THE Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) has increased fares for urban routes by 100 percent.

According to the new fares, passengers will now pay $8 per trip for Zupco buses up from $4 while Zupco kombis are now charging $16 up from $8. The new fares became effective yesterday.

In an interview yesterday, Zupco chief executive officer Mr Everisto Madangwa said the new fares were to ensure the company improves service delivery as well as cushion its costs. He said high operational costs the company was incurring had also necessitated the fare increases.

“Yes, we have increased our fares by 100 percent, a move we felt is necessary for us to further improve our services to the public, further these new fares will enable us to cushion our costs which we incur as a company,” said Mr Madangwa.

According to the national lockdown regulations, Zupco registered buses and kombis are the only ones allowed to offer public transport in the urban areas.

Mr Madangwa assured the travelling public that their vehicles will be on the road in their numbers as they had adequate fuel to service their fleet. He also said the company was in the process of increasing its fleet by enticing more transport operators to join the Zupco franchise. The company has about 500 buses and kombis plying Bulawayo routes.

Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) director of public relations, Colonel Overson Mugwisi, was a hardworker and remained loyal to the liberation war before and after independence, Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan province Oliver Chidawu has said.

The army spokesperson succumbed to Covid-19 on Friday and was buried at Glen Forest Memorial Park in Harare yesterday.

He was declared a liberation war hero.

Addressing mourners, Minister Chidawu, who is also acting ZANU PF Harare chairperson, said Col Mugwisi will always be remembered.

“The ZDF shall forever cherish the late Colonel Mugwisi’s selfless service to the people of Zimbabwe before and after Independence.”

Col Mugwisi was first appointed the official spokesperson of the Zimbabwe National Army in 2009, when he was Lieutenant Colonel, taking over from Lieutenant Colonel Simon Tsatsi.

He then rose to become ZDF spokesperson. Born in 1956 in Masvingo, Col Mugwisi attended Torwood Primary School, Drake and Amaveni secondary schools in Kwekwe, Midlands province.

He then crossed into Mozambique to join the liberation struggle in September 1976.

In his military career dating back to Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, Col Mugwisi held various senior posts, among them Adjutant Zimbabwe Military Academy (ZMA), Officer Commanding Cadet Division ZMA, and Staff Officer responsible for Administration Plans at Army Headquarters.

He was also Staff Officer responsible for research at the Zimbabwe Staff College and Directing Staff Joint Command and Staff Courses at the Zimbabwe Staff College before he went into public relations.

Over the years, Col Mugwisi attended most career courses offered by the army during the Junior Staff Course, the Company Group Commanders Course and the Command and Staff Course.

He is survived by four children.

Images of ZimLive Editor’s Nephew Tawanda Muchehiwa who was abducted by state security agents last week and dumped last night have been posted online.

Shared by Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network, the heart-rending images shows Muchehiwa badly injured after more than two days of torture at the hands of suspected state agents.

Below are the two images shared by SAHRDN on their Twitter handle.

Zimbabwe has recorded its biggest jump for a single day in Covid-19 cases.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care announced on Saturday that 490 new cases were recorded. Of major concern is that 485 of those are local contact cases.

The huge jump brings the national tally to 3,659 recorded cases. The day also recorded two new deaths bringing to 69 the total and 7 recoveries bringing to 1011 in total it means there are 2,579 active cases.

By A Correspondent| Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has shared his COVID-19 test results done at Norton Hospital.

Posting on Twitter, Mliswa said he had promised to share the results once out, saying he will restrict his movement as much as possible to protect himself so that he won’t be infected.

“As promised my results as below. I’m grateful for the negative result. This however doesn’t mean I can’t contract the virus & I’ll therefore ensure I restrict my movements as much as possible. As a legislator it’s a fine line between assisting the people & being the catalyst,” said Mliswa.

ZESA Holdings executive chairman Dr Sydney Gata has been suspended from office and will be blocked from accessing his office at the power utility’s headquarters, the Minister of Energy and Power Development, Fortune Chasi said yesterday.

Minister Chasi told our Harare Bureau that Dr Gata would be barred from Zesa premises until due processes have been completed.

“Our initial stance as Government was to observe corporate governance and give the board an opportunity to deal with the matter. This entailed giving the board time to investigate the serious allegations against Dr Gata. But alas! He (Dr Gata) decided to lock the board out of Zesa premises. He took the view that no board meetings would take place as a way to stall progress.

He then proceeded to bar the board entry into Zesa premises and ordered security to lock them out. He refused to accept the letter of suspension and instead proceeded to suspend the entire board as if he had the powers to do so. He doesn’t. It’s a very strange and unusual action suggesting that something was seriously wrong.”

As a consequence, Minister Chasi said processes are underway to ensure that normalcy is restored at Zesa.

“This will include barring Dr Gata from Zesa for a defined period to allow the investigations to happen. We want to be very procedural and need to. We will continue to assume that he is innocent until proven guilty.

“He needs to make it easy for us otherwise the irrational actions he is taking — like firing fellow board members — will cause everyone to think otherwise,” he said.

However, a defiant Gata yesterday said he was not going anywhere, saying “corruption was fighting back at him” for his attempt to expose the rot at the parastatal. He said he must be given time to implement a forensic audit that recently exposed massive graft at the parastatal.

Dr Gata said his lawyers had advised him to stay put because a meeting that was held to suspend him was non-procedural after a top Zesa manager, who is currently on trial for alleged corruption, presided over the proceedings.

Yesterday, the drama at the power utility continued to fester after about a dozen leaders of workers’ unions affiliated to Zesa converged at the power utility’s headquarters in Harare in solidarity with Dr Gata, saying he was being victimised for fighting corruption at the parastatal. The workers pleaded with Minister Chasi to reverse his decision.

Dr Gata, who has had an on-off relationship with Zesa, is facing a slew of allegations including allocating himself five vehicles and fuel for private use, using $10 million to fund Christmas parties, hiring ghost employees on Zesa’s payroll and using his private entity to carry out projects meant for Zesa.

He also stands accused of interference with disciplinary processes relating to a Mrs Norah Tsomondo.

Commenting on the allegations in an interview with our Harare Bureau, Dr Gata denied any wrongdoing.

On the allegations of allocating himself the five vehicles, he said: “Two vehicles, a Toyota Fortuner and Mazda BT50 are not owned by Zesa but individuals not related to me. The third vehicle a Toyota Fortuner is owned by Zesa and is under the custody of the Group Legal Advisor and Corporate Secretary being used for board purposes.

The fourth vehicle is owned by Zesa…but has been recently allocated to the Loss Control Department to carry out investigations on vandalism. The fifth vehicle was a pool vehicle which was ordinarily parked at the company basement for use by various drivers.”

Dr Gata said the Christmas parties did not cost $10 million as alleged and were an investment in staff morale.

He said the allegation on installation of solar equipment was false while the hiring of “ghost employees” was above board.

On Mrs Tsomondo’s case, Dr Gata said the matter had been decided well before he joined Zesa.

Asked if he was not defying the Minister by continuing to report for duty, Dr Gata said: “In terms of the law, I am not. I have been advised by my lawyers that the so-called suspension was unprocedural. If anything I am carrying out instructions which are in my contract of employment that the Minister himself gave me.

“In my contract, the Minister advised me to personally ‘take a hands-on approach to the litany of issues bedeviling this important utility’. I urge the Minister not to obstruct my terms of reference by being influenced by suspected criminals at Zesa.”

Dr Gata said he was seeking the way forward from the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck Sibanda, to whom he wrote giving his side of the story. In the letter to Dr Sibanda, Dr Gata alleged that Minister Chasi had invited Zesa Company Secretary Mr Saidi Sangula to be part of a meeting to decide his fate, despite the fact that he is currently before the courts on an alleged case of corruption at Zesa.

In a statement yesterday, the Zimbabwe Energy Workers Union, whose leaders converged on Zesa’s headquarters to show solidarity with Dr Gata, said the suspended Zesa boss was being persecuted.

“It appears to us that some of the allegations are being peddled by some members and remnants of the previous administration who, after being fired and or being prosecuted for their malfeasances over the years, are now trying to hit back through raising allegations designed to malign and demonise Dr Gata and his management team,” said Zimbabwe Energy Workers Union general secretary Mr Martin Chikuni.

Secretary-general of the Energy Sector Union of Zimbabwe Mr Gibson Mushunje said Dr Gata should be allowed to implement recommendations of the forensic audit.

“Some of the current members of the Zesa board and senior managers (names supplied) agreed to some of the shady deals at Zesa. They were fingered in the forensic audit. We think it’s more urgent to implement the forensic audit than to persecute Dr Gata. We are not defending Dr Gata but we are defending the truth. Let’s have implementation of the forensic audit first before other issues,” said Mr Mushunje.

Mr Pearson Madzongwe, a representative of the Zesa group of companies, appealed to Minister Chasi to reinstate Dr Gata.

