The head of government business in Parliament, Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi while responding to Bulawayo East MP Ilos Nyoni’s question in Parliament this week said the government had no plans of abandoning the Zimbabwe dollar which has greatly depreciated in value since its infamous debut on 24 June 2019.

Nyoni had asked if the government was aware that people were now preferring the USD to the depreciating Zimbabwe dollar.

Ziyambi said:
Government has no desire to abandon the Zimdollar. The MP is aware that when COVID-19 came, the Minister of Finance allowed the use of free funds.

There was no pronouncement to say that we are going back to the US dollar that we do not produce. Our desire is to stabilise our currency so that the earnings of our people are not eroded. At no point are we going to abandon the idea of our currency.

The Minister repeated the same answer when Tendai Biti asked him:

The Ministry of Transport through Statutory Instrument 161/2020 has announced that all vehicle number plates must be paid for in US dollars, and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe through its auction floors is trading in foreign currency and has obliged all shops to display prices in US dollars and local currency and so are we going to officially dollarise?”- NewsDay

Dear Editor. This is Warren Hills, the burial of a covid victim without a coffin pic.twitter.com/1TCmbOkAst

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) July 17, 2020

By Fanuel Chinowaita Kasiyamhuru| Today is one of the darkest day as i heard the untimely death of Kerine Murwira.

Kerine was my sister and a comrade in the Movement for Democratic Change.

She died today due to serious headache.

It is very painful that I will not be able to attend her funeral due to long distance and Lockdown.

Anyway, let me take this time to say very little things I know about Kerine. When it comes to politics, she was steadfast and so principled.

She is someone I always consulted and her advices made me strong. She always said, “usazviise muhana sterek mwana waMai, let’s soldier on kusvika Zimbabwe yasununguka.”

Her presence made the struggle real and stronger. She was a force in Manicaland and Zimbabwe as a whole.

You will always be remembered Keri.

Pese peairwara aindiudza kuti mwana waMai ndarwara, but this time she did not say any word. The last time I talked to her she said, “mwana waMai ita plan and see how I can reach that side.” Sad, she just go without saying good bye!!!

Nguva iyi yandirwadza.

To Tyne, please take care of Kupa and Nenyasha. To our lovely and caring mother, be strong….chemai netariro…chengetaiwo vazukuru vemasiirwa naKerine.

Rest in Power Kerine. We will meet again.

By A Correspondent- A Harare man died from COVID-19 Friday in Glaudina suburb, Harare, ZimEye can exclusively reveal.

The man, who worked at a local sugar refinery company died at his home where he was recuperating in self quarantine.

The sugar refinery company where he was working has reportedly closed and sent all it’s workers to a local health institution for COVID 19 tests and self quarantine following this incident.

Neighbours had to break the windows of the house where the man was staying after his wife who is in Bulawayo asked a neighbour to check on her husband whom she said was not picking up her calls since Thursday.

Said the source:

“Everyone was equally afraid to get closer to the corpse because he was a COVID-19 known case. So when the community members broke the windows, no-one got close to the corpse for fear of contracting the virus.”

The source narrated how the community tried in vain to call the publicised COVID 19 toll free numbers.

“We called the numbers that were publicised by the Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa but no one was picking up the call. We tried it for over 2 hours while some of the community members went to report the death at a local police station.”

The source said they went to Dzivarasekwa police station where they noted that the police were not properly equipped to deal with COVID-19 deaths.

“They had a car but no fuel to start with. What was even baffling is that the police officers had no PPEs so most of the police details were reluctant to attend to the corpse.”

The source told this publication that the officer in charge at Dzivarasekwa police station assisted the community members to contact City of Harare’s rapid response team who quickly attended to the dead man.

However, the City of Harare did not fumigate the house where the man died.

Added one Masunda:

“Nothing was done to fumigate the house and they just collected the body and left. We engaged Dr Prosper Chonzi who was very rude to us.

He told us that the City of Harare does not have the capacity to fumigate the house and that there was nothing that they can do. He even said we should stop troubling him as he had received over a 100 calls from concerned residents.

Dr Chonzi’s conduct is not reflective of a public official. He is an arrogant man who should just call it quits becuase he does not have the skills to deal with the public. Rather than giving us the way forward, he was just very rude.”

Efforts to get a comment from Dr Chonzi were futile by the time of writing.

By A Correspondent| Hundreds of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries followers recently besieged their leader Prophet Walter Magaya’s  offices in Cape Town, South Africa, demanding refunds following a botched stands deal.

The followers said they wanted their money back since nothing had materialised three years after paying deposits.

Through Planet Africa, the investment arm of Prophet Magaya’s church, the followers were asked to pay varying deposits into a housing scheme.

In a grey agreement of sale, the investors (who are named as partners in the agreement) were informed that the stands’ sizes and prices were to vary and would be determined after the sub-division of the land.

-Statemedia

By A Correspondent- Harare’s Glaudina suburb has recorded another COVID-19 death, ZimEye can exclusively reveal.

The man, who worked at a local sugar refinery company died Friday morning at his home where he was recuperating in self quarantine.

Neighbours had to break the windows of the house where the man was after his wife who is in Bulawayo asked a neighbour to check on her husband whom she said was not picking up her calls since yesterday.

Said the source:

“Everyone was equally afraid to get closer to the corpse because he was a COVID-19 known case. So when the community members broke the windows, no-one got close to the corpse for fear of contracting the virus.”

The source narrated how the community tried in vain to call the publicised COVID 19 toll free numbers.

“We called the numbers that were publicised by the Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa but no one was picking up the call. We tried it for over 2 hours while some of the community members went to report the death at a local police station.”

The source said they went to Dzivarasekwa police station where they noted that the police were not properly equipped to deal with COVID-19 deaths.

“They had a car but no fuel to start with. What was even baffling is that the police officers had no PPEs so most of the police details were reluctant to attend to the corpse.”

The source told this publication that the officer in charge at Dzivarasekwa police station assisted the community members to contact City of Harare’s rapid response team who quickly attended to the dead man.

However, the City of Harare did not fumigate the house where the man died.

Added one Masunda:

“Nothing was done to fumigate the house and they just collected the body and left. We engaged Dr Prosper Chonzi who was very rude to us.

He told us that the City of Harare does not have the capacity to fumigate the house and that there was nothing that they can do. He even said we should stop troubling him as he had received over a 100 calls from concerned residents.

Dr Chonzi’s conduct is not reflective of a public official. He is an arrogant man who should just call it quits becuase he does not have the skills to deal with the public. Rather than giving us the way forward, he was just very rude.”

Efforts to get a comment from Dr Chonzi were futile by the time of writing.

Watch the live video loading below……

Public statement by Jesus Revelation Ministries: An update of the accident involving Apostle T F Chiwenga and colleagues which happened on the 13th of July 2020 in Norton around 1930 hours.

We seek to notify the whole family of Jesus Revelation Ministries in Zimbabwe and abroad, the Nation of Zimbabwe at large, and the whole world in general, that Apostle T F Chiwenga and the two brethren were involved in a car accident on 13 July 2020 at around 1930 hours while travelling from Harare along Bulawayo road. The accident happened at 3.8 kilometer-peg before Norton tollgate. Apostle T F Chiwenga was driving in a Land Rover Discovery 4 and was intercepted into a head on collision by a Mercedes Benz Sedan with registration number plate AED 7059 which emerged against the one-way traffic. The evidence on the scene shows a dismal collision steered by the driver of the Mercedes Benz which was travelling against the one-way traffic in the highway.

Apostle T F Chiwenga was quickly taken from the scene of the accident and rushed to the hospital by a well-wisher.

After receiving information about the accident, we tasked a team to visit the scene and came up with details of what could have probably transpired. To clarify our position, attached to this statement is a diagrammatic representation and pictures. Our statement is also supported by interviews of the persons involved in the accident.

According to the sketch diagram attached along with this statement, it shows a deliberate, well-calculated intentional plan to murder Apostle Chiwenga in a brutal car crush. While the possible intension was to cause the vehicle in which Apostle Chiwenga was travelling in to veer out of the way unto a possible plunge or overturn, instead there was a head-on collision. It is reported that the casualty resulted in the unfortunate death of two people who were in the Mercedes Benz while the other one was critically injured. By the time of the report we are not sure of the condition. The Ministry sincerely sympathizes with the bereaved families and relatives of the deceased following the sad passing on of their loved ones.

