A BULAWAYO woman has appeared in court for allegedly defrauding a local musician, Mrs Sandra Ndebele-Sibindi, of $100 000 in a foreign currency deal.

Simangani Gwemende (45) of Emganwini suburb allegedly connived with Amanda Onwuchukwu and Lindiwe Ndlovu whose ages and residential addresses were not revealed in court to defraud the musician.

Onwuchukwu and Ndlovu are still at large.

Last year, Ndlovu appeared in court on fraud charges on the same matter but absconded after being granted bail.

Gwemende, Onwuchukwu and Ndlovu allegedly planned to dupe Mrs Ndebele-Sibindi of Khumalo suburb after she gave them the money to source United States dollars for her.

Gwemende was not asked to plead to fraud when she appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Lizwe Jamela. She was remanded in custody to today for bail hearing.

Prosecuting, Mr Denmark Chihombe said on October 12, 2018, Gwemende and her accomplices connived to defraud Mrs Ndebele-Sibindi.

“The accused person approached the complainant and misrepresented to her that she was in a position to source foreign currency for her.

“The complainant believed that the accused person and her accomplices were genuine and gave them $100 000 in exchange for United States dollars,” he said.

After receiving the money, Gwemende and Onwuchukwu allegedly roped in Ndlovu who proceeded to Colleen Bawn police station where she falsely reported that $80 100 and US$8 230 had been stolen from her.

Investigations into the alleged theft revealed that Ndlovu had made a false report to cover up that they had defrauded Mrs Ndebele-Sibindi.

The musician reported the matter to the police leading to Gwemende’s arrest.

Gwemende’s lawyer, Mr Costar Dube of Dube and Associates argued that Mrs Ndebele-Sibindi’s conduct was unlawful and the matter should be treated as a civil case and not a criminal one.

“Your worship, the complainant made the accused persons her runners in an illegal transaction and this was not the first time she did it. If an individual decides to wander outside the law, he or she cannot then expect the law to protect him or her. These charges are incompetent,” Mr Dube said.

“The complainant sued the accused person in a civil process and has been paid in excess of $8 000 in re-imbursement and now she expects the law to protect her again.

“I am of the opinion that the law will be over indulging especially in an offence that emanates from unlawful conduct. Therefore, I urge the court to close the charges against the accused person.”  

The Chronicle

Own Correspondent|President Mnangagwa has, with immediate effect, appointed Brigadier General Walter Tapfumaneyi (Rtd) and Dr Gatsha Mazithulela, as deputy directors-general of the President’s Department.

The two replaced Mr Aaron Nhepera, who was redeployed to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage as permanent secretary last year.

Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda confirmed the appointments in a statement yesterday.

“His Excellency, the President, Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa has with immediate effect, appointed Brigadier General (Rtd) Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi and Dr Gatsha Mazithulela as deputy directors-general of the President’s Department,” said Dr Sibanda.

“Prior to this appointment, Brigadier General (Rtd) Tapfumaneyi held several senior positions in Government that included permanent secretary, Ministry of Welfare Services for the War Veterans, War Collaborators, former Political Detainees and Restrictees; principal director, Ministry of Presidential Affairs and several positions in the Zimbabwe National Army.”

Brig Gen (Rtd) Tapfumaneyi also served in the President’s Department between 2005 and 2009 as director.

He is a holder of several academic qualifications including a Master of Science in International Relations and Master of Business Administration.

Tapfumaneyi was at one time identified as one of the kidnappers of Human Rights Defender Jestina Mukoko.

She was abducted at gun-point at her Norton home in 2008 and severely tortured at the height of political tensions in the country.

However, in 2017, High Court judge, Justice Nyaradzo Munangati-Manongwa ruled that former Intelligence Minister, Dydmus Mutasa, Tapfumaneyi and Chief Superintendent Peter Magwenzi of ZRP could be sued in their personal capacities for abducting and torturing Mukoko.

This was after Mukoko had been awarded $150 000 as compensation for the damages that she suffered while held incommunicado for three weeks by state security agents in December 2008.

With regards to Dr Mazithulela, prior to the latest appointment, he was the pro-Vice Chancellor of the National University of Science and Technology.

He is a renowned scientist who holds a PhD in Genetic Engineering and Master of Business Administration, among several qualifications. He is a member of the National Defence University Council and chairman of the National Authority of the Chemical Weapons Convention, Zimbabwe Chapter among many other several appointments.

VICE-PRESIDENT Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife, Marry, has revealed that the retired army general harbours an ambition to take over the presidency.

Marry said the collapse of the couple’s nine-year customary marriage was brought about by Chiwenga’s alleged paranoia, poor health and the influence of “heavy doses of drugs”.

Marry made the remarks in her claim in reconvention in response to Chiwenga’s application for divorce last month.

The matter is still pending in the High Court.

“Defendant (Marry) avers in reconvention that the demise of the customary law union was brought about by plaintiff’s (Chiwenga) acute paranoia brought about by
poor health, his being under heavy doses of drugs including un-prescribed opiates, his surrounding himself with persons who want to take advantage of him and his belief that his ascendency to the position of presidency might be in jeopardy,” Marry said in her claim.

Ironically, in his response to Marry’s urgent application for custody of the pair’s three children, Chiwenga also accused his wife of being a “drug addict”.

But in her response, Marry dismissed the claims, saying she was a better, healthy parent as opposed to the Vice-President.

“Defendant denies that she is a drug addict and pleads that the children were under her exclusive care for long periods of time without any adverse consequences on them and it is denied that the children’s best interests would be served by custody being awarded to a sickly absentee parent who is more in hospital than out,” Marry said.

Turning to the issue of the couple’s assets, Marry claimed that Chiwenga had all his assets registered in his relatives’ names in an effort to avoid sanctions that were imposed on him by the United States government.

“Defendant pleads that all assets acquired during the subsistence of the marriage were acquired with the full knowledge and participation of the plaintiff, whose name could not be used and who, on advice from the bank, procured his relatives to assist in the acquisition of the assets on the basis that plaintiff’s name could not be used as he was on the sanctions list,” Marry said.

“Defendant further pleads that all the monies used to acquire assets were availed by the plaintiff from some of his business partners and that the amnesia he has developed is part of the contrived criminal proceedings against her.”

Marry further dismissed claims that her marriage with Chiwenga was terminated through the production of a divorce token, saying she did not accept the token as it had been paid in foreign currency.

“The defendant further claims in reconvention that the plaintiff has failed to follow proper customary law procedures to end the customary marriage and that, instead, plaintiff sent (Anselem) Sanyatwe to give her a United States dollar bill which she declined to accept on the basis that it is unlawful in Zimbabwe to transact in United States dollars and that it was (up to) the plaintiff to give her gupuro (divorce token) after following all proper customary protocol. Consequently, the customary marriage continues to subsist,” she said.

Marry said she was claiming the equivalent of US$40 000 per month as maintenance from the retired army general for her upkeep and a total of
US$7 500 per month for her three children, which money she said should be paid at the interbank rate.

“Defendant claims in reconvention maintenance for the three minor children, the equivalent of US$2 500 calculated at the interbank rate prevailing on the date of payment until each child attains the age of majority or becomes self-supporting … defendant claims in reconvention personal maintenance in an amount equivalent to US$40 000 per month payable in Zimbabwe dollars calculated at the interbank rate prevailing on the date of payment until her death or remarriage,” she said.

Besides the claim of monthly maintenance, Marry also said her VP husband should be ordered to pay for the family’s holidays, school and medical expenses and casual clothes all running into thousands of United States dollars.

“The plaintiff must pay the entire school account in respect of each child at a Catholic school, including school fees, levies, top-ups, costs of extra lessons, costs of all extra-curricular activities, costs of school and sports uniforms, sports equipment and all other school-related costs,” she said.

“That plaintiff pays for the defendant and her children annual holidays; one fully expensed international holiday per annum at a five-star facility inclusive of spending money of not less than the equivalent of US$25 000, one fully expensed regional holiday per annum at a five-star facility inclusive of spending money of not less than the equivalent of US$15 000, one fully expensed local holiday per annum and spending money of not less than US$25 000 per person.”

Besides all the monthly claims, Marry also demanded that her husband compensates her for the injuries she sustained during a bomb explosion at a Zanu PF rally in Bulawayo before the 2018 general elections.

