By A Correspondent- The ZNA has dismissed reports that members of its force attacked civilians in Kwekwe and Kadoma last week.

Social media had been awash with reports that soldiers assisting ZRP officers in enforcing lockdown adherence has assaulted people in Kadoma at Hammer and Tongues and in Kwekwe soldiers had barred ZIMRA employees to get into town after they reportedly failed to produce exemption letters.

In a statement which was in bad taste, Deputy Director Army Public Relations Major Alex Zuva said dejected and disaffected people were behind the reports which he claimed were fake:

There has been of late a systematic and well-choreographed assault on the ZNA which is deliberately meant to soil and chip away the good image and reputation of the same in a bid to make citizens of Zimbabwe despondent, dejected and disaffected with the Government. It is rehearsed media violence to inflame physical violence.

Meanwhile, two journalists Munashe Chokodza and Leopold Munhende were attacked by soldiers in Harare’s Warren Park Suburb last week.

–The Herald 

By A Correspondent- Returning Zanu-PF member Rugare Gumbo says that President Emmerson Mnangagwa need to join hands with the opposition and other social formations to end the country’s deepening political and economic crises.

Gumbo said that the dialogue mechanism is the most ideal way forward. He said Zanu-PF on its own cannot solve the current crisis.

Gumbo also said that he had not applied to rejoin the party, but he had been invited back. He is now waiting for official confirmation.

Meanwhile, opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa yesterday accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa of abusing State institutions to push his party into dialogue, pleading with Sadc and the international community to stand in solidarity with the ‘oppressed people of Zimbabwe’.

Chamisa said Mnangagwa was using the courts, Parliament, the army and police to silence and decimate the MDC Alliance by sponsoring some elements within the opposition movement as a way of pushing for a one-party State.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance activist, Davison Chamisa has been reportedly found dumped in a rail line in Norton after he was reportedly abducted “at exactly 1103 hours of the 28th of June 2020.”

Chamisa who is MDCA’s  Goromonzi South Youth Chair was allegedly arrested by the police in connection with a whistle protest.

Womberai Nhende, the MDC Alliance’s Youth League Deputy Spokesperson announced that Chamisa had been found.

Posting on Twitter, Nhende said:

We have located Davison Chamisa in Norton after been drugged, brutalised, assaulted and dumped in a railway line whilst unconscious He was injected with an unknown substance and made to consume pills and was forced to drink the torturer’s urine. He can’t walk.

This comes when the investigations into allegations of abduction and torture as well as sexual assaulta of three MDC Alliance trio – Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova are not yet complete.

Meanwhile, the opposition party and some international organisations including the United Nations have since concluded that state security agents are behind these human rights abuses.

The government however has argued that the alleged kidnappings are being staged to soil the image of the president Mnangagwa-led administration.

Makomborero Haruzivishe was arrested at Mbare magistrates court over the Warren Park flash demonstration and taken to Harare central CID Law and Order section.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest details.

By A Correspondent- Exiled former Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri has exposed how serving and former top government officials and service chiefs allegedly used their spouses as conduits to grab lucrative tenders in government and security establishments.

The ex-police boss, believed to be hiding in South Africa after he was hounded out of office during the November 2017 military coup which toppled the late former President Robert Mugabe, has submitted a 25-page dossier to the High Court to defend his properties which are under threat of seizure by the State over allegations of being proceeds of corruption.

He stands accused of diverting US$32 million of public funds to acquire a sprawling family business empire and properties in his 25 years as police boss.

In an affidavit filed at the High Court on Friday, which has opened a can of worms, Chihuri said there was nothing unusual about his wife, Isobel Halima Khan, through her companies, supplying goods and services to the police force as other service chiefs did the same.

Chihuri claimed Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s ex-wives Jocelyn Chiwenga and Marry Mubaiwa feasted on government tenders, supplying police and the army with reflective sleeves and serving as government’s travel agent, respectively.

Also named were senior police officers and their spouses, including former Senior Assistant Commissioner Charles Makono and his wife Abigail Makono, owners of Rewstand (Pvt) Ltd which also supplied uniform fabrics for over $10 million as part of promoting Zanu-PF’s indigenisation policy.

“I saw nothing wrong in her (my wife) supplying, as most of the service chiefs’ spouses supplied things, eg Jocelyn Chiwenga supplied ZRP

and the army with traffic sleeves, etc,” Chihuri said.

“Marry Chiwenga was a travel agent for government departments and a written instruction was given by the Office of the President and Cabinet for her to supply tickets for the entire government.”

He said a lot of senior officers across the rank and file, including his then deputy Godwin Matanga and wife, supplied “a wide range of vegetables and meat to ZRP amenities”.

“These officers supplied large quantities of beef, chicken, vegetables, fruits and goods according to their ability as a general practice in support of indigenisation,” Chihuri said.

He raised several constitutional questions about the manner in which the National Prosecuting Authority had set about hunting down his assets, and freezing them.

Chihuri said the June 12 “unexplained wealth order” which requires him to prove his innocence against alleged criminal activity violates his right to presumption of innocence until proven guilty, guaranteed by section 70 of the Constitution.

The order was granted by Justice Felistas Chatukuta following an application by Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi to force Chihuri and his spouse to explain how they acquired their vast empire, which includes immovable properties and companies.

Chihuri, however, claimed he was being hounded by President Emmerson Mnangagwa as part of a protracted fight that started during the liberation struggle when the latter reportedly snatched his pregnant wife.

He added that he was being persecuted for refusing to take part in the November 2017 military coup that toppled Mugabe.

The former police boss said his firms, NodPack, Adamah, Croxile and Mastaw were subject to processes of internal tendering by Matanga, adding that during that time, the Quartermaster (the late Senior Assistant Commissioner Earnest Muchenjekwa) dealt with over 200 companies.

“Why pick on these few if it’s not persecution?” Chihuri asked rhetorically.

He said to prove that he was being politically persecuted, all service chiefs who served under Mugabe were reassigned, except him, with some now serving in Mnangagwa’s administration as Cabinet, ambassadors or permanent secretaries.

Chihuri said his persecution had been extended to his farming business, where his grain was rejected by all Grain Marketing Board depots.

“As an example of the level of persecution is that, in the harvest season of 2017/2018, I took my maize to GMB (Grain Marketing Board) Shamva depot as usual. Four big haulage trucks (gonyeti) were returned with the load of maize to us, GMB citing that was an instruction given from above not to receive our maize or any of our produce.”

He said attempts to take the grain to GMB depots in Chitungwiza and Aspindale hit a brick wall until he ended up distributing it for free.

Chihuri also questioned why there were attempts to seize his upmarket house in Gletwyn built on two adjacent stands, and yet all top service chiefs allocated stands in the area were allowed to consolidate two stands into one.

He said as a result of the sinister motive, current Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs minister Apolonia Munzverengi, a former Senior Assistant Commissioner (SAC) in the ZRP, had grabbed records for the property.

“These records were subsequently grabbed by Ms Apolonia Munzverengi, who is the ex-ZRP SAC, and she is now minister and governor of Mashonaland East province, who claims that this ZRP housing project is hers,” he said.

“She has consolidated two stands in both phase 1 and phase 2 of the project. All this, with the concurrence of Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga, because he wants to get at me.

“We are not the only ones who consolidated two stands and bought more than one stand. Apolonia Munzverengi, our neighbour, put two stands together in both phases one and two.

“ZRP ex-Commissioner Oliver Chibage has consolidated two stands. Former Deputy Commissioner-General Innocent Matibiri consolidated two stands. Farai Matsika did so too.

“Honourable Vice-President Chiwenga has two stands there and also joined two other additional stands to make one stand, which is huge because it was earmarked for a hotel on a kopje.”

“As far as Gletwyn is concerned, my persecutor and tormentor Apolonia Munzverengi is persecuting me because she stole US$77 000 from the project and her runners shared US$23 000. That is the reason why she left the ZRP.”

-Newsday

By Tafara Domboka| Underfire Harare Mayor Herbert Gomba is being accused of manipulating the minister of local government July Moyo and Harare provincial state minister Oliver Chidawu.

Sources who spoke to this publication accused Gomba of giving freebies to the two ministers in a bid to buy his freedom from the alleged corruption deeds he is being accused of.

“We have established that Mayor Gomba gave Julius Moyo a hefty amount as a protection fee so that he cannot be recalled from his position by MDC-T secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora.

“The same amount is also believed to also cater for the protection of his close allies Denford Ngadziore , Hammy Madzingira, Lovemore Makuruwerere,Costa Mande and Girisoti Mandere,” said one source who requested anonymity.

There are also accusations that Chidawu was rewarded with a tender by Mayor Gomba as a way to appease him.

“Gomba recently awarded a tender for road refurbishments to Bitumen world, a company which Chidawu has interests,” according to another impeccable source.

The Harare Mayor has been under the spotlight for alleged grand corruption which involves illegal parcelling out of land and investigations into the alleged theft land is being scuttled by the Mayor again.

“There are investigations into land theft being led by Municipal Police Chief Security officer Tongoona and Gomba is said to be sending emissaries to silence him. The investigations have already led to the suicide of one employee and implicate the housing director Edgar Dzehonye and Isaiah Zvenyika Chawatama,” added the source.

Efforts to get a comment from Harare Mayor Gomba were fruitless.

Recently, The Harare Residents Trust (HRT) director Precious Shumba allegedly implicated Harare Mayor, Herbert Gomba in illegal land deals that have seen housing stands being parcelled out on wetlands.

He was speaking at a breakfast meeting on wetlands management which was organized by the Harare Wetlands Trust and the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).

By A Correspondent- A Chinese company whose senior manager shot at an employee over a pay dispute has so far paid out US$20 000 for medical bills towards the victims’ family while the Asian national implicated in the case languishes in prison.

They have also paid out an unspecified amount as compensation to the employee for the incident

David Zhou, the leader of the Chinese business community in Zimbabwe told a press briefing on Friday that the family of  Kenneth Tachiona, who was allegedly shot on the ankle by Zhang Xuelin, a manager at Reden Minehas so far been given USD$ 20 000 while all medical bills are being catered for.

“We are helping in the best possible way that we can. This is a regrettable incident and we believe that it won’t happen again. We have also assisted Wendy Chikwaira who was also shot on the arm and we are still engaging the concerned families so that we can find a solution to this,” said Zhou.

Chikwaira and Tachiona reportedly approached Xuelin to demand their unpaid wages before they got into a brawl that ended when he shot and wounded them.

Tachiona is recovering at Midlands Provincial Hospital in Gweru where he was admitted while Chikwaira was treated and discharged.

Zhou said the behaviour of Xeulin was personal and does not reflect the entire Chinese community in Zimbabwe.

The company stated that mine manager who is still in police cells fired two shots in the air but the employees, who were demanding to be paid in USD$, continued to charge towards him. Out of fear he shot the victim on the ankle.

China and Zimbabwe have long-standing friendship and cooperation but the Asian giant has often being accused of abusing the cordial relations.

Reeden Mine is located some 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) south of Gweru along the Matobo road.

-TheAnchor

By Own Correspondent| A number of anti-establishment critiques based in the diaspora have been targeted for arrest as soon as they set foot in Zimbabwe, an authoritative source within the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation revealed.

Those targeted for arrest are going to be charged with the soon to be promulgated cyber security laws, viewed by many as a nefarious agenda by the notorious ruling ZANU PF to deal with descending political voices and push for a one party state agenda.

ZANU PF and the state apparatus such as the judiciary have already been fingered as the people behind the current squabbles in the main opposition MDC in which the system is openly supporting the weaker faction led by Thokozani Khupe who garnered less than 45 000 votes in the 2018 Presidential elections.

The foreign based legion of government critiques also known as keyboard warriors have been standing toe to toe with the ZANU PF digital apologists known as Varakashi who are also resourced by the regime to drive the ZANU PF agenda on social media platforms.

During the run up to the 2018 harmonised elections, President Mnangagwa openly called for the cyber intellects within the regime to defend ZANU PF on all the social media digital platforms.

Faceless characters such as Matigari, Nicole Hondo, Charity Maodza to name but just a few have been pushing the pro-government agenda on the micro-blogging twitter.

