By A Correspondent- President Mnangagwa has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the 33rd Ordinary Summit of the African Union.

The summit commenced on January 21.

He was received at Bole International Airport by Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Ethiopia Ambassador Albert Chimbindi and embassy officials. A guard of honour was mounted by the Ethiopian army.

More to follow…

The 2020 novel coronavirus threat is very real and developed countries like China are building brand new hospitals to deal with this immense threat, which has already surpassed the 2003 SARS pandemic in its proportions.
Over 24 000 cases and more than 400 deaths have already been reported worldwide, most of them in China.

Countries like the USA evacuated their citizens from China and are putting into quarantine travellers from the affected regions. China itself has put some cities into lockdown and many countries are discouraging non-essential travel to China.
But we have a problem in Zimbabwe. The authorities tell us that they are ready for any cases that may come from China, that we are ready to handle an outbreak, and that the nation should not worry.

They tell us our ports of entry are well-manned and well-equipped to detect any cases. This kind of propaganda neither convinces us nor helps Zimbabwe.

We know there is a real threat. We know the government cannot suddenly have adequate human resources to deal with this threat when our health problem has not yet been resolved, and we are still unable to offer the normal routine health care to the nation. Doctors are leaving the country in dozens. We know the nurses are still working a few days a week each due to incapacitation.

We are fully aware that there are no medicines in our hospitals, even simple ones like paracetamol, and that most of our hospital equipment is nonfunctional, including laboratories, radiology equipment and theatre equipment.

We have central hospitals reported to be running on one borrowed ventilator! Add this to stories doing the rounds that the government spent millions of dollars on non-functional equipment recently and you have the making of a disaster.
What do we expect the government to do?

The first thing is proper communication to the public about this looming outbreak. This is a public health issue and not a State secret. There is a lot of misinformation out there. The government has been very slow to act and we are way behind the epidemic. By now all health workers should have been properly trained on early diagnosis of a case, what to do when they see a suspected case and where to refer the case.
We should be having a proper case definition known by both health workers and lay people in the street. The latter are actually likely to be the ones who first suspect a case.

The government should flood the nation with information and give at least weekly updates on both national and international developments. Most health workers are not clear on how the 2020 novel Corona virus infection presents.

The government must put aside proven serious resources to prepare for this outbreak, and not wait for disaster to strike. Reassure us by telling us how much has been set aside to deal with the threat.

Show us evidence of the personal protective equipment purchased for the health workers.

We want to see the relevant institutions stocked with medicines and sundries, and we want to be assured that resources to send specimens to South Africa for virological confirmation are there. Show us (at least the health workers) that packaging material for carrying these dangerous specimens is there. Simply saying we are ready for this threat without tangible evidence is cheap propaganda.

The government has hitherto concentrated on airports, yet it is reported that some people from China are crossing Victoria Falls bridge on foot. Screening and data collection should be done at all ports of entry.

Non-essential travel to and from China should be minimized forthwith, because we simply do not have the capacity other nations have to deal with a corona virus outbreak in Zimbabwe.

The two-week quarantine period should be enforced. It is regrettable that some of the known visitors from China have not been visited by a public health official, or even so much as received a phone call, yet we claim to be monitoring them. How exactly are we monitoring these people under quarantine at their homes?
We urge the government to be transparent on this issue, and keep the public well informed.

Our true level of capacitation should be declared, so that well-wishers can come in and assist.

Government should be very open with the WHO and continue to tap into their global expertise. They have the wherewithal to raise partners who can capacitate us to deal with this grave threat.

Dr Henry Madzorera
Secretary For Health and Child Welfare

Zimbabwe has recorded an unprecedented number of women reporting being forced to exchange sex for employment or business favours.

More than 57% of women surveyed by Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) said they had been forced to offer sexual favours in exchange for jobs, medical care and even when seeking placements at schools for their children.

The report, seen by the Guardian, found women in the informal sector experienced sextortion as the main form of non-monetary bribes by various officials.

About 45% of women said they had received requests for sexual favours to access a service and 15% had used sex to get employment. The report, entitled Gender and Corruption, found women were increasingly vulnerable to sexual abuse amid the deteriorating Zimbabwean economy.

“57.5% of these respondents noted that sexual favours are the form of non-monetary bribe they had experienced. Sextortion is thus a part of the bribery culture in Zimbabwe. Women who do not have money to pay for bribes are thus forced to use sex as a form of payment. 15% used employment favours as a form of bribery,” reads the report.

Women in business were also found to have faced sexual harassment when seeking government tenders.

“At times you get asked for sexual favours in return for tenders or business. What makes the situation difficult, especially for state contracts, is how women in business are perceived by men in control of these processes. When they see a woman, for most of them sex is the first thing that comes to their mind. Hence women are sexualised and seen as sex-preneurs rather than entrepreneurs,” TIZ reports.

Studies carried out by TIZ in 2019 showed women are vulnerable to sexual abuse when seeking land for residential, business or agricultural use.

Sextortion is a global phenomenon that causes serious harm, robbing women of dignity and opportunity, and undermining confidence in public institutions, according to rights groups.

Zimbabwe ranks 158 out of 180 countries included in the Transparency International corruption perceptions index.

“Sex is a currency in many corrupt deals in Zimbabwe. Sexual harassment is institutionalised, and women have been suffering for a long time. There is need to actively deal with all forms of sexual harassment in all sectors,” says the report.

The study shows women are being coerced into corruption, while many fear reporting sextortionists as some police are thought to be part of the corruption chain.

“For some respondents it was fear of reprisal that stopped them from reporting whilst others indicated that there was no reward for reporting corruption. Regarding sextortion, respondents cited the justice system as too masculine, hence they opted not to report.

“All the key informants who took part in the research indicated that Zimbabwe lacks a robust corruption reporting system. They also highlighted the need for a system to promote and protect whistleblowers,” TIZ reported.

“Even the police officers require some form of payment to help you. They may ask for transport or fuel to enable them to investigate. In the end they also get bribed by the perpetrators.”

Globally, the poor suffer most from extortion, paying the highest percentage of their income in bribes, according to the World Bank. Zimbabwe loses close to $2bn (£1.5bn) to corruption annually.

Although Zimbabwe has made progress in advancing gender equality through the establishment of various institutional, legal and policy frameworks, the country still ranks low on the UN gender inequality index. Sexual extortion is rarely recognised as a form of corruption, yet gender activists say it reduces women’s access to land and markets and reinforces social and economic marginalisation.

Lack of political will to deal with corruption has frustrated the efforts of the Zimbabwe anti-corruption commission, which has a mandate to investigate corruption cases in the country.

-Online

The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has furiously denied allegations that it has deployed special forces in the country. This follows an article which claimed that the military had deployed its special troops in the country to gather intelligence and gauge the popularity of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the ruling Zanu-PF party. The article alleges that the deployments were motivated by the deteriorating economic conditions.

This did not go down well with the ZNA who issued a strongly worded statement denying the allegations. The statement which was issued by ZNA spokesperson, Lieutenant Alphios Makotore accused the Zimbabwe Independent of being malicious and of issuing outright falsehoods.

TO: News Editor

ZNA NEWS RELEASE

07 February 2020

MEDIA RESPONSE ZIMBABWE INDEPENDENT FALSE DEPLOYMENT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE MILITARY

The Zimbabwe National Army would like to categorically refute the false allegations published by the Zimbabwe Independent newspaper of 07-13 February 2020 in an article titled “Panicky army chiefs, deploy special forces.” It is not true that the military has deployed as alleged by this malicious newspaper article, which is false in all respects, hence it cannot go unchallenged.

Besides being malicious, the news article raises some serious allegations, which are outright falsehoods against the Zimbabwe National Army. It should be therefore noted that the Zimbabwe National Army is apolitical and its roles and duties are clearly spelt out in the Constitution of Zimbabwe and amplified in the Defence Forces Policy.

The Army is a professional national institution that is guided by the country’s Constitution. When it deploys, the nation is accordingly informed. There is, therefore, no secret deployments as falsely alleged in the newspaper article.

In view of the increasing media queries on ZDF deployments against machete-wielding gangs, the so-called “Mashurugwi”, members of the public should be made aware that it is purely the responsibility of the ZRP to deal decisively with the menace. We are convinced that the ZRP will be equal to the task and bring all the culprits to book.

The ZDF are committed to ensuring that peace and security are maintained throughout the country. Members of the media should, therefore, feel free to clear any doubts on any issues involving our members that may have the potential to destabilise the security situation in the country. The clearance can be done with relevant military authorities nearest to them.

Alphios Makotore

Lieutenant Colonel

By Own Correspondent| Former National Army boss, Dr Daniel Shumba has said that the socio-economic and political crises in the country are caused by corruption and greed for power.

He was responding to a local publication article which claimed that “panicky military chiefs” deployed special forces as the deteriorating state of affairs is thought to be enough to cause a revolt against the government. The army has however refuted the claims.

Commenting on the post, Shumba who now leads a political party named the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) said:

Confirmation of a captured nation. Liberators turned criminals under the guise of preserving a struggle 40 years gone. Extralegal indeed. Tensions as army deploy crack-teams.

Most of the instruments are young men hardly 40 years of age themselves. It’s the issue of greed, corruption, and power. An entitlement culture underpinned by the use of force, brutality, abductions, murders, expropriations, cronyism, and tribalism. Evil and merciless thugs.

