Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has condemned the POLAD platform saying it cannot derail constitutional amendments to heap more power on President Emmerson Mnangagwa as government moves the scrap the running mate clause in the constitution.

Speaking to Studio 7 yesterday, Ziyambi said POLAD is a bunch of people without the people’s mandate hence cannot demand to be given the power to determine what the ruling government decides to do.

Ziyambi was responding to NCA leader Professor Lovemore Madhuku who said he was worried about cabinet disregarding his request to allow POLAD to have its take on the proposed amendments.

“I am surprised that they want a constitutional process so that they cannot be consulted. They have the privilege to participate through writing to Clerk of Parliament or during public consultations so I dont see where they have been left out,” said Ziyambi.

He added that Zanu PF has the mandate of the people which POLAD does not have.

“As government we cannot be running to them to say we want to do our budget or change this law, we would have failed to follow the constitution,” added Ziyambi.

A Harare-based woman has approached the civil court claiming a monthly maintenance of $11 000 from her ex-husband who is a cell phone dealer.

The 28-year-old woman defended the claim arguing that she needed to take care of their three children.

Appearing before magistrate Nyasha Marufu, the estrangedAbigail Mutetwa said her former husband, Louis Machira, had the capacity to pay $11 000 per month.

“Your Worship I have three children with this man (Machira) and now l cannot afford to look after them,” she said.

“I am claiming this amount because my ex-husband has a table full of phones; so l know he can afford it.

“I want Machira to pay $11 000 as maintenance because school fees and school uniforms are now expensive.

“Our first born child is now 14 years old and is enrolling for his secondary education and I cannot afford to pay school fees.”

Mutetwa told the Harare civil court that she was earning a meagre income from her vending business.

In response, Machira pleaded with the court that he could not afford the $11 000 monthly maintenance fee.

“I cannot afford what she is asking for Your Worship. It is way above my monthly income,” he said.

“I do not sell phones; l fit shatter-proof glasses on cellphones which give me about $25 per day.

“I also use the money to meet my other needs. In her ruling, Marufu ordered Machira to pay $300 per month to cater for his three children.

Own Correspondent|Zimbabwe’s state run media will always go out of the ordinary to attack and seek to tarnish the image of opposition parties and civil society leaders who they perceive to be against the ruling ZANU PF party.

In a shocking article in The Sunday Mail of today, the ZANU PF mouthpiece claims that opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa at one time went to the United States of America and invited the superpower to deploy its army to run over Zimbabwe and remove ZANU PF from power.

The full story which certainly will never be believed by any level headed person reads as follows:

BETWEEN July 2004 and 2007 Nelson Chamisa, the now president of the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (MDC-A) is reported to have begged the US government to invade Zimbabwe with special forces and topple the Zanu-PF-led Government.

Chamisa also pleaded with the US government to impose sanctions on Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe so as to heighten the MDC’s chances of taking power.

He further asked for certain key Government officials to be prosecuted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which in turn was established to prosecute persons accused of committing serious crimes such as crimes against humanity, genocide, and war crimes.

Chamisa’s pleas were in response to the then US Ambassador to Harare, Christopher Dell, asking him what he needed the US to do to secure his ascendency to power.

Chamisa was at the relevant time the MDC youth leader and Kuwadzana legislator.

WikiLeaks cables sent from Harare (via the US Embassy) to Washington’s State Department suggest that Chamisa told Dell that the “Mugabe must go” campaign was counter-productive to the opposition party’s agenda as it strengthened Zanu-PF’s resolve to fight the MDC which was then led by Morgan Tsvangirai.

Chamisa is further reported to have canvassed the Eastern European countries, during his trip there to impose more sanctions on Zimbabwe. 

State Media|SOME entertainment joints and liquor outlets are allegedly selling counterfeit distilled beverages — mainly whisky, brandy, gin and vodka — exposing imbibers to serious health risks, even death, The Sunday Mail can reveal.

Until recently, counterfeit distilled beverages were only available on the streets, but investigations show that popular nightclubs, bottles stores, pubs and even supermarkets are dispensing the same.

It has been further gathered that a well-knit cartel including staff at some ports of entry, business people, transporters and “runners” are behind this seemingly lucrative business.

The prices of the counterfeits range between US$5 and US$40.

Among some of the premium alcoholic beverages that are being counterfeited are Jameson, Johnnie Walker Red Label, Best and Grant’s.

Some business people running entertainment joints are also alleged to be engaging middlemen to smuggle the counterfeits into Zimbabwe from Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia.

Locals are also distilling the alcohol which is packaged as Best, Two Keys, Russian Bear and Viceroy among other brands popular in the country.

Social media was recently awash with allegations that some of the people that unknowingly consumed the counterfeits had died of suspected alcohol poisoning.

This came after a patron is alleged to have died of alcohol poisoning outside the premises of an upmarket nightclub in Borrowdale during the Christmas holiday.

Officials from the upmarket joint, however, distanced themselves from the unfortunate incident.

When The Sunday Mail  visited the nightclub, officials from the Ministry of Health and Child Care were collecting samples of the suspected counterfeit beverages for analysis.

Who supplies the fake booze?

Sources told The Sunday Mail that the counterfeits that are finding their way into Zimbabwe are mostly manufactured in countries such as the United Arab Emirates, United States and Brazil.

Apart from restaurants and nightclubs, the fake beverages have become popular outside bottles stores, street corners and open-air entertainment joints, where they are sold from vehicles boots.

As part of the investigations, The Sunday Mail witnessed some of the fakes being packaged in Mbare.

The bottles were then carefully sealed to make them appear genuine.

A man who introduced himself only as Isaac said he has been in “this business” for two years.

“I get the alcohol in bulk from my source who is based in Mutare and I then repackage it for a profit. I only deal with those that buy from me in bulk,” Isaac said.

According to Isaac, some prominent businesspeople are also actively involved in this kind of business.

Isaac said he is supplied with alcoholic concentrates which are then mixed with methanol, an alcoholic chemical far more toxic than ethanol, before flavouring and colouring

Empty bottles from which genuine whisky has been consumed are collected from rubbish dumps, cleaned and packaged before fake seals are pasted on them.

According to Brian Maregedza, a whisky connoisseur, genuine whisky should have a “charcoal flavour” and it should not be hard on the throat.

Maregedza gave tips on how the general public could differentiate a fake from genuine whisky.

“Consumers should buy their whiskies from established liquor centres. They should also look out for the shape of the bottle and the branding. High-end whiskies can also be authenticated using smartphones by scanning bar codes,” Maregedza said.

Health effects

Gibson Kawa said he collapsed and nearly died after consuming what he now suspects was fake whisky.

“It was not my first time to drink this particular brand of whisky. However, on that particularly day, I became dizzy and the next thing I woke up to see myself sleeping on the pavement,” Kawa said.

“In my eight years of drinking, I never came across something like that. I actually drank myself into a stupor, which is unusual. Something was wrong with that whisky.” Dr Admore Muringisi, a drugs and narcotics consultant, said commonly used substitutes for ethanol included chemicals used in cleaning fluids, nail polish removers and automobile screen wash.

Methanol and isopropanol, which are used in anti-freeze and some fuels, are some of the substitutes.

“These other types of alcohol can produce similar effects to ethanol in terms of making you feel tipsy. But they are also potentially very dangerous,” said Dr Muringisi.

He said drinking alcohol containing such chemicals could cause nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, drowsiness, dizziness and can also lead to permanent kidney or liver damage.

Methanol, which, according to Dr Muringisi, can be used to produce fake vodka, may also cause permanent blindness.

Consumer activist and executive director of the Consumer Council of

Zimbabwe (CCZ) Ms Rosemary Siyachitema urged consumers to desist from buying products from unregistered businesses.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the police were embarking on an operation to flush out those behind the counterfeit beverages.

“Recently, a man was arrested in Ardbennie, Harare, after he was caught illegally adding potent ethanol into alcohol. Anybody found on the wrong side of the law will be punished,” he said.

Assistant Commissioner Nyathi urged drinkers to buy liquor from registered and established retail outlets.

Efforts to get a comment from Dr Eve Gadzikwa, the Standards Association of Zimbabwe director-general, were fruitless as she was not picking up her phone.

Basing on our investigations, it is clear that there is a thriving market for counterfeit distilled beverages.

State Media|Zimbabweans will enjoy expanded social protection in 2020 with one million students receiving free education under the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) while food aid, health assistance and cash transfers to vulnerable families will also be enhanced.

The improved assistance, to the low-income end members of society, comes as the country is reeling from the ravaging effects of last year’s drought, the worst in 40 years.

So severe was the impact of the 2018-2019 drought that the World Food Programme (WFP) has listed Zimbabwe as one of the 15 hotspots in the world in need of food aid, to rally donor funding for the vulnerable groups.

In a special report last week, the WFP rallied for donor support to Zimbabwe to mitigate the crisis caused by last year’s drought.

“Sub-Saharan Africa dominates WFP’s analysis, with Zimbabwe, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central Sahel region all needing immediate attention, given the urgent needs of children, women and men,” announced the WPF.

WFP said the country was facing a humanitarian emergency owing to the climate change-driven drought, and general economic challenges.

While international donors are ratcheting up support to Zimbabwe, Government has taken a proactive stance to expand assistance programmes on its own.

In a document availed to The Sunday Mail, the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare said it will expand social protection measures in 2020 to assist vulnerable groups.

Education

The BEAM programme, which provides fees assistance to orphans and other vulnerable children will increase beneficiaries to one million from 415 000 who benefited last year.

BEAM covers primary, second and tertiary education.

“A total 415 000 orphans and other vulnerable children countrywide benefited from the BEAM programme through the payment of school fees and examination fees for those that wrote examinations in 2019.

“For 2020 financial year, a total $450 million has been budgeted for and it is expected to cover school fees for more beneficiaries hence a scale-up of beneficiaries from 415 000 to one million is expected,”said the ministry.

Currently, Government has no overdue amounts under BEAM as it disbursed $140 million in 2019 to clear all arrears which had accumulated since 2014.

