2018 Presidential candidate Brian Muteki has traced back his ZANU PF roots and joined the party. Watch him speak on why he joined the party he challenged in the last election.

Zimlive|The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) arrested Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife, Marry, on Saturday – a day after a stormy family meeting.

A furious Chiwenga allegedly ordered his wife’s arrest on money laundering and fraud charges following a testy meeting on Friday which was called to discuss the collapse of their customary marriage.

Marry, according to sources, was in combative mood in the meeting, repelling accusations of infidelity and telling elders from both their families that their sex life was dead.

“She was very hostile, she even described Chiwenga’s inadequacies in bed in shocking detail. It was the stuff no man wants to hear. She drove Chiwenga up the wall,” a source briefed on the meeting told ZimLive.

Sixty-three-year-old Chiwenga, who has been attempting to evict Marry from their Borrowdale home, immediately took custody of their three children aged eight, seven and five after she was arrested. Two other children from the 38-year-old former model’s past relationships were sent to her mother.

During the meeting on Friday, Chiwenga also accused Marry of trying to force him to marry her from his South African hospital bed while he was battling for life from suspected poisoning in July.

Chiwenga suggested that Marry thought he was dying – and was more interested in securing her stake in his estate.

At around the same time, Marry allegedly bought a house in Pretoria and two Range Rover SUVs for millions of rand.

The property acquisitions and the alleged attempts to force a marriage – allegedly after misrepresenting to the acting chief magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi by claiming it was Chiwenga’s wish – form part of the charges that ZACC have laid against the former model.

Marry maintains that she bought the house in South Africa to guarantee them privacy, which they did not have when booking into hotels on medical trips to the neighbouring country.

ZACC spokesman John Makamure was not reachable for comment but Marry was reported to be detained at Rhodesville Police Station. She is expected to appear in court on Monday.

Chiwenga returned from lengthy treatment in China early this month, but did not go to the home he shared with Marry. He immediately initiated moves to end his marriage.

The retired army general is reported to have ordered Marry to leave the matrimonial residence in Borrowdale, and also not to take the children with her. Marry engaged lawyers to fight her eviction, which further infuriated Chiwenga.

The two were customarily married in 2011 after Chiwenga divorced his first wife, Jocelyn, and Marry left her footballer husband, Shingayi Kaondera.

PROFESSOR Welshman Ncube has accused his former client and beleaguered ex-Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko and his son, Siqokoqela of being driven by malice, confusion and desperation when they caused the issuance of summons claiming he allegedly squandered part of the US$2,9 million they got as shares from Choppies Enterprises after they exited the company.

The Mphokos wanted Prof Ncube to pay them about US$1,5 million being the outstanding balance of the money they received as shares from Choppies including a five percent interest calculated from 16 January 2019 to the date of full payment.

Prof Ncube, however, seems to suggest that the allegations were either a sign of confusion and desperation or a calculated ploy to tarnish his image through falsehoods and abusing court process to achieve their malice-laced objectives. 

Through his lawyers, Webb, Low and Barry Attorneys, Prof Ncube who was the Mphokos’ lawyer in their shareholding legal battle for Choppies Enterprises after they were bought out of the business argued that he was dismayed by the manner that the Mphokos were twisting the facts to suit them while dragging his reputation through the mud by misrepresenting the truth.

He argued that he was still bound by the agreement that they had after their meeting in Harare when the Mphokos advised him not to deal with the debtor — Choppies in any way in connection with the debt as they were in full control of the matter.

He, through his lawyers, refutes handling and squandering any money paid to the Mphokos by Choppies saying they clearly expressed the desire and wish to be the sole point of contact in the matter and he complied.

In papers written by Webb, Low and Barry Attorneys to the Mphokos’ current lawyer, Mr Zibusiso Ncube of Ncube and Partners Legal Practitioners that the Sunday News is in possession of, Prof Ncube’s lawyers said their client was in no way indebted to the Mphokos. 

“We write on behalf of our client, Professor Welshman Ncube trading as Mathonsi Ncube Law Chambers, who are the defendants in the said suit, to express our grave concern and dismay in the manner that you have proceeded in this matter. Your decision on behalf of your clients, to cause to be issued process in a debt collection against our client, when you are fully aware that our client is in no way indebted to yours as your clients have in fact entered into a payment plan with the true debtor to discharge the indebtedness to your client,” reads part of the response by Professor Ncube’s lawyers.

They argued that they were convinced that the Mphokos were driven by other reasons in their actions other than the settling of their matter with their debtor as their debtor had in many occasions acknowledged his indebtedness and pleaded for more time to settle what they owe.

“You also communicated with us that you had reached an understanding and settlement of the matter with the debtor and advised that our client was accordingly out of the picture in the matter as you would look to the debtor for the due payment of the debt to your clients,” argued Prof Ncube through his lawyers.

His counsel said they were taken aback that without any notice to them or Prof Ncube, the Mphokos proceeded to issue summons against their client in respect of a debt that they were fully aware was owed by someone who had received money belonging to the Mphokos following specific written instructions that the monies be paid to them.

He said it defied logic why the Mphokos decided to issue summons to him instead of proceeding with litigation against the debtor after they failed to meet the deadline and asked for an extension of time to pay.

“The above conduct is unethical, unprofessional and calculated to cause irreparable damage to the good name of and reputation of our client. We therefore highlight the lack of professional courtesy and ethics in the manner and circumstances in which you caused the summons to be issued. 

“On Monday, 9th December 2019, your office went to the High Court registry and had, as per practice, one copy of the summons date stamped and given a case number to enable you to go to the payment office to render payment for issuance of the summons.

“You did not proceed to make any payment, nor did you return to the registry to produce proof of payment but left the High Court without any process having been issued and circulated to the media copies of the single copy of summons which have the date stamp of the registry and allocated case number,” reads the response suggesting that the intention was to maliciously feed the media with falsehoods to injure the reputation of Prof Ncube.

The Mphokos exited Botswana-based Nanavac Investments, trading as Choppies Supermarkets Zimbabwe, in January after offering to be bought out of the company to end a protracted ownership wrangle and it was in the dispute that Prof Ncube was the Mphokos’ legal representative before their relationship somehow turned sour, leading to them suing him. Sunday News

A Go Fund Me account has been set up to buy expelled traditional leader, Chief Ndiweni a car after the government stripped him of the vehicle and other benefits after his removal from the post by president Emmerson Mnangagwa. The administrators of the account posted saying:

Chief Ndiweni of Ntabazinduna is the only living Chief after his father who has constructively criticized the Government of Zimbabwe for its use of repression, violence against citizens, corruption, incompetence, nepotism and mismanagement.

For that reason, he has courted the ire and heavy-handedness of the ZANU-PF Government of Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The Emmerson Mnangagwa Government of Zimbabwe had him thrown into Khami prison recently and the Chief was also abused by their State media outlets.

The Emmerson Mnangagwa Government of Zimbabwe has now stripped Chief Ndiweni of the Ndiweni Chieftainship, something that in itself is unprocedural.

The Emmerson Mnangagwa Government of Zimbabwe has ordered the return of Chief Ndiweni’s Government-issued vehicle.

For that reason, as citizens, we felt we have a moral obligation to make sure that this is not used as an example to other Chiefs by setting up a citizen initiative to get a car for Chief Ndiweni.

We have set up a Go Fund Account for that purpose and we also want this to be a precedent for any other Chief in Zimbabwe who is stripped of their Chieftainship for standing with the people!

This will allow other Chiefs to speak freely knowing that they have nothing to lose for doing so, something that the Emmerson Mnangagwa Government and Robert Mugabe and Ian Smith Governments before it have used to get the traditional leaders to tow the undemocratic line

Let us come together and show our solidarity with Chief Ndiweni in this cause.

We thank you all.

A TEAM of rescuers yesterday retrieved three bodies of four artisanal miners trapped in a disused mineshaft at Young Mine in Esigodini, Matabeleland South.

Four artisanal miners, aged between 41 and 86 years, were buried underground on Tuesday morning at Young Mine when the surface beneath their ironsheet cabin weakened and collapsed into a disused mineshaft.