“Our final plea to the Minister of Energy and Power Development Honourable Chasi and His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa is to give Dr Gata a chance to turnaround the fortunes of Zesa as we the workers are absolutely happy with his selfless leadership and vision. Had it not been for the coronavirus pandemic, we would have staged a solidarity march to protect our leader from being harmed by corrupt and fired managers who were fingered in the forensic audit.”

Leader of the Zesa widowers and pensioners Mrs Enea Maroveke demanded Dr Gata’s immediate reinstatement saying he had made “a remarkable impact” since his appointment.

In his letter dated July 30, 2020 to board members, Dr Gata declared that he was still in charge and disputed the fact that Mrs Tsitsi Makovah was the acting board chair. Approached for comment, Mrs Makovah declined to discuss the matter and referred questions to the Energy and Power Development Ministry.

-State Media

Yesterday, 1 August 2020, Zimbabwe recorded the highest number of new Covid-19 cases after 490 people tested positive to the deadly virus.

Two people succumbed to the disease while seven recoveries were recorded in Mashonaland East and Masvingo.

This takes the total number of cases 3659 with deaths now at 69 while recoveries stand at 1011.

Read the Ministry of Health and Child Care update for more details

My Fellow Zimbabwe Police came to my place at 4:00 and took me and @realnigelndlovu .. Help us and tell the world .Tell the world and we are currently at magwegwe police being profiled,” he said.

BUSINESSMAN Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure has demanded that former First Lady Grace Mugabe’s son Russell Goreraza and her brother Samson Marufu pay him his full balance after a botched sale of his Mercedes Benz ML63 to the two.

In a High Court case, Goreraza borrowed the car from Kadungure last year and got involved in an accident. He then reportedly sold the damaged vehicle to Marufu without the knowledge of Kadungure.
When Kadungure got wind of the transaction, he demanded payment of the wreck or its return from Marufu.

This prompted Marufu to approach the High Court seeking an interdict against Kadungure arguing that he wanted to unlawfully take away the car despite the former investing US$18 000 to repair it.

In his notice of opposition, Kadungure clarified that he entered into an agreement of sale with Marufu in December 2019 when he realised that he had been duped by Goreraza.

He said Marufu has paid US$4 000 and a balance of US$11 000 remained outstanding and was due within a week of the initial payment.
He said Goreraza should have involved him in the sale of the wreck since it was still registered in his name, adding that it ended up being undervalued by US$5 000.

Kadungure said Marufu was lying that their agreement of sale had no specific deadlines for payment.“His claim to the motor vehicle is mired in dubious circumstances.

“The applicant ought to simply pay the outstanding balance rather than use the court through misrepresentations to avoid paying what is lawfully owed to me.“If truth be told, it has been me who has been very patient with the applicant in pursuing my balance since December 2019,” Kadungure said.

Kadungure denied threatening or using illegal means to recover his vehicle and said he was in the process of instituting a lawsuit against Marufu over the issue.

“My communications with the applicant were legitimate demands regarding the fact that the balance is long overdue. The applicant has been using the excuse of the current national lockdown.
“In any event it is for the applicant to follow up with his relative (Goreraza) about the US$10 000 he paid him,” added Kadungure.

– Daily News

A 19-year-old Bindura woman committed suicide following a dispute with her husband over sadza.

The incident happened in Nyakudya village, Bindura, after the woman’s husband refused to go to the grinding mill where he had been sent by his wife.

The wife, Clara Phiri, instead, went to the grinding mill and on her return, she prepared sadza but withheld the meal from her husband, Biggie Chakorwa (32).

Reports indicate that Chakorwa did not complain but simply went to bed on an empty stomach.
Chakorwa’s reaction unnerved Phiri who went on to consume a tobacco pesticide.

She was rushed to Bindura District Hospital after complaining of a stomach ache and was pronounced dead upon admission.
Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe confirmed the incident.

He said:
I can confirm a sudden death case in Bindura where Clara Phiri of Nyakudya village took her life after a misunderstanding with her husband Biggie Chakorwa (32)- NewsDay

Brian Chitemba and Kuda Bwititi
ZESA Holdings executive chairperson Dr Sydney Gata has been suspended and will not be allowed to enter the power utility’s headquarters, Energy and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi said yesterday.

He said Dr Gata would be barred from Zesa premises until due processes have been completed.

“Our initial stance as Government was to observe corporate governance and give the board an opportunity to deal with the matter. This entailed giving the board time to investigate the serious allegations against Dr Gata.

“But alas! He (Dr Gata) decided to lock the board out of Zesa premises. He took the view that no board meetings would take place as a way to stall progress. He then proceeded to bar the board entry into Zesa premises and ordered security to lock them out,” he said.

“He refused to accept the letter of suspension and instead proceeded to suspend the entire board as if he had the powers to do so.

He doesn’t. It is very strange and unusual action suggesting that something was seriously wrong”.

As a consequence, Minister Chasi said, processes are underway to ensure normalcy is restored at Zesa.

“This will include barring Dr Gata from Zesa for a defined period to allow the investigations to happen. We want to be very procedural and need to.

“We will continue to assume that he is innocent until proven guilty. He needs to make it easy for us, otherwise the irrational actions he is taking — like firing fellow board members — will cause everyone to think otherwise,” he said.

Dr Gata is facing a slew of allegations that include abusing the power utility’s five pool vehicles, scuttling the disciplinary hearing of a top executive and splurging $10 million on Christmas parties and procedurally sending four consultants to South Africa at Zesa’s expense.

Minister Chasi described the corruption allegations as “egregious and very worrying” and called for a thorough board investigation. Government has since called for a thorough and expeditious investigation into the allegations.

Minister Chasi wrote to the Zesa board of directors on Monday ordering them to expedite the probe.

The letter was copied to Deputy Minister Magna Mudyiwa, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda, Secretary for Energy and Power Development Dr Gloria Magombo and Dr Gata himself.
But Dr Gata has been defiant.

He claimed that his lawyers had advised him to stay put because a meeting that was held to suspend him was unprocedural.

He has since responded to Minister Chasi objecting to the processes that led to his suspension, and now wants the matter to be adjudicated.

“It is clear from the foregoing that I respectfully take the view that your letter in casu ought not be the basis of the way forward between you (as the line Minister) and the Executive Chairman.

I believe this a matter that requires, on an urgent basis, the mediation role of the Office of the President and Cabinet. I will engage that mediation role without delay.”

The Zimbabwe Energy Workers Union (ZEWU) seems to be fighting in Dr Gata’s corner.

In a statement released as a “special communiqué to all Zesa staff” last week, Dr Gata claimed to have suspended the other eight board members-The Sunday Mail

A FUMING village head leapt to his feet during a traditional court and assaulted a villager with fists after they exchanged harsh words.

According to a villager who requested to speak on condition of anonymity, tempers flared when Tayisi Ncube and village head of Jeqe Village, Ward 24 in Matopo, Simon Zulu, exchanged harsh words.

The villager said it happened so fast that the enraged Zulu charged at his subject while pointing a finger at him.

“We could sense danger on how they exchanged harsh words at each other.

The village head stood up and pointed a finger at Ncube while accusing him of disrespecting him and influencing other villagers to disrespect him,” said the villager.
The villager added: “The village head then went flying with fists at Ncube.

Zulu was too powerful for him as he rained the fists too fast for him and he fell and bled.”
It took the intervention of one of the brave villagers who restrained the marauding Zulu.

“Zulu wanted to teach him a thorough lesson as he continued beating him while he was bleeding from the mouth and nose. But thanks to the villager who stopped him from further assaulting him,” said the source.

Contacted for a comment Ncube said: “I wanted to put my point across but he got furious and assaulted me with fists.

I tried to flee as I did not retaliate because I respected him as he holds an influential position in the community and is our traditional leader.”

The source further revealed that the temperamental Zulu was known for beating up his subjects during traditional court meetings.

“He is known for beating villagers who object to his views. Last year he beat a villager and just recently he beat another villager. Most of the villagers are afraid of him,” said the source.

Efforts to get a comment from Zulu were fruitless as his mobile phone rang continuously.
The matter was reported to the police and local leadership.

Meanwhile, Zulu this week appeared at the Plumtree magistrates’ court for initial remand on an assault charge following the traditional court brawl- B-Metro

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance says the persecution of opposition members and human rights defenders by Emmerson Mnangagwa’s troubled administration is a sign of desperation.

See full statement below:

01 August 2020

The MDC Alliance condemns the arrest and persecution of National Spokesperson Adv Fadzai Mahere, Acting Chairperson of the Women’s Assembly Hon Mugidho,National Youth Organising Secretary Godfrey Kuraone, councillor Edward Dzeka and many others.

We demand their immediate and unconditional release.

The right to peaceful protest is provided for by the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

The fact that the illegitimate ZANU-PF government does not like it can not make it legal. Law is not based on the regime’s likes or dislikes.

Yesterday, across the country, there were a myriad of other unlawful arrests, including that of award winning author Tsitsi Dangarembwa, Mdudusi Matutu’s family members among others.

