ZANU PF STATEMENT ON THE REMOVAL OF DR. OBADIAH MOY0 FROM THE OFFICE OF MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE

ZANU PF stands solidly behind the decision by His Excellency, President E. D Mnangagwa to remove Dr Obadiah Moyo from the post of Minister of Health and Child Care.

ZANU PF applauds the President for his boldness in walking the talk in the fight against corruption.

The decision by His Excellency, the President should serve as stern warning to all those cadres whom the Party has deployed to Central Government, Local Authorities and Parastatals that in the discharge of their functions they should, like Caesar’s wife, be beyond suspicion.

They should at all times know that any whiff of corruption will cost them dearly because the President declared that there will be no sacred cows when it comes to fighting corruption.

ZANU PF takes this opportunity to bring to the attention of those Law Enforcement Agencies involved in the Administration of Criminal Justice its concerns and those of the population.

Expectations are that Law Enforcement Agencies should carry out thorough investigations to establish a prima facie case before arrests are effected as to At otherwise leads to the practice commonly referred to as “Catch and Release” a situation which will put the administration of criminal justice into disrepute.
Equally of concern to the population is the prolonged and protracted nature of trials. This also leads to reputational damage to the administration of criminal justice.

ZANU PF is, therefore, calling upon Law Enforcement Agencies involved in the administration of justice namely, the Police, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Judiciary to expedite the prosecution and finalisation of criminal charges, in particular, cases pertaining to corruption in line with the pronouncements made by the President on the Africa Anti-Corruption Day.

Furthermore, the Party reiterates its position, that unnecessary political activities such as demonstrations will not be tolerated in line with the current LockDown regulations as directed by the President and Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Cde ED Mnangagwa to contain #Covid19Zim.

Those who are organising such demonstrations will have themselves to blame if they continue to defy authorities.

What happened on 01 August 2018 and 14-16 January 2019 will never be allowed to repeat again.

The merchants of violence who are known to be working with our detractors must heed our call for them to respect the law if they want the law to respect them as well.

A woman in Bulawayo was arrested for refusing to accept $2 notes while she was selling airtime in the city of Kings.

21-year-old Prudence Mhene appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya facing charges of contravening a section of Statutory Instrument 175/2008, the Bank Use Promotion and Suppression of Money Laundering Act.

It is the state’s case that:
On July 17 at 10am at Mandalane Building located at 5th Avenue and Fife Street Bulawayo, the accused was selling airtime in the shop.

The complainant, Mr Mthokozisi Ngwenya handed over $18 bond notes intending to buy Telecel airtime. The accused told Mr Ngwenya that she had a limit for the amount of $2 bond notes and handed him back 2 x $2 notes and asked for a $5 note.

The accused person implied that the customer should produce $5 bond notes only as she had limits of accepting denominations less than $2 bond notes. The complainant later revealed his identity as a police officer and the accused person was arrested.

Mhene was remanded out of custody and will be back in court tomorrow.

ZRP has reportedly launched “Operation accept Zimbabwe currency as legal tender” which has seen over 100 people being arrested for various crimes including refusing to accept the Zimbabwe Dollar for their goods and services-source: The Sunday News

“He (Walter Magaya) is at it again. But we are now enlightened. We will not be conned anymore by him.”

Added Tracy:

“We have been patient for too long. Three years is a long time. But not anymore. This man (Walter Magaya) is a fraudster.”

Watch the live video loading below….

Zanu PF will not shirk from its responsibility of recalling party members tainted by corruption from all levels of Government in line with its zero tolerance to graft policy, a senior official has said.

In a statement yesterday, the ruling party’s acting National Secretary for Information and Publicity, Patrick Chinamasa, said the recent dismissal of Dr Obadiah Moyo as Minister of Health and Child Care should stand as a warning to all individuals who engage in corrupt activities.

“ZANU PF stands solidly behind the decision by His Excellency, President ED Mnangagwa to remove Dr Obadiah Moyo from the post of Minister of Health and Child Care,” said Chinamasa.

He called on law enforcement agents to expedite prosecution of all cases involving corruption.

Expectations are that law they should carry out thorough investigations to establish a prima facie case before arrests are effected as to do otherwise leads to the practice commonly referred to as “catch and release”, a situation which will put the administration of criminal justice into disrepute,” Chinamasa said.

“Equally of concern to the population is the prolonged and protracted nature of trials. This also leads to reputational damage to the administration of criminal justice.”

He warned opposition elements against organising unsanctioned demonstrations during the national lockdown.

Chinamasa said the law would be applied without fear or favour to deal with those behind organising the demonstrations.

“Furthermore, the party reiterates its position that unnecessary political activities such as demonstrations will not be tolerated in line with the current lockdown regulations as directed by the President and Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Mnangagwa, to contain Covid-19.

“Those organising such demonstrations will have themselves to blame if they continue to defy authorities.

What happened on August 1, 2018 and between January 14 and 16, 2019 will never be allowed to recur again.

The merchants of violence who are known to be working with our detractors must heed our call for them to respect the law if they want the law to respect them as well,” he said-The Sunday Mail

Farai Dziva|Veteran Movement for Democratic Change activist and musician, Dread Reckless, has warned Douglas Mwonzora and Thokozani Khupe against sabotaging the people’s struggle.

He also described President Nelson Chamisa as a great visionary who has the capacity to lead the nation to prosperity.

Below is Dread Reckless’ statement:

I have no time at all to worry about people who claim to be opposition party leaders when they are being funded in darkness by the party they claim to oppose and pretend otherwise during the day.

With our little, immature, inexprienced but political stable and iconic leader Nelson Chamisa we are fine.

As they move in to take our offices we will fight to retain the great vision, as they take party names, we retain the party- take the support of Matemadanda and we choose the support of the people.

We also want to eat but the only difference is that, most of us are patient enough to wait for what is rightfully ours.

Since when did Matemadanda become the opposition’s political adviser?

Varume, idyai mari idzi muchitsiurana.

Field Marshall Dread Reckless

By A Correspondent- A woman in Bulawayo was arrested for refusing to accept $2 notes while she was selling airtime in the city of Kings.

21-year-old Prudence Mhene appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya facing charges of contravening a section of Statutory Instrument 175/2008, the Bank Use Promotion and Suppression of Money Laundering Act.

It is the state’s case that on July 17 at 10am at Mandalane Building located at 5th Avenue and Fife Street Bulawayo, the accused was selling airtime in the shop.

The complainant, Mr Mthokozisi Ngwenya handed over $18 bond notes intending to buy Telecel airtime. The accused told Mr Ngwenya that she had a limit for the amount of $2 bond notes and handed him back 2 x $2 notes and asked for a $5 note.

The accused person implied that the customer should produce $5 bond notes only as she had limits of accepting denominations less than $2 bond notes. The complainant later revealed his identity as a police officer and the accused person was arrested.

Mhene was remanded out of custody and will be back in court tomorrow.

ZRP has reportedly launched “Operation accept Zimbabwe currency as legal tender” which has seen over 100 people being arrested for various crimes including refusing to accept the Zimbabwe Dollar for their goods and services-source: The Sunday News

The Ministry of Health and Child Care on Saturday reported that the country’s coronavirus deaths had risen to 25 following the death of a 36-year-old female at a hospital in Bulawayo.

In a statement, the ministry also said 58 new positive coronavirus cases had been recorded bringing the total number of known cases to 1 478 including 439 recoveries, 1 014 active cases and 25 deaths. The statement read in part:

Today we regret to report 1 death at facility level in Bulawayo Province. The death is of a 36- year old female who was admitted in hospital on 16th of July 2020 with a persistent cough and tested positive for Covid-19…

Since the onset of the Covid-19 outbreak on 20 March 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 1 478, recovered 439, active cases 1 014 and 25 deaths.

The state security forces have since tightened lockdown regulations as a result of the surge in the number of cases lately.

Zimbabwe is for an indefinite period under level 2 of the nationwide lockdown which was initially imposed in March to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

President Mnangagwa recently hinted that he will review the lockdown regulations in response to the recent spike.

-NewZiana

By A Correspondent- Law expert, Advocate Fadzayi Mahere has described the move by the state to search Econet and Cassava offices and seize full subscribers’ details as a “far-reaching breach of privacy.”

Mahere who is also the spokesperson of the opposition MDC Alliance speaks after police, equipped with a warrant by a Magistrate, on Friday executed a search and seizure warrant at Money Laundering-accused Econet Wireless and Cassava’s main offices in Harare.

Posting on Twitter, Mahere said:

“Full subscriber details” of each user means they have your name, cellphone number, address and all EcoCash records for the relevant period. This is a far-reaching breach of privacy. Imagine what  @PoliceZimbabwe  can do in this authoritarian environment with such extensive data.

The development comes after the government recently suspended all mobile money operators – Econet’s Ecocash, NetOne’s OneMoney and Telecel’s Telecash, together with the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange on the basis that they were fuelling illegal forex dealing.

This came as the local currency continued to lose value at a paraffin speed on the parallel market, to the displeasure of the state that wanted to convince the public that reintroduction of the Zimbabwe dollar was the best move to curb inflation and kickstart economic growth.

By A Correspondent- Nurses have notified the government that their salaries would have to be pegged at ZW$203 332 if the government insists on paying them in the local currency.

They speak as the government has urged workers who are demanding for restoration of October 2018 salaries or payment in United States dollars to be “realistic.”

In the letter dated July 14 to acting Health minister Amon Murwira, the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (Zina) said RTGS salaries were making the lives of workers unbearable as the economy is dollarising under the watch and sanction of the government. The letter reads in part:

If we are to negotiate for an RTGS amount … our salaries will be pegged at $203 332, which by merely looking at it, is unrealistic.

We are aware that there have been efforts to misrepresent the position of the nurses by some quarters. We do not see it necessary to comment on this but we would want to factually bring you into our confidence as to why our members are demanding payment in US$ …

ZINA president Enoch Dongo vowed to continue with the ongoing industrial action adding withholding of some nurses’ salaries is a cause for concern.

The soaring inflation is eroding workers’ salaries.

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services has proposed the release on bail those facing minor offences and increasing testing on new admissions as a measure to minimise the spread of the disease at its facilities.

This comes amid reports that the number of people who have tested positive for the coronavirus is increasing rapidly.

Speaking during the handover of personal protective equipment to the ZPCS by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association in Gwanda this Friday, Assistant Commissioner Ngwenya said:

The number of inmates has gone back to where it was before the amnesty. As such we are having a challenge in placing new admissions in our facilities separate from those who are already there. We, therefore, wish we could enhance testing and also appeal to our courts to deal with cases with speed.

President Mnangagwa issued a presidential pardon to convicts back in March to decongest prisons as a way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

The virus has however since breached prison walls and the trend is likely to get worse as new people are being imprisoned for various crimes.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor, Gideon Gono was Saturday forced to defend his controversial Farm Mechanisation Programme, insisting the dishing out of millions of public funds to senior Zanu-PF and government officials was above board.

Senior government and Zanu-PF officials including President Emmerson Mnangagwa accessed millions in United States dollars from the RBZ between 2007 and 2008 through the programme.

None of the beneficiaries repaid the loans.

However, according to the now reclusive Gono who was forced to come out and defend the scheme, the beneficiaries were not expected to repay the loans.

On Saturday, UK-based lawyer and academic, Alex Magaisa penned a damning article in which he traced how well-connected senior government and Zanu-PF officials looted millions of dollars in foreign currency under Gono’s murky Farm Mechanisation Programme.