Further to our observation, Apostle T F Chiwenga and the two colleagues who were involved in the collision testified that they realized that their vehicle was being stalked by a Toyota Hilux from Kuwadzana roundabout. The same vehicle overtook them moments before the incident and is labelled in the diagram as car D. The vehicle involved in the head-on labelled as car B was travelling against the one-way and had its lights switched off. The vehicle only appeared within an estimated 20 meters distance. According to Apostle, there was another vehicle (Car C in the diagram) travelling adjacent to Car A at the time of the impact, making it difficult to avoid an eminent head-on.
All this evidence has compelled us to believe that this fatal collision was not natural but it was a skimmed project.
Our concern as Jesus Revelation Ministries is the deliberate delay, concealment and holding back of the release of the information about the accident by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). Also, there are certain media houses and journalist who have partially released details of the accident without other important details including the names of those who died from the head-on collision caused by a car travelling against a one-way. On the contrary, on 12 June 2019, when Apostle Chiwenga was involved in an almost similar car accident in which three brethren from Jesus Revelation Ministries passed on, the police urgently released the details of the victims and circumstances of the accident within an hour. We expected ZRP to give the full details of the account as is their norm.
As Jesus Revelation Ministries, we are not surprised by the developments of this planned murder as preempted in the public statement by Apostle T F Chiwenga exposing an operation by the government to abduct and murder him. The details of the statement made on the 10th of July 2020 and published on the 11th of July 2020 are available on the following link. https://youtu.be/tNUNerwmGa4 The murder attempt happened barely three days after the statement. Further to that, Apostle T F Chiwenga was being stalked ten days before the unfortunate man-made disaster, and the complaint is echoed in Apostle Chiwenga’s sermons preached in the past six months.
The sentiments in the State media of late as also reiterated by the President in his Party’s Politburo meeting address were threatening and in some instances Apostle T F Chiwenga’s name was mentioned among people they accused of inciting violence and uproar. Such information coupled with the evidence on the scene made it difficult for us to believe that the State is not involved.

Jesus Revelation Ministries is aware of the State’s targeted campaign to attack Apostle T F Chiwenga and Jesus Revelation Ministries because of the bold rebuke and counsel against sin, corruption, and all manner of evil doings without respecting persons. (John 16 v 7-9, Ezekiel 2 v 6-7, Acts 10 v 34-35, Romans 2 v 11)
However, the gospel is not preached on man’s terms but God speaks to his creatures using his own choice vessels in His manner and fashion. (Daniel v 4 v 34-35)
We call on the nation of Zimbabwe, civic societies, Human Rights organizations and the International Community to condemn these barbaric acts perpetrated on innocent citizens by our Government.

Brethren all over the world must pray for Apostle T F Chiwenga and the other brethren during these difficult times. In the meanwhile, let people be calm and comforted at heart as the condition of Apostle T F Chiwenga and that of two other brethren is stable and well monitored. Any developments will be communicated.

Thank you

Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga, Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe and the officer-in-charge of St Mary’s Police Station have been jointly ordered to pay over $16 000 to a Chitungwiza woman who was shot by a police officer at a roadblock in 2018.

High Court judge Justice Edith Mushore on July 8 ruled that the trio pay US$16 788,75 for damages to Loveness Chiriseni, the victim of the shooting. Justice Mushore ruled that the police officer who shot Chiriseni was reckless.

She said:

The plaintiff was an unarmed, non-threatening passenger in a vehicle. It is undeniable that the police had no basis per the constitutional provisions to fire a weapon at a civilian target.

If it was his intention to stop the driver of the vehicle from proceeding through the roadblock, he ought to have fired a warning shot into the air.

The police officer deployed unbridled excessive force which was not justifiable and thus failed to exercise his constitutionally imposed duty of care which he owed the plaintiff.

The shooting incident occurred on August 19, 2018, at a police roadblock at the intersection of Seke and Delport Road.

Officers from St Mary’s Police Station, who had mounted the roadblock, fired shots at an unregistered private vehicle which was being driven by one Lloyd Sibanda into town after he had failed to stop.

Chiriseni, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was hit on her right buttock.

She was taken to St Mary’s hospital for treatment and endured out-patient care daily for three months and incurred transport costs, trauma, depression, and anxiety.

Daily News

The writing of this year’s November public examinations will be determined by the extent Zimbabwe contains tCovid-19 infection, legislators heard today.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Cain Mathema said he could not tell with certainty whether students in Grade Seven, and in O-level and A-level forms would write their November examinations, following a decision to defer the reopening of schools for examination classes, originally scheduled for July 28, in light of the rising number of confirmed Covid-19 cases.

The deferment of schools opening by Cabinet this week was part of measures that include postponement of further opening of economic sectors, localised lockdowns in hotspots and more testing in areas where infections are spiking.

Minister Mathema was responding to questions from legislators during the question and answer session in the National Assembly yesterday.

Masvingo Central MP, Cde Edmond Mhere (Zanu-PF), had asked what would become of the pupils due to write examinations this year following the deferment of reopening of schools.

Until very recently, almost all infected people were returning citizens and residents and these infections were discovered in quarantine centres.

But the number of internal infections has been rising in recent weeks, a development that requires strong measures to be taken to deal with the menace.

Responding to another question, Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister, Professor Amon Murwira, said uniform fees would be charged for all tertiary students regardless of whether they were conducting e-learning or were on campus.

Zengeza West MP Mr Job Sikhala had asked if pupils doing e-learning would pay the same fees with those on campus.“Students are not paying for a particular way of learning but are paying for delivery of content. The method of delivery does not matter, whether it is by radio, internet, video, e-learning or on campus,” said Prof Murwira.

Meanwhile, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi reiterated that Zimbabwe will continue to use the Zimbabwean dollar.

“Government has no plans whatsoever to abandon the Zimbabwean dollar. Rather, we are working towards a view that it becomes the sole currency of trading,” said Minister Ziyambi.

Responding to another question, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Deputy Minister, Davison Musabayana, said Government had engaged a local financial institution to help with advancing a loan facility to Zimbabweans abroad who had failed to raise funds to return home due to lockdown-induced challenges.

He said his Ministry was working tirelessly to help those keen to return so much that two staffers from the Ministry had tested positive to Covid-19 while assisting some returnees.

As of 15 July 2020, Zimbabwe had 1 089 confirmed cases, including 395 recoveries and twenty (20) deaths.

In its daily COVID-19 (coronavirus) update, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said:

Twenty-five (25) cases tested positive for COVID-19 today. These include returnees from South Africa (3) and 22 local cases who are isolated.

One (1) of the local cases is a contact of a known confirmed case.

Investigations are underway to establish the source of infection for the remaining 21.

Today 2009 RDT screening tests and 603 PCR diagnostic tests were done. The cumulative number of tests done to date is 95 860 57 236 RDT and 38 624 PCR).

Since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak on 20 March 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 1 089; recovered 395, active cases 674 and 20 deaths.

State Media

Tanzanian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Professor Emmanuel Mbennah says President Emmerson Mnangagwa will deliver Zimbabwe to the promised land because of his clear economic vision, his tough anti-corruption stance and his sound re-engagement drive.

In an interview with State Media, Prof Mbennah, whose country recently became an upper middle class economy, said President Mnangagwa has laid a solid foundation that will make Zimbabwe the Jewel of Africa.

“I really commend President Mnangagwa for the works he is doing. He is focused on the progress of the country, obviously, the challenges are not few, but he is working very hard.

“Some things that I can identify with Tanzania is the ardent fight against corruption. It does not matter who it is. If anyone is found on the wrong side of the law, action is taken, people are arrested and taken to court and that is very much what Tanzania has done especially during the tenure of President Magufuli.”

Corruption, Prof Mbennah said, was a problem in many countries and President Mnangagwa was doing all he could to show his resolve in dealing with the scourge.

Prof Mbennah said it is incumbent upon the country’s populace, including those in the opposition to be united.

“My call to the people of Zimbabwe is to rally behind the President and support him because he means well for the country. He gives his best and success will come and we are already seeing the signs, but people of Zimbabwe including those in the opposition will have to support the President,” he said.

“In Tanzania we have opposition parties, but it is very clear that people in the opposition consider Tanzania first. We may have different ideas and different ideologies, but we are here to give everything to the development of the country.

“My appeal to the people of Zimbabwe is build Zimbabwe, don’t pull it down, you don’t have another Zimbabwe. Building means building, you cannot be destroying one side and say you are building. There are a lot of things I see on social media that are destructive (and) will not take Zimbabwe forward.”

On patriotism, Prof Mbennah said it was obligatory for every Zimbabwean not to speak ill or his or her country. He said Zimbabwe was endowed with a highly-educated populace, hardworking and very intelligent.

“If the people put their heads together Zimbabwe will be a shining star not only in the region, but also internationally. My appeal to Zimbabwe is to keep working hard and for everyone to stand behind the President. The opposition should also contribute towards building Zimbabwe.

