By A Correspondent- Disheartening accident occurred yesterday along at the 58 kilometer peg along Mvurwi- Kanyemba highway, two people who were riding a motor bike crashed into scotch-cart and sustained severe injuries.

Bulawayo24.com has learnt that Tawarira Forgiveness (27) who was together with Godknows Shungu on his motorbike underestimated the speed of ox drawn cart and tried to overtake.

In result of that underestimation Forgiveness who was driving is said to have rammed into the cart and both of them were seriously injured.

Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mudembe confirmed the accident.

The duo is presently admitted at Guruve hospital.

In relation to the incident the police warned people to put reflections on ox drawn carts for road users to see at night.

By Patrick Guramatunhu- To herald the 2008 to 2013 GNU as a success is a grotesque misrepresentation of historic facts that will not be allowed to go unchallenged!

“Mbeki – who helped to broker the stability-inducing 2008 government of national unity between opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and ex-president Robert Mugabe, who are both late – was in the country last December to try and nudge Mnangagwa and Chamisa to hold talks,” reported the Daily News.

Rubbish!

The 2008 to 2013 GNU principle purpose was to implement the raft of democratic reforms agreed in the 2008 Global Political Agreement, the reforms were designed to ensure future elections in Zimbabwe were free, fair and credible elections and not a repeat of the blatant cheating and wanton violence of 2008! Sadly, not even one of the reforms saw the light of day. Not one!

SADC leaders made one last desperate effort to have the 2013 elections postponed until the reforms are implemented. 

“In 2013 the Maputo Summit, in June 2013, before the elections, the Maputo Summit was all about having the elections postponed – the SADC summit. I went there. I was there at the Summit and Mugabe pretended to agree to a postponement of the elections,” Dr Ibbo Mandaza told Violet Gonda. 

The SADC leaders got Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC friends, away from Mugabe, and warned them “If you go into elections next month, you are going to lose; the elections are done!”

As we know MDC leaders ignored the warning for exactly the same reason they had ignored implementing the reforms for the last five years – greed, as David Coltart, MDC minister during the GNU, ready confessed in his Book, The Struggle Continues 50 years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe. 

“The worst aspect for me about the failure to agree a coalition was that both MDCs couldn’t now do the obvious – withdraw from the (2013) elections,” confessed Coltart.

“The electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process credibility.”

Greed had the better of the MDC again in 2018 as they went on to contest the elections knowing fully well that not even one reforms had been implemented since the rigged elections of 2013 and therefore Zanu PF will rig those elections too. And that is exactly what happened. 

By participating in the flawed and illegal elections MDC has given some modicum of credibility and legality, as Coltart admitted, to the vote rigging and, per se, illegitimate Zanu PF regime. 

The Constitutional Court challenge of the 2018 presidential race result by MDC on the grounds that the vote counting process was flawed was an exercise in futility. The whole process was flawed and illegal and not just the counting. 

”We now have fresh evidence after the Constitutional Court determination of the dispute between us and Mnangagwa, particularly in the ZEC (Zimbabwe Electoral Commission) report that was tabled in Parliament, wherein the commission is indicating that they flouted the law and the procedures of elections in announcing the elections of 2018,” said Chamisa in a recent SABC interview.

“We don’t want to have a recycling of the same old problems. This is a vicious cycle that has to be curbed so that we will have credible elections.” 

ZEC had flouted the law by failing to produce something as basic as a verified voters’ roll, at least a month before nomination day. Chamisa and his MDC friends knew this and ignored this and many other blatant violations in the election process only to pick on the counting of the vote. This is just a time wasting gimmick, bolting the door when the horse has bolted. 

Chamisa is in SA to meet both President Cyril Ramaphosa and former President Thambo Mbeki “in a last ditch effort to foster dialogue between him and President Emmerson Mnangagwa”, according to the Daily News. 

The economic recovery President Mnangagwa had hoped for with his “Zimbabwe is open for business!” mantra has not materialised. The success of his mantra was premised on him keeping his promise to end corruption, to hold free and fair elections, etc., etc. He has failed to honour any of these promises and thus confirming that Zimbabwe was still a pariah state or be it under new management following the November 2017 coup. 

As long as Zimbabwe remains a pariah state, ruled by corrupt and vote rigging thugs, there will be no meaningful economic recovery. None!

Chamisa is taking advantage of the worsening economic situation to advance a false narrative that the country would be enjoying economic recovery if he had been declared the winner of the July 2018 presidential race. As a way forward, he is proposing a dialogue with Mnangagwa, presided over by a mediator, to negotiate a power sharing arrangement, Nation Transition Authority (NTA).

Since the electoral dispute is over the presidential result, MDC is proposing the party must share cabinet and presidential power with Zanu PF. Zanu PF will keep its parliamentary 2/3 majority since the parliamentary results are not disputed. 

As the main selling pitch, Chamisa insists the NTA will implement “comprehensive democratic reforms and end the curse of disputed elections”. This is nonsense. 

The NTA is a watered down version of the 2008 to 2013 GNU; with the same key players, Zanu PF and MDC, but with Zanu PF, with its 2/3 majority in parliament, holds the trump cards. The GNU failed to get ever one reform implemented in five years it is naive to believe the NTA will do any better.

It is a lie to suggest that the 2008 GNU produced stability and worse still to suggest the NTA with Zanu PF and MDC,  GNU mark 2, will do any better. The way forward is for the vote rigging, and per se, illegitimate Zanu PF regime to step down so we can appoint an independent and competent interim administration to implement the reform leading to free and fair elections.

By A Correspondent- The leader of the opposition MDC, advocate Nelson Chamisa has said that the socio-economic and political crises were as a result of the toxic politics in the country adding that by working together can this country be revived again.

He speaks when the nation is divided over almost everything. There is always binary characterisation of citizens, one is either a supporter or member of the MDC or belongs to the ruling ZANU PF. There is no room for objective thinking!

Posting on microblogging site, Twitter, Chamisa said:

Everywhere I went in South Africa, I met anxious yet hopeful Zimbabweans working so hard to help families at home. Zimbos love their country& expect the problems to be fixed. We must fix our politics to fix the economy. We do it as one. Good politics invites good business.

Efforts have been made, however, to bring the standoff between ZANU PF and the MDC to an end yet there seems the concerned parties are not prepared to deescalate.

Chamisa’s remarks are a strong redolent of the sentiments by many analysts who have often said that the impasse was hamstringing efforts to revive the economy and to reengage the international community.

By A Correspondent- Cuban Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Carmelina Ramirez Rodriguez has said Cuba is likely to increase the number of doctors serving in Zimbabwe in the near future.

Cuba currently has 36 doctors operating in Zimbabwe under a government-to-government arrangement.

Ambassador Rodriguez said this while briefing journalists after meeting Acting President Kembo Mohadi at his Munhumutapa offices yesterday.

She said Harare and Havana enjoyed deep-rooted relations which dated back to Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.

“Our relations date back to the 1970s when the liberation movement was training. We were talking about how to increase cooperation. We have cooperation in health and in education at the Bindura University of Science Education. We have some professors there and also our doctors are all around the country. Currently we have 36 doctors,” said Ambassador Rodriguez.

Asked if there was a likelihood that Cuba could increase the number of its doctors in Zimbabwe, she said: “Of course, we have doctors everywhere in Africa, so we can see that our cooperation in health is very important to help Zimbabwe and support the people of this beautiful country.”

When she met Senate president Mabel Chinomona last year, Ambassador Rodriguez called for stronger ties between Zimbabwe and Cuba.

“In light of the international politics we are currently experiencing, countries like Cuba and Zimbabwe have to cooperate and share ideas, including with other Third World countries,” she said.

“We have developed cooperation in many sectors, particularly in health and education, with a lot of Zimbabweans having studied in Cuba while a number of doctors from the health brigade have been to Zimbabwe,” she said.

Zimbabwe and Cuba shared a common history.Both countries are reeling from the unjustified US sanctions which seek to influence global politics either through war or other punitive measures. As brotherly countries, some Zimbabwean doctors and other experts were trained in Cuba.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Three top members of the presidential guard, Blessmore Tembo (32), Gilbert Charuma (31) and Liberty Munemo (31) together with a former broadcaster, Musorowegomo Mukosi (41) on Thursday 30 January appeared before Mt Darwin magistrate Rutendo Muchena facing assault charges.

News Day reports that the accused were granted $500 bail each.

Reports suggest that the accused were arrested for allegedly assaulting 15 villagers and forcefully tried to take Chin gold mine in Mt Darwin.

The prosecutor told the court that the accused pounced on Mushaki Business Centre, Mt Darwin, armed with a pistol and demanded identity cards from artisanal miners, assaulted them before they disappeared.

The assaulted individuals reportedly regrouped, pursued the quartet and effected citizen arrest on the suspects.

The alleged assault happens when there is chaos in the mining sector caused by the notorious machete gangs popularly known as Mashurugwi or Al Sabab.

Machete gangs have all along been torturing, killing and or robbing miners and members of the public, particularly in mining towns until recently when reports suggested that they were even invading cities including Harare.

Economic analysts have warned that the anarchy in the mining sector might scare off potential investors and also the country risked losing potential revenue as performance is affected by the violence.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- A man from Chidobe outside Victoria Falls town has been hospitalised with fractured ribs after he was assaulted by a neighbour.

Mr Lungisani Weza (41) of BH36 under Chief Mvuthu had confronted his neighbour Fanuel Sibanda (40) about a herd of cattle that had grazed his maize crop.

Sibanda allegedly responded by assaulting Mr Weza with a knobkerrie on the ribs.

The incident, which happened last year, only came to court this week as police were still carrying out investigations.

Sibanda pleaded not guilty to assault when he appeared before Victoria Falls magistrate Ms Rangarirai Gakanje. He told the court that he acted in self-defence after Mr Weza confronted him armed with an axe and a log.

