Farai Dziva|United Democratic Alliance (UDA) president Daniel has said Zimbabweans must abandon the “Godfather Syndrome” to enable meaningful development to take place.
See statement below :
As your future President, I would not approve of a Wild West monetary system.
Economies are complex and not single-dimensional, thus require broad and inclusive multifaceted Prescriptions.
Zimbabwe must urgently stop the Godfather syndrome. We’re not a private enterprise.
The citizens must have confidence in the value systems and securities presented.
Mutuality is critical for the practical functioning of any economy.
Command money and policies a more egocentric and unsustainable because citizens will opt for the best alternative.
Private wealth, trade or investments can’t be stolen from citizens while the ‘Have’ are insulated. What about the ‘Have not’? Parliament established that Gono was doing was illegal and unconstitutional but Zanu PF MP’s were wiped to legitimize the biggest robbery of all time.
No one is above the law, yet Gono presided and actively participated in the operation of the Recon Act (Expropriation) and more. The country fed from Gono’s hands (Army, Police, including many quasi-fiscal activities). This opened the floodgates of the mess we are in today.
To fix the economy we must reset all national drivers.
Constitutionalism, rule of law, uncapture the Judiciary, repeal of all unconstitutional laws and statutes, human rights, and corruption. No to indiscretions. No to the printing of money.
By A Correspondent- A 33 year old Harare woman was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment yesterday by a Bindura magistrate for ill-treating her baby girl by leaving her with an unknown vendor at Bindura market.
Charity Nyabadza pleaded guilty to the charge before magistrate Moreblessing Makati who commuted the sentence to 105 hours of community service.
Prosecutor Vincent Marunya told the court that on December 29 the convict left Rusape with her new born baby for Bindura.
Upon arriving in Bindura Nyabadza saw an unknown vendor whom she gave her baby and escaped to her brother’s place in Chitungwiza.
Her brother quizzed her about her missing baby and she came back to Bindura to search for the vendor.
The vendor had filed a police report and the baby had been taken to Bindura hospital.
The police conducted investigations leading to Nyabadza’s arrest.
By A Correspondent- Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the youngest son of the late former President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe has engaged in a no holds barred verbal war with his alleged ex-girlfriend only identified as Mimi Chirasa whom he has labelled a commercial s_ex worker.
The cause of the fallout is not known but came to light when Zimcelebs posted on Instagram suggesting that Mimie was Chatunga’s ex-girlfriend to which he asked: “how is she my ex?”
Social media users became interested in the matter asking Chatunga to explain what he meant. They asked to know if they were still together, if not, he had to reveal his latest girlfriend.
The no holds barred tiff took an unprecedented turn after Chirasa attacked Chatunga alleging that his manhood is very small.
Chatunga, however, laughed off Charasa’s claims. In his response, Chatunga alleged that Charasa was a bitter golddigger who was “out of his league”, “very cheap” and had slept with several men.
Some of the insults between Chirasa and Chatunga are unprintable.
By A Correspondent- Over 124 artisanal miners were arrested at Mazowe mine, (Jumbo) yesterday following an operation to clear machete wielding illegal gold panners at the mine.
The operation which started yesterday forced over 1000 armed police officers from Support unit, Guruve, Mt Darwin and Bindura districts to flood the area.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the case.
“We started the operation yesterday and about 124 illegal miners were arrested the operation is still on-going,” he said.
However, some police officers on duty are disgruntled over the exercise as they were forced to go to work without much preparation and food.
“This operation is not good enough for us as we were just forced to go to work without preparing we do not have food here and life has proved tough for us lamented,” police officers.
Unconfirmed reports claim the operation is meant to pave way for president Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son Tongai who wants to take over the mine as he is the major buyer of gold there.
There is a gold rush at the mine with Zanu-PF big wigs using their party cars to loot the precious mineral from the private owned mine.
Farai Dziva|Deputy Information Minister Energy Mutodi says government will prioritize investments from China ahead of offers from the West.
Writing on Twitter Mutodi literally indicated government would not accept investments from Western countries.
“The historic visit to Zimbabwe by the Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Mr Wang Yi is a slap in the face of Britain, US and the EU who have remained hostile. We will in return, prioritize Chinese business interests ahead of any Western country,” wrote Mutodi on Twitter.
Farai Dziva|Deputy Information Minister Energy Mutodi says government will prioritize investments from China ahead of offers from the West.
Writing on Twitter Mutodi literally indicated government would not accept investments from Western countries.
“The historic visit to Zimbabwe by the Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Mr Wang Yi is a slap in the face of Britain, US and the EU who have remained hostile. We will in return, prioritize Chinese business interests ahead of any Western country,” wrote Mutodi on Twitter.
State Media|The November 2019 Zimbabwe School Examinations Council’s Advanced Level results are out with girls outsmarting boys, again. A marginal 1,2 percent increase in the pass rate has been achieved from 81,9 percent in 2018.
The results which were announced by Zimsec board chairman, Professor Eddie Mwenje in Harare yesterday brought a silver lining to the country’s education system as a decline in pass rates was being recorded over the years.
Both the November 2019 Zimsec Grade Seven and the Higher Education Examination Council (Hexco) recorded a decline in pass rates.
The Grade Seven pass rate declined to 46,9 percent in 2019 from 52,08 in 2018, while the Hexco pass rate declined from 74.1 percent in 2018 to 58,3 percent.
Announcing the results, which candidates can now collect from their respective centres or access online, Prof Mwenje said: “The total number of candidates who sat for the November 2019 examination was 51 862. The candidature increased by 5 348 from 46 478 in 2018, which translates to an increase of 11,6 percent.
“In 2019, 50 774 candidates wrote two or more subjects and 42 1 69 obtained Grade E or better in two or more subjects. This translated to 83,1 percent pass rate, an increase of 1,2 percentage points from 81,9 percent as recorded in 2018.”
Public schools had more candidates compared to the mushrooming private schools.
The total number of school candidates was 42 543, of this number 42 157 wrote two or more subjects.
A total of 36 515 candidates obtained Grade E or better in two or more subjects, yielding a pass rate of 86, 6 percent compared to a pass rate of 65,6 percent pass rate recorded by private candidates.
The total number of private candidates was 9 319, while 8 617 wrote two or more subjects.
“The number of school female candidates that set for the 2019 A’ Level examinations was 19 877. Out of this number, 19 689 wrote two or more subjects and 17 525 passed two or more subjects, yielding a 89 percent pass-rate.
“There were 22 666 male candidates and 18 990 passed two or more subjects, translating to 84,5 percent,” said Prof Mwenje.
Special needs candidates were 55 and 35 candidates passed two or more subjects.
While the general pass rate was high, most science subject learners find the going tough and recorded a 31,6 percent pass rate.
“It is important for the nation to note that out of 17 749 candidates who registered to write Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics 5 610 passed two or more subjects with a Grade E or better.
“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education needs to closely look into this area. There could be a number of factors which need further interrogation that could be contributing to this poor performance. We need to closely look at each subject because these are the second results from the recently introduced competency-based curriculum.
“The other contributing factor can be that science subjects require a lot of input and equipment which most schools do not possess,” said Prof Mwenje.
Director of one of Mutare’s leading private schools, First Class Academy, Mr Stephen Mutsongodza, said the increase in this year’s pass rate was welcome news to the education sector.
Mr Mutsongodza also hailed the girl child for going the extra mile in producing better results every year.
“Girls have been doing wonders in schools and they should continue working hard.
“We need more ladies in positions of authority like Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri (Minister of Defence and War Veterans) and Monica Mutsvangwa (Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services), Mrs Chipo Mtasa (TelOne managing director) and Captain Chipo Matimba (a woman pilot).
By Jane Mlambo| Opposition MDC President Nelson Chamisa has threatened to proceed with his Hope of the Nation address dubbed The people’s Vision 2020 despite desperate state antics to block his planned action.
Yesterday, police banned a planned MDC gathering that was set for Mai Musodzi hall in Mbare citing depleted workforce due to school opening hive.
But a defiant Chamisa said his party had exhausted all the channels and will not continue respecting the unjustified application of the law against the MDC by the state.
He vowed to proceed with the planned function on Tuesday the 21st of January.
“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.We’ve exhausted all channels.We can’t continue to be victims of unjust application of the law.Rights are for all.On Tuesday 21st Jan we will deliver the people’s Agenda 2020 to the nation come what may.#peoplesgovernment,” said Chamisa.
Own Correspondent| The Secretary-General of the opposition MDC led by advocate Nelson Chamisa has revealed that Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights refused to represent him in his treason case.
He said that ZLHR refused to represent him for political reasons adding that he is a prisoner of the State who did not apply to be arrested. He tweeted:
We have now started the process of preparing for my upcoming Treason Trial. Mr Harrison Nkomo will be leading my defense and thanks to him for agreeing to represent me after @ZlHR refused to take up my matter. The reasons which are political will be revealed after the Trial
Hwende was arrested in March last year for his alleged role in the January protests which followed an unprecedented fuel price hike by the government.
It is alleged that Hwende incited violence by his tweet which he has since disowned saying that the State has no evidence to say the twitter account belongs to him.
Hwende was arrested at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International airport early in March on his return from Namibia where he had been visiting his family.
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe Republic Police have revealed that four armed robbers reportedly pounced on a Gwanda family around 3 am on Sunday and took over R50 000 lobola money.
Deputy National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Blessmore Chishaka said that the money was part of the bride price the unnamed family in Bethel Village, Gwanda had received on Saturday. Chishaka said:
I can confirm that we recorded an armed robbery case which occurred in Bethel Village. On Saturday morning the complainants received R55 000 from their in-laws as bride price for their daughter. The first complainant who is the father took R47 500 to his homestead and gave his other relatives R7 500 which they shared amongst themselves.
He added that a gang of four men who had their faces covered, armed with a pistol, hammer and a log broke the door to the house of the bride’s father, gained entry and demanded cash at gunpoint.
The victim surrendered a bag containing R47 500 and US$400 and the gang also took four cell phones before proceeding to another homestead where they took US$300, R3 110, $1 900 and three cell phones.
They punctured tyers of vehicles which were parked at the homestead before fleeing from the scene in their unidentified vehicle.
DEPUTY Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza has berated law enforcement agents who are in the habit of rushing to arrest before thoroughly investigating their suspects, saying this had the effect of eroding public confidence and frustrating the tail end of the justice delivery system.
Speaking at the official opening of the 2020 legal year at the Bulawayo High Court yesterday, Justice Gwaunza said investigators and arresting officers should continue honing their skills and conduct thorough investigations before arresting those suspected of engaging in criminal activities.
“Knee-jerk arrests only serve to frustrate the ends of justice,” she said.
“The public will consequently feel let down by the system and such a scenario lends credence to the notorious accusations of catch and release.
“In my address last year, I intimated that there were plans to cascade the anti-corruption courts to all 10 provinces of the country. I am happy to advise that in the past year, the Judicial Service Commission established anti-corruption courts in five additional provinces, Midlands included.”
Justice Gwaunza added that two anti-corruption courts had been established in Harare and Bulawayo, with the identified judges earmarked for training in Uganda later this month.
“The fight against corruption requires the collective effort of all institutions involved in the administration of justice. The public is equally expected to play its part,” she said.
She urged the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) to properly advise the police and Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) on the strength of evidence required to secure prosecutions.
“The pursuit of justice should resonate with a careful, conscientious and professional execution of the constitutional mandate of prosecuting criminal matters in courts,” Justice Gwaunza said.
“Legal practitioners are equally enjoined to play their constitutional role of representing their clients to the best of their abilities and in terms of the law. Legal practitioners are officers of the court and are expected not only to assist the court arrive at just decisions but to behave ethically as well.”
Last year, the country witnessed several arrests of top government officials and ex-ministers on allegations of corruption, but most of the cases have either collapsed or yet to be concluded.
Officially opening the 2020 legal year at the Constitutional Court in Harare yesterday, Chief Justice Luke Malaba revealed that the judiciary will this year introduce live-streaming of cases attracting public and national interest..
Chief Justice Malaba said live broadcasting of cases is vital in promoting transparency and accountability, while members of the general public, who cannot attend court sessions, will be able to know what goes on in courts.
He said live-streaming of the 2018 presidential election petition hearing was an eye opener to the Judiciary, hence the idea to make this a permanent feature.
By A Correspondent- After her recent visit to Harare’s popular cleric Prophet Walter Magaya’s Church Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Church (PHD), Bounty Lisa’s fortune is yet to turn for the best as her tumour is still haunting her.
Bounty Lisa
The social media personality Mai Titi decided to make a courtesy call at Bounty Lisa’s residence and said:
“Went to see Bounty Lisa oh she not feeling well let’s pray for her. Get well soon chimhamha”
This definitely affects her work which involves standing on two feet for hours.
She was once married to fellow musician Soul Jah Luv and they broke up under unclear circumstances.
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum has issued a statement in remembrance of the people who died during the January 14, 2019 fuel protest dubbed #ZimShutdown.
The protest degenerated into chaos with protestors vandalising and looting, in that order, infrastructure and commodities.
State security forces were unleashed into homes as a result and they tortured, killed and sexually abused some members of the public.
Below is the statement by Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum.
Own Correspondent|Opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has postponed his Vision 2020 address that was set for Mai Musodzi hall in Mbare after police refused to clear the gathering citing personnel shortage due to school opening.
In banning the event, police said they were not able to provide enough security during the event as their members were busy with the current schools opening.
The ban on the main opposition’s event elicited fierce rebuke by MDC deputy national spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka who claimed the state was treating his party like a terrorist organisation.
“The police have today proscribed Agenda 2020, a key event for the party that was scheduled for tomorrow in Mbare, Harare, citing flimsy excuses that the event cannot proceed because the police are busy with the schools that are opening this week, as if the police have anything to do with opening of schools,” said Tamborinyoka while addressing local media at Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House.
“We are noting a disturbing trend where the police are routinely proscribing MDC events and treating the party as a banned organisation in the country.
“We continue to be treated like a banned or a terrorist organisation when we are a legitimate political party that is in Parliament and that controls 28 out of 32 urban local authorities.
“For fear of our (supporters) lives against this brutal dictatorship, and given what this regime has done before, we have decided to postpone the Agenda 2020 event to next week on Tuesday at a venue to be announced.
“We have postponed the event because the regime was budgeting for a clash, for blood and for violence and as a party we will not sacrifice the lives of innocent Zimbabweans.”
An attempt to hold a similar event in November last year ended with police beating up and injuring scores of MDC supporters who had gathered outside the party’s Harare headquarters for Chamisa’s address.
Chamisa was set to give his Hope of the Nation Address.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government has kept a tight rein on MDC activities amid growing fears of a popular uprising against the under-fire national leader.
Own Correspondent|Former Turkey international Hakan Sukur says he resorted to driving an Uber and selling books for living after he lost all his assets to the Turkish government.
Sukur however on the verge of being honoured with a fare play award for how he managed to get his life back on track following the incident with the Turkish government.
Surkur who played for Inter Milan , Blackburn Rovers and Galatasary said Turkish preside Recep Erdogan took all he has from him and sent his dad to jail, before he decided to flee from Turkey.
“I drive for Uber and I sell books. I am starting to work now.
“Everyone that has a connection with me has financial troubles. I don’t have anything left. I have tens of millions of dollars of property in Turkey, but everything is confiscated.
“Erdogan took everything from me: my right to freedom, my right to express myself, my right to work.
“My wife’s boutique was stoned, my children were harassed and my father sent to jail.
“When I left for the US, my father was locked up and my assets taken.”
Sukur scored 52 goals from 112 caps for Turkey and helped to qualify the national team for Euro 2000 Champinship and FIFA world cup in 2002 where they finished third.
Surkur who scored the fastest goal in the history of FIFA World Cup when he netted after 19 seconds in the third place match against Korea said he still loves his Country.
Own Correspondent|The person who shared video showing Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 being struck by an Iranian missile last week has been arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Fars News Agency reported Tuesday.
Fars, which is described as a “semi-official” news agency of the Iranian government, said the results of an investigation into the unnamed person will be released to the public.
The Boeing 737 crashed outside of Tehran shortly after takeoff on January 8, just hours after Iran fired a barrage of missiles at two US-occupied military bases in Iraq. All 176 people onboard the plane were killed.
While experts were quick to suspect that an accidental shootdown was to blame, Iran at first vehemently denied any wrongdoing and claimed the plane’s engine malfunctioned.
