Farai Dziva|MDC Youth Assembly leader, Tererai Obey Sithole has challenged Emmerson Mnangagwa to stop harassing victims of corruption.
Sithole condemned the persecution of human rights defender Makomborero Haruzivishe.
“They arrested my brother Makomborero Haruzivishe yesterday.
He was brutalized and later arrested for simply being a conscious #Zimbabwean.
We demand his unconditional release for we all know he is not a criminal. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa arrest corruption not victims of corruption,” charged Sithole.
“Makomborero Haruzivishe stood with me when I was abducted and tortured by the dark forces of evil in our country. When I couldn’t speak he spoke for me and when I couldn’t walk he supported me.
I know and understand him. It breaks my heart to know that he is suffering in police custody and I’m not able to do much for him. I raise my voice to demand his release and for him to get medical treatment. Persecution of human rights defenders should end,” said human rights activist Tatenda Mombeyarara.
We seek to condemn in the strictest of terms the arrest of former Zinasu Secretary General Makomborero Haruzivishe on trumped up charges of inciting public violence.
Mako’s arrest exposes the paranoia of a regime that is keen on warfare with the citizens more than their welfare. A band of unintelligent people who know no difference between insight and incite.
If the state is so keen on arresting those inciting public violence, they should apprehend and lock away inflation, the exorbitant and unjustifiable fees hikes for, if the regime cares to know, such and more are inciting the students and the general public to something way bigger than public violence.
Arresting noble and patriotic voices like Mako will never wish away the financial and social hell him and many of us young people are groaning under and pointing out.
We are just but messengers of the poor, the neglected and the financially afflicted as a result of economic misrule and mismanagement by a regime that loots resources more than it looks after its citizens.
The regime must listen and declare war on corruption, poverty, inflation, the exorbitant cost education and many ills that are making life unbearable for the ordinary citizen and in us they will find willing helpers.
Arresting us will never wish away our discontent and will only incite citizens.
Tapiwanashe Chiriga
Zinasu Secretary General [email protected]
0778402734
FORMER Zanu PF Youth League Political Commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu has defied the party’s directive to go for political orientation at the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology.
The directive comes as a recommendation by ZANU PF’s Politburo after Tsenengamu and former deputy Youth Affairs Secretary Lewis Matutu held a press conference Monday accusing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s close allies of corruption.
“Ideologically I am up there, that is why I was elevated to the position I had. We cannot use Cde Chitepo’s name to protect corrupt elements. I am not going there. Those that made the recommendation should be the ones going to the school of ideology.”
Tsenengamu said he does not see where he and Matutu wronged the party.
“I do not see where we wronged the party. They said we flouted procedure yet they are the ones who tampered with the party constitution by failing to serve us with formal communication and give us an opportunity to defend our position before a disciplinary committee.
“We did this as individuals, and not representing the party,” he added.
The firebrand politician accused the Zanu PF hierarchy of playing the role of the “arresting officer, prosecutor, magistrate and prison official.”
“I do not care what will happen next. I am part of society, live in society and know what corruption is doing to the livelihoods of ordinary people. I cannot go against my conscience,” he said.-Credit :Zimbabwe Voice
Farai Dziva|ZINASU has said Emmerson Mnangagwa’ s government should not torment innocent and hapless citizens.
In a statement ZINASU condemned the persecution of its former secretary general Makomborero Haruzivishe by government agents.
See statement below:
We seek to condemn in the strictest of terms the arrest of former Zinasu Secretary General Makomborero Haruzivishe on trumped up charges of inciting public violence.
Mako’s arrest exposes the paranoia of a regime that is keen on warfare with the citizens more than their welfare. A band of unintelligent people who know no difference between insight and incite.
If the state is so keen on arresting those inciting public violence, they should apprehend and lock away inflation, the exorbitant and unjustifiable fees hikes for, if the regime cares to know, such and more are inciting the students and the general public to something way bigger than public violence.
Arresting noble and patriotic voices like Mako will never wish away the financial and social hell him and many of us young people are groaning under and pointing out.
We are just but messengers of the poor, the neglected and the financially afflicted as a result of economic misrule and mismanagement by a regime that loots resources more than it looks after its citizens.
The regime must listen and declare war on corruption, poverty, inflation, the exorbitant cost education and many ills that are making life unbearable for the ordinary citizen and in us they will find willing helpers.
Arresting us will never wish away our discontent and will only incite citizens.
Tapiwanashe Chiriga
Zinasu Secretary General [email protected]
0778402734
Farai Dziva|Robert Mugabe Way in Kwekwe has been renamed after Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Kwekwe mayor
Angeline Kasipo, quoted by NewsDay said:
Yes, it is true that the street was renamed and there is a sign post on the corner of the street right now.
However, we are going to be discussing that matter to see what happened because we do not have a resolution that paved the way for the renaming.
So at this stage, what I can say is that a position is going to be made at the next full council meeting to see if that development was regular or not.
MYSTERY surrounds the renaming of Robert Mugabe Way in Kwekwe to ED Mnangagwa Street, with council and the government denying involvement in what seems to be a ploy to erase the late former President’s legacy.
Last year, the Cabinet approved plans to rename roads, places and government buildings across the country, with 10 roads to be named after President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who owns Precabe Farm in Sherwood, near Kwekwe.
Cabinet announced that Enterprise Road (Harare), Sixth Avenue (Bulawayo), A5 Road (Kwekwe), Main Street (Gweru), Chipinge Main Street, Etherton Road (Bindura), Edgar Peacock Road (Mutare), Henry Hartley Road (Chegutu) and Hughes Street in Masvingo would be named after the incumbent President.
Kwekwe mayor Angeline Kasipo yesterday confirmed the renaming of the street, but said councillors were not involved in the development and the matter would be discussed at the next full council meeting.
“Yes, it is true that the street was renamed and there is a sign post on the corner of the street right now. However, we are going to be discussing that matter to see what happened because we do not have a resolution that paved the way for the renaming. So at this stage, what I can say is that a position is going to be made at the next full council meeting to see if that development was regular or not,” Kasipo, who is an MDC Alliance councillor, said.
Information permanent secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana yesterday said it was false that the street had been renamed and refused to shed light on the matter.
“Robert Mugabe Way has not been changed to ED Mnangagwa Street. You have inaccurate information,” he said curtly.
The Nelson Chamisa-led MDC has a majority of councillors in Kwekwe City Council.
Kwekwe-based human rights defender Nkosilathi Moyo said the general populace in the city was shocked to see the Robert Mugabe Way being renamed and said it seemed the process was irregular because councillors he spoke to in the city expressed ignorance on the re-naming exercise.
“The people of Kwekwe would feel that their rights were trampled upon because they were not consulted on the re-naming exercise. Besides that, we are shocked as to why the authorities chose to target the street named after the late President Mugabe when there are several others with names of former Rhodesian politicians and some whites from the colonial period,” he said.
Soon after the ED Mnangagwa Street sign post was erected, people took selfie photos of it and posted them on social media platforms venting their anger on the development, saying it was better to leave Mugabe’s sign post intact to preserve his legacy.
They said Mnangagwa should, instead, give the people of Kwekwe jobs because they were suffering under his leadership.
Moyo said people were generally unhappy about the name change.
Efforts to get a comment from Local Government minister July Moyo were unsuccessful as his mobile went unanswered.
By Patrick Zhuwao| ZANU PF Youth League leaders, Lewis Matutu and Godfrey Tsenengamu announced the creation of a rival movement to ostensibly address what they stated as the institutional failure of the Mnangagwa led ZANU PF party and government to tackle corruption.
Speaking at a media brieng at the Media Centre in Harare on Monday 3rd February 2020, the two senior ZANU PF leaders, indicated a very clear vote of no condence in Mnangagwa’s eorts at tackling corruption using both state institutions and the structures of ZANU PF.
Whilst the media brieng was supercially meant to address cartels, it became clear that the real objective was to announce the formation of what they interchangeably referred to as a movement, platform or organisation rival to ZANU PF.
The fact that the brieng was not held at ZANU PF Headquarters is very telling given that ZANU PF believes in its own supremacy. What is also particularly telling is that Matutu and Tsenengamu declared that they were not speaking for ZANU PF despite their very senior positions in ZANU PF’s Politburo and Central Committee, as well as in the Youth League’s National Executive.
They even went further to indicate, without any solicitation, that they were ready to leave their positions in ZANU PF. Given that the persons named as being cartel kingpins have been mentioned previously, it is clear that all the noises about cartels was merely a ruse to announce the formation of a movement, platform or organisation into which select persons would be absorbed as the system, which views itself as the real stockholder of ZANU PF, moves to implode the ruling party.
We are in for another episode of kuitiswa; this time in February and not November! Asante Sana. Iwe Neni Tine Basa. Umsebenzi lo Umkhulu.
By A Correspondent- A 66-year-old Chipinge woman appeared in court for stealing 12 cattle belonging to another villager.
Eunice Dziyani of Chichichi village under Chief Mutema. denied ever stealing the cattle and said they belonged to her she lost them in 2009.
They are my cattle. I didn’t steal the complainant’s cattle. They belong to me. I lost them in 2009 when they were still seven and recovered them in 2017 in the grazing area.
It is the state’s case that:
On an unknown date, but in July 2017, the complainant Silas Matangi from Samutsa village released his 12 cattle to a grazing land in the woods of Highlands Wattle Company and left them unattended. After some days, he went to collect them, but found them missing.
He searched for them in nearby villages, but could not find them and did not report the matter to the police since he suspected that they had strayed. A month later, he saw them at Matute Business Centre and he sent his employee to collect them.
When his employee was driving off the cattle, he was confronted by Dziyani’s children who asked him where he was taking the cattle. He advised them that they belonged to his employer.
Dziyani’s children went and advised their mother about the issue and she in turn approached her church pastor about the issue. He allegedly advised her to solve the matter without involving the police.
However, she went and confronted Matangi demanding the cattle, arguing that they belonged to her and had lost them in 2009. Matangi then reported the matter to the police, leading to Dziyani’s arrest.-Newsday
By A Correspondent- The Robert Mugabe way in Kwekwe has been renamed to ED Mnangagwa.
Kwekwe mayor Angeline Kasipo confirmed the renaming of the street and said:
Yes, it is true that the street was renamed and there is a sign post on the corner of the street right now. However, we are going to be discussing that matter to see what happened because we do not have a resolution that paved the way for the renaming.
So at this stage, what I can say is that a position is going to be made at the next full council meeting to see if that development was regular or not
Last year the cabinet suggested that roads be renamed. The City of Bulawayo, however, renamed most roads and ignored cabinet suggestions.
By A Correspondent- A safari and mining firm running the Mujingwe Conservancy in Mwenezi has taken President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Defence Forces Commander, Philip Velario Sibanda, Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri and 12 others to court over the deployment of soldiers into the conservancy.
Apatron Mining (Pvt) Ltd, through Ncube and Partners, filed an application for declaratur at the Bulawayo High Court on January 29.
The application cited Mnangagwa, Sibanda, Muchinguri, Macduff Madega — the Sheriff of Zimbabwe, Tonderai Tsunga — additional Sheriff Masvingo province, Joseph Kudumba, Elliot Muswita, Finger Tapera, Headman Mhizha, Peter Mudhumo, Rafael Shoko, Solomon Ndlovu, Haigwari Safari (Pvt) Ltd, director for Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) and Environment minister Mangaliso Ndlovu as respondents.
In his founding affidavit, Vusumuzi Osfael Mazibuko submitted that he was the managing director of Apatron Mining (Pvt) Ltd.
“This is an application to declare unconstitutional and unlawful, the entry into and continuing presence of armed soldiers at Mujingwe Conservancy Mwenezi. Consequential relief is sought to the effect that the soldiers be ordered to vacate the conservancy,” Mazibuko submitted.
“The factual background is that on October 11, 2016, the applicant received an offer letter to enter into a joint venture management of Mujingwe Conservancy with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority. The offer letter was signed by the board chairman on October 11 and by the permanent secretary on October 12, 2016. It was, thereafter, approved by the 15th respondent (Environment minister).”
He said on October 12, he received a letter from the ZimParks commercial director, indicating that the partnership agreement was being drafted and would be forwarded in due course.
“Meanwhile, we moved onto the site and commenced work as per the agreement of the parties. The joint venture agreement was for a period of 25 years running from 2017 to 2043. This, therefore, means that the joint venture agreement is still extant. On July 28, 2019, the sixth to 13th respondents obtained an order in default against a non-existent entity known as Vusimuzi Masibuko trading as Apatron Mining Fort Rixon. As is evident from the face of the order, the applicant was never a party to those proceedings.”
He said, however, that order was used to issue a writ of his ejection from the conservancy.
“The applicant was ejected from the conservancy on December 11, 2019. When executing his duties, the fifth respondent (Tonderai Tsunga additional Sheriff Masvingo province) enlisted the services of 10 soldiers, five (of them) were armed with AK-47 rifles. The soldiers wreaked havoc and damaged property. The applicant instructed legal practitioners to lodge a complaint with fourth respondent (Madega, the Sheriff of Zimbabwe), which was copied to the secretary of the Law Society of Zimbabwe and to the respondents and their lawyers.
Mazibuko said on December 23, he went to the conservancy, where he saw an armed soldier who told him that his other four colleagues were patrolling the conservancy.
He said his lawyers again wrote to (the Sheriff) asking for a response to their previous letter.
He added that their letter also indicated that two civilian members of the community had been shot by the soldiers, but the Sheriff did not respond.
Mazibuko said despite complaints to the authorities, the soldiers have remained put in the conservancy.
He said his interests and rights to the occupation of the conservancy had been grossly violated.
The respondents are yet to file their response to the application.-Newsday
MDC official Tracy Mutinhiri has announced her resignation from the Nelson Chamisa-led party.
The letter she wrote to Nelson Chamisa, dated 5th February 2020, says her resignation is with immediate effect.
Since joining the MDC in 2012, Mutinhiri could not realize her wish to become MDC legislator as well as a National Executive Council member. She was also a former spy in the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO).
Below is Mutinhiri’s resignation letter send to MDC leader Nelson Chamisa…
The 64-year-old Mutinhiri was once a Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare under Robert Mugabe, as she was then a Zanu-PF legislator for Marondera East. She also served as the political commissar for the Zanu-PF Women’s League.
She was expelled from Zanu-PF and the Government in August 2011 following allegations of going against party policies and directives. She then joined the MDC-T under Morgan Tsvangirai.
