Farai Dziva|LEAD president Linda Masarira has accused her former boss Thokhozani Khupe of working with Zanu PF to destabilise opposition parties in the country.

Masarira argues she quit MDC T because it is a Zanu PF creation.

Masarira further claimed Khupe received funding from the ruling party to destabilise Nelson Chamisa’s MDC Alliance.

“We were receiving money from Zanu PF. I don’t know who was the direct contact person who was bringing the money, but we got funding for the party from Zanu PF.

We were not a real opposition, this is why I took a picture of myself wearing Zanu PF regalia in Zambia and posted it on social media because I wanted to tell a story,” Masarira told a daily publication.

Farai Dziva|A Senior MDC T official has dismissed LEAD president Linda Masarira’ s argument that the party is a Zanu PF sponsored project.

MDC-T secretary-general Nickson Nyikadzino was responding to Masarira’s allegations that his party has been receiving money from the ruling ZANU PF party.

Said Nyikadzino:
“We have not received any funding from anyone. We do not wish to receive funding from anyone except ourselves.

The only funding that we have received is the 48 000 votes which we got from the people of Zimbabwe and we wish to remain an independent democratic party set up to serve the people of Zimbabwe.”

Farai Dziva|Controversial political figure Linda Masarira has described POLAD as a pet project created by Emmerson Mnangagwa as a way of seeking legitimacy.

“The Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD), is a dialogue platform consisting of fringe political parties created by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2019.It is a ZANU PF pet project,” Masarira told a daily publication.

Masarira, who now leads an opposition party called LEAD, was fired from the MDC-T after she was pictured wearing ZANU PF regalia.

However, Masarira has accused MDC T of working with Zanu PF to dilute genuine opposition voices.

Pole dancer Zoey Sifelani says fans enjoy it when she is in competition with the recently married Beverly “Bev” Sibanda.

In an interview with H-Metro, Zoey said Bev encouraged her to work harder.
“It is exciting when you have someone that you compete with, it motivates you to do better, you know zvinotonakidza kana muchita competition hauzvizive.

“Having someone you compete with also pushes fans to be there, ndizvo zvinotoita kuti mafans edu arambe achitouya manje,” said Zoey.

Zoey also expressed concern on rumours that she is struggling since she has no one to compete with as Bev is focusing both on dancing as well as family.

“I’m not struggling at all, things are flowing, and everything is ok on my side.

“These days we are doing most of our shows out of Harare. In Harare they only get to see us on every Tuesdays only.

“Out of Harare that’s when we are being needed more, out of Harare ndiko kwatikunyanya kudiwa.

“So people in Harare are now saying we have gone silent but it’s not the case since we are doing most shows out of Harare.” she said.

She added:
“Currently, I’m keeping myself busy with my dance group as well as my massage parlour.”

Zoey also mentioned that she has a lot of shows lined up for the year 2020 and is promising her fans fireworks.-H-Metro

The mystery of what happened to the Toyota Cressida that transported former President Nelson Mandela to the Cape Town City Hall on the day of his release from prison 30 years ago, has been allegedly solved.

It is believed that the car is in Lesotho but the current owner says he is in advanced negotiations to sell the car to an overseas dealer.

This is the car that is believed to have been used 30 years ago by none other than Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela as he left the Pollsmoor Prison.

But now the owner who does not want to be identified says despite several attempts to alert South Africa’s government about the location of the car, he is now in advanced negotiations with an overseas dealership.

While the owner says that he would have preferred that the car remains in African soil, he has now opted to release the car to whoever sees the most value in it.

The SABC has been promised an interview later this week as soon as negotiations with a potential client have been concluded.

THREE Zanu-PF legislators in Mashonaland Central province have been accused of stifling the police’s crackdown on illegal gold miners and machete gangs.

The countrywide police blitz, dubbed Operation Chikorokoza Ngachipere, has seen over 1 000 illegal miners and machete gangs arrested.

Police sources in Mashonaland Central said efforts to arrest illegal miners were being frustrated by legislators Patrick Dutiro (Guruve South), Campion Mugweni (Mazowe North) and Remigious Matangira (Bindura South).

They accused Dutiro of mobilising illegal miners to cause havoc and illegally mine at Eureka Mine. Contacted for comment, the MP said he only tried to intercede in a dispute between the police and illegal miners.

“I conducted a meeting with villagers because there is bad blood between the local police and villagers. So my meeting was for them to engage the police and mine owners so that they reach a consensus,” Dutiro said.

It is further alleged that Dutiro was capitalising on the incident to gain political ground ahead of the forthcoming Zanu-PF district co-ordinating council (DCC) elections in Guruve, where he is reportedly eying the chairperson’s position.

“My meeting was genuine. I am not campaigning as alleged because my ground is already even,” he said.

Mugweni is accused of previously working with the management of Mazowe Mine to extract gold ore while using his constituency-branded vehicle.

Contacted for comment, Mugweni said: “Wherever that car is seen, it has nothing to do with you. It will be doing party business.”

He, however, declined to respond to reports of his alleged links with Mazowe Mine management.

The MP is also reportedly canvassing for support ahead of DCC elections.

In Bindura, Matangira is accused of funding machete gangs who were allegedly robbing illegal miners of their gold ore at Kitsiyatota.

Matangira refuted the claims, saying he was also a victim of machete gangs.

“That is very nonsensical. How can I fund MaShurugwi when I have been victimised by the MaShurugwi as a small-scale miner myself. I lost my mines at Mukaradzi in Mt Darwin, so labelling me in such a manner will be unfair,” he said.

Meanwhile, Zanu-PF youths in the province said they were not happy with the on-going police blitz against illegal panners and machete gangs, which has seen thousands of them arrested, particularly at Mazowe Mine, where people from all walks of life were earning a living.

Bloomberg|A one-stop border post that will fast-track trade between South Africa and Zimbabwe will be fully operational at Beitbridge in 2024, according to South African Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi.

The crossing is one of Africa’s busiest land borders, with about 25,000 people and 500 trucks passing though daily. However, delays and congestion mean it can take as long as four days to receive clearance from customs officials, according to a Global Economic Governance report. A one-stop border would harmonize customs clearance procedures between the two countries.

“We all know the frustration of travelers when they go through Beitbridge: the long queues, the long waiting times, the congestion,” Motsoaledi said in an interview. “Now, the one-stop border post is going to do away with all that because it involves massive infrastructural changes, not just operational changes.”

The upgrade is one of four projects that President Cyril Ramaphosa last week said the government would fast-track to facilitate greater regional and continental trade, after the country assumed the chairmanship of the African Union.

Construction will include a building for immigration officials and separate traffic lanes for commercial, private and public vehicles as well as a pedestrian pathway. The minister didn’t provide a cost estimate for the project as private companies would bear the costs.

The appointment of an international consulting firm is imminent and five consortia — SPG-CHEC JV, Border Post Consortium, Fast Post SA, Hlanganani Consortium and CSCEC Imbani Consortium — are on the short-list to undertake the project that will include a 20-year concession for the winning bidder to cover the costs, Motsoaledi said.

Similar projects are also planned at South Africa’s borders with eSwatini, Mozambique, Lesotho and Botswana, he said.

The main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda has accused the ruling Zanu PF party of wanting to divert attention from its own internal fights and failures by spreading rumours that MDC leader Nelson Chamisa had fallen out with the party’s national chairperson, Thabitha Khumalo, Nehanda Radio can report.

In an interview with Nehanda Radio, Sibanda accused Zanu PF top officials of wanting to divert attention from issues of corruption bedevilling the country.

Sibanda said Chamisa was currently on a countrywide meet-the-people outreach programme.

“Zanu wants to divert attention from its internal (squabbles) and from corruption.

“The real story around the president is that this week he has shown himself to be the people’s champion.

“(He has stood) with (MDC) branches in Masvingo’s Provincial Assembly; (has held) hands with the people’s provincial leadership in Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North, Bulawayo and today the Midlands.

“No leader in this country has taken time to consult and relate with the party like president (Chamisa),” Sibanda added.

There is widespread speculation in political circles that Chamisa wants to replace Khumalo with one of his deputies, Lynette Karenyi.

Reports also claim that Khumalo’s sympathisers on Tuesday dumped flyers at the MDC Alliance Bulawayo provincial offices and different parts of the central business district, rejecting the alleged decision by Chamisa to oust Khumalo from her current post.

When asked about the flyers, Sibanda accused “desperate” State agents of attempting to penetrate the MDC.

“This leaves me with a simple, logical conclusion that these flyers did not emanate from the people of Matabeleland or members of the party, but perhaps desperate State agents.