“I was about to drive my herd of cattle away when he followed me carrying a log and axe. He hit me once on my left shoulder and that is when I snatched the log from him,” said Sibanda. The magistrate remanded Sibanda out of custody on his own cognisance to February 27.

Prosecuting, Mr Onias Nyathi said the two neighbours had a misunderstanding after the complainant’s cattle strayed into the accused’s field.

“On 7 January 2019, Mr Weza went to his field around 5pm to drive out the accused’s herd of cattle that had strayed into the field. Upon arrival, he saw the accused and questioned him why he was leaving his cattle feeding on his crops. The accused person went on to assault the complainant by striking him several times on the head and the ribs using a knobkerrie,” said Mr Nyathi.

He said Mr Weza suffered three broken ribs and sustained a swollen left hand.  He was taken to  Victoria Falls Hospital before being transferred to Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo. Sibanda was arrested after a report was made to the police.

-StateMedia

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By A Correspondent- Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has called for military intervention to stop machete gangs who are terrorising and killing people in many parts of the country.

Speaking at a policy dialogue meeting organised by the Southern African Political Economy Series (Sapes) Trust in conjunction with the Information for Development Trust (IDT) in Harare on Thursday, Mliswa also said he had challenged State Security minister Owen Ncube to come out in public and set the record straight concerning reports that he was behind the machete gangsters.

Mliswa said the Constitution empowers the military to help the police in dire situations.

“Machete wars have now gone out of hand and the police are struggling to contain the menace.

However, we have a mighty military force in the country. The generals of the army are also very intelligent. They don’t go to war and use that time to study. So they can actually strategise and deal with this machete gangster problem,” he said.

“Section 251 (of the Constitution) gives the army the mandate to carry out such an operation of flushing out machete gangsters. The army conducted Operation Restore Legacy which removed the late President Robert Mugabe from power. So it means the army is powerful and can manage to deal with the problem of machete gangsters,” said Mliswa.

Mbizo MP, Settlement Chikwinya (MDC Alliance) said there was need for the authorities to interview criminals convicted of machete violence so that they explain how the menace was organised.

“In the prisons we have the small fish who were jailed due to machete violence. These are the ones who should tell us how they operated and name the big fish behind them. There have been names of top officials that have been implicated but we can only get the true stories from the small fish in the prisons,” he said.

State Media|THE National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) is in the process of educating the police about Gukurahundi as law enforcement officers will play an important role of summoning witnesses to testify during the commission’s hearings on the issue.

The Commission will this week also outline its work plan on addressing Gukurahundi including the sensitive issue of exhumation and reburial of victims of post independence disturbances in Matabeleland and the Midlands provinces.

NPRC chairperson Retired Justice Selo Nare said the commission has engaged the police and observed that junior officers do not seem to understand issues relating to Gukurahundi, hence do not see the reason why it should be spoken about.

“Some young police officers believe this should not be talked about. We have held courses for the police so that they have a knowledge of what we are doing so that if we go to Maphisa, the public will not be frightened by the presence of the police thinking that they will come after them,” said Rtd Justice Nare.

He said the NPRC’s first interactions with the police was with Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga and his top lieutenants last year.

Rtd Justice Nare said in their discussions, the commission made it clear that President Mnangagwa has encouraged citizens to speak freely about Gukurahundi.

“We quoted very freely what the President said and what the former President (late Cde Robert Mugabe) had said. President Mnangagwa has said that people should talk very freely about Gukurahundi.

“There is change and police appreciate that. The thematic group on investigations (that is where the police come in), that is where in terms of the Act you can go to the police so that they can subpoena some people to come and give evidence. Police have a role to play in the reconciliation process,” said Rtd Justice Nare.

He said the commission will next week outline its work plan on addressing Gukurahundi as the exhumation process has taken long to commence.

“Let me talk to you about the sensitive area of Gukurahundi. We should have been there yesterday had we not been told to put on hold the exhumations. But also, we are short staffed but the research teams will be on the ground as quickly as possible. We had a planning retreat which took place in Kadoma where we were planning the way forward. This coming week we should wrap up the process and we will produce a document of where to go, what steps to take next,” he said.

Rtd Justice Nare said while some political figures might claim that the late former President Cde Mugabe and late former Vice President Joshua Nkomo resolved Gukurahundi, a lot still needs to be done at grassroots level.

“We as NPRC say that was at the top level not the people at the bottom. People at the bottom were not involved at all. They were not asked whether they want reparations, whether they want an apology. What we hear now from the ground when we talk to the people is that they are looking for an apology, other things will follow but an apology to them is necessary. Some people might look for development and other things,” said Rtd Justice Nare.

He said provincial peace committees will play an important role in addressing some of the Gukurahundi issues.

Rtd Justice Nare said the NPRC has also engaged local universities who have staff specialising in peace building in trying to resolve some of the existing conflicts.

OUTSPOKEN Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has warned marauding machete wielding gangs that have caused massive terror through murder, rape, robbery and other forms of anarchy in parts of the country’s mining areas could work against President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his Zanu-PF’s ambitions to remain the country’s governing authority.

He was speaking at the Information for Development (IDT) panel discussion forum at Sapes Trust in Harare on: “The Machete Militia: Origins, Responses and Implications.”

Mliswa said the gangs have morphed into a strong, rogue unit which enjoyed tacit army backing.

“These criminals are now working with law enforcement agents but the truth of the matter which you can take is that these guys will take them (Mnangagwa and Zanu-PF) out of power, remember this day,” said Mliswa.

“They have gone too far, they (senior Zanu-PF politicians) feel that they are helping them but they are doing more harm to the people of Zimbabwe.

“The people of Zimbabwe have a tendency to keep quiet, they have the patience to keep quiet for five years, when they vote and that is when they speak.”

Mliswa also questioned the government’s sincerity in dealing with the menace and implicated senior officials in Zanu-PF, army and police for bankrolling the terror gangs.

“He whoever controls gold, controls politics; the military is involved, the police is involved. Operation Restore Legacy happened and after that happened have we gone back to the institutions we were working with or we now have a situation where we have one institution in charge and that institution is the military at the end of the day?

“The police itself is weak because (Operation) Restore Legacy exposed the police, Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO). We say that you are weak. We (Zimbabwe Defence Forces) are the people that have brought this new dispensation (and) as a result, we are in control’.

He said it was time that senior politicians including ministers and the State security agents became honest.

“It is about time we are honest, but if the army then becomes so involved in people being killed, in situations where the law enforcement agents who arrest like the police cannot do their job then we need to ask, who is control?”

A police operation to flush out the Mashurugwi has netted hundreds of suspected members.

However, allegations continue swirling that senior Zanu-PF politicians, army generals and the police are protecting the armed gangs.

The MDC has also pointed fingers at Mnangagwa, Minister of State Security Owen Ncube, Minister of Justice Ziyambi Ziyambi and Local Government Minister July Moyo and Zanu-PF MP Dexter Nduna as being behind the terror groups.

“I have listened to our colleagues in Zanu-PF at a high level, nobody; none of them has condemned the crisis we have in the country of organised, commanded, initiated from the top violence, which is challenging to the security of persons,” Chamisa said last month.

“If we don’t stand up together as a people to defend ourselves, we will go the Rwanda way. We have soft genocide taking place,” he said referring to the 1994 Rwandan genocide in which over 800 00 people were massacred.

The IDT public forum was also attended by MDC Mbizo MP Settlement Chikwinya and Charles Masunungure from the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) who were part of the panellists.

State Media|THE Government is working on non-monetary benefits including a cost-effective solar power facility for civil servants to be rolled out in the first quarter of the year in an effort to improve their conditions of service.

Other schemes include introduction of medical and pension fund schemes, vehicle import, housing and establishment of a public service training academy to upgrade workers’ skills.

Non-monetary benefits were not on the agenda at the Tripartite Negotiating Forum that met on the sidelines of the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) and Health Service Bipartite Negotiating Panel workshop where a salary increase deal was struck this week in Victoria Falls.

However, the issue was topical during NJNC discussions where both Government and public service representatives concurred that improving working conditions was key to the country’s socio-economic development.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima said Government was committed to improving the conditions of service for public servants.

The minister said he would be seeking final Cabinet approval for the establishment of the Public Service Academy in the next few weeks.

Public Service Commission deputy chair Ambassador Mary Margaret Muchada said a cost-effective solar project for civil servants will be rolled out. An extra 30 buses will be added to the 60 already dedicated for civil servants’ transport in a scheme launched last year.

“We have over 60 buses on the road for civil servants and we are expecting 30 more in the not so distant future. Their fares are not economical but Government is subsidising for the sake of workers.

“The PSC is pursuing a project for cost-effective solar power facilities at civil servants’ households in the next three months. The repayment period will be spread over a reasonable period of time,” said Ambassador Muchada.

She said plans were advanced for the establishment of medical and pension fund schemes under which employee benefits will be invested on the money market with the help of Treasury.

Ambassador Muchada said the PSC was engaging the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities over a civil servants’ housing scheme.

Apex Council president Mrs Cecilia Alexander said Government had for a long time not prioritised civil servants’ non-monetary needs.

“Non-monetary benefits like pension, healthcare and housing schemes are critical for civil servants. Administration of pensions has been a thorny issue with some citizens dying miserable deaths and many of the victims of land barons are civil servants who have been conned while some had their houses demolished after being duped. We need clear ways of putting non-monetary benefits in place as we address conditions of service,” she said.

State Media|Harare City Council has descended on illegal businesses operating on roadsides, demolishing structures, including car sales and cabins.

The demolitions will be extended to houses built on illegal land and wetlands.

Council has a court order to demolish illegal houses in Crowborough Farm and Westlea.

