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President Mnangagwa has revealed that there is a hidden hand behind the ongoing strike by some doctors, who have not been reporting for duty since September 3 citing incapacitation.

But more doctors, in addition to the 46 that have already taken up Government’s offer, have expressed their interest to return to work, he added.

“We made a decision to take disciplinary action and most of them were fired, but we gave them an olive branch to return to work. There were 46 who returned at first, but just two days ago, more of them said they would return.

Some of those who returned confessed that they were being used for certain agendas bent on destabilising the country. They said some of their leaders were now playing politics.
“Some of them say they are incapacitated yet Government has offered them accommodation at the hospitals.

We have now uncovered that a few of them are receiving money from some forces, they are receiving US dollars to snub work and sabotage the country. We are going to reveal it all at some point.”

The Head of State and Government said Government is committed to revamping the country’s health delivery system.

He also made a pledge to redistribute land that has been identified through the ongoing land audit to landless Zimbabweans, including Ziliwaco members that did not benefit from the land reform exercise.

“The land audit has covered a lot of ground in about six provinces so far, and a lot needs to be corrected. There are some farms that were gazetted for redistribution but have not been redistributed.

There are top officials who own multiple farms but we are going to make sure that everyone, regardless of who they are, remains with one farm.”

It is believed that “there are two provinces where multiple farm ownership by top officials is rampant”. Some of the farms are reportedly disproportionately large as they range between 2 000 and 3 000 hectares.
“We are going to cut those sizes and parcel the land to those that do not have farms,” the President said.

Ziliwaco members were encouraged to tap into various Government empowerment programmes. The economic reform agenda to achieve an upper middle-income economy by 2030 will continue, he said.

“The Transitional Stabilisation Programme and the comprehensive reforms we have undertaken are already yielding results across all sectors. We have now adopted our own currency.”
In his remarks, Vice-President Dr Constantino Chiwenga commended President Mnangagwa for his consistency.
“He is a hard worker and he remained consistent. We can trust that his economic reform will bear fruits because he has the pedigree for hard work and dedication.”

The meeting was also attended by Defence and War Veterans Minister and Ziliwaco patron Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Ziliwaco chairperson Cde Pupurai Togarepi, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association Chair Ambassador Chris Mutsvangwa, war veterans secretary in the politburo Douglas Mahiya, senior Zanu-PF officials and senior Government officials, among other dignitaries.
— SundayNews

PARENTS with children going to boarding schools and private schools in and around Bulawayo are likely to have a bleak Christmas as they will be agonising over school fees for next year, with some schools proposing figures in the range of $60 000 for the first term, while others are charging $17 000.

Revelations are that Falcon College in Esigodini has proposed a $60 000 or an equivalent of US$3 000 while Christian Brothers College (CBC) in Bulawayo will be charging $17 300 per term for next year.

Catholic-run Dominican Convent is also said to be charging in excess of $13 000 per term while Petra College is asking for $12 600 for secondary and $8 260 for primary with the possibility of a top up that will be determined by changes in the prices of goods mid-way through the first term.
Some private schools such as St Thomas Primary are charging $8 300.

Cyrene Mission (boarding school) is charging $4 000 excluding grocery. Matopo High School and Gloag are said to have adopted a wait and see attitude as schools closed without finalising the deliberations on the fees.-State media

President Mnangagwa has revealed that there is a hidden hand behind the ongoing strike by some doctors, who have not been reporting for duty since September 3 citing incapacitation.

But more doctors, in addition to the 46 that have already taken up Government’s offer, have expressed their interest to return to work, he added.

“We made a decision to take disciplinary action and most of them were fired, but we gave them an olive branch to return to work. There were 46 who returned at first, but just two days ago, more of them said they would return.

Some of those who returned confessed that they were being used for certain agendas bent on destabilising the country. They said some of their leaders were now playing politics.
“Some of them say they are incapacitated yet Government has offered them accommodation at the hospitals.

We have now uncovered that a few of them are receiving money from some forces, they are receiving US dollars to snub work and sabotage the country. We are going to reveal it all at some point.”

The Head of State and Government said Government is committed to revamping the country’s health delivery system.

He also made a pledge to redistribute land that has been identified through the ongoing land audit to landless Zimbabweans, including Ziliwaco members that did not benefit from the land reform exercise.