The centre and nexus of the power play is the lost opportunity of transforming and creating space for young Commanders in the social-economic sphere of our nation-State. The JOC thus slowly captured State Institutions, took bounties from DRC (and gave rise to opulence).

The appetite for wealth had to be guaranteed by captured power, eliminate contesting interests leading to the 2017 Coup. Enveloping these processes are a litany of illegalities and unconstitutional conduct, only curable by a delicate, dependable, and knowledgeable intervention.

The danger of trivializing the complexities, balancing the risk of exclusion and retribution is real in the circumstances. While youth movements are energised, they lack a deep understanding of the demands of nationhood/statecraft. The Polad circus has no gravitas for such.

In order for democracy and constitutionalism to take root, Zimbabwe must have a shared commitment to foster processes that are driven by an ethos of mutuality.

Without an obsession for retribution. Uncapture and reform State Institutions. We need a steady and mature hand.

-ZimIndependent

By A Correspondent- Police have recovered a Toyota Allion that was used as a getaway car by armed robbers who stole substantial amounts of cash in foreign currency from suspected money changers at Makoni Shopping Centre in Chitungwiza on Wednesday.

The vehicle belonging to one of the suspected illegal foreign currency dealers, Jairos Jeke, was dumped outside Glen View Police Station.

According to witnesses the nine robbers, who were wearing masks, jumped off a Toyota Hilux truck armed with pistols, rifles and a machete before one of them ordered the foreign currency dealers, who trade outside Chicken Inn and Bakers’ Inn, to lie down.

The fast-food and confectionery outlets had to temporarily close their doors, with customers abandoning their food, as the heist unfolded. Some people who were queueing for cash at money transfer agency, Mukuru.com, scurried for cover while others lay on the ground face down.

The robbers targeted two brothers who are forex dealers. They robbed the two of their cash, before getting away with one of the brother’s cars.

National Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said vehicle was recovered but the ignition key, one tyre and the battery were missing.

“Police have recovered the vehicle which was taken by armed robbers who robbed forex dealers at Makoni Shopping Centre on Wednesday. The Toyota Allion was abandoned outside ZRP Glen View. We are still investigating the case,” he said.

Asst Comm Nyathi said it seemed the robbery was well coordinated and the robbers had full information about their targets.

He urged the public to desist from illegal activities, which included dealing in forex.

When The Herald visited Makoni shopping centre yesterday, fruit vendors and money changers were back at work. However, most of them confessed that they were still in shock following the Wednesday heist.

One robbery victim, Simbisai Jeke said:

“They came in an unregistered white Toyota Hilux double cab truck, fired shots in the air and ordered everyone to lie down. I was in my car and four of the guys who were heavily armed came and forced open my door and pulled me out.

“I removed the car keys and threw them under one of the cars that were nearby. They started assaulting me and I fell down. One of them searched my car and took all the cash. That is when they left me.

“They did the same to my brother and he also lost some cash and his vehicle. I heard the vehicle has been recovered in Glen View so my brother has gone there with the police,” he said.

Jeke said he lost RTGS$15 000, US$3 000 and a cellphone. “I lost all the cash. Mari yese yakaenda mukoma and handichina kana yebasa. From what I saw, I think these guys were only targeting us. How come they only robbed me and my brother. We are not the only people changing money at this complex. This was well planned and those robbers were not just ordinary people.”

Another money changer said, if the incident was to occur again, he would leave Harare for the rural areas.

“I was scared to death. I just went and hid in one of the shops. Nothing was taken from me. They only targeted two of our colleagues. It seems they had instructions to target the two. That is my thinking. If this robbery incident were to happen again, I would definitely leave for my rural home. I still love my life,” he said.

One of the vendors who sells textbooks concurred with Jeke saying the robbers were not ordinary people.

“I saw everything unfolding. It was like we were watching an action movie. One of the robbers, who was light in complexion is the one who fired warning shots first. One of the robbers was female and she had two pistols strapped on either side of her legs.

“The whole incident was well planned and there was coordination. These are not just ordinary robbers. They looked as if they were well trained.”

No one was killed and no arrests have been made so far.

-Statemedia

By A Correspondent- A father of two from Roodepoort in Gauteng told Daily Sun he was being terrorised by a group of 10 tokoloshes.

“Ten short men sing scathamiya songs, and when they start singing I can’t sleep,” said James.

“They’re dressed neatly in black and white. They stand next to my bed and sing while dancing to the music. They sing all night until the sun comes out.”

He said this had been going on for three years.

“I lost my job as an administrator and my job hunting has come to a standstill. One day I took a train to town and fell asleep and was mugged.”

James said he first heard the tokoloshes at his previous rental place and moved.

“But they caught up with me. I don’t want to change my address again,” he said.

He said when his lover visits she doesn’t hear anything.

“She’d be fast asleep while I’m wide awake,” he said.

His girlfriend Nony Dlamini (30) said: “He starts rolling around just after midnight. Eventually he just sits on the bed complaining about a group of tokoloshes.”

Nony said she didn’t see the tokoloshes.

“I try to stay awake but fall into a deep sleep. I’ll end up leaving him.

“I think the women who were with him left because they were hungry for love.

“We’ve been to sangomas and prophets but no one can help us.”

His previous landlord, Masego Tladi (51), said he found James sitting outside one night.

“He told me there were tokoloshes in the room but the tenants who moved in after him never complained.”

Sangoma Jabulani Mthimunye said someone who’s jealous of James might have done evil things to him.

“That person wants him to focus on useless things and never do anything positive with his life. I can help him remove those things.”

By A Correspondent- Five British nationals resident in France have tested positive to the coronavirus. The development was confirmed by the French health minister, Agnes Buzyn who said that they were not in a critical condition.

Agnes Buzyn added that the Brits, including one child, were diagnosed after coming into contact with a person who had been in Singapore.

The development brings the total number of positive cases in France to 11, with the number in Europe rising to 35.

Since the outbreak of the virus in December, 722 people have so far died from the virus in mainland China and 34,546 have been infected.

Another three have died from the coronavirus outside of China – one in Hong Kong, one in the Philippines and one in the US.

-DailyStar

By A Correspondent- Socialite Genius ‘Ginimbi’ Kadungure who is facing fresh charges of fraud on Friday was denied bail by Chief Magistrate Chrispen Mberewere who cited that he is a flight risk.

Ginimbi was on Monday called to report at the police and he surrendered himself to the police on Tuesday in the company of his lawyer Jonathan Samukange.

He was arrested.

The state opposed bail as they consider him a flight risk.

Mberewere said some of the reasons presented by the state were not applicable to the court as he is already on bail for another case.

The chief magistrate also added that a person who commits a crime while on bail proves to have no regard for the law and the court that grants him bail will be doing an irresponsible thing.

Kadungure is facing fraud charges of forging the value of a Bentley vehicle that he had bought at LSM Distributors Private Limited trading as Bentley Johannesburg in Melrose Boulevard, Johannesburg South Africa in 2019.

State claims that he paid US$81 000 duty charge instead of US$139 666.09 leading to a prejudice of US$58 665.09.

Ginimbi paid all of the prejudice when he was asked to.

He was remanded to February 20 2020.

Correspondent|PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has ‘poisoned’ the unity that existed among a coalition of civil society organisations in Matabeleland leading to a messy fallout, with a splinter group now accusing the other of associating with the enemy.

Mnangagwa is a hated figure in Matabeleland because of his role in the early 1980s Gukurahundi massacres in which some 20 000 civilians died in the hands of the military.

He was state security minister at the time who allegedly played an active part and further incited the onslaught on innocent civilians who were accused by government of harbouring armed deserters from the national army who were causing terror in the region.

Late national hero Dumiso Dabengwa’s Foundation has joined over a dozen Matabeleland civil society groups that have split from the umbrella Matabeleland Collective (MC) to form a new group called Matabeleland Forum (MF).

MC is a coalition of civic society groups that include charity groups, Non-Governmental Organisations and churches within the region.

The newly formed Matabeleland Forum is accusing MC of failing to live up to its formation objectives that is, pushing for development in the marginalised region, accountable leadership and equality.

Tension among the groups was brought sometime last year when some of the groups met Mnangagwa.

This did not go down well with the other groups that felt it was taboo to jump into bed with the enemy amid fears the groups were opening themselves to capture by the national leader and his Zanu PF party.

Organisations that have broken from MC include the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association, Christian Legal Society, Community Youth Development Trust, Habukkuk Trust, Centre for Innovation and Technology, Dumiso Dabengwa Foundation, National Youth Development Trust, Ukuthula Trust, Women’s Institute for Leadership Development, Zimbabwe Christian Alliance Masakhaneni Trust among several others.

Addressing journalists about the development on Friday, Director of the Dumiso Dabengwa Foundation, Mthulisi Hanana said the new group members “have agreed to reorganise ourselves into a non-partisan loose coalition of Civil Society Organisations that are promoting genuine debate on historical experiences and current developments that are pertinent to the Matabeleland region”.

“It is in this spirit that we disassociate ourselves with the Matabeleland Collective as the grouping has derailed from its original values of accountable leadership, acknowledgement of equality, inclusivity and autonomy amongst its members,” Hanana said.

He also said the organisations that have left MC explored all available avenues of conflict resolution within the coalition, but all effort was in vain.

“Decision making with the Matabeleland Collective continues to be limited to a few self-appointed individuals even though the impact of such decisions affects all the members.

