President Chamisa @nelsonchamisa gives goodies for the elderly in Bulawayo https://t.co/r0hOqUiG5Y

— Citizen Nkululeko Sibanda zw (@DrNkuSibanda) December 20, 2019

By Own Correspondent| MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has trashed reports alleging that he is set to join POLAD describing the congregation as clueless political losers who are hunting for fortunes in ED’s corrupt useless government.

Said Chamisa in a statement:

“Never ever, not even in my death. That group is a congregation of clueless political losers who are hunting for fortunes in ED’s corrupt useless government. We can’t be part of that nonsense.

The MDC looks up to a platform that aims to unlock far reaching reforms that will change the lives and transform Zimbabwe, not shortlived power sharing that is meant to give Zanu pf a lifeline.”

By A Correspondent| Opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has set the record straight regarding a state media report alleging that he is set to join POLAD.

Said Chamisa in a statement:

“Never ever, not even in my death. That group is a congregation of clueless political losers who are hunting for fortunes in ED’s corrupt useless government. We can’t be part of that nonsense.

The MDC looks up to a platform that aims to unlock far reaching reforms that will change the lives and transform Zimbabwe, not shortlived power sharing that is meant to give Zanu pf a lifeline.”

By Own Correspondent| MDC president Nelson Chamisa said the crisis of legitimacy and governance emanating from disputed elections is the elephant in the room that should be tackled during the envisaged dialogue between his party and Zanu PF.

Speaking to a local publication on Thursday, Chamisa pointed to elections held in the 1980s, 1990s, and in the new Millennium whose outcomes were always disputed.

He said:

The problem was there between Zanu and PF Zapu, it was there between Zanu PF and ZUM (led by Edgar Tekere), it was there between (the late former President Robert) Mugabe and (the late) president (Morgan) Tsvangirai and this problem is known even by my opposite number (Mnangagwa) and that must be dealt with and anything that doesn’t resolve that is simply a delayed disappointment and we can’t move away from fundamental issues.

Chamisa made the remarks following a visit to Zimbabwe by former South African President Thabo Mbeki earlier this week.

Mbeki was in the country ostensibly on a social visit and held separate meetings with President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Chamisa, smaller opposition parties, churches, and civil society organisations.

– Newsday

By A Correspondent| Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube has defended clause 25 of the Finance (No 3) 2019 Bill, which states that older second-hand car vehicle imports will pay less duty than newer vehicles.

Responding to Dzivarasekwa MP Edwin Mushoriwa (MDC Alliance), who had suggested that older cars should pay more duty due to environmental impact concerns, Ncube said:

We are not trying to necessarily restrict the old vehicles over new vehicles. The intention rather is to recognise the remaining life and making sure the excise duty is progressive enough.

Those with newer cars pay more because of longer shelf life and those with older cars pay less. That is how we have designed it and we think it is fair to design it that way.

Clause 25 of the Finance (No 3) 2019 Bill outlines the Zimbabwe dollar rates of special excise duty on second-hand motor vehicles, which will take effect from January 1, 2020.

For instance, an imported second-hand vehicle with a lifespan of zero to four years and an engine capacity of up to 1 000cc will pay excise duty of $3 000, while one that is over 20 years, all engine capacities, will pay ($500).

-Newsday

By A Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa said new $10 and $20 banknotes will be introduced in the next “few days”, a move meant to deal with perennial cash shortages which have led to multi-tier pricing and the sale of cash on the black market.

President Mnangagwa said this during the belated anti-corruption day commemorations held this Friday.

He also revealed that since Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), has been giving banks $30 million, up from $10-$14 million.

He added that Zimbabweans should support the local currency, just like other nations do.

“Citizens do not care whether their currency is strong or not, they take ownership of it,” Mnangagwa said.

-NewZiana

Watch video below. ..

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vXttPJQoFTI&feature=youtu.be

A man from Bulawayo’s high density suburb of Entumbane tried to dodge the long arm of the law as he swallowed dagga when he realised that police officers were on to him.

However, the marijuana in two twists of paper made him choke and cough uncontrollably.

Had he managed to swallow the weed, Gift Moyo’s attempt to avoid arrest was not going to work as three detectives, who had raided his house after a tip off, found mbanje weighing 1,423kgs under a mattress.

“They found him selling it to a client, upon seeing them he (Moyo) swallowed two twists, but unfortunately he got chocked. He fell down and coughed uncontrollably,” said a source.

The detectives searched his house after administering first aid to the 39-year-old Moyo.

“They searched thoroughly in his house and found a wrapped plastic bag which contained dagga which was hidden under a mattress,” said the source.
The source went on to say the trio took the accused to the Main Post Office where they weighed the dagga.

Bulawayo acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident.

“I can confirm that we arrested a man from Entumbane suburb who was found with dagga weighing 1,423 kgs, ”she said.B-Metro

Whether you like it or not, this country must have its own currency, says Mnangagwa

Watch video below. ..

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vXttPJQoFTI&feature=youtu.be

A headmaster at a primary school in Gokwe learnt the hard way that the state of being senior at work can’t really buy love when a fellow married teacher turned down his love proposal before she reported him to her husband.

Godwin Sungayi, a headmaster at Rugare Primary School from Chizororo Village under Chief Gumunyu was reportedly turned into an epitome of shame when his married subordinate (name withheld) rebuffed his offer to have an affair with him in no uncertain terms.

It is reported that the woman, who apparently didn’t take kindly to the proposal, reported the matter to her husband, resulting in the hurt and embarrassed headmaster going into hiding.

According to a source, after the woman told her husband what her boss was up to, he took a day off and went to the school to confront the alleged home wrecker in the making.

The source said before the victim reported him to her husband, Sungayi, had tried several times to share his feelings with her, but she was always refusing to entertain him until he decided to send her detailed texts of his fantasies.
“He (Sungayi) really learnt a difficult and painful lesson.

What happened is that he sent a string of messages to the married teacher’s phone, detailing his love for her.

The woman who seemed to have been annoyed by the love text messages forwarded them to her husband who came and confronted Sungayi.

“Before he was confronted him with the saucy messages, Sungayi went into hiding and only came back after the woman’s husband threatened to take the matter to the District Education Offices,” said the source, adding that the incident left a nasty burn on Sungayi.

Added the source: “The matter was later resolved by the village head Machibirika at the instigation of some teachers who felt that if it reached the District Education Offices it was going to put Sungayi in deep trouble”.

It is reported that after being summoned by the village head, an apologetic Sungayi admitted that he had sent romantic text messages to his married subordinate.

He however, defended himself saying they were just “clean” jokes he deliberately shared with his workmate for enjoyment.

When reached for comment Sungayi denied that the incriminating messages were affectionate.

“Yes, I was summoned by the village head over the matter but it was not true that the messages were meant to have an affair with her and that is why the village head just counselled and encouraged us to work amicably,” said Sungayi.B-Metro

Watch video below. ..