“That is my theory; these are State agents trying to stoke fires that do not exist. This is an attempt by State agents to abrogate to themselves the president’s prerogative in terms of making appointments.

“The president has not made any statement, at least in terms of appointments,” he said. 

• Nehanda Radio

ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa has sold off land the size of the entire Mutare city urban to Belarus, a European report attributed to the respected Reuters news agency says. In return, Zimbabwe has received ZUPCO buses.

VIDEOS LOADING BELOW…

Instead of contracting the Belarusians so they come manufacture inside Zimbabwe, Mnangagwa has sold off the whole land to them including the raw materials underneath.

When ZANU PF received the country from UK, Zimbabwe used to assemble most major vehicle brands, today, the leaders are selling the whole land in exchange for a few buses.

In February last year, Emmerson Mnangagwa gave Belarus 10 000 ha of land for agricultural production in Zimbabwe in a deal that was not apparently clearly exposed to the country.

The land is directly administered by the Office of Belarus President, Alexander Lukashenko.

Experts from Belarus came into the country to select the plots of land, test the soil and identity the type of fertilizers needed. They also studied the matters of irrigation and logistics and how to transport agricultural machines and equipment from Belarus to Zimbabwe.

Belarusians reportedly planned to grow maize and soya first and rice and wheat later. They also planned to build a dairy farm for 1000 cows by the end of last year.

Cattle for the project were to be brought from New Zealand. Simultaneously, a meat and milk processing line was to be launched.

Mnangagwa visited Belarus in January 2019. He invited Belarus President, Lukashenka to pay a visit to Zimbabwe in a surprise new cosy relationship.

The land deal could have been one of the bills that were signed when Zimbabwe and Belarus signed secretive deals worth US$350 million in September last year.

Mnangagwa witnessed the signing ceremony in Harare.

In return he received a paltry 300 buses a parallel report from the state media says.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Busi Moyo represented Zimbabwe while Chief of Presidential Affairs General Colonel Victor Sheiman represented Belarus.

The President said as a result of a short period of preparation, only two out of six agreements had been completed and signed.

He said the rest of agreements on the part of the Belarus delegation have been completed, but Zimbabwe side still wanted to go through some legal processes such as the public agreements committee and going through Cabinet.

“Once that is achieved I think the Minister of Finance (Professor Mthuli Ncube) and other team from agriculture will travel to Belarus and will have those agreements signed,” he said then.

At the signing ceremony Minister Moyo said the agricultural agreement between Belarus and Zimbabwe on the development of an agricultural project was to enable the country to grow maize, wheat and soya beans for internal consumption.

“As you are aware the joint permanent commissions are meant to focus on economic issues and bilateral issues in a more detailed way, some of which could be a Bi-National Commission so that we can maximise benefits resulting from our relations with Belarus,” he said without disclosing details.

“That is typical transactional diplomacy.”

Details on what happened to the land are however still sketchy and these will be published as soon as they are available. 

A comment from state house was still be obtained at the time of printing.

The treason charge against MDC national deputy chairperson and Zengeza West Member of Parliament (MP) Job Sikhala has put the state and defense teams on a collision path over interpretation of subverting a constitutionally elected government with the defense counsel led by top lawyer Beatrice Mthetwa arguing that President Mnangagwa is not the government and can be removed from power before 2023.

Sikhala appeared before the Masvingo High Court judge Justice Garainesu Mawadze early this week facing subversion charges where he threatened to take “the war and fight to President Mnangagwa’s doorstep and overthrow him before 2023 elections”.

The state prosecutors led by Tawanda Zvekare built their case of treason arguing that Sikhala and his party were plotting to topple the government by using violence and force but had to be schooled on the technicalities of the case in which Mthetwa pushed for the exception to trial arguing that the state had a weak case.

The case which was supposed to run for a week was postponed to February 14 pending determination by the court on whether the case should go for a full trial or be thrown out.

The state went to town arguing that the matter should go for a full trial saying that they have video evidence and witnesses to the effect that Sikhala indeed committed treason.

Mthetwa argued that Sikhala never threatened to overthrow the government but was specific saying it was President Mnangagwa he wanted to see gone before 2023.

“Mnangagwa is not the government of Zimbabwe. Sikhala’s statement doesn’t refer to the government as the government does not comprise of one person.

“Sikhala said we are going to overthrow ‘him’ meaning one person. If he had said we are going to overthrow ‘it’, the State would then have had a better case.

“Saying President Mnangagwa will go before 2023 is not criminal because the constitution provides for legal ways in which a sitting President can be removed from office like through impeachment.

“The statement meant that Sikhala being a Member of Parliament, will take the war and fight to President Mnangagwa’s doorstep through mobilizing for an impeachment. There is nothing treasonous about that.

“President Mnangagwa can be removed from office before 2023 because the constitution sets out the process which can make that happen and that is what Sikhala meant,” said Mthetwa.

She gave reference to the removal of former president Robert Mugabe before the expiry of his term, a move which the High Court declared as legal.

Mthetwa said that the state must not be confused by the use of words ‘war’ and ‘violence’ because they do not necessarily mean violence.

She argued that there is nothing in Sikhala’s statement which points out that President Mnangagwa will go through unconstitutional means.

The State, however, argued that Sikhala’s utterances meant that they are going to use violence and force to usurp power from the government.

“President Mnangagwa is the government and if you threaten to remove him it means you have threatened to remove the government.

“He is addressed as the head of state which means everyone in government serves at his pleasure. If you cut off the head everything else falls.

“Sikhala meant that they are going to effect a coup on the government,” said State prosecutor Zvekare.

Farai Dziva|In a tragic incident that has stunned residents of the ancient city of Masvingo, a form two pupil at Ndarama High School stabbed himself to death after his dad had reprimanded him for coming home late.

The incident happened on Wednesday night.

Narrating his ordeal Mr Mbengo, the boy’s father said:

” I lost my first born son yesterday around 8pm at Makurira Hospital .

I wanted to discipline him over a simple matter because he came home around 730 pm.

While I was asking him, he took a knife from the drawer and stabbed himself.”

In a brief statement Ndarama High School said:

“On a sad note…
Mr Mbengo has lost his son Matipaishe.

We have just received the sad news.

We will update you on funeral arrangements..ngativayeukei mumunamato vanyaradzwe.”

Police in Masvingo have confirmed the tragic incident.

Farai Dziva|In a tragic incident that has stunned residents of the ancient city of Masvingo, a form two pupil at Ndarama High School stabbed himself to death after his dad had reprimanded him for coming home late.

The incident happened on Wednesday night.

Narrating his ordeal Mr Mbengo, the boy’s father said:

” I lost my first born son yesterday around 8pm at Makurira Hospital .

I wanted to discipline him over a simple matter because he came home around 730 pm.

While I was asking him, he took a knife from the drawer and stabbed himself.”

In a brief statement Ndarama High School said:

“On a sad note…
Mr Mbengo has lost his son Matipaishe.

We have just received the sad news.

We will update you on funeral arrangements..ngativayeukei mumunamato vanyaradzwe.”

Police in Masvingo have confirmed the tragic incident.

SUSPENDED Zanu-PF youth league political commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu is not going down without a fight, and has demanded answers as to why the ruling party’s Politburo has not censored or even suspended President Emmerson Mnangagwa for doing exactly the same things that got the youth leaders suspended last week.

The Politburo moved with speed last week and suspended Tsenengamu and his colleague Lewis Matutu after the duo named and shamed Zanu-PF linked businessmen for alleged corruption and looting of State resources.

In suspending the two, acting party spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa said they had not followed party procedures, while President Mnangagwa himself accused the youth leaders of unchecked activism.

Chinamasa followed that by announcing yesterday that where any citizen has evidence of corruption against any person the correct procedure is to report to Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) or Prosecutor General so that the allegations can be investigated.

“Naming and shaming that targets perceived successful business people be they black or white, breeds fertile ground for extortionists, rent seeking behaviour and will have one outcome, that is haunting such people out of the country into exile which will not help this economy whose growth must be driven by local business people.”

But a supercharged Tsenengamu, propelled by an ever-growing social media following, put Chinamasa to task on Thursday, demanding to know why President Mnangagwa was not suspended for also naming and shaming corrupt barons.

President Mnangagwa in March 2018, when he was just four months into the Presidency, publicly named more than 1 800 companies and individuals he accused of illegally stashing hundreds of millions of dollars overseas and not bringing the money home under a now-expired amnesty deal.

Tsenengamu queries how his act last week was any different from what the Head of State did two years ago.

“Dear Cde Chinamasa. Cde Shef when President Mnangagwa named and shamed those who externalized forex you didn’t say it’s not party policy to name and shame.

“You didn’t say it promotes those with extortionist tendencies and rent seeking behaviour.