“There have been no genuine efforts towards dealing with concerns by members on the alleged capture of the Matabeleland Collective by partisan forces existing outside it.”

By Own Correspondent| Harare city council has issued at least 10 000 summons to defaulting ratepayers.

Said the local authority in a statement:

“10 000 summons have been issued to defaulting ratepayers. Council urging debtors to do payment plans or to pay up before legal action is taken. Residents entering into payment plans should at least pay their current bills.”

State Media|Zimbabwe should use its God-given resources, including the skills of its people, to develop the country and stop mourning the negative impact of sanctions imposed by the West, President Mnangagwa said yesterday.

Speaking after joining Banket residents in a clean-up of Kuwadzana Shopping Centre in the town, he said students will be exposed to modern science so that they develop inventions that develop the economy. Already over 90 patents have been granted to local students since the introduction of innovation hubs at State universities two years ago and he said the inventions would result in an increase in locally produced products.

Innovation hubs, which are a brainchild of President Mnangagwa, provide a platform for innovators and researchers to develop their inventions up to prototypes with the aid of experienced staff in the area of technical skills development, entrepreneurship and business incubation.

Zimbabweans had the capacity to overcome the effects of the illegal sanctions if they united towards a common goal and vision.

“We introduced innovation hubs at our universities. In the past 18 months that we have so far after introducing these innovation hubs, we now have over 90 patents or inventions done by our children,” said President Mnangagwa.

“We thank them for that. We have brilliant boys and girls in this country. Going forward, we can see that our country is going to be transformed by inventions by our children and skills from our children. We are a developing country but we should not cry that we have sanctions imposed on us. We should look at what God has given us and develop our country. Those who want to come and assist us, they should do so on our own terms.

“We don’t want them to come and lecture us or rule us. They should rule their countries and we rule ours. This is our country. To you the school children, we will do our best as Government to make sure you are exposed to modern science and technologies because the future of this country lies in science and technology, in yourselves creating employment, jobs and products and services for the nation. The future is upon you. It’s your duty to develop our country for it to be at par with other countries.”

President Mnangagwa said unity was the major catalyst for national development, adding that challenges are there and every country has its own.

He said even though Zimbabwe was slapped with illegal sanctions by the West, the country will still develop if citizens united and shun violence. “We don’t want people with a spirit of violence. Even God wants to see his people living in peace. If you see a church that preaches violence do not go to that church again. Churches should preach peace and unity.”

President Mnangagwa said Government had declared 2020 the year of productivity and trade, adding that Government will continue with the engagement and re-engagement drive with all countries of the world.

The President said following two consecutive years of drought, water levels in Kariba Dam had dropped thereby reducing power generation capacity from 1 050MW to 100MW. “Due to climate change, we are already implementing other projects such as solar and thermal to avert load shedding,” he said.

Turning to the clean-up exercise, President Mnangagwa said Government would soon strengthen anti-litter laws to ensure a clean environment. The clean-up campaign was a national programme not meant to clean cities and towns alone.

The President said companies should contribute towards a clean environment through buying litter bins for their localities.

At Mahusekwa Growth Point in Mashonaland East, hundreds of villagers from surrounding communities took part in the clean-up. In a speech read on his behalf by the Minister of State in his office Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga commended the villagers for cleanliness at the growth point. “I would like to thank you all for continuing to show team spirit by continuously cleaning your environment,” he said. VP Chiwenga said this year, the monthly clean-up exercise will focus on smaller towns and other outlying areas.

“Over this past year, the national clean-up programme has been concentrated around cities. However, 2020 is a year with a difference as we are focusing on small towns, rural business centres, growth points so that no one is left behind,” he added.

At the Simon Muzenda Street Bus Terminus in Harare, Defence and War Veterans Affairs Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said: “Our constitution is very clear and very explicit that we want to keep our environment very clean for our benefit as a current generation, but also we need to keep that environment clean for future generations.

“We are very happy that our President Cde Mnangagwa is a lawyer and takes the issue of constitutionalism seriously. That is why he is taking the lead to ensure that we clean our environment. This will ensure that we breathe clean air and also we will enjoy clean water. So it is important to know that an environment which is clean guarantees people good health.”

Exiled former Zimbabwean Cabinet Minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo has said it is no brainer for one to propose for a dialogue between president Emmerson Mnangagwa and opposition MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa over the alleged “evil corruption” in the country by cartels.

Moyo’s remarks come after the suspended ZANU-PF Youth League Political Commissar, Godfrey Tsenengamu announced at a press conference held at media centre this Friday that Zimbabweans will converge on the 21st of February and demand Chamisa and Mnangagwa to meet over the alleged corruption.

In response, Moyo said:

“This is an example of a mgodoyi narrative. Not even an ediot would propose a meeting between Mnangagwa & @nelsonchamisa to solve what #Tsenengamu & #Matutu have said is evil CORRUPTION by cartels run by Kuda Tagwirei, Billy Rautenbach & Tafadzwa Musarara, all MNANGAGWA’S cronies!

“The ZANU-PF Youth League this week alleged that Kuda Tagwireyi, the Sakunda Holdings boss was leading a cartel in that was constraining government efforts to revive the economy.

“Tagwireyi made headlines last year after he allegedly, among other things, abused US$3 billion that was meant for Command Agriculture and authorities, according to some, have been protecting him as “he has influence over them”.

This nonsensical equation of ZanuPF & the MDC on the corruption scale, is an amateurish & silly manner of constructing “a third way” to facilitate some kind of an “NTA”. It’s the WRONG way of getting the RIGHT thing. The FORCES behind Tsenengamu & Matutu need to start THINKING!

The FORCES behind #Tsenengamu and #Matutu are putting CORRUPTION on the negotiating table, and removing from that table the stolen 2018 presidential election. Yet the CORRUPTION is not only by ZanuPF cartels but it also includes a CORRUPTED and stolen 2018 presidential election!

Own Correspondent|Former advisor to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Christopher Mutsvangwa has claimed that the leader of the opposition MDC, Nelson Chamisa knows that president Emmerson Mnangagwa won the 2018 presidential elections but does not want to accept defeat.

Mutsvangwa claims that Chamisa is afraid of the MDC Constitution which provides that a presidential candidate who loses an election has to resign.

Watch the video below for more.

SUSPENDED Zanu-PF youth leader Godfrey Tsenengamu has revealed that he and Matutu will be using a new organisation, Zimbabwe First Agenda, to push for dialogue between Chamisa and Mnangagwa on 21 February.

He said there was need to question the two leaders’ unwillingness to meet and dialogue since they were equally responsible for the economic and political mess in Zimbabwe.

Said Tsenengamu: “The solution to Zimbabwe’s problems lie within all Zimbabweans but we have to be honest and accept that the Zimbabweans for now are in two places, in MDC and Zanu-PF.

“The solution to this problem is on the two political parties because they are also part of the problem, not because they are saints or geniuses but because those who create a mess are best to solve it.

“The mess we find ourselves in are on the shoulders of our two dear political parties. Why is it difficult for them to meet? Does it require for Zimbabweans to get into the streets and demonstrate?.

“I am not calling for a GNU (government of national unity) and I am not against a GNU. Why not sit with fellow brother?. The situation out there is threatening and we all be losers. If our leaders don’t act now, all of them will be at the risk of being on the wrong side of history. You are part of the mess,” he said.

He claimed there were hardliners in Zanu-PF and the MDC who don’t want to see Chamisa and Mnangagwa in dialogue and solve the current crisis.

“These two leaders face extinction if they are not careful. They are being cheered to the graveyard. If Mnangagwa and Chamisa meet, will someone melt?

“The solution does not need (former South Africa President Thabo) Mbeki. I am going to appeal to my leaders in the party and knock some sense into their heads. I am not joining the MDC, but I don’t recognise Obey Sithole of the MDC as an enemy. I don’t recognise Chamisa as an enemy,” said Tsenengamu.

Mbeki was in Zimbabwe in December last year and met Chamisa and Mnangagwa including other political parties to try and find a solution to Zimbabwe’s challenges.

The leader of the opposition MDC, Nelson Chamisa told former South African President Thabo Mbeki the Zimbabwe military should be part of the dialogue with President Emmerson Mnangagwa as part of moves to rescue the economy.

The Thabo Mbeki Foundation is handling dialogue between Chamisa and Mnangagwa with the support of the South African government.

Mbeki was in Zimbabwe in December and met Mnangagwa, Chamisa and other fringe political players that make up the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad). Chamisa has refused to join Polad insisting for bilateral talks with Mnangagwa.

Chamisa told Mbeki the military should be involved in the talks. On the eve of the 2002 Presidential election, the military — headed by then Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander Vitalis Zvinavashe — said the presidency was a “straitjacket” and they would no support anyone without liberation war credentials to occupy the office.

This was in apparent reference to then MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

The military has not retracted that statement. Linda Maso, South counsellor for political affairs at the South African Embassy in Harare, said Chamisa has raised the issue of the military.

“We understand that Chamisa has raised a lot of matters in the dialogue including the issue of the military during his meeting in South Africa last week with former President Mbeki, but we were not in the meeting in Pretoria since it was a private meeting,” Maso said.

“But we are being briefed by our government in Pretoria to help to facilitate for further meetings in Harare as Mbeki promised to come back to Zimbabwe when he left in December.”

Added Maso: “We are now waiting for further instructions from our government to know when former President Mbeki is coming back for the dialogue to resume.