However, in response to the article on Saturday night, a fuming Gono attacked Magaisa for allegedly making “inaccurate, unfair and unfounded” allegations against the beneficiaries.

“My statement comes in the wake of Dr Magaisa’s allegations, which makes a lot of unfounded allegations and inaccurate, and unfair conclusions that border on defamation,” said Gono adding the programme was undertaken in accordance with the law.

The former RBZ governor, scorned for presiding over the apex bank when Zimbabwe was going through its worst economic turmoil in decades, said he introduced the programme to capacitate newly-resettled farmers through mechanisation.

Zimbabwe embarked on a controversial land reform programme in 2000. The programme saw thousands of white farmers being kicked out of productive farms to be replaced by black Zimbabweans.

“I come as the man who was in charge of the RBZ during the most trying period in our history and as a man who was at the centre of trying to keep the economy going.

“I can state categorically that Dr Magaisa is offside and that no beneficiary of the farm mechanisation programme ever refused to pay for the equipment that they got and neither were they asked to pay,” Gono said.

He was at pains to explain after Zimbabweans took to social media Saturday to express disgust at how politically connected individuals could feast on the carcass of a dead economy with gay abandon.

According to Masvingo based Tellzim, a local provincial taskforce yesterday dismissed more than 5000 members of an apostolic church who had gathered for an annual passover feast.

“The Provincial Taskforce today dismissed more than 5 000 members of an Apostolic church who had gathered at their Maparanyanga Shrine for their annual Passover feast or Holy Communion,” the message from the taskforce read.

Apostolic churches have started defying lockdown rules with another gathering of more than 10 000 congregants reported in Manicaland.

This is happening despite a government directive that not more than 50 people should gather at any given time due to the COVID-19 threat.

By A Correspondent- A prisoner who escaped from Mutare Farm Prison last November was re-arrested and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment.

At the time of his escape, Forgive Zimunya (31) only had two days left on his eight months jail term.

He had been convicted of theft charges.

Zimunya pleaded guilty to escaping from lawful custody as defined in Section 185 (1) (b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23, when he appeared before a Mutare magistrate last week on Friday.          

In passing the sentence, the magistrate, Ms Notebulgar Muchineripi said Zimunya committed a serious offence.

She said she couldn’t understand why Zimunya decided to flee from prison when he was almost done serving his sentence.

“The court will pass a harsh sentence on the convicted person to deter would-be offenders. Prisoners should not even think about escaping from prison,” she said.

Mr Chris Munyuki prosecuted.

He told the court that on November 5, 2019, Thomas Gwiza was the prison office on duty. He supervised Zimunya and five other prisoners as they cleared bushes outside the prison. Zimunya took this opportunity to escape.

“Zimunya was tasked with making a fire to prepare breakfast while the rest of the prisoners continued with their work. When they went back to where they had left Zimunya preparing breakfast, they discovered that he had escaped.

“A search was made, all to no avail,” said Mr Munyuki.

Officer Gwiza and other prison personnel went to Zimunya’s home in search of him. They informed his mother about his escape from prison and advised her to call them upon his arrival.

When Zimunya finally got home, his mother alerted the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services.

Zimunya was subsequently re-arrested.

-ManicaPost

Kent University based academic, Dr Alex Magaisa who released a list of beneficiaries of the 2005 farm mechanisation scheme has responded to criticism that he deliberately omitted names of other beneficiaries, saying he was only working with what he had, challenging those with the full list to make it available.

Responding to former RBZ Governor Dr Gideon Gono who appeared in the weekly Sunday Mail attempting to fight back the expose, Magaisa said his interest is the upholding of constitutional values of transparency and accountability.

“…there is no cherry-picking or nefarious plan apart from the public interest to uphold the constitutional values of transparency and accountability. Indeed, those who have the full list must take the opportunity to furnish it to the public. This is why I find it disappointing that the former Governor’s clarification does not fill the gaps,” said Magaisa.

By A Correspondent- A Nyanga centenarian who recently confessed to bewitching and killing more than 10 family members in a decade on Monday finally visited a nearby hill to surrender her witchcraft paraphernalia.

Gogo Celepra Nyakwangwa of Saunyama Village was accompanied by popular Nyanga-based traditional healer, Sekuru Shingirai Mukotsanjera, her son Johannes Saunyama as well as the Nyakwangwa family for the process.

Gogo Nyakwangwa, who can no longer stand by herself, said she has been killing her family members as vengeance for the livestock that was taken away from her by her siblings more than five decades ago.

In a telephone interview on Tuesday, a relieved Johannes said the process took less than five hours to complete.

He revealed that his mother retrieved a horn and a male-like private organ from the ground, which were then burnt outside Acting Chief Victor Saunyama’s traditional courts on Monday evening.

“As her only son, I am relieved that she finally decided to surrender her paraphernalia. It was painful losing loved ones at such short intervals. We really hope that the storm is over now. Gogo had told us that once we burn the things, we will be safe. Several tsikamutandas came and failed to solve this,” said Johannes. 

Acting Chief Saunyama confirmed the development and said this might bring closure to the family’s sad chapter of misfortunes.

“The Nyakwangwas were suffering. At least she decided to dispose the paraphernalia before dying,” said Chief Saunyama.

But there is one more outstanding demand.

Gogo Nyakwangwa wants some cattle as compensation for her seized livestock and the Nyakwangwas are expected to hand over four beasts to her anytime this week.

She has vowed to continue causing distress in the Nyakwangwa family if her demands are not met.

-ManicaPost

By Jane Mlambo| Information Secretary Nick Mangwana has accused top constitutional expert Alex Magaisa who released names of beneficiaries of the controversial farm mechanization scheme, of deliberately leaving out names saying, it smacks of a nefarious intent.

Posting on Twitter, Mangwana said the fight for public accountability was been used as a political tool against the state and ruling party.

“The fight for public accountability should never be seen as a political tool. When lists of beneficiaries of State programs are published with some names deliberately redacted, then the exposé betrays its nefarious intent. The act of redacting certain names in itself is corrupt,” said Mangwana.

Yesterday, United Kingdom based law lecturer Alex Magaisa released names of top ranking personalities who benefitted from the RBZ initiated farm mechanization scheme with all of the beneficiaries having defaulted.

The list has attracted wide debate with people accusing the beneficiaries of milking state coffers but former RBZ Governor has attempted to pacify what has been term money heist claiming that it was not a loan scheme but a program to support new farmers who acquired land from former white owners without capacity.

A woman in Bulawayo was arrested for refusing to accept $2 notes while she was selling airtime in the city of Kings.

21-year-old Prudence Mhene appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya facing charges of contravening a section of Statutory Instrument 175/2008, the Bank Use Promotion and Suppression of Money Laundering Act.

It is the state’s case that:
On July 17 at 10am at Mandalane Building located at 5th Avenue and Fife Street Bulawayo, the accused was selling airtime in the shop.

The complainant, Mr Mthokozisi Ngwenya handed over $18 bond notes intending to buy Telecel airtime. The accused told Mr Ngwenya that she had a limit for the amount of $2 bond notes and handed him back 2 x $2 notes and asked for a $5 note.

The accused person implied that the customer should produce $5 bond notes only as she had limits of accepting denominations less than $2 bond notes. The complainant later revealed his identity as a police officer and the accused person was arrested.

Mhene was remanded out of custody and will be back in court tomorrow.

ZRP has reportedly launched “Operation accept Zimbabwe currency as legal tender” which has seen over 100 people being arrested for various crimes including refusing to accept the Zimbabwe Dollar for their goods and services-source: The Sunday News

By A Correspondent- Twimbos have unearthed articles from the state media that reveal that contrary to what former RBZ governor Gideon Gono said, that the farm mechanisation scheme loans were not supposed to be repaid, the loans were supposed to be repaid.

The first article that was unearthed is from The Herald and it was written on 4 February 2010 and it reads:

Beneficiaries of Government’s Farm Mechanisation Programme launched in 2007 will start paying for the machinery this year, with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe currently working on repayment modalities.

In a statement yesterday, RBZ Governor Dr Gideon Gono said they had already completed preparations for stop orders or cash payments.

The article no longer appears in the state media but it was aggregated by All Africa News and it is still appearing on the All Africa News site 10 years later.

Another article that appeared in the private media, The Zimbabwe Independent, further exposes Gideon Gono’s lies to the Sunday Mail.

In an article that was written on 16 May 2008, details of how farmers were paying back the debts and how some were paying close to nothing for the equipment like tractors they received from the scheme are listed and the publication even publicised a threat it received from Munyaradzi Kereke when they enquired about the scheme.

Gono yesterday while speaking to The Sunday Mail said the debts were not supposed to be repaid as he was explaining why the loans that benefited a lot of Zanu PF politicians and those linked to the party like Ezekiel Guti and Nehemiah Mutendi were never repaid.

By A Correspondent- At least 21 people from Cimas Medical Aid Society in Harare have tested positive for Covid-19 after a staff member contracted the virus.

In a statement, Cimas chief executive officer Mr Vulindlela Ndlovu said the situation was discovered after a routine staff testing procedure.

“A member of our reception staff tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday, 16 July 2020 following routine and random testing of our staff. Contact tracing and testing subsequently revealed that other members of staff had been exposed to the virus as they had been in the same work area with the staff member who had tested positive. The case was subsequently handed over to the Covid-19 Rapid Response Team and contact tracing began.

“We also proceeded to test staff in that facility as well as other staff who share transport with her and 21 more have tested positive for the virus. While the source of the infections is unknown, common factors among those who tested positive is that they all shared transport and/or shared workstations, computers, or telephone handsets.”

Mr Ndlovu said all those who tested positive were now in quarantine after being referred to the Covid-19 Rapid Response Team and the Harare City Health Department. He said the affected employees would also be covered for treatment under the recently introduced Cimas Covid-19 cover. Mr Ndlovu said all Cimas premises in Harare have been disinfected.

“As a precautionary measure, all Cimas premises in Harare have been deep cleaned and disinfected. The Cimas High Glen Clinic, in a separate incident, has been closed temporarily following the exposure of a staff member to a confirmed case.

“Our priority is the safety of our staff and continued service where possible for our members. We urge you to embrace digital platforms as well as virtual means of communication and interaction with the Society for all membership and pre-authorisation queries. We have introduced Dial-a-Doctor and a medicine delivery service to allow for virtual consultations and drug deliveries to your doorstep,” he said.

By Jane Mlambo| Former Zanu PF politburo member Jonathan Moyo has rebuked Kudakwashe Bhasikiti for claiming that paid back a ‘USD loan’.

Responding to Bhasikiti on Twitter, Jonathan Moyo said paying back a USD loan in local Zimbabwean dollars was corruption on its own.

Bhasikiti tweeted;

“Those who are saying Farm Mechanisation was for Free,are telling blatant lies.I paid 10bn for mine,which was worked out as the usd equivalent then.Everyone has to pay.CORRUPTION has to be exposed.THANK YOU ALEX MAGAISA,BSR,” said Bhasikiti.

In response, Jonathan Moyo responded saying;

“You know @KbhasikitiGmai1 this claim you keep making that you paid back is precisely what is bogus & corrupt. You say you paid back “a USD loan” in 10 BILLION useless Zim dollars. Don’t you see that this Zim dollar payment of yours, using a false USD exchange rate, was corrupt?”

By A Correspondent- A woman in Bulawayo was arrested for refusing to accept $2 notes while she was selling airtime in the city of KIngs.

21-year-old Prudence Mhene appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya facing charges of contravening a section of Statutory Instrument 175/2008, the Bank Use Promotion and Suppression of Money Laundering Act.