“You didn’t say he must tow the party line. You didnt say he is dividing the party. You didn’t say he must follow procedure.

“You didn’t suspend him You didn’t say he must attend Chitepo college. You didn’t say he is scaring away investors.

“You didn’t say he must report to ZACC. You didn’t say he must bring evidence. Why me??”

Meanwhile, Tsenengamu declared last week that he would not enrol with the Chitepo Ideological College, a Zanu-PF institution, saying he was already ideologically solid.

— Zimbabwe Voice

A gang armed to the teeth with machetes raided a school on Monday this week in Zhombe, Midlands Province, and robbed teachers of various personal belongings, leaving the usually quiet community shell-shocked.

School authorities and students at Batanai Sesombi Secondary School in Zhombe separately told Zimbabwe Voice that they were still in shock after the gang besieged their school sports grounds on Monday after sunset and detonated explosives in search of gold, with teachers scurrying into the bush for their safety.

In the ensuing melee, some teachers reported that they had their personal belongings looted form their houses when they fled.

Both the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and the Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) have confirmed the attack, which occurred even as police in Midlands have banned the carrying of machetes and other dangerous weapons.

“Preliminary investigations show that indeed there were some skirmishes at Batanai Sesombi Secondary School,” said Patrick Zumbo, a public relations officer at the Ministry of Education, in an interview with Zimbabwe Voice. “School authorities have since reported the matter to the area police, who we understand are now carrying their own investigations.”

Zumbo added that normal lessons and other school activities have since resumed at the school.

A teacher who spoke to this publication said the gang members were well-known, and local police were too scared to hold them to account.

“Even the police report had to be made in a very strategic manner to avoid being spotted at the police. The gang seems to have a blank cheque to unleash violence and no-one around here can stop them, It’s a shame really.”

Efforts by Zimbabwe Voice to get hold of Acting Midlands provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende were however not successful, but ARTUZ confirmed the disturbances.

“Our comrades at Batanai Sesombi School in Zhombe are under attack from gangs who are openly detonating explosives at the school sports ground. Teachers there are not safe, and have been chased into the forests by the marauding gangs.

“Our schools are no longer safe. Teachers who the communities must cherish and protect are now working under difficult circumstances due to these gangs. Where is the police in all this?” said an officer at ARTUZ.

The disturbances come as Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Larry Mavima this week called upon all stakeholders to join hands with the police and decisively deal with machete gangs before they become warlords who have a potential to start a civil war.

Speaking on Tuesday at a Gweru (church) Ministers Fraternal-organised meeting on ending violence in the province, Mavima said history was going to charge society harshly for failing to deal with the machete violence menace in the country.

“As society, and the Midlands province in particular, we should begin to ask ourselves: Who are these machete-wielding gangs?” Mavima said.

“The worst thing we can do is fold our arms, watch, sit and do nothing. In other countries, such gangs have become warlords and that is how civil wars start.”

— Zimbabwe Voice

Own Correspondent|In February last year, President Emmerson Mnangagwa gave Belarus 10 000 ha of land for agricultural production in Zimbabwe in a deal that was not apparently clearly exposed to the country.

The land is directly administered by the Office of Belarus President, Alexander Lukashenko.

Experts from Belarus came into the country to select the plots of land, test the soil and identity the type of fertilizers needed. They also studied the matters of irrigation and logistics and how to transport agricultural machines and equipment from Belarus to Zimbabwe.

Belarusians reportedly planned to grow maize and soya first and rice and wheat later. They also planned to build a dairy farm for 1000 cows by the end of last year.

Cattle for the project were to be brought from New Zealand. Simultaneously, a meat and milk processing line was to be launched.

Mnangagwa visited Belarus in January 2019. He invited Belarus President, Lukashenka to pay a visit to Zimbabwe in a surprise new cosy relationship.

The land deal could have been one of the bills that were signed when Zimbabwe and Belarus signed secretive deals worth US$350 million in September last year.

President Mnangagwa witnessed the signing ceremony in Harare.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Busi Moyo represented Zimbabwe while Chief of Presidential Affairs General Colonel Victor Sheiman represented Belarus.

The President said as a result of a short period of preparation, only two out of six agreements had been completed and signed.

He said the rest of agreements on the part of the Belarus delegation have been completed, but Zimbabwe side still wanted to go through some legal processes such as the public agreements committee and going through Cabinet.

“Once that is achieved I think the Minister of Finance (Professor Mthuli Ncube) and other team from agriculture will travel to Belarus and will have those agreements signed,” he said then.

At the signing ceremony Minister Moyo said the agricultural agreement between Belarus and Zimbabwe on the development of an agricultural project was to enable the country to grow maize, wheat and soya beans for internal consumption.

“As you are aware the joint permanent commissions are meant to focus on economic issues and bilateral issues in a more detailed way, some of which could be a Bi-National Commission so that we can maximise benefits resulting from our relations with Belarus,” he said without disclosing details.

“That is typical transactional diplomacy.”

Details on what happened to the land are however still sketchy and these will be published as soon as they are available.

Own Correspondent|Former Sunday Mail editor Edmund Kudzayi who enjoys a close relationship with exiled former information minister Professor Jonathan Moyo has claimed has claimed that Moyo raised funds used for Nelson Chamisa and Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) 2018 election campaign. Kudzayi said the money was used for adverts on radio, tv and print.

Edmund Kudzayi was responding to Freeman Chari who was saying that MDC should not entertain people like Jonathan Moyo who abused their positions when they were in position of power.

Moyo has openly admitted his involvement in funding Chamisa’s 2018 campaign.

Moyo doesn’t regret ever doing this openly as well implicating Patrick Zhuwawo whom he says provided US$6000 for radio advertisements.

“It is an open secret that my TL (timeline) in these streets actively supported @nelsonchamisa’s candidature in 2018.

Read Kudzayi’s full Twitter thread below:

Ultimately, it is the voters who decide. If anyone wants power, they must stand for election. No citizen can say so and so is disqualified. That said, I certainly have no ambition to join the MDC, nor does Prof Moyo, but we want to see opposition politics done competently.

In the 2018 elections, we ended up having to intervene to do radio, print, social media and television adverts for the MDC. Why? Because nobody was doing the work and Chamisa was the best foot forward.

Where did the money come from? It was raised by Professor Jonathan Moyo.

One unknown fact is that Jonathan Moyo did not want to publicly support the MDC in 2018, preferring to watch from the terraces. It took me four months, January to April 2018, to persuade him to help actively, after which #KwekweHim, #KutongwaKwaro, #Excelgate etc were born.

MDC stockholders need to stop worrying about sharing power that it does not have and focus on action.

What is the plan? Waiting for 2023? When are the protests coming? How do you sustain them Sudan-style?

These are the serious political questions that remain unanswered.

A PRAYER FOR ZIMBABWE: One of my favourite ads from the 2018 election, which was done for Chamisa by so-called Zanu PF infiltrators. ZBC ended up forcing the MDC to edit out ED and Chiwenga!

Own Correspondent|Latest revelations from within the Zimbabwe Republic Police indicate that some members of the police force are among 2 852 people who have been arrested for illegal gold mining or being part of the machete wielding gangs.

The shocking information was made public by police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi while speaking on the sidelines of a media training on community reporting organised by the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) in Harare on Wednesday.

“We have had arrests in Jumbo, Mazowe and Shamva of illegal artisanal miners. I admit we have arrested (police) officers at Jumbo, the law will take its course,” said Nyathi.

“The Home Affairs Minister has said it before and I repeat – if there is a police officer who is involved in mining activities, they must stop because they will be arrested and eventually lose their jobs.”

Indications are that uniformed forces from the correctional services officers and army have also suffered the same fate. Nyathi however refused to commit himself on the arrests of members of the military or Prison Service.

“I cannot comment on behalf of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) and Prisons, you will have to call them respectively.”

The machete wielding thugs have been terrorising innocent citizens in mining communities and surrounding towns where they have robbed, maimed, raped and killed for gold claims, gold ore and money.

13 police officers, including a chaplain, were early this week arrested after allegedly trying to extort cash from illegal miners they had been sent to arrest in Chakari, Mashonaland West.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

https://youtu.be/GaiKsW5BOPg

12 February 2020
For immediate release
PRESS RELEASE

RE: ZCTU DEMANDS A MINIMUM WAGE, MOBILISES FOR ACTION

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) General Council, the highest decision making body in-between the Congress, met today 12 February 2020 to receive a report back on the recent Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) outcomes and processes.

The General Council noted that working people of Zimbabwe have suffered immensely as wages have failed to keep pace with the inflationary trends. The situation has worsened rendering it practically impossible for workers across all sectors to earn the current salaries and sustain their families or be able to go to work.