As Ukrainian investigators arrived in Iran on Thursday to collect evidence at the crash site, The New York Times published a report about the video, which shows a missile being shot off into the night sky before hitting an unseen object and exploding into a ball of flames.
Later that day, US intelligence sources started to confirm the shootdown theory to news outlets.
It wasn’t until Saturday that Iran finally admitted shooting down the plane, setting off massive anti-government protests across the country.
Also on Tuesday, another video emerged showing two missiles hit the plane.The Times‘ investigative team also verified that video. It’s unclear who filmed or posted the second video.
Embattled wife to Vice President Emmerson Chiwenga is a holder of two valid Zimbabwean diplomatic passports and another ordinary one.
The startling revelations were made in opposing papers filed by the VP against Marry Mubaiwa’s recent suit on the him.
In the suit, Marry claimed the country’s number 2 abducted the couple’s minor children and had blocked her access to the family’s Borrowdale home.
But in trying to discredit his estranged wife, VP Chiwenga revealed through his lawyers that Marry was a holder of three passports.
Marry is currently on bail after she was arrested last year and charged with attempted murder, money laundering and fraud.
She surrendered her diplomatic passport as part of her bail conditions, and retained two other valid passports, according to the VP.
According to Chiwenga in his court papers, Marry is a holder of two diplomatic passports (AD005170) and (AD005759).
They are due to expire on December 11 this year and November 2, 2022 respectively.
The third passport (CN701555) will expire on February 21, 2022.
Zimbabweans are entitled to a single passport each.
The revelations of her holding more than a single passport would most likely be received with anger among many local passport applicants who have endured months of waiting for the precious document amid claims by authorities the country was short of special paper to print them.
The country’s passport backlog currently runs into hundreds of thousands with government seemingly at a loss on how to remedy the situation.
The United Kingdom has not invited Zimbabwe to the UK-Africa Investment Summit getting underway in London on January 20, dealing a major blow to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s bid to end the country’s international isolation.
Dozens of African heads of state are attending the event being hosted by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The Zimbabwe presidency claimed that the former colonial power “is no longer an investing global power,” in an apparent attempt to take the sting out of the snub.
The leaders of Africa’s economic powerhouses – South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, Nigeria’s Muhammadu Buhari and Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta – have confirmed attendance at the London summit being held at the same time as the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
George Charamba, the spokesman for the presidency, said Zimbabwe would be represented at Davos – the annual get-together of global leaders in politics, academia and business where delegates pay US$27,000 each for a ticket.
Charamba, writing on Twitter, said: “Let’s see what happens in the United Kingdom and to those invited. Methinks the UK uses false diplomacy to steady home nerves arising from Brexit. The UK is no longer an investing global power; long ceased to be thus!”
Britain is formalising its disengagement from the European Union after Johnson won an overwhelming mandate in December. The process, dubbed Brexit, will see the United Kingdom individually reviewing its trade ties with the rest of the world, including African countries.
On its government website, the UK government said the summit will bring together businesses, governments and international institutions “to showcase and promote the breadth and quality of investment opportunities across Africa.”
“The summit will strengthen the UK’s partnership with African nations to build a secure and prosperous future for all our citizens. It will mobilise new and substantial investment to create jobs and boost mutual prosperity,” it added.
The UK’s Department of International Trade says that UK-Africa trade was worth over £33 billion in 2018, and that about 2,000 British businesses currently operate in Africa.
The British government has set a new ambition for the UK to be the largest G7 investor in Africa by 2022.
Mnangagwa has made international engagement a key agenda after winning a disputed election in July 2018. His government has spent millions of dollars on international lobbyists, seeking improved relations with western countries who have withheld financial support over concerns about human rights abuses and a reluctance to reform.
Zimbabwe has so far failed to win support for readmission into the Commonwealth, the club of former British colonies, which it pulled out of in 2003 in protest over its suspension a year earlier and the imposition of sanctions by the European Union. The British government has tied the country’s return to the body to the pace of economic and political reforms.
Charamba on Tuesday claimed the Commonwealth was not a “veritable economic grouping” but “just an emotional get-together,” continuing his theme of understating the impact of Zimbabwe’s ongoing isolation on the international stage. – ZimLive
VP Chiwenga has revealed that Marry Chiwenga has 2 diplomatic passports & 1 ordinary passport exposing the rot at the RG's office. Do you think the RG should resign for abuse of office?
By A Correspondent- An attempt by a Lupane based family to conceal a case of se_xual abuse has been exposed after a rap_e victim finally broke her silence four years after she was allegedly violated by her brother.
Allegations are that on an unknown date in 2015, the accused met the complainant who was coming from school and asked her to assist him in carrying some logs from a nearby bush.
It is further alleged that he then rap_ed her but family members agreed not to report the matter to the police.
However, four years after the alleged incident, the complainant reported the matter to the police leading to the arrest of the accused.
The case is being heard before Hwange Magistrate Collet Ncube with the accused remanded in custody.
By Talent Gondo- The Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested Manicaland Diocese Anglican Bishop, Eric Ruwona over profiteering from the compulsory sale of Bibles and hymn books to desperate pupils seeking places at Anglican schools in the province.
The Bishop is currently detained at Mutare Central Police Station and is expected to appear in court tomorrow.
Allegations against Bishop Ruwona are that the cleric would force pupils seeking places at Anglican schools to pay a staggering $800 for the Holy Bible. It is alleged that those who failed to pay were turned away.
Bishop Ruwona was arrested following a tip-off by frustrated parents.
This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest updates.
As promised I have carried my own investigations in the aforesaid matter. There is no proof that the alleged(£80,000) amount of money was even paid so l cant make any conclusions on that.
Furthermore the Ladies in question have failed to substantiate their allegations with tangible evidence so as to help in getting to the bottom of the matter.
There is also no evidence that this amount of money even left UK unless it was carried illegally out of UK.
There are transactions of money transferred to Zim using money transfer companies by people in the subject of this matter but was tiny fraction of the said amount.
So l found no evidence that huge money was legal transferred to Zim by any of the people involved in this matter. The court case against Mr Moyo was also withdrawn by the Ladies who were the plaintiff in this matter without reasons.
I asked a lot of questions to the Qoki ladies and Mr Moyo yesterday soliciting responses in order to put the matter to rest. I must say Mr Moyo responded to all the issues relating to the matter.To my dismay the Qoki Ladies failed or neglected to respond to any questions relating to this issue.
They have decided to turn their backs against the truth, I have no reasons to dispute what Mr Moyo has furnished me with including documents l have regarding the issues. I am satisfied that the allegation and accusation of fraud is not substantiated in this matter.
I listened to my sister Sithule’s live video, she actually reiterated that “Akula muntu otshontshele omunye”.
The BIG question if kungela “tsotsi otshontshele omunye”, why was such malicious and reckless statement put in public domain that Mr Moyo had defrauded the ladies. Following the interviews l have conducted and evidence at hand, I can now conclude that Mr Moyo was subjected to unethical behaviour by some scrupulous people within the ambit of Qoki Association.
Unless and until I’m supplied with evidence, l cant find any wrong doing by Mr Moyo. Mr Moyo confirmed to me that he refused to agree to remove the other 8 ladies out of the agreement as initially proposed by Sithule & Karen.
Mr Moyo also says he refused to let a company purely owned by 2 ladies to register the land, which would ONLY benefit the 2 individual ladies. Mr Moyo says he wanted to live with a clear conscience and believed in doing the right thing.
Mr Moyo also says Ladies never communicated with their legal team before resorting to a social media attack and his legal team will be taking action against all those who attacked, bullied and abused him.
As posted yesterday Mr Moyo also confirmed that his lawyers attended High Coiurt hearing and found themselves being the only ones in court room because the ladies and their lawyers had withdrawn the case.
I have all legal supporting documents supporting this evidence which l posted yesterday and also available at both legal teams offices for verification. Mr Moyo also sent me a letter from his lawyers which strongly advised him against responding to any social media attacks.
By the way these are my findings and no one is stopped to do the same. Meanwhile Mr Moyo’s Lawyers have sued Qoki to recover their legal costs.
By A Correspondent- The Acting President of Zimbabwe, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has revealed that he took the children away from his estranged wife, Marry Mubaiwa-Chiwenga to have them cleansed “of memories of the horrors they experienced” when they were with their mother Marry.
Chiwenga revealed this in his court papers which challenge the former model’s application to be allowed into their Borrowdale Brooke house. He said:
My clothes in some cases were heaped together and sprayed by the applicant with some unknown substances.
I had to take the children away to cleanse them of memories of the horrors they experienced.
Marry who was arrested by ZACC on the 15th of December accused of attempting to kill the vice president, money laundering, externalisation of funds and fraudulently seeking to upgrade her customary union to a civil marriage without her husband’s consent, is currently out on bail.
One of the bail’s condition was for her to stay at their Borrowdale House but the former military boss is denying her entrance saying that she cannot stay with him since he is a State witness.
By Staff Reporter- The Secretary-General of the opposition MDC led by advocate Nelson Chamisa has revealed that Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights refused to represent him in his treason case.
He said that ZLHR refused to represent him for political reasons adding that he is a prisoner of the State who did not apply to be arrested. He tweeted:
We have now started the process of preparing for my upcoming Treason Trial. Mr Harrison Nkomo will be leading my defense and thanks to him for agreeing to represent me after @ZlHR refused to take up my matter. The reasons which are political will be revealed after the Trial
Hwende was arrested in March last year for his alleged role in the January protests which followed an unprecedented fuel price hike by the government.
It is alleged that Hwende incited violence by his tweet which he has since disowned saying that the State has no evidence to say the twitter account belongs to him.
Hwende was arrested at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International airport early in March on his return from Namibia where he had been visiting his family.
State Media|Manicaland Diocese Anglican Bishop Eric Ruwona has been arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission in connection with fraud involving $700 000.
Bishop Ruwona and his accomplices in 2016 allegedly used Manicaland Diocese to apply for a loan of $100 000 from Agribank claiming they wanted to built Saint Catherine’s Girls High School in Rusape and buy a vehicle for the bishop.
The accused persons allegedly used a piece of land belonging to the church as collateral without the knowledge of the church standing committee and congregants.
As a result of the alleged misrepresentation, the loan was approved and the accused pocketed the money.
On the second count, the accused in the same year fraudulently applied for another loan from the same bank for $350 000.
The bishop and his accomplices later allegedly withdrew an overdraft of $250 000 from the Agribank account without the knowledge of the church.
Bishop Ruwona spent the night at Mutare Central Police Station and is expected to appear in court today.
After nearly two months inside Zimbabwe, ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa, yesterday flew out of Harare for Maputo, Mozambique.
Mnangagwa is attending the inauguration of the President-Elect, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi following his disputed re-election for a second term last October.
The development means, Mnangagwa is still at work since Friday last week [only spent 2 days off work, while closely monitoring Constantino Chiwenga] despite being to be on annual leave.
That Mozambican election saw incidents filmed on camera in which Zimbabwean citizens were bused on ZUPCO buses to polling stations as far as Masvingo where they declared they were transported by Mr Nyusi to vote for him.
Arriving in Maputo, Mnangagwa was met at the International Airport by Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Mozambique, Ambassador Douglas Nyikayaramba, and local officials there.
Meanwhile, the state owned broadcaster, ZBC reported that Mnangagwa’s absence, he will be represented by Vice Presidents General (Rtd) Dr C.G.D.N. Chiwenga and Colonel (Rtd) Cde K.C.D. Mohadi
MARRY Mubaiwa, the estranged wife of Acting President Constantino Chiwenga, who is on remand for attempted murder, fraud and money laundering, surrendered one diplomatic passport as a bail condition, and retained two other valid passports, it has emerged.
It has come to the court’s attention that Mubaiwa had two valid diplomatic passports and one ordinary passport when the High Court recently freed her on bail.
The Acting President accuses his estranged wife of performing rituals at his Borrowdale Brooke home and bringing in “witch doctors”.
Two diplomatic passports (AD005170) and (AD005759) bearing Mubaiwa’s names are due to expire on December 11 this year and November 2, 2022 respectively.
The third passport (CN701555) will expire on February 21, 2022.
Opposing Mubaiwa’s application to return to Number 614 Nick Price Drive, Borrowdale Brooke, the Acting President’s lawyers, Manase & Manase Legal Practitioners, argued that the prosecution was not aware of the issue when bail was argued.State media
POLICE have named five people who died in a road accident on Sunday evening along Masvingo-Beitbridge Road near Ngomahuru Turn-Off.
They said two of the victims were burnt beyond recognition when one of the vehicles caught fire.
The accident occurred at around 5.30pm at the 42km peg along the highway when two cars collided.
Deputy national police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Blessmore Chishaka said all the five had been positively identified and their families had been advised.
They are: Zivanai Bernard (34) of Beitbridge, Edith Maunganidze (35) of Masvingo, Makanaka Savanhu (eight) of Masvingo, Elliah Gilbert (38) and Obey Gilbert both of Chitungwiza.
“We proffer our condolences to the bereaved families and implore motorists to safeguard themselves, their passengers and other road users against unnecessary loss of life through strict adherence to road rules and observance of all traffic laws,” Chief Supt Chishaka said.
A Honda Fit collided with another car, driving in the opposite direction, along the Masvingo-Beitbridge Road.
The driver of the other vehicle tried to overtake in front of oncoming traffic resulting in the collision.
The Honda Fit was headed towards Masvingo while the other vehicle was travelling towards Beitbridge and caught fire on collision.
Three people in the Honda Fit, including the minor aged eight died on the spot while the other two in the unidentified vehicle were burnt beyond recognition.
All the bodies were taken to Masvingo Hospital mortuary.-State media
Zinwa pictures suggest works for Murambinda, Marowanyati Dam has reached 96% completion | IS THIS TRUE & RELIABLE @MoyoNjaja ? pic.twitter.com/PBouOvKht8
Manicaland Diocese Anglican Bishop Eric Ruwona has been arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission in connection with fraud involving $700 000.
Bishop Ruwona and his accomplices in 2016 allegedly used Manicaland Diocese to apply for a loan of $100 000 from Agribank claiming they wanted to built Saint Catherine’s Girls High School in Rusape and buy a vehicle for the bishop.
The accused persons allegedly used a piece of land belonging to the church as collateral without the knowledge of the church standing committee and congregants.
As a result of the alleged misrepresentation, the loan was approved and the accused pocketed the money.
On the second count, the accused in the same year fraudulently applied for another loan from the same bank for $350 000.
The bishop and his accomplices later allegedly withdrew an overdraft of $250 000 from the Agribank account without the knowledge of the church.
Bishop Ruwona spent the night at Mutare Central Police Station and is expected to appear in court today.-State media
FC Platinum coach Hendrik Pieter de Jongh is reportedly among applicants for the vacant Warriors’ job.
A new Warriors’ head coach is set to be unveiled by the end of this month before resumption of the Fifa 2022 World Cup qualifiers in March.
Zimbabwe are in Pot 3 and will be drawn against any of the seeded teams — Senegal, Tunisia, Nigeria, Algeria, Morocco, Ghana, Egypt, Cameroon, Mali, and DR Congo.
The matches will be played at Barbourfields Stadium following the condemnation of the National Sports Stadium by a Caf grounds inspection team.
The draw for the Caf group stage matches will be conducted in Cairo, Egypt, on January 20 and Zifa are keen to have their man in time so that he familiarises himself with the working environment.
“De Jongh submitted his papers to the association and he will go through the normal vetting processes just like everyone else whose papers are with the association.
The Technical and Development Committee chaired by Bryton Malandule is likely going to meet this week to recommend to the executive committee their preferred candidate as you know that the final decision lies with the executive committee in terms of the Zifa constitution,” said a Zifa source.
De Jongh, who had a largely successful but short stint with Bosso, is believed to have signed a long-term contract with league champions FC Platinum.
Other coaches that applied for the Warriors’ job include another former Highlanders’ coach and Dutchman Erol Akbay, Spaniard Manuel “Manolo” Marquez Roca, Hans Michael Weiss of Germany, Kosta Papic of Serbia and Zdravko Logarusic of Croatia.
Former Warriors interim and Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas is the only Zimbabwean that applied for the job.State media
The MDC condemns the sensational claims by Justice Wadyajena in which he tries to link the menace of Mashurugwi to our Secretary General Hon Chalton Hwende.
Wadyajena’s alarmist claims border on insanity.