“That the plaintiff pays the defendant’s cost for reconstructive surgery and all other medically associated costs arising from the injuries she suffered from a bomb blast in Bulawayo while she accompanied plaintiff on his party activities and that the plaintiff provides the defendant with an internationally recognised medical aid cover until her death,” she said, urging the court not to entertain Chiwenga’s application on the basis that he approached the court with dirty hands.

“Plaintiff has already purportedly awarded himself custody of the children and is in contempt of the law. The pending action that he has come to court with, with dirty hands, ought not to be heard until he has purged his various contempts,” she said.

Zim Daily

President Mnangagwa has, with immediate effect, appointed Brigadier General Walter Tapfumaneyi (Rtd) and Dr Gatsha Mazithulela, as deputy directors-general of the President’s Department.

The two replaced Mr Aaron Nhepera, who was redeployed to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage as permanent secretary last year.

Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda confirmed the appointments in a statement yesterday.

“His Excellency, the President, Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa has with immediate effect, appointed Brigadier General (Rtd) Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi and Dr Gatsha Mazithulela as deputy directors-general of the President’s Department,” said Dr Sibanda.

“Prior to this appointment, Brigadier General (Rtd) Tapfumaneyi held several senior positions in Government that included permanent secretary, Ministry of Welfare Services for the War Veterans, War Collaborators, former Political Detainees and Restrictees; principal director, Ministry of Presidential Affairs and several positions in the Zimbabwe National Army.”

Brig Gen (Rtd) Tapfumaneyi also served in the President’s Department between 2005 and 2009 as director.

He is a holder of several academic qualifications including a Master of Science in International Relations and Master of Business Administration.

With regards to Dr Mazithulela, prior to the latest appointment, he was the pro-Vice Chancellor of the National University of Science and Technology.

He is a renowned scientist who holds a PhD in Genetic Engineering and Master of Business Administration, among several qualifications. He is a member of the National Defence University Council and chairman of the National Authority of the Chemical Weapons Convention, Zimbabwe Chapter among many other several appointments.

Manicaland Diocese Anglican Bishop, Eric Ruwona, yesterday appeared in court on fraud charges involving $700 000 which he, together with three other accomplices, allegedly siphoned from church coffers.

Ruwona, who is denying the charges, was granted $15 000 bail and ordered to report once every Friday at Mutare Central Police Station.

Presiding magistrate, Mr Tendai Mahwe, also ordered him not to interfere with State witnesses and to continue residing at Number 1 Oak Road, Murambi.

Mr Tirivanhu Mutyasira prosecuted while Ruwona was initially represented by Messrs Ashel Mutungura and Passmore Nyakureba.

However, Mr Mutungura later recused himself from the case after the State, through the investigating officer Mr Eric Chacha of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), complained that he was conflicted on the grounds that he signed some important documents that resulted in the fraudulent transactions at the church.

Allegations were that the bishop and his three accomplices, who are still at large, hatched a plan to defraud the diocese.

“To achieve their plans and on 26 February 2016, the accused person and his accomplices, fraudulently applied for a loan of US$100 000 from Agribank Mutare branch in the name of the Anglican Diocese of Manicaland Agribank account misrepresenting that they would construct St Catherine’s Girls High School in Rusape and purchase a vehicle for the bishop.

“The accused person and his accomplices committed to Agribank Mutare to taking the loan under a mortgage bond of a certain piece of land situated in Mutare District being Stand Number 78, Mutare Township as collateral security without the knowledge of the standing committee and the church congregants,” said Mr Mutyasira.

He said as a result of the misrepresentation, the loan was approved and the accused persons took the money.

The court heard that the suspect and his accomplices also took a bank overdraft of $250 000 from the church’s Agribank account without the knowledge of the standing committee.

“The accused had no lawful right whatsoever to defraud the church of its money in the manner he did. His conduct caused an actual prejudice of $700 000 and nothing was recovered,” said Mr Mutyasira.

The case goes for trial on January 29.

State Media|Marry Mubaiwa Chiwenga , wife of Acting President Constantino Chiwenga, has demanded US$40 000 for her upkeep, as well as annual international and regional holidays with spending money.

The couple is embroiled in an acrimonious divorce following Mubaiwa’s alleged attempt on the life of the Acting President, while he was hospitalised in South Africa.

Mubaiwa was recently granted bail after spending weeks in remand prison on charges of fraud, externalisation of foreign currency and money laundering.

In her claim in reconvention to Acting President Chiwenga’s application for divorce filed last month, Mubaiwa is demanding US$40 000 for her upkeep and US$7 500 per month for her three children pegged at the interbank rate.

“Defendant claims in reconvention maintenance for the three minor children, the equivalent of US$7 500 calculated at the interbank rate prevailing on the date of payment until each child attains the age of majority or becomes self-supporting,” read the papers filed at the High Court on Tuesday.

“The defendant claims in reconvention personal maintenance in an amount equivalent to US$40 000 per month, payable in Zimbabwe dollars calculated at the interbank rate prevailing on the date of payment until her death or remarriage.”

In addition, Mubaiwa is asking the court to order Acting President Chiwenga to pay for the children’s holidays, school and medical expenses and clothes.

“That plaintiff pays for the defendant and her children annual holidays; one fully expensed international holiday per annum at a five-star facility, inclusive of spending money of not less than the equivalent of US$25 000, one fully expensed regional holiday per annum at a five-star facility inclusive of spending money of not less than the equivalent of US$15 000, one fully expensed local holiday per annum and spending money of not less than US$25 000 per person.”

Acting President Chiwenga, responding to Mubaiwa’s recent urgent application for custody of the children, asked the court to dismiss the application, accusing the ex-model of being a drug addict.

Mubaiwa is further demanding compensation for the injuries she sustained in Bulawayo before the 2018 harmonised elections. She also wants the Acting President to meet the costs for reconstructive surgery and all other medically-associated costs arising from the injuries she suffered.

In this regard, she wants to be provided with an internationally recognised medical aid cover until her death.

Meanwhile, Acting President Chiwenga has opposed Mubaiwa’s application to return to Number 614 Nick Price Drive, Borrowdale Brooke.

His lawyers, Manase and Manase, are arguing that the prosecution was not aware that she had two other valid passports when bail was argued.

Marry Mubaiwa, the estranged wife of Acting President Constantino Chiwenga, has demanded US$40 000 for her upkeep, as well as annual international and regional holidays with spending money.

The couple is embroiled in an acrimonious divorce following Mubaiwa’s alleged attempt on the life of the Acting President, while he was hospitalised in South Africa.

Mubaiwa was recently granted bail after spending weeks in remand prison on charges of fraud, externalisation of foreign currency and money laundering.

In her claim in reconvention to Acting President Chiwenga’s application for divorce filed last month, Mubaiwa is demanding US$40 000 for her upkeep and US$7 500 per month for her three children pegged at the interbank rate.

“Defendant claims in reconvention maintenance for the three minor children, the equivalent of US$7 500 calculated at the interbank rate prevailing on the date of payment until each child attains the age of majority or becomes self-supporting,” read the papers filed at the High Court on Tuesday.

“The defendant claims in reconvention personal maintenance in an amount equivalent to US$40 000 per month, payable in Zimbabwe dollars calculated at the interbank rate prevailing on the date of payment until her death or remarriage.”

In addition, Mubaiwa is asking the court to order Acting President Chiwenga to pay for the children’s holidays, school and medical expenses and clothes.

“That plaintiff pays for the defendant and her children annual holidays; one fully expensed international holiday per annum at a five-star facility, inclusive of spending money of not less than the equivalent of US$25 000, one fully expensed regional holiday per annum at a five-star facility inclusive of spending money of not less than the equivalent of US$15 000, one fully expensed local holiday per annum and spending money of not less than US$25 000 per person.”

Acting President Chiwenga, responding to Mubaiwa’s recent urgent application for custody of the children, asked the court to dismiss the application, accusing the ex-model of being a drug addict.State media

Farai Dziva|United Democratic Alliance (UDA) president Daniel has said Zimbabweans must abandon the “Godfather Syndrome” to enable meaningful development to take place.

See statement below :
As your future President, I would not approve of a Wild West monetary system.

Economies are complex and not single-dimensional, thus require broad and inclusive multifaceted Prescriptions.

Zimbabwe must urgently stop the Godfather syndrome. We’re not a private enterprise.

The citizens must have confidence in the value systems and securities presented.