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vXttPJQoFTI&feature=youtu.be

By Own Correspondent| MDC leader Nelson Chamisa said dialogue to resolve Zimbabwe’s crises should be between his party, ZANU PF, churches, labour, and civic society.

Speaking during an interview with a local publication on Thursday, Chamisa dismissed the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) as a sideshow meant to settle some cheap political scores.

He said:

The nature of the dialogue that is credible is dialogue that involves Zanu PF and the MDC and, of course, labour going forward to be consulted.

Churches, civic society also needs to play a role and needs to be done through credible facilitation and adjudication with Zimbabwe being the main player for a wholly Zimbabwean solution to Zimbabwean challenges.

Chamisa criticised agreements made in the past by the country’s political players, that is, the 1979 Lancaster House Agreement, the 1987 Unity Accord and the 2008 Global Political Agreement as elitist since they involved only key (political) players.

He asserted that former South African President Thabo Mbeki, who was in the country earlier this week, and President Cyril Ramaphosa, as well as SADC, appreciates that the Zimbabwean problem is a political problem.

–

Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has declared that the opposition party will not join POLAD.

Chamisa has also said his party’s views on dialogue have not changed.

Chamisa tweeted:
Zimbabwe is in a deep crisis. Only true and holistic reforms will bring about real change. Dialogue must be genuine. Will take no part in POLAD.Our views on the much-desired dialogue remain unchanged.

We seek true change for the people of Zimbabwe. We will never betray your trust!”

By A Correspondent| The High Court of Zimbabwe has postponed the bail hearing for the estranged wife of Vice President  Constantino Chiwenga, Marry Chiwenga  nee Mubaiwa.

Marry’s bail and appeal hearings have been moved to December 27, to allow the prosecution to file its response.

This means that she will spend Christmas in custody.

The bail and appeal hearings had been set for this Friday, but the prosecution, which is opposing both the bail and appeal, said it was not ready.

Marry was arrested on Saturday last week by Zimbabwe Anti-corruption Commission (ZACC) investigators and charged for fraud, attempted murder, externalisation of foreign currency and money laundering.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent| Former South African President, Thabo Mbeki, who was in Zimbabwe early this week on a mission to facilitate dialogue between President Emerson Mnangagwa and MDC leader Nelson Chamisa, is reading Excelgate, a book that purports to show how the 2018 presidential election results were manipulated to favour the ruling ZANU PF party.

Excelgate was authored by former ZANU PF politburo member and cabinet minister Professor Jonathan Moyo.

In the book, Ibbo Mandaza, in his foreword, claims that a server which was designed to record the results electronically was severed illegally and irregularly and then replaced with an Excel spreadsheet into which data was manually and fraudulently entered.

Moyo also alleges that the unadulterated election results indicated that Chamisa had won the elections by a landslide, garnering 66% of the vote, while Mnangagwa received just under 33%.

Mandaza told The Independent that Mbeki was given a copy of Excelgate through Advocate Mojanku Gumbi, a human rights lawyer who accompanied Mbeki to Harare and served as Mbeki’s special adviser during his time at the President of South Africa.

-TheIndependent

Watch video below. ..

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vXttPJQoFTI&feature=youtu.be

Own Correspondent| THE Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) and Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have paid ZWL$7 000 to a victim of assault after he successfully sued them with the assistance of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).

32 year-old Tomufadzanei Murindagomo sued Owen Ncube, the Minister of State for National Security, Hon. Kazembe Kazembe, the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Godwin Matanga, the Commissioner-General of ZRP, some CIO members and some police officers in August 2017 for payment of damages after he was unlawfully arrested from his home and detained by a group of eight people including some CIO operatives. and put into the rear boot of the CIO’s Alteza vehicle and driven around for between 30 to 45 minutes until he was eventually released into the custody of a police officer only identified as Constable Kondo and placed in police cells at Glen Norah Police Station.

At Glen Norah Police Station, Murindagomo was held without charge overnight and was later charged with the assault of one Moffat Mavambo. However, Murindagomo was acquitted of the assault charge.

In court, Murindagomo’s lawyer Fiona Iliff of ZLHR argued that the arbitrary arrest, assault and unlawful detention of her client was clearly unjustifiable and unlawful in the circumstances and amounted to violations of several of his fundamental rights including the right to human dignity personal security, freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and of his right to personal liberty.

Iliff charged that the transfer of custody of Murindagomo from State security agents to the police without charge further violated his constitutional rights as an arrested and detained person including the right to be informed of the reasons of arrest, the right to be treated humanely and with dignity, the right to consult a legal practitioner and medical practitioner and his right to a fair hearing.

Iliff said as a result of the CIO members and the ZRP officers’ wrongful conduct, Murindagomo suffered damages amounting to ZWL$7 080 broken down as ZWL$2 000 being damages for assault, ZWL$1 000 for nervous shock, ZWL$1 000 for abuse, ZWL$1 000 for pain and suffering, ZWL$2 000 for unlawful arrest and detention and ZWL$80 as compensation for unlawful deprivation of property, a Samsung Galaxy mobile phone handset.

On Wednesday 27 November 2019, Murindagomo was finally paid ZWL$7 080 as compensation for the violation of his fundamental rights as ordered by Harare Magistrate Farai Gwitima.

Jane Mlambo| According to a source close to the ongoing developments in the Marry Chiwenga arrest, her father Kenni Mubaiwa was on Wednesday picked by state security agents for questioning and later released.

Yesterday, ZimEye ran a story alleging that the former Dynamos chairperson had been arrested.

Though he later denied having been arrested, this publication has it on good authority that he was indeed taken in for questioning in connection with tax evasion.

Mubaiwa’s daughter Marry who is in the middle of a divorce with the powerful vice President Constantino Chiwenga was arrested on saturday last week and was remanded in custody to the 30th of December.

More to follow…

A man from Bulawayo’s high density suburb of Entumbane tried to dodge the long arm of the law as he swallowed dagga when he realised that police officers were on to him.

However, the marijuana in two twists of paper made him choke and cough uncontrollably.

Had he managed to swallow the weed, Gift Moyo’s attempt to avoid arrest was not going to work as three detectives, who had raided his house after a tip off, found mbanje weighing 1,423kgs under a mattress.

“They found him selling it to a client, upon seeing them he (Moyo) swallowed two twists, but unfortunately he got chocked. He fell down and coughed uncontrollably,” said a source.

The detectives searched his house after administering first aid to the 39-year-old Moyo.

“They searched thoroughly in his house and found a wrapped plastic bag which contained dagga which was hidden under a mattress,” said the source.
The source went on to say the trio took the accused to the Main Post Office where they weighed the dagga.

Bulawayo acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident.

“I can confirm that we arrested a man from Entumbane suburb who was found with dagga weighing 1,423 kgs, ”she said.B-Metro

Jane Mlambo| Opposition MDC President Nelson Chamisa has vowed never to betray the people’s trust, dismissing claims by the state media that he is on the verge of joining the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD).