Matabeleland South provincial mines deputy director Khumbulani Mlangeni said: “We have retrieved three bodies since morning and they have been accounted for. The rescue operation is underway and it is difficult to tell if by the end of the day we will have managed to account for the other person.”

Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) spokesperson Dosman Mangisi said a team of rescuers from the Mines ministry, in partnership with those from How Mine and other stakeholders, were involved in the retrieval exercise.

In February, 24 illegal miners died at Battlefields Mine, 175km west of Harare when underground shafts were flooded by rain water.

— NewsDay

State Media|A TENSE atmosphere enveloped the Ndiweni homestead in Ntabazinduna where ousted Chief Nhlanhla Ndiweni lives with the gate locked and people inside refusing to entertain any visitors.

A man who was manning the gate told the news crew that they did not want anyone in their homestead and the family was not interested in talking to any journalists.

He claimed Mr Ndiweni was not around and he was not aware where he was.

“Please go, just go, we don’t want you here, leave us, that is why we have locked the gate, so don’t trouble us,” said the man throwing his hands in the air in apparent detestation.

Questioned on whether as a family they were aware of the Government’s decision to strip Mr Ndiweni of his position, he claimed they did not recognise it and their chief remained Mr Ndiweni.

“We don’t want to know what the Government said, we don’t care, our chief remains Chief Ndiweni,” he said.

Sunday News also managed to talk to some villagers on the matter and there was a largely divided opinion with others backing the Government’s decision while others felt it had erred in its decision.

“I believe this was a right decision because in line with Nguni customs he does not qualify to be a chief. He is not the first nor last born in the family but a middle child. What we know is that if the first son is not made a chief the last born should then be made the heir. This did not happen with Ndiweni. Despite having knowledge to his background, we had accepted him as the chief but I think it’s fair that he has been removed as this will restore our cultural values,” said a villager who identified himself as Mr Masuku.

A Mr Sgidi felt Mr Ndiweni was indeed the rightful heir to the chieftainship revealing that the late Chief Khayisa had made it clear on who he wanted to succeed him.

“Chief Khayisa was clear on who the rightful heir was. He gave a number of instructions even regarding on who was to be part of his body viewing where he said only old people 80 years and above could be part of the process.

“With regards to the chieftainship he said while he was meant to give it to his last born son, Douglas that could not happen as Douglas was married to a coloured woman, Chief Khayisa also dismissed Joram because he had married a German and what made this even more decisive is that his father was killed by the Germans hence he had a long-standing grudge, he therefore directed the elders to give the chieftainship to Felix Nhlanhla,” said Mr Sgidi.

He said they would rather have a chief from outside rather than have either Joram or Douglas taking over the chieftainship.

Contacted for comment Mr Ndiweni professed ignorance on the Government’s decision revealing that no official communication was made to him. He said he stood guided by a family communique released last Friday, which had noted that the family continued to recognise him as the chief of the area.

“As was the earlier suspension I have not received any communication which already reflects clumsiness in the administration process, however, we have always submitted ourselves to the law and will continue to do so. We are, contrary to many reports, working very well with the Government,” said Mr Ndiweni.

Questioned on whether he would be surrendering the various benefits including the Government issued vehicle as directed Mr Ndiweni said the benefits were for the community hence the withdrawal of the benefits will be to the community, not himself.

He further revealed that he was also in communication with his siblings, Joram and Douglas but noted that the impasse went beyond them as a family.

“Yes, I am in contact with both Joram and Douglas, who is currently lodging at a family member’s residence right next to the chief’s homestead. Sadly, the matter is simply not up to us and due diligence was done by the relevant people as regards the chieftaincy a long time ago,” said Mr Ndiweni.

On whether the family would appoint an acting chief while the matter was being resolved, he said this was not to happen as the family had already decided that he was the rightful heir to the chieftainship.

Own Correspondent|Marry Chiwenga who was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission on Saturday must be the most dramatic person in the country at the moment.

Former wife to footballer Shingi Kaondera, Marry, is caught up in two situations where she is in both accused of forging signatures in order to sort out her marriages to the two men.

Marry first has to defend a $700,000 damages claim filed by her ex-husband Kaondera, who accuses her of forging his signature and deceiving a court to grant her a divorce.

The couple’s divorce was finalised in May 2011, just weeks before Marry, nee Mubaiwa, was customarily married to Chiwenga, then the commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.

Kaondera now says Chiwenga’s marriage to Marry should never have happened because she obtained the divorce through deception.

The former national team midfielder said in his damages claim filed on July 15 that he was never served with divorce summons. His lawyers said he was in Cyprus at the time.

Marry, according to Kaondera, “fraudulently caused a return of service to be issued by the Deputy Sherriff at Harare falsely claiming that plaintiff (Kaondera) had been personally served with the summons on the 22nd of June at Harare.”

“Further to that, defendant also fraudulently issued the Honourable Court a consent paper dated 7th July 2010 wherein the plaintiff’s signature was forged. Plaintiff never entered into a consent paper with the defendant regarding the divorce proceedings,” Kaondera’s lawyers said.

They said Marry had also submitted before a judge “an affidavit of waiver which purported to have been deposed by the plaintiff.” The signatures, the lawyers said, were forged.

In her latest saga, where she has had to spend a night in police cells, the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission is charging Marry Chiwenga with misrepresentation saying she approached the Judge President George Chiweshe & said her husband wanted a marriage officer to solemnise their marriage and purportedly forged his signature.

Chiwenga and Marry have been living separately after the Vice-President moved into another house on arrival from China, where he was hospitalised for four months, before staging a remarkable recovery.

Chiwenga and Mary are reported to have crossed swords after the latter asked for a Marriage Act (Chapter 5:11) union as the 63-year-old battled for his life in a Pretoria hospital. Chiwenga customarily married Mary in 2011 when he paid a whopping US$47 000 as the bride price, but the couple were yet to solemnize the marriage under the country’s Marriage Act Chapter 5:11.

Zanu-PF should take a cue from President Mnangagwa’s message as the direction that the party is taking going forward, Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has said.

He made the remarks as he introduced the President to make his closing remarks at the just-ended Zanu-PF 18th National People’s Conference in Goromonzi yesterday.

“We have had a very successful meeting, there is no one who will go home disgruntled about the deliberations that we have held.

“The President was listening very carefully to the proceedings and, of course, the resolutions which came out from the various thematic committees and from the provinces.

“Delegates should know that the President’s address is the course that we will take after this conference going forward. That is what I have come to tell you . . .” he said.

He paid tribute to party delegates for vibrant deliberations and exercising discipline during the indaba.

“We want to thank all delegates for the discipline that they displayed during their discussions and being attentive to the address by the leaders.”

Vice President Chiwenga also introduced Brian Mteki, who re-joined Zanu-PF last week after having challenged President Mnangagwa as one of the 23 presidential aspirants in the 2018 harmonised elections.

Mteki was warmly welcomed by the over 5000 delegates who attended the conference.

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has revealed that unnamed power hungry officials within the rank and file of the ruling party are out to destabilise his leadership.

Addressing the 112th ordinary session of the party’s central committee in Harare, Mnangagwa said party members should not allow themselves to be swayed from the ideals of the ruling party by power-hungry individuals.

“I exhort you to exercise uttermost vigilance in the face of the shenanigans of our perennial detractors. Let us not allow ourselves to be enticed away from the ideals of our great party by self-seeking individuals with brute political ambition,” he said.

There has been jittery moments in Zanu PF over the resurgence of G40, a faction which almost grabbed power with the help of former late President Robert Mugabe before he was ousted in a November 2017 coup.

Mnangagwa recently tasked the Zanu PF youth league to be on the lookout for remnants of the G40 bent on destabilising his leadership of the party and government.

Reports that self-exiled former G40 frontman Saviour Kasukuwere, was heading back home to contest for presidency, has unsettled bigwigs in Zanu PF at a time there wassimmering discontent and division as a result of the economic meltdown.

But Mnangagwa said he was taking Zimbabwe in the right direction which will eventually pay off for the millions struggling to put food on the table.

“The course we have taken as a party and government to resuscitate and reform our economy is the correct one. Never be swayed from it,” Mnangagwa said.