Mutuality is critical for the practical functioning of any economy.

Command money and policies a more egocentric and unsustainable because citizens will opt for the best alternative.

Private wealth, trade or investments can’t be stolen from citizens while the ‘Have’ are insulated. What about the ‘Have not’? Parliament established that Gono was doing was illegal and unconstitutional but Zanu PF MP’s were wiped to legitimize the biggest robbery of all time.

No one is above the law, yet Gono presided and actively participated in the operation of the Recon Act (Expropriation) and more. The country fed from Gono’s hands (Army, Police, including many quasi-fiscal activities). This opened the floodgates of the mess we are in today.

To fix the economy we must reset all national drivers.
Constitutionalism, rule of law, uncapture the Judiciary, repeal of all unconstitutional laws and statutes, human rights, and corruption. No to indiscretions. No to the printing of money.

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA)

Watch video below. ..

Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa is expected to announce the much awaited way forward following the lengthy political stalemate in the country.

Chamisa has indicated that the people of Zimbabwe have suffered for too long such that there is need for decisive action.

“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.We’ve exhausted all channels.

We can’t continue to be victims of unjust application of the law.Rights are for all.

On Tuesday 21st Jan we will deliver the people’s Agenda 2020 to the nation come what may.#peoplesgovernment,” Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

By A Correspondent- A 33 year old Harare woman was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment yesterday by a Bindura magistrate for ill-treating her baby girl by leaving her with an unknown vendor at Bindura market.

Charity Nyabadza pleaded guilty to the charge before magistrate Moreblessing Makati who commuted the sentence to 105 hours of community service.

Prosecutor Vincent Marunya told the court that on December 29 the convict left Rusape with her new born baby for Bindura.

Upon arriving in Bindura Nyabadza saw an unknown vendor whom she gave her baby and escaped to her brother’s place in Chitungwiza.

Her brother quizzed her about her missing baby and she came back to Bindura to search for the vendor.

The vendor had filed a police report and the baby had been taken to Bindura hospital.

The police conducted investigations leading to Nyabadza’s arrest.

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ED has repudiated position as President; Last VP to have acted must take over On or around the 8th January 2020 the nation was advised that ED had proceeded on his annual leave and had for that reason nominated General Chiwenga and Colonel Mohadi, on a rotational basis, to act in his stead during the period of his absence. It was inauspiciously advised that ED would be in the country for the entire duration of his annual vacation. He has in the event subsequently performed certain executive functions during the advised vacation. I have been consulted to give advice on the constitutional implications of these developments.

Paragraph 14(3) of the sixth schedule of the Constitution of Zimbabwe 2013, provides as follows: “Where-(a)
(b) two Vice Presidents are appointed in terms of subparagraph (2), the President may from time to time nominate one of them to act as President whenever he or she is absent from Zimbabwe or is unable to exercise his or her official functions through illness or any other cause.”
In terms of this provision, an Acting President can only be appointed in two instances viz:
i. If the president is absent from Zimbabwe (this connotes physical absence) or,
ii If through INABILITY, he cannot exercise his/her official functions (this connotes physical or mental inability which must exist as a matter of objective fact).
In this regard, it does not matter how the inability arises. What is clear is that whatever cause is relied upon by the president must speak to an absolute INABILITY on his part to perform the functions of his office.
Further, the president cannot nominate both his deputies to act as presidents on a rotational basis. He can only nominate one at a time or to use the words of the constitution, “from time to time”.
In this case, the president is in Zimbabwe and could not have nominated one or both of his deputies to assume the position of Acting President. He also could not have nominated an Acting President on the basis of INABILITY to perform his functions given that such inability does not as a matter of objective fact exist. The grave and concerning surrender by the president of executive power has neither constitutional warrant nor precedent.
At any rate, it is not open to the president, during the period in which an Acting President is in office, to exercise, on a random basis, the already delegated functions of his office. Executive authority cannot at that level be shared and once delegated, constitutional authority cannot thereafter be exercised by the delegate. The president cannot have it both ways. Either he retains his authority in which event he exercises it or he delegates it in which event he losses it for the period of the delegation.
It is also clear that the president could not have validly nominated both his deputies to act as presidents on a rotational basis. In terms of the constitution, he could only nominate one deputy at a time or “from time to time”. The unconstitutional act of appointing two deputies to act on a rotational basis is in my view deliberate and was meant to aid the president in his renunciation of the constitution.
As a result, the country is currently operating under an illegal regime in which the president has not only abdicated his constitutional obligation to observe the law but has altogether repudiated his position as president. The repudiation comes in that absent an absence from the country or an inability to perform functions, executive authority cannot be delegated as has been done. The president not only having delegated the authority but also having been prepared to share it with his deputies has by his objective actions repudiated his position as head of state and government.
In terms of section 96 of the constitution, the president can only resign his office by notifying the Speaker of Parliament in writing that he has done so. There is however, no process required and none to be followed when the president repudiates his position. A sitting president is at large to repudiate his position either by word or conduct. Repudiation is itself a unilateral act and cannot be recalled. In the immortal words of the Shona, “yadeuka yadeuka”.
Zimbabwe has accordingly ceased to have a substantive president.
In terms of paragraph 14(4)(a) of the sixth schedule, the last Vice President to have acted in the position of the president, must now exercise complete executive authority until his party nominates a substantive president in terms of paragraph 14(5) of the same schedule. That is a constitutional imperative.
Thabani Of Counsel Chambers, Harare

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By A Correspondent- Former Cabinet minister, Patrick Zhuwao has been kicked out of his 232 hectares farm in Zvimba district, Mashonaland West province by Lands Minister Perrance Shiri.

Zhuwao is currently in exile in South Africa after fleeing the country in November 2017 when a military coup removed President Robert Mugabe from power.

The now late Mugabe was an uncle to Zhuwao. The ex-minister was part of the G40 faction that was blocking the then Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ambitions to replace Mugabe as president.

Shiri, together with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, was one of the key architects of the coup.

The factional fights between the former G40 members and Mnangagwa’s Lacoste gang have now spilled into the courts where Zhuwao is challenging his forced eviction from his farm by Shiri in October last year.

In his court papers filed at the High Court in Harare, Zhuwao claims he was offered the farm under government’s controversial land reform programme in 2004 and it was, therefore, unlawful for Shiri to chase him out since he has been fully utilising it.

“On the 9th of December 2004, I was offered subdivision 1 of Cockington in Zvimba District, in the province of Mashonaland West which is approximately 232.81 hectares in extend,” Zhuwao says in his court application.

“The offer was made in terms of the Agricultural Land Resettlement Act Chapter 20:01. I accepted the offer and a clear contractual agreement between the Ministry of Lands Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Settlement and myself.”

Zhuwao said on April 26 last year he was issued with a notice of intention to withdraw the offer letter signed by Shiri on allegations that he had abandoned the farm since 2011.

He told the High Court that he responded to the notice but there was no response from Shiri.

Zhuwao said he was shocked to receive another letter on October 16 notifying him of the immediate termination of his contract and argues that reasons for cancellation of the offer letter were fabricated.

“Despite all the challenges of vandalism of electrical infrastructural and theft, I have been farming to the best of my farm’s potential in the circumstances. Withdrawing my letter on the basis of unsubstantiated and spurious allegations without investigating the veracity of such allegations is a gross substantive.

“I am therefore not in breach of any of the terms and conditions attached to the offer. Since I was allocated the plot I have been farming tobacco, cereal crops, sunflower and poultry.”

Zhuwao also submitted that only President Mnangagwa had the powers to revoke offer letters hence the need for the court to deal with the matter.

“The letter does not bear official stamp of the ministry to verify its authenticity. Further the letter does not contain any reasons for the decision. It is simply a cancellation ‘out of a proverbial blue’. It is my considered opinion that this letter is bogus and in any event, unenforceable as it is ultra vires to the enabling legislation and it offends the principles of natural justice.

“The respondent has no jurisdiction to withdraw my offer letter because the Enabling Act (Agricultural Land Resettlement Act Chapter 20:01) does not grant him the powers to do so. It is only the President who can cancel or withdraw offer letters, not the minister,” reads his application.

The matter is yet to be set down for hearing.

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By A Correspondent- A Bulawayo woman died after she was dragged by a moving train as she tried to disembark while the train was still moving.

Loveness Issa who works at the United Bulawayo Hospitals  died on admission at Mpilo Hospital on January 6.