Posting on Twitter this morning, Chamisa said the current crisis in Zimbabwe requires a holistic reform process that will bring real change to the country.

He dismissed the POLAD dialogue saying his party will have no part in it, insisting his views on dialogue remain unchanged.

“Zimbabwe is in a deep crisis.Only true & holistic reform will bring about real change.Dialogue must be genuine.Will take no part in POLAD.Our views on the much desired dialogue remain unchanged.We seek true change for the people of Zimbabwe.We will never betray your trust,” said Chamisa.

Early this week, Chamisa met with former South African President, Thabo Mbeki though details of the meeting have not been revealed.

Mbeki also met leaders from the POLAD platform as well as National People First. He has since left and will return after Christmas to continue with meeting political leaders.

25 Zimbabweans Killed By ED Since 1 Aug & Mwonzora Says Economy Will Quickly Trust Mnangagwa If Chamisa Just Shakes His Hand | IS DHAGI RIGHT? @DMwonzora @nelsonchamisa

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) December 13, 2019

FORMER South African president Thabo Mbeki’s (pictured) visit to the country this week was a Sadc-initiated mission to nudge political parties into negotiation as the regional bloc realises that Zimbabwe’s problems were caused more by a political crisis than the so-called Western sanctions, it has emerged.

Mbeki flew into the country on Monday before holding meetings with various political stakeholders, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa, opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa as well as several other politicians and civil society leaders.

The meetings were meant to enable Mbeki to acquaint himself with the crisis in Zimbabwe while laying the groundwork for negotiations.

Sources revealed Mbeki’s visit came after behind-the-scenes discussions among Sadc leaders, lobbying by the MDC and frustration within the regional grouping caused by Mnangagwa’s failure to turn around the country’s political and economic fortunes, despite promising to do so when he rose to power through a military coup in November 2017.

Officials revealed Sadc leaders had come to the conclusion that dialogue was unavoidable if Zimbabwe is to get out of the economic and political doldrums it finds itself in.

Because of its influence in the region, South Africa has taken the lead in helping Zimbabwe find a lasting solution.

Chamisa last month dispatched a high-powered MDC delegation led by one of the party’s vice-presidents, Welshman Ncube, to Sadc headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana, in a bid to push for a regionally-mediated dialogue between his party and Zanu PF in the context of an obtaining economic and humanitarian catastrophe, which has the potential to destablise the entire region.

Ncube’s delegation went to Botswana on November 21.Sources revealed that by the time Ncube visited Botswana, Sadc leaders were already discussing the Zimbabwe crisis, hence Mbeki’s visit.

Sadc executive secretary Stergomena Tax also hinted this week that the regional organisation was behind the push for talks.“Fellow Sadc citizens, let us give space to the mediation and let us be supportive,” she tweeted on Tuesday.

In an unusually tough message, the South African government last month said Zimbabwe’s political differences were responsible for the crisis in the country and not just sanctions, as the bloc pushed for dialogue.

International Relations and Co-operation minister Naledi Pandor said: “While we support the call for an end to economic sanctions, the political dynamics that we observe are inexplicably linked to the economic solutions and that the politics and the economic as well as the social need to be confronted simultaneously.

“… We are not going to achieve economic resolution without resolving the political, intractable hostility and lack of amity of social conjoining and finding a national solution. This coming together of a range of aspects that need attention can only be led from Zimbabwe.”

Sadc leaders are also concerned by the deterioration of Zimbabwe’s relations with Western powers which had shown signs of thawing after Mnangagwa’s rise to power on the back of a military coup.

Mnangagwa’s promise to institute far-reaching economic and political reforms while opening up democratic space was well received in Western capitals. Western governments are however gradually hardening their stance towards Zimbabwe as they are disappointed by Mnangagwa’s failure to implement reforms as well as his appalling human rights record.

A cornered Mnangagwa has resorted to bashing the West, which his government sees as working against the international re-engagement programme.

Relations with the United States, in particular, soured after the ill-fated Sadc-supported anti-sanctions march on October 25.

“Sadc leaders have been talking among themselves. They are basically admitting that sanctions have an effect on the economy, but problems in Zimbabwe are not limited to sanctions and are largely of a political nature, hence their decision to nudge parties into negotiations,” a well-placed official said.

“They (Sadc leaders) realised that after the anti-sanctions march, Zimbabwe’s relations with the West had worsened, particularly with the US. During the march, US officials were constantly in touch with the Sadc leaders and regional diplomats accredited to Washington telling them that despite the march, they will not lift the sanctions unless human rights violations are stopped.

They encouraged Sadc leaders to encourage Harare to implement proper political and economic reforms as necessary preconditions for the removal of sanctions.

“So it is in that context that Mbeki, who is considered an elder statesman, was in the country,” he added

Sources further said during their Monday meeting, Mbeki and Mnangagwa also explored the possibility of the former South African leader mediating in the Zimbabwe-US diplomatic impasse, particularly over the removal of sanctions.

“Mbeki however indicated that he did not have reliable contacts in the administration of President Donald Trump. He then suggested that Sadc should assist in that respect,” an official said.

Mbeki brokered the 2009 Global Political Agreement which saw Zanu PF and MDC, then under the respective leadership of Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai (both now late) following a dispute emanating from the March 2008 general election.

From that arrangement, Tsvangirai became the country’s prime minister while Mugabe remained an executive president.

Details of those closed-door meetings Mbeki held with political leaders over the course of this week have since begun emerging, suggesting that both Mnangagwa and Chamisa are willing to negotiate.

Mbeki, however, has a tough task as the two leaders have divergent views on the form and content of the dialogue.

Mnangagwa wants Chamisa to recognise him as the legitimately elected head of state, while the opposition leader maintains last year’s presidential election was rigged.

Mnangagwa also wants dialogue to be under the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) which involves fringe parties like the Thokozani Khuphe-led MDC-T and Lovemore Madhuku’s NCA.

Chamisa has vowed not to join Polad. Instead, his party came up with its negotiating framework in its policy document: Economic Recovery, Legitimacy, Openness and Democracy (Reload) revolving around concerns regarding Mnangagwa’s legitimacy. The document was launched in Harare on July 11.

The MDC this week told Mbeki that it favours talks which result in an inclusive National Transitional Authority (NTA) which would prepare for credible elections, by instituting agreed critical reforms, including electoral reforms.

“These parties under Polad told Mbeki that they are comfortable with the Polad arrangement which they said was working towards reforms. They want Chamisa to join the Polad forum.”

Officials revealed that Mbeki accommodated as many voices as possible as he wanted to understand the nature of the Zimbabwean crisis before dialogue begins.

Mbeki is however confident that an agreement will eventually be reached, given that all parties have expressed their commitment to talks.

“Everyone recognises there should be talks but there is no consensus as to the framework of the talks,” the official said.

This was corroborated by high-raking MDC members, who said Mbeki still has a lot of work to do if he is to break the ice.