“The yet to be gazetted cyber laws will be used against those in the diaspora who have been vehemently attacking the ruling establishment and its leadership as soon as they set foot in the country,” said the top state security detail.

“We have compiled a list with about 70 people who are based in Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America who have been openly attacking the government under the cover of immunity from arrest by virtue of being outside the country”.

He said the list will be handed over to the law enforcement agencies to ensure that all culprits based abroad who have been attacking the regime are arrested once they set foot in the country.

On the list of those targeted for arrest are fierce ZANU PF critiques such as Shepherd Yuda, Tapiwa Mazarura, Ruth Moyo and Robert Shungu to name but just a few.

By Jane Mlambo| Upcoming musician Sha Sha has become the first Zimbabwean to be nominated and win a BET Award after outshining three other competitors

Sha Sha whose real name is Charmaine Shamiso Mpambiro won the 2020 BET Viewers’ Choice: Best New International Act award previously won by Eddy Kenzo, Sho Madjozi, Sjava among other top Africa n stars.

She was nominated alongside Rema from Nigeria, Celeste and Young T & Bugsey from the UK, and Hatik and Sracy from France.

Posting on Twitter after winning the award, Sha Sha said;

What just happened!!! A BET THANK YOU! MY PEOPLE BACK AT HOME ALL ALL OVER THE WORLD MAN

THE government is set to meet with civil servants today over salaries and perks under the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC).

The NJNC has since written to Apex Council chairperson Cecilia Alexander and her deputy Thomas Muzondo advising them of the meeting.

“The chairperson of the National Joint Negotiating Council invites members to a meeting to be held on Monday June 29, 2020 at 1030hrs in the … Kaguvi Building,” NJNC said in the letter.

According to the letter, the meeting would ventilate on new issues, the minutes of the previous meeting, with both the government and workers being allowed to present their sides of the story.

Civil servants demanded full United States (US) dollar-based salaries after the government over a week ago awarded them a USS75 coronavirus (Covid-19) allowance and a 50 percent salary increment.

Workers argued that they were not consulted on the new salary structure, even though it was part of the agreement that any increment would be negotiated.

Apex Council said while the government had taken a step in the right direction, it was not happy that there were no negotiations through NJNC as was agreed during a meeting in January.

The government’s decision to make part payments in US dollars comes as the country’s battered economy is fast approaching the horrors of a decade ago when the Zimbabwe dollar was decimated by hyper-inflation, with the prices of most basic goods now out of reach of ordinary citizens.

The government workers have been demanding a US$550 monthly salary, which is equivalent to what they were getting in October 2017. The government had agreed to review civil servants’ salaries after every four months.

The last time the salaries had been reviewed was in January, with the next meeting having been scheduled for April. However, this was affected by the Covid-19-induced lockdown.

-Daily News

Opposition National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) Professor Lovemore Madhuku has warned the Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T against extending the dates of the Extra-Ordinary Congress saying any date after the 31^st of July will be outside the timeframe declared by the Supreme Court.

Speaking to the Daily News, Madhuku said the Supreme Court did not give the party the greenlight to push congress dates.

“It will be wrong for them to say the Chief Justice gave them the green light to push dates forward. What they are trying to do is to take advantage of the directive he gave to suspend court activities except for urgent cases when the Covid-19 lockdown started on March 31. The directive had nothing to do with their congress so it is their own interpretation to say if some activities were prevented from happening, we also could argue that we were bound by that directive which expired on the ninth of May. However, that is subject to a different interpretation as well. Someone could argue otherwise,” Madhuku said.

Former Finance Minister and MDC Alliance Vice President Tendai Biti has said the move by the government to ban mobile money transactions and trading at the Stock Exchange does not make sense as they were not to blame for the prevailing economic downfall.

Commenting on the issue the firebrand politician and lawyer said:

It does not make economic sense. The reason why we have a black market in the economy is not because of Ecocash or the stock exchange, it’s because we are simply not producing.

You cannot have a government that specialises in creating difficulties for its citizens. Think of the millions of people who cannot access money in banks who rely on mobile transfers.

Biti’s sentiments were echoed by Zimbabwe Information and Communication Technologies chairman Jacob Mutisi who also said:

This will put a dent to our crippled economy and completely shut down the nation’s biggest e-commerce platform.

The problem in Zimbabwe is not Ecocash or mobile money fraud, externalisation or pure advanced airtime sales, but the dysfunctional government policies in general and on the fiscal and monetary policies in particular.

The move by the government to suspend trading at the stock exchange and ban some mobile money transactions came on the day the ZWL reached a new low and traded $100 against a single American dollar.

– The Standard

Zanu PF leader, President Emmerson Mnangagwa appears to be undermining his party politburo decision on expelled Chivi South legislator, Killer Zivhu after giving him the green light to continue with programmes and projects he was implementing in the constituency.

This was after Zivhu recently wrote to Mnangagwa accepting his expulsion and pledging his loyalty.

Zivhu also informed Mnangagwa about his desire to complete the projects, which he said were helping the vulnerable.

He said he would also support his successor in the constituency, and continue working to ensure that the President’s Vision 2030 of an upper middle income was achieved.

President Mnangagwa’s principal private secretary, William Gwatiringa, said in a letter addressed to Zivhu that the President had noted his positive attitude.

“His Excellency, the President acknowledges, with thanks, receipt of your letter accepting your expulsion from the party, following the decision by the Politburo at its 340th Ordinary Session, Wednesday June 10, 2020,” said Gwatiringa.

“The President learnt of your pledge of loyalty and continued support of his person. This gesture is further shown by your expression to keep up the good work by proceeding with all the projects you already started and programmes that assist a number of the vulnerable members of society.”

Gwatiringa said President Mnangagwa took note of Zivhu’s desire to continue working for the party.

“His Excellency also recognises your attitude, not only working for Zanu PF, but also by your willingness to support your successor,” he said.

“Add to this that you want to also ensure His Excellency the President’s vision of Zimbabwe becoming a middle income economy by the year 2030 is achieved, is highly commendable.

“If all that you have pledged to continue doing is fulfilled, your re-admission into the party will be both acceptable and desirable.”

Zivhu was expelled at the recommendation of the party’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC), which found merit in allegations by his home province of Masvingo that he was breeching protocol.

He was accused of pushing for dialogue between President Mnangagwa and MDC-Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa without regard to party processes and procedures.

Late Friday last week the government issued a series of orders to mobile money operators such as Ecocash as well as to the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange. While everyone is affected by the “Ecocash” order, there hasn’t been a lot of talk about the government’s order telling ZSE to stop trading. The ZSE has now confirmed that there will be no trading today as they will wait on the government to tell them what to do?

By A Correspondent- A Chiweshe man who raped and bribed a 15 year old girl with biscuits and body lotion was jailed 12 years by Bindura regional magistrate Ngoni Nduna yesterday.

Bvunzai Chigwada (29) was jailed after full trial and the magistrate conditionally suspended two years.

Prosecutor Samson Chamunorwa told the court that on September 29 last year the complanaint went to the accused’s house looking for her boyfriend and was told by the accused to wait for him as he was not around.

The complanaint kept waiting until it got late and her boyfriend did not show up.

The rapist gave the minor a place to sleep in the kitchen and around midnight he came and raped her twice.

She screamed for help but no one heard her.

The following day both the rapist and the complanaint went to Jaji shopping centre, Chiweshe where he bought her biscuits and body lotion to buy her silence.

The complanaint went to her aunt’s place and divulged the rape leading to Chigwada’s arrest

POLICE Commissioner Godwin Matanga instructed a police constable to shoot former police boss Augustine Chihuri and burn his Greystone Park house in December 2017, Chihuri has revealed.

“My family home was burnt beyond recognition,” he said.

“The fire was started in my home office burning all files, records, 15 Bibles, etc were destroyed.

“To make sure that the records and files were destroyed, he took a 20-litre diesel container and another container with oil.

“He sprayed both in the office, the main bedroom as the major target and so he did the rest of the house except the guest wing.

“Maukazuva [the constable] is facing serious criminal charges, two attempted murder charges and one of arson and malicious injury to property.”

Chihuri accuses Matanga of doing Mnangagwa’s bidding by pursuing criminal cases against him.

Chihuri alleged Matanga systematically engaged in a strategy of harassing his family, relatives and workers, threatening and beating his workers at gunpoint.

“The harassment was made worse when my young children would be threatened by police with guns to produce their father and said that they had been sent by Matanga,” he claimed.

“My children are suffering emotional trauma and they started having nightmares, refusing to go to school as unmarked vehicles would be following them going to and coming back from school.”

Chihuri alleged Matanga was using “all tactics” to persecute him as a result of his “incompetence, which is due to lack of education”.

He claimed the police boss does not have O’Level qualifications.

“He is doing all that he can in order to secure his post,” Chihuri claimed.

“He realises that as a mere ZIPAM diploma holder on behest of ZRP (sic), having been promoted to the post of the country’s police chief is a vulnerable position because his deputies are more educated than him, with Masters and even PhD degrees,” Chihuri said.

“He does not even hold an O’ Level certificate, which is a basic requirement for a constable to join the police.

“It goes on to show that he was rewarded for being a willing participant in the coup process and not on merit.”

Chihuri said Matanga lied to then Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander and now Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga that he (Chihuri) wanted to arrest him upon his return from China at Robert Mugabe International Airport just before the coup.

“This was not so, but a blatant lie to sow the seeds of division and hate between me and the then CDF. Godwin Matanga did all this to secure his position,” he said.

At the time of the coup it was alleged that attempts to arrest Chiwenga forced the military to move against Mugabe.

Chihuri said what surprises him was that all allegations against him were to do with the administration department, which Matanga used to head.

“By way of emphasis, I bring it to the attention of this honourable court that a lot of senior officers across the rank and file and my then deputies, including Godwin Matanga and his wife, supplied a wide range of vegetables and meat to ZRP amenities,” he said.

“These officers supplied large quantities of beef, chicken, vegetables, fruits and goods according to their ability as a general practice in support of indigenisation.

“The former SAC (Senior Assistant Commissioner) Charles Makono and his wife Abigail Makono, owners of Rewstand Pvt Ltd, also supplied uniform fabrics for over $10 million to ZRP ordinance.

“This company was also chosen by Godwin Matanga as many others he chose out of the 200 companies that were cleared by the procurement board to supply ZRP.”

He said the ZRP Retention Fund was not a creation of the police, but government.

As for the source of his wealth, Chihuri said besides salaries, bonus, conditions of service and savings from foreign trips over a period of 37 years, he was also a delegate and vice-president for Africa in Interpol.

“I was remunerated in foreign currency for serving in those organisations for six years,” he said, adding that he built his empire through “hard work and diligence.”

Chihuri skipped the country after he was fired and remains in self-imposed exile.

— The Standard

Standard

Former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono says he was forced to print money even when he knew it would cause hyperinflation because the government was desperate to forestall a coup by hungry soldiers.

Gono, who retired in 2013, told the Mashonaland West Business Conference in Chinhoyi last week that cash was used to pacify the troops.

“If we had not done what we did printing money and allowing inflation to skyrocket, then the men and women you see in those beautiful uniforms, they were ready to get out of their barracks,” he said.

“Operation Restore Legacy would have happened much earlier, but not one that we would have been commanding ourselves.

“It would have been a ‘restore legacy’ that would have been commanded from elsewhere.

“I had the privilege to come face-to-face with hungry men and women in uniform.

“I had the privilege to visit each and every barrack in this country to come face-to-face with hunger, hunger that was affecting men and women who have nothing else but their AKs; men and women who, if we did not do what we did, could have been tempted to get out and look for some food by whatever means.”

Gono said he never had the resources to do his job during his tumultuous tenure at the central bank.

“I was given a car, which did not have fuel and expected to get to a certain destination. You drive on empty. ours was not an ordinary situation, ours couldn’t be compared to any other country or any other situation,” he said.

“Any attempt to get money was met with blockages.

“Faced with a situation that we were in, we chose to allow inflation to go the way it went as long as we preserved the lives of our people.”

Gono said most of the time they could not tell Zimbabweans the truth that the country had no fuel or medicines fearing unrest.