Zimbabwe is facing a deteriorating socio-political and economic environment with inflation reaching hyperinflation levels. Mnangagwa blames all the economic ills on Mugabe’s mistakes which he claims he is now correcting.

“We must strengthen our resolve to correct the past wrong decisions we made with regards to our economy. Populist policies and initiatives for short-term benefits have dire long-term implications,” Mnangagwa said.

Preaching austerity since coming into power, Mnangagwa announced the era of tightening belts had come to an end because his government had achieved economic fundamentals to drive growth and development.

Zanu PF buoyed by victories in by elections and huge crowds at its rallies, declared that it was growing stronger.
“We meet against the backdrop of a very eventful year which saw the Party reassert its dominance on the political landscape. Our victories in recent parliamentary and council by- elections are reflective that we remain the people’s party and party of choice,” said Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa will lead the party through its 18th people’s congress in Goromonzi today and tommorrow.

-Newsday

The introduction of a local currency marked a turning point in Zimbabwe’s monetary regime and the country will not revert to the basket of multi-currencies, the President has said.

The mono-currency system will see those dealing in forex illegally and manipulating the money market being dealt with in terms of the law.

Zimbabwe adopted the use of multiple currencies in 2008 to contain runaway inflation.

However, the arrangement was not economically sustainable.

After stabilising the budget deficit through austerity measures adopted last year, the Government subsequently introduced a local currency to guarantee economic development.

Further, President Mnangagwa said there was no going back on economic reforms taken by the Government.

Officially opening the 18th Zanu-PF Annual National People’s Conference at Goromonzi High School in Mashonaland East Province yesterday, President Mnangagwa said no country could develop without its own currency.

“The austerity measures that we introduced in the course of the year were meant to bring back the economy on its rails,” said President Mnangagwa.

“No progressive nation can develop without its own currency.

The introduction of our own currency will undoubtedly enhance our economic stability, growth and competitiveness.

“However, we have some amongst our people who fight this decision.

Every single country, every single economy has its own currency. We are not an exception.

“Those who continue to deal in the money market, I say to you all, the long hand of the law will catch up with you. We will not revert back to a basket of currencies.”

Added President Mnangagwa: “Measures have been put in place to ensure adequate cash supply to our populace.

“The law enforcement agents will move in to deal with those who are hoarding cash and causing artificial shortages of cash.

“The illegal trading in foreign currency must be stopped in line with our laws.

It is incumbent upon all citizens of our great country and party members in particular, to protect and defend our currency as a symbol of national sovereignty and pride.”

Measures to arrest high prices and the establishment of social safety nets that Government was putting in place, the President said, were meant to cushion the citizens.

He said Government was concerned with the prevailing high prices charged by some retailers of basic commodities.

“As Government, we will continue to put social safety nets to cushion the vulnerable members of our society such as subsidised mealie-meal, Zupco buses for transport and the removal of duty on selected food commodities,” said President Mnangagwa.

“Retailers should not sell subsidised basic commodities in bulk to ensure equitable access to the products by vulnerable communities.”State media

Watch the video below. ..

Jane Mlambo| The wife of the powerful vice president Constantino Chiwenga, Marry is paying the price for seeking to solemnize her marriage, according to journalist Hopewell Chin’ono.

Chin’Ono tweeted that Marry had been arrested and taken to Rhodesville Police station on allegations of misrepresentation, money laundering and fraud.

Her misrepresentation crime according to Chin’Ono relates to an approach she made to Justice George Chiweshe to solemnize her marriage.

This could have incensed Chiwenga who at that time was critically ill and seeking medical attention in China with sources revealing that she was chased away marking the end of their marriage.

The former Miss Zimbabwe has fallen out of favour with her husband and was conspicuous by her absence at many public foras where Chiwenga attended.

The introduction of a local currency marked a turning point in Zimbabwe’s monetary regime and the country will not revert to the basket of multi-currencies, the President has said.

The mono-currency system will see those dealing in forex illegally and manipulating the money market being dealt with in terms of the law.

Zimbabwe adopted the use of multiple currencies in 2008 to contain runaway inflation.

However, the arrangement was not economically sustainable.

After stabilising the budget deficit through austerity measures adopted last year, the Government subsequently introduced a local currency to guarantee economic development.

Further, President Mnangagwa said there was no going back on economic reforms taken by the Government.

Officially opening the 18th Zanu-PF Annual National People’s Conference at Goromonzi High School in Mashonaland East Province yesterday, President Mnangagwa said no country could develop without its own currency.

“The austerity measures that we introduced in the course of the year were meant to bring back the economy on its rails,” said President Mnangagwa.

“No progressive nation can develop without its own currency.

The introduction of our own currency will undoubtedly enhance our economic stability, growth and competitiveness.

“However, we have some amongst our people who fight this decision.

Every single country, every single economy has its own currency. We are not an exception.

“Those who continue to deal in the money market, I say to you all, the long hand of the law will catch up with you. We will not revert back to a basket of currencies.”

Added President Mnangagwa: “Measures have been put in place to ensure adequate cash supply to our populace.

“The law enforcement agents will move in to deal with those who are hoarding cash and causing artificial shortages of cash.

“The illegal trading in foreign currency must be stopped in line with our laws.

It is incumbent upon all citizens of our great country and party members in particular, to protect and defend our currency as a symbol of national sovereignty and pride.”

Measures to arrest high prices and the establishment of social safety nets that Government was putting in place, the President said, were meant to cushion the citizens.

He said Government was concerned with the prevailing high prices charged by some retailers of basic commodities.

“As Government, we will continue to put social safety nets to cushion the vulnerable members of our society such as subsidised mealie-meal, Zupco buses for transport and the removal of duty on selected food commodities,” said President Mnangagwa.

“Retailers should not sell subsidised basic commodities in bulk to ensure equitable access to the products by vulnerable communities.”

-State media

The introduction of a local currency marked a turning point in Zimbabwe’s monetary regime and the country will not revert to the basket of multi-currencies, the President has said.

The mono-currency system will see those dealing in forex illegally and manipulating the money market being dealt with in terms of the law.

Zimbabwe adopted the use of multiple currencies in 2008 to contain runaway inflation.

However, the arrangement was not economically sustainable.

After stabilising the budget deficit through austerity measures adopted last year, the Government subsequently introduced a local currency to guarantee economic development.

Further, President Mnangagwa said there was no going back on economic reforms taken by the Government.

Officially opening the 18th Zanu-PF Annual National People’s Conference at Goromonzi High School in Mashonaland East Province yesterday, President Mnangagwa said no country could develop without its own currency.

“The austerity measures that we introduced in the course of the year were meant to bring back the economy on its rails,” said President Mnangagwa.

“No progressive nation can develop without its own currency.

The introduction of our own currency will undoubtedly enhance our economic stability, growth and competitiveness.

“However, we have some amongst our people who fight this decision.

Every single country, every single economy has its own currency. We are not an exception.

“Those who continue to deal in the money market, I say to you all, the long hand of the law will catch up with you. We will not revert back to a basket of currencies.”

Added President Mnangagwa: “Measures have been put in place to ensure adequate cash supply to our populace.

“The law enforcement agents will move in to deal with those who are hoarding cash and causing artificial shortages of cash.

“The illegal trading in foreign currency must be stopped in line with our laws.

It is incumbent upon all citizens of our great country and party members in particular, to protect and defend our currency as a symbol of national sovereignty and pride.”

Measures to arrest high prices and the establishment of social safety nets that Government was putting in place, the President said, were meant to cushion the citizens.

He said Government was concerned with the prevailing high prices charged by some retailers of basic commodities.

“As Government, we will continue to put social safety nets to cushion the vulnerable members of our society such as subsidised mealie-meal, Zupco buses for transport and the removal of duty on selected food commodities,” said President Mnangagwa.

“Retailers should not sell subsidised basic commodities in bulk to ensure equitable access to the products by vulnerable communities.”State media

The wife of vice President Constantino Chiwenga, Marry has been picked by the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission in connection with fraud and money laundering in what highlights her fall out with the powerful politician.

This is according to seasoned journalist Hopewell Chin’ono who broke the news on Twitter.