All these arrests further tarnish an already bad image of our country.

If Mnangagwa and ZANU-PF are serious, they must arrest corruption, state capture, hunger, poverty and economic decay.

The weaponisation of law and systematic targeting of members of the MDC Alliance and dissenting citizens is a sign of desperation. A clear manifestation of an unstable and panicking government.

Clifford Hlatywayo
Deputy National Spokesperson

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance says the persecution of opposition members and human rights defenders by Emmerson Mnangagwa’s troubled administration is a sign of desperation.

See full statement below:

01 August 2020

The MDC Alliance condemns the arrest and persecution of National Spokesperson Adv Fadzai Mahere, Acting Chairperson of the Women’s Assembly Hon Mugidho,National Youth Organising Secretary Godfrey Kuraone, councillor Edward Dzeka and many others.

We demand their immediate and unconditional release.

The right to peaceful protest is provided for by the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

The fact that the illegitimate ZANU-PF government does not like it can not make it legal. Law is not based on the regime’s likes or dislikes.

Yesterday, across the country, there were a myriad of other unlawful arrests, including that of award winning author Tsitsi Dangarembwa, Mdudusi Matutu’s family members among others.

All these arrests further tarnish an already bad image of our country.

If Mnangagwa and ZANU-PF are serious, they must arrest corruption, state capture, hunger, poverty and economic decay.

The weaponisation of law and systematic targeting of members of the MDC Alliance and dissenting citizens is a sign of desperation. A clear manifestation of an unstable and panicking government.

Clifford Hlatywayo
Deputy National Spokesperson

Farai Dziva|Firebrand South African opposition leader Julius Malema has described Emmerson Mnangagwa as a “clueless ideological amoeba.”

Malema also accused Mnangagwa of trampling on the fundamental values of the liberation war.

See statement below:

The Economic Freedom Fighters notes the announcement by Emmerson Mnangagwa the President of Zimbabwe, that his government has taken a decision to compensate the British occupiers of Zimbabwean land who lost their illegitimate rights to Zimbabwean land through the fast track land reform programme.

Mnangagwa announced that they had secured S3.5 billion to pay to British settlers for the loss of ‘their lane. through the Zimbabwean land reform programme and hopes that this will bring closure to the instability brought about by the forced return of Zimbabwean land back to Zimbabwean people. We are of the firm view that Mnangagwa is either deeply misinformed about the real causes of the crisis in Zimbabwe or is simply catapulting to the pressure from the white supremacist world.

Either way, the treasonous act of paying to white settlers money that Zimbabwe does not have will not resolve the crisis in Zimbabwe which is essentially a political crisis resulting from years of mismanagement at the centre of which Mnangagwa features prominently.

It must also be noted that the push for the repossession of the land In Zimbabwe was not initiated by the State. At the time Zimbabwe gained its independence, the framework for land reform was premised on a market-led land reform programme whereby the State with the assistance of Britain, was required to purchase land from white landowners for land redistribution purposes.

This was based on the 1980 Lancaster Agreement, which provided that the government would not engage in compulsory land acquisition and that land distribution would take place subject to the principle of ‘willing buyer willing saner’, whereby the government would ‘pay promptly adequate compensation’ for property.

When this failed to return Zimbabwean land back to Zimbabweans.

It was the ordinary person on the street, together with war veterans, who started forcefully taking back their land in Zimbabwe. This action found a willing political leader in the form of a resolute and ideologically clear Seeder in President Robert Mugabe.

Mnangagwa is now not only pissing on the graves of the many heroic men and women who laid down the lives for the return of Zimbabwean land but he is also desecrating on the legacy of Robert Mugabe from whom he violently took power in an unprincipled coup. This action Is a serious blow to the idea of decolonisation in the continent. It is reminiscent of the forced debt France imposed on Haiti when the Haitians liberated themselves from slavery. wherein France demanded payment for loss of property.

The crisis in Zimbabwe is as a direct consequence of the political ineptitude of the ruling elite there.

Their deeply embedded cronyism and their insatiable desire for theft of public funds.

It has been proven time and again that ordinary Zimbabweans who got the land as a result of the fast track land reform programme are actually working the land and producing at levels that would be much higher if there was a targeted support programme from the State.

Mnangagwa will be remembered as a clueless, ideological amoeba who was prepared to tread on important gains of the struggle in order to be liked by whites.

We deeply condemn this act of betrayal by Mnangagwa and call on ordinary Zimbabweans to reject this wasteful use of money that should be directed towards building hospitals in Zimbabwe.

Farai Dziva|Firebrand South African opposition leader Julius Malema has described Emmerson Mnangagwa as a “clueless ideological amoeba.”

Malema also accused Mnangagwa of trampling on the fundamental values of the liberation war.

See statement below:

The Economic Freedom Fighters notes the announcement by Emmerson Mnangagwa the President of Zimbabwe, that his government has taken a decision to compensate the British occupiers of Zimbabwean land who lost their illegitimate rights to Zimbabwean land through the fast track land reform programme.

Mnangagwa announced that they had secured S3.5 billion to pay to British settlers for the loss of ‘their lane. through the Zimbabwean land reform programme and hopes that this will bring closure to the instability brought about by the forced return of Zimbabwean land back to Zimbabwean people. We are of the firm view that Mnangagwa is either deeply misinformed about the real causes of the crisis in Zimbabwe or is simply catapulting to the pressure from the white supremacist world.

Either way, the treasonous act of paying to white settlers money that Zimbabwe does not have will not resolve the crisis in Zimbabwe which is essentially a political crisis resulting from years of mismanagement at the centre of which Mnangagwa features prominently.

It must also be noted that the push for the repossession of the land In Zimbabwe was not initiated by the State. At the time Zimbabwe gained its independence, the framework for land reform was premised on a market-led land reform programme whereby the State with the assistance of Britain, was required to purchase land from white landowners for land redistribution purposes.

This was based on the 1980 Lancaster Agreement, which provided that the government would not engage in compulsory land acquisition and that land distribution would take place subject to the principle of ‘willing buyer willing saner’, whereby the government would ‘pay promptly adequate compensation’ for property.

When this failed to return Zimbabwean land back to Zimbabweans.

It was the ordinary person on the street, together with war veterans, who started forcefully taking back their land in Zimbabwe. This action found a willing political leader in the form of a resolute and ideologically clear Seeder in President Robert Mugabe.

Mnangagwa is now not only pissing on the graves of the many heroic men and women who laid down the lives for the return of Zimbabwean land but he is also desecrating on the legacy of Robert Mugabe from whom he violently took power in an unprincipled coup. This action Is a serious blow to the idea of decolonisation in the continent. It is reminiscent of the forced debt France imposed on Haiti when the Haitians liberated themselves from slavery. wherein France demanded payment for loss of property.

The crisis in Zimbabwe is as a direct consequence of the political ineptitude of the ruling elite there.

Their deeply embedded cronyism and their insatiable desire for theft of public funds.

It has been proven time and again that ordinary Zimbabweans who got the land as a result of the fast track land reform programme are actually working the land and producing at levels that would be much higher if there was a targeted support programme from the State.

Mnangagwa will be remembered as a clueless, ideological amoeba who was prepared to tread on important gains of the struggle in order to be liked by whites.

We deeply condemn this act of betrayal by Mnangagwa and call on ordinary Zimbabweans to reject this wasteful use of money that should be directed towards building hospitals in Zimbabwe.

PROMISING to love and support one another “until death do us part” is arguably the most difficult part of marriage vows.

A Bulawayo woman allegedly dumped her husband and eloped with her married lover who also dumped his wife and children.

Nothando Mpunzi, a hairdresser at a salon situated at corner 5th Avenue and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street allegedly dumped her husband and took off with her married boyfriend Ntokozo Sibanda.

According to Ntokozo’s wife Loveness Sibanda she was left in the lurch after Mpunzi eloped with her husband of 15 years.
Loveness said her estranged husband was refusing to maintain his two children but providing upkeep for his lover’s three children.

An embittered Loveness bared her soul at the Bulawayo Civil Court where she was suing Mpunzi for disturbing her peace and marriage because of her adulterous relationship with her husband.

“I am legally married to Ntokozo Sibanda under the Marriages Act Chapter 5:11 and it’s still subsisting. The marriage is blessed with two minor children aged nine and 14.

My husband however, deserted his family to go and stay in Magwegwe with his girlfriend Nothando Mpunzi. His girlfriend also left her husband to co-habit with him.

“Nothando does not respect me despite the fact that she is now staying with my husband of 15 years. And my husband no longer maintains our children but he maintains her three children.

She is also harassing and stalking me and my children,” complained Loveness.

She adds: “I don’t want my children to go to her place because of the sleeping arrangement where her 15-year-old son sleeps on the same bed with my 14-year-old daughter.

She and my husband sleep with my nine-year-old child on the same bed. I am not happy with that arrangement”.

Surprisingly, Mpunzi’s husband was also in court when Loveness sought reasons from her (Mpunzi) on why she left her husband to stay with hers.