Yesterday, municipal police together with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), descended on businesses operating illegally along Tynwald Road in Westlea and Solomon Mujuru Drive (formerly Kirkman Drive).

Businesses operating along Solomon Mujuru Drive towards Dzivaresekwa and Lomagundi Roads, are set to be destroyed in the next few days.

Those affected by the blitz include car dealers and people selling cabins, bricks, pre-cast walls, flowers, goats, sheep, cement and charcoal.

Illegal shops selling construction steel, cement and roofing timber opposite N. Richards Wholesalers after Westlea were not spared.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and municipal police officers, who were armed, would ask the traders to destroy their structures but if they resisted, a front-end loader would move in.

The city’s corporate communications manager Mr Michael Chideme said people operating illegally have already been served with notices.

He said there was no going back on the demolitions, which are part of efforts to clean-up the city in line with the vision of a World Class City by 2025.

“Investing in illegal settlements is a waste of time and resources,” said Mr Chideme.

“We are encouraging people to settle on legal places to avoid having their structures destroyed. Anyone on illegal settlements should make sure that they remove their structures.

“We also want to preserve wetlands; so we want people to stop putting up structures on wetlands as well.”

Solomon Mujuru Drive expressed sadness over the demolitions, claiming they were paying rates to the local district offices and were shocked to see a front-end loader demolishing their structures.

Chairman of the Kirkman Traders Association Mr Fidelis Magava said they were not served with eviction notices.

“When we started these projects, we paid rates to council and we agreed to pay $300 every month to operate our businesses here,” he said.

“Council then told us that there were people operating under electricity lines and they needed to be removed. Today (yesterday) we are shocked to see a front-end loader coming to destroy our businesses.

“But if the clean-up is meant to create a safe environment for us, we have no problem with it. What worries us is that we have lost our property and council did not give us any notice so that we remove important things.”

Addressing a Wetlands Indaba at Town House on Thursday, Harare Mayor Councillor Herbert Gomba warned that the demolition of houses built on illegal sites was imminent.

“Right now, we must be able to find money to pay the Messenger of Court so that our demolition team can start demolition of houses.

“We are starting our operation next week in Crowborough. Those people who are illegally occupying wetlands will be forced to vacate. People should not settle on wetlands as it affects our environment.

“A team has been set up to demolish illegal structures, and people occupying the land should vacate. We have to protect human rights to shelter, but we also need to protect the environment,” said Clr Gomba.

Botswana registered its first suspected case of the coronavirus on Thursday, according to the country’s Ministry of Health and Wellness.

The case was registered at Gaborone’s Sir Seretse Khama International Airport.

A passenger travelling from China had arrived at the airport on an Ethiopian Airways flight.

“The suspected case is still being investigated,” the ministry said.

It advised travellers to take precautions, such as practising good hygiene, getting medical help should they experience symptoms of the virus, and making sure they were screened at points of entry for early diagnoses.

“The ministry continues to monitor the situation closely in consultation with the World Health Organisation and will keep the public updated.”

-News24

Own Correspondent| They say there are no permanent friends in politics.

Barely two years after playing an influential role in propelling Emmerson Mnangagwa to the highest office in the land, Ezra Chadzamira has now become an enemy of the First Family, particularly Auxillia, who is reportedly pushing for the expulsion of the Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs.

Zanu PF insiders say Auxillia Mnangagwa is using Killer Zivhu and disgruntled party stalwarts in the province to push for the removal of Chadzamira from office.Chadzamira was taunted and ridiculed by Grace Mugabe as he fought in Mnangagwa’s corner.

Zivhu who ironically was Mrs Mugabe’s blue -eyed boy at the height of the Dr Amai Rallies, has also managed to win Mrs Mnangagwa’s sympathy, according to ruling party sources.

“The First Lady is pushing for the expulsion of Chadzamira because she feels he is neglecting the old guard.

She is working with Zivhu, Oppah Muchinguri and Josiah Hungwe to push Chadzamira out of office,” said a ruling party source.

Zivhu is also reportedly seeking Mrs Mnangagwa’s protection as he is facing expulsion for “abusing social media platforms.”

Zivhu was not available for a comment at the time of writing.

POLITICAL Actors Dialogue (Polad) members have told government not to rush through the Constitutional amendment bill by withdrawing it to allow robust debate including inputs from all political parties.

The 27 proposed constitutional amendments include the proposed removal of the Presidential running mate clause, increase in the number of non-parliamentary appointed Cabinet Ministers and extension of the women’s quota beyond the 2023 elections.

Polad consists of political parties that participated in the 2018 harmonised elections, minus the MDC Alliance which has chosen to stay away.

Its subcommittee on governance and legislative reforms held a two-day workshop that ended in Bulawayo yesterday to discuss proposed constitutional amendments.

In recorded interviews and during their deliberations on Thursday, the members who include Constitutional lawyer and National Constitutional Assembly president, Professor Lovemore Madhuku and MDC-T Bulawayo Proportional Representation MP Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga endorsed the changes.

The Polad members said in principle they agree that the Constitution should be amended with respect to identified clauses, although some areas need fine-tuning.

Among others Prof Madhuku said the Presidential running mate clause was dangerous as it could lead to the running mate plotting against a sitting President for political expediency while Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga said while the proposed constitutional amendments give the President the power to appoint seven unelected individuals into Cabinet instead of five as is the case now, they suggested that the number be increased to eight or more. Their endorsement is available in recorded interviews and their own discussions that can be accessed on the Chronicle website www.chronicle.co.zw.

However, during a Press conference held at the end of the workshop in the city yesterday, the Professor Madhuku-led subcommittee on governance and legislative reforms made a U-turn and rejected in entirety the proposed constitutional amendments.

Prof Madhuku said they will be recommending to their plenary that includes President Mnangagwa among other leaders of political parties to have the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill withdrawn. 

“Now I can speak authoritatively on the positions that we have come up with in relation to constitutional amendments. We have totally rejected those amendments. So, it’s not correct to say Polad endorses the amendments. We totally rejected it and we have taken a two-stage approach to it. We are going to recommend to the full plenary that we are calling on the Government to withdraw the Bill from Parliament. We want them to withdraw it forthwith,” he said.

“This is what we are going to be recommending to our plenary. We are saying its premature for Government to publish a Constitutional Amendment Bill when the purpose of Polad is to have all the political actors discussing all constitutional challenges, our electoral challenges, political challenges ahead of 2023 and reach agreement on the reforms that we would wish to have undertaken.”

Prof Madhuku said after identifying the challenges, they will then map the way forward.

“So, our subcommittee in its wisdom did not find any logic in the Government rushing with the amendment because in all the amendments that are being proposed there is no amendment that has to be done today or tomorrow,” he said.

Prof Madhuku said they were pinning their hopes on Zanu-PF members who constitute their subcommittees to influence the ruling party that constitutional amendments should not be fast-tracked.

He said Polad members including those from Zanu-PF do not want to see retirement ages for judges being increased from 70 years to 75 years.

“We made a total rejection that even if Government will not take our withdrawal, we will fight the provisions relating to the judiciary. It’s a unanimous position which is even accepted by Zanu-PF that we want to retain the current provisions on judges, that judges should retire at 70 years mandatory. The Bill proposes that judges at the Supreme Court and Constitutional can go up to 75 years. We have said totally, all of us in the Polad subcommittee, that we don’t want that. People must continue to retire at the age of 70,” Prof Madhuku said

Senior members of the Zanu PF Youth League have taken to social media to register their disgruntlement over I equalities in the country saying only a few are benefitting from the economy while the majority chokes.

Party Deputy Youth Secretary Lewis and Commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu have all shared almost similar messages with the latter vowing to fight against cartels he feels are responsible for the unsavoury situation Zimbabweans are finding themselves in.

Business tycoon, Strive Masiyiwa’s daughter Elizabeth Tanya Masiyiwa has taken to Twitter to celebrate her success after opening her international school in Domboshava.

Masiyiwa tweeted:

We did it! A year ago I sat with my team and I told them I wanted to build an international school in an area people would least expect. We opened our doors this week and it is beyond what we could’ve dreamt or imagined. 

The school opening was confirmed by Higherlife Foundation which also tweeted:

It was all smiles and excitement yesterday(14 January 2020) at the opening of @Simba_Edu Prep School- a first of its kind early years learning centre in the heart of #Dombashava Congratulations to team Simba on the successful opening of the school. More on Simba here:simbaeducation.com

According to Simba Education Website:

SIMBA EDUCATION IS AN EARLY YEARS SERVICES COMPANY WITH INNOVATION AT ITS CORE. WE DESIGN TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, LEARNING EXPERIENCES AND OTHER PRODUCTS THAT LOWER THE BARRIERS OF ACCESSING AN AFFORDABLE EARLY YEARS EDUCATION

Preparations for the national prayer meeting scheduled for today, which President Mnangagwa is set to attend, are at an advanced stage with tents and all major requirements having been set by last night.

The national prayer meeting was organised by the Zimbabwe Interdenominational Council of Churches (ZICC), a grouping of 110 churches chaired by Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi of the Zion Christian Church.

President Mnangagwa is the guest of honour and is expected to deliver the keynote address.

It will be held at the National Sports Stadium and will run from 8:30am until 1pm.

Bishops from all the churches are invited.

Over 400 buses were sourced to ferry delegates from all the country’s 10 provinces. Spokesperson for the organisers, Pastor Richard Takaendesa, said some of the delegates started arriving in Harare yesterday.

An all-night prayer was scheduled for last night until 6:30am today.

“Preparations are well on course. We have set coordinating provincial committees, which will oversee the transportation of the people from various provinces. Some people from provinces such as the Midlands, Masvingo, Manicaland have already arrived,” he said.

