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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Correspondent|Reports coming from Malawi have confirmed that the Constitutional Court has dismissed all applications by President Peter Mutharika and the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC)  to stay and suspend enforcement of the court ruling of February  3 which ordered that new elections should be held.

The constitutional court threw out arguments of costs likely to attached to running of an election as well campaign for the candidate, saying democracy is an inherently expensive process.

Mutharika’s lawyer Charles Chidongondo Mhango said he accepts the ruling by the apex court.

Holding of new election in Malawi is to cost Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) about US$60 million.

MEC chair, Jane Ansah had tried to tell the court that holding of the polls in July this year, as directed by the Constitutional Court, could be impossible, saying there is need to gather enough resources and preparations for it to be successful.

This is a developing story…

REF: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT OF ADVICE ON ACTS OF MISCONDUCT ALLEGEDLY HAPPENING IN SCHOOLS

I…………EC No………. have on this day, 10 February 2020 have been made aware that the following actions are not permissible and constitute acts of misconduct as defined In statutory instrument 1 of 2020: Public service regulations as amended.

(i) That no extra lessons in whatever name or time will be conducted in the school without Ministry approval.

(ii) No teacher is allowed to sell items within the school premises; be they sweets, snacks, school uniform items etc.

(iii) That no teacher is allowed to demand items such as bond paper, tissues and other goods without permission to do so.

(iv) That no teacher is allowed to collect money from parents.

I have read the above and I declare that I will comply as stated.

ZIFA lawyer, Chenaimoyo Gumiro, says the association president, Felton Kamambo, gave a warned-and-cautioned statement to the police in Harare yesterday.

This is part of investigations into allegations of bribery. Gumiro said reports, which were circulating on social media that Kamambo had been arrested, were not true.

The allegations relate to the ZIFA elections in December 2018 when Kamambo emerged as the leader of domestic football after beating Philip Chiyangwa to the post.

Allegations have flown for a while that police were investigating allegations whether 28 councillors, who made the panel of voters, could have been influenced by some payments. Kamambo has constantly dismissed the allegations as false and an attempt to destabilise the smooth-running of domestic football.

The case, which was first investigated by the Commercial Crimes Unit, who said they had been advised by the National Prosecuting Authority they could not press charges because “of lack of evidence,’’ is now being handled by the Suburban Division.

“He (Kamambo) was not arrested, but we were called to Harare Central Police Station, and they recorded a warned and cautioned statement, on allegations relating to bribery charges,” said Gumiro.

“It is not a new case but the same allegations that we were previously called for, the bribery allegations during the ZIFA election period.

“Last time the case was at the CCD, and today he recorded a warned-and-caution statement taken by the Suburban Division.

“Now we wait for further instructions from the police but, for the record, he has not been arrested and there is no warrant of arrest against him, he is at home.’’

ZIFA spokesperson, Xolisani Gwesela, also provided a statement dismissing reports Kamambo had been arrested.

“The Zimbabwe Football Association wishes to respond to several enquiries that have inundated our offices regarding our president Felton Kamambo,’’ Gwesela said in his statement.

“The Association wishes to inform the football loving public that Mr Kamambo has neither been detained nor placed under police custody as is being peddled in certain quarters.

“Mr Kamambo was invited to the Surbuban section at Harare Central Police station where a warned-and-cautioned statement was recorded on allegations of election bribery on a matter reported to the Commercial Crimes Unit of police by Hon Dr Philip Chiyangwa.

“The ZIFA president was never detained or harassed by the police and is actually at home with his family.

“While the matter is subjudice, ZIFA would like to assure the football community that all shall be well and justice shall prevail.

“As per the 2020 motto, ZIFA will let “football do the talking” as we are pencilled for exciting football times ahead.

“We urge all football stakeholders to remain calm and allow the law to take its course.’’

Kamambo has, of late, been on a charm offensive asking for the feuding parties in domestic football to bury their differences and fight to develop the game.

State Media

Own Correspondent|Zimbabwe has been swindled of forex by a well known convicted Kenyan crook, Kamlesh Pattni. Pattni is the same man who brought down the Kenyan economy in the 1990s selling fake minerals to that government.

This matter, exclusively exposed by ZimEye last year, involves Pattni, several Zimbabwe Revenue Authority officials, Fidelity Printers officers and several bank employees.

While ZANU PF Youth run amok exposing corruption in the country, they have kept quiet about this man and his corruption that is milking the country.

Watch video downloading below on the man destroying the country and Godfrey Tsenengamu and Lewis Matutu exposures that are biased.

Naming and shaming successful business people perceived to be corrupt breeds fertile ground for extortionists, Zanu PF acting secretary for administration Patrick Chinamasa has said.

Chinamasa said 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 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.

“It is on the back of the local business people that foreign investors will invest in Zimbabwe and will feel that Zimbabwe is open for business. What this country needs for its economic success is entrepreneurship. If we can help to grow 10 or so Strive Masiyiwas in each of our 10 provinces we would be on the road to meeting our President’s Vision 2030 target of becoming an upper middle income country, whose growth must be driven by local business people,” he said.

In addition, he said Zanu PF cadres especially those in leadership positions can never be said to speak in public in their individual or personal capacities.

“If such leaders hold any personal views on politics and public affairs and such personal views differ from the Party’s position and policies, they can only express such contrary views at their homes. Otherwise they are not justified to complain where consequences follow their actions. Cadres in leadership positions cannot articulate in public statements which are contrary to party policies and positions.”

A CHIKOMBA acting headmaster died after hanging himself with a belt a few hours before the school held its annual general meeting (AGM).

Irvine Manjengwa, the acting headmaster at Masvaure Primary School, was found dead in his house last week after attending a heated schools development committee (SDC) meeting in preparation for an annual general meeting scheduled to be held on the day he committed suicide.

Efforts to get a comment from Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza were fruitless as he was reportedly said to be out of office.

In a statement, Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) provincial co-ordinator Tapiwa Chengeta confirmed Manjengwa’s death, urging the government to improve the welfare of teachers to avoid stress-related deaths.

“As PTUZ, we learnt with deep sorrow the death of the acting headmaster for Masvaure Primary School in Chikomba — Mr Manjengwa. Young and energetic as he was, the nation has lost a real future leader. It is even more painful that the suicide is coming at a time life is so difficult for teachers due to low salaries. Depression and stress is contributing to the shortening of lifespan for many in the profession due to challenging economic hardships,” he said.

NewsDay is reliably informed that Manjengwa was stressed after the SDC meeting, with reports that his relationship with parents had gone sour over maladministration.

His death follows another incident at Simukai Primary School in the same district recently, where parents withdrew their children from the institution accusing the head of arrogance as well as maladministration.

TWO people are missing after they were swept away by floods that hit Matabeleland North’s Binga district on Monday.

So far one person has been reported dead as the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) continues rescuing and evacuating marooned villagers.

