Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has said it will start disconnecting water supplies to defaulting rate payers in Ward 7 encompassing suburbs such as Makokoba, Mzilikazi and surrounding areas.
In a statement yesterday, the Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube, said Mzilikazi Revenue Hall will be open today and tomorrow from 8AM to 3PM to facilitate settlement of bills.
Mr Dube warned Bulawayo rate payers of impending water disconnections and urged individuals and businesses with outstanding debts to settle them or risk having their water disconnected.
“The City of Bulawayo will be carrying out water disconnections in Ward 7 comprising of Makokoba, Mzilikazi and surrounding areas on all residential and commercial properties whose accounts are in arrears. Residents are encouraged to avoid being inconvenienced by these necessary recovery measures by approaching any of Council’s Revenue Offices and request to enter into a payment arrangement that will protect them against any of the recovery measures being taken,” he said.
“Ideally, a payment arrangement acceptable to Council involves an initial payment of 10 percent (minimum) of the total outstanding debt, followed thereafter by monthly payments of current bill in full plus 10 percent (minimum) of the outstanding debt until the debt is paid in full.”
Mr Dube urged residents to visit revenue offices, district offices in their areas or the Revenue Hall for payment arrangements. He said residents can also contact the credit controller.
Council is owed more than $100 million by residents and businesses. -state media/Chronicle
Zimbabwe is on high alert after a coronavirus outbreak claimed 26 lives in China and has since spread to other countries like Japan, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Malaysia and the United States of America.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care is monitoring 22 people coming from Wuhan in China, the hotspot of the novel coronavirus virus, for the signs and symptoms of the rare respiratory infection.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
A novel coronavirus, is a new strain of virus has not been previously identified in human beings. The virus is highly contagious.
Although Zimbabwe is located thousands of miles away from the source of the coronavirus, it remains a greater risk considering the volume of traffic the country gets from China for tourism and business.
In an interview, Secretary for Health and Child Care Dr Agnes Mahomva confirmed that Government was on high alert.
Dr Mahomva said 22 people coming from Wuhan were being monitored by the Ministry of Health for signs and symptoms of the rare respiratory infection.
“We are very much alert of the coronavirus and Government will take stricter and more targeted measures to curb the spreading and coming of the new virus into the country,” she said.
“We have already ramped up efforts to screen individuals arriving from China and all affected countries for possible signs of the infection. We were in a meeting yesterday discussing measures to contain the new coronavirus.”
She said Zimbabwe took the WHO warning seriously. “We stand very much guided by the WHO. We know they are a strong technical arm of the world and when they provide that kind of guidance, we take it very serious,” she said.
WHO representative Dr Alex Gasarira has argued Government to ensure the availability of trained personel at the country’s entry points for assessing and managing ill patients detected before travel and on arrival.
“WHO recommends that all countries, including Zimbabwe, should undertake actions as included in the International Health Recommendations,” he said.
“There should be clear procedures and means in place to communicate information on ill travellers and also strengthening capacity for active surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, contact tracing, case management, infection, prevention and control as well as risk communication.”- state media
A BULILIMA man is battling for life at the Plumtree District Hospital after he was stabbed with an okapi knife in the head and ribs by his friend in a beer brawl.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident which occurred on Wednesday at around 9PM at Mbila Bottle store in Bulilima.
He said the suspect only known as Key was on the run and he appealed to members of the public with information on his whereabouts to contact the police.
“We recorded an attempted murder case which occurred at Mbila Bottle Store in Bulilima. The complainant Mr Noel Ndlovu (20) and the suspect only known as Key were drinking beer at the bottle store when they had a misunderstanding over an unknown issue.
“Key pulled out an okapi knife from his pair of trousers and stabbed Mr Ndlovu in the head, ribs and arm before fleeing. Mr Ndlovu was assisted by a well wisher who ferried him to Plumtree District Hospital.
Investigations are underway and Key is still on the run. We appeal to anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact any nearest police station,” he said.-State media
Cholera is a killer disease. The community should be thoroughly oriented to fight against it.
During an epidemic always drink boiled water or add chlorine tablet to drinking water.
Always cover food…
Avoid cold and stale food available in the shops.
It is advisable to clean and boil utensils contaminated by stool and vomit of the patient.
The patient’s clothes must be washed and dried in strong sunlight to kill germs.
Maintain personal hygiene. Wash hands thoroughly after passing stool, before meals and after attending the sick.
General sanitary precautions to be taken by sprinkling disinfectants on the floor, anti-fly measures may be adopted and excreta should be disposed of properly.
Keep the surroundings clean to avoid flies.
Health education to be given to the adults and children as well as regarding the means to be adopted to guard against the cholera infection.
During festivals, special measures to be taken regarding drinking water, food preparation and sale, disposal of night soil etc.
Follow/like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
Farai Dziva|The MDC Youth Assembly has urged its members to remain vigilant following the postponement of party chairperson Job Sikhala’s treason trial.
Sikhala’s trial that was scheduled for January 27-30 has been postponed to February 03-07.
The state has cited “lack of preparedness” to proceed with the matter as the reason for the postponement.
See the MDC Youth Assembly statement below :
“The liberation of Gold Coast is meaningless unless the whole of Africa is liberated”, that was Kwameh Nkurumah, the visionary President of Ghana’s powerful statement emphasizing the priceless value of solidarity in the fight for freedom.
In this age, more than 60 years on the MDC and Zimbabweans in general find themselves confronted with the very same freedom question.
The importance of solidarity with those undersiege from Emmerson Mnangagwa’s military dictatorship must never be understated!
Just as Nkurumah said then, our freedoms as individuals and quest for democracy as citizens is meaningless unless we give solidarity to our fellow comrades who are facing persecution by prosecution from this military dictatorship.
Yes, as MDC solidarity is one of our key ideological pillars as social democrats!
Our National Vice Chairman, Job Sikhala is facing a trumped up treason trial from February 03 to 07 in Masvingo for calling for an end to this drudgery type of life imposed on us by Emmerson Mnangagwa.
It is not a secret Mnangagwa and ZANU PF must be removed!
If calling for removal of Mnangagwa from power is our National Vice Chairman’s crime, without doubt solidarity during his lengthy trial supercedes everything!
An injury to one is an injury all!
We are the People, we are the Power!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDCYouthAssemblyNationalSpokesperson
Farai Dziva|The MDC Youth Assembly has urged its members to remain vigilant following the postponement of party chairperson Job Sikhala’s treason trial.
Sikhala’s trial that was scheduled for January 27-30 has been postponed to February 03-07.
The state has cited “lack of preparedness” to proceed with the matter as the reason for the postponement.
See the MDC Youth Assembly statement below :
“The liberation of Gold Coast is meaningless unless the whole of Africa is liberated”, that was Kwameh Nkurumah, the visionary President of Ghana’s powerful statement emphasizing the priceless value of solidarity in the fight for freedom.
In this age, more than 60 years on the MDC and Zimbabweans in general find themselves confronted with the very same freedom question.
The importance of solidarity with those undersiege from Emmerson Mnangagwa’s military dictatorship must never be understated!
Just as Nkurumah said then, our freedoms as individuals and quest for democracy as citizens is meaningless unless we give solidarity to our fellow comrades who are facing persecution by prosecution from this military dictatorship.
Yes, as MDC solidarity is one of our key ideological pillars as social democrats!
Our National Vice Chairman, Job Sikhala is facing a trumped up treason trial from February 03 to 07 in Masvingo for calling for an end to this drudgery type of life imposed on us by Emmerson Mnangagwa.
It is not a secret Mnangagwa and ZANU PF must be removed!
If calling for removal of Mnangagwa from power is our National Vice Chairman’s crime, without doubt solidarity during his lengthy trial supercedes everything!
An injury to one is an injury all!
We are the People, we are the Power!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDCYouthAssemblyNationalSpokesperson
23/01/2020
We are happy to announce that our members have managed to maintain our stance of not reporting for duty until the government heed our call for a living wage. The incapacitation of our members and the rest of teachers cannot be solved by draconian labour laws that force them to report for duty within 14 days.
As Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, (ARTUZ) we have noted that the government is not taking our salary issue with seriousness, therefore we will register our discontent to the employer through peaceful street protests, our constitutional right as workers.
We congratulate our members and other teachers for withstanding the threats of victimization by the employer.
Parents sacrifice paying school fees in full for their kids in these harsh economic times, only to be let down by a government that is deliberately failing to provide it’s mandated service like education.
This act of wickedness to learners by the responsible government ministries need an urgent approach from all progressive Zimbabweans who have kids in schools to force the employer to pay a living wage to teachers.
It is time both teachers and parents unite, and question Professor Mthuli Ncube’s Transitional Stabilisation Programme Reforms Agenda, on page 270, where he lied to the citizens of Zimbabwe that his policy will prioritize the education sector in tandem with the Education Sector Strategic Plan to 2020, Sustainable Development Goal number 4 and also in line with the aspirations of the African Union on education, wherein focus is on harnessing the demographic dividend, addressing educational needs of marginalized groups ensuring that noone is left behind.
The propaganda propelled by school administrators sending wrong statistics of teachers attendences to district education offices and public service commission, pretending as if learning is taking place in schools is a sign of cruelty to innocent learners.
This must stop immediately. The employer and all education stakeholders must know that, no learning is taking place in schools because teachers are highly demotivated by peanut salaries.
ARTUZ INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
+263775438618/776129336/
775643192
23/01/2020
We are happy to announce that our members have managed to maintain our stance of not reporting for duty until the government heed our call for a living wage. The incapacitation of our members and the rest of teachers cannot be solved by draconian labour laws that force them to report for duty within 14 days.
As Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, (ARTUZ) we have noted that the government is not taking our salary issue with seriousness, therefore we will register our discontent to the employer through peaceful street protests, our constitutional right as workers.
We congratulate our members and other teachers for withstanding the threats of victimization by the employer.
Parents sacrifice paying school fees in full for their kids in these harsh economic times, only to be let down by a government that is deliberately failing to provide it’s mandated service like education.
This act of wickedness to learners by the responsible government ministries need an urgent approach from all progressive Zimbabweans who have kids in schools to force the employer to pay a living wage to teachers.
It is time both teachers and parents unite, and question Professor Mthuli Ncube’s Transitional Stabilisation Programme Reforms Agenda, on page 270, where he lied to the citizens of Zimbabwe that his policy will prioritize the education sector in tandem with the Education Sector Strategic Plan to 2020, Sustainable Development Goal number 4 and also in line with the aspirations of the African Union on education, wherein focus is on harnessing the demographic dividend, addressing educational needs of marginalized groups ensuring that noone is left behind.
The propaganda propelled by school administrators sending wrong statistics of teachers attendences to district education offices and public service commission, pretending as if learning is taking place in schools is a sign of cruelty to innocent learners.
This must stop immediately. The employer and all education stakeholders must know that, no learning is taking place in schools because teachers are highly demotivated by peanut salaries.
ARTUZ INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
+263775438618/776129336/
775643192
Farai Dziva|The trial of MDC deputy chairperson Job Sikhala has been postponed to 03 – 07 February, the party has said.
The trial was scheduled for January 27-30.
“The Treason trial of the MDC Deputy National Chair Hon JobSikhala that was scheduled to kick off on Monday 27-31 January 2020 has been postponed to 03 – 07 February for the State has indicated its unpreparedness on the case,” said the Movement for Democratic Change in a statement.
It was at the time of writing believed the National Prosecuting Authority intends to cook up evidence against Sikhala having failed to prove a prima facie against him for treason.
The latest decision comes barely 3 days to his trial on allegations of subverting or attempting to overthrow a constitutional government.
This is a charge according to the State papers which emanates from a purported video downloaded from the Twitter account of one Jones Musara, a ZANU PF activist based in Toronto, Canada.
In the video aforesaid Jones Musara purports that Sikhala addressed people urging them to overthrow Mnangagwa.
A constitutional government is that which drives its authority from the governed through a free and fair election devoid of manipulation and fraud.
A number of ZANU PF activists and their surrogates were celebrating that the hour of Sikhala fix had come.
Sikhala has been arrested 63 times from 2000 to present. Records show he was never convicted on any case from rape to murder. All turned out to be persecutions disguised as prosecutions.
COMMENT AND ANALYSIS:
One good soul in this party of the deranged once said that the late Robert Mugabe was different from this clown we currently have among ourselves masquerading as a President.
Mugabe would not interfere with the judiciary. He would only interfere on matters that directly threatened his power, like the Presidential election petition challenging his legitimacy. That he would not mind how the judiciary deals with other matters outside threat to his power. So he goes on to say that, thats why the late Morgan Tsvangirai was acquitted on two crucial cases.
One when he threatened to remove Mugabe violently if he didn’t want to go peacefully.
The second one being the Ari Ben Manashe drama which was packaged as a Treason trial. He further says that our present clown phones directly Public Prosecutors and judiciary officers to give instructions.
The charge Sikhala is facing is a specie of Treason. It has a mandatory sentence of 20 years in prison without an option of a fine.
The demented ones in the club of fools, which ZANU PF people are, waffles that you deserve what you are getting because you were not supposed to say what you said. In the State papers the overzealous “unknown reward” seeking ignorant police officers say that by threatening to remove Mnangagwa from power Sikhala was seeking to change the hands of power before his term expires in 2023.
In the study of constitutionalism, an individual does not constitute a government. A government is constituted by its three branches, that is the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature. Mnangagwa is an individual who is not all that.
He can go today, the Executive may remain as constituted minus him, the Judiciary will remain the same, so is the Legislature. When individuals turn themselves into governments, you must know that, that country is cursed. And let it be known that Mnangagwa is not government. Government is instituted in terms of the constitution with its distinct branches.
Mnangagwa is not all that. He is just a Sherwood Farm fish farmer who occupies an office which is not defined to belong to him. It can be occupied by anyone if he perishes today.
So anyone in his or her perverted disposition who thinks that this trial is going to be sadza eating jamboree should take a strange dog for a wife.
Those extractors of the purported documentary from a ZANU PF malcontent living far away in Canada must be prepared for the nightmare of their lives.
We saw the overzealous ones during the Treason trial of Morgan Tsvangirai behaving as if everybody was borrowing the air we breath from them including Augustine Chihuri. When you meet them in streets today they look pathetic and deranged, with nothing to show for the bombastic self they were demonstrating during the material time. Since time immemorial, Sikhala has never received the level of solidarity, prayers and encouragement like what he is currently receiving. This is a demonstration that the people of Zimbabwe are not fools as envisaged by someone who encourages everyone to feed on vegetables daily until Kingdom comes.
Be reassured that gloves are off. The titanic battle has begun. In his life he has lost battles but not a war. This is a war, not a war for myself but for everyone who believes in a free and democratic Zimbabwe.
Farai Dziva|The trial of MDC deputy chairperson Job Sikhala has been postponed to 03 – 07 February, the party has said.
The trial was scheduled for January 27-30.
“The Treason trial of the MDC Deputy National Chair Hon JobSikhala that was scheduled to kick off on Monday 27-31 January 2020 has been postponed to 03 – 07 February for the State has indicated its unpreparedness on the case,” said the Movement for Democratic Change in a statement.
It was at the time of writing believed the National Prosecuting Authority intends to cook up evidence against Sikhala having failed to prove a prima facie against him for treason.
The latest decision comes barely 3 days to his trial on allegations of subverting or attempting to overthrow a constitutional government.
This is a charge according to the State papers which emanates from a purported video downloaded from the Twitter account of one Jones Musara, a ZANU PF activist based in Toronto, Canada.
In the video aforesaid Jones Musara purports that Sikhala addressed people urging them to overthrow Mnangagwa.
A constitutional government is that which drives its authority from the governed through a free and fair election devoid of manipulation and fraud.
A number of ZANU PF activists and their surrogates were celebrating that the hour of Sikhala fix had come.
Sikhala has been arrested 63 times from 2000 to present. Records show he was never convicted on any case from rape to murder. All turned out to be persecutions disguised as prosecutions.
COMMENT AND ANALYSIS:
One good soul in this party of the deranged once said that the late Robert Mugabe was different from this clown we currently have among ourselves masquerading as a President.
Mugabe would not interfere with the judiciary. He would only interfere on matters that directly threatened his power, like the Presidential election petition challenging his legitimacy. That he would not mind how the judiciary deals with other matters outside threat to his power. So he goes on to say that, thats why the late Morgan Tsvangirai was acquitted on two crucial cases.
One when he threatened to remove Mugabe violently if he didn’t want to go peacefully.
The second one being the Ari Ben Manashe drama which was packaged as a Treason trial. He further says that our present clown phones directly Public Prosecutors and judiciary officers to give instructions.
The charge Sikhala is facing is a specie of Treason. It has a mandatory sentence of 20 years in prison without an option of a fine.
The demented ones in the club of fools, which ZANU PF people are, waffles that you deserve what you are getting because you were not supposed to say what you said. In the State papers the overzealous “unknown reward” seeking ignorant police officers say that by threatening to remove Mnangagwa from power Sikhala was seeking to change the hands of power before his term expires in 2023.
In the study of constitutionalism, an individual does not constitute a government. A government is constituted by its three branches, that is the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature. Mnangagwa is an individual who is not all that.
He can go today, the Executive may remain as constituted minus him, the Judiciary will remain the same, so is the Legislature. When individuals turn themselves into governments, you must know that, that country is cursed. And let it be known that Mnangagwa is not government. Government is instituted in terms of the constitution with its distinct branches.
Mnangagwa is not all that. He is just a Sherwood Farm fish farmer who occupies an office which is not defined to belong to him. It can be occupied by anyone if he perishes today.
So anyone in his or her perverted disposition who thinks that this trial is going to be sadza eating jamboree should take a strange dog for a wife.
Those extractors of the purported documentary from a ZANU PF malcontent living far away in Canada must be prepared for the nightmare of their lives.
We saw the overzealous ones during the Treason trial of Morgan Tsvangirai behaving as if everybody was borrowing the air we breath from them including Augustine Chihuri. When you meet them in streets today they look pathetic and deranged, with nothing to show for the bombastic self they were demonstrating during the material time. Since time immemorial, Sikhala has never received the level of solidarity, prayers and encouragement like what he is currently receiving. This is a demonstration that the people of Zimbabwe are not fools as envisaged by someone who encourages everyone to feed on vegetables daily until Kingdom comes.