This was confirmed by the Bulawayo Acting Spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele.

She said the woman disembarked from the moving train at Mpopoma Railway Station and she was badly injured.

The train was Victoria Falls bound.

After the accident she was taken to hospital where she died on admission.

By A Correspondent- A self-styled prophet has appeared in court on allegations of causing the death of one of his clients’ during a cleansing ceremony.

The client allegedly died after the prophet dipped his head three times in the Mukuvisi River.

Edmond Nyahwo, of Glen View 8 allegedly caused the death of Protasias Marimo after dipping his head into the river and forcing him to sniff traditional snuff while conducting the cleansing ceremony.

Nyahwo is facing culpable homicide charges. He was not asked to plead to the charges when he appeared before magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa, who remanded him to February 17 on $200 bail.

Circumstances leading to his arrest were that on July 1 last year, Marimo approached Nyahwo, who took him to Mukuvisi River in Glen Norah.

Upon their arrival, Nyahwo stepped into a shallow pool and invited Marimo to get in.

The court heard that Nyahwo started dipping Marimo’s head in the water on three different times while causing him to sniff some snuff, which was in a wooden plate.

Reports are that Marimo later fell unconscious forcing other people who had accompanied the two to the cleansing ceremony to intervene in a bid to resuscitate him but failed.

Nyahwo went to Glen Norah police station where he informed them what had happened.

Marimo’s body was then taken to Harare Central Hospital where one Dr Sachikonye confirmed him dead.

A post mortem was conducted on the following day by Dr Aisa Gerrano and Yechilyn Igusias, who confirmed that Marimo had died from brain damage, left frontal intraparenchimatose and brain vessels damage rapture.

Nyahwo was later arrested and he is expected to be back in court on February 17 for his routine remand.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- A gold panner in Shangani has been taken to court for attacking a colleague with a machete in a dispute over cigarette.

Mkondisi Nyathi (35) appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Nomasiko Ndlovu.

He was granted $300 bail and  remanded to December 31.

On December 16 Nyathi confronted Mandlenkosi Thwala (33) armed with a machete and asked for a cigarette.

Thwala said he had none and Nyathi suddenly attacked him with the machete three times on the head.

 Nyathi was arrested following a report made to the police.

By A Correspondent- The United States of America (US) has pledged to continue supporting Zimbabwe in its reform agenda as this is a prerequisite for closer relations between the two countries.

This was said by US ambassador to Zimbabwe Brian Nichols through a post on Twitter. He wrote:

I met with Acting President Chiwenga today and reiterated U.S. support for Zimbabwe’s reform agenda that is necessary for deeper engagement between our countries.

We remain Zimbabwe’s largest bilateral donor and will continue to support the people of Zimbabwe during challenging times.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is the Acting President as President Emmerson Mnangagwa is on his annual vacation.

Chiwenga will hold the position on a rotational basis with Co-Vice President Kembo Mohadi until Mnangagwa’s return at the end of the month.

By A Correspondent- A 33 year old Harare woman was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment yesterday by a Bindura magistrate for ill-treating her baby girl by leaving her with an unknown vendor at Bindura market.

Charity Nyabadza pleaded guilty to the charge before magistrate Moreblessing Makati who commuted the sentence to 105 hours of community service.

Prosecutor Vincent Marunya told the court that on December 29 the convict left Rusape with her new born baby for Bindura.

Upon arriving in Bindura Nyabadza saw an unknown vendor whom she gave her baby and escaped to her brother’s place in Chitungwiza.

Her brother quizzed her about her missing baby and she came back to Bindura to search for the vendor.

The vendor had filed a police report and the baby had been taken to Bindura hospital.

The police conducted investigations leading to Nyabadza’s arrest.

By A Correspondent- Over 124 artisanal miners were arrested at Mazowe mine, (Jumbo) yesterday following an operation to clear machete wielding illegal gold panners at the mine.

The operation which started yesterday forced over 1000 armed police officers from Support unit, Guruve, Mt Darwin and Bindura districts to flood the area.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the case.

“We started the operation yesterday and about 124 illegal miners were arrested the operation is still on-going,” he said.

However, some police officers on duty are disgruntled over the exercise as they were forced to go to work without much preparation and food.

“This operation is not good enough for us as we were just forced to go to work without preparing we do not have food here and life has proved tough for us lamented,” police officers.

Unconfirmed reports claim the operation is meant to pave way for president Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son Tongai who wants to take over the mine as he is the major buyer of gold there.

There is a gold rush at the mine with Zanu-PF big wigs using their party cars to loot the precious mineral from the private owned mine.

MDC organising a solidarity rally for Chief Ndiweni. The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) structures in Matabeleland North have announced that their members will hold a solidarity rally for Chief Ndiweni on the 1st of February. Stung by criticism from the outspoken Chief Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni of Ntabazinduna, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government responded by removing him from office.

The government was hoping to take advantage of a long-running family dispute over the Ndiweni chieftainship. However, the family spokesperson, Bancinyane Ndiweni has already maintained that the family settled for the ‘ousted chief’ as their substantive traditional leader.

“As far as the family is concerned, Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni is our chief. Nothing has changed,” Bancinyane was quoted saying. Ndiweni’s lawyers are challenging the matter in court. Speaking to Nehanda Radio, Mhlonipheki Ncube, the Matabeleland North provincial spokesman for the MDC, said the latest rally; “came as a special request from the community of Ntabazinduna.

” “We as MDC Matabeleland North take the persécution of the chief and the purported removal from the Khayisa Chieftainship as a direct attack on the culture, traditions, customs and norms of the people of Matabeleland hence a call for stiff resistance among our people across all political divide.

“We, therefore, call upon all thé people of Matebeleland to throng Ntabazinduna on the first of February to show the unity of purpose against this ZANU PF failed regime that has plunged the country into the economic abyss and put our Nation among failed states.

“MDC Matabeleland North will not rest when the identity of the people of Mthwakazi is under threat. The torture of the People’s Chief is viewed by our people as an attack on their identity traced back to the times of King Mzilikazi. Any attempt to erase such historic ties will be stiffly resisted and ZANU PF stands warned.

“We encourage our people to wear TRADITIONAL ATTIRE in tandem with Mthwakazi culture during the day and show the World that MDC solidly stand with the people’s Chief,” Ncube said.

Source – Nehanda Radio

THE Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) yesterday claimed that the majority of its members had heeded the call to boycott classes over unresolved salary issues, and vowed to protect its striking members against victimisation by government.

Zimta chief executive officer, Sifiso Ndlovu said the union would not let its members be victimised for exercising their rights.

“No member of Zimta will be fired for exercising their rights. They have done nothing illegal instead they have informed the government that they are not reporting for duty because they are incapacitated,” Ndlovu said.

“Our members will not report for duty up until our employer capacitates us. Imagine a teacher who works at a school in Ntulula in Tsholotsho, the money she spends to get to her station compared to her monthly earnings is just pathetic.”

While some teachers yesterday reported for duty, others were in a no-show after Zimta, the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe and Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe called for a nationwide industrial action.

Civil servants last week rejected a 97% salary increment offered by the government as they insisting on getting paid salaries equivalent to what they used to get during the multi-currency regime.

Teachers in most schools in the Midlands capital of Gweru stayed home.

A snap survey carried by NewsDay revealed that there was high absenteeism of the majority of teachers, while those that reported for duty were not taking up lessons.

At Mkoba 1 Secondary School, students were still roaming around the school with no order by mid-day, a sign that teachers were not in classes. The same scenario was witnessed at Chaplin High School, Senga Secondary and Thornhill High School.

Teachers, who spoke to NewsDay at the various institutions visited, said their colleagues who stayed home indicated in social media groups that they were incapacitated to report for work.

Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure said most schools had recorded a low teacher turnout.

“Teachers are severely incapacitated and learners are ill-equipped for the learning season. Riot police has been deployed in the majority of urban schools scaring the already traumatised learners,” he said.

NewsDay

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed two new Deputy Director-Generals at the CIO: retired Brigadier General Walter Tapfumaneyi and former NUST Pro-Vice-Chancellor Gatsha Mazithulela.

We publish the communique from the President’s office in its entirety below:

 ‌

Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa is expected to announce the much awaited way forward following the lengthy political stalemate in the country.

Chamisa has indicated that the people of Zimbabwe have suffered for too long such that there is need for decisive action.