To further capacitate pupils, BEAM will closely monitor selection committees at district and provincial levels to ensure that the programme is implemented according to set procedures.

Grain Distribution

As a result of the 2018-19 drought, the Government noted that most parts of the country and communities were in dire need of food aid, including those that had never received the food handouts before.

The situation will see the Food Assistance Programme extend 50kg of maize to vulnerable households monthly.

Unlike previous years, food distribution is being conducted in both rural and urban areas.

Last week, the Ministry of Finance released $10 million for the transportation of grain to vulnerable families around the country.

The ministry said part of the food being distributed currently includes a consignment of rice donated by China to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who has directed it to benefit all rural constituencies.

“Pursuant to this His Excellency, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde E.D. Mnangagwa has made a donation of 15 tonnes of Chinese rice for each rural constituency to be given to the rural populace during the festive season,” reads part of the Government action plan document.

“The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare will ensure that the donated rice is distributed during the festive season.

“This rice supplements the already existing food deficit mitigation strategy being implemented in all rural provinces; and Harare and Bulawayo urban areas. The programme caters for the food poor and labour constrained households who include the destitute elderly, the chronically ill, people with disabilities and child- headed households.”

Health and child protection

The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare said it was working with counterparts in the Ministry of Health and Child Care to facilitate waivers for low-end members of society at public health institutions.

“This is a health fee waiver for vulnerable people who seek treatment at Government district and provincial hospitals, mission and major referral hospitals and are unable to meet the health costs,” the plan document reveals.

“In 2019, a total 25 000 beneficiaries and arrears of over $8 million were cleared during the year and the budget for 2020 is $40 million.”

In addition, $150 million had been set aside for child protection this year.

The amount will see $20 million being targeted to assist children living on the streets.

Cash transfers and public assistance

In 2019, at least 65 000 vulnerable households in 23 districts benefited from cash assistance by Government with families being paid $20 monthly. However, the beneficiaries will this month get a windfall after the amount was increased to $100 a month, backdated to January 2019.

“In 2020, the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare intends to scale up Harmonised Social Cash Transfer to 33 districts while the remaining districts will be covered under the Public Assistance Programme.

“A total $500 million has been allocated towards payment of beneficiary households under Public Assistance and Harmonized Social Cash Transfers in the whole country.”

Disabled persons

This year, Government plans to offer assistive devices to 600 people compared to 194 that benefited last year.

In addition, 3 700 persons with disabilities will be placed under institutional care.

There are also 6 500 disabled students expected to benefit from BEAM.

It is anticipated that by year end, the National Disability Policy and the Disabled Persons Act, which will fully address concerns of persons with disabilities, will be in place.

Own Correspondent|Government recently gazetted 27 proposed amendments to the Constitution, so what happens next?

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said the Bill will now be tabled for debate in the National Assembly early April, at least 90 days after its gazetting.

“During this period, public consultations will commence with written submissions to the Clerk of Parliament, while relevant committees will conduct public hearings across the country and produce a report after the consultations,”said Minister Ziyambi.

“After that, the Bill is introduced in the House and given its first reading after which a committee report is presented and the parliamentarians debate it.

“After that second reading and winding up of debates, if issues arise after consultations we then go into the committee stage where if there is need, relevant amendments and changes are made.

The Bill will then go through the third House before the vote. A two thirds majority of the vote is required for the bill to pass. It is then ent to the Senate where similar procedures are done before it is sent to the President for assent.

“So the 90 day period will likely come around the end of March so we expect to introduce it in the House early April.”

Clerk of Parliament Mr Kennedy Chokuda said Parliament would commence sittings on February 11.

“Committees resume earlier to deal with petitions and public hearings on Bills.

“Yes, we have to do public hearings on all Bills (including the Constitution Amendment Bill).”

Source: State Media

Own Correspondent|Government recently gazetted 27 proposed amendments to the Constitution which will bring about a nearly completely new looking constitution.

We give you below a summary of the closes that the ZANU PF government is pushing through.

Currently, the Constitution allows for the President to appoint only five Cabinet ministers from outside Parliament, but once the amendment Bill is passed, the President will be empowered to appoint two more.

Reads the Bill in part: “Section 104 (“Appointment of Ministers and Deputy Ministers”) (3) of the Constitution is amended by the deletion of “up to five” and the substitution of “up to seven”.

The composition of the National Assembly will also be changed to include 10 more parliamentarians elected through proportional representation.

In a development to facilitate implementation of one of the resolutions from the Zanu-PF National People’s Conference held last month, the women’s quota clause will also be extended.

In addition, Section 161 of the Constitution is also being amended to allow for the decoupling of the drawing of constituency boundaries and the national census.

Currently, the Constitution obligates the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to draw up new electoral boundaries every 10 years, immediately after a national population census. The next one is due in 2022.

On devolution, the Bill proposes to “remove Members of Parliament from membership of provincial councils, merge the provisions relating to provincial and metropolitan councils by removing the special provision relating to the latter (they will no longer be chaired by mayors, but be elected in terms of Section 272 like provincial councils), and provide for the election of 10 members of Metropolitan Councils by a system of party list proportional representation.”

Other proposed changes include the establishment of the Public Protector’s Office, the establishment of the Office of the Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet and renaming of the Civil Service Commission back to the Public Service Commission.

Also, the Bill proposes that the Prosecutor-General be appointed by the President on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission without public interviews.

The tenures of the Constitutional Court and Supreme Court judges will also be extended after reaching the age of 70, for up to five years subject to a favourable medical report.

The amendments also include clauses permitting the President to appoint at least two more non-constituency Cabinet ministers and also extending the women’s quota in Parliament by another two terms.

The women’s quota was set to expire during the current Parliament.

In addition, the amendments will include a provision for the introduction of 10 extra seats in the National Assembly reserved for youths — one from each province.

Furthermore, the Bill seeks to terminate the joint election of the President and his deputies through removal of the “running mate” clause.

Joint election of the country’s top leadership was set to commence in 2023.

Government has assured parents and students in higher learning institutions that it will not approve massive fee increases during a review process scheduled for this month.

While the academic institutions have made proposals ranging from $9 000 to $16 000 for various levels of degrees per semester, Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira maintained the fees would be pegged at “sensible” levels.

The Midlands State University (MSU) has since advised some of its returning students of proposed new fees-structure for the semester beginning February.

Fees for undergraduate degrees are ranging from $9 000 to $12 500 while master students have been advised that they might pay amounts between $12 750 and $16 500 per semester.

Some doctoral students at the institution might have to fork out a massive $51 000 per semester.

Last month, a proposal for Great Zimbabwe University undergraduate fees circulated with fees pegged at $12 600.

But Professor Murwira said Government would not allow a situation where universities hike fees to ‘ridiculous rates beyond the reach of many’.

Speaking to The Sunday Mail, the minister said: “None of what is being circulated on social media is true. As we promised, I said there will be no fees review in 2019, but in 2020.

“The review has not yet been done, but it will be this January. Fees will be reviewed to a sensible rate.”

Minister Murwira said Treasury had poured funds to the pool of Government student loans to ensure Zimbabweans had access to tertiary education.

“We are offering loans for those students who cannot afford.

We were given an extra $25 million from the fiscus to fund Government loans,” he said.State media

https://youtu.be/4Wxg6HceEjY

The government has gone ahead to gazette the Constitution Amendment Bill which paves way for restructuring of the supreme law.

ALSO READ THE PROFESSOR LOVEMORE MADHUKU 25 MIN INTERVIEW ON SATURDAY.

The amendments include repealing the running mate clause meaning the Vice President will no longer have powers of succeeding or taking over from the President.

Also, the Bill proposes that the Prosecutor-General be appointed by the President on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission without public interviews.

The tenures of the Constitutional Court and Supreme Court judges will also be extended after reaching the age of 70, for up to five years subject to a favourable medical report.

The changes also include clauses permitting the President to appoint at least two more non-constituency Cabinet ministers and also extending the women’s quota in Parliament by another two terms. The women’s quota was set to expire during the current Parliament.

In addition, the amendments will include a provision for the introduction of 10 extra seats in the National Assembly reserved for youths — one from each province.

Furthermore, the Bill seeks to terminate the joint election of the President and his deputies through removal of the “running mate” clause.

Joint election of the country’s top leadership was set to commence in 2023.

Parliament will soon initiate nationwide public hearings into the Bill to ensure inclusivity in the law-making process.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said the Bill will now be tabled for debate in the National Assembly early April, at least 90 days after its gazetting.

“During this period, public consultations will commence with written submissions to the Clerk of Parliament, while relevant committees will conduct public hearings across the country and produce a report after the consultations,”said Minister Ziyambi.

“After that, the Bill is introduced in the House and given its first reading after which a committee report is presented and the parliamentarians debate it.

“After that second reading and winding up of debates, if issues arise after consultations we then go into the committee stage where if there is need, relevant amendments and changes are made.

https://youtu.be/4Wxg6HceEjY

The Bill will then go through the third House before the vote. A two thirds majority of the vote is required for the bill to pass. It is then ent to the Senate where similar procedures are done before it is sent to the President for assent.

“So the 90 day period will likely come around the end of March so we expect to introduce it in the House early April.”

Clerk of Parliament Mr Kennedy Chokuda said Parliament would commence sittings on February 11.

“Committees resume earlier to deal with petitions and public hearings on Bills.

“Yes, we have to do public hearings on all Bills (including the Constitution Amendment Bill).”

Currently, the Constitution allows for the President to appoint only five Cabinet ministers from outside Parliament, but once the amendment Bill is passed, the President will be empowered to appoint two more.

Reads the Bill in part: “Section 104 (“Appointment of Ministers and Deputy Ministers”) (3) of the Constitution is amended by the deletion of “up to five” and the substitution of “up to seven”.

The composition of the National Assembly will also be changed to include 10 more parliamentarians elected through proportional representation.

In a development to facilitate implementation of one of the resolutions from the Zanu-PF National People’s Conference held last month, the women’s quota clause will also be extended.

In addition, Section 161 of the Constitution is also being amended to allow for the decoupling of the drawing of constituency boundaries and the national census.

