Farai Dziva|The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is likely to reduce the number of constituencies in Bulawayo Province to 10.

Bulawayo Province currently has 12 constituencies.

Constituencies in Masvingo Province will also be reduced to 23 according to a preliminary report released by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

See table below :

Our daughter is sick because of the bombing that took place. If she had not been married to Chiwenga she would not have been in the bombing. The bombing thing is a national thing and [she] should be treated by the government. – Hannington Mubaiwa pic.twitter.com/POpjVAYJLJ

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) December 30, 2019

An indigenous church leader has expressed gratitude to President Emmerson Mnangagwa for supporting the National Thanksgiving and Dedication event held this Sunday.

Speaking at the event held in Zimbabwe’s second city of Bulawayo, Reverend Andrew Wutawunashe of the Family of God Church (FOG) said:
We want to express particular appreciation for your sensitivity on calling upon the nation to pray. Our indigenous churches are rising up in unity.

We have felt as we prayed and listened that as churches we must acknowledge before God that Zimbabwe is a blessed nation.

Even when there have been challenges we want to thank God for leaders who have been sensitive to the people.

The event was founded in 2000 and organised by Faith for the Nation Campaign. It brings together different church denominations.

This year, it was held at the
Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds under the theme, “Counting our Blessings – Let us through homegrown unity affirm work and pray to achieve our national vision”. ZBC News

Farai Dziva|Controversial political figure William Mutumanje also known as Acie Lumumba has urged the nation to pray for Marry Chiwenga.

Lumumba also attacked General Chiwenga for persecuting his wife.

“Today I choose to pray for Mary

. I don’t know much, jokes I do. But I don’t blv any woman must be treated this way by munhu wake. Spare a thought & prayer for her & her children. No matter how much you may not like her, zvikuita General hazvina kunaka. We all get the point,” wrote Lumumba on Twitter.

Farai Dziva|Controversial political figure William Mutumanje also known as Acie Lumumba has urged the nation to pray for Marry Chiwenga.

Lumumba also attacked General Chiwenga for persecuting his wife.

“Today I choose to pray for Mary

. I don’t know much, jokes I do. But I don’t blv any woman must be treated this way by munhu wake. Spare a thought & prayer for her & her children. No matter how much you may not like her, zvikuita General hazvina kunaka. We all get the point,” wrote Lumumba on Twitter.

Own Correspondent|Zimbabwean parents in the diaspora are reportedly sending some of their children back home to so they get to learn African values and manners.

A Zimbabwean parent based in the UK said that ‘powerless’ parents felt they had no choice but to send some of their kids back home as laws in that country fail them in declining their children.

She said most families from Zimbabwe were flying their children back home to learn discipline and respect.

‘They’re resorting to taking their kids to boarding school. And to be cared for by their grandparents back home,” she said.

‘It’s seen as a retreat. It’s like a time-out.’ 

Tshengi Mlilo of Bulawayo said she was aware of six families who had made the tough decision, including a girl who was going to parties with the wrong crowd.

She said at least two families had seen their children return and go on to get jobs or study at university.

Mlilo said some families decided to send their children back home because of growing gang problems in the diaspora communities. 

Fearing their kids could be caught up in the violence, they decided to act.

‘Things are stricter back home. There’s very little uncontrolled drinking or substance abuse,’ she said.

‘The schools are quite harsh. The kids have to perform well.’

Farai Dziva|Controversial political figure William Mutumanje also known as Acie Lumumba has urged the nation to pray for Marry Chiwenga.

Lumumba also attacked General Chiwenga for persecuting his wife.

“Today I choose to pray for Mary

. I don’t know much, jokes I do. But I don’t blv any woman must be treated this way by munhu wake. Spare a thought & prayer for her & her children. No matter how much you may not like her, zvikuita General hazvina kunaka. We all get the point,” wrote Lumumba on Twitter.

Police have identified a woman found dead in the wee hours of Sunday morning after she was trapped for a considerable period of time by a security fence at a cricket ground in Bulawayo.

The woman has been named by police as 19-year-old Shantelle Sibangilizwe Ndlovu of Cowdray Park suburb.

According to Chief Inspector Precious Simango of Bulawayo police, officers attended the scene following reports of a woman hanging from razor wire. Said Simango:

Police attended the scene and found the now deceased semi-conscious, hanging by a jacket from the stadium perimeter wall with her feet on the ground.

Police then removed her from the wall and laid her on the ground in a recovery position. She had visible scratches on her neck which were attributed to the razor wire.

Police searched her and found in her possession a sachet of an unknown brown powder substance. She was taken to Mpilo Central Hospital where a doctor certified her dead upon arrival.

Police officers reportedly turned down offers by members of the public who had volunteered to drive Shantelle to hospital.

According to ZimLive, ambulances services failed to respond because there was no fuel.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has begged churches to complement Government efforts in running the country.

Mnangagwa said this while addressing thousands of congregants during the third edition of the annual National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Grounds In Bulawayo.

He said the country’s economic growth hinges on collaboration between the Government and churches, among other players.

“Indeed, we recognise the important role played by the church as you intercede for peace, harmony, unity and development in our nation as well as for the country’s leadership in general. Guided by the Word of God, you the church have a vital role as we pursue the objectives of the national vision and confront a world with its many challenges,” said President Mnangagwa.

“Meanwhile, the Bible says in James 2 v 14, ‘Faith without works is dead.’ We recognise the many developmental projects and philanthropic works done by the churches of Zimbabwe in general. These include schools and health facilities dotted around the country and we acknowledge your contribution to various sectors of the economy.”