More to follow….

All roads lead to Chisamba Grounds, Mutare for the MDC End of Year Rally tomorrow (Sunday, 15 December 2019.)

By A Correspondent| Six journalists from NewZimbabwe.com were barred from covering Zanu Pf’s Annual People’s Conference.

The reporters had their accreditation cards seized Friday by Zanu PF security who went on to bar the news crew from covering t national people’s conference in Goromonzi, Mashonaland East.

Reporter, Thandiwe Garusa was further manhandled by overzealous security who demanded to scroll her phone in search of images she allegedly took “illegally” from the scene.

The six scribes were ordered to “go back and have fun in Harare” after being told they were not welcome anywhere near the venue.

However, other journalists from private media were allowed into the venue.

No reasons were given for the particular ban on the online publication’s journalists.

Reporter, Costa Nkomo narrated the incident:

“Getting to the entrance was not a problem at all; however a guy who identified himself as Madondo who was standing by the gate called us back as soon as we had entered upon which he demanded to see our accreditation cards which we proceeded to produce.

“He took the accreditation papers and disappeared inside the venue for about 20 minutes only to return carrying our application for accreditation forms and saying we were not supposed to have been accredited in the first place.

“He told us he had been given some orders by one Katsande that we had to leave immediately adding sarcastically that we must go back to Harare and ‘have fun’ since it was now a ‘free day’ for us.”

Further enquiries about the identity of the official revealed the said Madondo’s real name was Liberty Bizure, the chairperson of the Zimbabwe for Youth Development Agenda (ZYDA).

Efforts by NewZimbabwe.com editors in Harare to seek the intervention of Zanu PF secretary for administration, Obert Mpofu were not successful.

One of the reporters Thandiwe Garusa was manhandled by Bizure who snatched her phone and demanded she unlocks it so he could find out if she had taken a picture of him.

NewZimbabwe.com

Below is the link to donate to Chief Felix Ndiweni who has been abused by Emmerson Mnangagwa

https://www.gofundme.com/f/isupportchiefndiweni?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1

By A Correspondent| The country’s most powerful politician, Nelson Chamisa has said he wishes to have dialogue not for the purpose of negotiating positions, but for establishing a vision for the nation.

Chamisa was speaking during the memorial of the late Morgan Tsvangirai’s daughter, Vimbai in Harare on Saturday.

Addressing a large crowd gathered to remember Vimbai Java, Chamisa responded to ongoing headline screamers in the state media.

He said:

“I was pressured just go talk to ED, but as a leader I say we will have dialogue, but not for positions. We can only have dialogue to share a vision for our country, where we can have a future in which there are no rigged elections.”

Chamisa was speaking addressing a wide range of topics as he also remembered his mentor, Morgan Tsvangirai. – ZimEye

By A Correspondent| The country’s most powerful politician, Nelson Chamisa has said he wishes to have dialogue not for the purpose of negotiating positions, but for establishing a vision for the nation.

Chamisa was speaking during the memorial of the late Morgan Tsvangirai’s daughter, Vimbai in Harare on Saturday.

He was also responding to Emmerson Mnangagwa’s deputy, Constantino Chiwenga who yesterday alleged thar he (Chamisa) is power hungry and wants to the whole world.

Addressing a large crowd gathered to remember Vimbai Java, Chamisa responded to ongoing headline screamers in the state media.
He said, I was pressured just go talk to ED, but as a leader I say we will have dialogue, but not for positions. We can only have dialogue to share a vision for our country, where we can have a future in which there are no rigged elections.

Chamisa was speaking addressing a wide range of topics as he also remembered his mentor, Morgan Tsvangirai. – ZimEye

Mr George Charamba behaves like a drowning man clutching on a simple straw.

The statement that quotes our Leader David Magagula on, had a completely different meaning from his and it had a specific purpose to save which it did very well.

All Charamba is trying to do is to use the same statement to destroy Mthwakazi in the same manner it destroyed Zanu, which is just a joke.

For starters, what Charamba lacks in understanding is that although Mr Magagula was not wrong to point out that Mnangagwa hails in Shurugwe (Selukwe isizwe) but that alone did not and does not qualify him or any other deployed Shona person to be a Mthwakazian.

By the geographic location of the place he hails from, he is a ‘Mthwakazian’ but what Charamba needs to understand is that, that was not the reason behind the release of that statement. Shame on Charamba.

How could he stoop so low and release such a lie not worth to be called propaganda in an effort to hurt Mthwakazi independence agenda.

If Mnangagwa is a Mthwakazi by the cooperation of his great grand father into Mthwakazi whom he claims he happened to be a Mthwakazi warrior, where are the graves of Mnangagwas or who has ever had of them? When did the grand father fight in Mthwakazi army? Into which battalion did the so-called hero belong?

This is cheap politics that Charamba is trying to engage in. One will realise that before Magagula released that killer statement in 2012, Mnangagwa was one of the endeared Zanu members but things changed to bad after the release of that statement.

He got blamed for attempting to overthrow Mugabe, leading to his expulsion in 2017. Mistrust and factionalism that was witnessed in Zanu after that statement, was what the statement intended to do otherwise whether hailing from Mthwakazi land, Mnangagwa is not a Mthwakazian and is not welcome in Mthwakazi.

As the spokesperson of him, all we can tell Charamba is that the heat they (Zimbabweans) are feeling from Mthwakazi independence push is evident in all they are doing or saying, for their relief, he must go tell his boss (Mnangagwa) tell him that we (MLF) are prepared to meet and discuss the withdrawal timetable of the Zimbabweans from Mthwakazi.

Otherwise ignoring the Mthwakazi independence call and acting as if everything is fine is what makes them tell senseless stories with no historical reference as he is now doing.

The road chosen by Mthwakazi people was forced to them by you (Zimbabwean Government) on the advice of the British and now the situation is too hot to handle hence you want to be part of Mthwakazi.

We want our country and we want it now.

Mayihlom’ihlasele!!!Vuka Mthwakazi!Vuka!!!

By A Correspondent| A handcuffed suspected thief reportedly drowned in the sewage Pond near Bindura Central Police Station while he was attempting to escape from police custody.

It is believed the deceased, Austine Tauro was arrested for stealing copper cables with his friends and was handcuffed, and taken to Bindura Central Police Station.

At the police station, Tauro reportedly fled and jumped into the sewage pond where he drowned and his body later retrieved for and taken to the morgue for post mortem.

The Incident was confirmed by  Mashonaland Central acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Fidelis Dhewu who said:

I can confirm a case of sudden death in Bindura where Austine Tauro of Gulliver Compound drowned in a sewage pond next to Bindura Central Police Station after trying to run away,

-Newsday

By A Correspondent| The below is a comment by the Passengers Association Of Zimbabwe over the development which has seen kombis rejecting 25c and 50c coins.

In their comment, PAZ said:

We note that some commuter operators especially Kombis are now refusing 25c and 50c coins for fares. The RBZ has not legally phased out these denominations. Zupco is accepting them.this is affecting some commuters and passengers who cannot easily access cash at the banks.

• KAPRA Information Desk
  

The current bank exchange rates for the ZWL$ today are as follows:

• USD to ZWL$: 16.5438
• ZWL$ to RAND: 0.8748

Data according to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe

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Black Market Rates:

• USD to ZWL$ zimrates.com 22.80
• USD to ZWL$  zwl365.com 22.70 [12/12/19]
• USD to ZWL$ bluemari.info 22.20 [12/12/19]
• USD to BOND: zimrates.com 16.60

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EXILED former cabinet minister, Saviour Kasukuwere says the #TysonWabantu movement unveiled last week was far from being a political party the ex-Zanu PF top official was forming.

Speaking in an interview with South Africa’s television station, SABC on Wednesday evening, Kasukuwere, affectionately called Tyson by his followers, said he was also caught by surprise.

A group of followers of the ex-legislator last week launched their TysonWabantu movement in Bulawayo with signs the once influential politician was gearing himself for a surprise comeback to Zimbabwean politics.

“This is a development which caught me by surprise, these are citizens of our country, some in the diaspora who feel that there is need to come together to persuade each other and say we need Kasukuwere to come back into leadership,” Kasukuwere said.