“The land audit has covered a lot of ground in about six provinces so far, and a lot needs to be corrected. There are some farms that were gazetted for redistribution but have not been redistributed.

There are top officials who own multiple farms but we are going to make sure that everyone, regardless of who they are, remains with one farm.”

It is believed that “there are two provinces where multiple farm ownership by top officials is rampant”. Some of the farms are reportedly disproportionately large as they range between 2 000 and 3 000 hectares.
“We are going to cut those sizes and parcel the land to those that do not have farms,” the President said.

Ziliwaco members were encouraged to tap into various Government empowerment programmes. The economic reform agenda to achieve an upper middle-income economy by 2030 will continue, he said.

“The Transitional Stabilisation Programme and the comprehensive reforms we have undertaken are already yielding results across all sectors. We have now adopted our own currency.”
In his remarks, Vice-President Dr Constantino Chiwenga commended President Mnangagwa for his consistency.
“He is a hard worker and he remained consistent. We can trust that his economic reform will bear fruits because he has the pedigree for hard work and dedication.”

The meeting was also attended by Defence and War Veterans Minister and Ziliwaco patron Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Ziliwaco chairperson Cde Pupurai Togarepi, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association Chair Ambassador Chris Mutsvangwa, war veterans secretary in the politburo Douglas Mahiya, senior Zanu-PF officials and senior Government officials, among other dignitaries.
— SundayNews

Some 19 Malawian women and children have spent over a month at Chipinge Prison in Zimbabwe for contravening Zimbabwe’s Immigration Act.

The 19 include 14 women and five under-five children who were travelling to South Africa in a bus, but were intercepted by Zimbabwe police at a road block because they did not have travel documents.

Two of the five children are breast-feeding while another is suffering from gout and is not taking medication, according to a lawyer in Zimbabwe.

The lawyer, Perpetual Mutare, who works for Legal Resources Foundation (LRF), confirmed in an interview that the ‘illegal immigrants’ appeared before a magistrate’s court in Chipinge Province last week, where they were found guilty of contravening the country’s Immigration Act and were given a suspended sentence.

The Malawi High Commission office in Zimbabwe says it is aware of the issue and will start processing their return, according to Mutare.

The Malawi High Commission in Zimbabwe will guide prison authorities in that country about where the convicts should be released to.

According to Mutare, the convicts stayed on remand for close to a month before they were taken to court as there was no Chichewa-speaking interpreter at Chipinge Court.

He said: “The court had to request the Provincial Magistrate in Harare to send a Chichewa-speaking interpreter to Chipinge.”

But rights activists have blamed Malawi’s porous borders, which the people cross first when they are going to South Africa.

Director for Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre Emma Kaliya wondered how people without proper travel documents are intercepted by immigration officers outside Malawi and not as they attempt to cross the country’s borders.

“This problem speaks volumes of the challenge of our porous borders and it is embarrassing that our people are being returned out there because, in the first place, our officers have failed do their job,” she said.

She also condemned women who venture on such dangerous journeys with children, whom they use when pleading for sympathy.

Women’s Legal Resources Centre (Wolrec), a women’s rights non-governmental organisation says it sympathises with the women and children still in prison, saying poverty has a female face.

Worlec communication, monitoring and evaluation manager Dumase Mapemba, said government has failed its citizens as evidenced by desperate women embarking on such dangerous journeys.

Mapemba also pointed out that under the United Nations (UN) Revised Deliberation Article No 5 on Deprivation of Liberty of Migrants (2017) VI 39, detained migrants ought to have been given appropriate medical care.

Said Mapemba:“In Article VII 40 and 41 prohibit detention of children whether alone or with their parents or guardians. It also prohibits detention of migrants in situations of vulnerability or risk such as pregnant women, breastfeeding women, persons with disabilities and the elderly.”

Mapemba called on Capital Hill to expedite the process of bringing the women and children back to Malawi and also engage the Zimbabwe Government to stop violating the rights of these women and children.

In a response to our questionnaire, spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Rejoice Shumba expressed concern with the trends, saying just recently 100 Malawians were also repatriated from Zimbabwe.