“Those from Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South, are on their way. Those from neighbouring provinces such as Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central are already here while others will arrive early morning tomorrow (today).

“We want everyone to be seated by 8:30am.”

The national prayer meeting runs under the theme “Joining hands, minds, hearts and voices together in Christ to serve, build and strengthen our nation.”

-State Media

Farai Dziva|They say there are no permanent friends in politics.

Barely two years after playing an influential role in propelling Emmerson Mnangagwa to the highest office in the land, Ezra Chadzamira has now become an enemy of the First Family, particularly Auxillia, who is reportedly pushing for the expulsion of the Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs.

Zanu PF insiders say Auxillia Mnangagwa is using Killer Zivhu and disgruntled party stalwarts in the province to push for the removal of Chadzamira from office.Chadzamira was taunted and ridiculed by Grace Mugabe as he fought in Mnangagwa’s corner.

Zivhu who ironically was Mrs Mugabe’s blue -eyed boy at the height of the Dr Amai Rallies, has also managed to win Mrs Mnangagwa’s sympathy, according to ruling party sources.

“The First Lady is pushing for the expulsion of Chadzamira because she feels he is neglecting the old guard.

She is working with Zivhu, Oppah Muchinguri and Josiah Hungwe to push Chadzamira out of office,” said a ruling party source.

Zivhu is also reportedly seeking Mrs Mnangagwa’s protection as he is facing expulsion for “abusing social media platforms.”

Zivhu was not available for a comment at the time of writing.

Farai Dziva|MDC official Antony Taruvinga has said there are strong indications that Zanu PF will steal the 2023 polls.

See Taruvinga’s argument below:

I shall stand strong in support of President Advocate Nelson Chamisa.

Let’s look at Nelson Chamisa’s revival of the 2018 election question.

Without doubt, Chamisa beat Mnangagwa by at least 600 000 votes. We have no single guarantee that 2023 polls will not be stolen again. All the machines, persons and institutions that were used to rig elections are still intact.

Elections are the primary source of the poverty and hardships Zimbabwe is experiencing.

Without giving a lasting solution to that, we will remain stuck in the vicious cycle of poverty while other nations are experiencing economic booms.

Forget about Mthuli’s deceptive promises full of lies and non achievables , they can not simply tell you they have failed completely.

They have no capacity, political will and mandate to turn around Zimbabwe. They are in just to milk Zimbabwe drier.

Zimbabwe’s revenue is being pumped out and stashed in other countries so that in the event they lose power, they have something elsewhere. Billions have been pumped out.

Illegitimate leadership suffers from uncertainty. Same applies to coups and dictatorships.

1. VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has said he will never join POLAD as is a platform meant to dilute the voice of the people.

Watch video below :

A 30-year-old woman from Gweru’s Mkoba suburb allegedly committed suicide over her boyfriend’s alleged infidelity.

The woman, Blessing Chizanga, hanged herself from the roof after discovering that her boyfriend was cheating on her.

Zimbabwe Republic Police Midlands Spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko confirmed the incident saying they are still investigating the case.

“l can confirm that police in Midlands are investigating a case of sudden death by hanging, of the deceased Blessing Chizanga, a female adult aged 30,” he said.

Insp Goko said Chizanga was complaining to her sister Shyleen about her boyfriend’s shenanigans.

“She was complaining to her sister Shyleen about her boyfriend’s infidelity. Shyleen then tried to counsel her and she seemed to have cooled down after the counselling session.

“Shyleen left the deceased alone in the house proceeding to their sister’s house who also stays in the same neighbourhood.

“Upon her return she found all doors locked and she had to use the back door to get into the house. While inside, she stumbled upon her sisters’ body hanging from the roof,” said Insp Goko.

Meanwhile, Insp Goko said they are also investigating another case of suicide in the province.

In another case, Inspector Goko said Kwekwe where a man was found dead with a suicide note which only stated his preferred area of burial.

“We are also investigating a case of sudden death in Kwekwe where the body of Tendai Mupamhanga was found near Kwekwe General Hospital. It is suspected that the deceased drank poison and his body had bruises,” he said.
Insp Goko appealed to the public to seek assistance from third parties.

“As usual we are appealing to the members of the public that if they are involved in domestic disputes they should seek assistance of a third party,” he added.-B-Metro

IN a dramatic incident a police officer stationed at Western Commonage police station became a centre of attraction after he allegedly bashed his wife accusing her of communicating with her ex-boyfriend.

The privy source said while Kudzanai Chiutswa (25) was relaxing on the sofa at their matrimonial home at Rosecamp, his wife Jane Maseko (24) was engrossed in her phone.

“This is a fairly new couple and it happened that last week on Friday Chiutswa noticed that his wife was fully absorbed in her chats and had spent an hour chatting on the phone and was ignoring him,” said the privy source.

Chiutswa, the source said, got suspicious and pried over his wife’s phone and noticed that his wife was communicating with her ex- boyfriend.

The source said that did not go down well with Chiutswa and he questioned her over that.

“As a result an argument ensued between the two, at the height of it Chiutswa turned violent and grabbed his wife by the neck and hit her with open hands,” said a source. A close friend to the couple said Maseko managed to free herself from the tight grip of her husband and fled towards Mzilikazi Police Station.

“Chiutswa followed her in hot pursuit and caught up with her and hit her several times with open arms.

Maseko retaliated by throwing stones at him and hit him on the tummy,” the source said.
In her warned and cautioned statement Maseko said: “ I was telling my ex- boyfriend that he must not communicate with me and sternly warned him that if he continues I will report him to the police.

“But my husband got suspicious and thought I was cheating on him but I was not and I would never do that because I love him and I’m committed to the marria
Maseko reported the physical abuse case under case number RRB number 3761639 at Mzilikazi Police Station.-B-Metro

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Live news review with medical expert Dr Simbiso Ranga, US

VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

By A Correspondent- The government of Botswana has announced that it has isolated the first suspected case of the deadly coronavirus on Thursday.

Botswana’s Ministry of Health and Wellness Director, Malaki Tshipayagae, revealed that Botswana registered its first ever-suspected case of Coronavirus infection on the 30 January 2020.

The case cames only a few days after China introduced strict quarantine measures on major cities to prevent the spread of the virus. The person who is suspected of being infected with the coronavirus was intercepted and isolated by health officials at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport upon the arrival of Ethiopian Airways flight from China. The person has since been quarantined at Block 8 Clinic in Botswana’s capital, Gaborone and is being tested on an on-going basis.

Below is the official statement from the republic of Botswana.

PRESS RELEASE

SUSPECTED CASE OF CORONA VIRUS IN BOTSWANA

Botswana registered its first-ever suspected case of coronavirus on the 30th January 2020. The suspected case was registered at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport upon arrival using Ethiopian Airways from China. The suspect case is still under isolation at Block 8 Clinic and investigations are on-going.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness advises those who while be travelling to observe the following precautions:

• If travelling, practise good hygiene and avoid affected and crowded places
• If you experience fever, cough, difficulty in breathing, fatigue and headache, seek medical attention and share travel history with the health care provider
• Passengers and crew who experience symptoms while travelling, the nearest destination stop should be alerted for prompt health care assistance
• Make sure that you are screened at points of entry for early diagnosis and treatment

The Ministry continues to monitor the situation closely in consultation with World Health Organization (WHO) and will keep the public updated.

For further information please visit the nearest health facility or call…..

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe’s liberation war fighters have demanded that the proposed Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Board, set to take care of their welfare, should be chaired by ex-Zipra and ex-Zanla combatants on a rotational basis.

This came out during public hearings on the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle, 2019 Bill, which were held in the Midlands and Matabeleland North provinces this week. The Bill is currently before Parliament.

Among other provisions the Bill will establish the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Board and spell out its composition and functions. Presently, war veterans’ concerns are being championed by the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association.

Sonny Key Mguni (Bubi MP Zanu PF), who led a team of MPs from the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence and Home Affairs who are gathering evidence from war veterans told Southern Eye that former Zipra fighters were demanding 50/50 representation on the board with their ex-Zanla counterparts.

“Everywhere the committee went in Matabeleland and Midlands, war veterans suggested there must be rotation of board chairpersonship by Zanla and Zipra,” Mguni said.

“They said if a chairperson of the board is Zanla, and their term expires, then the incoming term must be chaired by a person from Zipra,” he said. Mguni said former fighters also demanded that the title of Commander of the Defence Forces be changed to High Commander.

“Everywhere we went – and there was 100% attendance – the committee was told by war veterans that they now want the commander of the army to be a war veteran,” Mguni said.
“They said the term Commander of the Defence Forces must be changed to High Commander, adding that the person they want to command the army must be a very experienced person and not a mafikizolo (Johnny come lately),” he said.

If passed as is, the Bill will have a profound economic impact given that the former freedom fighters are pushing for their pensions to be at the same scale with a retired army major or lieutenant colonel.

“They were clear that they want their legacy respected in the same manner that World War II veterans are cherished and well taken care of. They said their children should benefit and be supported through scholarships, adding that the Bill should stipulate that their medical care should include access to hospitals outside the country,” Mguni said, adding that there were also calls for monthly stipends commensurate with the poverty datum line.

Among other privileges, section 21 (1) of the Bill stipulates that war veterans are entitled to 20% of gazetted State land.

-Newsday

The recently wedded pole dancer, Bev Sibanda’s husband, Mufudzi Chambuka telephoned ZimEye to tell his side of the story following a list of concerns, last night, and asked for a private engagement instead of a public one, a direct contradiction to his earlier request.

The list of complaints against him were:

1. Bedding several women one after the other without contraception.

2. Making several kids and then failing to pay maintenance for them, despite earning more than £4,000 per month.

3. Falsely claiming he is a medical doctor (the matter which triggered the ongoing public outrage.)

4. Running away with a girlfriend’s private car worth £3413,00.

Mr Chambuka had telephoned ZimEye at 1pm to tell his side of the story.