He urged churches to increase productivity in all their projects in pursuit of Vision 2030.

“We encourage you to increase productivity in all your respective projects, collectively as churches and in your individual pursuits. Vision 2030 depends on investment by each and every one of us for its success. Let us all put shoulder to the wheel and work for Genesis 3 v 19 says, ‘In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return,” said President Mnangagwa.

He urged churches to continue playing a key role in protecting society’s moral fibre through preaching the gospel of love, peace, justice and forgiveness at household and national level.

“A strong spiritual leadership is integral as it influences the nation’s conscience and curbs wayward tendencies,” said President Mnangagwa.

Turning to devolution, he urged churches to promote local economic development through the utilisation of local resources.

“God gave us dominion over all things here on earth. During our lifetime, let us be good stewards of all that has been put under our care for the benefit of generations to come. Let us leverage our God-given resources to grow our economy. As we accelerate the implementation of devolution, I urge the church to promote local economic development from ward level upwards, through the full utilisation of resources found within our communities,” he said.

President Mnangagwa reiterated that the country would not revert to the multi-currency system and urged citizen to embrace the local currency.

“No country can develop without its own currency. As you are aware, we are now using our own currency and I urge all of us to accept it, use it and be proud of it and also defend it from all forms of attack. There is no going back to the multi-currency system,” he said.

The President said his Government remains committed to transforming the economy into an upper middle income in line with Vision 2030, despite illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the United States, UK and their allies.

“As Government, we are accelerating our quest to speedily attain Vision 2030, to become a middle-income economy. In 2020, we will focus on ensuring higher productivity across all sectors of the economy, creating decent jobs, empowering our people and satisfying their needs to improve their standard of living,” said President Mnangagwa.

He said the programmes to ensure the availability of affordable transport and healthcare were ongoing, with more Zupco buses expected to be delivered in the coming weeks.

The President said the Government has ordered more drugs and equipment for health institutions.

He said the Government will continue to ensure that vulnerable communities access food relief, including speeding up the rehabilitation, development and modernisation of infrastructure.

President Mnangagwa also appealed to churches to pray for more rains and a good harvest in light of the impact of climate change.

He commended churches and the generality of Zimbabweans for embracing the national clean-up campaign, which is conducted every first Friday of the month.

“As we strive to restore a spirit of cleanliness in our nation, I am pleased to see that the church is playing an active role in the national clean-up programme. Deuteronomy 23 prescribes that there must be a designated place outside the camp where refuse is disposed of. In the New Testament in 2 Corinthians 7, we are instructed to cleanse ourselves from the rubbish that might cling to us,” said President Mnangagwa.

“We also thank the Lord for the enthusiasm with which Zimbabweans from all walks of life and of all ages have embraced this programme. The ultimate aim is for all of us to adopt new attitudes and habits by making sure that filth, including corruption cease to be a feature of our lifestyle, surroundings and communities.”

Own Correspondent|President Mnangagwa yesterday lauded leaders of opposition parties under the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) for what he called “their zeal and commitment towards nation-building and unity.”

The President said this while addressing thousands of congregants during the third edition of the annual National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Grounds in Bulawayo.

“I find it most refreshing to be working with leaders who do not keep good ideas in their back pockets as political capital for later, but who come forward with those ideas for the sake of our beloved country and that is patriotism. The spirit of unity among us while still respecting and accommodating our rich diversity, views and opinions must be a part of all of us,” said the President.

“Let us continue to love one another as one people united by one flag, national anthem and by the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

President Mnangagwa met leaders of opposition parties at his farm outside Kwekwe in the final Polad meeting for the year to review progress as well as mark National Unity Day on December 22.

Polad, a platform for political parties that fielded presidential candidates in the 2018 harmonised elections to contribute to social, economic and political progress, was launched in May this year and 18 political parties were represented.

President Mnangagwa advised parties that continue to undermine Polad that there was power in unity.

Main opposition, the MDC, led by n Nelson Chamisa has rejected POLAD preferring to talk exclusively to Zanu PF, claiming other parties were not necessary.

State Media|A policeman was clubbed and hacked to death on Saturday and his colleague was seriously injured, while defending workers at Good Hope Mine in Battlefields from an invading criminal gang armed with machetes, logs, axes and catapults.

The invaders are reported to be the gang known as “Team Barca”, formerly led by Taurai Mutandwa who was shot dead during the David Whitehead gold rush in Chegutu.

The killing and assaults on police are suspected to be in revenge.

Police have launched a manhunt for the culprits, with crack teams from the Support Unit, District Reaction Group (DRG) and the dog section already on the ground.

Yesterday, a high-powered police crack team led by the Officer Commanding Mashonaland West Province, Assistant Commissioner Francis Muswere, and Officer Commanding Kadoma District Chief Superintendent Kezias Karuru, convened a meeting at ZRP Battlefields to direct operations against the gang.

Constable Wonder Hokoyo (27) was first disarmed by a blow to the head with a log before his body was cut and chopped by gang members wielding machetes and axes.

His colleague, identified as Constable Kamhuka, was referred to Kadoma General Hospital, where his condition is said to be stable.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the attacks.

“Police are investigating an incident which occurred at Brompton Mine in Battlefields, Kadoma, where some artisanal miners engaged in violence and in the process, attacked police officers who had been deployed there,” he said.

“One police officer was struck with a machete and died, the other one was attacked and is currently admitted at a local hospital. Police are strongly warning people who are engaging in acts of violence that certainly, the law will take its course.”