More details to follow…

“ARREST OF MEMBERS OF ZRP MARONDERA TRAFFIC FOR PERFOMING DUTY IN AN IMPROPER MANNER”.
This memo serves to inform the command that:

1. On 11 February 2020 at around 0900hrs and 71Km peg along Harare- Mutare Highway Road block site 7 members of ZRP Marondera Traffic were arrested for performing duty in an improper manner by PGHQ Team led by Commissioner Tayengwa.
2. Circumstances are that on the date, place and time mentioned above I Bere was heading a roadblock team comprising of number Sgt Masiye, Cst Ndlovu, Cst Zhou, Cst Gono, Cst Magunda and Cst Pisirai when a team of Senior Officers from PGHQ comprising of Commissioner Tayengwa, A/Commissioner Paul Nyathi, Chief Supt Thebe and Chief Supt Kureva arrived.
3. Whilst at the road block, the Senior Officer observed a white Toyota Hiace Vehicle Registration Number ADC 3067 (PSV) which was being driven by Kudzai Ziwengwe NR: Not held, a male adult aged 36 of Nyagadza Farm,Virginia, Macheke heading towards Harare being stopped at the road block site.
4. The motor vehicle pulled off the road and the conductor Daniel Mutanga a male adult aged 47 disembarked and ran to Cst Zhou. He handed Cst Zhou ZW$20 and was not issued with a receipt. When he was about to return to his combi, that is when the Senior Officers summoned both Cst Zhou and the conductor leading to the recovery of the ZW$20 from Cst Zhou.
5. The Senior Officers then carried out a search on all members who were manning the road block and recovered ZW$9 from Cst Zhou’s riot trousers’ pocket and the money was not declared in the declaration register.
6. Further searches were then carried in the tent which is at the site leading to the recovery of ZW$125 and US$45 in a purse belonging to Cst Zhou. The money was also not declared in the declaration register. Another ZW$87 was also found abandoned under the tree which is at the road block site.
7. A further search inside the road block tent led to recovery of the following cellphones which were in the bag belonging to the I.C Road block A/I Bere , but were not declared:
   i.Itel Cellphone
   ii.KGtel Cellphone with a buddie line,
   iii.Gtel Vivo 4 Cellphone with netone line and buddie line,
   iv.Lenovo Cellphone with netone line,
   v.Samsung Cellphone
8. The team also learnt that the road block had started at 0600hrs and the road block team had only 4 arrests and ZW$300 cash in respect of these arrests as reflected in the Z69J book number 06/20 from S/N 0188106-109.
9. The Senior Officers then handed over the defaulters to Chief Supt Phuti who is Officer Commanding Marondera District for disciplinary action.
10. Members were charged for Performing Duty in an Improper Manner under the Police Act.
    COMMENT
    Members are urged to desist from corrupt activities as this is contrary to the organizational ethics and its rebranding efforts in the second republic.

Correspondent|The High Court has today 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 Ephraim 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. Justice Pisirayi Kwenda agreed that Mubaiwa should not return to their matrimonial Borrowdale home, which was a condition of her bail in the earlier charges, until all matters before the courts were finalised, since it would be impossible for the couple to co-exist peacefully, as VP Chiwenga is the complainant in the attempted murder case.

She was ordered to reside at her parents’ home in Glen Lorne. Mubaiwa, was also granted another $1500 bail by the High Court after she allegedly assaulted the family’s maid named Delight Munyoro at Hellenic School in Borrowdale following an altercation over custody of children a fortnight ago.

By A Correspondent- Junior parliamentarians here have pleaded with government to review downwards the recently announced examinations fees arguing that the figure is way beyond the reach of many especially rural children.

In a letter dated February 11 2020 and signed by Tinashe Ngirandi, the junior legislators said:

The above matter serves, As the Junior Parliament and Junior Council it has come to our concem that ZIMSEC hikes registration fees with immediate effect without approaching any children’s body in Zimbabwe.

Furthermore, as we represent the interests of the Zimbabwean child, we received many complains about the new prices which are not favorable to anyone.

Rural students were failing to pay 15 rtgs and now its almost 100rtgs whilst they are not able to pay 130rtgs school fees. So in short junior parliament and council are not
supporting these prices. Therefore we are asking the Ministry to review these prices again considering Part Section 81 subsection (1) paragraph () of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

Looking forward to your favorable response.

Yours Faithfuly.
Hon. Tinashe Ngirandi
Cc Hon, Mugayi

Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa says government is ready to deal with the Coronavirus scourge-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.”

Farai Dziva|Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa has become a liability to the entire nation, opposition party MDC has said.

See full statement below :
Failed and illegitimate Emmerson Mnangagwa risks a serious and massive public outburst of anger from the masses due to his failure to solve the taunting economic question.

From every facet of the economy there is a bold signpost to Mnangagwa’s leadership failure.

Clearly the capacity to rig elections do not always translate to the ability to rig economy as our founding President Dr Morgan Tsvangirai rightly said in his famous quote that, “You can rig elections but you cannot rig the economy”.

As MDC Youth Assembly, we reiterate President Advocate Nelson Chamisa’s position that the current economic crisis is a direct result of the political crisis birthed from the rigged presidential election.

We would like to reverberate that the current stinging economic malaise stalking the nation was born on 01 August 2018 when Mnangagwa chose the bullet over the ballot!

The hunger, starvation, poverty, high prices and shortage of basic commodities which has become the hallmark of Mnangagwa’s misrule is a clear manifestation of leadership failure born out of illegitimacy.

Cartels and corruption syndicates which ZANU PF quislings purport to fight are a direct offspring of leadership failure by Emmerson Mnangagwa.

It is not mendacious that whenever ZANU PF subverts the people’s will by stealing elections, what follows after is a serious economic turmoil.

Clearly Mnangagwa has successfully reinvented another 2008 and now the chickens are coming home to roost!

Our staple food has since become a luxury beyond reach of the ordinary!

What is worrisome is that those with keys to the armory do not have keys to the granary hence the people suffer!

If anything, Emmerson Mnangagwa has become a threat to national peace and security in this country as he has created an unstable environment where public anger is heightened everyday.

If the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is serious about security issues in this country, then they should swiftly move with pace and arrest the man who has become an anathema to our stability as a country.

Likewise we also implore the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) to deal effectively with this national threat inorder to safeguard citizens interests if they are genuine about professionalism and ‘restoring legacy’.

As an Assembly we would like to strongly warn that any continued attempts by Emmerson Mnangagwa to impose himself on people amid crisis breeds danger to national peace and stability.

Our message to Mnangagwa is very clear, resign or face public wrath!

#PeoplePower!

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson

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Farai Dziva|The MDC Youth Assembly has said cornered Zanu PF Emmerson Mnangagwa must concentrate on reviving the comatose economy instead of trying to change the Constitution.

See statement below :
The move by Emmerson Mnangagwa to repeal a constitutional provision on running mates is a clear indication that the panic stricken ZANU PF leader intends to insulate his position from the ambitious Constantine Chiwenga to make sure he never succeeds him.

It is very regrettable that ZANU PF is abusing its majority in parliament to tear apart and patch up our only home made constitution which was born out of rigorous consultation with masses under trees, in hill tops and community halls.

The repeal is a clear factional battle and unfortunately it does not help to solve the current political and economic crises in the country.

We as MDC youths condemn changes that do not deal with food shortages, unemployment and school fees hikes.

As citizens we had enough of this ZANU PF factional nonsense at the expense of national interests!

Tampering with the constitution -to pursue a petty parochial agendas is certainly going to be resisted with equal force.

Hands off our constitution!

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson

The MDC notes with concern that the government has gazetted paltry wages of 160 RTGS per month for all domestic workers, contrary to representations and agreements the government had reached with the relevant sector.

Given the parlous state of the economy, that figure is not enough to buy a bundle of vegetables.

Domestic workers are the lowliest paid in Zimbabwe and the Industry is very much unregulated as they do not fall under an Employment Council.

Their wages are negotiated under a Labour Advisory Board, mostly with the Zimbabwe Domestic Allied Workers Union and with some Employers of Domestics picked by the government.

The Domestics representatives had a very plausible figure of ZWL$1200 and after negotiations, they settled for the following figures

1. Gardener ZWL$385
2. Housekeeper ZWL$400

All with an Allowance of ZWL $385.00 for transport, accommodation and other ancillaries. The figures that have been published are not the ones agreed upon between the Parties at the Advisory Board.