Currently, the Constitution obligates the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to draw up new electoral boundaries every 10 years, immediately after a national population census. The next one is due in 2022.

On devolution, the Bill proposes to “remove Members of Parliament from membership of provincial councils, merge the provisions relating to provincial and metropolitan councils by removing the special provision relating to the latter (they will no longer be chaired by mayors, but be elected in terms of Section 272 like provincial councils), and provide for the election of 10 members of Metropolitan Councils by a system of party list proportional representation.”

Other proposed changes include the establishment of the Public Protector’s Office, the establishment of the Office of the Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet and renaming of the Civil Service Commission back to the Public Service Commission.

Lydia Banda-Ndethi has reportedly been demoted for not attending an event that the VP Chiwenga officiated, the Southern Eye established.

Banda, who was the Binga DDC and is now deputy director local governance in the provincial development co-ordinator’s office, Matabeleland North, allegedly violated the Public Service Regulations act when she chose to attend an event facilitated by an NGO over an event the VP was officiating.
According to Newsday, Banda was told in writing:

You allegedly prematurely left the function that the Vice-President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Chiwenga was officiating in July 2018 at the Manjolo Business Centre opting to attend to a NGO programme. You had lopsided priorities to the extent that the activities of NGOs were taking precedence ahead of government business.NewsDay

Farai Dziva|Emmerson Mnangagwa stunned all and sundry when he announced that meat is not good for people’s health.

Addressing citizens in Kuwadzana Harare soon after his monthly clean up campaign, Mnangagwa said he had no power to regulate the prices of meat promising to ensure that school fees was affordable to the majority of citizens.

Said Mnangagwa:

“I know that in government school, fees have not been hiked. That is what I have been told. I have heard your two grievances, on meat and school. Alleluyah.

We will go and look into the two. But on meat, I do not have much power. But on school fees, there i can fix. Yes.

On council rates, the local authorities have been pleading with me to increase them, but i will refuse to have them effect the raise on rates.

It is well. Let us now go back to our homes. My final words which i am giving you is on unity, respect. we want peace, peace and peace.”

AT least 54 Zimbabweans travelling without valid passports were arrested in Polokwane, South Africa this week as they returned from Zimbabwe after spending their festive season with family and friends.

Three buses they were travelling in were impounded at a police road block.

“At the roadblocks, we experienced two or three buses from Zimbabwe. They can’t continue with their journey, unfortunately,” South African Deputy Minister of Police, Cassel Mathale said.

Millions of Zimbabweans living in neighbouring countries are now trooping back to their countries of stay and work after spending the long holiday period with their loved ones.

They fled the country seeking better economic and employment opportunities as over 80% of the population in Zimbabwe is unemployed.

However, a high number of them have no passports, as it is no longer easy to get an ordinary passport in Zimbabwe and the fortune seekers use undesignated entry points or pay bribes to travel.

South Africa Police Services (SAPS) said they had this week also impounded a truck travelling from Zimbabwe with a contraband of cigarettes worth over R1 million.

The president of the Chiefs Council of Zimbabwe Fortune Charumbira should be prosecuted for defying a court order, prominent political analyst Jeffryson Chitando has said.

Read Chitando’s argument below :

Chief Charumbira is in trouble again!

The Election Resource Centre has approached the High Court indicating that Masvingo traditional leader should be punished for defying a court order order that instructed him to apologize for encouraging chiefs to campaign for Zanu PF in 2017.

Chief Charumbira has arrogantly defied a court order instructing him to apologize.

This is a test case for the independence of the judiciary. The Constitution of Zimbabwe indicates that traditional leaders should be apolitical but Council of Chiefs president has openly acted in a partisan manner.

The Election Resource Centre case against Chief Charumbira will be a milestone in trying to “deZanunise” the traditional leaders in the county.

Papa JC speaks when things are not good

Writer and former advisor to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Petina Gappah has urged Zimbabweans not to buy her book which she said was being sold at an exorbitant price by a local shop.

She posted on Twitter saying:

I’m told that my most recent book is being sold at Innov8 bookshop in Harare. I’d normally be very happy but it is retailing for USD50. As it is not a hardcover, a picture book or printed on glossy paper, this is unjustifiable. Please spend your money wisely. Don’t buy it.

When the UK edition is launched in February, I will make arrangements with my publisher to sell it in Zim for no more than the ZWL equivalent of USD20. I will distribute it myself, as I have done in the past. Books are not luxury products and should not be priced as such.

I take great exception to this pricing because my books are not subject to the 40% book tax that I have been fighting against. They are covered by Zim’s EU tariff, so there is no duty to pay. There is this no justification for selling it in Zim at almost 3 times the normal price.

Legitimate bookshops and other distributors know that they can order directly from my publisher, and get a discount that can go as high as 70%. I am committed to my books being affordable in my own country. And my publishers share the same values.

I’ve agreed with my publisher that any books sold in Zimbabwe will not count towards my royalties. I don’t want my books sold in Zimbabwe to make money: I want them to be read. I am happy for them to make money for bookshops and other distributors. But kwete kutsvaga mari nedemo.

By A Correspondent- Former Masvingo Provincial minister, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti was reportedly robbed in Polokwane, South Africa on the 31st of December 2019, losing his phones and money in the process.

Posting on Twitter, Bhasikiti who is now a member of the MDC Alliance said God saved his life from from the daring thieves in South Africa.

“I thank God for saving my life from daring thieves who got away with money &my phones in Polokwane SA on 31st December 2019,making a Victorious 2020,” said Bhasikiti.

Losing 2018 Presidential candidate, Egypt Dzinemunhenzva has scoffed at POLAD adding that the platform is for “actors”.

He was responding to the Secretary-General of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), Raymond Majongwe who was inquiring on why Dzinemunhenzva was not part of the forum.

Dzinemunhenzva responded sarcastically saying:

Iye munhu akawhina anoda kubatsirwa kutonga here? Ndakanzwa kuti kunoenda maActors. (If a person won the elections, will they need assistance to govern and execute their mandate? I heard (POLAD) is for Actors.)

Dzinemunhenzva is among a few other losing presidential candidates in the 2018 elections who snubbed the forum.

Prominent among them is Nelson Chamisa, the leader of the opposition MDC who describes the forum as a circus and resource-wasting endeavour.

The forum was launched by President Mnangagwa in a bid to dissolve the impasse and tension that is existing amongst citizens. The forum was also premised at finding solutions to socio-economic challenges bedevilling the country.

Meanwhile, whilst participants in the forum argue that it has achieved a lot already, critics believe the forum is tantamount to pouring resources into a drain.

Belvedere Teachers’ college
4 January 2020

Our case for world Class EDUCATION in our lifetime!

OUR Vision is to set Zimbabwe as the hub of education in the world starting with the establishing our country as the giant in the region and on the continent.

The IRONY is that Zimbabweans are running the world but seem to be struggling to run our own country.

THE IMPORTANCE OF TEACHERS
Teachers are the custodians of the greatest resource.
Teachers are pillars and citadels nation building
Teachers are opinion leaders and opinion makers
Teachers have the respect of community
Teachers are role models of society

THE UTILITY OF EDUCATION
Education is critical foundation upon which nations are built. we will have to rebuild the nation through education. Education defines the character and civilization of a nation.

Neglecting education is jeopardizing the future of the nation. Education remains a key component of national development, transformation and must be prioritized as such.We are in the National transformation Revolution, a struggle to revolutionize our economies.

Without an earnest look at what and how we are teaching our children we run the risk of squandering the future.

The education crisis cannot be divorced from the national crisis

Bad governance and the state of the economy have led us to a place where teacher remuneration is low yet school fees are high. The system is not working for the teachers who cannot afford to live on their meagre wages not for parents who mostly cannot access education at the current fee levels.

The starting point is to deal with the root cause of the crisis ie bad governance and the broken economy

Thereafter, there needs to increase funding to the education sector

There needs to be more capital investment in school infrastructure including the refurbishment of buildings, providing adequate learning materials and textbooks to ensure that quality education is being provided

The restoration of the DIGNITY, Glitter and Glamour of the Teaching profession and education practitioners. There needs to be a restoration of the Govt and society’s respect for the teaching profession and improved teacher remuneration.Teaching should be a noble profession and honorable profession.OUR Teachers must be proud after retirement.

There needs to be a review of the new curriculum to evaluate whether it is achieving the objectives that were set out for it, whether it is well-funded and whether it is meeting the needs of industry and the 4th industrial revolution

In this regard, the MDC government, being a People’s government, pledges the following:

1. Provision of free primary school education.

2. The construction of new schools to reduce walking distances of travelling students.

3. Construction of new classrooms to reduce teacher to pupil ratio.

4. Ensuring adequate textbooks to all students at a ratio of 1:1

5. Ensuring e learning and the total transformation of Zimbabwe’s education system to
ICT based system. Ensuring that every child has an access to a computer.COMPUTER PER SCHOOL PER CHILD

6. Ensuring the modernisation of schools with up to date libraries, laboratories and
facilities for modern education.

7. Abandoning the out of context curriculum and adopting a new modern curriculum that prepares the country and make it competitive for the Information Age, the digital 21st century and beyond with an emphasis on machine Learning, the internet of things, Artificial Intelligence, nanotechnology and fourth Industrial Revolution.A new curriculum with a bias towards entrepreneurship, leadership

8. Ensuring that, teachers are adequately remunerated and that they have access to housing loans and decent housing facilities to teachers particularly in rural areas.

9. Encourage the twinning up of rural schools with international schools or urban schools.

10. Re-Introduction of loans and grants at tertiary institutions.

11. Introduction of Centres of excellence.

12. Emphasizing in the curriculum to make it multi-dimensional and more vocational.

13. Encouraging learning of sciences and technological sciences.

14. Encouraging the teaching of sports, arts and culture in schools.

15. Promote and support centres of vocational training in specialised foods and agriculture such as Gweru, Black Forby, and Chivero.

16. Transform Zimbabwean Universities into world class institutions leveraging on the talent and academic prowess of Zimbabweans.