Asst Comm Muswere said police had intensified the investigations. “We have dispatched our Support Unit, DRG and dog section into the area to make a follow up on yesterday’s (Saturday) incident. Everyone is on the ground and we are looking for leads. This operation will bring the culprits to book,” he said.

It is reported that at around 11am last Friday, Cst Hokoyo was deployed to Good Hope Mine with three other police officers to deal with an invasion by artisanal miners.

On Saturday, at around 2pm, the suspected killers together with many others still at large, proceeded to the mine armed with machetes, catapults and axes and forcibly took control of the mine shafts, dispersing the company’s workers who were extracting gold ore.

The police officers deployed fired warning shots to disperse the illegal miners, but they did not leave.

Instead, they advanced towards the police, disarmed them and assaulted them.

Cst Hokoyo and Cst Kamhuka were hit on the backs of their heads with logs, disarming them, before the gang closed in for the fatal assault and inflicting the serious injuries on Cst Kamhuka before he managed to escape.

This forced the other officers to retreat.

The body of the slain policeman was taken to Kadoma General Hospital Mortuary for post-mortem.

President Mnangagwa has repeatedly condemned violence and lawlessness among artisanal miners, and warned that perpetrators will face the full wrath of the law.

There have been numerous reports of violence among artisanal miners who invade mining claims while attacking competitors with machetes, and even outrightly grab other miners’ gold or the cash they earn.

Some have since been nicknamed “MaShurugwi” or “Vemabhemba” as reports of violent clashes over the control of mining claims continue across Zimbabwe.

Traditional leaders from Shurugwi have expressed concern over the labelling of their people as being behind the spate of killings and robberies in gold mining areas.

The chiefs said it was unfortunate that both mainstream and alternative media platforms and high-ranking officials were perpetuating the “MaShurugwi” label.

The “Mashurugwi” tag has become synonymous with violent machete-wielding gangs that terrorise gold panners, either to forcefully grab one’s gold or proceeds from a transaction or a gold-rich mine.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has indicated that Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has gone back to China for an indefinite period on medical grounds.

He revealed this yesterday while addressing congregants at the third edition of the annual National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service in Bulawayo.

“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,” said President Mnangagwa.

VP Chiwenga returned home last month after a four-month stay in China.

Upon arrival back home, the Vice President thanked President Mnangagwa for facilitating his treatment in China and Zimbabweans for their prayers.

State Media|More than 350 touts have been arrested for harassing passengers at Harare’s bus terminuses since Christmas Eve.

In an interview yesterday, police national spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the operation seeks to flush out touts.

“As far as we are concerned, the police are enforcing law and order during this festive season,” he said.

“We have had complaints that touts were harassing passengers and we had to enforce the law. So far, we have arrested more than 350 touts from the 24th of December, but the number is increasing.

“We have been having this operation against touts for some time now and the sad thing is we have had a tout who fell to death while he was hanging from the back of a commuter omnibus. Many passengers are complaining why we are conducting such operations, but we are trying to maintain sanity in the city,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.

He said the operation was not targeting kombi operators, but those operating illegally.

“It is not a battle against commuter omnibus or bus operators, but we want to make sure that the passengers are safe during the festive season.

“We would like people to embark on their journeys on designated areas to avoid being victims of the operation,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

THE anti-corruption drive has moved a gear up towards prosecution of individuals fingered in graft, with fresh revelations that the Attorney General’s Office is now being ropped in to team up with the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) in fast-tracking cases to court.

In a wide ranging interview, Zacc chairperson Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo said the anti-graft body was not happy with the slow action by the NPA in pushing prosecutions.

She said of the over 600 dockets they had opened, at least 100 have been fully investigated, with 74 involving high profile figures.

“Zacc investigates and then sends the papers to the NPA, but the Attorney-General is being brought on board to help fight corruption. We are bringing on board as many people as possible,” she said.

“There are high profile cases which include ministers, MPs, judges, CEOs (chief executive officers) and MDs (managing directors); we are targeting everyone involved in corruption and we will investigate everyone. We urge all those with evidence which may lead to convictions to come forward.

“There should be convictions in court, but we need prosecution (NPA) to up their game. Once we start seeing convictions in court, it gives public confidence that we are not just doing a catch and release game.”

The Zacc boss said to boost the anti-corruption fight, the commission would soon employ 60 investigators drawn from various fields such as forensic auditing, financial intelligence, accountants and engineers.

Treasury has already approved the recruitment drive.State media

Farai Dziva|Controversial political figure William Mutumanje also known as Acie Lumumba has urged the nation to pray for Marry Chiwenga.

Lumumba also attacked General Chiwenga for persecuting his wife.

“Today I choose to pray for Mary

. I don’t know much, jokes I do. But I don’t blv any woman must be treated this way by munhu wake. Spare a thought & prayer for her & her children. No matter how much you may not like her, zvikuita General hazvina kunaka. We all get the point,” wrote Lumumba on Twitter.

Watch video loading below. ..

By Own Correspondent| Patrick Zhuwao, a former Zimbabwean cabinet minister and nephew to the late former President, Robert Mugabe, said MDC leader Nelson Chamisa won the 2018 presidential election but was denied victory by electoral officials.

Zhuwawo made the remarks from South Africa where he is in self-imposed exile while announcing that he had applied to join the Julius Malema-led Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

He said:

I agree with CIC (Commander-in-Chief Julius) Malema’s view that Mnangagwa can be defeated. Chamisa won the 2018 presidential election which was stolen as proven in Professor Jonathan Moyo’s Excelgate book.

Whilst I am not a member of MDC, I however respect the democratic expression of Zimbabweans who electorally expressed their wish for Chamisa to be president of Zimbabwe.