It is the state’s case that:

On July 17 at 10am at Mandalane Building located at 5th Avenue and Fife Street Bulawayo, the accused was selling airtime in the shop. The complainant, Mr Mthokozisi Ngwenya handed over $18 bond notes intending to buy Telecel airtime. The accused told Mr Ngwenya that she had a limit for the amount of $2 bond notes and handed him back 2 x $2 notes and asked for a $5 note.

The accused person implied that the customer should produce $5 bond notes only as she had limits of accepting denominations less than $2 bond notes. The complainant later revealed his identity as a police officer and the accused person was arrested.

Mhene was remanded out of custody and will be back in court tomorrow. ZRP has reportedly launched “Operation accept Zimbabwe currency as legal tender” which has seen over 100 people being arrested for various crimes including refusing to accept the Zimbabwe Dollar for their goods and services.

-sundaymail

By A Correspondent- Former Reserve bank Governor Gideon Gono who is at the centre of a Farm Mechanisation Scheme scandal that was unearthed by constitutional lawyer Alex Magaisa yesterday has taken the time to respond to Dr Magaisa’s allegations which he called inaccurate and defamatory.

Speaking to the state media, the former RZB Chief said:

My statement comes in the wake of Dr Magaisa’s allegations, which makes a lot of unfounded allegations and inaccurate, and unfair conclusions that border on defamation.

I come as the man who was in charge of the RBZ during the most trying period in our history and as a man who was at the centre of trying to keep the economy going.

I can state categorically that Dr Magaisa is offside and that no beneficiary of the farm mechanisation programme ever refused to pay for the equipment that they got and neither were they asked to pay.

Gono further said the scheme was made under provisions of the RBZ Act, which compelled the RBZ  to carry out quasi-fiscal activities at the request of Government:

The RBZ undertook this quasi-fiscal activity at the behest of Government and in the national interest. This was done in accordance with the then Section 8 of the RBZ Act Chapter (22:15) which authorised State to direct the Central Bank to carry out transactions in such a manner as the State may require and if so requested by the State, the Bank was to make the necessary arrangements to this end.

Section 8 (11) of the old RBZ Act (Chapter 22:15) read with the Banking Act (Chapter 24:20), the Official Secrets Act (Chapter11:09), the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Chapter 20:27) and the Exchange Control Act of 1996 are all legislative and legal administrative instruments at the hands of a Government to use to achieve certain desired objectives. Any Governor worth his salt works within the confines of those and other Acts to advance Government objectives

Gono also said on independence the RBZ assumed Rhodesian’s debts and none of the debts belonged to the Zimbabwean people as he tried to explain why the burden of the scheme was now being passed on to today’s taxpayers:

At independence, the RBZ and Government in general assumed loans and obligations that had been incurred by the previous regime, some of which had been used to acquire military equipment that maimed and killed our people as well as agricultural loans that had been taken with State guarantees from banks during those difficult years.

None of these belonged to blacks. Today, under a legitimate Government Mechanisation Programme that covered both A1 and A2 farmers during a very difficult period in the history of our nation becomes a scandal?

Both rural and non-rural farmers benefited from the takeover of the loans by the State but I shall elaborate. There was no scandal here, no corruption and no beneficiary refused to pay. The State did not demand payment and that was above board

Magaisa’s article unearthed many beneficiaries of the scheme who are mostly people in government and those who are connected to the government including clergymen Ezekiel Guti and Nehemiah Mutendi.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Popular Rapper Stunner (real name Desmond Chideme) who was hospitalised suffering from an undisclosed ailment has been discharged from hospital and is said to be recovering at home in Glen Norah in Harare.

This was revealed by the rapper’s former manager and family spokesperson  Godfrey “Vokal” Bakasa  who said:

Stunner is doing well on his home recovery path and I can tell you that he is doing better than the last time he was in hospital.

He is due for medical checkups and I will update on that. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope to have him back in the music circles. Stunner’s hospitalisation drew media attention as his family denied ever contracting anyone to collect money on behalf of the rapper. Stunner released a 9 track album titled Dzangaradzimu 3 months ago.

The education coalition of Zimbabwe has released the following statement following the government’s decision to defer reopening schools after COVID-19 cases surged over the last few days.

The coalition praised the government on its decision to delay reopening schools and said it would help keep the leaders and educators safe until the situation is contained.

Read the statement:

The Education Coalition Of Zimbabwe, Every Child In School – ECIS and the Zimbabwe National Coalition for the Welfare of Children supports and commends the cabinet decision to defer the reopening of schools for examination classes scheduled for July 28 in light of the rising number of confirmed Covid-19 infections.

The deferment by Cabinet announced on 15 July 2020, was part of measures that include postponement of further opening of economic sectors, localized lockdowns in hotspots and more testing in areas where infections are spiking.

The deferment is a welcome development, given the rise in COVID-19 confirmed local transmissions and the fact that latest death is a child in Matabeleland South who was admitted to hospital on Saturday with pneumonia. This brings the cumulative number of deaths to 20.

The children’s right civil society members applaud the Cabinet for enshrining the health of the child in their decision making. We commend the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education for its initiatives of rolling out alternative ways of learning like the radio and online lessons and its continuous engagement with partners and stakeholders through the Zimbabwe Education in Emergencies cluster on the way forward in providing continuous education during the pandemic.

We encourage the government through parliament, to pay attention and action the petition that was submitted to parliament by ECIS on the 22nd of June 2020, which encouraged drastic measures to ensure inclusion of children who do not have access to radios, TVs, gadgets and others who are in areas where there is no transmission.

We are also concerned on the competence of students who are writing exams since majority were not learning due to Covid-
19.

ECOZI, ECIS, ZNCWC remain committed to supporting the Ministry in providing quality and equitable education for all Zimbabweans. Through our various efforts through our Partners, programs, provincial, chapters, thematic committees and National membership coordination meetings continues to seek ideas and contributions in the provision of continuous quality education during COVID-19 and the reopening of schools.

We remain convinced that reopening of schools in Zimbabwe at the moment is unsafe. We maintain our positions that there is need to make sure all schools are ready, and have managed to meet all the guidelines set to reopen.

As it is, there is still a huge gap and from ECOZI rapid assessment of schools in Mashonaland Central about 60% of a sample of 30 schools assessed revealed that they were not yet prepared to reopen, they lacked enough protective clothing, sanitization, water, Infrastructure and furniture to ensure social distance, health stations, infrared thermometers, training and expertise to ensure that they adhere to health and safety protocols to stop the spread of COVID-19 as advised by WHO.

ZNCWC through their quarterly meeting established from the members of civil society that schools must not open as not only are they not ready, but the children themselves are not equipped enough to take on public transport which is also very scarce.

As such there is need to continue supporting and assessing the schools’ preparedness to reopen in the face of COVID-19

Statement issued by

Education Coalition of Zimbabwe, Every a Child In School – TaLI, ZNCWC

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance led by President Nelson Chamisa has challenged Victor Matemadanda’s liberation war credentials.

This comes after Matemadanda’s remarks about the dispute between MDC Alliance and MDC -T.Matemadanda surprisingly “endorsed” Douglas Mwonzora as the man who should lead the opposition while discrediting President Chamisa in the process.

In response to Matemadanda’s utterances, the MDC Alliance said:

Dear Victor Matemadanda
As the country’s Deputy Defense minister you are a public figure.

We the public demand you tell us where you served during the liberation war.

We the public demand to know who you served under during the liberation war.

It is our right to know…

By A Correspondent- Two clearing agents at Forbes border post in Mutare yesterday appeared in court facing fraud charges for failing to pay US$62k in duty to the Zimbabwe revenue Authority (Zimra).

Malvern Mugodoki (38), and Wellington Kasalaweka (34) appeared before Mutare magistrate Tendai Mahwe who granted them $10 000 bail each.

The pair, who are denying the allegations, will return to court on August 17.

Armed with the forged import invoices, the accused persons subcontracted Southern Business Services clearing agents to process the clearance on their behalf.

The pair tendered the documents to Zimra offices at Forbes border post for processing where the forgery was detected.

The three trucks were impounded.

-standard

By A Correspondent- Triangle Football Club are in mourning following the death of their former vice-chairman, Goodwill Pfumojena who succumbed to Covid-19 at a private facility in Bulawayo in the early hours of Friday.

Information provided by his son Takura via the club indicated that Pfumojena had tested positive for Covid-19 and was also diabetic.

The former Triangle second in charge, who was aged 70 at the time of his death was laid to rest at Mutapa Cemetery in Gweru yesterday in line with Covid-19 regulations. He is survived by wife, Yvonne and five children.

“The Triangle football fraternity has been plunged into deep grief and sorrow following the untimely departure of former Triangle United Football Club (TUFC) vice-chairman Goodwill Pfumojena,” posted Triangle on their Twitter handle on Friday.

According to the club, Pfumojena was part of the nine-member taskforce appointed by the Triangle public affairs directorate in 2003 to work with the community development department sports section in a landmark desire to transform the Triangle into a professional football club.

“He served as TUFC committee member in 2003 in charge of engagement of partners to augment the support received directly from the club sponsors. He managed to bring a wide range of training equipment for the club from a number of co-operating partners,” read the statement from the club.

Pfumojena served as the Triangle vice-chairman between 2004 and 2005. Triangle said Pfumojena will be remembered for his humbleness, industriousness and desire for decent results.

“In the 2004 season, he was appointed vice-chairman, a post he held until the end of the 2005 season. The soft-spoken Murewa will always be remembered for his humility, hard work and thirst for good results in league and cup matches. May his humble departed soul rest in eternal peace.”

-StateMedia

NewsDay

A SENIOR police officer based in Harare allegedly attempted to cover up a road traffic accident involving prominent businessman Moses Chingwena, who ran over and killed a pedestrian, Shephard Mukatira, in Harare’s leafy suburb of Gletwin on Saturday night, NewsDay Weekender has learnt.

Mukatira died when Chingwena’s vehicle veered off the road and hit him, dragging him for some metres before crashing into a precast wall of a nearby house.

After the accident, Chingwena allegedly took Mukatira to Trauma Centre for medical treatment without a police report. Mukatira later passed on that night and was buried in Mudzi district on Tuesday with Chingwena footing the funeral bill.

But fresh details have emerged that a senior police officer in the national command directorate (name supplied) called officers at Highlands Police Station and allegedly ordered them to make sure that Chingwena was not arrested and his car not impounded as is the norm after such an accident.

Chingwena’s friend, identified as Fabian Busa who was driving behind him, cleared the businessman’s car before the police arrived.

Busa also allegedly organised the removal of Chingwena’s damaged red Jaguar XJL from Poland Road from the scene of accident. The car ordinarily should have been impounded by the police and sent to Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) because it was involved in an accident that claimed a life.

When NewsDay visited Highlands Police Station on Tuesday, some police officers claimed there was no docket for the accident because the Chingwena and the Mukatira families had reached an agreement.

Officers at Highlands Police Station attended the accident scene, but since Tuesday were evasive over the matter, refusing to provide NewsDay with a copy of the docket.

Police initially claimed that the matter had been resolved amicably between Chingwena and Mukatira’s relatives, but national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi on Thursday disclosed that the accident was recorded under case number 1236/20.

He also said they were investigating circumstances surrounding the handling of the accident.

At 17 Alois Bunjira attracted the attention of the dream team coach Reinhard Fabisch and never looked back the Zim Soccer legend speaks to Silvester Tapfumaneyi

NewsDay

GOVERNMENT has used COVID-19 to “lock down” democracy, a human rights lobby group, Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum has said.