17. Produce excess specialised skills in the field of medicine, sciences with a deliberate aim of exporting such skills.

18. Establish a framework for a modern democratic, functional model for early childhood development.

19. Roll out vocational skills and entrepreneurial training for youth empowerment.
20. Promote a reading culture in Zimbabwe.

21. Provision of adequate learning and teaching materials.

22. Filling of critical vacancies to improve the teacher to pupil ratio.
23. Rehabilitating and expanding education facilities.

24. Strengthening school supervision.
25. Merit-based promotions
26. Teachers’ rights shall be fully recognized.

Two people died on the spot while several others were injured when a Harare-bound Trip Trans bus coming from Nyanga burst its front tyre resulting in the driver losing control and the bus rolling several times before landing on its side.

The accident occurred around 1 pm near Macheke.

According to an eye witness Tinashe Nyambuya, the bus which had standing passengers was speeding and overloaded.

The injured were taken to Marondera Hospital.

NEWSDAY_- TOTAL cattle slaughters in Zimbabwe declined by 11% to 185 853 head for the nine months to September 2019, due to drought and disease quarantine, a new report has revealed.

In its latest report, Livestock and Meat Advisory Council (Lmac) noted that cumulative slaughters for the third quarter of 2019 were 63 233 head, a decrease of 11% and 3% over the same period in 2018 and the third quarter of 2019, respectively.

“Drought conditions have not yet had the expected impact of increased head at cattle sales as reluctance by farmers to sell their animals and quarantine orders following disease outbreaks have had a negative effect on cattle movements,” the report reads in part.

Lmac said large variations in monthly slaughters populate the months from January to September 2019, with the highest slaughter figure recorded in May of 23 970 head, while the lowest was in February of 17 962 head.

“For the first nine months of the year, Mashonaland West province recorded the highest number of slaughters at monitored abattoirs, accounting for 19% of the national slaughter. Masvingo, Midlands and Matabeleland South were second, third and fourth with 15, 14 and 13%, respectively,” it says.

Manicaland had the lowest slaughters, accounting for just 1%, which may be reflective of the lack of monitoring at abattoirs and not the absence of cattle slaughters, the report notes.

“Slaughters in Bulawayo have been on a significant downward trend in recent months.”

The report notes that in September, the breakdown of slaughter quality shows that manufacturing and economy grades account for 50% of slaughters. Economy grade continues to dominate the carcasses slaughtered, making up 39% of all slaughters, reflecting an increase of 2% over the same period in 2018.

“Typically, as the year progresses and pastures dry up, commercial farmers and feedlot operators normally resort to feedlotting. However, the economics of this practice are under huge pressure due to the cost of stockfeed. As slaughter stock is predominantly drawn from communal cattle producers, they will be most affected by the drought as producers rely on natural pastures,” says the report.

The quality composition of slaughtered cattle over the period under review shows manufacturing and economy accounting for 45% while super grade accounts for 18%.

Matabeleland North boasted the highest average carcass size, averaging 232kg over the third quarter of 2019.

Bulawayo and Masvingo were second and third, averaging 191 and 190kg, respectively. Manicaland had the lowest carcass weight of 161kg.

The wholesale price of economy grade increased by 510% in the period under review from $7,63 to $46,83 per kg. The highest increase of 656% was for choice grade, increasing from $9 to $68/kg. Supers continue to be in short supply on the market.

“Stockfeed prices continue to be driven by inflationary pressures of raw materials. It is anticipated that as supply bottlenecks of key raw materials increase, this reality will be reflected in the price. Disposable consumer income is being eroded by inflation and as a result, dietary changes that will reduce demand for animal protein are inevitable,” the report reads in part.

Buying conditions have been characterised by prices being quoted in United States dollar and paid in ZWL at the prevailing exchange rate, a situation that has increased prices in ZWL terms.

-Newsday

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has dissuaded Zimbabweans from eating meat saying it was unhealthy for them, but should turn to vegetables instead.

He was responding to grievances in an interactive session with a rented crowd which was raising its concerns over the exorbitant prices of basic commodities, including meat, at a national clean-up campaign at Kuwadzana 2 shopping centre in Harare yesterday.

Mnangagwa in his response said people should not worry about the escalating price of meat because the product was unhealthy for them to consume.

“You should eat vegetables, they are recommended by doctors. Doctors want you to eat vegetables so that you stay healthy. Meat is not good at all. We have differed there; I listen to doctors, so I eat vegetables. They said vitamins are found in vegetables and potatoes. You see,” he said amid grumbling from the crowd.

Mnangagwa also said the government would make sure that prices of basic commodities would remain affordable to the public.

“I was advised that there are seven basic commodities which should not be scarce. We are going to make sure that these are found at affordable prices for our people. We are working on that, be patient. These things are being rolled out, we have the money to do that,” he said.

-Newsday

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has dissuaded Zimbabweans from eating meat saying it was unhealthy for them, but should turn to vegetables instead.

He was responding to grievances in an interactive session with a rented crowd which was raising its concerns over the exorbitant prices of basic commodities, including meat, at a national clean-up campaign at Kuwadzana 2 shopping centre in Harare yesterday.

Mnangagwa in his response said people should not worry about the escalating price of meat because the product was unhealthy for them to consume.

“You should eat vegetables, they are recommended by doctors. Doctors want you to eat vegetables so that you stay healthy. Meat is not good at all. We have differed there; I listen to doctors, so I eat vegetables. They said vitamins are found in vegetables and potatoes. You see,” he said amid grumbling from the crowd.

Mnangagwa also said the government would make sure that prices of basic commodities would remain affordable to the public.

“I was advised that there are seven basic commodities which should not be scarce. We are going to make sure that these are found at affordable prices for our people. We are working on that, be patient. These things are being rolled out, we have the money to do that,” he said.

-Newsday

LOZWI King and direct descendant of King Mambo, Mike Moyo,has thrown his weight behind the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) and urged political parties to put their differences aside and dialogue for the good of the country.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has refused to have any dialogue outside of Polad. The main opposition MDC led by Nelson Chamisa has refused to participate in Polad meetings held by Mnangagwa and fringe opposition parties, saying it is not a genuine platform for any meaningful dialogue, while also demanding a neutral interlocutor and venue.

Moyo, however, said dialogue was necessary to alleviate widespread suffering faced by millions at a time when hunger is stalking the country.

“Next year we are expecting a turnaround for Zimbabwe. We know that there will be political negotiations through Polad and I am expecting that political parties would put people first.

“Ordinary Zimbabweans are feeling the heat through sanctions. We would continue to pray for peace and stability,” Moyo said in his end of year message.

But most civic and political groups from Matabeleland said Polad was a waste of resources by presidential losers in the July 2018 polls.

MDC Bulawayo provincial chairperson James Sithole told Southern Eye that the political actors participating in Polad were “acting in a boring movie”.

“Bulawayo province as part of the greater national MDC family is committed and supports the party’s leadership guided by its resolution to participate in dialogue and dialogue for the people and not individuals, only when the dialogue involves the representative of the 2-5 million people can be genuine,” Sithole said.

“The current dialogue (Polad) is not genuine because it’s presided over by a conflicted person who is at the centre of an election dispute. (Nelson) Chamisa’s MDC wants real and effective dialogue, the kind that will bring electoral reforms, peace and stability and improve the life of the suffering masses of this country.”

Human rights activist and political commentator Effie Ncube said if it was true that some in Polad were demanding cars and allowances, then it would be a serious indictment of the platform.

“Polad is a conversation between political parties as non- State entities. To give allowances and vehicles to participants from the national fiscus would constitute a colossal scandal and an evil abuse of trust and office,” he said.

Habakkuk Trust chief executive officer Dumisani Nkomo said Polad’s demands to government were ridiculous.

“Polad itself is a questionable process that excludes key political and social factors. These demands are preposterous, nefarious, callous and careless. They border on mischief and a flagrant disregard of the bulk of the citizenry who continue to grovel in grinding poverty while others in Polad wine at the altar of political expediency in a glorified talk show,” Nkomo said.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou said Polad members were showing their true colours and were a liability to national development.

National Peace and Reconciliation Commission chairperson Selo Nare on Sunday said Polad has been a success, citing the response by Sadc to Polad in solidarity with the government on the unconditional removal of sanctions as a major success

Own Correspondent|A ZimEye.com reader has called on Zimbabweans to be “patient” with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s wayward speeches as he is not a Zimbabwean and could be battling to find proper Shona words to use when he speaks.

The comment came after Mnangagwa was heavily criticised on social media for his “musoro vabo” utterance on traders who have not adhered to his Mealie Meal price reduction order.

Mnangagwa called “fools” traders who are defying his non implementable instruction to reduce the price of Mealie Meal.

Speaking to residents from Kuwadzana in Harare on Friday where he carried out a clean up campaign, Mnangagwa threatened to revoke trading licences from retailers.

Last month, the government ordered a blanket reduction in roller-meal prices to $50 per 10kg bag of the staple after promising to give subsidised grain to millers a subsidy which the Millers have not received from him.

“Roller-meal is now pegged at $105 as I heard, but we said mealie-meal prices must go down to $50,” Mnangagwa told residents.

“If there are crooks, businessmen who don’t listen to the government because we give them subsidies and they can’t benefit twice, misoro yavo. We will have laws that deal with fools who don’t listen.

“We will reach a stage where we will withdraw licences of those who do not listen and they stay at home,” said Mnangagwa.

“We will have laws which deal with fools who don’t listen. Basic commodities like sugar, mealie meal, salt, soap, cooking oil, bread, must be cheap. We have reintroduced a subsidy on roller meal so it means if the price had risen to $100 it would cost you $50 and we will pay the other $50,” he said.

“If there are unscrupulous businesses that are still overcharging, we will revoke their licences. We have seven products that we have identified and will also be subsidised and these include cooking oil, salt, sugar, rice, maize meal, bread and soap. We will soon be rolling out these under the Silo brand.”

By A Correspondent- Losing 2018 Presidential candidate, Egypt Dzinemunhenzva (the real ED) has scoffed at POLAD adding that the platform is for “actors”.