Own Correspondent

MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa says he will not waste his time attending the Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T’s extra-ordinary congress set for September.

Speaking in an interview with a South African news television channel on Sunday, described the planned event as a Zanu PF congress and nothing to do with his party.

“The court ruled that the MDC-T must hold an extra-ordinary congress. We are not MDC-T, we are MDC Alliance,” he said.

“We have come together as the parties that had gone into different dimensions that were different and separate, you know the party that was led by Prof (Welshman) Ncube, you know the party that was led by former finance minister Tendai Biti.

“All came together when there were invited by President Morgan Tsvangirai, the late.

“What we now have is MDC Alliance and MDC-T are two distinct political parties that cannot be joined, that cannot be confused, and that belonged separately that participated in the 2018 election separately.”

Chamisa added, “Thokozani Khupe and MDC-T participated and got 45 000 votes, we participated and we got 2.6 million votes.

“So the distinction is very clear, so what Mr Mnangagwa is trying to do is to conflate the two so that he confuses it and he forces us to be part of what he wants through the political dialogue in the POLAD.

“I cannot attend a Zanu PF congress, that is an MDC-T congress which is a separate party.

“Those who would want to participate are the ones who are entitled to as a voluntary association.

“We are in the MDC Alliance, we are already re-tooling, and we are already regenerating our party making sure that we are ready for the next challenges and next battle.

“So, MDC Alliance is a stand-alone party.”

State Media

President Mnangagwa, at the coming in of the new dispensation, pledged to fight corruption and true to his word, the Government will stop at nothing in arresting graft and dealing with economic saboteurs, a Cabinet Minister has said.

Addressing villagers and Zanu-PF supporters at Mpesi business centre in Mberengwa West yesterday, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo said the new dispensation has for the first time in the history of the country been open and transparent about dealing with corruption. “Many measures have been put in place to fight corruption and the people are now free to talk about it. Officials are being arrested and before that was taboo. Now we’re talking about it, it means it’s being solved.

“This is President Mnangagwa’s election pledge card, he pledged to fulfil the fight against corruption by 2023. He asked to be measured with regards to fighting corruption by the people ahead of 2023 elections, it’s his pledge card and he is serious about fighting this scourge that is eroding the economic fibre,” said Dr Moyo.

“Outsiders are now saying corruption barometer is higher. Yes, we are fighting the scourge and people are freely talking about it.”

Dr Moyo said it was unfortunate that some Zimbabweans had volunteered to tarnish the image of their country.

“And normally when we are going towards regional or international meetings, we are accused of human rights abuses. For example, why would the Government abduct Dr Peter Magombeyi, a junior doctor for that matter? What has he done? What does he have? About 4 000 health workers were engaged by Government recently to assist in the fight against the spread of Covid-19. Some haven’t received their first salary and are already striking. Why allow to be used by other people? You are an essential service and it affects the lives of ordinary people,” Dr Moyo said.

He called on Zimbabweans to be vigilant and be aware of the works of the country’s detractors.

Dr Moyo said the new dispensation recognises human rights and will never abduct women as claimed by the opposition and some countries pushing a regime change agenda.

“There are three other women from the opposition who said they were abducted. Abducted by who and why? Tapiwa Mashakada after fighting in the opposition revealed that Dr Magombeyi was never abducted. All these stories are aimed at tarnishing our image.

“They want to portray the country as violators of children and women rights which is not true. We are a law-abiding nation and we follow and recognise people’s human rights. We care for the people at all times because we must be together in all situations. We are a pro-people Government,” he said.

Dr Moyo also called on ambassadors accredited to Zimbabwe not to get involved in matters which don’t concern them. “Even with other ambassadors, don’t take sides, stay in your lane, you have your own troubles back in your countries and we haven’t poked our nose into your internal affairs. Ambassadors please stay in your lane and don’t be involved in our internal issues. Don’t be in the cross-fire,” he said.

Addressing the same meeting, Zanu-PF Midlands Provincial chairperson Engineer Daniel Mackenzie Ncube said Government is going to assist the people of Mberengwa District with food aid and other socio-economic development programmes.

He said President Mnangagwa’s Government is involved in a lot of development programmes to improve the people’s quality of life.

“The presence of our guest of honour Dr SB Moyo is a clear indication of how the new dispensation values its people and is working on an array of programmes to improve your livelihoods.

“As Mberengwa District, you did well in the last election and we expect you to lead by example and improve in terms of voter numbers. Now you have about 17 000 registered voters for Mberengwa West. We need that figure to be increased to more than 23 000. We want to bury the opposition come 2023,” he said.

Zanu PF First Secretary and President, Mnangagwa, has given expelled party legislator for Chivi South Mr Killer Zivhu the green light to continue with programmes and projects he was implementing in the constituency.

This was after Mr Zivhu recently wrote to the President accepting his expulsion and pledging his loyalty.

He also informed the President about his desire to complete the projects, which he said were helping the vulnerable.

Mr Zivhu said he would also support his successor in the constituency, and continue working to ensure that the President’s Vision 2030 of an upper middle income was achieved.

President Mnangagwa’s principal private secretary, Mr William Gwatiringa, said in a letter addressed to Mr Zivhu that the President had noted his positive attitude.

“His Excellency, the President acknowledges, with thanks, receipt of your letter accepting your expulsion from the party, following the decision by the Politburo at its 340th Ordinary Session, Wednesday June 10, 2020,” said Mr Gwatiringa.

“The President learnt of your pledge of loyalty and continued support of his person. This gesture is further shown by your expression to keep up the good work by proceeding with all the projects you already started and programmes that assist a number of the vulnerable members of society.”

Mr Gwatiringa said President Mnangagwa took note of Mr Zivhu’s desire to continue working for the party.

“His Excellency also recognises your attitude, not only working for Zanu PF, but also by your willingness to support your successor,” he said.

“Add to this that you want to also ensure His Excellency the President’s vision of Zimbabwe becoming a middle income economy by the year 2030 is achieved, is highly commendable.

“If all that you have pledged to continue doing is fulfilled, your re-admission into the party will be both acceptable and desirable.”

Mr Zivhu was expelled at the recommendation of the party’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC), which found merit in allegations by his home province of Masvingo that he was breeching protocol.

He was accused of pushing for dialogue between President Mnangagwa and MDC-Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa without regard to party processes and procedures.

State Media

A GOLD mine employee lost nearly US$50 000 to thieves who broke into his car minutes after he had sold gold to a dealer in Bulawayo on Saturday.

West Nicholson-located Jessie Gold Mine manager only identified as Mr De Villiers (54) is alleged to have lost $46 830 to thieves who broke into his car while he had entered a shop in Belmont industrial site.

The incident occurred on Saturday between 11AM and 11:40AM.

It is alleged that Mr De Villiers had sold the yellow metal at 11AM which gave him $46 830, before conducting errands in the city centre and the industrial site.

Mr De Villers who had stashed the money under the driver’s seat of his Honda CRV, found the right front window was smashed, door unlocked and money gone upon returning to the car parked outside a shop in Belmont industrial area at 11:40AM.

He reported the theft incident at Donnington Police Station with cops initiating investigations.

Reached for comment, Mr De Villiers yesterday confirmed that the money was stolen in his car while pleading to be contacted later.

“I’m busy call me later. Call me in an hour or two,” he said.

Later, Mr De Villiers’ cellphone was no longer reachable.

The theft occured at a time when police have intensified campaigns to educate members of the public against leaving valuables in their cars.

This is due to an increase in the number of cases where residents have been losing cash, laptops, cellphones, handbags to thieves who steal from cars.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said investigations on the matter were in progress.

“We are investigating a case where a Bulawayo man lost US$46 830 which was left in a car shortly after selling gold. As police we are concerned that despite going out in full force in conducting campaigns educating members of the public against leaving their valuables in cars, people seem to ignore our messages as we continue recording similar cases,” said Insp Ncube.

He said what is more worrying about this case, is that a company did very little to secure its money.

“It is worrying that a company official would go around the city with such large sums of money without securing it. We believe he was negligent. We believe US$46 000 is a substantial amount of money that should compel companies to even hire security companies during its transportation. This is a theft case that could have been avoided if people had been more careful. This is the money where after conducting a transaction you deposit it into the bank before conducting other businesses,” he said.

Insp Ncube said cops will continue to raid the theft from vehicles syndicates.

He said criminals stealing from cars were becoming sophisticated, using chemicals to wipe off their finger prints from crime scenes.

“But this will not stop us from arresting them as has been observed by the number of arrests that we are making on weekly basis. We urge members of the public to be more vigilant with their valuables,” he said.

State Media

The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has dismissed media allegations that soldiers deployed in Kadoma and Kwekwe to assist the police in ensuring compliance to lockdown regulations are assaulting civilians.

In a statement issued last week, Deputy Director Army Public Relations Major Alex Zuva said the two incidents that were alleged to have happened in Kadoma and Kwekwe were fabricated.

“There has been of late a systematic and well-choreographed assault on the ZNA which is deliberately meant to soil and chip away the good image and reputation of the same in a bid to make citizens of Zimbabwe despondent, dejected and disaffected with the Government,” he said.

“It is rehearsed media violence to inflame physical violence.”

In the first alleged incident, which allegedly happened on June 17, members of the ZNA are reported to have assaulted civilians at Hammer and Tongues in Kadoma.

A ZNA team tasked to probe the occurrence established that no such place existed in Kadoma.

Major Zuva said no reports of assault by soldiers were made at any police station in the district.

In the other incident that allegedly occurred in Kwekwe on the same day, it was purported that army officers barred Zimra personnel from going into the city centre.

Major Zuva said investigations by the ZNA showed that Zimra’s head in Kwekwe did not face any challenges in accessing her office on the day in question.

The workers denied passage at first, the ZNA said, failed to produce exemption letters at a police checkpoint in Amaveni as required under lockdown guidelines.

When they returned with their letters they were allowed into the city centre without any problem.

Major Zuva urged citizens to be compliant with Covid-19 lockdown regulations, and to ignore blatant and malicious misinformation published by online media outlets.

ZBC

THE GOVERNMENT says examination centres are ready to handle the ZIMSEC June 2020 examinations that start on Tuesday, amid revelations that schools used as COVID-19 quarantine centres have alternative venues for the examinations.

The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Ambassador Cain Mathema says examination centres are ready to take the ZIMSEC June 2020 examinations, with requisite materials and personal protective equipment (PPEs) having been availed to ensure that invigilators and candidates are safe from COVID-19.

The Minister spoke to ZBC News over the phone confirming that it is all systems go and clarifying that schools that were used as COVID-19 quarantine centres have found alternative venues for the examinations.

60 000 candidates have registered for the June examinations, the bulk of them being external candidates.

The financial sector has since responded to the government announcement to cushion the public service with foreign currency payments through opening automatic Nostro-accounts for the civil servants and pensioners.

The move comes as the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) says banks and large scale businesses are working on modalities to ensure civil servants and pensioners easily transact and retain value from their foreign currency allowances announced by the government recently.

The announcement by the government to pay civil servants and pensioners a stimulus Covid-19 package of 75 and 30 United States dollars respectively for the next three months, has been described by RBZ Governor Dr. John Mangudya as a huge step to cushion workers.

“As RBZ we welcome the announcement by the government, it is a stimulus package which will remain in the economy, those businesses who accept the money can use it to expand their businesses, it will also go a long way in supporting our currency, jobs and give value to the civil servant.’’

The RBZ boss added that banks and large businesses are working around the clock to put in place modalities to ensure suitable point of sale and bank cards are in place for public servants to transact in foreign currency.

“We have engaged the banks to process master cards, visa cards, and point of sales machine for the foreign currency transactions. We have also spoken to big businesses and shops to install these facilities so that civil servants and pensioners can easily transact and retain value for their money.”

State Media

Whistle-blowers turning in tax dodgers can now claim a reward of 10 percent of the recovered taxes or duties under regulations gazetted on Friday by Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube.

The Revenue Authority (Reward for Information) (General) Regulations, 2020, published in the Statutory Instrument 150 of 2020, covers underpayment or non-payment of income and company taxes, capital gains taxes, VAT and customs and excise duties.

