Sowetan|Multimillionaire trucker businessman Sam “Mshengu” Chabalala has gone missing and has sent his wife and some of his employees a “suicide note”, claiming that his life was in danger.

Sources in the Hawks said the note, which he apparently sent to his wife on March 3, Chabalala said he never wronged anyone and does not know what he has done to “deserve this”.

Chabalala is a wanted man after a warrant of arrest was issued for him on Friday when he failed to appear in the Witbank magistrate’s court in connection with charges of corruption, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, illegal entry and remaining within the borders of SA, and providing false information to be granted entry into the country.

He was out on R200,000 bail, which was granted in September.

Chabalala is also out on R500,000 bail on a separate matter and faces charges of corruption and bribery after he allegedly attempted to bribe a senior police officer to return his vehicle and make his docket disappear in the initial case.

The matter was being heard in the Middelburg magistrate’s court and was postponed to March 30.

In the note seen by Sowetan, Chabalala wrote to his wife, Lerato Legodi, saying he was scared that he was going to be killed. He sent the same note to some of his employees at Sam Holdings.

I-Harare|Terence Mukupe’s ex-wife Rachel J who was allegedly impregnated by Bushiri gives birth: Pics. With all the drama that has been surrounding these 3, that is Rachel J, ex-Minister Terence Mukupe and ECG founder prophet Bushiri there has been a good thing that has come out of it. Yes, there is a baby that has been produced and we are so happy.

Its a shame though that a baby was born in such a way where there are so much controversy and hype and even drama. The singer who is behind the song Ngoro which she collaborated with Enzo Ishall has just given birth to a bouncing baby girl.

Social media has been flooded by pictures of the baby in which the singer posted as she shared the news. Check the pictures below

She was in a beautifully decorated room, that we almost got confused about whether she was in the hospital or she delivered at home. The setup was just nice…

MPILO Central Hospital nurses yesterday demonstrated against the chief executive officer Mr Leonard Mabandi’s directive for them to start working four-day shifts instead of the two days they agreed on with the Government.

Nurses used to work seven days a week but adopted the two-day weekly shifts due to incapacitation.

The Zimbabwe Nurses’ Association (Zina) signed an agreement with the Government last year which gave provision for nurses to work two days of 12-hour shifts per week, which are flexible working hours that were also adopted by staff in other health institutions.

The nurses however said Mr Mabandi issued a circular on Monday last week instructing them to revert to a four-day weekly shift despite their agreement with the Government.

Hospital business came to a standstill as nurses staged a four-hour protest between 8AM and 12pm yesterday.

They stood at the administration block where Mr Mabandi’s office is, chanted slogans against the CEO, who is said to be in Harare.

It was a sea of white as nurses waved placards with messages that read: “No to slavery, Asidli Vaya (we don’t eat Vaya – a reference to $1 transport that the hospital organised for workers to cushion them against $7 charged by kombis).”

In an interview during the demonstration, Zina provincial chairperson, Mr Nicholas Chidora said since last week the nurses were being forced to work for four days.

During the demonstration the nurses accused the CEO along with the Administration department of mismanagement.

“Zina last year agreed with the Government to allow nurses to work for two days of 12-hour shifts. We adopted the working schedule which was agreed by Government during the period when the doctors were on strike.

“However, on Monday last week Mr Mabandi issued a circular instructing nurses to go back to normal duties without even addressing our issues. As nurses we are demonstrating today to send a message that we will not revert to the normal working hours until the institution addresses our grievances as nurses,” said Mr Chidora.

He said nurses were working under very difficult conditions as a result of shortage of resources.

“The hospital is not adequately prepared for any emergencies including coronavirus itself. As nurses we have not undergone training to equip us with adequate knowledge about the virus and how to address it.

“I can tell you that in the event that there is an outbreak of the virus today, the patients will suffer because the institution is not well prepared for it. This is a very infectious environment but we are forced to work without resources to protect ourselves from the infections,” said Mr Chidora.

President Mnangagwa has restricted international travel especially outside Africa, while civil servants have been banned from foreign trips as Government takes measures to minimise the risk of exposure to Covid-19, which is caused by coronavirus.

In Zimbabwe more than 6 000 people have been screened of the virus at ports of entry, mainly Robert Gabriel Mugabe International and Victoria Falls International airports. All 26 ports, eight of which are airports and 18 inland border posts, have screening facilities.

The concern by Mpilo nurses comes at a time when South Africa reported yesterday that it now has seven confirmed cases of coronavirus. According to the Sabc, the four new cases were among the group of people who were travelling from Italy.

In Zimbabwe, the Chinese government has committed to upgrading facilities at Thorngrove Infectious Diseases Hospital which will be used as a centre to quarantine and treat patients in case of an out break in Bulawayo and is doing the same for Wilkins Hospital in Harare.

Mpilo Central Hospital acting CEO Mr Thomas Nyikadzino referred questions to Mr Mabandi who could not be reached on his mobile phone.

State Media|THE National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) has said it has started laying the groundwork for the process that will culminate in Gukurahundi exhumations, with President Mnangagwa expected to participate in an indaba to map the way forward.

The NPRC has since started training provincial peace committees that will engage people leading to public hearings and exhumations.

President Mnangagwa has encouraged citizens to openly speak on Gukurahundi and has reiterated that no subject should be made taboo in resolving conflict.

The President has so far held two meetings with civil society and a separate one with chiefs to promote national healing.

The NPRC is expected to lead the exhumation and reburials of Gukurahundi victims, some of whom were buried in mass and shallow graves at the height of the 1980s disturbances largely concentrated in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces.

Provincial peace committees that consist of various societal groups who are players on issues to do with conflict resolutions are playing a role in the process.

When the Bulawayo provincial peace committee was constituted last year, it identified issues of concern in the city that include Gukurahundi, importation of labour, non-enrolment of students from Matabeleland region at tertiary institution in the region and resuscitation of the city’s industries among others.

Addressing a Press conference during the Bulawayo provincial peace committee training workshop yesterday, NPRC chairperson Justice Selo Nare said the provincial peace building committees will the lay the groundwork for public hearings and exhumation processes.

“Presently, as a commission, we are not sitting idle; we are working hard. That is why we are taking the matters further. This training session of the peace committees and hearing the other side and how to look into it (exhumations) and after that we can come to a stage where we are going to be conducting hearings that are important so that we know exactly what the people are saying,” said Justice Nare.

Justice Nare said the President is expected to hold an inclusive meeting with various players from the region to tackle Gukurahundi matters.

“We do believe in the most recent future as the President said we would be holding a meeting that will include various stakeholders including the chiefs in order to map the way forward. Chiefs are a very important stakeholder group with regards the interesting subject of exhumations,” said Justice Nare.

He said President Mnangagwa’s engagements with civil society organisations from Matabeleland region complements peace building efforts.

Justice Nare said although NPRC was not part of the first meeting between the President and Matabeleland Collective, they were later incorporated into the discussions as issues that arose from that engagement touched on their constitutional mandate.

He said while many people are demanding answers on when exhumations should be conducted, due processes have to be followed to effectively deliver on lasting peace.

Yesterday, the Bulawayo provincial peace committee was holding its first training workshop after being constituted last year.

Commissioner Leslie Ncube, who is assigned to Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South, leads the provincial peace committee and is deputised by Ms Nokuthula Dube from Ukuthula Trust.

The three-day training workshop which ends tomorrow is being conducted under closed doors due to the sensitivity of conflict issues to allow participants to effectively contribute in the peace building processes.