They are but a desperate attempt to deflate pressure on senior politicians in Zanu PF who are the creators and kingpins of the vigilante groups. It is public secret that the machete-wielding Al Shabaab and Mashurugwi vigilante groups are fronted right from the securocratic corridors of power.
They were founded solely to defend the elastic extractive interests of the highest offices in the country. To maintain, hold, instil fear and elude all the tax obligations of proper mining in the country.
To then link such to the MDC or its senior officers is not only far-fetched but defies logic. It is an attempt to mud-sling where it won’t stick.
The fact of the matter is that Mashurugwi are an indictment on Mnangagwa and his team.
Their lack of respect for human life and their inability to administer the rule of law and the killings are a clear sign of a total breakdown of the rule of law and disregard of Constitutional order. More fundamentally, it is a reflection of economic decay, poverty and unemployment now pervasive in the country.
This combination brings unpalatable suffering to the nation which ultimately pushes especially young people to extremist means of survival. Instead of blaming the MDC, Zanu PF must accept the blame, take full responsibility of lives lost and confront their front-men who now own the gangs.
Beyond this, there must be serious reform in the mining sector including the promulgation of a new Mining and Minerals Act which, among other things, must address the following.
That obtaining of mining claims be done in a professional and transparent manner
Redefinition of mining licences and mineral purchasing, marketing, holding licences
That there be a cap on exportation of minerals in their raw form and that there must be deliberate beneficiation to create more decent jobs.
That a significant chunk of resources generated in mining be retained to develop and benefit local mining communities.
That the Revenue Authority be allowed to station officers at any stage of mining they require to stem revenue bleeding.
Beyond mining reforms, there must be strengthening of law enforcement, culprits must be arrested and prosecuted.
The police service in its work must be guided by the National Constitution particularly the conduct provided in section 208 of the Constitution.
By Farai D Hove | NCA leader Lovemore Madhuku has inferred the MDC led by Nelson Chamisa is not a political party.
Writing on Tuesday, Madhuku went further to describe parties which are not in Emmerson Mnangagwa’s group of political actors, Polad, as “other citizens.”
To the MDC, Madhuku is:
– a competitor (leader of the NCA party.
– a legal adversary (the lawyer of MDC renegade, Thokozani Khupe).
– An incriminator – prosecutor equivalent, a decision maker in the Kgalema Motlanthe Commission set up to put blame on Chamisa’s MDC party for Emmerson Mnangagwa’s crimes against humanity on the 1st August 2018.
FULL THREAD –
Lovemore Madhuku: Polad is a platform created by political parties. Other citizens may create other platforms. When I criticised the President for not taking the Polad position on the gazetting of constitutional amendments, it was all about engagement. Polad will achieve its objective: engagement.
Nichole: What kind of professor are you though? Engagement without results? Sic
Madhuku: Engagement is in itself an excellent result for the building of our democracy in Zimbabwe.
HouMuza: Engagement is two way. And actions speak louder the words. The snub has spoken. If intentions are pure, the snub should have hurt because there’s lack of two-way participation.
A family from Gwanda lost more than R50 000 which was part of lobola they had received after four masked armed robbers pounced on them a day after the payment of the bride price.
Deputy National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Blessmore Chishaka confirmed the incident which occurred on Sunday at around 3AM in Bethel Village.
He said the suspects who are still at large invaded two homesteads which family members were sleeping in. The family lost the lobola as well as other personal money.
“I can confirm that we recorded an armed robbery case which occurred in Bethel Village. On Saturday morning the complainants received R55 000 from their in-laws as bride price for their daughter. The first complainant who is the father took R47 500 to his homestead and gave his other relatives R7 500 which they shared amongst themselves,” he said.
“At around 3AM, a gang of four men who had their faces covered and were armed with a pistol, hammer and a log broke the door to the first complainant’s house and gained entry. They held a gun to his head and demanded cash and he surrendered a bag containing R47 500 and US$400. They also took four cell phones which belong to him and his wife.”
Chief Supt Chishaka said the gang that was travelling in an unidentified vehicle went to a nearby homestead where other family members were sleeping and ordered them to hand over their money. He said they took US$300, R3 110, $1 900 and three cell phones.
Chief Supt Chishaka said the gang punctured tyres of vehicles that were parked in the homestead and drove away in their vehicle which was parked about 200 metres away. He said the matter was reported to the police who attended the scene.
He appealed to members of the public who might have information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact any nearest police station.
“Investigations are underway and we have deployed our teams on the ground. We are appealing to anyone with information on the identity or whereabouts of the suspects to contact the police,” he said. -Chronicle
By Daniel Nemukuyu| Marry Mubaiwa, the estranged wife of Acting President Constantino Chiwenga, who is on remand for alleged attempted murder, fraud and money laundering, surrendered one diplomatic passport as a bail condition, and retained two other valid passports, it has emerged.
It has come to the court’s attention that Mubaiwa had two valid diplomatic passports and one ordinary passport when the High Court recently freed her on bail.
The Acting President accuses his estranged wife of performing rituals at his Borrowdale Brooke home and bringing in “witch doctors”.
Two diplomatic passports (AD005170) and (AD005759) bearing Mubaiwa’s names are due to expire on December 11 this year and November 2, 2022 respectively.
The third passport (CN701555) will expire on February 21, 2022.
Opposing Mubaiwa’s application to return to Number 614 Nick Price Drive, Borrowdale Brooke, the Acting President’s lawyers, Manase & Manase Legal Practitioners, argued that the prosecution was not aware of the issue when bail was argued.
He wants Mubaiwa’s bail revoked for lack of candidness.
The lawyers argued that Mubaiwa, being an accused person, could not share the house with the Acting President, who is the complainant in two of the cases for fear of interference.
To that end, the Acting President has instructed his lawyers to write to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) advising them of the discovery.
“The State failed to indicate during the bail hearing that I resided at 614 Nick Price Drive and a State witness could not now share the premises with the applicant (Mubaiwa).
“I notice that she mischievously said she stays there to cause havoc. She also surrendered one diplomatic passport yet she has two,” reads the opposing affidavit.
The lawyers said by not surrendering all the passports she had in her possession, Mubaiwa was not a candid person and her bail should be revoked.
“By lying, she should have her bail revoked,” reads the affidavit.
The Acting President stated that Mubaiwa found him staying at the residence in question when they married and she no longer had a legal right to be there following termination of their customary union recently.
“Number 614 Nick Price Drive, Borrowdale, is my house of sentimental value awarded to me by the High Court in a former divorce matter by the late Justice Mutema.
“I have no other home,” he said.
He suggested that Mubaiwa must continue staying where she is.
“I am a State witness and in other charges, a complainant. Surely, she cannot stay where I am staying.
“Since her release from prison, she is staying somewhere in one of her houses. She must stay there so as not to interfere with State witnesses and a complainant,” he said.
The Acting President denied allegations that he abducted their three children, saying he was taking care of the children as a natural parent.
“The applicant was arrested and the children were left unattended. It became incumbent on the respondent to take the children. I took them on holiday abroad and initially they had signs of trauma as they explained the black magic rituals they were subjected to by the applicant.
“My clothes in some cases were heaped together and sprayed by applicant with some unknown substances.
“I had to take the children away to cleanse them of memories of the horrors they experienced,” he said.
It was argued that there was medical evidence suggesting Mubaiwa was unfit to take custody of the children.
“The medical affidavit on Page 12 is very clear.
“The doctor concluded that she (Marry) should be under the care of a physician, a surgeon and a psychiatrist.
“It is indicated that she has flashbacks, suffers from lack of sleep and has difficulties in breathing, symptoms of illicit drug abuse.
“Applicant cannot be trusted with children in the circumstances. While she cannot be precluded from being with and seeing the children, the court must balance the scales as there is need for both parents to continuously be with the children in order to ensure an unabused welfare,” he said.
Out of the five vehicles that Mubaiwa claims to have been deprived of, Acting President Chiwenga said, only one belonged to her.
“Applicant does not own all vehicles she is claiming. Only the Range Rover autobiography is her car. The rest do not belong to her . . .” – The Herald
Farai Dziva|The Movement for Democratic Change has dismissed claims that party Secretary General Charlton Hwende is linked to MaShurugwi.
See the party’s full statement below:
The MDC condemns the sensational claims by Justice Wadyajena in which he tries to link the menace of Mashurugwi to our Secretary General Hon Chalton Hwende.
Wadyajena’s alarmist claims border on insanity.
They are but a desperate attempt to deflate pressure on senior politicians in Zanu PF who are the creators and kingpins of the vigilante groups. It is public secret that the machete-wielding Al Shabaab and Mashurugwi vigilante groups are fronted right from the securocratic corridors of power.
They were founded solely to defend the elastic extractive interests of the highest offices in the country. To maintain, hold, instil fear and elude all the tax obligations of proper mining in the country.
To then link such to the MDC or its senior officers is not only far-fetched but defies logic. It is an attempt to mud-sling where it won’t stick.
The fact of the matter is that Mashurugwi are an indictment on Mnangagwa and his team.
Their lack of respect for human life and their inability to administer the rule of law and the killings are a clear sign of a total breakdown of the rule of law and disregard of Constitutional order. More fundamentally, it is a reflection of economic decay, poverty and unemployment now pervasive in the country.
This combination brings unpalatable suffering to the nation which ultimately pushes especially young people to extremist means of survival. Instead of blaming the MDC, Zanu PF must accept the blame, take full responsibility of lives lost and confront their front-men who now own the gangs.
Beyond this, there must be serious reform in the mining sector including the promulgation of a new Mining and Minerals Act which, among other things, must address the following.
That obtaining of mining claims be done in a professional and transparent manner
Redefinition of mining licences and mineral purchasing, marketing, holding licences
That there be a cap on exportation of minerals in their raw form and that there must be deliberate beneficiation to create more decent jobs.
That a significant chunk of resources generated in mining be retained to develop and benefit local mining communities.
That the Revenue Authority be allowed to station officers at any stage of mining they require to stem revenue bleeding.
Beyond mining reforms, there must be strengthening of law enforcement, culprits must be arrested and prosecuted.
The police service in its work must be guided by the National Constitution particularly the conduct provided in section 208 of the Constitution.
THE 2020 Castle Lager Premiership football season is set to start a bit earlier this season but that will do little to ease the Premier Soccer League’s worries ahead of a hectic year.
While the top-flight has taken blows for poor packaging, failure by authorities to construct proper stadiums mean the Premiership won’t be able to shift their calendar for yet another year.
The PSL have in the past few years been eager to move their season and conform with the Caf season which runs between August and May but poor facilities, which render play virtually impossible during the rainy season, have been impeding the development.
As such, the local top-flight will have to juggle around with Caf competitions whose fixtures are released when the Zimbabwean league would already be in full throttle.
League champions FC Platinum and Highlanders, who won the Chibuku Super Cup, will represent the country in the Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup respectively.
But before the league’s programme is interrupted by the Caf competitions, the biannual CHAN tournament stands ready to disturb the flow of the marathon in its early stretch.
The continental contest, designed exclusively for players plying their trade in their respective local leagues, runs between April 4-25 in Cameroon.
Zimbabwe’s Warriors will be part of the 16-team cast at the three-week tournament.
The local league will be two or three weeks old and there are possibilities some games involving teams with three or more players in the senior national team would be postponed. But PSL chief executive, Kenny Ndebele, yesterday said the league will not break during the course of that tournament.
“The league will not break for the CHAN tournament.
Those teams which will have more than two players selected for the tournament will have to make their own decision whether to release all of them,” said Ndebele.-State media
Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax.
Anthrax is a zoonotic disease to which most warm-blooded animals are susceptible. The disease is more common in animals and humans are incidental hosts. Human infections usually result from contact with infected animals or animal products. Direct exposure to secretions from cutaneous anthrax lesions may result in secondary cutaneous infection, but there have been no known cases of person-to-person transmission of inhalation disease
Anthrax in humans
Three main forms of anthrax infection in human exist, depending on where anthrax spores enter the body:
Cutaneous (or skin): due to spores entering a cut or break in the skin (about 95% of cases)
Inhalation: from breathing airborne spores into the lungs (about 5% of cases)
Gastrointestinal: from ingesting spores in raw or undercooked food (negligibly rare)
Clinical manifestations of anthrax in humans
Fever (38-40oC), being the only systemic symptom, may be accompanied by chills or night sweats.
Flu-like symptoms
Cough, usually non-productive
Chest discomfort, shortness of breath
Fatigue
Muscle aches
Sore throat, followed by difficulty swallowing, enlarged lymph nodes, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal distress, vomiting or diarrhea
A sore, especially on the face, arms or hands, that starts as a raised bump and develops into a painless ulcer with a black area in the center known as an eschar
Anthrax can enter the human body through
The skin (cutaneous) contact with spores, spore contaminated materials or infected skin lesions Infection usually requires an existing break in the skin to initiate infection, though in many cases this may be so small as to be unnoticed
The lungs: inhalation of spores
The intestines: ingestion of contaminated meat
People at risk of getting anthrax disease
Human cases usually occur in industrial or agricultural environments.
The most vulnerable groups to anthrax include
Farmers
Butchers and skinners
Tanners
Abattoir workers: e.g. meat inspectors, packers and graders
Veterinary workers
Leather/skin handlers
Consumers of uninspected meat
Food handlers
In Zimbabwe, most cases are not related to occupation. People are unwilling to forego the chance of eating meat or selling the hide even if it is from an infected animal.
In places where religious prohibitions (such as the apostolic sect in Zimbabwe) may prevent people handling and eating meat of animals that are sick or animals that die on their own, anthrax is uncommon.
Anthrax in animals
Most warm blooded species are susceptible to anthrax. The anthrax disease commonly occurs in wild and domesticated herbivorous animals that ingest or inhale the spores while grazing or foraging.
Clinical manifestations of anthrax in animals
The signs and symptoms of the diseases include
Cease feeding and drinking
Staggering and falling
Tremor, convulsions
Massive oedema
Swollen neck region lymph nodes in dogs and pigs
Difficulty in breathing
Bleeding from all orifices due to failure of blood clotting
Sudden death in cattle, sheep and goats
Note: Most infected animals die within a few days after infection
The characteristic findings on dead animals include
A rapidly decomposing carcass with a
blotted abdomen
Dark tarry blood stained exudates from all natural openings
Absence of rigor mortis
Un-clotted intravenous blood
Septicemia indicated by small petechial hemorrhages throughout
the body
Enlargement and softening of the spleen, and liver
Subcutaneous swelling (mainly neck and throat)
Note:
Since intense bacteraemia precedes death all the organs in the animal are infected. Even sun- dried bones from a rotten carcass remain an important source of infection. Meat and milk from infected animals should not be consumed.
Carcasses suspected of anthrax should NEVER be opened as this precipitates spore formation and contamination of the environment
High risk transmission areas in Zimbabwe
Areas where previous outbreaks have occurred
Drought prone areas (Region IV and V)
Areas with Calcium rich soils
Overstocked areas, mainly over-populated communal farming areas
Prevention and control in animals
Vaccination
Vaccinate animals within 12 kilometers radius from the nucleus of the outbreak area
Annual cattle vaccinations are recommended for high risk areas
Treatment of sick animals
Isolation and treatment of all symptomatic animals will be done using Penicillin or Tetracycline
followed by immunization of the animals on completion of treatment
The animals should not be used for food until a few months have passed
Prevention and control in human
Avoid eating meat and milk from affected areas
If anthrax is suspected avoid contact, skinning the animals and avoid contaminating the areas with animal products
Avoid skinning and opening up the carcasses as this releases the bacteria and promotes spore
formation which contaminates the environment
Protect carcasses of suspect cases from scavenging animals
Report all cases of animal sudden death to the police, Veterinary Department or Health Workers
In the event that the Veterinary Officer cannot be found, bury the carcass 2 metres deep with
quick lime or burn with paraffin/fire wood
Seek early treatment if one develops unexplained wound during the time when animals are
dying mysteriously
Allow mass vaccination of animals by the Veterinary Officers
Do not buy uninspected meat from vendors
Avoid handling of carcasses and products of suspected infected animals: hides, milk, dried
meat, etc…
Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information follow /like our Facebook page : Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
Farai Dziva|People’s Progressive Party leader Pastor Timothy Chiguvare has urged Zimbabweans to unite and liberate themselves from Zanu PF oppression.
See statement below:
By Timothy Chiguvare -PPPZ president
Without action and unity, we are doomed to live far from our land of birth, or to live in poverty where basic needs are an everyday struggle, where law and justice only serve the rich and corrupt because they have infiltrated the justice system, or turn a blind eye to corruption.