We saw Chamisa interviews on television in South Africa and also heard his radio interviews and about the dialogue and we are ready to facilitate with the logistics of the dialogue that includes former President Mbeki if he comes back to Zimbabwe.”

But Presidential spokesperson George Charamba dismissed the call by Chamisa to involve the military in the dialogue saying it was unconstitutional.

“He now seeks to introduce the military into the dialogue without realising that he is running foul to the Constitution.

At one level, you can’t be saying security forces must be apolitical, but at the same time you are making them a stakeholder in a political dialogue.”

Charamba said. Chamisa’s spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda said: “ My principal raised serious matters in his meeting with Mbeki including the matter of the military, but we cannot talk much at the moment as we don’t want megaphone dialogue and the statement shall be made at the appropriate time by the respective leaders through their offices.

I am yet to be briefed on the date when Mbeki will come to the country by my principal.”

Chamisa was in South Africa at the invitation of Mbeki and as a follow up to their meeting in December.

“Chamisa brought to the table matters for discussing including that the military had also to be consulted in the dialogue.

It is a very sensitive and delicate matter that has to be handled in a diplomatic manner and this is a major decision to involve them and there is no part that is willing to comment on anything about it,” said the source.

“We know that the matters are very sensitive and the leaders are now talking about wanting SADC and the AU to also understand the situation.”

Analysts say dialogue between Mnangagwa and Chamisa would halt the economic decline.

Zimbabwe is facing its worst hunger crisis in a decade with nearly 8 million of the population food insecure, according to the World Food Programme.

The UN agency plans to double the number of Zimbabweans it assists up to 4.1m but will require over US$200m in the first half of 2020.

Mbeki was midwife to the inclusive government that ran from 2009 to 2013.

This came after Mbeki secured the Global Political Agreement in which Zanu PF and the two MDC formations agreed to work together after the disputed 2018 elections.

Business Times

State Media|Former Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Priscah Mupfumira, who is facing three counts of criminal abuse of office, has filed an urgent chamber application with the High Court seeking a review of the dismissal of her application to have charges relating to the purchase of two cars set aside.

She allegedly connived with Ngoni Masoka (former Secretary for Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare) to buy two cars she was not entitled to.

Mupfumira through her attorneys, Messrs Makwanya said the review is sought on the grounds that acting chief magistrate Mr Munamoto Mutevedzi’s ruling of dismissing an exception she had filed was grossly irregular and unprocedural.

Mupfumira argues that Mutevedzi did not have all the documents and therefore he could not make a valid decision. She said the ruling was made without reference to particulars which had been supplied by the prosecution but were not placed on the court’s record.

She continues to argue that her actions do not constitute an offence and raised a number of technical issues concerning amendments to the charges.

“It simply does not make sense for the prosecution to allege that Masoka was not entitled to undertake the procurement of the motor vehicle in issue. There can not be abuse of duty as a public officer when one acted within the scope of their duties. An essential element of the charge, according to the State papers is therefore missing,” she said.

On the second charge, that the transaction not supposedly disclosed to the principals, is not defined and is vague and confusing as the State failed to define the role of Central Mechanical Equipment Department, she argues.

In the third count, she said there were contradictions since it was alleged that Mupfumira authorised the expenditure yet within the outline it stated that Alexandria Bwerinofa authorised the same expenditure.

Masoka, Prosecutor General Kumbirai Hodzi and the National Prosecuting Authority are cited as respondents in the matter.

The case is yet to be heard.

Own Correspondent|Opposition MDC Senator Lillian Timveous appeared in court on Friday facing charges of threatening to destroy Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s (Zec) offices in Zvishavane ahead of the July 31, 2018 elections.

Timveous also faces charges of stopping a Zec Zvishavane district election officer, Regressa Dube, from distributing ballot papers to voters who had applied for postal voting on July 15, according to summons.

She also faces two charges of disrupting operations at Zec’s Zvishavane offices, even threatening to use violence.

“… at the Zec (offices at) government complex in Zvishavane, Lillian Timveous, being a member of the MDC Alliance, unlawfully obstructed Regressa Dube, who is a Zvishavane district election officer, from issuing postal ballot papers to voters who had applied for postal voting, that is to say Lillian Timveous dispersed the postal ballot voters who were receiving their ballot envelopes containing postal ballot papers from Regressa Dube,” the summons read.

“… Timveous, being a member of the MDC Alliance, unlawfully threatened to damage Zvishavane Zec offices where Regressa Dube, the Zvishavane district election officer, works from that is to say Lillian Timveous uttered that be guarded continuously or else she was going to break into Zvishavane Zec offices,” the second charge reads.

The court released her on bail awaiting trial set for the 17th of this month.

Watch video downloading below:

https://youtu.be/SxnJDey1YZ8

The military-backed government of President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has been accused of having created the menacing machete  criminal gangs that are reportedly terrorizing people in the country’s remote gold mining areas and towns when it officially recognised them as Artisanal Miners instead of the informal illegal gold panners.

Over the years the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) descended heavily on the illegal gold miners commonly known as Amakorokoza and brought sanity on the gold mining sector.

However, when President Mnangagwa officially assumed power in mid-November 2017 from the late former President Robert Mugabe, he brought sweeping changes in some of the restrictive laws such as gold panning, public beer drinking, and road blocks amongst others.

The lifting of the restrictive measures in these laws are now haunting the country as road traffic accidents, gold panning and environmental degradation and criminal nuisance have been on the rise due to the relaxation of some of the laws.

Small scale mine owners across the country have lost thousands worth of dollars in processed gold and ore to criminal gangs who have been invading their mines demanding gold, money and other valuables, while other businesses have also been not spared as a result of these marauding gangs who broke into properties stealing anything valuable and beer from their shops.

“When the president declared that everyone was free to mine for gold under his Zimbabwe is Open for Business mantra little did we know that this was going to be the beginning of our problems. So far I have lost more than 20 kilograms of gold ore,” said Mpumelelo Sibanda a Miner in Inyathi outside Bulawayo.

Apart from the gold ore he also lost property, production time and worker who were driven out side his mine by the gangs who have since camped at his mine.

“They are here as I speak I cannot drive them out, they said we can share what ever I am getting in terms of gold and openly declared to me that Zimbabwe was open for business and I cannot do anything to them,” said Mr Sibanda.

The gangs known as MaShurugwi have become a poser for both the country’s security forces and the judiciary as they have become the law unto themselves; there are also fears that they were the ruling party’s militia on an intimidatory spree ahead of the country’s presidential elections in 2023.

Although special courts have been established to fast track and speedily prosecute the gangs, interference by some senior politicians has seen some the offenders getting released on paltry bail while some were let scot-free putting paid to fears that these were Government-sponsored gangs meant to intimidate people.

Apart from targeting mining areas, the criminal elements are also targeting house holds stealing food, money and other valuables.

“This is a creation of the government and they are now failing to deal with with this menace, what are we supposed to do as law abiding citizens, where are we going to report them. They are now the law themselves,” said Mrs Molly Ndimande from Filabusi who lost three goats and a cellphone to the gangs.

However political analysts have blamed the state of affairs to president Mnangagwa’s lackadaisical attitude towards the enforcement of laws meant to protect citizens.

“The president has been quite, in Zimbabwe, everyone does what they want, they are hiking prices of basic goods on a daily basis, they just wake up and do what they want, school fees is beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.

“Ministers and members of parliament are looting food aid, money meant for charity is disappearing, people are mining everywhere, the police have been stripped of their powers, drunkards are harassing women and children and he is watching. The wheels have come off this country,” said Political Analyst Moses Dube.

Other analysts observed that since Mnangagwa’s reign more people have passed on in road traffic accidents, while some man-made disasters have also contributed to the loss of life and limb.

The police have literally been bystanders and watchers while others law enforcers joined in, in the commission of serious crimes such as rape and armed robbery, statistics from the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe have shown a sharp rise in the number of fatal accidents in the past two years most which were as a result of human error and largely due to the non enforcement of road traffic rules by the police.

“The police just stand ad watch, they no longer enforce the law as they used to, some are openly seen drinking beer in public while in their police uniforms, the problem is they feel their powers were stripped from them and they can no longer care. They are also powerless to apprehend the powerful criminal gangs,” said one of the victims of these gangs Farai Maphosa of Shangani some eighty kilometres east of Bulawayo.

The mineral-rich Shangani area is rich to some gold deposits and has also been targeted by the criminal gangs who have driven out legitimate mine owners out and have been mining and selling gold to the Reserve Bank subsidiary Fidelity Life without any questions asked about the source of their gold putting paid to fears that the gangs were politically connected.

Meanwhile, the gangs who move in numbers of anything between fifty to hundred descended on some mines in Matabeleland South Province where they have been camping since last week. They reportedly clashed with a group of syndicated war veterans who own some gold claims in the area.

Police, however, could not immediately confirm the presence of the gangs.

For views and comments write to: [email protected]

Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) talks on salaries and wages reached a deadlock yesterday, with the Government and labour on one side agreeing that there should be a minimum wage, while business rejected this.

Yesterday’s meeting was the second among the parties to the TNF following Wednesday’s meeting and it was anticipated that the three would find each other and come up with a position to cushion workers and spur economic growth.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima, who chaired the meeting, and Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) president Mr Peter Mutasa confirmed the deadlock, while business representative, Mr Sifelani Jabangwe said he wanted to brief his constituency before issuing a statement.