He said Gotore then proceeded to a bedroom hut which he shared with Tawanda and Shan, where he allegedly fatally struck Shan twice on the head.

Gotore left the hut and went to a shed across the same homestead where Mr Sibanda was sitting with his wife Ms Gotore and Ms Shumba.

Upon arrival at the shed, police said, Gotore struck Ms Shumba once on the collarbone and the woman collapsed and died on the spot.

Mr Sibanda tried to disarm him but was overpowered.

Mr Sibanda and his wife fled from the scene with the accused in pursuit. He failed to catch the couple, police said.

Gotore allegedly walked back towards the homestead and proceeded to the cattle pen where he tied a cow to a tree before axing it to death. He also axed a calf. The two beasts belonged to Mr Sibanda.

Ms Munsaka, with her one year old baby strapped to her back, screamed for help while running towards Mr Sibanda’s bedroom hut to seek help after seeing that her husband had died, not knowing the couple had fled from the scene.

Police said Gotore chased after her into a maize field where after catching up with her, struck her with an axe several times causing her instant death. The baby was still on its dead mother’s back when Gotore struck it once on the shoulder causing its instant death.

The deceased’s bodies were taken to Bulawayo for postmortem while the axe was recovered.

Gotore was arrested and is detained at Lusulu Police Station on allegations of murder.

The trial of former Health and Child Care Minister David Parirenyatwa on charges of criminal abuse of office will now continue, with him presenting his defence after yesterday’s attempt to delay the trial failed.

Parirenyatwa, through Advocate Depak Mehta, unsuccessfully applied for the next stage of his trial to be delayed further until the High Court reviewed the dismissal by the Harare Magistrates Court of an earlier application for discharge after the State case.

The presiding magistrate had ruled that the State had made a strong enough case to require Parirenyatwa to defend his actions.

Yesterday, Harare Provincial magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo dismissed Parirenyatwa’s application for a delay until the review and put him to his defence.

Allegations are that Parirenyatwa abused his position as a public officer and directed NatPharm board chairperson Dr George Washaya to terminate the contract of Ms Flora Sifeku as managing director, allegedly showing favour to Mr Newman Madzikwa, who had once been sacked from the pharmaceutical company for reportedly selling donated drugs.

At the time he was fired in September 2009, Mr Madzikwa was NatPharm’s Masvingo branch manager.

The indictment revealed that Parirenyatwa had indicated that he required Ms Sifeku’s services at the ministry’s head office for an indefinite period.

The board, it is alleged, complied with Parirenyatwa’s directive and gave Ms Sifeku and Mr Madzikwa six months contracts each as managing directors.

It is alleged that Parirenyatwa’s conduct created double dipping on NatPharm funds as the company was paying two salaries towards the managing director’s position, thereby prejudicing it of a total of $30 006. The State further alleges that Parirenyatwa’s actions were prejudicial to the good administration of NatPharm and the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

Farai D Hove| The outgoing Egyptian Ambassador, Mohamed Fahmy, has said up until the day reforms are implemented, Zimbabwe has no future to talk about. He described it as a “promising future,” that can only come after institutional reforms are completed.

He was speaking soon after meeting ZANU PF president Emmerson Mnangagwa and his comments come barely days after South Africa’s ambassador to Harare said for Zimbabwe to succeed, politicians must take their hands off the national institutions.

The state media twisted ambassador Fahmy’s words to mean he is saying Zimbabwe’s economic future is bright. But he clearly said the future will only come “after the reform process is completed.”

He also added saying “investors from the private sector are waiting” for that stage to be accomplished.Wr

He said in full:

“I have to say that my end of mission report back to my Government will definitely emphasise the very promising future for Zimbabwe after the reform process is completed and I am very aware that some investors from the private sector are waiting,” he said.

“Now you have the new investment authority. I was informed by His Excellency (Emmerson Mnangagwa) that we will have some people from finance where they can meet directly with investors coming in different specialised sectors, so all my best wishes for your beautiful country.”

Meanwhile, ambassador Fahmy also threw another shot at Mnangagwa’s regime known for hiring people who are past the retirement age. He said he would retire as he was going to reach the mandatory retirement age of 60 in the next few days.

Correspondent|The High Court has dismissed an application for post-divorce maintenance filed by Vice President Kembo Mohadi’s ex-wife Tambudzani Mohadi.

Tambudzani and VP Mohadi finalised their divorce last year with the former getting motor vehicles, 50 percent shares in a company and more than US$25 000 in value of farm and household goods.

The two were married for 37-years.

After finalisation of the divorce, Tambudzani applied for spousal maintenance claiming assets she was given were limiting her means.

Tambudzani, a Beitbridge Senator, was also awarded three pieces of real estate land and more than 500 herd of cattle.

In dismissing the claim Justice Esther Muremba said Tambudzani misled the court when she claimed that she had resorted to eating sadza and dried vegetables.

The judge said Tambudzani was not a candidate for the maintenance given her status as a government official.

“In case all factors considered it is my view that the applicant is not entitled to be maintained by the respondent. 

“While she is fairly advanced in age and has greatly diminished prospects of remarriage, she was awarded capital assets upon divorcing with the Respondent (VP Mohadi).

“The applicant’s list of expenses shows that she wants the Respondent (VP Mohadi) to pay for each and every item of her expenditure.

“She got three pieces of real estate two of which are developed, more than 500 herd of cattle, motor vehicle, Discovery Land Rover, 50 percent shares in a company, more than US$25 000 in value of farm assets and household goods,” reads part of the judgment.

Justice Muremba also said that Tambudzani failed to account for her own earnings.

“The applicant (Tambudzani) was not being truthful with the court, If ever she was feeding on sadza and dried vegetables it was certainly by choice.

“With the assets awarded to her, the applicant cannot claim that she is now living a miserable life and that she cannot afford a decent meal.

“She can still live comfortably even if she does not dispose of any of the two houses awarded to her. 

“She is a legislator and she earns income from that every month,” said the judge.

VP Mohadi had contested the claim saying his ex-wife’s application had no basis.

The judge said Tambudzani should not burden the VP.

 “The Respondent (VP Mohadi) cannot be punished for having married the applicant at some stage during his life time to the extent that he should be burdened with maintaining her for the rest of her life whilst she refuses to use her money and assets to look after herself,” she said.

Tambudzani had also maintained that the Vice President and his new wife were enjoying fruits of her labour after taking part in building his political career from being a cabinet minister to his current post.

During finalisation of the divorce, the Vice President only benefited the Mohadi family home and a State farm as properties.

State Media|FIRED Victoria Falls Mayor, Councillor Somvelo Dlamini has approached the High Court challenging the MDC decision to recall him on allegations of violating party rules and undermining protocol.

In his court application, the fired mayor cited the opposition party, its leader Nelson Chamisa and other party officials.

The MDC accuses Mr Dlamini of refusing to resign from his position as Victoria Falls mayor after a contentious election in 2018 to pave way for the party’s preferred candidate Cllr Margaret Valley of Ward 1. 

By so doing the party alleges that Clr Dlamini defied the party directive when he stood as a candidate and defeated Clr Valley by eight votes to three.

The party’s secretary general Mr Charlton Hwende wrote to Clr Dlamini a letter dated February 24, 2020, advising him about the decision of the party’s national council to terminate his membership and remove him as the resort town’s mayor and ward 9 councillor.

The letter which was copied to the party’s Matabeleland North provincial chairperson Mr Prince Dubeko Sibanda and Victoria Falls Municipality said Clr Dlamini had violated party instructions.