The MDC is disappointed that we have a government that has no empathy with the poor, they are simply not as trustworthy as they change goal posts after agreeing with workers representatives.

Figures which they had agreed with workers representatives were higher than what government eventually gazetted.

The present situation on the ground shows that rentals for a room in high-density areas costs an average of ZWL$200 while a kilogramme of economy beef is going for ZWL$120.

Only a people’s government is able to improve the dignity of the citizen and to care for their livelihoods.

Hon Gideon Shoko
Secretary for Labour & Social Security
Movement For Democratic Change

By A Correspondent- A village head in Chivi was recently seriously assaulted by a fellow villager after the latter wife’s names were removed from the social welfare beneficiaries list.

This is revealed in the Zimbabwe Peace Project latest report.

“The kraal head of Gwenyaya Village Jairos Gwenyaya of Ward 16, Chivi Central was assaulted by Saratiel Tasarira at his homestead after Tasarira’s wife Felistas Chiwara was removed from the Social Welfare beneficiaries list. Tasarira is said to have assaulted the kraal head accusing him of unfair and nepotistic distribution of government aid,” ZPP reported.

“The matter was allegedly reported to police at Chivi Turn-Off Police Base.

By A Correspondent- The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) said that the reason why the usually drought-prone Binga district experienced floods recently is that it is in a flood plain which is more of a low-lying area.

MSD Principal Meteorologist James Ngoma said Binga will likely experience flash flooding whenever there is heavy rainfall on either the Zimbabwean or Zambian side.

Said Ngoma:

Despite receiving the least amount of rainfall Binga experienced flash floods because it is in a flood plain which is more of a low-lying area.

It is where the sources of water along areas such as Gokwe, Lupane as well as Hwange going to Zambezi Valley pass through.

Therefore, if heavy rains occur either on the Zambian side or the Zimbabwean side Binga will still be prone to flash floods as a low-lying area.

An elderly man was swept away by the floods while 34 families were evacuated after they were marooned for several hours.

The death and evacuation occurred in Nsungwale area under Chief Sinakoma.-Statemedia

By A Correspondent- Finer details of how Herentals fixed a league game against army side Black Rhinos last October have emerged after the Premier Soccer League (PSL) released the full judgment.

Herentals, who were fined ZWL$300 000 and relegated from the topflight league, are contesting the verdict.

The club, which has since been ordered to pay the costs of the hearing, would also be banned from any football-related activities for the next 10 years if the fine remained unpaid by January 31, twelve days ago.

Manager Oliver Chirenga, who the club denies is a club official, was fined ZWL$20 000 and banned for 10 years from all football-related activities while the US$300 exhibit produced during the hearing was forfeited to the PSL.

The case is premised on an affidavit deposited by Black Rhinos player Kudzanai Gift Saunyama, who claimed that Chirenga had approached him to fix the match between the two sides, which he communicated to his coach Hebert Maruwa.

Maruwa is said to have asked Saunyama, who is a former Herentals player, to accept the money which would be used as an exhibit.

“On the same day and at the appointed time, Chirenga approached Saunyama at his home and true to Saunyama’s suspicion he requested him to organise the fixing of the Black Rhinos vs Herentals match which was set to be played on October 19, 2019 at the National Sports Stadium,” part of the judgment read.

“The affidavit states that Chirenga stated that he was looking for three or five players from Black Rhinos whom he would pay US$200 each or more if they successfully fix the match. He says he falsely agreed to assist him and promised to give him feedback the following day. On the following day, the 16th of October 2019, Saunyama reported what had happened to his head coach and told him that Chirenga had proposed to meet him again at his home for purposes of making a down payment of the money that was to be used to pay the players.

The balance of the figure, which was yet to be agreed upon, was to be paid after the match. The coach advised Saunyama to accept the money and bring it to the club so that it can be used as an exhibit. Chirenga did not turn up with the money as had been agreed. He did not call and there was no further communication from him.”

According to the judgment, the match was played and Black Rhinos lost 3-0 and the army side made its own investigations where players and officials were interviewed.

Black Rhinos manager Gift Kamuriwo is said to have confessed receiving US$300 from Chirenga at the intersection of Samora Machel and Chinhoyi Street on October 18 to be shared equally among three players for them to influence the results of the match with a balance of US$300 to be paid after the game.

“This (defeat) prompted an investigation into the match-fixing allegations at Black Rhinos Football Club. According to Kamuriwo, players and officials were subjected to questioning by the Zimbabwe National Army’s unit known as SIB. The questioning took place over a few days at One Commando Barracks.

As the investigations continued, Kamuriwo decided to own up and confessed that he had been approached and had indeed received money to fix the match. He says what motivated him to confess was that he could not bear the sight of players being wrongly accused of having been paid to fix the match when it was him who had received the money.

He handed over to the investigators the US$300 which had been paid to him. He decided to confess on his own before being interviewed. His narration of events is contained in an affidavit dated November 15, 2019,” the verdict says.

Kamuriwo, however, said he did not influence the outcome of the game, but converted the US$300 balance to his own use.

Black Rhinos wrote a letter of complaint to the PSL and on November 25, Herentals were summoned to appear before a disciplinary committee.

Herentals had denied the charges, arguing that Chirenga was only a supporter and did not hold any other position within the club structures.-Newsday

1/5 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.

2/5 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.

3/5 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.

4/5 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.

5/5 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!

The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has predicted heavy rainfall in all Mashonaland provinces, Harare Metropolitan and northern parts of Matabeleland North until Thursday.

Hot and humid conditions giving rise to the possibility of afternoon and evening isolated thunderstorms are expected in Masvingo, Manicaland, Midlands, Matabeleland South and Bulawayo provinces. The MSD said in a statement:

It is expected to be largely humid with thunderstorms that may extend well into the evening in most areas and torrential rains and flash flooding is expected in localised areas.

Downstream flooding is also a potential hazard and such thundery phenomenon is usually superseded by lightening, this poses a potential threat to the tallest objects such as trees, poles, isolated sheds and even people in an open field.

The MSD also revealed that the western areas of the country for the past three days received significant rainfall with a maximum of 49mm in some areas and a minimum of 25mm in other areas.

By A Correspondent- A Harare magistrate has dismissed an application for removal from remand filed by 10 vendors, who were brutalised by the police while in custody, resulting in the death of their colleague, Hilton Tamangani in October last year.

The vendors, who were charged with assaulting a peace officer, had filed an application to be removed from remand, saying the State had failed to provide them with a trial date within a reasonable period.

But presiding magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa dismissed their application, saying there was no inordinate delay by the State to provide them with a trial date as the prosecution had provided the court with details of the progress of the investigations.

“There has not been an inordinate delay in prosecuting the matter. There has clearly been progress in the matter and what is just needed now are minor clarifications,” Mugwagwa said.

However, the police are yet to furnish the court with a written report on the death of Tamangani in police custody.

On the last remand date, the State had indicated that the police were delaying to bring the report so that an inquest could be carried out.

Tamangani was arrested together with Evans Chinyanga (39), Tichaona Mazia (22), Petros Kayesa (44), Adoration Tafadzwa Madziwa (23), Lovemore Chitengo (42), Robson Mutseta (31), Hillary Nyawasha (29), Wambo Denford (41), Blessing Chirodza (41) and David Tawanda Tekere (35).

They were accused of assaulting a law enforcement agent and fleeing into the basement of a city building from where several police helmets were allegedly recovered.-Newsday

By A correspondent- Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has unveiled a credit control and debt collection policy that seeks to maintain predictable cashflows and allow for improved management of debtors, among others.