Mpunzi, who indicated that she never harassed Loveness was, however, not opposed to her request for a peace order.

“I am not opposed to her application for a peace order since I don’t talk to her,” she tersely said.

Loveness’ request for a peace order was dismissed by presiding magistrate Nomasiko Ndlovu after Mpunzi indicated that she never harassed her.

The magistrate however, advised Loveness that one of the remedies an aggrieved spouse like her could pursue was a claim for adultery damages-B- Metro

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Edgars closed its Gweru branch on Thursday to allow for fumigation of the store after an employee tested positive for coronavirus.

In a statement, the company’s Managing Director said the Rapid Response Team in Gweru has commenced contact tracing.

The company said all employees at the branch have undergone testing and have been cleared to resume duty.

The statement read:

We wish to advise our Gweru customers of the temporary closure of the Edgars Gweru branch [on 30 July 2020] to facilitate for deep cleaning and sanitization following one staff member testing positive for Covid-19.

Contact tracing of the staff member is currently underway through the Rapid Response Team in Gweru. In line with the Ministry of Health regulations, all staff members at the Edgars Gweru branch have undergone testing and have been cleared to resume duty.

We take this opportunity to assure you, our customers and valued stakeholders, that we will continue to align and follow through the set measures provided by the Ministry of Health to curb the spread of COVID-19.

We encourage everyone to continue wearing masks, practising social distancing, sanitising and washing hands regularly with soap under running water.

By A Correspondent- The Midlands State University (MSU) has deferred examinations for final year students who were set to start writing on Monday, 3 August 2020, due to the increasing cases of coronavirus in the country.

The move has negatively affected final semester students in the faculties of Science and Technology, Law, Education and Natural Resources Management and Agriculture who were scheduled to start their examinations on August 3.

MSU Registrar Tinashe Zishiri said they had no option but to postpone the examinations to a later date due to increasing coronavirus cases.

On 24 July, Higher and Tertiary Education permanent secretary Professor Fanuel Tagwira announced that all tertiary institutions would suspend face to face lessons and focus on e-learning in a move aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19.

As of July 31, Zimbabwe had recorded 3 169 confirmed coronavirus cases, 1 004 recoveries and 67 deaths.

-NewZiana

By A Correspondent- A 19-year-old Bindura woman committed suicide following a dispute with her husband over sadza.

The incident happened in Nyakudya village, Bindura, after the woman’s husband refused to go to the grinding mill where he had been sent by his wife.

The wife, Clara Phiri, instead, went to the grinding mill and on her return, she prepared sadza but withheld the meal from her husband, Biggie Chakorwa (32).

Reports indicate that Chakorwa did not complain but simply went to bed on an empty stomach.

Chakorwa’s reaction unnerved Phiri who went on to consume a tobacco pesticide.

She was rushed to Bindura District Hospital after complaining of a stomach ache and was pronounced dead upon admission.

Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe confirmed the incident. He said:

I can confirm a sudden death case in Bindura where Clara Phiri of Nyakudya village took her life after a misunderstanding with her husband Biggie Chakorwa (32).

-Newsday

AUGUST 1, 2020
Today marks 2 years since 6 people lost their lives at the hands of the military in Zimbabwe. Two years on, there is still no justice for the innocent civilians.

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (the Forum) remains concerned with the delayed justice for the victims bearing in mind that “justice delayed is justice denied.”

Following relatively peaceful 30 July 2018 harmonised elections, protests broke out in the Harare central business district on 1 August 2018, with protesters demanding the release of the results of the presidential elections.

In response, the media documented security forces indiscriminately shooting and assaulting civilians, including those who were not taking part in the protests.

Some were shot at the back, as they were escaping the scenes. As a result of the shootings, six (6) people died whilst over sixty (60) more people were brutally assaulted.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe to lead a Commission of Inquiry into the 2018 Post-Election Violence whose report was released on 18 December 2018.

Some of the recommendations made by the commission are as follows;

The payment of compensation for all victims of the violence and dependents of the deceased. Where the deceased had young children, the Commission recommended that they be urgently assisted with school fees and their general welfare.

The government should put in place a special committee to assess and determine the quantum of damages and compensation to be awarded to victims on a case by case basis and their general welfare
The government should set up a fund to assist those directly affected.
Police to urgently complete their investigation to enable the prosecution of those persons responsible for alleged crimes committed on the 1st of August 2018.
The Forum which represents some of the victims and relatives of the deceased persons remains extremely concerned that two years on, nothing of substance has been done to operationalise the Commission’s recommendations.

On 28 June 2020, the Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Permanent Secretary Virginia Mabhiza issued a statement in which she alleged that government had fully complied with recommendations made by the Motlanthe Commission.

She also stated that some of the victims’ families had not approached the Department of Social Welfare for assistance.

This is all surprising as the recommendations of the Motlanthe Commission never alluded to the need for the victims’ family members to approach the Department of Social Welfare, and no public or direct communication to the victims was ever made for them to approach the Department of Social Welfare.

The Forum has also noted with concern the unrepentant nature of the State in the protection of human rights.

In January 2019, the State abrogated the recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry and unleashed the military into the streets once again.

At that point, seventeen (17) people lost their lives. As we remember fellow citizens who lost their lives on 1 August 2018, the State has also unleashed the security forces onto the streets of Zimbabwe leading to the death of Paul Munakopa who was shot in Bulawayo and the assault and torture of many more.

Apart from the compensation of victims, there is no evidence of security sector reforms in the country as recommended by the report of the Commission of Inquiry.

It is disturbing to also note that there is no record in the public domain pointing to any disciplinary action being taken against members of the armed forces who perpetrated the heinous crimes.

Rather, Brigadier-General Anselem Sanyatwe the tactical commander of the force deployed on 1 August 2018 was promoted and subsequently appointed Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Tanzania.

The 1 August 2018 events remain a fresh wound in Zimbabwe. As a result, the Forum calls on:

The government to-

fully implement the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry;

learn from the past and desist from the unnecessary deployment of the military to
conduct civilian policing duties;
pursue its constitutional mandate in relation to allegations of continuous human rights violations at the hands of the State apparatus;
prosecute military personnel who killed unarmed civilians to be held accountable
for their actions; and
reach out to the families affected and provide compensation.
The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) to:

to urgently work towards reconciliation and compensation to the victims of 1 August 2018 shootings; and
work towards prevention on recurrence.
Zimbabwe HUMAN RIGHTS NGO Forum

World-acclaimed author and filmmaker Tsitsi Dangarembga, MDC Alliance national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere and five other protestors were granted a $5 000 bail each by a Harare magistrate on Saturday.

Dangarembga, Mahere, Simon Drury, Tinashe Murapatsa, Nyasha Musendu, Josee Lots, Jessica Drury, Julie Barnes and Tinotenda Muswe appeared before Magistrate Ngoni Nduna.

They were facing two charges of participating in a public gathering with intent to promote public violence, and contravening the Public Health (Covid-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) Act for participating in peaceful protests on Friday, 31 July 2020.

The seven were arrested separately in Avondale, Groombridge, and Borrowdale. The charge sheet read:

The accused persons were seen demonstrating and placards were recovered. There are witnesses who will testify and give evidence to the effect that accused not having been exempted to carry out any movement within the national lockdown period, did so.

The accused were represented by Alec Muchadehama, Chris Mhike, and Paidamoyo Saurombe.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) in Bulawayo has secured the release of Panashe Vongai Sivindani on $2 000 bail.

Sivindani, who is a third-year student at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), was arrested on Friday for staging a lone anti-corruption demonstration at a TM supermarket. She has also has been ordered to report to police once a week.

Newsday

FORMER Zipra cadres yesterday said they were still bitter with the late Agriculture minister Perrance Shiri because he commandeered the North Korea-trained 5th Brigade military unit that committed atrocities in the Matabeleland and Midlands regions in the mid-1980s.

Shiri, who is the former Air Force of Zimbabwe boss, died on Wednesday morning and was buried at the National Heroes’ Acre in Harare yesterday.

He commanded the 5th Brigade deployed by the late former President Robert Mugabe “to deal with a dissident insurgency” in the Matebeleland and Midlands provinces, which killed over 20 000 people, according to the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe.

“As Zipra ex-combatants based in foreign countries due to the hooliganism and unethical behaviour conducted by an army commanded by Shiri, we are not saddened by his death; neither do we consider him as a cadre,” Zipra Veterans Association secretary Petros Sibanda said in a statement.

“We lost families, comrades and colleagues over the operations of 5th Brigade headed by Bigboy Chikerema (aka Perrance Shiri). Today, we are shell-shocked to learn from the President of Zimbabwe (Emmerson Mnangagwa) that Perrance Shiri was a great commander.

“This is utter nonsense. How on earth do you declare a commander of warlords a hero. Someone who masterminded the death of more than 20 000 people unarmed civilians?”

