MDC president Nelson Chamisa has said Robert Mugabe was right when he said he did not have a successor. ..watch video below :

An illegal fuel dealer was Monday burnt to death at his Chitungwiza home and his wife escaped the explosion.

The deceased was identified as Itai Chingwena and he kept drums of petrol at his house in Seke Unit L.

At the time of the explosion, the couple was asleep and the wife sustained first degree burn wounds.

She is admitted at Chitungwiza Central Hospital.

People who arrived at the scene first suspected that there was a gas leak from the couple’s stove and the fuel drums exacerbated the explosion.

Chitungwiza South MP Maxwell Mavhunga, told Zim Morning Post on Wednesday that the development exposed the lack of preparedness by the municipality’s fire department.

“The rescuers had to use sand to douse the fire because the municipality’s fire department lacks preparedness.

“What got me extremely distressed was that the municipality had no fire tenders and we had to make a very desperate effort to get one all the way from Belvedere,” Mavhunga said.

Mavhunga applauded the Belvedere fire department for their quick response to the situation.

“Harare fire brigade team reacted swiftly and in about 15 minutes they had arrived, but damage had been done since our initial efforts were to get assistance from the local authorities proved futile,” he noted.

Chingwena was buried on Tuesday in Mudzi. Zim Morning Post

DUBAI based Albwardy Investments will assume control of Meikles Hotel by the first of next month following regulatory approval for the sale of the country’s oldest hospitality institution.

A landmark deal that will see the Moxon family through the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed entity Meikles limited eventually ending their ownership and control of Meikles hotel by the 29th of this month has been finalised.

The move will now pave way for a Dubai based group, Albwardy investments to own the hotel after getting all relevant regulatory approvals.

A circular to shareholders for the entity released this Wednesday showed that the transaction worth 20 million united states dollars has been finalised.

According to the circular, the new company is expected to take over hotel assets and employees.

Meikles Hotel is an iconic feature in Harare, which has gracefully evolved from the colonial era into modern-day Zimbabwe.

Investments by the Dubai based firm are being made at a time government is calling on the hotel industry to focus on new projects to solve a projected 2 000 rooms deficit by end of this year.

MASVINGO: The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) here have suspended the use of prisoners as external hired labour after two inmates last week escaped from lawful custody while carrying out menial work outside prison.

The ZPCS occasionally hires out inmates as cheap labour to companies and individuals in farming and construction sectors as a way of raising extra revenue for its operations and to help incarcerated convicts acquire technical skills.

However, according the ZPCS Masvingo provincial spokesperson Assistant Principal Correctional Officer, Stanslous Sanike, two serving inmates last week escaped on separate occasions while performing duties outside the prison, forcing it to ban the operations.

One of the prisoners was serving time at Mutimurefu Prison and the other at Masvingo Prison.The Masvingo inmate has since been recaptured while the other from Mutimurefu is still on the run.

“Two inmates escaped from lawful custody. The one who escaped from Masvingo Prison was recaptured within two hours of his escape while the one who escaped from Mutimurefu is still at large,” Sanike said.

He identified the recaptured escapee as Tinotenda Maturure who was serving time for theft while Regis Simiyawo, who is still at large, escaped while serving prison term for rape.

“We are yet to get the full details around the circumstances leading to their escape, but all escaped while on prison business outside the premises.

“Our job as an organisation is to prevent escapes and in this case we would have failed. We have instituted a board of enquiry to look into the matter and investigations are still going on,”Sanike said adding the ZPCS in Masvingo was no longer allowing prisoners to be contracted for outside work.

The Zimbabwe Army has reportedly snubbed an initiative by the Emmerson Mnangagwa-led government to impose a 2.5% tax on civil servants so as to generate funds to subsidize garrison shops for the uniformed forces.

The revelations were made by the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe in a statement made on Thursday.

Said ARTUZ, “The divisive 2,5% tax imposed on civil servants to feed our military is a sick attempt to set civil servants against each other. We are aware that members of the military have already turned down this scheme and labelled it as unrealistic and divisive. Whoever is pushing this agenda is an enemy of the state determined to destabilise our public service.”

On Wednesday, Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said to help ease conditions for the security forces, the government would establish garrison shops to enable service personnel to buy cheaper goods.

Mutsvangwa said all government workers would from next month start contributing 2.5% of their monthly salaries to a state savings fund. Security force members who make the contributions would be able to buy goods cheaply from the new shops.

The minister said consultations were still being held with the public service commission, which employs all government workers.

Speaking alongside Mutsvangwa Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said, “Garrison shops in terms of physical structures already exist in the cantonment areas but there is no subsidy, that is what we want to try to cure with this proposal.”

President Mnangagwa has left Harare for Gaborone, Botswana to attend the Bi-National commission to be held in that country tomorrow.

He was accompanied by Minister and Economic Development Prof Mthuli Ncube, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa as well as Health and Childcare Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo.

The International Monetary Fund says that the Staff Monitored Programme is now off track and that Zimbabwe is experiencing an economic and humanitarian crisis, which requires difficult policy choices and international support.

As was moved on this service this week, the IMF Board forecast a near zero growth for the country this year and said the SMP which had been adopted in May 2019 was now off track as policy implementation has been mixed.

Previous successes with the SMP were achieved under Finance Ministers; Tendai Biti and Patrick Chinamasa who got to successor programme stages. Current Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube adopted the SMP in May 2019 but it was dependent on the implementation of significant reforms and sustainable policies backed by political will.

Over the past year, there have been policy missteps and unfortunately climate-related shocks which led to an estimated contraction of -8.3% (initial estimates at -5.2%).  “Macroeconomic stability remains a challenge: the economy contracted sharply in 2019, amplified by climate shocks that have crippled agriculture and electricity generation; the newly introduced ZWL$ has lost most of its value; inflation is very high; and international reserves are very low,” said the IMF at the conclusion of its 2020 Article IV Consultation with Zimbabwe.

Some reforms had been done, notably a  significant fiscal consolidation that has helped reduce the monetary financing of the deficit, the introduction of the new domestic currency in February 2019, the creation of an interbank FX market, and the restructuring of the command agriculture financing model to a public-private partnership with commercial banks.

However the reforms were done unevenly and this included notable delays and missteps in FX and monetary reforms, which had failed to restore confidence in the new currency.  The IMF said the drought and floods had magnified the impacts of the fiscal retrenchment, leaving more than half of the population food insecure.

With another poor harvest expected, growth is not projected at 0.8% for this year from initial projection of 3.3%, while a further deterioration of the exchange rate is forecast to a close of 24.5x.

GDP in US dollars is projected to be at US$20.56 billion, which is a marginal decline from last year’s US$20.7 billion and $22.94 billion the previous year. In line with RBZ estimates, inflation is forecast at 52% at year end. The current account balance is expected to remain in deficit at -1% of GDP, exports of goods and services are projected to improve 8.7% while imports are set to grow 17.7%.

Challenges highlighted by the IMF

– Delays in re-engagement with international community due to a lack of plan to clear arrears to the World Bank and other multilateral institutions. Without external support the IMF says the country faces a deep humanitarian crisis and a difficult balance of pursuing tight monetary policy to reduce very high inflation and prudent fiscal policy to address the macroeconomic imbalances and build confidence in the currency, while averting a crisis.

– Pervasive deficits remain and would call for non-essential spending cuts  including decisive reforms to agricultural support programs, to allow for social spending needs.

– Continued recourse to collaterised external borrowing on commercial terms which may potentially complicate any future arrears clearance operation.

Recommendations

– The country needs to eliminate deficit monetization which would not only be crucial for fiscal sustainability, but it would also serve as a precondition for the stabilisation of hyper‑inflation and the preservation of the external value of the currency.

– Need to establish credibility in the new currency. This entails pressing forward with the establishment of a functional foreign exchange market and to remove distortions that could lead to rent‑seeking behaviour in the economy.

– Continue with monetary targeting regime to conduct monetary policy given low reserves and hyper‑inflation, limited credibility, and a lack of access to traditional forms of external financing

– Enhancing central bank independence and transparency, including by timely publication of monetary statistics, would be important.

– The central bank needs to conduct asset quality reviews of the banking sector, develop a new framework for managing weak banks, and increase the effectiveness of the AML/CFT framework, including by effectively implementing FAFT standards.

– Address governance and corruption challenges, entrenched vested interests, and enforcement of the rule of law to improve the business climate and support private‑sector‑led inclusive growth.

SOME schools have defied the Government’s directive to revert to the 2015 Zimbabwe School Examination Council (Zimsec) Ordinary Level fees pegged at $15 per subject insisting that parents should pay $190 per subject.

The Government last week reversed an increase of examination fees, saying it wanted to carry out further consultations with stakeholders before releasing a new fees structure.

Zimsec had increased the exam fees to $190 per subject from $15 for Ordinary Level candidates and $351 per subject from $26 for Advanced Level candidates.

Following Government’s intervention, parents and guardians were advised to continue paying $15 and $26 per subject for O-and A-Level candidates respectively.

In separate interviews yesterday, parents said some schools were still demanding $190 per subject. The parents expressed fear that their children might not be able to sit for the June examinations as they do not have the money schools are demanding.  

They said school heads argued that they had not yet received a circular from Zimsec instructing them to revert to the old fees.

“As parents we heard from news on television and also read from newspapers that Government had annulled the new examination fees. We are now confused when schools insist on payment of the new fees. I am now afraid that my child might not be able to register for June O-Level examination because I do not have the money the school is demanding,” said Mr Tichawona Hamadziripi.  

One of the parents who preferred anonymity said he managed to seek clarity from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education which managed to address the issue and was able to register for $15 per subject.  

In an interview yesterday, Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister, Edgar Moyo said schools cannot defy a Government directive. He said school authorities must allow parents to register for exams based on the old fees as announced by Government.

Matabeleland South Provincial Education Director (PED), Mr Lifias Masukume, said schools in his region had since reverted to the examination fees approved in 2015 following a school heads meeting that was held in Bulawayo on Monday to clear the confusion. He said Zimsec also sent a circular to schools yesterday instructing them to allow O-Level candidates to pay $15 per subject.