He was given over 40 minutes which he asked to be private time, while disrupting a News Review program.

A serious challenge emerged when it turned out he just wanted a private engagement with media. He consumed over 40 minutes of time trying to convince a journalist over his version of the story. He was told he has to address the complainants and the public as this was now a public matter.

When the session was continued, Mr Chambuka began shifting statements and communicating falsehoods over the £3,413.00 he unjustly enriched himself from his ex girlfriend in a car purchase in Chelmsford, Essex last year. He also duped her £5,000 in cash.

A receipt document was produced to prove that he has lied on the £3413.

Zimbabweans ended up standing on their feet for nearly 5 hrs as data explosions unroled before their eyes. Below were the live engagements

Watch the video loading below…………

By A Correspondent- A 29 year old Gokwe man who fatally stabbed his elder brother in a dispute over gold ore was yesterday sentenced to an 18-year prison term.

Passmore Musanika was convicted for murdering Jaison Musanika by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese, who was sitting at the Gweru High Court circuit.

Justice Makonese found Musanika guilty of murder with constructive intent.

In passing sentence, Justice Makonese ruled that he had considered that Musanika had served part of the prison term when he was incarcerated for one-and-half years in remand at Whawha Prison.

He, however, castigated Musanika for taking the life of his own brother.

“Your actions in taking the life of your elder brother show the moral decay of our cultural values,” ruled Justice Makonese.

“You acted callously in killing your own brother and your actions and those of other artisanal miners should be punished as the courts cannot tolerate such violence.”

Prosecutor Mirirai Shumba told the court that on August 27, 2018 at Arizona 74 Mine, Matobo Road in Gweru, the deceased was in the company of nephew, Hardline, when the convict approached them accusing Jaison of stealing his gold ore.

A misunderstanding ensued and the convict drew a knife from his trousers, tripped Jaison and stabbed him twice on the chest as he lay on the ground. Passmore fled from the scene after the callous murder.

The deceased bled profusely and died on the spot. A report was made to the police, leading to the convict’s arrest.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Chiredzi residents have accused top local police officer Simangaliso Dube of double standards after she labelled their meetings “a national security threat” and banned them while allowing council to hold ward meetings.

United Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (Uchirra) advocacy officer Bernard Dachi claimed that Dube had on many occasions banned their gatherings citing security threats, while allowing council to organise ward events.

“It is unfortunate that the police has suddenly become biased towards Chiredzi Town Council. Our organisation was formed in 2009 and since then we never had any problems with various Dispols who we worked with for more than 10 years. This is the first time that we are viewed as a security threat,” Dachi said.

“Furthermore our organisation is apolitical so we are left wondering how residents and ratepayers can be a national security threat. We deal with issues that affect residents, not political issues. Council should be answerable to their decisions.”

Contacted for comment yesterday, Dube insisted that public meetings would remain banned until Sunday next week, adding that residents were prohibited from carrying traditional weapons such as machetes and axes until March this year.

“Yes, we have banned all weapons and all the meetings because there is a national security threat,” said Dube.

When quizzed over the alleged selective application of the law, Dube made a volte-face and granted Uchirra permission to start holding their meetings from Monday next week.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he was not aware that public meetings had been banned.

“There is no such thing as a national security threat at the moment. The country is currently enjoying peace. I am not aware of any threats or ban of the meetings,” Nyathi said.

-Newsday

Former Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Lazarus Dokora’s ex –wife is fighting to get a 50 percent ownership of the wealth they accumulated before the demise of their union.

Mercy Hanyani has approached the High Court seeking for an order that permits the distribution of assets acquired by the parties during the subsistence of their unregistered customary union.

The two had one child together and Dokora paid lobola and other cultural rites in 2016 although they later divorced in September 2019.

According to an application filed by her lawyers, Gutsa and Chimhoga Attorneys, she said when the two separated, Dokora allegedly retained all of the acquired assets and only left with her child and their clothes.

VICE-PRESIDENT Kembo Mohadi (pictured), together with his 15 other co-defendants have agreed to pay $85 000 compensation to MDC activist Pieta Kaseke, who was abducted by State security agents in 2008.

Kaseke was abducted during the era of the inclusive government when Mohadi (Zanu PF) and Giles Mutsekwa (MDC-T) were Home Affairs co-ministers. The deed of settlement, presented before High Court judge Justice Edith Mushore last week, is dated October 15, 2019.

“The defendants (Mohadi, Mutsekwa and 14 others) shall, jointly and severally the one paying the other to be absolved, pay plaintiff the following amounts in full and final settlement of this matter: $35 000 as damages for unlawful arrest and detention, $35 000 as damages for assault, pain, shock and suffering and $10 000 being costs of suit,” read part of the deed of settlement.

“The above amount of $80 000 due to the plaintiff (Kaseke) shall be paid within 30 days of this deed of settlement being signed by the parties. Payment of the above amount shall be made, free of bank charges, through plaintiff’s legal practitioners of record…”

According to court papers, Kaseke had in July 2009 claimed US$1, 2 million compensation from Mohadi, Mutsekwa, former Justice minister Patrick Chinamasa, former State Security minister Didymus Mutasa, former police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri, ex-CIO director-general Happyton Bonyongwe, senior assistant commissioners Nyathi and Chiobvu and several other senior police officers.

Kaseke said she was abducted on October 31, 2008 in Banket during which time several other MDC-T activists also fell victim to the countrywide abductions and were eventually charged on “trumped up offences” of banditry, sabotage and terrorism.

Soon after being released from detention following a pact between the late former President Robert Mugabe and the late MDC-T president Morgan Tsvangirai, Kaseke approached the High Court for compensation.

At some point towards the end of last year, the matter was set down for hearing only to be removed from the roll as parties were negotiating an out-of-court settlement and since then, the matter remained pending.

According to court papers, Kaseke was abducted on October 31, 2008 by police officers and handed over to CIO operatives who subjected her to further unlawful detention and torture.

Kaseke was abducted at a time the Zimbabwe Peace Project director Jestina Mukoko was also in custody facing banditry charges.

FORMER Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko yesterday dumped his lawyer just before commencement of his trial at the Harare Magistrates Courts, forcing postponement of the matter to February 13.

Mphoko, who was previously being represented by advocate Tawanda Zhuwarara, told magistrate Hosea Mujaya that he had now hired advocate Thembi Magwaliba to represent him in the criminal abuse of office trial.

The former Vice-President, who was yesterday represented by Zibusiso Ncube, asked for the postponement of the trial saying Magwaliba needed time to prepare his defence.

But the State opposed the application, saying further delays were inconveniencing witnesses who have been coming to court religiously since the matter was referred to the court for trial.

Mujaya initially suggested that the matter be postponed to February 1 which is a Saturday, but Mphoko’s lawyer protested saying his client could not attend court on a day he is supposed to be in church. Mphoko is a member of the Seventh day Adventist Church.

“We cannot compromise on the issue of Sabbath. Our conditions are that we do not work on Sabbath and on this one we believe in a higher authority,” Ncube said.

Mujaya proposed Sunday, February 2 to have the trial, but again the suggestion faced another challenge.

The magistrate then postponed the matter to February 13, ordering Mphoko’s lawyer to file the defence outline three days before the trial date. Newsday

TWO people – a police officer and his prisons counterpart – reportedly drowned in Lake Kariba on Tuesday evening when their boat capsized, a police internal memorandum has revealed.

The leaked memorandum from district intelligence to police Kariba district dated January 29 says police were still searching for the two bodies.

The incident occurred on January 28 around 7pm between Kariba Lake Harvest Bream cages and Nyaodza Fishing Camp.

According to the memo, the missing persons set out for Nyaodza Fishing Co-operative to buy fish aboard a boat, registration number KF 253, belonging to Faula Robson Mumba (36) of Nyamhunga.

“Also on board were the informant (Jephas) Mumari (23 of Kuwadzana, Harare) and Mumba … While on their way, around 1900hrs there were violent winds which made the lake boisterous, resulting in some water getting into the boat. The boat began to sink,” read the memo.

The memo said the pair disappeared underwater. Mumari and Mumba were rescued by a passing dinghy boat at around 11pm.

Stephen Mafolo, who chairs the Nyaodza Fishing Camp, reported the matter to the police under RRB number 4087821.

The incident comes shortly after two rangers from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority drowned in the same lake following a scuffle with suspected Zambian poachers.The incident comes shortly after two rangers from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority drowned in the same lake following a scuffle with suspected Zambian poachers.

NewsDay

Advocate Fadzayi Mahere, the secretary for Education in the opposition MDC led by advocate Nelson Chamisa has said that she believes that sanctions have to be removed.

She added that for sanctions to be removed, the country has to return to constitutionalism. Mahere also said that Zimbabwe needs to transform and not just reform since maladministration issues are the ones hurting the country more than sanctions.

She said that the country has enough resources to have, for instance, avoided severe hunger prevalent in the country but authorities misuse the resources and also have misplaced priorities.

Police investigators are set to travel to South Africa and probe into claims made by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga that his estranged wife Marry attempted to murder him while on his sick bed in the neighbouring last year.

Marry was arrested in December 2019 on charges of attempting to murder the VP while he was receiving treatment at a private hospital in South Africa. She is also facing charges of money laundering, externalisation and fraud and is out on bail.

At the High Court for her bail variation hearing Thursday, Justice Pisirai Kwenda heard from Prosecutor Sharon Fero that investigators were set to travel to South Africa soon.

“Evidence shows that the police are yet to travel to South Africa but they have been given authority to travel. However, I am not in position to give clearer information,” Fero said.

Marry’s lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa said the court should not treat the State with ‘kid gloves’ for failing to do its work properly by failing to conclude investigations.