The Zipra cadres said they would put it to Mnangagwa that they abandoned their families, hard-earned independence because of the 5th Brigade Gukurahundi massacres masterminded by him working with Shiri.

“We doubt very much that he was an indeed trained soldier because a trained soldier is driven by high levels of human dignity, respect, over and above, he is selfless and protects the citizens of the country with high agility,” Zipra said.

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance says the persecution of opposition members and human rights defenders by Emmerson Mnangagwa’s troubled administration is a sign of desperation.

See full statement below:

01 August 2020

The MDC Alliance condemns the arrest and persecution of National Spokesperson Adv Fadzai Mahere, Acting Chairperson of the Women’s Assembly Hon Mugidho,National Youth Organising Secretary Godfrey Kuraone, councillor Edward Dzeka and many others.

We demand their immediate and unconditional release.

The right to peaceful protest is provided for by the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

The fact that the illegitimate ZANU-PF government does not like it can not make it legal. Law is not based on the regime’s likes or dislikes.

Yesterday, across the country, there were a myriad of other unlawful arrests, including that of award winning author Tsitsi Dangarembwa, Mdudusi Matutu’s family members among others.

All these arrests further tarnish an already bad image of our country.

If Mnangagwa and ZANU-PF are serious, they must arrest corruption, state capture, hunger, poverty and economic decay.

The weaponisation of law and systematic targeting of members of the MDC Alliance and dissenting citizens is a sign of desperation. A clear manifestation of an unstable and panicking government.

Clifford Hlatywayo
Deputy National Spokesperson

Farai Dziva|Firebrand South African opposition leader Julius Malema has described Emmerson Mnangagwa as a “clueless ideological amoeba.”

Malema also accused Mnangagwa of trampling on the fundamental values of the liberation war.

See statement below:

The Economic Freedom Fighters notes the announcement by Emmerson Mnangagwa the President of Zimbabwe, that his government has taken a decision to compensate the British occupiers of Zimbabwean land who lost their illegitimate rights to Zimbabwean land through the fast track land reform programme.

Mnangagwa announced that they had secured S3.5 billion to pay to British settlers for the loss of ‘their lane. through the Zimbabwean land reform programme and hopes that this will bring closure to the instability brought about by the forced return of Zimbabwean land back to Zimbabwean people. We are of the firm view that Mnangagwa is either deeply misinformed about the real causes of the crisis in Zimbabwe or is simply catapulting to the pressure from the white supremacist world.

Either way, the treasonous act of paying to white settlers money that Zimbabwe does not have will not resolve the crisis in Zimbabwe which is essentially a political crisis resulting from years of mismanagement at the centre of which Mnangagwa features prominently.

It must also be noted that the push for the repossession of the land In Zimbabwe was not initiated by the State. At the time Zimbabwe gained its independence, the framework for land reform was premised on a market-led land reform programme whereby the State with the assistance of Britain, was required to purchase land from white landowners for land redistribution purposes.

This was based on the 1980 Lancaster Agreement, which provided that the government would not engage in compulsory land acquisition and that land distribution would take place subject to the principle of ‘willing buyer willing saner’, whereby the government would ‘pay promptly adequate compensation’ for property.

When this failed to return Zimbabwean land back to Zimbabweans.

It was the ordinary person on the street, together with war veterans, who started forcefully taking back their land in Zimbabwe. This action found a willing political leader in the form of a resolute and ideologically clear Seeder in President Robert Mugabe.

Mnangagwa is now not only pissing on the graves of the many heroic men and women who laid down the lives for the return of Zimbabwean land but he is also desecrating on the legacy of Robert Mugabe from whom he violently took power in an unprincipled coup. This action Is a serious blow to the idea of decolonisation in the continent. It is reminiscent of the forced debt France imposed on Haiti when the Haitians liberated themselves from slavery. wherein France demanded payment for loss of property.

The crisis in Zimbabwe is as a direct consequence of the political ineptitude of the ruling elite there.

Their deeply embedded cronyism and their insatiable desire for theft of public funds.

It has been proven time and again that ordinary Zimbabweans who got the land as a result of the fast track land reform programme are actually working the land and producing at levels that would be much higher if there was a targeted support programme from the State.

Mnangagwa will be remembered as a clueless, ideological amoeba who was prepared to tread on important gains of the struggle in order to be liked by whites.

We deeply condemn this act of betrayal by Mnangagwa and call on ordinary Zimbabweans to reject this wasteful use of money that should be directed towards building hospitals in Zimbabwe.

By A Correspondent| According to Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, at least 60 people were arrested in connection with the 31 July protest and these include Jacob Ngarivhume, Hopewell Chin’ono and Fadzayi Mahere among others.

The human rights group said 16 people were injured and requiring medical attention while calling on authorities to appreciate the fact that peaceful protests are a human right.

“At least 60 people have been arrested ahead of or during #31July protest. They include; Hopewell Chin’ono, Jacob Ngarivhume and Fadzayi Mahere amongst others. 16 people were injured requiring medical attention. Peaceful protest is a human right,” said ZLHR on Twitter.

Police and army forced the shutdown of major cities including Harare, Bulawayo and Gweru among others, to quash the planned protest which the state run media described as a flop.

According to MDC Alliance Deputy National Spokesperson, Clifford Hlatywayo, party National Spokesperson Advocate Fadzai Mahere and six others were granted RTGS5000 Bail this afternoon by Harare magistrate Ngoni Nduna.

Hlatywayo demanded the release of other detained persons including a Chegutu Councillor and other arrested members countrywide.

More to follow….

Harare regional magistrate Ngoni Nduna on Friday adjourned the trial of Harare West legislator Joanna Mamombe (MDC Alliance) and her party colleagues Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova, to August 21.

The three MDC-A activists are accused of participating in an illegal demonstration in Warren Park, Harare, on 13 May this year.

Obey Shava, of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, appearing on behalf of lawyer Alec Muchadehama, told Nduna that the trio’s lawyer was attending a colleague’s funeral.

Shava said a workmate at the firm identified as G Sibanda had died and that some of the lawyers at the firm were working from home as their premises were being deep cleaned for coronavirus.

The MDC-A trio is alleged to have gathered at Choppies Supermarket in Warren Park 1 with other MDC-Alliance youths on 13 May at around 12.30 pm where they staged an illegal demonstration.

-statemedia

A joyride by Kwekwe lovebirds ended in tragedy after their vehicle overturned and landed on its roof resulting in the death of the 39-year-old driver, while his 15-year-old girlfriend sustained serious injuries.

Police confirmed the incident, which occurred in Mbizo 17 on Thursday evening. The deceased has been identified as Steward Macheza.

According to witnesses, Macheza had just bought a second-hand Toyota Alex and decided to take his minor girlfriend on a joyride.

“Macheza left at around 6pm saying he was picking up his girlfriend for a joyride. Unfortunately, they had only covered 300m when the car, which was speeding, skidded resulting in him losing control and the car overturning,” said a witness, Mr Aaron Chikava.

Mr Chikava said residents in the neighbourhood quickly rushed to the scene and tried to assist the two who were trapped. “Unfortunately, Macheza could not make it and died on the spot but the girl (name  supplied) was rushed to the hospital by well-wishers,” he said.

Another eyewitness, who only identified herself as Mrs Hove concurred that the vehicle was speeding and skidding on the narrow road when tragedy struck. “We could see that the driver was very excited judging by the way he was driving,” she said. 

Midlands police spokesperson, Inspector Joel Goko confirmed the accident yesterday.

“The deceased Mr Steward Macheza was driving a white Toyota Alex with a female passenger due north on an open space in Mbizo 17. The driver was skidding and in the process drove over a small ant hill, lost control of the vehicle resulting in it overturning twice before landing on its roof,” he said.

Insp Goko said Kwekwe police traffic attended to the scene but the driver had already died.

“The female passenger was taken to the hospital where she is still admitted,” he said.

-Herald

By A Correspondent- Harare Mayor Herbert Gomba was on Thursday granted $10 000 bail by the Anti-Corruption Court of the High Court following his arrest on criminal abuse of office charges.

Anti-Corruption Court of the High Court judge Justice Felistus Chitakunye, however, banned Gomba from setting foot at Town House and interfering with State witnesses.

Gomba, through his lawyer Lovemore Madhuku, had appealed against a decision by Harare regional magistrate Bianca Makwande to deny him bail.

Makwande had ruled that there was high risk Gomba would interfere with evidence if released on bail.

He was also instructed to report at Glen Norah Police Station every Friday and surrender his passport.

Gomba is alleged to have written a letter that authorised the development of the land he reportedly awarded to Taringana Housing Scheme.

The State alleges that in 2019 Gomba connived with his accomplices, who are yet to be accounted for by police, and altered an approved layout plan belonging to Youth in Business Housing Trust.

As a result, Gomba and his accomplices allegedly converted State land into council land and allocated it to Taringana Housing Scheme.