“On Monday we held a secondary school heads meeting in Bulawayo where we made it clear to the heads that they should revert to the old fees.  

“During the meeting some of the school head raised concerns that they had not yet received formal communication from Zimsec so we also instructed Zimsec to send the circular,” he said.

Matabeleland North PED Mr Jabulani Mpofu said after receiving a press statement from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education yesterday, the school heads were immediately advised to charge $15 per subject hence there were no cases of schools demanding the new fees.

Harare residents have taken Local Government minister July Moyo to court to stop him from allegedly interfering with operations of the local authority.

The residents under the Harare Metropolitan and Residents Forum have taken Moyo to the High Court, accusing him of interference and micromanaging affairs of Harare City Council (HCC) by issuing directives.

Harare Metropolitan and Residents Forum comprises Greater Harare Ratepayers, Residents and Tenants Association Trust, the Water Alliance Trust from Chitungwiza and Manyame Rural Residents Association Trust.

“The interference in the work of the second respondent (HCC) by the first respondent through unlawful directives means that as the residents of the area within the second respondent, we cannot have our views heard or our input implemented by the second respondent who will always be told what to do by the first respondent,” the application by the residents’ lawyers Maunga Maanda and Associates read in part.

“We have therefore decided to step in so that the second respondent is freed from such interference.”

The application, residents said, was meant to have the court nullify a directive from Moyo to Harare City Council to, among other things, dissolve Harare Quarry, City Parking and other loss-making institutions run by Harare and partners.

“You are directed to make sure that companies formed as income-generating ventures, which previously had been sources for council revenue, are dissolved and the activities be carried out under the appropriate programmes,” Moyo’s December letter reads.

“On that note, City Parking, without any investments, has not been bringing in any meaningful revenue to council and Sunshine Holdings seems to be a conduit to siphon out council resources. Furthermore, Harare Quarry (Pvt) Ltd demands payment upfront for material ordered by council, while it is being subsidised for making losses.”

Moyo also ordered Harare to revisit its organogram “as a matter of urgency assigning programme managers and sub-programme managers in line with the adopted programme-based approach”.
But in their application, the residents said the minister should stop the interference and micro-managing of Harare affairs.

“It is abundantly clear that the first respondent has gone down to the shop floor level to give instructions that should be given by departmental heads and not the minister,” the residents noted. Moyo is yet to respond to the application.

A group of ex-civil servants most of whom are war veterans on Wednesday stormed New Government Complex seeking Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube’s audience to discuss their welfare upon realising their former employer was in contravention of their contracts.

In terms of the contracts, ex-uniformed forces are entitled to two thirds of their exit salary every month as benefits.

In case of reviews, the same applies for them. Information gathered also shows the ex-civil servants were irked by the fact that they were not given cushioning allowances in January.

Anti-riot police swiftly intervened with the coordination of Treasury staff who convened a meeting for dialogue – successfully calming the nerves of the disgruntled grouping.

Protracted civil service wage negotiations are yet to be concluded as workers and government fail to reach an agreement.

Rising inflation and a dwindling national purse, in real terms, have compounded the situation.

Analysts contend wage pressure and inflation are the two major forces to widen the budget deficit for 2020.

With gold and tobacco under-performing in 2019 and indications of similar fate in 2020, Ncube has little room to manoeuvre.

In spite of this, Treasury has given concurrence on review of pensions and benefits of war veterans and ex-civil service workers, apparently giving in to growing pressure from the groups.

Treasury chief of communication, Clive Mphambela told Business Times yesterday an agreement had already been reached prior to the visit.

“The reason they had been here was that when civil servants’ salaries were reviewed, they were left out,” Mphambela said.

He confirmed they were concerned about being excluded from cushioning allowances, which they felt entitled to.

He said the ex-civil servants’ benefits were reviewed recently. Sources say they were yet to benefit as the negotiations which gave rise to the new scenario were yet to be concluded.

“It was backdated to January, but they are to get the money on their next pay run. It was already water under the bridge so it was more of an inquiry,” Mphambela said.

Asked whether or not the review in retirees’ benefits will put pressure on the budget, Mphambela said the demands were provided for in the National Budget.

“Whatever they are being paid is provided for in the budget so there is no stretch on the budget,” he said, adding: “what they were simply asking for is a respect for the standing contractual arrangement which is that a retired civil servant should get two thirds commutation of their exit salary and any subsequent reviews on their grade, the pension will be reviewed accordingly.”

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF legislator for Buhera South, Joseph Chinotimba has claimed that some members of Parliament will be drunk when they attend Parliamentary events.

Chinotimba alleged that Binga North legislator Prince Dubeko Sibanda whom he said was late and disruptive to Parliamentary business was drunk like many other legislators.

He said:

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Honourable Member (Dubeko-Sibanda) just came into the House and he is disrupting the Honourable Member who is debating. That is why I said that the Honourable Member is drunk.

All these people who are not here are in the bar. If you want to see it, Mr Speaker, please go there and you will discover that they are drinking beer.

Sibanda who claimed to be a member of an apostolic sect, hence not alcohol-taker, however, described Chinotimba’s allegations as abusive.

By A Correspondent- Harare Mayor, Cllr Hebert Gomba has refuted claims that Harare City Council did not go through the required tender process when they identified companies to do the General revaluation roll.

Posting on Twitter, Gomba said:

Those that thought we gave tenders to companies to do the General revaluation roll without tender, here are your answers, one thing for sure is we are following all the processes and procedures in our way of doing business.

He attached the picture below which is a 2019 invitation to tender for the above tender.

However, @Napoleon Hove responded to the tweet suggesting that there was nepotism.

Hove said:

Are you aware that the company called Global World Properties belongs to a certain Emmanuel Mutambirwa who is the Manager in the Valuations and Estates Department at City of Harare?

27 February 2020

Ptuz will mobilise teachers across union divide in particular and civil servants in general to resist the introduction of 2.5% to feed the army.

For the Finance Minister, Mthuli Ncube, let alone Cabinet to agree to tax civil servants 2.5% to set up shops that will sell subsidised commodities to members of the army is the worst lunacy ever seen in human history.
Mthuli Ncube is a human epidemic bent on entrenching poverty and misery among teachers and the earlier we mobilise, organise rather than agonise, the better.

Such thuggery, thievery and robbery of $10.5 million from starvation wages of teachers per month and $18.750 million per month from civil servants is not only callous, vapid, vague and vacuous but monumental injustice that can never be accepted by any civilised nation 40 years after independence.

That the army has guns is inconsequential, and even if it means picking up arms against Cabinet in order to be respected, so be it. We cannot be treated as if we are of no a count.

We want to make it categorically clear, without any equivocation or ambiguity, that taking up arms against any obnoxious issue and injustice is no vice.

It is even a mockery to a real national army that protects the territorial integrity and security of the nation to be treated in such an insultive manner, baffling common sense and logic.

The Cabinet must be reminded that if they are so much interested in uplifting the image of the army, they must pay the army well so that individuals are able to buy from shops of their choice.

Reducing soldiers to ridicule and subsidisation by civil servants, is dangerous, a security threat and compromises civil-military relations. It is clear that economic bandits masquerading as leaders have integrated soldiers to share their plunder and loot as a safety valve that may all the way trigger a revolution from those marginalised, exploited and disarticulated.

In a meeting held on 26 February 2020, Ptuz National Executive members resolved to urgently mobilise teachers to resist the grinding 2.5% tax by any means necessary.

Ptuz NEC also agreed to engage a high gear in clamouring for the restoration of their purchasing power parity.

This call has further been vindicated by unofficial dollarisation of Zimbabwean economy in which rentals, medication, fuel, school fees are paid in US$ or pegged against US$. The only way forward is going forward in advancing the interests of teachers and defending any gains made.

Mthuli Ncube and Cabinet must never underestimate the power of teachers in particular and civil servants in general in their numbers. No amount of brutality and pampering of the army will stop an idea whose time has come. When real winds of discontent blow, no amount of threats can continue to bottle up pent up forces and legitimate demands of a living wage, that resonate with inter-bank rate.

Aluta Continua
Dr Takavafira M. Zhou (PTUZ President)

Jane Mlambo| Controversial rapper, Desmond Chideme better known as Stunner has broken silence on the ongoing battle between his ex-wife Olinda Chapel and Tytan saying he is not moved by the drama as he has disclosed his HIV status after his breakout with the United Kingdom based business woman.

Tytan has dropped a bombshell saying Olinda did not disclose her HIV status when they married.

This resulted in social media users blaming Stunner for Olinda’s HIV positive status but the Godo hitmaker could not have any of it.

Stunner however responded saying he is unmoved by the continued dragging of his name in the Olinda-Tytan drama as his HIV status is on public record.

“Mashark and fans of Stunner. Ndimi mune basa pazvese zvandoita pa social media (mune power rinopfura rangu). My name keeps being dragged mumahumbwe evamwe and for the longest time you and l fought silently, hard and well to be were we are now from that timetime l spiritually fell up to when l found mu happiness. My health status is no secret l have done and posted results years after that ordeal and I’m a frequent blood donor. I’m HIV NEGATIVE. My question to you is toitawo live here or we continue basa redu re music. (It’s been going well).

“The Album Ghetto Chronicles is still doing well and l have more amazing and mature music coming your way. Asia tour with Enzo Ishall this March courtesy of Teemak Promotions #vVvtt#TazoitaCashRecords.”

A parliamentary joint thematic committee fact finding visit to Morton Jaffray water treatment plant in Harare today revealed that the city council is facing a critical shortage of chemicals needed for water treatment due to lack of funding.

Speaking on the sidelines of the tour of the Parliamentary Joint Thematic Committee on Human Rights, Sustainable Development Goals and Gender and Development, Harare’s acting director of Water Works Engineer Mabhena Moyo said that water supply has gone down from about 400 mega litres produced last year to about 160 mega litres per day due to lack of chemicals.

“We have a serious challenge with securing enough chemicals to treat water and that is hampering water supply.

“The plant has a capacity of about 704 mega litres against the 1 200 mega litres needed per day. Out of that, we are only utilising 160 mega litres per day due to lack of chemicals. We import chemicals from various suppliers and sometimes we end up incurring debts.