Excelgate is a book which purports to reveal how Zimbabwe’s security services, working in cahoots with electoral officials and ruling party officials manipulated the 2018 elections results using an excel spreadsheet.

About 89 under-age schoolgirls in Makoni District have reportedly dropped out of school between January and September after they fell pregnant.

This was revealed by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in Makoni in a report titled “Dropouts due to pregnancy – 2019”.

The report also indicated that about eight (8) primary school kids dropped out due to pregnancy. It also revealed that 30 out of 31 affected schools were rurally located.

The youngest girl to fall pregnant was 13 years old while out of the 89, only two are above 18.

The report comes when there is still debate on whether pregnant students should be allowed in schools or not.

It raises serious concerns about the health of minors as they are at risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases and HIV.

This memorandum put on record circumstances surrounding the above subject matter.

Deceased: WONDER HOKOYO Aged: 27 Years
NR: 12-120281-G-12
Res: Munhumutapa Kadoma
Bus: ZRP Battlefields, Kadoma
Force number: 077729M
Rank: Constable

Accused 1: MIKE [NFPK]

          2:     KWADEZI [NFPK]
          3:    GIVY [NFPK] and many other unidentified accused persons known as Team Barca

REF ZRP Battlefields RRB 41295128

BACKGROUND
Sometime in 2010, Peter Haritatoes, former Member of Parliament for Muzvezve Constituency, owner of Brompton Mine, Battlefields Kadoma, gave members of the local community some mining claims as a way of ploughing back to the community. Cde Peter Haritatoes then gave Philemon Ndushu [ZANU PF Provincial Secretary for Transport, Mash West] the responsibility to control the mining claims which includes Maglass, Goodhope, Alexande, Musakaneni, Moddi, Nganganga ,Bongola and Copper mines . Goodhope is being run by Mashingaidze Kenneth NR 26-080793 M26 aged 47 of Plot number 37 Impalavale Farm, Battlefields, Kadoma.

CIRCUMSTANCES:

On the 27 December 2019 at around 1100 hours, 077729M Constable Hokoyo was deployed at Good Hope Mine Brompton Battlefields in the company 059588T Costable Kamhuka, 049117M Constable Gurajena, 064434L Constable Tapfumaneyi all male Police officers and Constable Mwenje a female Police officer armed with FN rifles serial numbers BSAP 5545 and BSAP 794 where there was a gold rush.

On 28 December 2019 at around 1400 hours, the accused persons with many others all still at large proceeded to the vicinity armed with machetes, catapults and axes and forcefully took control of the mine shafts thereby dispersing the genuine miners who were extracting gold ore.

The Police details reacted to the accused persons approach and fired some warning shots into the air to scare away the accused persons but they did not take hid. Instead the accused persons advanced towards the Police in a bid to attack.

One of the accused persons attacked Constable Hokoyo from behind and struck him once at the back of the head using a log and disarmed him leaving the Police officer with no option rather than to escape from the attack. At the same time the accused disarmed Constable Kamhuka before he escaped from the scene after being assaulted all the body. The rest of the police Officers managed to escape after noticing that their lives were under a threat.

The accused persons made a frantic chase to Constable Hokoyo and struck him all over his body using machetes and axes leaving him lying lifeless. Constable Hokoyo later died due to injuries sustained as a result of the attack

INVESTIGATIONS CARRIED OUT

 ZRP Battlefields was advised and attended the scene. They also advised DRG Kadoma, Support Unit as well as CID and MFFU Kadoma who also attended the scene.
 The scene is situated approximately 40km from Kadoma CBD towards Brompton Kadoma in a thicket bush.

 The scene is infested with quite a number of mine shafts.

 Two FN rifles serial numbers BSAP 5545 and 794 were recovered at the scene with magazines of 2 and 3 rounds.

 FN rifle serial number BSAP 794 had a stoppage that is it was half cocked with a round slightly halfway in the chamber.

 The log which was used to strike the deceased was recovered 100 metres away from body.

 The body of the deceased was found in a pool of blood lying facing Southern direction approximately 100m away from the shafts.

 The Body was inspected and the following physical injuries were observed:

• Broken left leg as a result of being cut using possibly a sharp object
• Broken right knee as a result of being cut possibly using a sharp object.
• A deep cut on the left side of the head.
• A swollen head was observed.
 The body of the deceased was conveyed to Kadoma General Hospital Mortuary awaiting post-mortem.
 Constable Kamhuka was referred to Kadoma General Hospital and his condition is stable.

Investigations are underway under ZRP Battlefields RRB 41295128
CID KADOMA
MEMORANDUM NUMBER /19
DATED 28 DECEMBER 2019

State Media|Former Head of Cabinet Secretariat in the Office of the President and Cabinet Mr Francis Sonny Mapingire was yesterday buried at his rural home in Maroi village under Chief Bota in Zaka, Masvingo.

Mr Mapingure succumbed to cancer of the colon at a private hospital in Harare on Christmas Day. He was 57. Scores of mourners thronged Muroi village yesterday to pay their last respects to the gallant son of the soil.

Speakers extolled Mapingire’s virtues and described him as a dedicated cadre.

Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration and Finance in the Office of the President and Cabinet Mr Martin Rushwaya described the death of Mr Mapingire as a loss to the nation.

“His loss is not only to you (Mapingire family), but to all of us in the Office of the President and Cabinet and the nation at large,” he said.

“Mr Mapingire’s untimely departure is a painful loss to the Zaka community, Masvingo province and the nation at large.