Council is owed about $221 million as of December 2019 broken down to $100 million by domestic debtors, $44 million by government, industry and commerce $72 million and $5 million by parastatals.

Council argues that failure by its debtors to clear outstanding payments is affecting its ability to provide efficient services and clear its debts with various creditors.

The local authority owes various creditors $256 794 852 for the month of January, up from $223 440 579 in December.

The policy does not spare even BCC staff and councillors as it insists on forced deductions from their salaries if they have outstanding bills.

“Any person receiving a salary or allowances from the city may not be in arrears to the city for rates and consumer service charges for a period longer than three months (unless suitable arrangements have been made for the payment of arrears) and council may deduct any outstanding amounts from the person’s salary after this period,” the 25-paged document read.

“The city shall liaise with the relevant persons referred to in 59 above and their departmental representatives and issue the necessary salary deduction instruction where appropriate after compliance with the provisions of the Labour Relations Act.”

Council has been operating without a documented credit control and debt collection policy. It has been relying on resolutions, the Urban Councils Act, the water and sewage by-laws and other pieces of legislation.

“The FD (finance director) shall be the implementing authority: (a) implement and enforce the city’s credit control and debt collection policy and any by-laws enacted in terms of the Urban Councils Act;

“(b) In accordance with the credit control and debt collection policy and any such by-laws establish effective administrative mechanisms, processes and procedures to collect money that is due and payable to the city,” it adds.-Newsday

1/3 It is a call to action when the country’s Prosecutor General confirms that cartels have captured state institutions.This reflects a captured and compromised state and that the regime is not fit for purpose.Politics aside,we must now unite in this BIG fight against corruption.

2/3The PG confirms the serious and systemic nature of rot permeating the State. As ever, the fish rots from the head.If the top prosecutor is moved to make such public complaints then he is not getting support from the political leadership to perform his constitutional role.

3/3 The anti-corruption rhetoric is a mere facade designed to hoodwink Zimbabweans and the world. Over the past two years,the level of corruption & state capture has escalated to obscene levels.There can not be sustainable prosperity when national wealth is in the hands of a few.

OPPOSITION leader Nelson Chamisa will today meet the party’s divided structures in Bulawayo, as part of efforts to mend rifts which have cost them votes in the past elections, Southern Eye has learnt.

MDC Bulawayo spokesperson Swithern Chirowodza told the Southern Eye that the party president would also apprise the structures on his recent international engagements and the way forward.

“It’s a meeting of the structures … also he will touch on developments within the party. One of the issues up for discussion is to do with the holding of rallies, a solidarity rally for (Ntabazinduna dethroned Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe) Ndiweni realising that the police seems to have outlawed the party’s rallies,” Chirowodza said yesterday.

“Also, he is going to be giving feedback to the leaders of the province on his recent international engagements.”

Chamisa was in South Africa recently seeking diplomatic support towards solving the country’s deepening socio-economic, political crises.

In December, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed concern over the country’s crisis, pledging his governments’ support to a churches’ initiative towards finding a lasting solution.

Ramaphosa was meeting the World Council of Churches general-secretary Olav Fykse Tveit, Zimbabwe Council of Churches general-secretary Kenneth Mtata, among other delegates where the Zimbabwe question was also discussed.

-Newsday

Zimbabwe and South Africa are set to fully operationalise a one-stop border post at Beitbridge in 2024 that will fast-track trade between the two neighbouring countries.

This was revealed by South African Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi in an interview with Bloomberg. He said:

We all know the frustration of travellers when they go through Beitbridge: the long queues, the long waiting times, the congestion.

Now, the one-stop border post is going to do away with all that because it involves massive infrastructural changes, not just operational changes.

Beitbridge Border Post is one of Africa’s busiest land borders, with about 25,000 people and 500 trucks passing through daily.

A one-stop border would harmonize customs clearance procedures between the two countries, resulting in expedited clearance from customs officials.

Reports indicate that currently, it takes up to four days to be cleared due to the long queues, the long waiting times, and congestion.

Motsoaledi told the publication that the process will include the construction of a building for immigration officials and separate traffic lanes for commercial, private and public vehicles as well as a pedestrian pathway.

-Bloomberg

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government has increased salaries of members of the police with assistant commissioners expected to get a gross salary of over 7,000 Zimbabwe dollars while the lowest paid constabularies are set to receive just over 3,200 dollars per month.

In a circular dated February 6, 2020, and signed by the chief staffing officer in the Zimbabwe Republic Police headquarters, senior members were informed that the pay increases will be backdated to January 1, 2020.

The circular reads in part, “Please be kindly advised that the Police Service Commission has approved with Treasury concurrence the payment of Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to all Zimbabwe Republic Police members with effect from 01 January 2020.

“… Please be advised that the January 2020 back pay will be paid over a period of 4 months. Matters pertaining to salaries are confidential and are treated as such.”

Members of the police were earning almost half of the salaries and allowances they have been offered by the Police Service Commission.

Police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi was not reachable for comment as he was not responding to calls on his mobile phone.

The government recently announced wage scales of domestic workers with the highest paid taking home less than 200 Zimbabwe dollars per month.

By A Correspondent- A Zanu PF official said that the ruling party is the only party that is people-centred, listens to people’s concerns and is interested in meeting them.

ZANU PF acting secretary for Administration Patrick Chinamasa told the state media that the main challenger, MDC leader Nelson Chamisa, spends his time organising disruption demonstrations and lobbying for more sanctions to be imposed on the country.

He said:

It is like Zanu PF is the only party interested in meeting the people.

I do not see any other party which seems interested in meeting the people, addressing their concerns, listening to them and seeking to find solutions to their concerns.

Currently, no other party in Zimbabwe is people-centred, except Zanu PF. The main challenger is a party which spends most of its times organising demonstrations, travelling all over the world lobbying for the imposition of sanctions.

Chinamasa urged Chamisa to abandon his ‘antics’ and participate in meaningful dialogue under the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD).

The ZANU PF politburo member added that although sanctions had caused untold suffering to the people since their imposition two decades ago, the ruling party would not tire until their effects were mitigated.-Statemedia

By A Correspondent- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday announced the official new name of nCoV2019 (2019 novel coronavirus).

The virus will now be known as COVID-19, spelt C-O-V-I-D hyphen one nine. Director-General of the WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said:

Under agreed guidelines between WHO, the @OIEAnimalHealth & @FAO, we had to find a name that did not refer to a geographical location, an animal, an individual or group of people, and which is also pronounceable and related to the disease.

The virus originated in the city of Wuhan in China, and according to Forbes, it was being frequently named the “Wuhan coronavirus,” or “Chinese coronavirus,” but neither of these were official names and some believe they may have contributed to discrimination against Chinese people.

There have been reports of racist incidents directed towards Chinese communities around the world since the outbreak of the pandemic.

The naming of viruses matters according to reports, for instance, people shunned pork products following the emergence of “Swine Flu” despite there being no evidence that the disease could be spread via consuming pork.

Forbes

By A Correspondent- A purported Joint Operations Command (JOC) memo prepared about a month before the disputed 2013 elections shows that Zimbabwe mistrusted the then South African President Jacob Zuma, who was facilitating dialogue between President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

The memo also disclosed that Sino Zim Chairman, Sam Pa pledged to 2 million t-shirts, caps and bandanas, while DRC President Joseph Kabila donated US$85 million. Below is the document:

3 June 2013

Election Brief Meeting (JOC)

Manyame Airbase Station

Harare

SUBJECT: HARMONISED ELECTIONS: REGIONAL SURVEILLANCE (SADC)

Security Overview

Collaborative intelligence shows hostile communication between Mr Zuma, Ms L Zulu and Mr David Cameron through the USA embassy in ZA.