-statemedia

The High Court in Bulawayo on Saturday ordered the Officer in Charge of CID Law and Order Section in Bulawayo and the Officer Commanding Police in Bulawayo to produce within 72 hours Tawanda Muchehiwa, a citizen who was abducted on Thursday, 30 July 2020.

Nqobani Sithole filed an urgent chamber application before the High Court of Bulawayo on the 31st of July 2020 around 15:00hrs for a habeas corpus of Muchehiwa. He filed the application representing MISA Zimbabwe.

According to MISA Zimbabwe, Muchehiwa is nephew to ZimLive Editor Mduduzi Mathuthu whose home was ransacked by police on the same evening of the 30th of July 2020.

He was arrested by the Police in Mahatshula Suburb in Bulawayo but the police who arrested him later professed ignorance as to his whereabouts.

Muchehiwa was last seen in the custody of the police at Bulawayo Central Police Station after he was separated from Amandlenkosi Mathuthu and Advent Mathuthu whose whereabouts are now known.

High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese declared Muchehiwa’s detention is illegal and unlawful and he must be released forthwith.

Long-time friend Vice President General (Rtd) Constantino Chiwenga recalled his mission school antics with his war-time friend Perrance Shiri bringing some light-hearted moments to the sombre atmosphere.

Watch the Vice President’s remarks below:

By A Correspondent- The deadly Coronavirus has claimed the life of Provincial Intelligence Officer in the Counterintelligence branch of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), Joseph Mbwanyo

He passed away on Friday morning after having tested for Coronavirus.

In the past 7 days Zimbabwe has lost prominent persons including Keith Guzah, Norman Mataruka, Sam Malaba, Perrance Shiri and Colonel Mugwisi.

-online

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe will not be lectured by misinformed and misguided regional parties such as the South African Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on anything as the country is not a province of South Africa.

Responding to a statement issued by EFF, which according to the state media sought to cast aspersions at the recently signed US$3.5 billion Global Compensation Deed (GCD) deal between Government and representatives of former white farmers, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana said the agreement was a fulfilment of constitutional provisions.

“The compensation of the said farmers is in line with the Zimbabwe Constitution, overwhelmingly voted for by the majority of Zimbabweans, political leaders across the divide included.

Specifically, Chapter 16, Section 295 Sub Section 3, as read with Section 72 Sub Section 3 (a), obligates the State to pay compensation for improvements that were on land when such land was acquired,” he said.

Julius Malema’s EFF, which has offered a political home to members of the decapitated G40 faction, who are running away from the long arm of the law, in its statement wrongly claimed that the Government would pay for the land with money that has since been secured but this is far from the truth.

Julius Malema Under the historic agreement, that was sealed at State House on Wednesday, and which puts to rest the land question, both Government and the white former farmers will mobilise financing of the Global Compensation Deed and payment is only for improvements that were made at the farms, not the land.

“Government has not ‘secured’ the US$3.5 billion compensation as again claimed by Malema. Following the signing, both sides will now jointly mount initiatives to raise the funds.

“Any claims contrary to the above-stated facts which are publicly available, point to deliberate misinformation or lack of understanding of the intricate nature of Zimbabwe’s land history,” said Mr Mangwana.

The Permanent Secretary reminded the EFF that President Mnangagwa “is well aware of the causes of the economic challenges bedevilling Zimbabwe and does not need to rely on hastily made conclusions by excitable entities that are yet to garner requisite experience in management of such issues”. He said had Malema and his partners used appropriate diplomatic channels, he could have been told the real facts around the historic land deal that has been hailed globally as a milestone.

“Government also takes offence at the uncouth but unsurprising attacks on the person of President Mnangagwa by Malema who appears to be under the illusion that vulgarity is an ideology. We therefore wish to remind Mr Malema that Zimbabwe is not a province of South Africa or one of his shacks and he should leave Zimbabweans to deal with Zimbabwean issues.

“While Zimbabwe welcomes any counsel from its neighbours, Government is of the view that Malema, as one of the opposition leaders in South Africa, is better occupied tackling challenges in his own country rather than pronouncing himself on matters he is not well versed with in Zimbabwe,” he said Commenting on the same issue, Zanu-PF director for Information and Publicity Tafadzwa Mugwadi said Malema has no moral ground to talk about Zimbabwe.

“Mr Julius Malema or marema, whatever is the proper pronunciation, has no moral ground to poke his nose and uncircumcised mouth on matters of Zimbabwe, which he is historically, foundationally and contemporarily unschooled on. It is not only surprising but absolute hogwash that while our Zimbabwean indigenous farmers who benefited from the land reform itself are yet to comment, Mr Malema and his moribund group of provocateurs, desperate of waning domestic traction in SA politics, think that Zimbabwe is a readily available vantage from which to revive fading fortunes.

“As a candid reminder, Mr Malema has never dealt with nor can he claim any experience in empirical management of decolonisation processes to which land is the nuclei. Until he can give us a single exemplary EFF beneficiary of land reform in his own society, then we have neither parlance nor parity with him or his outfit,” said Mugwadi.

He said by accommodating political misfits in the form of former G40 functionaries, and becoming their puppet, Malema will soon meet his Waterloo just as did the former. Zimbabwe is one of the few countries in the world that has successfully given land back to the majority, while in neighbouring countries the black majority continue to coax a living on the economic margins.

-statemedia

The Namibian government has flighted the following advert which appeared in the local press in Namibia.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES CALL FOR APPLICATIONS OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

The Ministry herewith invites applications of registered Health Professionals: Medical Officers, Specialists, Physiotherapists, Audiologists, Dentists, Epidemiologists, Surveillance Officers, Occupational Therapists, Radiographers, Pharmacists, Medical Rehabilitation Workers, Orthopaedic Technologists, Speech Therapists, Social Workers, Environmental Health Practitioners, Laboratory Technicians, Registered Nurses and Enrolled Nurses to submit applications for employment at various Public Health Facilities in Namibia.

– – – Buy NetOne, Telecel Airtime on WhatsApp using EcoCash.
Send the word Airtime to +263 714 815 229
No extra charges. – – –

Applications can be submitted at the Regional Human Resource Management Offices, Ministry of Health 6r Social Services or emailed [email protected] or [email protected]  Human Resource Management Office, National Level. Tel no. 264 61-2032181 / 4

The above-mentioned applications should reach the Ministry on or by 30 August 2020

ZimEye interviewed a witness in the ZBC footage that circulated on Social Media showing the arrest of the MDC Alliance Trio of Joana Mamombe, Netsai Marowa and Cecilia Chepiri who were arrested as they were going to report to the police as part of their bail conditions.

The man who gave an eye witness account that the soldiers did not assault any of the ladies was identified as Lonias Rozvi who is alleged to be a member of ZANU Infomation Department.

The development raised the question if the national broadcaster paid the witnesses to say the MDC Trio was not assaulted by law enforcement agents.

Watch the live video loading below…

ZUPCO hikes fares with immediate effect.

Notice is hereby given to public that ZUPCO will review its fare charges with effect from 1 August 2020.

The new fares will be as follows.
Local Routes (1-20 km radius)
Kombis-ZW$16
Buses-ZW$8

Long Distance and Peri Urban will be charged at ZW$2 per km.

By A Correspondent- Midlands Provincial Deputy registrar Mr Andrew Mpambo on Thursday succumbed to COVID-19, The Chronicle reports.

Mpambo who reportedly succumbed to the disease while he was admitted at Gweru Provincial Hospital was buried yesterday under the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.

His death was confirmed by Midlands Provincial Medical Director Dr Reginald Mhene  who said:

I can confirm that Mr Mpambo died of COVID-19

Mpambo’s house and the Midlands Registrar General’s office was disinfected following his death.

-Statemedia

By A Correspondent- A teenage girl will rue the day she decided to go on a joyride with her 39-year-old lover after they were involved in an accident that claimed the man’s life and left her seriously injured.

The accident which occurred on Thursday night in Mbizo 17 in Kwekwe was confirmed by the police and the deceased was identified as Steward Macheza. Midlands police spokesperson, Inspector Joel Goko said:

The deceased Mr Steward Macheza was driving a white Toyota Alex with a female passenger due north on an open space in Mbizo 17. The driver was skidding and in the process drove over a small ant hill, lost control of the vehicle resulting in it overturning twice before landing on its roof.

Eyewitnesses that spoke to the publication about the incident said Macheza has bought a new car and he had decided to take his lover on a joyride.

Macheza left at around 6pm saying he was picking up his girlfriend for a joyride. Unfortunately, they had only covered 300m when the car, which was speeding, skidded resulting in him losing control and the car overturning.

Unfortunately, Macheza could not make it and died on the spot but the girl  was rushed to the hospital by well-wishers.

Another eyewitness said Macheza was clearly excited about his car judging by the way he was driving. The girl sustained serious injuries and is still hospitalised since the accident.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Energy and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi has nullified the suspension of ZESA Holdings board members by the board’s executive chairman Sydney Gata.