“Your expulsion is in terms of article 5.11(a) of the Movement for Democratic Change constitution as read with the unanimous national council resolution of 23rd November 2018. Consequently, the party is immediately invoking the provisions of Section 278 (1) of the Zimbabwe Constitution as read with Section 129 of the same to have you removed from the position of councillor of the Victoria Falls Municipality,” reads part of the letter. 

It is the third time that the Chamisa-led party has fired Clr Dlamini after expelling him from the party twice in 2018 before reinstating him for allegedly defying his superiors’ decision not to stand for election as Victoria Falls mayor to pave way for a candidate of their choice Clr Valley.

Clr Dlamini, who is a self-actor, filed an application at the Bulawayo High Court challenging his removal from the council seat, citing Mr Hwende, MDC, MDC-Alliance and Mr Chamisa, Mr Sibanda and Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo as respondents.

In his founding affidavit, Clr Dlamini said his dismissal from both the party and council was in violation of his constitutional rights, arguing that he was never brought before a disciplinary hearing.

“I was never charged of any act of misconduct in terms of the MDC Alliance’s constitution. The law clearly states that where an adverse administrative decision is to be taken against me I ought to be given an opportunity to make representations, but in this case, I was neither afforded such an opportunity nor furnished with any reasons thereof,” he argued.

“My right to a fair administrative justice under section 68 of the constitution has been violated since I was never brought before a disciplinary hearing to answer any charges either at provincial level or on appeal before the national disciplinary committee.”

Clr Dlamini said in terms of section 129 (1) (k) as read with section 278 of the constitution of Zimbabwe, he could not be recalled by MDC Alliance, arguing that at the time of his election, the party on whose ticket he was elected was MDC. “I must state that at the time of elections, the party, which I belonged to was the MDC led by Professor Welshman Ncube. It went into the composite political agreement with other six political parties including the MDC-T led by the late Morgan Tsvangirai and all these parties remained independent and none of them were dissolved in terms of their respective constitutions,” he said. 

Clr Dlamini said he was together with Masvingo and Chegutu mayors asked to step down since they were elected under the same circumstances.

“However, my colleagues from Masvingo and Chegutu have not be recalled while I am being recalled. I am therefore subjected to unfair discriminatory conduct which is against the constitution of Zimbabwe. The fourth respondent (Mr Chamisa)’s actions of showing racial discrimination in saying I must resign from being mayor of Victoria Falls to pave way for his preferred losing candidate Margarete Varley is against the ethos of equality among the people of different races,” he said.

Clr Dlamini wants an order nullifying his letter of dismissal dated February 24, 2020.

He also wants the court to declare the actions of the respondents illegal and a breach of the constitution.

Clr Dlamini is also facing charges of abuse of office after he allegedly forged title deeds of a housing stand in 2013 before illegally selling it for US$20 000. The matter is still pending before the courts.

The respondents are yet to respond.

GoState Media|FORMER Cabinet Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo reportedly received 125 stands from Delatfin Properties for resolving a dispute with other Zvimba developers, further stands from a second developer and had money paid into his personal account by cooperative members in the area.

The Commission of Inquiry into the Sale of Urban State Land, chaired by Justice Tendai Uchena, recommended — in its report recently handed to President Mnangagwa — that both sets of stands and cooperative payments should be investigated further.

The commission visited 37 farms designated for urban development in Mashonaland West Province and found a raft of dealings that raise concern and, in the commission’s view, justify further investigation.

The commission recommended investigations into the actions of 105 people in the province, including politicians and senior Government officials, on allegations of possible corruption, criminal abuse of office, bribery, the sale of State land without authority from the Ministry of Local Government and selling land without fully servicing it.

Politicians from Mashonaland West recommended for further investigation include Dr Chombo, Mr Saviour Kasukuwere, Mr Jimayi Muduvuri, Mr Bright Matonga, Mr Francis Mukwangwariwa and Dr Philip Chiyangwa.

Ministry of Local Government and Public Works directors who should be investigated include Mr Christopher Shumba, Retired Colonel Joseph Mhakayakora, Mr Andrew Rhory Shawatu, Mr Casper Ngoshi and Mrs Sekai Matimba.

Officers from the then Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement who should face investigation include Mashonaland West provincial lands officer Mr Marlvern Mhaka and the district lands officer for Sanyati, Mr Mapfumo.

According to the report, Dr Chombo allegedly received 125 commonage stands from Delatfin Private Limited in return for the support he rendered to the firm in a land dispute with other developers in Zvimba. The stands, according to the report, were given to Dr Chombo through the now late permanent secretary Mr Killian Mpingo and another ministry official, Mr Rhory Shawatu.

Dr Chombo, according to the report, allegedly demanded from the same property developer, additional stands at a meeting held at Number 7 Bath Road, Milton Park where he was represented by his brother, Mr Nimrod Chiminya, according to the report.

Dr Chombo is said to have received more stands from Leengate, another property developer working in Zvimba.

The commission also looked at cooperative contributions paid by home-seekers in Zvimba.

“Some cooperative contributions were deposited into the personal Agribank account held in the name of former minister Dr Ignatius Chombo, which funds were never remitted for development purposes,” reads the report.

Mr Kasukuwere should be investigated after he “unjustifiably” withdrew land from Beyond Reality and awarded it to UDCORP at Knockmallock Estate A in the province, without an agreement of sale or payment of the purchase price.

Mr Shumba stands accused of subdividing the Governor’s residence in Chinhoyi when he was provincial administrator for Mashonaland West. He is accused of sharing the stands created from the subdivision with two other ministry officials identified as Matimba and Watambwa.

Mr Shawatu should be investigated after receiving a number of stands from Delatfin at Haydon Farm in Zvimba, according to the report.

Mr Ngoshi is said to have allegedly prepared layout plans for property developers called Shine Plus and Leengate, who had land in Zvimba, using his personal company while still employed by the Government and allegedly received payment through his wife’s bank account.

Rtd Col Mhakayakora reportedly asked for stands from Delatfin’s Haydon Farm project after he had facilitated the allocation of 120 hectares of State land to the company.

Delatfin director Mr Felix Munyaradzi should, according to the report, be investigated for allegedly illegally selling State land and for selling stands to people without servicing them.

Zvimba South legislator Chiyangwa should, according to the report, be investigated for abuse of office after reportedly convening and chairing a council meeting to solicit a favourable resolution to enable his company Gabroc Investments (Pvt) Ltd to sell State land. He allegedly sold Lot 1 of Lot 3 of Brundish Farm to the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) when he did not have title to the land.

Zanu PF central committee member Cde Muduvuri faces investigation on allegations of selling State land before fully developing it in Kadoma through his company, Macsherp Pvt Ltd.

The commission recommended the investigation of former Zvimba East legislator Mr Francis Mukwangwariwa for allegedly selling State land without the authority of the relevant ministry and selling stands before servicing them at Penrose Farm.

Incumbent and former local authority leaders in Mashonaland West were also not spared by the audit.

Zvimba Rural District Council former chief executive officers Mr Peter Hlohla and Mr Shacky Siyamayambo are also implicated for selling State land without authority from the Ministry of Local Government, with some stands being sold before development.

Chegutu Town Clerk Mr Alex Mandigo, Sanyati Rural District Council chief executive officer Mr Akim Shadaya, Karoi Tow Secretary Mr Wellington Mutikani, Kadoma Town Clerk Marlvin Dondo, ex-Chinhoyi Town Clerk Mr Godwin Khosa, Makonde Rural District Council former chief executive officer Mr Lahliwe Murefu are also on the list of those recommended for further investigations over irregular land allocations and sales.