“The rehabilitation of Morton Jaffray plant is also running on low note as the water tariffs have not been revised.”

-State Media

Farai Dziva|MDC Youth Assembly chairperson, Tererai Obey Sithole has said party members and Zimbabweans are prepared to fight for freedom from Zanu PF oppression.

“‪We had a successful Youth Assembly National Executive Meeting at the party HQ.

We deliberated and agreed on a number of issues.

The way forward is clear, the young people are prepared to pay the ultimate price for the purpose of people’s freedom.‬
‪Kicking and screaming, we will send Emmerson Mnangagwa packing,”said Sithole.

Two artisanal miners are feared dead after a mine shaft they were working in collapsed on Tuesday morning in Shamva.

The accident occurred at Lumbo18 Zuze Syndicate Mine.

National Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the accident in a statement.

“Two men Serima Luckson and another one who is yet to be identified are believed to have been trapped and buried in a collapsed mine in Shamva in a mishap that occurred on February 24 at around 0300hrs. The two men were seen entering the mine three hours earlier by a security guard,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.

He said efforts are underway to retrieve the bodies from the 15-metre-deep shaft.

“The shaft which is about 15 meters deep collapsed and the two were trapped. Police and officials from the Ministries of Mines and Mining Development are carrying out efforts to retrieve the bodies of the two.”

Cases of miners being trapped in mine shafts have been on the increase with many of them affecting illegal gold miners. Earlier this month, two illegal miners died and two others were injured, while more than 20 others were trapped underground after a tunnel at Globe and Phoenix Mine in Kwekwe collapsed.

It also emerged that Globe and Phoenix Mine had ceased operations in 2007 following an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which showed the shafts, most of which were right underneath Kwekwe central business district (CBD) were posing danger to the city. Two months ago, about four miners at Esikhoveni Mine in Esigodini, Matabeleland South Province, died after a movable cabin they were working in collapsed and fell into a 62-metre mine shaft.

Earlier last year about twenty-three illegal miners died when interlinked shafts and tunnels at two mines in Battlefields were flooded after the collapse of a dam wall due to heavy rains received in the area. The dam wall reportedly collapsed and flooded shafts at the RioZim-owned Cricket Mine and another one owned by a Mr Baxter.

The two mines have three linked shafts said to be 30 metres deep with 20 metre-wide tunnels. The incident was declared a national disaster.

-State Media

Farai Dziva|
Shurugwi South legislator Edmond Mkaratigwa has challenged Reserve Bank Governor John Mangudya to spell out strategies to combat inflation instead of presenting a Monetary Statement full of high sounding words.

“With all due respect l hear wishes, dreams and prayer from our Governor, am expecting an air of authority and perhaps a better level of confidence from his responses. For example, just like me he is parrying and wishing for production to go up.

But my question is are there any mechanisms that he has put in place to stimulate that production that’s what l want to hear.

I want to hear what you are going to do to control inflation because you cannot continue to dream and pray like the rest of us.

As the governor, you can’t just wish that a change will happen as the ordinary people do,” said Mkaratigwa.

By A Correspondent- The Health Services Board (HSB) has been criticised for blocking nurses at the Midlands Provincial Hospital from implementing the Flexi-hour working schedule at the institution.

Zimbabwe Professional Nurses’ Union (ZPNU) president Robert Chiduku on Wednesday told a local publication that nurses at the Gweru-based hospital are disheartened by HSB’s decision.

He said:

What is disappointing is that the HSB is located at Parirenyatwa Hospital where nurses are working for two days, but they have denied us such an arrangement, saying it is illegal.

As we speak, nurses are now going out of their way to find means of working for more than two days a week. Their salaries do not permit them to report for work for more than two days; that is why we had declared incapacitation.

Chiduku said the decision was discriminatory since nurses at Sally Mugabe Hospital (formerly Harare Central Hospital) and Parirenyatwa Hospital were working for two days per week.

Overview of the 20 Electoral Reform Principles for a Free, Fair and Credible
Election outcome in Zimbabwe

The MDC has identified key principles for electoral reform which should be incorporated into the Alternative Electoral Bill to ensure its effectiveness in delivering a credible election.

Below are the major highlights of the key principles:

1. The Supremacy of the Constitution must be the guiding principle
   in ensuring regular, free, fair and credible Democratic Elections
   depicting separation of powers of the Executive, Judiciary and
   Legislature;
2. An Independent Expert-Based EMB appointed through an open
   and inclusive Parliamentary driven process;
3. Strengthening the Independence of ZEC that is accountable to Parliament characterised by operational and administrative autonomy in the promulgation and operationalisation of electoral laws and the management of its internal affairs;
4. Transparency and accountability of ZEC in the implementation of all electoral processes and the Institutionalisation of permanent Stakeholder Consultative Platforms;
5. Strengthening the principle of Universal odult suffrage and its applicability to all eligible citizens regordless of residence status (Diasporas), physical infirmity, age and, or imprisonment;

6. A fair, transparent and inclusive delimitation process devoid of
political interference and biased persuasions, conducted by a
professional and impartial body with a clearly defined operational
framework;

7. A liberalised, comprehensive, inclusive and continuous voter
education partnership between ZEC, Political Parties, CSOS and
other relevant stakeholders;

8. Voter registration should be characterised by bare minimum
principles of continuity, trust, inclusivity, accuracy, transparency
and automatic registration of first-time voters.

9. An independently auditable Voters Roll that is accurate, verifiable
and readily accessible to all electoral stakeholders in a format
that allows for electoral planning and analysis;

10.A free, fair and even Electoral environment with enforceable
Codes of Conduct, upholding the Citizens’ fundamental Freedoms
and human rights;

11. Gender inclusive electoral processes with increased youth and
women participation and representation;

12. Free Observer Accreditation undertaken by an independent
panel chaired by the EMB, and ensuring full throttle observation
of components of the electoral cycle;

13. Adjudication of Election disputes in a fair and timeous manner,
and strengthening the Complainants right to be heard and to an
appropriate legal remedy;

14.Professional, Impartial and publicly scrutinised Election officials
with no traceable membership to any political party, nor linkage
to any security sector institution;

15.Transparency and auditability of ZEC Procurement systems,
Design, Reproduction, Custody and Distribution of all sensitive
election material;
16. Fairness, Transparency and accessibility in the allocation of Polling Stations, permanently gazetted by law, within a specific radius and reach to the elderly and other voters with physical mobility challenges;

17: Special Voting processes should be transparent, guarantee Universal Suffrage, and must protect the secrecy of the vote of all eligible voters unable to access their polling stations on the day of voting

18: Assisted voting may be sought on account of people with disability, illiteracy and physical infirmities, and must be endorsed on the Voters’ roll and the list availed to Candidates, Polling Agents and Observers to allow for scrutiny;

19.An effective and reliable voter verification system that eliminates electoral fraud, multiple voting, and voter impersonification;

20: A Common, Inclusive, transparent, traceable, and auditable Real-time Results Management and Transmission system of all the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Authority election results.

By A Correspondent- Following the expose by Tytan that his baby mama Olinda Chapel is +HIV, Olinda responded and trashed her former husband’s revelations alleging that he did not know of her status before the duo got married and started living together.

We publish below Olinda’s response:

“I will send you another statement to show you how many times I got admitted in hospital it was more than 50 times and at each point I was being admitted in hospital he was standing right beside me he is the one who would drive me to the hospital he’s the one who would be near me but now he is now using all that as a weapon against me.

There is a time when the people at the hospital said this man is taking advantage. He is the one who used to even tell me to hospital and tell me that it is time to take your medication; he has been holding me a prisoner all this while and using that as a form of psychological abuse. Tytan is a serial cheater. While I am in hospital, I would come back to find out he is now busy sleeping with other women.

You know that someone who is in my shoes right now what he has just done it would destroy them but I will not allow him because that is giving him the power.

Tytan would go and collect medication for me. Tytan would administer that medication for (to) me.

Tytan was very much aware before he had boarded the plane from Zimbabwe and I made sure that I recorded that conversation with him because I knew that this would happen I made sure myself that he knew.

When he left Zimbabwe on the 31st of July I was 5 weeks pregnant after we decided to have another child where did that pregnancy come from? …

This man I wish I could bring my child on the phone… You went to my child to say, your mother has something that she has not been telling.

That is even illegal to do what he did and even with Rumbidzai …

But I am no longer a prisoner now he can f*** off.

I am HIV that is not Corona virus… but I am free of his hold on me. If I wronged him he must go and report to the police,how come I have not been arrested by the police?

He has been using this as a weapon against me the desperation to seek for papers is really shocking.

QUESTION: HE SAID THAT WHEN HE FOUND OUT HE WENT TO THE DOCTOR AND HE WAS GIVEN PEP. AFTER WHAT PERIOD DO YOU GET PEP TO THOSE WHO KNOW ABOUT PEP AFTER WHAT PERIOD ARE YOU MEANTVTO BE GIVEN PEP?

When you left this place I put a picture of pregnancy test I was 5-weeks pregnant who gave me that pregnancy? …”

Below are some of the reactions on social media:

……Tytan ano nyepa PREP ino nwiwa after 72hrs kana wafungira kuti munhu wandarara naye haasi bhoo. And OC haasi munhu ane hutsinye kuti anga spreader chirwere. If she is HIV positive and taking medication for a long time. Atori pa phase yeundectatable which means even aka rara naanyone haabate or kuzadza chirwere. Tytan get your facts right

Shamaine: But pipo use it against her let’s not discriminate it dsnt matter

Thandi Noku Gee: Iye Olinda aiti HiV yamai Tt yapinda mumusoro wani?Seka urema wafa. Hazvisekese asi kana zviri kwanhingi zviri bhoo

Patience Rufaro Mugabe: Titan ndadzoka ku Zim kunguva yegonzo

Samantha Lizzy Haisoswi: Hugs to OC Tytan you’re very wrong you really messed up

Tsitsi Chiripahorn: Tytan was wrong hake iii status haiiti

Chenybabie Zumba: Tytan messed up big time it’s a nooooooooooooooooooooo

Liesl Q Kim Mpofu: Vanhu vanoita saanalucifer

By A Correspondent- Addressing delegates who attended the launch of the “20 Principles For A Reliable Inclusive and Credible Elections In Zimbabwe (PRICE)” policy document, MDC leader Nelson Chamisa said the late Zanu Pf leader and president of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe was right by not appointing a successor.