“In fact, when I looked at myself, I am somebody who has been in exile.

“I thought am now in the dust bin, but the people had different views and I think it’s something one has to look at and say here is an opportunity to lead.”

The former ruling party national political commissar said the movement was far from being a Zanu PF breakaway group.

“The movement from what I understand from the founders, is cutting across the political divide, (people) who are saying ‘how do we come together in the best interest of our country’,” he said.

“MDC, Zanu PF and various groups of people have the view that the division in our country needs to healed at some point.

“As a nation, there should be leadership that bring us together in spite of what may have happened but there must be that commitment to say we are going to be moving in one direction like what happened in the past.”

He added, “In Zimbabwe and in South Africa, after independence with President (Nelson) Mandela, President (Robert) Mugabe calling for unity, for reconciliation that was much more difficult, a system that was designed to eliminate the black population and they (white former rulers) stopped them (blacks) from assuming leadership of their country but there was that ability to bring people together in the interest of progress and development.”

The so-called “Tyson Wabantu Movement” last week conducted a mobilisation road show in the second largest city.

Kasukuwere, kingpin in the once powerful Zanu PF G40 faction, was first forced to skip the country when fierce party rival and now President Emmerson Mnangagwa muscled his way to the top job via a military coup November 2017.

His was back in the country after six months away but was forced to return into exile when corruption allegations were brought against him. He was later cleared of the alleged offences.

He denied he was a fugitive from justice but was living outside for fear of political persecution.

“I can’t go back to a house which was sprayed by bullets and no investigation had been done to this day,” he said.

Meanwhile, Zanu PF national political commissar, Victor Matemadanda has described Kasukuwere as a baby whose movement had no capacity to dislodge Zanu PF.

“All of a sudden you find babies like Kasukuwere being introduced and referred to as veterans of the struggle. How can they be veterans of the struggle while only 45 years old?” Matemadanda told a Zanu PF provincial meeting in Mashonaland West at the weekend.

Kasukuwere hit back saying: “It was a tragedy that Matemadanda, a senior official in the governing party was focusing on trivia while the country was burning.”

“At least I was not a taxi driver like him while others were fighting in the liberation struggle. He must not lie to us. Just because he has an ugly face it doesn’t mean he went to war,” Kasukuwere fumed.

“He wants to use his ugly face kuvhundutsira vanhu (to scare people). He must tell people who he went to war with, who he reported to and what he did during the war. In any case, there is no need for trivia when the people are suffering like this,” the former Local Government minister said.

“We have a serious challenge on our hands. The health sector is in a crisis, people are dying and the country is on its knees. We can’t bury our heads in the sand and start focusing on issues that do not help the people.

“We need to focus on real issues on the ground and how to save the people from the crisis.”

-Newsday

By Farai D Hove| The man who is set to be appointed the substantive MDC leader by the ZANU PF controlled Constitutional Court, Douglas Mwonzora has begun calling for an adulterous handshake between Nelson Chamisa and Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Senator Mwonzora was the MDC Secretary General in 2014 and a constitutional court verdict to be announced in a few weeks’ time could elevate him to the position of MDC leader. But before that is ever possible, he has broken all party protocol to demand some performance from his boss, Chamisa.

He wrote saying Chamisa must imitate the Kenyan model in which Uhuru Kenyata duped Raila Odinga into a handshake 2 years ago.

Wrote Mwonzora: “The current political impasse in the country is adversely affecting the economy and the common man/woman. At this rate no meaningful social, political and social reforms will be identified and implemented. May be its time to try the Kenyan Handshake!

“We need reforms but for them to happen people must talk first.

“A handshake represents a commitment to dialogue.”

AT least nine people died yesterday morning in two separate road accidents which left 41 others seriously injured.

In Harare, five people died, while 11 others were injured when a haulage truck collided with a Mazda pick-up truck at the intersection of Borrowdale Road and Harare Drive. Four others died, while 30 were seriously injured when a Zambia-bound Trip Trans bus veered off the road and overturned on the 274 kilometre peg along the Harare-Chirundu highway.

National Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the accidents.

“The ZRP confirms that five people died and 11 others were injured at the intersection of Borrowdale Road and Harare Drive at 0630hrs today (yesterday). A haulage truck which was travelling along Harare Drive due east collided with a Mazda pick-up truck which was travelling along Borrowdale Road towards Domboshava.

“The traffic lights were not functional at the time of the accident as parties failed to give way to each other.”

He said the deceased and injured were ferried to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.

Asst Comm Nyathi also said a Trip Trans bus failed to negotiate a curve and veered off the road before overturning once killing four passengers on the spot.

“It happened around 9am, on approaching the 274 kilometre peg along the Harare-Chirundu Highway, the driver of the bus who was allegedly speeding failed to negotiate a curve and as a result, the bus veered off the road, overturned and killed four on spot while 30 others were seriously injured.

“The deceased were taken to Karoi Hospital while the injured were rushed to a hospital on the Zambian side, others were ferried to Karoi Hospital while some were taken to Nyamakate Clinic for treatment.”

He urged motorists to always be cautious and observant when driving to avoid unnecessary loss of lives.

“Motorists should be cautious and give due regard to road safety on approaching traffic lights which are not functional.

“Drivers must be very careful, they must safeguard the lives of passengers at all times, speeding is very dangerous, we also urge motorists to be patient on the road and to obey all road rules and regulations to avoid accidents,” he said.

-State Media

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

By A Correspondent- A 20-year old university student from Lupane who benefited from the Presidential scholarship was allegedly electrocuted after he stepped on an illegally connected electric wire at his parents’ house.

Matabeleland North acting police spokesperson, Sergeant Namatirai Mashona, confirmed the electrocution of Auren Bekezela Nyathi in his family’s fowl run where the illegal connection had been made.

The state media was told that Nyathi was second year student at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa where he enrolled under the Presidential scholarship for an Actuarial Science degree.

The source said a police report was made by Zesa electricians after Nyathi’s mother, Mrs Fungai Nyathi, had allegedly attempted to conceal the matter.

“We can confirm that police attended an incident where a 20-year-old was electrocuted on 8 December in Lupane.

“At about 7PM, Auren Bekezela Nyathi of Old Stands was at home in the company of his mother. He got into the fowl run to feed chickens,” said Sgt Mashona.

Sgt Mashona said when he was about to leave the fowl run after feeding the chickens, Nyathi got into contact with a naked wire and suffered an electric shock.

“He fell down unconscious and his mother informed some neighbours before rushing him to Lupane Medical Centre where he was later transferred to St Luke’s Hospital because of the seriousness of the injuries,” said Sgt Mashona.

Nyathi reportedly died on admission as his condition deteriorated. Mrs Nyathi did not report the matter to the police and took her son’s body to a funeral parlour in Bulawayo.

Zesa electricians who attended the scene allegedly reported the matter to the police.

No-one has been arrested for the connection, which is a criminal offence. Nyathi was buried yesterday in Lupane.

Sgt Mashona warned citizens against illegally connecting electricity saying besides being arrested, they risked losing their lives.

“We would want to urge and warn people against making illegal electric connections at home or any other place.

“We can’t be losing lives unnecessarily because of something we can avoid. People should also report such cases so that we avoid loss of life,” said Sgt Mashona.

-StateMedia

State Media|ZANU-PF UK/Europe District presented an anti-sanctions petition to Prime Minister Boris Johnson at Number 10 Downing Street which implored him to persuade the European Union (EU) and the Unites States (US) to lift their embargo on Zimbabwe which has caused untold suffering to ordinary Zimbabweans.

At the 39th Summit of Heads of States and Government of SADC, which was held in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, on August 17-18, October 25 was declared as Anti Sanctions Day. This decision was taken in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe.

In an interview with The Herald yesterday, the ruling party’s UK/Europe District’s secretary for Administration Xavier Zavare said Mr Johnson acknowledged receipt of the petition, but referred it to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Zavare said he received an e-mail on Wednesday from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office responding to the petition, saying the illegal embargo contained only restrictive measures.