Various people cannot claim reward including Zimra staff and their near relatives and the Revenue Board, or those who would have obtained the information as part of their official duties when working for Zimra or sitting on the board, and getting the information from someone who cannot claim the reward and is passing it on to someone who can.

Anyone who was involved in the under-reporting or non-payment of tax cannot be paid a reward, either, effectively barring accomplices.

The reward can only be given for information that directly leads to the recovery of revenue and is set at 10 percent of the actual amount recovered.

Zimra will do its best to keep the identity of the whistleblower secret.

But those providing false information will be in serious trouble, being guilty of an offence that leads to a maximum of a level 7 fine, $9 600 in the latest list, or two years in jail or both.

According to the regulations, any claim for reward must be accompanied by an original signed declaration under penalty of perjury confirming the authenticity of the application including any accompanying statements or documents

Former Finance Minister and MDC Alliance Vice President Tendai Biti has said the move by the government to ban mobile money transactions and trading at the Stock Exchange does not make sense as they were not to blame for the prevailing economic downfall.

Commenting on the issue the firebrand politician and lawyer said:

It does not make economic sense. The reason why we have a black market in the economy is not because of Ecocash or the stock exchange, it’s because we are simply not producing.

You cannot have a government that specialises in creating difficulties for its citizens. Think of the millions of people who cannot access money in banks who rely on mobile transfers.

Biti’s sentiments were echoed by Zimbabwe Information and Communication Technologies chairman Jacob Mutisi who also said:

This will put a dent to our crippled economy and completely shut down the nation’s biggest e-commerce platform.

The problem in Zimbabwe is not Ecocash or mobile money fraud, externalisation or pure advanced airtime sales, but the dysfunctional government policies in general and on the fiscal and monetary policies in particular.

The move by the government to suspend trading at the stock exchange and ban some mobile money transactions came on the day the ZWL reached a new low and traded $100 against a single American dollar- The Standard

Farai Dziva|Police in Masvingo raided Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development official, Brighton Ramusi’s house on Sunday morning.

The overzealous police details also harassed Ramusi’s wife.

Ramusi and
Ephraim Mtombeni have since surrendered themselves to the Police CID Masvingo.They were accompanied to Masvingo Central Police Station by their lawyer Martin Mureri.

“Police officers violently broke into Ramusi’s house and they threatened his wife in the process,” A COTRAD official told ZimEye.com

A 64-year-old man from Jengwe area outside Victoria Falls has been arrested after he allegedly fatally struck his son with a machete during a fight that ensued when he rebuked the now deceased for having a love affair with a juvenile girl.

The murder took place on Wednesday at the family homestead in the presence of other family members in Jengwe Village 3, under Chief Mvutu. The now deceased, Dumezweni Ncube was aged 22.

Concern Ncube was not asked to plead to murder when he briefly appeared for initial remand before Victoria Falls magistrate Ms Lindiwe Maphosa.

He was remanded in custody to 14 July and the magistrate advised him to apply to the High Court for bail.

Ncube is employed at Matetsi River Lodge along Zambezi River between Victoria Falls Town and Kazungula.

Prosecuting, Mrs Sithabile Daka-Mungombe said Ncube was arrested on Wednesday.

“On 23 June and at home, the accused unlawfully and intentionally caused the death of his son Dumezweni Ncube by striking him once on the forehead with a machete after a family dispute,” Mrs Daka-Mungombe told the court.

While the cause of the fight was not stated in court, police sources said Ncube allegedly rebuked his son for having a love affair with a minor girl in their area.

A misunderstanding reportedly ensued resulting in the two engaging in a fist fight upon which the accused picked a machete and struck his son who died moments later before being taken to hospital.

The fight and murder took place in the presence of the accused’s wife Mrs Joyce Ncube and deceased’s brother Zenzo.-The Sunday News

By A Correspondent- Former MDC Alliance (MDC-A) MP for Mkoba, Amos Chibaya, has castigated MDC-T acting president Thokozani Khupe for expelling 13 legislators from Parliament who were voted on an Alliance ticket.

Chibaya, who is the MDC-A national organising secretary, together with 12 others, were recalled by Khupe from Parliament after they refused to dump Nelson Chamisa.

Said Chibaya:

This cowardly act defies logic and defeats the democratic will of the people who clearly voted for their preferred representatives in Parliament in the 2018 elections.

The unprecedented move by Khupe and cabal to recall us from Parliament will not deter our commitment to the people’s struggle.

We, however, remain resolute and committed to the people’s struggle and shall not sell our souls for a few pieces of silver.

The liberation of the Zimbabwean masses remains our guiding compass in the democratic struggle until we deliver a people’s government under President Advocate Nelson Chamisa.

Chibaya called on all MDC Alliance Members of Parliament, those recalled and who have so far been spared the axe, to remain vigilant and work hard in their respective party portfolios and constituencies.

He also thanked residents of Mkoba constituency for their unwavering support throughout the years he has been their representative in Parliament.

-DailyNews

By A Correspondent- Interim MDC president Thokozani Khupe has made a dramatic extra-ordinary congress U-turn after she rolled back the new dates she had set for the Indaba to the original July 31 date.

This comes as MDC-T deputy spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni announced last week that the party’s court-directed extra-ordinary congress which was originally slated for next month (where a substantive new party boss was to be chosen) had been postponed to between September 4 and 6 this year. This was on account of the leadership’s desire to ensure public safety as well as the limitations brought about by the coronavirus national lockdown which disallows gatherings of more than 50 people.

But yesterday, Phugeni told the Daily News on Sunday that the party’s lawyers were consulting to establish if there is no potential to violate the Supreme Court ruling directing that the congress be held three months after the ruling was handed down on March 31; with a view to changing the dates.

“Our lawyers had an understanding that when the Chief Justice handed the judgment that directed us to hold an extraordinary congress in three months; he had given us a six-week extension. The lawyers are now engaging the Chief Justice to get clarity on the matter and we are going to inform the nation if there are any changes when we get feedback from the authorities,” Phugeni said.

When the announcement to postpone the dates was made, MDC-T secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora insisted that it would not be a violation of the March Supreme Court ruling.

“When the ruling was handed down, the Chief Justice (Luke Malaba) made a blanket extension of time limits by six weeks.

“The three months deadline was due to expire on July 31, but there is a six-week period we were given which means that the extra-ordinary congress will have to be held on or before the 15th of September. We are, therefore, working on any date between now and then,” Mwonzora told the Daily News on Sunday.

“We are expecting the Covid-19 figures to go down as we approach summer, but we are going to be working on the advice of ministry of Health officials.

“There are a number of other options which include finding ways to reduce the numbers which will attend congress at the material time. One of the other possibilities is to decentralise the congress or to seek an extension in the courts. That of course is not an option we would like.”

But MDC-T lawyer Lovemore Madhuku told the Daily News on Sunday yesterday that Malaba had not given the party the green light to push the congress dates.

“It will be wrong for them to say the Chief Justice gave them the green light to push dates forward. What they are trying to do is to take advantage of the directive he gave to suspend court activities except for urgent cases when the Covid-19 lockdown started on March 31. The directive had nothing to do with their congress so it is their own interpretation to say if some activities were prevented from happening, we also could argue that we were bound by that directive which expired on the 11th of May. However, that is subject to a different interpretation as well. Someone could argue otherwise,” Madhuku said.

By A Correspondent- The number of people who have escaped from quarantine centres has risen to 187 after 4 more people recently skipped from two different centres.

The COVID-19 status and identities of the latest escapees have not been disclosed.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the development, saying to date, only 28 people have been arrested for escaping from quarantine.

Said Nyathi:

One person escaped from NSSA Hotel, Beitbridge while three others from Murewa Training Centre quarantine centres. The cumulative number of escapees is now 187 while those arrested remain at 28.

Nyathi revealed that more than 78 000 people have been arrested for violating COVID-19 regulations to date across the country.

He urged members of the public to be wary of the increasing number of COVID-19 infections and to abide by COVID-19 regulations.

Following the escapes, police have said they put tight security at the isolation centres and on the boundary of the main quarantine centre.

They are being assisted by the Zimbabwe National Army, the Support Unit and the Duty Uniform Branch (DUB).

-dailynews

By A Correspondent- Former MDC member and Economic Planning former minister Tapiwa Mashakada who recently left the MDC-Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa claiming the party had stopped being a workers’ movement has alleged that the party had no respect for the rule of law after rejecting to accept a Supreme Court ruling that Thokozani Khupe is interim president after the death of president Morgan Tsvangirai in February 2018.

Said Mashakada in an exclusive interview with a local publication:

!Our challenges in the MDC started soon after the demise of our iconic leader Dr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai when we catapulted Chamisa to the helm of the MDC without following the provisions of the constitution.

What should have happened was that after the national council had decided that Chamisa should step in, we should have held an extraordinary congress to choose Tsvangirai’s successor, but we did not, we simply endorsed Advocate Chamisa as the successor without the proper mandate of the congress and the MDC constitution that’s where things started going wrong.

Secondly, we then held a factional congress in Gweru in May 2019 and Thokozani Khupe also held a factional congress in January 2019, all these congresses were irregular and unconstitutional.

Fast forward, the Supreme Court ruling made it clear that Khupe is the acting president after the demise of Tsvangirai.

The Supreme Court judgment has ordered the MDC to revert to its 2014 structures and hold an extraordinary congress.

Regrettably, the Chamisa faction has refused to accept the judgment of the Supreme Court, which brings a lot of questions regarding the observance of the rule of law and court rulings.

My view is that court rulings must be obeyed and followed even if you don’t agree with the court ruling. Yes, you can criticise it, but it’s one thing to criticise and another not to follow the judgment, that’s where the problem started.

The situation deteriorated and led to my departure and that of my colleagues, but what hastened my departure was my criticism of the call for MPs to disengage from Parliament.

I criticised that decision as un-strategic and not warranted and I with other MPs defied that directive.

The second fallout happened when I advised the MDC-Alliance to follow the Supreme Court judgment and go to the extraordinary congress.

My colleagues could not stomach such criticism and they did not tolerate my independent views on these matters so I decided that due to these fundamental differences, we should part ways.

You may recall that MDC was formed by the ZCTU, that’s why it was formed as a labour backed party in 1999. We formed the MDC from the labour movement and we invited other pro-democratic forces like Zinasu, the Constitutional movement (NCA), rural women organisations, academia, churches, non-formal sectors and many other social groups/non-state actors.”

-DailyNews

We held the national working people’s convention at the Women’s bureau, Hillside in Harare where it was resolved that a broad-based movement for democratic change should be formed and after that we as the ZCTU held our own extraordinary congress at the Zesa Training Centre in 1998 to get the mandate from the general council and the congress for ZCTU to facilitate the formation of a political party.

The late Gibson Sibanda, Tsvangirai and all of us were pivotal in the consummation of this labour backed party. That’s how its character and identity emerged as a labour-backed party.

The students were invited through Zinasu activists, students like Chamisa, Job Sikhala, Learnmore Jongwe, Tafadzwa Musekiwa, Alex Musundire and others came to the fold to buttress what Zctu had already started as the godfather of the Movement for Democratic Change party.

Over the years, you have seen that labour union stalwarts have fallen by the wayside, have been marginalised or purged. You talk of people like James Makore and Cephas Makuyana (who was the master of ceremonies at the launch of the party at Rufaro Stadium in 1999.)

Makore was key in the mobilisation of Zctu structures and their morphing into MDC party structures. Side-lining stalwarts like Gift Chimanikire who were founders of the labour movement, Thokazani Khupe, myself, Paurina Mpariwa and many other trade unions veterans who were purged from branch, ward, district, provincial and national structures was a fatal mistake.

Over the years, the participation and representation of labour was watered down in the new-look Zinasu-biased National Executive and National Standing Committee.

Take for instance people like Chalton Hwende, Fadzayi Mahere, Murisi Zwizwai, Obey Sithole, Gladys Hlatywayo and all these people they have no clue about the roots of the MDC. They just joined the bus when it had left the garage or the deport.

That’s where the revolution loses direction when the founders are marginalised by hook or crook through shoddy congresses that are predetermined and are rigged.