Gata suspended all the eight ZESA board members after Chasi last week gave the Zesa Holdings board five days to initiate investigations into allegations of corruption and mismanagement against the embattled executive chairman.

Speaking to State media on Friday, Chasi said the move by Gata was a legal nullity and vowed to end the “irrationality” prevailing at the parastatal.

Said Chasi:

Government is deeply concerned by the allegations made against him and his complete disdain for corporate governance, Governmental authority and more importantly, the importance of Zesa in the economy.

His purported firing of the board, which itself is a legal nullity, suggests simply that the wheels have come off.

The Government and the board are taking all necessary steps to ensure that the prevailing irrationality is quickly curtailed.

Gata had earlier issued a statement in which he purportedly suspended the other board members, threatening that several corruption-related arrests were looming, including of board members and senior managers.

Meanwhile, investigations against Gata started last week following allegations that he may have allocated for his personal use five ZESA vehicles over and above his official Mercedes Benz, among other misdemeanours.

-statemedia

Watch the live video loading below…..

By A Correspondent- A 27 year old truck driver was arrested in Masvingo on charges of smuggling cough syrup Broncleer (bronco) which has a street value of US$2.5 Million from South Africa. Bronco is used as a recreational drug by some people in Zimbabwe.

It is the state’s case that:

On July 28, Denis Norman Gwangava of Redcliff, who is employed as a driver by a South African registered company G and H Transport, was arrested by police following a tip off.

Detectives from CID Drugs and Narcotics received information that Gwangava had smuggled the cough syrup using his haulage truck which was towing two trailers.

At the Masvingo turn-off in Beitbridge, police intercepted the truck and escorted it to the police station where a search was conducted leading to the recovery of 12 500x 100ml bottles of the cough syrup, which is a medicine containing Codeine, which are controlled and restricted.

The cough syrup was taken to Beitbridge District Hospital Pharmacy for examination and the report is an exhibit, which will be produced in court.

Gwangava appeared before Beitbridge magistrate Toyindepi Zhou facing charges of contravening the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act Chapter 15:03, Zhou remanded him out of custody $15 000 bail.

-statemedia

Watch the live video loading below……

Health workers should put the nation first in the fight to contain Covid-19, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said Friday at the burial of the late national hero Perrance Shiri, who succumbed to Covid-19 on Wednesday at the age of 65.

Mnangagwa said Zimbabweans should draw lessons from the late liberation war commander who selflessly served his country with distinction until the very end.

This comes as some health workers have been withdrawing their labour, seeking higher salaries and better personal protective equipment, although this is now flowing in. However, the President, who acknowledged their grievances, said amid a global pandemic, saving lives was paramount and should come first.

“We must stop the scourge of Covid-19, itself a global pandemic. It spares no one, great or small. All nations of the world are suffering from its impact, with figures of infections and deaths rising daily. In unity and through discipline, we stand a chance to save our nation from its menace.

“I call on our medical staff to act in the national interest and exhibit a great sense of responsibility. My Government hears your cries, listens to your concerns. But the time to serve is now. Your grievances, which we acknowledge and continue to address, cannot be enjoyed at the expense of loss of life. When the pandemic spreads and the death toll rises, there are no winners, none at all. Tinopera tese kufa,” he said.

He called upon Zimbabweans to stay at home, wear masks, maintain good hygiene and practice social distancing to curb the spread of Covid-19 that has infected close to 20 million people globally. Zimbabwe has recorded more than 3 000 positive cases with 53 deaths by Thursday night.

“Let us draw lessons from the illustrious life of our national hero Shiri. We need peace, peace, perfect peace, for national development. Let us shun strife, violence and disunity. Proponents of such divisive and ruinous acts must be rejected and exposed”.

The President said for the country to achieve its set goals, that include devolution and decentralisation, there is a need for unity of purpose in “harmony and love”.

“Along many who lie interred here at our National Shrine, Shiri and those of us who are survivors and from our armed struggle, know the meaning of war and strife, indeed know the priceless value of national peace and unity,” he said.

In war and in conflict, people die and suffer; in peace and in unity, nations and peoples prosper. Both from our history, and from the numerous examples of contemporary African experiences, we must, as Zimbabweans, continue on the path of peace, entrenching peace, choosing peace and national unity, over war, divisions and instability,” he said.

Shiri, who was born Bigboy Benjamin Samson Chikerema, joined the liberation struggle in 1973, the late national hero led from the front in the war against settler subjugation.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Villagers in Makakhavhule area in Ward 6 here are panicking after a 51-year man who illegally returned from South Africa died and they suspect he was infected with Covid-19.

The local Covid-19 taskforce is now conducting investigations into the case. It is reported that the man returned from Musina, South Africa, by paddling across the Limpopo River.

A source said the man had been staying in South Africa for the last three weeks until his return on Thursday evening.

“He arrived around 9 pm and was ferried from the crossing point with eight other border jumpers by a local transporter,” said the source.

“Upon arrival at his house at Makakhavhule Primary school, he started complaining of chest pains. His relative then notified health authorities who upon arrival found him already dead. The matter was referred to the Covid-19 Taskforce for further management”.

Beitbridge District Civil Protection Unit chairperson, Mrs Sikhangazile Mafu-Moyo who also leads the local Covid-19 taskforce, said the death was now under investigation.

“Yes we received such a report and officials from the Ministry of Health and Child Care are seized with investigations into that death,” she said.

The Herald is reliably informed that authorities are now tracing the man’s contacts who live in the same village. The Herald is reliably informed that authorities are now tracing the man’s contacts who live in the same village.

The incident comes a few days after two brothers who tested positive for Covid-19 escaped from isolation in Beitbridge and went to Madaulo village in the same district where they infected eight children aged under 15.

The smuggling of people and goods has drastically increased at Zimbabwe and South Africa’s borderline after the only land border (Beitbridge) was closed to non-essential human traffic to contain the spread of Covid-19.

However, many people wanting to avoid the mandatory quarantine are now snealing across the river at River Ranch, Tshivhara, Panda Mine, Mai Maria, Gate 2, and Musetshe area.

-statemedia

By MISA Zimbabwe| Nqobani Sithole has filed an urgent chamber application before the High Court of Bulawayo on the 31st of July 2020 around 15:00hrs for a habeas corpus of Tawanda Muchehiwa. He filed the application representing MISA Zimbabwe. 

Tawanda Muchehiwa’s whereabouts are unknown following his arrest by the Police in Mahatshula Suburb in Bulawayo on the 30th of July 2020.

The police that arrested him are professing ignorance as to his whereabouts hence this application before the court. Muchehiwa is nephew to ZimLive Editor Mduduzi Mathuthu whose home was ransacked by police on the same evening of the 30th of July 2020 and his sister was also detained in the process.

Other relatives of Mathuthu that were arrested with Muchehiwa are Amandlenkosi Mathuthu and Advent Mathuthu whose whereabouts are now known. The 1st and 2nd respondents in the matter are Officer In Charge of CID Law and Order Section Bulawayo and the Officer Commanding Police Bulawayo Province respectively.

The applicant contends that Muchehiwa was last seen in the custody of the police at Bulawayo Central Police Station after he was separated from his two aforementioned relatives upon arrival at the station.

Sithole indicated that Muchehiwa’s right to liberty, protection and benefit of the law is being violated and in order to stop the police from continuing with that violation the effective remedy is a habeas corpus. A habeas corpus is an order that seeks to have a detainee who has disappeared under the custody of the police be brought before the court and released unless lawful grounds exist for his continued detention.

The matter has been set down for today, August 1, 2020 at 10:00hrs before Justice Makonese.

Former ZANU PF youth leader, Godfrey Tsenengamu who is also one of the organizers of the 31 July anti-corruption demonstration has taken to social media to mock the police for ‘standing in solidarity with the people’ after they were deployed to thwart any protests in all surbubs and the Central Business District of Harare.

Posting on Facebook, Tsenengamu said, “We are very grateful to our ‘boys in uniform’ for coming out in solidarity and in full force in every street and ghetto to protest on our behalf the unarmed citizens. You are representing us well even in the CBD. Keep it up. Spend the day with us. People Power.”

SECURITY UPDATE BY ZIMBABWE REPUBLIC POLICE

The Zimbabwe Republic Police applauds Zimbabweans for the peaceful environment which characterized all parts of the country today.

No reports of violence were received by the police and security services as they continued to conduct patrols, roadblocks and checkpoints to ensure safety, security and health of Zimbabweans.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has arrested five (05) people in Harare, Bulawayo, and Chegutu for trying to incite the public to engage in illegal demonstrations while carrying placards written various political messages meant to cause public disorder.

Those arrested include Tsitsi Dangarembwa, and a white person who were carrying placards along Borrowdale Road in Harare, Mzingaye Matthew Thaka in Bulawayo, Edward Dzeka, an MDC Alliance Councilor for Ward 9, Chegutu, and other suspects namely Lloyd Kashiri (41), Nkulumani Matoboto (35) and Isheanesu Chimunyemba (26). The three were also arrested in Chegutu.