He was once the master of local television. Draped in his signature makeshift khaki short and black vest, sometimes barefoot, his witty humour would guarantee millions of eyes glued to the television set.
Lazarus Boora, who rose to fame through his role as “Gringo”, remains among veterans of local television.

Who would have imagined him back to default setting, re-embracing a rural life?

Though long past his prime, and now relocated to his rural home, Rukweza Village in Nyazura, Gringo believes his glory days are not yet over.
It’s not every day that celebrities of national acclaim move back to rural areas, especially when they still have more to offer to the world.

But sometimes it is a good idea to go back to one’s roots, reflect on their life, gain some perspective, before resuming one’s career.

It was this great need of fresh air, and new insights on life that drove Gringo back to where he gasped his first breath.
This follows his recent surgical operation for appendix rapture.

A visit to Gringo’s homestead, a decently built home well inviting, and modest finds a once spirited individual whose witty humour always drove the nation in stitches, a fable of his former being, thin and visibly in pain.

Gringo laboriously takes his time to walk, stops every now and again to gain his composure, yet still, he remains hopeful for a better future.

He is not the jovial spirit always cracking jokes, one would expect to meet, but a quiet person, seemingly tired, maybe from his ailment and drugs.
Gringo and his wife are very welcoming and happy to receive visitors.

“I am now well, the worst is over,” he said. “What I cannot really do is the hard jobs.”-State media

Farai Dziva|The Mayor of the city of Masvingo, Councillor Collen Maboke, has denied claims that he denigrated MDC president Nelson Chamisa.

Party sources accused Maboke of attacking Chamisa during the district elections on Saturday.

The sources claimed Maboke publicly attacked Chamisa.

Speaking to ZimEye.com on Monday, Maboke said he passed through the MDC Provincial offices just for a few minutes to assess what was taking place as he had been informed that there were some skirmishes during the district elections.

Maboke said:

That is false ndakasvika pa office for less than 5 minutes. I wanted to collect something from a certain guy who was at party office -what caused me to disembark from the vehicle ndaida kubetsera mukomana akange arohwa kuenda naye kuchipatara paakanditi ndiri right ndakabva ndatobva ndikaenda kumusha kuBikita kwandaida kundoona Mai vangu vasinganzwi mushe.

I know vanhu vanotaura izvozvo. I regret kuti ndakapfuurirei nepo pamwe vaizoshaya zvokunyora.”

Nurses at the government-run Mpilo Central Hospital held a demonstration at the institution on Monday morning.

The nurses were protesting against hospital Chief Executive Officer Mr Mabandi who is reportedly making the nurses work 4 days of 12-hour shifts.
Meanwhile, the nurses are waiting for the outcome of negotiations between the government and the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA). The nurses want to work for two days.

Another grievance raised by the protesting nurses has to do wit the misuse of the hospital’s ambulances.

They were complaining that matrons use the hospital ambulance to go for worship while the hospital cannot take care of its patients.

Some nurses were saying that they are forced to come to work but there is no medication for patients. An unnamed nurse said there is only one thermometer in the whole hospital.-

Credit:CITE

Farai Dziva|The country’s main opposition party, MDC has described the death of Masvingo Provincial vice secretary, James Mushonga as a huge blow.

Mushonga died in a car accident in Nyanyadzi on Sunday.

See statement below:

The MDC mourns the sad passing of a veteran of the struggle James Mushonga who was involved in car accident in Nyanyadzi on Sunday.

Mushonga was in the structures of the party in Harare South at the inception of the party,he later moved to Sunningdale following the delimitation of 2008.

He was the party’s House of Assembly candidate for Harare South in 2005 and Zaka Central in 2013.

Our prayers and thoughts are with the family and fellow Comrades who worked closely with the Mushonga.

May His Soul Rest in Peace.

Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister
Edgar Moyo has said his Ministry is working with the
Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) to come up with Ordinary and Advanced Level examination fees agreeable to both the examinations board and parents.

Moyo added that the new exam fees will be announced soon and that parents who had already paid fees announced by ZIMSEC recently (and reversed by the government) should be refunded.

He said:
Initially, the actual examination fee was pegged at $190 per subject (O-level) but we later learnt that some parents could not afford to pay due to current economic challenges which is why the ministry reverted to the 2015 fees of $15 per subject while in the process of coming up with the exact examination fee that will also assist Zimsec board in preparation of the examinations.

No one has exact information or time frame on the outcome but what can be hazarded for now is that pupils that had already paid $190 for June examinations will be refunded their monies. We have asked the Government and various financing models to intervene and see how much they are willing to assist as a means to compensate the Zimsec board.

Meanwhile, ZIMSEC public relations officer Nicky Dlamini refused to comment on the issue of refunds.

She encouraged parents to wait for the new exam fees.-State media

Secretary for Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights Norman Matara has said Zimbabwe’s healthcare system is weak and will not be able to deal with a COVID-19 outbreak.

Speaking in an interview with
NewsDay on Friday night, Matara urged the government to up its game in terms of surveillance.

He said:
We have a very weakened healthcare system; we lack basic equipment and we (will be) taking samples to South Africa.
We don’t have enough resources at the quarantining centre.

We don’t have (equipment for computerised tomography (CT) scan, recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for diagnostic.

We only have two in the public health sector, at
Chitungwiza and Parirenyatwa. We don’t even have an adequate ventilator for a continuous supply of oxygen.

We need to step up our game in terms of surveillance.

South Africa, which shares a porous border with Zimbabwe, has so far recorded two confirmed cases of coronavirus.

Meanwhile, there have been no deaths on the African continent from the virus, with confirmed cases having also been recorded in Senegal, Algeria and Nigeria.-NewsDay

THERE is currently a debate in government circles on whether or not to stick with five ordinary level subject passes as the benchmark which makes a student eligible for Advanced Level and tertiary education, acting Primary and Secondary Education permanent secretary Peter Muzawazi said recently.

Currently, for a student to be deemed to have passed, he should have five Ordinary Level passes including english and mathematics.

Muzawazi told stakeholders who attended a recent parliamentary committee workshop on education strategic planning that the government was debating the wisdom of forcing students to retake subjects that they would have failed and not encouraging them to pursue careers in areas they would have excelled.

“We are debating on whether we should maintain the current benchmark of regarding only those who have attained five Ordinary Level passes as having passed and having others re-writing for 10 years even if they would have passed three art subjects and are hoping to take art as their profession,” said Muzawazi.

If adopted, it would be a major shift towards recognising and supporting pupils who are not academically gifted to pursue areas that they excel in.

Contributing at the same event, Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda also queried why the country was insistent on ‘‘A’’ Level as a pre-requisite to university entry while other countries with even more advanced tertiary education systems like the United States of America are accepting ordinary level students.

Mudenda said other countries not insisting on ‘‘A’’ Level were still producing competent professionals.

“Is it really that important to use ‘A’ Level as an entry qualification to university when other countries with sound educational systems accept lower level qualifications like ordinary level and matric examinations?,” Mudenda queried.

Zimbabwean students who apply for scholarships and get admission in universities in the United States of America often do so based on the strength of their ordinary level qualifications.

Zimbabwe School Examinations Council director Lazarus Nembaware said the decision to use ‘‘A’’ Levels as the university entry benchmark was primarily influenced system by Zimbabwe’s former coloniser — the United Kingdom — where such a practice was the norm.