Mutinhiri was married to Zanu-PF official, Retired Brigadier-General Ambrose Mutinhiri.
MASERU (Reuters) – The Lesotho prime minister’s wife Maesaiah Thabane was released on bail overnight, ahead of her trial for the murder of his previous wife, her lawyer told Reuters on Thursday.
Maesaiah was detained and charged this week for the murder of Prime Minister Thomas Thabane’s estranged wife Lipolelo, who was shot dead near her home in the capital, Maseru, on June 14, 2017. Thabane took office two days after the killing, then two months later he and Maesaiah, now 42, got married.
The trial is currently scheduled for February 18.
Her lawyer Rethabile Setlojoane told Reuters by telephone that Maesaiah would travel to South Africa for a medical examination on Thursday, although it isn’t clear if she will be allowed to leave the country.
The prime minister’s previous wife Lipolelo, then 58, and Thabane, now 80, were going through an acrimonious divorce at the time of her killing.
By A Correspondent- Parents of junior rugby national team players were asked to sponsor their children’s Namibian tour.
The matter came to light after a Twimbo tweeted a letter that notified the parents of the costs and the breakdown of the tour cost.
Mke Madoda tweeted:
If we ever needed any further evidence of Zimbabwe Rugby’s staggering incompetence, this is it. To ask parents of prospective junior national team players to part with US$1061 is immoral. ZRU is virtually selling national team spots. What happens to the boys who can’t afford?
The letter attached to Mike’s tweet reads in part:
Dear Parent
Your son has been selected to be part of the Zimbabwe Rugby U18 Sevens National Team touring Namibia. The team will play South Africa, German, Namibia Botswana and Zambia. We will depart on 27 February and return 1 March
Tour costs
Flight (SA Airways Hre-JNB-WDH return) US 671
Team contribution, Kit, coach’s flights, additional accommodation US 390
By A Correspondent- Machete gangs pounced on Masvingo High Court Judge, Justice Garainesu Mawadze’s Waterfalls house in Harare where they severely assaulted his son, and left him for dead. They also stole US$1 500 and other items.
Another machete gang also raided a Kuwadzana forex dealer and stole US$300 and ZWL$18 000.
The two incidents happened on Tuesday.
Reports are that a gang of over 10 men armed with machetes, an assortment of weapons and pepper sprays pounced on Justice Mawadze’s house at around 6pm when there was no one at home.
After getting into the yard, they sprayed his two dogs with pepper spray and tied them to a tree.
They then stripped his Mercedes Benz E400 of its four wheels and a grill after which they broke the French door to his house to gain entry.
On getting into the house, they reportedly ransacked the house, turning everything upside down and stole US$1 500, an iPhone and DVD player.
Reports indicate that the judge’s son arrived while they were still inside the house and they sprayed him with pepper spray before assaulting him, leaving him unconscious.
After the robbery, they disappeared from the scene and are reportedly still at large.
Judiciary Service Commission spokesperson Brian Nkiwane confirmed the robbery without giving more details.
“We confirm receiving such a report and we can’t say much as the matter is under police investigations,” Nkiwane said.
National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he was attending a workshop.
In the Kuwadzana robbery, reports say a gang of six robbed a forex dealer of US$300 and ZWL$18 000 which was in his EcoCash account.
The gang reportedly arrived at Earnest Mukuzo’s house in Kuwadzana 3 at around 1am wearing masks armed with an iron bar, hammer and a pistol.
They awoke him and demanded cash.
In fear, Mukuzo handed over US$300 and his two cellphones which had ZWL$18 000 mobile money.
The gang also demanded his EcoCash pin code.
After robbing him, they allegedly struck him with an iron bar on both hands.
Mukuzo sustained a deep cut on his right hand.-newsday
By Jane Mlambo| Firebrand former Zanu PF Youth League Commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu has turned a recommendation that he attends the party’s school of ideology as part of conditions attached to his suspension from the party.
In an interview with a Zanu PF mouthpiece the Zimbabwe Voice, Tsenengamu said those who recommended him should be the ones to enrol at the party school of ideology.
He said the party should not use the late nationalist Herbert Chitepo’s name to protect the corrupt elements in the country.
“Ideologically I am up there, that is why I was elevated to the position I had. We cannot use Cde Chitepo’s name to protect corrupt elements. I am not going there. Those that made the recommendation should be the ones going to the school of ideology, ” Tsenengamu told Zimbabwe Voice.
By A Correspondent- The Cold Storage Commission management has resolved to lay off more than 140 workers, it has emerged.
The development comes amid indications that a British company Boustead Beef had invested in the company in a move aimed at reviving the defunct CSC.
The letter sent to the company employees to be retrenched reads:
As communicated to you, on 25th September 2019, the company has not been operational for more than 15 years hence the 4 months annual shut down of all Abattoirs and Sales Depots to enable the re-tooling of the Plant(s).
Boustead Beef Zimbabwe Pvt Ltd on behalf of the Republic of Zimbabwe/Cold Storage Company wishes to lawfully terminate all permanent employees on secondment.
This will pave way for Boustead Beef to carry out its recruitment and selection processes in preparation for the full Production set to commence end of 1st Quarter 2020
According to a letter issued by the CSC management, all retrenched people are expected to meet in the company boardroom today.
Part of the package being offered to those retrenched include:
By A Correspondent- Socialite and businessman Genius Kadungure, who is accused of fraud, was yesterday remanded in custody to today for his bail ruling.
Kadungure, who was represented by Jonathan Samukange, appeared before magistrate Chrispen Mberewere.
In his application for bail, Kadungure said the High Court ordered him to pay US$58 665 to Zimra as additional vehicle import duty which he did, leaving the State with no tangible allegations against him.
Samukange said the order compelled the complainant not to confiscate Kadungure’s vehicle, but the police violated the ruling.
The investigation officer Erasmus Mazhawidzi said Kadungure had a propensity to commit similar offences while on bail, but Samukange argued that he never committed any offence because he was currently facing mere allegations.
Samkange said Kadungure is on remand over a US$5 million case and could not flee a case involving US$58 665.
But the State opposed the application, saying Kadungure could interfere with investigations in South Africa as he always travels to that country.
But Samukange said the Bentley company, where his client bought the car at the centre of controversy, was an international company and the State must provide the names of people who he must not communicate with.
Samukange said there was no basis to deny his client bail as the accused voluntarily went to the police station despite knowing the charge. Mberewere will deliver his ruling today. The complainant is the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) represented by Lovemore Chigwanda.
Allegations are that sometime in 2019, the accused went to LSM Distributors, trading as Bentley Johannesburg and bought a Bentley for R3 281 784.
When he arrived at the Beitbridge Border Post, Zimbabwe side, Ginimbi allegedly connived with his agent Alexander Gumbo and forged the vehicle’s value to read R1,9 million.
They allegedly scanned the forged documents before uploading them on the Zimra Asycuda system for duty processing on December 22 last year.
Zimra then acted upon the misrepresentation to charge duty amounting to US$81 000 instead of $139 665, leading to an actual prejudice of $58 665.
Jane Mlambo| Former Zanu PF Deputy Secretary for Youths, Lewis Matutu is defiant his move to expose corrupt cartels will not stop because of his suspension from the party.
Matutu believes his cause is a self sacrifice worthy dying for.
“Self-sacrifice is the most honorable and selfless thing you can do in your life. Better to die for something than to live for nothing,” said Matutu on Twitter.
On Monday, Matutu and youths commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu made headlines when they fingered business people whom they allege are behind the economic crisis because of corrupt their activities that bleed the economy.
They were later send packing with President Emmerson Mnangagwa saying he does not tolerate activism that threatens party unity.
We have been witnessing this merry go round drama in Zanu PF for years, and this is either a simple diversion from the real things happening on the ground or they are factions manifesting from within which are fighting for survival.
There is nothing sinister on the naming and shaming Kudakwashe Tagwirei the boss of Sakunda Holdings as the Chief culprit of all this mess. My simple question is who doesn’t know in the Government that Tagwirei was withdrawing money from the central Bank without the consent of Finance Ministry? The following projects in question :
1. 9 Billion looted through Command Agriculture
2. Almost 2 Billion looted through Dema Project
3. Over 1 Billion was looted through Fuel procurement
4. Over 500 Million was looted through purchase of cars
5. Billions have disappeared through procurement of drugs in state hospitals
My simple question do you need Lewis Mathuthu to name and shame Tagwirei so that the whole cabal will be arrested? ZACC needs authority from Tsenengamu to take Tagwirei to Matapi police station, to justify the looting spree that has been taking place for all these years?
A nation with a State President who is a Lawyer by profession, who has been a Minister of Justice for over a period of ten years and he knows the procedure and how the Law works.
My comprehensive analysis is as follows :
1. Diversion at work from real problems
Any normal person can simply tell that this is diversion from the real issues at hand. We had seen this drama before and nothing has happened. This Tagwirei talk has been there for a long time, and nothing has happened. This could be a deliberate ploy by the intelligence to hoodwink the public into thinking something is about to happen within Zanu PF, the mighty bull is falling or to simple draw people’s attention so that people would think action is being taken on the corrupt officials.
2. Kudakwashe Tagwirei too deep to be touched
Tagwirei is a business man for a long time. For you to tell me that Kuda has abused over 5 Billion by himself is not normal and this will never happen. Noone on this earth will authorize a mere Tagwirei to wirhdraw such an amount from the central Bank and consume that amount by himself? Can Zim leaders, ministers, central Bank officials, security people etc allow that? It is obviously that he is not alone in this game and they must not waste time to drag Kuda ‘ s name in the mud.
If I’m not mistaken this is not the first time to name Tagwirei’ s name over corruption saga and then what? The Zanu PF youth leaders took almost three days ( weekend) to name Tagwirei, and my simple question is why they didn’t name him on Friday? Why did they take three days to name one single person? Such empty threats will not take this nation anywhere.
Tagwirei in my own analysis and assumptions, he is too powerful to be touched. He is too deep and going to jail is a mere pipe dream. They cannot allow a man with such secrets to go down easily like that. He is a defacto official and he is running the country’s purse from the background and he is too powerful to be touched.
Talk of other things like potatoes and vegetables not the Sakunda boss. His hands are tied on this one and whatever factions emerging in Zanu PF will not allow the business mogul to go down easily like that.
Threats by youth leaders
Could it be factions manifesting from within ( Zanu PF) ? Or someone is speaking on their behalf? Or maybe these youths are hungry and they are in need of some money and by issuing threats, maybe someone will simply give in to their demands and silence them with money or something? Or November 2017 episode is unfolding? What exactly is taking place? Who has the guts to name Tagwirei? It’s either these mere youth leaders want something in their pockets.
Factions emerging in Zanu PF
We can almost agree there are tussels within Zanu PF and the military establishment. A lot could be happening within Zanu PF, and this has been the norm to have such since around the 80s and it has not been new to us. In fact we have witnessed many saga around factions and Zanu PF has survived all this drama for years.
I’m so surprised when I see people taking turns particularly activists and opposition members celebrating over this and this is how they get knocked down on elections, there is nothing new on this except the new model of holding press conferences outside the shake shake building.
Many are anticipating that there could be a military coup coming, let me say it’s too early and our country is not ripe for that yet and such is exaggerated. There is nothing like that. This could be power struggle within Zanu PF and probably between Chiwenga and ED, and this can be exaggerated as well. Tussels could be as a result of economic interests which has nothing to do with the rest of the public.
Simple questions can be asked :
1. Where is the power generation of Dema Diesel plant ? ( 1.3 Billion) 2. Where is the grain produced through Command Agriculture? (9 Billion)
3. Where are the hospital drugs being procured by the business mogul? ( over 500 million) 5. Where is the fuel procurement worthy ( 900 Million USD)? 6. Cars meant for Government officials running into millions dollars.
I rest my Case!
Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo is a Policy Advisor and Researcher and leading Thinker for Zimbabwe Institute of Strategic Thinking ( ZIST)
By Jane Mlambo| Following an expose or should we call it whistleblowing by Zanu PF Youths League leaders Lewis Matutu and Godfrey Tsenengamu, the party’s highest decision making body has decided to suspend the duo for breaching party procedures.
While the duo made it clear that they were addressing the media in their individual capacities and not representing the party, the politburo still found them in breach of party procedures.
Despite the fact that they named persons who are outside the ruling party namely Kudakwashe Tagwirei, Tafadzwa Musarara and Billy Rautenbach, the politburo still regarded their actions against the spirit of unity in Zanu PF.
The duo’s action also falls in line with what President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been preaching to anyone who bothers to listen that he abhors corruption in all its forms but the politburo still found them guilty and deserving punishment.
Now, the second point raised in this piece about the duo tackling corruption happening outside the party but still being found guilty only confirms that there are powerful forces who are calling the shots in the party.
And if anyone had doubts about state capture by powerful business people, then this is just a clear confirmation.
The fact that Zanu PF had to act on the duo’s call for end to corruption clearly shows the lack of tact in handling such matters. The late former President Robert Mugabe for all his weaknesses understood the art of power and deceit and would have acted differently- perhaps find some long held charges against the two.
Many people have repeatedly asked about the power behind the two boys courage to face off powerful people of Billy Rautenbach and Kudakwashe Tagwirei and there was a general agreement that they had some backing from higher echelons of power.
While we may agree that there are power tussles happening in Zanu PF, the duo’s fate obviously could have been as a result of attacking the benefactor of one faction they might not belong to.
And that clearly confirms one thing, STATE CAPTURE!!
By A Correspondent- Lupane State University (LSU) has reportedly gone for a month without internet access due to failure to pay their Internet Service Provider.
Staffers at the institution said the internet blackout at the Bulawayo campus started at the beginning of January as the institution owed TelOne an undisclosed amount of money in debt.
“The month-long absence of internet access has left the LSU lecturers struggling to prepare for lectures adequately because their lecture preparation requires internet access for research,” said a source.
They said without internet access, students were having difficulties accessing their e-learning platforms as their other source of internet access is overloaded due to high volumes of traffic.
The staffers at the university said it was difficult to implement Education 5.O, a policy that focuses on community outreach, innovation and industrialisation when there is no internet access to conduct the necessary research to achieve this.
They said LSU had done nothing to resolve the lack of internet access and there has allegedly been no communication between the institution’s administration and its lecturers as to when the problem will be resolved.