Be reassured that gloves are off. The titanic battle has begun. In his life he has lost battles but not a war. This is a war, not a war for myself but for everyone who believes in a free and democratic Zimbabwe.
By A Correspondent| The controversial Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries (PHD) founder, Walter Magaya’s father, Freddy Muvirimi, has died of HIV AIDS.
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…
He was 59.
Mr Muvirimi died at Dandaro Hospital in Borrowdale on Thursday around midday.
He had not been feeling well since 2009.
While the state owned Herald did not disclose the name of the illness, it has been public knowledge that he was an AIDS patient for several years.
Futhermore, impeccable family sources told ZimEye, Magaya was in a panic on Friday night since he has for a while claimed he can heal people of the disease using his banned Aguma medication. Magaya was arrested and then convicted for marketing it, and at least 4 other people have been killed in the last year after taking it.
Aguma which was banned by the medicines control board, causes damage to the kidneys and lungs.
Magaya told the Herald his father died after suffering damage to his lungs. However Magaya claimed the damage was due to an attack “by robbers,” at the family home in Waterfalls.
Magaya told the Herald his father’s condition ‘worsened after his lungs were damaged during the attack.’
Last year Magaya telephoned ZimEye.com seeking to bribe so that his scandal is not exposed.
Impeccable recordings say Magaya who does not use condoms on his many victims, is an AIDS patient himself.
By A Correspondent- A business woman was recently assaulted by her business partner’s wife who accused her of having a love affair with her husband.
Sazingani Ndlovu (31) appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Lizwe Jamela facing assault charges.
Ndlovu allegedly assaulted her husband’s business partner View Mazhanyuro (34).
Sometime in September 2019, Ndlovu went to Mazhanyuro residential place a teacher at Milton High School and accused her of having a love affair with her husband.
On January 4 at around 7pm Mazhanyuro was with Ndlovu’s husband selling their stuff when Ndlovu arrived and shouted at her accusing her of having a love affair with her husband.
Ndlovu also said Mazhanyuro was HIV positive and assaulted her with clenched fists several times all over the body.
She was referred to the hospital for medical examination.
Mazhanyuro reported the matter to the police leading to the arrest of Ndlovu.
By A Correspondent- Zvido Zvashe apostolic church treasurer is in soup for contravening section 70 of the criminal codification and reform act (having sex with a minor) and he appeared before Guruve magistrate Artwell Sanyatwe yesterday.
Batsirai Muchesa (26) pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded out of custody to February 6 for trial.
The state alleges that on 22 December around 5 pm Muchesa took his 15 year old girl friend who is also a congregant of his church to a nearby bush and had sex with her before releasing her around 7pm.
The minor told him that he she was 15 years old and the church leader was not bothered.
The matter came to light on January 18 where the complainant’s aunt was told by neighbours that Muchesa came at their house looking for her girlfriend.
The aunt went to her kitchen and saw the two together,she quizzed the complainant on the matter and she confirmed that they had sex together.
A police report was filed at Guruve leading to Muchesa’s arrest.
I have evidence to prove that Walter Magaya has killed his own father. There's no reason why anyone should die of HIV at any time. I do this to stop a crime. WATCH THIS SPACE
By A Correspondent| The controversial Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries (PHD) founder, Walter Magaya’s father, Freddy Muvirimi, has died of HIV AIDS.
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…
He was 59.
Mr Muvirimi died at Dandaro Hospital in Borrowdale on Thursday around midday.
He had not been feeling well since 2009.
While the state owned Herald did not disclose the name of the illness, it has been public knowledge that he was an AIDS patient for several years.
Futhermore, impeccable family sources told ZimEye, Magaya was in a panic on Friday night since he has for a while claimed he can heal people of the disease using his banned Aguma medication. Magaya was arrested and then convicted for marketing it, and at least 4 other people have been killed in the last year after taking it.
Aguma which was also banned by the medicines control board, causes damage to the kidneys and lungs.
Magaya told the Herald his father died after suffering damage to his lungs. However Magaya claimed the said damage was due to an attack “by robbers,” at the family home in Waterfalls. Magaya told the Herald his father’s condition ‘worsened after his lungs were damaged during the attack.’
Last year Magaya telephoned ZimEye.com seeking to bribe so that his scandal is not exposed. We release the audio recording and his response on poisoning people of which victims, four have already died.
Impeccable recordings say Magaya who does not use condoms on his many victims, is an AIDS patient himself.
By A Correspondent- Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe has urged members of the public to report corrupt officials at the Registrar-General’s department.
Kazembe made the call while speaking to reporters after a familiarisation tour of the registry and immigration offices in Gweru on Thursday. He said:
Without members of the public alerting us about suspected corruption, we won’t get to the bottom of it. If you are asked to pay a bribe, you need to report that official as soon as possible.
Kazembe also revealed that the government will soon promulgate a Statutory Instrument that will allow locals with access to foreign currency to apply for passports which they will acquire timeously.
During the tour, Kazembe was accompanied by his deputy Mike Madiro, Registrar-General Mr Clement Masango and the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs Larry Mavima.
By A Correspondent- Former ZANU PF official Shadreck Mashayamombe has revealed how the ruling ZANU party used land barons to buy votes in peri-urban areas during elections.
Mashayamombe is considered one of the G40 kingpins that had coalesced around the late former President Robert Mugabe and his wife, former First Lady Grace during the internecine factional fights against the military-backed Team Lacoste.
Said Mashayamombe:
My biggest question about the land commission is that why is the report not published properly so that every interested person can access it?
This is political and it exposes how our institutions are captured because some of those accused were never summoned by the commission to give their side of the story.
All those 137 co-operatives’ leadership who are being sacrificed today were used to mobilise votes for Zanu PF in peri-urban areas. Now they are being dumped.
Mashayamombe’s remarks come after the publication of a report which investigated the sale of State land across the country.
The report implicated several former high-ranking ZANU PF officials in shady land deals that prejudiced the State of millions of dollars
By Nomusa Garikai- The sight of Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF cronies kitted out with brooms and mops sweeping and mopping hospital grounds and wards provides the lazy reporter with a story.
But in a country where unemployment has soared to nauseating heights of 90% the really story is why are the hospital wards and ground in such filthy conditions except for the odd occasion, the photo opportunity, when these politicians visit?
Hundreds of thousands of University Graduates will happily take up the job as cleaners if only the regime would pay them a living wage!
In other words these public cleaning projects by our leaders are just gimmicks. If these men and women were spending their time and energy is solving the country’s worsening economic meltdown, which is their number one task, then our hospitals, schools, etc. would not be in such a deplorable state!
Worse still, our political system is broken so we, the people, have no meaningful say in the governance of the country. And so find ourselves stuck with leaders who rigged elections to stay in power but have no clue what to do to fix the country’s mounting problems!
Instead of finding solutions to the nation’s problems they are now competing in gimmick projections.
“We have not been participating in the national cleaning programme. Beginning this year, we are going to be part of government’s clean-up campaign. We are coming up with what is called Jekesa Zimbabwe.
“We are also going to launch the smart villages policy that will entail our model smart homesteads smart sources of energy solar for each rural home borehole per village infrastructure for villages, schools, bridges, etc.”
Zimbabwe is in this political and economic mess because the country’s political system is broken; we are stuck for 40 years and counting with an incompetent, corrupt and tyrannical Zanu PF regime. Zimbabwe is a pariah state ruled by corrupt and incompetent murderous tyrants and as long as it remains a pariah state there will be no hope of any meaningful economic recovery. None!
The people of Zimbabwe have risked life and limb to elect Chamisa and his MDC friends into power on the understanding they will bring about the democratic changes to end the Zanu PF dictatorship, the nation has been dying for all these years.
It is truly disheartening that not only has MDC failed to bring about even one democratic change in 20 years of the party’s existence but worse still it has now abandoned the cause of democratic change in favour of gimmick projects.
Zimbabwe does not need leaders to show them how to do something as basic as sweeping the floor; pay them and they will do it. What the country needs above all else is leaders who will repair the country’s broken political system, who will restore the people’s freedoms and rights including the right to a meaningful say in the governance of the country!
By Kabelo Sithole- The desire to remain true to a vision “Siya Phambili” ( We go Forward, the BCC’s motto ) has in the past prompted some to attempt to tackle one of the city of Bulawayo’s worst environmental challenges, the often severe water shortages which have in the past (90s and more recently 2008) threatened to leave the city literally dry.
By changing the pricing mechanism of the Bulawayo City Council’s (BCC) water supply we can prevent such tragedies as well as preserve this precious resource. I am talking about the changing from a billing system for water to prepaid water meters. Under the billing system the city council supplies residents with water on credit.
In this system residents use as much water as they like (subject to rationing levels) for a whole month and the city council asks residents to pay them the money the residents owe them at the end of the month. The bill is, therefore, the money equivalent (price) of the water used by residents.
The prepaid water meter is just a different
pricing strategy. Under this particular strategy residents will have to pay
council before they use the water ( still subject to rationing). The same way
one would buy bottled water. Under this system residents use water that they
can be said to own because they bought it prior to using it.
The billing system has allowed many residents to survive these tough times without many taps running dry because the BCC has been supplying water on credit. Yet, the reality is that many residents are now drowning in debt because of this. The bills that cannot readily be paid by residents represent a form of wastage and enhances water shortages. This can be seen by taking the analogy of a local street vendor.
Lets assume he is willing to sell his goods on credit to all locals under the promise that they will pay him back at the end of the week. If he carriers on with this payment method he can expect bad debts, late payments and in times of economic downturn he can expect more and more defaults eventually resulting in a debt crisis.
For the street vendor such a situation will simply lead to insolvency as he will no longer be able to recover his costs from creditors who are failing to own up to their debts.
The argument to keep the billing system the way it is has mainly centred on the fact a prepaid system would increase the cost of living, the installation fee being too high (approximately $200), the more vulnerable residents would fail to afford prepayments and water is a human right. Yes, I vehemently agree with the latter! It is true that water is a human right and that all should have equal access to it. Yet, we will not be the last citizens to live in ko Nthuthu Ziya Thunqa.
Should future generations’ right to water not be preserved to? The billing system causes over-consumption by allowing for credit system for water supply which leads the residents to consume more water than they can afford.
It is similar to a credit card from a bank, eventually the holder of the card spends more than they can afford to pay back under the illusion created by the credit card that you have money you do not have .
I propose the BCC introduce these prepaid water meters, instead of installation being charged on a once-off basis as $200 it can be charged or paid as a percentage of the rates of prepaid water in the same way the debts of the individual will be deducted.
This would mean that as a resident’s debt to council and installation fee are gradually paid off one can expect to pay less in the long-term. This would mean that the cost of living will gradually be reduced (as far as water is concerned).
Lastly, I also propose that council
introduce a water pricing system that adjusts the cost of water according to
available supply. This is because pricing acts as a rationing mechanism . That
is to say if available supply of water is low the BCC should then raise the
price of water and should be raised to prevent demand from exceeding available
supply and causing water shortages. This is based on the simple market reality
that price increases result in decreases in demand and vice versa.
Going back to our example of the street vendor. Lets assume he sells sweets at 50c each and is left with 20 sweets left in a week ( 7 days) before he can order more. On average school children buy about 7 sweets a day from him, which means he will likely run out of stock on the third day. But if the vendor raises his price from 50c to 75c demand will decrease.
How much demand will decrease by will depend on how reactive his customers are to price changes. If the customers are reactive enough then he may find himself making more money than before, and he may certainly make it to his next supply.
The situation is the same for the BCC, a
price system in which price of water would is adjusted according available
suppl would prevent shortages and may help the BCC raise revenue and that
revenue can be channeled to building new dams and reservoir which would reduce
the long-term costs of water even further.
We have a need in our cities to maintain fairness and uphold our values of ubuntu. This brings me to the point of price discrimination to allow vulnerable members of society to afford these prepayments.
Councils run a monopoly on water supply, they are, therefore, capable of charging different levels of prepayments on a location basis or income basis and this would be effective as there are no alternatives to a council’s water supply. For this to be effective council must develop a mechanism to identify vulnerable residents
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe has revealed that Dr John Mangudya, the governor of the Reserve Bank pledged to push for the provision of projects funds for teachers.
The meeting comes amidst teachers’ strike over poor working conditions and paltry salaries they are getting. We present ARTUZ’s full statement below.
23-01-2020
ARTUZ Delegation meet Reserve Bank Governor.
A delegation of ARTUZ leadership led by SG Robson Chere met with Reserve Bank Governor this afternoon at his offices in Samora Machel Harare. ARTUZ had requested for a meeting with the Governor on Teachers Economic Wellbeing.
Meeting Agenda
1. A discussion on the current economic situation in the country and how it is affecting our members. 2. Increase of Withdrawal Limits in banks that is affecting our members mainly living and working in rural areas. 3. Discussion on entrepreneurship training and funding for teachers.
Meeting Outcome 1. Review of withdrawal limits after consultation with Ministry of Education and banks to check how many teachers are in the rural areas and how they can be distinguished from urban teachers. The bank will set a figure of $1000 rtgs that can be withdrawn at once by a rural teacher. The figure would be revised based on availability of paper money. 2. Governor to investigate banks that can issue cash withdrawal service at centres in rural areas to minimise cost of teachers travelling to far away towns to withdraw little salaries. This system is used by some banks that take cash to uniformed forces barracks during pay days for withdrawal. 3. Governor said the Reserve Bank need to empower teachers using Homelink loans. He took pity at the rural teachers rural retention allowance of $20rtgs per month. He said he will communicate with Homelink and ARTUZ members can receive individual funding for projects. For the commencement, he indicated he was looking at 100 rural teachers to benefit.
The Governor said the nation needs production to thrive. Only 40% of Zimbabwean population is formally employed and the rest is in informal sector that is not governed by the country’s finance system. The country is also a heavy importer not taking into account it is well resourced in dams for example, said Dr Mangudla.
However, Mangudla appreciated ARTUZ leadership for approaching him seeking to understand the economic system and how it can benefit teachers in rural areas mainly in areas of entrepreneurship.
By A Correspondent| The controversial Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries (PHD) founder, Walter Magaya’s father, Freddy Muvirimi, has died of HIV AIDS.
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…
He was 59.
Mr Muvirimi died at Dandaro Hospital in Borrowdale on Thursday around midday.
He had not been feeling well since 2009.
While the state owned Herald did not disclose the name of the illness, it has been public knowledge that he was an AIDS patient for several years.
Futhermore, impeccable family sources told ZimEye, Magaya was in a panic on Friday night since he has for a while claimed he can heal people of the disease using his banned Aguma medication. Magaya was arrested and then convicted for marketing it, and at least 4 other people have been killed in the last year after taking it.
Aguma which was banned by by the medicines control board, causes damage to the kidneys and lungs.
Magaya told the Herald his father died after suffering damage to his lungs. However Magaya claimed the damage was due to an attack “by robbers,” at the family home in Waterfalls.
Magaya told the Herald his father’s condition ‘worsened after his lungs were damaged during the attack.’
Last year Magaya telephoned ZimEye.com seeking to bribe so that his scandal is not exposed.
Impeccable recordings say Magaya who does not use condoms on his many victims, is an AIDS patient himself.
By A Correspondent- A fuming woman from Bulawayo’s Entumbane suburb scalded her husband with cooking oil after she stumbled on raunchy love messages on her husband’s phone which were allegedly from his lover.
The court heard that Trevor Moyo (45) who was visibly drunk got home at around 11pm last week on Friday and slept in their matrimonial bedroom.
Being suspicious that her husband was cheating on her, Sithembile Moyo (34) took his phone and browsed through the messages.
It is said she bumped onto something that she did not expect — a string of love messages from his girlfriend. One of the messages, the court heard, was thanking him for a “sex well done job”.
The court heard that after seeing the love messages the woman charged at her husband and woke him up.
A fierce argument ensued between the two and at the height of it Sithembile, the court heard, grabbed her husband’s genitals and twisted them much to his agony. She left him lying on the floor.
But she was not done with him yet. She allegedly boiled cooking oil.
The court heard that her hubby sensed danger and followed her in the kitchen and he found her taking off a pan with cooking oil from the stove.
The court was told she tried to pour it over her husband’s face but the alert Trevor swiftly moved his face and it splashed on his chest and arms.
He suffered severe injuries and was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital. The matter was reported to police leading to her arrest.
She appeared before magistrate Lizwe Jamela facing an assault charge.
She pleaded not guilty.
“I stumbled on love messages, one of the messages a lady was thanking him for being a sexual tiger and sexually satisfying her and for being a caring man. I was angered by that, that is why I had to act in that manner,” she said.
She was remanded out of custody to next week on Monday for continuation of trial.
By A Correspondent- In a hair raising incident daring six masked armed robbers pounced at a house in Bulawayo’s Queenspark suburb and force-marched two naked suspected money changers to a safe and got away with $28 000.
The assailants, armed with pistols, knives and an iron bar, allegedly raided Mandishupa Phiri and her siblings.
A family member who requested not to be named said they kicked open the door and headed straight to Phiri’s bedroom.
“They found her lying naked wearing undergarments only. She was lucky that they did not rape her.
They warned her to co-operate with them, failure to that they would shoot her dead. And she had to adhere to their instructions,” said a family source.
Three of the robbers, sources told B-Metro, took turns to hit Mandishupa with a pistol butt and demanded foreign currency from her.
“They threatened to shoot anyone who would try to scream. They said someone informed them that Anita and Mandishupa were money changers, as such they demanded foreign currency from her while threatening to finish her off if she ever refused with it. It was a terrible hair-raising incident,” she said.
Fearing for her life, the source said, Mandishupa denied that she had foreign currency. However, she told them that she only had $28 000.
“She led them to the spare bedroom where one of her siblings Anita was lying in deep sleep and had only wrapped herself with a towel. They grabbed her by the neck and placed the gun on her throat while demanding that she surrenders all the cash to them. She showed them where she had stashed it. They got away with it,” said a source close to investigations.
The duo of Anita and Mandishupa made a police report. The case was recorded under RRB2920890.
Bulawayo police spokeperson Inspector Abednico Ncube could not be reached for an update on the investigations.
By A Correspondent- A 26-year-old man from Zvishavane fondled a woman’s breasts accusing her of serving him a small portion of sadza.
The matter came into light when the man, Audias Matumbura, appeared before Zvishavane magistrate Archie Wochiunga facing a charge of Indecent Assault as defined in Section 67 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23.