Although the General Council reaffirmed its position for Zimbabwe to use the South African Rand as an alternative, it however ratified labour’s negotiating team’s position of a minimum wage of ZWL$ 3 800.00 as proposed by the government as relief measure while the government stabilises the currency within six months.

The minimum wage has to be implemented through the promulgation of a Statutory Instrument under the country’s labour laws. Failure of which workers of Zimbabwe would embark on an indefinite industrial action.

The ZCTU noted with disappointment that although business is against indexing salaries and wages to the US dollar and exchange rate, business itself is profiteering by indexing goods and services to this exchange rate.

The General Council noted with concern the high levels of corruptions in the country, the illicit financial outflows, and state capture by cartels and resolved to join other progressive organisations in fighting these scourges bleeding the country.

In the meantime, the ZCTU will embark on nationwide consultations in the form of Labour Forums and workers are encouraged to come in their numbers to air their views on the form of action to be taken if the demand is not met.

Japhet Moyo
SECRETARY GENERAL

Three school children from Ngundu perished while the 4th one was seriously injured when a tractor in whose trailer they were sitting in overturned along the Ngundu-Tanganda road New Zaina reports.

The trailer unhooked from the hitch and hit the tractors’ rear wheel causing it to overturn, killing the pupils on the spot.

Masvingo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Kudakwashe Pferedzai (15), Opportunity Lisenga (13) who learnt at Nyahanga Primary School and Delight Mlambo (16) who attended Mutandwe Secondary School.

Their bodies were ferried to
Chiredzi General hospital for post mortem.- New Ziana

By Own Correspondent| Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports Arts and Recreation Tinoda Machakaire is reportedly dismissing those trying to push his name in the ring for Zanu PF youth league chairmanship.

Sources privy to the jostling of the position said Machakaire is saying he is comfortable with his position at the party and did not want more.

“He is telling those who are trying to push him for the position that he is okay with his position and currently he is the secretary for transport at province,” the source revealed.

The position became vacant following the suspension of Chairman Pupurai Togarepi, Deputy secretary Lewis Matutu and commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu.

Currently Mchakaire is the provincial secretary for transport in Mashonaland East.

Contacted for comment, Machakaire said he was not even aware of what was being said by people as he was not gunning for any position in the party,

“I don’t know where all this is coming from all I can say is I am okay with my position in the party. I think for now we should be concentrating on building the economy, following President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision to have a middle class economy by 2030 that is all I can say” he said hanging up his phone.

Over the weekend he told a gathering in Hwedza that people need to serve the interests of the party first without looking for higher positions.

“We need to understand the ideology of the party, serve it without looking for positions or benefits. Do we go to church for benefits? We go to serve God, so it is the same in politics Zanu PF is the party we just need to serve it.  As for me I am satisfied with my position,” he said.

Machakaire has left no stone unturned in making sure that his constituency’s problems are attended to.

As if it that is not enough at the Ministry of Youth he has done a number of notable things that include sourcing funds for University students as well as spearheading a campaign to source equipment for the youth in mining.

By Farai D Hove| Hell has broken loose on MDC renegade, Thokozani Khupe who created her own MDC morph after being kicked out having rebelled against the late leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, as she has fallen into trouble over blowing up allowance money in a posh hotel.

Khupe who deserted Harvest House for months running, and later expelled for it, has for the last year running, elevated herself to leader of a new MDC she says is authentic.

After the events of the 1st August 2018, when Emmerson Mnangagwa used the military to change election results, Khupe further raised herself to leader of the Polad dialogue-club Mnangagwa created to sanitise the 1 Aug-military crackdown.

The United Nations has condemned the 1 August crime and implicated Mnangagwa for it.

As of yesterday, sources close to her revealed to ZimEye she sped out of the meeting in tears after being grilled on why her party juniors blew allowances money spending three weeks running inside the posh Crowne Plaza Hotel, under the guise of engaging Ambassadors and heads of foreign missions accredited to Zimbabwe.

What is infuriating is that there is no documentation to prove what these engagements were and what was discussed, said one source.

In the latest developments, Khupe is planning to travel to the United States and Europe to engage Polad’s so called dialogue.

Said a source privy to developments:

Fixing the country is not a power game and it needs competent people driven by a passion to transform Zimbabwe not to occupy positions without delivering the mandate of POLAD.

Some of these Principals who are crying for these positions do not even have O’ levels and do not even understand the gravity of what is required of them in the committees they are crying to lead.

What led to the impasse could be the love of lavish lifestyles as rumours within POLAD were stating that all Chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and their rapporteurs were going to get diplomatic passports for international trips. We cant seriously exchange competence for luxuries when our country is burning.”

Presidential spokesperson George Charamba is on record dismissing opposition leader Nelson Chamisa’s calls for dialogue arguung that POLAD was the only dialogue platform.

Charamba argued that POLAD was the “only game in town”.

Farai Dziva|LEAD president Linda Masarira has accused her former boss Thokhozani Khupe of working with Zanu PF to destabilise opposition parties in the country.

Masarira argues she quit MDC T because it is a Zanu PF creation.

Masarira further claimed Khupe received funding from the ruling party to destabilise Nelson Chamisa’s MDC Alliance.

“We were receiving money from Zanu PF. I don’t know who was the direct contact person who was bringing the money, but we got funding for the party from Zanu PF.

We were not a real opposition, this is why I took a picture of myself wearing Zanu PF regalia in Zambia and posted it on social media because I wanted to tell a story,” Masarira told a daily publication.

By Farai D Hove| Hell has broken loose on MDC renegade, Thokozani Khupe who created her own MDC morph after being kicked out having rebelled against the late leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, as she has fallen into trouble over blowing up allowance money in a posh hotel.

Khupe who deserted Harvest House for months running, and later expelled for it, has for the last year running, elevated herself to leader of a new MDC she says is authentic.

After the events of the 1st August 2018, when Emmerson Mnangagwa used the military to change election results, Khupe further raised herself to leader of the Polad dialogue-club Mnangagwa created to sanitise the 1 Aug-military crackdown.

The United Nations has condemned the 1 August crime and implicated Mnangagwa for it.

As of yesterday, sources close to her revealed to ZimEye she sped out of the meeting in tears after being grilled on why her party juniors blew allowances money spending three weeks running inside the posh Crowne Plaza Hotel, under the guise of engaging Ambassadors and heads of foreign missions accredited to Zimbabwe.

What is infuriating is that there is no documentation to prove what these engagements were and what was discussed, said one source.

In the latest developments, Khupe is planning to travel to the United States and Europe to engage Polad’s so called dialogue.

Said a source privy to developments:

Fixing the country is not a power game and it needs competent people driven by a passion to transform Zimbabwe not to occupy positions without delivering the mandate of POLAD.

Some of these Principals who are crying for these positions do not even have O’ levels and do not even understand the gravity of what is required of them in the committees they are crying to lead.

What led to the impasse could be the love of lavish lifestyles as rumours within POLAD were stating that all Chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and their rapporteurs were going to get diplomatic passports for international trips. We cant seriously exchange competence for luxuries when our country is burning.”

Presidential spokesperson George Charamba is on record dismissing opposition leader Nelson Chamisa’s calls for dialogue arguung that POLAD was the only dialogue platform.

Charamba argued that POLAD was the “only game in town”.

Farai Dziva|Controversial political figure Linda Masarira has described POLAD as a pet project created by Emmerson Mnangagwa as a way of seeking legitimacy.

“The Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD), is a dialogue platform consisting of fringe political parties created by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2019.It is a ZANU PF pet project,” Masarira told a daily publication.

Masarira, who now leads an opposition party called LEAD, was fired from the MDC-T after she was pictured wearing ZANU PF regalia.

However, Masarira has accused MDC T of working with Zanu PF to dilute genuine opposition voices.

By Farai D Hove| Hell has broken loose on MDC renegade, Thokozani Khupe who created her own MDC morph after being kicked out after rebelling against the late leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, has fallen into trouble over blowing up allowance money in a posh hotel.

Khupe who was deserted Harvest House for months running, and later expelled for it, has for the last year running, elevated herself to leader of a new MDC she says is authentic.

After the events of the 1st August 2018, when Emmerson Mnangagwa used the military to change election results, Khupe further raised herself to leader of the Polad dialogue club Mnangagwa created to sanitise the 1 Aug-military crackdown.

The United Nations has condemned the 1 August crime and implicated Mnangagwa for it.

As of yesterday, sources close to her revealed to ZimEye she sped out of the meeting in tears yesterday after being grilled on why her party juniors blew allowances money spending three weeks running inside the posh Crowne Plaza Hotel, under the guise of engaging Ambassadors and heads of foreign missions accredited to Zimbabwe.