Said Chamisa:

“I am now beginning to believe Mugabe was right when he said i don’t have successor, he was right. We used to think that he was not right, until we have seen his successor…”

Watch the live video loading below for this and more……

By A Correspondent- Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa Thursday morning launched the party’s policy document titled “20 Principles For Reliable Inclusive and Credible Elections (PRICE).

Watch the live video loading below for this and more…….

By A Correspondent- Police in Bulawayo were on Tuesday out in full force in anticipation of a flash demonstration planned by the opposition, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

Most parts of the city were under heavy police guard with security teams in riot gear deployed at strategic points across the city centre while roadblocks were also mounted in various areas.  

This comes after the MDC warned it would embark on spontaneous demonstrations countrywide against the deteriorating economic situation.

Last week Wednesday, while addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in Harare, MDC leader Nelson Chamisa said 2020 was a year of action and his party would stage many public protests.

This was after embarking on a tour of provincial structures across the country.

Chamisa reportedly told party members that they would engage in spontaneous demonstrations and would not notify the police of their intentions as required by the law.

In an interview with CITE, MDC Bulawayo Provincial Spokesperson, Swithern Chiworodza, accused the police for concentrating too much on the opposition and not tackling crime.

“The police are suffering from paranoia and are smelling Chamisa and eating Chamisa,” he said referring to the police’s preoccupation of what the MDC was up to.

As for holding a demonstration, the provincial party spokesperson noted it was “yet to come” but would not be done abruptly.

“The party decided to engage in flash floods as authorities abuse the law by wanting notifications. Besides three weeks ago youth in Bulawayo partook in a successful demonstration along Fort Street protesting over a series of shortages and calling for reforms,” he said.

Chiworodza added that at the appropriate time, people would mobilise themselves as they had genuine concerns over how the country’s socio-economic situation was imploding.

“But for now, the police are showing off their poverty in terms of lack of security intelligence. They lack proper intelligence and are fumbling in the dark. Instead of gathering on streets, they must tackle housebreaking in the suburbs,” said the provincial party spokesperson.

Last year in August, anti-riot police were also prepared to thwart any attempts by MDC members who had planned a series of demonstrations across the country.

Water cannons were on standby at the Large City Hall, while an army helicopter hovered above the city, with police officers on horseback and others on foot continuously patrolling the streets.

The MDC provincial offices were also sealed off, with the police barring anyone who attempted to access the building.

At the Tredgold Magistrates Court, where a court case to hear an MDC appeal against the prohibitive order issued by the police was underway, the police maintained a heavy presence.

Some members of the MDC who wanted to offer support for their national chairperson Thabitha Khumalo and five other party members who were arrested in Tshabalala suburb for distributing fliers urging residents to attend their planned demonstration that time were turned away.-Cite

By A Correspondent- Rural teachers are plotting to hold more “surprise protests” in the countryside as they push the Emmerson Mnangagwa-led government to address the current education crisis.

Last week, parents and teachers in Mutoko caught the police off guard after holding a demonstration at Mutoko Centre before handing over a petition to the district schools inspector demanding fair salaries, among other grievances.

Six women were arrested after the protest and charged with staging demonstrations without police clearance.

NewsDay is reliably informed that some teachers and parents are set to hold a similar protest at one of the growth points in Marondera district as they intensify their call for better working conditions.

Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure yesterday confirmed that they were rolling out protests in every district, especially in the rural areas.

“More (protests) are coming, we are covering all education districts. We do not want to alert the State. We are focusing on rural areas for now. The objective is to build community resilience to protect the right to education in the face of rising inequality and climate change,” he said.

ARTUZ is currently mobilising parents to join teachers in the protests. Parents are currently at loggerheads with government following  recent policy discord over examination fees.

“We are setting up an education board in every education district. The board is composed of teachers and parents, such a board will lead advocacy initiatives on the right to education,” said Masaraure.

Teachers have since declared incapacitation with most of them especially in the rural areas not reporting for duty. The teachers have called on government to increase their salaries in the face of hyper-inflation.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Industry in Matebeleland has demanded transparency in the allocation of foreign currency to companies in the region at a time when Zimbabwe is facing critical shortages of the hard currency.

In their recent meeting in Bulawayo with Industry and Commerce Minister, Sekai Nzenza, captains of industry and commerce called for openness in the disbursement of foreign currency to companies in the region.

“Matabeleland wants to know how much is being allocated to our companies here in Matabeleland,” said Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) Matabeleland chapter president, Shepherd Chawira.

“We all agree that our problem could not be foreign currency shortage with over US$6 billion forex earnings every year. It is how we allocate it and use our foreign currency which is our concern.”

Chawira further elaborated: “That is what is generally agreed at some certain level. Let us sort out our exchange rate to kill the arbitrage and foster competitiveness as well.”

Bulawayo City Council economic development officer, Kholisani Moyo, said it was important for the city to get its fair share of foreign currency whenever the central bank does its allocations.

“For us as Bulawayo we would love a situation where if there is foreign currency at national level, we should be told that Bulawayo you have US$2 million coming and we share that US$2 million as an industry,” said Moyo

“I want to assure you that when money comes to Bulawayo for the industry, we have a strength for accountability, we do not have a phobia of not accounting for resources. We are going to account for every cent, whatever we are going to get.”

Moyo said Bulawayo had always accounted for all the funding the city has received in the past which includes ZINARA and devolution funds.

“We are good at accounting. Give the private sector and the Bulawayo industry, they will account and they will produce,” he emphasised.-Cite

Government asks workers to subsidize other workers

Never in the history of labour has an employer asked some of his employees to subsidize other workers but the Zimbabwe government is ironically asking the rest of the civil servants to subsidize those in the security sector.

The government this week announced it will soon introduce subsidized garrison shops for soldiers that will be financed by a 2,5 percent tax which will now be deducted from the remuneration of every government employee.

Nowhere in the world have workers subsidized other workers but in Zimbabwe anything is possible with this illegitimate government.

Government workers that are not party of the garrison grave train should resist this despicable exploitation by an employer who wants to avoid dealing with the economy by introducing piece meal solutions. The other civil servants are also in the same predicament as soldiers.

Their salaries are grossly inadequate to cover basics such as school fees, medical bills, rentals, water charges and all other expenses like the soldier who will enjoy garrison prices.

Why then burden other government employees with equally inadequate salaries to subsidize the soldiers?

This government should put its house in order and face the truth.

The truth of the matter is no tricks and gymnastics will work until this coup government faces the truth of its illegitimacy and the crooked and corrupt lot that has captured the State.

Civil servants should rightfully refuse exploitation by this illegitimate government by refusing these robbery schemes.

If this coup government wants to introduce these garrison stores they should not venture into other civil servants salaries.

Those fallacious schemes should be financed by any other source of financing that does not prejudice other equally affected workers

Hon. Gideon Shoko
Secretary for Labour and Social Security

By A Correspondent- High Court judge Justice Christopher Dube-Banda has handed a lifeline to over 43 prospective nurses whose 2018 recruitment offer letters for admission to the Harare Central Hospital School of Nursing, had been arbitrarily declared invalid and set aside by Health and Child Care minister Obadiah Moyo.

The students had been asked to reapply.

According to prospective nurses, Moyo had given a directive that all the students who had attended the 2017 interview and passed, were supposed to electronically reapply for the training vacancies because the principal tutor, who had offered them places to attend training, had no authority to sign their offer letters.

However, when the matter was taken before Justice Dube-Banda on February 5, 2020, the judge said the prospective nurses’ constitutional rights had been “violated and trammelled to the core” by Moyo’s directive.

Justice Dube-Banda said it was unlawful for the minister “to arbitrarily as it were, declare the 2017 recruitment process invalid and proceed to set it aside, adding what the minister did “is the function of the court and a court alone”.

“The point I am making is that even if respondents (Harare management board, chief executive and Health minister) were aggrieved by their own process, they had no right to act arbitrarily. They had to apply to court to declare the process invalid and ask that it be set aside. The rule of law demands no less. Therefore, to the extent that respondents acted arbitrarily, the purported setting aside of the recruitment process of the applicants (43 nurses) is unlawful and invalid,” Justice Dube-Banda said.

She also said the alleged principal tutor’s move to issue the students with offer letters “does not give any administrative authority the right to declare its own act unlawful and set it aside”.

“If the respondents are of the view that the recruitment of the applicants was as a result of unlawful conduct, they should have made an application to court to declare the process unlawful and have it set aside. Even faced with this application, respondents did not file a counter application, seeking that the recruitment process of the applicants be declared invalid and be set aside. My humble view is that the conduct of the respondents in purporting to arbitrarily nullify and set aside the recruitment process of the applicants and their offer letters is unlawful and invalid.”

“The first, second and third respondents, each performing its designated statutory obligations and responsibilities are hereby directed to enrol applicants at the Harare Central Hospital School of Nursing for the May 2020 intake.”

The judge also ordered Moyo and his co-defendants to pay costs of suit.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Top prisons official Senior Assistant Commissioner Phineas Chitekuteku was yesterday exposed in court after he tried to defend his boss Commissioner-General Paradzai Zimondi’s involvement in jailed rapist Munyaradzi Kereke’s preferential treatment in prison.

Chitekuteku yesterday testified in the matter of three ZPCS  senior officers, Nobert Chomurenga (58) senior assistant commissioner Cephas Chiparausha (43), chief correctional officer and Tonderai Mutiwaringa (56) an assistant commissioner who are facing criminal abuse of office charges.

Chitekuteku told regional magistrate Amos Mbobo during the trial that during his tenure as the officer commanding  Harare Metropolitan from January 2016 and December 2017, Zimondi visited Chikurubi Maximum Prisons only twice in his company.

But the prison records produced in court by the trio’s lawyer Oscar Gasva  showed that Zimondi visited Chikurubi more than seven times.