“What we did is we passed a resolution as a district to say we needed to do something different, instead of just demonstrating on the streets among ourselves. The US and the UK are used to these kinds of things so we decided that we wanted to knock on the door of power in the United Kingdom and we presented a petition at 10 Downing Street.

“The Prime Minister responded and said we acknowledge receiving your petition but we cannot deal with this here, it is done by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The Prime Minister’s office referred it there,” he said.

“I received an e-mail on Wednesday from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office SADC representative saying we acknowledge receiving your petition. They never admit that they have sanctions on us, they call them restrictive measures.”

Meanwhile, the party’s UK/Europe District leadership will be attending the 18th Annual National People’s Conference and has resolved to call for the inclusion of Diaspora structures in the party’s constitution.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) has moved to ensure passenger safety by withdrawing at least 42 franchised buses and commuter omnibuses that failed fitness tests.

The buses will stay off the road until repaired.

There has been a public outcry over some Zupco contracted buses with worn tyres and experiencing mechanical faults.

Zupco is operating with 501 conventional buses, which include its own brand new fleet and those using its franchise, plus at least 470 kombis on contract countrywide.

When Zupco contracts buses or kombis from private owners, the firm demands fitness certificates from the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) which must be renewed every six months.

The buses must also have passenger and vehicle insurance.

Zupco acting chief executive Mr Evaristo Madangwa yesterday said Zupco would continuously check all vehicles under its ambit.

“All our buses should be compliant with VID requirements,” he said. “Some of the defective buses are being pulled out until they are attended to. The purpose of removing unroadworthy vehicles is that we want to ensure maximum safety of our passengers.”

The VID can inspect vehicles at road check point or at its depots.

“Inspections at the road check normally cover only those systems where a defect is likely to make sudden reduction or cease the possibilities to control the vehicle safely,” according to VID rules.

“The following are normally checked: steering system, suspension, braking system, wheels and tyres, trailer coupling (if applicable) and lighting system, vehicle and driver documents to ensure compliance with the law.

“Inspections at the depots will cover all the components of the vehicle, as well as the under-carriage so as to ensure that the vehicle is safe for use on the roads.

“A certificate of fitness is issued to a vehicle that meets all the requirements in terms of roadworthiness and the purpose for which the vehicle is designed to serve, particularly the Public Service Vehicle.

“In the case of private vehicles, a certificate of roadworthiness will be issued upon satisfactorily meeting all the requirements of construction, equipment and use.”

Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe acting board chairman Dr Gift Machengete said all vehicles on the road should have certificate of fitness.

“Most roads are not in good condition and motorists should respect each other,” he said. “Those responsible for infrastructure development should make sure that the roads are repaired.

“Drivers should be cautious at all times and drive within speed limits to avoid accidents. Public transport owners should avoid giving drivers targets as this also contributes to accidents because they end up speeding.”

Dr Machengete discouraged motorists from drinking and driving.

A vehicle that was yesterday involved in accident that claimed five on spot at the intersection of Borrowdale Road and Harare Drive did not have a valid road licence, displaying a licence that expired in March.

Police implored motorists to observe all traffic laws and regulations as they travel.

“Drivers should check the roadworthiness of their vehicles before embarking on journeys,” said national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said.

“Police will not hesitate to impound all defective and unroadworthy vehicles besides arresting all those who flout the rules of the road.”

Speaking on SABC news channel yesterday, South Africa Minister of Transport Mr Fikile Mbalula said they had impounded an unroadworthy Zimbabwean vehicle that was driving into South Africa.

“We have impounded a vehicle which had no brakes, driving all the way from Harare crossing the border right into South Africa,” he said.

“We arrested the driver just before Pretoria and he was transporting children who did not have any legal travel documents.”

Minister Mbalula said they needed to work together with their Zimbabwean counterparts to intensify spot checks on vehicles

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- A terrified couple in Gokwe is sleeping with one eye open after the muthi they allegedly bought from an n’anga started exhibiting side effects that include the woman waking up with semen in her private parts and nightmares of ghosts of naked women in their sleep.

Silvester Moyo’s marriage is now on the verge of collapse as his wife Rudo Mudawu threatens to pack her bags if the haunting is not solved.

Mudawu and her husband run a flourishing shop at Gokwe Business Centre and they are from Ndangara Village.  

According to a family insider the couple approached an n’anga after the sales of their business had taken a shocking nosedive.

The source said: “The n’anga gave them a concoction and instructed them to bath with it for a week and rub it on their private parts. He assured them that sales would dramatically improve,” said the privy source.

The source went on to say the desperate couple did as they were ordered to do.

“They bathed with water mixed with concoction and rubbed their private parts with it,” said the tell-it-all source.

But they never knew that the muthi was going to plunge their marriage into a chapter of hell.

Contacted for comment Moyo confirmed the frightening muthi provoked encounters.

“A week after we bathed and rubbed our genitals with that concoction our bedroom life became a nightmare. I would see visions of two naked women moving about in the house, within a few minutes my wife would scream in panic claiming she saw similar naked figures. After a while we would fall into a deep sleep, my wife would wake up feeling tired as if she had been involved in a sexual marathon. There would be semen on her private parts. Surprisingly we would not have engaged in any sexual intercourse,” said Moyo.

He said they approached their n’anga for an escape from horrible nights.

“We approached the n’anga who gave us the muthi, he assured us that it would end but now it has been a month and two weeks and nothing has changed. My wife is threatening to quit our marriage,” said Moyo.

Contacted for a comment Chief Chireya confirmed the incident.

“I can confirm that my traditional court is dealing with a strange matter that involves Rudo Mudawu and her husband. The couple got muthi from a n’anga, now they are seeing visions of naked women during their sleep. His wife told my traditional court that she wakes up feeling extremely tired and with semen on her private parts. She has vowed to quit marriage if the haunting is not solved.”

He said they would engage all parties involved to find a solution. 

“We have planned to engage the couple and their n’anga to see how he can possibly reverse it,” said Chief Chireya

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- They promised to stay together “till death do them part,” but some unusual deal-breaker got in the way. This however, sounds interesting if the wife is telling the truth.

An elderly woman from Bulawayo’s Mzilikazi suburb got miffed and filed for divorce after her husband of 50 years violently harassed her for cooking vegetables instead of meat.

Agnes Sibanda filed for divorce after 50 years claiming she had been living daily in a terror-filled world of abuse at the hands of her husband Dail Sibanda.

Meat was cited as often a contested food in the marriage after she revealed that the final straw in their marriage was when her husband verbally harassed her for cooking vegetables instead of meat.

She apparently resented it so much, that she decided to seek a protection order against her husband while they are going through their divorce process.

“Upon returning home he began insulting me for making vegetables only and instructed me to prepare a fresh meal with meat. I made the said meal but he continued to insult me and threaten me.

“I was so afraid of what he might do to me that I ran away from our house in the night and had to ask a neighbour to sleep at her house. The following day I reported the incident at Mzilikazi Police Station and asked them to accompany me to collect my clothes as I no longer want to continue living with him for the sake of my sanity and happiness,” she narrated.

She added: “I advised him that I no longer intended on living with him or being his wife and asked him not to communicate with me. I have since filed for a divorce but he continues to call me and has even followed me to where I’m currently living”.

Agnes said she decided to approach the court seeking a protection order against her scorned husband fearing that he might harm her. The estranged couple got married on 6 December 1969 and have eight children together who are all majors and 25 grandchildren.

“Initially he was verbally, emotionally and physically abusive towards me but as we got older, the abuse is now mainly verbal, emotional, economic and physiological. He also refused me to work throughout our marriage.

“I have been forced to leave our matrimonial home on numerous occasions due to his abuse with the latest incident being on 12 November 2019”.

She said on the day in question, her husband harassed after she had gone to see the doctor and returned home to look for some documents which the doctor wanted.

“When I walked in, he started insulting me while accusing me of hiding something from him. He then left the house as I was preparing dinner,” she said.

Agnes said during the subsistence of their marriage her husband has also been intimidating her to such a point that she was even afraid to speak to their children without his permission or even to go to the doctor without his approval despite the fact that their children would be the ones paying her medical bills.

She further said her husband was also stopping her from visiting her relatives. In response her husband denied all the allegations levelled against him.