The process of aligning wages and prices dominated Wednesday and yesterday’s meetings.

Prof Mavima described the salaries and wages issue as an urgent matter which he would take to next Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting for guidance.

“We did not finish our deliberations on Wednesday because there was an issue of how we can address the erosion of wages of workers across the board in this country. We came back today (yesterday) to discuss that issue.

“We are very close to actually reaching a consensus. We want to take the issue to Cabinet so that it will make the necessary decision on the issue of the erosion of wages and salaries of the workers of this country.

“We are doing that in full cognisance of the fact that we are a country that needs to stabilise its economy and also that we are a country that needs to grow its economy towards attaining Vision 2030 that His Excellency, President Mnangagwa has articulated which is achieving an upper middle income economy by 2030,” said Prof Mavima.

He said there was need to balance between making sure that workers were compensated at a level where they would be motivated to continue offering their labour to the development of the country, but at the same time making sure that businesses remain viable.

“We need to increase capacity utilisation of businesses so that the economy can grow and we are hoping that when I go to Cabinet to make these presentations, Cabinet will give us the necessary guidelines and will make specific decisions on this particular issue,” he said.

-State media

A LOCAL businessman, accused of fuelling the forex black market, has been arrested for alleged money laundering and externalisation of over US$1,3 million.

Ismail Moosa Lunat (57) of Kumalo suburb was arrested by officials from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) on Thursday.

He appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya facing money laundering charges and was remanded in custody to Monday for bail hearing.

Lunat is no stranger to the courts as he has pending cases that include fraud for allegedly selling one property worth US$1,3 million to two different individuals. 

Prosecuting, Mr George Rufumoyo said Lunat is facing criminal charges for offences dating back to 2018.

It is alleged that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe at some point in December 2018 raised a red flag over Lunat’s use of his company bank account to engage in illicit transactions. 

The State alleges that Lunat is one of the businesspeople who have been under scrutiny by the central bank for fuelling the foreign currency black market, a move which has contributed to the spiralling of rates on the parallel market. “On December 5, 2018, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe raised an alarm to the effect that the accused person used his company, Rollright Consultancy NMB account number 00002101194387 to peddle in illicit financial flows through illegally engaging in trade or exchange of money. 

“This resulted in thousands of United states dollars being externalised outside Zimbabwe while various amounts were channelled into the black market in Zimbabwe,” said the prosecutor.

Mr Rufumoyo further alleges that at the time when the offence was committed, Lunat and his accomplices (names not provided in court) received US$1 349 495.24 through his company and he transferred the money into several individuals and companies’ bank accounts.

Lunat through his legal representative Mr Nqobani Sithole of Ncube Attorneys accused Zacc and the State of confusion and overzealousness in the matter, saying they failed to do proper investigations as the matter was already under investigation by the ZRP Commercial Crimes Division. 

“You are overzealous, you started to investigate the case in the beginning of February and you are saying you have overwhelming evidence. This means you have a shallow understanding of the case because the CID Commercial Crimes Division is working on the matter and you took it over from them without a clear understanding of the case,” said the lawyer.

Mr Sithole said despite the fact that Lunat is facing a serious offence, he deserves to be granted bail as he never fled. “He never escaped any jurisdiction for the previous cases he faced. He does not have any travel documents which means he cannot abscond court orders,” he said.

The lawyer said Lunat is diabetic and he had gone for two days without taking his medication and had not eaten anything since his day of arrest, as he was Muslim and could only eat particular foods.  For the State, Mr Rufumoyo said Lunat could not be granted bail since he allegedly committed other crimes whilst on bail for other pending cases. “If granted bail the accused person might tamper with the evidence like bank statements. Bearing in mind that the offence was committed electronically, he can tamper with the evidence and hinder our investigation,” said Mr Rufumoyo. —

-State media

By Own Correspondent| Harare Magistrate Wongai Muchuchuti on Friday 7 February 2020 ended the detention of Makomborero Haruzivishe, a pro-democracy campaigner, who was arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers and charged with inciting public violence and resisting arrest by law enforcement agents.

Haruzivishe was arrested on Wednesday 5 February 2020 by some ZRP officers and charged with incitement as defined in section 187 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and resisting a peace officer as defined in section 176 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

Prosecutors alleged that Haruzivishe incited some vendors to commit public violence by whistling to them when some ZRP officers were on an operation to round up informal traders in Harare’s central business district.

Haruzivishe, the prosecutors charged, also resisted arrest by some police officers who wanted to apprehend him.

On Friday, Magistrate Muchuchuti set free Haruzivishe, who had spent two nights in police detention at Harare Central Police Station, by granting him $200 bail.

The Magistrate also ordered Haruzivishe, who was represented by Kossam Ncube of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, not to interfere with state witnesses and to continue at his given residential address.
Haruzivishe returns to court on Wednesday 20 February 2020, where his trial is scheduled to commence.

Zimbabwe is expected to experience a prolonged wet spell with a likelihood of violent storms and heavy falls of 50 millimetres and above within 24 hours starting today, the Meteorological Services Department has said.

The bulk of the rainfall will be received in areas along and to the north of the main watershed, Matabeleland North, Midlands, all Mashonaland provinces, Harare and northern areas of Manicaland Province.

The department said because of the prolonged wet spell, some areas could experience flash flooding if they continued to receive heavy falls and river flooding was highly probable.

However, the rainfall distribution was not going to be uniform.

Some parts of the country have been receiving isolated rains, bringing relief to farmers who were beginning to count their losses as their crops had started wilting.

In some areas, especially the southern provinces, pastures were also succumbing to hot and dry conditions, while livestock were having challenges with drinking water.

In an advisory yesterday, the Met Department said from today to next Wednesday, localised heavy downpours greater than 50mm in 24hours were highly likely and the storms could be violent in some places.

“The MSD wishes to advise the public of the probability of a continued wet spell in most parts of the country from Friday 7 through to Wednesday 12 February 2020.

“On Thursday 6 February 2020, most areas in the country are expected to have scattered thunderstorms. Rainfall is likely to intensify from Friday 7 to Wednesday 12 February 2020, however the spatial distribution maybe variable across the country,” reads the statement.More in Home

The department warned the public against crossing flooded rivers and advised motorists to avoid parking vehicles under trees.

“The public should stay indoors during thunderstorms and never take shelter in isolated sheds or under trees. The department will keep the nation updated as the weather conditions continue to unfold,” said the MSD.

-State Media

Minister of transport, communication and infrastructural development Joel Biggie Matiza has been busted for abusing his office, using CMED and government resources to rehabilitate the road leading to his drive way.

View pictures of CMED and Fossil Construction earth movers at the road leading to Matiza’s house.

The Political Actors Dialogue platform has hit back at the opposition MDC after its reaction to a Zimbabwe Independent story which claimed the losing parties will gobble US$4,5 million on international campaign.

Yesterday, the MDC said it was a case of misplaced priority at a time the country was facing a serious foreign currency shortages.

But POLAD through its spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni said it was the MDC Alliance which was gobbling millions of public funds as evidenced by the theft of the $2 million reported in a local daily recently.

Below is the full text…

At the churches … the Zimbabwe council of churches with the same agenda: they came these fellas, the Wutaunashes, and these old men, father Mukonori, and this my brother (Nehemiah) Mutendi who comes from my home area. They came and then agreed that of a truth we have serious problems. And vaMukonori said of a truth we have a mukono of a problem. And vaWutaunashe said you Chamisa are the one who has the wuta Hwashe (the Lord’s sap). You are the one who must fix the country. And I said I am listening to you church elders, so then, what should I do? And they said, you must agree that Mnangagwa is the president.

And I said but I thought that the greatest thing in the Bible is that you must not lie. You want to watch me falling into hell? You are the church Bishops, you must be praying for me instead, that I remain holding onto the truth, because the elections were stolen in Zimbabwe .

Now, they then returned to Mnangagwa. ED then says Chamisa must just agree. He must just accept so that we work together. Next time I will send him the baton. And then I said so you actually know that you stole the baton from me? Next time when it catches you it will bring you down once again where you are isn’t it?

So I then said I want dialogue. So that is when vaMbeki came. vaMbeki came to me; he came in December and when he came, he said I have arrived in Zimbabwe and I know that you have an overwhelming support in the country and the sound of your popularity which is greatest, has reached me in South Africa. And I asked him, did it? And he said your popularity has power and then I asked, so what do we do now?

And he said, I would like to hear what your issues are because I do not understand why you are failing to agree with my friend Mnangagwa.

And I said I don’t understand how and where he is getting lost. I said I don’t want to join his club, Polad. There are some small dogs there that keep on barking and at times biting at the legs without achieving anything…VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

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Farai Dziva|The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC ) has released the fees structure for the Ordinary Level and Advanced Level June and November examinations.

See statement below:

O-Level fees per Subject
School Candidates ZWL$190.00
Private Candidates ZWL$190.00
Extra-Territorial Candidates ZWL$443.00
A-Level Fees per Subject
School Candidates ZWL$351.00
Private Candidates ZWL$351.00
Communication Skills ZWL$324.00
Extra-Territorial Candidates ZWL$716.00

The closing date for payments and submission of entries for June 2020 examinations is 28 February 2020 .

For November 2020 examinations, the closing date for payments and submission of entries is 27 March 2020 while the closing date for late entry is 15 May 2020.