The trio in their defence had told the court that Zimondi facilitated the appointment of former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe top official Kereke to supervise a prison project and donor coordination.

They further said Zimondi officially appointed Kereke as the advisor at a function which was attended by Chitekuteku, Chomurenga, Elizabert Banda and one deputy commissioner Chihobvu.

“As far as I know Zimondi visited Chikurubi only twice during my tenure as H.Metro (Harare Metropolitan) commanding officer. He visited there when there was a function to launch a gas project which is being mined there and another project which was being sponsored by Lafarge Cement company,” Chitekuteku said.

Chitekuteku said there was no way Zimondi could visit the Chikurubi Prison without him knowing, but Gasva produced a prison report revealing that Zimondi visited more than seven times.

Chitekuteku then backed down saying he meant visiting the Chikurubi Prison in his presence and would not know how many times he visited.

Gasva then told Chitekuteku that in one of those several visits, that is when Zimondi met Kereke. But Chitekuteku responded saying the visit to Chikurubi was not targeted at Kereke only but meeting all prisoners.

Gasva said when Chitekuteku was promoted from officer commanding H-Metro to the post of Senior Assistant Commissioner, he refused to do a handover takeover with Chomurenga.

Chitekuteku admitted that it was an omission which was not supposed to happen, but insisted that it was due to the location he was posted. Gasva then told Chitekuteku that section 25 of the ZPCS Act prohibits such conduct.

But Chitekuteku responded that sometimes they ignored the Act.

The trial is continuing.

Allegations are that the three accused gave preferential treatment to Kereke in the form of allowing unscheduled visits from his relatives, enjoying extra free time compared to other prisoners and not allowing him to carry out any manual work in terms of set-out procedures.-Newsday

ZANU PF Chinhoyi ward 11 councillor, Voster Mashevedzanwa (41) has been sentenced to four years in jail by Chinhoyi magistrate Tapiwa Banda for assault and resisting arrest.

Mashevedzanwa together with eight accomplices, Desire Mwarukira, Felix Gonesi, Njabulo Ndlovu, Greythan Nyarukokora, Simbarashe Tapfumanei, Kudzanai Samuel, Melusi Ndlovu and Blessing Nyango were facing two counts of assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest.

They were all found guilty on the two counts.

The magistrate suspended six months of the sentence from each count, leaving the convicts to serve an effective three-year jail term each.

It was the State’s case that on May 19, 2019 Mashevedzanwa and accomplices assaulted Danny Badalani stationed at Chinhoyi Army Intelligence and Joseph Kamuremwa stationed at ZRP Chemagamba during an operation to arrest illegal money dealers at 24-hour Complex.

The court heard that Mashevedzanwa and his accomplices assaulted Kamuremwa while he was lying on the ground.

Kamuremwa sustained injuries and was referred to hospital for treatment.

They were also accused of resisting arrest by police officers on the same day.

Tungamirai Chamutsa of Chamutsa and Associates, who was representing some of the convicts said he had been instructed to appeal against the sentence.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe and Electricity and Distribution Company (ZETDC) will on March 1, 2020, hike electricity tariffs by 19.02 per cent.

In a statement, “Notice of 2020 Electricity Tariff Indexation” published in State media, the power utility said:

The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has adjusted the electricity tariffs by 19.02 per cent.

This is in accordance with the Tariff Award of 2 October 2019, which approved the implementation of monthly tariff indexation formula, that takes into account the movement of the macroeconomic fundamentals such as exchange rate and inflation, for changes above 10%. Below are the tariffs which will be applicable effective 1 March 2020.

a) Fixed Monthly Charge – ZWL$ 7.24
b) Energy charge per kWh:

• 1st 50 kWh – ZWL$0.49.
• 51 – 200 kWh – ZWL$1.08
• Balance – ZWL$4.61

For more, see screenshot below:

The revelations by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission that US$7 billion worth of cash and property has been stashed outside the country by the political and business elite have exposed unbridled avarice and corruption–and not sanctions—as being at the core of the national crisis.

Now that they know, the challenge for ZACC is to show that it has teeth by prosecuting the well-heeled political and business elite that is at the centre of the national rot that has spawned the unmitigated suffering in the country.

The ZACC chair Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo has stunningly revealed that former and current senior government officials as well as well-heeledbusiness executives have stashed outside the country cash and properties worth over US$7 billion outside the country.

That the value of the massive bounty stashed outside the country by this criminal network is double the country’s national budget vindicates our position that at the centre of the national crisis is corruption and not this empty rhetoric about the so-called sanctions.

The ZACC revelations expose State captureby a close-knit and well-heeled political and business elite that has bled our country dry.

Now that they know, we await ZACC to show its fangs by arresting and prosecuting this crooked lot that has milked our country and brought thismassive suffering on the people. 

That is why the fight against corruption and sleaze is one of the five fights to be waged by the people in 2020, alongside the key fight against illegitimacy that must lead to the reclamation of the people’s government that Zimbabweans voted for in 2018.

This unmitigated corruption is all the more reason why Zimbabweans will sonorously express themselves in the streets and in the valleys againstthis despicable national decay. 
#ThePeoplesGovernment

Luke Tamborinyoka
Deputy National Spokesperson

A job-seeking expedition ended tragically for Uzumba twins after one of them drowned while crossing a flooded Nyaguwe River in a makeshift canoe.

Twenty-six-year-old Lovemore Gunde’s body was retrieved by fellow villagers after the canoe capsized while crossing the river into Mashonaland Central province where they were going to look for jobs in the gold mines.

Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed the incident.

“We urge the public never to attempt crossing a flooded river to save lives. During this rainy season, I urge those travelling to be careful and avoid using makeshift boats to cross water bodies,” he said.

According to police, on February 21, Lovemore visited his twin Luckmore in Zvomuya village in Uzumba so that they proceed to Mhondoro Gold Mine in Shamva to look for work. The twin brothers arrived at Nyaguwe River which was flooded and they failed to cross.

It is reported that they met other travellers, Paradzai Buyani and Ruramai Chimutsa, who had also failed to cross the river. Buyani then called Sure Chandavengerwa, who lives about 500 metres from the river, to assist them across.

Chandavengerwa brought his makeshift canoe and successfully ferried Buyani across. He returned for another trip and ferried Chimutsa and Lovemore, leaving Luckmore behind.

It is reported that while in the middle of the river, the makeshift boat capsized.

Chandavengerwa and Chimutsa swam to safety, leaving Lovemore behind.

The deceased’s body was retrieved the following morning by villagers before a waiver for post-mortem was granted by a Mutawatawa magistrate.

-Newsday

27 February 2020

The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe will mobilise teachers across union divide in particular and civil servants in general to resist the introduction of 2.5% to feed the army.

For the Finance Minister, Mthuli Ncube, let alone Cabinet to agree to tax civil servants 2.5% to set up shops that will sell subsidised commodities to members of the army is the worst lunacy ever seen in human history.

Mthuli Ncube is a human epidemic bent on entrenching poverty and misery among teachers and the earlier we mobilise, organise rather than agonise, the better.

Such thuggery, thievery and robbery of $10.5 million from starvation wages of teachers per month and $18.750 million per month from civil servants is not only callous, vapid, vague and vacuous, but monumental injustice that can never be accepted by any civilised nation 40 years after independence.

That the army has guns is inconsequential, and even if it means picking up arms against Cabinet in order to be respected, so be it. We cannot be treated as if we are of no a count.

We want to make it categorically clear, without any equivocation or a ambiguity, that taking up arms against any obnoxious issue and injustice is no vice. It is even a mockery to a real national army that protects the territorial integrity and security of the nation to be treated in such insultive manner, baffling common sense and logic.

The Cabinet must be reminded that if they are so much interested in uplifting the image of the army, they must pay the army well so that individuals are able to buy from shops of their choice.

Reducing soldiers to ridicule and subsidisation by civil servants, is dangerous, a security threat and compromises civil military relations.

It is clear that economic bandits masquerading as leaders have integrated soldiers to share their plunder and loot as a safety valve that may all the way trigger a revolution from those marginalised, exploited and disarticulated.

In a meeting held on 26 February 2020, Ptuz National Executive members resolved to urgently mobilise teachers to resist the grinding 2.5% tax by any means necessary. Ptuz NEC also agreed to engage a high gear in clamouring for restoration of their purchasing power parity.

This call has further been vindicated by unofficial redollarisation of Zimbabwean economy in which rentals, medication, fuel, school fees are paid in US$ or pegged against US$. The only way forward is going forward in advancing the interests of teachers and defending any gains made.

Mthuli Ncube and Cabinet must never underestimate the power of teachers in particular and civil servants in general in their numbers. No amount of brutality and pampering of the army will stop an idea whose time has come.

When real winds of discontent blow, no amount threats can continue to bottle up pent up forces and legitimate demands of a living wage, that resonate with inter-bank rate.

Aluta Continua

Dr Takavafira M. Zhou (Ptuz President)

A prominent Councillor for Zanu-PF in Chinhoyi and nine illegal money-changers have been jailed for an effective 36 months imprisonment for beating up a police officer and a Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) officer, who were on duty to flush out illegal currency dealers in Chinhoyi.

The ten accused persons today (26 February) appeared before magistrate Tendai Banda, who said his judgement was motivated by the need to send a strong signal to would-be-offenders, that assaulting law enforcerers was intolerable.

Chinhoyi Ward 11 councillor, Voster Mashevedzanwa and his accomplices, Desire Mwakurudza (28), Felix Makausi Gonese (28), Njabulo Ndhlovu (25), Peter Kampeni (28), Greythan Nyamukokora (25), Simba Tapfumaneyi (30), Kudzanai Samuel (30), Melusi Ndhlovu (28) and Blessing Nyango (26) will spend the next three years in jail after undergoing a long-protracted trial.

Accused persons were facing two counts.

In count one of assaulting a peace officer, the magistrate slapped the accused to 24 months imprisonment of which six months were suspended on condition of good behaviour.

On the second count, the magistrate also adjudged the same, leaving the total effective 18 months to serve.