“We should, therefore, appreciate his fountain of wisdom and sense of equality that made him a strong and intelligent man who could not be moved by freak storms, but one who stood boldly against all odds.”

In a graveside eulogy, Public Service Commission chairperson Dr Vincent Hungwe echoed Mr Rushwaya’s sentiments that the nation had been robbed.

“His death has come at a time when the nation is taking practical steps to turn around the fortunes of this country and we are robbed of a person who was committed to his work in the highest Office of the President and Cabinet,” he said.

“We will all continue to cherish his contributions in the area of the Cabinet administration and other critical areas. May his family be comforted that he fought a good fight in his life.

“The country will continue to move on with its economic agenda inspired by his departure and his contributions to the development of Zimbabwe.”

In a letter read on his behalf, ZAOGA founder member Dr Ezekiel Guti described the late Mapingire as a humble man who feared God.

“Mapingire Francis, you fought a big fight, you walked a good journey. We have been robbed as a nation. May the Almighty God continue to guide your family. Rest in peace son of God,” read the statement.

Family spokespersonMr Munyaradzi Mapingire said the family had lost a supporting pillar.

“We are robbed of a kind and generous man of God who was supportive and loved by many. To us, he was a great father. He loved to talk to all of us and his children; he was a mentor and a teacher of the family,” he said.

Born on March 30 1962, Mr Mapingire did his primary education at Rudhanda in Zaka before transferring to Morgenster Mission in Masvingo.

He did his secondary education at St Anthony’s Mission before proceeding to Gokomere High School for Advanced Level studies in 1979.

Mr Mapingire started off his professional career as a teacher at Highfield 1 High School from June to July 1987 before joining the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare as an administration officer in August the same year.

The late Mr Mapingire joined the Department of National Scholarships as a senior administration officer in December 1989 before he moved to the Office of the President and Cabinet Secretariat in 2009.

He was enrolled at the University of Zimbabwe for an Honorary Degree in Economics in 1986 and at his untimely death, he was studying towards a Doctor of Philosophy Degree with the Midlands State University.

He is survived by his wife Jospheen and two children – Kudzaishe (24)and Anotidaishe (19).

Among the mourners at the burial were Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Development Clemence Chiduwa, Executive Director of Presidential and National Scholarships in the Office of the President and Cabinet Dr Chris Mushowe, Zanu PF politburo member Josiah Hungwe, employees from the Office of the President and Cabinet and legislators.

Mr Mapingure succumbed to cancer of the colon at a private hospital in Harare on Christmas Day. He was 57. Scores of mourners thronged Muroi village yesterday to pay their last respects to the gallant son of the soil.

Speakers extolled Cde Mapingire’s virtues and described him as a dedicated cadre.

Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration and Finance in the Office of the President and Cabinet Mr Martin Rushwaya described the death of Mr Mapingire as a loss to the nation.

“His loss is not only to you (Mapingire family), but to all of us in the Office of the President and Cabinet and the nation at large,” he said.

“Mr Mapingire’s untimely departure is a painful loss to the Zaka community, Masvingo province and the nation at large.

“We should, therefore, appreciate his fountain of wisdom and sense of equality that made him a strong and intelligent man who could not be moved by freak storms, but one who stood boldly against all odds.”

In a graveside eulogy, Public Service Commission chairperson Dr Vincent Hungwe echoed Mr Rushwaya’s sentiments that the nation had been robbed.

“His death has come at a time when the nation is taking practical steps to turn around the fortunes of this country and we are robbed of a person who was committed to his work in the highest Office of the President and Cabinet,” he said.

“We will all continue to cherish his contributions in the area of the Cabinet administration and other critical areas. May his family be comforted that he fought a good fight in his life.

“The country will continue to move on with its economic agenda inspired by his departure and his contributions to the development of Zimbabwe.”

In a letter read on his behalf, ZAOGA founder member Dr Ezekiel Guti described the late Mapingire as a humble man who feared God.

“Mapingire Francis, you fought a big fight, you walked a good journey. We have been robbed as a nation. May the Almighty God continue to guide your family. Rest in peace son of God,” read the statement.

Family spokespersonMr Munyaradzi Mapingire said the family had lost a supporting pillar.

“We are robbed of a kind and generous man of God who was supportive and loved by many. To us, he was a great father. He loved to talk to all of us and his children; he was a mentor and a teacher of the family,” he said.

Born on March 30 1962, Mr Mapingire did his primary education at Rudhanda in Zaka before transferring to Morgenster Mission in Masvingo.

He did his secondary education at St Anthony’s Mission before proceeding to Gokomere High School for Advanced Level studies in 1979.

Mr Mapingire started off his professional career as a teacher at Highfield 1 High School from June to July 1987 before joining the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare as an administration officer in August the same year.

The late Mr Mapingire joined the Department of National Scholarships as a senior administration officer in December 1989 before he moved to the Office of the President and Cabinet Secretariat in 2009.

He was enrolled at the University of Zimbabwe for an Honorary Degree in Economics in 1986 and at his untimely death, he was studying towards a Doctor of Philosophy Degree with the Midlands State University.

He is survived by his wife Jospheen and two children – Kudzaishe (24)and Anotidaishe (19).

Among the mourners at the burial were Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Development Clemence Chiduwa, Executive Director of Presidential and National Scholarships in the Office of the President and Cabinet Dr Chris Mushowe, Zanu PF politburo member Josiah Hungwe, employees from the Office of the President and Cabinet and legislators.

By A Correspondent|Vice president Constantino Chiwenga has been flown to China for a medical check- up.

Mnangagwa made the revelations on Sunday afternoon at a Thanksgiving and Dedication service at the ZITF grounds in Bulawayo.