“I deny all the allegations that she has levelled against me. I don’t deny her access to her relatives. I have been to her relatives and participated in all our relatives’ social gatherings. I also take care of all her hospital bills,” he tersely responded.

For the purpose of maintaining peace between the estranged couple while they are going through their divorce, presiding magistrate Lesego Ngwenya referred them for counselling.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- A Bulawayo man has been arrested for allegedly raping his two minor daughters since 2013.

It is alleged that the man (48), from Manningdale suburb habitually sneaked into his daughters’ bedroom once a month and sxually abused them during his wife’s absence.

The court heard that the abuse got worse when the man’s wife died in 2016.

The man yesterday appeared before Western Commonage magistrate, Ms Gladmore Mushove, facing rape charges and he pleaded not guilty. He was remanded in custody to December 24.

For the State, Mr Kenneth Shava said the man allegedly raped his two daughters between 2013 and 2019 when they were aged 10 and 17 years.

– StateMedia

ZANU PF gobbled nearly $14 million in salaries for the year 2019 as the party doled out ministerial packages for its full-time politburo workers and montly allowances for central committee members.

Details contained in the central committee report to the 18th people’s conference, indicate that salaries for the party’s workforce went up by 150,65%, which Zanu PF said was caused by a cost of living adjustment and allowances for its staff and central committee members.

“Salaries were $13 966 701, (from $5 573 329 in 2018) there was an increase of 150,6% on salaries due to the cost of living adjustments for staff and allowances introduced for central committee members,” reads the report in part.
Zanu PF has placed its central committee members on monthly allowances in addition to cars and other benefits.
The party also employed senior party members of its politburo on full-time jobs where they receive full ministerial perks.

These include former Health minister David Parirenyatwa, former Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa, former Information minister Simon Khaya Moyo and retired Lieutenant-General Engelbert Rugeje, among others.
For its constitutional meetings which include politburo, central committee, youth and women assemblies, Zanu PF spent $4 million.

The party also blew a total of $63 908 082 in 2019 in all its activities and operations up from just $18 541 890 last year, representing the biggest expenditure by a political party.

This expenditure was funded from a revenue base of $45 861 473, leaving the party in the red with a deficit of $18 million.

Major sources of funding for the party were cited as donations which accounted for 57,3% ($36 961 751,00), although the party did not name its donors.

To cover for its shortfall, Zanu PF borrowed a total of $19 million from the bank in overdraft facilities and also owes telephone companies $1,5 million and over $1 million to the Harare City Council..
The report indicates that Zanu PF owes suppliers a staggering $10 million.

NewsDay

State Media|Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), President Mnangagwa, yesterday promoted Colonel Themba Mlambo to the rank of Brigadier-General.

The promotion was made in terms of Section 15 1(b) of the Defence Act.

Conferring the new rank on Brig-Gen Mlambo at Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks in Harare yesterday, Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Commander, Lieutenant-General Edzai Chimonyo said promotion in the army comes with hard work and dedication to serving the nation.

“It is prudent, therefore, to remind you that being promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General is a gesture of goodwill, trust and confidence that His Excellency the President and Commander-in-Chief of the ZDF, and the command element have accorded you.

“Relentlessly uphold your exemplary leadership principles and military expertise that you have acquired over your entire service for the betterment of the ZDF and our sovereign country.

“Your promotion came as a result of a wide range of considerations, amongst which are merit, distinguished service, consistent dutifulness, hard work, loyalty, selflessness and patriotism among others,” said Lt-Gen Chimonyo.

Brigadier-General Mlambo promised to instil the spirit of hard work to officers and troops under his command.

“I promise to work hard for the development of my current unit I am commanding, the whole ZNA and ZDF at large,” said Brig-Gen Mlambo.

Following HigherLife Foundation initiative to assist government towards payment of doctors salaries, 362 practitioners have reportedly returned to work, 263Chat can report.

In an interview with 263Chat during the launch of Support Our Hospitals Initiative, HigherLife Foundation chief executive officer, Dr Kennedy Mubaiwa confirmed that of the 362 doctors that are at work, two thirds are from Harare hospitals.

“Out of the 365 that applied, 362 are now in the fellowship and 90 percent of those are now reporting for work.

“Of the 362 that are now at work, a third of them are from Bulawayo and a few from Masvingo and Chinhoyi then the rest are from Harare, that is Parirenyatwa, Harare and Chitungwiza hospitals,” said Dr Mubaiwa.

Dr Mubaiwa said the Support Our Hospitals Initiative is aimed at everyone who has the capacity to assist and help in providing the much needed services to hospitals.

“Support our Hospitals initiative, we are calling Zimbabweans as individuals, we calling on businesses, cooperates, we calling on anyone who is in Zimbabwe to say come and join us to help our health institutions to have basic starter packs for doctors,” said Mubaiwa.

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Group CEO, Douglas Mboweni outlined some of the basic services that they are providing to the doctors and hospitals.

“As apart of the initiative, we are providing free Vaya and free water delivery to the hospitals. We are also giving ZWL $10 Million to the fund and smartphones worth ZWL $1,5 Million. We are also offering solar power to selected hospitals plus free WiFi,” said Mboweni.

PARLIAMENT business ground to an abrupt halt yesterday afternoon as opposition legislators protested ejection from their hotel rooms in Harare to pave way for Zanu PF delegates booked in the same facilities for the duration of their party conference in Goromonzi, 32km south-east of the capital.

The ruling party conference, set to be officially opened today by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, closes on Saturday.

Tempers flared in the afternoon when the National Assembly resumed committee stage debate on the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Bill. The opposition MDC Alliance MPs refused to continue with the debate, shouting “no accommodation”, forcing the House to adjourn after sitting for only 30 minutes.

Senate also adjourned after sitting for only an hour.

Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi had brought in further amendments to the Bill and when MPs were asked to affirm if they agreed to the amendments by shouting “Aye” or “Noe”, the angry MDC legislators shouted “no accommodation”.

Dzivarasekwa MP Edwin Mushoriwa then raised a point of order with the deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Tsitsi Gezi over the accommodation issue.

“My point of order arises on the basis that most MPs in this House have been ordered to check out of their hotels and they have to travel to their constituencies now because of that,” Mushoriwa said.

“Due to that it will be unfair to continue with business of the House today because it is not MPs’ desire not to participate in Parliament business but is circumstances beyond their control, and some have been literally evicted.

For the sake of the people that sent us to Parliament it is proper that the House be adjourned.”

Mbizo MP Settlement Chikwinya later explained to NewsDay that all MPs were asked to check out at 11.00 am yesterday morning.

“The hotels in Harare were full and we were ordered to check out at 11.00am to give space to Zanu PF conference delegates. As we speak MPs have their luggage in their vehicles. The Zanu PF MPs were later re-booked under Zanu PF as conference delegates,” Chikwinya said.

After the point of order raised by Mushoriwa, Gezi then ruled that the House be adjourned for 10 minutes.

If the House had continued sitting, it was going to debate the Finance number 3 Bill and the Appropriation 2020 Bill to do with the budget. This would have resulted in MPs driving back to their constituencies very late at night.

After deliberations, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube then adjourned debate to his two money Bills to next Tuesday, and thereafter Ziyambi adjourned the House.

NewsDay

Own Correspondent|Radical leader of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, Obert Masaraure has put himself up to contest leadership of the Crisis In Zimbabwe Coalition against incumbent Chairman Rashid Mahiya, Executive Director of Heal Zimbabwe Trust.

The Coalition is holding its elective annual general meeting in Harare today where the four elective board members position are up for grabs.

The Crisis In Zimbabwe Coalition founded by similarly radical Brian Kagoro in 2002, has for years been the country’s most critical organisation on government’s human rights abuses and governance failures. In recent years, the Coalition of over 100 local Non Governmental Organisations appears to have taken a back seat and allowed some social media movements like Tajamuka and #thisflag to take over the space.

At the AGM which ends in the capital today, the Coalition has resolved to go back and claim its position which will be emphasised by the Board that will be elected today.

Masaraure and Mahiya are the two contestants for the top position of chairman which Mahiya holds an upper hand because of his more sober and calm approach to issues.