The State’s case led by prosecutor Partson Chirambwi was that on 16 May 2019, complainants Joseph Kamuremwa, a duly attested member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and his colleague Danny Badalani, a soldier, were on a sanctioned operation to arrest illegal forex dealers.

The pair identified themselves by producing their work identification cards to the accused who then bundled Kamuremwa, a peace officer, into a car before speeding off to 24-hour area within the CBD.

Badalani, after sending danger, followed his colleague and upon arrival found Kamuremwa being punched with fists and kicked with booted feet by a mob while lying on the ground.

– Zimbabwe Voice

Own Correspondent|MDC MPs on Wednesday walked out of parliament forcing The House to adjourn early after expressing disappointment over how stand in leader of the house State Security Minister was answering their questions.

The opposition MPs accused the Minister who was standing in for Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi of being highly incompetent.

MDC Mbizo MP Settlement Chikwinya had earlier begged Speaker Jacob Mudenda to adjourn the House saying most of Ncube’s answers from the back benchers lacked depth.

Ncube initially shocked the house when he said that mealie-meal was readily available in the country, but the shortage was due to hoarding of the product.

“Government has enough mealie-meal to feed the nation but we have people stocking mealie-meal. These have now been arrested, so mealie-meal will be available in the shops soon,” said Ncube.

With the comic explaination from the Minister, Chikwinya immediately requested Mudenda to adjourn the House.

“Speaker, the responsible minister is not available. We, on the left side request the House to adjourn because answers are not coming.”

With the speaker not helping the situation, MDC legislators decided walk out in protest, but Ncube looked undisturbed at all with the move.

THE case in which a woman who claimed to be President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s “relative” who appeared in court facing charges of swindling a South African businessman of R290 522 has crumbled after a Harare magistrate removed her from remand due to lack of progress on the matter.

Water Connect chief executive officer Smolly Moyo’s lawyer Tsitsi Mazikana of Lunga Attorneys successfully filed the refusal for remand application saying the delay by the police for over three months to complete investigations had showed that her client had committed no offence and there was no evidence in the matter.

According to the court papers, Moyo allegedly defrauded Prince Abraham after promising to help him recover his US$700 000 after she allegedly misrepresented that she was Mnangagwa’s relative.

Mazikana said Moyo had a right to be tried within a reasonable time and it would be her who would be prejudiced if kept on remand.

“The accused is engaged with government projects and those projects need her supervisory,” Mazikana said.

“Her image has been tainted by these malicious allegations and by failing to provide her with a trial date to clean herself you will escalate the tainting of her image since she believes she committed no offence,” Mazikana said.

But the State represented by Sebastian Mutizirwa opposed the application saying the progress of the matter was clear.

Magistrate Mugwagwa ruled that the State must put its house in order since keeping the accused on remand without any progress violates the accused person’s constitutional right to be heard within a reasonable period.

Moyo, who paid $5 000 bail, was ordered to collect her bail money and all conditions attached were removed.

Allegations were that Moyo requested R470 522 in a deal allegedly meant to facilitate the release of Abraham’s money deposited into an FNB Bank account of Nediac Automation which belonged to the accused.

Abraham, however, subsequently requested Moyo to reverse the transaction, but Moyo allegedly deposited only R180 000 leaving a balance of R290 522.

TOP prisons official Senior Assistant Commissioner Phineas Chitekuteku was yesterday exposed in court after he tried to defend his boss Commissioner-General Paradzai Zimondi’s involvement in jailed rapist Munyaradzi Kereke’s preferential treatment in prison.

Chitekuteku yesterday testified in the matter of three ZPCS senior officers, Nobert Chomurenga (58) senior assistant commissioner Cephas Chiparausha (43), chief correctional officer and Tonderai Mutiwaringa (56) an assistant commissioner who are facing criminal abuse of office charges.

Chitekuteku told regional magistrate Amos Mbobo during the trial that during his tenure as the officer commanding Harare Metropolitan from January 2016 and December 2017, Zimondi visited Chikurubi Maximum Prisons only twice in his company.

But the prison records produced in court by the trio’s lawyer Oscar Gasva showed that Zimondi visited Chikurubi more than seven times.

The trio in their defence had told the court that Zimondi facilitated the appointment of former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe top official Kereke to supervise a prison project and donor coordination.

They further said Zimondi officially appointed Kereke as the advisor at a function which was attended by Chitekuteku, Chomurenga, Elizabert Banda and one deputy commissioner Chihobvu.

“As far as I know Zimondi visited Chikurubi only twice during my tenure as H.Metro (Harare Metropolitan) commanding officer. He visited there when there was a function to launch a gas project which is being mined there and another project which was being sponsored by Lafarge Cement company,” Chitekuteku said.

Chitekuteku said there was no way Zimondi could visit the Chikurubi Prison without him knowing, but Gasva produced a prison report revealing that Zimondi visited more than seven times.
Chitekuteku then backed down saying he meant visiting the Chikurubi Prison in his presence and would not know how many times he visited.

Gasva then told Chitekuteku that in one of those several visits, that is when Zimondi met Kereke. But Chitekuteku responded saying the visit to Chikurubi was not targeted at Kereke only but meeting all prisoners.

Gasva said when Chitekuteku was promoted from officer commanding H-Metro to the post of Senior Assistant Commissioner, he refused to do a handover takeover with Chomurenga.
Chitekuteku admitted that it was an omission which was not supposed to happen, but insisted that it was due to the location he was posted. Gasva then told Chitekuteku that section 25 of the ZPCS Act prohibits such conduct.

But Chitekuteku responded that sometimes they ignored the Act.

The trial is continuing.

Allegations are that the three accused gave preferential treatment to Kereke in the form of allowing unscheduled visits from his relatives, enjoying extra free time compared to other prisoners and not allowing him to carry out any manual work in terms of set-out procedures.

The Supreme Court has dismissed Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company’ (ZCDC)’s appeal against an order barring the firm from selling Mbada Diamonds’ gems in Chiadzwa.

The development is a result of an appeal against High Court Judge Tawanda Chitapi’s ruling barring ZCDC from selling the diamonds belonging to Mbada’s shareholder, Grandwell.

Mbada Diamond’s lawyer Advocate Thembinkosi Magwaliba confirmed the development yesterday.

“The court dismissed an appeal by ZCDC,” he said. “The interdict granted by the High Court on the sale of the diamonds was confirmed by the Supreme Court. ZCDC was also ordered to pay the cost of the suit.”

In its appeal, ZCDC argued that Justice Chitapi’s ruling was misdirected in favouring Grandwell.

“The court a quo erred at law and grossly misdirected itself when it granted on an urgent basis an order which has the effect of holding the appellant (ZCDC) in the Supreme Court appeal in contempt of court, when it was clear that no contempt of court proceedings had been launched by the first respondent (Grandwell) in terms of rule 388 of the High Court Rules 1971,” said ZCDC.

Mbada Diamonds, in turn, challenged the application saying ZCDC had no rights to sell the diamonds, which were at the centre of the dispute.

“There is no necessity to sell diamonds from the concession area in respect of which there are disputes,” said Grandwell’s chairperson Mr David Kassel in his founding affidavit. The terms on which the diamonds are being purchased are known. The quality of the diamonds is unknown. The buyers are unknown.”

Mr Kassel further contested, saying ZCDC had no capacity to compensate his company and Mbada Diamonds as it was unlawfully incorporated as a vehicle for joint ventures between the Government and private companies.

A victim of the 1 Aug 2018 terror attacks, Zimbabwean UK based activist Martin William Chinyanga was on Tuesday arrested by the United Kingdom anti-terror police on terrorism charges after calls believed to be from the Zimbabwean embassy and a self confessed terrorist, Flora (Ruramai) Mashingaidze.

The police raided and arrested Chinyanga on allegations of inciting terrorism in the early hours of the 25th Feb. 3 hrs later police officers at Holborn Police station telephoned ZimEye in a pursuit to get the story published, and this was before Chinyanga had been interviewed by his lawyer. ZimEye questioned the basis for arresting Chinyanga and no clarification was given apart from the statements made via the call which also came from a withheld number.

The Zim embassy and ZANU PF members in UK have a long history of making hoax police calls for fake cases in the UK.

Furthermore, there are several proven cases investigated by the United Nations in which the Zimbabwean government has abused policing powers in order to kill civilians stretching from 1983. As indicated to the police officers, the persons reporting the arrest could have been wanting to repeat more terror attacks in Zimbabwe using Mr Chinyanga who shows signs of being emotionally disturbed from the 1 Aug 2018 attacks, as an excuse. Under that background, ZimEye chose to wait for the official announcement from lawyers, all done in the public interest bearing in mind the sensitivities of the case.

He was released on bail and barred from going within 100 metres of the Zimbabwean Embassy in London.

Part of the bail conditions read: “Not to post or support acts of violence online. To sign on at Islington Police Station every Sunday between 1400hrs and 1800hrs. No to approach/enter Zimbabwe Embassy or surrounding streets namely The Strand, Agar, William the 4th Street.”

A few hours after he was released, Chinyanga posted a video on his Facebook page confirming that he had been arrested and informing people about his bail conditions.

He confirmed that he had been barred from going near or entering the Zimbabwean Embassy.

He said about 10 police officers had raided his house at around 5am.

During the deeply emotional moments of a gun attack on MDC President Nelson Chamisa in Marondera on the 1st December last year, Chinyanga posted a video on his social media titled the roadmap to Zimbabwean freedom. He said this while weeping on his Facebook video.

In the video, he appeared as if encouraging people to burn buses, service stations, fuel tankers and buildings. It is that passing statement that the peddlers have used to say he is encouraging terrorism.

The video was reported to the UK authorities and they seemed it worth investigating. A woman by name Ruramai Mashingaidze has posted on Facebook saying she is the one who reported Mr Chinyanga.

Coincidentally Flora Mashingaidze is the first to incite terror attacks in Zimbabwe which have seen up to 25 civilians being killed since the 1st August 2018 when the military was used to change election results.

In one of her videos she scoffed as she encouraged that soldiers must continue terror attacks against civilians to punish them for protesting. An investigation done during the Motlanthe commission and afterwards United Nations probes has shown the terrorists were not even targeting protesters but any civilian and the killings done for the purpose of forcing government and civilians into a political slide of the perpetrators’ desire.