“We need to be wise in dealing with those who purport to be our friends. They are only friends because they want to benefit. There are so many good friends that Zimbabwe can count on and not those who are working against the Government,” said Prof Mbennah.

“The efforts of the Second Republic are very clear. Efforts of re-engagement are bearing fruits and most world nations are coming closer to Zimbabwe including the UK. The recent lifting of sanctions against some banks is also a good sign for Zimbabwe”.

Own Correspondent

MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa’s appointment of firebrand lawyer and party politician Fadzayi Mahere as spokesperson of the main opposition has been overwhelmingly endorsed by members of the public.

Mahere, replaced Daniel Molokele at the end of May as part of the opposition chief’s attempts to sharpen the MDC Alliance’s National Standing Committee which is responsible for the day-to-day running of the party.

Although some people considered her a late comer into the MDC fold, having contested the 2018 parliamentary elections as an independent candidate, an overwhelming majority of respondents in a ZimEye.com poll endorsed her appointment.

Below is the result of the poll which puts to rest the debate on whether Chamisa blundered in appointing Mahere.

https://twitter.com/ZimEye/status/1282624096682086401?s=19

State Media

A MEMBER of the human trafficking syndicate which trafficked six women into virtual slavery in Kuwait between 2015 and 2016 by promising them good jobs as maids, was on Monday jailed for 10 years by a Harare magistrate.

James Marodza was jailed by Harare regional magistrate Mrs Bianca Makwande, who convicted him of six counts of human trafficking after trial.

Mrs Makwande said Marodza’s acts infringed on the rights and freedoms of the six women.

Evidence during the trial showed that the six had their passports confiscated by their employers on arrival in Kuwait, that they were forced to work up to 22 hours a day.

They were called “khadama”, which means slave and were prevented from communicating with anyone else, including their families.

Mrs Makwande said the “horrific testimonies” that were given by the six women during Marodza’s trial entailed that some of them will never live a normal life in future.

They were rescued by the Government which had to investigate, help them escape, process temporary travel documents and then arrange for them to fly home.

“The Government had to intervene and send people to investigate on the conditions that the women were living in while in a foreign land,” said Mrs Makwande. “The Government had to make sure that the women returned home by processing temporary travel documents through the embassy.

“This means that he (Marodza) prejudiced the Government and also left the country in the spotlight over the offences.”

Mrs Makwande noted that there was serious violations of the women’s liberties, freedom of association and movement during the time they were enslaved in Kuwait.

“That alone shows the seriousness of the offence that he is facing and it calls for imprisonment,” said Mrs Makwande, before jailing Marodza for 10 years.

The State, led by Mrs Netsai Mushayabasa, proved that between December 2015 and March 2016, Marodza unlawfully and intentionally recruited unsuspecting victims to Kuwait using Facebook and WhatsApp platforms. He misrepresented to the women that housemaids in Kuwait were paid handsomely, before sending them pictures of some girls he said were well paid in the Middle East country.

The victims sent their medical examination certificates and police clearances to Marodza and communication was through a WhatsApp number.

CONSUMERS are expecting the 2020 mid-term fiscal policy review to increase the income-tax-free thresholds and stabilise prices for basic goods and services.

The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted on the terms of spending patterns, with government reallocating resources in order to provide safety nets for vulnerable communities.

With the 2020 mid-term budget review being set for presentation by the minister of finance and economic development, Professor Mthuli Ncube on Thursday, consumers are anticipating treasury will introduce measures to restore buying confidence, price stability and improve disposable incomes.

“Ndozvatamirira kuti tione kuti zvinofamba sei kuitira kuti economy ienderere mberi, mari ngaitenge zvakasiyana siyana,” (we are waiting to see if any measures will be put in place to ensure money retains its buying power) said a consumer.

Some consumers are also expecting reforms to create business-friendly systems that can result in certainty on pricing models.

Clarity regarding currency transactions and exemptions of tax structures is also under the spotlight ahead of the mid-term budget review.

The mid-term fiscal policy review will be presented at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has had its effects in terms of the government’s set economic targets. There are also possibilities that the government will review expenditure estimates, revenue inflows, and economic outlook, among others.

Furthermore, it is being presented when the government is focusing on restoring food security as well as ensuring that most firms get relief packages.

With inflation having eroded most of the macro-economic fundamentals, analysts await to sees how the government will focus on restoring productivity.

However, the key highlight is the current foreign exchange auction system in which the treasury is also being anticipated to provide an impetus as to how it can stabilise overall economic systems.

Generally, consumers being the most heavily hit by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, fiscal authorities are left with nothing apart from relief packages.

State Media

Zanu PF Mashonaland West Province is considering recommending liberation hero status for its former vice chairman, legislator, businessman and indigenisation and economic empowerment activist, Keith Guzah who died at his home in the early hours of yesterday.

He was 57.

Central Committee member and Zvimba South legislator Dr Phillip Chiyangwa said liberation war status will be a befitting honour for the economic empowerment advocate.

“Keith did so much in fighting for black economic empowerment and we are recommending liberation hero status,” he said.

“He also did a lot as vice chairman of the party, Zanu PF. This will not be a new thing because another black economic empowerment proponent Peter Pamire was accorded the same status after his death in 1997.”

“When he contested in the Hurungwe West constituency by-election, I was his campaign manager and funder. He was our vice chairman in the Zanu PF provincial executive. He did a lot for the empowerment of people.”

Guzah participated and won in a fiercely contested Hurungwe West by-election against the then incumbent, but now expelled former Zanu PF provincial chairman Mr Temba Mliswa in 2016.

His daughter Nicole said the death came as a shock to many people, adding that her father died after complaining of having difficulties in breathing.

His body, she said, was taken to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals for further tests to determine the cause of death.

She described her father as a calculative person who had a passion and drive to succeed.

“I don’t have anything concrete about his final moments besides that he was having trouble breathing for the past few weeks and had been tested for Covid-19 twice and the results were negative,” said Nicole.

“Dad was a self-made man who demanded respect and got it because he was determined and very intelligent.”

Zanu PF members and legislators who worked with Guzah in the 8th Parliament expressed shock at his sudden death.

Mourners are gathered at Number 6 Fairview Close, Greendale, Harare.

TWENTY FOURTH POST-CABINET PRESS BRIEFING

14TH JULY 2020

1. ZIMBABWE’S RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK

The Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Inter-Ministerial Task Force on COVID-19, Honourable Vice President K.C.D. Mohadi, presented the weekly Report on the National Response to the COVID-19 Outbreak, which was adopted by Cabinet. Cabinet was informed that, out of the ninety-one thousand one hundred and three (91 103) tests conducted throughout the country, one thousand and thirty-four (1 034) were confirmed COVID-19 positive, compared to the seven hundred and thirty-four (734) cases reported on 6 July, 2020. The number of those who have recovered has increased from the previously reported one hundred and ninety-seven (197) to three hundred and forty-three (343), while deaths have increased from nine (9) to nineteen (19). This leaves the number of active cases at six hundred and seventy-two (672). Bulawayo and Harare Metropolitan Provinces have recorded the highest number of deaths with seven (7) and eight (8) deaths, respectively.Of the one thousand and thirty-four (1 034) confirmed cases, seven hundred and twenty-five (725) were imported from countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and America with returnees from South Africa and Botswana contributing the most cases. This means the total number of locally transmitted cases now stands at three hundred and nine (309) cases.

Cabinet is disturbed by the spike in COVID-19 locally transmitted cases and the number of deaths recorded. To curb the increase in transmissions as well as deaths from COVID-19, the following measures were adopted: (a) that the current lockdown restrictions will be tightened, while localised lockdowns are introduced in hotspot areas and further opening up of the economy is halted; (b)that testing in communities with high cases of local transmission such as Bulawayo will be increased; (c) that the re-opening of schools shall be deferred pending a review of the situation, while the writing of public examinations continues;(d)that private schools that have already opened without permission will be penalized; (e) that Government shall have the sole responsibility for inter-city travel for those that really require to travel especially to seek medical attention; and (f) that two (2) buses will be availed to transport those that test positive from Beitbridge to their respective provincial isolation centres.

Cabinet also noted and approved the ongoing restructuring of the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

Cabinet further noted with concern that some members of some religious sects have gathered in their numbers in Manicaland Province for their yearly retreat, in contravention of COVID-19 regulations that prohibit gatherings of more than fifty (50) people. This poses high risk to the spread of COVID-19. Accordingly, Cabinet directed that the gathering should disperse forthwith.