Speaking during a virtual meeting marking the launch of a COVID-19 report titled Rights in Crisis, by ZimRights, Human Rights NGO Forum programmes coordinator Musa Kika said President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government had used the COVID-19 restrictive measures to silence dissenting voices.

“Both senior government and ruling party officials have made threats against civil society organisations (CSOs) that are working to advance human rights and democracy. Even those who have exposed corruption have not been spared,” Kika said.

He said government had further taken the opportunity to hold public hearings on constitutional amendments despite protestations and the unceremonious recall of opposition MPs.

“Constitution amendment public hearings are an important component of our shared existence as society, and you cannot rush it through in the middle of a pandemic just to go through the motions,” Kika said.

“People still have the right to peacefully demonstrate and say out their minds. We have seen individuals who have sought to demonstrate being arrested, and even abducted and tortured.”

Government has been accused of failing to effectively mitigate the effects of COVID-19, which has resulted in the country recording a spike in the number of coronavirus cases in recent weeks.

Kika added: “There has been evidence that government officials and those enforcing the lockdown have been interpreting and applying the lockdown regulations in an inconsistent fashion.

“One day, you hear the security forces have mounted a serious lockdown in Kwekwe, or Masvingo, or Gweru. Certainly, one of the key tenets under the principle of legality, the law and how it is applied must be certain and clear.”

He said COVID-19 had exposed deep-seated institutional and systemic challenges in the country’s disaster preparedness.

“The need for institutional reform, which CSOs have been agitating for, is now amplified. A significant cause of the poor government response being witnessed now is due to poor systems in place, and weak institutions. We were not disaster ready and we still are not,” Kika said.

MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzai Mahere reviews the political events in the week just ended. Highlight being the midterm budget review by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube.

Watch video downloading below.

TRIANGLE Football Club are in mourning following the death of their former vice-chairman, Goodwill Pfumojena who succumbed to Covid-19 at a private facility in Bulawayo in the early hours of Friday.

Information provided by his son Takura via the club indicated that Pfumojena had tested positive for Covid-19 and was also diabetic.

The former Triangle second in charge, who was aged 70 at the time of his death was laid to rest at Mutapa Cemetery in Gweru yesterday in line with Covid-19 regulations. He is survived by wife, Yvonne and five children.

“The Triangle football fraternity has been plunged into deep grief and sorrow following the untimely departure of former Triangle United Football Club (TUFC) vice-chairman Goodwill Pfumojena,’’ posted Triangle on their Twitter handle on Friday.

According to the club, Pfumojena was part of the nine-member taskforce appointed by the Triangle public affairs directorate in 2003 to work with the community development department sports section in a landmark desire to transform the Triangle into a professional football club.

“He served as TUFC committee member in 2003 in charge of engagement of partners to augment the support received directly from the club sponsors. He managed to bring a wide range of training equipment for the club from a number of co-operating partners,’’ read the statement from the club.

Pfumojena served as the Triangle vice-chairman between 2004 and 2005. Triangle said Pfumojena will be remembered for his humbleness, industriousness and desire for decent results.

“In the 2004 season, he was appointed vice-chairman, a post he held until the end of the 2005 season. The soft-spoken Murewa will always be remembered for his humility, hard work and thirst for good results in league and cup matches. May his humble departed soul rest in eternal peace.”

Zimbabwean government has declared as falsehood a report published by CNBC, an American business news portal, alleging that security chiefs ordered the closure of the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) and agent lines for mobile money transfers.

But, did the media house really tell any untruth? We publish below the full article.

With security forces having seized control of economic and financial policy at a time of shrinking GDP and skyrocketing inflation, Zimbabwe is facing its worst crisis in more than a decade.

Basic goods are scarce and the value of the Zimbabwean dollar has continued to tumble, pushing official annual inflation to 785.6% in May and causing real incomes for Zimbabweans to evaporate. The International Monetary Fund estimates that the economy will contract as much as 10.4% this year following a 12.8% contraction in 2019.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) reintroduced the Zimbabwe dollar (ZWD) quasi-currency in June 2019 having unpegged from the U.S. dollar four months prior, but the currency depreciated rapidly. RBZ Governor John Mangudya unilaterally reimposed a dollar peg of 25 ZWD to the dollar in March, only for the government to scrap it three months later in favor of a return to the auction system

Mangudya has issued a ban on some electronic money transfer services, with black market traders and electronic transactions a key source of currency devaluation. The last time the RBZ called for money transfer providers and local capital markets to suspend operations indefinitely was in 2008, when Zimbabwe’s hyperinflation reached a world record 89.7 sextillion percent year-on-year. A year later, the Zimbabwe dollar was scrapped.

Robert Besseling, executive director of political risk consultancy EXX Africa, suggested that in the next step to try to limit the damage, private bank accounts are “likely to be raided to fund a bailout that is mostly benefiting politically-connected business allies of the governing elite.”

Mangudya has claimed local banks have over $1 billion in their accounts, which he hopes will help stabilize the local currency’s value.

“The blame for the collapse of the economy may be squarely placed on the mismanaged reintroduction of a local currency after 10 years of dollarization, which has fostered fraud and embezzlement on a massive scale,” Besseling said in a report last week.

“Opposition activists have long accused (President Emmerson) Mnangagwa and his business allies of weakening the economy through covert foreign exchange dealings and over-priced procurement deals.”

On June 26, a Joint Operations Command (JOC) collective of security chiefs ordered the government to close the privately-owned Zimbabwe Stock Exchange and halt mobile money transfers, which host nearly all of the country’s commerce.

The move, taken after black market trading plunged the reinstated Zimbabwe dollar past 100 to the greenback versus the official rate of 57, blindsided the finance ministry and the RBZ. This effectively hijacked economic policy, EXX Africa highlighted, a clear show of frustration with Mnangagwa’s government’s handling of the ailing economy.

The government has taken aim at the private sector for the crisis, particularly mobile money platforms and the stock exchange, both which it has alleged are linked to illegal foreign exchange trading and money creation.

The ruling ZANU-PF party is now embroiled in a tussle with insurance firm Old Mutual, which the government said it had “ejected” from the country’s financial system amid allegations of undermining the local currency. The Old Mutual Implied Rate, used by some companies to transact business, uses the difference between the prices of Old Mutual’s shares on the Zimbabwe and London stock exchanges to predict the future rate of the Zimbabwean dollar.

Old Mutual has issued a statement assuring customers that all services and operations continue to “run as normal” and said it is “working with all relevant stakeholders to seek clarity on the matter,” as the government doubles down on assertions that it should be delisted from the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange.

Hyperinflation, starvation and instability
The RBZ in May began printing money in a bid to raise $720 million to prop up the country’s industrial sector, which sent the local currency plunging and inflation surging. In late June, the Zimbabwe dollar devalued past 100 in some areas of the parallel foreign currency market, or black market, as demand for the U.S. dollar intensified.

The country also faces food, fuel and medical equipment shortages due to a lack of hard currency to purchase imports. All of this comes at a time when Covid-19 infections are escalating in Zimbabwe.

“Even in a likely best-case scenario, Zimbabwe faces another round of hyperinflation that will collapse its economy, widespread starvation and social instability that threaten neighboring countries, and the looming prospect of another military intervention in political power,” EXX Africa concluded in its report.

Zimbabwe is now among the four most food insecure countries in the world alongside Yemen, Somalia and South Sudan, and EXX Africa analysts foresee this worsening along with high inflation and an economic recession, creating fertile ground for political instability and civil unrest. Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga is now reportedly being prepared to assume authority, as his allies hope that mismanagement of the coronavirus, food insecurity and other socio-economic issues will force the ruling ZANU-PF to remove Mnangagwa and install him as president.

“In preparation for an eventual power dispute, ZANU-PF leaders are arming militias in the countryside, in a scene reminiscent of the years-long succession contest under Robert Mugabe in which Mnangagwa ultimately prevailed,” the EXX Africa report explained.

“The president now faces a similar challenge from armed militias running rampant in the ruling party’s heartlands, while his business allies are being undermined.”

While Besseling suggested that Mnangagwa will be able to see off any unconstitutional challenge so long as he can continue to pay military salaries, they suggested that the deterioration of the economy and public health may gradually weaken this prospect.

GOVERNMENT has rubbished a report published by CNBC, an American business news portal, alleging that security chiefs ordered the closure of the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) and agent lines for mobile money transfers.

The report appeared in the publication on Friday.

In the report, CNBC alleged that security forces had “seized control of economic and financial policy” in the country.

Quoting one Robert Besseling, who is executive director of political risk consultancy, EXX Africa, the report also alleged private bank accounts are “likely to be raided to fund a bailout that is mostly benefiting politically-connected business allies of the Governing elite”.

Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr Nick Mangwana, said there was no semblance of truth to the allegations.

“There is absolutely no truth in these unfounded allegations that the military was involved in the actions taken by Government against malpractices taking place on the ZSE as well as mobile money operations.

“The Ministry of Information (Publicity and Broadcasting Services) issued the statement explaining to the nation what was going on because we speak for Government. The ZDF has a Public Relations department. If they were behind this, they were going to issue their own statement,” he said.

Mr Mangwana said the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development have over the past few months been working diligently to address malpractices in the financial sector without any interference.

“In fact, both the RBZ Governor and the Minister of Finance were key in making that decision as they advised Government on what was going on,” he said.

Mr Mangwana also questioned Mr Besseling’s capacity to speak on Zimbabwe, saying his comments were biased and unqualified.

“Robert Besseling is not based in Zimbabwe and has not read into both our fiscal and monetary situations. He surely cannot speak authoritatively using idle gossip as intelligence.

“The notion that the RBZ will raid accounts is nonsensical. What accounts will be raided when everyone knows that forex accounts are liquidated every 30 days. So what will be raided?” he said.

The RBZ Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has in the past few months sharpened its teeth to deal with illicit financial activities plaguing the market.

In a recent statement, the FIU explained that its actions against the country’s dominant mobile money operator, EcoCash, were a result of extensive investigations.

“This was not an absolute ban, but simply required EcoCash to re-register, update and strengthen Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements for agents that transact high volumes, in line with Anti Money Laundering and Combating Financing of Terrorism laws.

“The move is meant to weed out illicit foreign currency dealers who are now the main drivers of high value/high volume transactions on the EcoCash platform, in the process destabilising and distorting the foreign currency market.

“FIU analysis shows that the majority of agent accounts are no longer being used for the purpose for which they were originally intended, such as cash-in, cash-out, sending money, airtime vending and facilitating payment of utility bills by clients,” read the statement.

Last week, the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, General Philip Valerio Sibanda, warned the private media against dragging the military into their political scheming.

His statement came at a time some online media publications alleged that the military was part of a deceitful plan by the opposition to effect regime change on July 31.

“These claims and assertions are the work of very fertile imagination of the authors of these articles, which members of the public should dismiss with the contempt they deserve. “They are aimed at unfairly using the security establishment to drum up support for their planned illegal anti-Government protests. It should be noted that, as a professional, loyal and patriotic Defence Force, the ZDF does not involve itself in anti-people activities that are designed to achieve anti-Government political and economic objectives by some malcontents within our citizenry,” General Sibanda said.

A BULAWAYO woman has been arrested and appeared in court yesterday for refusing to accept $2 bond notes which are part of the country’s legal tender.

Prudence Mhene (21) who resides at 236 Sotshangane Flats in Nguboyenja appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya facing charges of contravening Section 3(2) as read with Section 4 of the Statutory Instrument 175/2008 in terms of section 48 of Bank Use Promotion and Suppression of Money Laundering Act.