“The State has submitted that the police are yet to conduct investigations yet they should investigate to arrest. It (State) is conducting its case back to front and the accused should not be punished for that,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mtetwa insisted that Marry should be allowed to move back into the couple’s upmarket Borrowdale Brooke matrimonial home until an urgent appeal filed by Chiwenga last week has been finalised.

Marry is staying with her parents in Glen Lorne after her husband locked her out of the house when she was released from remand prison early this month.

But appearing for the State, Fero argued it was improper for Marry to stay under one roof with Chiwenga since she is accused of attempting to kill him.

“In the event that the case before the Supreme Court is resolved, it does not change the charges she is facing and it is advisable in the interest of justice that she resides at her mother’s place. The criminal aspect of it requires that parties be separated until the criminal case is finalised,” said Fero.

However, Mtetwa argued that it was Chiwenga not Marry who should look for alternative accommodation.

“The criminal law works on the presumption of innocence. So, until she is proven guilty, prosecution has no right to deny her access to her home. It is unacceptable for her to squat at her mother’s place,” Mtetwa said.

Kwenda postponed the case to Tuesday next week to allow the State to call the investigating officer to give evidence on the progress of police investigations.

All Africa

UZUMBA MARAMBA PFUNGWE – In an unprecedented show of power, a Mash East traditional chief has fined a high school head $45 for keeping his two wives waiting at the school while he was having a meeting with his members of staff.

Kafura High head, Francis Mukwena confirmed the case in a telephone interview with The Mirror and said the incident has struck fear in the teachers and they can no longer work freely.

Sources told The Mirror that Chief Chitsungo (born Harrison Mufambira)’s two wives Miriam Kagova and Tarisai Chakaipa went to Kafura School to discuss disciplinary issues concerning their son who is a Form 4 student and is in the habit of beating up other pupils.

The first wife, Kagova found the head already in a meeting with his staff and had to wait. The second wife Chakaipa followed later to find out why Kagova had taken long to come back home and they are said to have waited until the meeting ended after 5 o’clock in the evening.

Chitsungo then summoned Mukwena to appear at his court last Thursday and he charged him with undermining the chief and his two wives by inviting the two to the meeting and keeping them waiting.

He also accused Mukwena of belittling him by asking to talk to the chief personally over his son’s misdemeanours.
Mukwena was found guilty and asked to pay $45 fine.

Chief Chitsungo confirmed the case and said it was dealt with by his chief aid, Paradzai Maurukira. He said that the head actually signed papers admitting that he was guilty.

Chitsungo said his first wife went to the school in the morning but only managed to see the head at five in the evening.

“When I later asked the head why he signed admission of guilty forms, he said that he did so because he was afraid,” said Chief Chitsungo.

Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District Schools’ Inspector Manuel Chigariro said the matter was still to be brought to his attention.

Efforts to get a comment from the secretary for education were futile.
A teacher at the school who requested anonymity said the chief’s action has seriously undermined the authority of the head and his teachers as he has set a bad precedent for all schools in the area. He said that there is no teacher who can discipline the Chief’s children after this.

“Parents and their children will have no respect for their teachers after this anymore. The chief has set a bad precedent where he can charge teachers over issues to do with the running of schools. This is the worst kind of interference by a non-professional in the running of schools,” said a teacher.

“Yes pane kanyaya kakadaro kakaitika (yes this happened). The chief was in another room when the sentence was passed, machinda amambo ndiwo akandipa mutongo (the sentence was given by his aides). I feel kuti pakakanganisika (this was a bad precedent). We can no longer work freely, the environment is no longer friendly, the teachers are now furious, they are afraid,” said Mukwena.

In this particular case, the chief’s son is said to gave assaulted a Form 1 pupil.

MasvingoMirror

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ)’s fight to curb distortions in the parallel market is losing momentum due to its failure to apprehend and deal decisively with the culprits amid fears of political interference.

Last week, the country woke up to the news that the central bank had frozen the bank account of a Chinese-owned construction company, China Nanchang, on suspicion of injecting millions of dollars into the parallel market to buy foreign currency.

This was not the first time the RBZ made such announcements with the general public waiting with bated breath the outcome of the investigations.In September 2019, the central bank froze the accounts of Sakunda Energy, a company owned by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ally Kuda Tagwirei, on allegations of causing severe distortions on the parallel market through flooding the streets with local currency to purchase forex, increasing the rate sharply.

People celebrated and the market reacted, causing sharp declines in the parallel market rates. However, the excitement dissipated as the so-called clampdown turned out to be a damp squib. Even as the central bank purportedly froze his company accounts, Tagwirei was part of the entourage that accompanied Mnangagwa on a business trip to Russia shortly after the investigations. Barely a week later, the so-called freezing of accounts was reversed after no “substantial evidence was found”.

Before the Sakunda saga, the RBZ indefinitely suspended four senior managers on allegations of corruption raised against them by the then chairperson of the short-lived Finance and Economic Development Communication taskforce, Acie Lumumba.

The officials, later reinstated, were Mirirai Chiremba (director of Financial Intelligence), Norman Mataruka (director of Bank Supervision), Gresham Muradzikwa (head of Security) and Azvinandawa Saburi (director of Financial Markets).

Economic analysts now say the central bank is slowly losing its credibility as it is failing to deal with the people behind the currency volatility.

Economist Gift Mugano told businessdigest on Tuesday that recent developments show that the central bank has lost its credibility and runs the risk of being embarrassed.

Mugano questioned the independence of the Reserve Bank to make its own decisions, saying it all points to political interference overriding the apex bank’s decisions.

“I would say the bank should first think carefully and cautiously before making critical announcements as it is running the risk of being embarrassed. Let’s go back to the days of Acie Lumumba’s ranting on social media, which saw the arrest of RBZ officials who were later let go. The Sakunda issue, now this. Could it be that the special investigation unit is hitting the wrong people and companies? The bank is losing credibility. It’s failing to enforce or police anyone,” he said.

Late last year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Zimbabwe needed an independent central bank to avert the risk of plunging into hyperinflation every 10 years as the current situation is a result of failure on the government’s part to wean off the Reserve Bank.

Mugano said eventually this will have an effect on the parallel market, adding that the RBZ’s failure to enforce the law is what has seen the country now effectively re-dollarising.

“Some of the things the RBZ does cannot be done in an informalised market. It’s very difficult to enforce the law. We saw Zimra [Zimbabwe Revenue Authority] announcing that it will now be collecting taxes in United States dollars. It’s an admission that the local currency has failed and it could be building reserves for the central bank to curb uprisings when civil servants demand real money,” he said.

Economist Christopher Mugaga applauded the central bank for such a move (freezing the Chinese accompany accounts), saying it was a step in the right direction although there is a need to revisit and integrate the judicial process.

Economist Clemence Machadu is not impressed by the central bank’s fight against malfeasance on the parallel market .”We have had a thriving black market which is even more organised than formal financial institutions, when it comes to forex allocation, since the beginning of the use of the bond note in 2016.

The black market players never run out of local currency and hard currencies unlike banks,” Machadu said.”The lackadaisical approach buy the monetary authorities to this anomaly leaves a lot to be desired and makes them complicit.

He said that: “If we are to get to the bottom of the matter, we should not just look at specific bank accounts that have created the freeze-thaw circus of accounts to give the impression that the authorities are taking action.

“We should instead look at the flaws of the entire system as it is powered by the very banking sector, through movement of large sums of electronic money and cash to the black market. Surely these can be traced back and decisive and stern action taken once and for all.”

Machadu pointed out that government needed to take action to stem the rot and there should be no sacred cows.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has blocked the opposition MDC from picking trash in Chitungwiza, a dormitory town nearly 30km south of Harare.

Police informed the party that it can only conduct a cleanup campaign on the first Friday of every month in line with a programme initiated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in December 2018.

The MDC National Executive today concluded a two-day retreat to chart the way forward. The two-day retreat came on the back of President Advocate Nelson Chamisa’s National Agenda 2020 unveiled to Zimbabweans last week.

The National Executive took note of the developments in the country, particularly the suffering among the people and the unwillingness of Zanu PF and Mr. Mnangagwa to have genuine and sincere national dialogue that can poise the nation for stability, democracy and growth. The executive took note of the isolation of the country and the deterioration in the living conditions of the people.

The Executive reaffirmed the party’s unstinting pursuit of the national democratic struggle in pursuit of personal security, freedom, transformation and prosperity for all Zimbabweans.

The executive strongly reaffirmed that 2020 is the year of action where the people of Zimbabwe will peacefully and constitutionally express themselves in their demand for a return to legitimacy, which is at the core of the national crisis.

In pursuit of the national democratic struggle, the executive formally adopted the Breaking Barriers Initiative meant to create a broad church of united citizens that will sonorously demand a return to legitimacy and a resolution of the festering national crisis.

The National Executive noted that Zimbabwe needs a new liberation and a new independence and the Breaking Barriers Initiative—the broad church of united Zimbabweans—will mobilize and prosecute the five key fights as laid out in President Chamisa’s statement to the nation.

These include the fight for a true people’s government, the fight against corruption in the country, the fight for a better life, the fight for rights, freedoms, to secure citizen security as well as a national fight to defend the national Constitution.

The National Executive deliberated on the party in government (PIG) and resolved that its deployees to Parliament and to local authorities must prudently serve the citizens. The executive reiterated the importance of utmost integrity on MPs and councillors.

It is now mandatory for the party’s Mayors, Councilors and Members of Parliament to hold regular feedback meetings to their constituencies, failure of which the party will take drastic measures against them.

The main executive organ of the party resolved to intensify its diplomatic campaign to alert SADC, Africa and the broader international community on the dire plight of the people of Zimbabwe.