By A Correspondent| Zimpapers has made senior editorial changes which shall see Hatred Zenenga taking over as substantive Herald editor, deputised by Ranga Mataire, who leaves the same position at Sunday Mail now to be occupied by Innocent Madonko.

Meanwhile, Lawson Mabhena takes over from Innocent Madonko as the Chronicle editor. Wendy Nyakurerwa-Matinde, who was an assistant editor at the Sunday Mail, was promoted to editor of Manica Post, taking over from Hatred Zinenga who has taken charge at the Herald.

Sunday News editor Limukani Ncube has kept his post, as does Victoria Ruzvidzo at the Sunday Mail

The development follows a series of other changes that have been taking place at Zimpapers. In 2019, three senior journalists at the Herald, news editor Takunda Maodza, chief reporter Felex Share, and senior reporter Tendai Mugabe were reassigned to head provincial bureaus of the paper.

Towards the end of last year, Caesar Zvayi resigned from the publisher while Tichaona Zindoga was fired from the post of acting Editor for allegedly travelling to South Africa for a meeting with the exiled former Cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere.

Godfrey Tsenengamu has denied links with G-40-watch video below :

Suspended Zanu PF Youth League members Lewis Matutu and Godfrey Tsenengamu addressed another news conference in the capital on Friday: see video below

THE Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has warned of flash floods and heavy rains in excess of 50 millimetres within 24 hours in most parts of the country, starting today and growing in intensity up to Tuesday next week.

In a statement, the MSD said the rains would be violent and destructive in some areas and urged members of the public to take the necessary precautionary measures.

“Rainfall is expected across the country for an extended period.

The storms may be accompanied by strong winds, hail and lightning. Localised heavy downpours of rainfall are highly likely during the wet spell,” reads the MSD statement.

“Moisture is being drawn into the country from Botswana and Zambia thus scattered rainfall is expected in most parts of the country starting on 6 February 2020. The rainfall is expected to intensify in most parts of the country from Saturday 8 to Tuesday 11 February.”

MSD urged motorists to take extra caution on the roads as the rains can affect their visibility.

It discouraged members of the public from parking their cars under trees.

Matabeleland North is one of the provinces that will receive significant downpours together with all Mashonaland provinces, Harare and some parts of Manicaland.

The MSD said Bulawayo, Filabusi in Matabeleland South and Binga in Matabeleland North received rains above 20mm within a day between Wednesday and yesterday.

The rains will come as a relief to most farmers and villagers as most of their water bodies had not received any significant inflows during this rainy season.

Bulawayo residents will be hopeful that the rains will also improve water levels at the city’s dams which are at 34 percent of capacity
All the city’s dams are situated in Matabeleland South province.-State media

VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

By A Correspondent| Zimpapers has made senior editorial changes which shall see Hatred Zenenga taking over as substantive Herald editor, deputised by Ranga Mataire, who leaves the same position at Sunday Mail now to be occupied by Innocent Madonko.

Meanwhile, Lawson Mabhena takes over from Innocent Madonko as the Chronicle editor. Wendy Nyakurerwa-Matinde, who was an assistant editor at the Sunday Mail, was promoted to editor of Manica Post, taking over from Hatred Zinenga who has taken charge at the Herald.

Sunday News editor Limukani Ncube has kept his post, as does Victoria Ruzvidzo at the Sunday Mail

The development follows a series of other changes that have been taking place at Zimpapers. In 2019, three senior journalists at the Herald, news editor Takunda Maodza, chief reporter Felex Share, and senior reporter Tendai Mugabe were reassigned to head provincial bureaus of the paper.

Towards the end of last year, Caesar Zvayi resigned from the publisher while Tichaona Zindoga was fired from the post of acting Editor for allegedly travelling to South Africa for a meeting with the exiled former Cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere.

Own Correspondent|The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council has announced the fees for the Ordinary Level and Advanced Level June and November examinations.

O-Level fees per Subject

• School Candidates ZWL$190.00
• Private Candidates ZWL$190.00
• Extra-Territorial Candidates ZWL$443.00

A-Level Fees per Subject

• School Candidates ZWL$351.00
• Private Candidates ZWL$351.00
• Communication Skills ZWL$324.00
• Extra-Territorial Candidates ZWL$716.00

The closing date for payments and submission of entries for June 2020 examinations is 28 February 2020. For November 2020 examinations, the closing date for payments and submission of entries is 27 March 2020 while the closing date for late entry is 15 May 2020.

For additional fees, amendment fees, late entry fees, penalties for late submission and mode of payment, download the ZIMSEC CANDIDATE FEES  document.

HEALTH minister Obadiah Moyo on Monday bragged in Parliament that he would only be censured by President Emmerson Mnangagwa who appointed him to government and not the senior doctors, who have called for his axing due to the deteriorating health situation in the country.

Moyo said this when he appeared before the Ruth Labode-led Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health to respond to concerns raised by the Senior Hospital Doctors Association (SHDA) about mismanagement of the country’s hospitals.

In one of its pleas to Parliament, SHDA called for the censure and firing of the Health minister.

“We ask Parliament, in light of its legislative and oversight roles, to censure the Minister of Health and Child Care so that he can stop his actions that are destroying the healthcare system of the country and causing many lives to be lost, failing which it should be caused that he be relieved of his duties before he destroys the nation’s investments in healthcare that have been done over many years,” the SHDA petition read.

In response to the issue, Moyo told Parliament that he was not responsible for the rot at the country’s hospitals, adding that Mnangagwa’s new dispensation inherited an already bankrupt system.

“The current healthcare administration and government inherited a bankrupt system, with no resources, empty warehouses, no medicines and medical sundries and a minimum of US$500 million and an additional US$200 million for replacement of equipment,” Moyo said.

“On the SHDA demand that the Minister of Health must be censured, the minister serves at the pleasure of the President and his actions are a collective decision of government as his main purpose is to align policies of government for the ministry which will then be executed by employees.”

He then blamed the doctors for the deterioration of the health sector, saying that it was their industrial action that caused deaths at the country’s hospitals.

“The deaths caused by the industrial action at any institution must be investigated because the ministry has horrendous reports where nursing staff were left to attend to patients without doctors,” Moyo said.

“When the new dispensation came into power, these problems were already there for the past 20 years, and they did not start with the present government (Zanu-PF under Mnangagwa).”

In their petition, SHDA also called for the disbanding of the Health Services Board, which it said was part of the health problems in the country.

The senior doctors asked Parliament to facilitate formation of a Health Services Commission.

Moyo, in response, said his ministry was looking at implementing the Constitution to set up the Health Services Commission.

Correspondent|Zimbabweans have to do away with the two-thirds majority in Parliament and vote for multiple political parties in order to stop politicians from abusing their authority, Professor Welshman Ncube has said.

Prof Ncube argued that a supermajority in Parliament has made it easier for the Zanu-PF led government to amend the country’s constitution ‘unnecessarily.’

He said without a two-thirds majority, it would take time for one political party to amend the constitution as it would require the by-in of other groupings and ultimately their constituents whom they represented.

Speaking at a public opinion space meeting on the proposed Constitution Amendment (No.2) Bill held Wednesday in Bulawayo, Prof Ncube, a constitutional expert underscored that without a two-thirds majority, political parties would trade as equals and not impose their interests on others.

“The provisions to change the constitution normally requires what we call supermajority, in our case in Zimbabwe, we need two-thirds majority, as it’s assumed it is difficult for anyone to garner two- thirds majority. But in Zimbabwe we know our elections and that Zanu-PF has had two-thirds majority successively,” he said.

Prof Ncube, who is also the vice president of the MDC, remarked that part of the problem emanated from the electorate.

“That is a part of the problem because we-the-people must always be slow to give any political party that much power but we gave them, now they are changing the constitution without any consultative consensus process. The amendments went through Zanu-PF processes, go to Cabinet then afterwards a bill emerges, which we see for the first time when it has been published. That is problematic,” he quipped.

The most important thing to make sure of was that no one has a two-thirds majority, Prof Ncube reiterated.

“No single political formation must have a two-thirds majority to be able to unilaterally on their own, effect change. If you don’t have a two-thirds majority an amendment is not necessary, it means you have to reach out to others, persuade them and everybody will be ultimately answerable to the electorate. Before these players agree to what they are proposing they will look back and say ‘will our constituency accept this’ because we all have to face the electorate at end of day,” he explained.

Prof Ncube said doing away with the two-thirds majority was the ‘surest’ point of minimising unnecessary amendments, which consolidated and accumulated power for those in power.

“They believe ‘the moment I have two thirds, I will do what I can because the people voted for me therefore, I can do it’,” the constitutional lawyer posited.

“When you know there is a political price to pay for doing something, even if you have a two-thirds majority, you will think twice before doing something. But if there is no political price to pay you will do it anyway, which is why citizens must resist so that we don’t have these willy-nilly amendments.”

A legal practitioner, Lactricia Mumba, asserted that when it came to elections, voters must know there were consequences to their vote.

“The problem we have now is deeper than discussions, it starts from how we vote. When we conduct voter education, we start six months before elections and we teach people how to mark their ‘x’ inside the box so it’s not a spoilt ballot. But we forget that ‘x’ is just a formality on paper,” she said.

“Voter education should go to the root to what your vote means, even those in rural areas should know what their vote means. To vote means the person I am voting for, I am sending them with my views, not to bring me rice or seed, but to enact laws in parliament.”