Intelligence gathered show complicity in sharing Cabinet and Government of Zimbabwe secrets by Mr Tsvangirai, Mr W Ncube and Mr T Biti.

Collaborated Intelligence show covert meetings between Governments of South Africa, Nigeria and Britain to strategise on how to use SADC to influence politics in Zimbabwe by way of loyalty buying in Senior Security personnel.

State Of Election Funds VS Budgetary Requirements

Campaign regalia will be covered by Sino Zim Chairman Mr Sam Pa who pledged 2 million t-shirts and a corresponding number of caps and bandanas.

Vehicles- 500 trucks donated so far by Meikles and CPC.

Mbada Diamonds and Anjin Pvt Ltd donated a total of USD800 m for transport and mobilization.

The Commissariat received USD85 m from Cde Joseph Kabila and USD 92 m from E. Guinea.

Other local Donations: Mahomed Mussa USD 2m, Van Hoog USD 3m.

Budgetary Requirements

Nikuv International Projects projected a budget need of USD3 billion to secure 50% of possible adult votes.

Party candidates will cater for most of their costs as most funds will go to Presidential campaign.

33% of the budget will cover regional diplomacy (Next SADC Chair, Liberation movements) to drum up support for poll credibility before, during and after elections.

Ptuz Calls for Critical Thought from Teachers

11 February 2020

a) Government mutilated teachers’ salaries from an average of US$520 to US$35, thereby creating a dispute of right from teachers.
b) We have clamoured for purchasing power parity, yet Apex engages government for pathetic salary decrease and cushion that never cushions teachers.
c) We have embarked on incapacitation struggle, yet there are some teachers who entrenched themselves in debts incurred in order to report for work.
d) While the government has reduced teachers into vending at their workplace, it falsely sees this as an act of misconduct rather than a real act of poverty and penury.
e) The government has subjected teachers to an anarchic and archaic selective biometric registration when the rest of other civil servants have not.
f) The government also treats teachers in a discriminatory, degrading and servitude manner by denying them 3 months vacation leave enjoyed by other civil servants. Although the government lost a labour court case spearheaded by Ptuz over vacation leave in 2016, it has not fully restored 3 months vacation leave.
g) The government approved exorbitant school fees this year at a time teachers’ salaries have remained in the starvation category thereby making education inaccessible and unaffordable to teachers’ children, yet it is teachers who offer that service.
h) Teachers’ calls for non-payment of tuition fees by at least 3 children of a teacher in a school where teachers are paid by the government have fallen on deaf ears.
i) Other government workers have been rewarded with vouchers to ameliorate hardships but nothing has come the teacher’s way. One wonders why teachers are treated as if they are of no account at a time they have tested positive to poverty, like all other government workers.
j) The government has approved Zimsec exorbitant increase of examination fees at ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels beyond the ability of poor teachers. To imagine how a poor teacher would get more than $4 000 this month for a child in form 4 baffles logic and common sense.

It is clear that the government has unilaterally declared war against teachers, and callously treat them as second class citizens and workers. This is a language teachers must understand very well, unite and collectively nurture, shape and define their actual path, direction and future.

Nothing short of taking a collective stand will liberate teachers. Life is too short to spend it in poverty. Teachers must never appreciate their current enslavement by the employer. We are workers with rights that must be respected and protected.

The only way forward is not agonising but going forward organising, mobilising and agitating for better salaries and conditions of service, and if need be fighting for our dispute of right by any means necessary. We can certainly not salivate at govt’s poisoned carrot of empty promises through Apex Council.

Venceremos

Dr Takavafira M. Zhou (Ptuz President)

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government has increased salaries of members of the police with assistant commissioners expected to get a gross salary of over 7,000 Zimbabwe dollars while the lowest paid constabularies are set to receive just over 3,200 dollars per month.

In a circular dated February 6, 2020, and signed by the chief staffing officer in the Zimbabwe Republic Police headquarters, senior members were informed that the pay increases will be backdated to January 1, 2020.

The circular reads in part, “Please be kindly advised that the Police Service Commission has approved with Treasury concurrence the payment of Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to all Zimbabwe Republic Police members with effect from 01 January 2020.

“… Please be advised that the January 2020 back pay will be paid over a period of 4 months. Matters pertaining to salaries are confidential and are treated as such.”

Members of the police were earning almost half of the salaries and allowances they have been offered by the Police Service Commission.

Police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi was not reachable for comment as he was not responding to calls on his mobile phone.

The government recently announced wage scales of domestic workers with the highest paid taking home less than 200 Zimbabwe dollars per month.

See the new figures in the pictures loading below……

-Wires

Bulawayo Magistrates court on Monday 10 February 2020 ordered the deportation of 21 Ugandan nationals after convicting them for illegally entering into the country.

The 21 Ugandans who include a five year-old minor, who was in the company of her mother, were arrested on Saturday 8 February 2020 after being intercepted by some Zimbabwe Republic Police officers at Nyamandlovu tollgate along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway and charged with failing to appear before an immigration officer as defined in section 32(5)9b) of the Immigration Act.

In court, prosecutors alleged that the Ugandan nationals, who were represented by Jabulani Mhlanga of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, failed without just cause to appear before an immigration officer and entered into Zimbabwe on 8 February 2020 at Victoria Falls Border Post in Matabeleland North province.

The Ugandans, prosecutors charged had some valid passports but had unlawfully entered into Zimbabwe without presenting themselves to immigration officials.

The Ugandan nationals include Tomson Barisigara aged 30 years, Martin Katerega aged 28 years, Elizabethy Kisembo aged 48 years, Abdul Katumba aged 44 years, Habiibu Kiggundu aged 36 years, Hamuza Asiimwe aged 27 years, George Willy Ochom aged 26 years, Hassan Kagaba aged 38 years, Rasul Dalausi aged 26 years, Shafic Senyange aged 22 years, Kasango Umar aged 27 years, Adam Kagaba aged 47 years, Nakitende Peninah aged 26 years, Magezi Gadafi aged 38 years, Opio Peter aged 26 years, Muzimba Solomon Ssemakula aged 26 years, Kato Derrick Kimera aged 29 years, Alex Kiganda aged 25 years, Ramazan Masereka aged 23 years and Mugerwa Sulaiman aged 29 years.

Bulawayo Magistrate Tinashe Tashaya convicted the Ugandans and sentenced them to serve three months in prison, which was wholly suspended for five years on condition that they do not commit a similar offence within the same period.

Magistrate Tashaya also ordered that the Ugandan nationals be deported in terms of Zimbabwean laws to their country of origin.

Government has reviewed the price of subsidised roller meal to $70 from $50 per 10 kilogrammes with immediate effect.

In December 2019, Government introduced a roller meal subsidy pegged at $50 per 10kg bag in order to protect vulnerable members of society.

However, the wide gap between the market and the subsidised price has created arbitrage opportunities for unscrupulous players in the industry, resulting in market and supply distortions. Minister of Finance and Economic Development Professor Mthuli Ncube said the implementation of the new subsidy price is with immediate effect.

“In view of the above, I am pleased to announce that Government has reviewed upwards the subsidised price from $50 to $70 per 10kg bag of roller meal against the prevailing market price of the product. Government will announce a strengthened targeting system in due course such that deserving vulnerable citizens as intended by the subsidy policy benefit,’ said the Minister.