He pleaded guilty to the charge.
In mitigation, he told the court that he committed the offence under the influence of alcohol.
Magistrate Wochiunga had no kind words for Matumbura saying men who abuse women must be handed deterrent sentences.
“A man who abuses women should be handed a sentence that will be a lesson to would-be offenders.
“It’s the duty of the judiciary to create a society that is safe for women and children. You are therefore ordered to perform 310 hours of community service at Shabani Primary School,” he said.
On December 20 at around 10pm, the accused together with his friends went to Caravan Park where the complainant Mellisa Ngaruze works.
Upon arrival they ordered sadza and the complainant served them. Matumbura then started complaining that he was served a small portion of sadza.
He jumped over the counter and went behind the complainant and fondled her breasts.
The court heard that on December 28 the accused approached the complainant and insulted her over the same matter before fondling her breasts again.
The matter was reported to the police leading to Matumbura’s arrest.
By A Correspondent- A Bulawayo woman shared probably what might rank as the most ridiculous reason her live-in partner ended their relationship.
Moreblessing Chonge from Old Magwegwe claimed her live-in boyfriend Julius Masunungure broke up with her after he spotted a needle on the doorstep which he suspected was muthi (charm) she wanted to use on him.
Chonge said Masunungure barked accusations of witchcraft against her after he found a needle dumped at the doorstep of his house in Makokoba suburb where they were staying together.
She revealed this at the Bulawayo Civil Court where Masunungure was seeking a protection order against her claiming she was harassing him and constantly pestering him.
“I am applying for a protection order against Moreblessing Chonge who is my ex-girlfriend. She is violent and she constantly insults me with vulgar language in front of neighbours. She is coming to my house without my permission demanding money,” complained Masunungure before passionately asking the presiding magistrate Adelaide Mbeure to stop her from doing so.
Chonge refuted her ex-lover’s claims saying his application for a protection order was just a plot to stop her from visiting his place after he reneged on a promise to marry her.
“He is my husband. We started staying together from September 2018 to December 2019. Although he didn’t pay lobola for me the time we stayed together qualifies me to be his wife. This was also after he promised to marry me before we moved in together. When he chucked me out of his house, he said his son was the one who didn’t want me to stay there. I never insulted him as he has claimed,” responded Chonge.
She added: “Our problems started after he spotted a needle at the doorstep and he suspected that it was muthi I wanted to use on him. Surprisingly on 31 December he invited me to his house to spend the night with him and I agreed. The following day as a token of appreciation he gave me R50 saying I should go and buy food.”
Chonge further said on the day in question, when she got to his house, Masunungure sneaked her in through the back door so that his son would not see her.
In her ruling the magistrate granted the protection order in favour of Masunungure. She ordered Chonge not to verbally and physically harass her ex-lover or threaten him in any way.
By A Correspondent- Former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) member and MDC-T Bulawayo senator, Matson Hlalo is at the centre of an assassination plot after two brothers sued him over threats to hire a hitman from South Africa to kill them following a protracted wrangle over a mining licence in Ntabazinduna.
Mkhanyeli Masuku and Mbiko Masuku claimed Hlalo threatened to shoot them as punishment for refusing to renew his contract at Chen Mine.
The duo claimed the top politician also threatened to enlist the services of some officials from the President’s Office to “decisively deal with them”.
Fearing for their lives, the two brothers approached the Bulawayo Civil Court seeking a protection order against the ex-senator.
In their separate affidavits they alleged that they were now living in extreme fear after Hlalo threatened to teach them a lesson “they would never forget”.
“I know Matson Hlalo as someone whom we once contracted to mine at my workplace at Chen Mine situated in Ntabazinduna Khoce A and B. Our contract with him has since expired. He is now threatening to shoot me with his gun because I refused to renew his contract. He is also threatening to hire thugs and a hitman from South Africa to assassinate me.
“He said he is connected with the CIO and he can use them to deal with me. He said as a respected politician he wants to teach me a lesson as a small boy. He also goes around peddling lies to my brother and father, something which has since destroyed my relationship with them.
“I now pray for a protection order to stop him from peddling lies against me, coming to my workplace and home in Jabulani Line in Ntabazinduna,” reads part of Mkhanyeli’s affidavit which was also being supported by that of his brother Mbiko.
Through their lawyer Dumisani Dube, of Mathonsi Law Chambers Mkhanyeli and Mbiko stated that court officials also received threats from third parties who are suspected to be Hlalo’s emissaries.
“These threats to official members are being investigated by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Chief Magistrate as well as by Judge President. The President’s Office has also been advised of those members of the CIO who could be abusing their authority and there is no harm that respondent should be ordered to keep peace with the applicants,” Dube said.
He said if there were any differences among the parties due process of the law should be followed so that law and order is maintained and preserved in society.
In response, Hlalo through his lawyer Nqobani Sithole of Ncube Attorneys dismissed the accusations levelled against him adding that the two brothers through their application for a protection order they were flagrantly abusing the court process.
“This is a classic case of abuse of court process. It is clear from the applicants that they have been trying to perpetuate a certain agenda,” Ncube said.
He added: “The first applicant (Mkhanyeli Masuku) has stated that respondent has threatened to shoot him with a gun because he refused to renew the contract. We are being told a lie. He is not part of the Chen Syndicate at all. He doesn’t have the power to renew or cancel the licence. He is a stranger from the coast with an inflated ego.
“As if that is not enough in his prayer, he prays for a protection order stopping respondent from coming to his workplace, residential place and the whole of Jabulani Line in Ntabazinduna and from peddling lies.
“He is no longer praying that he be protected from the threats of being shot. It is the same thing that happens with second applicant (Mbiko Masuku) who says he refused to renew a contract.”
He further said the two brothers were not part of the mine in question. Bulawayo magistrate Nomasiko Ndlovu who presided over the matter subsequently dismissed i
State Media|The Zimbabwe Republic Police has arrested seven people, believed to be in the business of making and supplying machetes to robbers.
They were arrested during raids conducted at Siya-So home industrial area in Mbare where 31 machetes were recovered.
Information gathered by The Herald revealed that the machetes prices ranged from US$6 to US$10 each. National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi
In an interview, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said on Thursday, the police carried out raids at Siya-so and Matapi areas in Mbare where they arrested seven suspects.
“Yesterday we conducted raids at Siya-so and Matapi where seven accused persons were arrested for selling machetes to the machete gangs. We recovered 31 machetes,” he said.
Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said some of the suspects escaped during the raid.
Police, however, has, for the next three months prohibited the carrying of weapons by members of the public, as use of the dangerous weapons in criminal activities surges.
Assistant Commissioner Nyathi urged the public to take heed of the prohibition notices in their respective areas.
Failure to comply with the order, Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said, will render one guilty of an offence that attracts a jail term.
“In accordance with Section (4) (1) of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA) Chapter 11:23, Officers Commanding Police Districts also known as regulating authorities have now prohibited the carrying, whether openly or by concealment, in public places or public thoroughfares or public display of catapults, machetes, axes, knobkerries, swords, knives, stones or daggers or items capable of use as weapons and likely to occasion public disorder or a breach of peace,” he said. Herald
“Here in Gwanda, they (machete boys) are known and they (the police) go with them, with the police, they are working for them, they are working for those same police who bring them. If you talk to those machete boys they tell you we’ve got a backup you can’t do anything…,” elderly miner reveals
"Here in Gwanda, they (machete boys) are known and they (the police) go with them, with the police, they are working for them, they are working for those same police who bring them. If you talk to those machete boys they tell you we've got a backup you can't do anything…" pic.twitter.com/iV8G10S5cx
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has just approved the adjustment of transaction fees upwards by Zimbabwe’s largest mobile money operator, EcoCash.
According to reliable sources this approval has been granted this very afternoon. We are yet to get our hands on the new transaction fee schedule. Our sources have informed that EcoCash will effect the new fees starting on Monday the 27th of January. If you are observant about how much you are charged when you transact you may notice the new fees even before Monday.
Transacting in electronic money is becoming way too expensive especially because of the 2% government tax that is levied on virtually every dollar that moves electronically. Zimbabweans have no way out of these high costs because the country is basically cashless, not by design but the country just doesn’t have cash.
We will update you as soon as we have the new transaction fees.
Own Correspondent|A miner in Gwanda has told ZimEye.com that members of the Zimbabwe Police Services are responsible for bringing into and out of the area Mashurugwi machete thugs during the night before appearing during the day to hunt for the same Mashurugwi they worked with at night.
In an exclusive interview, a mine manager at a mine which was ransacked by the police on Tuesday on claims that it was housing the thugs, Malaki Sibanda, said that Gwanda has not at all produced any machete thugs except those that are brought in by the police.
Tino Kadewere became the country’s most expensive player after completing his move to French top-flight side Lyon from second-tier side Le Havre AC for a reported €15 million deal.
HAC confirmed Wednesday that the two teams have agreed terms but Kadewere will be loaned back until the end of the season.
The Warriors star is expected to complete medicals today before the official unveiling.
After this move, Kadewere becomes the most expensive player in Zimbabwe eclipsing Marvelous Nakamba of Aston Villa.
Nakamba joined the English Premier League side Villa from Club Brugge in Belgium for a deal around €12 million.
Kadewere’s market value rose significantly following his exploits at HAC – where he scored 18 goals in 20 matches.
On December 23 last year, H-Metro Sport revealed that Lyon had made an approach for Kadewere with an initial bid of €7 million which was rejected by HAC.
Interests from other clubs across Europe, including the English Premiership, then delayed the conclusion of the move until Wednesday’s announcement.
Kadewere is currently the leading scorer in the Domino Ligue 2.
Some of the Zimbabwean footballers who held the most expensive footballer record before Kadewere and Nakamba are former Warriors captain Benjani Mwaruwari, Peter Ndlovu and Knowledge Musona.
Benjani joined Manchester City, from Portsmouth on February 5, 2008, on a £3.87 million two-and-a-half-year deal – equivalent to €4,5 million.
The deal had a clause that the transfer fee was set to rise to £7.6 million – about €8,6 million – in the event the Zimbabwean made 75 senior starts for City, which he failed.
Peter Ndlovu, the first on-field Zimbabwean player to play in England, made history back in 1997 when he joined Birmingham City from Coventry for £1,6 million (about €2,25 million).
Warriors captain Knowledge Musona is fourth on list after his move to TSG Hoffenheim in Bundesliga from Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa cost €1, 50 million.
Tino Kadewere January 22, 2020 Le Havre AC (France) to Lyon (France) €15 million
Marvelous Nakamba August 1, 2019 Club Brugge (Belgium) to Aston Villa (England) €12 million
Benjani Mwaruwari February 5 2008 Portsmouth (England) to Manchester City (England) €4,5 million
Peter Ndlovu July 1997 Coventry City (England) to Birmingham City (England) €2,25 million
Knowledge Musona July 2011 Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa) to TSG Hoffenheim (Germany) €1,50 million
December 2014 HSG Hoffeinheim (Germany) to KV Oostende (Belgium) undisclosed fee
May 2018 KV Oostende (Belgium) to Anderlecht (Belgium) undisclosed fee
Khama Billiat August 2013 Ajax Cape Town (South Africa) to Mamelodi Sundowns FC (South Africa) €690 000
January 1, 2018 Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) to Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa) Free transfer
Own Correspondent|A Nigerian man, Maazị Chuka Nduneeseokwu has taken to Facebook to post an article he wrote concerning how the U.S government asked the Zimbabwean government to return their lands to white farmers. He wrote thus;
Zimbabwe can only get the US support and lift economic sanctions if they reverse its disputed land reform programme.
A startling disclosure has emanated from Monday’s Dirco symposium. Authorities representing Zimbabwe at the event responded to reports that the U.S government had to lift sanctions against the country if president Emmerson Mnangagwa broached the subject regarding the 2000 land reform program.
Zanu-pf’s efforts to redistribute land in Zimbabwe, during the Mugabe-era legislation sparked a period of chaos and violence when white farm owners were pushed out of their property. The controversial law casts brought about a dramatic economic decline in Zimbabwe.
Nevertheless, Mnangagwa has not been any nicer than his predecessor. The president has twice ordered a military crackdown on his own citizens since 2017, and he has overseen another drastic rise in food and gas prices. Note-worthy is the tough stance of Mnangagwa which stays the same as on the properties confiscated from the white settlers.
The Zimbabwe ambassador to south-Africa told the Dirco event that the U.S wants the property returned to those who owned it at the turn of the century. The president’s decisions are firm regarding the land, according to David Hamadzripi – a stance reaffirmed by them on Monday afternoon.
Mnangagwa also urged Zimbabweans based in Africa to “return home and help their country” during the 2019 gbf summit in Dubai. He candidly told the audience that the country is now open to business citing mining and agriculture as their two most profitable industries.
Meanwhile, Dirco Minister, Naledi Pandor, from South Africa called on SADC to press for their international partners to lift sanctions against Zimbabwe. Even though the U.S has set stringent terms of the agreement, Pandor thinks it’s time to aid Zimbabwe to help itself.
It seems clear that even as we support the call for an end to economic sanctions, the political dynamics are inextricably linked to the economy, and thus, should be confronted simultaneously.”
“SADC may need to go beyond the resolution we adopted and engage those who have imposed sanctions to agree on lifting sanctions to support the recovery of sectors such as health, agriculture and education.” He said.
A few facts which the ordinary African might neglect is that the lands in question here belong to the people of Zimbabwe. The White settlers were Europeans who came to Africa during colonialism and possessed lands which belong to indigenous people.
For most of the cases, the lands were neither bought nor rented from the real owners. The British, together with Cecil Rhode’s British South African company, were the ones who came to Zimbabwe and took their lands while committing all manner of human rights abuses.
For America to be asking Zimbabwe to return the lands, simply means they are endorsing the land grab that happened all over Africa. It simply means human rights (in its true form and meaning) does not mean anything to them.
A sanction is the latest tool in warfare against Africa, and other nations who refuse to do the bidding of the West. As time unfolds, we hope that Zimbabwe will look inside and build healthy ties with African nations and others, to better their economy.
The land is Zimbabwe’s. Zimbabwe should keep their lands and America should do the right thing and stand for the “Justice and human rights” they claim to be installed in the world.
By Shylette Chipangura|Zim government intentional abandonment of the health system is a form of genocide The incapacitation of the public health system in Zimbabwe is something that should concern all of us.
The situation is as follows: On the one hand are the massively underpaid doctors who have on numerous occasions withdrawn their labour because they simply cannot afford to go to work what with the pittance they receive from this government.
And on the other hand the hospitals themselves are so underfunded that patients have to bring their own bandages, test tubes etcetera to receive care.
What makes the delivery of care even worse is that hospitals are mired by power cuts and poor access to clean water. Imagine a surgeon trying to remove an appendix with no electricity and no anaesthetic for the patient. It’s like we are back to the 19th century were people received surgery while using a bottle of whisky as anaesthetic.
But all these things are happening not because of some supernatural occurrence that is beyond human intervention, NO! They are happening because the public healthcare system is massively underfunded.
Why? Well, the money for health care is there but this government simply does not care.
Mnangagwa is not moved by human suffering and there is lots of evidence to prove this. Recently, he made jokes about eating vegetables in response to people who were complaining about price hikes in meat. He simply does not care.
And when he and his ministers need healthcare they use millions of the public funds to fly abroad. So the money is there, but this government is intentionally depriving people of decent health care by withholding funds. It’s a silent genocide.
If it weren’t for the NGOs, charities and compassionate clinicians who are offering their services free of charge, the country would be full of mass graves. In acknowledgement of this dire situation, the MDC Reading Branch organised a demonstration and fundraiser in Reading Town in the UK, to raise money for basic medical amenities for the people of Zimbabwe.
We could not just sit back and watch our people suffering in silence. We know in Zimbabwe if people want to demonstrate against anything that this government is going they will get beaten up, abducted or killed. We are also aware that if the MDC try to raise funds and demonstrate in Zimbabwe the government is not allowing them and carried out raids in their offices for even thinking about doing such a thing.
Nevertheless, we went ahead with our demo and raised awareness of the dire situation to the British public who showed great interest to help. We also made our message clear to them that this problem was a result of the Zimbabwean government intentionally abandoning public health in a manner akin to a silent genocide.
See below for some of the pictures from demo. Thee money raised will be used to buy bandages, test tubes, surgical gloves, antiseptic creams and various other basic medical amenities. This is our modest contribution in an effort to help. Our resources are limited but every little helps and these things make a huge difference in people’s lives. Donations and handover of the medical amenities will be publicised.
A 54-year-old man from a village under Chief Masunda in Zvishavane has appeared before the courts on rape charges, after he allegedly sexually assaulted a 38-year-old woman, who is a mental patient.
Darlington Moyo pleaded not guilty to the charge when he appeared before Zvishavane magistrate Archie Wochiunga and he was remanded in custody for trial.
Representing the State, prosecutor Lloyd Mavhiza told the court that on a date not known to the prosecutor but during the month of September last year, the complainant was fetching firewood in the bush.
“The complainant left home to fetch firewood in a nearby bush.
While still in the bush, she then met the accused who forced himself on her without her consent,” said Mavhiza.
After raping her, the court heard, Moyo later threatened to kill her if she reported what had happened.
“The matter, however, came to light after the complainant became pregnant and her mother inquired how it had happened.
“The complainant narrated what had transpired to her mother and the matter was reported to the police leading to Moyo’s arrest,” he said.-B-Metro
Herentals will launch an appeal today against the Premier Soccer League’s disciplinary judgement on the match-fixing case involving the club.
The Students were found guilty of manipulating the outcome of their 3-0 win over Black Rhinos in October last year.
The result was forfeited, leaving the side with no enough points to avoid the relegation.
Herentals was also fined ZW 300 000 while team manager Oliver Chirenga who “masterminded” the plan was handed a 10-year ban from all football activities and also fined $20 000.
The club’s secretary-general Fainos Madhumbu has confirmed to Herald that they are appealing the judgement.
“We are appealing to Zifa this afternoon. This judgment is worrisome and it looks like the judgment is based on assumptions because there was no evidence presented by complainant. In all fairness, this vindictive judgment has to be overturned,” said Madhumbu.-Soccer 24
By Charles Dzimwasha| Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) Spokesperson, Godfrey ‘Chief’ Koti has been embroiled in a string of workplace romance that led to his live-in girlfriend Shuvai Murumbi nearly exchanging blows with fellow workmates over the towering former radio personality.