Mumba emphasised that two-thirds majority went to the root of voter education, noting if people knew voting represented something bigger, they would be empowered.

“When I vote for someone to represent my views, I don’t need to beg for seed but I would be empowered to buy my own seed. The problem of two-thirds majority is not at the top but at the bottom, from voter education. We must not cry after these amendments have been made but we must empower people to know what their votes means,” the lawyer opinioned.

Chairperson of the Zimbabwe National War Veterans Association, Ambassador Chris Mutsvangwa says it is high time MDC Alliance leader Advocate Nelson Chamisa to join the political actors dialogue (Polad) if his party is serious about rebuilding the economy.

Watch video downloading below:

Media Statement|As Zimbabwe’s economy sinks to plumbing depths, with the country’s hospitals and clinics without basics such as gloves, bandages and painkillers, fringe political leaders under the POLAD banner will spend millions of scarce foreign currency visiting global capitals on a purported international re-engagement drive.

It is unfathomable that POLAD comedians could spend US$4, 5 million in scarce for-ex on useless trips to Brussels, Washington, London and Paris while innocent Zimbabweans are dying at home.

That money would have been put to better use if it had been used to procure basics for the country’s major referral hospitals or importing food for the starving millions.

These POLAD actors are real actors in the literal sense of the word. An African proverb asserts that a man should not chase rats when his house is burning. And spending scarce foreign currency on trips to foreign capitals while the nation starves is akin to doing precisely that.

Zimbabwe is on a precipice. There is starvation in the countryside. Civil servants and our uniformed forces are suffering. Villagers, students and urbanites can barely survive while these fringe political actors burn scarce money on ill-advised trips.

This heartlessness is all the more reason why President Chamisa said he will not join this POLAD charade. In the middle of this suffering, we cannot have politicians spending scarce money on foreign travels that bring no dividend to despondent Zimbabweans.

We must engage nationally first in a sincere, honest and credible dialogue process that will move the country forward. Politicians should engage the situation in the country first before purporting to engage the international community about the so-called sanctions, which Zanu PF invited on the nation by killing innocent citizens and repressing people’s rights.

Zimbabwe needs a true people’s government that the nation voted for in 2018.

thepeoplesgovernment.

Luke Tamborinyoka
Deputy National Spokesperson

State run Herald newspaper claims that suspended Zanu PF Youth League executives Pupurai Togarepi, Lewis Matutu and Godfrey Tsenengamu said they will abide by the Politburo’s decision to demote them from their positions.

On Wednesday, the Politburo removed Togarepi as the party’s secretary for Youth Affairs, and suspended for a year, his deputy Matutu and Tsenengamu was the Youth League Secretary for Commissariat.

In separate interviews with The Herald this morning, Togarepi said he respects the decision taken by the party leadership to demote him from his position.

“I am a cadre of the party and I respect the decision of the party. I am a steward servant of the party and I serve at the pleasure of the President who appointed me to that position. The party is supreme and I’m therefore guided accordingly. I will continue to serve my party with the commitment and unquestionable loyalty expected of every cadre of the revolutionary party.

“I grew up in this party and I respect its decision,” he said.

Matutu said he respects the decision taken by the Politburo to suspend him.

“I remain loyal to the party and its leadership. I will never ever join any political party, which is not Zanu PF. Social media was awash with reports that I am joining MDC-A. Why should I join MDC-A. I am a Zanu PF card carrying member and I am ready to serve the party at any capacity as assigned by President Mnangagwa and party leadership.”

Tsenengamu has accepted the decision to suspend him and pledged to remain loyal to the party.

“I accept the position taken by the Politburo. I am now a card carrying member and I will not contest the decision and I do not have any intensions to join any political organisation.”

Own Correspondent|SUSPENDED Zanu PF Deputy Youth Secretary, Lewis Matutu has reported business mogul Kuda Tagwirei to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption (ZACC) for corruption.

His fellow suspended Zanu PF youth leader, Godfrey Tsenengamu revealed the detail while addressing a press conference in Harare on Friday.

“Matutu has reported the issue to ZACC today. We are still waiting for feedback. We are not foolish to report issues without supporting evidence,” said Tsenengamu.

Matutu And Tsenengamu were suspended for a period of 12 months after holding a press where they attacked Tagwirei for allegedly leading cartels that have bled the country’s economy through corruption.

Watch video of Tsenengamu press conference downloading below:

The Zimbabwe National Army has responded to ZimEye inquiries on alleged deployments across the country, and also on why it has not been seen doing anything to address the mashurugwi menace which has seen hundreds of people killed, a comparison being made to the 1 Aug military brutality in which the military sot and killed civilians under the guise that they were protesters.

ZimEye reached out to the ZDF on Tuesday, a day after the Zengeza MP Job Sikhala’s trial in Masvingo. WATCH BELOW –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53lhyzan5ZA

“In view of the increasing media queries on ZDF deployments against machete-wielding gangs, the so-called “Mashurugwi”, members of the public should be made aware that it is purely the responsibility of the ZRP to deal decisively with the menace. We are convinced that the ZRP will be equal to the task and bring all the culprits to book.“

FULL TEXT –

ZNA NEWS RELEASE

07 February 2020

MEDIA RESPONSE ZIMBABWE INDEPENDENT FALSE DEPLOYMENT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE MILITARY

The Zimbabwe National Army would like to categorically refute the false allegations published by the Zimbabwe Independent newspaper of 07-13 February 2020 in an article titled “Panicky army chiefs, deploy special forces.” It is not true that the military has deployed as alleged by this malicious newspaper article, which is false in all respects, hence it cannot go unchallenged.

Besides being malicious, the news article raises some serious allegations, which are outright falsehoods against the Zimbabwe National Army. It should be therefore noted that the Zimbabwe National Army is apolitical and its roles and duties are clearly spelt out in the Constitution of Zimbabwe and amplified in the Defence Forces Policy.

The Army is a professional national institution that is guided by the country’s Constitution. When it deploys, the nation is accordingly informed. There is, therefore, no secret deployments as falsely alleged in the newspaper article.

In view of the increasing media queries on ZDF deployments against machete-wielding gangs, the so-called “Mashurugwi”, members of the public should be made aware that it is purely the responsibility of the ZRP to deal decisively with the menace. We are convinced that the ZRP will be equal to the task and bring all the culprits to book.

The ZDF are committed to ensuring that peace and security are maintained throughout the country. Members of the media should, therefore, feel free to clear any doubts on any issues involving our members that may have the potential to destabilise the security situation in the country. The clearance can be done with relevant military authorities nearest to them.

Alphios Makotore

Lieutenant Colonel

MDC top official Tracy Mutinhiri has quit politics ending her long political career that saw her flirting with both the ruling Zanu PF party and the main opposition movement.

The firebrand politician, who once served as Labour minister, joined the MDC when it was still led by the late founder Morgan Tsvangirai after being expelled from Zanu PF in August 2011 on allegations of going against party policies and directives.

Mutinhiri announced her decision to leave the MDC and political arena in a letter dated February 5 and addressed to party leader Nelson Chamisa.

“This letter serves to inform you that I am tendering my resignation from your party with immediate effect. I would like to take this opportunity to thank most sincerely the late Morgan Tsvangirai who accepted me and accommodated me when I was expelled from Zanu PF and indeed yourself in the MDC family. I wish your party the best luck in its endeavours,” the letter read.

After crossing the floor, Mutinhiri faced criticism from the MDC family who accused her of being a spy sent to destroy the party from within.

She, however, held different posts including being a member of the national executive council which she held until her resignation.

“I confirm that I am no longer with the MDC. I am now concentrating on my farming business,” she told NewsDay yesterday.

She owns a farm outside Marondera. Mutinhiri is not the first to leave the opposition party from the province.

NewsDay Zimbabwe.

Businessman Genius Kadungure has been denied bail at the Harare provincial magistrates court.

Harare regional magistrate Crispen Mberewere denied Kadungure his liberty to be tried while out of custody on the basis that he showed dishonesty after committing the offence while on bail on other similar offences.

Kadungure is facing fraud charges after he allegedly undervalued his Bentley upon its importation into the country from South Africa and prejudiced ZIMRA of nearly US $58 665 in import duty.

Correspondent|Police have recovered a Toyota Allion which was used as a getaway car by armed robbers who pounced on illegal forex dealers at Makoni Shopping centre on Wednesday afternoon.

The vehicle which belonged to one of the illegal money changers Jairos Jeke was found dumped in Glenview. Jeke’s car was taken by the robbers after robbing him of his money. According to witnesses the nine robbers, who were wearing masks, jumped out of a Toyota Hilux truck armed with pistols, rifles and a machete before one of them ordered the foreign currency dealers, who trade outside the Simbisa Fast-food outlet to lie on the ground.

Fast-food and confectionery outlets Chicken Inn and Baker’s Inn had to temporarily close their doors, with customers abandoning their food, as the heist unfolded. Some people who were queueing for cash at Mukuru.com scurried for cover, while others lay on the ground. The robbers targeted two brothers who are forex dealers. They robbed the two of their cash, before taking one of the brother’s car and sped off with it.

National Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said when the vehicle was recovered, the keys, one tyre and the battery were missing.