There was also a resolution to embolden and strengthen the base through the supremacy of the branch strategy adopted by Congress.

The National Executive noted the vicious cycle of disputed elections which consistently continues to breed illegitimacy.

To this end, the party adopted an alternative Electoral Bill whose principles are anchored on SADC, AU and UN guidelines on the conduct of free and fair elections.

The electoral principles include provision for the Diaspora vote as well as a truly impartial elections management body, among other key tenets.

On the whole, the National Executive was strong on the fact that 2020 is the year of action, given the deteriorating social and economic conditions in the country.

Only a legitimate people’s government will able to solve the dire challenges affecting the people.

#thepeoplesgovernment.

Luke Tamborinyoka
Deputy National Spokesperson

By A Correspondent- A 29 year old Gokwe man who fatally stabbed his elder brother in a dispute over gold ore was yesterday sentenced to an 18-year prison term.

Passmore Musanika was convicted for murdering Jaison Musanika by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese, who was sitting at the Gweru High Court circuit.

Justice Makonese found Musanika guilty of murder with constructive intent.

In passing sentence, Justice Makonese ruled that he had considered that Musanika had served part of the prison term when he was incarcerated for one-and-half years in remand at Whawha Prison.

He, however, castigated Musanika for taking the life of his own brother.

“Your actions in taking the life of your elder brother show the moral decay of our cultural values,” ruled Justice Makonese.

“You acted callously in killing your own brother and your actions and those of other artisanal miners should be punished as the courts cannot tolerate such violence.”

Prosecutor Mirirai Shumba told the court that on August 27, 2018 at Arizona 74 Mine, Matobo Road in Gweru, the deceased was in the company of nephew, Hardline, when the convict approached them accusing Jaison of stealing his gold ore.

A misunderstanding ensued and the convict drew a knife from his trousers, tripped Jaison and stabbed him twice on the chest as he lay on the ground. Passmore fled from the scene after the callous murder.

The deceased bled profusely and died on the spot. A report was made to the police, leading to the convict’s arrest.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Chiredzi residents have accused top local police officer Simangaliso Dube of double standards after she labelled their meetings “a national security threat” and banned them while allowing council to hold ward meetings.

United Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (Uchirra) advocacy officer Bernard Dachi claimed that Dube had on many occasions banned their gatherings citing security threats, while allowing council to organise ward events.

“It is unfortunate that the police has suddenly become biased towards Chiredzi Town Council. Our organisation was formed in 2009 and since then we never had any problems with various Dispols who we worked with for more than 10 years. This is the first time that we are viewed as a security threat,” Dachi said.

“Furthermore our organisation is apolitical so we are left wondering how residents and ratepayers can be a national security threat. We deal with issues that affect residents, not political issues. Council should be answerable to their decisions.”

Contacted for comment yesterday, Dube insisted that public meetings would remain banned until Sunday next week, adding that residents were prohibited from carrying traditional weapons such as machetes and axes until March this year.

“Yes, we have banned all weapons and all the meetings because there is a national security threat,” said Dube.

When quizzed over the alleged selective application of the law, Dube made a volte-face and granted Uchirra permission to start holding their meetings from Monday next week.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he was not aware that public meetings had been banned.

“There is no such thing as a national security threat at the moment. The country is currently enjoying peace. I am not aware of any threats or ban of the meetings,” Nyathi said.

-Newsday

RESIDENTS in Makokoba suburb in Bulawayo were treated to free drama last week on Thursday after a man ran berserk and thrashed his half-naked wife for failing to bring him food at his community service post — the courts.

Mathias Mabhena (26) who is serving his community service sentence at Bulawayo’s
Tredgold courts for a sentence of physically abusing his wife Evilia Millian (25) which he committed last year in December, allegedly fumed at his wife for failing to bring him sadza for lunch.

It is said when Mabhena got home last week on Thursday he accused his wife of disrespecting him.

As a result, the court heard, an argument ensued and at the height of it Mabhena turned violent.
He reportedly grabbed his wife by the neck and pushed her against the wall.

“His wife who was packing clothes bolted out of the house. Mabhena followed in hot pursuit and caught up with her. He battered her several times all over the body with a rope,” the court heard.

It is said an elderly man intervened and quelled the situation which had gotten ugly.

Millian made a report at Mzilikazi Police Station leading to Mabhena’s arrest.
Appearing before magistrate Stephen Ndlovu at the Tredgold Magistrates Court, Mabhena pleaded guilty to an assault charge.

He took to the stand: “I’m really sorry for what I did. I got angry when she told me off after I asked her why she did not bring me food at the court where I’m doing community service for a crime I committed last year. I had to beat her and I did that out of love.”
Moyo took to the stand: “He is abusive.

Whenever an argument arises he beats me with open hands and he emotionally abuses me as he is fond of insulting me in front of our children. Last week he beat me in full view of the public while I was wearing a bra and a skirt.”

He was remanded out of custody to next week on Tuesday for sentencing.-B-Metro

By A Correspondent- Raunchy dancer, Beverly Sibanda’s new husband Mufudzi Chambuka has spoken denying that he owes any money to the UK woman who revealed that she is owed several thousands of dollars.

In a telephone engagement with ZimEye, Chambuka said:

“….I do not owe her anything….I respect people and i respect people’s opinions… nothing can be solved on the social media.. divorce cases cannot be concluded on the social media…I did not steal from her.. if we are not in agreement and she cannot afford a lawyer, she can find a mediator who can mediate on the issue….we had an agreement and I paid cash….”

……………

– ORIGINAL STORY DEVELOPMENT –

The recently wedded pole dancer, Bev Sibanda’s husband, Mufudzi Chambuka telephoned ZimEye to tell his side of the story following a list of concerns, last night, and asked for a private engagement instead of a public one, a direct contradiction to his earlier request.

The list of complaints against him were:

1. Bedding several women one after the other without contraception.

2. Making several kids and then failing to pay maintenance for them, despite earning more than £4,000 per month.

3. Falsely claiming he is a medical doctor (the matter which triggered the ongoing public outrage.)

4. Running away with a girlfriend’s private car worth £3413,00.

Mr Chambuka had telephoned ZimEye at 1pm to tell his side of the story.

He was given over 40 minutes which he asked to be private time, while disrupting a News Review program.

A serious challenge emerged when it turned out he just wanted a private engagement with media. He consumed over 40 minutes of time trying to convince a journalist over his version of the story. He was told he has to address the complainants and the public as this was now a public matter.

When the session was continued, Mr Chambuka began shifting statements and communicating falsehoods over the £3,413.00 he unjustly enriched himself from his ex girlfriend in a car purchase in Chelmsford, Essex last year. He also duped her £5,000 in cash.

A receipt document was produced to prove that he has lied on the £3413.

Zimbabweans ended up standing on their feet for nearly 5 hrs as data explosions unroled before their eyes. Below were the live engagements

Watch the video loading below…………

ZIMBABWE ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION & DISTRIBUTION COMPANY

HARARE REGION

NOTICE TO OUR VALUED CUSTOMERS

The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) would like to advise its valued customers that there would be a power supply interruption on Sunday 02 February 2020 from 0600-1800 hrs for the purpose of carrying out critical maintenance works.

During the maintenance period, electricity will not be available in the following areas: Borrowdale Central, Borrowdale West, Borrowdale Brooke, Vainoua, Rolf Valley, Chisipite, Ballantyne Park, Alexandra Park, Belgravia, Gunhill, University of Zimbabwe, Mt Pleasant, Mt Pleasant Heights, University Farm, Arundel Office Park, Mt Pleasant Business Park, Ryelands, Helensvale, Philadelphia, Hogerty Hill, Luna, Brookview, Mountain Breeze, Hatcliffe, Arda Nijo, Crow Hill, Greystone Park, Kambanji, Pomona, SIRDC, Wingate, Art Farm, Mabvuku, Tafara, Domboshava Road, Pomona Area, Guildford farms, Rumbavu Park, Gletwyn, Chisipite, Highlands Park, Glenlome, Umwinsdale, Chishawasha Hills, Spring Heights, Hunters Moon, Folyjohn, Zimre Park, Ruwa Industrial, Ruwa residential, Damafalls, Chipukutu, Fairview, Windsor Park, Goromonzi Turn Off area & Plots, New Martins Thorpe, Mandara, Chikurubi, ZRP Support Unit, Manresa, Athlone. Letombo Pumps, Amby, Msasa Industry, Greengrove, Greendale, Chisipite, The Grange, Letombo, Sunway City.

Customers are advised to treat all circuits as live during this period as power may be restored without notice.

The inconvenience caused is sincerely regretted

Eng. M. Munodawafa
GENERAL MANAGER – HARARE REGION

MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has said he will never join POLAD as it is a platform meant to dilute the voice of the people.

Watch video below :

Zimbabwe has quietly lifted a ban on imports of genetically modified corn for the first time in 12 years as the southern African nation begins to take action to avert what could be its worst famine.

While genetically modified corn imports from South Africa are being allowed, the grain is carefully quarantined and is milled into a corn meal, a national staple, three officials with knowledge of the situation said, asking not to be identified as an announcement has not been made. Currently corn meal, used to make the staple food known locally as sadza, is in short supply across the nation.

Zimbabwe is battling its worst drought in 40 years and is in the midst of an economic collapse. That’s left about 8 million people, or more than half the population, in need of food aid.

Aside from in South Africa, genetically modified corn is shunned across sub-Saharan Africa and in Zimbabwe steps are being taken to ensure the grain doesn’t enter national seed stocks. A logistics team has been sent to South Africa to have oversight of the grain-import exercise, one of the people said. Plans are also under way to provide special clearance for trucks bringing in grain to avoid delays at southern Africa’s busiest border, Beitbridge between South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Agriculture Minister Perence Shiri and the permanent secretary in the ministry, John Basera, didn’t immediately respond to messages and phone calls seeking comment. Tafadzwa Musarara, chairman of the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe, also didn’t respond to messages and calls.