“We are at that stage where there are talks about talks; in other words it’s a preliminary stage. We are still talking about how we can talk. The president (of the MDC, Chamisa) wants to have a dialogue which addresses the questions of disputed elections.

He wants to ensure that we can rearrange our constitutional state to be able to guarantee progress on issues of our political system which will bring about stable economic systems.

He emphasised to Mbeki that what we need is a transitional mechanism which will usher in a new constitutional order that will prevent a repetition of the same evils in our society rather than a power-sharing agreement,” a senior member of the opposition MDC told the Independent.

“So what happened is that after he met with the president (Chamisa), Mbeki went back to Mnangagwa to put across these proposals before he had his second meeting with us. Mbeki in the second meeting said Mnangagwa had flatly rejected the transitional authority arrangement insisting that he has the mandate to rule. He then said he was flying out to brief Sadc leaders and that he would be back in the country before the end of the year,” the MDC source said.

Efforts to get a comment from Mbeki were fruitless as his spokesperson Siyabulela Gebe’s phone was not reachable.

-Zimbabwe Independent

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has exposed his estranged wife, Marry Mubaiwa, as a pathetic drug addict who cannot be trusted with the custody of the couple’s three kids.

The Retired Army General revealed this in his High Court application, filed on December 3, in which he seeks to be granted sole custody of the couple’s three minor children.

Said VP Chiwenga in the court papers: “The plaintiff (VP Chiwenga) prays that custody of the minor children be awarded to him, aside from the fact that the plaintiff is the father, guardian and natural custodian of the minor children.

“The plaintiff avers that it is in the best interest of the minor children that he be awarded custody due to the reason that the defendant (Marry Mubaiwa) is a drug addict,” read the court papers in part.

The Vice President further claims that she currently injects pethidine as a recreational drug, and therefore, granting her custody is tantamount to risking the lives and welfare of their children.

Marry was arrested last Saturday and appeared in court facing attempted murder, money-laundering and externalisation charges involving close to US$2 million.

She is alleged to have attempted to murder Chiwenga while in aAdvertisementSouth African hospital in June.

The two are going through a nasty divorce process.

Marry was remanded in custody to December 30 by Deputy Chief Magistrate Christen Mberewere on both charges and asked to apply to the High Court for bail. The bail hearing is set for today, Friday.

In her application for bail on the allegations of money-laundering and externalisation, Maryy said: “On the charge of externalising money to China, the State has only evidence of one witness that the appellant will challenge at trial. She will state that the witness would not have any basis to assume or allege that the money was moved illegally nor is the witness telling the truth. The money does not belong to the appellant and, in fact, was money belonging to her husband, who should be the person in the dock, assuming an offence was committed.”

She accused the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission of being used as a tool in the divorce proceedings.

“… The divorce proceedings were instituted on December 3 and the charges in question relate to events that allegedly happened on or before May 2019, more than six months ago.”

-Harare Live

By A Correspondent| The estranged wife of Vice President  Constantino Chiwenga ,  Marry Chiwenga  nee Mubaiwa said the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) should arrest her husband for money laundering if indeed such an offence was committed.

In her bail application at the High Court through her lawyers from Mtetwa & Nyambirai Legal Practitioners, Marry claimed that the money she is alleged to have externalised to China belonged to the Vice President.

She said:

On the charge of externalising money to China, the State has only the evidence of one witness that the appellant will challenge at trial.

She will State that the witness would not have any basis to assume or allege that the money was moved illegally nor is the witness telling the truth.

The money does not belong to the appellant (Marry), and in fact was money belonging to her husband, who should be the person in the dock, assuming an offence was committed.

The 38-year-old former model has also been accused of buying two houses and three cars in South Africa, using the externalised funds.

She approached the High Court on Wednesday after deputy chief magistrate Chrispen Mberewere denied her bail on Monday.

Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Mudenda Wednesday told legislators that he finds himself like he was in a polygamous kind of relationship by trying to please rival Zanu PF and MDC MPs at the same time, while performing his Parliamentary business.

Mudenda is also a Zanu PF Politburo member.

The Speaker said this after he was forced to apologise for roughing up Mutare Central MP Innocent Gonese.

Mudenda had stopped Gonese from making a contribution.

The ruling to bar Gonese did not go down well with the Mutare Central MP, who raised a Point of Order and told the Speaker he felt the Zanu PF politician was violating his rights.

He went on to accuse Mudenda of being biased against MDC MPs while giving preferential treatment to Zanu PF legislators.

“I am talking about my rights as a Member of Parliament for Mutare Central. I am talking about my rights and I do not know which same matter you are talking about,” Gonese, who felt that he had been told to sit down because he was an MDC Alliance legislator, said.

He said despite Mudenda being a senior Zanu PF official, the Speaker should be impartial when carrying out his Parliamentary duties.

Gonose was also bitter that during debate in the House, Mudenda chose to let five Zanu PF MPs make contributions at the expense of MDC MPs instead of following procedure that allows three Zanu PF MPs at any given time against one legislator from the MDC.

“You recognised five MPs from the other side. For me that is a manifestation of bias, failure to exercise the role of Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to mention that you do not vote in Parliament even if there was a tie, the reason being that you are supposed to practice tranquillity.

“The point I am making in this house is that members should be allowed to articulate their points to their logical conclusion.

“I believe that the manner in which you have been discharging the roles of a Speaker is not in accordance with the conventions, practices and procedures the world over,” said Gonese.

The objection by Gonese forced Mudenda to eat humble pie and apologise to the MDC Secretary for Legal Affairs.

“Firstly I would like to apologise to Honourable Gonese. The member says he has some perceptions. I and my officers have to observe the balance (of Zanu PF/MDC MPs making contributions) in this House. It is three to one. Now we have to observe that ratio.

“Munofanira kuziva kana uine two wives, kune vaHosi and the other. Ehe barika rinonetsa! (You have to understand that if one is in a polygamous relationship, there is always the first wife and and second wife. It is a difficult relationship),” said Mudenda amid applause from both Zanu PF and MDC MPs.

Zim today

By A Correspondent| Dethroned Chief Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni has approached the High Court challenging the decision by President  Emmerson Mnangagwa to remove him from the  Ntabazinduna  chieftaincy.

Ndiweni was on November 30, stripped of his traditional powers following a recommendation by Cabinet and the
Matabeleland North Provincial Assembly of Chiefs.

Through his lawyer Dumisani Dube of Mathonsi Ncube Law Chambers, Ndiweni on Thursday filed an application at the Bulawayo High Court.

The outspoken Ndiweni has prayed the High Court to nullify his removal and declare it unlawful.

He also wants the Court to direct Latiso Dlamini (acting provincial development coordinator for Matabeleland North) and Tapiwa Zvivovoyi ( Umguza district development coordinator) to stop dispossessing him of his Government-issued vehicle and the chief’s regalia among other State-owned assets in his possession.