“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.We’ve exhausted all channels.

We can’t continue to be victims of unjust application of the law.Rights are for all.

On Tuesday 21st Jan we will deliver the people’s Agenda 2020 to the nation come what may.#peoplesgovernment,” Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

Correspondent|A MASVINGO based military officer is on the run after hijacking and vanishing with a vehicle he had sold to a taxi some few months before.

Police sources in Masvingo have confirmed that a man-hunt has since been launched for Lieutenant Pride Hlongwane after he stole a blue Honda Fit from Andrew Munhende, a taxi driver.

The matter which was reported at Chikato Police Station has since been moved to Masvingo’s Vehicle Theft Squad (VTS). 

Munhende got into an agreement with Hlongwane to buy the vehicle on a rent to buy basis.

According to police sources, payment for the car was completed in June 2019.

Hlongwane was immediately transferred to Gweru’s Military Academy for further training and was not easily available to surrender the car registration book to Munhende.

On his return in December last year, Hlongwane is said to have approached Munhende in the company of two other soldiers, only identified as Madyara and Njovo at Yeukai Shopping Centre where they manhandled him and took possession of the vehicle.

The four are alleged to have sped off into town where Munhende followed them only to see Hlongwane speeding along the Bulawayo road after having dropped his alleged accomplices.

During the hijack, Munhende also lost his driver’s licence, bank cards US$54, R960 and $920.

THE MDC-led Bulawayo City Council recently turned down the opposition party’s provincial structures’ request for free use of Stanley Square in Makokoba.

The councillors argued that allowing the MDC to use the facility for free was tantamount to abuse of office and would set a bad precedence.

According to a recent council report, MDC Bulawayo provincial administrator Sithabile Moyo wrote to council on December 4, 2019 requesting the free use of Stanley Square for an event scheduled for December 21 where party leader Nelson Chamisa was expected to be the guest of honour.

Council normally grants free use of its stadia and other facilities for charity and national events such as Independence, Heroes and Defence Forces Day, among others. Special needs groups are also eligible to use council facilities for free upon application.

The councillors said acceding to the MDC request would open floodgates for abuse of council facilities by political parties.

“Normally there were costs involved and council did not want to set a precedence. Zanu PF recently paid for the use of Stanley Square. Alderman Clayton Zana wanted to know if other parties were paying. Alderman Monicah Lubimbi suggested that if other parties were paying, MDC should also pay,” read the minutes.

Councillors Donaldson Mabuto, Frank Javangwe and Joyce Ndlovu concurred.

“Councillor Silas Chigora said the party should pay even though Zanu PF usually abused council facilities. Councillor Arnold Batirai and Tawanda Ruzive proposed to pay for the party,” the minutes read.

Thereafter, it was resolved that the request for free use by MDC Bulawayo province of Stanley Square by Chamisa should not be acceded to.

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association director Emmanuel Ndlovu yesterday hailed the councillors’ decision.

“We would like to commend the councillors for that move coming at a time when resources and office abuse is the dominant form of corruption. What is needed is consistency, policy consistency right through and right across so that Bulawayo can regain its status as the best-run local authority,” he said.

Correspondent|report that they have arrested at least 124 artisanal miners at Mazowe mine in an intensive operation to rid small scale mining of machete wielding gangs.

The operation which started this week forced over 1000 armed police officers from the Support unit, Guruve, Mt Darwin and Bindura districts to flood the area.

Over 124 artisanal miners were arrested at Mazowe mine, (Jumbo) yesterday following an operation to clear machete-wielding illegal gold panners at the mine.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the case. “We started the operation yesterday and about 124 illegal miners were arrested the operation is still on-going,” he said.

However, some police officers on duty are disgruntled over the exercise as they were forced to go to work without much preparation and food.

“This operation is not good enough for us as we were just forced to go to work without preparing we do not have food here and life has proved tough for us lamented,” police officers.

Unconfirmed reports claim the operation is meant to pave way for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son Tongai who wants to take over the mine as he is the major buyer of gold there.

There is a gold rush at the mine with Zanu-PF big wigs using their party cars to loot the precious mineral from the private-owned mine.

Source – Bulawayo24 News

FEATURE: REPORT ON THE PLANNED ASSASSINATION OF MARRY CHIWENGA ALLEGATION.

– history

–  definition.

–  justification.

–  Classification.

–  The Assassin.

–  Planning.

–  Techniques.

–  Manual.

– Marry Chiwenga.

HISTORY

When retired Gen Solomon Mujuru was killed in 2011, Gen Constantino Chiwenga pleaded with soldiers during the parade of the late’s body as filmed on the state broadcaster, ZBC saying, “We need to have peace, we need to have peace among ourselves.” Many people believe that the late general was assassinated like other suspicious deaths since 1975: Herbert Chitepo(bomb), Josiah Tongogara(truck accident, William Ndangana (accident with a puma), Border Gezi(car accident), Elliot Manyika( car accident), Morvern Mahachi( car accident), Susan Tsvangirai (car accident), Edward Chindori Chininga(car accident), Inviolleta Dumbutshena (car accident).

DEFINITION.

Assassination is a term thought to be derived from “Hashish”, a drug similar to marijuana, said to have been used by Hasan-Dan-Sabah to induce motivation in his followers, who were assigned to carry out political and other murders, usually at the cost of their lives, a study by the George Washington University reads.

It continues: It is here used to describe the planned killing of a person who is not under the legal jurisdiction of the killer, who is not physically in the hands of the killer, who has been selected by a resistance organization for death, and who has been selected by a resistance organization for death, and whose death provides positive advantages to that organization.

JUSTIFICATION

Murder is not morally justifiable. Self-defense may be argued if the victim has knowledge which may destroy the resistance organization if divulged. Assassination of persons responsible for atrocities or reprisals may be regarded as just puni shment. Killing a political leader whose burgeoning career is a clear and present danger to the cause of freedom may be held necessary.

But assassination can seldom be employed with a clear conscience. Persons who are morally squeamish should not attempt it.

CLASSIFICATIONS

The techniques employed will vary according to whether the subject is unaware of his danger, aware but unguarded, or guarded. They will also be affected by whether or not the assassin is to be killed with the subject hereafter, assassinations in which the subject is unaware will be termed “simple”; those where the subject is aware but unguarded will be termed “chase”; those where the victim is guarded will be termed “guarded.”

If the assassin is to die with the subject, the act will be called “lost.” If the assassin is to escape, the adjective will be “safe.” It should be noted that no compromises should exist here. The assassin must not fall alive into enemy hands.

A further type division is caused by the need to conceal the fact that the subject was actually the victim of assassination, rather than an accident or natural causes. If such concealment is desirable the operation will be called “secret” ;; if concealment is immaterial, the act will be called “open”; while if the assassination requires publicity to be effective it will be termed “terroristic.”

Following these definitions, the assassination of Julius Caesar was safe, simple, and terroristic, while that of Huey Long was lost, guarded and open. Obviously, successful secret assassinations are not recorded as assassination at all. [Illeg] o f Thailand and Augustus Caesar may have been the victims of safe, guarded and secret assassination. Chase assassinations usually involve clandestine agents or members of criminal organizations.

THE ASSASSIN

In safe assassinations, the assassin needs the usual qualities of a clandestine agent. He should be determined, courageous, intelligent, resourceful, and physically active. If special equipment is to be used, such as firearms or drugs, it is clear that he must have outstanding skill with such equipment.

Except in terroristic assassinations, it is desirable that the assassin be transient in the area. He should have an absolute minimum of contact with the rest of the organization and his instructions should be given orally by one person only. His safe evacuation after the act is absolutely essential, but here again contact should be as limited as possible. It is preferable that the person issuing instructions also conduct any withdrawal or covering action which may be necessary.

In lost assassination, the assassin must be a fanatic of some sort. Politics, religion, and revenge are about the only feasible motives. Since a fanatic is unstable psychologically, he must be handled with extreme care. He must not know the iden tities of the other members of the organization, for although it is intended that he die in the act, something may go wrong. While the Assassin of Trotsky has never revealed any significant information, it was unsound to depend on this when the act was p lanned.

PLANNING

When the decision to assassinate has been reached, the tactics of the operation must be planned, based upon an estimate of the situation similar to that used in military operations. The preliminary estimate will reveal gaps in information and possibly indicate a need for special equipment which must be procured or constructed. When all necessary data has been collected, an effective tactical plan can be prepared. All planning must be mental; no papers should ever contain evidence of the oper ation.