Prosecuting, Mr Privilege Mudozvori said the accused person refused to accept denominations of $2 bond notes from a customer who wanted to purchase airtime. The accused person was plying her trade as an airtime vendor in the city centre.

“On July 17 at 10am at Mandalane Building located at 5th Avenue and Fife Street Bulawayo, the accused was selling airtime in the shop. The complainant, Mr Mthokozisi Ngwenya handed over $18 bond notes intending to buy Telecel airtime. The accused told Mr Ngwenya that she had a limit for the amount of $2 bond notes and handed him back 2 x $2 notes and asked for a $5 note,” said Mr Mudozvori.

Mr Mudozvori said the accused person implied that the customer should produce $5 bond notes only as she had limits of accepting denominations less than $2 bond notes. The complainant later revealed his identity as a police officer and the accused person was arrested. Mhene was remanded out of custody to tomorrow.

The police have arrested over 100 suspects countrywide for refusing to accept local currency as a legal tender. The arrests are made under

“Operation accept Zimbabwe currency as legal tender”, which was launched in late June. The blitz comes after some people started rejecting notes written “bond note” based on fake news circulating on social media platforms.

GOVERNMENT has granted Sakunda Holdings, a company with diverse interests in energy and minerals, a coalbed methane (CBM) concession in Mbungu, Matabeleland North province, where the firm intends to set up a power plant.

The special grant (5 755) — measuring about 333 000 hectares — was previously owned by State-owned Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC), which now becomes a minority partner in the new venture.

While providing an update on the partial restructuring of State-owned entities on Thursday, Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube indicated that Sakunda had been granted a special grant for coalbed methane.

Sakunda chief operating officer Mr Charles Chitambo confirmed to The Sunday Mail Business that the company was now working with ZMDC on a special grant for coalbed methane in Matabeleland North.

“I can confirm that we are indeed working with ZMDC on a coalbed methane special grant in Lupane area,” he said.

“We are assembling technical teams so that we can feed necessary expertise in the boxes. As what we intend to do, it all depends on the amount of the resources. At that stage we will be clear on what to do.”

Zimbabwe has huge deposits of untapped CBM gas in the Hwange, Lupane and Gwayi areas.

Over the years, drilling and desorption tests have been conducted and resources that run into trillions of cubic feet have been discovered, according to Government’s geological department.

Chinese firm Sinosteel has already completed preliminary exploration works on some of its CBM claims in Lupane.

Sinosteel is the majority shareholder in Zimasco — Zimbabwe’s largest ferrochrome producer, which, in turn, owns 90 percent of Shangani Energy Exploration (SEE).

SEE plans to exploit methane gas and build a power plant.

According to Sinosteel, an investment of about US$780 million is needed for the project to be implemented in three phases, from exploration to full-scale power generation of 400 megawatts over a 10-year period.

The investment is part of the US$1 billion deal signed by President’s Mnangagwa’s administration and Sinosteel in May 2018, which will also see the building of additional chrome smelters at Zimasco’s Kwekwe smelting complex and in Mberengwa.

The project is among those expected to make the country energy self-sufficient.

SEE has carried out preliminary exploration work on two of its three special grants, where six core holes were drilled and three production wells sunk.

Overally, the assessment demonstrated that gas and water could be produced.

Although there is evidence proving the existence of a considerable methane gas resource, investors are in the process of establishing whether it can be exploited commercially.

The Chinese company completed a consulting contract with a petroleum geologist with extensive experience to produce a work programme with accompanying expenditures.

The programme will build on the preliminary works already done and will include more in-depth exploration work to confirm the commercial quantities of methane gas hosted by the three special grants.

The next phase of work would be the intense exploration work, which will start with the installation of bigger pumps on the three wells to drain water so that the gas can be released as part of work to establish commercial viability.

In addition to power generation, an integrated petrochemical industry, which has the potential to create new jobs and new revenue streams for the nation, will be established.

The whole CBM industry has the potential to spur local economic growth.

Matabeleland North is endowed with natural resources that can change the economic complexion of the province if exploited under a win-win arrangement.

President Mnangagwa, who was on a tour of coal mining companies in Hwange last week, called on mining companies operating in the country to partake in infrastructure development for the benefit of communities they operate in.

He made the call while officially opening South Mining (Pvt) Limited’s coking coal plant in Hwange.

He visited Western Coal and Energy Company’s Western Areas coal project, South Mining’s coking plant, Jin An’s Tutu coking plant, as well as Hwange Colliery Company’s Chaba Mine.

Local communities expect to benefit from infrastructure and employment created by firms exploiting natural resources in their areas.

A FORENSIC audit into the purchase of Covid-19 materials and medical supplies has commenced, with Cabinet ministers being warned against interfering with procurement in parastatals under their purview.

Auditors from the Office of the Auditor-General have started the audit, which is expected to open a can of worms.

Auditor-General Mrs Mildred Chiri told The Sunday Mail on Friday that although the audit was still in its preliminary stages, her team was busy examining documents related to procurement of medical supplies.

Documents under scrutiny were obtained from various Government departments.

This comes after President Mnangagwa announced that a special forensic investigation would be done to weed out malcontents and impediments to achieving Vision 2030.

The President told the third principals’ executive plenary meeting of the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) in the capital recently that Government would investigate and take swift action against corrupt officials.

Said Mrs Chiri: “The forensic audit has started and we are using our own internal auditors. We are looking at the available documentation to see what was done right or wrong.”

The Auditor-General could not put timelines to the process.

“For now, it’s difficult to tell how long this process will take because new issues may arise from the documents as the investigation goes on. We might have to look at a lot of issues than expected, so we have to work on it first.”

Mrs Chiri has been hailed for the first-rate work, particularly the thorough annual Auditor-General’s report which has exposed rot, inefficiencies and incompetence in public institutions.

The procurement of medical supplies has claimed the scalps of many high-profile officials. It has seen the arrest and subsequent sacking of former Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo over his role in a murky US$60 million deal with a questionable medical supplier, Drax International.

Dr Moyo is on $50 000 bail, while a local representative of Drax International, Mr Delish Nguwaya, was charged on corruption allegations.

A number of managers from the National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm) have either been arrested, fired or suspended as well.

NatPharm employees — Flora Sifeku, Rolland Mlalazi and Charles Mwaramba — were arrested early this month on allegations of flouting procurement regulations.

The Second Republic has declared war against corruption, which was deeply embedded and institutionalised for many years.

Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) chairperson Justice Loyce Matanda-Moyo has warned Cabinet ministers against involvement in procurement in parastatals under their purview.

She said the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act prohibits ministers from participating in tendering processes.

“Ministers must distance themselves from procurement because once they are involved junior officers will be forced to overlook the right procedures. Everyone must stick to their job,” said the anti-graft boss.

Justice Matanda-Moyo indicated that plans were underway to host seminars to educate senior Government officials, ministers included, on the legal provisions related to procurement.

The ZACC chair said the recently launched National Anti-Corruption Strategy would ensure there are no catch and release games, as law enforcement agents put all hands on deck to fight corruption.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), which works closely with ZACC, also contributed to the anti-corruption document, thus more prosecutors are expected to be assigned to deal with corruption cases.

“We are working together to plug all the loopholes to make sure that once a suspected corruption official is arrested, he cannot walk scot-free. We have enhanced co-operation among various anti-corruption bodies,” said Justice Matanda-Moyo.

As part of efforts to tighten the anti-graft fight, ZACC has established six committees responsible for implementation of anti-corruption initiatives.

Prevention

ZACC, Justice Matanda-Moyo said, was also focusing on prevention of corruption through empowerment of organisations to detect vice through integrity committees.

A ZACC contact person will be availed to monitor the systems to plug any leeway for corruption.

“Citizens must refuse and resist corruption, they must understand the dangers,” said the ZACC chair.

Problematic areas to be dealt with include bribery and tax evasion which cost the economy US$2 billion annually.

“Tax evasion and smuggling are prejudicing the economy of a lot of money. Some unscrupulous citizens under-declare goods or opt to pay reduced tax after offering bribes to revenue officials,” said Justice Matanda-Moyo.

She recommended that the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) should digitise to improve transparency and efficiency.

“People don’t want to spend a lot of time in queues hence they opt to pay bribes. This calls for improved service delivery at our ports of entry,” Justice Matanda-Moyo said.

Presenting his mid-term budget review statement last week, Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said Zimra should introduce patrol drones to fight smuggling, which is rampant at porous borders.

Zimra has been increasing surveillance and anti-smuggling activities resulting in the arrest of scores of people while over 30 trucks were impounded in recent months.

Zimbabwe is a viable transit route for countries north of the Zambezi River, including Zambia, Malawi, DRC, Tanzania and Angola.

TWENTY-TWO Cimas staffers tested positive for Covid-19 and have been placed under quarantine while the Cimas High Glen Clinic has been closed after an employee at the centre was exposed to the virus.

Cimas chief executive officer Mr Vulindlela Ndlovu said a receptionist tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday during random testing. More tests were conducted after contact tracing, resulting in 21 workers testing positive for the virus before a Government Covid-19 Rapid Response Team was roped in.

Said Mr Ndlovu: “While the source of the infections is unknown, common factors among those who tested positive is that they all shared transport and/or shared workstations, computers, or telephone handsets. As a precautionary measure, all Cimas premises in Harare have been deep cleaned and disinfected. The Cimas High Glen Clinic, in a separate incident, has been closed temporarily following the exposure of a staff member to a confirmed case.”

Mr Ndlovu urged the public to embrace digital platforms and virtual means of communication.

“Where services are required and physical presence in our facilities is necessary, we continue to take precautionary measures to protect you and our staff. We also urge you to take great care, wear a mask correctly, practice social distancing and good hand hygiene,” he said.

“Covid-19 is real, and we need to support each other. It is not helpful to stigmatise victims of this pandemic. This is a highly infectious disease and anyone can catch it, and if they do, they need our support. We have also been hit hard by the inability to mourn with those that have lost their loved ones. Yesterday Zimbabwe recorded another death of a 36-year-old female from Bulawayo province.

State Media

FINAL public examinations for Grade Seven, Ordinary and Advanced Level students, which are normally taken in October and November each year, might be deferred to next year as the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) seeks to ensure learners complete the school syllabi before writing.

This follows a directive by Cabinet last week to defer the planned reopening of primary and secondary schools on July 28 as a measure to curb the spread of Covid-19, which has seen local transmissions spike in recent weeks. Zimsec chairperson Professor Eddie Mwenje said examinations will only be written when students have completed the syllabus and when it is safe to do so, even if it means pushing the examinations to December this year or January next year. He, however, highlighted that the examination management body would this week start preparing for the examinations, with dates for sitting for the tests set to be announced after consultations with various stakeholders.

“We are finalising the writing of June examinations, which are going on very well and will be completed next week. As soon as the June exams are done, we will start printing the November examination question papers. However, once the President announces new opening dates, we will sit down with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education so that we come up with dates for the examinations. November 2020 examinations will be written, but they will only be written when pupils have completed the syllabus and when it is safe to do so, even if it means the examinations will be written in December or January next year.”

He said Zimsec understands that there was little time for students to prepare for examinations given that schools closed in March this year.

Prof Mwenje, however, said Zimsec would not compromise the quality and substance of Zimbabwe’s education by lowering the pass mark for students to score better grades. Instead, they would ensure that the syllabus is completed before students sit for exams.

“Remember, some of these students will be going to tertiary institutions, they have to be properly examined and given the right grade. That is why we are saying there is a possibility that the examinations may be written in December or January next year. However, all this will be finalised when we meet with the ministry when reopening dates are announced.”

Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Edgar Moyo also said setting examination dates would largely depend on schools reopening dates.

“It is a bit difficult to know the exact dates of opening schools at the moment given the current trends of Covid-19 local transmissions. These trends will largely guide when schools will open. Unlike the June examinations, November examinations need a lot of preparation, so examination classes will be given sufficient time to prepare. We will have to work the dates around their schedule.”

Schools were closed on March 24 this year and were set to be opened next week. However, last week Cabinet deferred the opening of schools citing soaring Covid-19 cases. Teachers’ unions have been calling on Government to cancel this year’s school calendar. Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Dr Takavafira Zhou said teachers’ unions recently submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to have the examinations written in February next year.

“We made a two-part proposal to Government for schools to be opened in September or October this year, then schools close in December, then we open early next year with national examinations written in mid-February to March. Then instead of having three terms we have two terms.

“The other proposal is to have schools open in September or October and then we have a crush programme this year. However, opening of schools hinges on Government’s ability to provide adequate personal protective equipment to teachers and learners, as well as providing structural requirements more teachers and additional classrooms so that there is social distancing.”

Educationist Dr Cephas Nziramasanga said it was important for students to have at least three months of learning time before writing exams, adding that it was high time for Government to seriously consider continuous assessment as part of the learning system.

“Students have already lost over five months of learning, so they need about three months with the teachers before sitting for the exams. Learning is done when student and teacher meet physically, that is why I think online learning is fictitious and besides, the majority of students do not have access to online learning. So there is a need for students to have time with teachers before sitting for exams. However, going forward Government should adopt continuous assessment, which was recommended in the Nziramasanga Commission. It is a system that enables students to be tested while learning and this exerts less pressure on final examinations and would come in handy in such situations.”

He said a lot of intelligent students had been lost through “final examinations”. Continuous assessments are part of the recommendations of the 1999 Presidential Commission of Inquiry on Education and Training. Opening schools during the ongoing pandemic has been a contentious subject worldwide. South Africa recently reopened schools, but teachers’ unions have been calling for the closure of schools due to an exponential increase in Covid-19 cases, which has also affected learners and teachers. The Kenyan government recently announced that schools would remain closed until January 2021, with final year exams, usually taken in October and November, also being cancelled.

THE country’s biggest mobile money provider, Econet Wireless was allegedly involved in black market activities between January and June which saw the company crediting huge sums of money to “runners” who bought foreign currency which the company externalised.

The revelations are contained in an affidavit signed by investigations officer, Detective Inspector and Officer-in-Charge of the Criminal Investigations’ Asset Unit, Mkhululi Nyoni, that is accompanying a court warrant obtained by police to search and take some financial records and subscription database of the company as part of investigating accusations of money laundering.

According to the affidavit signed on Friday, Econet allegedly violated sections of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act (Chapter 9:24).

“On 9 July 2020, information was received to the effect that during the period extending from 01 January 2020 to 30 June 2020, Econet Wireless (Pvt) Ltd and its subsidiaries have been fraudulently creating and issuing non-attributable and non-auditable subscribers merchants billers and agents which they credited with huge sums of money and distributed to their runners through their trust accounts. The runners would in turn buy foreign currency in the black market before being externalised,” the affidavit reads.

In the affidavit, police applied to see the list of subscribers/customers both registered and unregistered on the Econet Wireless database with full subscriber details for the period from January to June. In addition, police also want to check the summary of transient e-money/airtime credit service posited on the platform through airtime loans for the same period and all financial statements showing the entire inflow and outflow monetary transactions.

According to the warrant of search and seizure obtained by police, it is suspected that the company is in possession of documents, information or records which are required to afford evidence in a criminal docket for the purpose of investigating the crime.

Since the beginning of the year, Zimbabwe saw massive black market activities that were mainly carried out through mobile money transactions that continued to erode the value of the local dollar. Last month, the Government through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe responded by banning all money agents from mobile financial transactions although the general public was allowed to continue to transact using the platforms.

The Central Bank also directed that all merchant transactions have been suspended except for receiving payments for goods and services as well as payment of utilities (water, power and airtime) but limited to $5 000 per day. During the time the Government described EcoCash as “the central pivot of the galloping black market exchange rate”.

The Government argued that the practice has contributed to incessant price hikes of goods and services that are bedevilling the economy and causing hardship to the people of Zimbabwe. It added that it has evidence that millions of dollars were being transferred by merchants using mobile money platforms to street runners in the black market for foreign exchange, giving them the funds to buy foreign currency. Money changers using the EcoCash platform had flooded the country’s towns and cities mopping up foreign currency from the streets, but their activities have since gone down after the intervention by Government to tighten operations of mobile money transactions.

ZANU PF STATEMENT ON THE REMOVAL OF DR. OBADIAH MOY0 FROM THE OFFICE OF MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE

ZANU PF stands solidly behind the decision by His Excellency, President E. D Mnangagwa to remove Dr Obadiah Moyo from the post of Minister of Health and Child Care. ZANU PF applauds the President for his boldness in walking the talk in the fight against corruption. The decision by His Excellency, the President should serve as stern warning to all those cadres whom the Party has deployed to Central Government, Local Authorities and Parastatals that in the discharge of their functions they should, like Caesar’s wife, be beyond suspicion. They should at all times know that any whiff of corruption will cost them dearly because the President declared that there will be no sacred cows when it comes to fighting corruption.

ZANU PF takes this opportunity to bring to the attention of those Law Enforcement Agencies involved in the Administration of Criminal Justice its concerns and those of the population. Expectations are that Law Enforcement Agencies should carry out thorough investigations to establish a prima facie case before arrests are effected as to At otherwise leads to the practice commonly referred to as “Catch and Release” a situation which will put the administration of criminal justice into disrepute.

Equally of concern to the population is the prolonged and protracted nature of trials. This also leads to reputational damage to the administration of criminal justice. ZANU PF is, therefore, calling upon Law Enforcement Agencies involved in the administration of justice namely, the Police, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Judiciary to expedite the prosecution and finalisation of criminal charges, in particular, cases pertaining to corruption in line with the pronouncements made by the President on the Africa Anti-Corruption Day.

Furthermore, the Party reiterates its position, that unnecessary political activities such as demonstrations will not be tolerated in line with the current LockDown regulations as directed by the President and Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Cde ED Mnangagwa to contain #Covid19Zim.

Those who are organising such demonstrations will have themselves to blame if they continue to defy authorities. What happened on 01 August 2018 and 14-16 January 2019 will never be allowed to repeat again. The merchants of violence who are known to be working with our detractors must heed our call for them to respect the law if they want the law to respect them as well.

Self-styled best rapper in Zimbabwe Stunner, real name Desmond Chideme (pictured right), who was admitted at a Harare private hospital, has been discharged and is now recovering from his Glen Norah home.

Family spokesperson, Godfrey “Vokal” Bakasa said Stunner, who had been admitted in the private facility for a week, was discharged on Wednesday.

“Stunner is doing well on his home recovery path and I can tell you that he is doing better than the last time he was in hospital,” Vokal said.

“He is due for medical checkups and I will update on that. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope to have him back in the music circles.”

Stunner’s career is rich with musical success and a fair share of controversy. He boasts of many hits and chart-topping records like Team Hombe, Godo and many more. He has released a number of albums, including If I Die Tonight, Hameno, Kalife, Team Hombe, Number One and Can’t Stop Me, among others.

The rapper once made headlines after he was involved in an accident while driving without a licence.

He also made news for his marriage to socialite Olinda Chapel before fellow musician and friend Tytan Skhokho “snatched” her and wedded her before moving with her to the United Kingdom.

Stunner’s biggest controversial stunt was a leaked sex tape with socialite and businesswoman Pokello Nare.

In April the rapper released a nine-track album titled Dzangaradzimu, which features Ching, Natasha Muz, Ishan and Uncle Epaton, among others.

-The Standard

A 36-year-old woman from Bulawayo died of the coronavirus today making it five in the past three days. So far 25 people have died of the virus in the country.

Zimbabwe recorded 58 new cases today, 21 of which were local. The country now has 1 478 cases.

Only one person recovered, bringing the total to 439.

So far 100 376 people have been tested. There are 1 014 active cases.

Local transmissions now at 675 are closing in on imported cases which are 803.

Police and other members of the security forces are tightening on the lockdown measures as the number of cases continues to spiral.

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A woman in Bulawayo was arrested for refusing to accept $2 notes while she was selling airtime in the city of Kings.

21-year-old Prudence Mhene appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya facing charges of contravening a section of Statutory Instrument 175/2008, the Bank Use Promotion and Suppression of Money Laundering Act.

It is the state’s case that:
On July 17 at 10am at Mandalane Building located at 5th Avenue and Fife Street Bulawayo, the accused was selling airtime in the shop.

The complainant, Mr Mthokozisi Ngwenya handed over $18 bond notes intending to buy Telecel airtime. The accused told Mr Ngwenya that she had a limit for the amount of $2 bond notes and handed him back 2 x $2 notes and asked for a $5 note.

The accused person implied that the customer should produce $5 bond notes only as she had limits of accepting denominations less than $2 bond notes. The complainant later revealed his identity as a police officer and the accused person was arrested.

Mhene was remanded out of custody and will be back in court tomorrow.

ZRP has reportedly launched “Operation accept Zimbabwe currency as legal tender” which has seen over 100 people being arrested for various crimes including refusing to accept the Zimbabwe Dollar for their goods and services-source: The Sunday News

GOVERNMENT’S Farm Mechanisation Programme undertaken between 2007 and 2008 was not a loan scheme and beneficiaries were not required to pay for the equipment they received, former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor Dr Gideon Gono has said.

Responding to claims made by opposition activist Dr Alex Magaisa yesterday, which alleged that millions of dollars in public funds were looted by beneficiaries of the programme who refused to pay for the equipment they received through the central bank, Dr Gono said the programme was undertaken in accordance with the law.

The RBZ introduced the programme to capacitate newly-resettled farmers through mechanisation.

In a statement last night, Dr Gono refuted allegations raised by Dr Magaisa, saying there was no impropriety on the part of the RBZ and the beneficiaries.

“My statement comes in the wake of Dr Magaisa’s allegations, which makes a lot of unfounded allegations and inaccurate, and unfair conclusions that border on defamation,” said Dr Gono.

“I come as the man who was in charge of the RBZ during the most trying period in our history and as a man who was at the centre of trying to keep the economy going.

“I can state categorically that Dr Magaisa is offside and that no beneficiary of the farm mechanisation programme ever refused to pay for the equipment that they got and neither were they asked to pay.”

Dr Gono said this position was arrived at after consultations with Government which took the decision and wrote to him that equipment given to farmers during that most trying period should not be regarded as a loan to anyone and, therefore, no payment was to be made by the beneficiaries of the programme, who included A2 and A1 farmers.

He said the programme was undertaken in terms of the standing provisions of the RBZ Act at the time, which compelled the Apex Bank to carry out quasi-fiscal activities at the request of Government.

“The RBZ undertook this quasi-fiscal activity at the behest of Government and in the national interest,” said Dr Gono.

“This was done in accordance with the then Section 8 of the RBZ Act Chapter (22:15) which authorised State to direct the Central Bank to carry out transactions in such a manner as the State may require and if so requested by the State, the Bank was to make the necessary arrangements to this end.”

The Sunday Mail understands that Dr Gono reached out to Dr Magaisa via WhatsApp yesterday, raising his displeasure with the “defamatory” article.

In a string of text messages seen by this publication, the former central bank chief questioned Dr Magaisa’s motive behind cherry-picking the names of beneficiaries that he published.