Prior to his removal, Ndiweni had clashed with government officials on several occasions over Gukurahundi, sanctions and land claims around the Ntabazinduna mountains.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent| There were loud celebrations as ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa was removed from a stately billboard.

The undated incident, is seen in a recorded video in which is a sizeable crowd of men who encroach the billboard, begin singing, and then they later physically strip down the entire graphic which has Mnangagwa’s expensive colourful portrait.

It could not be established where this incident happened.

Do you know where and when this was? – Contact ZimEye right now on +44726863301

Ngazviende Hatizvidi! ( He must Go, we don’t want him) pic.twitter.com/Oipv285yZk

— Chief Svosve (@Chiefsvosve1) December 19, 2019

………..

Ngazviende Hatizvidi! ( He must Go, we don’t want him) pic.twitter.com/Oipv285yZk

— Chief Svosve (@Chiefsvosve1) December 19, 2019

………..

Ngazviende Hatizvidi! ( He must Go, we don’t want him) pic.twitter.com/Oipv285yZk

— Chief Svosve (@Chiefsvosve1) December 19, 2019

………

Ngazviende Hatizvidi! ( He must Go, we don’t want him) pic.twitter.com/Oipv285yZk

— Chief Svosve (@Chiefsvosve1) December 19, 2019

……….

Ngazviende Hatizvidi! ( He must Go, we don’t want him) pic.twitter.com/Oipv285yZk

— Chief Svosve (@Chiefsvosve1) December 19, 2019

……….

Ngazviende Hatizvidi! ( He must Go, we don’t want him) pic.twitter.com/Oipv285yZk

— Chief Svosve (@Chiefsvosve1) December 19, 2019

……..

Ngazviende Hatizvidi! ( He must Go, we don’t want him) pic.twitter.com/Oipv285yZk

— Chief Svosve (@Chiefsvosve1) December 19, 2019

State Media|Schools should not increase fees by more than 20 percent without Government approval, while charging in foreign currency is illegal.

It also an offence for schools to sell uniforms or force parents to buy them at selected stores, Acting Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Kirsty Coventry has said.

Minister Coventry said this in the National Assembly yesterday while presenting a ministerial statement on various issues affecting the education sector.

This followed a request by legislator, Ms Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, for the ministry to comment on issues ranging from fees and this year’s Grade Seven results, among others.

Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga is the chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education.

Minister Coventry said fees increases should be agreed upon by parents during properly-constituted meetings.

“The fees are increased by parents at properly-constituted meetings and schools should adhere to decisions and recommendations of the SDCs (School Development Committees),” she said.

“Our fees currently should comply with Statutory Instrument 121 of 2019 where pricing is done in local currency and this does not give room for rating fees according to the prevailing bank rate since all fees are in local currency.

“Application for fees increases should be below 20 percent increase and any other increases should be approved by the head of the ministry as directed in the Secretaries Circular Minute Number 6 of 2018.”

Some Government and mission boarding schools have already increased fees without approval, especially for pupils starting Form One next year, with some charging between $10 000 and $12 000.

Some elite private schools are charging their fees in foreign currency or in local currency at the prevailing inter-bank rate.

This had seen some schools charging fees as high as $90 000.

Minister Coventry said it was illegal for schools to sell uniforms or compel parents to buy from selected stores.

“A circular was issued that outlawed the purchase of uniforms only at school level. Parents can buy uniforms anywhere to the best of their advantage and can even make them for themselves.

“Schools are not allowed to coerce parents to purchase uniforms at their schools,” Minister Coventry added.

Most schools have resorted to selling uniforms, usually at exorbitant prices as part of fundraising initiatives, although parents argue that some administrators use this to enrich themselves.

Minister Coventry attributed the decline in the Grade Seven pass rate this year to a combination of factors, including a shortage of qualified teachers.

The pass rate declined from 52.08 last year to 46.9 percent.

She said there were 15 000 teacher vacancies with the Government only approving the recruitment of 5 000 next year.

The acting minister said other factors which contributed to the drop, included a shortage of learning materials and space with some pupils, especially in resettlement areas using tobacco barns as classrooms.

Minister Coventry said it was illegal for schools to withhold results for pupils with outstanding fees and levies.

Former MDC secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora said the running mate clause was meant to ensure smooth succession in the event of the President leaving office for any reason.

Mwonzora, who was co-chairperson of the Constitutional Select Committee (COPAC), which spearheaded the writing of the 2013 Constitution, expressed his sentiments on microblogging site Twitter. He wrote:

The running mate clause was meant to ensure smooth succession in the event of the president leaving office for any reason.

By ensuring that a President chose his deputy before an election it would ensure the appointment of relatively better quality Vice Presidents.

Mwonzora made the remarks following the cabinet’s approval of Constitutional Amendment Bill 2019, which seeks to repeal section 92 of the Constitution dealing with running mates.

The removal of the clause will empower the President to hire and fire his deputies as well as appoint and promote judges.

Times Live|Hawkish MDC-Alliance are pushing for political, electoral and eco­nomic reforms and a tran­sitional government to end the impasse between Zimbabwe’s main political parties that has had far-reaching socio-economic ramifications in the great­er part of the year.

The opposition MDC-Alliance blames Zanu PF for the current economic melt­down. The MDC-Alliance also challenges President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s legiti­macy, even after losing so dismally in the Constitutional Court.

This week, there was renewed hope after the former South African President Thabo Mbeki flew into the country, signalling the beginning of the much-anticipated politi­cal dialogue among the country’s main po­litical protagonists. Mbeki will return to Zimbabwe after the Christmas holiday.

On Monday, Mbeki met President Mnangagwa, the MDC-Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa, and other minor politi­cal leaders under the banner of the Politi­cal Actors Dialogue (Polad).

Sources told the Business Times that op­position hardliners were opposed to the MDC-Alliance’s participation in Polad, saying the parties that constitute Polad have no political relevance and clout. They insist that the talks should be between the MDC-Alliance and Zanu PF. Zanu PF has a two-thirds majority in Parliament with 145 seats, MDC with 63 seats, and one seat apiece by Masango Matambanadzo (National Patriotic Front) and Temba Mliswa (independent candidate).

For the presidential elec­tions, President Mnangag­wa garnered 50.67% while Chamisa received 44.34%.

According to sources, the “MDC had briefed Mbeki that it was not prepared to partici­pate in Polad which it views to have nothing to offer. Instead it wants dialogue between Mnan­gagwa and Chamisa. Some of the Polad players were not in disagreement with Mnan­gagwa but had endorsed him and have nothing to offer to end the political and economic problems, in the country.”

Last week, one of the Polad leaders, Brian Mteki, crossed the floor and joined Zanu PF.

Sources say the opposi­tion is also not happy with a power-sharing arrangement, citing yesteryear attritions that existed in the Government of National Unity that existed be­tween 2009 and 2013.