He was, however, quick to point out that students who undergo ‘‘A’’ Level education are better prepared for university education than those who don’t.

Nembaware added that even if ‘‘A’’ Level education were to be scrapped, its content would be incorporated into the first year of university study.

Daily News

UNICEF says it is concerned about the amount of fake news and misinformation on coronavirus (COVID-19) saying if left unchecked it will cause unnecessary panic around the world.

110,090 have so far been infected by the coronavirus worldwide while 3831 have succumbed to the deadly disease.

In a statement, Unicef said misinformation on coronavirus is causing a lot of paranoia, fear and stigma while leaving millions vulnerable to the virus.

“All around the world, people are taking the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families from coronavirus. Sound preparation, based on scientific evidence, is what is needed at this time.

“However, while many people are sharing information about the virus and how to protect against it, only some of that information is useful or reliable, said the UN Agency.

The coronavirus outbreak has sparked what the World Health Organization is calling an “infodemic” — an overwhelming amount of information on social media and websites. Some of it’s accurate. And some is downright untrue.

“We need a vaccine against misinformation,” said Dr Mike Ryan, head of WHO’s health emergencies program, at a WHO briefing on the virus last month.

Fake news can spread quickly online. A 2018 study from Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that “false news spreads more rapidly on the social network Twitter than real news does.”

In Zimbabwe, there has been growing frustration form the citizens over government’s lack of clarity on the virus.

There are fears that the Ministry of Information, which is mandated to deliver any government communications, is withholding critical information on the virus while spreading falsehoods on the true nature of the COVID-19.

According to government, Zimbabwe is yet to record any confirmed case of the virus although there have been five (5) suspected cases, which are also said to have tested negative.

There have been several reports on twitter from various twitter handles, some from well-known personalities who claim that Zimbabwe, has, in fact, had two coronavirus related deaths, claims which the government declined.

Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Professor Amon Murwira has defended the recently announced tuition fees for universities saying they were reasonable and commensurate with newly adjusted salaries for civil servants.

Prof Murwira said it was critical for Government not compromise the quality of education by making populist decisions that would in the long run destroy the education system in the country renowned for higher standards.

The minister said this today while giving oral evidence before Parliament’s portfolio committee on Higher and Tertiary education who wanted to know the impact of the recently announced tuition fees pegged at between $3 500 and $5 000.

The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency requires US$85,5 million for the 2022 Population and Housing Census project, Minister of Finance and Economic Development Professor Mthuli Ncube has said.

He was speaking at the 2022 Population and Housing Census Advocacy and Resource mobilisation breakfast meeting in Harare today. The meeting was attended by representatives from United Nations, United Nations Population Fund, African Development Bank, World Bank and International Monetary Fund, Zimstat among others.

“The cost of the 2022 Population and Housing Census is expected to be covered by the Government of Zimbabwe. However, it is likely that there will be a shortfall over the lifespan of this project, hence the need to mobilise the additional resources required, for the 2022 Population Census project with an estimated cost of about US$85,5 m.

The immediate objectives of the census, Minister Ncube said are to measure the present size of the population of Zimbabwe, its partial distribution among rural and urban areas as well as the provinces, districts and wards.

“It also determines the present demographic, social, economic and cultural characteristics of the population of Zimbabwe,” he said.

Some South African students trapped in the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the corona virus outbreak, have now opted to stay behind.

Some of the 16 Capricorn TVET students who returned from China on Friday, have denied being tested for the coronavirus and quarantined prior to flying back to South Africa.

The Limpopo Health Department earlier said the students had tested negative for COVID-19 and that there was no need to quarantine them in a state facility.

The 16 are among the 29 students from three colleges across the country, who have completed a two-year construction internship in China.

One of them, who has opted to remain anonymous, however says she’s worried that they might have been exposed to the virus while they were travelling through three busy airports.

“When I woke up I saw news that we were quarantined and tested in China and they will further assist us with the self-quarantine, those kind of things they really upset me. Because the truth is not only did the students from Capricorn College fly down, no. We were 29 students, there were other colleges who also did not get the same treatment that we got, so what about those students from another college and the other 10 from another, what about them?”

The mother of two other students says she is concerned about the health of her family members.

“My question; what about my family? We only have one house in my home and remember when I touch something; I have to go to the toilet. We don’t have a backroom whereby they can keep me there and lock me up. I’m not saying I have the virus; I am not sure because coronavirus can incubate for 14 days without showing symptoms. I’ve suggested that my preference when we held a meeting with the department of health whether they can create something like a camp or they can keep us for this period of 14 days but they said they cannot do that, so who am I to question them further, who am I.”

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize meanwhile says some South African students trapped in the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epi-centre of the corona virus outbreak, have now opted to stay instead of joining the team that will be repatriated soon.

The students are virus free, but are in self-quarantine.

The South African National Defence Force has been tasked with repatriating the 184 South Africans from Wuhan.

Originally, 150 people indicated that they wanted to return home but this number increased to 184.

It’s not clear how many South African students have changed their minds about being repatriated.

Addressing the media in Pietermaritzburg, Mkhize said they would only repatriate those who wanted to return home.

– SABC

MDC leader Nelson Chamisa is reportedly under pressure from his loyalists to ditch some top party executives accused of hobnobbing with ruling Zanu PF officials and State security agents to destabilise the country’s main opposition party.

The “sell-outs”, according to party insiders, were working with ruling Zanu PF party and military intelligence operatives in monitoring top opposition leaders’ movements in the wake of flash protests across the country.

Chamisa’s spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda confirmed efforts to destabilise the party, adding the MDC leadership had identified the alleged “sell-outs”.

“The issue of infiltration is a public secret. Obviously, Zanu PF always has paid some people some money to destabilise the organisation. They have always done that and there is nothing new,” he said.

“They want us to think about that, but we have issues to think about that and regardless of Zanu PF shenanigans, president Chamisa is moving forward with the ship.”

Sibanda said it was an issue to divert attention by Zanu PF and those within the party who were desperate to find a “soft landing”.

But Zanu PF secretary for administration, Obert Mpofu, denied reports that his party was sponsoring chaos in the MDC.

“It is them making allegations. If they are so gullible to be sponsored by other parties, then it is just an admission that they are actually not a people’s party. If they were, indeed, a people’s project, they wouldn’t be worried about all those things.”

MDC sources said they were aware of who was behind the chaos, naming some senior members who were reportedly working with some within Zanu PF and the military intelligence to destabilise the party.

A senior MDC official yesterday said: “It is known that there is a person in the organisation who invokes Chamisa’s name each time he runs into problems within the organisation.

“His attitude is that he should go down with Chamisa and the party and hold the organisation to ransom to say if you do this, I will act that way, but that is now known.”

Observers said a letter written by the party’s secretary-general Chalton Hwende last week giving the party’s deputy secretary for international relations, Douglas Mwonzora, a final warning over his alleged taking of party issues to social media was clear indication of a serious rift within the MDC.

There were also reports that the party’s secretary for strategy and implementation in Chamisa’s office, Morgen Komichi, had resigned citing frustration and being overlooked by the youthful leader despite vigorously campaigning for him ahead of the party’s congress last year.

Komichi, however, denied that he had resigned or was being frustrated, saying his absence from some of the meetings was because of other commitments.

“People are lying, it is just a lie. Everything is a lie and I even attend party programmes, unless when I am tied up somewhere, but those are all lies,” he said.

Responding on micro-blogging site Twitter on Komichi’s alleged resignation, Chamisa said: “I am not aware of any of such. Remember that public entities are voluntary entities.

“Members sign up and resign. This is normal in all voluntary organisations. Our opposition is working 24/7 to portray the people’s party as an entity in turmoil. MDC is a people’s party.” 

• NewsDay

A suspected coronavirus patient escapes from Wilkins Hospital isolation center. Health authorities are now looking for the Thai national who disappeared before tests could be conducted.

More to follow

Nurses at the government-run Mpilo Central Hospital held a demonstration at the institution on Monday morning.

The nurses were protesting against hospital Chief Executive Officer Mr Mabandi who is reportedly making the nurses work 4 days of 12-hour shifts.
Meanwhile, the nurses are waiting for the outcome of negotiations between the government and the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA). The nurses want to work for two days.

Another grievance raised by the protesting nurses has to do wit the misuse of the hospital’s ambulances.

They were complaining that matrons use the hospital ambulance to go for worship while the hospital cannot take care of its patients.

Some nurses were saying that they are forced to come to work but there is no medication for patients. An unnamed nurse said there is only one thermometer in the whole hospital.-

Credit:CITE

By A Correspondent- Itai dzamara’s wife Sheffra has written a letter to President Emmerson Mnangagwa appealing that he intervenes in the matter of her husband who was allegedly abducted by state agents five years ago.

Sheffra said, “the matter cannot go unaccounted for just like that.”

In a statement Muleya Mwananyanda, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Southern Africa said:

“Imagine not being able to tell your children if their father is alive or dead. Someone knows where Itai Dzamara is, but they have chosen to subject his family to five long years of uncertainty.”

The European Union Delegation in Zimbabwe also issued a statement saying:

“Five years after his abduction, Itai Dzamara remains missing. We call on government to shed light on his face and serve justice, and to tackle all human rights violations decisively, in line with Zimbabwe’s repeated commitment to human rights, freedoms & national healing.”

Professor Jonathan Moyo is on record saying Dzamara was abducted by the Military Intelligence 7under the Command of General Mike Sango.

The Home Affairs ministry is on record telling parliament that investigations regarding the disappearance of Dzamara were being conducted but to date, nothing has been revealed.

Farai Dziva|The Mayor of the city of Masvingo, Councillor Collen Maboke, has denied claims that he denigrated MDC president Nelson Chamisa.

Party sources accused Maboke of attacking Chamisa during the district elections on Saturday.

The sources claimed Maboke publicly attacked Chamisa.

Speaking to ZimEye.com on Monday, Maboke said he passed through the MDC Provincial offices just for a few minutes to assess what was taking place as he had been informed that there were some skirmishes during the district elections.

Maboke said:

That is false ndakasvika pa office for less than 5 minutes. I wanted to collect something from a certain guy who was at party office -what caused me to disembark from the vehicle ndaida kubetsera mukomana akange arohwa kuenda naye kuchipatara paakanditi ndiri right ndakabva ndatobva ndikaenda kumusha kuBikita kwandaida kundoona Mai vangu vasinganzwi mushe.

I know vanhu vanotaura izvozvo. I regret kuti ndakapfuurirei nepo pamwe vaizoshaya zvokunyora.”

Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister
Edgar Moyo has said his Ministry is working with the
Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) to come up with Ordinary and Advanced Level examination fees agreeable to both the examinations board and parents.

Moyo added that the new exam fees will be announced soon and that parents who had already paid fees announced by ZIMSEC recently (and reversed by the government) should be refunded.

He said:
Initially, the actual examination fee was pegged at $190 per subject (O-level) but we later learnt that some parents could not afford to pay due to current economic challenges which is why the ministry reverted to the 2015 fees of $15 per subject while in the process of coming up with the exact examination fee that will also assist Zimsec board in preparation of the examinations.

No one has exact information or time frame on the outcome but what can be hazarded for now is that pupils that had already paid $190 for June examinations will be refunded their monies. We have asked the Government and various financing models to intervene and see how much they are willing to assist as a means to compensate the Zimsec board.

Meanwhile, ZIMSEC public relations officer Nicky Dlamini refused to comment on the issue of refunds.

She encouraged parents to wait for the new exam fees.-State media

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe is one of the countries that are used by a syndicate of kidnappers to abduct wealthy people and hold them for ransom, a South African newspaper has reported.

The paper said the syndicate was targeting wealthy South Africans, nationals from Pakistan, Indians and other Asians.

The paper said the gang who operates from South Africa concoct  illegal traveling documents for business people who are in Asia to come to do deals in South Africa.

The victims are assisted to travel through Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Mozambique. The syndicate has operatives who assist these foreigners to arrive in the three countries and get assisted to travel to South Africa.

Quoting police sources the paper said, ” As soon as they cross the border, they are flagged and stopped by the police. That is how they get kidnapped. The abductors contact their families in Asia, demanding a ransom for their release.”

“More often than not, the kidnappers demand over R1 million, he said, adding that almost always, the kidnappers demand that the ransom be paid in Dubai via the Hawala banking system.”

Hawala, which originated in Asia, is often used to launder money and finance terrorism.

The police source is said to have added that the kidnappers were running a well-knit complicate network that uses international phone numbers.

“I foresee the kidnappings going up because the victims’ families are willing to pay the ransoms. We are really worried that some of these guys could have links to terrorist organizations,” the said.

South Africa has been seeing a rise in the kidnapping crimes targeting rich foreigners.

In 2019 two Zimbabwean brothers who were in the trucking business were abducted and killed after the family paid a ransom to their kidnappers.

They were buried in Bulawayo. -Byo24 

Sheffra Dzamara, wife to Itai Dzamara, the missing pro-democracy campaigner and freelance journalist, today submitted a letter to President Emmerson Mnangagwa protesting that her husband “cannot go unaccounted for just like that” and appealed for help to get answers to ascertain Itai’s whereabouts.

Picture Credit: Kumbirai Mafunda

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

….Khupe could end up “winner” of the soon to be announced ConCourt verdict which could announce her the only legitimate leader of the MDC, a controversial  conclusion set to, as it were, reverse the clockwatch back to 2014….

By A Correspondent| MDC T leader Thokozani Khupe has trashed reports alleging that she is mulling firing four of her senior executives.

A rumour went round last week saying she had removed from her party WhatsApp group and was preparing to either suspend or fire the quartet namely:

Priscilla Misihairambwi-
Nickson Nyikadzino
Bella Mwonzora
Yvonne Musarurwa.

But speaking to ZimEye, Dr Khupe refuted the claims and said: “There is no such thing.” 

She went to the point of saying this was even news to her. “I am also hearing this from you,” she said. 

Efforts to get a comment from the four were difficult with only Misihairabwi briefly responding but still not saying anything on the matter.

The development comes as her party’s membership of the Polad group was said to be shaky following disputes between her and other members.

It also comes at a time when Khupe could end up “winner” of the soon to be announced ConCourt verdict which could announce her the only legitimate leader of the MDC, a controversial  conclusion set to, as it were, reverse the clockwatch back to 2014.

• ZimEye

By Jane Mlambo| The European Union has challenged the government of Zimbabwe to shed light on the fate of missing government critic Itai Dzamara who was abducted by suspected state security agents five years ago.

Dzamara who went missing on the 9th of March 2015 has not been accounted for five years now amid calls for government to institute an inquiry on what befell the journalist come political activist.

“Five years after his abduction, Itai #Dzamara remains missing. We call on Govt to shed light on his fate & serve justice, and to tackle all human rights violations decisively, in line with #Zimbabwe‘s repeated commitment to human rights, freedoms & national healing. #EU4democracy,” the EU tweeted.