Dr Magaisa had not responded to the text by the time of going to print last night.

“My brother, your article of today is so unlike you to make such damning conclusions without checking and clarifying with the one man (alive) who was in charge of the RBZ-driven Farm Mechanisation Programme 2007/8,” charged Dr Gono.

“I thought that since I’m alive and surely capable of enlightening anyone with interest in matters that happened under my watch … a simple phone call or WhatsApp to verify the authenticity and background to the issues of your interest would have served everyone from all the wrong interpretations and erroneous, defamatory conclusions contained in your BSR.

“You are usually very careful with your facts and I wonder what happened here? Anyway, I hope that you will have the courage to tell your readers the facts of the matter as I shall put them down and apologise for tarnishing their images before getting all the facts that allow anyone to form their own opinions.

“Out of civility and good courtesy, I will share with you the true facts then you will see how wrong your assertions of fraud, corruption and looting are. On this one, you definitely got your facts wrong. I unsuccessfully tried to reach you earlier when I saw the article.”

Dr Gono said as the RBZ chief then, he was compelled to abide by the provisions of all relevant legal provisions governing the operations of the Central Bank.

“Section 8 (11) of the old RBZ Act (Chapter 22:15) read with the Banking Act (Chapter 24:20), the Official Secrets Act (Chapter11:09), the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Chapter 20:27) and the Exchange Control Act of 1996 are all legislative and legal administrative instruments at the hands of a Government to use to achieve certain desired objectives. Any Governor worth his salt works within the confines of those and other Acts to advance Government objectives.”

He said at independence, the new Zimbabwean Government also assumed loans that had been incurred by the settler regime, and likely for nefarious undertakings against indigenous people.

“At independence, the RBZ and Government in general assumed loans and obligations that had been incurred by the previous regime, some of which had been used to acquire military equipment that maimed and killed our people as well as agricultural loans that had been taken with State guarantees from banks during those difficult years.

“None of these belonged to blacks. Today, under a legitimate Government Mechanisation Programme that covered both A1 and A2 farmers during a very difficult period in the history of our nation becomes a scandal?

“Both rural and non-rural farmers benefited from the takeover of the loans by the State but I shall elaborate. There was no scandal here, no corruption and no beneficiary refused to pay. The State did not demand payment and that was above board.”

-State Media

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance led by President Nelson Chamisa has challenged Victor Matemadanda’s liberation war credentials.

This comes after Matemadanda’s remarks about the dispute between MDC Alliance and MDC -T.Matemadanda surprisingly “endorsed” Douglas Mwonzora as the man who should lead the opposition while discrediting President Chamisa in the process.

In response to Matemadanda’s utterances, the MDC Alliance said:

Dear Victor Matemadanda
As the country’s Deputy Defense minister you are a public figure.

We the public demand you tell us where you served during the liberation war.

We the public demand to know who you served under during the liberation war.

It is our right to know…

Former Masvingo minister of state and now MDC Alliance member Kudakwashe Bhasikiti has claimed that he repaid his farm mechanisation scheme loan extended by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, boasting of being the only person to leave Zanu PF corrupt-free.

Responding to Alex Magaisa who dropped a bombshell in his weekly BSR, after releasing names of beneficiaries of the farm mechanisation scheme, Bhasikiti said he repaid for his tractor unlike many others who still owe the country huge sums of money.

“Wamagaisa,today you have caught them unaware.Some skeptics will know what I have repeatedly https://t.co/dqEwMw0Tf0’s not easy to come out of ZPF corrupt free.ONLY BHASIKITI ,made it.I paid for my tractor fully.Nothing can be raised against me,reason I can criticise corruption.”

ZANU-PF has said it is fully behind President Mnangagwa’s decision to fire former Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo from his post over corruption allegations, saying the party does not tolerate such ill practices.

Dr Moyo was relieved from his duties early this month for alleged criminal abuse of office charges for his role in a murky US$60 million deal with Drax International, a medical supplier. In a statement, acting Zanu-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Cde Patrick Chinamasa said this was a stern warning to would-be offenders.

“The decision by His Excellency, the President should serve as a stern warning to all those cadres whom the party has deployed to Central Government, Local Authorities and Parastatals, that in their discharge of their functions, they should, like Caesar’s wife be beyond suspicion,” he said.

He said cadres must at all times know that any whiff of corruption will cost them dearly because the President declared that there will be no sacred cows when it comes to fighting corruption. Cde Chinamasa further said the catch and release syndrome was bringing the justice system into disrepute.

“Zanu-PF takes this opportunity to bring to the attention of those Law Enforcement agencies involved in the administration of Criminal Justice its concerns and those of the population. Expectations are that Law Enforcement Agencies should carry out thorough investigations to establish a prima facie case before arrests are effected as to do otherwise leads to the practice commonly referred to as ‘catch and release’, a situation which will put the administration of criminal justice into disrepute,” he warned.

The revolutionary party said the population was concerned over the protracted and prolonged nature of trials. He said this leads to reputational damage to the administration of criminal justice and called upon Law Enforcement Agencies involved in the administration of criminal justice namely the police, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, the Prosecutor General’s office and the Judiciary to expedite the prosecution and finalisation of criminal charges in particular cases pertaining to corruption.

Cde Chinamasa warned the public that unnecessary political activities such as demonstrations will not be tolerated in line with the current lockdown regulations directed by the President to contain Covid-19.

“Those who are organising such demonstrations will have themselves to blame if they continue to defy authorities. What happened on 1 August 2018 will never be allowed to be repeated again. The merchants of violence who are known to be working with our detractors must heed our call for them to respect the law if they want the law to respect them as well,” he added.

-State Media

FINAL public examinations for Grade Seven, Ordinary and Advanced Level students, which are normally taken in October and November each year, might be deferred to next year as the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) seeks to ensure learners complete the school syllabi before writing.

This follows a directive by Cabinet last week to defer the planned reopening of primary and secondary schools on July 28 as a measure to curb the spread of Covid-19, which has seen local transmissions spike in recent weeks. Zimsec chairperson Professor Eddie Mwenje said examinations will only be written when students have completed the syllabus and when it is safe to do so, even if it means pushing the examinations to December this year or January next year. He, however, highlighted that the examination management body would this week start preparing for the examinations, with dates for sitting for the tests set to be announced after consultations with various stakeholders.

“We are finalising the writing of June examinations, which are going on very well and will be completed next week. As soon as the June exams are done, we will start printing the November examination question papers. However, once the President announces new opening dates, we will sit down with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education so that we come up with dates for the examinations. November 2020 examinations will be written, but they will only be written when pupils have completed the syllabus and when it is safe to do so, even if it means the examinations will be written in December or January next year.”

He said Zimsec understands that there was little time for students to prepare for examinations given that schools closed in March this year.

Prof Mwenje, however, said Zimsec would not compromise the quality and substance of Zimbabwe’s education by lowering the pass mark for students to score better grades. Instead, they would ensure that the syllabus is completed before students sit for exams.

“Remember, some of these students will be going to tertiary institutions, they have to be properly examined and given the right grade. That is why we are saying there is a possibility that the examinations may be written in December or January next year. However, all this will be finalised when we meet with the ministry when reopening dates are announced.”

Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Edgar Moyo also said setting examination dates would largely depend on schools reopening dates.

“It is a bit difficult to know the exact dates of opening schools at the moment given the current trends of Covid-19 local transmissions. These trends will largely guide when schools will open. Unlike the June examinations, November examinations need a lot of preparation, so examination classes will be given sufficient time to prepare. We will have to work the dates around their schedule.”

Schools were closed on March 24 this year and were set to be opened next week. However, last week Cabinet deferred the opening of schools citing soaring Covid-19 cases. Teachers’ unions have been calling on Government to cancel this year’s school calendar. Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Dr Takavafira Zhou said teachers’ unions recently submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to have the examinations written in February next year.

“We made a two-part proposal to Government for schools to be opened in September or October this year, then schools close in December, then we open early next year with national examinations written in mid-February to March. Then instead of having three terms we have two terms.

“The other proposal is to have schools open in September or October and then we have a crush programme this year. However, opening of schools hinges on Government’s ability to provide adequate personal protective equipment to teachers and learners, as well as providing structural requirements more teachers and additional classrooms so that there is social distancing.”

Educationist Dr Cephas Nziramasanga said it was important for students to have at least three months of learning time before writing exams, adding that it was high time for Government to seriously consider continuous assessment as part of the learning system.

“Students have already lost over five months of learning, so they need about three months with the teachers before sitting for the exams. Learning is done when student and teacher meet physically, that is why I think online learning is fictitious and besides, the majority of students do not have access to online learning. So there is a need for students to have time with teachers before sitting for exams. However, going forward Government should adopt continuous assessment, which was recommended in the Nziramasanga Commission. It is a system that enables students to be tested while learning and this exerts less pressure on final examinations and would come in handy in such situations.”

He said a lot of intelligent students had been lost through “final examinations”. Continuous assessments are part of the recommendations of the 1999 Presidential Commission of Inquiry on Education and Training. Opening schools during the ongoing pandemic has been a contentious subject worldwide. South Africa recently reopened schools, but teachers’ unions have been calling for the closure of schools due to an exponential increase in Covid-19 cases, which has also affected learners and teachers. The Kenyan government recently announced that schools would remain closed until January 2021, with final year exams, usually taken in October and November, also being cancelled.

-State Media

Farai Dziva|There was pandemonium at Mkoba Stadium in Gweru last week when an elderly man challenged Auxillia Mnangagwa to ascertain the safety of the blankets she donated to the community.

Auxillia reportedly got the blankets from the Chinese First Lady and the elderly man challenged her to prove that the blankets were not infected with Coronavirus.

“Are the blankets safe for us since they came from China where the Covid-19 outbreak began? We hear that the blankets belong to victims of Covid-19,” asked the elderly man.

In response, Mrs Mnangagwa fumed:

“Munorwara neiko nhai Sekuru, ini ndobva ndanotora machira evanhu vakafa kuti ndikupei, ndingauya kuzokuurayai imi Sekuru(So you think I want to kill you right? So you think I have travelled all the way to kill you? How can I do that? ”

Farai Dziva|Veteran Movement for Democratic Change activist and musician, Dread Reckless, has warned Douglas Mwonzora and Thokozani Khupe against sabotaging the people’s struggle.

He also described President Nelson Chamisa as a great visionary who has the capacity to lead the nation to prosperity.

Below is Dread Reckless’ statement:

I have no time at all to worry about people who claim to be opposition party leaders when they are being funded in darkness by the party they claim to oppose and pretend otherwise during the day.

With our little, immature, inexprienced but political stable and iconic leader Nelson Chamisa we are fine.

As they move in to take our offices we will fight to retain the great vision, as they take party names, we retain the party- take the support of Matemadanda and we choose the support of the people.

We also want to eat but the only difference is that, most of us are patient enough to wait for what is rightfully ours.

Since when did Matemadanda become the opposition’s political adviser?

Varume, idyai mari idzi muchitsiurana.

Field Marshall Dread Reckless

By A Correspondent| Glaudina residents in Harare have revealed that the City of Harare fumigated the house where a COVID 19 victim died Friday morning.

According to the residents, Dr Chonzi and his team not only fumigated the house but made a commitment to facilitate COVID 19 testing for Glaudina residents.

Friday morning, ZimEye exclusively reported that a man who worked at a local sugar refinery company in Harare succumbed to the virus at his home in Glaudina.

The residents who spoke to ZimEye however exposed how the police were ill equipped to assist the community when they reported the COVID 19 death.