In resistance situations, assassination may be used as a counter-reprisal. Since this requires advertising to be effective, the resistance organization must be in a position to warn high officials publicly that their lives will be the price of rep risal action against innocent people. Such a threat is of no value unless it can be carried out, so it may be necessary to plan the assassination of various responsible officers of the oppressive regime and hold such plans in readiness to be used only i f provoked by excessive brutality. Such plans must be modified frequently to meet changes in the tactical situation.

TECHNIQUES

The essential point of assassination is the death of the subject. A human being may be killed in many ways but sureness is often overlooked by those who may be emotionally unstrung by the seriousness of this act they intend to commit. The spe cific technique employed will depend upon a large number of variables, but should be constant in one point: Death must be absolutely certain. The attempt on Hitler’s life failed because the conspiracy did not give this matter proper attention.

Techniques may be considered as follows:

1. Manual.

It is possible to kill a person with the bare hands, but very few are skillful enough to do it well. Even a highly trained Judo expert will hesitate to risk killing by hand unless he has absolutely no alternative. However, the simplest local tools a re often much the most efficient means of assassination. A hammer, axe, wrench, screw driver, fire poker, kitchen knife, lamp stand, or anything hard, heavy and handy will suffice. A length of rope or wire or a belt will do if the assassin is strong and agile. All such improvised weapons have the important advantage of availability and apparent innocence. The obviously lethal machine gun failed to kill Trotsky where an item of sporting goods succeeded.

In all safe cases where the assassin may be subject to search, either before or after the act, specialized weapons should not be used. Even in the lost case, the assassin may accidentally be searched before the act and should not carry an incrimin ating device if any sort of lethal weapon can be improvised at or near the site. If the assassin normally carries weapons because of the nature of his job, it may still be desirable to improvise and implement at the scene to avoid disclosure of his ident ity.

2. Accidents.

For secret assassination, either simple or chase, the contrived accident is the most effective technique. When successfully executed, it causes little excitement and is only casually investigated.

The most efficient accident, in simple assassination, is a fall of 75 feet or more onto a hard surface. Elevator shafts, stair wells, unscreened windows and bridges will serve. Bridge falls into water are not reliable. In simple cases a private meeting with the subject may be arranged at a properly-cased location. The act may be executed by sudden, vigorous [excised] of the ankles, tipping the subject over the edge. If the assassin immediately sets up an outcry, playing the “horrified wit ness”, no alibi or surreptitious withdrawal is necessary. In chase cases it will usually be necessary to stun or drug the subject before dropping him. Care is required to insure that no wound or condition not attributable to the fall is discernible after death.

Falls into the sea or swiftly flowing rivers may suffice if the subject cannot swim. It will be more reliable if the assassin can arrange to attempt rescue, as he can thus be sure of the subject’s death and at the same time establish a workable al ibi.

If the subject’s personal habits make it feasible, alcohol may be used [2 words excised] to prepare him for a contrived accident of any kind.

Falls before trains or subway cars are usually effective, but require exact timing and can seldom be free from unexpected observation.

Automobile accidents are a less satisfactory means of assassination. If the subject is deliberately run down, very exact timing is necessary and investigation is likely to be thorough. If the subject’s car is tampered with, reliability is very lo w. The subject may be stunned or drugged and then placed in the car, but this is only reliable when the car can be run off a high cliff or into deep water without observation.

Arson can cause accidental death if the subject is drugged and left in a burning building. Reliability is not satisfactory unless the building is isolated and highly combustible.

3. Drugs.

In all types of assassination except terroristic, drugs can be very effective. If the assassin is trained as a doctor or nurse and the subject is under medical care, this is an easy and rare method. An overdose of morphine administered as a sedat ive will cause death without disturbance and is difficult to detect. The size of the dose will depend upon whether the subject has been using narcotics regularly. If not, two grains will suffice.

If the subject drinks heavily, morphine or a similar narcotic can be injected at the passing out stage, and the cause of death will often be held to be acute alcoholism.

Specific poisons, such as arsenic or strychine, are effective but their possession or procurement is incriminating, and accurate dosage is problematical. Poison was used unsuccessfully in the assassination of Rasputin and Kolohan, though the latte r case is more accurately described as a murder.

4. Edge Weapons

Any locally obtained edge device may be successfully employed. A certain minimum of anatomical knowledge is needed for reliability.

Puncture wounds of the body cavity may not be reliable unless the heart is reached. The heart is protected by the rib cage and is not always easy to locate.

Abdominal wounds were once nearly always mortal, but modern medical treatment has made this no longer true.

Absolute reliability is obtained by severing the spinal cord in the cervical region. This can be done with the point of a knife or a light blow of an axe or hatchet.

Another reliable method is the severing of both jugular and carotid blood vessels on both sides of the windpipe.

If the subject has been rendered unconscious by other wounds or drugs, either of the above methods can be used to insure death.

5. Blunt Weapons

As with edge weapons, blunt weapons require some anatomical knowledge for effective use. Their main advantage is their universal availability. A hammer may be picked up almost anywhere in the world. Baseball and [illeg] bats are very widely distributed. Even a rock or a heavy stick will do, and nothing resembling a weapon need be procured, carried or subsequently disposed of.

Blows should be directed to the temple, the area just below and behind the ear, and the lower, rear portion of the skull. Of course, if the blow is very heavy, any portion of the upper skull will do. The lower frontal portion of the head, from th e eyes to the throat, can withstand enormous blows without fatal consequences.

MARRY CHIWENGA (MUBAIWA) CASE.

A whistlblower has narrated an allegation to ZimEye that there is a plan underway to kill the wife of vice president Constantino Chiwenga, Marry using an accident.

“I opened a ghost account, ” they began.

They went on to say, “if you have access Mary she must not travel a long distance because mmmm an accident bug have been planned wangu.”

They passed this report on at 8:17 in the morning on Wednesday (today). Identity details of the people behind this alleged plot were not revealed at the time of writing. It could neither be established when this operation will be carried out and which routes and methods have been planned.

This is a developing story refresh this page for the updates. – Do you know something about this plot? – Contact ZimEye.com right now

Dear Editor

If you have access to Marry, please could you warn her against travelling long distances because an “accident” bug has been planted.

I am just concerned for her safety and thought that i should really help her.

Concerned Zimbabwean

By Hope Chizuzu| The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) offices at number 53 Livingstone House is being stripped to the ground by the messenger of court over a debt owed to creditors, despite the association running and operating secret accounts, including one hidden under Northern Region armpit.

This is the first taste of what running Zifa affairs at FA for de facto Zifa President Phelimon Machana, who now calls himself zimfootballleaks on Twitter since usurping power from the confused Kamambo has been.

Reports hitting The Page are that even the employees after suffering several threats of being fired if they continue to ask for their salaries running into several months, remain unpaid as Machana has gone viral in his fight against Chiyangwa and Sibanda, the former Zifa Presidium.

By A Correspondent- A self-styled prophet has appeared in court on allegations of causing the death of one of his clients’ during a cleansing ceremony.

The client allegedly died after the prophet dipped his head three times in the Mukuvisi River.

Edmond Nyahwo, of Glen View 8 allegedly caused the death of Protasias Marimo after dipping his head into the river and forcing him to sniff traditional snuff while conducting the cleansing ceremony.

Nyahwo is facing culpable homicide charges. He was not asked to plead to the charges when he appeared before magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa, who remanded him to February 17 on $200 bail.

Circumstances leading to his arrest were that on July 1 last year, Marimo approached Nyahwo, who took him to Mukuvisi River in Glen Norah.

Upon their arrival, Nyahwo stepped into a shallow pool and invited Marimo to get in.

The court heard that Nyahwo started dipping Marimo’s head in the water on three different times while causing him to sniff some snuff, which was in a wooden plate.

Reports are that Marimo later fell unconscious forcing other people who had accompanied the two to the cleansing ceremony to intervene in a bid to resuscitate him but failed.

Nyahwo went to Glen Norah police station where he informed them what had happened.

Marimo’s body was then taken to Harare Central Hospital where one Dr Sachikonye confirmed him dead.

A post mortem was conducted on the following day by Dr Aisa Gerrano and Yechilyn Igusias, who confirmed that Marimo had died from brain damage, left frontal intraparenchimatose and brain vessels damage rapture.