Koti, whose appointment to head the ZTA Marketing department was heavily linked to her un-unsavory relationship with former tourism minister, Prisca Mupfumira, the ex-radio presenter, according to sources, has been marketing his appetite for women.
Among the ladies that Koti allegedly bedded at ZTA include one Paida and Mitchel, all who work at the country’s tourism marketing hub.
“There was a near fight last week when Shuvai found out that Koti was bedding several girls at the institution among them Paida and Mitchell,” said the source.
In a bid to pacify the live-in girlfriend, of late Koti has been putting pictures of himself and Shuvai on his WhatsApp status.
Shuvai is President Mnangagwa’s ex daughter in law and works as ZTA public relations executive.
“Shuvai even gave Koti the white Mercedes Benz he drives around,” said the source.
Koti left Zimpapers to join ZTA and rose the current position amid allegations that he was having an uneasy relationship with Mupfumira. The Zimbabwe Ati Corruption Commission last year quizzed Koti on how he got the job as well as allegations that he was being fronted by the disgraced minister in her nefarious activities.
Among the allegations from ZACC was that he did not have qualifications for the job he had been appointed to by Mupfumira.
Attempts to reach Koti were fruitless as his mobile number went unanswered while a text massage to him was not responded to.
Farai Dziva| Former Warriors striker Joel Luphahla has found a new club after leaving TelOne following its relegation at the end of last season.
Lupahla served as the technical director of the Wifi Boys, a position he assumed after failing to get the required qualifications to coach the team during its one-season stay in the Castle lager Premier Soccer League.
He is now the new coach of Division Two side Golden Eagles which is owned by Berry Manandi and Mike Madoda.
A FUMING woman from Bulawayo’s Entumbane suburb scalded her husband with cooking oil after she stumbled on raunchy love messages on her husband’s phone which were allegedly from his lover.
The court heard that Trevor Moyo (45) who was visibly drunk got home at around 11pm last week on Friday and slept in their matrimonial bedroom.
Being suspicious that her husband was cheating on her, Sithembile Moyo (34) took his phone and browsed through the messages.
It is said she bumped onto something that she did not expect — a string of love messages from his girlfriend. One of the messages, the court heard, was thanking him for a “sex well done job”.
The court heard that after seeing the love messages the woman charged at her husband and woke him up.
A fierce argument ensued between the two and at the height of it Sithembile, the court heard, grabbed her husband’s genitals and twisted them much to his agony. She left him lying on the floor.
But she was not done with him yet. She allegedly boiled cooking oil.
The court heard that her hubby sensed danger and followed her in the kitchen and he found her taking off a pan with cooking oil from the stove.
The court was told she tried to pour it over her husband’s face but the alert Trevor swiftly moved his face and it splashed on his chest and arms.
He suffered severe injuries and was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital. The matter was reported to police leading to her arrest.
She appeared before magistrate Lizwe Jamela facing an assault charge.
She pleaded not guilty.
“I stumbled on love messages, one of the messages a lady was thanking him for being a sexual tiger and sexually satisfying her and for being a caring man. I was angered by that, that is why I had to act in that manner,” she said.
She was remanded out of custody to next week on Monday for continuation of trial.
Farai Dziva|Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union (ARTUZ) says no learning is no learning is taking place in schools because teachers are incapacitated.
See statement below :
23/01/2020
We are happy to announce that our members have managed to maintain our stance of not reporting for duty until the government heed our call for a living wage. The incapacitation of our members and the rest of teachers cannot be solved by draconian labour laws that force them to report for duty within 14 days.
As Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, (ARTUZ) we have noted that the government is not taking our salary issue with seriousness, therefore we will register our discontent to the employer through peaceful street protests, our constitutional right as workers.
We congratulate our members and other teachers for withstanding the threats of victimization by the employer.
Parents sacrifice paying school fees in full for their kids in these harsh economic times, only to be let down by a government that is deliberately failing to provide it’s mandated service like education.
This act of wickedness to learners by the responsible government ministries need an urgent approach from all progressive Zimbabweans who have kids in schools to force the employer to pay a living wage to teachers.
It is time both teachers and parents unite, and question Professor Mthuli Ncube’s Transitional Stabilisation Programme Reforms Agenda, on page 270, where he lied to the citizens of Zimbabwe that his policy will prioritize the education sector in tandem with the Education Sector Strategic Plan to 2020, Sustainable Development Goal number 4 and also in line with the aspirations of the African Union on education, wherein focus is on harnessing the demographic dividend, addressing educational needs of marginalized groups ensuring that noone is left behind.
The propaganda propelled by school administrators sending wrong statistics of teachers attendences to district education offices and public service commission, pretending as if learning is taking place in schools is a sign of cruelty to innocent learners.
This must stop immediately. The employer and all education stakeholders must know that, no learning is taking place in schools because teachers are highly demotivated by peanut salaries.
ARTUZ INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
+263775438618/776129336/
775643192
Farai Dziva|Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union (ARTUZ) says no learning is no learning is taking place in schools because teachers are incapacitated.
See statement below :
23/01/2020
We are happy to announce that our members have managed to maintain our stance of not reporting for duty until the government heed our call for a living wage. The incapacitation of our members and the rest of teachers cannot be solved by draconian labour laws that force them to report for duty within 14 days.
As Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, (ARTUZ) we have noted that the government is not taking our salary issue with seriousness, therefore we will register our discontent to the employer through peaceful street protests, our constitutional right as workers.
We congratulate our members and other teachers for withstanding the threats of victimization by the employer.
Parents sacrifice paying school fees in full for their kids in these harsh economic times, only to be let down by a government that is deliberately failing to provide it’s mandated service like education.
This act of wickedness to learners by the responsible government ministries need an urgent approach from all progressive Zimbabweans who have kids in schools to force the employer to pay a living wage to teachers.
It is time both teachers and parents unite, and question Professor Mthuli Ncube’s Transitional Stabilisation Programme Reforms Agenda, on page 270, where he lied to the citizens of Zimbabwe that his policy will prioritize the education sector in tandem with the Education Sector Strategic Plan to 2020, Sustainable Development Goal number 4 and also in line with the aspirations of the African Union on education, wherein focus is on harnessing the demographic dividend, addressing educational needs of marginalized groups ensuring that noone is left behind.
The propaganda propelled by school administrators sending wrong statistics of teachers attendences to district education offices and public service commission, pretending as if learning is taking place in schools is a sign of cruelty to innocent learners.
This must stop immediately. The employer and all education stakeholders must know that, no learning is taking place in schools because teachers are highly demotivated by peanut salaries.
ARTUZ INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
+263775438618/776129336/
775643192
23/01/2020 We are happy to announce that our members have managed to maintain our stance of not reporting for duty until the government heed our call for a living wage.
The incapacitation of our members and the rest of teachers cannot be solved by draconian labour laws that force them to report for duty within 14 days.
As Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, (ARTUZ) we have noted that the government is not taking our salary issue with seriousness, therefore we will register our discontent to the employer through peaceful street protests, our constitutional right as workers.
We congratulate our members and other teachers for withstanding the threats of victimization by the employer.
Parents sacrifice paying school fees in full for their kids in these harsh economic times, only to be let down by a government that is deliberately failing to provide it’s mandated service like education.
This act of wickedness to learners by the responsible government ministries need an urgent approach from all progressive Zimbabweans who have kids in schools to force the employer to pay a living wage to teachers.
It is time both teachers and parents unite, and question Professor Mthuli Ncube’s Transitional Stabilisation Programme Reforms Agenda, on page 270, where he lied to the citizens of Zimbabwe that his policy will prioritize the education sector in tandem with the Education Sector Strategic Plan to 2020, Sustainable Development Goal number 4 and also in line with the aspirations of the African Union on education, wherein focus is on harnessing the demographic dividend, addressing educational needs of marginalized groups ensuring that noone is left behind.
The propaganda propelled by school administrators sending wrong statistics of teachers attendences to district education offices and public service commission, pretending as if learning is taking place in schools is a sign of cruelty to innocent learners.
This must stop immediately. The employer and all education stakeholders must know that, no learning is taking place in schools because teachers are highly demotivated by peanut salaries.
ARTUZ INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
+263775438618/776129336/
775643192
By Jane Mlambo| Rauncy dancer, Beverly Sibanda who was married a UK based doctor has taken to social media showing pregnancy test results which reveals she is not pregnant.
The controversial dancer who has never shied away from controversy says could be heard in the video singing Ammara Brown’s song Svoto while displaying the pregnancy test results and a receipt from the pharmacy
By Staff Reporter- Wife to vice President Constantino Chiwenga, Marry has won her High Court appeal to gain the custody of their three children and access to the couple’s Borrowdale home.
In a ruling attached below, the court ruled that the custody of children be restored to Marry.
The respondent is hereby ordered to restore the custody of the minor children namely Tendai Dominique Chiwenga born 4 November 2011, Christian Tawanazororo Chiwenga Born 15 November 2012 and Michael Alexander Chiwenga born 13 February 2014 to the custody of the applicant within twenty four hours of this order.
Chiwenga was also barred from interfering with Marry’s access to the Borrowdale home where she had been locked out since their fall-out.
This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest updates.
By A Correspondent- The government of Zimbabwe has with immediate effect suspended the issuance of fishing licences in Lake Kariba citing overfishing in the Lake.
The development was confirmed by Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo who revealed that kapenta fishing rigs in the Lake now exceeded the recommended number.
He said:
We can confirm that registration of new kapenta rigs will no longer be approved. The rigs which are operating in Lake Kariba have reached the maximum required number.
We have already passed the 500 kapenta fishing rigs threshold which means 275 rigs on the Zimbabwean side and 225 on the Zambian side. We have already passed that limit. This has led to overfishing of the resources.
Jane Mlambo| Estranged wife of vice President Constantino Chiwenga, Marry has won his High Court appeal to gain the custody of their three children.
In a ruling attached below, the court ruled that the custody of children be restored to Marry.
The respondent is hereby ordered to restore the custody of the minor children namely Tendai Dominique Chiwenga born 4 November 2011, Christian Tawanazororo Chiwenga Born 15 November 2012 and Michael Alexander Chiwenga born 13 February 2014 to the custody of the applicant within twenty four hours of this order.
Chiwenga was also barred from interfering with Marry’s access to the Borrowdale home where she had been locked out since their fall-out.
Cholera is a killer disease. The community should be thoroughly oriented to fight against it.
During an epidemic always drink boiled water or add chlorine tablet to drinking water.
Always cover food…
Avoid cold and stale food available in the shops.
It is advisable to clean and boil utensils contaminated by stool and vomit of the patient.
The patient’s clothes must be washed and dried in strong sunlight to kill germs.
Maintain personal hygiene. Wash hands thoroughly after passing stool, before meals and after attending the sick.
General sanitary precautions to be taken by sprinkling disinfectants on the floor, anti-fly measures may be adopted and excreta should be disposed of properly.
Keep the surroundings clean to avoid flies.
Health education to be given to the adults and children as well as regarding the means to be adopted to guard against the cholera infection.
During festivals, special measures to be taken regarding drinking water, food preparation and sale, disposal of night soil etc.
Follow/like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
“The liberation of Gold Coast is meaningless unless the whole of Africa is liberated”, that was Kwameh Nkurumah, the visionary President of Ghana’s powerful statement emphasizing the priceless value of solidarity in the fight for freedom.
In this age, more than 60 years on the MDC and Zimbabweans in general find themselves confronted with the very same freedom question.
The importance of solidarity with those undersiege from Emmerson Mnangagwa’s military dictatorship must never be understated!
Just as Nkurumah said then, our freedoms as individuals and quest for democracy as citizens is meaningless unless we give solidarity to our fellow comrades who are facing persecution by prosecution from this military dictatorship.
Yes, as MDC solidarity is one of our key ideological pillars as social democrats!
Our National Vice Chairman, Job Sikhala is facing a trumped up treason trial from 03-07 February in Masvingo for calling for an end to this drudgery type of life imposed on us by Emmerson Mnangagwa.
It is not a secret – Mnangagwa and ZANU PF must be removed!
If calling for removal of Mnangagwa from power is our National Vice Chairman’s crime, without doubt solidarity during his lengthy trial supercedes everything!
An injury to one is an injury all!
We are the People, we are the Power!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDCYouthAssemblyNationalSpokesperson
Farai Dziva|The MDC Youth Assembly has urged its members to remain vigilant following the postponement of party chairperson Job Sikhala’s treason trial.
Sikhala’s trial that was scheduled for January 27-30 has been postponed to February 03-07.
The state has cited “lack of preparedness” to proceed with the matter as the reason for the postponement.
See the MDC Youth Assembly statement below :
“The liberation of Gold Coast is meaningless unless the whole of Africa is liberated”, that was Kwameh Nkurumah, the visionary President of Ghana’s powerful statement emphasizing the priceless value of solidarity in the fight for freedom.
In this age, more than 60 years on the MDC and Zimbabweans in general find themselves confronted with the very same freedom question.
The importance of solidarity with those undersiege from Emmerson Mnangagwa’s military dictatorship must never be understated!
Just as Nkurumah said then, our freedoms as individuals and quest for democracy as citizens is meaningless unless we give solidarity to our fellow comrades who are facing persecution by prosecution from this military dictatorship.
Yes, as MDC solidarity is one of our key ideological pillars as social democrats!
Our National Vice Chairman, Job Sikhala is facing a trumped up treason trial from February 03 to 07 in Masvingo for calling for an end to this drudgery type of life imposed on us by Emmerson Mnangagwa.
It is not a secret Mnangagwa and ZANU PF must be removed!
If calling for removal of Mnangagwa from power is our National Vice Chairman’s crime, without doubt solidarity during his lengthy trial supercedes everything!
An injury to one is an injury all!
We are the People, we are the Power!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDCYouthAssemblyNationalSpokesperson
Farai Dziva|The trial of MDC deputy chairperson Job Sikhala has been postponed to 03 – 07 February, the party has said.
The trial was scheduled for January 27-30.
“The Treason trial of the MDC Deputy National Chair Hon JobSikhala that was scheduled to kick off on Monday 27-31 January 2020 has been postponed to 03 – 07 February for the State has indicated its unpreparedness on the case,” said the Movement for Democratic Change in a statement.
It was at the time of writing believed the National Prosecuting Authority intends to cook up evidence against Sikhala having failed to prove a prima facie against him for treason.
The latest decision comes barely 3 days to his trial on allegations of subverting or attempting to overthrow a constitutional government.
This is a charge according to the State papers which emanates from a purported video downloaded from the Twitter account of one Jones Musara, a ZANU PF activist based in Toronto, Canada.
In the video aforesaid Jones Musara purports that Sikhala addressed people urging them to overthrow Mnangagwa.
A constitutional government is that which drives its authority from the governed through a free and fair election devoid of manipulation and fraud.
A number of ZANU PF activists and their surrogates were celebrating that the hour of Sikhala fix had come.
Sikhala has been arrested 63 times from 2000 to present. Records show he was never convicted on any case from rape to murder. All turned out to be persecutions disguised as prosecutions.
COMMENT AND ANALYSIS:
One good soul in this party of the deranged once said that the late Robert Mugabe was different from this clown we currently have among ourselves masquerading as a President.
Mugabe would not interfere with the judiciary. He would only interfere on matters that directly threatened his power, like the Presidential election petition challenging his legitimacy. That he would not mind how the judiciary deals with other matters outside threat to his power. So he goes on to say that, thats why the late Morgan Tsvangirai was acquitted on two crucial cases.
One when he threatened to remove Mugabe violently if he didn’t want to go peacefully.
The second one being the Ari Ben Manashe drama which was packaged as a Treason trial. He further says that our present clown phones directly Public Prosecutors and judiciary officers to give instructions.
The charge Sikhala is facing is a specie of Treason. It has a mandatory sentence of 20 years in prison without an option of a fine.
The demented ones in the club of fools, which ZANU PF people are, waffles that you deserve what you are getting because you were not supposed to say what you said. In the State papers the overzealous “unknown reward” seeking ignorant police officers say that by threatening to remove Mnangagwa from power Sikhala was seeking to change the hands of power before his term expires in 2023.
In the study of constitutionalism, an individual does not constitute a government. A government is constituted by its three branches, that is the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature. Mnangagwa is an individual who is not all that.
He can go today, the Executive may remain as constituted minus him, the Judiciary will remain the same, so is the Legislature. When individuals turn themselves into governments, you must know that, that country is cursed. And let it be known that Mnangagwa is not government. Government is instituted in terms of the constitution with its distinct branches.
Mnangagwa is not all that. He is just a Sherwood Farm fish farmer who occupies an office which is not defined to belong to him. It can be occupied by anyone if he perishes today.
So anyone in his or her perverted disposition who thinks that this trial is going to be sadza eating jamboree should take a strange dog for a wife.
Those extractors of the purported documentary from a ZANU PF malcontent living far away in Canada must be prepared for the nightmare of their lives.
We saw the overzealous ones during the Treason trial of Morgan Tsvangirai behaving as if everybody was borrowing the air we breath from them including Augustine Chihuri. When you meet them in streets today they look pathetic and deranged, with nothing to show for the bombastic self they were demonstrating during the material time. Since time immemorial, Sikhala has never received the level of solidarity, prayers and encouragement like what he is currently receiving. This is a demonstration that the people of Zimbabwe are not fools as envisaged by someone who encourages everyone to feed on vegetables daily until Kingdom comes.
Be reassured that gloves are off. The titanic battle has begun. In his life he has lost battles but not a war. This is a war, not a war for myself but for everyone who believes in a free and democratic Zimbabwe.
Farai Dziva|The trial of MDC deputy chairperson Job Sikhala has been postponed to 03 – 07 February, the party has said.
The trial was scheduled for January 27-30.
“The Treason trial of the MDC Deputy National Chair Hon JobSikhala that was scheduled to kick off on Monday 27-31 January 2020 has been postponed to 03 – 07 February for the State has indicated its unpreparedness on the case,” said the Movement for Democratic Change in a statement.
It was at the time of writing believed the National Prosecuting Authority intends to cook up evidence against Sikhala having failed to prove a prima facie against him for treason.
The latest decision comes barely 3 days to his trial on allegations of subverting or attempting to overthrow a constitutional government.