Contacted for comment yesterday, LSU director of marketing and communication, Mr Zwelithini Dlamini, denied the allegations that the university’s Bulawayo campus has been without internet access for a month.
“We only did not have internet access for two to three weeks. We have engaged the service provider, TelOne, and we have resolved the issue for a reasonable amount which I cannot disclose,” he said.
Mr Dlamini said the reason for the university’s failure to pay TelOne was because students were away on holiday and the institution relies on tuition fees for its revenue.
Socialite and businessman Genius Kadungure, who is accused of fraud, was yesterday remanded in custody to today for his bail ruling.
Kadungure, who was represented by Jonathan Samukange, appeared before magistrate Chrispen Mberewere.
In his application for bail, Kadungure said the High Court ordered him to pay US$58 665 to Zimra as additional vehicle import duty which he did, leaving the State with no tangible allegations against him.
Samukange said the order compelled the complainant not to confiscate Kadungure’s vehicle, but the police violated the ruling.
The investigation officer Erasmus Mazhawidzi said Kadungure had a propensity to commit similar offences while on bail, but Samukange argued that he never committed any offence because he was currently facing mere allegations.
Samkange said Kadungure is on remand over a US$5 million case and could not flee a case involving US$58 665.
By A Correspondent- A 15-year-old girl died in Nkulumane suburb, Bulawayo, on Tuesday night in a case of suspected electrocution while doing laundry in a bathroom.
Acting Bulawayo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said the deceased, a Form Three pupil at Nkulumane High School, was found lying unconscious in the bathroom with water running from the tap.
She was later confirmed dead and some locals noticed that there were electric wires that were exposed in the house.
“A 15-year-old girl died in case of suspected electrocution. She was found lying in the bathroom by one of the family members,” said Asst Insp Msebele.
She said the incident happened during a church service which was at the deceased’s family house.
“One of the family members went into the bathroom and she found the girl unconscious while water was running from the tap. The member suffered electric shocks when she tried to administer first aid to the now deceased,” said Ass Insp Msebele.
She said other family members had to switch off the mains before calling a doctor who certified the girl dead.
Neighbours yesterday refused to comment as the girl’s parents were yet to arrive from South Africa.
Another family member said: “It’s obvious this is case of electrocution. There were naked wires here.”
Councillor for Ward 22, Mr Rodney Jere, said the incident is regrettable and painful.
The body of the deceased has since been taken to Mpilo Central Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem.
The incident comes a week after two juveniles and their grandmother aged 57 were burnt to death when their Morningside home in Bulawayo was gutted by fire triggered by an electrical fault.
Last year a 13-year-old Form 1 pupil from Emakhandeni suburb in Bulawayo was electrocuted while fetching lemons from a tree.
By Fanuel Chinowaita- The suspension of Zanu PF Youth League Deputy Secretary Lewis Matutu and Political Commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu have indicated that Mnangagwa is just a puppet of Kudakwashe Tagwirei and are good friends in crime.
Common sense must tell us why; how come exposing Tagwirei will threaten the Party’s Unity yet they are not even in Zanu pf Structures.
Matutu and Tsenengami just said Tagwirei, Tafadzwa Musarara and others are the cartels who are working with some government officials to cripple Zimbabwe’s economy.
The duo did not mention Mnangagwa as one of the government official but his actions of suspending the Youth leaders has clearly shown that Emerson can not be exonerated.
According to Zanu Pf, ZANU PF Youth leaders Lewis Matutu and Godfrey Tsenengamu have been suspended from the party for failure to follow its procedures when they addressed the Media on alleged corruption by top businessmen.
This clearly shows that Corruption is what ED and Zanu pf calls business. If Matutu and Tsenengami are claiming that Tagwirei is being Corrupt, it was not for Zanu pf to Suspend them but to allow ZACC to its investigations concerning the alleged corruption.
What Mr ED has done is exposing him, it is now a public secret that we are in a Country where it’s leaders are captured by these so called the Cartels. Mnangagwa has proved that he’s just a stooge who can not decide for himself. We are in big trouble!!!
My message to Mr ED is, we can not interfere what’s happening to your Party. We now that in your Party Corruption is what you call business.
What we need is for Mr Tagwirei to be brought to book for the alleged corruption. The law must take its course and you must not interfere, protecting your partner. We need a better and corrupt free Zimbabwe.
By Jane Mlambo| Renowned lawyer and former government consultant Petina Gappah has called for the disbanding of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Presidential Advisory Council.
Gappah posted the message on Twitter before deleting it.
She said Mnangagwa should disband the current PAC and replace it with retired but powerful international decision makers without conflict of interest of ethical burdens.
Below is Gappah’s tweet posted yesterday;
Mnangagwa appointed a Presidential Advisory Council made up of influential people in society including Ecocash CEO Natalie Jabangwe, AMH founder Trevor Ncube, businessman and cleric Shingi Munyeza among others.
By A Correspondent- A baby in China’s epidemic-hit Wuhan city has been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus just 30 hours after being born, Chinese state media reported Wednesday.
The infant is the youngest person recorded as being infected by the virus, which has killed nearly 500 people since emerging late last year.
CCTV quoted experts as saying it may be a case of “vertical transmission”, referring to infections passed from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or immediately after.
The mother had tested positive for the virus before she gave birth.
The official Xinhua news agency reported Monday that a baby born last week to an infected mother had tested negative.
The disease is believed to have emerged in December in a Wuhan market that sold wild animals, and spread rapidly as people travelled for the Lunar New Year holiday in January.
China’s national health commission said on Tuesday that the oldest person diagnosed with the virus is a 90-year-old, and that 80 percent of reported deaths have been of patients 60 years of age and older.-AFP
Correspondent|High Court judge Justice Pisirayi Kwenda has altered Marry Chiwenga’s bail conditions by ordering that she resides at number 64 Folyjon Crescent, Glen Lorne, Harare, until finalisation of a case where she is being charged for attempted murder.
The judge also ordered Marry to surrender her second passport to the Clerk of Court after her husband, Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, admitted through his lawyer that he was in possession of the travel document.
In his findings following an application for bail variation that was made by Prosecutor-General (PG) Kumbirai Hodzi’s office, Justice Kwenda said when Marry was initially ordered to stay at the matrimonial home being number 614 Nick Price Drive, Borrowdale Brooke, it had not been brought to the attention of all the parties concerned that Chiwenga had returned to stay at his home.
“I am satisfied that the facts placed before me by the State are new and were not before me at the initial bail hearing. Firstly, the respondent (Marry) did not disclose her second passport to me. I was unaware of the fact of its existence. Secondly, the fact that the respondent’s husband (Chiwenga) had returned to the matrimonial home when the respondent was remanded in custody was unknown to both the respondent and the State. I did not become aware of that fact as well at the initial hearing,” he said.
“I only became aware through this application. I would not have allowed a situation where the parties live under the same roof and expect them to peacefully co-exist under one roof, especially considering that there is a pending attempted murder charge against the respondent. I, therefore, find that it is in the interest of justice to vary the accused person’s residence on the two bail orders under the circumstances.”
Reads part of the judgement:
The respondent’s husband,who is the complainant in the attempted murder case is living at the matrimonial home.
I only became aware of that through this application. I would not have allowed a situation where the parties live under the same roof and expect them to peacefully co-exist under one roof especially considering that there is a pending attempted murder case against the respondent.
I therefore find that it is in the interests of justice to vary the accused person’s residence on the two bail orders under the circumstances
Consideration must be given that the respondent cannot reside at two different address at the same time.
The variation will, therefore apply to both bail orders as follows,
(a) by the insertion of para 5 (a) in terms of which the respondent shall surrender her second passport
(b) She shall reside at 64 Folyjon Crescent Glen Lorne, Harare
I order accordingly.
Marry and Chiwenga have had some differences since December 2019 when the VP filed for divorce, accusing Marry of having attempted to end his life in order to take over his wealth.
By Simba Chikanza | President Robert Mugabe’s usurper, Emmerson Mnangagwa, became the first ZANU PF leader since 1980 to be publicly “impeached” – party level, by his own youth league.
The youth league has been the outward expression of all regime changes since 1980, from the Gukurahundi days, to the Joice Muuru days, down to Constantino Chiwenga military coup, it is the youth league which announces the removal of a leader.
In an announcement of a legal dimension, the Youth League leaders directly pointed the finger at Emmerson Mnangagwa. They revealed the pyramid of state capture and total collapse, the pyramid of corruption whose very base, they said is Emmerson Mnangagwa himself. They revealed the 12 layers of the pyramid whose foundation is the coup leader. The layers exposed by them show that Zimbabwe no longer has a real judiciary, it is a sham, it is no longer a country with a government with institutions, and they announced they will soon confront him over his support for the biggest cartel criminal, Kuda Tagwirei.
Mnangagwa’s pyramid of corruption
The layers are displayed below – and they are the first ever impeachment article at a party level on Mnangagwa. – Will he now go?
The development has since seen Mnangagwa who is on camera boasting that he is the police, the military, and anything you can imagine, opening a series of criminal charges against the MDC party’s leadership, the first of whom is his own hometown’s senator, Lilian Timveous. Yesterday she suddenly found herself served with charges dating from the pre election month, July 2018. The charges read as below:
VIDEO LOADING BELOW:
POLICE CHARGE SHEET:
LILIAN TIMVEOUS NR*********, That he (sic) appear personally before the court the Magistrate at Mberengwa Magistrate Court on 0/02/2020 at 0800hours in the forenoon then to answer and abide the Judgment of the court, arising from charge(s):
COUNT 1 – In that on the 15° day of July 2018 and at Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Office Government Complex Zvishavane, LILIAN TIMVEOUS being a member of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance unlawfully obstructed REGRESSA DUBE who is Zvishavane District Election Officer from issuing postal Electoral ballot papers to voters who had applied for postal voting, that is to say LILIAN TIMVEOUS dispersed the postal ballot voters who were receiving their postal ballot envelopes containing postal ballot papers from REGRESSA DUBE.
COUNT 2 – In that on the 15th day of July 2018 and at Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Office Government Complex Zvishavane, LILIAN TIMVEOUS being a member of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance unlawfully threatened to damage Zvishavane Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) Offices where REGRESSA DUBE the Zvishavane District Election Officer works from, that is to say LILIAN TIMVEOUS uttered that be guarded continuously or else she was going to break into Zvishavane Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Offices. Serve on the said accused.
A copy of this summons, and return to this court what you have done hereon.
LILIAN TIMVEOUS NR*********,
That he (sic) appear personally before the court the Magistrate at Mberengwa Magistrate Court on 0/02/2020 at 0800hours in the forenoon then to answer and abide the Judgment of the court, arising from charge(s):
COUNT 1 – In that on the 15° day of July 2018 and at Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Office Government Complex Zvishavane, LILIAN TIMVEOUS being a member of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance unlawfully obstructed REGRESSA DUBE who is Zvishavane District Election Officer from issuing postal Electoral ballot papers to voters who had applied for postal voting, that is to say LILIAN TIMVEOUS dispersed the postal ballot voters who were receiving their postal ballot envelopes containing postal ballot papers from REGRESSA DUBE.
COUNT 2 – In that on the 15th day of July 2018 and at Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Office Government Complex Zvishavane, LILIAN TIMVEOUS being a member of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance unlawfully threatened to damage Zvishavane Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) Offices where REGRESSA DUBE the Zvishavane District Election Officer works from, that is to say LILIAN TIMVEOUS uttered that be guarded continuously or else she was going to break into Zvishavane Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Offices.
Serve on the said accused.
A copy of this summons, and return to this court what you have done hereon.
By Jane Mlambo| Following an expose or should we call it whistleblowing by Zanu PF Youths League leaders Lewis Matutu and Godfrey Tsenengamu, the party’s highest decision making body has decided to suspend the duo for breaching party procedures.
While the duo made it clear that they were addressing the media in their individual capacities and not representing the party, the politburo still found them in breach of party procedures.
Despite the fact that they named persons who are outside the ruling party namely Kudakwashe Tagwirei, Tafadzwa Musarara and Billy Rautenbach, the politburo still regarded their actions against the spirit of unity in Zanu PF.
The duo’s action also falls in line with what President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been preaching to anyone who bothers to listen that he abhors corruption in all its forms but the politburo still found them guilty and deserving punishment.
Now, the second point raised in this piece about the duo tackling corruption happening outside the party but still being found guilty only confirms that there are powerful forces who are calling the shots in the party.
And if anyone had doubts about state capture by powerful business people, then this is just a clear confirmation.
The fact that Zanu PF had to act on the duo’s call for end to corruption clearly shows the lack of tact in handling such matters. The late former President Robert Mugabe for all his weaknesses understood the art of power and deceit and would have acted differently- perhaps find some long held charges against the two.
Many people have repeatedly asked about the power behind the two boys courage to face off powerful people of Billy Rautenbach and Kudakwashe Tagwirei and there was a general agreement that they had some backing from higher echelons of power.
While we may agree that there are power tussles happening in Zanu PF, the duo’s fate obviously could have been as a result of attacking the benefactor of one faction they might not belong to.
And that clearly confirms one thing, STATE CAPTURE!!
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has just tweeted that they are investigating a case of unlawful entry at the Harare home of Justice Garainesu Mawadze. In the same tweet, the police are implying that MDC vice chairman Hon. Job Sikhala is involved in the burglary.
We wish to dismiss with the contempt it deserves the dastardly propaganda ploy to link Hon. Sikhala, who appeared before Justice Mawadze in Masvingo on Monday, to the alleged criminal activities at the judge’s home.
This is a shameful attempt to taint the MDC national vice chairperson, who is already facing trumped-up treason charges. No attempt to tarnish his image will break his spirit.
Zimbabweans know that Hon. Sikhala is innocent. Any cheap attempt to break the spirit of the people’s leadership by linking them to trumped-up criminal activities will not wash.
Zimbabweans are determined to address their own challenges. The regime may target the people’s leaders but all such cheap attempts are in vain.
Stuck in the epicentre of a viral outbreak, young African students urge their governments to evacuate them.
Getting out of bed is hard for Thomas Kanzira. “You wake up every morning and realise you are trapped,” he says. “You keep checking your temperature – you can’t help but wonder if you are infected but just have not started showing symptoms.”
Kanzira, a 25-year-old Ugandan medical student, is among thousands of African students living in Wuhan, the central Chinese city of 11 million people currently under lockdown due to a rapidly spreading coronavirus. The disease, which is thought to have originated in Wuhan late last year, has so far killed almost 500 people and infected tens of thousands more, with cases reported in at least 24 countries around the world.