It is only going to get worse, as now we see gangs and cartels running around killing and terrorising local populations, and this indeed is very bad, as it means that the rule or law is almost non -existent …this will be the beginning of civil war and strife if it is not stopped in its tracks NOW.
Below is the full text of the phone discussion with Emmerson Mnangagwa’s deputy Constantino Chiwenga. He spoke to ZimEye’s Simba Chikanza(SC) Tuesday the 15th January 2019 morning.
SC: Good morning VP. Chiwenga: Yes? SC: Murikutaura naSimba Chikanza. (You are speaking with Simba Chikanza) Chiwenga: Nani? ( with who?) SC: NaSimba Chikanza ( With Simba Chikanza) Chiwenga: Simba Chikanza?
SC: Yes sir, ndini ndakambokubatsirai last time ne nyaya yemudzimai uya wekuDomboshawa aiti akanga arohwa. ( I am the one who helped you with the case of that woman from Domboshawa who was alleging that she had been assaulted… [BACKGROUND – 2 months before, an injured woman had requested Simba Chikanza access to speak with Chiwenga over an alleged assault matter by Chiwenga’s wife’s bodyguards] Chiwenga: Akanga arohwa nani? ( Who had been assaulted by who?) SC: Mudzimai uya aiti akanga arohwa nemaguards amai. (That woman who alleged that she had been beaten by Mrs Chiwenga’s guards). Chiwenga: Wakataura neni? ( Did you talk to me?) SC: Yes, Matondikanganwa? (Don’t you remember me?) Chiwenga: Anyway ngatitaure hedu, hongu. (Anyway we can go ahead with the conversation). SC: VP ndanetseka, ndiri kuona kuti internet yaitwa shut down on your instruction, yeEconet ne Net One. ( I am troubled. I can see that the internet has been shut down on your instruction.) Chiwenga: Handizive, ndiani ari kutaura izvozvo? (I don’t know, who is saying that?) SC: Eh itori shut down as we are speaking so , izvozvi. ( It is has been shut down even as we speak right now)
Chiwenga: No, I don’t know anything about that. Minister mambovafonera here kumanhingi kwacho? Mambotaura navo? ( Have you called the responsible minister? Have you spoken to him? SC: Okay Chiwenga: Hello? SC: Variko maworkers vari kutaura kuti this is a government directive. ( The Workers there are saying this was a government directive) Chiwenga: Ah, hatina chatinoziva. Hatiite directive yakadaro. Ende hatina capacity yekuitazvinhu zvakadaro. ( Ah, we don’t know anything about that. We don’t make such directives; and we have have no capacity to do that) SC: Okay, yah, okay. Then pane mavideos akaita circulate nezuro of masoja, sorry, in this case not masoja but of varume vaiva vakabata maAK 47 nemassault rifles in civilian clothes. Vanhu vakapfurwa several and 5 have died so far. Makambonzwawo nezvawo? (What of the videos that were circulated yesterday of men in civilian clothes with AK 47s and other assault rifles. As a result people were shot, leaving 5 dead. Have you heard about them?) Chiwenga: Asi mapfurwa? Endai kumapurisa ka monotaura nhingi izvozvo. Madarirei kudaro? Uri Simba Chipunza… uri kufona uri kupi? ( Who are you saying was shot? Why don’t you take such matters to the police then? Why are you doing this? You said you are Simba Chipunza, where are you calling from?) SC: Ndiri kufona ndiri kuLondon. ( I am calling from London) Chiwenga: Sorry! ..(hangs up) SC: Hello! VP? VaChiwenga?
(Hello, VP? Mr Chiwenga?)
Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has castigated the ruling party Zanu PF leadership for attempting to “personalize the state.”
“The Constitution being a sacred document defines the contract between the governed and governing. Changes can’t be made against we the people.
The personalisation of the state must be emphatically rejected in parliament and across by all progressive citizens.#AlignmentNotAmendment,” wrote Chamisa on Twitter.
Lovemore Madhuku: Polad is a platform created by political parties. Other citizens may create other platforms. When I criticised the President for not taking the Polad position on the gazetting of constitutional amendments, it was all about engagement. Polad will achieve its objective: engagement.
Nichole: What kind of professor are you though? Engagement without results? Sic
Madhuku: Engagement is in itself an excellent result for the building of our democracy in Zimbabwe.
HouMuza: Engagement is two way. And actions speak louder the words. The snub has spoken. If intentions are pure, the snub should have hurt because there’s lack of two-way participation.
BEFORE I dwell on the upcoming 2020 season, it is important for the Dynamos constituency to understand where we are coming from.
Of course, I would not want to say much about the background but the honest truth is that as a team, we had a bad 2019 season. It is against that background that we then ran around a bit early and came up with a wish list as a technical team, which we submitted to the executive.
So, the process of chasing the new players we want started before the 2019 season ended. We did not finish that season the way we wanted.
If you remember, we lost the last three games, that gave us a clear picture of what we had within our ranks, in terms of personnel. That obviously expedited the recruitment process.
Of course, we were a bit reluctant because of some of the potential we had seen in the team, but those three straight defeats pushed us against the wall. We all saw the need to really beef up our team with quality players.
That is what we have done.
We submitted the list and the management has since been so busy in trying to bring those players on board.
But in doing so, we have faced so many challenges.
It’s not a secret that we are competing against well-resourced teams. I wouldnot want to mention names, but we all know those teams.
However, we must also give credit to the Dynamos’ executive, they are trying the best they can to get the players we have now.
They are trying the best they can to bring the other recommended players. But there is so much competition for players out there.
What is important is for us to have a good team in place for next season.
Last season I spoke repeatedly about the lack of quality players at DeMbare. As a result, we finished ninth, a place where we do not belong.
So we are looking at improving, we are looking at fighting with the big boys and hopefully, we will be able to run around as a team to bring on board the players that we think will bring back the smiles on our supporters’ faces.
Yes, I am very much involved.
In fact, after submitting my list, I went on holiday and left the management running around to look for those players I had recommended.
I am very much in control of the recruitment process.
I am aware there have been questions over the calibre of DeMbare’s signings so far. We have brought on board Partson Jaure, Nkosi Mhlanga, Lenox Mutsetse and Tanaka Chidhobha.
Apart from Jaure, the rest are unheralded. We have a reason for going this route.
If you look at the history of Dynamos closely, you will see that the club is known for marketing unknown talent.
History has also taught us that prominent players normally fail at Dynamos. It is against that background that we are going down this route.
We are looking at players with good talent, players who have real potential and can be marketed by our system.
That has always been the tradition at DeMbare.
Yes we had young players at Dynamos last year, but most of that potential is not the type of potential or quality we want at the club.
We had so many good youngsters last season.
Emmanuel Jalai, Jarisson Selemani Junior, Nigel Katawa and Tinotenda Muringai, to name but a few.
These youngsters need good experience for them to really become the players we want them to be.
They can not be good players if they do not have good experience, so I didnot have a problem with young players last year because I understood their need to develop and grow.
But I was against the experience we had in the team and I was never shy on that. We did not have good experience, which would have really helped our youngsters.
If you look at our performance last year, we ended up relying on young players more than the seniors.
Once a system is like that, it becomes dead.
It becomes dysfunctional.
That is the reason why we took the decision to let some of our senior players go, those we thought were not giving us good value.
That’s the position.
But I did not say we were only going to sign senior players during this window.
A team becomes a good team if it has good balance. We need both youngsters and senior players. If you blend the two, you will have a nice balance.
I do not remember saying we were going to bring heralded players on board, no.
If you look at Partson Jaure, he was here before, so we also looked at these players individually to see if there is still any value in them.
We saw that Jaure is still good, he can still impart a lot of good value to these youngsters in the team.
All the senior players that we will bring in, we are making sure they can really give this system good value.
We have very promising youngsters still to come.
It’s not ending with Lenox (Mutsetse) and Tanaka (Chidhobha), we are bringing in three more youngsters, not just youngsters but youngsters with great potential.
I think those who know Tanaka know his background. They know his potential since his days at Prince Edward High School. There is some history there, we did not just pluck Chidhobha straight from school.
He was playing Division One football for the past two years with FC Platinum’s Under-19 side, so was Lenox.
They are coming from FC Platinum, they are free agents now.
I was once at Prince Edward and I really know what Chidhobha has. When he became available, I did not think twice.
He is the kind of talent we must have in our system.
I assure people that this season they will get to see the quality in these boys. Hopefully, our system will shape them and get them to a level where they should be.
There are two sides to our system though.
If you are young, it can either build or destroy you.
We have also seen quite a number of good players who have failed to play at Dynamos. We are looking at all those things because of the experience we have had with the system.
Dynamos thrives with committed average players who put in a lot of effort. When you add the support we get from our fans, those players become very successful.
If you look at the players who have played for this team and went on to play in foreign leagues, they were not really exceptional talent, they were average players.
That’s what we are doing.
That’s the reason we are bringing in these unheralded players.
I believe in what I see and I really hope that these boys will rise to the occasion and give us what we want.
But I think what is important are the preparations.
In football, the critical phases of the football cycle is the recruitment and pre-season process. That’s what we are trying to correct this year.
I understand the team had a bad pre-season last year. In fact, it was a bad recruitment exercise. I am hoping we will have a different pre-season this year, one that will set the tone for our performances this year.
We are hoping that the six to eight weeks we will have with these boys will give us a team that will seriously compete with the big boys this year.
We are likely to start pre-season on January 20, but all that is going to be determined by how soon we complete the recruitment process.
We still have a couple of new faces coming in.
We have recruited four so far, but we should see more than four players coming on board as well.
Those we are bringing in are not coming in to make numbers, we have made sure that they are better than those we have or those we are going to release.
We never made it a secret to our players, that we were going to make changes come season end. This is not coming as a surprise, they know. Those who performed well last season are going to be with us this year.
I am sure we are justified in doing so.
Let’s see what happens, but like I have said, I believe in what I do.
I want to assure our fans and management that if we bring in the players that we have recommended, we will have a good 2020.
We are yet to confirm the players we will release.
Naturally, you can not release when you do not have. We are going to get the new players then release the old ones.
We are obviously hunting for a top striker to replace Evans Katema, who has indicated that he wants to try new things.
Of course, it is a big blow, you always want to have your best players and no doubt Evans was one of our best players last year despite joining during the mid-season transfer window.
But I think it’s a chance for him to develop his career further. He is not growing any younger, so if there’s an opportunity for him to grow and make more money, why should we deny him the chance?
If a player expresses his interest to leave, there is nothing we as a team can do to hang on to him.
Otherwise, he will not give his best.
We could have stopped him because he has a contract, but we would have denied him a lifetime chance.
After all, that’s what Dynamos is all about – it markets players.
Evans came in and in less than five months he is gone.
Hopefully, we can also attract good players so that they get this opportunity to be marketed.We may not be amongst the top paying teams in the country, but as the biggest team on the land, we are good at marketing players.
We just need to find Evans’ replacement soon. I know it’s going to be difficult, especially given the fact that the country is grappling with a deficiency in terms of the production of strikers, but we have to find another Evans Katema somewhere.
If we do not a get a reputable striker, we will find an unpolished diamond. Credit :Dembare.coms
First and foremost, Zimbabwe’s economy is literally dead and dysfunctional. Zimbabwe is buffeted by lack of cohesion, lack of incapacitation, lack of inconsistencies and the bottom line is there is lack of political will to correct the problem. More than 4.1 million face starvation and the Government is silent.
We have witnessed rampant corruption in the public sector, more than 9 Billion has been lost as a nation and even the executive has not responded to that. Historically in 2017 UK ( Britain) was warming up to the Zimbabwe regime and Mnangagwa was given time to redeem himself as a national leader by transforming himself. The unfortunate path is nothing has changed and the country has gone from bad to worse. We have a serious crisis as a nation and we either change the whole discourse or we deal with the structural problem. Instead of dealing with the toxic issue which has affected our country, the arrogant Muthuli Ncube who is at the helm of the finance portfolio is now working on bringing the Chinese currency, popularly known as swap and top. My question is by swaping with the Chinese currency, what is Zimbabwe offering to the Chinese Government? We have always talked about transparency and reforms of which this Government will never concede to that effect. The simple route is reforms and political will. We are experiencing all these problems simply because of people who are not willing to reform and make correct decisions. We blame sanctions yet we have witnessed the following :
1. More than 5.9 Billion has disappeared at the hands of thieves running Command Agriculture.
2. More than 9 Billion has gone to the drainage at the hands of thieves manning Command uglyculture ( 2017-2019)
3. 20 million has disappeared at the Ministry of Defence, and nothing has happened
4. NSSA funds . Over 900 million has gone missing.
5. Gold worthy 2.2 Billion has been smuggled outside the country.
6. Since Mugabe left the helm of our country State Procurement Board is no longer in existence. No more tender systems
7. Hiring of planes for the President & Executive running into millions of dollars on hourly basis eg from Harare – Gweru for a clean up campaign or other non-economic events
8. NRZ deal (400 million)
My simple question, where does sanction mantra come in on this one? As we speak more than three quarters of the population face starvation, majority of citzens are walking from work places to their respective homes. Transporters are charging exorbitant figures and people are living below the datum poverty line ( DPL). According to the Human Development Index ( HDI) , 2019 report, more than 500 million worthy of aid was abused mainly by senior Government officials. Food aid that was meant for Chimanimani victims were diverted for personal use. There are gross human.rights violations since Mnangagwa took over as the President of the republic of Zimbabwe, we have witnessed many deaths. During Mugabe’s era, we never saw people being shot in the day broad light, August 1 will go down in the history of Zimbabwe as a sad day for most Zimbabwe when more than 7 civilians were shot. The honest truth is Zimbabwe is facing a serious humanitarian, political and economic crisis and the only solution is to admit failure and show the political will to deal with the crisis.
We are out of common wealth, Britian has snubbed us, we are under USA sanctions, and Zimbabwe has been turned into a pariah state were laws meant to govern the country have been abolished. It has been reportedly that the mashurugwi gang stormed a police station demanding their own to be released unconditional. Soon we are going to witness a civil rife looming in this country. The situation in all hospitals is a cause of concern.
Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo is a Policy Advisor and Researcher and he can be contacted at [email protected]
As your future President, I would not approve of a Wild West monetary system. Economies are complex and not single-dimensional, thus require broad and inclusive multifaceted Prescriptions. Zimbabwe must urgently stop the Godfather syndrome. We’re not a private enterprise.
The citizens must have confidence in the value systems and securities presented. Mutuality is critical for the practical functioning of any economy. Command money and policies a more egocentric and unsustainable because citizens will opt for the best alternative.
Private wealth, trade or investments can’t be stolen from citizens while the ‘Have’ are insulated. What about the ‘Have not’? Parliament established that Gono was doing was illegal and unconstitutional but Zanu PF MP’s were wiped to legitimize the biggest robbery of all time.
No one is above the law, yet Gono presided and actively participated in the operation of the Recon Act (Expropriation) and more. The country fed from Gono’s hands (Army, Police, including many quasi-fiscal activities). This opened the floodgates of the mess we are in today.
To fix the economy we must reset all national drivers. Constitutionalism, rule of law, uncapture the Judiciary, repeal of all unconstitutional laws and statutes, human rights, and corruption. No to indiscretions. No to the printing of money.
I am a 29-year-old mother of two boys. I wish to make it public that I am extremely appalled with a case of impersonification and misrepresentation of my baby boy LaMaine by Yolanda Mpofu from Zimbabwe based in South Africa and currently in Nigeria. (NB she deleted her fb photos after I confronted her)
The summary of the sad story is, Yolanda Mpofu was in a relationship with a Jeff. Yolanda is alleged to have fallen pregnant to Jeff but they did not stay together since 2017 after they had a fall out. Fast forward, Yoland Mpofu then abstracted my child’s photos on social platforms which she used to masquerade LaMaine as her child with Jeff who apparently she was not staying with. Naturally, Jeffy having known that he parted ways with Yolanda Mpofu when she was pregnant, he believed that the photos of the purported child was real and his.
This was all a lie – Yolanda Mpofu impersonified my baby for self-enrichment. It is alleged that Yolanda started receiving “maintainace” money from 2017 and according to the claims and some bank deposits, she was getting around R3000 for child support. I am made to understand she further received extra several thousands of Rands for child care and support from Jeff as and when she demands. The matter came to light when Jeffy saw the pictures of my child on my Instagram and he sent me a message to ask about what he called “Temi’s photo (implying my child LaMaine). He then confronted me alleging that I was being presented to her as the baby minder (cousin) by Yolanda Mpofu, yet I am the mother of LaMaine and not Temi as Jeffy claims. He further sent me all new born baby photos that I used to post since LaMaine was still a baby, claiming he had received them from Yolanda and that he had grown a strong bond with the baby though she didn’t want him to see the baby.
The matter is horrendous. It has disturbed not only my peace but poses huge security threats to my child and myself. I want it to be known that if my child has been used for extortions as is the case by this woman, the world should be worry and know about this girl called Yolanda Mpofu.
It is my plea that if there are many who have been scammed by the legendary pretends of this lady, please take note that she is dangerously continuing with her shenanigans and the society should be worried by this person.
I am making it public for the rest of the world to know in case something happens to me and my child. I feel very insecure as I do not know how much my child’s photos were used and the ultimate intention of this woman by the name Yolanda Mpofu. I have also received further disturbing information about her which I will also expose. Pray for me and my child.
By A Correspondent- Finance minister Mthuli Ncube yesterday poured cold water on civil servants’ demand for United States dollar-benchmarked salary adjustments, saying the broke Zanu PF government will, instead, continue giving them cushioning allowances.
Civil servants have threatened to down tools unless government adjusts their salaries to the equivalent of what they used to earn during the US dollar era.
At the moment, the least-paid government employee gets a gross salary of around $1 100.
While presenting the 2020 national budget last November, Ncube reviewed the tax threshold from $700 to $2 000.
Last week, the public service workers shot down a 97% salary increase offered by government and threatened a crippling nationwide strike, with teachers boycotting classes starting today.
Addressing journalists on the sidelines of a meeting between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and visiting Chinese Foreign minister Wang Yi at State House, Ncube ruled out substantial salary increases for civil servants, saying government had other pressing commitments at the moment, among them drought relief food and energy imports.
He said civil servants will get their January allowances of between $400 (US$16) and $750 (US$32) starting today.
“The government is committed to paying our civil servants a decent salary and you know when you negotiate, there are disagreements. At times that is normal, but we are expecting to reach an agreement with them in a few weeks,” he said.
“We are not going to agree on a once-off agreement, but we will follow last year’s trend, where we were cushioning them whenever there is inflation. We will (have) multiple negotiations as we did when we gave them cushioning allowance in May, salary increment and another cushion in July.
“We do have some urgent issues like climate change, food security and energy and also we are mobilising resources for Command Agriculture. We are also seized with issuing licences to independent energy suppliers to produce energy.”
The Apex Council, the umbrella body for civil servants’ unions, described Ncube’s remarks as misplaced and out of sync with the reality on the ground.
“We only respect pronouncements that arise out of resolutions made in the National Joint Negotiating Council, as they are binding. If at all this is the government’s position, then it really shows how out of touch it is with the dire incapacitation that is set to impact negatively on service delivery and the livelihoods of its workers,” Apex Council spokesperson David Dzatsunga said.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure confirmed that their members were not reporting for duty today.
“Government last paid teachers a full salary in September 2018. We have been earning 7% of the last negotiated income. Attempts to engage the government have been futile since then. An ordinary teacher’s salary cannot fend for food, shelter, transport, education and healthcare,” he said.
It is barely a month after a Zimbabwean nurse was hailed for attending to Queen Elizabeth’s husband Prince Phillip, and another practitioner has been praised for treating South African billionaire Richard Maponya.
She is the 34 year old Thokozani Moyo. She nursed the man during his few weeks, and she can be seen in the below pictures sitting aside President Cyril Ramaphosa and all other ANC leaders.
The late Dr Maponya was the king of black entrepreneurship and he is known for building a retail business empire during the struggling days of apartheid. He was 98 and was laid to rest today.
By A Correspondent- Marry Mubaiwa, the estranged wife of Acting President Chiwenga, who is facing charges of attempted murder, money laundering, foreign currency externalisation and fraud has appeared for routine remand at the Harare Magistrates court and has been remanded out of custody to the 14th of February 2020.
When Mubaiwa appeared for routine remand this Tuesday she notified the state that when next she appears in court she will be demanding a trial date or else she will apply for refusal of further remand.
Mubaiwa was granted ZWL$50 000 bail by the High Court on the 6th of January 2020 after spending the Christmas and New year holidays in custody.
Mubaiwa is accused of trying to kill her former husband, Retired General Constantino Chiwenga during the time he was sick in South Africa by allegedly removing life support medical equipment on her husband.
In granting bail, the High Court judge, Justice Pisirayi Kwenda indicated that submissions by the State that were accepted by the court in denying Mubaiwa bail at the lower court were not fair.
“The State submitted with a perception of catch and release. The State suggested that the perception arose from the fact that persons facing corruption charges who are admitted to bail absconded trial after their passports were returned to them and in some cases without passports,” read the ruling, by Justice Kwenda.
“The decision of the court a quo is substituted with the following, the accused is hereby admitted to bail pending trial, the accused shall deposit the sum of $50 000 with the clerk of court at Harare Magistrates court, the accused shall reside at her Borrowdale Brooke residence in Harare. The accused shall surrender her diplomatic passport to the clerk of court at Harare Magistrate’s court. The accused shall report to the Police at Borrowdale Police Station once a fortnight on a Friday. The accused shall not interfere with State witnesses.”
On Charges of attempted murder on the vice president, the 38-year-old Mubaiwa denies attempting to kill her former husband saying the charges were fabricated. She argues that her former husband had brought the murder charges against her in an attempt to force her hand in divorce proceedings that are pending in the high court.
Mubaiwa told the court through her lawyers that her alleged offence occurred when the vice president was already physically frail and nursing injuries sustained in a bomb attack in Bulawayo in June last year.
In denying charges of attempting to murder her husband, Mubaiwa told the high court that Rtd Gen Chiwenga had asked President Emmerson Mnangagwa to make arrangements to have her sent to China, where he was being treated, and also gave her money.
Mubaiwa said in her bail application that President Mnangagwa “even sent his personal security with US$30,000 for her personal upkeep and use”.
All this occurred after July 2019, Mubaiwa’s lawyers told the court, adding that “it is inconceivable that this would have happened had she tried to murder her husband”.
On charges of externalisation of foreign currency, money laundering and fraud, Mubaiwa argued that the State has no reason to charge her, as the offences she is accused of were committed through her companies, where she is only a director. She said the State was supposed to charge the companies and not her.
By A Correspondent- There was drama at Concession magistrate court today when a Mazowe man claimed to be a wizard after appearing before Nyasha Machiriori on a stock theft charge.
Zivai Lusuious (32) of Summerdale, Mazowe was remanded in custody to tomorrow for judgement.
“I am a wizard and I can change human flesh to goat meat so this goat you are referring to you is human flesh which I changed,” said Lusuious during trial.
Prosecutor Munyaradzi Nengomasha told the court that on December 28 Lusuious approached Givemore Chimusuva’s pen and stole a she goat before disappearing.
Chimusuva discovered that one of his goat was missing and got assistance from his son Stephen and some members of the community to conduct a search.
They followed footprints which led them to the suspect’s house and they found a skin under his pillow leading to his arrest.
The police have today proscribed Agenda 2020, a key event for the party that was scheduled for tomorrow in Mbare, Harare, citing flimsy excuses that the event cannot proceed because the police are busy with the schools that are opening this week, as if the police have anything to do with opening of schools.
Tomorrow’s event was scheduled to be addressed by the party leadership. We are noting a disturbing trend where the police are routinely proscribing MDC events and treating the party as a banned organization in the country.
Starting with our scheduled peaceful and constitutional public protests in the various cities that were brutalLy quelled by the police in August last year, as well as President Nelson Chamisa’s Hope of the Nation Address that was violently proscribed on 20 November 2019, we have noted a very disturbing trend where the police are banning legitimate and constitutional activities by the party.
In each of these instances, we had complied with the law and given the police due notification but we continue to be treated like a banned or a terrorist organization when we are a legitimate political party that is in Parliament and that controls 28 out of 32 urban local authorities.
The police have periodically abused our compliance with the law and as a party, we are reviewing whether under the current circumstances, we should continue to co-operate with unjust laws and unjust requirements. We have had enough.
The MDC national leadership has met today and as a mark of responsible leadership has said no to confrontation and is having to stop the people who were ready to attend the event in Mbare tomorrow.
For fear of their lives against this brutal dictatorship, and given what this regime has done before, we have decided to postpone the Agenda 2020 event to next week on Tuesday at a venue to be announced.
But this does not mean that we are complying with dictatorship. We have given the regime due notice of all our constitutional activities and they have denied us the chance to exercise our democratic rights.
This is a peaceful event, a mammoth event on this year’s national calendar to that is set to be attended by ordinary people as well as diplomats in which the party will lay to the people its agenda for the year, including its programme of action as well as the party’s programme of activities for the year.
We have postponed the event because the regime was budgeting for a clash, for blood and for violence and as a party we will not sacrifice the lives of innocent Zimbabweans.
I reiterate that we are reviewing the position of whether we should continue to comply and co-operate with unjust laws and unjust requirements that are inimical to democracy.
We have postponed our event because we do not want any sideshow. We want to give Zimbabweans a chance to hear the party’s calendar of critical path targets for the year that will address the key challenges affecting the ordinary people as well as the party’s plan to rescue the nation out of the current morass.
High Court judge Justice Webster Chinamora has condemned the widespread practice of inmates masquerading as lawyers in the country’s jails, writing legal motions for fellow prisoners in exchange for meals and other favours.
Many self-actors applying for bail at the High Court now have a tendency of submitting poorly crafted applications before a bail judge, outlining what they term “compelling reasons” why they should be granted bail.
However, Justice Chinamora said such practices cannot provide assistance to the court and urged prison authorities to help inmates to get professional lawyers.
The judge made the remarks in a bail application by Onismo Tafirejee, who was seeking bail pending appeal on both conviction and 10-year imprisonment term imposed on him for contravening the Parks and Wildlife Act.
Justice Chinamora asked Tafireje, a self-actor, who had drafted the application for him, after noting that there was no application before him based on changed circumstances.
In his response, Tafireje said a fellow inmate had drafted the application for him in exchange for his meal. The judge then asked the prison officer who was in court to advise the officer-in-charge to discourage such practices.
“Inmates should not be utilising the services of unqualified fellow inmates masquerading as lawyers,” said Justice Chinamora.
“They should be encouraged and assisted in securing the services of professional practising legal practitioners or be helped in accessing lawyers from the Legal Aid Directorate.
“Applications by unqualified inmates unnecessarily clog the court roll without providing any assistance to the court or value to the accused inmate.”
Tafireje was convicted of illegal possession of ivory. Dissatisfied with both conviction and sentence Tafireje filed an appeal at the High Court.
He is now seeking bail pending the determination of his appeal. Opposing the application, prosecutor Mr Douglas Chesa argued that the conviction against Tafireje was unassailable.
Mr Chesa said the defence offered by Tafireje was bare denial as he failed to explain to the trial court as to how he came into possession of the ivory without authority.
“The trial court conducted an inquiry into special circumstances and none were found,” said Mr Chesa.
“Once the court found no special circumstances its hands were tied and it had to impose the minimum mandatory sentence.”
Mr Chesa said there was no misdirection on the part of the trial magistrate in the manner in which the proceedings were conducted to warrant the High Court to interfere with either the conviction and sentence.
Energy expert Professor Hartmut Winkler, yesterday said it could take five years for South Africa’s power utility Eskom to provide a stable electricity supply.
Eskom has been going through a series of misfortunes which include financial debts, lack of maintainance, and resignation of top officials which has in turn resulted in erratic power cuts.
“The new Medupi and Kusile power stations should be finished, we don’t know if they will be because they have been delayed enormously and there are massive problems, even though they are new,” said Professor Winkler.
On the other hand, South Africa’s largest trade union Cosatu, wants the entire Eskom board to go.
Cosatu’s general-secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali said the Eskom Board had failed, “we regard the Eskom board as a team working together for a long time. We had high hopes, the Eskom board failed us desperately. We don’t see this board helping us.”
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, announced last year that in order to save Eskom and do away with the power cuts he was going to unbundle Eskom into supply, distribution and transmission.
However, Cosatu has since threatened to shut down Eskom if Ramaphosa were to proceed with the unbundling as many jobs would be lost in the process.
The Kariba Dam, one of Zimbabwe’s main sources of hydropower, has seen an increase in water level, the reports confirmed on Monday.
The water level in the facility which dropped from the operational 485 meters down to 476 meters during 2019’s drought has recently jumped back to 482 meters due to the heavy rains.
“Flows at Ngonye increased due to sporadic rainfall activities being recorded around the catchment, closing the week at 426 cubic metres per second on 27th December 2019, while last year’s flow on the same date was 295 cubic metres per second,” the Zambezi River officials stated.
The Kariba Dam generates 1, 050 MW of electric energy ensuring the constant power supply across the country while the national grid remains unstable.
Own Correspondent|Acting President Constantino Chiwenga’s wife, Marry Chiwenga, has demanded the court to give her a formal charge and a trial date or else she will apply for refusal of further remand when she next appears in court on Valentine’s day.
Marry is facing charges of fraud, money laundering, externalisation and attempted murder. She is currently out on bail.
She has denied the charges arguing that they were levelled against her to force her hand in the divorce case with her husband.
Zimbabwe School Examination Council has released the November 2019 A’level results.Candidates who sat for the examinations are expected to collect results from their respective schools and centres starting tomorrow.
Own Correspondent|Bulawayo magistrate Lizwe Jamela has set free a Saviour Kasukuwere supporter who was arrested by police for distributing campaign material of the #tysonwabantu campaign.
Jamela, a former Human Rights Lawyer with the Zimbabwe Human Rights Lawyers placed Andifasi Banda off remand on Tuesday and ruled that the matter will proceed by way of summons.
Banda was arraigned before the courts for distributing fliers and party regalia in Nkulumane and Makokoba suburbs in Bulawayo.
Tyson Wabantu Movement is a suspected political outfit reportedly fronted by exiled former Zanu PF heavyweight Saviour Kasukuwere.
Banda (41) was not asked to plead to a charge of failure to comply with a prohibition notice.
Magistrate Jamela said the case had not been properly investigated and there was no evidence clearly linking Banda to the offence.
According to State papers as presented by Terrence Chakabuda, on December 2, 2019, Banda gave notice to the police that he intended to do public processions in Bulawayo West and Nkulumane police districts.
“The accused person did processions in support of the National Patriotic Front (NPF). The offence was discovered by the police and leading to investigations and the arrest of Banda. Exhibits in the form of fliers drumming up support for one Savior Kasukuwere were recovered.”
The State further alleged that there was information from vendors that about 15 NPF party members were distributing fliers and giving out party regalia, T-shirts at Sokusile shopping center from around 1300hrs to 1315 hrs.
“At around 1430hrs in Makokoba 2 BMW vehicles and three BUPTA kombis had several passengers putting on green t-shirts whistling and throwing fliers through the windows. The convoy turned to 6th street and proceeded to Fusini shopping Centre,” said Chakabuda.
The following is an update from the Masvingo Intercape bus accident in which there was one reported fatality Tuesday morning
The deceased is an assistant driver of the Harare-bound coach.
The man whose relatives contacted ZimEye soon afterwards, died on the spot near Masvingo Showgrounds along the Harare-Masvingo highway on Tuesday morning.
Sources told ZimEye he fell off the same bus after it hit a Toyota Hilux which had indicated to turn left but later proceeded moving straight ahead.
A recovery vehicle had arrived when ZimEye got to the scene.
Commenting on the accident, Masvingo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Charity Mazula said it occurred at around 10 am.
She said the bus swerved off the road and hit a tree as it tried in vain to avoid the truck.
The latest details revealed at the time of writing were that all the 57 passengers aboard the coach escaped. There were suggestions that no one was unhurt. This was still under review at the time of writing. – THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY – REFRESH FOR THE UPDATE
By A Correspondent- Marry Mubaiwa Chiwenga, the estranged wife of Acting President Constantino Guvheya Chiwenga, who is facing charges of attempted murder, money laundering, foreign currency externalisation and fraud has appeared for routine remand at the Harare Magistrates court and has been remanded out of custody to the 14th of February 2020.
When Mubaiwa appeared for routine remand this Tuesday she notified the state that when next she appears in court she will be demanding a trial date or else she will apply for refusal of further remand.
Mubaiwa was granted ZWL$50 000 bail by the High Court on the 6th of January 2020 after spending the Christmas and New year holidays in custody.
Mubaiwa is accused of trying to kill her former husband, Retired General Constantino Chiwenga during the time he was sick in South Africa by allegedly removing life support medical equipment on her husband.
In granting bail, the High Court judge, Justice Pisirayi Kwenda indicated that submissions by the State that were accepted by the court in denying Mubaiwa bail at the lower court were not fair.
“The State submitted with a perception of catch and release. The State suggested that the perception arose from the fact that persons facing corruption charges who are admitted to bail absconded trial after their passports were returned to them and in some cases without passports,” read the ruling, by Justice Kwenda.
“The decision of the court a quo is substituted with the following, the accused is hereby admitted to bail pending trial, the accused shall deposit the sum of $50 000 with the clerk of court at Harare Magistrates court, the accused shall reside at her Borrowdale Brooke residence in Harare. The accused shall surrender her diplomatic passport to the clerk of court at Harare Magistrate’s court. The accused shall report to the Police at Borrowdale Police Station once a fortnight on a Friday. The accused shall not interfere with State witnesses.”
On Charges of attempted murder on the vice president, the 38-year-old Mubaiwa denies attempting to kill her former husband saying the charges were fabricated. She argues that her former husband had brought the murder charges against her in an attempt to force her hand in divorce proceedings that are pending in the high court.
Mubaiwa told the court through her lawyers that her alleged offence occurred when the vice president was already physically frail and nursing injuries sustained in a bomb attack in Bulawayo in June last year.
In denying charges of attempting to murder her husband, Mubaiwa told the high court that Rtd Gen Chiwenga had asked President Emmerson Mnangagwa to make arrangements to have her sent to China, where he was being treated, and also gave her money.
Mubaiwa said in her bail application that President Mnangagwa “even sent his personal security with US$30,000 for her personal upkeep and use”.
All this occurred after July 2019, Mubaiwa’s lawyers told the court, adding that “it is inconceivable that this would have happened had she tried to murder her husband”.
On charges of externalisation of foreign currency, money laundering and fraud, Mubaiwa argued that the State has no reason to charge her, as the offences she is accused of were committed through her companies, where she is only a director. She said the State was supposed to charge the companies and not her.
BY DR MASIMBA MAVAZA | The deputy minister of defence took a dig at his colleagues in government challenging them to deliver in their ministries. In a press conference called by commissariat at the ZANU PF Headquarters comrade Matemadanda said “Ministers of government must prioritise key deliverables and general development roles.” A key deliverable is an item – either tangible or intangible – produced as a part of a project. Deliverables would include the specific things which can be projects or tangible items. The key deliverables are the most important deliverables and may have multiple tasks or smaller deliverables included in their production. Ministries are expected to produce. Deputy minister Matemadanda emphasised that at the end of the day ministers must be able to point at tangible projects or work that the people will say indeed the minister has performed. In line with the understanding that A deliverable is a tangible or intangible good or service produced as a result of a project that is intended to be delivered to a customer. A deliverable may be composed of multiple smaller deliverables.
It may be either an outcome to be achieved (as in “The corporation says that becoming profitable this year is a deliverable”) or an output to be provided (as in “The deliverable for the completed project consists of a special-purpose electronic device and its controlling software”Some deliverables are dependent on other ministries’ deliverables being completed first; this is common in projects with multiple successive milestones. A deliverable differs from a project milestone in that a milestone is a measurement of progress toward an output, whereas the deliverable is the output delivered to a customer or sponsor in this case to the benefit of the nation.
The nation must have ministers who are answerable to the people. The politics of today recognised leaders who lead for the benefit of their people and to the glory of their party.
Gone are those days when ministers were laws unto themselves. That period was buried in the old dispensation. The deputy minister fumed as he categorically implore the ministries to deliver for the good of the country.
On Corruption Cde Matemadanda said that “ZACC must clear the public service and private sector of all those who survive on corruption. “ corruption is a Rot which is now smelling up to the highest. Cde Matemadanda said society must be weeded out of corruption. There must be no sacred cows in this war against corruption. The public has been petrified by the fact that no single arrest in corruption cases ended in successful prosecution or conviction. “ zimbabwe must go back to basics where work must be rewarded and not where corruption leads the worker”
Matemadanda lamented the days when people earned a faithful living and still made ends meet. Now the people want to be paid for the work they are employed for. Cde Matemadanda urged those still practicing corruption to count their days for they are numbered.
Cde Matemadanda urged people not to blame the judiciary. There is always a due process and arrest does not always mean conviction. Those arrested have rights and they should have their rights respected.
However your rights end exactly where one’s rights begin. That balance is delicate. Zimbabwe is a country which respects individual rights but this must not be taken for granted.
Cde Matemadanda was quick to warn those striving in corruption that their rights can never be above the national interest. As a nation Zimbabwe does not need corruption to be part of life.
Cde Matemadanda stated that when corruption is removed poverty will be eradicated. He confirms that there is corruption in the government and private sector. This is why the President Emerson D Mnangagwa had set up an Anti Corruption Commission to heal the nation of the ills.
If corruption is removed the nation will be a breeding ground for investment and economic growth.
He urged every serious Zimbabwean to report corruption wherever they see it. The police alone can not be able to deal with this plague alone.
By A Correspondent- There was drama at Concession magistrate court today when a Mazowe man claimed to be a wizard after appearing before Nyasha Machiriori on a stock theft charge.
Zivai Lusuious (32) of Summerdale, Mazowe was remanded in custody to tomorrow for judgement.
“I am a wizard and I can change human flesh to goat meat so this goat you are referring to you is human flesh which I changed,” said Lusuious during trial.
Prosecutor Munyaradzi Nengomasha told the court that on December 28 Lusuious approached Givemore Chimusuva’s pen and stole a she goat before disappearing.
Chimusuva discovered that one of his goat was missing and got assistance from his son Stephen and some members of the community to conduct a search.
They followed footprints which led them to the suspect’s house and they found a skin under his pillow leading to his arrest.
The police have today proscribed Agenda 2020, a key event for the party that was scheduled for tomorrow in Mbare, Harare, citing flimsy excuses that the event cannot proceed because the police are busy with the schools that are opening this week, as if the police have anything to do with opening of schools.
Tomorrow’s event was scheduled to be addressed by the party leadership.
We are noting a disturbing trend where the police are routinely proscribing MDC events and treating the party as a banned organization in the country.
Starting with our scheduled peaceful and constitutional public protests in the various cities that were brutaly quelled by the police in August last year, as well as President Nelson Chamisa’s Hope of the Nation Address that was violently proscribed on 20 November 2019, we have noted a very disturbing trend where the police are banning legitimate and constitutional activities by the party.
In each of these instances, we had complied with the law and given the police due notification but we continue to be treated like a banned or a terrorist organization when we are a legitimate political party that is in Parliament and that controls 28 out of 32 urban local authorities.
The police have periodically abused our compliance with the law and as a party, we are reviewing whether under the current circumstances, we should continue to co-operate with unjust laws and unjust requirements.
We have had enough.
The MDC national leadership has met today and as a mark of responsible leadership has said no to confrontation and is having to stop the people who were ready to attend the event in Mbare tomorrow.
For fear of their lives against this brutal dictatorship, and given what this regime has done before, we have decided to postpone the Agenda 2020 event to next week on Tuesday at a venue to be announced.
But this does not mean that we are complying with dictatorship. We have given the regime due notice of all our constitutional activities and they have denied us the chance to exercise our democratic rights.
. This is a peaceful event, a mammoth event on this year’s national calendar to that is set to be attended by ordinary people as well as diplomats in which the party will lay to the people its agenda for the year, including its programme of action as well as the party’s programme of activities for the year.
We have postponed the event because the regime was budgeting for a clash, for blood and for violence and as a party we will not sacrifice the lives of innocent Zimbabweans.
I reiterate that we are reviewing the position of whether we should continue to comply and co-operate with unjust laws and unjust requirements that are inimical to democracy.
We have postponed our event because we do not want any sideshow. We want to give Zimbabweans a chance to hear the party’s calendar of critical path targets for the year that will address the key challenges affecting the ordinary people as well as the party’s plan to rescue the nation out of the current morass.
Correspondent|ZIMBABWEAN cricket player, Tarisai Musakanda is back home after he was fired by his Australian club, New City Cricket Club following his conviction for driving while under the influence of alcohol.
Musakanda came home last week, with New City president Chris Green stating that they had to take a strong stand by sending the player packing since his conduct is not part of the principles they seek to uphold as an institution.
“His behaviour is not representative of the values we hold dear at the New City Cricket Club. “We’ll grow into a very strong club for a long time, but if we didn’t make a stand now, we won’t,’’ Green was quoted.
Musakanda headed off to Australia in November last year, having played for Budleigh Cricket Club in England.
The 25-year Musakanda, a middle order batsman has represented Zimbabwe 22 times across the three formats of the game, with his best score being the 43 runs he compiled against Pakistan on his Twenty20 International debut at Harare Sports Club in July 2018.
His sacking for deplorable conduct will not do his reputation any good as he was seen as one of the candidates for future leadership of the Zimbabwe senior national team. He had already showed his leadership qualities by captaining the Zimbabwe Select XI at the 2018 edition of the Africa T20 in South Africa. He was in superb form in that particular competition and his brilliance with the bat saw him named as captain of the Team of the Tournament.
Musakanda’s remarkable display at the crease was key in Zimbabwe Select XI winning three of their four group games.
The police have today proscribed Agenda 2020, a key event for the party that was scheduled for tomorrow in Mbare, Harare, citing flimsy excuses that the event cannot proceed because the police are busy with the schools that are opening this week, as if the police have anything to do with opening of schools.
Tomorrow’s event was scheduled to be addressed by the party leadership. We are noting a disturbing trend where the police are routinely proscribing MDC events and treating the party as a banned organization in the country.
Starting with our scheduled peaceful and constitutional public protests in the various cities that were brutaly quelled by the police in August last year, as well as President Nelson Chamisa’s Hope of the Nation Address that was violently proscribed on 20 November 2019, we have noted a very disturbing trend where the police are banning legitimate and constitutional activities by the party.
In each of these instances, we had complied with the law and given the police due notification but we continue to be treated like a banned or a terrorist organization when we are a legitimate political party that is in Parliament and that controls 28 out of 32 urban local authorities.
The police have periodically abused our compliance with the law and as a party, we are reviewing whether under the current circumstances, we should continue to co-operate with unjust laws and unjust requirements. We have had enough.
The MDC national leadership has met today and as a mark of responsible leadership has said no to confrontation and is having to stop the people who were ready to attend the event in Mbare tomorrow.
For fear of their lives against this brutal dictatorship, and given what this regime has done before, we have decided to postpone the Agenda 2020 event to next week on Tuesday at a venue to be announced. But this does not mean that we are complying with dictatorship.
We have given the regime due notice of all our constitutional activities and they have denied us the chance to exercise our democratic rights.
This is a peaceful event, a mammoth event on this year’s national calendar to that is set to be attended by ordinary people as well as diplomats in which the party will lay to the people its agenda for the year, including its programme of action as well as the party’s programme of activities for the year.
We have postponed the event because the regime was budgeting for a clash, for blood and for violence and as a party we will not sacrifice the lives of innocent Zimbabweans.
I reiterate that we are reviewing the position of whether we should continue to comply and co-operate with unjust laws and unjust requirements that are inimical to democracy. We have postponed our event because we do not want any sideshow.
We want to give Zimbabweans a chance to hear the party’s calendar of critical path targets for the year that will address the key challenges affecting the ordinary people as well as the party’s plan to rescue the nation out of the current morass.
Xavi Hernandez has turned down FC Barcelona’s offer to become first team head coach, according to AFP.
The Spanish giants had identified their former captain to take over from Ernesto Valverde.
The club’s sporting director Eric Abidal and chief executive Oscar held talks with Xavi on Friday and Saturday.
The 39-year-old, who is currently in charge of Qatari team Al-Sadd, is reported to have told the delegation that the time was not right for him to take the position.
Barcelona are now considering their options, which include handing the job on a part-time basis to the B-team coach, Francisco Javier García Pimienta, with a view to Xavi taking over in the summer.
in the meantime, Valverde remains in charge.-Soccer 24
Own Correspondent|MDC National Deputy Spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka has declared that the opposition party has lost patience with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s continued blockage of its programmes.
In the latest incident, government blocked the party from holding an event in Mbare High Density Suburb claiming that they did not have enough police details to cover the event.
An angry Tamborinyoka declared on Facebook;
“We are about to draw the line on the sand, we cannot continue obeying repressive laws….”
“If they refuse us muchaona zvatichaita”
Full Statement from the party read as follows:
Police thwart MDC event scheduled for tomorrow
The police have today proscribed Agenda 2020, a key event for the party that was scheduled for tomorrow in Mbare, Harare, citing flimsy excuses that the event cannot proceed because the police are busy with the schools that are opening this week, as if the police have anything to do with opening of schools.
Tomorrow’s event was scheduled to be addressed by the party leadership.
We are noting a disturbing trend where the police are routinely proscribing MDC events and treating the party as a banned organization in the country.
Starting with our scheduled peaceful and constitutional public protests in the various cities that were brutaly quelled by the police in August last year, as well as President Nelson Chamisa’s Hope of the Nation Address that was violently proscribed on 20 November 2019, we have noted a very disturbing trend where the police are banning legitimate and constitutional activities by the party.
In each of these instances, we had complied with the law and given the police due notification but we continue to be treated like a banned or a terrorist organization when we are a legitimate political party that is in Parliament and that controls 28 out of 32 urban local authorities.
The police have periodically abused our compliance with the law and as a party, we are reviewing whether under the current circumstances, we should continue to co-operate with unjust laws and unjust requirements.
We have had enough.
The MDC national leadership has met today and as a mark of responsible leadership has said no to confrontation and is having to stop the people who were ready to attend the event in Mbare tomorrow.
For fear of their lives against this brutal dictatorship, and given what this regime has done before, we have decided to postpone the Agenda 2020 event to next week on Tuesday at a venue to be announced.
But this does not mean that we are complying with dictatorship. We have given the regime due notice of all our constitutional activities and they have denied us the chance to exercise our democratic rights.
This is a peaceful event, a mammoth event on this year’s national calendar to that is set to be attended by ordinary people as well as diplomats in which the party will lay to the people its agenda for the year, including its programme of action as well as the party’s programme of activities for the year.
We have postponed the event because the regime was budgeting for a clash, for blood and for violence and as a party we will not sacrifice the lives of innocent Zimbabweans.
I reiterate that we are reviewing the position of whether we should continue to comply and co-operate with unjust laws and unjust requirements that are inimical to democracy.
We have postponed our event because we do not want any sideshow. We want to give Zimbabweans a chance to hear the party’s calendar of critical path targets for the year that will address the key challenges affecting the ordinary people as well as the party’s plan to rescue the nation out of the current morass.
After nearly two months inside Zimbabwe, ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa, has flown out of Harare for Maputo, Mozambique.
Mnangagwa will be attending the inauguration of the President-Elect, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi following his disputed re-election for a second term last October.
The development means, Mnangagwa is still at work since Friday last week, despite being supposed to be on annual leave.
That Mozambican election saw incidents filmed on camera in which Zimbabwean citizens were bused on ZUPCO buses to polling stations as far as Masvingo where they declared they were transported by Mr Nyusi to vote for him.
Arriving in Maputo, Mnangagwa was met at the International Airport by Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Mozambique, Ambassador Douglas Nyikayaramba, and local officials there.
Meanwhile, the state owned broadcaster, ZBC reported that Mnangagwa’s absence, he will be represented by Vice Presidents General (Rtd) Dr C.G.D.N. Chiwenga and Colonel (Rtd) Cde K.C.D. Mohadi
Spanish La Liga giants FC Barcelona have sacked manager Enersto Valverde and replaced him with former Real Betis coach Quique Setien.
Valverde leaves the Catalan giants despite them topping LaLiga, ahead of rivals Real Madrid on goal difference.
The Spaniard had been heavily criticized since Barcelona’s embarrassing defeat to AS Roma in the Champions League quarter final in 2018 despite a 4-1 first leg lead, a catastrophe which would repeat itself when they were booted out by eventual winners Liverpool while carrying a healthy 3-0 first leg lead last season.