This is a charge according to the State papers which emanates from a purported video downloaded from the Twitter account of one Jones Musara, a ZANU PF activist based in Toronto, Canada.
In the video aforesaid Jones Musara purports that Sikhala addressed people urging them to overthrow Mnangagwa.
A constitutional government is that which drives its authority from the governed through a free and fair election devoid of manipulation and fraud.
A number of ZANU PF activists and their surrogates were celebrating that the hour of Sikhala fix had come.
Sikhala has been arrested 63 times from 2000 to present. Records show he was never convicted on any case from rape to murder. All turned out to be persecutions disguised as prosecutions.
COMMENT AND ANALYSIS:
One good soul in this party of the deranged once said that the late Robert Mugabe was different from this clown we currently have among ourselves masquerading as a President.
Mugabe would not interfere with the judiciary. He would only interfere on matters that directly threatened his power, like the Presidential election petition challenging his legitimacy. That he would not mind how the judiciary deals with other matters outside threat to his power. So he goes on to say that, that’s why the late Morgan Tsvangirai was acquitted on two crucial cases.
One when he threatened to remove Mugabe violently if he didn’t want to go peacefully.
The second one being the Ari Ben Manashe drama which was packaged as a Treason trial. He further says that our present clown phones directly Public Prosecutors and judiciary officers to give instructions.
The charge Sikhala is facing is a specie of Treason. It has a mandatory sentence of 20 years in prison without an option of a fine.
The demented ones in the club of fools, which ZANU PF people are, waffle that you deserve what you are getting because you were not supposed to say what you said. In the State papers the overzealous “unknown reward” seeking ignorant police officers say that by threatening to remove Mnangagwa from power Sikhala was seeking to change the hands of power before his term expires in 2023.
In the study of constitutionalism, an individual does not constitute a government. A government is constituted by its three branches, that is, the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature. Mnangagwa is an individual who is not all or any of that. He can go today, the Executive may remain as constituted minus him, the Judiciary will remain the same, so is the Legislature. When individuals turn themselves into governments, you must know that, that country is cursed. And let it be known that Mnangagwa is not government. Government is instituted in terms of the constitution with its distinct branches.
Mnangagwa is not all that. He is just a Sherwood Farm fish farmer who occupies an office which is not defined to belong to him. It can be occupied by anyone if he perishes today.
So anyone in his or her perverted disposition who thinks that this trial is going to be sadza eating jamboree should take a strange dog for a wife.
Those extractors of the purported documentary from a ZANU PF malcontent living far away in Canada must be prepared for the nightmare of their lives.
We saw the overzealous ones during the Treason trial of Morgan Tsvangirai behaving as if everybody was borrowing the air we breath from them including Augustine Chihuri. When you meet them in streets today they look pathetic and deranged, with nothing to show for the bombastic self they were demonstrating during the material time. Since time immemorial, Sikhala has never received the level of solidarity, prayers and encouragement like what he is currently receiving. This is a demonstration that the people of Zimbabwe are not fools as envisaged by someone who encourages everyone to feed on vegetables daily until Kingdom comes.
Be reassured that gloves are off. The titanic battle has begun. In his life he has lost battles but not a war. This is a war, not a war for myself but for everyone who believes in a free and democratic Zimbabwe.
By A Correspondent- Two sons to former Masvingo transport mogul Tanda Tavaruva who ran his fleet of buses under the name Mhunga bus company were reportedly involved in a near fatal accident along the Masvingo- Beitbridge highway last night.
The duo, were on their way from South Africa.
Read a statement doing the rounds which is yet to be confirmed by the police:
Ex, Masvingo bus and haulage transport magnet, Tanda Tavaruva’s two sons were last night involved in a near fatal and horrific accident while they were travelling from South Africa heading home.
Godfrey GT, Tavaruva and Shepherd Chikepe Tavaruva were ferried to Masvingo General Hospital. Godfrey broke his hip and is said to be in stable condition while his young brother Chikepe is in a critical condition.
A close relative said plans are underway to transfer Chikepe to Harare.
The two who were driving a Toyota Wish, side swapped with, a haulage truck that crossed into their lane while avoiding a hump near Stevens shops, along the Masvingo-Beit bridge road.”
The Tavaruvas remain a household name in the province following years of blissful bus and haulage transport business that eventually crumbled due to several factors including the economic collapse in the country.
By A Correspondent- MDC Deputy national chairperson Job Sikhala’s treason trial has been moved to February 3 2020.
The trial, which was supposed to kick off from Monday 27 January has been moved at the request of the state, which has indicated that their house is not yet in order.
Revealed Sikhala:
“My treason trial that was scheduled to kick off on Monday the 27th-31st of January 2020 has been moved to start on the 3rd of February to the 7th.
This has been on the request of the State has indicated that their house is not yet in order. I have instructed my legal team to accept the change of dates and observe what the State is really up to.”
LATE notorious armed robber Edmund Edgar Masendeke’s two siblings have been arrested by the police crack team targeting machete gang leaders after they allegedly assaulted and robbed a motorist of US$300 in Kwekwe last week .
The Masendeke brothers — Edward, Kudzai and two accomplices were arrested over the weekend after robbing a motorist (not named in police records) along the Kwekwe-Harare Highway.
They produced machetes, dragged the motorist out of the car before assaulting and robbing him of hard currency
National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi yesterday said he would get back to NewsDay after getting details of the case.
The case was reported at Kwekwe Central Police Station under RRB 4031491.
Allegations against the Masendeke brothers, Edward (42) of 449 B Section 6 and his sibling, Kudzai (26) of 180 Section 5 Mbizo suburb and their two accomplices, Lovemore Magorimbo (28) of Riffle Range Road Chegutu, Nesbert Banda (39) of Flat 4 D, Amaveni, Kwekwe, are that on January 11 at around 11:30am they followed the complainant who was driving a Honda Fit vehicle along the Kwekwe-Harare Highway.
He parked his vehicle at a truck inn. Before he disembarked, the robbers arrived in a Mercedes Benz with South African registration numbers.
They produced machetes and dragged the motorist out of the car, assaulted him and robbed him.
On Saturday, a police crack team hunting machete gang leaders received information that the four were involved in the armed robbery.
Acting on the tip-off they arrested Magorimbo who admitted that he, indeed, robbed the complainant and implicated Banda, leading to his arrest.
Banda also implicated Magorimbo and Edward.
He then led detectives to Edward’s hideout who also reportedly admitted committing the offence.
It was also discovered that all the suspects had been released from remand prison on bail last year on charges of murder and armed robbery.
It has emerged that Edward is on bail pending murder trial.
He had been on the run since 2013 and was arrested in September 2018 after he resurfaced at his elder brother Elson’s funeral.
Edward, together with accomplices Walter Mahofa and Justice Mukarati, allegedly assaulted Jonathan Mpofu and his siblings Ernest and the late Elson following a misunderstanding in a bar in 2013.
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) is deeply concerned with the various constitutional amendments that were recently proposed by the Zanu PF regime.
Indeed, despite all the grave concerns and strong reservations that were raised by many quarters of society, the raft of amendments were Gazetted on the 31st of December 2019 under Amendment 2 – HB23/2019.
The MDC is strongly opposed to the amendments since they are by and large a mere mutilation and an unjustifiable attack by the regime on an inclusive Constitution which represents fully, the varied political will of the people of Zimbabwe.
By so doing, the regime seeks to reverse the democratic gains of the 2013 Constitution by abusing its Parliamentary Majority to steam-roll the horrendous defacement of our people’s Constitution.
Of particular concern to the MDC are the proposed amendments which seek at their core, to unbridle key judicial and electoral safeguards as well as the integrity of important constitutional on institutions.
This tends to taint every other amendments included in the raft of amendments with the same mischief and as such, the entire raft must be rejected.
Firstly, the proposed amendments will allow the President to appoint judges and the Prosecutor General directly without the Judicial Services Commission conducting public interviews.
These proposals by the regime, are against both international and regional best practices which recommend rigorous interviewing and vetting processes to ensure that judicial appointments are according to merit.
As such, what is clear therefore is that the regime’s motivation for this lack of transparency is merely to place political puppets at the helm of our judiciary.
Secondly, the proposed amendments de-couples ZEC’s delimitation function from the population census held every 10 years. The MDC believes that the present clauses on delimitation are progressive and that the regime’s attempt to amend them is mischievous and show its lack of commitment to real electoral reform.
The removal of an elected Vice President as a running mate makes it quite clear that the sole motive of the raft of amendments is personal aggrandizement and the consolidation of internal factional politics by Emmerson Mnangagwa and nothing more. It stems from his illegitimate reign.
Indeed, what we may now be witnessing are the fruits of this illegitimacy in its full blaze.
It is ironic that its first victim is the judiciary which ensconced him in his illegitimate seat.
In his 2020 Agenda setting statement to the nation, the People’s President Advocate Nelson Chamisa highlighted that “the Constitutional amendments seek to restore the Imperial Presidency that we thought we had dealt with decisively in 2013 through the approval in the referendum of a new constitution…the call for alignment of the constitution must be stronger than before.”
Therefore, MDC as the custodian and true promoter of the people’s will, strongly objects to these proposed amendments and will actively resist them.
The MDC is thus calling upon all the people of Zimbabwe to rise up and start to actively resist this raft of proposed changes both during the so-called consultative process and also to utilise their varied means of expression to resist this move and render it illegitimate.
MDC: Change that Delivers
Kucaca Phulu (Secretary for Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs)
By Nomusa Garikai- The sight of Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF cronies kitted out with brooms and mops sweeping and mopping hospital grounds and wards provides the lazy reporter with a story. But in a country where unemployment has soared to nauseating heights of 90% the really story is why are the hospital wards and ground in such filthy conditions except for the odd occasion, the photo opportunity, when these politicians visit? Hundreds of thousands of University Graduates will happily take up the job as cleaners if only the regime would pay them a living wage!
In other words these public cleaning projects by our leaders are just gimmicks. If these men and women were spending their time and energy is solving the country’s worsening economic meltdown, which is their number one task, then our hospitals, schools, etc. would not be in such a deplorable state!
Worse still, our political system is broken so we, the people, have no meaningful say in the governance of the country. And so find ourselves stuck with leaders who rigged elections to stay in power but have no clue what to do to fix the country’s mounting problems!
Instead of finding solutions to the nation’s problems they are now competing in gimmick projections.
“We have not been participating in the national cleaning programme. Beginning this year, we are going to be part of government’s clean-up campaign. We are coming up with what is called Jekesa Zimbabwe.
“We are also going to launch the smart villages policy that will entail our model smart homesteads smart sources of energy solar for each rural home borehole per village infrastructure for villages, schools, bridges, etc.”
Zimbabwe is in this political and economic mess because the country’s political system is broken; we are stuck for 40 years and counting with an incompetent, corrupt and tyrannical Zanu PF regime. Zimbabwe is a pariah state ruled by corrupt and incompetent murderous tyrants and as long as it remains a pariah state there will be no hope of any meaningful economic recovery. None!
The people of Zimbabwe have risked life and limb to elect Chamisa and his MDC friends into power on the understanding they will bring about the democratic changes to end the Zanu PF dictatorship, the nation has been dying for all these years.
It is truly disheartening that not only has MDC failed to bring about even one democratic change in 20 years of the party’s existence but worse still it has now abandoned the cause of democratic change in favour of gimmick projects.
Zimbabwe does not need leaders to show them how to do something as basic as sweeping the floor; pay them and they will do it. What the country needs above all else is leaders who will repair the country’s broken political system, who will restore the people’s freedoms and rights including the right to a meaningful say in the governance of the country!
By A Correspondent| The music industry in Zimbabwe has seen the rise of new musicians, and Sandra Kudzayi Wayerera is one of the latest talents to emerge and grace the industry.
Wayerera (28), whose stage name is Miss Black, recorded and has recently released her debut album titled “Ruva Rangu”.
The album, which has five tracks some of which include Zvandinokudira, Ruva Rangu and Stay With Me, is set to rock the airwaves on the local music scene as the budding artist claims her niche in the industry.
One of the songs to watch out for on the new album is Stay with me which has a rich melody of lyrics expertly curated with a powerful African rhythm whose lyrics include……
“……ndinonzwa kumerera kana ukanditarisa, kana ukagara uri apa zvinhu zvinoendeka, ngaupfute moto usadzime bodo, i will never let this love fade away, negative energy get away……”
The album also boasts of a collection of 4 other impressive songs which were written by the budding musician.
A medical doctor by profession who doubles as a musician, Miss Black believes that music not only soothes the soul but it is that special language that every human being understands despite their age, race or language.
Tracing her musical journey, Dr Wayerera said:
“It all started at Devuli Primary school. For one to join the school choir, one was supposed to be in grade 5 but i was accepted when i was only in Grade 3.”
Youngest Chorist
It was however not an easy road as she had to prove her worth.
“I had broken tradition and joined the school choir when everyone else was told to wait and i became the youngest chorist. I was admitted and given the green light to sing with other pupils who were way older than me and for me this was a feat.
Miss Black, who currently works at Beitbridge General Hospital added:
“Everyone was surprised when i made it into the choir but i believe they saw something that I didn’t see back then, and they accepted me as a member of the choir. I had to prove my worth and i didn’t disappoint.”
The musical journey continued at St Emmanuel when she was in High school. Dr Wayerera said from 2000 to date, she has not stopped singing.
“Besides singing at school, i was also a member of our church choir. Singing for me was natural and I loved music so much.”
Her debut album “Ruva Rangu”, was inspired by the need to stand on her own two feet and showcase her talent besides expanding her musical career.
“Music defines me and this is why i write songs. I can relate to music and it also relates to everything that goes on around me. Lyrics just flow and i feel fulfilled through music.”
The Beginning
To date, Dr Wayerera has written several songs, 4 of which are set to be released in another album.
“I have faith that this is just the beginning. I am optimistic that i will expand my musical career from being a local, to a regional and to being an international artist.
I believe music is a special language that every human being understands and it soothes the soul when properly delivered to its audience.”
Further tracing her musical journey, Miss Black said she has grown from being a mere vocalist to a budding artist.
“When i started recording in 2018, I was just putting vocals for different artists at New Rules Entertainment under a multi talented producer called Fungayi Paradzai aka Fun F.
In 2019, that’s when this producer sat with me and he encouraged me to embark on my own music career.”
Miss Black was however reluctant to take the advice.
“I agreed to do it but I was so nervous to start music in a professional way because I knew it would need me to go an extra mile if not miles.”
Her current manager Pamella Nyabadza came in handy and also encouraged her to pursue her dreams and record the album.
“Nyabadza believed in me when I was just starting and i was in my infancy. Like any other new kid on the block, there is that element of doubt, but my manager encouraged me. I am thankful for all the support that i am getting from her.”
Besides singing, Miss Black is also a businesswoman.
The eldest sibling in a family of two, the rising artist is originally from Bindura, although she grew up in Birchenough Bridge before she moved to Beitbridge where she is working as a medical doctor at Beitbridge General Hospital.
By A Correspondent- Acting President Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife, Marry Mubaiwa, gained custody of the couple’s three children on Friday last week, as part of an initially agreed out-of-court settlement, which was, however, aborted after the former army chief made a dramatic volte-face on Monday.
Family sources said there were negotiations between the Chiwenga and Mubaiwa families for an out-of-court settlement of their nasty divorce case in which the two are washing dirty linen in public, accusing each other of violence, drug abuse and witchcraft. The custody of the three minor children is one of the issues at the center of the raging divorce case.
Chiwenga last week claimed he took the children out of the country on holiday in 2019 after he found them highly traumatized by what he described as his wife’s witchcraft practices.
According to insiders, the two families held negotiations throughout the day on Friday via an emissary only identified as Mupostori Shumba, who is said to have been asked to mediate by Chiwenga’s friends, among them, tycoon Kuda Tagwirei, who do not want their names tarnished in court.
Tagwirei has already been sucked into the matter after Marry indicated that one of the cars they are wrangling over, a top-of-the-range Mercedes-Benz S600 sedan, was bought by the fuel mogul.
Mupostori Shumba, sources said, was chosen as the mediator because he is also well-known to the Mubaiwas. The source said Mupostori Shumba spent the better part of last Friday shuttling between Chiwenga’s secretive Borrowdale house, where he has been staying since his return from a complex medical procedure in China in November last year, and the Mubaiwas.
“He (the mediator) first went to Chiwenga’s new residence before he met Marry and her family at a house in Newlands. All negotiations were conducted through him. He practically spent the whole day moving up and down,” a source said.
“As of Friday night, there was an agreement for an out-of-court settlement and, as part of that, Chiwenga had agreed to let Marry have custody of the children which is now the case. Basically, Marry wanted the general to first withdraw the criminal charges levelled against her and to agree on a property-sharing plan,” the source said. “
The impression we got from Mupostori Shumba was that Chiwenga was amenable to that arrangement as well. Marry actually said that it was not originally in her plans to divorce and say all the nasty things in public but she felt that since he had started it all, she had to respond in kind.
“So at the end of the day everyone thought progress had been made, only for us to get the shock of our lives when his lawyer on Monday told newspapers that Chiwenga was itching for a showdown with her in court,” the source added.
“There are suspicions that may have been influenced by some of his friends between Friday night and Monday to have a change of heart, from the look of things, which is very unfortunate considering the plight of the children in the whole drama.”
The source further said the warring parties had even agreed to allow their lawyers to work on a deed of settlement and finalise it in seven days.
“The negotiations ended with an agreement to allow lawyers from both parties to work on a deed of settlement which was supposed to be deliberated on by both parties over the weekend, but everything now appears to be in jeopardy,” the source said.
Last week, Marry, who was in the company of her lawyer Advocate Taona Nyamakura, appeared before High Court judge Justice Christopher Dube-Banda but the matter was not deliberated on after the parties agreed to attempt to settle the matter out of court.
Marry is claiming an equivalent of US$40 000 per month as maintenance for her upkeep and a total of US$7 500 per month for her three children, which money she said should be paid at the interbank rate.
Besides the claim of monthly maintenance, Marry also said her husband should be ordered to pay for the family’s holidays, school and medical expenses and casual clothes, all running into thousands of United States dollars.
Own Correspondent|China is currently embroiled in a huge battle to contain a new coronavirus outbreak that has killed 26 people and infected at least 830, placing restrictions on 10 cities Hubei province – the centre of the outbreak.