Kanzira first received news of the virus in mid-January when messages warning people to avoid crowded spaces began circulating on social media. But the real worry set in a few days later when universities announced they would shut down as the number of cases and deaths began to rise.
For Kanzira, life under quarantine is akin to a horror film.
“The streets are empty; it’s like a scene from one of those Hollywood apocalypse movies,” he says on the phone.
Kanzira has at times ventured out to buy necessary supplies, another draining experience in and of itself. “When going out I double up on masks and gloves,” he says. “The minute I arrive back home, I spray my hands with bleach, wash them with anti-bacterial soap, then clean all the doorknobs I’ve touched.”
What has made the entire situation more distressing is what he feels is inaction on the part of his country’s authorities, in contrast to governments around the world that moved swiftly to get their citizens out.
“We first heard that the Americans were evacuating their citizens, then other countries followed suit – you watch your colleagues be evacuated and you feel helpless and abandoned.”
Kanzira, a student at Jianghan University, says he and his friends reached out to various Ugandan government officials but were told to follow the guidelines provided by the Chinese government.
“They’ve basically left us to our own devices, they could fly us home and quarantine us for 14 days there,” he says, referring to the maximum incubation period for the virus. “The lockdown will be in place here until the virus is contained, that could take months. Schools and offices will remain shut, what will become of us?”
This is a question asked by many other young people from African countries who have gone to study in China in recent years. The country has become the second-most popular destination for African students attending university abroad, with Beijing offering an array of scholarships amid deepening relations with many countries on the continent.
Earlier this week, Yangtze University announced that a male Cameroonian student had been infected with the virus, making the 21-year-old the first African to be diagnosed with the illness.
So far, Morocco and Egypt have moved to evacuate their citizens, while Algeria also chartered a plane to bring its people home, as well as nationals from Libya, Mauritania and Tunisia. Kenya this week also announced it would evacuate the 85 Kenyans stuck in Wuhan, but only when authorities lift the lockdown.
Based on local media reports, authorities in other African countries, including the governments of Zimbabwe, Sudan, Uganda and Zambia, are among those to have expressed confidence in the Chinese government’s ability to keep their nationals safe, thus suggesting that evacuation is not on the cards. Instead, they have urged people to remain indoors and follow instructions given by China’s authorities.
“The government say they cannot evacuate, this has left us really frustrated,” says Rahab Elhadi Hkreldour Adam, a Sudanese national and student at Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
“The situation is getting harder day by day.”
While fears around physical wellbeing may be at front of mind for those under lockdown, there is also the psychological toll.
“I feel like the walls are caving in around me; there are times where I think I am losing my mind,” says Lucy, a Kenyan student who only gave her first name, adding that her mental health is deteriorating amid increased anxiety. “What happens when my antidepressants run out? How can the Kenyan government expect us to survive like this?”
Vimbai Murombo, a Zimbabwean student at Yunnan Technology and Business University, is equally frustrated with her country’s government. The 20-year-old went to Wuhan from Yunnan province in southwest China to visit her cousin during the Lunar New Year holiday break. Days before she was due to return, she received a notification from the airline informing her that all flights had been cancelled.
“It would really help if the Zimbabwean government could show that they care about us,” she says, while also expressing fears of a potential food shortage. “With transport services terminated, it’s difficult to get food, plus pharmacies are running out of masks. If the electricity went out at this apartment there would be no way to get help, it’s terrifying. Mentally, I am not OK.”
Tisiliyani Salima, a medical student and representative of the Zambian Student Association in Wuhan, is also concerned about the psychological effect.
“I’ve spoken to people who have not seen another person since the lockdown began, they are completely isolated.”
For Salima, the rising death toll, coupled with a feeling of being abandoned, is hard to take. “Watching our classmates from other parts of the world be evacuated has left many feeling depressed and consumed by fear,” she says.
Like many others, she spends her time talking to loved ones back home. “They just want us home; we really hope the government and the African Union will evacuate African citizens from here.”
Meanwhile, medical experts from the continent appear divided on the matter of evacuation.
Kyeng Mercy Tetuh, a Cameroonian public health expert and epidemiologist, says African countries must bring their citizens home in a way that ensures “we don’t inoculate the virus in the continent”, while Tanzanian clinician Joachim Mabula says no evacuation should take place until “the issue is resolved, to avoid further transmission.”
A source associated with Uganda’s Ministry of Health says: “The decision of the government to not evacuate citizens is because they are aware that they are not prepared for the virus. However, the decision is rather short-sighted.”
Back in Wuhan, Kanzira lets out a resigned sigh on the phone as he contemplates the future.
“If I die here they’ll just cremate me, no family and no funeral. Let us go home, I would rather die there.”
Abuja, February 5, 2020 — Nigerian authorities should conduct a credible and transparent investigation into the death of journalist Alex Ogbu, publicize the results of his autopsy, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
On January 21, Ogbu, a reporter and editor with the local independent outlet Regent Africa Times, died from head injuries sustained at a protest in Abuja, the capital, held by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria religious organization, according to Regent Africa Times publisher Shola Akingboye and Francisca Ogbu, the journalist’s wife, who both spoke to CPJ over messaging app and phone calls.
Police told Francisca Ogbu that her husband died after he slipped and hit his head on a rock, she told CPJ.
However, the local privately owned news website Sahara Reporters published a report on January 23 saying that police had shot and killed Ogbu. The author of that report, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal, told CPJ they arrived at the protest just after Ogbu’s death and spoke with witnesses who said that police opened fire at protesters and a bullet hit Ogbu in the head. The witnesses said that Ogbu died at the scene, the Sahara Reporters author told CPJ.
When contacted by CPJ over the phone, Anjuguri Manzah, a spokesperson for the Nigerian police, declined to comment on how Ogbu died and whether police opened fire at the protest, but said police were investigating.
Emanuel Ogbeche, chair of the Abuja branch of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, a local trade group, told CPJ that an autopsy had been conducted but the results had not been made public.
“Nigerian authorities should prioritize the transparency of their investigation into the death of journalist Alex Ogbu, determine exactly how he was killed, and share that information with the public,” said Angela Quintal, CPJ’s Africa program coordinator, from New York. “Nigerians are too often denied the full truth about how journalists die in their country.”
Yesterday, police told Femi Falana, a lawyer representing Ogbu’s estate, that his team should submit a formal request for the autopsy report, according to Marshal Abubakar, a lawyer from Falana’s chamber, who spoke to CPJ via phone.
Today, CPJ could not determine whether Falana’s team submitted the request. Ogbeche told CPJ today that no autopsy results had been released.
Akingboye told CPJ that he had not explicitly directed Ogbu to cover the protest, but having worked closely with Ogbu, believed that the journalist would not have passed by a protest and failed to report on it. A member of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Abdullahi Musa, told CPJ in a phone call that Ogbu was not a member of their movement, and was known as a journalist who covered their protests.
Francisca Ogbu told CPJ she had seen her husband earlier that day and believed he was on his way to the paper’s office when he died.
Police took possession of the journalist’s phone after he was killed, and refused to return it to his wife, she told CPJ.
A gang of 11 armed men wearing face masks pounced on a Gutu couple and got away with $47 000 and US$7 000 after assaulting them with shovels and iron bars, police have confirmed.
The couple had to be admitted to Gutu Mission Hospital where they were treated and discharged.
Mr Noah Mugova (39) of Masimba Cash and Carry and his wife, whose name was not given, were bundled in a corridor by eight armed men who had gained entry after breaking windows to the couple’s bedroom.
The gang took $47 000 from the house before force-marching the couple to their car parked outside and took another US$7 000.
Acting Masvingo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa said the incident occurred on Sunday at around 12am.
He said the suspects fled after committing the crime and police have since launched a manhunt.
BY DR MASIMBA MAVAZA| In ZANU-PF all disciplinary cases should be dealt with in accordance with the laid down procedures set out in the party constitution.
In the case of provinces and other subordinate structures, disciplinary processes should be conducted in terms of Article 10 Section 77 to 82 as read together with Section 69 of the constitution.
In the case of disciplinary processes against members of superior organs, respective provinces should prefer charges and submit their recommendations to the Secretary for Administration for onward transmission to the National Disciplinary Committee for further due process & Article 10 of the party’s constitution creates national and subordinate disciplinary committees.
Section 77 of the constitution empowers only the national disciplinary committee to expel a member from the party.
According to the Zanu PF constitution Chapter 4, Article 28 subsection 265: “A motion of no confidence shall be by a simple majority of at least two-thirds of all members of the appropriate organ.”
Subsection 266 states that “a motion of no confidence must specify and detail the reasons thereof which reasons shall fall into any one of the following categories, namely: incompetence and/or dereliction of duty, gross misconduct and disloyalty or treachery”.
ZANU PF handles its cases in the spirit of natural justice where accused persons are given the opportunity to defend themselves. The party had never dealt with cases through the press or social media.
Zanu-PF has clearly defined tenets of justice and had always vigorously pursued them. It is foreign to ZANU PF to have their dirty clothes washed in the media.
Accused persons first appear before a disciplinary committee whose report should capture all sides of the story. They are not to be paraded like chicken at a market. There is always a dignified way of dealing with your own in the party. ZANU PF is extremely disciplined and they can never stoop that low to start a bruising brutal games in the press.
The behaviour of our youth Leaders can never be applauded. The vibrant youth who became this overzealous ended up being ejected from the party. We have Malema formerly of ANC; his zeal and itching to flout the rules and ethos of ANC saw him forming his own EFF. The youth league should have engaged in a dignified fight against corruption without resorting to a village gossip chat.
The youth would have made a report to be presented to the National Disciplinary Committee, which in turn makes recommendations to the Politburo.
This free for all press conference and naming and shaming only shames but does not help.
The youth is degenerating into the old G40 culture of naming and shaming. This uncultured way smells of Grace Mugabe and must never be accepted in the civilised society.
Article 10:68 of Zanu-PF’s constitution says, “The Central Committee may, on appeal or review, confirm, amend or reverse the decision of the National Disciplinary Committee.
Which means of the youth are not happy there is a central committee to turn to.
Exposing the party to be attacked from outside, The youth sit in the PB why not seek advise on the issue that they want to raise though some of the issues are critical but should not be done through the press. its a shame for these young Cdes. Anything without substantive evidence is baseless and can be thrown away, the opposition will say ZANU PF protects criminals through these statements without evidence.
It must be made clear to our comrades that any accused persons should be allowed to defend themselves and have right of appeal. The idea is that we are not just kicking people out of the party without due procedure. This is why we should have members coming to defend themselves first before any action is taken against them. Or any press conference is prematurely called.
The youth can also appeal to Congress, which is the highest decision-making body of the party. This is also in line with our constitution. So rushing to the social media and the press was a great misfiring and must not be praised in anyway.
Many cadres are afraid to tell the youth that they are wrong. This will be a very wrong precedence.
The party must never be held at ransom by the one league. We can not simply forget how Women’s League and youth League joined forces to destroy ZANU. PF. After the new dispensation we all said never again.
How could we be so short sighted. How can we forget so easily. How can we say we have forgotten.
The youth must be put in their place. No one person is bigger than the party. Not even one league is bigger than the party. No one is allowed to abuse the name of the president in order to pilot his own agenda.
The youth must be well disciplined. ZANU PF is not congress of baboons it is the party of excellency.
No one should ever seek relevance by accusing others. ZANU PF is for us all let us all keep it hospitable inside.
Youth must not be allowed to be bullies within the party.
Let us unite as one revolutionary party. Nobody says corruption is condoned. Corruption is actually condemned. But lets do it following the due process.
State Media|THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has renamed some of the city’s major streets and buildings in a move the local authority says is meant to preserve the pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial history and heritage of the city.
However, the move could put BCC at loggerheads with Government as it has ignored some street name changes that were effected by Cabinet last November.
Cabinet announced a number of street name changes in the country’s major cities, a development that saw a number of the nation’s heroes both living and dead being honoured.
Council resolved to adopt the street name changes following a motion that was tabled by ward 17 councillor, Sikhululekile Moyo.
In her motion, Clr Moyo noted that in terms of the Urban Councils Act, councillors have the powers to name, re-name, alter or change names of streets and buildings.
“Section 274 as read with Section 276 of the Constitution constitutes, establishes and confers authority on Urban Local Authorities to represent and manage the affairs of people in urban areas throughout Zimbabwe. A Local authority has the right to govern, on its own initiative, the local affairs of people within the area for which it has been established, and has all the powers necessary to do so. It is also desirable to preserve the pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial history and heritage of the local people of Bulawayo and promote national cohesion, healing, peace and tranquility in a devolved unitary state,” reads part of the motion.
The MDC Alliance-led council resolved to stick to the numbered format for Avenues in the CBD from First to 15th Avenue.
Cabinet had renamed some of the Avenues, with Sixth Avenue being renamed — Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Way in honour of the President.
However, councillors chose to honour the President by renaming George Avenue (from Harare Road to Old Esigodini Road) — Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Avenue.
In defending this move, Clr Moyo, in her motion, said; “ . . . for sequencing and chronological arrangement of roads and streets within the jurisdiction of the city of Bulawayo local authority area, it is imperative to preserve the numbering of Avenues from First to Fifteenth Avenue as a unique historical feature of Bulawayo’s road network in the Central Business District”.
Other major roads that have been renamed include; Leopold Takawira Avenue (from Samuel Parirenyatwa Street to Umguza River Bridge along Gwanda Road) which is now King Mzilikazi Road, Nketa Drive is now Queen Lozikheyi Dlodlo Drive, Athlone Avenue is Simon Vengai Muzenda Road and 23rd Avenue is Landa John Nkomo Road.
Lady Stanley Avenue is now Mama Joanna Mafuyana Avenue, Steeldale Road and Anthony Tylor Road is now Albert Nxele Road, Dunde Drive has been renamed Sikhanyiso Duke Ndlovu Drive, Fife Street is now Nikita Mangena Street and Fort Street has been renamed Lookout Masuku Street.
Old Khami Road is Sydney Malunga Road, Basch Street is Dumiso Dabengwa Road, Waverley Road is Jairos Jiri Road while Fairbridge has been renamed Erick Bloch Way.