The profile and colour of the MDC as it stands today is now dominated by the Zinasu element and all veterans have either left or have been marginalised.

Zimbabwe had no coronavirus case today despite testing 474 people. The bulk of the tests, 458, were diagnostic tests.

The number of cases remains at 567 with 419 active and 148, including six deaths, closed.

Globally there are now 10.2 million cases which include 502 800 deaths, 5.5 million people that have recovered and 4.2 million active cases.

Standard

MDC Alliance organising secretary Amos Chibaya says all party MPs recently recalled by the Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T remain resolute and unshaken by the purges.

Speaking to The Standard on Saturday, Chibaya also urged other party MPs to remain loyal to leader Nelson Chamisa emphasising the need to respect the people who voted them into Parliament by resisting to join Khupe.

“The unprecedented move by Khupe and cabal to recall us from Parliament will not deter our commitment to the people’s struggle,” Chibaya said.

“This cowardly act defies logic and defeats the democratic will of the people who clearly voted for their preferred representatives in Parliament in the 2018 elections.

“We, however, remain resolute and committed to the people’s struggle and shall not sell our souls for a few pieces of silver. The liberation of the Zimbabwean masses remains our guiding compass in the democratic struggle until we deliver a people’s government under President Advocate Nelson Chamisa.”

Chibaya, together with 12 others, were recalled by Khupe from Parliament after they insisted on laying their allegiance on Chamisa and refused to follow the Supreme Court ruling that adjudged Khupe the new interim leader of MDC-T.

“I would like to urge all MDC Alliance Members of Parliament, recalled or not, to remain vigilant and work hard in their respective party portfolios and constituencies. These sideshows meant to derail the people’s movement will pass,” said Chibaya.

“We will take the fight to the enemy and will never get tired. Ours is a conviction to fight for good governance and constitutionalism in Zimbabwe, a fight to eradicate corruption, a fight for better remuneration and respect for our civil servants, a fight for affordable and accessible basic healthcare and education services.

“It is never about selfish individual interests, but the livelihoods of all Zimbabweans.”

He also thanked the people of Mkoba “for the unwavering support and solidarity you have given me throughout the years I have served and represented our beloved constituency in Parliament”.

A Chegutu council employee lost his life on Friday after a heap of loose soil collapsed on him while he replacing old sewer lines.

Chegutu Mayor Henri Muchatibaya told NewZimbabwe.com that Lovemore Prince Chingeni was among workmates carrying out a council task of replacing old sewer lines. Said Muchatibaya:

We are deeply saddened and heartbroken to have lost one of our dedicated employees in such circumstances.

He had been in the trenches which had been dug out by a JCB. As soon as he was there, some loose soil fell back and buried him.

Council employees together with some army servicemen who were on patrol helped to retrieve him. However, it was a little too late to save his life.

Muchatibaya paid tribute to the late Chingeni, saying he was one of the most dedicated employees at Chegutu Municipality.

Pindula

The MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe has changed the date on the holding of its extraordinary congress by bringing it back to July 31, the date originally earmarked for the Indaba.

Last week MDC-T deputy spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni announced that the Supreme Court-directed extra-ordinary congress had been moved forward to between September 4 and 6 this year.

However, speaking on Saturday to the Daily News on Sunday, Phugeni said the party’s lawyers were consulting to establish if the Supreme Court ruling allowed the party to change the dates. Said Phugeni:

– – – Buy NetOne, Telecel Airtime on WhatsApp using EcoCash.

Send the word Airtime to +263 714 815 229

No extra charges. – – –

Our lawyers had an understanding that when the Chief Justice handed the judgment that directed us to hold an extraordinary congress in three months; he had given us a six-week extension.

The lawyers are now engaging the Chief Justice to get clarity on the matter and we are going to inform the nation if there are any changes when we get feedback from the authorities.

However, MDC-T lawyer Lovemore Madhuku told the publication that Chief Justice Malaba had not given the party the permission to push the congress dates. He said:

It will be wrong for them to say the Chief Justice gave them the green light to push dates forward. What they are trying to do is to take advantage of the directive he gave to suspend court activities except for urgent cases when the COVID-19 lockdown started on March 31.

The directive had nothing to do with their congress so it is their own interpretation to say if some activities were prevented from happening, we also could argue that we were bound by that directive which expired on the 11th of May.

The Supreme Court judgement was delivered on 31 March this year and directed interim MDC-T president Thokozani Khupe to convene an extraordinary congress – within 90 days – of the party’s 2014 structures to elect a substantive president to replace the late Morgan Tsvangirai who died in February 2018.

More: Daily News

Former Finance Minister and MDC Alliance Vice President Tendai Biti has said the move by the government to ban mobile money transactions and trading at the Stock Exchange does not make sense as they were not to blame for the prevailing economic downfall.

Commenting on the issue the firebrand politician and lawyer said:

It does not make economic sense. The reason why we have a black market in the economy is not because of Ecocash or the stock exchange, it’s because we are simply not producing.

You cannot have a government that specialises in creating difficulties for its citizens. Think of the millions of people who cannot access money in banks who rely on mobile transfers.

Biti’s sentiments were echoed by Zimbabwe Information and Communication Technologies chairman Jacob Mutisi who also said:

This will put a dent to our crippled economy and completely shut down the nation’s biggest e-commerce platform.

The problem in Zimbabwe is not Ecocash or mobile money fraud, externalisation or pure advanced airtime sales, but the dysfunctional government policies in general and on the fiscal and monetary policies in particular.

The move by the government to suspend trading at the stock exchange and ban some mobile money transactions came on the day the ZWL reached a new low and traded $100 against a single American dollar- The Standard

Farai Dziva|Police in Masvingo raided Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development official, Brighton Ramusi’s house on Sunday morning.

The overzealous police details also harassed Ramusi’s wife.

Ramusi and
Ephraim Mtombeni have since surrendered themselves to the Police CID Masvingo.They were accompanied to Masvingo Central Police Station by their lawyer Martin Mureri.

“Police officers violently broke into Ramusi’s house and they threatened his wife in the process,” A COTRAD official told ZimEye.com

Former Police Commissioner August Chihuri has dropped a bombshell on his successor Gideon Matanga whom he accused of being uneducated and rising through the police ranks through persecuting him.

In his affidavit to the court, Chihuri alleged that Matanga was using “all tactics” to persecute him as a result of his “incompetence, which is due to lack of education”.

He claimed the police boss does not have O’Level qualifications.

“He realises that as a mere ZIPAM diploma holder on behest of ZRP (sic), having been promoted to the post of the country’s police chief is a vulnerable position because his deputies are more educated than him, with Masters and even PhD degrees,” Chihuri said.

“He does not even hold an O’ Level certificate, which is a basic requirement for a constable to join the police.

“It goes on to show that he was rewarded for being a willing participant in the coup process and not on merit.”

Chihuri said Matanga lied to then Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander and now Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga that he (Chihuri) wanted to arrest him upon his return from China at Robert Mugabe International Airport just before the coup.

By A Correspondent- A Chegutu Town council employee Love Chengeni (35) drowned yesterday while fixing  sewage pipes it has emerged.

Sources familiar with the incident alleged that a trench collapsed while Chengeni was changing dilapidated pipes.

It could however not be immediately established whether the deceased was on duty or not.

Said a source privy to developments:

“He drowned when a trench he was fixing collapsed. No-one was able to rescue him.”

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest details.

MDC Alliance Goromonzi South Youth Chairperson Davison Chamisa and Mashonaland East Provincial executive member Ishmael Jeke have been arrested and are currently detained at Ruwa Police station.

According to the MDC Alliance information, they have been arrested in connection with the Goromonzi Whistle protest that took place last night.

News Of The South

Lilongwe|Embattled, deposed Malawi leader Peter Mutharika could not race against time and finish the construction of his home despite having all the resources at his disposal.

Despite being warned by a number of surveys that he will lose the election, the out going Malawi leader could not do the needful by preparing his retirement home.

Upon being informed to vacate the state residences, embattled Mutharika had no choice but to occupy his unfinished mansion which is still under construction in the Lakeshore district of Mangochi.

A source close to Mutharika told this reporter that the immediate past Malawi president could not make a proper decision on a house to occupy until Friday morning.

“It was terrible, Mr Mutharika had no idea as to where to go up to this date, it was until he was told to leave Sanjika Palace when he arrived at a decision to occupy this unfinished house here in Mangochi,” he said

A week ago Mutharika was on record being accused of abusing the duty free privilege after he procured tonnes of building cement from Zimbabwe despite local companies having the capacity to supply any quantity of the product.

According to another reliable source, this publication has established that, Mutharika has acquired houses in South Africa which used to be property of Malawi government.

Meanwhile, Mr Mutharika has applied for a temporary leave for South Africa which clearly confirmed earlier reports that he settled to live in the rainbow nation when retired.

News Of The South

Lilongwe|Embattled, deposed Malawi leader Peter Mutharika could not race against time and finish the construction of his home despite having all the resources at his disposal.

Despite being warned by a number of surveys that he will lose the election, the out going Malawi leader could not do the needful by preparing his retirement home.

Upon being informed to vacate the state residences, embattled Mutharika had no choice but to occupy his unfinished mansion which is still under construction in the Lakeshore district of Mangochi.

A source close to Mutharika told this reporter that the immediate past Malawi president could not make a proper decision on a house to occupy until Friday morning.

“It was terrible, Mr Mutharika had no idea as to where to go up to this date, it was until he was told to leave Sanjika Palace when he arrived at a decision to occupy this unfinished house here in Mangochi,” he said

A week a go Mutharika was on record being accused of abusing the duty free privilege after he procured tonnes of building cement from Zimbabwe despite local companies having the capacity to supply any quantity of the product.

According to another reliable source, this publication has established that, Mutharika has acquired houses in South Africa which used to be property of Malawi government.

Meanwhile, Mr Mutharika has applied for a temporary leave for South Africa which clearly confirmed earlier reports that he settled to live in the rainbow nation when retired.

By A Correspondent- The City Of Kings and Queens has been hit by a typhoid outbreak after tests at private laboratories showed that the 12 people who died in Luveve were suffering from typhoid and dysentery.

The same tests also showed that the 1500+ people who were sick were also suffering from typhoid and dysentery.

Speaking to the publication, BCC Health Director Dr Edwin Sibanda said:

We had tests done at a Cimas lab and National University of Science and Technology for both water quality and rectal swabs. While the stool samples came out positive for salmonella typhi and shigella, the six water samples from various sources that include tap water, home containers, wells and streams came out negative. The patients were exhibiting different symptoms with some vomiting while others had bloody diarrhoea.

The two diseases have different incubation periods, with shigella’s being 12-96 hours while salmonella typhi is between eight to 14 days. A person could have been infected elsewhere only to show symptoms here and start spreading the disease.

Again, maybe the water source could have been infected before we tested and then the bacteria were washed out by the time we were doing tests.

Meanwhile, Bulawayo residents have filed an urgent chamber application at the High Court compelling BCC to release the information about the outbreak as they content that if BCC is given more time it will conceal the information.

-StateMedia

Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 cases have risen to 567 after six (6) more people tested positive for the virus on the 27th of June 2020.

The number includes 142 recoveries and six (6) deaths.

All the new infections are returnees from South Africa.
The country also recorded 7 recoveries.-Health Ministry

https://twitter.com/DMwonzora/status/1277105081410863104?s=20

Farai Dziva|Former police boss Augustine Chihuri has accused Emmerson Mnangagwa of snatching his wife during the liberation struggle.

Chihuri claimed Mnangagwa forced himself on his wife.

Chihuri is on the verge of losing his $30 Million empire as his assets could be forfeited by the state.

This was revealed by journalist Brezhnev Malaba in a tweet:

“Former police boss Augustine Chihuri, whose US$30m real estate empire could soon be forfeited to the state, alleges that President Mnangagwa harbours a vendetta against him dating back to the liberation struggle when ED allegedly forced himself upon Chihuri’s wife.”

Chihuri is accused of looting state funds amounting to over $32 Million.