More than 20.5 million people are living in the cities affected, some of which have suspended public transport amid fears that the transmission rate will accelerate as hundreds of millions of Chinese travel for the Lunar New Year.
Health authorities around the world are taking action to prevent a global pandemic, with cases reported in Japan, Thailand, South Korea and the United States.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged that the respiratory illness, which has been traced to the city of Wuhan, is an emergency in China but said it is too early to declare a global health emergency.
Russia has in the meantime taken the first step to act on the virus by suspending flights from Moscow to Wuhan over fears about the spread of the coronavirus, Interfax news agency cited an unnamed source as saying.
A search on Aeroflot Russian Airlines’ website appeared to show no flights between Moscow and Wuhan were running.
Japan has raised its infectious disease advisory level for China’s Hubei province to 3, telling its citizens not to take any trips there due to the outbreak.
Earlier on Friday, Japan confirmed a second case of the new coronavirus.
Cases of the new coronavirus in the United Kingdom are highly likely, one of the country’s top health bosses said.
“I think it’s highly likely that we will have cases in the UK,” Professor Paul Cosford, emeritus medical director of Public Health England, told the BBC.
“We do have a whole range of plans ready to go when that is the case and these are being implemented now,” he said.
Hong Kong’s hospitals are nearing full capacity as the semi-autonomous territory deals with the coronavirus outbreak.
The director of Hong Kong’s hospital authority said 97 percent of beds were occupied and a spike was expected after the Lunar New Year.
Two cases were confirmed in Hong Kong on Friday, while Al Jazeera’s Adrian Brown, reporting from Hong Kong, said there are more than 200 suspected cases.
Singapore has confirmed two more cases of the new coronavirus, the city state’s health ministry said.
The ministry said it expected more imported cases because of high travel volume from China.
Singapore’s tally of confirmed cases is now three.
China rushes to build 1,000-bed hospital in Wuhan
China is rushing to build a new hospital in a staggering 10 days to treat patients of the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, state media reported.
The 1,000-bed, 25,000-square-foot facility is expected to be in use by February 3 to serve the rising number of patients.
In 2003, China erected a hospital on Beijing’s rural outskirts in barely a week to cater to a rapidly rising number of patients suffering from SARS.
Shanghai’s Disneyland resort will be closed from Saturday to help prevent the spread of the virus, the theme parks’s operator said.
“In response to the prevention and control of the disease outbreak and in order to ensure the health and safety of our guests and Casts, Shanghai Disney Resort is temporarily closing Shanghai Disneyland, Disneytown,” it said on its website.
“We will continue to carefully monitor the situation and … announce the reopening date upon confirmation.”
China is on a seven-day Lunar New Year holiday starting Friday, a period when Shanghai Disney park would usually be packed with tourists.
Regional airline cancels flights to and from Wuhan AirAsia, one of the leading regional airlines in Asia, cancelled on Friday all flights to and from the city of Wuhan, following the Chinese government’s decision to put the city under lockdown.
“The move is meant to assist in controlling the current Wuhan novel coronavirus outbreak situation and comply with Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) requirements,” the airline said in a statement.
According to Reuters news agency, at least 10 cities around Wuhan have also been placed on lockdown, as the government attempts to stop the spread of the disease.
Meanwhile, another city near Wuhan halted transport on Friday and closed its river bridge as the country escalates efforts to contain the disease.
Huangshi city in Hubei province announced that transport routes and a ferry terminal was shut down starting at 0200 GMT on Friday.
In all, at least 10 cities have already been ordered on lockdown.
Singapore’s prime minister has said the city-state is well prepared to tackle the Wuhan coronavirus, adding that it did not appear to be as deadly as the 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) pandemic.
“We are well prepared, because we have been gearing up for such a situation ever since we dealt with SARS in 2003,” Lee Hsien Loong said in an annual Chinese New Year speech.
By A Correspondent- Controversial dancer Beverly Sibanda (28) yesterday left tongues wagging at Harare Magistrates Court after her legal marriage ceremony.
She married Chambuka Mufudzi (43), who is a medical doctor in the UK.
Bev, popularly known for her raunchy dances, caused a stir at Rotten Row despite attempts to avoid attention.
Sibanda was dressed decently in a floral formal long sleeved dress and her husband dressed in a blue suit.
Harare Provincial magistrate Joy Chikodzore presided over the marriage ceremony.
Bev was seemingly unfazed by the H-Metro camera during the ceremony. However, the newly wedded couple left the court separately in a bid divert attention.
Meanwhile, Bev’s manager Hapaguti “Hapaz” Mapimhidze reckons the raunchy dancer has silenced her doubting Thomases after she tied the knot with her UK based lover.
He likened Bev to a ‘miracle baby’ after she tied the knot with Mufudzi Chambuka yesterday at the Harare Magistrates’ Court.
Bev’s court wedding has since sent the social media overdrive as dancer is been widely linked with several men.
Many had written her off as a “hothead” while others were of the opinion she was a loose woman.
Bev has over the years been linked with several prominent people including footballers, top musicians, music promoters and foreign-based business executives.
However, her manager and most trusted lieutenant – Hapaz – said Bev was just waiting for her tome to come.
“Good things come to those who have patience and Bev is one of the people who have showed us that patience and good choice pay,” he said.
“I have known Bev for a while and for the past 11 or so years that I have been managing her affairs, our chemistry grew beyond words.
“I consider her for my daughter because I have been managing both her career and personal life.”
Speaking on Bev’s ‘bad girl’ tag, which she carried for the better part of her career, Hapaz said the Sexy Angels boss has proved a point that nothing is impossible in life.
“I know you have been writing her controversies but this time around I think you now have good news to write about.
“She has proved a point that true love still exists as is the case with Bev and Mufudzi,” he said.
Asked why the marriage has been a long kept secret, Hapaz said:
“In life there comes a time when privacy is needed because at times lack on it may jeorpadises a lot of things in life.
“By the way, Bev and Mufudzi have been dating for a while and the two would chat over the phone.
“Three weeks ago, Mufudzi paid lobola to Bev’s family and he will be returning to the UK mid-February.
“The lobola ceremony went according to plan and we are glad their marriage was blessed by elders.
“The wedding thing was fast tracked because he wants to finalise the paper work before he returns to his base.”
Hapaz said Bev’s husband was supportive of his wife’s career path.
“From what I have gathered, Bev will continue dancing as long as she still has the energy.
“Her husband was aware of Bev’s profession before they married and he is a responsible man who respects his woman.
“He has been sponsoring some of her tours and we are glad that they genuinely love each other.”
On why Bev opted to settle with a little known man when she had been linked with several prominent people, Hapaz said:
“It appears some people wanted to waste her time but as I indicated earlier on, she was just waiting for the right time to come.
“She would tell me of every person who dated her and I would give her advice as a father figure to her.
“We have been to Magaya’s church where other people were after her and we have also been to foreign lands but Bev was not tempted.”
Hapaz appealed to Bev’s past ‘boyfriends’ to leave her alone as she starts a new life.
“I urge people to respect Bev’s privacy especially some of the man who can lot let of the past.
“I will urge her to continue praying for her marriage because it is bound to be tested.”
By A Correspondent- The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has issued a warning to foreign currency dealers who are manipulating the exchange rate. This comes as street rates have breached the 25x mark on Thursday. The interbank mid rate is on 17.2204x
In a statement released tonight, the central bank said that manipulators were exerting pressure on the exchange rate with the intention of destabilising the market, which had held steady over the past four months.
“It has come to the attention of the bank that there are some exchange rate manipulators that are exerting pressure on the forex market with the intention of causing instability to a market which had held steady over the past four months.
“Such malpractice is not warranted as money supply has remained under control for the past five months.”
The RBZ said the Financial Intelligent Unit will proceed to investigate and freeze the accounts of those upsetting the market amid suspicion that the manipulators were foreign nationals.
In yesterday’s deliberations, the Monetary Policy Committee celebrated the exchange rate stability that has prevailed since October. Although there is a premium of almost 50% between the black market and the interbank rate there has been stability on both rates for the last three months.
The MPC acknowledged that money supply was the major cause of the exchange rate instability and reiterated the resolve of the central bank to curtail money supply. If the bank sticks to its resolve it might just be able to tame the twin monsters of exchange rate instability and inflation.
Though statistics are currently lagging it would seem there has been a drastic reduction in money supply expansionary activities by the central bank over the past two months.
By A Correspondent- A 19-year-old Harare maid yesterday appeared in court on allegations of killing her employer’s son by strangling.
Memory Zvinzveku appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Rumbidzai Mugwagwa on murder charges.
She was advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
The court heard that on January 22, Zvinzveku went to Tafara 1 Primary School to pick her victim.
It is alleged that when they got home, the boy removed his school uniform and put on other clothes before going next door to play with other children.
It is the State’s case that Zvinzveku followed the boy and took him home.
She allegedly strangled him before placing his body on the bed. The court heard that Zvinzveku went and told Fadzanai Kakunguwo, a neighbour, that the minor was not waking up and she came to check.
Kakunguwo noticed that the boy was dead and he had some scratch marks on the neck.
A post-mortem was conducted on January 22 and it was revealed that the boy had died due to strangulation.-State media
By A Correspondent- The High Court has blocked the magistrates’ court from prosecuting jailed cleric Robert Martin Gumbura and six others on prison break charges until it rules on their review application for discharge.
High Court Judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi stopped the prosecution when the State and the defence both agreed to suspend the case until the High Court has made its review ruling.
Gumbura and six other inmates are facing charges of attempting to break out of prison in 2013.
Gumbura’s alleged six accomplices are Blessing Chiduke, Luckmore Matambanadzo, Lucky Mhungu, Taurai Dodzo, Thomas Chacha and Elijah Vhumbunu.
The accused were contesting a ruling made by Harare magistrate Francis Mapfumo, who dismissed their application for discharge at the close of State’s last year.
The development comes after Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi had filed an urgent chamber application at the High Court seeking the dismissal of the accused persons’ application for the review of Mapfumo’s ruling.
According to Hodzi, seven months had lapsed since the case was put before the High Court, but the cleric and his co-accused were yet to file their affidavits.
Mr Mapfumo ruled that there was reasonable suspicion the suspects committed an offence and should be put to their defence.
Two of the inmates — Thulani Chizema and Jacob Sibanda — were acquitted at the close of the State’s case.
Mr Mapfumo said the remaining seven should explain why they went on prison rooftops if they were protesting over food on the day in question.
By A Correspondent- A married commercial sex worker from Bulawayo who stole US$4 000 from her client, has been sentenced to four years in jail.
Enelles Tshabangu (26) of Entumbane stole the money from Mr Zamani Mpofu (33) of Richmond who had hired her for the night and paid US$10. Tshabangu was convicted on her own plea to theft by Western Commonage magistrate Ms Tancy Dube.
She was sentenced to four years imprisonment but six months of the sentence were suspended on condition she does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
A further 18 months were suspended on condition that Tshabangu restitutes Mr Mpofu ZW$60 499 on or before February 27 this year through the Clerk of Court. The remaining 24 months of the sentence were suspended on condition that Tshabangu performs 630 hours of community service at Manyewu Primary School.
Sentencing Tshabangu, Ms Dube said she had considered that the accused was a first offender who had pleaded guilty to the charge and therefore did not waste the court’s time.
She also considered that Tshabangu was a mother of three children and that her husband whose name was not mentioned in court, had agreed to restitute Mr Mpofu in instalments.
Prosecuting, Mr Tapiwa Solani said on January 11 this year at around 2AM, Mr Mpofu was in a bar in the city centre drinking beer. He then approached Tshabangu and the two agreed to spend the night together at Tshabangu’s place.
Mr Mpofu paid Tshabangu US$20 and was given US$10 change because Tshabangu charged US$10 for the service. The two then had sex before Mr Mpofu fell asleep.
Tshabangu took advantage of this to search the pockets of Mr Mpofu’s pair of trousers and stole US$4 010 and an Itel cellphone.
She then sneaked out of the house and hired a taxi to a lodge in the Central Business District. When Mr Mpofu woke up at around 4AM, he discovered that his money and cell phone were missing and reported the theft to the police leading to Tshabangu’s arres
By A Correspondent- An Esigodini man died on the spot while four others were seriously injured after a truck they were travelling in overturned in Mawabeni.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident which occurred on Wednesday at around 3PM at the 56 kilometre peg along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road.
He said the driver, Chrispen Tshuma (38) from Esigodini lost control of the vehicle which veered off the road and overturned.
“I can confirm that we recorded a fatal accident which occurred at the 56 kilometre peg along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road in Mawabeni. Chrispen Tshuma was driving a seven tonne truck from Esigodini headed for Mbalabala. When he got to the 56 kilometre peg he lost control of the vehicle which overturned once before landing on its side,” he said.
“Norious Ndlovu (28) from Esigodini died on the spot while four others were injured. The matter was reported to the police who attended the scene. The injured were ferried to Esigodini District Hospital for treatment while Ndlovu’s body was taken to the hospital’s mortuary.”
Chief Insp Ndebele urged motorists to exercise caution when travelling on roads and to adhere to road regulations. He urged drivers to desist from speeding as that was the cause of many accidents.
Chief Insp Ndebele said motorists must always check their vehicles for faults.
In another incident, an unlicensed driver has been arrested for allegedly running over and killing a pedestrian in the Gwanda CBD.
Justice Ndlovu (24) of Spitzkop North Suburb will appear in court on a date yet to be advised. The matter will proceed by way of summons pending further investigations.
According to the State papers Ndlovu ran over and killed Kenias Shoko (64) from Mberengwa on September 24 last year. “On 24 September 2019 at around 7PM Ndlovu was driving a Toyota Townace along the Bulawayo- Beitbridge road without a valid driver’s licence.
Upon reaching the 128 kilometre peg in the Gwanda CBD he hit a pedestrian Kenias Shoko who was walking on the side of the road.
“He lost control of the vehicle which veered off the road and hit a tree before coming to a stop. Shoko sustained severe head injuries and died on the spot as a result of the injuries he sustained. The matter was reported to the police who attended the scene,” read the Statement.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has in recent days reportedly told Vice President, Rtd General Constantino Chiwenga, that he’s ready to step down as Zanu PF and government leader if the army deems so, and take a presidential exit package which includes all his current benefits and state provided security for life.
Spotlight Zimbabwe reported that:
“Mnangagwa will not be in office to see 2030 as he had envisaged, let alone any re-election bid in 2023, according to information supplied by a current serving cabinet minister.
“This is what is taking place behind the curtain (negotiations for an exit package). Mnangagwa has openly told the VP that he is ready to step down, if the army wants him to leave, because they want him to leave,” said the minister.
“Chiwenga has actually come to the president’s rescue on two occasions now, because hardline securocrats wanted him to leave office last year and had pressured Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Commander, General Philip Valerio Sibanda, to relieve him of his duties when the vice president was moved to China for medical operations last July, and upon his return to the country in November 2019.”
“The vice president was the one who reasoned with his comrades to give Mnangagwa a sort of grace period to make up his mind, because they did not want to use force and violence against him. The VP heads the Joint Operations Command (JOC), and is only exercising patience because the military no longer supports the president. Ask yourself why former South African President was in Zimbabwe?
He was not here for political dialogue, but at the urgent invitation of the president to put out serious fires, and allow himself to buy time for negotiating his exit. Mbeki is actually mediating between the military and Mnangagwa, because the Sadc region is against another coup.
That’s why he was in the country for a few days, because Chiwenga and the other generals agreed to give the president room to step down gracefully.”
The minister’s revelations could also explain why Mnangagwa did not go for his annual leave in December, as the situation was “very toxic”, the minister said.
Other government insiders close to the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), yesterday said Mnangagwa took the opportunity of Chiwenga’s visit to his farm in Kwekwe last Saturday, to clear the air on his preparedness to step down, and indicated that he was ready to leave office if the military can guarantee him his golden handshake, security and freedom to move in and out of the country without persecution.
“It is true that His Excellency is negotiating for a presidential exit deal and package, and Thabo Mbeki is at the centre of these talks involving the top military brass,” government sources said.
“Number one (Mnangagwa) is really using all his cunning skills to remain in power a little longer. Mbeki has been brought into the fold on purpose, and he also has the ear of Tanzanian President and Sadc Chair John Magufuli. In essence number one is coup-proofing himself, as he readies for involuntary retirement possibly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).”
Spotlight Zimbabwe, reported in October 2019 without government denial, that Mnangagwa, had reportedly bought an exquisite massive beachfront villa in Dubai, where he intends to retire or alternatively use the opulent property as an exile bolthole should he be forced out of power.
The embattled Zanu PF leader is allegedly plotting to disappear from the country into exile once toppled from power by the army.
We also reported a fortnight ago, that Mnangagwa was under virtual military house arrest, to which the government through Mnangagwa’s wordsmith, George Charamba, denied with a tweet, but our sources maintain that the president’s movements have been gravely curtailed by the army, forcing him to temporarily relocate and stay put at his farm in the Midlands.
Mnangagwa has not slept outside Zimbabwe since he went on leave, and has been taking quick and short trips in the region, flying back home before sunset.
Two are in respect of China and the other Zimbabwe. Corruptionforce has noted that Zanu PF has close links to China but is this a good thing for Zimbabwe given that two other Chinese-linked lands Hong Kong and Taiwan have problems with China’s anti democracy stance?
The pro-democracy movement is solid. The choice between democracy and one-party dictatorship is increasingly coming under debate.
The looting of diamonds on the Chiadzwa / Marange diamond fields is believed to have been facilitated by the Chinese people. We ask why is Zanu PF aligning itself with these people when they defrauded Zimbabwe of foreign currency?
I have repeatedly said that Zanu PF will do anything not to lose power because of all the corruption and murder that it will be exposed for.
The bigwigs are all in the game together. That is why Jonathan Moyo’s Excelgate book is so timely. It shows the lengths that Zanu PF went to so that it could remain in power. The rigging is significant and totally supports the stance of the UK, USA and EU that the Zimbabwe Elections of 2018 were not free and fair.
That Mnangagwa and others can deny this is a farce and a disgrace to the leadership of Zimbabwe. It is simple, Zanu PF has no ethics. They are morally and ethically bankrupt.
I say to all Zimbabweans be careful of China’s one belt one road policy it could lead to a serious debt trap and Zimbabwe will be beholden to China.