The public is urged to continue observing peace and to report anyone who engages in any form of criminality to the police.

[NYATHI. P] Assistant Commissioner

Senior Staff Officer (Press, Public and International Relations]

To the Commissioner-General of Police Police General Headquarters

Junior doctors have demanded a massive salary hike of up to ZWL$156 000 per month inclusive of various allowances.

In a letter dated 29 July 2020 and addressed to the Health Services Board (HSB), Board Chairperson Paulinus Sikhosana, the Progressive Doctors Association of Zimbabwe (PDAZ) said the pay hike will avert a crisis. They said

This letter serves as a follow-up to our meeting on the 28th of July 2020 where it was agreed upon that we forward the net income figures we would consider fair for junior doctors.

Here is what PDAZ considers to be reasonable:

• Basic Salary: ZWL$30 000
• Transport: ZWL$11 000
• Housing: ZWL$15 000
• On-Call: ZWL$80 000
• Risk Allowance: ZWL$20 000
• Total: ZWL$156 000

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) yesterday arrested MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzai Mahere and six other activists on allegations of inciting public violence after they were found wielding placards at a shopping centre in Harare.

Another MDC Alliance activist, Cecilia Chimbiri was arrested in the central business district (CBD) after she allegedly insulted law enforcement agencies who were at a checkpoint.

Police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests of Mahere and her fellow activists last night.

He said Mahere was arrested together with activists who include, Jessca Drury, Simon Drury, Tinashe Murapata, Nyasha Musandi, Jaser Lotter, Tinotendwa Muswe.

“Mahere and her accomplices were arrested at Groombridge Shopping Centre in Mount Pleasant after they were found wielding placards aimed at inciting an illegal demonstration and public violence. All the accused persons are being held with the Law and Order section where they are assisting police’s with investigations,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

He said Chimbiri, who was accompanied by Harare West legislator Joana Mamombe, was arrested after she displayed disorderly conduct at a police security check point in central Harare.

Chimbiri and Mamombe were coming from the Harare Magistrates Courts where they were appearing on a different case.

“In respect of Chimbiri, the police recorded necessary documents before releasing her. She is likely to be taken to court next Tuesday,” said Ass Comm Nyathi.

The police were on top of the situation as the situation in and around Harare was calm.

State Media

ACTING Midlands Provincial Deputy Registrar, Mr Andrew Mpambo succumbed to Covid-19 and was buried yesterday in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.

Mr Mpambo becomes the fourth Covid-19 victim in the Midlands province.

On Tuesday, Government declared Gweru, the Midlands Provincial capital as a Covid-19 hotspot together with Bulawayo and Harare as local transmissions surge.

Government said the Covid-19 hotspots will be analysed with a view to implementing stricter lockdown measures so as to ensure behaviour change.

Mr Mpambo who died on Thursday, was admitted to Gweru Provincial Hospital.

He was buried in line with strict Covid-19 pandemic rules at a private cemetery along the Gweru-Chiwundura Road.

Following Mr Mpambo’s death, Midlands Covid-19 Rapid Response team led by Midlands Provincial Medical Director Dr Reginald Mhene and Gweru Provincial Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Fabian Mashingaidze went to the Provincial Registrar’s offices and addressed workers before offices were disinfected.

Mr Mpambo’s house at the Old Prison Complex was also disinfected.

Dr Mhene confirmed the passing on of Mr Mpambo saying he was admitted to Gweru Provincial Hospital.

“I can confirm that Mr Mpambo died of Covid-19,” he said.

Dr Mhene said Mr Mpambo started showing symptoms of Covid-19 after returning from his rural home in Bikita where he had gone to attend a funeral.

He said they have since asked the Rapid Response team there to start contact tracing for people who attended the same funeral while locally they are tracing those Mr Mpambo was in contact with.

Ms Agnes Gambura, the Midlands Provincial Registrar said they had lost a committed and experienced hard worker.

State Media

A joyride by Kwekwe lovebirds ended in tragedy after their vehicle overturned and landed on its roof resulting in the death of the 39-year-old driver, while his 15-year-old girlfriend sustained serious injuries.

Police confirmed the incident, which occurred in Mbizo 17 on Thursday evening. The deceased has been identified as Steward Macheza.

According to witnesses, Macheza had just bought a second-hand Toyota Alex and decided to take his minor girlfriend on a joyride.

“Macheza left at around 6pm saying he was picking up his girlfriend for a joyride. Unfortunately, they had only covered 300m when the car, which was speeding, skidded resulting in him losing control and the car overturning,” said a witness, Mr Aaron Chikava.

Mr Chikava said residents in the neighbourhood quickly rushed to the scene and tried to assist the two who were trapped. “Unfortunately, Macheza could not make it and died on the spot but the girl (name supplied) was rushed to the hospital by well-wishers,” he said.

Another eyewitness, who only identified herself as Mrs Hove concurred that the vehicle was speeding and skidding on the narrow road when tragedy struck.

“We could see that the driver was very excited judging by the way he was driving,” she said.

Midlands police spokesperson, Inspector Joel Goko confirmed the accident yesterday.

“The deceased Mr Steward Macheza was driving a white Toyota Alex with a female passenger due north on an open space in Mbizo 17. The driver was skidding and in the process drove over a small ant hill, lost control of the vehicle resulting in it overturning twice before landing on its roof,” he said.

Insp Goko said Kwekwe police traffic attended to the scene but the driver had already died.

“The female passenger was taken to the hospital where she is still admitted,” he said.

HARARE Mayor Herbert Gomba, who is facing criminal abuse of office charges, was on Thursday granted $10 000 bail by the Anti-Corruption Court of the High Court, but has been banned from setting foot at Town House and dealing with municipal officials, meaning he will find it almost impossible to continue mayoral duties.

He was appealing against a decision by Harare regional magistrate Mrs Bianca Makwande to deny him bail after she found that there was high risk he would interfere with evidence if released.

Through his lawyer Professor Lovemore Madhuku, Gomba appealed for bail at the higher court. Anti-Corruption Court of the High Court judge Justice Felistus Chitakunye granted the application by Gomba and freed him on $10 000, but banned him from setting foot at Town House and banned him from interfering with State witnesses.

He has to report at Glen Norah Police Station every Friday and surrender his travel documents.

In denying Gomba bail, the regional magistrate ruled that should the State prove that he was the author of a letter that gave green light to development of the land he allegedly awarded to Taringana Housing Scheme, chances of a prison term were high.

Charges against Gomba arose last year, when he allegedly connived with his accomplices, who are yet to be accounted for by police, and altered an approved layout plan belonging to Youth in Business Housing Trust.

In doing so, Gomba and his accomplices, allegedly converted State land into council land and allocated it to Taringana Housing Scheme, with the same plan number that was allocated to Youths in Business Trust.

It is alleged, Gomba, in his capacity as the ceremonial mayor, originated a memorandum dated February 18, 2020 saying that the Plan for Taringana Housing Scheme had been approved and council should survey the land.

The court heard that the letter was misleading and inaccurate since the same plan had been issued and approved by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to the Youths in Business Housing Scheme.
Plans to proceed with change had been set aside by the Town Clerk, but Gomba disregarded such advice, a court heard.

The State alleges that Gomba acted beyond his powers as a ceremonial mayor.

The Environmental Management Agency inspected the land and noted that 40 percent of it was a wetland and recommended that this section be excluded from permitted development.

But Gomba allegedly went ahead to demarcate the wetland, in violation of the agency recommendations.

His actions were said to have shown favour to Taringana Housing Trust and disfavour to Youths in Business Housing Scheme.

Health workers should put the nation first in the fight to contain Covid-19, President Mnangagwa said on Friday when assuring them that Government was attending to their grievances.

In a moving speech at the burial of the late Perrance Shiri, who succumbed to Covid-19 on Wednesday at the age of 65, Mnangagwa said Zimbabweans should draw lessons from the late liberation war commander who selflessly served his country with distinction until the very end.

This comes a majority of health workers have been withdrawing their labour, seeking higher salaries and better personal protective equipment. However, Mnangagwa, who acknowledged their grievances, said amid a global pandemic, saving lives was paramount and should come first.

“We must stop the scourge of Covid-19, itself a global pandemic. It spares no one, great or small. All nations of the world are suffering from its impact, with figures of infections and deaths rising daily. In unity and through discipline, we stand a chance to save our nation from its menace.

“I call on our medical staff to act in the national interest and exhibit a great sense of responsibility. My Government hears your cries, listens to your concerns. But the time to serve is now. Your grievances, which we acknowledge and continue to address, cannot be enjoyed at the expense of loss of life. When the pandemic spreads and the death toll rises, there are no winners, none at all. Tinopera tese kufa,” the President said.

He called upon Zimbabweans to stay at home, wear masks, maintain good hygiene and practice social distancing to curb the spread of Covid-19 that has infected close to 20 million people globally.

Zimbabwe has recorded more than 3 000 positive cases with 53 deaths by Thursday night.