During the GNU, the MDC was led by the late Morgan Tsvangirai who was the prime minister. Other senior MDC members who were in government included Tendai Biti (Finance), Elton Mangoma (Energy) and Nel­son Chamisa (Information and Communication Technology). The coalition also included the MDC splinter leaders Welsh­man Ncube and Arthur Mu­tambara.

Zanu PF was led by the late President Robert Mugabe, with Mnangagwa heading the Defence portfolio.

Several reforms earmarked during the time were not im­plemented due to political dif­ferences and bickering between Zanu PF and MDC. Insid­ers said the MDC now wants electoral and political reforms, leading to harmonised elec­tions in 2023.

“We need genuine political and electoral reforms that are wholesome as we don’t want piecemeal reforms. We also need independent commis­sions and adequate constitu­tional amendments. We can’t continue to have a cycle of disputed elections as what has been happening in the past. The MDC can only participate in the elections with genuine reforms. The opposition is not seeking power sharing arrange­ment with any party but wants reforms and also a National Transitional Authority which the modalities can be worked out,” the source said.

Nkululeko Sibanda, the MDC spokesperson, said his principal Chamisa had briefed Mbeki to the effect that his party was keen to engage in political dialogue with Mnan­gagwa but with an internation­al arbitrator.

“We are ready to engage with Mnangagwa and Presi­dent Mbeki has asked to break the logjam between us and Zanu PF and make sure that Chamisa and Mnangagwa can meet and start the dialogue,” Sibanda said. “We have pre­sented our agenda to him and he clearly understands our position and we now wait for the way forward and needs to know Zanu PF’s agenda be­fore we can start the talks.

Sibanda continues: “Chami­sa has not changed the party position that we want an inter­national mediator and we are not going to be participating in the Polad talks. The matter of opening dialogue with Zanu PF is one of the resolutions that were mandated by our congress to Chamisa which he is executing.”

Zanu PF spokesperson Si­mon Khaya Moyo refused to comment on the matter and referred Business Times to Presi­dential spokesperson George Charamba. Charamba said Mnangagwa took the oppor­tunity to brief Mbeki on the political, social and economic situation in the country and the progress he was making in Polad.

“He had come to the coun­try on a social visit upon our invitation and he decided to meet MDC leadership here as he was supposed to meet them in South Africa. He also invit­ed other Polad leaders to meet him. He took it upon himself to try to help as he once dealt with political talks of the coun­try and wanted to understand what is happening this time around,” Charamba said.

“It is the MDC which is having political issues with us as we are discussing our po­litical issues in Polad. MDC should not be trying to raise unnecessary matters that were not discussed by President Mnangagwa and Mbeki,” he said, adding that the govern­ment was waiting to know from Mbeki when he would be back to the country and re­sume the talks.

Mbeki was midwife to the 2009 GNU. This came af­ter Mbeki secured the Global Political Agreement in which Zanu PF and the two MDC formations agreed to work to­gether after the disputed 2008 elections.

Eldred Masunungure, Uni­versity of Zimbabwe political science lecturer, said there was no trust between Zanu PF and MDC which had necessitated former Presidents Mbeki and Olusegun Obasanjo (of Nige­ria) to come to Zimbabwe in recent weeks to break the im­passe between Zanu PF and MDC.

“The problem we are hav­ing is that there is no trust be­tween the two political parties and MDC are demanding a dialogue with Zanu PF being chaired by someone respected politically in the SADC region who is neutral,” he said.

“MDC has been trying to engage Zanu PF, but Zanu PF has been refusing since the dis­puted elections in July last year. Zanu PF has been arguing that it has started a political party’s dialogue with other politi­cal parties that Chamisa must come and join them rather than to seek a bilateral discus­sion with them,” Masunungure said.

Political analyst, Ibbo Man­daza said the MDC and Zanu PF had no option but to talk to each other in resolving the political problems in the coun­try. “The MDC are pushing for a political dialogue with Zanu PF and eventually both par­ties must come to an agree­ment for political dialogue to resolve the political, social and economic problems facing the country, this is why these former Presidents are coming to try and mend the differenc­es of the two political parties,” he said.

The talks come as the econo­my is buffeted by rolling power cuts, forex shortages and spiral­ing inflation – an unprecedent­ed situation in an economy not at war.

Critics say there is low con­fidence which is key to the growth of the economy, which is now projected to contract 6.5% this year from the earlier projected 3%.

Controversial Norton Independent MP Temba Mliswa has alleged that Zanu-PF members are behind the vandalism of Zesa transformers and theft of copper cables.

Mliswa also accused Zanu-PF members of funding the notorious maShurugwi gold planners behind the bloody gold wars across the country.

“Government and security agents have tried in vain to try and put teams to operate to ensure that this stops and nothing has actually transpired which is positive, it continues. Most of the people involved in this are Zanu-PF leaded as is the same way in the Land Commission Report,” said Mliswa.

“I am glad that the just ended conference, tbe leadership of Zanu-PF, (Zanu-PF chairperson) Oppah Muchinguri was very clear that ‘we have got criminals amongst us’. So how do they expect to arrest the criminals amongst them when they are in the fore front of doing that.”

Mliswa said despite calls by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to stop the amashurugwi violence, it continued unabated.

“There are a group of of people known as maShurugwis who are carrying around machetes with them, beating up people, invading mines… I see government is quick at Statutory Instruments when it comes to the financial issues and not the death of people as well as the vandalism that is happening with transformers.

“It is the copper that criminals are taking from the transformers. What are you also doing to stop the ban on people buying copper in the country because we are not at all mining copper.”

SOUTH Africa: A businessman was gunned down at a Hillbrow, Johannesburg, petrol station in what his family believes was a hit.

Bheki Ndlovu, who transported people and goods between SA and Zimbabwe, was shot twice in the head by an unknown gunman on Saturday afternoon at the BP Garage on the intersection of Kotze and Klein streets.

The trigger-man reportedly casually walked to his car after the shooting and drove off.

Ndlovu, who is from Zimbabwe, was approached by the gunman while he was seated in his Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, which was full of passengers, while waiting for his petrol tank to be filled up.

Police spokesperson Brig Mathapelo Peters said police have not made any arrest in connection with Ndlovu’s murder.

His wife, who cannot be named, was taken in for questioning this week but has since been released. However, Peters would not confirm this.

“Police have launched a manhunt for the suspects and are appealing to anyone who might have information that can help in the investigation or assist apprehending the suspects to please call the nearest police station,” she said.

One of Ndlovu’s friends who was present during the shooting told Sowetan the murder was a hit because the gunman did not take anything from the deceased.

“I thought he wanted to ask Bheki something when he approached the vehicle. He just called Bheki by his name and shot him once in the head as soon as he had his attention. He shot him again while Bheki was lying on the ground, then walked off like nothing happened,” said the friend who asked not to be named for safety concerns.

“Early this year, Bheki found out his wife was having an affair. He then filed for divorce. Things became very sour between the couple,” he said.

Ndlovu’s brother Mandla said the family was hurt.