“Government weighs its position on genetically modified corn against the nutritional needs of the nation and proceeds guided by that assessment,” said Nick Mangwana, the government’s main spokesman, without saying whether the ban has been lifted.

The country’s corn harvest is expected to plunge by more than half this season and there is a likely supply deficit of between 800,000 tons and 1 million tons.

Weekly imports of white corn, the variety used mainly for human consumption in the country, reached their highest in almost seven years, with 13,688 tons imported in week ending Jan. 24.

The millers association on Jan. 22 said it had signed up for a monthly supply of 100,000 tons of corn from South Africa. Until now there has been little evidence of sufficient corn imports coming into the country.

Jannie de Villiers, chief executive officer at Grain SA, said it was possible for genetic corn to be separated and sent straight for processing and Zimbabwe had done this previously.

“Historically, Zimbabwe only imports genetically modified-free corn, not because of food safety concerns, but seed safety concerns. Strategically, they do not want to be dependent on seed from multinational companies,” de Villiers said in an emailed response to questions.

The industry and commerce ministry has 65 registered millers that have signed up for its corn-subsidy program, which the government rolled out in December last year and is meant to provide affordable corn-meal.

-Bloomberg

Farai Dziva|They say there are no permanent friends in politics.

Barely two years after playing an influential role in propelling Emmerson Mnangagwa to the highest office in the land, Ezra Chadzamira has now become an enemy of the First Family, particularly Auxillia, who is reportedly pushing for the expulsion of the Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs.

Zanu PF insiders say Auxillia Mnangagwa is using Killer Zivhu and disgruntled party stalwarts in the province to push for the removal of Chadzamira from office.Chadzamira was taunted and ridiculed by Grace Mugabe as he fought in Mnangagwa’s corner.

Zivhu who ironically was Mrs Mugabe’s blue -eyed boy at the height of the Dr Amai Rallies, has also managed to win Mrs Mnangagwa’s sympathy, according to ruling party sources.

“The First Lady is pushing for the expulsion of Chadzamira because she feels he is neglecting the old guard.

She is working with Zivhu, Oppah Muchinguri and Josiah Hungwe to push Chadzamira out of office,” said a ruling party source.

Zivhu is also reportedly seeking Mrs Mnangagwa’s protection as he is facing expulsion for “abusing social media platforms.”

Zivhu was not available for a comment at the time of writing.

By A Correspondent- The ZRP this morning blocked the launch of a clean up campaign by opposition leader Nelson Chamisa telling him to join President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the rest of the nation and clean up Zimbabwe the first Friday of the month.

A senior MDC official from Chitungwiza confirmed to ZimEye that the police had initially consented to the clean up program slated for unit L shops in Chitungwiza today (Friday) only to send their police details armed to the tooth to disperse party supporters who had gathered for the event.

Said the source:

“The police were armed and they even had dogs as early as 7am and party supporters gathered at the venue were left agitated and confused. The police told us that the program had been cancelled and we were supposed to join ED and the rest of the nation and clean up the country the first Friday of the month.”

In his Agenda 2020 address at Stoddart Hall in Mbare, MDC leader Nelson Chamisa said he would soon launch Tsvaira Zimbabwe, a clean up campaign which aimed at not only sweeping and cleaning up the nation in both urban and rural areas but would also clean up the social, economic and political ills bedevilling the nation.

Efforts to get a comment from the MDC and police were futile by the time of writting.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest updates.

Farai Dziva|MDC official Antony Taruvinga has said there are strong indications that Zanu PF will steal the 2023 polls.

See Taruvinga’s argument below:

I shall stand strong in support of President Advocate Nelson Chamisa.

Let’s look at Nelson Chamisa’s revival of the 2018 election question.

Without doubt, Chamisa beat Mnangagwa by at least 600 000 votes. We have no single guarantee that 2023 polls will not be stolen again. All the machines, persons and institutions that were used to rig elections are still intact.

Elections are the primary source of the poverty and hardships Zimbabwe is experiencing.

Without giving a lasting solution to that, we will remain stuck in the vicious cycle of poverty while other nations are experiencing economic booms.

Forget about Mthuli’s deceptive promises full of lies and non achievables , they can not simply tell you they have failed completely.

They have no capacity, political will and mandate to turn around Zimbabwe. They are in just to milk Zimbabwe drier.

Zimbabwe’s revenue is being pumped out and stashed in other countries so that in the event they lose power, they have something elsewhere. Billions have been pumped out.

Illegitimate leadership suffers from uncertainty. Same applies to coups and dictatorships.

The Association of Private Security Owners of South Africa (TAPSOSA) has called on authorities to look into the plight of Zimbabwean security officers being abused by some unscrupulous companies in the neighbouring countries.

The issue came to light this week when a company owned by Walter Stander, who was convicted for murdering his wife in 1999, was exposed for hiring untrained and unregistered 16-year-olds.

TAPSOSA secretary general Moses Malada said hundreds of fly-by-night companies were hiring untrained, undocumented and unregistered officers from Zimbabwe to take advantage of them.

“In the case of Zimbabweans it’s worse because these employers take advantage of them knowing they can’t report since some are undocumented in South Africa. Many of them aren’t paid the national minimum wage and, in some cases, they don’t even receive their salaries,” Malada explained.

He said TAPSOSA was engaging the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) to investigate unlawful business practices and shut down non-compliant companies.

“The reason these companies get away with unlawful business practices is because most of their contracts are in the private sector where there’s no tendering system. For companies doing business with government, they are under the microscope as they go through rigorous tendering processes,” he added.

In the case of Stander’s company, Sniper Protection Services, he is under investigation for hiring 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds. The law is clear that only persons who are over the age of 18 can be registered as security officers.

“16-year-olds must be in school, PSIRA must take stern action against companies doing this,” Malada said.

Some employees at the company have confirmed they were paid between R2500-R3000. According to the national minimum wage, the lowest paid security officer should be earning R3 643.

A Zimbabwean security officer guarding a complex south of Johannesburg confirmed the abuse

“We’ve no choice but to take these jobs because things are tough back home and we have families to take care of. Sometimes our salaries aren’t paid, but we can’t take it up with the department of labour because we don’t have documents to live and work in South Africa,” he said.

PSIRA have said they will engage the department of labour to investigate the matter.

-BNcube

By A Correspondent- Former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko’s trial over abuse of office charges will take place on 13 February after he successfully objected to having the matter heard on Saturday, 1 February 2020.

Mphoko, through his attorney, Zibusiso Ncube, objected to having to face trial on a Sabbath Day (Saturday), their religious conviction as Seventh Day Adventists do not allow them to “work” on a Saturday.

Said Ncube:

We cannot compromise on the issue of the Sabbath.

Our conditions are that we do not work on Sabbath and on this one we believe in a higher authority, God.

According to the State, on May 6, 2016, Mphoko, while still the Vice President, stormed Avondale Police Station and ordered the release of two Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) officials David Norupiri and Moses Juma.

The duo had earlier that say been arrested at the instigation of the Zimbabwe Anti-corruption Commission (ZACC) on fraud allegations.

-DailyNews

By A Correspondent- A photo of MDC leader Nelson Chamisa together with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s special advisor Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa has surfaced on social media.

The picture, reportedly shot at an unknown location shows Chamisa and Mutsvangwa chatting to unidentified persons.

Chamisa was in South Africa recently where he was on a SADC offensive as revealed in his 2020 Agenda where he said he will engage the Southern Africa block for intervention in resolving Zimbabwe’s crisis.

Mutsvangwa on the other hand is one of the key brains behind the November 2017 coup that toppled the late President Robert Mugabe.

During the coup, he coordinated the implementing of the Northgate declaration, an agreement that detailed the intelligence operation which involved members of the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation who are based in South Africa.

It could not be immediately established whether the duo met by coincidence or if it was a planned meeting.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest details .

By A Correspondent- The former Foreign Affairs minister during the Zimbabwe-Rhodesia era David Mukome, has died aged 77. He succumbed to heart failure on Saturday and is set to be buried on Sunday at the Warren Hills Cemetry.

Family spokesperson and daughter Veronica Mukome-Marume confirmed the development to a local publication saying that a memorial service will be held on Saturday (tomorrow) at the Anglican Cathedral in the central business district. She said:

On Saturday, we will be conducting a memorial service at the Anglican Church in the CBD, and all those who want to pay their last respects are invited..

He served as Foreign Affairs Minister in 1979 in the short-lived government led by then Prime Minister Abel Muzorewa.

Mukome is survived by his wife, seven children and 14 grandchildren.

-DailyNews

By A Correspondent- Zapu member of the council of elders Beven Senda was laid to rest at Athlone cemetery in Bulawayo on Thursday.

Senda died on January 23 in Bulawayo at the age of 72.

Spokesperson Iphithule Maphosa said Senda went to Siwazi, Wanezi and Matopo Mission. 

“He did not write Form 4 as he was prevented for having protested against being fed on beans that were not properly cooked . Wrote the following year. That seemed to be the beginning of his political activism,” he said.

“He worked for a long time in the health sector including under Bulawayo City Council. Has been a an active member of Zapu  staring from branch upwards.”

Maphosa said Senda ‘s  last structure was the Council of Elders at Gwabalanda Luveve. 

“He served in the 2015/16 Congress Planning Committee, Health Subcommittee providing first Aid,  and enduring hygienic operations of the Congress. Dedicated , fearless, soft spoken who went  door to door talking about the situation in the country. An unflinching Christian.   6 children, 15 grand children and.2 great grandchildren,” Maphosa said.

“He leaves widow, children, grand and great grandchildren.”