By A Correspondent- There are reports that villagers in Muzarabani were recently forced to attend a meeting called by Zanu PF aligned Chief.

Zimbabwe Peace Project reported that on 8 February, Chief Kasekete of Muzarabani South delivered a speech in favour of Zanu PF at Hoya Primary School in ward 17.

“The chief, ordered the village council of elders to call for an urgent developmental meeting. Villagers were forced to attend the meeting by village heads and Zanu PF leadership. Reports indicate that the agenda of the meeting changed when people had gathered,” ZPP reported

“The chief, in his address praised President Mnangagwa and Zanu PF. He mocked the MDC , denouncing its President, Advocate Nelson Chamisa. He also threatened to deal with all opposition aspiring candidates citing that Muzarabani was a no go area for the MDC.”

ZPP reported that MDC ward 17 and 18 Shadow Councillors were advised to leave MDC for Zanu PF to guarantee their safety. In addition, he threatened to introduce tough measures to deal with all village heads that support MDC and allow NGOs to hold meetings in their villages.

By A Correspondent- The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has ruled out reducing service tariff charges after ratepayers’ plea that the new levies were not only unaffordable, but a cruel onslaught on the urban poor.

A steep increase in rates and tariffs has raised furore, with residents urging council to look for alternative revenue streams instead of punishing them through unaffordable charges.

The new charges came into effect recently after government approved BCC’s $2 779 412 294 budget, which saw rates increasing by about 416%, four months after another 300% hike.

In a letter dated March 4 and addressed to councillors, town clerk Christopher Dube and mayor Solomon Mguni, the Bulawayo Progressive Residents’ Association (BPRA) pleaded with the council to defer the rates increase.

“BCC should have conducted adequate consultations on the affordability of the budget. Residents, by and large, voiced their concerns over the increase, but these were not taken on board … The 716% budget increase has been viewed as a cruel onslaught (on) the urban poor.

“Against the foregoing, BPRA is proposing that BCC must reduce the affordability gap by setting aside the 300% increase for the supplementary budget,” BPRA secretary for administration Thembelani Dube said.

However, the council through its finance chairperson councillor Mlandu Ncube accused residents of being unreasonable, arguing the council would be incapacitated.

“The problem is that if we set aside the 300% rates increase for October, council will not be able to provide services. We are trying our best to make ends meet. There is nothing we are getting from that money because, for example, when we were doing budget consultations a loaf of bread was less than $10. What they (residents) must do is to approach council and make payment plans. That is the least that council can do,” Ncube said.

BPRA, however, urged council to look for alternative revenue sources and also stop funding the Bulawayo City Football Club and re-direct resources to council services that benefit residents.

“There is a need for BCC to urgently come up with alternative revenue sources. There is a need to cut down on unnecessary expenditure and reduce overtime expenditures.

“In 2019, residents spoke against the continued funding of the Bulawayo City which is draining the council’s coffers and bringing little to zero benefit for the residents. While grooming local talent is a noble idea, its timing is not strategic …-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Former Bikita West legislator Munyaradzi Kereke’s chamber application for leave to prosecute his appeal at the Supreme Court in a case in which he is challenging the conviction and 14 years in prison for rape, has been rejected.

Justice Jacob Manzunzu tossed out the application on a technicality that it was defective for non-compliance with the rules of the court.

The judge concurred with lawyer, Mr Charles Warara, representing the guardian of the minor child who was raped by Kereke. It was Mr Warara’s submission that there was no application before the court because the papers were defective as they did not comply with the rules, in particular that the application was not supported by an affidavit.

Further, the judgment of the court that was being appealed against was not made part of the application to be considered by the judge. However, Kereke who was a self- actor in the matter, insisted that his papers were in order as they stood amended in terms of the court rules. But Justice Manzunzu found that a chamber application should be supported by an affidavit.

Even an amended chamber application, which the former legislator filed with the court in an attempt to cure the defect could not help him.

“In casu (present case), the chamber application is incurably bad. With or without an application to amend the fact remains that the application is fatally defective and cannot be cured by whatever means,” said Justice Manzunzu.

The judge also accepted Mr Warara’s argument that there was no application before the court and struck off the application for its non-compliance with the rules.

Kereke was in 2016 jailed for 14 years for raping his then 10-year-old niece at gunpoint.

Four years of his jail time were suspended on condition of good behaviour. He was also acquitted on another charge of indecently assaulting the rape victim’s elder sister.-Statemedia

….Khupe could end up “winner” of the soon to be announced ConCourt verdict which could announce her the only legitimate leader of the MDC, a controversial  conclusion set to, as it were, reverse the clockwatch back to 2014….

By A Correspondent| MDC T leader Thokozani Khupe has denied firing four of her senior executives. A rumour went round last week saying she has removed the following from her party WhatsApp group and was preparing to either suspend of fire:

Priscilla Misihairambwi-
Nickson Nyikadzino
Bella Mwonzora
Yvonne Musarurwa.

But speaking to ZimEye, Dr Khupe said: “There is no such thing.” 

She went to the point of saying this was even news to her. “I am also hearing this from you,” she said. 

Efforts to get a comment from the four were difficult with only Misihairabwi briefly responding but still not saying anything on the matter.

The development comes as her party’s membership of the Polad group was said to be shaky following disputes between her and other members.

It also comes at a time when Khupe could end up “winner” of the soon to be announced ConCourt verdict which could announce her the only legitimate leader of the MDC, a controversial  conclusion set to, as it were, reverse the clockwatch back to 2014.

– ZimEye

By A Correspondent- Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has written through lawyers to  his estranged wife, Marry Mubaiwa,  demanding a gold ring which he claims she took last year possibly for “safekeeping”.

Chiwenga, who was admitted to a private hospital in Pretoria  in April last year, said the ring was taken by his estranged wife when he was incapacitated by ill health.

Chiwenga wrote through his lawyers to Marry demanding a gold ring which he claims she took last year possibly for “safekeeping”.

Chiwenga claims Marry took the ring while he was incapacitated due to ill health in a Pretoria hospital last year.

His lawyer, Wilson Manase, wrote:

“The ring was a gift from his friend and is of sentimental value to him. Would you care to please ask your client to advise us where she placed the ring as our client would like to use same.”

The letter, was addressed to Mubaiwa’s lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa.

The ring is described in the letter as a signet with yellow gold and patterned sides, with a silver coin marked “Alexander The Great”.

Alexander the Great was one of history’s greatest military leaders; as King of Macedonia and Persia he established the largest empire the ancient world had seen.

Chiwenga said his ring could be worth $5,300 and weighs 15.3g although he does not mention which friend gave it to him

Chiwenga attached a photo of said ring on his letter to back his claim

The letter exposes the political elite’s penchant for luxuries.

This follows after Chiwenga also demanded his money back from Marry which he claimed was in her bank account.

He stated that she can take the kitchen crockery including saucepans for all he cares but she should cede his belongings.

By A Correspondent- A villager in Mudzi was recently denied presidential farming inputs  because he attended a funeral service of an MDC activist.

Zimbabwe Peace Project reported that on 9 February a villager was denied presidential inputs in Mudzi North in Musau Village Ward 17 under Chief Mukota.

“Zanu PF Ward 17 Chairperson, Makarutse denied the villager his inputs allocation because he had attended a funeral service for an MDC activist.

He was then informed that he would not receive Presidential inputs and any other government aid in future as he was accused of singing MDC songs during the funeral and associating with MDC activists in a Zanu PF territory,” ZPP reported.