Other roads renamed are Hillside Road which is now Sir Garfield Todd Road, Van Riebeck Road is Joseph Msika Drive, Connaught Avenue is Cephas Cele Avenue, Collenbrander Road is Daniel Madzimbamuto Road, Manchester Road is now George Nyandoro Road, Vera Road is now Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu Road, Birkenhead Road has been renamed Sikanjaya Muntanga Road and Doncaster Road is now Maria Msika Road.
Lobengula Street has been corrected to King Lobengula Street, together with Moffat Road in Hillside which has been corrected to Robert Moffat Drive and Leander Road in Hillside which is now Dr Leander Star Jameson.
Other roads that have been corrected are Coghlan Avenue which is now Charles Patrick Coghlan Avenue and Cecil Avenue which is now Cecil John Rhodes Avenue
In defending the move to keep a number of colonial era names, Clr Moyo argued that this was meant to; “…preserve the richness of Bulawayo’s founding and colonial history.”
The councillors also resolved to rename Stanley Hall in Makokoba and Pelandaba Clinic.
“Stanley Hall in Makokoba has been renamed Liberation Legacy Square for its role in hosting political meetings during the liberation struggle. The hall will have paintings of men and women who played a role in the liberation of Zimbabwe.
“Pelandaba Clinic has been renamed Thenjiwe Lesabe Clinic in recognition of the late former Zipra Liberation Stalwart,” reads part of the motion.
In the Cabinet directive, some of the roads that were supposed to be renamed in Bulawayo include the stretch from Fourth Avenue through to Seventh Street up to George to John Landa Nkomo Avenue, Collenbrander Avenue to Lookout Masuku Avenue, Victoria Falls Road to Mosi-Oa-Tunya Road and Fort Street through to Bellevue Road up to Plumtree Road had been renamed Benjamin Burombo Street.
You all recall that on 21 May 2019 we went to an Election at which I was declared the winner.
At that time, all local and international observers agreed that we had a peaceful, free, fair and credible election.
In exercising their political rights however, Reverend Lazarus Chakwera and Dr Saulos Chilima petitioned the Constitutional Court with their grievances.
We allowed for justice to take its course because we respect the rule of law and especially because I want to continue seeing peace, love and unity prevailing among us. I am a peaceful President.
On Monday, the Constitutional Court made its ruling on the Election petition which the Opposition brought before it.
I thank you all fellow Malawians for your patience during the period the case has been in Court.
I want to applaud the leaders of the Opposition for taking their electoral grievances to Court as provided for in our laws. That is democracy. However, I condemn violence in the strongest possible terms and appeal to all Malawians to reject violence. Let us keep calm and order at all times.
This judgement is not the end of litigation process in the May 21 elections case. Malawi is a country of laws. As a lawful nation, there remains a number of laws and legal processes and procedures provided in our Constitution to regulate how we conduct ourselves to resolve our situation.
The most important thing is that we must preserve our constitutional order and ensure that Malawi continues to be stable and peaceful.
As the first respondent in the May 21 Elections case, I have taken note of the judgement delivered by the High Court sitting as a Constitutional Court. Like many Malawians, my legal team and I have serious reservations with the judgment. We consider the judgement as a serious subversion of justice, an attack on our democratic systems and an attempt to undermine the will of the people.
As it stands, the judgment if not cured, represents a flawed precedence for all the elections in all future elections in the country. In fact, this judgment inaugurates the death of Malawi’s democracy.
As such it cannot stand unchallenged.
Consequently, I have instructed my legal team to appeal against the judgment and challenge it.
Let me however state that we are not appealing to stop the next election. In fact, we are ready to campaign and win as we have always done. We are appealing to correct the fundamental errors in the judgement to protect our laws, principles of justice and democracy. We believe the judgement has errors that need to be corrected. Above all, we seek justice.
Let us not be carried away by this court ruling because it is not the end of everything. We are one people. We have one Malawi. We remain one nation. And Malawi is bigger than us all. Within our Constitutional order, let us move forward in Peace, Love and Unity.
US Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi welcome US President Donald Trump as he arrives for his State of the Union address at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on February 4, 2020
BBC|President Donald Trump has been cleared in his impeachment trial, ending a congressional bid to oust him from office that bitterly divided the US.
The Senate, run by the president’s fellow Republicans, voted to acquit him 52-48 on charges of abuse of power and 53-47 on obstruction of Congress.
Democrats charged Mr Trump in December with pressuring Ukraine to smear a potential White House rival.
In November, Mr Trump will be the first impeached president to go for election.
In its historic vote on Wednesday, the Senate decided not to remove America’s 45th president from office on charges arising from his dealings with Ukraine.
If convicted on either charge, Mr Trump would have had to turn over his office to Vice-President Mike Pence.
The Democratic-led House of Representatives approved the articles of impeachment on 18 December.
How did President Trump react?
Mr Trump, who is seeking a second four-year term in the 3 November election, always denied wrongdoing.
His re-election campaign said in a statement: “President Trump has been totally vindicated and it’s now time to get back to the business of the American people.
“The do-nothing Democrats know they can’t beat him, so they had to impeach him.” It said “this terrible ordeal” and “nonsense” was merely a Democratic campaign tactic.
The statement added: “This impeachment hoax will go down as the worst miscalculation in American political history.”
Mr Trump – whose personal approval rating with American voters hit a personal best of 49% this week, according to Gallup – tweeted that he would speak on Thursday about the case.
How did the impeachment vote play out?
Mitt Romney of Utah was the only Republican senator to cross the aisle and convict Mr Trump, on the first charge of abuse of power.
Despite Democratic hopes, two other moderate Republicans, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, did not join Mr Romney in voting to convict the president.
Some Republican senators criticised Mr Trump’s behaviour in recent days, but said it did not rise to the level of impeachment.
Three centrist Democratic senators who Republicans had hoped would side with them instead voted to convict Mr Trump.
They were Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Doug Jones of Alabama.
A two-thirds majority vote was needed to remove Mr Trump, which was always going to be a long shot in a 100-seat chamber controlled by his party.
What was Trump accused of?
The impeachment charges focused on Mr Trump’s request that Kyiv announce a corruption investigation into Joe Biden, a Democratic White House candidate, and his son Hunter Biden.
Mr Trump has argued that the younger Biden improperly held a board position with a Ukrainian natural gas firm while his father was US vice-president and in charge of American-Ukrainian relations.
Democrats accused Mr Trump of abusing his power by withholding $391m (£300m) in security aid to prod Ukraine’s president into digging up dirt on the Bidens.
They also charged Mr Trump with obstruction of Congress after the White House blocked testimony and documents sought by the House impeachment investigators.
The impeachment inquiry stemmed from Mr Trump’s phone call on 25 July this year in which he asked Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to “do us a favour”.
Following a complaint from an anonymous government whistleblower, Democrats launched their investigation in September, compiling a 28,000-page report.
What is the historical precedent?
Mr Trump is the third US president to have been impeached.
The two others, Bill Clinton in 1999 and Andrew Johnson in 1868, were left in power by the Senate and did not seek re-election.
President Richard Nixon resigned before he could be impeached.
Presidential and National Scholarships Executive Director Dr Christopher Mushohwe
The Presidential and National Scholarships Department in the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) has distanced itself from adverts circulating on social media.
Presidential and National Scholarships Executive Director Dr Christopher Mushohwe in a statement yesterday said contrary to the social media advert, the department only placed adverts in the formal print media and on national radio and television stations.
Dr Mushohwe said the OPC was the sole administrator for Presidential Scholarships and any other bilateral scholarships presented to the country by friendly nations.
“The advert circulating on social media that requires applicants to submit their applications online to [email protected] did not originate from our offices and its content is mischievous as it is a plagiarised document from parts of our previous advertisement done in 2019.”
Dr Mushohwe urged those who had been defrauded by the advertisements to engage the police.
State Media|Three High Court and Supreme Court judges yesterday dealt with three separate appeal hearings concerning Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife, Marry Mubaiwa.
The appeals were against being denied bail on an assault charge, VP Chiwenga’s appeal for a variation in bail conditions on her earlier charges and an appeal against an order granting her custody of the couple’s children.
On her appeal against the denial of bail on an assault charge, Mubaiwa will remain in custody until tomorrow when High Court Judge Justice Erica Ndewere will hear her appeal against the weekend decision by Harare regional magistrate Ms Bianca Makwande not to grant her bail.
She is being accused of assaulting the family’s maid at Hellenic School in Borrowdale following an altercation over custody of children last week.
Ms Makwande agreed with the State that Mubaiwa showed a propensity for violence.
The High Court yesterday noted that the matter was not on the roll, but deferred the hearing to allow the State to file its response.
Mubaiwa’s lawyer, Ms Beatrice Mtetwa wanted the hearing to be conducted today, but the State represented by Michael Reza was not ready.
Mr Reza sought postponement of the matter to tomorrow.
In another High Court ruling on the original bail conditions, Justice Pisirayi Kwenda yesterday upheld the appeal made by Vice President Chiwenga for variation of Mubaiwa’s bail, particularly that she lives in a different house from the VP and that she surrenders her diplomatic passport.
Justice Kwenda agreed that Mubaiwa should not return to their matrimonial Borrowdale home, which was a condition of her bail in the earlier charges, until all matters before the courts were finalised, since it would be impossible for the couple to co-exist peacefully, as VP Chiwenga is the complainant in the attempted murder case.
He said he only became aware of the effect of the bail conditions making the couple live together through the present application.
“I would not have allowed a situation where the parties live under the same roof and expect them to peacefully co-exist under one roof, especially considering that there is a pending attempted murder against the respondent,” said Justice Kwenda.
“I, therefore, find that it is in the interests of justice to vary the accused person’s residence on the two bail orders under the circumstances. Consideration must be given that the respondent cannot reside at two different addresses at the same time.”
The court then ordered Mubaiwa to reside at her parents’ home in Glen Lorne.
With consent of both parties, she will surrender her passport which was in the VP’s possession.
Vice President Chiwenga’s urgent chamber appeal hearing challenging the recent High Court decision to allow Mubaiwa to have custody of the couple’s minor children will be heard next month.
This was after both parties’ lawyers consented to have the appeal treated as urgent.
Chief Justice Luke Malaba, who presided over the matter sitting in his chambers, accepted the position taken by the parties’ lawyers.
“The application for the urgent hearing of the appeal in case Number SC26/2020 be and is hereby granted,” said Chief Justice Malaba.
He directed that VP Chiwenga’s lawyers file their submissions no later than 4pm on February 19 and then Mubaiwa’s lawyers respond by March 4.
Chief Justice Malaba directed that the matter will be heard any time after March 14, when Mubaiwa’s lawyer was expected back from Rwanda, where he has other commitments.
VP Chiwenga’s appeal follows Justice Christopher Dube-Banda’s ruling granting Mubaiwa the custody she sought, and restraining the VP from interfering with her access to the Borrowdale Brooke mansion.
Mubaiwa had approached the High Court seeking custody of children after VP Chiwenga allegedly took the children and barred her from accessing the matrimonial home.
But VP Chiwenga did not agree with the High Court ruling, resulting in him approaching the superior court with an urgent appeal.
A 15-year-old girl died in Nkulumane suburb, Bulawayo, on Tuesday night in a case of suspected electrocution while doing laundry in a bathroom.
Acting Bulawayo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said the deceased, a Form Three pupil at Nkulumane High School, was found lying unconscious in the bathroom with water running from the tap.
She was later confirmed dead and some locals noticed that there were electric wires that were exposed in the house.
“A 15-year-old girl died in case of suspected electrocution. She was found lying in the bathroom by one of the family members,” said Asst Insp Msebele.
She said the incident happened during a church service which was at the deceased’s family house.
“One of the family members went into the bathroom and she found the girl unconscious while water was running from the tap. The member suffered electric shocks when she tried to administer first aid to the now deceased,” said Ass Insp Msebele.
She said other family members had to switch off the mains before calling a doctor who certififed the girl dead.-State media
GOALKEEPER Future Sibanda is set to be FC Platinum’s next signing as the champions seek to strengthen their squad ahead of the defence of their Castle Lager Premiership football crown.
The platinum miners’ goalkeeping department was left depleted after Wallace Magalane decided against renewing his contract.
Magalane, who was unhappy because of lack of game-time, has since moved to CAPS United in search of fresh challenges.
Sibanda is set to become the third goalkeeper and will be challenging club captain Petros Mhari and Francis Tizayi for the starting places.
Club chairman Evans Mtombeni said FC Platinum, who have already unveiled seven new players, were still looking to add more players ahead of the start of the new season.
“The idea is not to overhaul the squad. We are the defending champions of Zimbabwe as it stands,’’ he said.
“So, it means the guys that we have in the team are capable of taking us where we want to be in terms of our objectives. But, obviously, we need to replace the guys that have left and also to look at areas that we can also improve.
“We want to improve each and every season. I think we have added about eight players.
“We have so far unveiled seven and the other one is a goalkeeper, Future Sibanda, formerly with Hwange, How Mine and was recently at ZPC Kariba. He is going to be our third goalkeeper after Petros Mhari and Francis Tizayi.”-State media
A gang of 11 armed men wearing face masks pounced on a Gutu couple and got away with $47 000 and US$7 000 after assaulting them with shovels and iron bars, police have confirmed.
The couple had to be admitted to Gutu Mission Hospital where they were treated and discharged.
Mr Noah Mugova (39) of Masimba Cash and Carry and his wife, whose name was not given, were bundled in a corridor by eight armed men who had gained entry after breaking windows to the couple’s bedroom.
The gang took $47 000 from the house before force-marching the couple to their car parked outside and took another US$7 000.
Acting Masvingo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa said the incident occurred on Sunday at around 12am.
He said the suspects fled after committing the crime and police have since launched a manhunt.-State media
By Farai D Hove| As Emmerson Mnangagwa’s popularity and respect crashed within his own party this week, the ZANU PF politburo yesterday saw its leader announcing that for the 1st time the country will hold its independence celebrations outside the capital city Harare.
The function will be held on the 18th April 2020.
He (Mnangagwa) called members to prepare for the 40th Independence anniversary, which he then rushed to announce saying will be held “outside Harare” for the first time since 1980.
The development comes after ZANU PF leaders Godfrey Tsenengamu, and Lewis Matutu on Monday held a press conference in which they announced that Mnangagwa is tolerating the head of a notorious business cartel led by Constantino Chiwenga aide Kuda Tagwirei. They then threatened to confront him over it.