What is infuriating is that there is no documentation to prove what these engagements were and what was discussed, said one source.

In the latest developments, Khupe is planning to travel to the United States and Europe to engage Polad’s so called dialogue.

By A Correspondent| The High Court yesterday dismissed an application filed by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife Marry Mubaiwa seeking access to their children and the matrimonial home pending the hearing of an appeal filed at the Supreme Court.

VP Chiwenga recently challenged Justice Christopher Dube-Banda’s ruling that gave Mubaiwa the green light to reside at the Borrowdale mansion and have access to the couple’s children and properties pending her trial on attempted murder, fraud, assault and money laundering charges.

The Supreme Court appeal is expected to be heard next month.

Justice Judith Mushore handed down the ruling yesterday on behalf of Justice Owen Tagu indicating that Mubaiwa’s arguments lacked weight.

“The application for leave to execute pending appeal is hereby dismissed. The order will not be operational until the case is heard.

“The applicant is also ordered to pay the cost of the suit,” said the judge.

StateMedia

By Own Correspondent| Sixteen magistrates who were yesterday sworn-in at the Harare Magistrates’ Court hit the ground running by presiding over various criminal matters in different courtrooms.

The state media reported that the new magistrates were alternating between courtrooms, as they marked the beginning of their new careers as judicial officers.

Acting Chief Magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi, who presided over the swearing-in ceremony, said the 16 would go a long way in improving justice delivery.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent| Former MDC-T spokesperson Linda Masarira has revealed why she was posted pictures of herself donning Zanu Pf regalia when she was visiting her inlaws last year.

Masarira said MDC T party president Thokozani Khupe is a ZANU PF project who received funding from the ruling party to destabilise Nelson Chamisa’s MDC Alliance.

Masarira said Khupe was being given money by ZANU PF after she failed to take over the MDC following the death of Tsvangirai.

Said Masarira:

We were receiving money from Zanu PF. I don’t know who was the direct contact person who was bringing the money, but we got funding for the party from Zanu PF.

We were not a real opposition, this is why I took a picture of myself wearing Zanu PF regalia in Zambia and posted it on social media because I wanted to tell a story.

Masarira further asserted that the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD), a dialogue platform consisting of fringe political parties created by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2019, is a ZANU PF pet project.

Masarira, who now leads an opposition party called LEAD, was fired from the MDC-T after she was pictured wearing ZANU PF regalia

Below is the Pretoria embassy’s response on allegations of cyclone donations being stuck since early last year.

People have been saying the goods could be put to good use if sent towards the Binga flood crisis.

One Admore Chamanga complained on the twitter website saying, “We donated lots of food, water, blankets, mealie meal for cyclone Idai last year through the Embassy of Zimbabwe.

“It’s still packed the same way it was at the embassy in Pretoria Marton street yet people are suffering. Cant they give a waiver totakura tega over 30 tonnes of food.”

Responding, Ambassador Hamadziripi told ZimEye:

We managed to send some of the donations to Zimbabwe last year.

“We have been looking for transport for the remainder of the goods. It’s not as if we are deliberately keeping the donation at the Embassy.

“If you are aware of any potential provider of transport, let him or her get in touch with Mrs Sibanda at the Embassy.”

Former War Veterans minister Tshinga Dube has slammed the suspension and silencing of Zanu PF youth leaders who spoke out against graft, adding that the named cartels should prove their innocence and source of wealth.

Zanu PF suspended youth secretary Pupurai Togarepi, his deputy Lewis Matutu and national political commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu after they accused businessmen Kudakwashe Tagwirei, Billy Rautenbach and Tafadzwa Musarara of running cartels that were bleeding the economy.

Speaking to journalists after delivering a public lecture at the Solusi University campus in Bulawayo on Sunday, Dube said he was of the opinion that suspending the youth leaders was not the answer without the named cartel leaders proving their innocence.

“Personally, I was a bit disappointed that there is still some restriction on what people can say. I always have respect for young people who do something about what they think is not right. We should not hinder them from free thought,” Dube said.

“These people, who have been said to be cartels, are there. Let them defend themselves. Let them say we are not cartels. Let them say we have not caused any hardships on the Zimbabwean economy.

“Let them explain that they acquired their wealth the right way. Then those young men, who have accused them, should also come forward and prove their allegations. I think that will be the right way.”

The naming of the cartel leaders by the youth leaders came as no surprise as a number of Zanu PF officials and businesspersons with links to the ruling party have been accused of graft before but there has been little appetite for arrest and prosecution — even during the days of the late former President Robert Mugabe.

Where there have been arrests, issues of factionalism — not new in the ruling party — have come up.

“I am expressing my personal opinion not that of the party which I belong to. The so-called cartels should be given a chance to cleanse themselves and prove they are not as bad as the youths alleged. They must explain the source of their wealth,” Dube thundered.

— NewsDay

FORMER War Veterans minister Tshinga Dube has slammed the suspension and silencing of Zanu PF youth leaders who spoke out against graft, adding that the named cartels should prove their innocence and source of wealth.

Dube said he was of the opinion that suspending the youth leaders was not the answer without the named cartel leaders proving their innocence.

“Personally, I was a bit disappointed that there is still some restriction on what people can say. I always have respect for young people who do something about what they think is not right. We should not hinder them from free thought,” Dube said.

“These people, who have been said to be cartels, are there. Let them defend themselves. Let them say we are not cartels. Let them say we have not caused any hardships on the Zimbabwean economy.

“Let them explain that they acquired their wealth the right way. Then those young men, who have accused them, should also come forward and prove their allegations. I think that will be the right way.”

The naming of the cartel leaders by the youth leaders came as no surprise as a number of Zanu PF officials and businesspersons with links to the ruling party have been accused of graft before but there has been little appetite for arrest and prosecution — even during the days of the late former President Robert Mugabe.

Where there have been arrests, issues of factionalism — not new in the ruling party — have come up.

“I am expressing my personal opinion not that of the party which I belong to. The so-called cartels should be given a chance to cleanse themselves and prove they are not as bad as the youths alleged. They must explain the source of their wealth,” Dube said.

NewsDay

MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe allegedly received funding from Zanu PF to destabilise the MDC Alliance and oil her party activities including the legal battles towards the 2018 general elections, party insiders have revealed.

Former party spokesperson Linda Masarira, said during the time she was at the helm of the party, she got to discover that Zanu PF was funding activities of the MDC-T through Khupe, who had failed to win the leadership battle in the MDC.

“We were receiving money from Zanu PF. I don’t know who was the direct contact person who was bringing the money, but we got funding for the party from Zanu PF,” she alleged.

“We were not a real opposition, this is why I took a picture of myself wearing Zanu PF regalia in Zambia and posted it on social media because I wanted to tell a story.”

The MDC led by Nelson Chamisa, has been accusing Zanu PF of funding projects to destabilise the party and even withholding financial resources in what opposition secretary-general Chalton Hwende said was a scotched earth policy by the ruling party.

Masarira was fired by the party for wearing regalia of the ruling Zanu PF party ahead of that of her own party at a time Khupe was leading other opposition entities at the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad).

“I just wanted to show people that we are being forced to fight over nothing. Zanu PF was funding the MDC-T and I asked questions. They did not want the questions I asked. But you can see from the events (Polad) that are happening now, that they were just a project,” Masarira said.

Insiders confirmed that Khupe received money from Zanu PF for campaign material, fuel and legal fees for court cases against Nelson Chamisa’s MDC in a grand scheme to give the ruling party an upperhand in the elections.

The source said there was discontent in the party because the only person who appeared to be benefiting from the liaisons with Zanu PF was Khupe, while other members were getting nothing.

“There is no grassroots activities in the MDC-T all you see is Khupe and inner circle going to Polad receiving allowances and travelling around the country, this has left many who believed in the party unhappy,” a source said.

Another source said then vice-president Obert Gutu left the party because he was being forced to use his money to fund programmes of the MDC-T, while Khupe was getting money from Zanu PF and not declaring it and just using it to fund a lavish lifestyle.

But party secretary-general Nickson Nyikadzino dismissed the allegations by Masarisa saying the party had not received money from Zanu PF.

“We have not received any funding from anyone. We do not wish to receive funding from anyone except ourselves. The only funding that we have received is the 48 000 votes which we got from the people of Zimbabwe and we wish to remain an independent democratic party set up to serve the people of Zimbabwe,” Nyikadzino said.

Zanu PF also dismissed Masarira’s allegations as “utter rubbish”, saying the party had its own challenges as it was struggling to fund its own activities.