Said presidential spokesperson George Charamba:

https://twitter.com/Jamwanda2/status/1211245158068555776?s=19

Commenting on the development, citizens suggested that government should bring the medication which was being used to treat Chiwenga to Zimbabwe in order to save money.

Own Correspondent|A woman in her mid 20s died a horrific death at a music concert organised ZEC Commissioner Qhubani Moyo owned Skyz Metro FM at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Saturday night.

The woman died after trying to get free entry into the music concert by jumping over a stadium precast concrete wall fortified with razor wire. In the process she got herself tangled in the razor wire and got shocked by her jacket.

The concert marketed as ‘Bulawayo Shutdown’ featured a host of artists including Winky D, Mafikizolo and Nasty C. The concert was apparently out of reach for most people as the cheapest ticket was R250 with VIPs paying up to R900.

The woman was discovered unconscious shortly before 3AM on Sunday by a man who was reliving himself and immediately raised alarm. Police officers at the venue attended to the scene. ZEC Commissioner Qhubani Moyo was actually one of the people, together with the police, who lowered the body down from where it was hanging.

On the other side of the wall, police found an extremely drunk a man nearly unconscious, who they handcuffed and took away.

A police search of the woman’s body yielded a Samsung phone, $15 bond notes and a sachet with a powdered brown substance that looked suspiciously like an illicit drug.

Police will try to establish if the unidentified man helped the woman to use an undesignated entry point which has a tree close to the wall on the outside, and why he also suddenly fell unconscious.

By A Correspondent| Analysts here have blasted Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi for calling opposition leader Nelson Chamisa a lost sheep.

Mutendi said Chamisa was a lost sheep because he was refusing to join POLAD.

Said political analysts Pedzisai Ruhanya and Alexander Rusero.

You are being too kind Doc, He is trying to deploy religious seductive semantics on @nelsonchamisa, he is playing the Court Prophet role here, and intentionally or unintentionally he is massaging the regime!

— Alexander Rusero #ShutUp&Write! (@AlexanderRusero) December 29, 2019

By Own Correspondent| Opposition MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa took some time off to visit his home village in Gutu and shared pictures with his “kin and kith”.

Chamisa captioned the tweet:

Taking time to visit, listen to and interact with kith and kin this holiday in Gutu..Enjoying every moment here at my rural village.The deep wisdom of the elders is so amazing. The outpouring of the love is humbling.I always find these engagements refreshing and grounding!

Taking time to visit, listen to and interact with kith and kin this holiday in Gutu..Enjoying every moment here at my rural village.The deep wisdom of the elders is so amazing. The outpouring of the love is humbling.I always find these engagements refreshing and grounding! pic.twitter.com/loGNzO6Hsv

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) December 27, 2019

Do you think Marry Chiwenga is at Chikurubi Maximum Prison?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) December 29, 2019

Watch the live video below for this and more…..

STANDBY…

Calling VP Chiwenga to ask him on his wife's condition following this violation of her rights and the laws of Zimbabwe

— Simba Chikanza (@schikanza) December 29, 2019

By A Correspondent- Former politburo member Professor Jonathan Moyo has blasted President Emmerson Mnangagwa who last Monday visited and bought eats from vendors.

Moyo accused Mnangagwa of looking down on the masses through his gesture when he interacted with the vendors.

The development follows Mnangagwa’s visit in Kwekwe where he got off from his motorcade and headed straight towards the marketplace and bought groundnuts, snot apples (matohwe) and maize cobs.

Commuters, kombi crews and vendors jostled to catch a glimpse of Mnangagwa where he also took time to listen to concerns raised by vendors.

He was accompanied by State Security Minister Owen Ncube.

Patricia Moyo a vendor, who sold groundnuts to President Mnangagwa, said he paid using local currency and asked her about the challenges she was facing.

“We heard his motorcade and suddenly he appeared. I was elated when he headed straight to my market where he asked how much I was charging. After I told him, he took money out his pocket and paid. I even gave him change,” she said.

She was happy to have told her problems to the highest office in the land.

“I am hoping that he is going to address the challenges that we face as vendors. I, for one, told him the problems we are facing and he promised to look into them,” said an elated Moyo.

Professor Moyo however slammed President Mnangagwa for “looking down on the masses.”

“Kubata musana while talking to people, especially pamusika, is rude behavior which is tantamount to looking down on the masses!” Moyo tweeted.

Kubata musana while talking to people, especially pamusika, is rude behavior which is tantamount to looking down on the masses! pic.twitter.com/xXH2TtraLP

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) December 24, 2019

31December24TweetThreadAlert

Friends & foes, on 31 December 2019, I'll do a 24-tweet thread after which I'll do no such thread ever again. I'll share my 2020 vision statement about myself, ZanuPF, party politics, the 2018 presidential poll, @ZECzim & Zimbabwe. Enough is enough! pic.twitter.com/l2MOiY2TtK

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) December 27, 2019

By A Correspondent- The anti-corruption drive has moved a gear up towards prosecution of individuals fingered in graft, with fresh revelations the Attorney-General’s Office is now being ropped in to team up with the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) in fast-tracking cases to court.

According to the state media, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) is currently working on over 600 dockets for prosecution of people accused of corruption including judges, ministers, Members of Parliament and company executives.

In a wide-ranging interview, Zacc chairperson Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo said the anti-graft body was not happy with the slow pace by the NPA in pushing prosecutions.

She said of the over 600 dockets they had opened, at least 100 have been fully investigated, with 74 involving high-profile figures.