The two revealed 12 layers of corruption which they said has led to “the ship sinking.” The layers are seen below:
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https://youtu.be/Qj_xdpHrP30
VIDEO LOADING BELOW….
https://youtu.be/Qj_xdpHrP30
During the anti sanctions march last October, the Mnangagwa led party failed to pull more than 3,000 people inside the National Sports Stadium.
With the latest revelations by the 2 youth leaders, it is believed the ZANU PF leader’s popularity has grown worse than it was last year, and so a meeting particularly in Harare will be embarrassing.
THE 40th Independence anniversary main celebrations, will this year be held in Bulawayo in line with President Mnangagwa’s desire to decentralise national events.
In the past, the main independence celebrations were held in Harare with provinces hosting provincial commemorations.
Briefing the media after yesterday’s Politburo meeting, Zanu PF acting Secretary for Information and Publicity Patrick Chinamasa said the move was in tandem with the Second Republic’s devolution thrust.
“As you might be aware, 2020 marks our 40th year of independence.
We have taken a decision that in future, independence celebrations will rotate from province to province. In the past, the celebrations were held in Harare.
“This is in line with the new dispensation’s thrust on devolution.”-State media
A man who is seen in what he says was a “leaked video” crying for ZANU Pf leader Emmerson Mnangagwa back in November 2017 says: “after the video I fell in love with Emmerson Mnangagwa more than how I used to be, and I like it because it made me like Emmerson Mnangagwa a lot because the way he stood up against Robert Mugabe regime was phenomenal.”
The Zanu-PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa has slapped down youth members of his party who held a press conference on Monday on what he termed “misguided activism”. He was speaking during a politburo meeting in the capital city on Wednesday which meeting was heated.
Godfrey Tsenengamu, Lewis Matutu on Monday held a press conference in which they announced that Emmerson Mnangagwa is tolerating the head of a notorious business cartel led by Constantino Chiwenga aide Kuda Tagwirei.
The two on Monday revealed 12 layers of corruption which they said has led to the ship sinking. The layers are seen below:
Farai Dziva|MDC deputy president Tendai Biti has said opposition Parliamentarians will use legal and constitutional means to make sure MaShurugwi are brought to book.
Biti also blamed Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa for the MaShurugwi menace.
Addressing MDC supporters in Masvingo on Monday Biti said:
Emmerson Mnangagwa’ s record of cruelty is well documented.
He is directly responsible for the MaShurugwi menace.
Mnangagwa created those gangsters.We are going to use legal and Constitutional means to make sure MaShurugwi are brought to book,” said Biti.
Farai Dziva| Unknown individuals broke into the house of High Court Judge Justice Garainesu Mawadze in Harare on Tuesday night.
Mawadze is presiding over MDC vice chairperson Job Sikhala’s treason trial.
“The ZRP is investigating a case of unlawful entry and theft in which Justice Mawadze’s Harare home was broken into last night in unclear circumstances.
Coincidentally, the Hon. Justice is the one who is currently presiding over MDC vice-chairman, Job Sikhala’s trial in Masvingo,” police said in a statement.
The Zanu-PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa has slapped down youth members of his party who held a press conference on Monday on what he termed “misguided activism”. He was speaking during a politburo meeting in the capital city on Wednesday that meeting was heated.
Godfrey Tsenengamu, Lewis Matutu on Monday held a press conference in which they announced that Emmerson Mnangagwa is tolerating the head of a notorious business cartel led by Constantino Chiwenga aide Kuda Tagwirei.
The two on Monday revealed 12 layers of corruption which they said has led to the ship sinking. The layers are seen below:
Farai Dziva| Unknown individuals broke into the house of High Court Judge Justice Garainesu Mawadze in Harare on Tuesday night.
Mawadze is presiding over MDC vice chairperson Job Sikhala’s treason trial.
“The ZRP is investigating a case of unlawful entry and theft in which Justice Mawadze’s Harare home was broken into last night in unclear circumstances.
Coincidentally, the Hon. Justice is the one who is currently presiding over MDC vice-chairman, Job Sikhala’s trial in Masvingo,” police said in a statement.
2014 (Sept) – At the height of a fight for the Vice Presidency (to succeed President Robert Mugabe) Senior “Mugabe” judge Rita Makarau’s office was broken into and her computer stolen…
2014 Sept – Chief Justice Godfrey Chiduausiku’s office was broken into and the “thieves” stole a computer.
2014 – Emmerson Mnangagwa later boasts that he used former First Lady Grace Mugabe to boot out Vice President Joice Mujuru.
2014 – As a result of these developments, Mnangagwa
was suddenly appointed Vice President in December 2014.
2014 (Dec) – Mnangagwa’s office was broken into and fake cyanide was planted.
All these break ins made Mnangagwa appear like a persecuted hero.
In Aug 2017, Mnangagwa had a fake poisoning attack, which instantly made him a hero, respected by the military. To this day, many still believe the lie that Mugabe poisoned him. But it was that fake poison which made him a Coup President, perfect!
After several months struggling with his deputy Constantino Chiwenga, the latter who kept wrestling the mic away from Mnangagwa at state functions, the two had a bomb attack in which Mnangagwa escaped with just a speck of dusk on his baggy black trousers.
His deputy Chiwenga however was not only bombed, but poisoned. Both Chiwenga and wife, have since struggled with a mysterious condition only healed by a Chinese doctor. That doctor, hired by the state, has told ZimEye he has both the cure and the poison.
2020 (2 Feb) – Mnangagwa was openly exposed by ZANU PF Youth League leaders who vowed to confront him over protecting cartel bigwig Kuda Tagwirei.
On the same day, Zengeza MP Job Sikhala facing a trial, declared Mnangagwa an idiot not qualified to be a president.
Mnangagwa says ZANU PF is everything in Zimbabwe and must be respected. We are the police the army….we are everything in this country pic.twitter.com/HrRFrSGUoh
2020 (3Feb) – The judge presiding over Sikhala’s trial, Justice Mawadze, was burgled. The Police who Mnangagwa is on video saying he owns, rushed to drop Sikhala’s name on the police docket relating to the break in.
Farai Dziva|Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe(PTUZ) Secretary General, Raymond Majongwe has said teachers can no longer abide by the Public Service Commission dress code because of Incapacitation.
Majongwe said teachers can no longer afford to buy formal wear due to the escalating economic crisis.
See Majongwe’s letter to PTUZ members:
Following intensive consultations with the generality of membership on dress code, comrades we are reiterating our position earlier communicated to Public Service Commission that due to serious incapacitation it is increasingly becoming difficult to adhere to the prescribed dress code when on duty.
Unlike everyone else who is getting a dressing allowance, teachers are not getting any support in this regard. We have therefore taken a position to say when reporting for duty put on anything that you can afford …
We cannot afford expensive dresses and suits while our stomachs are empty.
Farai Dziva|Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe(PTUZ) Secretary General, Raymond Majongwe has said teachers can no longer abide by the Public Service Commission dress code because of Incapacitation.
Majongwe said teachers can no longer afford to buy formal wear due to the escalating economic crisis.
See Majongwe’s letter to PTUZ members:
Following intensive consultations with the generality of membership on dress code, comrades we are reiterating our position earlier communicated to Public Service Commission that due to serious incapacitation it is increasingly becoming difficult to adhere to the prescribed dress code when on duty.
Unlike everyone else who is getting a dressing allowance, teachers are not getting any support in this regard. We have therefore taken a position to say when reporting for duty put on anything that you can afford …
We cannot afford expensive dresses and suits while our stomachs are empty.
Flamboyant church leader, Prophet Passion Java has splashed $30.000 (United States Dollars) on purchasing three brand new customized iPhones.
The youthful man of cloth who is not new to controversy over his extravagant lifestyle torched a storm on social media as some of his critics accused him of showing off.
PASSION Java is known for his flamboyance
Prophet Passion’s personal assistant Ashel Muchuchu said his boss simply decided to buy the customized cellphones because he can afford.
“Prophet Passion is one person who loves having finer things in life and those cellphones are just part of the many expensive things that he owns so I don’t know why people are making a fuss out of it.
“Few months back he (Prophet Passion) received a birthday present of a similar customized phone and he decided to give it away but now God has blessed him with three more phones.
“There are people who think prophet Passion spends money to prove something to his critics or to compete with other wealthy people but the truth is he spoils himself simply because he can afford to do so.-H-Metro
Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp has not guaranteed injury returnees Khama Billiat and Itumeleng Khune‚ plus new signing Anthony Akumu game time in this weekend’s Nedbank Cup last-32 tie against Royal Eagles.
Billiat aggravated his hamstring injury on December 22 and was out of action for a month before he started training a week ago.
Khune returned to fitness last month after a long lay-off but has been kept on the bench by in-form Nigeria international Daniel Akpeyi.
Speaking on Tuesday, Middendorp confirmed the Zimbabwean’s availability for selection but emphasised that sometimes players have to “wait for their opportunity” to play at the right time.
“So far‚ I’m aware that these questions are coming so let me put it straight in – Anthony Akumu will be in the squad‚ and Khama Billiat will be in the squad too. ‘Itu’ Khune will also be in the squad‚” he said, according to TimesLive.co.za.
“It will be the core of the players we have used in the PSL. We had no competitive game last week.
“[But] we will not set up because everybody deserves [a game].
“If it is Itu‚ Khama‚ whoever – please‚ we have a respectable team and squad for selection and sometimes players must wait for their opportunity‚ and whenever it is right.”-Soccer 24
All roads will lead to Gweru on the 12th of February as Zimbabwe joins the rest of the World in commemorating World Radio Day (WRD).
Running under the theme Radio and Diversity, the day is set aside by UNSECO and aimed to celebrate radio broadcasts as well as improving international cooperation amongst international broadcasters.
The international commemorations will be graced by the Minister of information, publicity and broadcasting services Hon Monica Mutsvangwa, who will deliver the keynote address at the event.
The official online trending hashtag for Zimbabwe will be #WRDZim2020. and the Zimbabwe Online Content Creators (ZOCC), a consortium of more than 100 ethical, credible and factual online players will broadcast this event live on their various social media platforms to reach out to thousands on this day.
Preparations are now at an advanced stage, for the event set for the Gweru Civic Centre as the event is set to light up the midlands town with top-level discussions around radio issues and way forward towards the growth of the broadcasting sector while making sure its plays it’s pivotal role.
The event will be headlined by two panel of discussions, with the first one comprising of regulators, broadcasters, as well as other media experts with authorities from Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAs), Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ), and Transmedia.
The second panel of discussion will comprise of listeners and others who can make analytical submissions as the panel discussions aims to discuss issues to do with media diversity as well as other issues related to the radio,such as media plurality, legal framework and other resource issues.
All nations under the UN banner celebrate the World Radio Day World Wide
Zivanai Macharaga, a staunch Zanu Pf supporter said:
The suspension of Godfrey Tsenengamu and lewis Matutu for publicly naming corrupt business people is wrong and unacceptable. I take a stand against corruption. I know these two guys are brave and honest. I stand with them and its time Zimbabwe stand with those condemning corruption. Zanupf needs to introspect , it cant be viewed to be sanctioning those fighting corruption.
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has summarily fired Zanu PF youth league secretary Pupurai Togarepi and further suspended party youth leaders Lewis Matutu and Godfrey Tsenengamu for jumping the gun.
Addressing the media after a Zanu PF politburo meeting Wednesday, acting secretary for administration, Patrick Chinamasa said the Matutu and Tsenengamu have been suspended for 12 months.
Matutu is party secretary for youth league while Tsenengamu is youth wing commissar.
Chinamasa said the two “have been removed from their positions for 12 months” after which they will be eligible to campaign for any position in the party.
The two are now “ordinary card-carrying members”, according to Chinamasa.
Added the former minister, “Togarepi seizes to be the secretary and is no-longer a member of the politburo but remains a central committee member.”
Matutu and Tsenengamu are being accused of convening a press conference on Monday in which they fingered controversial business mogul Kudakwashe Tagwirei and other business leaders as godfathers of cartels that have caused havoc within the economy through underhand dealings.
Maputo — A driver of a pick-up truck believed to be a Zimbabwean died on Tuesday morning when his vehicle was ambushed by armed men in Gondola district, in the central Mozambican province of Manica.
According to the spokesperson for the Manica provincial police command, Mateus Mindu, cited in Wednesday’s issue of the independent daily “O Pais”, the attack took place at about 06.00 in the Amatongas area, near the main road from Beira to Zimbabwe. An unspecified number of armed men opened fire on the vehicle, killing the driver.
The ambush occurred near a position of the Mozambican defence and security forces. Asked how this was possible, Mindu replied that the presence of the government forces prevented any further damage.
Alerted by the shots, he claimed, the forces went into action – some of them immediately re-established the movement of people and goods along the road, while others pursued the attackers into the bush.
“We sent a contingent of the defence and security forces to strengthen the team already there”, he added.
Mindu said he had no doubt that the ambush was the work of “Renamo armed men”. He said the information from the intelligence services “led us to conclude, given the modus operandi of the attack, that these were “armed men of Renamo”.
As has become habitual in police statements, Mindu drew no distinction between the Renamo mainstream, led by Ossufo Momade, and the dissidents of the “Renamo Military Junta”, commanded by Mariano Nhongo. The distinction is important, because Momade signed a peace agreement with President Filipe Nyusi in August, while Nhongo has denounced the agreement and called Momade “a traitor”.
There have been a string of attacks on the main roads in Manica and the neighbouring province of Sofala since August, generally attributed to the Military Junta, but this was the first ambush in Manica this year.
The administrator of Gondola district, Moguen Candeeiro, told AIM that a second person travelling in the truck was injured.
The attacking group was hidden in a cemetery beside the road. Candeeiro said this is the same area where a vehicle belong to the district administration was attacked and set on fire last year.
Since the attacks began, “a climate of insecurity has been installed in the area”, said the administrator, with some people fleeing to places regarded as safe.
South Sudanese medical staff deployed at Juba International Airport to screen arrivers for deadly Coronavirus have reportedly fled the airport after a plane carrying Chinese diplomats landed.
Coronavirus: Medics deployed at Juba airport flee as plane carrying Chinese diplomats land
South Sudan government this week begun screening all travellers at airports to help avert the spread of the coronavirus in the country.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.
The disease which started in the Chinese City of Wuhan late last month is reported to have already killed over 170 people with over 9,000 confirmed cases in all regions of China.
The World Health Organization on Thursday declared the virus a global health emergency after it spread to several countries.
As part of response intervention, South Sudan launched a detective machine that will help to sense the virus in the human body.