FOUR machete-wielding robbers attacked workers at a mine in Collen Bawn and stole two cellphones after they failed to get cash.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele, confirmed the incident which occurred at Busi Park Mine on Sunday at around 9PM.

He said the gang, which was armed with machetes and knobkerries, attacked the two mine workers in their tents.

Chief Insp Ndebele said the gang then fled after the mine workers teamed up in a bid to retaliate.

“In can confirm that we recorded a case of robbery which occurred at Busi Park Mine in Collen Bawn. Mr Brian Mpinga who is a worker at the mine was sleeping in his tent when he was woken up by noise from the accused persons. He lit a torch and went out to check and met one of the accused persons holding a machete.

“The accused person ordered Mr Mpinga to switch off his cellphone and force-marched him out of the tent to his three accomplices who were armed with machetes and knobkerries.

They took Mr Mpinga’s cellphone and demanded money from him but he indicated that he didn’t have any,” he said.

Chief Insp Ndebele said Mr Mpinga managed to flee and hid in the bushes.

He said the gang moved to another tent belonging to Mr Khulekani Zhou where they demanded cash and threatened to kill him.- State media

Farai Dziva|Nurses at Gweru Provincial Hospital are on strike as they protest at poor working conditions.

Zimbabwe Professional Nurses Union president, Robert Chiduku, quoted by NewsDay said :

What I can say is that the nurses have resolved that they want to be addressed by the hospital’s management before they assume any duties.

As we speak, there are no duty rosters in the wards and no communication has been made formally over that issue. So what I can say is there is confusion here.

Since we resolved to work for only two days a week, there is a lot that is being said in the informal circles purportedly coming from management.

As a result, the nurses have said let the management come and address us and set the record straight.

One person died after he was swept away following floods that hit Matabeleland North’s Binga district, while 34 families were rescued.

The Civil Protection Unit (CPU) swiftly deployed rescue teams to evacuate marooned villagers between Monday evening and yesterday. Rescue efforts continued yesterday concentrated on areas that could not be accessed on Monday.

CPU director Mr Nathan Nkomo last night said reports from the ground were that one person died in Nsungwale area under Chief Sinakoma after he was swept away while 34 families were evacuated.
“From the latest report that I got from the District Government Coordinator there is one fatality, an old man who got swept away. That is the only fatality I know of. But as of now, those who were marooned have since been rescued,” said Mr Nkomo.

“Initially when they (team on the ground) did their rapid assessment, they had estimated the figure to be 100 but when he spoke to me, he told me that the exact number is 34. That is the number of affected families. But we still think it might be 100 because they have not done a thorough assessment.”

Women assess the damage caused by floods which hit Binga District recently

He said two Air Force of Zimbabwe helicopters that were sent to the ground could not operate due to unfriendly weather which forced them to be temporarily grounded in Gokwe North.

Mr Nkomo said the grounding of the helicopters has not stopped rescue efforts as water levels had already subsidised yesterday.

He said after calling for help, organisations such as the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) immediately responded.

“There is a lorry full of kitchen equipment, tents and blankets which will be given to every affected family because when one’s house is swept away, they lose everything including food, utensils, medication and many more. So, we continue to appeal that even the health sector can also assist with medication for those who are chronically ill so that they can continue with their medication,” he said.

Mr Nkomo said the CPU will remain alert as it makes efforts to get everyone to safety.

Binga North MDC-Alliance MP Mr Prince Madubeko Sibanda recognised Government’s efforts to rescue marooned villagers. He said it was unfortunate that a life had been lost.

Mr Sibanda said the focus should now shift to ensuring that every victim is assisted to start afresh.

“If everyone has been rescued from wherever they were marooned then we need assistance in terms of temporary shelter until such time that they find something permanent. We also want to see help in terms of food because these people had their food washed away. We also anticipate help in terms of warm clothes because these guys have been exposed to rain,” said Mr Sibanda.

He said although Binga has previously experienced flooding, the area has not suffered the magnitude of the prevailing situation.

Meteorological Service Department Principal Meteorologist Mr James Ngoma said it was unfortunate that Binga district, despite receiving the lowest rainfall in Matabeleland region, experienced flooding.

“Despite receiving the least amount of rainfall Binga experienced flash floods because it is in a flood plain which is more of a low-lying area. It is where the sources of water along areas such as Gokwe, Lupane as well as Hwange going to Zambezi Valley pass through. Therefore, if heavy rains occur either on the Zambian side or the Zimbabwean side Binga will still be prone to flash floods as a low-lying area,” said Mr Ngoma.

In a statement yesterday, the acting Secretary for the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Mr Christopher Shumba said it is possible that more people were affected considering the general settlement patterns in Binga District.

Mr Shumba said the emergency services sub-committee had mobilised two helicopters and the ZRP Sub-Aqua Unit stationed at Fairbridge in Bulawayo to assist the affected families.

He said the District Civil Protection Committee (DCPC) was directed to intensify their assessment until they ascertain the actual number of people affected and those in need of assistance.

The Civil Protection Department is also dispatching 100 tents and blankets to Binga.

“Short term measures for consideration include the following; quick evacuation of the affected families to areas of safety and mobilisation of non-food and food items considering the level of destruction mostly of their pole and dagga houses and stored food. The DCPC is to continuously monitor the general health and welfare of the people for possible outbreaks of waterborne related diseases,” Mr Shumba said.

He said the long-term measures include possible relocation of affected families backed by a robust rural housing delivery programme to address the issues of sub-standard materials used.

Others are capacitation of all civil protection organisations such as the Air Force of Zimbabwe, Sub-Aqua Unit and Department of Civil Protection with all-weather equipment to enable them to timeously respond to the vagaries of climate change. Acting Binga District Development Coordinator, Mr Farai Marinyane, who also chairs the Binga District Civil Protection Committee, said the rescue operation is continuing.

He said the floods have since subsided but indicated that the DCPC has a lot of work to do in dealing with the aftermath of the flash floods.

Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Minister, Richard Moyo said he has since dispatched a team to assess the situation with the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, saying efforts were being made to assist the affected people to reach safer zones. -state media/Chronicle

Farai Dziva|Former Zanu PF Youth League Political Commissar, Godfrey Tsenengamu has vowed to expose corrupt cartels in spite of rampant intimidation.

“We aren’t anyone’s stooges. Those days are long gone. This is our fight. Indeed a few people can’t monopolize everything and hold us hostage.

Zimbabwe and its resources are for us ALL. We are no second class citizens here #Cartels/CorruptionMustFall,” tweeted Tsenengamu.

“Corruption is killing us especially the young. We commit to fight this scourge to the bitter end.

The leadership has a choice to make either to be with the people or with thieving cartels. It is a defining moment. Suspensions and threats won’t silence us.”

Farai Dziva|MDC Secretary for Elections Jacob Mafume has cited vote-buying and intimidation of villagers as factors that contributed to the opposition party in the Mwenezi by-election.

“People were called to come and collect rice on the day of voting, Zanu PF was drilling a borehole a few metres from the polling station,” said Mafume.

“These are not elections. It is manipulation of people’s poverty.

Weaponising poverty and food is the biggest challenge that we have.”

A married woman’s alleged illicit affair with her brother-in-law was exposed after she clashed with her workmate for bedding the same person on Saturday.

Rudo Makoni clashed with her workmate only identified as Lucy after the former discovered that they were both bedding their boss Joseph Toendepi who is husband to Rudo’s sister based in the United Kingdom.

Makoni reportedly bought a new cellphone for Lucy after she learnt of her shenanigans with Toendepi and the latter approached their boss informing him about the secret she kept and the two fell in love as well.