“That is utter rubbish. I am the party’s secretary for finance and I can tell you that we have not funded any other party,” Zanu PF secretary for finance Patrick Chinamasa said.

“We are struggling to finance our own party. Where would we get money to pay other people, and we have no appetite to undermine anyone or any party. The MDC is doing a good job undermining themselves. How can a party just have one policy to bring sanctions against the people.”

The MDC has insisted that Polad is a grouping of “Zanu PF lite political parties” and they will therefore not join the dialogue which they allege is not genuine.

Already two opposition leaders Brian Mteki and Ambrose Mutinhiri have rejoined Zanu PF since Polad started and the revelations by Masarira leaves Polad’s reputation hanging.

— NewsDay

The government spokesperson Nick Mangwana was early Thursday morning taken to task by news readers over the States promise to go head on against the Corona virus.

Below were snippets of the engagement:

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE BELOW…

By A Correspondent| The Information Minister, Monica Mutsangwa says government is ready to deal with the Coronavirus outbreak.

Speaking during the cabinet briefing yesterday, Mrs Mutsvangwa said, “Government wants to assure the nation that it is ready to tackle the Coronavirus scourge head-on, and there is no need for Zimbabweans to panic, as the situation is under control. ”

Watch video below :

Own Correspondent|Zimbabwe is now able to test for and diagnose the coronavirus after obtaining the necessary test kits.

Health minister Obadiah Moyo told journalists during a tour of Sally Mugabe Hospital in the capital Harare that the country would be conducting tests at the National Health Laboratory Services housed at the institution.

“The reagents are now in the country. We can now do the tests locally. We do not have to send to South Africa anymore,” Moyo said.

“You can either test it through blood or nasopharyngeal swab. I was happy to hear that they can do quite a lot of samples in a short space of time.”

Moyo said one of the machines could produce up to 96 results within two hours, adding: “We want to move further. We are sourcing for test kits that will enable us to get results within 15 minutes.”

Zimbabwe initially relied on neighbouring South Africa to diagnose suspected cases of the coronavirus, now known as the Covid-19, which emanated from China, as its laboratories were not equipped to do so.

China’s ambassador to South Africa, Lin Songtian, was due to address journalists in Cape Town on ongoing efforts to stop the deadly disease from being imported into Africa, the mission said.

Chinese news agency Xinhua reported that 4,740 patients infected with the virus had now recovered and been discharged from hospital.

At least 744 people were discharged on Tuesday, including 417 in Hubei province, where the disease originated.

Data on Tuesday showed 1 113 people had so far died of the disease, while confirmed cases of infection had soared to 44,138.

KWEKWE Central MP Masango Matambanadzo popularly known as Blackman said he was flown to China last year for treatment after his skin turned yellow when he fell ill following suspected food poisoning.

Mr Matambanadzo is a former artisanal miner and self-trained street photographer, and is often seen on the streets meeting and chatting with his former peers in those trades.

Speaking in Parliament Tuesday, Matambanadzo looked frail as he thanked fellow parliamentarians for their moral support while he was recuperating in China.

“My body changed into yellow in one day when I fell sick,” Matambanadzo who is extremely dark that his colleagues nicknamed him “Blackman,” said.

“I want to thank you for your support and prayers. I did not imagine the kind of support that I received.”

Matambanadzo, a former Zanu PF member was expelled from the ruling party Zanu PF in 2017 on charges of belonging to the G40 faction.

In 2018, he went on to stand as parliamentarian candidate for the National Patriotic Front (NPF) for Kwekwe Central and won.

Matambanadzo is the only NPF MP in Parliament.

— Zimbabwe Voice

MDC Alliance president Mr Nelson Chamisa on Tuesday threw former Bulawayo deputy mayor, Mr Gift Banda under the bus when he declared that his party will investigate circumstances leading to him acquiring a 3,5-hectare piece of land at Ascot race course.

The former deputy mayor who is now the MDC Alliance Member of Parliament for Njube-Lobengula constituency, bought the piece of land in 2015 and was cleared of any wrong doing by an independent tribunal. He has since built town houses on the land.

Responding to questions from journalists on Tuesday, Adv Chamisa while professing ignorance on the purchase, said he was shocked that Mr Banda was allowed to go ahead as this was against the principles of the opposition party.

He revealed that they will investigate the circumstances leading to the purchase.

The latest sentiments by Adv Chamisa come at a time when Mr Banda is out on bail in a case where he is accused of conniving with a local real estate company to forge signatures to sell a residential stand in Selbourne Brooke in Bulawayo.

“Going forward, within the party, certain elements have to be subjected to interrogation and enquiries so that we maintain the highest of standards, so there will be no sacred cows. Now that I am aware that is what the former deputy mayor did, we shall get to the bottom of it.

“Actually, all local authorities are going to be subjected to this integrity and accountability tests. We now have hotlines where if our councillors or mayors have crossed the line, we won’t hesitate to throw them out,” Adv Chamisa.

He blasted councillors from his party for focusing on self-enrichment, forgetting their mandate of serving the communities that elected them.

“I have told our councillors that their duty is to become centres of excellence and sources of a difference in our politics. Most of the councillors from our party now think MDC is an employment agency where people are employed in local authorities or Parliament

“Integrity is what we demand hence the Banda issue has to be investigated. I am honestly shocked that part of the race course was sold to an individual, it’s bizarre, we want to understand the circumstances, especially when you are saying it was the former deputy mayor, perhaps it was a legal transaction but there is a clear conflict of interest,” he said.

Mr Chamisa said there were rules that will help deal with the former deputy mayor.

“In the MDC we have implemented a new rule where we are saying all our leaders must sign the real change code of ethics and values, where we saying one is not allowed to benefit from positions. I know in Africa we have a saying that says a goat eats where it is tied, but the same goat is slaughtered at that same position, which is how we will be dealing with such people because it is a bad tendency,” he said.

Adv Chamisa said in some cases there was a significant change in the life styles of MDC-A councillors and MPs. “That is not proper because the essence of representation is not self-improvement but improve the communities that you represent,” said Adv Chamisa.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE BELOW…

By A Correspondent| The Information Minister, Monica Mutsangwa says government is ready to deal with the Coronavirus outbreak.

Speaking during the cabinet briefing yesterday, Mrs Mutsvangwa said, “Government wants to assure the nation that it is ready to tackle the Coronavirus scourge head-on, and there is no need for Zimbabweans to panic, as the situation is under control. ”

Watch video below :

JUNIOR Parliamentarians have petitioned the Government to consider reducing the examination fees which were hiked by more than 1 200 percent by the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) last week.

In an interview yesterday, Junior Member of Parliament who is also the Junior Minister of Youth, Sport Arts and Recreation Tinashe Ngirandi said Zimsec should have consulted widely on the issue.

“Yesterday (Tuesday) as the Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe, we petitioned the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to reduce examination fees that were set by Zimsec because they are unreasonable and beyond the reach of many. The new structure of exam fees is an infringement on the Zimbabweans’ right to education,” said Ngirandi.

He said the new examination fees will result in many pupils failing to sit for examinations.

“Last year I was in Shurugwi where I saw many pupils struggling to pay for five subjects when the fees were at $15. Imagine what would be the situation now that the fees have been increased by such margins.

“More children won’t sit for the examinations. How can they afford to pay that kind of money when they are struggling to pay school fees of $130 per term,” he said.

The Junior MP said Zimsec should have consulted children’s organizations before increasing the examination fees.

“As the Junior Parliament these are the issues that were supposed to be brought to us for discussion before Zimsec increased the fees,” said Ngirandi.

In their petition the Junior MPs said they were against the new fees and called on the Ministry to intervene.

“Junior Parliament and Council is not supporting these fees and we are therefore asking the Ministry to review them considering section 81 subsection (1) paragraph (f) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. Looking towards a favourable response before the end of the week,” read the petition.

Last week Zimsec increased examination fees to $190 per subject from $15 for Ordinary Level candidates and $351 per subject from $26 for Advanced Level candidates.

The $190 per subject for O’ Level will apply to both public and private candidates and the same applies to A’ Level fees.

Closing dates for payments and submission of entries for June examinations is February 28 while the closing date for November is March 27.

Late entries will close on May 15.

Meanwhile, Zimsec Board Chairman, Professor Eddie Mwenje defended the new development saying it was cost driven and they approved it after getting the necessary justification from the examination board’s management.

“Yes, the examination fees were reviewed. This comes after we did not review them last year. It is an expense to run an examination and we are cognisant of the fact that children should have a right to education,” he said.

The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Cain Mathema could not comment saying he was yet to receive the petition from Junior MPs.

“I have not yet received the the petition you are talking about,” he said.