ZimEye is following up on the case – this is a developing story.

Meanwhile, a contributor, Chief Svosve ran a live solidarity programme for Chinyanga last night. Watch video downloading below:

26th February, 2020

1. Maize Producer Floor Price for the Remainder of the 2019-2020 Marketing Season

Cabinet considered and approved the maize producer floor price for the remainder of the 2019-2020 marketing season as presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement as Acting Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Food Security and Nutrition (CFSN). Cabinet agreed as follows:

1. a) that the maize floor producer price be reviewed to ZW$6 958 per metric tonne to encourage deliveries to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) and for the replenishment of the Strategic Grain Reserve; and

1. b) that the floor price of traditional grains be pegged at ZW$7 260 per metric tonne for the 2019-2020 marketing

Traditional grains are what is being commonly referred to by the media as small grains, which in essence is a term inherited from the colonial era when traditional grains had no significant role to play in the agricultural economy.

Therefore, the use of the term “small grains” should be discontinued and discouraged as we begin to promote traditional grains in the face of climate change challenges, and health challenges related to  consumption of maize meal. As Government invests in the production of traditional grains such as millet, rapoko, sorghum as well as research related to their development, we cannot continue to use the term “small grains”.

1. Maize, Wheat and Soyabean

Production Recovery Plan

Cabinet considered and approved the maize, wheat and soyabean production recovery plan. The recovery plan is an extract of the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy, which seeks to achieve over US$8 billion Gross Agriculture Production Value by 2023. The recovery plan is anchored on the following strategic interventions:

Financial services sector-led commercial contract farming programme which will target 5 000 highly productive farmers in irrigated areas and promoting conservation agriculture and crop diversity;

The Commodity Value Chain Financing Model whereby all private sector players that get raw materials directly from agriculture are compelled to support and produce up to 40 percent of their requirements locally through contract farming backward integration;

Climate-proofed Presidential Input Support Scheme (pfumvudza) which will support 1,6 million vulnerable households to produce maize with a standardised input package of 5kg seed; 50kg basal and 50kg top dressing fertiliser;

Pre-planting producer price announcement as it has a bearing on planting and crop management decisions;

Creation of a Lowveld Maize Belt (Masvingo, Bulawayo Kraal and Kanyemba), where the country can enjoy two maize cycles per year;

Speeding up irrigation development programmes;

Embarking on the capacitation of the Extension Services Delivery Programme which will entail increased mobility, appropriate training and equipping with digital technologies for effective backstopping and coaching of farmers;

The innovation and modernisation of agriculture, resulting in the effective use of modern and smart technologies in the agriculture sector.

Cabinet acknowledged that the Maize, Wheat and Soyabean Recovery Plan, if meticulously implemented, has the potential to reverse the dependence on imports for these crops as well as to mitigate the financial burden on Treasury and ultimately put the country on a trajectory to attain Vision 2030.

1. Proposed Zimbabwe Investment Guide

Cabinet considered and approved the Zimbabwe Investment Guide as presented by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development. The Guide is a facilitative tool to the implementation of the new National Investment Policy in the wake of the promulgation of the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) Act. It outlines, inter-alia, the country’s investment opportunities, the tax system and investment incentives. Government will periodically review the Investment Guide to ensure that investors remain current with regard to Zimbabwe’s investment requirements and incentives.

1. Proposed Civil Service Mutual Savings Fund

Following presentation by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development of the proposed Civil Service Mutual Savings Fund, Cabinet resolved as follows:

1. a) that the Government Employees Mutual Savings Fund (GEMS Fund) be established with effect from March, 2020;
2. b) that Government will immediately provide a lump sum injection of ZW$100 million from the Budget to facilitate the expedited establishment of the Fund;
3. c) that a 2½ percent of the total remuneration be deducted from every Government employee in consultation with the Public Service Commission;

1. d) that a Steering Committee comprising the Public Service Commission, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development; and the Office of the President and Cabinet be established to decide on the implementation modalities of the Fund; and
2. e) that Garrison Shops be established to enable all members of the defence forces who will be on the GEMS Fund to have the additional benefit of accessing subsidised basic commodities that would be sold in the specialised shops located within cantonment areas.
3. National Preparedness and Response Progress Regarding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak.

The Minister of Health and Child Care updated Cabinet on the country’s preparedness and response progress regarding the 2019 novel coronavirus.

He indicated that his ministry continues to follow up travellers to Zimbabwe who visited China and other affected countries, guided by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Risk Assessment Tool.

As of 23 February, a total of 4 589 travellers have been screened at our air and ground ports of entry.

A suspected case that was admitted to Wilkins Infectious Diseases Hospital was discharged on 20 February 2020 after testing negative for the virus.

She is now at home and will continue on the 21-day follow-up and surveillance before her self-quarantine can be lifted.

Following reports that some people from affected countries were violating self-quarantine  conditions set by Government, Cabinet approved that the Ministry of Health and Child Care should intensify spot checks and enforce immediate detention and isolation of anyone who violates the said regulations.

State Media|Parliament will follow up on all companies that received foreign currency from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) to promote accountability and transparency.

This came out yesterday when the Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Parliamentary Portfolio Committee chaired by Justice Mayor Wadyajena toured Agro-Milling Company in Msasa and Alpha Grain in Workington.

The fact-finding mission followed the appearance of the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) before the committee on Tuesday to give evidence on the support services by Government to milling companies and the funding of the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) silo refurbishment.

GMAZ failed to account for the US$27 million which the association received from RBZ and could not provide evidence that they used part of the money to repair GMB silos.

When the parliamentarians arrived at Alpha Grain head office, they were escorted to the milling plant, only to find out that the company was called Drotsky.

They could not continue with the tour as their interest was on Alpha Grain operations, not those of Drotsky.

Wadyajena said they were going to sit as a committee and seek clarification on the ownership of Drotsky.

“We came here for the tour of Alpha Grain and we were advised it’s not Alpha Grain, but Drotsky,” he said.

“We are going to seek clarification on the ownership of Drotsky, so we cannot continue with the tour. We will have another day to tour Drotsky.

“The committee is not only following up on GMAZ, but on every company that has received foreign currency from the RBZ, including Fossil Agro, FSG Fertiliser and Windmill.”

On whether the committee was going to take disciplinary action against GMAZ, Wadyajena said it was too early to comment as the committee was still waiting for the association to bring more papers.

The association had promised to present the papers by tomorrow.

“GMAZ appeared before the committee on Tuesday, but failed to present any paper to show they had imported wheat,” he said.

“GMAZ gave us papers that showed the wheat was imported by Drotsky, but GMAZ was the one that had sourced the money from the RBZ.”

GMAZ chairman, Mr Tafadzwa Musarara, said he did not know the reason why the parliamentarians abandoned the tour, as Alpha Grain and Drotsky were one.

“It’s Drotsky trading as Alpha Grain,” he said. “It’s a group of companies. Milling is done by Drotsky trading as Alpha Grain. We also have Drotsky trading as Natbake.”

Mr Musarara said there was no need for him to be on the site since senior managers were present to take the parliamentarians around.

At Agro-milling, the managing director, Mr Davison Norupiri, told the committee that they were a member of GMAZ paying a subscription fee of $5 000 annually, but did not benefit directly from the association.

“We attend GMAZ meetings so we can know what is happening in the industry, but in terms of maize supplies we get allocations from the GMB.

“We source our maize through the formal system and we have never benefited from the subsidised price of US$240 per tonne. We bought at US$270 per tonne.”

Mr Norupiri said he started milling in 2018, but was having challenges accessing maize.

He said the situation could improve if the GMB sold grain to all millers at import parity price or Government allowed all millers to import grain.

“We cannot import maize at the moment since some will be getting the commodity at a lower price from GMB,” said Mr Norupiri. “Policy inconsistencies have also affected us. We cannot move grain in bulk and its affecting our operations.”

Prosecutor-General Mr Kumbirai Hodzi should explain what he meant when he said most State institutions were captured by cartels, Vice President Kembo Mohadi has said.

VP Mohadi said this in the National Assembly yesterday during the Question and Answer session.

Norton MP Mr Temba Mliswa (Independent) wanted to know why Government had not commented whether the assertions by Mr Hodzi were true or false, that some key State institutions, including the National Prosecuting Authority were “captured”.

As Prosecutor-General, Mr Hodzi’s independence was guaranteed by the Constitution and it would be worrying if it turned out that institutions he referred to were indeed captured.

Mr Mliswa said there was need for a Ministerial statement from Government explaining what they understood about that statement.

In response, VP Mohadi said it was imperative that Government conducts investigations on the statement to establish whether it was true or not.

“He has to explain to us what he meant by that statement. I agree with you that he needs to be brought to account on what he meant. On issuance of a Ministerial statement I think that can be done,” said VP Mohadi.

Kambuzuma MP Mr Willias Madzimure (MDC-Alliance) asked why it was taking long for the Government to seek explanation on something “which should shock the whole nation”.

But VP Mohadi said Government was seized with the matter.

In his statement, Mr Hodzi said cartels had captured key Government institutions that included the police, judiciary and the media, making it difficult to tackle graft or bring people to book.

Mr Hodzi made his assertions a fortnight ago while addressing participants at a Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) economic thematic committee capacity-building workshop in Bulawayo.

State Media|The maize producer price has been increased to $6 958 a tonne from $4 000, for the present marketing season, with that for traditional grains increased to $7 260.

Further, a recovery plan for maize, wheat and soyabean production, which seeks to achieve over US$8 billion gross agriculture production value by 2023, has been introduced to increase output.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa announced the prices and plans in a post-Cabinet briefing yesterday.

She said Cabinet considered and approved the maize producer floor price for the remainder of the present marketing season after considering proposals from Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Minister Perrance Shiri, as acting chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Food Security and Nutrition.

Cabinet agreed to the new maize producer price to encourage deliveries to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) and for the replenishment of the Strategic Grain Reserve.

The floor price of traditional grains — generally millet, rapoko and sorghum — at $7 260 a tonne would help promote these grains in the face of climate change and health challenges related to the consumption of maize-meal.