Let me also take this opportunity to report that His Excellency the President will announce comprehensive measures on the way forward regarding the country’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

2. 2020 MID-TERM BUDGET AND ECONOMIC REVIEW AND UPDATE ON THE STATE OF THE FINANCIAL SECTOR AND MONETARY REFORMS

Cabinet received and approved a presentation from the Minister of Finance and Economic Development on the 2020 Mid-Term Budget and Economic Review and Update on the State of the Financial Sector and Monetary Reforms. Full details of the proposed measures will be made in Parliament on Thursday, 16th July, 2020.

3. EXTENSION OF PERIOD OF PAYING INCENTIVE ON MAIZE DELIVERIES

Cabinet has extended the period over which farmers will receive the 30% incentive for delivering maize to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) from 31st July 2020 to the 31st August 2020. Farmers are urged to liaise with their nearest GMB depots and Agricultural Extension Officers for assistance in the transportation of their produce.

4. PROPOSED STRATEGIES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PHASE II OF THE EASE OF DOING BUSINESS REFORMS

The Ministers of Mines and Mining Development; Energy and Power Development; Local Government and Public Works; and Finance and Economic Development presented to Cabinet on proposed strategies for the implementation of Phase II of the Ease of Doing Business Reforms.

a) Ministry of Mines and Mining Development

The Ministry is finalising amendments to the Mines and Minerals Act to bring the legislation in line with internationally competitive, modern, friendly and supportive law. The amended Act will help enhance investor confidence.

The Ministry is also implementing the Mining Computerised Information Management (cadastre) System (MCIMS) to speed up registration of mining title and minimising disputes through correctly positioning mining titles.

b) Ministry of Energy and Power Development

The Ministry has put in place measures for reducing and standardising connection and application procedures. These include: Standardised reporting from Regions on Reliability indices; Compensation to customers for damaged equipment due to voltage fluctuations; Quality control of customer wiring; and availability of connection material.

c) Ministry of Local Government and Public Works

The Ministry has introduced the following reforms: (a) the Construction Permit is now obtainable within 136 days as opposed to the earlier 208 days; (b) duration of local authorities response to application for construction reduced from 35 to 14 days; (c) One-Stop Shop plan introduced and approval sessions being held twice a week; (d) the number of inspections of stages during construction were reduced from 7 to 4 thereby reducing the overall time and cost of construction. Work to further improve the doing business environment is in progress.

d) Ministry of Finance and Economic Development

The Ministry in consultation with line Ministries and stakeholders has identified the following areas, among others for reform:

Implementation of the Collateral Registry

Lack of immovable collateral security by mainstream lenders remains a major challenge. In order to address this challenge, Government through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has taken initiative to establish a collateral registry for moveable assets, with a view to expanding the range of assets that qualify as collateral security. The movable assets to be used as collateral will include, but not limited to: Agricultural and industrial equipment; inventory and raw materials; vehicles; households items; and agricultural products (livestock, poultry, crops), among others.

Paying Taxes

Paying tax reforms are centred on creating a conducive environment for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises by minimising costs and time spent during payment of tax obligations to the Fiscus.

Trading Across Borders

Trade facilitation is a crucial element in enhancing ease of movement of commercial cargo and travellers. The reforms involve automation, which will enhance efficiency of tax administration. Plans are at an advanced stage on the implementation of an Electronic Single Window system whereby payment of fees, charges, levies for services offered by Agencies are done through the electronic platform.

Creating a Conducive Environment for SMEs

SMEs have the potential of becoming an anchor to growth and development of the economy, through their contribution to employment creation, poverty alleviation, economic empowerment and participation of previously disadvantaged groups, such as women and the youth. The key strategy would be the creation of a conducive environment for the sector through a Simplified Tax Regime.

State Media

The Zimbabwe dollar eased by a modest 4.6 percent to $68.88 from $65.80 in the fourth foreign currency auction yesterday with the range between the top bid and the lowest successful bid falling to $20 as bidders continue to make ever more accurate calculations over pricing.

This growing expertise in price discovery saw the top bid falling to $85, from the $100 in the first auction, $92 in the second and $90 last week. The lowest bid in yesterday’s auction was $40, but the lowest allotted bid was $64.20, with all bidders below that price missing out as higher bidders had exhausted the foreign currency on offer.

Successful bidders pay what they offer, so if they manage to bid below the weighted average and still miss the cut off they get a bargain and if they bid above their currency is more expensive, although their bid is guaranteed to be successful.

The small gap between the lowest allotted bid and the weighted average suggests that most bids were in an even tighter range than the top bid suggests, possibly something like $64.20 to $72.

The total number of successful bids amounted to 230, with another 59 rejected, because they were too low or because bidders had some fault in their bid.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe disqualifies bids that are for goods and services not on the priority import lists, with category 1 imports sharing 70 percent of the available currency and category 2 imports sharing the other 30 percent.

Bidders also have to have cleared by deadline their CD1 export forms and their bills of entry from previous imports and will not be allowed to bid if they have sufficient cash in their foreign currency accounts to meet their desired import payments.

The value of total of bids recovered from US$15.8 million last week to US$18.719 million, while successful bids increased to US$15.98 million, up from US$13.6 million last week.

Increasing demand on the auction is seen as growing confidence in the system.

Economist and advisor to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Eddie Cross, said although the auction managed to meet industry’s foreign currency requirements, banks are still not coming to the party.

“We are disappointed that banks did not come to the market, again. Foreign exchange supply should not be left to the RBZ. We know that banks are trading foreign currency and they should participate in the auction,” he said.

“In terms of today’s (yesterday) auction, we managed to meet all of industry’s requirements, and it’s having an impact. Already you can sense that prices are stabilising.”

The increasing shift of industry players to the auction system has dried out activity on the parallel market, which has also helped to contain inflationary pressures as firms no longer ‘forward price’ their goods and services according to a phantom rate.

Commenting on his Twitter handle, industrialist Busisa Moyo, said the foreign currency auction system should move towards a market-determined rate.

“The auction is still at infancy but needs to gradually move towards a market rate,” he said.

“A framework where demand for Zimbabwe dollars is high — taxes, duties paid in local dollars will create a desire to sell. This framework doesn’t exist at the moment, but it will come.”

In line with indications that at least 70 percent of foreign currency will be allocated to industry, the majority of the hard currency in yesterday’s auction went to raw materials, machinery and equipment. These segments accounted for US$8,63 million.

Retail and distribution accounted (including food and beverages) for US$2,47 million, while consumables (including spares, tyres and electricals) accounted for US$1,41 million, and pharmaceuticals and chemicals accounted for US$1,26 million.

Services (including loans, dividends and disinvestments) accounted for US$900 526, while paper and packaging accounted for US$761 500, and fuel, electricity and gas accounted for US$528 200.

Prices of goods and services are expected stabilise in the short-term before declining in the medium to long-term, industrialists and economic analysts have said.

President Mnangagwa has noticed that price stability was now returning and few items have risen in price in the last three weeks with the first price reductions, albeit modest, now being seen.

“As Government, we envisage a situation where foreign currency resources and raw materials are improved for the productive sector as this will result in increased availability and affordability of goods as well as the creation of jobs,” said the President.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers Association president, Mr Denford Mutashu, told The Herald that the foreign currency auction system had started well with manufacturers, suppliers and the retail sector accessing a huge chuck of forex.

“We are quite happy with the current price stability on the market that has seen some prices of commodities such as bread being reduced,” he said.

Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) chief executive officer, Mr Christopher Mugaga, said Zimbabweans must be patient but that prices would be tracking the auction rate as stocks were renewed.

“It’s too early to expect the foreign currency auction system to have a full impact within the economy (but) in the medium to long-term, from the fourth quarter of 2020 going forward, we might see the market responding to the auction,” he said.

Economist Mr Persistent Gwanyanya said stability has been restored in the market.

“The set-up has stabilised the current system in the country. It has also stabilised the prices in the market to the extent our currency was now under attack and inflation, which is largely linked to the exchange rate volatility, was also going out of hand,” said Mr Gwanyanya.

Already, the forex auction system has helped in rebuilding market confidence, improving access to foreign currency and helping stabilise the exchange rate while speculative activity on the black market could subside significantly.

State Media

The reopening of schools for examination classes scheduled for July 28 has been deferred in light of the rising number of confirmed Covid-19 infections which reached 1 064 yesterday, with infections within Zimbabwean communities rising fast.

The deferment by Cabinet yesterday was part of measures that include postponement of further opening of economic sectors, localised lockdowns in hotspots and more testing in areas where infections are spiking.

Until very recently, almost all infected people were returning citizens and residents and these infections were discovered in quarantine centres. But the number of internal infections has been overtaking the imported infections in many recent daily reports.

Yesterday the Ministry of Health and Child Care announced another 30 infections, 14 among returning residents and 16 within Zimbabwe. While seven of these 16 were contacts of known cases, efforts are now being made to find the sources of the other nine.

The latest death is a child in Matabeleland South who was admitted to hospital on Saturday with pneumonia. This takes the cumulative total to 20. But a large batch of confirmed recoveries in Bulawayo (49) and Matabeleland North (3) has taken the cumulative number of confirmed recoveries to 343.

South Africa has now seen 4 172 deaths from 287 796 cases, the ninth worst number of confirmed cases in the world and is easily the most severely hit country in Africa.

Announcing the deferment of schools re-opening yesterday after the weekly Cabinet meeting, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said Cabinet had adopted the recommendation of the Ad-Hoc Inter-Ministerial Committee on Covid-19 as part of a tightening of current lock-down measures.

The recommendation was in a report presented by Vice President Kembo Mohadi, the committee chairperson.

“The re-opening of schools shall be deferred pending a review of the situation, while the writing of public examinations continues; private schools that have already opened without permission will be penalised,” she said.

Minister Mutsvangwa noted the restrictions in the fight to contain the spread of the pandemic will not be relaxed and President Mnangagwa “will announce comprehensive measures on the way forward regarding the country’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak”.

The Government was concerned with the increase in the numbers of Covid-19 cases and among the measures adopted will be a tightening of the current lockdown restrictions, with localised lockdowns in hotspot areas.

The further opening up of the economy has been halted; testing in communities with high cases of local transmission such as Bulawayo will be increased; and Government shall have the sole responsibility for inter-city travel with priority given to those seeking medical attention.

Two buses will be allocated to transport those returning from South Africa, the regional epicentre, that test positive in Beitbridge to isolation centres near their homes.

Cabinet also noted and approved the ongoing restructuring of the Ministry of Health and Child Care. There have been staff transfers and movement in the ministry following the departure of Dr Obadiah Moyo who was replaced by Professor Amon Murwira in an acting capacity.

Minister Mutsvangwa said Government is worried by those who are not adhering to the prescribed guidelines and cited the ongoing gathering in Manicaland of members of the Marange Apostolic sect in contravention of lockdown regulations.

“This poses high risk to the spread of Covid-19. Accordingly, Cabinet directed that the gathering should disperse forthwith,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

Meanwhile, Cabinet received and approved a presentation from Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube on the 2020 Mid-Term Budget and Economic Review he will present tomorrow.

The minister is expected to update the nation of developments have occurred in the economy following the presentation of the $8.16 billion 2020 national budget last year.

Villagers in Maphane Village, Ward 7 of Gwanda North have told ZimEye.com that they are living in fear after the mother to a Bulawayo man who died of Coronavirus last week sneaked back into the village.

The man who became Zim Covid-19 deaths case number 9 died in Bulawayo on Sunday last week after being diagnosed with Coronavirus.

According to the villagers, the mother was in Bulawayo with the family when her son passed on. Reports further indicate the widow has also since tested positive for the virus.

Efforts to get a comment from the Bulawayo Provincial Covid-19 task team are still underway.

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance structures in Mashonaland West Province are still intact, it has emerged.

“Busy weekend here in Mash West. This is Hurungwe West ward 16 Karambazungu structure program meeting.

We are busy building, strengthening and inspiring our grassroots structures.

This constituency has 6 very big wards with 43 polling stations, it’s business as usual here,” the party said in a brief statement.

Farai Dziva|Advocate Nelson Chamisa has appointed Professor Welshman Ncube as the acting president of the opposition party.

According to MDC Alliance presidential spokesperson, Dr Nkululeko Sibanda, the appointment is with immediate effect.

See statement below:

RE: APPOINTMENT OF MDC-ALLIANCE ACTING PRESIDENT

The President of the MDC Alliance Advocate Nelson Chamisa has, with immediate effect, appointed Vice President Professor Welshman Ncube to act as President.

This appointment is in line with the rotational Acting appointments of the office.

Prof Ncube will act as President till advised otherwise.
I thank you,
Dr Nkululeko Sibanda

13 July 2020

Wezhira Munya

MDC Alliance National youth organiser and Masvingo Urban ward 4 councillor Godfrey Kuraone’s bail application will be heard on Wednesday 15 July 2020.

Councillor Godfrey Kuraone’s lawyer advocate Martin Mureri of Matutu and Mureri legal practitioners said, “Today, 13 July 2020 I have filed an appeal against refusal of bail pending trial at Masvingo High court. The matter will be heard on Wednesday, 15 July 2020 at 9am at Masvingo High court. “

On the 7th of July 2020, Masvingo Magistrate P. Madondo refused to give bail to MDC Alliance youth organiser Godfrey Kuraone.

Godfrey Kuraone is accused of undermining authority of or insulting president as defined in section 33 (2) (a) of the codification and reform act chapter 9:23.

The offence is allegedly to have been committed on 26 June 2020, in Masvingo.

In addition, the human rights lawyer, Advocate Martin Mureri said, “We hope the high court judge will grant Councillor Godfrey Kuraone bail.”

However, MDC National youth organiser Kuraone denies the allegations and argues that he has not committed the said crime.

There was pandemonium today at the Sakunda run Rock Foundation Medical Centre in Harare when medical staff got entangled after five patients, one male & four female, tested positive for #COVID19; all of them through local transmission linked to a hairdresser at a Westgate salon!

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) July 13, 2020

By A Correspondent- Former Finance minister and MDC Alliance Vice President Tendai Biti has claimed that Zimbabwe has become a colony of the Russians, Belarusians and Ukrainians and “some little banana republics in Eastern Europe” amid their activity in the country’s struggling economy.

In an interview with MDC Alliance National Spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere on Saturday, Biti accused Russian based companies like Trafigura and Russian linked Sakunda Holdings for capturing the Zimbabwean economy especially in the fuel sector.

“Right now they are active in six key areas of our economy. The first one is the US$. If you want stability in this country, you need to actually close the Reserve Bank because it has been the source of distortions. Number two is fuel. You have got Sakunda and Trafigura.

“Trafigura is owned by Russian mafia. Under president Mugabe there was a danger that Zimbabwe would be a colony of the Chinese. Under Mr Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe has become a colony of the Russians, Belarusians and Ukrainians and some little banana republics in Eastern Europe,” Biti said.

Biti added that, “Trafigura are Russians, they are in bed with Sakunda. They own 50% of the pipeline from Feruka in Mutare to Msasa but they manage this pipeline from Beira to Msasa.

“This is crazy they have the monopoly of every drop of fuel that comes through that pipeline. So it is a supply side monopoly. Trafigura does not own any fuel pipeline. Why should we give a monopoly to a company in a country that is not oil producing.”

Biti slammed the ruling Zanu PF regime for being bribed by another fuel mogul, Billy Rautenbach in 2013 and allegedly allowed him monopoly over importation of ethanol.

“There is another thug called Billy Rautenbach. He bribed some Zanu PF people in 2013 and a statutory instrument was made called SI 17 of 2013. It says anyone who wants to bring ethanol in Zimbabwe can only do so if you are in a joint venture agreement with the Government of Zimbabwe, which is a euphemism for saying if you are Billy Rautenbach or Green Fuel.

“So Billy supplies all the ethanol in Zimbabwe that is sold in all these gas stations which is a supply side distortion. It is unfair. If you look at the breakdown of prices of ethanol, Billy is selling ethanol in US$ at anything between US$ 1 and US$ 1,20 a litre of ethanol when right now you can import FOB ethanol at anything between US$ 0,40 to US$ 0,50 from Brazil and USA and because they were good rains in Brazil, sugarcane did so well so you can actually bring it at US$ 0,40.

“So why can’t ethanol being imported into Zimbabwe the same way we import petrol and diesel. Why are we at the mercy of Billy Rautenbach.

“The irony is that when the price of crude is at its all-time low, when all producing countries under OPAC are literally paying all consuming countries to consume for free, in Zimbabwe it is going up because of Mr Rautenbach, Mr Mnangagwa and Mr Chasi,” Biti added.

-Nehanda

Former vanguard leader Shakespeare Makoyi says Chamisa blundered in appointing Fadzai Mahere as party spokesperson. "makashaya munhu ane institutional history of the party ne struggle plus competence kuti mutore Fadzayi Mahere who dines with known Zanu-PF." What's your take?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) July 13, 2020

State Media

SOME 1 000 convicted criminals, who appealed separately at the High Court as far back as 2010, but abandoned the appeals after being granted bail, had their challenges thrown out recently when the judiciary embarked on a rigorous audit to cleanse the system of idle files.

To that end, hundreds of warrants of arrest have since been issued out against the convicts who have pending jail sentences to ensure their committal to prison.

Police, armed with the warrants, are now hunting down the criminals.

Scores of the convicts are walking scot-free as the police struggle to serve them with the warrants and take them to court.

The Registrar of the High Court, Mr Donald Ndirowei, in terms of the rules of that court, dismissed the idle criminal appeals between May and July this year in an ongoing files audit.

Most of the criminals in question were convicted of theft, robbery, fraud and traffic offences.

According to official statistics seen by The Herald, at least 371 convicts were from Harare province, while 130 and 74 are from Mashonaland West and Masvingo respectively.

The statistics also show that 147 convicts were from Mashonaland Central, 80 from Mashonaland East and 63 from Manicaland.

Mr Ndirowei directed the magistracy to issue out warrants of arrest in respect of those who have pending prison terms.

Chances are high that some of the convicts have since died, while others could have skipped the borders.

Most of them filed “frivolous” notices of appeal for the purposes of seeking bail, but they abandoned the challenges after tasting freedom.

Some did not pay the relevant fees for the processing of the appeals, while others breached the rules of the High Court on criminal appeals, prompting the court to throw away the challenges.

Others did not bother to inspect the trial records as provided for in the rules.

The appeals were buried among several pending files until the High Court recently embarked on a rigorous audit of all pending appeals and dismissing those deemed abandoned.

Warrants of arrest were issued in respect of the first batch of 489 convicts in May and the documents were dispatched to the respective police stations countrywide.

The first batch consisted 489 appeals filed in 2010.

The second batch of convicts was issued with warrants of arrest a week later and it comprised of 185.

Some 280 appeals filed in 2012 were dismissed last week by the High Court before warrants of arrest were issued in respect of the convicts.

Judicial Service Commission (JSC) acting secretary Mr Walter Chikwana confirmed the development, saying an audit of both criminal and civil files was underway at the High Court to deal with abandoned appeals.

“We are carrying out an audit of all appeal files at the High Court,” he said. “Notices of appeal were filed, but not prosecuted. We have recovered quite a number of records which have been lying idle and were not prosecuted.

“After filing an appeal, one would also file for bail pending appeal. After getting their freedom, they would then abandon those appeals.”

Some appellants failed to prepare records or pay the required fees.

Appellants are required to ensure the record of proceedings is prepared and submitted to the High Court within certain specified periods.

They are also required to pay costs for preparation of the record and some would not pay.

“So, what we are simply doing is to enforce the rules of the High Court,” said Mr Chikwana. “When you don’t arrange for the preparation of the record or pay for the preparation of the record, there are certain consequences that would follow, for example, the appeal may be deemed abandoned. The moment the appeal is deemed abandoned it means there is no longer an appeal before the High Court.”

In terms of the criminal appeal process, the onus to prosecute the appeal lies with the appellant, who can choose to drag or abandon the appeal.

At times, the appellants deliberately change lawyers to confuse the system, resulting in some correspondences from the Registrar of the High Court being sent to wrong addresses.

The Registrar of the High Court in terms of the rules of that court, is now empowered to dismiss appeals for want of prosecution.

Other appeals are dismissed by the judges in court.

State Media

All teachers should report for duty on July 28, the date set for the return of examination classes in the phased reopening of schools, and should make arrangements to be at their stations to either teach the examination classes or be able to give alternative learning to the rest of the schoolchildren

In an interview, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education director of communications and advocacy, Mr Taungana Ndoro, said all teachers were needed back at work as schools opened, even though only examination classes would physically return to school.

Teachers are expected to attend physical classes at schools, and offer alternative learning to those pupils who will not be physically present by virtue of being non-examination forms.

“Learners who are not physically at school are expected to receive tuition through alternative learning programmes, and so we need all teachers to be engaged in creating learning packages for all their pupils,” said Mr Ndoro.

Only Form Six, Form Four and Grade Seven classes will resume classes on July 28, while Lower Six, Form Three and Grade 6 pupils come in three weeks later.

Other pupils will move back into their classrooms in three more phases.

To allow for a smooth and safe resumption of classes for examination form pupils, the Government has already moved returnees out of school premises being used as quarantine centres to allow full disinfection, and has barred churches from renting school halls and classrooms for services.

Schools are ensuring that they have masks and other necessary protection equipment and can space out desks and have adequate teacher to pupil ratios.

With a phased re-opening, early classes can be split if necessary.

Mr Ndoro said the ministry was ensuring that risks of infection were kept very low.

The Government recruited 2 300 teachers last month and is in the process of recruiting 3 000 more.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care, in light of guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO), has set requirements for schools to reopen.

“Some of our schools have taken the initiative to prepare face masks and hand sanitisers on their own,” said Mr Ndoro.

“We are also grateful that the Government has availed funds to the ministry so that schools can acquire, and in some cases produce their own personal protective equipment.”

Dismissing sentiments that rural schools were ill-equipped regarding protection, Mr Ndoro said some of those producing their own protective materials were the rural schools.

“Therefore, come July 28, all schools should be ready to open their doors to their phase one learners,” said Mr Ndoro.

On school fees, and the school calendar, since the traditional second term is already in its twilight, Mr Ndoro clarified that “school fees payments are going to be paid on pro rata (in proportion to the whole) basis, and we expect learners to start paying their fees and levies as soon as learning resumes”.

“We are working on a school calendar which we will share with all our stakeholders in the near future.”

Former officer-in charge of Gweru CID, Detective inspector, Leonard Gwandu, was on Thursday jailed for an effective two years after being convicted of criminal abuse of office after he released a stolen vehicle.

Gwandu released a vehicle stolen in South Africa that was being held by the police as an exhibit in December last year, without following procedures.

He pleaded guilty.
Gweru regional magistrate Mrs Phathekile Msipa initially sentenced him to three years before suspending one year on condition of good behaviour.

For the State, Mrs Namatirai Chipere proved that on December 14 last year, Gwandu released a Toyota Hillux truck, which had been confiscated from local businessman Mr Shepherd Tundiya despite the fact that the car was being kept as an exhibit and should eventually be handed over to the South African police.

Tundiya was arrested in connection with the stolen vehicle that he had bought, and had been acquitted.
But there was no order to release the car in question.
— Herald

Farai Dziva| Zanu PF functionaries including Victor Matemadanda have abandoned the fundamental values of the liberation struggle, MDC Alliance has said.

Clifford Hlatywayo, the
MDC Alliance Deputy National Spokesperson, described Matemadanda as an arrogant political figure.

“Victor Matemadanda and members of his ZANU PF
party are the ones who are very irresponsible, ignorant, misguided and against the values of the liberation struggle.

They are misrepresenting the values of the liberation struggle.

Our parents went to war to achieve one man one vote yet ZANU PF is denying it.

Mbuya Nehanda and many other Zimbabweans fought for freedom for all,”said Hlatywayo.

He addd: “Now Matemadanda and his party zealots are at the centre of fighting against the people, threatening, intimidating, abducting, raping, killing and arresting citizens.

They suppress progressive voices, depress, repress and oppress citizens. Our fathers and mothers went to war to attain equal opportunities.

Where is this now?

The Zanu PF looters are busy plundering the little resources we have.

Their former boss Mugabe said 15 billion Diamond money just disappeared, Covid-19 money is vanishing, fuel scandals, Zinara monies, mines and land is being taken by Zanu PF functionaries.

Is the public benefiting? The answer is NO. Why? Because a few individuals have captured the state. Government institutions are no longer operating independently.

Recently they used the courts to declare themselves winners of 2018 elections.

In August 2018 they killed innocent souls in Harare, on 30 March 2020 they used the court to pass a judgment that was meant to attack the people’s movement.

Four weeks ago they used the army and police to seize the MDC A headquarters.

Matemadanda can’t say President Nelson Chamisa will not rule this country.

In other words he is admitting that they rig their way to state house.

The MDC Alliance respects the liberation struggle and those who fought for it. Our party is there to accomplish the unfinished business of the liberation struggle.

That’s why we are guided by social democratic values of Solidarity, Justice, Freedom and Equality.

Whatever Zanu PF touches disappears.

MDCA is the party that will transform the country’s economy.”

“Can you claim that you respect Mbuya Nehanda and other freedom fighters by erecting a statue yet you don’t respect what they represented?

MDCA is the only party that genuinely represents the interests of the liberation struggle.”

Thokozani Khupe’s MDC-T has distanced itself from the July 31 protests.

Analysts say the political formation is insignificant.

Watch video below :

FOUR people died on the spot when a Toyota Corsa vehicle they were travelling in was involved in a head on-collision with a haulage truck near Kaguvi Training Centre between Gweru and Kwekwe on Friday night, police have confirmed.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the accident which occurred at the 249km peg along Harare-Bulawayo highway around 10.30pm.

Asst Comm Nyathi said the Toyota Corsa, which was being driven by Munyaradzi Mutero with three passengers on board was driving towards Gweru, while the haulage truck was driven by Maxwell Goto and going towards Kwekwe when the accident occurred.

Asst Comm Nyathi said on approaching the 249km peg the driver of the Toyota Corsa encroached onto the right lane ahead of the oncoming haulage truck resulting in the head-on collision.
Asst Comm Nyathi said the four died on the spot.

“I can confirm that an accident occurred at the 249km peg along Harare-Bulawayo highway where a Toyota Corsa, which had four people on board, collided head on with a haulage truck.

“The circumstances are that the driver of the Toyota Corsa encroached onto the right lane ahead of an oncoming truck.

The truck ran over the Toyota Corsa and all the occupants died on the spot.

Police attended the scene and are investigating the circumstances leading to the accident,” he said.

Asst Comm Nyathi said the bodies of the victims were taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital (GPH) awaiting a post-mortem.

When the news crew arrived at the accident scene yesterday morning, the wreckage of the Toyota Corsa had been removed while another tow company was still struggling to remove the haulage truck.

“When I arrived at the scene, it was towards midnight and discovered that the haulage had just crushed everyone who was in the small car.

“We tried by all means to help but the wreckage which had been reduced to a small shell was right under the haulage truck,” said a witness Mr Arron Chinyama.

Mr Chinyama said firefighters from Kwekwe City came to the accident scene after an hour but took nearly three hours to retrieve the bodies from under the haulage truck-The Sunday News

By A Correspondent- Raj Modi, the Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, has been left frustrated with having to stay away from home since March this year.

Modi had travelled on private business to Australia when the country imposed a lockdown on 20 March, before Zimbabwe closed its borders to foreigners on 30 March. He said:

My biggest frustration is that I am failing to do my job as a Deputy Minister. It’s all hands on the deck and I am not there to help.

Of all the things that are on my mind, it is that I feel helpless but I am optimistic that sooner rather than later I will get a flight home. As soon as flights resume, I will come home. I also miss my constituency.

Modi runs several businesses in Bulawayo and has also been involved with several philanthropic initiatives.

In 2019 Modi coordinated the raising of close to US$10 000 from well-wishers needed for a woman who had been bitten by dogs to travel to India and be operated on.

Cherish Muchegwa was bitten by her landlord’s 5 rabid dogs and sustained serious injuries and had to be airlifted to India’s Kiran Hospital so that doctors could do skin grafting on her body.

Byo 24

Expelled Zanu Pf Chivi South legislator Killer Zivhu has become under fire from Twitter users after he denounced the looming July 31 demonstration against the government.

“We will not allow our people to demonstrate kuti vabvise a legitimate Government,Vanotuma vamwe munouya ndokuratidzai paState house mopinda moga kundoudza mukuru zvamunoda, not kuti povo ikuvarire mahara, push for all parties dialogue peacefully vamwe vacho hamusi munyika,” Zivhu said on Twitter.

A Twitter user Mundau said Zivhu was working hard to be brought back in Zanu PF camp.

“U are working hard to be restored on the eating table young man.ED was appointed by the courts &,not legitimised by the electorate.Even up to now no one knows his supposedly winning margin. Saka musatimhanyire bani Bambomnini.”

“Muchadzingwa second round Cde.ZanuPF haisi zvekutaurirana izvi,it’s a fact because it’s criminal cartel.#31 July 2020 #ZanupfMustGo,” reads Karikoga’s tweet.

Clifford said Zivhu is a fool, “Urifuza mkoma Killer.”

Zivhu responded saying , “kkk no problem my brother but vanhu vanokuvarira mahara.

Meanwhile, the ruling Zanu-PF party yesterday said it would deal harshly with the planned protests against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government on July 31, evoking memories of killings by the army of civilians in 2018 and January last

Bloomberg

Zimbabwe’s biggest gold mines are being snapped up by Mauritius-based Sotic International Ltd. as the price of bullion soars to the highest in more than eight years.

Sotic International says it is targeting six more mines after its arm, Landela Mining Ventures, completed the takeover of Metallon’s Shamva operation.

Landela‘s targets include four idle state-owned operations, says Sotic Chief Executive Officer David Brown.

“Gold is a commodity with potential positive impacts,” Brown said. “We want to grow the resource base to provide upside for both company and country.”

Brown said Sotic is backed by Cayman Islands-registered Almas Global Opportunity Fund, but he declined to name other investors.

Last year, Sotic acquired control of Bindura Nickel Corporation, Zimbabwe biggest nickel operation.

Landela is ramping up output at Freda Rebecca, an operation formerly owned by Asa Resources, and last month concluded a deal to buy the mothballed Shamva gold mine from indebted Metallon, once Zimbabwe’s biggest gold miner.

While the coronavirus pandemic delayed the acquisition of two more Metallon mines – Mazoe and Redwing – the transaction should be concluded shortly, according to Brown.

Landela is also favored to buy four of state-owned Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation’s gold mines, that were mothballed due to lack of capital, said Brown, a former CEO of Impala Platinum.

“We want to become a significant player in the gold industry in Zimbabwe,” said Brown, who is also chairman of Great Dyke Investments, a Russian investor-backed company developing one of Zimbabwe’s biggest platinum mines.

“We have significant amount of resources that are available to grow the asset base and become a significant producer. We want to become bigger.”

He declined to say how much Landela is spending to acquire the mines, while capital requirements are still being assessed. Some of the operations have been flooded or stripped of equipment after being idled for years.

Still, the quality of Zimbabwe’s assets and the rally in gold justify investor backing for the mines, said Brown.

“The common wisdom for the gold price going forward looks like it will stay stronger for longer and to that extent the economics of the mines is significantly enhanced,” Brown said.

-Bloomberg

Former MDC Vanguard Leader Shakespeare Mukoyi said MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa erred in appointing Fadzayi Mahere as the party’s spokesperson.

Mukoyi, who is now the Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T interim leader, said Mahere has no history in the opposition party and also habitually hobnobs with ZANU PF functionaries such as Acie Lumumba and Kuda Musasiwa. Mukoyi tweeted:

MDC-A yese, Ireland, America, Uk, Africa, Zimbabwe makashaya munhu ane institutional history ye party ne struggle plus competence kuti mutore @advocatemahere
who dines with known Zanu-PF people like @begottensun na @acielumumba

Pafungei mushe pic.twitter.com/s8p1DyjVFk

— Shakespeare Mukoyi (@ShakespeareMuk1) July 12, 2020

MDC-A yese, Ireland, America, Uk, Africa, Zimbabwe makashaya munhu ane (is it that you couldn’t find someone with an) institutional history ye (of the) party ne (and the) struggle plus competence kuti mutore (for you to appoint) [Fadzayi Mahere] who dines with known Zanu-PF people like [Kuda Musasiwa] na (and) [Acie Lumumba]?

Pafungei mushe. (Consider this soberly).

Mukoyi abandoned the MDC Alliance to join Khupe last month ahead of the party’s Supreme Court-sanctioned extraordinary congress.

Jacob Ngarivhume the man calling for the July 31 demonstration against Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government has said the international community is withholding aid which Zimbabwe desperately needs because president Mnangagwa’s administration was violating human rights to cling on to power.

We present Ngarivhume’s Twitter thread in full below.

“We need to get real about the situation in our country. We are faced with the total collapse of our economy in the midst of a global pandemic. The government has proven to be woefully incapable of doing what needs to done to save Zimbabwe.

“False promises and lip service will not cut it for a country that’s collapsing. We need international assistance to fight COVID 19, reboot the economy and feed millions in need of food.

“Billions of dollars in international aid are being held up because @edmnangagwa continues to brutalize innocent people to maintain power.

“It is a well known fact that @edmnangagwa and his deputies have enough money to step aside today and live comfortably for the rest of their lives but choose to hold on to power when the consequences are devastating for the rest of the country.

“In the moment we are in, Zimbabwe does not need political speeches and rhetoric. We need common sense actions; implemented immediately will avert disaster and ease people’s suffering.

“So I now stand with the silent majority who are calling out- #ZanuPFmustgo not as a political position but a critical step to save lives.

“This is the moment for Zimbabweans to finally achieve true self determination after 40 years of suppression. It is not the time for the army to insert itself but to respect the Zimbabwean people who have suffered for too long.

“The Church and Civil society stand ready to facilitate the process of establishing a National Transitional Authority that is apolitical to guide Zimbabwe in this desperate hour.