The Minister of Health says the launch is a preparedness measure to protect South Sudanese.
Dr. Riak Gai Kok said South Sudan and China will not suspend travels between the two countries.
“We will not suspend travels between China and South Sudan but we are appealing to people that you consider the fragility of our health system and the vulnerability of our people,” said the minister of health.
He advised travellers to follow the regulations at airports knowing that South Sudan is vulnerable in handling any outbreak.
“If one case is imported to South Sudan, it will be a disaster and we have abundance and surplus of problems.”
“The WHO headquarters in Geneva has declared Coronavirus as a public health emergency of international concern that’s why also we have to be aware here in South Sudan and to be prepared. It’s not only confined to China,” said Dr. Riak Gai.
“It has spread to so many countries and as you know there is heavy traffic between South Sudan and China.”
The minister of health was speaking during the launch of the specialised equipment at Juba International Airport on Friday.
The specialized equipment for detecting any infectious disease was donated by the government of Japan.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa and South African former President Thabo Mbeki (file photo).
MDC leader Nelson Chamisa Tuesday took a dig at SADC and the African Union (AU for blindly endorsing the result of Malawi’s disputed election last year, an outcome that has since been reversed by the rice producing country’s Constitutional Court.
In a press statement released by his party on Monday, Chamisa urged both SADC and AU and to learn from the Malawian ConCourt and not be quick to endorse elections whose results are still have in dispute.
The MDC leader, who claims he was robbed of poll victory by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the 2018 elections, congratulated Malawians for showing “courage to nullify the rigged election”
He also had praise for Malawian judiciary and security services “which have stood firm in defence of the Constitution”.
“It’s a reminder that where institutions retain independence & professionalism it is possible to correct wrong politics,” he said.
“For too long, our continent has been plagued by the scourge of unfair elections. It gives hope to see court’s checks & controls curtailing capture & abuse.
“Malawians have a fresh opportunity, courtesy of the courage and wisdom demonstrated by their judges & the support of key institutions, to have a free & fair election.”
He added, “Lest we forget, we here in Zimbabwe have an outstanding matter – the legitimacy of the rigged 2018 election.”
Chamisa said SADC and AU should draw key lessons from events in Malawi and “not to rush to endorse sham elections where people have legitimate concerns over processes”.
“SADC and the AU as institutions of resort deserve a renewal and re-orientation to defend African people’s interests,” he said.
“The generation that rigs elections by violence, manipulation of state institutions, corruption, TIPPEX, EXCEL scandals & dictatorial tendencies by men from the past must be put a stop. Justice demands the young generation to lead the way.”
The con-court of Malawi ordered that the election will be held within 151 days.
THE ZIMBABWE Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) has reviewed the Victoria Falls rainforest conservation fees.
The adjustment will see domestic tourists now paying $60 per person, up from $30, while the entry fee to the Zambezi National Park is now pegged at $50 with effect from the 1st of February.
Regional and international fees remain unchanged. The locals who constitute around 25% of the total annual visitors to the rainforest expressed mixed reactions to the adjustment with some describing the revised fees as reasonable while others bemoaned the short notice.
“With everything going up we certainly cannot expect the entry fees to remain constant. When you compare to what the international tourists are paying, the $60 is still reasonable in my opinion,” said one local tourist.
Victoria Falls tourism industry players say the adjustment is reasonable compared to the 30 United States dollars being paid by foreigners and are optimistic the funds will go a long way in enhancing the authority’s operations.
“An adjustment of ZW$30 is somehow justified, considering that a few years ago locals were being asked to pay seven United States dollars. One also has to take into account the fact that the authority has to fund conservation works,” said Fungai Nhau, Director of Afro Honey Guide.
Clement Mukwasi President of the Employers Association for Tourism and Safari Operators also echoed the same sentiments arguing that the rates are reasonable and competitive.
The legendary and breathtaking Mosi-oa-Tunya remains a major drawcard and the most-visited gem in the country, with a total of 357 552 tourists having visited the waterfall in 2019, representing a 5.6% increase compared to 338 472 recorded in 2018.
Woman dies gruesome death at Sangoma shrine, making cow sounds after drinking muti. Belinda Sibanda died at the shrine of a sangoma named Belinda Musiyiwa (37), who is also a Bulawayo Polytechnic College examination board member. The deceased had gone to consult the sangoma who lives in Douglasdale as well.
A 25-year-old Bulawayo woman from Douglasdale died after drinking a lethal concoction she got from a Sangoma who has since been arrested.
Bulawayo acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident yesterday. “We are investigating a culpable homicide incident which occurred in Douglasdale suburb where a 25-year-old woman died after drinking a concoction given to her by a traditional healer.
“At the moment we cannot say much as investigations are still in progress. However, the suspect has been arrested and is assisting police with investigations,” said Asst Insp Msebele. She urged members of the public to be cautious when dealing with sangomas and faith healers.
She also urged faith-based healers to take extra precaution when administering medication to their clients to avoid unnecessary loss of lives. According to sources, Musiyiwa is a member of the Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers’ Association (ZINATHA) and also a member of the Bulawayo Polytechnic College examination board.
The source revealed that the deceased had visited the traditional healer with her cousin but the cousin later returned home after realising that the queue was too long. The deceased was served at about 3PM and she was given a mixture to drink and started groaning like a possessed person making cow-like sounds. She also started vomiting while jumping towards the precast wall before falling unconscious,” said the source.
He said Musiyiwa waited for some time before calling her husband to the shrine and they took Sibanda to the United Bulawayo Hospitals where she was pronounced dead on arrival. Sibanda’s husband Mr Ketumetsi Moyo (26) was in shock and wasn’t aware that his wife was consulting a sangoma.
“I can’t say much because when I arrived there everything had already occurred. For starters I didn’t know that she had visited the traditional healer. He said he was really hurt when they had to call him to the shrine to collect her lifeless body. The couple had two children aged 3 and 1 with the latter still on breastfeeding.
Correspondent|Reports coming through from the volatile ZANU PF politburo meeting held in Harare on Wednesday indicate that Vice President Constantino Chiwenga walked out of the meeting after a heated debate over a press conference by the youth league on Monday where they released names of businesspeople involved in a “corrupt cartel.”
The move was, however, seen as an attack on Chiwenga who is reportedly linked to the three. “Reports from the politburo are that a furious Chiwenga stormed out of the meeting after the debate over cartels,” said a senior Zanu-PF member.
It’s been nearly two years since Cyril Ramaphosa became ANC leader. But now, a minor political party are tabling a motion of no confidence against him.
President Cyril Ramaphosa – Photo: GCIS
They may only have two seats in Parliament, but the African Transformation Movement (ATM) aren’t shy when it comes to making their voices heard. The debutants in the sixth term of the National Assembly have confirmed the House Speaker has received their proposed motion of no confidence against President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The party announced their bid to oust the head-honcho earlier on Tuesday afternoon. With SONA 2020 set to take place at the end of next week, the ATM may have to wait a little longer before their motion is debated in Parliament. However, it’s the sort of move which well and truly signals the end of “Ramaphoria”.
Cyril has faced his fair share of controversy since replacing Jacob Zuma two years ago. He’s been accused of lying about donations to his CR17 leadership campaign, and is alleged to have misled Parliament about money he received from the corrupt Bosasa organisation. Add the flat economy and a poor jobs market to the copybook, and it’s understandable that the murmurs of dicontent have intensified:
“The ATM invites members of the press to a conference on Thursday, which will be addressed by President Vuyo Zungula and our NEC members. We have received an acknowledgement of receipt from the Speaker’s Office, regarding our motion of no confidence against Cyril Ramaphosa, and plan to explain our reasons further.”
ATM statement on Cyril Ramaphosa
How a motion of no confidence works
Speaker Thandi Modise will now consider whether the proposal is worth putting to the rest of the house. She still has the ability to dismiss it outright. A consultation process would take place, and it could even be put to the other serving MPs for a debate. Our elected officials have the power to shoot it down straight away.
In the unlikely event it gets to a Parliamentary vote, a simple majority would have to vote in favour of the motion of no confidence. That’s 201 votes or more. Considering the ANC has 230 of the seats – and an overwhelming majority still see their leader as favourable – it’s not likely to happen. In fact, the ATM will be lucky if it gets past Modise’s desk. But still, they’re giving it a go anyway…
A man who is seen in what he says was a “leaked video” crying for ZANU Pf leader Emmerson Mnangagwa back in November 2017 says: “after the video I fell in love with Emmerson Mnangagwa more than how I used to be, and I like it because it made me like Emmerson Mnangagwa a lot because the way he stood up against Robert Mugabe regime was phenomenal.”
Lewis Matutu with other ZANU PF Youth League Leaders
Own Correspondent|The ZANU PF Politburo met at the party headquarters in Harare on Wednesday purportedly to discuss issues of national concern and price increases on basic commodities according to party Spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo before the meeting.
Results from the meeting, however, indicate that, as speculated, the main reason why the party’s biggest decision making body between congresses met was to deal with truant youth league leaders who held an unsanctioned press conference on Tuesday.
Graohic summary of Tsenengamu, Matutu revelations
Youth League Deputy Secretary Lewis Matutu and National Youth Commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu held their Press conference at the Media Centre in the city centre, with party insiders saying they had been ordered not to use the Zanu PF HQ by top party officials who described their conduct as an attack on President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The youth leaders labelled President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ally Kuda Tagwirei “the most corrupt person in the country” at an extraordinary Press conference that also exposed growing factionalism in the party after they were barred from using the ruling party’s headquarters for their address.
Matutu and Tsenengamu also named Green Fuels boss Billy Rautenbach and Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe chairperson Tafadzwa Musarara, who they said with the help of the central bank, they had monopolised the economy, fiddled with foreign currency exchange rates, while allegedly corruptly grabbing all government
The two were later supported by Secretary for Youth in the Politburo, Pupurai Togarepi.
We support everyone who speaks against corruption, against dirty business ethics. Whether that person speaks from the church or in their individual capacity, we support them.”
As a punishment for their actions, the politburo stripped Togarepi of his position as well as Lewis Matutu and Godfrey Tsenengamu.
Matutu and Tsenengamu were suspended for a year and ordered to undergo a compulsory ideological course for three months
Own Correspondent|Justice Pisirayi Kwenda, has upheld the appeal made by Vice President Chiwenga seeking Mubaiwa’s bail variation; particularly that she provides another address of residence and that she submits her other diplomatic passport.
Justice Kwenda barred Mubaiwa from returning to her matrimonial Borrowdale mansion until her matters before the courts are finalised.
“The respondent’s husband, who is the complainant in the attempted murder case, is living at the matrimonial home.
“I only became aware of that through this application. I would not have allowed a situation where the parties live under the same roof and expect them to peacefully co-exist under one roof especially considering that there is a pending attempted murder against the respondent.
“I, therefore, find that it is in the interests of justice to vary the accused person’s residence on the two bail orders under the circumstances. Consideration must be given that the respondent cannot reside at two different addresses at the same time,” ruled Justice Kwenda.
Own Correspondent|Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife, Marry Mubaiwa Chiwenga will remain in custody until Friday when her bail application will be heard before High Court judge, Justice Erica Ndewere.
The High Court on Wednesday deferred the hearing to Friday to allow the State to make its own submissions and the judge to also go through the submissions.
“The matter was not on the roll and the appellant (Mubaiwa) submitted over 133 pages that I must read through. There is a danger in rushing things, therefore, I am postponing the matter to February 7,” said Justice Ndewere.
Mubaiwa, who is in remand prison for allegedly assaulting a maid, lodged a bail appeal at the High Court.
Mubaiwa was on Saturday remanded in custody after a Harare magistrate found her unsuitable for bail.
She is accused of assaulting the family’s maid at Hellenic School in Borrowdale following an altercation over the custody of children last week.
Harare regional magistrate Ms Bianca Makwande on Saturday denied Mubaiwa bail on the basis that she had a propensity for violence.
The assault allegedly occurred while Mubaiwa was on bail for attempted murder, money laundering and fraud.
In her bail application, she is seeking the setting aside of Ms Makwande’s decision.
Own Correspondent|Unknown people broke into the home of High Court judge Justice Garainesu Mawadze in Harare on Tuesday night in unclear circumstances, according to the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, police said coincidentally, Justice Mawadze is currently presiding over the trial of MDC national vice-chairperson Job Sikhala. The statement read:
The ZRP is investigating a case of unlawful entry & theft in which Justice Mawadze’s Harare home was broken into last night in unclear circumstances. Coincidentally, the Hon. Justice is the one who is currently presiding over MDC vice chairman, Job Sikhala’s trial in Masvingo.
NEWSDAY ARTICLE NOT A TRUE ACCOUNT OF THE AUDIT CURRENTLY UNDERWAY AT HARVEST HOUSE.
The MDC is implementing international best practice in its financial systems
The report in today’s issue of Newsday about $2 million missing from MDC coffers is false, misleading and alarmist.
For the record, the party has implemented adequate systems to ensure that party funds are used in a transparent and professional manner for the good of the party.
In order to enhance and engender a culture of transparency, which is one of the party’s cardinal values, the MDC has contracted a firm of auditors in line with its Congress resolutions to conduct an audit of the party’s accounts for the year ended 31st December 2019.
The audit currently underway is the first of such routine audits, which has nothing to do with the false reports of any missing funds. This is the first time any political party in Zimbabwe has subjected its accounts to an audit, and is the part of a wider programme to transform the MDC into a party which meets the best international standards of internal governance.
All political parties should do the same in the interests of transparency and accountability because these are taxpayers’ funds received by political parties under the Political Parties Finance Act. Currently being conducted is a routine audit to ensure that the party’s finances and accounting systems are given a thorough check in the true spirit of transparency and accountability. I stress this is not a forensic audit.
Neither the Treasurer-General nor the Secretary – General has received reports of any missing funds. Since the MDC is a party of excellence, the findings of the party audit will be furnished to all relevant authorities and organs, including Parliament.
If anything untoward is revealed in the audit, such issues will be addressed then.
Correspondent|A DRUNK soldier from Bulawayo’s Imbizo Barracks Monday drove into a group over 100 colleagues who were on a routine early Monday morning jog, injuring 30 in the process.
The unnamed soldier is said to have sneaked out of the barracks and come back drunk just as a troop of about 100 officers was jogging outside Mbizo Barracks.