“The ministry is in constant communication with the embassy for periodic consular visits to the prison to process the return of such people,” said Shumba.

Mwnation

Pindula |Zimbabwean academic and visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science and Consortium at Amherst University in the United States of America, Chipo Dendere, says it is impossible for ZANU PF to change.

Dendere argues that those who join the party thinking that they can change it will be compromised.

Writing on microblogging site Twitter on Sunday, Dendere observed that the party’s foundations are deeply flawed: patronage, corruption, violence, anger, entitlement and greed. She wrote:

“ZANU PF can never change. It’s impossible. It defies logic that anyone would expect ZANU to democratize and bring peace plus prosperity.

Its foundations are deeply flawed; patronage, corruption, violence, anger, entitlement and greed. To work within ZANU structures you’d have to change

I think it’s hard to push for change by joining any of the structures because you’ll become compromised. You also can’t join them when you’re broke because money makes people vulnerable.

Maybe this is true for all political parties – they find your vulnerabilities and exploit.”

Own Correspondent|At least three provinces have so far endorsed Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the party’s sole presidential candidate for the 2023 election amid severe food shortages and debilitating hyperinflation that has forced some people to live from hand to mouth.

Zanu PF secretary for administration, Obert Mpofu, says more provinces are expected to endorse Mnangagwa ahead of the non-elective Annual People’s Conference set for next week in Goromonzi, Mashonaland East province.

Mpofu says Bulawayo overwhelmingly endorsed Mnangagwa’s candidacy today in the city, three years before the country holds harmonized elections.

Other provinces that have endorsed Mnangagwa are Matabeleland North and South. The former State Security Minister succeeded the late former president Robert Mugabe in 2017 following a defacto military coup.

Independent political observers have dismissed the move as mere politicking designed to distract the nation from serious economic problems bedeviling the southern African nation.

State Media|A 43-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo businesswoman has appeared in court facing charges of defrauding a fellow city businessman of US$700 000 in a well calculated plan where she sought to offset a debt with a local businessman.

Delny Deanna Ashley Davies who owns Bean There Restaurant was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) for allegedly defrauding businessman — Mr Prince Abraham of US$700 000. She was remanded out of custody to 11 December on $5 000 bail.

According to court records, sometime in November 2018, Davies hatched a plan to defraud Mr Abraham, who is the managing director of Nedlac Automation based in South Africa and Nedlac Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd based in Zimbabwe of US$700 000, which she used to settle her debt with one Mr Zakanya Patel.

It was stated that Davies approached Abraham and misrepresented to him that she had some free funds in South Africa and if he had any payments to settle in the neighbouring country, she had the capacity to do so. After falling prey to her trap, Mr Abraham is said to have transferred US$700 000 into her account. Abraham told Davies that his company had two major invoices, which had to be settled to Nedlac Automation South Africa adding to       R3 500 000.

Court records state that the invoices were to be settled as R3 070 000 to Maggotteax South Africa for goods bought and delivered to PPC Bulawayo and R430 000 to Toyota Nelspruit for Nedlac Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd company vehicle.

According to papers presented by Zacc in court, it was established that when the money was transferred into FMC Financial Services Ecobank account, US$72 000 financed an overdraft for FMC Financial Services and US$628 000 was transferred to a Steward Bank account, on instructions from Mr Patel.

It was noted that investigations established are that on 29 November 2018, R450 000 was paid to Nedlac Automation South Africa FNB account by Davies and she converted a balance of R3 050 000 to her own use.

Zacc stated that investigations further revealed that Davies made another deposit of R110 0000 into Nedlac Automation FNB account. Out of the US$700 000 only US$7 432 was recovered. Davies appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya and will reappear in court on Wednesday for trial.

THE ruling Zanu PF and opposition MDC yesterday said they were unfazed by the launch of a political movement by self-exiled former ruling party stalwart, Saviour Kasukuwere.

Kasukuwere’s movement, known as “Tyson Wabantu”, was launched in Bulawayo on Thursday by a group of disgruntled former Zanu PF members known as G40.

The movement distributed flyers and T-shirts branded “Tyson Wabantu” in many residential areas in the country’s second capital city.

Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo told NewsDay Weekender yesterday that the ruling party would not spend sleepless nights on Kasukuwere, whom he described as a nonentity.