State Media

A 42-YEAR-OLD man from Fort Rixon in Matabeleland South was found dead in his place of residence and it is suspected he was poisoned during a drinking spree.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident which occurred on Sunday at Claremont in Fort Rixon. He said the man who could not be named, as his next of kin had not been advised, was found dead at his place of residence by a workmate on Monday morning.

“I can confirm that we recorded a sudden death case which occurred at E Links stamp mill, Claremont in Fort Rixon. The deceased, who cannot be named as his next of kin have not been advised, was found dead at his place of residence at the mining area where he was staying. He was last seen the previous night drinking beer with his friends at Claremont Business Centre. Investigations are underway to ascertain the cause of his death. We appeal to anyone with information that could assist in the investigations to contact the police,” he said.

A source close to the investigations who preferred anonymity said the now deceased was drinking with his friends at a bottle store at Claremont Business Centre when he started complaining of stomach pains. He said his condition worsened as he started vomiting and they took him to his place of residence at around 10pm where they left him to sleep. The source said the man was found dead the following morning by his workmate who had gone to check on him.

“The now deceased is suspected to have died as a result of poisoning because when he arrived at the bottle store at around 7pm after work he appeared fine. He drank with his friends for about two hours and started complaining of stomach pains. He later started vomiting and requested to be taken home in order to get some rest. It’s suspected that he could have been poisoned while they were drinking,” said the source.

State Media

GOVERNMENT faces an unenviable task of testing over 136 000 teachers in 29 days if it is to satisfy World Health Organisation (WHO) Covid-19 guidelines for the safe reopening of schools.

Schools reopen on July 28 and the Government was faced with the challenge to test and screen teachers and ensure learners were safe.

Zimbabwe has 4,6 million learners, 136 000 teachers and 9 625 schools, including satellite facilities.

This comes as boarding schools start receiving pupils today in preparation for June/July examinations which begin on Tuesday.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Cain Mathema told The Sunday Mail that preparations for the reopening of schools would proceed as scheduled.

“We are going to do everything that is required by WHO to ensure the safety of teachers and learners,” he said.

“There is going to be thorough screening and testing of teachers and learners to ensure they are safe.”

Minister Mathema said most schools that will be used as examination centres had already put in place measures to ensure the process runs smoothly.

“Our main aim is not to expose our learners and invigilators to Covid-19, hence our commitment to adhere to the High Court order,” he said.

Asked about the modalities to be followed for learners at boarding schools, the minister said the Government had given ample time to schools to make the necessary arrangements for the sitting of examinations.

‘We expect the forex exchange rate to stabilise’

‘We expect the forex exchange rate to stabilise’

“This is an issue that was not announced overnight. Instead, the President made the proclamation about a month ago and this caters for all schools be it public, private or the boarding schools, so school authorities were thus expected to have made the necessary arrangements for their learners.”

Acting Permanent Secretary for Health and Child Care Dr Gibson Mhlanga said they were working with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to ensure the safe reopening of schools.

“We are working with the Ministry of Education to ensure that there is safe reopening of schools. However, the Ministry of Education can give you more details on that issue,” he said.

Dr Mhlanga could, however, not explain how the Government intends to conduct 136 000 tests in one month when the country has cumulatively done 65 704 tests (36 527 RDT and 29 177 PCR) since March.

Teachers’ unions said schools do not have enough resources to procure Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), therefore, it was not possible to reopen them.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president, Dr Takavafira Zhou said the reopening of schools was premature as resources were not yet in place.

“There is a need for Government to shelve schools reopening for now until they have enough PPEs for both teachers and learners,” he said.

“Government has been ordering schools to come up with masks and sanitisers, but it is clear that schools do not have the resources. Our main concern is the provision that headmasters are supposed to ensure the availability of face masks, which in some cases, mainly in rural schools, might not be possible.

“We have seen in some cases headmasters transferring the burden to learners to bring these PPEs, which is a concern. As teachers we are maintaining that our safety comes first, if we realise that nothing has been done we will call for the further postponement of exams. We will be making a final decision on Monday (tomorrow),” said Dr Zhou.

He said if schools are reopened next month as scheduled, then Zimbabwe would go the South African route, where some schools are now closing because of a rise in Covid-19 infections.

South Africa reopened schools on June 1, however, more than 200 schools have since closed after teachers and learners tested positive for Covid-19.

Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) chief executive officer, Dr Sifiso Ndlovu said while teachers commend the efforts that were being put in place, they were concerned about poor schools, especially in rural areas.

“I commend Government for the commitment that they are showing, this weekend will be very critical and by Monday (tomorrow) we will have a clearer picture.

“There is a major concern relating to face masks and infrared thermometers. With schools being asked to provide their own face masks, we risk a situation where come examination day schools would have not been able to provide these,” said Dr Ndlovu.

He said in the last feedback reports from around the country, there was confusion at some schools with heads raising concern that they may not meet the set standards.

“A good number of centres in Chikomba, Zimondi, Madzivire, Marondamashanu, to mention but a few in Mashonaland East said they had nothing to date. I think several rural centres might just go on without,” said Dr Ndlovu.

The Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec) said it is ready for the start of exams on Tuesday.

Zimsec director Dr Lazarus Nembaware said they were prepared for the examinations.

“Everything is now in place and we are ready for the June examinations,” he said.

“There has been a delay in the writing of this year’s June examinations as we all know, but we’re fully prepared,” he said.

The June exams will run from June 30 to July 23, with 66 000 students expected to sit for the examinations while being invigilated by 10 000 teachers.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mrs Tumisang Thabela has directed all provincial offices to suspend leave applications for teachers.

In a memo dispatched to Provincial Education Directors, Mrs Thabela said leave applications would only be entertained after July 28.

“Please be advised that no leave applications shall be entertained during this period as we prepare to conduct the June/July Zimsec examinations and reopen schools.

“If members have emergencies they have to attend to, they can discuss with the permanent secretary. Otherwise all critical staff are expected to be on duty and leave applications can be considered after 28 July 2020,” she said.

State Media

CHINESE businesses are committed to working cordially with Zimbabweans in line with sound relations that exist between the two countries, China’s chief envoy to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Guo Shaochun, has said.

This follows the recent shooting of two workers by their Chinese supervisor following a salary dispute in Gweru.

Speaking at the handover of anti-Covid-19 medical donations from the Chamber of Chinese Enterprises in Zimbabwe (CCEZ) at State House in Harare on Friday, Ambassador Guo said China’s companies operating in Zimbabwe are dedicated to working well with their local counterparts.

“Today’s event is of great significance, demonstrating that China not only fully supports Zimbabwe from the government level, but our business sector is also dedicated to assisting our Zimbabwean brothers and sisters,” he said.

“Another point to mention is that today’s event shows Chinese enterprises have been more and more integrated into the local communities.

“They are here not only for business but also for tiding over the difficult times and building a better future together with their Zimbabwean friends and partners. Like passengers riding in the same boat, they have a stake in each other’s future. That’s why in the face of Covid-19, we support and care for each other like family members.”

Ambassador Guo said the shooting incident was an isolated case and the Chinese Embassy in Harare does not condone such behaviour.

“No matter what had happened to the enterprise before the incident took place, this is not what we want to see. The behaviour of the Chinese employee involved in the case does not represent China, the Chinese government and all Chinese nationals and Chinese enterprises in Zimbabwe,” he said.

Ambassador Guo said any possible illegal acts and persons who violate the law should not be shielded.

“In the meantime, we believe that it is unreasonable to attribute an individual or an isolated case to the Chinese government and all Chinese nationals in Zimbabwe, just as we cannot attribute the illegal acts of foreigners in China to the governments and people of the countries concerned,” he said.

Ambassador Guo said China and Zimbabwe have a long standing friendship and co-operation, and called upon the two nations to safeguard it jealously.

Vice Chairperson and Publicity Secretary of CCEZ, Ms Shanel Liu, said the organisation is committed to maintaining sound relations with all Zimbabweans.

“Our Chamber is committed to social welfare programmes in Zimbabwe. We support charity initiatives throughout the year. Our member companies also in their individual capacities are actively involved in charity work and social programmes.

“Tianze Tobacco is building schools in rural areas. The company that I represent, Hengshun Zhongsheng, has been sponsoring Presidential Scholarships for the past four years, providing full scholarships to over 150 Zimbabwean students pursuing tertiary education in China,” she said.

Ms Shanel revealed that the first batch of graduates sponsored by Hengshun Zhongsheng returned to Zimbabwe last week and are currently in quarantine.

“Our companies and our Chamber will continue contributing to the overall welfare of Zimbabwean people, and will continue to do our best in future,” she said.

Speaking after receiving the donations to fight the Covid-19 pandemic from the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) and the CCEZ, President Mnangagwa made it clear that the mine manager would be treated in the same manner as every citizen or resident.

Savanna News

Former Zimbabwe Republic boss Augustine Chuhuri has dropped a bombshell accusing current President ED Mnangagwa for snatching his pregnant wife and prosecuting him for the same since the incident happened. 

Chihuri is about to lose his USD 32 million wealth through the controversial wealth declaration law enacted in Zimbabwe. He made the revelations through an affidavit filled with the High Court in bid to stop the confiscation of his assets.

The Robert Mugabe era top cop wants the court to set aside the unexplained wealth order it issued against him on June 20.

Justice Felistas Chatukuta granted an application by prosecutor-general Kumbirai Hodzi for an order forcing Chihuri and his wife, Isobel Halima Khan, to explain the source of their wealth in the process of seizing it.

The state claims Chihuri abused his public office to amass wealth during the period he was commissioner general.

Chihuri says his problems with Mnangagwa reached breaking point when he refused to join the coup plotters in November 2017 but chose to be loyal to Mugabe. He however doesn’t mention the part he played in stopping the coup, including the failure to arrest then army general Constantino Chiwenga at Robert Mugabe International Airport two weeks before the coup.

Chuhuri claims that Mnangagwa has always been on his case ever since he snatched his wife during the liberation struggle. 

He further went on to claim that Mnangagwa vowed to make his life ‘hell’ as long as he lived starting from the liberation struggle incident.

Cihuri says he was married the Zanu way in a ceremony officiated by then political commissar Mayor Urimbo (late), around 1976 and his wife fell pregnant the following year.

“The current president of Zimbabwe, Mr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, was aware of this union and pregnancy. Using his position, my then wife was transferred to Shai Shai in Mozambique where Mr Mnangagwa had a forced affair with her as she alleged,” he wrote in the affidavit.

“I tried to terminate the marriage, but the political commissar threatened me not to dare to do it, citing that Mr Mnangagwa [as he then was] is a dangerous man and would behead me as he was not hesitant to kill.”

Chihuri said Urimbo told him: “Do not gamble with your life, dear comrade.”

“From then my relationship with the president of Zimbabwe worsened. He went on to suggest that my then wife terminate the pregnancy,” he said.

“God was on my side, it was tried and it failed.

“The late Cde Serbia, who was working under Mr Mnangagwa in the security department, told me about the termination of the pregnancy and that Mr Mnangagwa vowed that as long as he lived, I shall pay for not giving up on my then wife to him.

“Cde Serbia warned me again to keep quiet or else I would perish and never see the light of day.”

Chihuri said the dispute between the two has since been turned into a “national spectacle for the purpose of victimisation.”

“One can clearly see how the public media in the country has been reporting about me and my family, wife and children that we have been targeted for annihilation,” he said.

MDC Alliance Goromonzi South Youth Chairperson Davison Chamisa and Mashonaland East Provincial executive member Ishmael Jeke have been arrested and are currently detained at Ruwa Police station.

According to the MDC Alliance information, they have been arrested in connection with the Goromonzi Whistle protest that took place last night.

More to follow…

Manica Post

A Rusape prophet rues the day he was caught in bed with a married congregant who was having marital problems.

On Fathers’ Day eve, June 20, 2020, the man of cloth, Travolta Dzingai’s luck ran out bringing shame not only to the youthful prophet but those surrounding him as well leaving questions to those he used to give marriage counsel.

Church members teamed up to expose Dzingai’s weaknesses for the fairer s_x and went on to reclaim donations they made to the church dissociating themselves to the disgraced Dzingai prompting him to switch base to Harare.