When H-Metro visited the two at their boutique located at Karigamombe Building, tempers flared as the two exchanged harsh words accusing each other of lose morals.

Lucy confirmed bedding Toendepi while showing this publication a photograph of him resting on her bed.

She said it was that photograph of Toendepi resting in her bedroom that affected Makoni.

“Zvamanzwa mukwasha ndizvo zvekuti tiri kunetserana boss vedu nekuti tese tinodanana navo,” said Lucy.

“This is Toendepi’s photograph sleeping on my bed in my room and that is the cause of my differences with Makoni.

“Makoni bought a new phone for me after I discovered that she was bedding her sister’s husband and I kept the secret.

“On our boss’ return to the country, I approached him over the issue and we ended up in an affair where we had quality time at my house.-H-Metro

By A Correspondent- A married woman’s alleged illicit affair with her brother-in-law was exposed after she clashed with her workmate for bedding the same person on Saturday.

Rudo Makoni clashed with her workmate only identified as Lucy after the former discovered that they were both bedding their boss Joseph Toendepi who is husband to Rudo’s sister based in the United Kingdom.

Makoni reportedly bought a new cellphone for Lucy after she learnt of her shenanigans with Toendepi and the latter approached their boss informing him about the secret she kept and the two fell in love as well.

When H-Metro visited the two at their boutique located at Karigamombe Building, tempers flared as the two exchanged harsh words accusing each other of lose morals.

Lucy confirmed bedding Toendepi while showing this publication a photograph of him resting on her bed.

She said it was that photograph of Toendepi resting in her bedroom that affected Makoni.

“Zvamanzwa mukwasha ndizvo zvekuti tiri kunetserana boss vedu nekuti tese tinodanana navo,” said Lucy.

“This is Toendepi’s photograph sleeping on my bed in my room and that is the cause of my differences with Makoni.

“Makoni bought a new phone for me after I discovered that she was bedding her sister’s husband and I kept the secret.

“On our boss’ return to the country, I approached him over the issue and we ended up in an affair where we had quality time at my house.

“Makoni discovered that I was in love with boss and felt jealous but she is married,” said Lucy.

Makoni forced Lucy to return the phone she bought for her in the presence of H-Metro and told this publication that the phone was just a present to Lucy and she was withdrawing it since they had some differences.

She denied bedding Toendepi saying her confession about her affair with the boss to Lucy was a joke.

“It is true that I confessed to her that I was bedding my sister’s husband but it was a joke I was sharing with her,” said Makoni.

Makoni was subsequently arrested for snatching H-Metro’s news gathering equipment and is expected to appear in court tomorrow.

Toendepi denied bedding Makoni and could not confirm nor deny bedding Lucy after H-Metro sent him a photograph claimed to be of him resting on Lucy’s bed.

“Allegations that I bedded Makoni are false and unfounded,” said Toendepi.

“As for Lucy I am aware of alleged schemes to plant pr0stitutes in service to generate news and some work is underway to establish historic connections between H- Metro with the said subject,” said Toendepi.

-Statemedia

By A Correspondent- A Chimanimani traditional healer (76) who was recently arrested for illegally cultivating 500 plants of dagga survived a long jail term after a Chipinge magistrate considered her old age.

Ruth Mutete appeared before Mr Joshua Nembaware facing charges of growing dagga without a license.

She pleaded guilty.

It was the state’s case led by Mrs Portia Matereke that on January 31 police in Chimanimani received a tip off from an informer that Mutete was cultivating dagga in her garden.

The cops searched her garden and found 500 plants measuring 1,5m.

Asked why she was cultivating mbanje by the magistrate, Mutete said she wanted to sell them.

Mr Nembaware jailed Mutete for 2 years but he suspended the sentence considering her age.

Own Correspondent|HIGH Court judge Pisirayi Kwenda has stopped former Tourism and Hospitality minister Prisca Mupfumira’s trial, pending the hearing of her application challenging the Magistrates’ Court’s decision to throw out her application excepting to the criminal charges she is facing.

The ruling comes after Mupfumira, who is facing three counts of criminal abuse of office as a public officer, through her lawyer — Zivanai Makwanya — approached the High Court seeking recourse.
Makwanya confirmed the ruling yesterday.

“I confirm that an order for stay was handed down by the High Court on Friday,” Makwanya said.

Mupfumira is accused of conniving with retired Labour ministry permanent secretary Ngoni Masoka to purchase two cars that the ex-minister was not entitled to.

When she appeared for her trial before the Magistrates’ Court, Mupfumira filed an application for exception to the charges, which was however, dismissed by acting chief magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi. This prompted her to file the current High Court application seeking an order reviewing Mutevedzi’s ruling.

In the application, Mupfumira cited Mutevedzi, Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi, the National Prosecuting Authority and Masoka, as respondents.

“This is an application seeking the review of a ruling made by the first respondent (Mutevedzi) on the 5th of February 2020 dismissing an exception filed on my behalf to the criminal charges preferred against me.

“The application seeks an order setting aside the ruling (Mutevedzi’s ruling) … and in its place the quashing of the three criminal charges which are being preferred against me,” she said.

She said Mutevedzi’s ruling failed to address fundamental contradictions which exist in the charges, adding his decision was “grossly unreasonable”.

“It validates charges which are themselves invalid according to the law. Having received further particulars, it became apparent that the charges, the State outline and the further particulars did not disclose any cognisable offences at law.

“For the foregoing reasons, the ruling of the first respondent dismissing the exception was arrived at unprocedurally and without regard to material documents which formed part of the charges. The ruling itself is grossly unreasonable at law. The first respondent saw valid charges where no such charges ever existed,” Mupfumira said.

Source: Daily News

All Africa|Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) commissioner John Makamure says the anti-graft body was too understaffed and the current investigators were incapacitated to tackle high level corruption in the country.

Currently, ZACC has 89 employees who include 38 investigators, a number which Makamure said was insignificant in fighting corruption at the highest level.

“We are not capacitated in terms of members of staff and we have come up with a new structure and presented it to the Treasury,” he said.

“There is no way ZACC can investigate many cases with the current staff that we have.”

He was speaking at a Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) workshop on Capacity Building held in Bulawayo Monday.

According to Makarame, ZACC has 770 cases they need to deal with and 73 of them are high profile cases. At least 42 of the cases are still pending in court.

“We need to investigate, arrest and convict more of those who do corruption in order to send a message out there that Zimbabwe says no tolerance to corruption.”

He said ZACC was also keen on strengthening and restructuring its Assets and Money Recovery Unit which at the moment has only four lawyers and one investigator.

“ZACC investigators are peace officers and we also have the ability to arrest, we also have for a long time worked hand-in-hand with the police because we can order the police to make an investigation on a certain individual but we also need to expand the catchment area.

“We have also signed some Memorandum of Understanding with the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Financial Intelligence Unit, the Auditor General’s office and the Transparency International Zimbabwe so as to rope in the civil society,” said Makamure.

ZACC has arrested several public figures for abuse of office.

Among those arrested is former Cabinet minister Prisca Mupfumira for fraud involving US$95 million and Vice President’s Constantino Chiwenga’s wife Marry, who is facing charges of money laundering and externalisation.

By Nelson Chamisa|It is a call to action when the country’s Prosecutor General confirms that cartels have captured state institutions.

This reflects a captured and compromised state and that the regime is not fit for purpose.Politics aside,we must now unite in this BIG fight against corruption.

The PG confirms the serious and systemic nature of rot permeating the State. As ever, the fish rots from the head.If the top prosecutor is moved to make such public complaints then he is not getting support from the political leadership to perform his constitutional role.