“The launch of the movement is insignificant and meaningless to us. He is representing nothing. That movement has no bearing on Zanu PF. We are a mass party which has a vast support base. We don’t lose sleep on that nonentity. He is just but a dreamer,” Moyo said.

MDC president Nelson Chamisa’s spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda said Kasukuwere’s movement did not even affect an inch of their space as he was a Zanu PF creation.

“We don’t have to comment on that. Kasukuwere is former Zanu PF or Zanu PF, I think a comment from there would suffice. The MDC has had Kasukuwere as a political opponent. You know how we won elections when he was in politics. Why is that question even relevant?” Sibanda asked rhetorically.

Rose Phiri, former member of the ruling party women’s league, is the co-ordinator of Kasukuwere’s movement.More in Home

She said: “Tyson Wabantu movement is meant to unite all Zimbabweans and provide leadership towards a better Zimbabwe.”

Phiri said they were targeting one million people for the movement but admitted that the movement had no proper structures.

Kasukuwere has said he would issue a statement clarifying the position later on.

— NewsDay

A 35-year-old man was rescued after climbing the roof of Bulawayo’s tallest building before threatening to jump off.

Andrew Banda of Balfour Road in Bellevue was pulled back from the roof of the 110-meter high (360ft) National Railways of Zimbabwe building by fire fighters on Friday.

Dozens of people watched the drama unfold from the street below.

Chief Inspector Precious Simango of Bulawayo police said Banda was attempting to commit suicide.

“Security guards at the building alerted the Fire Brigade and they managed to rescue him. Police arrived at the scene after Banda had already been sent to the hospital,” Simango said.

Sources said Banda is an employee of the NRZ and had complained that his salary was “not enough to buy anything.”

The 23-floors NRZ building at the corner of Fife Street and 9th Avenue opened in 1985, becoming the tallest building in Zimbabwe. It lost that first ranking when the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe building, which stands at 120 meters high with 28 floors, was completed in 1997.

. ZimLive

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has commenced a probe into a raft of allegations of corruption at the Gokwe Town Council (GTC) where former Local Government minister, Saviour Kasukuwere was allegedly implicated, it has been established.

Kasukuwere was removed from government in late 2017 during a military coup that replaced ex-president Robert Mugabe with Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The exiled Kasukuwere is reportedly plotting a political comeback through a yet-to-be announced political party, which he will lead in the next general elections in 2023.

The former Zanu PF commissar is now accused of aiding the rot at the troubled Gokwe council through acts of omission or commission after the government at the time paid a blind eye to the corruption.

John Makamure, the Zacc spokesperson and a commissioner, confirmed the probe to The Standard, which has been investigating the alleged corruption in collaboration with the Information for Development Trust.

The investigations have corroborated findings by the Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa (Act-SA), which produced a report detailing claims of graft at GTC in September.

Obert Chinhamo, the Act-SA director, told The Standard that the Zacc chairperson, Loice Matanda-Moyo, had personally promised him that the commission would follow up on the allegations contained in his organisation’s report.

The Kwekwe-based anti-graft outfit shared its report with the commission in September.

Act-SA met Zacc officials based in Gweru, the Midlands capital, on November 22 and the commission has already engaged residents in Gokwe, a small town that is located in the same province, in its evidence-gathering process.

“We are investigating the corruption allegations levelled against officials in Gokwe regarding operations at the town council. If we get strong evidence that there is corruption at the council, arrests will, naturally, be made,” Makamure said.

The council is being investigated under Zacc case number G05/10/2019.

The current town secretary, Melania Mandeya, is likely to form the main focus of the Zacc probe as she is facing a raft of allegations of corruption.

There was an outcry among councillors, residents and civil society over her appointment, which they alleged was irregular.

This publication established that in 2013 an advert for the post was flighted publicly following the sacking of the then incumbent, Tapiwa Marongwe, who was also being accused of corruption, but Mandeya did not apply.

A named senior local government ministry official ordered GTC to re-advertise the post, apparently to enable her to apply.

Investigations revealed that a total of eight candidates attended the interviews and Mandeya came fourth. She was beaten by Loud Ramakpola (81%), Shingirayi Tigere (78,8 %) and Victor Kondo (63%).