Dzingai, allegedly separated with his wife, is said to have taken advantage of his close friend and assistant, head of protocol in the church, Liberty Chamisa’s marital woes with his wife Moline Chamisa (20), to try and seduce her.

Chamisa and his wife are reported to have approached Dzingai for assistance and prayers since they were having marital problems.

However, Dzingai is said to have tried to convince Moline to dump her husband for him.

Moline was not flattered and informed her husband about Dzingai’s manoeuvres.

In an interview, Chamisa narrated how he managed to trap Dzingai.

“We were having marital challenges and we approached the prophet for counselling. Surprisingly he preferred dealing with my wife in my absence. He then started making s.e.xual advances on her, but my wife spurned him and informed me.

“At first I thought my wife was having an affair with him and decided to trap Dzingai. I took my wife’s phone and sent some text messages to him (which were seen by this publication).

“Dzingai thought Molline had fallen for him and he started pestering her for s_x. He had no clue he was chatting with me.

“Last week on Friday, I informed church members of my intention to trap him, but we shelved the move to Saturday.

“They wanted proper evidence to nail him so we continued talking via text messages, up to Saturday evening.

“Senior female church members came to my house that day and advised my wife on what to do upon Dzingai’s arrival. They told her that for them to believe that the prophet really wanted to sleep with her, he would have to undress for her.”

When Dzingai came around 8.30pm, he had no clue that Chamisa and the other church members were seated in the dining room. “My wife welcomed him and took him to the bedroom. Moline told him she was preparing some tea for him in the kitchen and asked him to get into the blankets. Within minutes, Dzingai had undressed, leaving only his socks and boxer short on. “She then came to the dining room and informed us that the semi-n_ked Dzingai was already in bed,” said Chamisa.

Chamisa and the church members then dashed to the bedroom. “The semi-n_ked Dzingai begged for forgiveness as we confronted him.

He had brought three condoms, but I doubt he was ever going to use them,” said Chamisa.

The [email protected] Dzingai was later on paraded on the streets of Vengere high-density suburb’s UVE section, thereby attracting the attention of hundreds of people.

In a recorded audio clip, Dzingai is heard begging for forgiveness as angry onlookers were baying for his blood.

He also promised to leave the church, saying he is no longer fit to lead it.

However, he has since dismissed the incident as the work of his detractors who wanted to grab the reins of power in the Glory of All Hope Church, which he founded four years ago.

In a telephone interview on Tuesday, Dzingai said he was set up by church members. “I can’t say much on the phone, especially to reporters, but all I can tell you is that it was a set up.

On dating church members, I do not know those allegations. I can’t fight them, it is their decision, and it is their agenda to destroy the church.

“They have succeeded in executing their plan. I am also partly to blame because I allowed myself to be dragged into this mud,” said Dzingai.

UK Parliament

Britain on Friday said it was not confirmed that the remains of Mbuya Nehanda, Sekuru Kaguvi and 25 First Chimurenga fighters were in the United Kingdom.

Responding to a question from Stephen Ferry who wanted to know what progress is being made on the repatriation from the UK to Zimbabwe of the remains of Mbuya Nehanda, Sekuru Kaguvi and the 25 First Chimurenga fighters, Minister of State Carline Dinenage said: “It is not confirmed that the remains of Mbuya Nehanda, Sekuru Kaguve and the 25 First Chimurenga fighters are held in an UK institution. If it was determined that they were in the UK, and a request for their return was received, the decision to do so would be a matter for that institution to consider.”

Extract from the UK Parliament Hansard.

Armed Conflict: Zimbabwe: Written question – 62701

QAsked by Stephen Farry(North Down)Asked on: 22 June 2020Department for Digital, Culture, Media and SportArmed Conflict: Zimbabwe 62701 To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what progress is being made on the repatriation from the UK to Zimbabwe of the remains of (a) Mbuya Nehanda, (b) Sekuru Kaguvi and (c) the 25 First Chimurenga fighters.AAnswered by: Caroline Dinenage Answered on: 26 June 2020

It is not confirmed that the remains of Mbuya Nehanda, Sekuru Kaguve and the 25 First Chimurenga fighters are held in an UK institution. If it was determined that they were in the UK, and a request for their return was received, the decision to do so would be a matter for that institution to consider.

Reports in February this year said that the remains of Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi -heroes of Zimbabwe’s revolution- were expected to be repatriated to Zimbabwe in April from the United Kingdom, where they are being kept as war trophies in London museums.

ZBC

THE only surviving member of the Dare Rechimurenga, Rugare Gumbo is on his way to bounce back into the revolutionary party, Zanu PF.

Announcing the comeback, Zanu PF Acting National Spokesperson, Patrick Chinamasa, said following the recommendation by the Zanu PF Midlands province to admit the former stalwart into the party, they have no reservations about welcoming him back into the fold.

In a statement this Saturday, Chinamasa said while the final considerations shall be made by the Politburo in its next sitting, as a party they congratulate Cde Gumbo for his decision to return.

“There is no doubt that the party, being the oldest political organization founded by the people for the people would welcome heartily Gumbo back to the revolutionary family he helped to found and to which he was part of at a senior level in the prosecution of the liberation struggle,” read Chinamasa’s statement.

The readmission follows the return of another Zanu PF party stalwart, Didymus Mutasa recently.

Chinamasa said Gumbo is a tried and tested cadre of the party who has matured and come of age, developing both capacity and culture to deal with its internal contradictions.

“Zanu PF is not like any other mushrooming parties that are busy splitting, rather the party is busy uniting its cadres and its people and the nation at large in fighting colonialism, imperialism, and neo-colonialism under the leadership of His Excellency, President Cde ED Mnangagwa,” said the party’s Acting Spokesperson.

Rugare Gumbo, a former ZANU PF politburo member and party’s National Spokesperson, left ZANU PF alongside Joice Mujuru, Didymus Mutasa, Ray Kaukonde among others in 2014.

They were shown the exit door after their Gamatox faction was accused of plotting to unseat the then President, the late Robert Mugabe.

Chinamasa highlighted that though times are difficult in Zimbabwe, Zanu PF will not relent in its promise to achieve its goals as enshrined in the 2018 People’s manifesto to economically empower its people.

He added that the party will not allow temporary disruptions to divert its focus from the social contract that created its symbiotic relationship with the masses.

“We encourage other progressive stalwarts of the party scattered all over to come back to their home, Zanu PF, and redouble our efforts towards realizing the goals of the liberation struggle as encompassed in vision 2030,” he said.

LEAKED- #ZBC trio Robson Mhandu, Tendai Munengwa and Gilbert Nyambabvu awarded 5 pigs each after covering state media event pic.twitter.com/UEk8tSjBsn

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) June 28, 2020

State Media

BOARDING schools will open today to receive pupils who will be writing June/ July examinations that start on Tuesday.

As part of ensuring the smooth running of examinations, the Government has also directed that leave applications for teachers have been suspended in preparation for the examinations and subsequent re-opening of schools. As of yesterday, provinces were also making last minute attempts to ensure that adequate preventive measures were put in place at all the centres.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Cain Mathema told Sunday News yesterday that most schools that will be used as examination centres have already put in place measures to ensure the process runs smoothly.

“As a ministry we are preparing as normal for the examinations, we are putting in place the preventive measures as guided by the World Health Organisation and we are confident that all will be in place by the time the examinations start. Our main aim is not to expose our learners and invigilators to Covid-19 hence our commitment to adhering to the High Court order,” said Minister Mathema.

Asked on the modalities to be followed for learners at boarding schools, the Minister said Government had given ample time to schools to make the necessary arrangements for the sitting of the examinations.

“This is an issue that was not announced overnight, instead the President made the proclamation about a month ago and this caters for all schools be it public, private or boarding schools, so school authorities were thus expected to have made the necessary arrangements for their learners,” said Minister Mathema.

Minister Mathema’s assertions come at a time when the Permanent Secretary in his ministry, Mrs Tumisang Thabela, has also directed all provincial offices to suspend leave applications for teachers. In a letter dispatched to provincial education directors (PEDs), Mrs Thabela said leave applications will only be entertained after 28 July.

“Please be advised that no leave applications shall be entertained during this period as we prepare to conduct the June/July Zimsec examinations and re-open schools. If members have emergencies they have to attend to, they can discuss with the Permanent Secretary.

Otherwise all critical staff are expected to be on duty and leave applications can be considered after 28 July 2020,” she said.

Provincial education directors in the Matabeleland region also reiterated that they were making last minute checks to ensure that the examinations run as expected. Matabeleland North provincial education director Mr Jabulani Mpofu said so far, all the 42 Zimsec centres for the June examinations have been disinfected as per the guidelines to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

“All the centres have been disinfected using chemicals donated by the National University of Science and Technology, while Lupane State University provided us with 1 000 litres of sanitisers,” said Mr Mpofu.

He said most of the June candidates were private candidates with pupils who are borders expected to be at the centres by today (Sunday). Bulawayo PED, Mrs Olicah Kaira and her Matabeleland South counterpart, Mr Bernard Mazambane also concurred saying they were on the ground overseeing preparations. Matabeleland South has 81 examination centres while Bulawayo has 47. However, teacher representatives said they were waiting to see weekend preparations and will have a proper position by tomorrow.

Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) chief executive officer Dr Sifiso Ndlovu said while teachers commend the efforts that were being put in place by the Government, they were concerned about the poorly resourced schools especially in rural schools. He said it was unfortunate that the schools were being told to produce and provide their own face masks, a huge task especially for schools in rural areas.

“We appreciate the role played by universities that have provided sanitisers to all examination centres but that is just a fraction of what is required. I must, however, commend the Government for the commitment that they are showing, this weekend will be very critical and by Monday (tomorrow) we will have a clearer picture. There is a major concern relating to face masks and infrared thermometers, with schools being asked to provide their own face masks, we risk a situation where come examination day schools would have not been able to provide these,” said Dr Ndlovu.

He said in the last feedback reports from around the country there were some headmasters raising concern that they may not meet the set standards.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Dr Takavafira Zhou said teachers were consulting their members over concerns on the actual fulfillment of commitment to ensure adherence to the World Health Organisation regulations.

He said it was critical for the Government and all relevant stakeholders to have first established a taskforce to oversee the June/July examinations rather than leaving it to the Government alone.

“The main concern is the provision that headmasters are supposed to ensure the availability of the face masks, which in some cases, mainly in the rural schools this might not be possible. We have seen in some cases headmasters now transferring the burden to learners to bring these Personal Protective Equipment, which is in itself a concern. As teachers we are maintaining that our safety comes first, if we realise that nothing has been done we will call for the further postponement of the exams, we will therefore be making a final decision on Monday (tomorrow),” said Dr Zhou.

Schools closed early as the country went into lockdown that started on 30 March to combat the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Normal lessons are expected to resume at the end of July for final year examination writing classes. University final year students went back to class three weeks ago.

The Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec) said it is ready for the start of exams on Tuesday.

Zimsec Director Dr Lazarus Nembaware said they were prepared for the examinations.

“Everything is now in place and we are ready for the June examinations,” he said.

“There has been a delay in the writing of this year’s June examinations as we all know but we’re fully prepared,” he said.

The June exams will run from June 30 to July 23 with 66 000 students expected to sit for the examinations while being invigilated by 10 000 teachers

Zimbabwean socialite, Felistas Murata Edwards known in the social circles as Mai Titi has torn into Passion Java describing him as a conman who has fleeced a lot of people of their hard earned cash.

Watch the live video loading below………..

We commend @MoHCCZim leadership during #COVID19 for continuing to offer essential health care services across Zimbabwe and adopting a community based approach in their service delivery #UHC #HealthForAll pic.twitter.com/GRp7MrFrdt

— WHO Zimbabwe (@WHO_Zimbabwe) June 27, 2020

MDC Alliance president, Nelson Chamisa has praised Malawian state institutions for defending the country’s constitution through a presidential poll rerun that has seen opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera cruise to victory.

Sources close to the Malawian presidential elect revealed the the Zimbabwean opposition leader wrote to Chakwera expressing his admiration for the principled stance taken by the Malawian military and judiciary.

“We equally salute the national institutions in Malawi, in particular the judiciary and security services for acting as a bulwark against authoritarianism and defending the constitution of Malawi both in letter and spirit.