The Catalan giants also lost to Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup last week, which might have been the final nail on Valverde’s coffin.
The club announced his departure via a statement on their website last night.
“Agreement between FC Barcelona and Ernesto Valverde to end his contract as manager of the first team. Thank you for everything, Ernesto. Best of luck in the future,” read the statement.
Own Correspondent|ZESA Holdings has revealed that it is paying its employees a Hardship Allowance. The allowance comes twenty four hours after government awarded its employees a cushion allowance.
The development also comes when the power utility has been failing to provide enough power to the country and also owes lots of money to a number of foreign and local creditors.
FIRST Lady Amai Auxilia Mnangagwa urged men to respect and support their families as a way of fighting crime and building the nation.
Amai Mnangagwa said this in her speech at the Female Open Prison Ground Breaking Ceremony held at Marondera Prison on Friday.
“Commissioner General vaZimondi tarisai muone dzavakatopara vasikana ava varimutorongo vakadzipariswa nevarume vavo,” said Amai Mnangagwa.
“Tinoda kutaura chokwadi chaicho nemazvo. Nekuti madzimai aya rudo, kuda varume vavo ndozvakavakonzeresa.
“Asi akauya akazvipira kutii murume wangu ndamuwana uyu ndakunovaka ndokubva murume aita chitsotsi ndosaka musikana aripachinzvimbo chaari.
“Asi aaah vasikana zvapera murivashoma nguva yenyu yasara diki ndiripo for you saka vana baba haikona kutiitisa zvinhu zvakaipa itai moga mugowanda muchingozara (mumajeri) isusu tisiyei,” said Amai Mnangagwa to a thunderous applause from the guests.
Her speech followed Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Service Commissioner General Paradzayi Zimondi’s opening remarks where he noted an increased number of male inmates than female inmates around the country.
“As you might be aware that females are a very important and sensitive constituency within our communities, whose roles favour that they are in constant touch with the family and community as opposed to outright incarceration,” said Amai Mnangagwa.
“Females or mothers in general, and by the nature of their matrimonial roles and instincts are the custodians of our Ubuntu/ Hunhu, family fabric and unit.
“Thus, the establishment of the female open prison would be quite conducive for promoting and maintaining such family fabric and unity given that this would provide them with more time and opportunities to be in touch with children and families apart from aiding their rehabilitation and re-integration given that such an institution would at most be serving as a hallway home,” she said.
Amai Mnangagwa said Government also approved the establishment of a purposefully built female open prison that not only meets the special needs of female inmates but also serves as vehicle for their rehabilitation and empowerment which is critical for enhancing their sustainable livelihoods.-H-Metro
By Jane Mlambo| Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has piled more misery on his estranged wife Marry telling the High Court she should stay at her own house, not the one she indicated on her court papers.
In her bail Application, Marry had highlighted that she was was now a destitute after being denied access to their Borrowdale house where her children, clothes and other possessions are being kept.
But Chiwenga in a notice of opposition to the former model’s interim application, said she should instead change the address she used when applying for bail at the High Court.
“In Zimbabwe, she has houses mentioned in the summons. That is not a destitute. On the bail condition, she must amend (paragraph c) to indicate where she is currently residing right now.”
In her sworn affidavit, Marry said her children aged 8, 7 and 5 were all minors and needed the love and care of their mother.
Marry further sought the court’s intervention to have access to her clothes and five cars but Chiwengs said only one of the five cars, a Range Rover Autobiography belongs to her.
The other four cars according to Chiwenga did not belong to him.
Chiwenga and wife Marry are going through a messy divorce amid accusations that the Miss Zimbabwe patron attempted her husband when he was battling for life at a South African hospital.
Chiwenga is being represented by Manase and Manase Legal Practitioners while Marry is represented by top human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa.
A VICTORIA Falls man who was arrested for beating up his wife has claimed that the woman was in the habit of “baptising” him with urine.
Thulani Ncube (38) of Chinotimba suburb pleaded guilty to physically abusing Ms Caroline Ngwenya when he appeared before Victoria Falls magistrate Ms Rangarirai Gakanje.
The magistrate slapped him with a four months jail sentence which was wholly suspended on condition that he completes 140 hours of community service.
Ncube said he got angry when his wife poured a bucket of urine on him after a misunderstanding in November last year.
“We had a misunderstanding after I came home late. She poured a bucket of urine on me as she usually does,” said Ncube.
The couple has no children but Ncube has three from a previous marriage.
Prosecuting, Mr Onias Nyathi said Ncube punched his wife before pulling her hair.
“On November 6 and at 8.45pm, the two had a misunderstanding after the accused arrived home late. The accused punched the complainant on the face and pulled her dreadlocks,” said the prosecutor.
A report was made to the police leading to Ncube’s arrest.-
Learners and parents closed outside the school premises.
Own Correspondent|Reports just received indicate that pupils at Dominican Convent in Harare have been closed out of school as the school is demanding full payment of $27000 school fees.
According to parents at the school, the school has not opened. Pictures from the scene show parents and students waiting outside the Catholic school as the school officials refuse to open the school gates.
One parent said, she arrived at 06:08 at the school and upto now at 07:30, the school hasn’t opened. Word is they are demanding parents pays $27000 per child.
The school hiked the fees for 2020 in November last year and demanded that the fees be paid in full before the end of the year ” in view of the inflationary pressure in our economic environment.”
The school advised parents and guardians who felt they will not be able to afford the fees to advise the school by 6th December so that “we offer those who are on the waiting list.”
Find below the letter to parents from the school:
Following the SDC EGM on Monday 18th November, the 2020 first term fees will be as follows:
Form 1-4 – $12 500.00
Form 5-6 – $15 000.00
In view of the inflationary pressure in our economic environment, the initial fee of $3 600.00 must be paid up by Friday 29 November 2019, and the balance of $8 900 by Tuesday 31 December 2019.
Should you find you will be unable to continue with us, please let us know by 6 December 2019, so that we offer those who are on the waiting list.
Failure to pay the initial $3 600.00 by the stated date will be taken to mean that you have declined the offer.
A recent photograph of President Emmerson Mnangagwa that was taken whilst he was in the middle of his presidential wave which appears as opposition party MDC open palm symbol has sent tongues wagging on social media.
The photograph was taken yesterday at the statehouse where he met visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi after interrupting his 3-week annual leave. After the photograph made its way to social media, some mischevious netizens were already claiming that the president was now showing signs of ‘reforming’.
Mnangagwa Pictured Flashing An Open Palm (Image Credit: Anesu Masamvu)
Kim Jung Un, the Supreme pioneer of North Korea has censured the death of Qassem Soleimani Iranian general.
It was accounted for that the US airstrike executed Iran’s Soleimani the top Iranian military administrator.
Kim has promise to hold hands with Iran to complete the United States because of their presumption in the locale.
“We remain by Iran against American presumption in the locale.”
“The United States submitted three incredible missteps, and they will pay for every one of the three error.”
“The primary misstep was they damaged the Iraqis Sovereignty and domain, respectability, and on account of that they will got a reaction from the Iraqis.”
“They dropped their understanding which the United States had just abused by not educating the district.”
“They had the feeling of an enormous number of individuals from India to Russia also Iran, Iraq.”
Four teachers from Chingele Secondary School in Chiredzi have been suspended after it had been disclosed that they wrote ZIMSEC examinations for their wives and or girlfriends.
This was after investigations by a team from Zimsec in Harare found out that the schoolhead Mike Maluleke allegedly connived with his deputy Checkson Tsumele, mathematics teacher Roddington Sithole and English teacher Misheck Mahungu to write the examinations on behalf of their girlfriends at home.
“Four teachers (head, deputy and two senior teachers) were involved in improper association with schoolchildren and former schoolchildren. These four were writing examinations for the eight candidates while one teacher was writing for his second wife. Combined Science paper 3 ( practical paper) examination was written in more than two hours and no proper supervision was in place, and candidates were even discussing answers in the examination,” Dlamini said.
The development was confirmed by ZIMSEC spokesperson, Nicky Dlamini who said that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, through the Public Service Commission suspended the four teachers. He said:
Four teachers (head, deputy and two senior teachers) were involved in improper association with schoolchildren and former schoolchildren. These four were writing examinations for the eight candidates while one teacher was writing for his second wife. Combined Science paper 3 ( practical paper) examination was written in more than two hours and no proper supervision was in place, and candidates were even discussing answers in the examination.
The suspended are school head Mike Maluleke, his deputy Checkson Tsumele, mathematics teacher Roddington Sithole and English teacher Misheck Mahungu.
Dlamini also said that nine candidates will have all their results for the November session nullified as per the provisions of the Zimsec policy and combined science results for the whole school have also been cancelled.
ZIMSEC has over the years experienced the leakage of examination papers prompting some to doubt the credibility, validity and reliability of the results.
State Media|The Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) is struggling to repay the loan acquired from the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) to upgrade the Plumtree-Bulawayo -Mutare Highway due to prevailing foreign currency shortages.
This has resulted in a series of defaults, which will see the country paying much more.
This also comes at a time when the national road administrator has appointed an advisor to assess this contract entered into under Public Private Partnerships to evaluate the impact.
Zimbabwe awarded Group Five, a South African firm to rehabilitate the 882 kilometre highway, which began in 2012 and funded to the tune of US$206 million.
The scope of works on the rehabilitation of the highway, which started during the inclusive Government era between Zanu-PF and two MDC formations, involved 50 percent resealing, 29 percent shoulder widening and surfacing (7m to 10m), 21 percent reconstruction in some sections and 9 percent state-of-the-art toll gates installation.
The Plumtree-Bulawayo-Mutare Highway upgrade is probably one of the huge road investments undertaken by the Government since independence nearly 40 years ago.
Under the deal, the money for loan repayment should come from toll gate fees collections.
But the prevailing foreign currency shortages has seen ZINARA struggling to repay.
It is a 10-year loan, which should be fully repaid in the next two years, but due to a series of defaults, Zimbabwe will need more years to settle the debt.
More so, the country is left to pay huge penalties arising from failure to timely settle its obligations.
The adoption of mono-currency has also made the situation even more complicated as ZINARA now needs more local dollars to butt the US dollars.
The deal was entered during the multi-currency regime dominated by the US dollar.
Critics, however, say this might not be peculiar to ZINARA as some State-owned entities, which borrowed money from foreign financiers to fund their projects may also be struggling to settle their debts in light of forex shortages.
For instance, ZESA received a US$533 million from China to expand its Kariba hydroelectric plant but has been facing forex challenges even to import power to narrow the supply gap.
ZINARA chairman Michel Madanha told our sister paper The Sunday Mail Business that the only source of foreign currency are transit fees, not sufficient to meet its monthly obligations.
As such, the national road administrator was looking at re-negotiating repayment terms.
“The assessment of the deal is still being undertaken by the transactional advisor contracted by ZINARA and it is coming at a time when the sourcing of foreign currency to pay the DBSA loan has become difficult given foreign currency challenges in the economy,” Mr Madanha said in an interview.
“Loan repayment is currently coming from the transit fees, which is the only source of foreign currency.”
Asked whether the arrangement was yielding impressive dividends for the country, Madanha said:
“The assessment on whether the PPP is yielding dividends to the country is what the new ZINARA board and new management team are seized with .
ZINARA has engaged the transactional advisor to assess all contracts that gave rise to the PPP and evaluate whether it has achieved the intended purpose that was there at the inception of the contract.”
Efforts to get a comment from DBSA proved fruitless.
Correspondent|FINANCE and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube yesterday said Government was seized with addressing salaries for civil servants and the issue will be solved in a few weeks’ time. The Government last week offered civil servants a 100 percent pay rise, in a move that will result in the least-paid worker taking home $2 033, up from $1 023 per month.
However, civil servants rejected the offer.
They continued demanding that their salaries be pegged on the interbank rate, with the lowest-paid worker getting the equivalent of US$475 monthly.
“We are negotiating with civil servants against the vagaries of inflation,” said Minister Ncube.
“Those negotiations are making progress. When negotiating there can be disagreements and that is normal. But we as the employer, we are going to make sure there is a decent salary for civil servants.
“We appreciate the work that they do and also we are going to honour that by this cushioning allowance. It is our expectation that we come to some agreement in the next few weeks so that we can move forward.”
More than 15 civil servants’ associations and eight staff associations met in Harare yesterday to receive feedback on Government’s position on last week’s meeting.
In an interview after the meeting, Public Service Association president Mrs Cecilia Alexander said civil servant’s representatives met and disagreed with the Government offer.
“They said they are incapacitated, hence there is need to peg their salaries equivalent to US$475 at the interbank rate for the minimum worker,” she said.
“We will continue to engage the Government until our demands are met.”
An economic analyst, Mr Persistence Gwanyanya, said while experts were fully convinced about the need to improve the remuneration of civil servants in line with the rising cost of living, that should be in line with the major objectives to achieve low and stable inflation.
“Now, pegging salaries against the interbank rate does not achieve this as it’s likely to result in wage price spiral,” he said.
“This will take us back to the hyperinflation period of 2008. What this means is we should understand that we are in a transition and we can’t achieve all goals at once. We need logical sequencing of interventions.”
Mr Gwanyanya said ideally, salaries should be increased, but not to the extent of pegging them to a set US dollar figure paid out at the interbank rate.
He said Government and labour should agree with a level of salary increase that achieves the major objective of low and stable inflation whilst improving the standard of living of civil servants.
“The subsidies model currently in place has to be effectively implemented to reduce the cost of living,” said Mr Gwanyanya.
“That is where Government can provide an acceptable excuse not to increase salaries in line with the interbank rate.”
THE Meteorological Service Department (MSD) yesterday warned people to brace for more thunderstorms this week.
In a statement, the MSD said Matabeleland North, Midlands, north of Manicaland, Harare Metropolitan and all Mashonaland provinces will be mostly cloudy and will experience rain showers followed by thunder and lightning.
“Localised heavy falls remain probable. On the other hand, Matabeleland South, Bulawayo Metropolitan, Masvingo and south of Manicaland should be mostly sunny with isolated light showers that may be thundery in places,” the MSD statement said.
The MSD said rains will not be uniform with some areas expected to experience heavy downpours while others will receive showers or no rainfall.
In cases of thunderstorms, the department urged people to avoid seeking shelter under trees or shades and to avoid outdoor activities.
The department also urged people to get rid of mosquito breeding grounds.
“Mosquitoes proliferate during this season, any areas that allow stagnation of water become breeding grounds for these vectors and people should fumigate possible mosquito breeding grounds within your vicinity,” read the statement.
Own Correspondent|Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube yesterday issued government employees with surprise “cushioning allowances,” at a time when most of the workers are formulating a crippling industrial action.
Civil servants will each get between $400 and $800, depending on grades, beginning today as a once off payment.
“We appreciate the work that they do and also we are going to honour that by this cushioning allowance. It is our expectation that we come to some agreement in the next few weeks so that we can move forward.”
Minister Ncube said the Government was going to repeat what happened last year when civil servants were awarded cushioning allowances and adjustments constantly.
“Last year we did it twice during the year,” he said.
“We had a cushioning allowance and then had another adjustment in April last year, another adjustment in July and a bonus in November. So, this year again, we will follow a similar pattern with multiple points to cushion civil servants.”
More than 15 civil servants’ associations and eight staff associations met in Harare yesterday to receive feedback on Government’s position on last week’s meeting.
In an interview after the meeting, Public Service Association president Mrs Cecilia Alexander said civil servant’s representatives met and disagreed with the Government salary review offer.
State Media|Live streaming of court proceedings in cases of public interest will now be a permanent feature as the Judiciary moves to promote transparency and accountability.
Speaking during the official opening of the 2020 Legal Year in Harare yesterday, Chief Justice Luke Malaba admitted that Zimbabwe has been slow in introducing live broadcasts.
He told the gathering, including judges and lawyers, the diplomatic corps and high-ranking Government officials who attended the traditional opening ceremony that the live streaming of the 2018 presidential poll petition marked a new era for the country’s Judiciary.
“It demonstrated our Judiciary’s commitment to upholding the values of transparency and accountability,” said Chief Justice Malaba.
“In that case, I noted that live broadcast of court proceedings promotes transparency and public confidence in the justice system.”
Other cases of public interest have since been broadcast live from the Supreme Court.
Chief Justice Malaba said the broadcast of court proceedings is inescapable in the administration of justice.
“Few people are able to attend court proceedings at any given time, yet cases of public interest affect more than the litigants before the courts.
“They also affect the interests of a large section of society,” he said.