He was responding to the Secretary-General of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), Raymond Majongwe who was inquiring on why Dzinemunhenzva was not part of the forum.

Dzinemunhenzva responded sarcastically saying:

Iye munhu akawhina anoda kubatsirwa kutonga here? Ndakanzwa kuti kunoenda maActors. (If a person won the elections, will they need assistance to govern and execute their mandate? I heard (POLAD) is for Actors.)

Dzinemunhenzva is among a few other losing presidential candidates in the 2018 elections who snubbed the forum.

Prominent among them is Nelson Chamisa, the leader of the opposition MDC who describes the forum as a circus and resource-wasting endeavour.

The forum was launched by President Mnangagwa in a bid to dissolve the impasse and tension that is existing amongst citizens. The forum was also premised at finding solutions to socio-economic challenges bedevilling the country.

Meanwhile, whilst participants in the forum argue that it has achieved a lot already, critics believe the forum is tantamount to pouring resources into a drain.

Own Correspondent|The Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Criminal Investigations Department has started an exercise in which it will profile all firearm holders.

The process which began on 2 January 2020 affects new and current owners. That means if you are getting a new license and have never owned a gun or are renewing your current one.

Said the circular:

The new development by the Criminal Investigations Department is aimed at profiling and accounting for all firearms in the country.

Firearm Holders are to bring their firearms together with three live rounds for the process to the ballistics section at which is situated at CID Headquarters along Josiah Chinamano Ave in Harare. The process is being done free of charge.

Own Correspondent|The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has issued a statement indicating that they have arrested six more thugs who were part of the machete gang which killed a police officer.

Amongst the arrested is a minor aged 14.

According to the police the arrest was effected after a brief shootout with the thugs as they heavily resisted arrest.

Below is the full statement from the police:

 ‌

Media Statement|We would like to start year 2020 by congratulating our comrades in Ambazonia for successfully launching the “Ambazonian war of Independence”. Needless to say, the government of Cameroon is shaking.This, without any doubt, is proof that the sound of the gun is the only language that the oppressor hears.

It is also refreshing and inspiring to note that the international community is now seeing black to black oppression for what it is as the United States of America, Belgium and other Western countries have told President of Cameroon, Paul Biya to negotiate with Ambazonia.

We state here, and unambiguously so, that  soon, and very soon Zimbabwe will take a bitter sip from the same cup of violence. That is if the arrogant Shona supremacist government continues to bury its head in the sand in ignorance of Matabeleland statehood restoration cause.

We remind them that the revolution wheel never turns backwards. To us in Matabeleland war is a necessary evil. We will never forgive nor forget the painful history of Matabeleland genocide and continuous tribal marginalisation, tribal hatred and tribal oppression.

We as MLO have made an effort to engage the Shona supremacist government of Zimbabwe in the most rational, respectful and peaceful manner. But we have learnt a bitter lesson that human rights abusers and tribal oppressors do not deserve any kind of respect.

Instead of doing the right thing, ie to respond to the Notice and arrange a neutral venue where we can sit around the table and discuss peaceful separation of Matabeleland and Zimbabwe, they send heavily armed state agents to raid Cde Paul Siwela’s house to harass and abuse his family. The Notice of Demand for the Restoration of Matabeleland State has been sent to them by the President of Matabeleland Liberation Organization, Cde Paul Siwela, not once, not twice but three times.

Perhaps the Shona supremacist government of Zimbabwe may view this move as a sign of weakness but make no mistake, the notice is not there as a decoration of the Zimbabwe President’s office.

Independence struggles have many formulas. No one issues the oppressed with a permit to start an armed struggle. It is upon the oppressed who are suffering under the heavy weight of oppression to take matters into their own hands and liberate themselves. There is time for reasoning and talking. We have done enough of this in Matabeleland. There is time for action and this is time. Izenzo kungemazwi! Ayihlome ihlasele!

Look up in the sky and around you, read the writing on the wall. The political climate in Matabeleland is changing very fast. If you are a politician or individual earning your salary, wage or commission through selling out the people of Matabeleland to the government of Zimbabwe one way or another, you are nothing but a traitor!

That means you are a danger to yourself, your children, your family and Matabele nation at large. The principle of the revolution demands that you must be taken out of the community as soon as possible because of the danger you pose. The only sentence for a traitor is death by necklace.

Izenzo kungemazwi!

Israel Dube

MLO Secretary for Information and Public Affairs

Farai Dziva|The president of the Chiefs Council of Zimbabwe Fortune Charumbira should be prosecuted for defying a court order, prominent political analyst Jeffryson Chitando has said.

Read Chitando’s argument below :

Chief Charumbira is in trouble again!

The Election Resource Centre has approached the High Court indicating that Masvingo traditional leader should be punished for defying a court order order that instructed him to apologize for encouraging chiefs to campaign for Zanu PF in 2017.

Chief Charumbira has arrogantly defied a court order instructing him to apologize.

This is a test case for the independence of the judiciary. The Constitution of Zimbabwe indicates that traditional leaders should be apolitical but Council of Chiefs president has openly acted in a partisan manner.

The Election Resource Centre case against Chief Charumbira will be a milestone in trying to “deZanunise” the traditional leaders in the county.

Papa JC speaks when things are not good

Fare thee well, Hazel Chihota.

ZAPU has been thrown into yet another episode of mourning following the death of Hezel Chihota, South Aftica based former youth leader and ZAWU provincial executive member.

Chihota died after a protacted struggle with illness. Born on 17 February 1976, she attended her primary education at Magwegwe primary school in Bulawayo before moving to Mutare for her secondary studies.

She also did beautician and hairdressing courses before moving back to Bulawayo.

She became politically active and was part of ZAPU revival in 2008-9. She worked in South Africa where she became part of the provincial youth leadership of the party. She rose through the ranks and was at the time of her departure a member of the women executive in the province.

Chihota will be laid to rest on Sunday 5,January in Bulawayo. The only girl child in her family, Hazel is survived by her brothers.

Mourners are gathered at 7151/14 Phumula North.

Iphithule T. Maphosa

National Spokesperson

Zimbabwe African Peoples Union.

By A Correspondent- Two people died on the spot while several others were injured when a Harare-bound Trip Trans bus coming from Nyanga burst its front tyre resulting in the driver losing control and the bus rolling several times before landing on its side.

The accident occurred around 1 pm near Macheke.

According to an eye witness Tinashe Nyambuya, the bus which had standing passengers was speeding and overloaded.The injured were taken to Marondera Hospital.

More to follow……

Farai Dziva|Emmerson Mnangagwa stunned all and sundry when he announced that meat is not good for people’s health.

Addressing citizens in Kuwadzana Harare soon after his monthly clean up campaign, Mnangagwa said he had no power to regulate the prices of meat promising to ensure that school fees was affordable to the majority of citizens.

Said Mnangagwa:

“I know that in government school, fees have not been hiked. That is what I have been told. I have heard your two grievances, on meat and school. Alleluyah.

We will go and look into the two. But on meat, I do not have much power. But on school fees, there i can fix. Yes.

On council rates, the local authorities have been pleading with me to increase them, but i will refuse to have them effect the raise on rates.

It is well. Let us now go back to our homes. My final words which i am giving you is on unity, respect. we want peace, peace and peace.”

By A Correspondent- Velvet Petroleum and Liquid Cargo have been sucked into the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service’s $1,2 million fuel scam, which has resulted in the arrest of former correctional services’ spokesperson, Elizabeth Banda, and Glow Trading Company supervisor Raymond Mazodze sometime in October last year.

The two companies are expected to appear in court today in connection with the same allegations, as investigations into the matter are still under way.

Banda and Mazodze have since appeared in court charged with fraud.

Prosecutor Sebastian Mutizirwa said this yesterday while opposing Banda’s application for refusal of further remand.

He said investigations into the matter were almost complete.

“Progress has been made in the investigations and the State is not just paying lip service, as police are doing their job. There is no inordinate delay in giving them their trial date since we are barely three months following their arrest,” he said. “They came to court on October 8. This is a complex matter and the police did not arrest them to investigate. This is the reason why the defence counsel did not challenge their placement on remand.

“To prove that this is a complex matter, there is a company called Blue Agric Marondera which was allocated fuel and it (fuel) went through five other hands before it reached that company. That proves the matter is a complex one.”

Speaking through her lawyer Mr Tinofara Hove, Banda applied for refusal of further remand saying the State should summon her to court after completing all its investigations. She said it appeared as if the State had arrested her to allow investigations to take place.

“Investigations are still in their infancy and we believe there are 20 to 30 witnesses to be called. We also believe there are three to four co-accused which are to be jointly charged with accused in this case and we have been notified of this.

“In essence, what happened is that police got excited and arrested the accused before they investigated. They are now investigating when the accused is on remand,” said Mr  Hove.

Mazodze, through his lawyer, also made the same application saying he would not abscond and would avail himself if summoned back to  court.

He said he wanted to clear his name after the matter was reported by the media.

“His business and name have been affected and he is keen to clear his name. He is not a flight risk as he has been religiously attending court and reporting to the police as part of his bail conditions,” he said.

Magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa dismissed Banda and Mazodze’s applications before deferring the matter to February 12 for their routine remand.

Circumstances leading to the duo’s arrest are that sometime in July 2017, Banda and Mazodze hatched a plan to evade paying duty on fuel imported from South Africa.

In August 2017, Mazodze representing Gloew, which was purported to be registered in South Africa, approached ZPCS offering a donation of four million litres of diesel.

The fuel was said to be in South Africa, prompting ZPCS to engage the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs requesting a duty-free certificate for the four million litres, which was issued by ZIMRA.

The certificate was handed over to Mazodze to facilitate importation of the fuel.

It is alleged that from May 2017 to August 2018, Mazodze connived with Banda and drew a total of 1 130 500 litres of diesel at NOIC Msasa through CMED.

The State alleged that instead of delivering the fuel to ZPCS, Banda and Mazodze delivered 77 010 litres and sold 1 053 490 litres to Afrifor (Pvt) Ltd without the knowledge of ZPCS, CMED or the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.