GOVERNMENT has approved the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) 2020 budget which has seen the local authority increasing tariffs and other service charges by more than 400 percent with effect from February 1.

In a statement yesterday, the council said Government had approved its $2,8 billion budget.

“The City of Bulawayo would like to advise members of the public and other stakeholders that the 2020 municipal budget has been approved together with increased tariffs and other service charges (approved 31 January 2020). The new approved charges are effective from 1 February 2020,” reads the statement.

Council encouraged residents to come up with new payment plans before the end of next month.

“Customers who made payment arrangements with the City of Bulawayo are encouraged to visit the nearest Revenue Office to update their debt payment arrangement to incorporate the new charges and continue enjoying benefits that go with such arrangements. The opportunity to review your payments arrangements is available up to 31 March 2020,” said council.

In an interview, the city’s Finance and Development Committee chairperson councillor Mlandu Ncube said the approved budget will see rates going up by 416 percent.

“Yes, the budget has been approved and tariffs will go up by 416 percent as was proposed by council,” said Clr Ncube.

He said council was encouraging owing residents to take advantage of its payment plan scheme.

Council is owed $183 million by both residents and businesses.

Residents on payment plans are spared when council disconnects water supplies to defaulting ratepayers.

In a media briefing on Tuesday, Bulawayo Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube said it was important for ratepayers to pay their bills to enable council to effectively provide services.

Mr Dube said council had resolved to stick to its 2020 budget.

“I don’t see any reason why we should review our budget downwards as proposed by some residents. In fact, if you look at the costs build- ups and the inflation now, costs are going up,” said Mr Dube.

State Media|Heavy rains have caused extensive damage to infrastructure in Binga and Chimanimani where they destroyed 181 homes and swept away two bridges.

They have also severely damaged roads and homes, rendering the areas inaccessible.

A man died in Binga on Tuesday while two more are reportedly missing.

A detour bridge in the Biriiri area of Chimanimani was swept away on Tuesday, leaving Bumba, Biriiri and Chimanimani inaccessible.

Engineers and workmen from JR Goddard swiftly repaired the damaged detour bridge at Biriiri and got it back into operation by yesterday afternoon.

The damage to the bridge threatened the work of aid agencies who are still providing relief services in Chimanimani after Cyclone Idai hit the district last March.

The rains have also slowed down road repairs.

Department of Civil Protection director Mr Nathan Nkomo yesterday confirmed the damage.

In Binga, most pupils failed to attend Nsungwale Primary School this week after Nandobe Bridge was swept away.

Yesterday, only 40 out of 286 registered pupils were able to attend Nsungwale Primary School.

Said Mr Nkomo: “Forecasts from the Meteorological Services Department indicate that more incessant rains were expected up to today (yesterday) and our prayers are that they will subside to normal falls from there onwards.

“Some parts of Chimanimani, which are still recovering from the devastating effects of Cyclone Idai, have so far received more than 50 millimetres of rain and if this continues, many households will be affected.”

The Skyline area, which was badly damaged by Cyclone Idai, has not been affected by the current heavy rains, and workmen from Masimba Construction were yesterday carrying out repairs to Chimanimani Village.

In Binga, Mr Nkomo said the Rapid Assessment Team yesterday visited all the 13 affected villages and confirmed that 181 homes had been affected.

“Of the 181 homes, 37 of them were completely destroyed. Our relief and psycho-support sub-committee has availed 110 bags of maize and we have instructed them to assist in the milling. We will meet all the costs.

“The district civil protection unit is in the process of identifying a suitable place to temporarily settle the affected families.

“One of the identified areas, which is about 3km to 5km from the affected area, is a virgin piece of land with no water.

“We need an area where there is easy access to water and sanitation facilities so that we will not expose the affected families to water-borne diseases. Our health sub-committee is also on high alert given the prevailing situation,” he said.

Mr Nkomo said the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) had provided two water bowsers for the benefit of the families.

“As Government, we will also send money for use in coordinating the relief efforts in all affected areas. We have sourced two bales of blankets, 11 bales of clothes, boxes of laundry soap, shoes and tents to assist the families.

“We are also grateful for the support we are getting from development partners and we hope more will come on board to avail food and non-food items to the families,” he said.

Mr Nkomo said there will be a meeting today with other stakeholders, including the Air Force of Zimbabwe, to scale up disaster preparedness.

Chief Sinakoma said the floods, which were preceded by heavy rains between Saturday and Monday morning, had never been experienced in the area before.

He said villagers lost grain, livestock, blankets, clothes, medication and cooking utensils after they were washed away by floods.

“This has never happened in my lifetime and it’s sad that we have people who lost their property and other belongings due to floods. Most villagers will not recover after this devastating natural phenomenon,” he said.

Chininga Bridge linking Siabuwa and Binga Centre has been extensively damaged and could cut off the community if not attended to.

There were fears that three children had been swept away by the floods when CPU held its morning briefing yesterday.

The community was relieved when the mother Ms Ndubeko Muzamba (24) emerged with her children.

“I grabbed my three children aged 3, 5 and 13 and rushed to a place of safety when I discovered that the water levels were rising. The water levels had reached knee level when we sought shelter at a nearby homestead which is on higher ground,” she said.

Maneta 3 Village head Mr Petros Kembo (64) said he lost 10 goats, 40 chickens and five bags of maize after they were swept away by the floods.

Ms Janet Munsaka said all her kitchen utensils were swept away.

Acting Binga District Development Coordinator Mr Farai Marinyame said the water levels had subsided, but they will continue to monitor the situation.

He said food aid was needed to avert starvation.

Mr Marinyame said key stakeholders were mobilising resources to assist the affected families.

Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Minister Richard Moyo is today expected to visit the affected communities where he would also distribute food and non-food items to affected families.

Early this week, the Meteorological Services Department forecast heavy rains in some parts of the country, but these were expected to subside from yesterday.

State Media|Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira has defended State university fees of between $3 500 and $5 000 per semester, saying they were meant to uphold quality education.

This was after he was subjected to a barrage of questions in the National Assembly yesterday where members sought to know whether the Government had considered what ordinary workers were earning.

Legislators told Prof Murwira during the question and answer session that ordinary workers were earning $800.

Pegging State university fees at $5 000, they said, had the effect of excluding most of them as the majority of parents could hardly afford the new fees.

But Prof Murwira defended Government’s decision, saying the fees were reasonable and meant to uphold quality education that Zimbabwe was known for.

He said State universities intended to hike the fees by more than double what was now set, prompting central Government to intervene and moderate their demands.

“We determined the level of fees based on people’s income, and we followed procedures. We are saying we have to access quality education. Our last ordinance of 2019 was in United States dollars. This is the first time that we are putting ordinances in Zimbabwean dollar. We are talking of levels of fees and not increases. We just determined the fundamentals of quality education,” said Prof Murwira.

“We cannot have a class without chemicals and equipment. That can only be a populist policy to destroy the education system. The state of the economy of the country is determined by the state of its higher education.

“We cannot politick with higher and tertiary education. If we politick with it, we are politicking with our future.”

He said Government had introduced student loans to cater for those who could not afford the fees.

Legislators were however, not convinced by Prof Murwira’s explanation as they felt the fees were out of sync with what ordinary persons were earning.

Buhera South legislator Joseph Chinotimba (Zanu PF) said workers were earning far less than the fees and asked how they were expected to afford.

Others said Government had recently gazette wages for domestic worked pegged at less than $200 and the fees would mean that they would not be able to send their children to tertiary institutions.

State Media|Coupons will be issued within a week to targeted households to buy subsidised roller meal, with the database of beneficiaries at an advanced stage, a Cabinet minister has said.

The coupon system for roller meal is expected to ensure that the vulnerable people whom subsidies were supposed to benefit will access the subsidised maize-meal without problems.

The existing system of subsidies paid to millers on all roller meal produced has seen the bulk of the product diverted to the black market by people willing to stand in queues all day or by unscrupulous smaller retailers.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, who recommended the switch to coupons in Cabinet yesterday, adjusted the price of subsidised roller meal on Tuesday to $70 from $50 to discourage retailers and connected sections of society from diverting the roller meal to the black market where it fetches between $120 and $200 for a 10kg bag.

The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) had submitted that $50 was no longer sustainable for a 10kg bag of maize-meal because of the high cost of importing maize and the attendant transport costs.

Addressing journalists after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the decision to introduce the coupon system followed recommendations by Prof Ncube in his briefing to Cabinet in the last meeting on the action taken to normalise roller meal supplies.

Minister Mutsvangwa said Cabinet had noted that the previous $50 price for a 10kg bag of roller meal provided arbitrage opportunities for some unscrupulous people.