“It must be a source of pride to Malawians that these institutions have consistently demonstrated a commitment to professionalism, respect for the rule of law and defence of the constitution,” said Chamisa.

The letter written by the opposition leader was part of correspondence obtained from a highly placed source in Malawi’s political circles.

The MDC Alliance leader said Chakwera’s victory was also triumph for democracy and a demonstration of the strength of Malawian institutions and the people’s determination.

He said the resilience and tenacity in pushing back electoral manipulation was “a source of inspiration to democrats across Africa and a reminder to those with determined leadership, people power, unity of purpose and an undying commitment to democratic values that no barrier is insurmountable”.

“We remember how these institutions defended the Constitution of Malawi upon the succession of the late president, His Excellency Bingu waMutharika in 2012 when there was an attempt to subvert it,” Chamisa said.

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance organising secretary Amos Chibaya says all party MPs recently recalled by the Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T remain resolute and unshaken by the purges.

Speaking to The Standard yesterday, Chibaya also urged other party MPs to remain loyal to leader Nelson Chamisa emphasising the need to respect the people who voted them into Parliament by resisting to join Khupe.

“The unprecedented move by Khupe and cabal to recall us from Parliament will not deter our commitment to the people’s struggle,” Chibaya said.

“This cowardly act defies logic and defeats the democratic will of the people who clearly voted for their preferred representatives in Parliament in the 2018 elections.

“We, however, remain resolute and committed to the people’s struggle and shall not sell our souls for a few pieces of silver. The liberation of the Zimbabwean masses remains our guiding compass in the democratic struggle until we deliver a people’s government under President Advocate Nelson Chamisa.”

Chibaya, together with 12 others, were recalled by Khupe from Parliament after they insisted on laying their allegiance on Chamisa and refused to follow the Supreme Court ruling that adjudged Khupe the new interim leader of MDC-T.

“I would like to urge all MDC Alliance Members of Parliament, recalled or not, to remain vigilant and work hard in their respective party portfolios and constituencies. These sideshows meant to derail the people’s movement will pass,” said Chibaya.

“We will take the fight to the enemy and will never get tired. Ours is a conviction to fight for good governance and constitutionalism in Zimbabwe, a fight to eradicate corruption, a fight for better remuneration and respect for our civil servants, a fight for affordable and accessible basic healthcare and education services.

“It is never about selfish individual interests, but the livelihoods of all Zimbabweans.”

He also thanked the people of Mkoba “for the unwavering support and solidarity you have given me throughout the years I have served and represented our beloved constituency in Parliament”.

By A Correspondent- ZUPCO buses conductors have been caught in yet another scam this time involving under-declaring their daily takings and pocketing the balance, The Sunday Mail reports.

According to the publication, the parastatal staffers have corrupted the electronic payment system and they are conniving to under-declare their daily takings and both drivers, conductors and cashiers are part of the scheme.

The scandal was confirmed by the ZUPCO CEO Mr Evaristo Madangwa who said they have fired some conductors over the scandal:

It is true. Many conductors have since been relieved of their duties because of this shocking scandal. Investigations are ongoing as we try to establish the chain involved,

We do not have figures of the potential revenue that we have been prejudiced. However, indications are that we might have lost millions of dollars since the introduction of the cashless system last year. The final audit results will give us a clear indication.

ZUPCO was rocked by a similar scandal last year.

-Statemedia

By A Correspondent- Authorities in Matebeleland South have called on the Government to urgently avail more Covid-19 quarantine and isolation centres and to upgrade existing facilities to enhance their capacity to handle Zimbabweans returning from Botswana and South Africa.

Those that are coming from Botswana are being handled in Plumtree, while those coming from South Africa are kept in Beitbridge and Esigodini. The Plumtree centre carries 200 people while the Beitbridge and Esigodini centres can accommodate 150 and 100 at any given time.

The provincial Covid-19 Taskforce chairperson, Ms Sithandiwe Ncube pleaded with Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube that they needed more capacity and centres.

“We are running out of quarantining space and resources with many Zimbabweans arriving from Botswana and South Africa. The state of affairs here is not pleasing, we are on the frontline of carrying the national burden and we have limited space and resources.

We appeal through your office to ensure that we have more quarantine and isolation centres, more Covid-19 test kits to deal with those at the centres and the communities living along the border areas.

At times we are having shortages of test kits and this presents challenges when it comes to accommodating all the unscreened people before transferring them to their respective provincial centres.”

Ms Ncube said in Beitbridge they were handling close to 500 returnees on transit from South Africa daily while Plumtree was receiving 200 Zimbabweans.

Upon arrival at the borders, the returnees are screened, fed, accommodated or transferred to various Covid-19 centres in the country.

The official said the quarantine space had been worsened by the fact that they may not use learning facilities as quarantine and isolation centres considering the imminent opening of schools.

“If we don’t up our game, we risk being the epicentre as a province. The few that we are testing are coming through the formal borders, but are having others crossing through illegal entry points from Botswana and South Africa. So, we wish to maximise our testing capacity and educating communities in the borderline areas on health and safety issues, and these need the Government to capacitate us,” said Ms Ncube.

She said the Government should also consider including returnees in its saving livelihoods programmes. The official said most of the returnees had no sources of income.

However, Prof Ncube said Treasury had since availed $200 million for the upgrading of quarantine and isolation centres and that the task team should benefit from the initiative to address their challenges.

“The concerns are valid and well noted. I will engage my colleagues in Government especially those from the Ministry of Health and Child Care so that we look into availing more testing equipment to critical ports of entries.

Recently we released $200 million to upgrade quarantine centres and enhance capacities. These are the funds we need to direct to areas in urgent need including Beitbridge and Plumtree towns,” said Prof Ncube.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Former police boss Augustine Chihuri has accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa of hounding him to settle scores after they clashed over a woman.

Chihuri, who is on the verge of losing his sprawling business empire and properties to the state after allegations that he amassed the wealth through corrupt means, made the startling allegations in an affidavit filed at the High Court on Friday.

The ex-police commissioner-general wants the court to set aside the unexplained wealth order it issued against him on June 20.

Chihuri said he was being persecuted because of his strained relationship with Mnangagwa dating back to the liberation struggle where the president allegedly snatched his then-pregnant wife.

Justice Felistas Chatukuta granted an application by prosecutor-general Kumbirai Hodzi for an order forcing Chihuri and his wife, Isobel Halima Khan, to explain how they acquired their properties as part of a process to seize them.

Chihuri is accused of pilfering US$32 million in public funds that he used to buy a large swathe of properties.

The long-serving ex-top cop, however, said the allegation was part of a victimisation crusade by Mnangagwa that intensified after the 2017 coup.

He narrated how Mnangagwa allegedly snatched his then-wife before vowing to make his life “hell” as long as he lived.

Chihuri said his problems started when he got married the “Zanu way” in Chimoio in Mozambique before the then political commissar, mayor Urimbo (late), around 1976 and the following year, his wife became pregnant.

“The current president of Zimbabwe, Mr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, was aware of this union and pregnancy. Using his position, my then-wife was transferred to Shai Shai in Mozambique where Mr Mnangagwa had a forced affair with her as she alleged,” he wrote in the affidavit.

“I tried to terminate the marriage, but the political commissar threatened me not to dare to do it, citing that Mr Mnangagwa [as he then was] is a dangerous man and would behead me as he was not hesitant to kill.”

Chihuri said Urimbo told him: “Do not gamble with your life, dear comrade.”

“From then my relationship with the president of Zimbabwe worsened. He went on to suggest that my then-wife terminate the pregnancy,” he said.

“God was on my side, it was tried and it failed.

“The late Serbia, who was working under Mr Mnangagwa in the security department, told me about the termination of the pregnancy and that Mr Mnangagwa vowed that as long as he lived, I shall pay for not giving up on my then-wife to him.

“Serbia warned me again to keep quiet or else I would perish and never see the light of day.” Chihuri said the dispute between the two has since been turned into a “national spectacle for the purpose of victimisation.”

“One can clearly see how the public media in the country has been reporting about me and my family, wife and children that we have been targeted for annihilation,” he said.

Chihuri said the November 2017 coup saw the intensification of the onslaught by Mnangagwa after he refused to turn against the late president Robert Mugabe and join the coup plotters. He was forced to retire a month after the coup.

He alleged that in December 2017, his successor Godwin Matanga instructed a police constable to shoot him and burn his Greystone Park house.

“My family home was burnt beyond recognition,” he said.

“The fire was started in my home office burning all files, records, 15 bibles, etc were destroyed. “To make sure that the records and files were destroyed, he took a 20-litre diesel container and another container with oil.

“He sprayed both in the office, the main bedroom as the major target and so he did the rest of the house except the guest wing.

“Maukazuva [the constable] is facing serious criminal charges, two attempted murder charges and one of arson and malicious injury to property.”

Chihuri accuses Matanga of doing Mnangagwa’s bidding by pursuing criminal cases against him.

Chihuri alleged Matanga systematically engaged in a strategy of harassing his family, relatives and workers, threatening and beating his workers at gunpoint.

“The harassment was made worse when my young children would be threatened by police with guns to produce their father and said that they had been sent by Matanga,” he claimed.

“My children are suffering emotional trauma and they started having nightmares, refusing to go to school as unmarked vehicles would be following them going to and coming back from school.”

Chihuri alleged Matanga was using “all tactics” to persecute him as a result of his “incompetence, which is due to lack of education”.

He claimed the police boss does not have O’ Level qualifications.

“He is doing all that he can in order to secure his post,” Chihuri claimed.

“He realises that as a mere ZiPam diploma holder on behest of ZRP (sic), having been promoted to the post of the country’s police chief is a vulnerable position because his deputies are more educated than him, with masters and even PhD degrees,” Chihuri said.

“He does not even hold an O’ Level certificate, which is a basic requirement for a constable to join the police.

“It goes on to show that he was rewarded for being a willing participant in the coup process and not on merit.”

Chihuri said Matanga lied to then Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander and now Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga that he (Chihuri) wanted to arrest him upon his return from China at Robert Mugabe international airport just before the coup.

“This was not so, but a blatant lie to sow the seeds of division and hate between me and the then CDF. Godwin Matanga did all this to secure his position,” he said.

At the time of the coup, it was alleged that attempts to arrest Chiwenga forced the military to move against Mugabe.

Chihuri said what surprises him was that all allegations against him were to do with the administration department, which Matanga used to head.

“By way of emphasis, i bring it to the attention of this honourable court that a lot of senior officers across the rank and file and my then deputies, including Godwin Matanga and his wife, supplied a wide range of vegetables and meat to ZRP amenities,” he said.

“These officers supplied large quantities of beef, chicken, vegetables, fruits and goods according to their ability as a general practice in support of indigenisation.

“The former SAC (Senior assistant Commissioner) Charles Makono and his wife Abigail Makono, owners of Rewstand Pvt Ltd, also supplied uniform fabrics for over $10 million to ZRP ordinance.

“This company was also chosen by Godwin Matanga as many others he chose out of the 200 companies that were cleared by the procurement board to supply ZRP.”

He said the ZRP Retention Fund was not a creation of the police, but government.

as for the source of his wealth, Chihuri said besides salaries, bonus, conditions of service and savings from foreign trips over a period of 37 years, he was also a delegate and vice-president for Africa in Interpol.

“I was remunerated in foreign currency for serving in those organisations for six years,” he said, adding that he built his empire through “hard work and diligence.”

Chihuri skipped the country after he was fired and remains in self-imposed exile.

-Standard

Yesterday in Chinhoyi our MDC Alliance Chinhoyi District Coordinating Committee had a routine meeting, to evaluate, plan, energize & solidify the base.The constituency remains unshaken & is solidly behind President @nelsonchamisa @NicolaWatson13 @uk_mdca #Zimbabwe @hwendec pic.twitter.com/rISEIyyGt7

— CCC Mash West (@cccmashwest) June 28, 2020

ZANU PF MP claims credit for Hospital #Covid equipment sourced by @Mutami_susan for St Michaels And Ngezi Hospitals, donated by Australia Govt. pic.twitter.com/1J0d4NY7Da

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) June 28, 2020