Nyahwo was later arrested and he is expected to be back in court on February 17 for his routine remand.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- A gold panner in Shangani has been taken to court for attacking a colleague with a machete in a dispute over cigarette.

Mkondisi Nyathi (35) appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Nomasiko Ndlovu.

He was granted $300 bail and  remanded to December 31.

On December 16 Nyathi confronted Mandlenkosi Thwala (33) armed with a machete and asked for a cigarette.

Thwala said he had none and Nyathi suddenly attacked him with the machete three times on the head.

 Nyathi was arrested following a report made to the police.

Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa is expected to announce the much awaited way forward following the lengthy political stalemate in the country.

Chamisa has indicated that the people of Zimbabwe have suffered for too long such that there is need for decisive action.

“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.We’ve exhausted all channels.

We can’t continue to be victims of unjust application of the law.Rights are for all.

On Tuesday 21st Jan we will deliver the people’s Agenda 2020 to the nation come what may.#peoplesgovernment,” Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

By A Correspondent- A 33 year old Harare woman was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment yesterday by a Bindura magistrate for ill-treating her baby girl by leaving her with an unknown vendor at Bindura market.

Charity Nyabadza pleaded guilty to the charge before magistrate Moreblessing Makati who commuted the sentence to 105 hours of community service.

Prosecutor Vincent Marunya told the court that on December 29 the convict left Rusape with her new born baby for Bindura.

Upon arriving in Bindura Nyabadza saw an unknown vendor whom she gave her baby and escaped to her brother’s place in Chitungwiza.

Her brother quizzed her about her missing baby and she came back to Bindura to search for the vendor.

The vendor had filed a police report and the baby had been taken to Bindura hospital.

The police conducted investigations leading to Nyabadza’s arrest.

By A Correspondent- Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the youngest son of the late former President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe has engaged in a no holds barred verbal war with his alleged ex-girlfriend only identified as Mimi Chirasa whom he has labelled a commercial s_ex worker.

The cause of the fallout is not known but came to light when Zimcelebs posted on Instagram suggesting that Mimie was Chatunga’s ex-girlfriend to which he asked: “how is she my ex?”

Social media users became interested in the matter asking Chatunga to explain what he meant. They asked to know if they were still together, if not, he had to reveal his latest girlfriend.

The no holds barred tiff took an unprecedented turn after Chirasa attacked Chatunga alleging that his manhood is very small.

Chatunga, however, laughed off Charasa’s claims. In his response, Chatunga alleged that Charasa was a bitter golddigger who was “out of his league”, “very cheap” and had slept with several men.

Some of the insults between Chirasa and Chatunga are unprintable.

By A Correspondent- Over 124 artisanal miners were arrested at Mazowe mine, (Jumbo) yesterday following an operation to clear machete wielding illegal gold panners at the mine.

The operation which started yesterday forced over 1000 armed police officers from Support unit, Guruve, Mt Darwin and Bindura districts to flood the area.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the case.

“We started the operation yesterday and about 124 illegal miners were arrested the operation is still on-going,” he said.

However, some police officers on duty are disgruntled over the exercise as they were forced to go to work without much preparation and food.

“This operation is not good enough for us as we were just forced to go to work without preparing we do not have food here and life has proved tough for us lamented,” police officers.

Unconfirmed reports claim the operation is meant to pave way for president Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son Tongai who wants to take over the mine as he is the major buyer of gold there.

There is a gold rush at the mine with Zanu-PF big wigs using their party cars to loot the precious mineral from the private owned mine.

Farai Dziva|Deputy Information Minister Energy Mutodi says government will prioritize investments from China ahead of offers from the West.

Writing on Twitter Mutodi literally indicated government would not accept investments from Western countries.

“The historic visit to Zimbabwe by the Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Mr Wang Yi is a slap in the face of Britain, US and the EU who have remained hostile. We will in return, prioritize Chinese business interests ahead of any Western country,” wrote Mutodi on Twitter.

State Media|The November 2019 Zimbabwe School Examinations Council’s Advanced Level results are out with girls outsmarting boys, again.
A marginal 1,2 percent increase in the pass rate has been achieved from 81,9 percent in 2018.

The results which were announced by Zimsec board chairman, Professor Eddie Mwenje in Harare yesterday brought a silver lining to the country’s education system as a decline in pass rates was being recorded over the years.

Both the November 2019 Zimsec Grade Seven and the Higher Education Examination Council (Hexco) recorded a decline in pass rates.
The Grade Seven pass rate declined to 46,9 percent in 2019 from 52,08 in 2018, while the Hexco pass rate declined from 74.1 percent in 2018 to 58,3 percent.

Announcing the results, which candidates can now collect from their respective centres or access online, Prof Mwenje said: “The total number of candidates who sat for the November 2019 examination was 51 862. The candidature increased by 5 348 from 46 478 in 2018, which translates to an increase of 11,6 percent.

“In 2019, 50 774 candidates wrote two or more subjects and 42 1 69 obtained Grade E or better in two or more subjects. This translated to 83,1 percent pass rate, an increase of 1,2 percentage points from 81,9 percent as recorded in 2018.”

Public schools had more candidates compared to the mushrooming private schools.
The total number of school candidates was 42 543, of this number 42 157 wrote two or more subjects.

A total of 36 515 candidates obtained Grade E or better in two or more subjects, yielding a pass rate of 86, 6 percent compared to a pass rate of 65,6 percent pass rate recorded by private candidates.

The total number of private candidates was 9 319, while 8 617 wrote two or more subjects.

“The number of school female candidates that set for the 2019 A’ Level examinations was 19 877. Out of this number, 19 689 wrote two or more subjects and 17 525 passed two or more subjects, yielding a 89 percent pass-rate.

“There were 22 666 male candidates and 18 990 passed two or more subjects, translating to 84,5 percent,” said Prof Mwenje.
Special needs candidates were 55 and 35 candidates passed two or more subjects.
While the general pass rate was high, most science subject learners find the going tough and recorded a 31,6 percent pass rate.

“It is important for the nation to note that out of 17 749 candidates who registered to write Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics 5 610 passed two or more subjects with a Grade E or better.

“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education needs to closely look into this area. There could be a number of factors which need further interrogation that could be contributing to this poor performance. We need to closely look at each subject because these are the second results from the recently introduced competency-based curriculum.

“The other contributing factor can be that science subjects require a lot of input and equipment which most schools do not possess,” said Prof Mwenje.

Director of one of Mutare’s leading private schools, First Class Academy, Mr Stephen Mutsongodza, said the increase in this year’s pass rate was welcome news to the education sector.

Mr Mutsongodza also hailed the girl child for going the extra mile in producing better results every year.

“Girls have been doing wonders in schools and they should continue working hard.

“We need more ladies in positions of authority like Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri (Minister of Defence and War Veterans) and Monica Mutsvangwa (Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services), Mrs Chipo Mtasa (TelOne managing director) and Captain Chipo Matimba (a woman pilot).

By Jane Mlambo| Opposition MDC President Nelson Chamisa has threatened to proceed with his Hope of the Nation address dubbed The people’s Vision 2020 despite desperate state antics to block his planned action.

Yesterday, police banned a planned MDC gathering that was set for Mai Musodzi hall in Mbare citing depleted workforce due to school opening hive.

But a defiant Chamisa said his party had exhausted all the channels and will not continue respecting the unjustified application of the law against the MDC by the state.

He vowed to proceed with the planned function on Tuesday the 21st of January.

“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.We’ve exhausted all channels.We can’t continue to be victims of unjust application of the law.Rights are for all.On Tuesday 21st Jan we will deliver the people’s Agenda 2020 to the nation come what may.#peoplesgovernment,” said Chamisa.

Own Correspondent| The Secretary-General of the opposition MDC led by advocate Nelson Chamisa has revealed that Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights refused to represent him in his treason case.

He said that ZLHR refused to represent him for political reasons adding that he is a prisoner of the State who did not apply to be arrested. He tweeted:

We have now started the process of preparing for my upcoming Treason Trial. Mr Harrison Nkomo will be leading my defense and thanks to him for agreeing to represent me after @ZlHR refused to take up my matter. The reasons which are political will be revealed after the Trial

Hwende was arrested in March last year for his alleged role in the January protests which followed an unprecedented fuel price hike by the government.