“Government has thus moved in to redress the situation using a two-pronged approach,” she said.

“Firstly, it was decided that the price be raised to $70 per 10kg bag of maize-meal from $50. Secondly, a targeted coupon scheme for the

vulnerable is in the offing with the compilation of a database at an advanced stage.”

Minister Mutsvangwa said the coupon system was not new and was practised in other jurisdictions across the world.

She said when the roller meal subsidy was introduced in December last year after President Mnangagwa expressed concern over the then prevailing high prices.

It was meant to protect vulnerable groups.

“However, the wide gap between the market and subsidised prices has created undesirable arbitrage opportunities for some unscrupulous players, resulting in the market and supply distortions,” she said.

“In view of this situation, the Government had no choice but to review the prices upwards to bring the subsidised price to the market price of $70.”

She said the Government remained mindful of the concerns of the citizens hence keeping the increase at $20.

Minister Mutsvangwa said the ministries of Finance and Economic Development and Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare were setting up a database of vulnerable groups of people qualifying for the coupon system.

Deliveries of roller meal would be taken to the districts for people to buy the product at the subsidised price.

“In terms of knowing who are vulnerable, we have the data; it is a question of going through all the districts and get the names of all the vulnerable. This is what Government is doing at the moment,” she said.

The High Court has dismissed an application filed by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife Marry Mubaiwa in which she was seeking to have access to her children and matrimonial home pending the hearing of an appeal filed at the Supreme Court.

VP Chiwenga recently challenged High Court Judge Justice Christopher Dube Banda’s ruling that gave Mubaiwa the green light to reside at the Borrowdale mansion and have access to the couple’s children and properties pending trials of the numerous charges she is facing.

The charges are attempted murder, fraud, assault and money laundering.

However, the Supreme Court appeal is expected to be heard next month. High Court judge, Justice Judith Mushore handed down the ruling today on behalf of Justice Owen Tagu indicating that her arguments lacked weight.

“The application for leave to execute pending appeal is hereby dismissed. The order (Banda’s) will not be operational until the case is heard.

The applicant is also ordered to pay the cost of the suit,” said the judge.

Last week, High Court upheld the appeal made by Vice President Chiwenga for variation of her bail, particularly that she lives in a different house from the Vice President and that she surrenders her diplomatic passport. -State media

By A Correspondent| The Information Minister, Monica Mutsangwa says government is ready to deal with the Coronavirus outbreak.

Speaking during the cabinet briefing yesterday, Mrs Mutsvangwa said, “Government wants to assure the nation that it is ready to tackle the Coronavirus scourge head-on, and there is no need for Zimbabweans to panic, as the situation is under control. ”

Watch video below :

Farai Dziva|Youthful MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has said he is fully aware of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s antics such that he will not fall into the Zanu PF leader’s trap.

Chamisa made the remarks during the party’s provincial assembly meeting in Masvingo on Sunday.

Said Chamisa:”When dealing with the crocodile you have to be careful.You don’t have to venture into the river because it will attack you.
We will remain outside the pool -on dry ground and the crocodile will be rendered powerless.

We know how to tame the crocodile,” said Chamisa.

Chamisa also addressed a provincial meeting in Lupane:

I’m in Lupane, Matebeleland North meeting with opinion leaders and grassroots structures party representatives. I’ve been told of the hunger,starvation and food shortages in this area.The suffering and marginalization is too deep.People want this suffering to end now.”

Health Minister Obadiah Moyo has been taken to task by Parliamentarians over coronavirus..

Watch video below. …

By A Correspondent- The trial of Genius ‘Ginimbi’ Kadungure on tax evasion charges failed to start yesterday amid revelations that his lawyer was engaged at the Supreme Court.

Kadungure, who is also representing his company Piko Trading as the second accused in the matter appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Chrispen Mberewere and was represented by Brighton Pabwe, who was standing in for Jonathan Samkange.

Pabwe made a two-fold application for postponement on the basis that Ginimbi’s lead counsel, Samkange, was held up in the Supreme Court where he was representing Joseph Chinotimba.

Magistrate Mberewere granted the postponement saying that in as much as they wanted the trial to commence, it was the court’s duty to uphold the rights of an accused person by allowing him to be represented by his counsel of choice. The matter was remanded to February 28 for trial commencement

By A Correspondent- Falcon College Bus was involved in a head-on collision with a Honda Fit today along the Bulawayo-Gwanda Highway and the driver of the Honda fit died on the spot while Falcon College staff members escaped with minor injuries.

According to eyewitnesses who spoke to a local publication, the Honda Fit driver was driving on the wrong lane in the misty weather when the accident occurred.

A statement issued by Falcon college school head Mr Dave van Wyk said:

One of the Falcon College buses was involved in an accident this morning.  Some of our workers who were on the bus sustained minor injuries; no students or teachers were on the bus.

A Honda Fit, travelling in the wrong lane (overtaking on a blind rise in wet, misty conditions) smashed head-on into our 27-seater bus.  The Honda driver who was, mercifully, the only occupant of the car, died instantly.  I have personally just returned from the accident scene.-Statemedia

Correspondent|One person is reported dead after a Falcon College bus was involved in a head-on collision with a Honda Fit vehicle along the Bulawayo-Gwanda road on Wednesday.

Eyewitnesses said the driver of the Honda Fit vehicle, who was allegedly driving on the wrong lane in misty weather, died on the spot.

The Falcon College bus was carrying five members of staff who all escaped with minor injuries.

Falcon college school head Mr Dave van Wyk in a statement issued to parents said he had already been to the crash scene.

“One of the Falcon College buses was involved in an accident this morning. Some of our workers who were on the bus sustained minor injuries; no students or teachers were on the bus. A Honda Fit, travelling in the wrong lane (overtaking on a blind rise in wet, misty conditions) smashed head-on into our 27-seater bus. The Honda driver who was, mercifully, the only occupant of the car, died instantly. I have personally just returned from the accident scene,” said Mr van Wyk.

More details to follow…

FORMER vice president Joice Mujuru turned down calls to return to the ruling party arguing she is comfortable watching from the terraces, the Daily News can report.

This comes as the ruling party is keen to mend broken relations with its erstwhile comrades who left at the height of the ugly factional wars that ravaged Zanu PF between 2013 and 2017.

Zanu PF secretary for the commissariat Victor Matemadanda recently appealed to former party officials to return to the party saying the past is now buried.

It also comes as Mujuru recently met with several top Zanu PF officials, including Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) boss Isaac Moyo and discussed her welfare and possible return to the ruling party.

According to people close to her, the former vice president, in meetings with several Zanu PF officials, raised concern on the manner she was being treated by government since her unceremonious departure in 2014 after she was alleged to be plotting to remove the late Robert Mugabe through a coup.

In an interview with the Daily News yesterday, Mujuru said she wants to rest.

“It is now five years since there were allegations that I am corrupt, ask those in power why I am not under arrest. I am not thinking of joining politics anytime now because I am enjoying watching from the stands and will not be coming back anytime soon. I am enjoying watching from afar,” said Mujuru.

Last year during an interview, Mujuru said she was keeping her options open after the Daily News had reported that she had held a meeting with Moyo.

“I have been quiet for a long time but I don’t see anything wrong if … I meet (President Emmerson) Mnangagwa or (Zanu PF chairperson Oppah) Muchinguri. In fact, that is the proper way of doing things.

“No matter how daft I might look in the eyes of some people, I know something about this country. You cannot throw away 34 years of experience.

“People should learn to listen to me and also to listen to other voices. It is important for me to meet and share ideas with the president because there is nothing wrong in seeing our leaders.

“Those are the people who are leading us and they should also listen to us. I have been meeting a lot of people whether in Zanu PF or not and whatever we have been discussing is good for Zimbabwe. I have met hordes of people,” said Mujuru.

Zanu PF’s mission to woo former party members has so far produced mixed fortunes.

Notable party officials who have heeded calls to return to Zanu PF include stalwarts such as Didymus Mutasa and Ambrose Mutinhiri while former party spokesperson Rugare Gumbo, just like Mujuru, has refused to go back to the former liberation struggle movement.

“I cannot go back; you know some of us are fine where we are. They should probably ask the youths they expelled to reapply, not me.

“Of course, I am prepared to talk to Mnangagwa, just to give him advice but not to rejoin the party. But I certainly cannot be seen running around trying to rejoin Zanu PF, which Zanu PF?” asked the former Cabinet minister.

Zanu PF is keen to expand its power base as well as counter former party officials who want to form their own parties riding on tribal grounds and Mujuru, who hails from Mashonaland Central province, is viewed as a popular figure who can win the ruling party some votes.

Daily News

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