“Zacc investigates and then sends the papers to the NPA, but the Attorney-General is being brought on board to help fight corruption. We are bringing on board as many people as possible,” she said.

“There are high-profile cases which include ministers, MPs, judges, CEOs (chief executive officers) and MDs (managing directors); we are targeting everyone involved in corruption and we will investigate everyone. We urge all those with evidence which may lead to convictions to come forward.

“There should be convictions in court, but we need prosecution (NPA) to up their game. Once we start seeing convictions in court, it gives public confidence that we are not just doing a catch and release game.”

The Zacc boss said to boost the anti-corruption fight, the commission would soon employ 60 investigators drawn from various fields such as forensic auditing, financial intelligence, accountants and engineers.

Treasury had already approved the recruitment drive.

Justice Matanda-Moyo said corruption was a sophisticated phenomenon requiring highly trained investigators.

She said police officers who were seconded to the anti-graft body had already received further training to strengthen investigating skills.

Justice Matanda-Moyo said as part of the corruption fight, several top-of-the-range vehicles, luxury homes and bank accounts had been forfeited to the State as owners were failing to account for their wealth.

One of the cases of seized properties involved that of former Tourism Minister Dr Walter Mzembi, who lost a house in Borrowdale after he skipped the border to evade arrest on corruption charges.

The Zacc chair urged the NPA to expedite the cases of seized cars and houses to ensure the State and the public benefited from the auction of ill-gotten wealth.

Justice Matanda-Moyo said: “The corrupt will lose properties; cars, houses will be taken. In 2020, we want to see all the law arms fight corruption.”

Another area of concern, Justice Matanda-Moyo noted, was tax evasion and she appealed to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) to up its game.

To plug financial leakages, the Zacc chair said, there was need to deal with cartels fuelling the smuggling of goods, gold and diamonds, thereby bleeding the economy.

“Immigration authorities should also screen criminals entering the country who are responsible for illegally exporting minerals.

“People entering Zimbabwe must be scrutinised because we can’t import corruption,” said Justice Matanda-Moyo.

Furthermore, there was need to strengthen the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) so that it properly monitors the activities of banks.

Said Justice Matanda Moyo of members of the judiciary: “As for the judges, there should be proper salaries so that they don’t accept bribes. We don’t want corrupt people acquitted because those in the judiciary have been bribed.

“However, we are pleased that matters will be dealt with swiftly because we have anti-corruption courts at the magistrates’ and High Courts.”

Justice Matanda-Moyo also noted that a National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) was being finalised and would be complete this week.

Views contained in the NACS were drawn from the public, civil society, academia, Government and business.

President Mnangagwa earlier this year appointed a new commission led by Justice Matanda-Moyo and other commissioners, namely Gabriel Chaibva, Jessie Fungai Majome, John Makamure, Thandiwe Thando Mlobane, Kuziva Phineas Murapa, Frank Muchengwa, Retired Major Michael Dennis Santu andMabel Ndakaripa Hungwe

.Since coming into office, Zacc has shown some teeth. High-profile people swooped in its path include former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko on allegations of criminal abuse of office and former Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira.

Zacc also arrested former Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira on corruption allegations involving US$95 million.

Another arrest that confirmed Zacc’s seriousness in the fight against corruption was that of Marry Mubaiwa, the estranged wife of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, for externalising US$1 033 000.

She was also charged with money laundering involving US$990 000 and fraud.

Joram Gumbo, the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs (Monitoring and Implementation of Government Programmes), was also arrested for criminal abuse of office last month.

Former principal director of State Residences in the Office of the President and Cabinet Douglas Tapfuma was hauled before the courts on criminal abuse of office charges after he allegedly facilitated the importation of several vehicles duty-free.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Hundreds of people thronged the Glen Forest Memorial Park in Harare yesterday to give a befitting send-off to United Family International Church (UFIC) Manicaland overseer Pastor Jacob Tembo, who died on Thursday in Mutare.

Pastor Tembo died after a short illness. He was 52.

UFIC spokesperson Pastor Prime Kufa described the late as a charismatic preacher and a hero of God’s kingdom.

“He was a general in the works of God and we learnt a lot from him. Today (yesterday) we celebrate his life because we know he has gone to a better place,” he said.

“In flesh, we have lost a man who was mightily used by God, but in spirit, we know Heaven has gained.”

The multitudes of mourners at the cemetery celebrated Pastor Tembo’s life through music and dance.

Friends and relatives also expressed gratitude to Pastor Tembo’s service in the church.

UFIC leader Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa and his wife Prophetess Ruth paid their condolences to the Tembo family in Mutare.

Prophet Makandiwa described the late man of God as a “Five-Star General” in God’s kingdom.

Prophetess Ruth attended the burial.

Pastor Tembo is survived by his wife Lily and five children.

-StateMedia

Watch the video loading below. ..

By A Correspondent- Three people died on spot in a fatal head-on collision when a Toyota D4D rammed into a Delta beverages haulage truck at the Redcliff fly-over along the Gweru-Kwekwe highway.

The accident left one person in a critical situation after the driver of the Toyota D4D twin cab who was headed towards Kwekwe, attempted to overtake at a continuous line hit the on-coming Delta haulage truck.

Midlands police spokesperson, Inspector, Joel Goko confirmed the accident.

“The driver and two other occupants of the Toyota D4D died on the spot while another passenger was rushed to Kwekwe General Hospital,” said Insp Goko.

He said there was also pile up due to the limited navigation space at the flyover.