Zimbabwe will have been covertly colonised by the Chinese. As they say don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Being a Chinese colony is frightening, just ask Hong Kong and Taiwan. Democracy and the rule of law are much better bed fellows.
The current government keeps blaming sanctions for Zimbabwe’s problems, which underscores their ability to stand up and be counted for all the rigging, looting, lying, deceit, brutality and corruption that they have carried out over 40 years.
They are the ones that got Zimbabwe into the mess that it finds itself. It is pure incompetence and mismanagement by Zanu PF, and not the USA, UK and EU who they continually blame, that has caused the suffering and misery that the povo find themselves in. Zimbabwe should be thankful for all the aid that the USA, UK and EU taxpayers provide.
The infrastructure that the British built while they were settling and educating all people ( Shona and Ndebele) has been mismanaged and allowed to run down because Zanu PF was too busy thinking of all the scams of how to steal and loot money out of the country. Most Zanu PF bigwigs are all crooks and thieves. We say to all Zimbabweans guard your Constitution carefully, demand the rule of law and independence of the Judiciary.
You need other “policeman” to keep an eye on things. The Constitution is only six years old and you can already see the frustration of the current government with complying with the laws. Its is selective application of the law and not free, fair and independent judgment.
By Tawanda Ruzanhi| Our political dynamics require a game changer to break the perennial stalemate between the two main protagonists of our failed politics, Zanu PF and MDC A. At the core of this gridlock is the vanity of the leadership of Emmerson Mnangagwa and Nelson Chamisa who have failed to answer not just the national consensus and call on genuine dialogue but regional signals on the need for national convergence and unity of purpose, the most recent being an unusual and out of tradition advisory from Naledi Pandor, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation ( DIRCO).
The impatience of regional leaders with Zimbabwe expresses itself through South African Ministers personal opinions on the Zimbabwe crisis and opinion articles in regional mainstream media where Zimbabweans are now being caricatured in the same vein as Mexicans in the United States of America.
They decry that Zimbabweans have turned to all form of vices from prostitution to all manner of crime in their countries and want to take down the region with them. Even this has not moved Zimbabwean political actors to some serious engagement of solving a national crisis only rivalled by that of Venezuela.
It is this evident lack of empathy that has prompted Zimbabweans to start looking outside the 2018 electoral rivals for a solution. Perhaps this election was not inclusive in its leadership offering and the solution may actually lie elsewhere , is the argument in many chatrooms that include homes, kombis , saloons ,bars , fuel queues , funeral and wedding gatherings etc. Wherever two or three people meet and inevitably the national crisis becomes the subject there is a desperate conclusion that there is leadership failure both in Zanu PF and MDC.
Many including Statehouse itself and Nelson Chamisa have resorted to the divine, prayer and more prayer, but prayer without national resolve is futile. Talk has begun in earnest on alternative leadership and politics and all sorts of names thrown in from Kasukuwere and his Wabantu Movement, Strive Masiyiwa to Walter Mzembi and his recently announced People’s Party, and many others .
Today I zero in on the name that the public seems to mention often including our mainstream media, Walter Mzembi.
Often described as a vibrant and technocratic politician Mzembi’s name continues to disrupt on the political landscape long after being unceremoniously dispatched from both Zanu PF and Government in November 2017 together with his G40 colleagues. Seemingly back in politics after a two year sabbatical which he announced himself in December 2017, it appears he is exploiting a political vacuum that is manifesting in our politics and growing by the day. Many are now increasingly betting on him as their preferred choice for the highest office .
This narrative is being reinforced by the anticlimax that Chamisa’ s 20th January SONA delivery turned out to be. His lengthy monologue in Mbare, which sounded more like a freshman’s political wish-list confirms the vacuum that now clearly beckons in opposition ranks so undesirable at this juncture in our politics. Who will give traction to the second liberation agenda seems to be the burning question.
Many in different quarters have suggested Mzembi as a viable option to save the current political impasse. The former Masvingo South Member of Parliament is receiving wide endorsements from students, politicians across the political divide, labour unions, business community even within the military ranks who view him as a practical and mature politician. The former Tourism Minister who is linked to the new kid on the block, People’s Party is viewed as a more acceptable third way option amongst the current political players.
According to impeccable sources within the Party , recruitment is full steam with deployments taking place on a daily basis . Pressure is mounting on Mzembi to make a public statement accepting officially the People’ s Party nomination as its interim President. Mzembi who is widely believed to be in South Africa, is viewed by many as their last hope to break the current political stalemate.
Mzembi seems muted by a new legislation in South Africa on Asylum seekers and refugees that takes away political rights of persecutees of tyrants in Sub Saharan Africa and its highly likely that him and his colleagues are studying the impact of this legislation on their political futures before taking any further steps on their careers.
Mzembi’s announcement as the leader of the People’s Party has send Zanu PF into some panic mode over the new political party’s surprise appearance on the political scene. Zanu PF had not seen or factored an early comeback of the vanquished G40 functionaries, letalone Mzembi who is remembered for attempting to bring Emmerson Mnangagwa and his former boss Robert Mugabe together after the coup.
His heart seemed at the time and until recently to be with his old party , an accusation thrown at him often. However Mzembi continues to be name dropped on the political scene especially his association with People ‘s Party raising fears within the ruling Zanu PF circles that he an existential threat to their prospects in the future.
The Party remains uncertain on the former Masvingo South legislator’s next move who has not spoken to accept or deny his links with the People’s Party. Mzembi has remained in the background, allowing his Party to speak with many other people pushing for his name in the political ring. Respected development and political Analyst Claris Madhuku has weighed in saying Mzembi resembles good leadership skills and he is presidential material. He certainly commands the clout for office and is accepted across the political divide.
The rumour mill says he enjoys a modicum of respect within the military who remember his succinct speeches and policy deliverables at the Army Staff College and his practical interventions for the Army itself during his tenure as Tourism Minister.
Believed to be turning 56 this year, he seems to be almost where Robert Mugabe himself and Morgan Tsvangirai were age-wise when they both became Prime Ministers in 1980 and 2009 respectively. Zimbabwe has this age thing where it loathes immaturity which could be Chamisa ‘ s undoing as he glides through the 40s.
His rejection by peers like Gutu , Khupe , Mwonzora and others was informed partly by the age and immaturity factor . G40 downfall itself was the cynical collapse of an age based ambition inside Zanu PF. Within the ruling Zanu PF itself there are wide sympathies with Mzembi who is seen as an unfair victim of highhandedness by a jealous tribal cabal from his Karanga group who linked his promotion to Foreign Affairs Minister a month before the coup with the demise of Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Unlike Mugabe who always assembled a team of rivals for Cabinet believing the best performance came from his foes his successor has preferred bleating greenhorns for office and discrediting Mzembi and other G40 colleagues as disloyal suited his purging plans hence their persecution and ommission from public office deployment. Interestingly the Corporate world misses Mzembi and describes him as pragmatic and sober citing his successful stint at Tourism and national branding efforts that brought the only sectoral UN General Assembly to Zimbabwe.
Many people wonder why the Harare administration continues to persecute him but perhaps the answer is now shaping in their hearts and minds that he remains a contender for office and hence Mugabe was so fond of him he would spite his inner circle often describing him as his best Minister, performance ratings confirmed by independent media annual Cabinet scorecards at the time. This of course created many enemies for him , especially from succession contenders inside Zanu PF.
Apart from high local ratings the former Foreign Affairs Minister continues to receive attention from the international community, largely a product of his run for the post of UNWTO Secretary General which he narrowly lost in 2017 two months before the coup. Studying from a distance he has clearly calibrated his re-entry into politics but he certainly is not easily prompted into the toxicity of Zimbabwean politics. Now that he has literally been thrown into the ring the Nation is waiting anxiously for his next moves.
From London his Secretary General appears to be the authorised voice of his People ‘ s Party and so far he has acquitted himself very well in protecting his boss while presenting the alternative narrative so badly needed to break the current impasse.
Could Dr Walter Mzembi turn out to be the “David” that Lloyd Msipa has presented to us or a modern day “Joshua” who will take us to Canaan? That we need redemption from failed politics and a melting economy is no longer the debate but who is going to be the first amongst generational equals is the question on everyone’s mind.
The liberation generation is now past its sale by date, it’s time for new politics and new purposed minds. I submit like many that Mzembi fits the bill for a redemption presidency we so urgently need.
Tawanda Ruzanhi is a Researcher who can be contacted at [email protected]
By Nomusa Garikai- There is a mountain of evidence proving that the root causes of Zimbabwe’s economic meltdown are 40 years of gross mismanagement and rampant corruption.
The reason why the nation has been stuck with this corrupt and incompetent Zanu PF regime for all these years is because the party rigged elections.
MDC has had many golden opportunities to implement the democratic reforms which would have ended the Zanu PF dictatorship. Sadly, MDC leaders has proven to be breathtakingly corrupt and incompetent.
Zanu PF has always wanted absolute power and has murdered over 30 000 innocent Zimbabweans to secure the de facto one-party, Zanu PF, dictatorship. And it was and still remains the only chief beneficiary of MDC’s failure to implement the reforms; but would not think so given the torrent of abuses from Zanu PF leaders and its apologists have been heaping on the MDC leaders.
Zanu PF leaders have dismissed MDC leaders as puppets of the West, amount the many other derogatory things.
But Zanu PF is not averse to doing a volte-face; make the MDC puppets their masters of their western puppeteer masters; just to suit the party’s irrational narrative.
“In his (2020) state of the nation address the MDC A leader shocked the nation by his loud silence on sanctions,” wrote Dr Masimba Mavasa wrote.
“ZANU PF has always said the opposition is after destroying the gains of independence and hurt the citizens of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is now groaning under the heavy yoke of the Economic down turn. The person who is causing this lunacy is among us and is Nelson Chamisa.
“Do economic sanctions destabilize the governments they target? A form of foreign pressure, sanctions are typically meant to alter the policies of other countries. There is much pessimism on whether they ever work. Economic pressure works in at least one respect: it destabilizes the leaders it targets and it destroys the citizens of such a country.”
The real tragedy of Chamisa’s 2020 Agenda is that it is not offering a roadmap on how the democratic reforms necessary to end the curse of rigged elections will finally be implemented.
As for the Western imposed sanctions, they are helping putting the pressure on Zanu PF to implement meaningful reforms; hence the reason they must stay. Whatever economic damage they have caused is nothing compared to the damage brought about by corruption and misrule.
Indeed, the sanctions must be extended to include even more Zanu PF leaders and political collaborators such as the Minister of Finance, Professor Mthuli Ncube, and opposition leaders like Nelson CHamisa and Tendai Biti. The MDC leaders will never implement any meaningful reforms without a kick in the back side!
By A Correspondent- Raunchy dancer and singer Beverly “Bev” Sibanda, who has over the years entertained local men with her sexually-charged dances, yesterday tied the knot with a United Kingdom-based medical doctor Chambuka Mupudzi at the Harare Magistrates Court.
A source close to the development told a local publication that Bev’s marriage to Mupudzi was solemnised at the court after the latter paid lobola at Bev’s family village in Silobela two weeks ago.
“She is no longer the same Bev we used to know after lobola was paid about two weeks ago in Silobela. The guy is a doctor in the United Kingdom and was in the country for the better part of the festive season,” the source said.
He highlighted that Bev’s new husband was well aware of her profession and it was something that he had accepted, so it was highly unlikely that the marriage would crumble for that reason.
“Her fiancée is aware of her lifestyle and he fully understands the nature of her profession because when he entered into the relationship, he knew very well that Bev was an artiste so there are no problems likely to crack the marriage,” the source said.
Bev’s manager, Harpers Mapimhidze, who also confirmed the wedding, congratulated the dancer.
“We say congratulations to Bev; she has done something appreciable in the showbiz industry. I urge fellow dancers to follow suit since this is something good,” he said.
“Those promoters who had booked Bev in advance, we are going to fulfil all contractual agreements because she will not be exiting the dance floor anytime soon.”
Many people had dismissed the Sexy Angels leader as unlikely material for marriage, and with Bev herself having earlier indicated that marriage was not a priority as she wanted to take her time to find new love.
NewsDay Life & Style understands that the groom will fly back to his UK base in a few days’ time, while Bev will remain behind sorting out her travel documents so that she will be able to join her husband.
“The husband will be travelling back to work soon in UK, so Bev will be visiting him frequently before maybe she relocates as what has been said by the husband,” said another source. Before walking down the aisle yesterday, the mother of one had previously been associated with a number of men who included popular South Africa-based Kwekwe businessman, arts promoter Boss Agrippa, national team footballer Khama Billiat and fellow singer Andy Muridzo.
The three MDC members who clashed with ZANU PF supporters in Mbare will appear in court today after they were arrested on Wednesday on allegations that they assaulting ZANU PF party supporters who were reportedly conducting a clean-up exercise in the area.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers on Wednesday arrested Jonathan Taiziwei, aged 25 years and Cleopas Chinodya, aged 32 years, who both reside at Nenyere Flats in Mbare high-density suburb and Elia Mutsindi, aged 28 years of Budiriro high-density suburb in Harare and charged them with assault as defined in section 89 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
ZRP officers alleged that Taiziwei, Chinodya and Mutsindi, who are informal traders operating in Mbare assaulted some ZANU PF party supporters, who were clad in the ruling party’s regalia after they visited their stall, where they operate from claiming to be conducting a clean-up exercise in the high density.
The ZANU PF party supporters claimed that the informal traders’ stock of tyres and tubes was rubbish that should be thrown away and started destroying some sheds housing their wares by cutting down poles and removing some iron sheets. This compelled the trio to go to Matapi Police Station in Mbare to file a report concerning the destruction of their property.
As Taiziwei, Chinodya and Mutsindi arrived at Matapi Police Station, a group of some ZANU PF party supporters then appeared at the police station, where some of them alleged that the trio had thrown stones and injured one of them.
This led police officers to arrest the trio before pressing assault charges against them.
Taiziwei, Chinodya and Mutsindi, who were transferred from Matapi Police Station to Harare Central Police, where they are currently detained, are expected to appear in court today.
By Jane Mlambo| Unconfirmed reports indicate that Masimba Construction formerly Murray and Roberts employees are selling cement and diesel meant for road rehabilitation programme in the process stalling progress to restore infrastructure in the cyclone ravaged district of Chimanimani.
In a message posted on Chimanimani Updates Facebook page, one Lovex Kimbini Itai said he has it on good authority that Masimba Construction employees were selling a bag of cement for USD$5 while a litre of diesel was going for USD$1.
Skyline Road, Masimba Construction has once again let us down, I hear they are selling cement meant for construction @ 5usd per bag in the location, diesel @ $1usd per litre zvavo,” said Lovex Kimbini before posting pictures of an incomplete bridge.
A bag of cement costs between USD$8 and USD$10 in hardwares while fuel is being sold for ZWL$18.90 for diesel which is below USD$1 at parallel market rates.
Early this week, transport minister Biggie Matiza visited Chimanimani to assess progress made in the rehabilitation of roads following a disastrous cyclone idai that left over 500 people dead while road infrastructure worth millions of dollars was destroyed.
Efforts to get a comment from Masimba Construction are still underway.
Own Correspondent|Residents of Diepsloot informal settlement north of Johannesburg, South Africa have threatened to continue protesting until Police Minister Bheki CeleBheki visits the area to deal with high levels of crime.
They went on the rampage on Thursday, barricading roads with burning objects.
They are demanding that undocumented foreigners leave the area, accusing them of being responsible for the crime.
About 10 people have been killed in the area recently, including a police captain.
Protestors blocked the main road and the R511.
They want undocumented foreigners to leave the area.
“This is not a xenophobic [attack]. As South Africans, we are more advanced and can speak English and sophisticated words like xenophobia. But there is a problem,” one resident said.
They want immigration offices, the police’s tactical response team and soldiers to be deployed to the area.
Residents also set alight temporary churches along the main road, saying they are hiding criminals.
FORMER Zanu PF Harare provincial commissar Shadreck Mashayamombe has opened the lid on how the ruling party used land to buy votes ahead of national elections.
Mashayamombe is one of the key members of the G40 cabal that had coalesced around the late former President Robert Mugabe and his wife, former First Lady Grace, and was involved in massive campaigns for the ruling party in the capital.
Amid suspicion of vote-buying by Zanu PF using land, Mashayamombe confirmed yesterday that the ruling party won some seats in and around Harare in previous elections using land as a bait.
This corroborates a report by the land audit chaired by Justice Tendai Uchena that also confirmed use of State land for votes.
“My biggest question about the land commission is that why is the report not published properly so that every interested person can access it? This is political and it exposes how our institutions are captured because some of those accused were never summoned by the commission to give their side of the story,” Mashayamombe, who is reportedly facing arrest over land issues, said.
“All those 137 co-operatives’ leadership who are being sacrificed today were used to mobilise votes for Zanu PF in peri-urban areas. Now they are being dumped.”
President Emmerson Mnangagwa last year instituted a commission to probe the issue of land in the country and was presented with a report by Justice Uchena that said government lost more than $3 billion in potential revenue to land barons.
The report implicates several former Zanu PF bigwigs, including Mashayamombe, former Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo, Grace, among others who are reportedly facing arrest.
Zanu PF national commissar Victor Matemadanda yesterday said he was not involved when land was used as a vote-buring gimmick.
“I was not part of that. I wouldn’t want to comment on what I don’t know and what I was not part of. You need to ask those who were sending them,” he said.
Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya-Moyo was not picking calls yesterday.
Observers have often accused Zanu PF of creating land barons while pushing to garner votes, particularly ahead of the 2013 harmonised elections.
The Justice Uchena report read in part: “The commission established with serious concern that most new residential estates on urban State land throughout the country have no services such as roads, water reticulation, sewage reticulation and amenities, yet these settlements are already occupied.
“The identification and occupation of farms in and around urban areas was a complex process which involved creation of new urban settlements by aspiring or sitting Members of Parliament as a way of mobilising political support, abuse of political office in the allocation and appropriation of urban State land.”
The report further stated that there was use of names of top ruling party leadership to exert undue influence on government institutions and processes.
Detective captain Oupa Matjie from Diepsloot police station was shot dead on January 17 while tracing suspects. FILE PHOTO/ANA
Own Correspondent| – Representatives of the Zimbabwean community living in South Africa said on Thursday they were “furious” that some of the alleged killers of Diepsloot policeman Oupa Matjie were Zimbabwean.