Ramakpola got the job, but resigned out of frustration four months later as he had been denied a council vehicle, telephone allowance and other conditions specified in his contract.

On October 21, 2014, Mandeya, who sources say was not employed by GTC then, was given a letter of appointment to the job and her contract would be effective from December 1, the same year, without the knowledge or approval of the Local Government Board.

Mandeya holds a Bachelor’s degree in Guidance and Counselling from the Zimbabwe Open University and the qualification is considered unsuitable for the job.

A letter obtained by the Standard indicates that councillors complained in writing to the then Local Government minister, Kasukuwere, over the irregularity, and her appointment was put on hold.

But she was reinstated on a full-time basis in January 2015 by the Local government ministry, again under unclear circumstances.

Despite the temporary freeze of her appointment, Mandeya still received her December salary and allowances.

She was paid US$2 597 through a transfer made on January 19, 2015 from the GTC’s CBZ Bank account into her ZB bank account 4558567128200.

The town secretary was also paid US$326 for diesel for December 2014 as indicated by voucher number RATV095.

Yet the council also paid the acting town secretary, Rosemary Chingwe, the sum of US$706 approved through voucher number 017 for the same month.

The money was wired into Chingwe’s ZB bank account number 4564398570200.

In May 2019, Mandeya allegedly gave a contract for catering services to a named local businesswoman, who could not be located for her response, without consulting councillors.

The businesswoman, sources said, was a front for the Gokwe district administrator Steward Gwatirinda. The value of the contract has been kept under wraps.

A July 1, 2019 letter leaked to this publication that was signed by the caterer shows that she instructed GTC to deduct $4 000 from the amount and direct it as part payment for a residential stand belonging to Gwatirinda, situated at Gokwe centre’s Kambasha area.

Gwatirinda admitted that he had received the payment, when contacted for a comment.

“Yes, someone paid for my stand at Gokwe Town Council, but that person owed me money. “However, it is a personal issue. I can’t discuss it in the media, how that person ended up owing me money,” he said.

The town secretary again gave a contract of US$12 000 to one Zaranyika to supply curtains for the Gokwe town house without going to tender.

Mandeya and Zaranyika are said to be relatives and were staying under the same roof.

In 2016, Mandeya received a Chevrolet vehicle, registration number AEF 2600, for US$58 000 despite the fact that one supplier was selling it for US$51 000 and no justification was given for preferring the costlier car.

Investigations showed that Mandeya owns two residential stands in the Kambasha low-density suburb against council policy and the Urban Councils Act. These are stands number 155 and 156.

Mandeya dismissed all the accusations against her as unfounded and malicious.

She, however, admitted that she came fourth in the interviews, but saw nothing wrong with her appointment.

“I didn’t employ myself,” she said.

She claimed council bought materials for curtaining of the town house and the US$12 000 figure was exaggerated. Mandeya denied being related to Zaranyika.

She also admitted owning two stands, but insisted there was nothing wrong with it.

Mandeya defended the purchase of the Chevrolet at an exorbitant price, saying they considered other things outside the price, but did not elaborate.

In 2011, the local authority paid a total of US$23 000 for the purchase of a Nissan NP300 from a Harare-based company that was meant for use by the finance director but, up to now, it has not been delivered.

The Act-SA report indicates that GTC has a secret CBZ nostro account that this paper later established is number 01721387410218 and was kept away from the councillors until recently.

It could not be immediately established who opened it and when, the signatories and the amount being held in the account.

Two cash receipt books disappeared at GTC early this year, but no report was made to the police nor did the council make efforts to warn the public.

The Act-SA report indicates that the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, which owns Chirisa Game Park in Gokwe, made a donation of US$8 000 to the town council, but does not specify when that happened and the purpose.

The report notes that there is no accountability to date on how the money was used despite demands to management for accountability from councillors.

Zimparks spokesperson, Tinashe Farawo, said he could not remember the donation.

Similarly, Act-SA alleges in its report that the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara) disbursed funds to the local authority for road surfacing last year and GTC contracted Godfrey Nuwana, who owns a road construction company to do the job, but the money was allegedly diverted while the contractor was paid in the form of three residential stands named as numbers 10760, 10759 and 10758.

This paper has also established that, in 2011, a well-wisher who is now based in the United States, Peter Lobel, initiated a campaign dubbed “Mudzimiwemoto” (The Fire Fighter) to capacitate local authorities in civil protection.

Lobel donated a Volvo fire tender, registration number AAE8004, to GTC in 2016, but council books of finance indicate that the vehicle was purchased at a value of US$22 000.

Gokwe town council’s financial records have not been audited for over five years and management has repeatedly ignored calls for a forensic audit.

GTC’s 63rd full council meeting resolved on May 23, 2013, well before Mandeya took over, to buy a Toyota D4D vehicle from Croco Motors at US$38 000, but management opted for a used one at US$18 000.

Records show that the car was bought from an individual, one David Michael Catchington, and because it was a non-runner, council ended up spending US$34 000 to repair it.

At the height of a push by councillors to fish out corrupt tendencies and illicit financial flows, Mandeya reportedly fired the internal council auditor, Tavaziva Mavhengere on three months’ notice.

A document with recommendations to the full council meeting by the audit committee chairperson councillor Salstino Mapfunde after Mandeya fired the internal auditor indicated that efforts by the policy makers to trace opaque financial transactions were killed by the dismissal of the employee, who had most of the information.

Part of it reads: “The town secretary ill-advised council and destroyed my audit committee indirectly by terminating the contract of the (internal) auditor on three months’ notice illegally and without even following the procedures.

“We now do not have an auditor and when we want to have an audit committee meeting we are given a mere clerk (sic). It is mockery to my committee. ”

The audit committee chairperson says that the firing of the internal auditor had undermined their efforts to get answers on suspected fraudulent transactions.

“The case of the Gokwe Town Council is a microcosm of a bigger catastrophe in other local authorities.

“On the other side, relevant authorities that have a constitutional mandate to investigate corruption often give a blind eye especially when the leadership of these local authorities is linked to certain high profile individuals,” said Chinhamo.

Local government ministry permanent secretary, George Magosvongwe, confirmed receiving reports of corruption at GTC and like Zacc, also confirmed investigations would be conducted.

“The ministry received reports of the alleged corruption activities at Gokwe Town Council,” he said.

“To this effect, an investigation will be carried out to establish the facts and the results will be availed in due course.”

• Standard
  

Correspondent|The Executive Secretary of SADC Dr Stergomena Tax says Zimbabwe never experienced a coup but a change of Administration that all Zimbabweans celebrated.

Responding to Zimbabweans who were questioning SADC’s support of the coup Tax said, “Which coup? SADC is unaware of the said coup, is aware of change of administration that was extensively celebrated and supported by nationals!”

Tax said SADC will not meddle in the affairs of Zimbabwe but encourages the citizens to engage the local and internal systems in achieving their grievances.

“I have already responded to this. Use the Parliament and Judiciary. Engage with the Executive. Regional bodies come in after exhausting internal mechanisms. Are you at that stage? Use the Parliament and Judiciary. Engage with the Executive. Regional bodies come in after exhausting internal mechanisms.”

When questioned whether SADC was seeing democracy in Zimbabwe Tax said, “Why, the parliament is composed of the ruling party and the opposition? 1/3 is the opposition!”

In November 2017, the army waged a military coup that ended 37 years of the late President Robert Mugabe’s iron rule.

The coup claimed the life of CIO Boss Peter Munetsi and many unaccountable for citizens.

Own Correspondent|Professor Jonathan Moyo is over the moon with the formation of yet another new political party.

It is not clear who the leaders of the movement are.

Said Prof Moyo, “So there’s a new political party in town. Not sure though if it’s Peoples Party or People’s Party. In this season of the people, we have the first #PartyYabantu. Meanwhile the “PP” abbreviation has an unmistakable ring of Pee Pee!.”

So there's a new political party in town. Not sure though if it's Peoples Party or People's Party. In this season of the people, we have the first #PartyYabantu. Meanwhile the "PP" abbreviation has an unmistakable ring of Pee Pee! pic.twitter.com/7zuLKESs3f

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) December 7, 2019

Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s wife, Marry has filed court papers challenging a US$700 000 claim filed by her former husband and ex-Zimbabwe Warriors striker, Shingai Kaondera

In July this year Kaondera, approached the High Court with the claim alleging that his former wife fraudulently obtained a divorce order against him with a view to get married to the then army general.

The former football star said he was prejudiced of over half a million dollars in investments, which he was supposed to amass as Marry’s partner.

But Marry has responded by requesting Kaondera to supply her with further particulars in order to enable her to answer to the claims.

She asked Kaondera on what basis he claiming his signature on the divorce consent papers and affidavit of waiver were forged.

Marry asked her former husband how he had come up with the US$700 000 figure for the damages in light of the fact that the couple never acquired any assets of substantial value during the existence of their marriage.

“Defendant [Marry] submits that plaintiff freely and voluntarily signed consent paper and affidavit of waiver and puts plaintiff to the strict proof of his allegations,” she said in the court papers.

“The plaintiff was not opposed to the order of divorce being granted on the terms granted otherwise plaintiff would not have waited for nine years to raise these false and malicious allegations.

“The parties never acquired any immovable property during the subsistence of their marriage and there was no immovable property to share.

“The parties agreed that each party would keep those movable properties in each party’s custody as his or her sole property.

“Defendant puts plaintiff to strict proof of the contrary.”

In his claim Kaondera said the US$700 000 was for compensation for the loss of immovable property and a company called Latchelle (Pvt) Ltd, which he lost to Marry.

But in her response Chiwenga said she has no knowledge of the company adding Kaondera “is put to the strict proof of the existence of such a company and its directors and shareholders”.

In his lawsuit Kaondera also claimed that he never consented to divorcing Marry as alleged in the court papers but the VP’s wife dismissed his assertions as false. The matter is pending.

Meanwhile, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga gave Marry until Friday, December 6, to leave their matrimonial home in Borrowdale, ZimLive understands.

The retired army general furiously cut ties his wife in July after a hospital bedside row in South Africa as he battled a mystery illness.

Marry Chiwenga

Marry, a former model, was forced to return home as Chiwenga was flown to China where he received lengthy treatment before returning home on November 23.

Chiwenga has not been home to see Marry or their children after moving into their other property in Chisipite, from where he has been plotting his divorce.

Sources say a day after returning home, on November 24, the vice president sent an emissary to serve Marry with “gupuro” – a traditional Shona divorce token, typically a coin.

The couple were customarily married in 2011. The marriage is recognised under Zimbabwean law but carries complexities which notoriously bring grief to widows. Marry reportedly drew Chiwenga’s ire when she asked for a Marriage Act (Chapter 5:11) union as the 63-year-old battled for his life in a Pretoria hospital.

Chiwenga, who suspects that he was poisoned, reportedly told aides he feared his wife may have had a hand in his illness and accused her of infidelity.

Shortly after returning home, Chiwenga called in Harare lawyer Wilson Manase to finalise his separation.

Manase, while confirming Chiwenga was his client, declined to comment.

— The Standard/

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CATTLE deaths due to the effects of drought in the Matabeleland region have reached catastrophic levels with 21 400 deaths having been recorded as of last week, amid reports that farmers are struggling to source supplementary feeding and reliable water sources for their animals.

Though the number of livestock poverty deaths, especially cattle, is being felt countrywide due to depleted grazing and diminishing water sources, it is mostly felt in the Matabeleland region where the climate conditions and soils do not favour cropping but tend to go so well with animal husbandry.

Official statistics obtained by Sunday News reveal that over 21 000 cattle have succumbed to drought to date though the figure surpasses that as the death of some of the animals has not been reported.

A survey by Sunday News in parts of Matabeleland revealed that drought had taken its toll, with domestic animals dying on daily basis.

“The situation is bad as you can see. Cattle are dying everyday and the rains that came a few weeks ago have not helped the situation at all,” said Mr Ackim Ndlovu from Mbondweni in Filabusi.

Figures obtained by this paper from Government departments reveal that 21 400 cattle have succumbed to drought with 15 180 being from Matabeleland South Province, while 6 220 deaths were recorded in Matabeleland North. Beitbridge District has been the hardest hit area in the region with almost 4 000 cattle reported to have died with one farmer losing over 150 animals.

Gwanda District has recorded 2 568 deaths, Mangwe (1 433), Matobo (1 734), Bulilima (2 695), