’s privates before raping her claiming he was checking her virginity.

Virginity testing is a cultural practice done by some ethnic groups around the world including Zimbabwe, to determine whether a girl or woman has had sexual intercourse before.

Gender and human rights activists have called for elimination of the practice saying it is a violation of girls and women rights.

The man, who cannot be named to protect the girl, allegedly committed the crimes between July 18 and July 23 when the two were alone in the absence of the girl’s mother who was out of town.

He told his daughter that it was his duty as a parent to check if she was still a virgin or not.

The man allegedly inserted fingers and raped the girl on July 18 before touching privates and caressing her for three consecutive nights between July 20 and July 23 after forcing her to share a bed with him in his bedroom.

The man allegedly threatened his daughter with death if she left the house or told anyone about the abuse.

The girl confided in her visiting grandmother who advised her to write her experiences in a book which they showed the victim’s mother on her return leading to the arrest of the abusive father.

He was charged with three counts of indecent assault, one of aggravated indecent assault and another of rape after a medical report showed that the girl had been sexually violated.

He was not asked plead to the charges when he appeared before Hwange magistrate Ms Barbara Phiri who remanded him in custody to Thursday next week.

Prosecuting, Mr John Chisango Mutyakaviri said the man threatened his daughter with death if she revealed the abuse.

“On 18 July at around 10pm the complainant was sitting on a sofa watching TV when her father told her that he wanted to check if she was still a virgin.

The complainant refused and told him to take her to her grandmother for virginity testing. The accused insisted that he had powers to check her daughter’s virginity,” said the prosecutor.

The man allegedly ordered the girl to remove her panties and pull her skirt upwards.

“The accused then knelt down in front of the complainant and pulled her legs apart.

He inserted his forefinger and the middle finger into the girl’s privates telling her he was checking if she was still a virgin,” said the prosecutor.

The court was told that after removing his fingers, he ordered his daughter to lie on the sofa facing upwards before forcibly pulling her legs apart while threatening to kill her if she made noise.

The girl complied out of fear and he allegedly raped her once. During the forced sex, she complained to her father that he was hurting her.

After raping his daughter, the man allegedly ordered her to go and sleep.-Chronicle

Access to a quality education should be universal.

Yet with less access to the internet and learning materials, COVID-19 related school closures have hit the most vulnerable children hardest.

As schools reopen, UNICEF is calling on governments to double down on learning support for the most marginalized children, especially those living in poverty, from ethnic minority groups, children with disabilities, girls and displaced or refugee children.

Together with partners, we must reimagine a world where every child has an equal opportunity to learn.

Credit: UNICEF

Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre

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There is no crisis in Zimbabwe of whatever nature and magnitude and calls for foreign intervention to deal with the so called urgent situation were unwarranted, a Cabinet Minister said on Thursday.

In recent weeks, Zimbabwe has been sliding into a deep human rights crisis.

Running under social media hash tags such as ZimbabweanLivesMatter, the desperate activists have sought to bring Zimbabwe under international spotlight as part of a larger regime change plot.

The renewed onslaught is also meant to coincide with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government summit due to be held via video conference next week.

Rubbishing the assertions, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said Zimbabwe remained peaceful contrary to claims that all was not well.

“It is important that we refute press claims of a crisis in Zimbabwe,” she said.

“It is common knowledge that there is no Zimbabwean issue before the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security. Neither is there one such issue before the SADC Summit. Definitely there is no such issue before the continental body, the African Union. All said there is no crisis in Zimbabwe which needs external intervention under established international treaties and conventions.”

Mutsvangwa said the crisis narrative was being perpetuated by the opposition MDC-Alliance which was still bitter over the heavy electoral loss it suffered at the hands of the ruling Zanu PF party in 2018.

“The position of Zimbabwe is that there is a domestic opposition which lost elections in 2018. Prior to voting day it had threatened then declared that it will not accept any result other than that which declared them winners. Otherwise they were going to ensure that the country is ungovernable. All subsequent events thereafter are a manifestation of this threat. The subjective opinions be they from third party political entities, diplomatic circles are not the proper guide in the conduct of diplomacy among sovereign and friendly nations,” she said.

She said the deployment of special envoys by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in response to the crisis narrative gave the Zimbabwean government an opportunity to clarify matters.

Former South African Minister of Safety and Security Dr Sydney Mufamadi, former Speaker of Parliament Baleka Mbete and former South African Minister of Public Service and Administration Advocate Ngoako Ramatlhodi were dispatched to Harare by Ramaphosa early this week to President Emmerson Mnangagwa on a fact finding mission.

“These envoys were sent by His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa to his counterpart, His Excellency, President ED Mnangagwa. This was at the peer to peer level of brotherly Heads of State of two sister nations that enjoy excellent diplomatic bilateral relations. The envoys brought in their message which was duly delivered to the host President. In return they received a briefing from President ED Mnangagwa.

“The reciprocal messages are the property of the respective leaders and it is their prerogative as to how they can be handled or disseminated,” she said.

Mutsvangwa said several other misinformed narratives against the government were also being pushed.

These, she said, included accusations that the government was targeting and arbitrarily arresting opposition activists and ill-treating them.

“Our Justice system is blind to political persuasion, rank, creed, race, social and political networks. Therefore, all prisoners in a certain category are treated in the same manner,” she said.

“Taking into account the Covid-19 context, prisoners have a constitutional right to be protected from public health risks such as the Coronavirus, this may include bringing in measures such as stopping or limiting the number of visitors and external items prisoners can have access to. This is what explains the current control measures being implemented in our all prisons.”

On the false narrative that the government was reversing the gains of the war of liberation by paying compensation to former white farmers, she said the money was being paid in fulfillment of section 295 (1) of the Constitution.

The government agreed to pay the former white farmers $3.5 billion dollars in compensation for improvements made on the land they lost under Zimbabwe’s agrarian reforms.

“I want to debunk any assertions that there is a reversal of the land reform programme. This mischief is purveyed by the loony and extreme right wing circles,” she said.

“Let it be also noted that the signing of the Global Compensation Agreement on the 27th of July 2020, was a fulfillment of the aspirations of the Zimbabwean people as expressed in the referendum of 16 March 2013. In that instance nearly 95 percent of the population endorsed the new Constitution with the quoted provisions therein.”

She added; “ZANU-PF is a revolutionary party that fought a non-racial and just struggle for majority rule. It has not time to indulge in gratuitous racial baiting. Rather it wants all its citizens inclusive of former white commercial farmers to enjoy complete, equal and inclusive rights and freedoms.”

Mutsvangwa called on other countries to respect Zimbabwe’s sovereignty.

“Zimbabwe is a peace loving country which does not interfere in the affairs of other sovereign states and their interactions with their citizens. It therefore desires to be accorded the same courtesy. His Excellency, the President directed our security forces enforcing the lockdown regulations to do so with a “humane face”. Where mistakes or excesses are alleged there is a complaint mechanism in place and we urge aggrieved citizens to utilize it,” she said.

New Ziana

Activists Josphat Ngulube took the time to  speak to SABC from his hiding place in South Africa and explained the circumstances leading to his current situation. Ngulube called on AU President Cryil Ramaphosa to send a proper delegation to Zimbabwe which he says must include a head of state.

His 23-year-old niece was last week abducted, sexually assaulted and badly beaten by men looking for him.

The incident appeared to be an escalation of a wave of arrests and abductions of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s opponents and their families by state security agents.

Noxolo Maphosa was walking to a butchery near Pick n Pay (Hyper) in Bulawayo at about 10AM when she noticed four men walking behind her.

“I called my friend and told her there were men following me. Just as I ended the call, they grabbed me from behind and took my phone. They forced me into a white Izusu pick-up truck,” Maphosa said in a video statement.

She was blindfolded and driven to a house where she was interrogated about the whereabouts of Ngulube, her uncle who was jailed for seven years in 2019 accused of burning a Zanu PF vehicle during fuel price riots in January of that year.

Ngulube is out on bail pending appeal against conviction and sentence.

Watch video downloading below.