“There are no fatalities yet, only one is being treated for head injuries. The rest are being treated for a few broken bones and ribs. They are all being evaluated by orthopaedic surgeons at Mpilo general hospital.
“No detail was shared as to where the driver is. We only got information that he is a soldier and was rushing back to Mbizo after fleeing his night duties,” said the source who requested anonymity.
“The soldier’s Nissan Sylphy lights were off and those jogging did not see him until he had driven into them.”
Own Correspondent|President Emmerson Mnangagwa has emerged victorious in the chaos at public hospitals after he managed to get key personnel in the form of doctors and nurses clashing against each other.
The health sector has for the last year been heavily crippled as both n doctors and nurses engaged in massive industrial actions calling for better salaries and working conditions.
In solving the disputes, Mnangagwa managed to separate the two groups and held separate negotiations between them.
He deliberately allowed nurses to work for three days a week as a means of cushioning them. Doctors were denied the same privilege instead got themselves a hefty salary increase plus a supplement from Strive Masiyiwa’s Higher Life Foundation.
Nurses have since demanded that government also brings down to them the Masiyiwa benevolence allowances.
A fact-finding visit to Harare’s two biggest hospitals by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health yesterday exposed the acrimonious working relations between the nurses and doctors who traded accusations of absenteeism and indolence before stunned lawmakers.
At Sally Mugabe Central Hospital (formerly Harare Central Hospital), the two parties issued conflicting statements on the status of the machinery that was recently imported from India, with doctors claiming that most of it was not functional while nurses said the opposite.
At Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, nurses and doctors clashed over flexible working hours that were introduced, resulting in nurses working between two and three days a week.
Doctors said the system was presenting challenges as there was a time when patients were left unattended.
Nurses, on the other hand, accused doctors of not working hard, but leaving most of the work to them.
They said doctors were supposed to work for eight hours, but most of the times they were not available and nurses had resorted to calling them whenever there was an emergency.
Tempers flared as staff held different views over the equipment imported from India.
Doctors said the equipment was not functional, while nurses said they were using the machines.
Hospital chief executive officer Dr Tinashe Dhobbie said the arrangement for nurses to work less hours was not sustainable.
“We want to lobby Parliament so that we can get more money and resources. The flexible hours are not what we want. We are relying on the system as we wait for things to improve. I hope fundamentals are going to be addressed soon so that we have smooth transition from one nurse to another,” he said.
Parirenyatwa chief executive Mr Enock Manyawu said he would take into consideration the suggestions that came up during the meeting for the smooth running of the institution.
Senior staff at Parirenyatwa expressed concern over the deterioration of working conditions and said it was worrying that the institution was training specialist nurses who were leaving the country.
Senior Government officials that were present ended up calling on stakeholders in the health sector to join hands and come up with sustainable solutions to challenges facing the industry.
A 27 year-old Masvingo woman allegedly sold her three year-old daughter to a South African based syndicate that uses children as beggars at busy traffic intersections.
Grana Chiondegwa (27) of Village 11 A, Mushandike Resettlement allegedly struck a deal to receive R300 every month from the syndicate in return for having her daughter exploited in the neighbouring country.
Chiondegwa told a court last year that she was forced to give the child away after her husband Tinashe Mutombeni deserted her and her five children.
She allegedly gave the minor to Ivy Chepiri (28) to facilitate the deal.
Appearing before Chivi resident magistrate Ms Perseverance Mukumba recently facing charges of human trafficking, Chiondegwa and Chepiri were not asked to plead.
Prosecutor Mr Nixon Chamisa said sometimes in January last year Chiondegwa allegedly approached her church mate, Olinda Munodawafa (33) of Mashava and revealed that she could not fend for her four children.
She told her friend that she had no means to get food and school fees for the children.
The court heard that Munodawafa advised her to link up with Chepiri, also known as Mai Gidza who would take the minor to South Africa for the purposes of begging at robots in return for some money every month.
“Munodawafa took the girl to Mai Gidza who is based in Shurugwi. Munodawafa stayed with the girl from January to last week for familiarisation before she could proceed to her final destination in South Africa,” said Mr Chamisa.
The court was told that Chiondegwa who was promised R300 every month, was in constant contact with Mai Gidza over the arrangement on WhatsApp platform. The WhatsApp chats will be produced in court as exhibit.
Police in Chivi received a tip off from villagers that Chiondegwa had given away her daughter to a stranger leading to her arrest.
Chiondegwa revealed that her daughter was staying with Mai Gidza in Shurugwi.
After interrogation, Mai Gidza admitted that she was staying with the minor for familiarisation before she was taken to South Africa.
The court heard that she also revealed that the deal had been facilitated by Munodawafa who has since been arrested.
“Such practice is common at Bere Compound in Mashava where parents are allegedly sending their children to South Africa for begging,” said Mr Chamisa.
Own Correspondent| Masvingo High Court Judge Justice Sunsley Zisengwe on Monday 3 February 2020 reserved judgment on an application filed by a trade union and a pensioners’ rights lobby organisation challenging Finance and Economic Development Minister Hon. Mthuli Ncube’s unilateral decision to withhold publication of inflation figures in Zimbabwe.
Justice Zisengwe reserved judgment after hearing arguments from lawyers representing the National Social Security Authority Workers Union (NSSAWU), a labour union and Zimbabwe Pension and Insurance Rights Trust (ZPIRT), which champions the rights of pension funds members and policyholders and those representing Hon. Ncube and the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency.
In court, Tendai Biti of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, who represented NSSAWU and ZPIRT argued that Hon. Ncube’s decision is irrational, grossly unreasonable, illegal, illegitimate and violates the principle of good governance and transparency provided for in the Constitution.
Hon. Ncube in August 2019 announced the ban in publication of annualised inflation figures to February 2020 and indicated that the National Statistical Agency will only publish month on month inflation figures.
However, NSSAWU and ZPIRT, which champions the rights of pension funds members and policyholders petitioned the High Court seeking to set aside Hon. Ncube’s decision not to publish the inflation figures.
In the application filed by Biti, NSSAWU and ZPIRT argued that Hon. Ncube’s decision is irrational, grossly unreasonable, illegal, illegitimate and violates the principle of good governance and transparency provided for in Zimbabwe’s Constitution.
NSSAWU argued that as a trade union, it relies on annualised inflation figures to negotiate increases in its members’ salaries with its employers.
NSSAWU and ZPIRT argued that publication of annualised inflation figures is important in that inflation is an important variable in any economy and is a very destablising force which makes it necessary to keep track of its movement.
NSSAWU and ZPIRT said annualised inflation assists entreprenuers in ascertaining real trends in production, sales, purchases, profits and others values.
When Hon. Ncube took over as Finance and Economic Development Minister in September 2018, Zimbabwe’s annualised inflation stood at 3%.
However, in July 2019, when government last published annualised inflation figures, the rate had risen to 175%, a figure which NSSAWU and ZPIRT argued Hon. Ncube was keen to “hide”.
In response to NSSAWU and ZPIRT’s application, Hon. Ncube, who was represented by Kenias Chimiti from the Attorney General’s Office defended his decision to impose a moratorium on the publication of annual inflation figures as justified following the change in currency regimes in Zimbabwe.
Own Correspondent |Treasurer General of the opposition MDC says that he has hired independent auditors to conduct a standard routine audit on the party’s finances.
Coltart confirmed that a team of independent auditors would start work this week amid unconfirmed reports that some money may have been abused in the party.
Coltart dismissed the theft rumour indicating that the ongoing audit has not necessarily been influenced by the rumour of financial irregularities. Coltart said he personally was not aware of any financial irregularities which if any would be exposed by the audit.
“We are starting an audit today because the party, at my request, has agreed to have an audit. We will have a standard audit and until maybe the audit reveals the irregularities, I am not aware of such,” Coltart said.
“Whether it is $190 000 or $1,9 million, I am not aware of any irregularities. I am not saying they are not there. I am not an auditor and that is why we have an audit. An independent firm will be doing the audit of the MDC books since 2019 and it is the first for the MDC and for any political party. It is the first time a political party has subjected itself to an audit.”
Last year, the MDC received more than $4 million under the Political Parties Finance Act.
Government released more than $12 million to both the MDC and Zanu PF to share according to the numbers garnered in the 2018 harmonised elections.
By A Correspondent| Police officers ran for dear life after a group of armed men pounced on money changers at Makoni shopping centre Wednesday afternoon.
The robbers, who according to an eyewitness arrived in a white double cab which had no plates were wearing masks when they disembarked from their vehicle in a typical movie style.
They were holding AK47 riffles and they allegedly fired shots in the air before pouncing on the money changers robbing them of their forex, bond notes and a Toyota Allion belonging to one of the money changers.
Said the witness:
“Police details mounting a roadblock a few metres away from where all the drama took place ran for dear life when the robbers started firing into the air. They took off their luminous green bibs and like everyone else took to their heels when they heard gunshots.”
It could not be immediately established how much the robbers went away with but eyewitnesses alleged that most of the money changers who operate near Chicken Inn Makoni were robbed.
This is a developing story. Refresh this page for details.
Farai Dziva|ZIFA is yet to secure a work permit for Warriors coach Zdravko Logarusic.
The gaffer is still in his home country, Croatia and will only arrive in Zimbabwe after he has been granted a work permit. He signed a two-year contract which started on February 1.
Speaking to the Herald, Zifa spokesperson, Xolisani Gwesela, confirmed they had started the process to get Logarusic a work permit.
“It is work in progress. We have started the process and once we have completed it we will notify you.”
The Croatian will be assisted by Joey Antipas who was the interim coach of the national team for six months last year.
Other members of the technical team include Lloyd Chitembwe as the second assistant coach, national Under 23 mentor Tonderai Ndiraya and goalkeepers trainer Pernell McKop.
Farai Dziva|Barcelona skipper Lionel Messi has slammed the club’s sporting director, Eric Abidal, for his comments aimed at the players’ performance under former coach Ernesto Valverde.
Abidal, a former team-mate of Messi, said in an interview with Spanish newspaper Diario Sport that the players were not working hard during the ex-gaffer’s tenure.
The Frenchman said: “Many players weren’t satisfied or working hard and there was also an internal communication problem.
“The relationship between the coach and the dressing room has always been good but there are things as an ex-player that I could smell. I told the club what I thought and we reached a decision [on Valverde].”
But Messi seemed unhappy with the comments and responded, writing on Instagram: “Sincerely, I don’t like to do these things but I think that people have to be responsible for their jobs and own their decisions.
“The players [are responsible] for what happens on the pitch and we are the first to admit when we haven’t been good. The heads of the sports department have to take their responsibilities too and above all own the decisions they make.”
Valverde was sacked last month when Barcelona were top of La Liga.
Pitso Mosimane has given insight into why the negotiations with Mamelodi Sundowns for a new contract have stalled.
The gaffer who has been at the helm of the Pretoria-based side since 2012 has five months left on his current deal.
He has revealed to TimesLive website that negotiations are stuck at 80% and the failure to reach an agreement is not on the financial grounds but principle.
“Negotiations are still where they were‚ there is 20 per cent left. It is about principle and not money‚ trust me it is not about money‚” he said.
“I am not playing around and saying money…. its principle.
“It is important that Sundowns are happy and I am happy and if you ask the Sundowns management they will tell you it is not about money.”
It’s believed that Mosimane is not happy with how the board is making recommendations on who to sign and who to let go.
The coach allegedly wants his new contract to give him the sole power to decide.
Meanwhile, the CAF Champions League-winning coach has been linked with Egyptian giants Al Ahly who are reportedly prepared to snap him up at the end of the season when his contract with Sundowns expires.Soccer 24
Own Correspondent| Zanu PF Secretary for youths in the politburo Pupurai Togarepi has also been stripped of his position together with Lewis Matutu and Godfrey Tsenengamu.
Togarepi appeared to support Matutu and Tsenengamu when they addressed a press conference where they named business people they said were bleeding the economy through corrupt dealings.
The politburo which is currently sitting has replaced Togarepi with Tendai Chirau.
It remains to be seen if Togarepi will maintain his Zanu PF Chief Whip position in parliament.
Own Correspondent| News filtering from the ongoing politburo meeting indicates that Zanu PF Youth League Deputy Secretary Lewis Matutu and Political Commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu have been suspended from the party for one year on charges of not following laid down procedures in their fight against corruption.
According to unconfirmed reports, Matutu is alleged to have walked out of the Politburo meeting in protest.
Their suspended reportedly came after President Emmerson Mnangagwa told the politburo meeting that he will not tolerate activism that threatens party unity.
Youth league Secretary for Information Tendai Chirau takes over the leadership of the organ.
Flamboyant church leader, Prophet Passion Java has splashed $30.000 (United States Dollars) on purchasing three brand new customized iPhones.
The youthful man of cloth who is not new to controversy over his extravagant lifestyle torched a storm on social media as some of his critics accused him of showing off.
PASSION Java is known for his flamboyance
Prophet Passion’s personal assistant Ashel Muchuchu said his boss simply decided to buy the customized cellphones because he can afford.
“Prophet Passion is one person who loves having finer things in life and those cellphones are just part of the many expensive things that he owns so I don’t know why people are making a fuss out of it.
“Few months back he (Prophet Passion) received a birthday present of a similar customized phone and he decided to give it away but now God has blessed him with three more phones.
“There are people who think prophet Passion spends money on myself to prove something to his critics or to compete with other wealthy people but the truth is he spoils himself simply because he can afford to do so.-H-Metro
Farai Dziva| Unknown individuals broke into the house of High Court Judge Justice Garainesu Mawadze in Harare on Tuesday night.
Mawadze is presiding over MDC vice chairperson Job Sikhala’s treason trial.
“The ZRP is investigating a case of unlawful entry and theft in which Justice Mawadze’s Harare home was broken into last night in unclear circumstances.
Coincidentally, the Hon. Justice is the one who is currently presiding over MDC vice-chairman, Job Sikhala’s trial in Masvingo,” police said in a statement.
Farai Dziva| Unknown individuals broke into the house of High Court Judge Justice Garainesu Mawadze in Harare on Tuesday night.
Mawadze is presiding over MDC vice chairperson Job Sikhala’s treason trial.
“The ZRP is investigating a case of unlawful entry and theft in which Justice Mawadze’s Harare home was broken into last night in unclear circumstances.
Coincidentally, the Hon. Justice is the one who is currently presiding over MDC vice-chairman, Job Sikhala’s trial in Masvingo,” police said in a statement.