“Bheki was a quiet guy who did not like starting trouble. He was very generous and kind and wouldn’t allow his family to suffer. So it’s a shock to us that he was killed in such a ruthless manner,” Mandla said.

However, Mandla refused to speculate about his brother’s murder but said the killers would be found in the end.

“These are private matters and I cannot speak about them in public. But I am confident that the people who did this will be found.”

He said the family was preparing to repatriate his brother’s body back to Zimbabwe.

Own Correspondent|Kenny Mubaiwa father to incarcerated second lady Merry Chiwenga has told ZimEye.com that he has not been arrested at all.

This follows sensational reports that made round late Thursday afternoon that the businessman had been arrested allegedly for importing cars into the country without paying duty.

One media actually went to the mountain claiming that Mubaiwa was arrested for being a witch doctor who facilitated the attempted murder of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga by his daughter.

Speaking to ZimEye.com on Thursday evening, Mubaiwa expressed ignorance on the arrest.

Watch video downloading below:

Watch the video loading below…

Farai Dziva|Controversial Buhera South MP Joseph Chinotimba on Tuesday said a prominent opposition leader (Nelson Chamisa) must be arrested for calling for sanctions.

Chinotimba been widely criticized for calling the youthful MDC leader’s arrest.

Angry social media users used all sorts of unprintable words to attack Chinotimba.

Chinotimba ignited a storm in Parliament on Tuesday after calling for the arrest of ” a prominent opposition leader who went to the United States of America to call for sanctions.”

“Time has come for a law to be passed in Parliament to prosecute those who call for sanctions. Why do people vote for such a people?

Chinotimba also accused of the opposition of causing people’s suffering.

Farai Dziva|Teachers wishing to be employed by the Public Service Commission will have to undergo training in Zanu PF principles at Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology.

See notice below :
CHITEPO SCHOOL OF IDEOLOGY

16 December 2019

All Provincial Chairpersons
BASIC ORIENTATION COURSE FOR PARTY MEMBERS

1. You are directed to submit a list of names of all Party members who have completed teachers training and are awaiting employment by the Public Service Commission.

The list must specify the year each candidate completed teachers training.

1. Chitepo School of Ideology intends to run a Basic Orientation Course for trained teachers.
2. The deadline for submission of this information to this Headquarters is 20 December 2019.
   Regards.

Yours Comradely,
Cde M. Machacha
PRINCIPAL CHITEPO SCHOOL OF IDEOLOGY

Farai Dziva| A Zanu PF official shocked all and sundry when he assaulted a pregnant woman.

According to Daily News, the ZANU PF chairperson for Makumbiri District, Walter Nyakudya, assaulted a school head’ s wife and she suffered a miscarriage.

Nyakudya is set to appear in court this Friday.

Nyakudya allegedly assaulted Hopetwin Tumbare, the wife of Vivien Nhamoyebonde, following an altercation between his wife and Tumbare, according to Daily News.

Nhamoyebonde told the publication that he invited Nyakudya for talks following the quarrel between their wives and Nyakudya went to Nhamoyebonde’s house where he assaulted the expecting wife.

Nhamoyebonde said that he was notified of the assault by school kids since the incident happened when he was still at work.

“After the assault, my pregnant wife started complaining about stomach pains.
She went to the hospital before reporting the matter to the police.

She eventually started bleeding before she had a miscarriage. We lost our child in the process.”

https://twitter.com/Jamwanda2/status/1207745685606584325?s=19

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

I have just talked Kenny Mubaiwa 10 min ago, he told me he has not at all been arrested. "Maybe it will happen soon, but for now I am okay," he said.

— Simba Chikanza (@schikanza) December 19, 2019

By A Correspondent| Marry Mubaiwa says she is too sick to stand trial as she is still nursing wounds sustained from the White City bombing incident in Bulawayo.

Her lawyers said in her bail application:

“Applicant is of visibly poor health, being visibly traumatized and having lost a considerable amount of weight.

“A doctor attended to her and deposed an affidavit. The applicant asserts she was injured in Bulawayo on June 23, 2018, by a hand-held grenade thrown with the intention of assassinating the President.

“The photographs of her hands will be exhibited to the court at the hearing of this matter. She thus needs constant medical care,” reads the bail statement.

Dr Admire Jira said: “Marry Mubaiwa-Chiwenga has swelling on both her upper and lower limbs. She has a fever and has difficulties in breathing. She has a wound on her left forearm tender measuring 10cm in length and 5cm in width.

“She has a wound on the right forearm measuring 8cm by 5cm. Marry Mubaiwa complained of having flashbacks, lack of sleep and losing weight.”

“Marry Mubaiwa is not capable to stand trial due to her current physical condition. She should be in a hospital on treatment, preferably Avenues Clinic.

“Marry Mubaiwa should be under the care of a physician, surgeon, and psychiatrist of her choice,” writes Dr Jira.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent| Former Deputy Minister for Youth Affairs, Tongai Matutu has been deregistered by the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) and thus, can no longer practise law.

Matutu was a junior minister in the all-inclusive government between 2009 to 2013.

In its latest report, the Law Society indicated that eight lawyers have been deregistered for various misdemeanours.

The development was confirmed to ZTN by LSZ president Thandaza Masiye Moyo;

Nine lawyers have been deregistered between August 2018 to date, and we have about 14 matters that are pending before the Legal Practitioners Tribunal.

But what you would understand is that not all these 14 lawyers will necessarily plead to these matters that are pending.

Other lawyers to have been deregistered include Amon Tendai Toto who was found guilty of misappropriating trust funds and failing to maintain proper books of accounts and Simbarashe Tawona who was found guilty of misappropriating trust funds.

Matutu was a junior minister (from the MDC then led by Morgan Tsvangirai) in the all-inclusive government from 2009 to 2013.

-ZTN

Own Correspondent|FormerActing Herald editor Tichaona Zindoga has mocked the publication he left only recently over its story titled “G40 pays Mubaiwa legal fees”.

Writing on microblogging site Twitter, Zindoga dismisses the publication as “embarrassing”.

He wrote:

Embarrassing…
This piece of journalism, the handiwork of a certain antiquated doctor of spin, makes one feel uplifted when you can no longer be associated with such garbage!
https://t.co/6WSHt9s8bH

Own Correspondent|A 20 year old University of Zimbabwe (UZ) student has died after drinking rat-poison on breaking up with her boyfriend.

Elsie Muchemedzi committed suicide on the 4th of December.

Questioned immediately after taking the poison, she told her parents that she could not bear the pain of being separated from her ex-boyfriend.

She later died at West End Hospital.

She was buried in Murehwa last week.

THE war veterans bread-making venture, launched last month, has flopped with the project leaders saying they were failing to secure cheap flour.

The project, situated in Entumbane suburb in Bulawayo, meant to produce “affordable” bread using Dutch ovens, is said to have only produced two dozens of bread on the day of its launch.

Vice-chairperson of the project, Methelia Matunha in an interview, however, said the project had not stopped, but they were stocking ingredients and seeking premix flour.