“We are saddened and furious that the alleged murderers are said to be Zimbabwean nationals,” said community spokesperson Bongani Mazwi Mkwananzi.
“We as the Zimbabwean community in South Africa express our sincerest condolences to his family, to the SAPS and the South African nation at large.”
The 54-year-old detective captain was shot dead on January 17 while tracing suspects with a colleague.
Four men have so far been arrested for the crime.
The Zimbabwean community “abhorred and loathed” criminals, according to Mkwananzi, who added that community members distanced themselves from any of their fellow citizens that committed crime in South Africa.
“[They] tarnish the good name of the majority of our countrymen who are hard working and earn their living honestly. The stiffest and harshest punishment must be meted out to those criminal elements who create environments of fear amongst the communities where Zimbabweans and South Africans live harmoniously with each other.
“We implore the community not to see such disdainful conduct as representative of the Zimbabwean community but as acts of very few criminal elements in our community whom Zimbabweans are also daily victims of. Therefore, whatever wrath there may be must be directed at criminals, via the law agencies, and not at ordinary Zimbabwean nationals.”
Mkwananzi said they were organising a crime summit in Johannesburg’s Berea on February 6 to deal with issues of crime, and urged all stakeholders to participate.
“Crime is crime and these criminals do not segregate their victims by nationality.”
MAPUTO – AT least 28 people have been killed and more than 58 800 affected in the latest floods to hit the disaster-prone Mozambique.
Some 66 people have been injured during the crisis affecting regions still recovering from the Cylones Idai and Kenneth early last year.
The Cabo Delgado, Sofala and Zambezia provinces are the hardest-hit but Gaza, Manica, Maputo, Nampula, Niassa and Tete are also affected.
More than 10 200 houses have been damaged or destroyed, including 2 589 completely shattered, and at least 47 schools have been affected.
In Zambezia, the province with the highest number of people affected, flooding since the beginning of 2020 has damaged infrastructure, destroyed crops and led to displacement.
Nearly 2 300 hectares of crops are currently flooded, less than two months before the planned harvest.
In Cabo Delgado, the United Nations for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, is concerned the crisis may heighten the needs of the estimated 60 000 people displaced or affected by violence in the province since October 2017.
About 4 000 hectares of agriculture are flooded, electricity poles felled and several bridges damaged.
In Sofala, over 3 000 shelters housing people affected by previous cyclones as well as clinics and hundreds of latrines destroyed.
Mozambique declared a state of emergency at the end of December.
The floods are a major blow to Mozambique, one of several countries affected by years of droughts.
Some 602 people died in Mozambique after Idai struck Mozambique last March. Kenneth killed 52 people when it landed in April.
The Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) will most likely appoint the senior national team coach by Wednesday next week.
This was revealed in a media statement issued by Zifa’s communications and competitions manager Xolisani Gwesela on Thursday afternoon.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) wishes to advise the nation that the appointment of the senior men’s national team coach is work in progress and will be concluded soon. As the football mother body, we are fully conscious of the upcoming Warriors fixtures and the Executive Committee will meet Wednesday next week to conclude the matter,” said Gwesela.
Coaches that applied for the Warriors’ job include Dutchman Erol Akbay, Spaniard Manuel “Manolo” Marquez Roca, Hans Michael Weiss of Germany, Kosta Papic of Serbia and Zdravko Logarusic of Croatia.
FORMER Zanu-PF MP for Highfields West, Psychology Maziwisa, has been fired by former First Lady Grace Mugabe from his recently appointed role as General Manager at Alpha Omega dairies over suspected cases of alleged thefts of money and ice creams.
Impeccable sources within the Mazowe-based business operation owned by the Mugabe family have revealed how Maziwisa, who recently sold a house he had bought for his son as he fell on hard times, had been appointed into the job by Grace Mugabe based on their previous “good working relationship in the G40 faction” of Zanu-PF.
When President Emmerson Mnangagwa replaced the late former President Robert Mugabe in November 2017, most of the G40 kingpins fled the country, but some like Maziwisa stayed put and maintained a low profile as they were not perceived to be a threat to the new leaders at the Zanu-PF headquarters.
Maziwisa, a lawyer by training but who hardly made a name in the profession as he went straight into Zanu-PF politics, then fell on hard times and got a job at the dairy facility founded by Mugabe and his wife.
However, Grace Mugabe in an intriguing turn of events yesterday fired Maziwisa “after it was discovered that he was stealing money from ice cream sales,” Zimbabwe Voice has been told.
“He (Maziwisa) was working with his IT counterpart named Amon Saizi, who is an elder at the ZAOGA and a friend to Simba Chikore,” Zimbabwe Voice heard.
Chikore, who is married to Grace Mugabe’s only daughter Bona, comes from a powerful ZAOGA family.
“Saizi was brought by Simba to be his spy in the company but later teamed up with Mazivisa and started stealing both cash and the ice-cream boxes.
“EcoCash sales would be remitted to their numbers and they would spent the money,” it has been revealed.
Chikore is said to be keeping a close tab on the Gushungo Holdings businesses as he invested his money into some of the projects.
Meanwhile, Maziwisa has been also accused of taking money from cattle sales to fix his personal car.
“There has been a massive abuse of property by some of the top managers at the Gushungo Farm ever since the Mugabes lost power in November 2017. It’s like a free-for-all moment for the workers, as Grace herself is also unwilling to review salaries and allowances despite the poor economic situation.”
Meanwhile, Grace Mugabe’s personal driver has also been accused of bedding a girlfriend in the car which is used by the former First Lady.
A married commercial sex worker from Bulawayo who stole US$4 000 from her client, has been sentenced to four years in jail.
Enelles Tshabangu (26) of Entumbane stole the money from Mr Zamani Mpofu (33) of Richmond who had hired her for the night and paid US$10.
Tshabangu was convicted on her own plea to theft by Western Commonage magistrate Ms Tancy Dube.
She was sentenced to four years imprisonment but six months of the sentence were suspended on condition she does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
A further 18 months were suspended on condition that Tshabangu restitutes Mr Mpofu ZW$60 499 on or before February 27 this year through the Clerk of Court.
The remaining 24 months of the sentence were suspended on condition that Tshabangu performs 630 hours of community service at Manyewu Primary School. Sentencing Tshabangu, Ms Dube said she had considered that the accused was a first offender who had pleaded guilty to the charge and therefore did not waste the court’s time.
She also considered that Tshabangu was a mother of three children and that her husband whose name was not mentioned in court, had agreed to restitute Mr Mpofu in instalments.
Prosecuting, Mr Tapiwa Solani said on January 11 this year at around 2AM, Mr Mpofu was in a bar in the city centre drinking beer. He then approached Tshabangu and the two agreed to spend the night together at Tshabangu’s place.
Mr Mpofu paid Tshabangu US$20 and was given US$10 change because Tshabangu charged US$10 for the service.
The two then had sex before Mr Mpofu fell asleep. Tshabangu took advantage of this to search the pockets of Mr Mpofu’s pair of trousers and stole US$4 010 and an Itel cellphone.
She then sneaked out of the house and hired a taxi to a lodge in the Central Business District. When Mr Mpofu woke up at around 4AM, he discovered that his money and cell phone were missing and reported the theft to the police leading to Tshabangu’s arrest.
GOVERNMENT is working on regulations to allow locals with foreign currency the option to pay for passports in forex in a bid to speed up the process and clear the huge backlog.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe said there is a passport backlog of between 350 000 and 400 000 passports.
Last year, Government authorised the charging of US$318 for passport applicants in the Diaspora and said the applications will be prioritised.
Speaking after a familiarisation tour of the registry and immigration offices in Gweru yesterday, Minister Kazembe said his ministry had been approached by locals willing to pay for passports in foreign currency to access the much needed travel document.
He said those with no access to forex will continue paying in local currency.
The Minister said since Government had outlawed the use of foreign currency, it will take a Statutory Instrument to allow those with free funds to pay for their passports in forex.
“Government is working out strategies to clear the passport backlog and increase daily production because we remain committed to ensuring that every citizen who needs a passport gets one without hurdles. So soon if approved by the responsible authority, we want a new Statutory Instrument that allows locals with foreign currency to pay for the production of the document. At the moment we all know that it is illegal for locals to pay for the production of the passport using any foreign currency. That is one way to speed up the production of the document because the material we use in the production of the passport is imported and needs foreign currency,” he said.
Minister Kazembe said passports being printed now were those applied for in October 2018.
He said there is a huge backlog which needs to be cleared as a matter of urgency so that people are granted their Constitutional right to access the travelling document.
“Clearing the passport backlog is Government’s number one priority as we speak and that is why we have embarked on this tour of provinces so that we get the feel of what is happening on the ground while listening to challenges, advice and contributions from the people which we will take back and work on lasting solutions to this passport backlog problem,” said Minister Kazembe.
He said locals who cannot afford to pay in foreign currency will not be forced to do so.
“As you know it is illegal to transact in foreign currency meaning if we have this new Statutory Instrument, locals who can’t raise foreign currency will not be forced to do so. This will be only for those who can afford and need their passports quickly,” he said.
Turning to corruption at the immigration and passport offices, Minister Kazembe said members of the public should assist Government in fighting the scourge by reporting corrupt officials.
“Without members of the public alerting us about suspected corruption, we won’t get to the bottom of it. If you are asked to pay a bribe, you need to report that official as soon as possible,” he said.
Mrs Respect Gono, the chief immigration officer told the minister that they had been forced to centralise some services in Harare to curb rampant corruption in her department.
“We were forced to take some immigration services to Harare because of corruption in the regional offices. But we have managed to clean out the rotten apples and we are in the process of decentralising immigration services,” she said.
Minister Kazembe was accompanied by his deputy Mike Madiro, Registrar-General Mr Clement Masango and the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs Larry Mavima.
THE Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda on Tuesday visited families affected by floods in Hwange town.
Advocate Mudenda who said a total of 101 families were affected by the floods, said the families are in urgent need of assistance.
A total of 35 families have been moved from their flooded houses and are now accommodated at the Hwange Colliery Company guest house.
Heavy downpours of up to 139mm pounded Hwange town on Saturday in just three hours resulting in flash floods which damaged homes and property including a stockpile of coal at Hwange Power Station.
“The official number that I was given is 101 families that have been affected by the recent flash floods. As one of the leaders born here in Hwange I came to find out how victims are coping with the tragedy and also how the corporate world and CPC ( District Civil Protection Committee) are responding,” said Adv Mudenda.
He said it was important for the CPC to list the number of victims according to sex, age and other details to enable Government to determine the kind of assistance the victims need.
Advocate Mudenda said such information was also required by donors so that they can mobilise the required resources to assist the victims.
He applauded Hwange Colliery for responding quickly to the plight of victims and urged other corporates to complement such efforts.
Advocate Mudenda said most affected families were those of Colliery employees and the houses also belong to the company and as such the company was expected to play a leading role in the rescue operation.
“We however expect other local companies to complement these efforts by assisting the affected families as a way of ploughing back to communities they operate in,” said Adv Mudenda.
Affected families told Adv Mudenda that their children lost books and other important documents as a result of the floods.
THE number of illegal miners arrested countrywide in the week-long police operation to restore law and order in mining communities has risen to 1 823 with the latest batch including a suspected member of the Ziga machete gang that allegedly killed Constable Wonder Hokoyo at Battlefields recently.
Lloyd Kasena (age not given) was arrested in Shamva after being linked to the case and was yesterday still assisting police with investigations.
Kasena’s arrest comes after Phelandaba Tshuma (32), the suspected ringleader of the Ziga machete gang, was arrested last week.
Tshuma was arrested at his hideout in Rushinga, after he attempted to flee and was shot.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests yesterday.
“Of interest is the arrest of one Lloyd Kasena who belongs to a machete gang called Ziga. He was on police’s most wanted list for the murder of Constable Wonder Hokoyo and has since confessed to that.
“He also has cases of attempted murder and assault committed in 2018 and six cases of robbery which occurred in 2019.
“He is the one in the video that recently went viral on social media while holding a Colombian knife and wearing blue a T-shirt, shouting ‘Ziga’, in the company of Phelandaba Tshuma,” he said.
Kasena will appear in court soon once investigations are complete.
Asst Comm Nyathi confirmed that police had now arrested 1 823 suspected illegal miners during the ongoing operation code-named “Chikorokoza Ngachipere/No to Machete Gangs”.
“We would like to urge licensed miners and farmers to report any illegal miners and machete gangs that are hiding on their farms. So far there is compliance at Jumbo Mine and ZRP is on top of the situation,” he said.
Police recently sealed off Jumbo Mine in Mazowe, a move aimed at restoring law and order to the area.
Jumbo Mine has been a haven for illegal activities with a high prevalence of machete wars that claimed lives and injured many.
Meanwhile, police this week arrested 45 illegal gold panners and eight vendors at Vhovha Mine in Gwanda, while five more were arrested for disorderly conduct.
“Mining implements, dangerous weapons such as axes, knobkerries, iron bars and an assortment of food stuffs, drinks, soap, and liquor were recovered in the process,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.
State Media|FORMER police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri allegedly pocketed US$4 million collected as deposit fees for a housing scheme for 900 low-ranking police officers in Hatcliffe.
According to a report by the Land Commission set to investigate abuse of State land, the money cannot be accounted for while there are only two show houses and a few roads at the site.
Chihuri is also accused of hijacking an upmarket housing scheme for top police officers in north-eastern Harare in its final phase, allocating himself three hectares on land earmarked for communal boreholes.
He reportedly ordered land originally set aside for a hotel and a club house to be subdivided and parcelled out to civilians.
The Land Commission chaired by Justice Tendai Uchena is recommending thorough investigations into the upmarket scheme, Police Heights Housing project at Gletywin Farm in Harare, concentrating on the third phase where the commission finds a lot could have gone wrong.
The planning and construction for this phase was approved without the mandatory involvement of the Environment Management Agency (EMA), the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) and Government, a development viewed by the Land Commission as an irregularity that must be investigated by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.
Many police bosses holding the rank of assistant commissioner and above built mansions on the upmarket land during Chihuri’s tenure.
Double-storey mansions dominate the leafy suburb, with some still under construction.
Chihuri reportedly influenced the subdivision of almost 6ha reserved for a hotel into five residential stands that were allocated to civilians, when the project was meant for members of the police and security services.
He allegedly asked for the change on the basis that more land was needed for his senior officers.
A club house stand measuring 2,6ha was subdivided into residential stands, yet it was once a recreational park and some stands are within the prohibited distance from a water course.
According to the report, Chihuri walled and gated the 3ha of land on which police had drilled eight boreholes for use by all residents.
To that end, the commission has recommended that the Local Government ministry should investigate circumstances under which Chihuri appropriated the land.
The commission recommends that: “The Registrar of Cooperatives should cause audits of all financial records and general compliance with the Cooperative Societies’ Act by the Police Heights Housing Cooperative.”
The ministry, EMA and ZINWA should investigate and take corrective measures regarding the creation of stands in Phase 3 of the project, the commission said.
Officials in the Local Government ministry, the report said, who were involved in the approval of the lay out plan and subdivisions, should also be investigated.
The housing project for lower ranking officers in Hatcliffe where about 900 people were allocated stands in 2011 next to ZRP High School is causing concern among members of the police force.
In terms of the housing deal, beneficiaries would get offer letters upon payment of US$4 500 through CABS, after which they would be entitled to a four-roomed cottage. Further developments would be at the individual owner’s expense.
Hundreds of officers paid the required initial payment, but they are still to get the houses.
No construction has been taking place amid fears and allegations that Chihuri and some former senior police officers may have grabbed the US$4 million meant to develop the stands.
ZRP was allocated land in the area by the Ministry of Local Government for the development of a title-holding individual home ownership scheme for police officers.
Initial costs of servicing and building four rooms were done by both the ZRP and the building society.
A copy of one of the offer letters seen by The Herald recently reads: “Stand sizes range between 250 to 500 square metres. Once the mortgage terms and other preliminaries are concluded, beneficiaries will be asked to sign mortgage documentation. Cost details: US$17 623, 98. Total deposit US$4 473,00 and monthly instalments for 10 years of US$202,00. The amount paid as deposit will have a bearing on the level of instalments to be paid.”
The deposit payers wrote a letter to Chihuri through some senior police officers who were, by then, in-charge of the project but did not get any response.
When The Herald visited the area recently, there were two show houses that were constructed in 2011 and a few roads.
The area is just before the ZRP High School and there is a billboard that is still erected at the area which is inscribed Zimbabwe Republic Police; CABS (financier); Old Mutual Property (project manager); Zimbabwe ZACE Engineers and CMN-YBJ (consulting engineers).
The trial of former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko on charges of abuse of office failed to kick-off yesterday and was deferred to January 30 after he indicated that he was still preparing his defence.
Mphoko, through his lawyer Advocate Tawanda Zhuwarara, told the court that although he had prepared a draft defence outline, which he had handed to the State, he still needed more time.
The former VP is facing criminal abuse of office charges after he reportedly ordered the release of former Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) acting chief executive Moses Juma and ex-board member Davison Norupiri from Avondale Police Station who had been arrested in 2016 for the same offence.
Mphoko said his lawyers failed to prepare the full defence outline as they were under the impression that they would make an application for direct access to the Constitutional Court.
“I am not prepared to proceed to trial at this point in time,” he said.
“I had not finalised the defence outline, but I have tendered a draft defence outline with the State. I would like to confess that I needed time to deal with this aspect. I pray that I be given time to prepare the defence.”
Mphoko attributed his delay in finalising his defence to the failure to get a transcribed record of proceedings, which he needed for the Concourt application.
He said the Concourt application was necessary because four other applications in the lower court had been unsuccessful.
The State led by Mr Lovetti Masuku initially opposed the postponement, saying they furnished Mphoko with all the court papers in time for him to prepare his defence.
“When the court ruled against referral to the Concourt, the defence did not take any issue at that time,” he said.
“They should have instantly requested for the record to be transcribed.
“What we agreed was the trial date was today. The State is ready to proceed to trial.”
Mr Masuku also argued that Mphoko failed to notify the court about the Concourt application.
“We are prepared to proceed with trial as long as they give us their defence outline,” he said.
“We had served them with papers on October 9, 2019.”
After being furnished with the draft defence outline, the State agreed to postpone the matter with Harare regional magistrate Mr Hoseah Mujaya setting January 30 as the trial date.