Minister Mutsvangwa said traditional grains, which were commonly but wrongly referred to as small grains by the media, had no significant role to play in the colonial agricultural economy.

She called for the discontinuation and discouragement of the term “small grains” as Government has started promoting traditional grains.

“As Government invests in the production of traditional grains such as millet, rapoko, sorghum as well as research related to their development, we cannot continue to use the term ‘small grains’,” she said.

Farmers’ organisations immediately welcomed the decision to increase the floor price for maize and traditional grains.

Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) executive director Mr Paul Zakariya said: “This is a welcome development, but the issue of input costs still needs to be interrogated as they continue to go up. There is need for mechanisms to stabilise that.

“There is also need for Government, through its institutions like the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, to continue working on stabilising the economy; otherwise the maize producer price will continue to go up.”

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU) president Mr Shadreck Makombe also welcomed the new price.

“We are happy with sensitivity of Government, but we would have expected a much higher figure considering the current environment farmers are operating under.

“But at least we are grateful since half a loaf is better than nothing,” he said.

Minister Mutsvangwa said Cabinet also considered and approved the maize, wheat and soya bean production recovery plan.

She said the recovery plan was an extract of the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy, which seeks to achieve over US$8 billion Gross Agriculture Production Value by 2023.

The recovery plan is anchored on six factors: targeting the best farmers to produce more; ensuring agro-businesses procure at least 40 percent of raw materials through contract farming; an upgrade of the Presidential Input Support Scheme to 1,6 million vulnerable households; the creation of a Lowveld maize belt; upgrades of irrigation; and better extension services for farmers using modern technology.

The sector-led commercial contract farming programme will target 5 000 highly productive farmers in irrigated areas and promote conservation agriculture and crop diversity.

The commodity value chain financing model whereby all private sector players that get raw material directly from agriculture will be compelled to produce 40 percent of their requirements locally through contract farming,

The climate-proofed Presidential Input Support Scheme (Pfumvudza), will support 1,6 million vulnerable households to produce maize with a standardised input package of 5kg seed, and 50kg of basal fertiliser and 50kg of top dressing fertiliser.

The pre-planting producer price announcement had a bearing on planting and crop management decisions and creation of a Lowveld Maize Belt (Masvingo), Bulawayo Kraal and Kanyemba where the country can enjoy two maize cycles a year.

Irrigation development programmes will be accelerated and an extension services delivery programme will be capacitated.

This will entail increased mobility, appropriate training and equipping with digital technologies for effective backstopping and coaching of farmers, the innovation and modernisation of agriculture, resulting in the effective use of modern and smart technologies in the agriculture sector.

Minister Mutsvangwa said Cabinet acknowledged that the maize, wheat and soyabean recovery plan, if meticulously implemented, had the potential to reverse dependence on imports for the crops.

It will also mitigate the financial burden on Treasury and ultimately put the country on a trajectory to attain Vision 2030 of an upper middle income economy.

Warriors’ legend, Japhet ” Shortcat” Mparutsa, who runs his Japhet Mparutsa Shortcat Foundation from his base in the United Kingdom, yesterday reacted with shock to the ban imposed on stadiums in Zimbabwe by CAF.

“Yes I am sad, as a Foundation we are sad. I spent nearly 10 years with the national team, and I had an unforgettable journey. I never thought that a day would come when our national team would be forced to play home games away from home because our stadiums are not good enough!
“We sat, watched and did not act when we saw stadiums falling apart. Gwanzura, Rufaro, Dzivarasekwa, NSS, Cam and Motor and now Barbourfields cannot host our national team.

“I cry for our football and I know my departed comrades in the football journey are turning in their graves, too. How can this happen?” fumed Mparutsa.

He said it wasn’t time for the blame game.
“Some are blaming the councils who run these facilities.

Some are blaming the Government for not caring enough about sport despite having a whole ministry responsible for this sector,’’ he said.

“I think they are both to blame because they have failed to work together to ensure that our stadiums are fit for purpose.

“As a Foundation, I think the time is now to correct this situation.

Government should make an effort to restore the nation’s pride, the National Sports Stadium.

“Councils should work hard to restore all stadiums and the community grassroots pitches.

We urge them to find partners who can provide funds so that the process moves fast.’’-State media

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police have reported that their details have recovered an amount of  USD$ 229 000 of the USD$400 000 which was reportedly stolen at a security company.

The police said the money was shared among 5 company employees and 4 of them have been arrested and referred to court while one suspect  Edward Kapfuya is on the run.

The security company which is based in Waterfalls, Harare had reported that they lost cash amounting to US$400, 000 in a suspected inside job involving employees. The stolen money was in a cash box that went missing from the company vault.

The cash box was later recovered outside the company premises without the money.

This is a developing story…

By A Correspondent- Bulawayo serial robbers have been taken to court for robbing several residents property worth $11 500.

Nick Ngwenya (23) and Malcon Ngondo (18) appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Lizwe Jamela where they pleaded guilty.

They will be back in court on February 28.

On February 18, Nothando Ncube (20) of Killiney Bulawayo was walking along the tared road when the two in the company of another one still at large pounced on her. They were abode Honda fit vehicle.

Ngwenya disembarked from the vehicle and strangled Ncube while Ngondo was searching her handbag and took her Hisense, Huawei Y3, Silver mobicel mobile phone, earphones, cash R1550 US$24 and $28.

It is alleged that they dragged Sibanda while the car was in motion.

She sustained several injuries on her body.

The total value of property and cash stolen was $7500 and $600O worth of it was recovered.

In another offence on February 18 in Parklands suburb, Gladys Murove (21) was near Choppies Supermarket in the suburb when Ngwenya and Ngondo used violence in order to rob her of Samsung note 8 cell phone.

The total value of property was $4000 and nothing was recovered.

In the footage below Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda reprimands Zanu PF MPs :

Farai Dziva|
Zimbabwean Hip-hop gospel artist,
Mudiwa Hood, has come to the rescue of a teacher who reportedly stole maize cobs to feed his family.

According to Hood, the teacher is based in Harare, contrary to claims that he is from Mutoko.

He has started helping the man and also appealed to those who want to help him to get in touch.

Posting on Facebook, Hood said:

Good News Zimbabwe? … I visited Mr Chatikobo today jus to hear and verify the story…it was him and we will go back formally to help him big…

He teaches at a private school in Harare, not in Mutoko as rumoured.

I sat in his class while he teaches his students, mmmm pure Genius!

I settled the compensation demanded by maize cobs owner and he is a free man and promised me to stay out of trouble.

Among other things, I will pay school fees for all his 3 kids, he needs it ma cousins….the man is a highly qualified science teacher…who is nothing but a genius…he did everything our parents always asked us to do…”Dzidza mwanangu”…

He is a genuine family man. On Saturday I am taking him out for lunch, and will bless him again with few other things.

Those who want to assist, we (me and him) for accountability purposes we agreed that his closest person in his life, will manage all donations and EcoCash…if you want to send cash kindly send to Faustine Svuvure on 0772999156.

Information Deputy Minister Energy Mutodi has scoffed at MDC leader Nelson Chamisa after the main opposition president’s lawyer, Thabani Mpofu hinted that there is new evidence sourced from Professor Jonathan Moyo’s Book that could be filed before the Constitutional Court to challenge Chief Justice Luke Malaba’s 2018 presidential result ruling.

However, posting on Twitter, Mutodi said it was laughable that a party like MDC wants to rely on Moyo’s book to launch another court challenge against Mnangagwa’s win.

THE MDC has expelled Victoria Falls mayor Somvelo Dlamini from the main opposition party and as the resort town’s mayor on charges of breaching party obligations and instructions.

In a letter dated 24 February 2020, party secretary general Chalton Hwende wrote to Dlamini Monday informing him that the party’s highest decision making body in between congresses, the National Council, had resolved to boot him out of the party for disobedience. 

Hwende’s letter Dlamini did clearly state the exact breaches the latter made.

“This letter serves to inform you and confirm the termination by the National Council of your membership of the party with immediate effect as per the resolution of the National Council of 23rd November 2018,”Hwende wrote.

“Your expulsion is in terms of Article 5.11(a)of the Movement for Democratic Change Constitution as read with 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.

MDC Local Government Deputy Secretary Clifford Hlatshwayo confirmed the expulsion and said Dlamini was not taking residents’ issues seriously.

“He was also failing to implement party SMART policy document.Councillor Patricia Mwale is the acting mayor. We have written to the Minister of Local Government (July Moyo) and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission informing them of the latest development,” said Hlatshwayo. 

Party President Nelson Chamisa, recently threatened to wield the axe on all corrupt councillors. 

The government of Zimbabwe will soon roll out “garrison or cantonment shops” for serving security sector members as a way of cushioning them from the vagaries of inflation.

In a weekly post-cabinet briefing to journalists in Harare, Finance and Economic Development minister Prof. Mthuli Ncube said the cantonment shops are different from silo or people’s shops which government promised to introduce last year but have not taken off.

Under the scheme, those serving in the security sector will be “issued with a card or credit limit to buy what they want monthly”.

Watch Mthuli Ncube speak in the video below:

THE Government has awarded its pensioners a Cost of Living Adjustment (Cola) that will be backdated to January.

In a statement on Wednesday Public Service Commission Ambassador Jonathan Wutaunashe said the payments will be made from next month.

“The Public Service Commission notifies Government pensioners that procedures relating to Cost of Living Adjustment for all pensioners have been finalised and the adjustment will be effected in March 2020, backdated to January 2020,” he said.

This comes as the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) also doubled the payouts for pensioners from a minimum of $80 to $200 while workers compensation scheme moved from $80 to $200 last year in November.

The increases were backdated to October 2019.

While the payouts were increased, pensioners lamented that they were failing to access cash at the bank which has seen the senior citizens spending at least two nights in a queue trying to access their money.

However, the Insurance and Pensions Commission (IPEC) says pensioners receiving annual pay outs of less than $6000 dollars can salvage their earnings by applying for lump sums.

IPEC said the prevailing hyper inflationary environment posed a threat to the preservation of pension values and it was an option to get a lump sum instead.