The Vice Chairmanship is an all female race between Evernice Munando Project Director of the Female Students Network Trust and controversial Alice Kuvheya Director at Chitungwiza Residents Trust.

Belekezela Maduma Fuzwayo from Bulawayo has had it the easiest as all subcommittees of the coalition nominated him unopposed to be the Treasurer of the Coalition for the next two years.

Another intriguing battle will be fought out in the position of Spokesperson as vibrant former Youth Subcommittee Chairman, Proud Mukono faces up with seasoned activists Tawanda Chimhini and Marvellous Kumalo.

ZANU PF supporters yesterday started trickling to Goromonzi for their party’s annual conference.

About 7000 delegates from across are expected to attend the conference which will be officially opened by President Emmerson Mnangagwa today.

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THE Grain Millers’ Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) says its members are yet to get upfront payment of subsidy funds from Government, a move which will see players in the sector reverting to previous mealie-meal prices.

Following the intervention by President Mnangagwa, Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube reversed an earlier decision of removing subsidy on grain, which had prompted millers to increase the price of mealie meal.

Retailers had also responded by passing on the cost to consumers, which saw the commodity price increase to more than $100 for a 10 kilogramme of roller meal from between $50 and $60.

“Reference is made to our agreed subsidy regime arrangement on roller-meal, which you correctly announced to the consuming public last week.

“Regrettably Ministry of Finance is yet to make good on its upfront payment of the subsidy funds to millers,” reads part of the correspondence by GMAZ president, Mr Tafadzwa Musarara, to Prof Ncube.

“However, as a gesture of goodwill, millers had already started to reduce prices. Unfortunately, our members are financially handicapped to continue selling at the subsidised prices in the absence of the subsidies paid upfront as agreed.”

As such, the millers said that unless the said funds were provided quickly, “our members will have no choice but to revert to previous prices”.

Prof Ncube could not be reached for comment.

As part of efforts to create social safety nets, Government last month removed import duty on several basic goods. Cabinet also removed controls on import permits for maize grain, maize meal and wheat flour with immediate effect and placement of wheat flour on the Open General Import Licence.

Other products that were exempted included wheat flour in packages of more than 50kg, whose duty was pegged at 20 percent, while those packages of less than 50kg used to attract 10 percent duty.

State Media|The Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara) has been restructured with a new management and has been returned to its legislated mandate of collecting road user fees for disbursement to local authorities after being stopped from implementing road building and repairs itself.

By going beyond its mandate, Zinara experienced poor corporate governance, the leakage of US$71 million when it did its own project implementation and corruption at tollgates.

The Government stepped in after a damning audit report, appointing a new board led by Engineer Michael Madanha.

That new board investigated several cases and instilled a new corporate culture that saw a number of executives, including the chief executive officer, either resigning or being fired.

To provide management needed to transform the authority, the board asked for the secondment of Mr Suston Muzenda from the parent Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development to oversee the stabilisation of the organisation and recruitment of new senior executives.

In an interview yesterday, Mr Muzenda said he had managed to stabilise Zinara during his six months’ secondment, the maximum permitted.

Reports that he had resigned as acting CEO due to pressure from the board were unfounded as he had completed his mandate.

“Reports that there was a purge at Zinara and that I resigned from the organisation under unclear circumstances are a figment of imagination,” said Mr Muzenda.

“I was on secondment and my mandate was to stabilise the institution of which I managed to do that. Before the lapse of my six months of secondment, I oversaw the recruitment of senior executives which is key to the running the institution.”

Those recruited during Mr Muzenda’s tenure were Mr Gilfern Moyo, who replaced Mr Precious Murove as administration and human resources director and Engineer Moses Chigonyati who took over from Engineer Moses Juma as technical director.

The contracts of Mr Murove and Eng Juma were not renewed after they were implicated in corporate governance deficiencies in the Grant Thornton audit report.

Others who were hired during Mr Muzenda’s stay included Ms View Mutize, who replaced Ms Mathlene Mujokoro as corporate secretary and Mr Garikai Mbanda who took over from Mr Shadreck Matengabadza as audit manager.

Ms Mujokoro and Mr Matengabadza resigned this year.

Mr Naphtali Strauss Tembo, who is the new finance manager, was also recruited during Mr Muzenda’s tenure.

Mr Muzenda said he also managed to deal with several cases of misconduct that were pending.

Eng Madanha told The Herald that after the lapse of Mr Muzenda’s six months of acting, Eng Chigonyati had been appointed acting chief executive officer, while the process of selecting a substantive CEO was almost complete and the selected candidate would be appointed before the end of this month.

“Any one of the executive directors can be an acting chief executive and we have so far appointed Eng Chigonyati (director technical) as the acting CEO,” said Eng Madanha.

“We have advertised the post of CEO and we have done the short-listing of candidates. We are going to do interviews soon and the new CEO will be appointed before the end of this month.”

State Media|VICTORIA Falls is flowing throughout the year despite the devastating effects of climate change affecting the country and the tourism sector, a Cabinet minister has said.

Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu said this during a United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Madrid, Spain.

He said the international media had misinformed the world that due to climate change, the Victoria Falls was drying up.

“The tourism sector has not been spared from the climate change impacts as observed by increasing wildlife mortality due to reduced habitat, feed stock and water availability,” said Minister Ndlovu.

“However, the Victoria Falls has not been much affected due to its expansive catchment, hence water is still flowing across the falls all year-round contrary to misinformation by some sections of the media.”

The African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA) has also dismissed the drying up fears of the Victoria Falls.

ATTA, just like the Minister, criticised what it described as “sensational” recent media reports for lacking an appreciation of historical seasonal patterns and changes in the water flow and its levels.

Minister Ndlovu said climate change was affecting socio-economic development of the country as persistent droughts and floods were disrupting livelihoods.

“This year alone, Southern Africa was ravaged by devastating Cyclone Idai which left thousands dead, injured or displaced with a trail of infrastructure destruction in parts of my country, Zimbabwe, parts of Mozambique and Malawi,” he said.

“This clearly demonstrates our high level of vulnerability.

“As I speak, we are still trying to recover from the disaster and the cost of reconstruction and recovery is estimated to be about US$600 million according to the World Bank and my Government’s rapid impact and needs assessment.”

He said climate change affected the country’s agricultural sector, impacting negatively on the country’s industrial sector which gets 60 percent of its raw materials from agriculture.

Minister Ndlovu said climate change resulted in the country heavily depending on environmental unfriendly and unsustainable thermal power for electricity as opposed to hydro power stations due to depleting water levels at Kariba Dam.

The Government, he said, was committed towards protection of the environment by coming up with policies which will reduce emissions by 33 percent by 2030.

“This target is envisaged to be met through renewable energy utilisation, energy efficiency and climate smart agriculture interventions,” said Minister Ndlovu.

The Zimbabwean government has announced saying it ran out of US dollars to print passports after the 2018 elections. Their statement is below –

PRESS STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE HONOURABLE KAZEMBE KAZEMBE ON THE CURRENT PASSPORT SITUATION

The Ministry, through the Department of Civil Registry, is responsible for; among others, production and issuance of travel documents including passports.

The Civil Registry Department is experiencing a backlog in the production of passports. The backlog is currently at 359 288 backdating to August 2018.

This is mainly due to the limited availability of foreign currency to procure the required consumables such as ink, films, ribbon and passport paper.

This situation has been exacerbated by the low passport fees being charged by the Department. The Department is charging all its clients in local currency yet consumables for the production of passports are imported and require foreign currency

The Ministry is aware of the high expectation from members of the public for timely provision of service delivery particularly in the areas of issuance of travel documents.

The Ministry is also aware of what citizens are going through especially those living abroad whose passports have expired.

Citizens in the diaspora need to have valid passports in order to regularize their stay in the host countries.

As a way of assisting the Department to attend to requirements for passports by citizens in the diaspora, Government has therefore authorized the Department to charge USD$318 for passports; in respect of those in the diaspora. The applications will be prioritized on an urgent basis.

Further details on the implementation of this decision are being worked out by the Civil Registry Department in consultation with other stakeholders.

I THANK YOU