“We are in the process of making another oven at the same time stocking the ingredients such as flour. We have also requested other ingredients which we could not find in Zimbabwe such as premix flour,” Matunha said.

“Currently, we stopped producing bread at that launch, but we are in the process of following up the flour.”

Matunha said they were cracking their heads to deliver on their promise of cheap bread to the community.

She said by Christmas they would be supplying bread.

“The project has not stopped, but we are stocking the ingredients since they are many. On the launch, it was just for approval so that we can bake, but there are many things including paperwork and registration so that we can be inspected health wise,” Matunha said.

“We do not want to start a project which won’t be able to supply the community, it is not about Entumbane suburb only but also other communities in Bulawayo.”

Matunha said having one Dutch oven was also hampering their dream of providing residents with cheap bread.

“During the launch, the trays were not standard and we sold bread at $7, but now the equipment we are going to receive will be bigger and the ingredients are improved, so our bread price will range from $12 to $13,” Matunha said.

Project chairperson, Partson Ndhlovu said premix flour was expensive.

“Premix flour is very costly. Three weeks back 20kg of premix flour was costing $800 at Bakers Inn,” said Ndhlovu.

“We ended up going to South Africa and we were told that it is only found in Polokwane.”

HON. MATEWU: It is a privilege.  Chief Whip, can you allow me to talk please? 

During the time that we were planting trees, as we approached the police to talk to them they started to fire bullets.  This put the lives of the people and the children at risk.  This was at a clinic where you have pregnant women.  The police fired bullets and tear gas and some of the people who were there were actually people with chronic diseases.  Also present was our president, His Excellency president Chamisa – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.]-

Madam Speaker, we need to ensure that State apparatus do not hinder us.

HON. CHINOTIMBA:  Madam Speaker, on a point of order [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.]-

HON. MATEWU:  Madam Speaker, we need the State to protect us to ensure that we are protected when we do our constitutional duties.  Thank you – [HON. MEMBERS:  He must withdraw that.]-  

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Hon. Member, you must withdraw where you said His Excellency Hon. Chamisa – [HON. MEMBERS:  Withdraw.]-  Chamisa is the president of your party and not the country, so you cannot say His Excellency – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.]-

HON. MATEWU:  Madam Speaker, if you read your dictionary ‘excellency’ means executive powers.

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  You must withdraw that.

HON. MATEWU:  He has executive powers in MDC.

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  You must withdraw that, it is not allowed.

HON. MATEWU:  I cannot withdraw because I am saying what the executive – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.]-

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  You must withdraw that, it is not allowed.  You cannot say His Excellency president Chamisa in this Parliament – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] –  Hon. Member, it is very wrong for you to say that.  Please withdraw.  We cannot have two His Excellencies – never, ever! – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] – This Parliament cannot have two His Excellencies.  Hon. Members, please approach the Chair.  Hon. Member please, may you take your seat. The Hon. Member must go out since he has refused to withdraw his statement. –[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-

          HON. T. MLISWA: Madam Speaker, I think it is very important that we respect the laws of this country and titles. I will go to Google and talk about what His Excellency means. It is a high official of the State especially Ambassadors. So, I think it is wrong to refer to Cde. Chamisa as Head of State. We must know that we are learned and it is wrong for us to do that. We cannot continue because he is not Head of State neither is he an Ambassador. That is the meaning and it does not change. You have your own vocabulary and your own dictionary but not the dictionary of the world – it does not recognise Chamisa because he is not Head of State. For now, he is not Head of State. He can be Head of State and you can create your own Parliament at Harvest House and not here. –[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-

          Some Hon. Members having stood up.

          THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: No more points of privilege and points of order. We are wasting time. I have ruled, please take your seats.

          HON. CHIKWINYA: Madam Speaker, with all due respect – Hon. Mavetera referred to the First Lady as Her Excellency. You said it is unparliamentary and so she must also withdraw.

          THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I did not say that and I did not talk to you.

          HON. CHIKWINYA: You have said Hon. Mavetera…

          THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I did not talk to you and I did not say that. Please may you take your seat? Do not put words into my mouth.

          HON. CHIKWINYA: Hon. Speaker, with all due respect, you have dismissed Hon. Matewu for using unparliamentary language, but Hon. Mavetera also used the same language.

          THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Take your seat.

          HON. CHIKWINYA: She is not denying it. It must be a fair Parliament. I am using your own judgment and your own ruling. She is not denying it.

          THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Take your seat, no more point of order.

          HON. CHIKWINYA: Hon. Speaker, I am not being disrespectful, I am simply using your own words.

          THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: You are because you are refusing what I am ordering you to do.

          HON. CHIKWINYA: I am simply using your own judgement Madam Speaker. Can you be fair to all of us? Is this now a ZANU PF Parliament?

          THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: No more points of order please! May you take your seats? – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-

A raging machete-wielding artisanal miners gang wreaked havoc at Zengeza 2 Shopping Centre in Chitungwiza gruesomely killing one while leaving another battling for life.

The infamous gang mainly known as Mashurugwi reportedly went on a violent rampage at a Zengeza 2 local bar, The Base, and stabbed to death Jonathan Rukweza, 26, who died instantly while one identified as T-one is battling for life at a local hospital.

H-Metro spoke to Mbuya Rukweza, the grandmother of the deceased Jonathan, who said she is yet to come to terms with the death of her grandson who had been taking care of her.

“Jonathan’s friends came around 4am and banged my door to tell me that he had been stabbed.

“I then rushed to the scene only to find him laying dead and I just fell on him crying because they had told me he was just injured.

“Kundidedzera munhu atove chando kare havo,” she sobbed.

One of Jonathan’s neighbours who preferred anonymity said the fight started after one of the revellers was accused of flirting with a Mashurugwi woman.

“Jonathan worked as a security guard at the night club and was just trying to break up a fight which involved one of his friends.

“They stabbed him thrice; on his back, chest and right shoulder whilst he tried to run for his life,” said the neighbour.

One Zengeza 2 resident said the Mashurugwi gang had invaded their community and are fearing for their lives.H-Metro

By A Correspondent| Sacked Acting Herald editor Tichaona Zindoga has mocked the publication he left only recently over its story titled “G40 pays Mubaiwa legal fees”.

In the story, the State-owned publication claims that a group of disgruntled former and current ZANU PF officials (G40), opposed to another purported faction (Team Lacoste), which is in control of the party, are paying the legal fees for Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s  estranged wife, Marry Chiwenga nee Mubaiwa.

Writing on microblogging site Twitter, Zindoga dismisses the publication as “embarrassing”.

He wrote:

Embarrassing… This piece of journalism, the handiwork of a certain antiquated doctor of spin, makes one feel uplifted when you can no longer be associated with such garbage!

Marry was arrested on Saturday last week and subsequently appeared before a Harare magistrate on Monday where she was charged with money laundering, fraud and attempted murder.