By A Correspondent- A Bulilima man has been arrested for allegedly beating his girlfriend’s 86-year-old grandmother to death with a log after accusing her of bewitching him.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident which occurred last Wednesday at around 7PM in Nsubula Village, Bambadzi area. He said the accused Alfred Gumbo (32) from Gonde area who stays with his girlfriend and her late grandmother at their home, arrived home drunk and started accusing Mrs Lucia Ncube of bewitching him resulting in an altercation.

“I can confirm that we recorded a murder case where the suspect Alfred Gumbo beat up Lucia Ncube to death with a log. Gumbo arrived home drunk and found Ncube and her granddaughter Ms Simephi Ncube who is also his girlfriend seated in the kitchen hut. He started accusing the old woman and his girlfriend of bewitching him,” he said.

“Gumbo and Lucia exchanged harsh words and the old woman picked up a log out of anger and struck Gumbo on the forehead and he sustained a cut. Gumbo retaliated and also picked up a log from the floor and struck the woman several times all over the body until she died and he fled from the scene.”

Chief Insp Ndebele said Simephi rushed to get help from neighbours. He said villagers pursued Gumbo, apprehended him and took him to the police station resulting in his arrest.-Statemedia

By A Correspondent- Local bank workers have been granted a 521% wage hike year-on-year in line with the inflation that is eroding earnings.

The new salary threshold that was backdated to January was agreed to last week by Nec.

This will see the lowest paid employee getting $5 815.67.-Newsday

The current bank exchange rates for the ZWL$ today are as follows:

• USD to ZWL$: 18.1885
• ZWL$ to RAND: 0.8911

Data according to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe

Black Market Rates:

• OMIR 51.08
• USD to ZWL$ zimrates.com 35.50
• USD to ZWL$  zwl365.com 34.70
• USD to ZWL$ bluemari.info 34.20
• USD to BOND: zimrates.com 25.90

More: marketwatch.co.zw

By A Correspondent- Police have exhumed the body of a 24-year- old Shurugwi man who was tied to a tree and severely tortured by his boss for allegedly stealing 70 grammes of gold worth US$3 400 at a mine at Bred Farm.

Fabian Mabhugu died on March 1 while admitted to Gweru Provincial Hospital from injuries sustained following his alleged 24-hour torture at the hands of thugs hired by his boss and miner Willard Mugadza.

Mabhugu was exhumed on Saturday allegedly at the instigation of his family who have requested a second postmortem opinion as they are suspicious of the first postmortem report.

Mugadza briefly appeared before Shurugwi resident magistrate Ms Sithabile Zungula on Thursday facing one count of murder and the other of abduction. He was remanded out of custody to March 24 on ZW$1000 bail.

Mabhugu was a part-time driver for Mugadza popularly known as Dread Welly. He was allegedly abducted together with his friend Lenny Hwehwe (25) after their boss claimed they had declared gold with a shortfall of 70 grammes worth US$3 400 at a mine in Shurugwi.

In an interview yesterday, Mabhugu’s elder sister, Theresa said her brother’s body which had been laid to rest at Mount Dore Cemetery at Bonza Farm in Shurugwi last Thursday was exhumed on Saturday by the police for a second postmortem.

Theresa said the postmortem report which was produced before Ms Sithabile Zungula during the brief appearance of Mugadza cited cause of death as undetermined.  

“Yes, my brother’s body was exhumed by the police on Saturday and taken to Harare for a second postmortem opinion since we were not happy with the first postmortem result which said that the cause of his death is undeterminable,” she said.

“The postmortem was done by a Bulawayo Pathologist and as a family we felt that it was flawed and as a result allegedly influenced the High Court’s decision to order the lower court to release Mugadza on bail.”

She said her brother who was allegedly tortured while tied to a tree, had visible marks from his head to the toe.

“We therefore wonder why the pathologist will say the cause is undeterminable. So, we lodged a complaint after the release of Mugadza from prison and we were given police officers who guarded the grave from the day it was buried until it was exhumed,” said Theresa.

“We were shocked to see the postmortem report being produced in court on Thursday when as family, we had been told by the police that it was going to be ready for collection the following day.”

It is the State case that Mabhugu and Hwehwe were allegedly driven to Chirumanzu where they were tortured over two days, allegedly on the orders of their boss.-Statemedia

By A Correspondent- A man from Binga who allegedly hired a Zambian hitman to kill his father whom he accused of causing the death of his sister through witchcraft has been arrested.

Fullback Mugande (45) of Nsenga Village has been on the run since the day he allegedly engineered Mr Janika Sibanda’s shooting in October 2017.  He was arrested last week following his return from Zambia where he had been a fugitive.

His accomplice, an unidentified Zambian is still at large. Mugande appeared before Binga resident magistrate Mrs Portia Moyo facing a murder charge. He was remanded in custody to March 11 for routine remand.

Mrs Moyo advised Mugande to apply for bail at the High Court. Prosecuting, Mr Quiet Mpofu said Mugande and Mr Sibanda had a long-standing feud which emanated from witchcraft accusations.

“Mugande accused the deceased of bewitching his sister resulting in her death,” said Mr Mpofu.

The court heard that the deceased predicted the death of the accused person’s sister.

The death did not go down well with Mugande who accused his father of witchcraft. On October 10 in 2017, Mugande crossed into neighbouring Zambia where he allegedly hired the services of a hitman to kill the deceased.

“On the same day the accused person and his unidentified accomplice confronted the deceased. They accused him of witchcraft before the Zambian opened fire and shot Mr Sibanda four times at close range and he sustained serious injuries,” said Mr Mpofu.

Soon after the offence, the two accused persons skipped the border to Zambia.

Mr Sibanda was rushed to Binga District Hospital where he succumbed to the gunshot wounds. Mugande, who has been in hiding, was arrested on February 26 after police received a tip off that he had sneaked back into the country. -StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Government is still compiling a database for those who will be given coupons to buy subsidised roller meal.

The Government last month announced plans to introduce mealie-meal coupons for targeted households to enable them to buy subsidised roller meal.

The coupon system for roller meal is expected to ensure that vulnerable community members benefit  from the subsidy.

Retailers are selling subsidised roller meal at $70 but there is shortage of the product on the market as some of it is being diverted to the parallel market.

Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza told Senators recently during a Question and Answer session that Government is yet to finalise the coupon system.

“We do not have coupons yet for mealie-meal, we are still compiling a database for people who deserve those coupons and these are the most vulnerable in our society. For those who were already on social welfare database, it is not a problem but there are others who were not who should be included,” said Dr Nzenza.

Government set up a mealie-meal taskforce last month to ensure that there is a steady supply of the subsidised roller meal on the market.

The taksforce is led by Commerce and Industry Deputy Minister Raj Modi.  

“The taskforce on mealie-meal is there but it is facing challenges. The challenges are that maize is still in transit. It is only when this maize comes that the taskforce can ensure the vulnerable buy it at the agreed price of $70 for a 10kg bag. The problem is that we have individuals buying the mealie-meal for resale at inflated prices of up to $160 for a 10 kg bag,” said Dr Nzenza.

In Bulawayo, the taskforce recently unearthed some irregularities in the supply of roller meal to shops. Its investigations led to the suspension of Grain Marketing Board Belmont Depot manager Mr Stanley Chimakira together with his subordinates Messrs Buhle Dube, Vincent Gwariro, Tashin Kamangira and Ms Samkeliso Nyathi for allegedly channelling subsidised mealie-meal to the black market.-Statemedia