Several residents however testified how the City of Harare were swift in attending to the house where the man died and collected his body. However, the City Fathers left without fumigating the house.

Said one of the residents while updating this local publication regarding latest developments:

“Dr Chonzi, Ward 40 Councilor Steve Dhliwayo and Our Honourable MP Mushoriwa came on site where the man died.

Dr Chonzi brought his team and they have fumigated the house. They have also made a commitment to assist the people who are in the community to have a rapid testing for Covid 19.”

Added another resident:

“This time around, Dr Prosper Chonzi showed a high level of professionalism and we appreciate his actions.

We call upon the government to provide the local authority with the necessary support to fight COVID 19.”

Farai Dziva|Political and social analysts have accused Zanu PF apologist Jimaya Muduvuri of insulting millions of suffering Zimbabweans.

Muduvuri, who is the patron of Zimbabwe Amalgamated Council of Churches (ZACC) described the 31 July protests as “unthoughtful public demonstrations.”

Analysts say Muduvuri has gone out of his way in a desperate bid to please his handlers.

“We therefore condemn unreservedly this wanton propensity towards unbridled and thoughtless public demonstrations in the name of constitutional rights. As the leadership of ZACC, a coalition of churches that come from different backgrounds and theological positions, we are a living demonstration and example of peaceful co-existence and tolerance for differences.

“We know that our responsibility as churches is to preach peace, love and unity as commanded by the Almighty God and we pledge ourselves to continue promoting the values of peace and unity and national development.

We are concerned that there are people who still believe that public protests and demonstrations are a viable method to resolve perceived national problems,”Muduvuri told The Herald.

Another church leader Destiny for Africa’s Reverend Obadiah Msindo said :
Everyone in Zimbabwe who has the interests of the nation should never support anything that could degenerate into violence. As was noted in previous demonstrations the opposition organises violent demonstrations.

We witnessed destructive events from the so-called demonstrations. Anything that infringes on the rights of people should not be entertained.

We must maintain peace so that we solve the problems that we face as a country. The church should refuse to be used by people with their own agendas, this has nothing to do with people’s interests. I have seen some pastors, the paid pastors, who are making money out of it, this is a money making project.

All this effort of trying to remove the Government will not work of no use. Lastly why would a responsible opposition call for demonstrations when the country and the world is fighting Covid-19, this is unheard of.

COVID-19 Daily Update

Fifty-eight (58) cases tested positive for COVIO-19 today These include returnees from South Africa (10), and 48 local cases who are isolated
Thirty two (32) of the local cases are contacts of known confirmed cases.

Investigations are underway to establish the source of infection for the other 16 cases
Thirteen (13) recoveries were reported by the following provinces; Mash Central (6), Mat North (3), Mash East (2) and Manicatand (2)
Today we regret to report 1 death at a facility level in Bulawayo Province.

The death is a 19-year old male who tested positive for COVID-19 today and had co-morbidities
Today 1214 ROT screening test and 979 PCR diagnostics tests were done The cumulatiye number of tests done to date is 99 701(59 606 RDT met 40095 PCR).

Since the onset of the COV10-19 outbreak on 20 March 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 1420; recoveries 438, active cases 958 and 24 deaths- Ministry of Health and Child Care

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance councillors on Friday yet again snubbed an MDC-T meeting which had been called by MDC-T interim leader, Thokozani Khupe.

Although there is confusion as to how many councillors were in attendance due to varying accounts, the numbers being said are still very low.

Acting party spokesperson Khalipani Phugeni said 15 councillors attended the meeting, but Epworth Local Board chairperson Batanai Masunda claimed 20 were in attendance, while other sources insisted only 14 councillors turned up out of 71 councillors from Greater Harare.

The meeting was held at Harvest House christened Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House. Phugeni told Newsday:

It was a meeting called by the acting president to deal with several issues as you have read in the media of cases of corruption within local authorities, among other issues. She was reading the riot act and warning those involved in corruption.

Meanwhile, Newsday claims that an attendance register showed that 10 out of 45 Harare councillors attended while Chitungwiza only had two out of 21, while Epworth also had two out of a possible five councillors.

The development comes amid a leadership crisis in the MDC with Nelson Chamisa and Khupe fighting for control of party members and assets.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- Chief Justice Luke Malaba has made a sudden U-turn on a directive on handing down and distribution of judgments and orders.

The directive had been issued on the 16th of July on the basis that the manner in which orders are being handed was not appropriate.

Amending the directive, Malaba said:

1. Reference is made to my Memorandum dated 16 July 2020 in relation to the above subject.

2. In Paragraph 2 (iv) I have removed the word ‘approved’ and it should read: – “Before a Judgment or an order of the High Court or Labour Court is issued or handed down, it should be seen by the head of court/ station/ division.”

3. May this amendment be brought to the attention of all Judges.

The directive had attracted criticism from various quarters with some saying it was meant to make sure judges do not give an order which is against the interests of their seniors.

Some even suggested that the directive was proof that there was no judicial independence in Zimbabwe.

Farai Dziva|There was pandemonium at Mkoba Stadium in Gweru last week when an elderly man challenged Auxillia Mnangagwa to ascertain the safety of the blankets she donated to the community.

Auxillia reportedly got the blankets from the Chinese First Lady and the elderly man challenged her to prove that the blankets were not infected with Coronavirus.

“Are the blankets safe for us since they came from China where the Covid-19 outbreak began? We hear that the blankets belong to victims of Covid-19,” asked the elderly man.

In response, Mrs Mnangagwa fumed:

“Munorwara neiko nhai Sekuru, ini ndobva ndanotora machira evanhu vakafa kuti ndikupei, ndingauya kuzokuurayai imi Sekuru(So you think I want to kill you right? So you think I have travelled all the way to kill you? How can I do that? ”

Farai Dziva|Veteran Movement for Democratic Change activist and musician, Dread Reckless, has warned Douglas Mwonzora and Thokozani Khupe against sabotaging the people’s struggle.

He also described President Nelson Chamisa as a great visionary who has the capacity to lead the nation to prosperity.

Below is Dread Reckless’ statement:

I have no time at all to worry about people who claim to be opposition party leaders when they are being funded in darkness by the party they claim to oppose and pretend otherwise during the day.

With our little, immature, inexprienced but political stable and iconic leader Nelson Chamisa we are fine.

As they move in to take our offices we will fight to retain the great vision, as they take party names, we retain the party- take the support of Matemadanda and we choose the support of the people.

We also want to eat but the only difference is that, most of us are patient enough to wait for what is rightfully ours.

Since when did Matemadanda become the opposition’s political adviser?

Varume, idyai mari idzi muchitsiurana.

Field Marshall Dread Reckless

Farai Dziva|Political and social analysts have accused Zanu PF apologist Jimaya Muduvuri of insulting millions of suffering Zimbabweans.

Muduvuri, who is the patron of Zimbabwe Amalgamated Council of Churches (ZACC) described the 31 July protests as “unthoughtful public demonstrations.”

Analysts say Muduvuri has gone out of his way in a desperate bid to please his handlers.

“We therefore condemn unreservedly this wanton propensity towards unbridled and thoughtless public demonstrations in the name of constitutional rights. As the leadership of ZACC, a coalition of churches that come from different backgrounds and theological positions, we are a living demonstration and example of peaceful co-existence and tolerance for differences.

“We know that our responsibility as churches is to preach peace, love and unity as commanded by the Almighty God and we pledge ourselves to continue promoting the values of peace and unity and national development.

We are concerned that there are people who still believe that public protests and demonstrations are a viable method to resolve perceived national problems,”Muduvuri told The Herald.

Another church leader Destiny for Africa’s Reverend Obadiah Msindo said :
Everyone in Zimbabwe who has the interests of the nation should never support anything that could degenerate into violence. As was noted in previous demonstrations the opposition organises violent demonstrations.

We witnessed destructive events from the so-called demonstrations. Anything that infringes on the rights of people should not be entertained.

We must maintain peace so that we solve the problems that we face as a country. The church should refuse to be used by people with their own agendas, this has nothing to do with people’s interests. I have seen some pastors, the paid pastors, who are making money out of it, this is a money making project.

All this effort of trying to remove the Government will not work of no use. Lastly why would a responsible opposition call for demonstrations when the country and the world is fighting Covid-19, this is unheard of.

1/2 Interrupting my break to confirm that, SI 167 notwithstanding, my book ROTTEN ROW will continue to be called ROTTEN ROW and not “Abdel Gamal Nasser Road” Jokes aside,there is so much ideological backruptcy in this renaming, such patriarchal sterility.

2/2 No real recognition of contributions beyond war. Only a handful of roads named for women because the contributions of women are not valued. So many female firsts! Angeline Kamba, Stella Madzimbamuto, Dorothy Masuku. But oh no, they prefer foreign tyrants over local women.

By A Correspondent| Controversial comedienne Felistas Murata Edwards better known as Mai Titi has showered praises on popular traditional healer Sekuru Banda over his philanthropic work which has seen him assisting ailing comedian Marabha with a seven-roomed house.

Mai Titi narrated how the philanthropic traditional healer helped her close friend recover a lost laptop within seven days, a move she said forced her to change her perceptions about his value in modern day society.

In a Facebook live yesterday, Mai Titi said she never used to take Sekuru Banda seriously due to her Christian faith but had found value in his work as it helps in keeping society away from crime.

Mai Titi said;
“Kune murume anetsa, inini munongozviziva kuti ndiri straight family, inzwaika ndoda kukutaurirai makuhwa, inini munoziva kuti ndiri munhu anonamata anoenda kuchechi

“Sekuru Banda, ndanga ndisingambovabhilivhe, pavakatanga kubuda vachinzi Sekuru Banda Sekuru Banda.

“Sekuru Banda vakanyanya, vaya vaya vanobirwa, vachikohwa pavasina kurima, vachikohwa pavasina kushanda, Sekuru Banda vakandiitira mashura mazuwa apfuura

“Inini I didn’t believe it, ndobva pabiwa ma laptop evamwe vasahwira vangu, ndobva shamwari yangu yaenda kuna Sekuru Banda, inini ndini nyakuti unoenda kwa Sekuru Banda ikoko akakuudza kuti zvinhu zvinodzoka ndiyani, ndobva sekuru Banda vati don’t worry ndiri kukupa seven days.

“Ndobva paya shamwari yangu yapihwa seven days na Sekuru Banda, ndobva seven days dzapera, murandakadzi akaona ma laptop ari pamusiwo pagedhi, zvikanzi ndiwe wakamaka Sekuru Banda hona ma laptop akadzoka.”

Mai Titi said Sekuru Banda was doing a job in keeping society in good check as thieves had become a menace in the country.

In another Facebook live video, Mai Titi who was in the company of DJ Shugeta hailed Sekuru Banda for building a house for popular comedian Marabha.

She said through Sekuru Banda’s good gesture, Marabha was on course to become a landlord with Shugeta saying they were assisting the former street theatre actor to marry and settle down.

Mai Titi said Sekuru Banda had redefined philanthropy as he had assisted without going public about it unlike other socialites who are in the habit of blowing trumpets about their donations.

Sekuru Banda is famed for his ability to help theft victims recover their stolen goods (back to sender), bringing back lost lovers and casting out bad spirits.

He has of late added another feather to his influence after venturing into philanthropic work and has to date assisted the elderly cope with COVID-19 induced lockdown and other prominent people including comedian Marabha and sports personality Alphonse Zvenyika.

He is currently building a house for Marabha and has also donated a residential stand to a former Air Zimbabwe engineer-turned destitute.