“Many reasons explain this. One of the most common impediments is the location of the court. For instance, the Constitutional Court only sits in Harare, yet people from all corners of the country are invariably interested in the proceedings before that court.
“This results in operations of courts being considered as secretive by the public.
“As a result, the ordinary man and woman may view the decisions of the courts with suspicion.
“The public have the opportunity to observe first-hand court proceedings as they unfold,” he said.
“They have the opportunity to learn how courts function in the process of hearing and adjudicating disputes between citizens on the one hand and citizens and the State on the other.”
The Chief Justice, however, said fear of sensationalism is allayed through strict regulation of the broadcasting process so as to protect the dignity of the proceedings.
“This trajectory is intended to foster public trust and confidence in the court system by debunking the myth that court proceedings are esoteric and that courts want to mask their decisions,” he said.
The battalion of 50 machete thugs arrested in Gokwe.
Own Correspondent|MEMBERS of a 40-member machete gang which invaded a police base in Gokwe North in an attempt to rescue their arrested counterparts, have been denied bail.
Gokwe magistrate Mr Musaiona Shortgame remanded the gang to 22 January for trial.
Mr Shortgame said the gang members were facing a serious crime and are flight risks if released on bail.
“The court has proved beyond doubt that there are compelling reasons as to why the accused should remain in custody. The court concurred with the State submissions that the case against the accused persons was strong and that may induce them to abscond if released,” said Mr Shortgame.
He said their release may also endanger the safety of the public.
Their defence counsel Mr Tinashe Matiyashe of Matiyashe Law Chambers argued that his clients were not flight risks since they were Gokwe residents.
But the State led by Mr Liberty Chimwaradze argued that the case should not be taken lightly since the accused posed a threat to national security.
“These are people of no fixed abode who are likely to do anything, your Honour, they are likely to abscond. I therefore pray to this court to detain the accused persons in custody,” said Mr Chimwaradze.
The gang is definitely set not to have it easy at the courts as government has adopted a tough stance against the lawless machete thugs taking over the country.
The National Prosecuting Authority recently ordered all courts to be firm when handling cases involving the thugs.
“We have noted with concern the upsurge in the number of cases of violence involving the use of machetes, especially by illegal artisanal miners. In a bid to stamp out the scourge, you are hereby directed to oppose bail and to request custodial sentences in the event of any convictions in all such cases,” wrote Justin Uladi, the National Director of Public Prosecutions.
Speaking at the opening of the 2020 Legal Year yesterday, Chief Justice Luke Malaba said special courts have been set up countrywide to deal specifically with organised machete gang attackers that are terrorising citizens, especially in gold mining areas, and show the Judiciary had capacity to fight crime and enforce the law.
The specialised courts are expected to clamp down speedily and decisively on the machete gang menace following grisly murders, including that of a Kadoma police officer, robberies and vicious assaults.
Machete gangs have become a major force in gold-rich mining towns like Kwekwe, Kadoma, Bindura and Chegutu, where they are killing and sexually abusing gold miners and civilians.
They have also moved into some towns and cities.
Chief Justice Malaba strongly warned rogue elements behind the wave of machete and knife violence.
“As we speak, the country is gripped by another spate of violence perpetrated by the so-called machete gangs,” he said.
“The Judiciary acknowledges the work being undertaken by law enforcement agencies in bringing perpetrators of that violence to book.
“May I assure the nation that the courts stand ready to decisively deal with those accused of these offences in accordance with the law. Special courts to specifically try the cases have been set up in all affected areas across the country. I call upon all stakeholders in the administration of justice to make concerted efforts to end this problem.”
Chief Justice Malaba said institutions mandated to protect citizens could not sit back and watch while a few rogue elements terrorised the nation for their selfish benefits.
Own Correspondent|Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube has agreed on a unique deal with China where Chinese investing in Zimbabwe will be allowed to take back to China in foreign currency all the profits they will have generated in the country.
“One issue that has been of concern is we need to make sure there is full repatriation of profits. The returns are guaranteed so we make sure the accounts remain in hard currency or are guaranteed to be so. Those are the issues that will allow us to unlock more resources from China.
“China is the leader in the world in terms of strategies for developing infrastructure and we want to learn from them. There is a lot of resources to tap in terms of infrastructure development,” he said.
Minister Ncube said due to the difficulties of having to service debts and liabilities for Chinese investments into Zimbabwe, they had entered into a currency swap arrangement deal.
“There are those who will be investing in Zimbabwe from China and those who require their profits to be remitted back to China, which is normal. The idea is those individuals will then swap so that those investing in Zimbabwe will be able to have the domestic currency and they use foreign currency which they are bringing to invest in Zimbabwe to pay those who are exiting.
“This will do with any country that has a similar relationship as Zimbabwe. But with China specifically, we have this special relationship and the Chinese Government has approved this currency swap. It will strengthen our capacity to honour our liabilities with China and also attract new investors from China,” he said.
Minister Ncube said the currency swap had been approved and was only awaiting implementation.
Mthuli Ncube’s flashy proposal already appears difficult to understand as China’s heavy involvement in any country, words like “exploited” and “corrupted” replace rosier depictions of the country’s activity. Recently, phrases such as “human rights abuses,” “volatile race relations,” “unsustainable trade,” and “labor violations” have resonated with most Chinese companies in the country leaving one wondering how the deal Mthuli Ncube is pushing will survive.
On the sale of State enterprises, he said they had not discussed the issue with Mr Wang, but he was of the view that any bidder globally or locally was free to bid or express interest for Zimbabwe’s partial privatisation of its assets.
Own Correspondent|Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Mr Wang Yi completed his his five-nation Africa tour yesterday with a meeting with on leave President Mnangagwa at State House.
Mr Wang left for China after the meeting.
President Mnangagwa confirmed that they had a meeting which he called fruitful though he had to come out of his leave to meet the Minister instead of delegating Acting President Constantino Chiwenga to do the task.
“He is very happy that we had the occasion to go over our relations between China and Zimbabwe on all issues and he goes back home satisfied that our relations are on a solid foundation.
“What remains is further consolidation and deepening those relations. We scaled up relations in September 2019 from all-weather friendship between the two countries to a strategic comprehensive partnership. We, as Zimbabwe, are happy with our relations with China,” said President Mnangagwa.
In a statement, issued from the Chinese Embassy in Harare yesterday, Wang said China and Zimbabwe had achieved fruitful results and were facing important opportunities under the guidance of Presidents Xi Jinping and Mnangagwa.
He said his discussions with Foreign Affairs Minister Sibusiso Moyo were fruitful and confirmed that consensus was reached on a lot of important issues.
“First, China-Zimbabwe friendship is unbreakable. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zimbabwe. Over the past 40 years, Sino-Zimbabwe friendship has withstood the test of strong winds and waves and has always been unswerving.
“Among others, the most fundamental experience is mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual support. China supports the efforts of the Zimbabwe people to safeguard its national sovereignty and national dignity, and supports its independent choice of a path to development in line with its national conditions.
“We also appreciate the fact that Zimbabwe has made its relations with China a diplomatic priority, and we thank Zimbabwe for its valuable support in relation to China’s core interests. We are willing to be good friends, good partners and good brothers with Zimbabwe forever.”
Mr Wang said China and Zimbabwe were at an important point of national development and rejuvenation and the two countries had to adhere to the concept of win-win cooperation, continue to carry out good cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, mining and actively expand new growth areas.
“As a good friend of Zimbabwe, we are also willing to actively provide policy advice in accordance with the wishes of the Zimbabwe people, and share the experience of the Chinese side. The joint construction of the “Belt and Road Initiative” and the China-Africa Cooperation Forum are two major platforms for promoting Sino-Zimbabwe cooperation, and will provide an important driving force for Zimbabwe’s economic and social development,” he said.
Mr Wang said China advocated equality among countries and opposed the use of strength over the weak.
Special courts have been set up in areas hardest hit by machete gangs, while those for corruption cases will soon be ready.
This comes as judges have already been appointed, with assistance sought from Uganda to ensure investigators and prosecutors of corruption meet the required standards.
Speaking at the opening of the 2020 Legal Year yesterday, Chief Justice Luke Malaba said special courts have been set up countrywide to deal specifically with organised machete gang attackers that are terrorising citizens, especially in gold mining areas, and show the Judiciary had capacity to fight crime and enforce the law.
The specialised courts are expected to clamp down speedily and decisively on the machete gang menace following grisly murders, including that of a Kadoma police officer, robberies and vicious assaults.
Machete gangs have become a major force in gold-rich mining towns like Kwekwe, Kadoma, Bindura and Chegutu, where they are killing and sexually abusing gold miners and civilians.
They have also moved into some towns and cities.
Chief Justice Malaba strongly warned rogue elements behind the wave of machete and knife violence.
“As we speak, the country is gripped by another spate of violence perpetrated by the so-called machete gangs,” he said.
“The Judiciary acknowledges the work being undertaken by law enforcement agencies in bringing perpetrators of that violence to book.
“May I assure the nation that the courts stand ready to decisively deal with those accused of these offences in accordance with the law. Special courts to specifically try the cases have been set up in all affected areas across the country. I call upon all stakeholders in the administration of justice to make concerted efforts to end this problem.”
Chief Justice Malaba said institutions mandated to protect citizens could not sit back and watch while a few rogue elements terrorised the nation for their selfish benefits.
“We hear stories of callous murders of ordinary Zimbabweans and law enforcement agents,” he said.
“Citizens’ rights of freedom of movement, freedom to conduct their affairs without fear and freedom of association are being violated with impunity by the gangsters.
The organised terror gangs have the potential to create anarchy if they are not quickly neutralised.State media
FINANCE and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube yesterday said Government was seized with addressing salaries for civil servants and the issue will be solved in a few weeks’ time. The Government last week offered civil servants a 100 percent pay rise, in a move that will result in the least-paid worker taking home $2 033, up from $1 023 per month.
Civil servants will each get between $400 and $800, depending on grades, beginning today as a cushioning allowance for January.
However, civil servants rejected the offer.
They continued demanding that their salaries be pegged on the interbank rate, with the lowest-paid worker getting the equivalent of US$475 monthly.
Minister Ncube said Government had other pressing issues that required equal attention.
He said the issue included ensuring national food security, power generation, job creation and stabilising the local currency.
“We are negotiating with civil servants against the vagaries of inflation,” said Minister Ncube.
“Those negotiations are making progress. When negotiating there can be disagreements and that is normal. But we as the employer, we are going to make sure there is a decent salary for civil servants.
“We appreciate the work that they do and also we are going to honour that by this cushioning allowance. It is our expectation that we come to some agreement in the next few weeks so that we can move forward.”
Minister Ncube said the Government was going to repeat what happened last year when civil servants were awarded cushioning allowances and adjustments constantly.
“Last year we did it twice during the year,” he said.State media
MEMBERS of a 40-member machete gang which invaded a police base in Gokwe North in an attempt to rescue their arrested counterparts, have been denied bail.
Gokwe magistrate Mr Musaiona Shortgame remanded the gang to 22 January for trial.
Mr Shortgame said the gang members were facing a serious crime and are flight risks if released on bail.
“The court has proved beyond doubt that there are compelling reasons as to why the accused should remain in custody.
The court concurred with the State submissions that the case against the accused persons was strong and that may induce them to abscond if released,” said Mr Shortgame.
He said their release may also endanger the safety of the public.
Their defence counsel Mr Tinashe Matiyashe of Matiyashe Law Chambers argued that his clients were not flight risks since they were Gokwe residents.
But the State led by Mr Liberty Chimwaradze argued that the case should not be taken lightly since the accused posed a threat to national security.
“These are people of no fixed abode who are likely to do anything, your Honour, they are likely to abscond. I therefore pray to this court to detain the accused persons in custody,” said Mr Chimwaradze.State media
A MAN from Inyathi in Bubi District, Matabeleland North province who allegedly ganged up with his mother and fatally struck his father with an axe before the woman attempted to conceal the murder, has been arrested.
Musawenkosi Ncube (18) who had been on the run after allegedly axing his father Mr Sipho Ncube (42) more than a week ago, a crime his mother Beauty Ncube (40) allegedly tried to cover up, was arrested at the weekend.
Mr Ncube died at Mpilo Central Hospital last Wednesday due to injuries sustained during the attack.
Beauty allegedly attempted to conceal the murder by giving a false report to the police that the deceased was injured after he fell on a rake.
Beauty and Musawenkosi of Mahlabathini village jointly appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Nomasiko Ndlovu facing a murder charge and they were remanded in custody to January 30.
Prosecuting, Mr George Rufumoyo said on January 5, the deceased and his wife had a misunderstanding in which Mr Ncube accused Beauty of engaging in an extra-marital affair with another man.
“The dispute degenerated into a fight resulting in the deceased striking Beauty on the head with a harrow,” said Mr Rufumoyo.
The court heard that when Musawenkosi discovered that his mother was under attack, he picked an axe and allegedly struck his father once on the head.
Beauty hit the deceased once on the ribs.
The deceased died three days later at Mpilo Central Hospital where he had been admitted.
It is alleged that Beauty tried to cover up the crime by allegedly lying that her husband was drunk and fell onto a rake.State media
Farai Dziva| Outspoken Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho has expressed his disappointment after Tottenham lost at home 1-0 to Liverpool on Saturday.
Roberto Firmino scored the only goal of the match in the first half to extend the Reds’ remarkable unbeaten league run to 38 games.
The tie had its controversial moments especially in the build-up to the goal. The ball appeared to have touched Sadio Mane’s shin on its way out but the throw-in was given to Liverpool.
The visitors scored from that throw-in, something that irritated Mourinho.
In a post-match interview with Sky Sports, the Portuguese said: “Yesterday (on Friday) we spent half an hour defending throw-ins and we lost the game on the throw-in.
“I think the refs did a very good job, but the assistant on the opposite side didn’t see that Mane touched the ball [in the build-up to the goal].”
The gaffer also revealed his frustration with Andy Robertson’s crude challenge on Japhet Tanganga going unpunished.
“I told you they would win the league when they beat Manchester City three or four months ago. They were lucky – they could have conceded a goal and got a red card for Robertson’s challenge.”
Farai Dziva|Zimbabwean teachers are now earning the equivalent of US $35 per month.
See below Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union statement :
The over 5 000 members of Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe, ARTUZ have unanimously resolved to desist from reporting for duty until the salary dispute is fixed.
The teachers are severely incapacitated since they are earning an equivalent of US$35 per month.
The proposed increment by the government falls way below the legitimate expectations of the hard-working teachers.
Teachers are demanding a United States dollar interbank rate indexed salaries.
The 97% offer by the government comes at a time when government services have been hiked by over 500%.
Government is even charging some of its services in United States dollars, for example, an emergency passport fee of US$318 from RTGS$ 318. We are simply asking to be accommodated into the national economy.
Government last paid teachers a full salary in September 2018, we have been earning 7% of the last negotiated income. Attempts to engage the government have been futile since then.
The employer has been calling for endless pity parties which have not yielded any positive result. Countless petitions have been submitted but no favourable response has been received as yet.
An ordinary teacher salary cannot fend for food, shelter, transport, education and health care. Teachers cannot afford transport to go back to work.
Our members stationed at far-flung schools like
Gokwe but domiciled in
Manicaland , for example, cannot make it back to work under these circumstances. Such a member would fork out RTGS$ 700 for transport alone.
School fees are now beyond the reach of teachers and teachers cannot afford the service they provide. It is rumoured that parents are now incentivizing teachers to report for duty, it should be noted that rural communities cannot afford to pay these incentives.
The responsibility for providing education solely lies on the shoulders of the government, other actors can only play a supporting role.
Our recently convened congress resolved to deploy our leadership to engage the Joint Operations Command, (JOC) to avert the victimization of teachers by state agents.
We warn the government and school administrators to refrain from the sick culture of targeting teachers who are tabling genuine labour grievances. We will pursue all remedies to put an end to this debauchery.
We encourage the government to urgently pay teachers a living wage to save our education from collapse. The pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals is derailed by the underfunding of critical sectors like education.
Teachers will not pretend to be teaching under these untenable conditions lest we hazard destroying the future of our learners and our nation. The drop in 2019 grade 7 pass rates is a clear testimony of erosion of the quality of our education.
We call upon like-minded sister unions and the broader working class to join this noble fight aimed at rescuing our education.
Parents are encouraged to keep their children at home, there will be no teachers to attend to the learners at school.-ARTUZ