In a bid to conceal their crime, the State alleged that Banda raised a fake acquittal on December 5, 2017 indicating that the fuel had been delivered to ZPCS yet they had sold it to private fuel stations.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- A man from Bulawayo’s high density suburb of Mabutweni regrets marrying a divorced woman as she is now in the habit of visiting her ex-husband to sleep with him.

Precious Ndlovu has been a troubled man ever since he moved in with his wife because every time he comes back from work his wife will be in Njabulo Nsingo’s house.

The issue resulted in Ndlovu insulting and assaulting Nsingo; as such Nsingo resorted to applying for a protection order so as to shield himself from Ndlovu.

“Ndlovu is now in love with my ex-wife and is assuming that I am still in love with her because she usually comes to my place of residence looking for one of my tenants.  I am now scared for my life because Ndlovu comes to my home carrying weapons and threatens to stab me with a knife. I no longer want him to come to my place of residence,” said Nsingo.

In his response Ndlovu said he is angry because whenever he demanded to know where his wife spends her time she would lie and say she will be hanging with friends. He only discovered the truth after getting a tip off from neighbours who told him his wife spends her time at Nsingo’s house. 

“I went to Nsingo’s house to look for my wife and to my surprise I found her there with Nsingo. I had to drag her out of his house.  She gave me an excuse saying she will be talking to her friends who are Nsingo’s  tenants but that is not true because I have caught her several times in Nsingo’s house,” said a teary Ndlovu.

Western Commonage Magistrate Urgent Vundla ordered Ndlovu to refrain from assaulting and threatening Nsingo. He also ordered Ndlovu to stay away from Nsingo’s house.

-BMetro

Farai Dziva|Emmerson Mnangagwa stunned all and sundry when he announced that meat is not good for people’s health.

Addressing citizens in Kuwadzana Harare soon after his monthly clean up campaign, Mnangagwa said he had no power to regulate the prices of meat promising to ensure that school fees was affordable to the majority of citizens.

Said Mnangagwa:

“I know that in government school, fees have not been hiked. That is what I have been told. I have heard your two grievances, on meat and school. Alleluyah.

We will go and look into the two. But on meat, I do not have much power. But on school fees, there i can fix. Yes.

On council rates, the local authorities have been pleading with me to increase them, but i will refuse to have them effect the raise on rates.

It is well. Let us now go back to our homes. My final words which I am giving you is on unity, respect. we want peace, peace and peace.”

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa said that the government has not approved any school fees increases ahead of the opening of schools on 14 January.

Responding to complaints from a crowd made up of mostly residents bussed in from different suburbs in Kuwadzana during the National Clean-up Campaign on Friday, President Mnangagwa said:

I have heard that you are complaining that school fees have been increased. We haven’t approved any fees hikes. All government schools haven’t increased school fees and the government has not approved any fees hike.

What I have are requests by local authorities that they want to increase rates and from what I have gathered here as your grievances, I am going to refuse those requests.

The first National Clean-up Campaign in 2013 was delayed by nearly two hours to allow Zupco and Zanu PF buses to bring in people from outside Kuwadzana.

NewsDay reports that police chased away vendors from Kuwadzana 2 shopping centre and forced small shops to close.

By A Correspondent- Former Masvingo Provincial minister, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti was reportedly robbed in Polokwane, South Africa on the 31st of December 2019, losing his phones and money in the process.

Posting on Twitter, Bhasikiti who is now a member of the MDC Alliance said God saved his life from from the daring thieves in South Africa.

“I thank God for saving my life from daring thieves who got away with money &my phones in Polokwane SA on 31st December2019,making a Victorious 2020,” said Bhasikiti

By A Correspondent- Losing 2018 Presidential candidate, Egypt Dzinemunhenzva has scoffed at POLAD adding that the platform is for “actors”.

He was responding to the Secretary-General of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), Raymond Majongwe who was inquiring on why Dzinemunhenzva was not part of the forum.

Dzinemunhenzva responded sarcastically saying:

Iye munhu akawhina anoda kubatsirwa kutonga here? Ndakanzwa kuti kunoenda maActors. (If a person won the elections, will they need assistance to govern and execute their mandate? I heard (POLAD) is for Actors.)

Dzinemunhenzva is among a few other losing presidential candidates in the 2018 elections who snubbed the forum.

Prominent among them is Nelson Chamisa, the leader of the opposition MDC who describes the forum as a circus and resource-wasting endeavour.

The forum was launched by President Mnangagwa in a bid to dissolve the impasse and tension that is existing amongst citizens. The forum was also premised at finding solutions to socio-economic challenges bedevilling the country.

Meanwhile, whilst participants in the forum argue that it has achieved a lot already, critics believe the forum is tantamount to pouring resources into a drain.

By A Correspondent- Opposition MDC vice national chairperson who is also Zengeza West legislator, Job “Wiwa” Sikhala has predicted doom and gloom for the new year 2020 adding that reflecting on what transpired in 2019, there was no room for optimism of a better year ahead.

Sikhala, who has a pending treason case which is set to continue this January said this in an exclusive interview with Chief Svosve on ZimEye, Friday evening.

He said:

“When we review how 2019 was, the first thing that we point out is that at the beginning of the year Zimbabweans lost their fundamental rights.

There was the gross violation of people’s rights… there was the total breakdown of people’s rights when soldiers were deployed in urban and the rural areas.

Tens were arrested, 17 people killed and women were raped during this period. There was the total breakdown of the fundamantal rights of citizens.

The political space was closed while there was a clampdown on civil society organisations.”

On dialogue and Thabo Mbeki as mediator of the Zimbabwean political crisis, Sikhala said:

“Thabo Mbeki does not have the panacea for Zimbabwe…”

Responding to a question on what he thought about his pending treason trial, he said:

“This is a Political Trial…”

“The Zimbabwean people will one day rise and say, Either way I’m going to die.”

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation, ZHRO said in a comment: “Apparently, the firebrand MDC Vice National Chair Person and Zimbabwean MP, could be sentenced to execution by hanging or to 23 years incarceration.

WATCH THE LOADING VIDEO BELOW…..

By A Correspondent- The government is mulling installing solar systems at public health facilities across the country as solar has several advantages over other forms of energy.

This was said by Energy Minister Fortune Chasi while speaking at Chitungwiza Central Hospital on Tuesday.

He said:

As you can see solar installations are now everywhere, at residential, commercial and industrial establishments. Establishments like hospitals and other medical institutions have a high demand for power and as such installing solar panels is the way to go for such organisations.

The healthcare industry has a high requirement of power for running sophisticated machinery and equipment. Many of the medical machinery such as ventilators, MRI machines, and CT scanners hence solar system is vital in health centres.

Chasi further argued for the use of solar energy as the system will run for at least 25 years with little maintenance needed.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- A murder victim’s spirit testified about its own violent death and named the murderers!

The remarkable incident happened at Khami Prison Complex, where prison guards were left in untold fear and trembling, while some collapsed after a prison officer who is alleged to have drowned late last month during a solo fishing expedition at Khami Dam, reportedly “spoke” to them from beyond the grave, revealing a list of his alleged killers.

Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) spokesperson, chief correctional officer Meya Khanyezi had not responded by time of going to press. 

According to sources at Khami Prison, the spirit of Lovemore Matonhodze (38), who was found dead on 24 November after having gone missing for two days, manifested through one of his alleged killers, the wife of a prison officer, demanding her to go to his rural home and confess to his relatives that she was the one who masterminded his death.

It is reported that while manifesting, the woman (name supplied) released a list of prison guards she is alleged to have worked with to kill Matonhodze as punishment for refusing to give them fish.

According to a source, the spirit which was also demanding to know why they killed him, reportedly threatened to cause countless deaths to the family of his assailants if not quickly appeased.

The source said there has been no peace at Khami Prison Complex since Matonhodze started “visiting” his assailants.

“What happened is that soon after his death, the woman in question, who is also a wife of a prison officer, while she was sitting outside her house, a butterfly landed on her hand and she tried to kill it, but it suddenly changed into a giant cat and went inside the house.

“When she pursued the cat, it mysteriously changed into something like a human being. Speaking and acting exactly like Matonhodze, that strange being demanded to know why she teamed up with her accomplices and killed him,” said a source who declined to be named.

The source said the woman is question is reportedly bed-ridden apparently as a result of repeated “torture” by the spirit of the dead man.

It is reported that out of fear, the woman’s husband quickly called one of the senior prison officers to come and see what was happening.

“Upon his arrival the woman slipped into a trance and started confessing that she was the one who masterminded the death of Matonhodze by lightning. She went on to release a list of prison officers whom she claimed assisted her to kill Matonhodze”.

It is alleged that the already stunned senior prison officer had to endure more shivers sent down his spine when the possessed woman revealed that they were also using his “spacious” office as their meeting place to plan their evil missions.

“While in that trance-like state the woman disclosed that she and her accomplices were always meeting at his offices when planning their evil missions.

Still in that state she went on to reveal that they were also using juju to have the matter swept under the carpet by prison authorities.

“As proof the spirit instructed the senior officer to send one of his subordinates to his office to see what was happening. 

“When he obeyed the spirit and sent one of the prison guards to his office, he found the woman’s husband there busy sprinkling juju,” said the source.

It is reported that after the shocking discovery and out of fear, the senior prison officer in question has temporarily vacated his office. This was also after the woman reportedly confessed that she and her team were also responsible for some of the mysterious deaths that had occurred at Khami Prison Complex.

On the day Matonhodze met his fate, he left his home on a fishing expedition to Khami Dam but did not return. The following day his family got worried over his disappearance and reported the matter to the police. 

The police conducted a search, but did not find him until the following day when his brother-in-law, who had reported the matter to the police, teamed up with several members of the public and went searching for him. 

They discovered his decomposing body floating in the water and was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals for post-mortem.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- South Africa’s Minister of home affairs Aaron Motsoaledi has gazetted tough new regulations to control the movements and activities of refugees and asylum seekers, including a ban on political activity and immediate detention on grounds of national security.