“A Kombi which the D4D truck was trying to overtake leading to the accident was also involved in a pile-up. There were no serious injuries in the Kombi but we still need to make a follow up at the hospital,” he said.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- President Mnangagwa has distributed 15 tonnes of rice donated by the People’s Republic of China to rural communities, with all rural constituencies benefiting.

The donation supplements the grain that is distributed to rural communities on a monthly basis to fight starvation.

In a statement recently, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima said the donation was part of Government’s obligation to provide social protection to vulnerable and disadvantaged communities in Zimbabwe.

“The Government of Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, has an obligation to provide social protection services to vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in Zimbabwe through social transfer programmes. This includes, among other interventions, the provision of food relief to vulnerable households during times of drought and emergencies,” he said. 

Prof Mavima said there were a number of social protection programmes and strategies being implemented by Government to ensure that all vulnerable groups in society were reached and supported. 

“The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare guarantees that the donated rice will be distributed during the festive season. In addition, distribution of grain will also continue to ensure that no one starves in Zimbabwe during the festive season and beyond,” he said.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- More subsidised roller meal will be in the shops once all millers start receiving the special maize allocations from the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) from Monday after a fruitful meeting between the Government and millers recently.

Shortages have been severe since only eight of the 61 millers had been receiving the special maize allocations for milling into roller meal but from next week all millers will be receiving the required special allocations from the Grain Marketing Board.

Millers met representatives from the Ministries of Industry and Commerce, Finance and Economic Development, the GMB and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra).

The meeting came after some millers expressed concern that they were excluded from the subsidised roller meal programme as they had not been registered.

After the meeting, both parties confirmed they had a fruitful discussion and expected things to start improving next week with the subsidised roller meal being made available in shops.

Secretary for Industry and Commerce Dr Mavis Sibanda said Government was working with millers to eliminate all problems preventing the availability of subsidised roller meal on the market.

“We are working together with millers. We are in the process of ensuring all millers are functional,” said Dr Sibanda. We had a cordial meeting with the millers. It was an important meeting to understand each other. Millers wanted to understand the subsidy process and we updated each other on the processes.

“As the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, we want all millers to survive.” 

 On the registration concerns, Dr Sibanda said all millers were registered with the GMB.

Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) national chairman, Mr Tafadzwa Musarara, said there had been some changes to the subsidy programme, resulting in some millers experiencing challenges.

He said only eight millers had so far been registered for the subsidised roller meal programme.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe has been told to clean its diamonds or totally lose its diamond market share to synthetic diamonds if environmental and human rights issues are not addressed.

This was said by Zimbabwe Environmental Lawyers Association (ZELA) official Shamiso Mtisi who said;

Due to the emergency of synthetic diamonds, natural diamonds are slowly losing market share as they are associated with wars, child labour, environmental harm, and human rights violations.

This means countries like Zimbabwe may lose out if we don’t clean up our diamonds and adopt responsible sourcing measures like carrying out human rights related impact assessment and environmental reservation principles which resonate with the consumer of this day.

America banned Zimbabwe diamonds on American markets this year due to alleged unethical practices at diamond mine.

-DailyNews

Three people including the driver died on the spot while one person was critically injured when a Toyota D4D they were travelling was involved in a head on collision with a Delta beverages haulage truck at the Redcliff fly-over along the Gweru-Kwekwe highway this morning.
Midlands police spokesperson, Inspector, Joel Goko who was at the scene said the accident occured around 8 am.
He said the driver of the Toyota D4D twin cab, who was driving towards Kwekwe, attempted to overtake at a continuos line when the vehicle was then involved in a head-on collision with the on-coming Delta haulage truck.
“The driver and two other occupants of the Toyota D4D died on the spot while another passenger was rushed to Kwekwe General Hospital,” said Insp Goko.
He said there was also pile up due to the limited navigation space at the fly over.
“A Kombi which the D4D truck was trying to overtake leading to the accident was also in the pile up.
“There were no serious injuries in the Kombi but we still need to make a follow up at the hospital,” he said.

By A Correspondent- The health sector manpower situation may be a thing of the past in the new year if reports by the Health Services Board that doctors are trickling back to work are true.

According to the HSB, 194 out of 476 heeded the government’s call and came back to work, the Daily News reports. HSB CEO Ruth Kaseke said this to the publication:

Initially a total of 578 doctors were supposed to appear before the disciplinary committee but the number went down to 476 after considering some issues. The total number of doctors that have gone back to work by mid-December is now 194.

Doctors have been on strike since 3 September 2019.

-DailyNews

THE anti-corruption drive has moved a gear up towards prosecution of individuals fingered in graft, with fresh revelations that the Attorney General’s Office is now being ropped in to team up with the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) in fast-tracking cases to court.

In a wide ranging interview, Zacc chairperson Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo said the anti-graft body was not happy with the slow action by the NPA in pushing prosecutions.

She said of the over 600 dockets they had opened, at least 100 have been fully investigated, with 74 involving high profile figures.

“Zacc investigates and then sends the papers to the NPA, but the Attorney-General is being brought on board to help fight corruption. We are bringing on board as many people as possible,” she said.

“There are high profile cases which include ministers, MPs, judges, CEOs (chief executive officers) and MDs (managing directors); we are targeting everyone involved in corruption and we will investigate everyone. We urge all those with evidence which may lead to convictions to come forward.

“There should be convictions in court, but we need prosecution (NPA) to up their game. Once we start seeing convictions in court, it gives public confidence that we are not just doing a catch and release game.”

The Zacc boss said to boost the anti-corruption fight, the commission would soon employ 60 investigators drawn from various fields such as forensic auditing, financial intelligence, accountants and engineers.

Treasury has already approved the recruitment drive.State media