The anti-corruption rhetoric is a mere facade designed to hoodwink Zimbabweans and the world. Over the past two years,the level of corruption & state capture has escalated to obscene levels.There can not be sustainable prosperity when national wealth is in the hands of a few.

Opposition MDC Member of Parliament for Njube-Lobengula Constituency Gift Banda has appeared in court facing allegations of forging signatures of a Bulawayo man resulting in him losing a residential stand worth US$60 000.

Banda, who is jointly charged with Mbonisi David Nkomazana (33) and Bard Real Estates represented by Mbonisi David Nkomazana appeared before Bulawayo provincial magistrate Tinashe Tashaya.

The court heard that Banda and his accomplice allegedly forged Nkululeko Ndlovu’s signature purporting that he had agreed to sell him his stand in Selbourne Brooke Bulawayo.

Magistrate Tashaya postponed the matter to February 20 after Banda’s legal representatives requested to have a copy of the alleged forged signatures from the Question Document Examination department as they were not filed in the State papers.

According to the State papers as presented by George Rufumoyo, Ndlovu bought his stand in February 2015 where he signed a memorandum of agreement of sale with Bulawayo Glass and Allied Products Pvt Ltd, represented by Sipho Mhlanga who is the land developer and owner of the stand.

Rufumoyo said the agreement was drafted by Bard Real Estates represented by Nkomazana.

The prosecutor added that sometime during 2017, Banda approached Ndlovu and offered to buy the stand from him, promising to purchase for him a bigger stand in Paddonhurst.

Rufumoyo said Banda and Nkomazana also forged an agreement of sale of the stand between Banda and Bulawayo Glass and Allied Products.

He said the document was drafted by Nkomazana using the Bard Real Estates logo.

“Banda and Ndlovu settled their agreement verbally. Banda failed to keep his end of the bargain of securing another stand in Paddonhurst and instead offered to pay Ndlovu cash for his Selbourne Brooke stand. He again failed to settle the cash payment,” said Rufumoyo.

He said on July 21 2017, Ndlovu sent Banda a WhatsApp message informing him that he no longer wanted to sell his stand to him.

The court heard that despite the cancellation by Ndlovu, Banda went on to deposit $2000 into Ndlovu’s Steward Bank account and proceeded to start construction at the stand.

“On realisation that Banda was defiant, Ndlovu, through his lawyers, wrote a letter instructing him to cease his construction but he did not adhere. Ndlovu and his lawyers then made an application to the High Court declaring the sale null and void since it was against City Council’s regulations to sell an undeveloped stand,” said Rufumoyo.

“Banda in turn tendered at the High Court a cessation agreement which was drafted by Nkomazana in his official capacity as a sales agent for Board Real Estates. The cessation agreement purported that Ndlovu had ceded all interest and rights of the stand to Bulawayo Glass and Allied Products.”

The State alleged that the document had Ndlovu’s forged signatures and also tendered at the High Court was an acknowledgement of payment which was drafted by Nkomazana in his capacity as a sales agent of the accused company.

Correspondent|LONG Cheng Plaza’s engineering section manager appeared in court last week for allegedly sodomising a general hand at the popular shopping mall in Belvedere, Harare.

Yichun Wang (46), who is being represented by lawyer Oscar Gasva, appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts charged with aggravated indecent assault.

Wang is denying the charges.

Prosecutor Constance Ngombengombe alleges that sometime in 2015, Wang called the general hand (name withheld) to his office and ordered him to report for night duty.

It is alleged that when the general hand reported for duty, Wang started asking for sexual favours from him saying he would protect him at work for any misdemeanour.

The man turned down Wang’s request, but he insisted.

Ms Ngombengombe alleges that the general hand eventually yielded to Wang’s demands.

It is alleged that on the first encounter, Wang paid $3.

The court heard that since that day, Wang would sodomise the man twice per week until he reported the matter to the deputy general manager.

It is said that the deputy general manager failed to take action, prompting the victim to lodge a complaint with the police leading to Wang’s arrest.

He is expected to appear in court on February 27 for trial.

Magistrate Amos Mubobo is presiding over the matter.

Own Correspondent|Ousted ZANU PF Youth League leader Godfrey Tsenengamu has remained defiant on his move to name people he alleges have brought the country down due to corruption.

The outspoken politician also made sensational claims some Zanu PF officials have tried to bribe him into stopping his anti-corruption campaign but he has refused.

Tsenengamu was last Wednesday summarily suspended together with party youth league deputy secretary Lewis Matutu for alleged indiscipline.

Watch ZimEye.com live discussion with him in the video downloading below:

MDC Youths have distanced themselves from youth gathering that is set to be held on the 21st of February at the Robert Mugabe Square.

A poster that has been circulating on social media has a line up of speakers including MDC leader Tererai Obey Sithole, Promise Mkwananzi, Jabulani Sibanda and embattled ZANU PF youth leader Godfrey Tsenengamu.

In a statement issued by MDC Deputy Spokesperson  Womberaiishe Nhende the youth said they will not be part of the ZANU PF factionalism.

Read the full statement below:

We have learnt with deep shock the inclusion of our party into a factional battle gone wrong at Jongwe house and as the MDC Youth we stand firmly guided by our own struggle and principles . I would like to state it here and now , categorically clear that the MDC Youth Assembly is not part neither is it parcel of the event that has been dubbed the Multi Party National Youth Convention to be held on the 21st of February.

We will not sanitize a sham process that has nothing to do with the people of Zimbabwe but everything to do with individuals who have been sidelined in the grand matrix of systematic and organised cartel looting and they want to condomise their fight using the gullible youths who have been hoodwinked to think it’s a generational fight yet it’s personal upliftment escapade by the loud mouth youth leaders .

As MDC we have been and we remain committed to the fight against corruption and state capture , that has been our perennial gospel which is meant to redeem Zimbabweans and we will not be misled by a faction that portrays itself as holier than the other in ZANU PF . The whole institution of ZANU PF is in need of corruption exorcism starting from number 1 right down to the branch chairperson in Nembudziya . Alternatively as MDC we call upon all progressive Zimbabweans to unite against ZANU PF the system and the characters, that way we can defeat the cartels that have been exposed by Prosecutor General Hodzi .

Moreover 21st February has been chosen deliberately to honour RG Mugabe the author of this system that remains haunting the citizenry of Zimbabwe with it’s sophisticated and shrewd institutionalised cartels , and as such they want to honour him with a borrowed hoodwinked crowd but as the MDC we are distancing ourselves from this non event.

The Citizen|President Cyril Ramaphosa has had a rough start to his first chairing of the African Union, threatening to leave an ordinary session before it concluded in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

At about 03:00, Ramaphosa was so fed up with diplomats and heads of state taking issue with the translation of adoptions that he threatened to leave the summit early to prepare for his State of the Nation Address which he will deliver on Thursday before a joint sitting of Parliament.

The session, which was meant to take place over two days, was plagued by several delays as state leaders and their diplomats were unable to adopt decisions due to disagreements over translations.

It took more than four hours for the 140-page document to be translated into French and Arabic. Several African leaders were seen leaving the African Union headquarters before the second day’s session concluded.

The two-day gathering, which was meant to end at 21:30 – with Ramaphosa delivering his closing address before facing the media – was called off at 03:00. Ramaphosa was unable to make his closing address or brief the media.

Ramaphosa, who took over the chairmanship of the AU from Egyptian President Mohamed al-Sisi, scored a significant diplomatic victory on Monday after his chief negotiator Wamkele Mane was elected as the new secretary of the Africa free trade agreement area.