The regulations under the Refugees Act, which took effect from January 1, stipulate that “no refugee or asylum seeker may participate in any political activity or campaign in furtherance of any political party or political interests in the Republic”.

The refugee status of any person who engages in such activity can be withdrawn by the standing committee for refugee affairs, and they will be dealt with as an illegal foreigner in terms of the Immigration Act.

Under the act, a refugee or asylum seeker can be removed from the republic on grounds that they pose a threat to national security. The regulations allow for their immediate detention under these circumstances.

The past week has seen violent clashes between rival groups of refugees camped on Cape Town’s Greenmarket Square and in the nearby Central Methodist Mission. The group, which has split into factions, is demanding relocation to a safer country.

The regulations also make it more difficult for refugees and asylum seekers to enter SA in the first place, requiring, among other things, that they present a valid asylum transit visa from the country through which they traveled at the port of entry. They will also need to provide valid identification and submit biometric data.

All applications for asylum will have to be accompanied by a the transit visa or, in certain circumstances, a valid visa issued in terms of the Immigration Act. The asylum seeker visa will contain the conditions under which the asylum seeker will be able to temporarily reside in SA, seek employment and obtain basic education.

“Prior to issuing any right to seek employment to an asylum seeker, an assessment must be completed to establish such person’s ability to sustain himself or herself and any dependents,” the regulations say.

Refugee status can also be terminated if a refugee has “re-availed” themselves of the protection of the country of origin, such as by seeking consular services at any diplomatic mission representing the country of origin. This would include applying for any official document, such as a travel document or citizen-related document, at a diplomatic mission or presenting themselves on their premises.

-Sowetan

By A Correspondent- Security guards had to send for reinforcements to subdue a muscular 25-year-old man who tried to make off with a $29 bottle of perfume from a supermarket in Bulawayo.

“All I wanted was to get my girlfriend a present on her birthday on Christmas day,” said a sweaty Elijah Moyo after the guards had finally apprehended him.

He was caught by a security guard at TM supermarket near Basch Street Terminus also known as Egodini while shoving a 90ml Yardley Gorgeous perfume under his armpit. The perfume costs ZW$28,99.

A manager at the shop, Lameck Homela, explained how they caught Moyo.

“He was spotted by our security guard on CCTV while stuffing the perfume under his shirt. The guard tried to stop him from leaving without paying for the spray. While he was trying to arrest him, he caused a scene and dropped the perfume on the floor,” said Homela.

“He was tall and looked very strong, our security guard tried to handcuff him, but the man grabbed his arm and twisted it while threatening to beat him up. We had to call for reinforcement and they finally managed to handcuff him and put him in the back room,” said Homela.

He said they called the police who took him to Bulawayo Central Police Station where a docket of theft was opened.

During trial at the Tredgold magistrate court, Moyo said: “Your Worship, I apologise for what I did. I had no money on me  as I’m not gainfully employed, I wanted to surprise my girlfriend  with a present since it was her birthday on Christmas day. A desperation to make her happy drove me to steal the perfume. Kindly forgive me,” he pleaded with the magistrate.

The magistrate remanded him out of custody to next week on Tuesday for sentencing.

Cases of theft at supermarkets are rife, just recently a man was arrested after he was caught stuffing biltong in his underwear.

-StateMedia

By Jane Mlambo| Former Masvingo Provincial minister, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti was reportedly robbed in Polokwane, South Africa on the 31st of December 2019, losing his phones and money in the process.

Posting on Twitter, Bhasikiti who is now a member of the MDC Alliance said God saved his life from from daring thieves in South Africa.

“I thank God for saving my life from daring thieves who got away with money &my phones in Polokwane SA on 31st December2019,making a Victorious 2020,” said Bhasikiti.

With the Zimbabwe economy on its knees, most Zimbabweans have found an easy escape route in South Africa where they now go and buy groceries and other essentials.

By A Correspondent- The trial of Zengeza MP, Job Wiwa Sikhala will have most Zimbabweans glued to the TV, Facebook Live and YouTube in late January 2020.

“A hungry man is an angry man,” said Sikhala in an exclusive interview on ZimEye last night.

He also said:

“Thabo Mbeki does not have the panacea for Zimbabwe…”

“This is a Political Trial…”

“The Zimbabwean people will one day rise and say, Either way I’m going to die.”

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation, ZHRO said in a comment:

“Apparently, the firebrand MDC Vice National Chair Person and Zimbabwean MP, could be sentenced to execution by hanging or to 23 years incarceration.

“Such is the gravity of his fight for freedom of expression in Zimbabwe.” WATCH THE VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

By A Correspondent- A Bulawayo man who is also a member of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) is apparently regretting being husband to his wife after he discovered that she was allegedly involved in an adulterous affair with his best friend.

Lucky Chuma from Nkulumane 12 suburb saw his world crumbling down around him when he discovered that his now estranged wife Felicia Mkandla from Tshabalala suburb had been cheating on him with his best and married friend Shelton Mpofu.

And to add salt to injury, after they separated, Mkandla subsequently caused his arrest and while he was languishing in remand prison, she took his bank card and withdrew $769 and “spoiled” herself with all of it.

Chuma, who felt so betrayed, revealed Mkandla’s treachery at the courts where he sought a protection order against her.

“I had a misunderstanding with my wife on 3 November this year. This was after I found out that she was having an extra-marital affair with my friend Shelton Mpofu who is also married. After we separated, she caused my arrest after lying that I had assaulted her.

“While I was in remand prison, she took my bank card and withdrew $769 without my concern and spent it all,” said Chuma.

He added: “She also came to my house during my absence and took my photos and clothes. She also threatened me saying I will lose my job. She once visited my workplace and lied to my bosses that I had assaulted her. 

“She is also denying me access to my child. I am now seeking a protection order against her so that she stops abusing me and coming to my workplace since we are no longer staying together”.

In response Mkandla didn’t dispute that her estranged husband “red-carded” her after he discovered that she was double-crossing him with his best friend. 

She, however, said Chuma was the one who was physically harassing her.

“He assaulted me and I reported him at his workplace. After that he then threatened to assault me if I go to his workplace again. 

“It’s not true that I am going to his house since I took all my clothes when we separated. It is also not true that I am denying him access to his child, but he is the one who is refusing with the child’s birth certificate,” responded Mkandla.

In his ruling the presiding magistrate Lizwe Jamela granted a reciprocal order which compels both parties not to physically and verbally abuse or threaten each other in any way.

The magistrate also ordered Mkandla not to visit Chuma’s workplace.

-StateMedia

Farai Dziva|Deputy Information Minister Energy Mutodi has said opposition leader Nelson Chamisa should forget about the formation of a Government of National Unity.

In an interview with Voice of America on Thursday Mutodi described the youthful Movement for Democratic Change leader as a “cry baby.”

“The boy must face the reality.We cannot talk about the 2018 polls at this juncture.

The truth of the matter is we have a President who won the elections in 2018 so what is the noise about?

The young man’ s demands do not make sense and let me emphasize the fact a platform for dialogue has been created – POLAD.

We will work with those who have a positive approach to nation building,” said Mutodi.

By A Correspondent- The government is mulling installing solar systems at public health facilities across the country as solar has several advantages over other forms of energy.

This was said by Energy Minister Fortune Chasi while speaking at Chitungwiza Central Hospital on Tuesday.

He said:

As you can see solar installations are now everywhere, at residential, commercial and industrial establishments. Establishments like hospitals and other medical institutions have a high demand for power and as such installing solar panels is the way to go for such organisations.

The healthcare industry has a high requirement of power for running sophisticated machinery and equipment. Many of the medical machinery such as ventilators, MRI machines, and CT scanners hence solar system is vital in health centres.

Chasi further argued for the use of solar energy as the system will run for at least 25 years with little maintenance needed.

-StateMedia

State Media|A joint search team comprising members from Zimbabwe and Zambia combed part of Lake Kariba yesterday and today to look for the two Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority rangers who went missing on Tuesday.

The search effort was futile before it was called off late yesterday afternoon as it was getting dark and resumed this morning amid indications that helicopters from both countries will be called in to expand the search mission.

Members of the search and rescue team are drawn from Zimparks, the Zimbabwe Republic Police and similar forces from Zambia.

Commenting on the progress so far, Zimparks spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo said: “Nothing has come up yet but the whole security apparatus and other stakeholders is on the ground.

“We are working closely with our Zambian counterparts on the matter.”

The Zimparks rangers who have not yet been identified were patrolling the lake when they had contact with suspected poachers before they managed to arrest them.

Preliminary investigations show that the four suspected poachers who are still at large are from Zambia and had encroached into Zimbabwean waters.

The rangers confiscated the dingy boat they were using and went to nearby Changa Camp where they wanted to leave the boat for safekeeping before heading for Kariba urban for further handling.

Along the way, the poachers who were not handcuffed owing to provisions that do not allow anyone to be constrained while on water, attacked the rangers who were armed.

A tussle later ensued and the poachers are suspected to have overpowered the rangers.

The matter came to light when the rangers’ patrol boat was found floating on the shores of Lake Kariba on the Zambian side with its engine removed.

Investigations to identify the poachers are underway amid .

Meanwhile there have also been reports of pirates operating in the lake targeting fishing rigs where night catches are raided.

The latest  incident has drawn mixed reactions from Kariba residents with some calling increased patrols in the lake to help in the conservation of fish while others called on Zimparks to adequately equip the rangers as they were outnumbered.

Own Correspondent|PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has called “fools” traders who are defying his non implementable instruction to reduce the price of Mealie Meal.

Speaking to residents from Kuwadzana in Harare on Friday where he carried out a clean up campaign, Mnangagwa threatened to revoke trading licences from retailers.

Last month, the government ordered a blanket reduction in roller-meal prices to $50 per 10kg bag of the staple after promising to give subsidised grain to millers a subsidy which the Millers have not received from him.

“Roller-meal is now pegged at $105 as I heard, but we said mealie-meal prices must go down to $50,” Mnangagwa told residents.

“If there are crooks, businessmen who don’t listen to the government because we give them subsidies and they can’t benefit twice, misoro yavo.  We will have laws that deal with fools who don’t listen.