It is alleged that Hwende incited violence by his tweet which he has since disowned saying that the State has no evidence to say the twitter account belongs to him.

Hwende was arrested at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International airport early in March on his return from Namibia where he had been visiting his family.

DEPUTY Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza has berated law enforcement agents who are in the habit of rushing to arrest before thoroughly investigating their suspects, saying this had the effect of eroding public confidence and frustrating the tail end of the justice delivery system.

Speaking at the official opening of the 2020 legal year at the Bulawayo High Court yesterday, Justice Gwaunza said investigators and arresting officers should continue honing their skills and conduct thorough investigations before arresting those suspected of engaging in criminal activities.

“Knee-jerk arrests only serve to frustrate the ends of justice,” she said.

“The public will consequently feel let down by the system and such a scenario lends credence to the notorious accusations of catch and release.

“In my address last year, I intimated that there were plans to cascade the anti-corruption courts to all 10 provinces of the country. I am happy to advise that in the past year, the Judicial Service Commission established anti-corruption courts in five additional provinces, Midlands included.”

Justice Gwaunza added that two anti-corruption courts had been established in Harare and Bulawayo, with the identified judges earmarked for training in Uganda later this month.

“The fight against corruption requires the collective effort of all institutions involved in the administration of justice. The public is equally expected to play its part,” she said.

She urged the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) to properly advise the police and Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) on the strength of evidence required to secure prosecutions.

“The pursuit of justice should resonate with a careful, conscientious and professional execution of the constitutional mandate of prosecuting criminal matters in courts,” Justice Gwaunza said.

“Legal practitioners are equally enjoined to play their constitutional role of representing their clients to the best of their abilities and in terms of the law. Legal practitioners are officers of the court and are expected not only to assist the court arrive at just decisions but to behave ethically as well.”

Last year, the country witnessed several arrests of top government officials and ex-ministers on allegations of corruption, but most of the cases have either collapsed or yet to be concluded.

Officially opening the 2020 legal year at the Constitutional Court in Harare yesterday, Chief Justice Luke Malaba revealed that the judiciary will this year introduce live-streaming of cases attracting public and national interest..

Chief Justice Malaba said live broadcasting of cases is vital in promoting transparency and accountability, while members of the general public, who cannot attend court sessions, will be able to know what goes on in courts.

He said live-streaming of the 2018 presidential election petition hearing was an eye opener to the Judiciary, hence the idea to make this a permanent feature.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- After her recent visit to Harare’s popular cleric Prophet Walter Magaya’s Church Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Church (PHD), Bounty Lisa’s fortune is yet to turn for the best as her tumour is still haunting her.

The social media personality Mai Titi decided to make a courtesy call at Bounty Lisa’s residence and said:

“Went to see Bounty Lisa oh she not feeling well let’s pray for her. Get well soon chimhamha”

This definitely affects her work which involves standing on two feet for hours.

She was once married to fellow musician Soul Jah Luv and they broke up under unclear circumstances.

Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum has issued a statement in remembrance of the people who died during the January 14, 2019 fuel protest dubbed #ZimShutdown.

The protest degenerated into chaos with protestors vandalising and looting, in that order, infrastructure and commodities.

State security forces were unleashed into homes as a result and they tortured, killed and sexually abused some members of the public.

Below is the statement by Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum.

Own Correspondent|Opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has postponed his Vision 2020 address that was set for Mai Musodzi hall in Mbare after police refused to clear the gathering citing personnel shortage due to school opening.

In banning the event, police said they were not able to provide enough security during the event as their members were busy with the current schools opening.

The ban on the main opposition’s event elicited fierce rebuke by MDC deputy national spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka who claimed the state was treating his party like a terrorist organisation.

“The police have today proscribed Agenda 2020, a key event for the party that was scheduled for tomorrow in Mbare, Harare, citing flimsy excuses that the event cannot proceed because the police are busy with the schools that are opening this week, as if the police have anything to do with opening of schools,” said Tamborinyoka while addressing local media at Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House.

“We are noting a disturbing trend where the police are routinely proscribing MDC events and treating the party as a banned organisation in the country.

“We continue to be treated like a banned or a terrorist organisation when we are a legitimate political party that is in Parliament and that controls 28 out of 32 urban local authorities.

“For fear of our (supporters) lives against this brutal dictatorship, and given what this regime has done before, we have decided to postpone the Agenda 2020 event to next week on Tuesday at a venue to be announced.

“We have postponed the event because the regime was budgeting for a clash, for blood and for violence and as a party we will not sacrifice the lives of innocent Zimbabweans.”

An attempt to hold a similar event in November last year ended with police beating up and injuring scores of MDC supporters who had gathered outside the party’s Harare headquarters for Chamisa’s address.

Chamisa was set to give his Hope of the Nation Address.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government has kept a tight rein on MDC activities amid growing fears of a popular uprising against the under-fire national leader.

Own Correspondent|Former Turkey international Hakan Sukur says he resorted to driving an Uber and selling books for living after he lost all his assets to the Turkish government.

Sukur however on the verge of being honoured with a fare play award for how he managed to get his life back on track following the incident with the Turkish government.

Surkur who played for Inter Milan , Blackburn Rovers and Galatasary said Turkish preside Recep Erdogan took all he has from him and sent his dad to jail, before he decided to flee from Turkey.

“I drive for Uber and I sell books. I am starting to work now.

“Everyone that has a connection with me has financial troubles. I don’t have anything left. I have tens of millions of dollars of property in Turkey, but everything is confiscated.

“Erdogan took everything from me: my right to freedom, my right to express myself, my right to work.

“My wife’s boutique was stoned, my children were harassed and my father sent to jail.

“When I left for the US, my father was locked up and my assets taken.”

Sukur scored 52 goals from 112 caps for Turkey and helped to qualify the national team for Euro 2000 Champinship and FIFA world cup in 2002 where they finished third.

Surkur who scored the fastest goal in the history of FIFA World Cup when he netted after 19 seconds in the third place match against Korea said he still loves his Country.

News Agents

Embattled wife to Vice President Emmerson Chiwenga is a holder of two valid Zimbabwean diplomatic passports and another ordinary one.

The startling revelations were made in opposing papers filed by the VP against Marry Mubaiwa’s recent suit on the him.

In the suit, Marry claimed the country’s number 2 abducted the couple’s minor children and had blocked her access to the family’s Borrowdale home.

But in trying to discredit his estranged wife, VP Chiwenga revealed through his lawyers that Marry was a holder of three passports.

Marry is currently on bail after she was arrested last year and charged with attempted murder, money laundering and fraud.

She surrendered her diplomatic passport as part of her bail conditions, and retained two other valid passports, according to the VP.

According to Chiwenga in his court papers, Marry is a holder of two diplomatic passports (AD005170) and (AD005759).

They are due to expire on December 11 this year and November 2, 2022 respectively.

The third passport (CN701555) will expire on February 21, 2022.

Zimbabweans are entitled to a single passport each.

The revelations of her holding more than a single passport would most likely be received with anger among many local passport applicants who have endured months of waiting for the precious document amid claims by authorities the country was short of special paper to print them.

The country’s passport backlog currently runs into hundreds of thousands with government seemingly at a loss on how to remedy the situation.

By A Correspondent- An attempt by a Lupane based family to conceal a case of se_xual abuse has been exposed after a rap_e victim finally broke her silence four years after she was allegedly violated by her brother.

Allegations are that on an unknown date in 2015, the accused met the complainant who was coming from school and asked her to assist him in carrying some logs from a nearby bush.

It is further alleged that he then rap_ed her but family members agreed not to report the matter to the police.

However, four years after the alleged incident, the complainant reported the matter to the police leading to the arrest of the accused.

The case is being heard before Hwange Magistrate Collet Ncube with the accused remanded in custody.

-StateMedia

By Talent Gondo- The Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested Manicaland Diocese Anglican Bishop, Eric Ruwona over profiteering from the compulsory sale of Bibles and hymn books to desperate pupils seeking places at Anglican schools in the province.

The Bishop is currently detained at Mutare Central Police Station and is expected to appear in court tomorrow.

Allegations against Bishop Ruwona are that the cleric would force pupils seeking places at Anglican schools to pay a staggering $800 for the Holy Bible.  It is alleged that those who failed to pay were turned away.

Bishop Ruwona was arrested following a tip-off by frustrated parents.

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