 Jacob Ngarivhume

“I challenge @edmnangagwa and his government to recognize the deep pain and suffering the people of Zimbabwe are experiencing and to do the right thing. God bless the people of Zimbabwe.

Poll: MDC-T led by Khupe has become the first opposition to distanced from the July 31 protests being mooted by other opposition parties which she has described as untimely given the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Should Zimbabweans take to the streets?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) July 12, 2020

Correspondent

The Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T received $7.5 million on Friday as part of the political parties government funding.

The money was paid to Khupe despite the Nelson Chamisa led MDC Alliance having obtained a provisional court order barring the Zimbabwean government from disbursing the funds to MDC-T according to the Political Parties Finance Act.

The government believes Khupe is the legitimate leader of the MDC Alliance and is entitled to the $7,4 million despite her having lost the 2018 elections to the same party he now claims to lead.

In the provisional order issued in May, High Court judge Justice Munangati Manongwa instructed the respondents Justice Minister Ziyambi, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube and Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda – have 10 days to respond to this ruling of which no record of the response is yet available.

In the interim order, Justice Manongwa said, “The 1st and 2nd respondents be and are hereby interdicted, stopped and barred from disbursing the sum of $7,492.500 due to the applicant in terms of the Political Parties (Finance) Act Chapter 2:11 in the sum of $7,492,500.”

Meanwhile, the development has since been confirmed by the minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi who said the money was deposited into the MDC-T account controlled by Khupe and her allies.

He told The Standard

“Why is there an outrage? I paid what was gazetted and those who were not paid are not entitled to anything.”

Those who were supposed to be paid were paid; those who were not supposed to be paid were not paid, full stop.

The PPF Act states that the money is meant to block political parties and candidates from seeking foreign funding or donations.

It also states that it is given to each political party whose candidates received at least five per centum of the total number of votes cast in the most recent general election.

Own Correspondent

Passion Java is now evidently a cornered man running out ideas to get out of his situation.

A ZimEye.com follower has picked out a dozen desperate claims that the so called man of God has said against ZimEye.com in the process of exposing his shenanigans some of which are criminal.

Below are the 12 Things Passion Java Has Rushed to Say After Being Exposed By ZimEye over “Fraud, Adultery, Fake Cars, Fake Money, And Ghana Scandal” :

1. Simba Chikanza is 62 years old.
2. Simba Chikanza is poor, he doesn’t have money,
3. Simba Chikanza is not a journalist
4. Simba Chikanza actually bribed the complainant, my brother [Simba Java]
5. Simba Chikanza gay.
6. If ZimEye was a person.
7. Takumbomira zvemari izvi till my brother issues are over! We will be back soon! #twabam #tswibidi
8. The Joy of The Lord is my Strength, Handidonhe pasi, ndinoita hwembeu… Tswibidi na Maunzwende.!!
9. Don’#t celebrate until it’s done.
10. Handibatike.!! Imi mukupisa inini ndikubvira, welcome ku week rema hits. N’en’en’en’en’e Gore Regonzo.
11. Don’t touch the anointed servants of God, Emmanuel Makandiwa, Uebert Angel, Walter Magaya, or I.
12. Simba Chikanza is just a failed pastor, he’s not a journalist at all.

Watch video downloading below. Please be patient while the video downloads.

Trezeguet scored twice as Aston Villa beat Crystal Palace to keep alive their hopes of avoiding relegation in a game which included two controversial video assistant referee decisions.

Mamadou Sakho thought he had put Palace ahead when the ball appeared to strike the defender’s shoulder on its way into the net – but it was ruled out for handball after a lengthy delay, much to the visitors’ dismay.

Villa then took the lead just before half-time when Egypt winger Trezeguet side-footed the ball into the net at the back post after Palace had failed to clear a free-kick.

Shortly after the break, the hosts were awarded a penalty by referee Martin Atkinson after Patrick van Aanholt’s challenge on Jack Grealish, but the decision was overturned after another long VAR check.

Villa’s first Premier League win since 21 January was sealed when Trezeguet toe-poked home his second goal to leave the West Midlands side four points from safety with three matches, against Everton (away), Arsenal (home) and West Ham (away), to go.

After the final whistle, Palace forward Christian Benteke, who was playing against his former club, was shown a red card as tempers boiled over.

Palace, who have now lost their past five league games, started with Wilfried Zaha, who revealed before the match he had received racist abuse on social media.

Palace manager Roy Hodgson described the abuse of the 27-year-old Ivory Coast forward as “cowardly and despicable”.

BBC

Watch Simba Java tell more about his brother Passion Java.

Watch video downloading below. Please be patient while the video downloads.

By A Correspondent- Raj Modi, the Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, has been left frustrated with having to stay away from home since March this year.

Modi had travelled on private business to Australia when the country imposed a lockdown on 20 March, before Zimbabwe closed its borders to foreigners on 30 March. He said:

My biggest frustration is that I am failing to do my job as a Deputy Minister. It’s all hands on the deck and I am not there to help.

Of all the things that are on my mind, it is that I feel helpless but I am optimistic that sooner rather than later I will get a flight home. As soon as flights resume, I will come home. I also miss my constituency.

Modi runs several businesses in Bulawayo and has also been involved with several philanthropic initiatives.

In 2019 Modi coordinated the raising of close to US$10 000 from well-wishers needed for a woman who had been bitten by dogs to travel to India and be operated on.

Cherish Muchegwa was bitten by her landlord’s 5 rabid dogs and sustained serious injuries and had to be airlifted to India’s Kiran Hospital so that doctors could do skin grafting on her body.

-statemedia

Own Correspondent| Zanu PF acting spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa has accused opposition MDC Alliance leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa, of planning the 31 July protests.

Chinamasa warned that Advocate Chamisa could face the music together with his followers.

Addressing journalists after the Zanu PF politburo meeting, Chinamasa said as a party they would not allow a repeat of the 1 August 2018 and 14 January 2019 situation where protesters targeted government and private property for destruction.

He accused Chamisa of being a coward who should this time ‘come in front and face the music’ instead of being absent from the place of action.

“We have also noted that social media platforms are being used to organize violent demonstrations aimed at overthrowing our constitutionally constituted government.

Those doing so must stand warned and the law will not hesitate to deal with them,” said Chinamasa.

Chinamasa repeats @nelsonchamisa three times linking the MDC President to Tsenengamu's 31July Demo. ZANU PF threatens Chamisa with 1 Aug style military crackdown pic.twitter.com/kYEJEFU5Re

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) July 10, 2020

Farai Dziva| Zanu PF functionaries including Victor Matemadanda have abandoned the fundamental values of the liberation struggle, MDC Alliance has said.

Clifford Hlatywayo, the
MDC Alliance Deputy National Spokesperson, described Matemadanda as an arrogant political figure.

“Victor Matemadanda and members of his ZANU PF
party are the ones who are very irresponsible, ignorant, misguided and against the values of the liberation struggle.

They are misrepresenting the values of the liberation struggle.

Our parents went to war to achieve one man one vote yet ZANU PF is denying it.

Mbuya Nehanda and many other Zimbabweans fought for freedom for all,”said Hlatywayo.

He addd: “Now Matemadanda and his party zealots are at the centre of fighting against the people, threatening, intimidating, abducting, raping, killing and arresting citizens.

They suppress progressive voices, depress, repress and oppress citizens. Our fathers and mothers went to war to attain equal opportunities.

Where is this now?

The Zanu PF looters are busy plundering the little resources we have.

Their former boss Mugabe said 15 billion Diamond money just disappeared, Covid-19 money is vanishing, fuel scandals, Zinara monies, mines and land is being taken by Zanu PF functionaries.

Is the public benefiting? The answer is NO. Why? Because a few individuals have captured the state. Government institutions are no longer operating independently.

Recently they used the courts to declare themselves winners of 2018 elections.

In August 2018 they killed innocent souls in Harare, on 30 March 2020 they used the court to pass a judgment that was meant to attack the people’s movement.

Four weeks ago they used the army and police to seize the MDC A headquarters.

Matemadanda can’t say President Nelson Chamisa will not rule this country.

In other words he is admitting that they rig their way to state house.

The MDC Alliance respects the liberation struggle and those who fought for it. Our party is there to accomplish the unfinished business of the liberation struggle.

That’s why we are guided by social democratic values of Solidarity, Justice, Freedom and Equality.

Whatever Zanu PF touches disappears.

MDCA is the party that will transform the country’s economy.”

“Can you claim that you respect Mbuya Nehanda and other freedom fighters by erecting a statue yet you don’t respect what they represented?

MDCA is the only party that genuinely represents the interests of the liberation struggle.”