“We will reach a stage where we will withdraw licences of those who do not listen and they stay at home,” said Mnangagwa.

“We will have laws which deal with fools who don’t  listen. Basic commodities like sugar, mealie meal, salt, soap, cooking oil, bread, must be cheap. We have reintroduced a subsidy on roller meal so it means if the price had risen to $100 it would cost you $50 and we will pay the other $50,” he said.

“If there are unscrupulous businesses that are still overcharging, we will revoke their licences. We have seven products that we have identified and will also be subsidised and these include cooking oil, salt, sugar, rice, maize meal, bread and soap. We will soon be rolling out these under the Silo brand.”

Own Correspondent|President Emmerson Mnangagwa has broken his own records of folly advising desperate citizens to eat vegetables and potatoes because they are much better for health than meat.

Mnangagwa said this to residents of Kuwadzana saying that it is actually good for them to avoid meat. He went on to say that he personally preferred vegetables and potatoes because they have vitamins.

Zimbabweans have responded angrily to his statement describing him as a clown instead of a President.

“So you didn’t know that you were voting for a clown to be a President,” one Social Media user commented on Mnangagwa’s behaviour.

You can watch the video downloading below,

https://cy4ad5.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Mnangagwa-Tells-Citizens-To-Eat-Vegetables-Avoid-Meat.mp4

Own Correspondent|Five police officers based at Harare Central Police Station on Thursday appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court facing a charge of theft of over US$10k belonging to a man they had falsely arrested for an undisclosed offence.

The five, Walter Mapfumo, Simbarashe Ndungwa, Erasmus Shoniwa, Archby Mano and Webster Ticharwa were granted 500 dollars bail each.

It is the state’s case that the five approached the complainant who was in possession of US$18 060 which he intended to give someone and told him he was under arrest for an undisclosed crime.

It is further alleged that they took the complainant to Harare Central Police Station. They briefly took the cash away from him as they tried to create a charge against him.

Where they were done with their clandestine move they assigned another officer to count the money before releasing him. 

However, upon release, the complainant discovered that US$ 10 000 was missing and he reported the matter to the police leading to the arrest of the accused.

By A Correspondent| The trial of Zengeza MP, Job Wiwa Sikhala will have most Zimbabweans glued to the TV, Facebook Live and YouTube in late January 2020.

“A hungry man is an angry man,” said Sikhala on ZimEye last night.

He also said:

“Thabo Mbeki does not have the panacea for Zimbabwe…”

“This is a Political Trial…”

“The Zimbabwean people will one day rise and say, Either way I’m going to die.”

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation, ZHRO said in a comment: “Apparently, the firebrand MDC Vice National Chair Person and Zimbabwean MP, could be sentenced to execution by hanging or to 23 years incarceration.

“Such is the gravity of his fight for freedom of expression in Zimbabwe.” WATCH VIDEO BELOW…

Al-Shabaab (Midlands), Top Six (Mash West), Chipangano (Harare), Mhiripiri Group (Manicaland), Black Jesus Group (Masvingo), Mafios Group (Mash Central) and Hunzvi/Sibanda Rogue war vets (national) are all vigilante groups nurtured by ZANU PF so are Mashurugwi @nickmangwana

— Pedzisai Ruhanya (@PedzisaiRuhanya) January 3, 2020

BERLIN/VANCOUVER – In the clearest sign yet of Beijing’s closet support of Vice President, Rtd General Constantino Chiwenga’s alleged bid to takeover as Zimbabwe leader from President Emmerson Mnangagwa this year, come what may, Chiwenga has returned back to China barely a month after returning to the country from the Asian nation for medical treatment, reportedly on a secret private invitation from Chinese president, Xi Jinping, Spotlight Zimbabwe, has been told.

According to high level sources inside the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), the VP’s invitation was allegedly relayed to him by China’s deputy ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zhao Baogang, through foreign affairs minister, Sibusiso Moyo, who met with the Chargé d’Affaires on 12 December 2019 at his Munhumutapa offices.

The disclosures come hot on the heels of former information minister in President Robert Mugabe’s government, Jonathan Moyo, this week revealing on his Twitter handle, that Mnangagwa has not taken his annual leave, and has not been able to leave the country because of a foiled coup in early November last year, which has cost the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) deputy director, Aaron Nhepera, his job.

This publication was the first to report on 22 March 2019, that a special delegation of senior Zimbabwean military officials reportedly told Chinese generals that Mnangagwa’s political reign will expire in 2020, a few days prior to former leader Mugabe’s November 2017 coup ouster.

“The president is not himself and is in panic mode,” OPC sources said. “He was made to believe that his deputy is going for a medical review in China, but it has turned out that, the vice president has been invited for a private visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping’s office. Nobody knows the purpose of the invitation nor the exact date the VP will come back home. So in the president’s eyes the whole medical thing is a political alibi, and we really don’t know what’s going on or what will happen when his deputy returns.”

Mnangagwa recently told congregants attending an annual National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) grounds in Bulawayo, a few days ago, that Chiwenga was back in China for medical review and asked the congregants to pray for the VP.

“I wish that as we pray, we also remember to pray for Vice-President Chiwenga who is back in China for medical review. He will be back in the country soon,” Mnangagwa said.

Another OPC official, who has previously worked in the foreign affairs ministry, said Mnangagwa was “worried” about Chiwenga’s China return, because Beijing is now dealing directly with the VP’s office on Zimbabwe issues, via foreign minister Moyo, instead of the President’s Office.

Source – spotlight

Own Correspondent|While President Emmerson Mnangagwa was going to the mountain telling Zimbabweans to forget about meat and eat vegetables on Friday, his pictures feasting on zondo on air speaks a different story.

Sometime last year, Mnangagwa grabbed headlines when his pictures eating mazondo aboard a private jet were posted on Twitter by his aide George Charamba.

According to Charamba, the dish was from Mnangagwa to his staffers.

“On our way from Lyons (sic), France, President ED treated all of us his senior staff members to a surprise: sadza nemazondo!! Having spent a few days without that staple, and least expecting it in mid-air, above the land of Gauls, we hungrily made sure there was no dry season!!”

The remarks also comes on the back of reports that a military boss was nabbed after stealing meat.

According to a report by Zim Morning Post, his driver was nabbed in possession of the loot.

The Zimbabwe Military Police detained the driver who revealed that the meat belonged to his superior who had instructed him to deliver it to a yet to be ascertained location.

The army boss in question is report to be having a generally bad record of abusing army property.

“His driver was nabbed after a stop and search.

“The military police acted on a tip-off and the driver said he was sent by his superior who is well known of abusing army property,” revealed a source to the media house.

Own Correspondent|The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe and the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe have warned that thousands of teachers under their membership will not resume duty when schools open next week for first the term of 2020.

The teachers are disgruntled over low salaries and poor working conditions.

Raymond Majongwe, secretary general of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), said that his union members have decided to take on the strike action whether or not government is agreeable to it.

“You cannot expect teachers to go back to work when they have no money for transport, when their children cannot go to school,” he said.

“I do not see schools opening because teachers that I have seen, whose comments I see everyday are vowing that they are not going to return to work.

“I do not see any school opening because they (teachers) have garnered enough courage and zeal to say ’hapana kusiri kudzingwa basa’ (being paid low wages is just as good as dismissal). The teachers will only report back to work when their issues have been addressed, when issues around remuneration and others have been dealt with,” Majongwe said.

Obert Masaraure, the president of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) said they will not waste time going to work next week until government hears their concerns.

“The teachers are earning (equivalent) US$30 per month, which is not enough to cater for the education of their dependants, food, shelter, health care and even transport to work,” he said  .

“We will not pretend to be teaching when we are not, we cannot hazard the future of innocent children by giving them substandard education, we will teach when the conditions are right.

“The poor performance of the 2019 Grade 7 class is a wake-up call for both parents and teachers.”

State Media|BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) rangers shot and injured three gold panners who had allegedly charged towards them after being ordered to stop conducting illicit panning activities at one of the city’s supply dams in Matabeleland South.

Police confirmed, through a Twitter statement on Thursday, the development which occurred on Tuesday.

The police said the three panners have since been arrested while admitted to a local hospital.

 “On 31 December 2019 in Bulawayo, some city rangers who were on patrol came across illegal gold panners at Upper Ncema Dam, Esigodini. The rangers tried to disperse the panners by (firing) warning shots but they did not take heed,” tweeted the police.

“The panners then headed towards the rangers who incidentally fired at them, injuring three in the process. The three are currently admitted to hospital under police guard.”

The incident occurred three days after illegal miners killed an on-duty police officer in Kadoma while leaving another fighting for life.

Two of the illegal gold panners have since been arrested in connection with the cop’s murder.

The Kadoma incident has prompted police to conduct a nationwide crackdown against illegal gold panners. 

In a follow up interview yesterday, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said anyone who tries to resist arrest will be dealt with accordingly. 

“There is no one who is above the law and we will certainly deal with these machete wielding gangs. If they try to attack police officers or anyone else, they would have themselves to blame. You are quite aware that we have made arrests in Kadoma, Mt Darwin, actually arrests are being carried out throughout the country,” he said. 

“Police have intensified operations and we are monitoring what really takes place at disused mines and at the so-called gold rushes. It has been observed that where someone reveals that there is gold, panners rush to the area and cause chaos. They then attack anyone who ever tries to restore sanity in those areas. So, the operation that has been launched in various provinces will continue and we want to implore all stakeholders to cooperate with the police.”

Already cops have arrested 100 illegal gold panners and vendors in separate raids at Good Hope Mine in Kadoma and Jumbo Mine in Mazowe, areas which have been synonymous with violence over gold. 

Of the 100 arrested, 28 were netted at Good Hope Mine while 72 were picked up at Jumbo Mine.

Police also impounded three vehicles that were loaded with gold ore.

Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga has also issued a stern warning to the machete terror gangs that that the law will catch up with them. 

He said police will soon issue orders to prohibit carrying of dangerous weapons in the gold mining sites.