“Police has recovered the vehicle which was taken by armed robbers who robbed forex dealers at Makoni Shopping Centre on Wednesday. The Toyota Allion was abandoned outside ZRP Glenview this morning (Thursday). The car has since been identified, however, one tyre, battery and keys were missing. We are still investigating the case,” he said.

Ass-Comm Nyathi said it seemed the robbery was well coordinated and the robbers had full information on their targets. He urged the public to desist from illegal activities, which include illegally dealing in forex.

President Mnangagwa has left Harare for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he will attend the 33rd Ordinary Summit of the African Union.

The summit commenced on January 21.

He was seen off at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Minister of Home Affairs Kazembe Kazembe, Minister of State for Harare Provincial Affairs Oliver Chidawu, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda, defence chiefs and other senior Government officials.

The first statutory meeting of the summit was that of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC), which was held from January 21 to 22.

The outcomes of the PRC deliberations were considered by the executive Council which has been meeting since yesterday. The Executive Council is charged with preparing the documents and drafting the decisions and declarations that will be considered by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, who will meet from February 9 to 10.

Meanwhile, Mnangagwa has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the 33rd Ordinary Summit of the African Union.

He was received at Bole International Airport by Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Ethiopia Ambassador Albert Chimbindi and embassy officials. A guard of honour was mounted by the Ethiopian army.

Correspondent|Members of the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) will spend at least US$4.5 million this year visiting global capitals that include Washington, Brussels, London and Paris on what Government says is an international re-engagement drive meant to spruce up the country’s image in the face of the elusive global capital and investment.

According to a report by the Zimbabwe Independent, as part of its international travels, the POLAD re-engagement sub-committee will be in the US from March 24 to 26, where it will, among other tasks, lobby for the removal of sanctions.

The committee comprises Thokozani Khupe (chairperson), Willard Mugadza (deputy chairperson), Kwanele Hlabangana (rapporteur), Aplonia Munzverengwi (committee member) and Khaliphani Phugeni (spokesperson).

It will also visit South Africa, United Kingdom, and several other European countries.The team has so far met with the European Union (EU) ambassador Timo Olkkonen, British ambassador Melanie Robinson and American embassy officials.

According to a POLAD handbook, the removal of sanctions “will go a long way in diffusing perceptions about Zimbabwe and give a new impetus to both the economy and opportunities for its people”.

Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba said the cost associated with the POLAD re-engagement committee’s mission was nothing compared to the cost of Western sanctions.

“Now you say ZW$80 million. How much is that compared with the cost of sanctions? They are chasing a programme to have the sanctions removed. And remember they are going to be paying in United States dollars where they are going, they need to pay for accommodation, food, travel,” Charamba said.

“It is a mission, and they are actually pulling a pillar policy of the Second Republic. It is part of their commitment on areas they wanted to look at, including the legislative reforms, policy reforms, uniting the nation and economic recovery. It is part of a solution to a common challenge.”

Roslyn Gubsin promised papers for UK, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, and Canada in the process conning a number of people.

The advert read:

Now recruiting those who want to come and work in care , driving and cleaning here in Europe you pay $300 it is for administration purposes we get you the job and you will be given 5 years Visa
Counties are
Belgium ??
Sweden ??
Canada ??
Germany ??
Northern Island ?
Netherlands ??
We are recruiting now we have a target to meet you don’t need any qualifications but you should be good at English

Airfare is paid for
Accommodation for 4 months after that you can get accommodation of your own choice.
You are bound to work for the Company for one year after that if you don’t like it you can move to another company.
If you like you continue
With your Visa during your leave days you can travel up and down

All serious candidates are considered.

Watch the original ZimEye.com expose in the video downloading below:

Own Correspondent|A Victoria Falls man who was conned of a huge amount of money by a constar who was promising access to overseas jobs has managed to recover his money following a ZimEye.com expose of the clandestine dealings.

A UK female pastor Roslin Gibson duped desperate Zimbabweans promising them immigration papers in Europe.

Following a ZimEye article profiling the first victims who are based in UK, new victims soon learnt they could approach ZimEye to get thwir stories published.

They were charged 300 US dollars each.
Gibson is a pastor.

Following the latest article, Gibson has refunded the first victim.

At 3.39pm she wrote to 7 of her victims, saying:

“Thank you guys like I said I am now refunding you from my on money . I am sorry for taking long but we all thought it would still work . Yours is coming soon guys like I said after all I will support you with projects home have a good day we are now family’

The Vic Falls based victim speaks to ZimEye.

Watch Live video downloading below:

Zimbabwe’s Chimurenga music maestro Thomas Mapfumo on Thursday took a dig at President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s chants in which he claimed 2030 will see him still in power.

For the record, Mnangagwa infamously said: “2030, ndendichipo (In 2030, I will still be President).

In an interview with Nehanda TV, Zimbabwe music icon Mapfumo had invaluable advice for the veteran politician, imploring him to step down, while also describing his continued stay in power as disastrous.

“Do not stay in power when you are not able to lead.

“What are you doing?

“You say 2030 you will be there; doing what, when people are dying of hunger?” Mapfumo queried.

WATCH Thomas Mapfumo lay into President Emmerson Mnangagwa in video downloading below:

Source: Nehanda Radio

MARRY Chiwenga, has once again been freed on $1 500 bail by High Court judge Justice Erica Ndewere.

Marry was jailed last week after she allegedly slapped her children’s nanny Delight Munyoro at Hellenic Primary School where the maid was picking up the three minors.

She was denied bail and remanded in custody.

Justice Ndewere ruled that Magistrate Bianca Makwande had erred in relying on mere common assault allegations as proven facts.

She also ruled that Marry had no previous convictions and her freedom cannot be sacrificed based on allegations.

“No evidence was led by the State or placed before the court neither was there any previous convictions presented,” the judge said.

“The State only relied on allegations which she denied. An accused who has not admitted to the allegations is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” ruled Ndebele before she freed her.

Marry will continue staying at her parents’ home as part of bail conditions. She was also ordered not to interfere with Munyoro and another witness Batsirayi Furukiya.

She is also on bail on other charges of attempting to murder the VP, money laundering and externalisation.

Suspended Zanu PF Youth League members Lewis Matutu and Godfrey Tsenengamu addressed another news conference in the capital on Friday: see video below

By A Correspondent| Marry Mubaiwa, the estranged wife of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, has this afternoon been granted $1 500 bail coupled with stringent conditions.

Mubaiwa who has been in custody since last Saturday after being denied bail by Harare magistrate Mrs Bianca Makwande is facing assault charges.

She allegedly assaulted the family’s maid Delight Munyoro at Hellenic School in Borrowdale following an altercation over custody of the children last week.

High Court Judge Justice Erica Ndewere upheld the appeal against the decision by Mrs Makwande of denying her bail on the basis that she had a propensity for violence.

Mubaiwa was also ordered to stay at her parents’ residence in Glen Lorne until the matter was finalised and not to interfere with state witnesses including Munyoro and Batsirayi Furukiya.

She is required to report once every fortnight on Fridays at the Borrowdale Police Station.

– StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Vice President Kembo Mohadi wants the court to dismiss his ex-wife Tambudzani Mohadi application in which she is demanding $13 000 monthly maintenance accusing her of seeking to reap where she did not grow.

Mohadi, who is being sued for US$13 394 post-divorce maintenance by his former wife, Tambudzani Bhudagi Muleya, has accused her of playing games with the court and attempting to embarrass him.

Mohadi and Tambudzani’s marriage was dissolved in 2018 and just after the nullification, Tambudzani petitioned the court seeking maintenance.

Tambudzani argues that while she was staying with Mohadi before their marriage irrevocably broke down, the couple purchased various business entities which were now being controlled by the VP and she was now surviving on a meagre allowance from her position as senator.

But in his response to the application Mohadi, said Tambudzani was a woman of means and was simply trying to play games with the court.

“The applicant (Tambudzani) is not entitled to maintenance post-divorce as she has no dependants to support. All children born out of the marriage relationship between the applicant and respondent (Mohadi) are adults. Applicant has no rentals to pay as she was awarded two houses when the marriage was dissolved which she is leasing and realises about US$1 000 per month from rentals,” Mohadi said.

“The consent paper signed by the applicant and the respondent shows that the applicant has other several properties of a substantial value and over 400 herd of cattle. She is not poor as she purports to be in the proceedings and is not in need of any maintenance.”

The VP further said an examination of Tambudzani’s requirements for maintenance as laid out in her founding affidavit does not give the impression that she was struggling and needed money for her upkeep.

“It boggles the mind why the applicant would want US$1 834 per month for holidays and what she calls church trips. This simply shows that the applicant is playing games with this honourable court. She is simply not serious. The applicant merely filed the present application to embarrass and harass the respondent,” he said adding that no justification has been given by Tambudzani for items listed on the purported schedule of expenses.

In her application, Tambudzani insisted that it was just and equitable for her to be awarded the sum of $13 394 as maintenance, an amount that would enable her to enjoy and maintain a standard of living reasonably comparable to the standard of living she used to enjoy while living with Mohadi.

But the VP dismissed her line of argument, saying it seems as if Tambudzani was alleging that he was obliged to maintain her after divorce, on the basis of the marriage vows that he made.

“It is common cause that for over 19 years she has been fending for herself without any support from the respondent. During that period she did not deem it fit to approach the courts for assistance. It is clear that she has been able to sustain herself and she can continue.

“She did not apply for maintenance because she was able to sustain herself and is still able to sustain herself,” Mohadi said.

-DailyNews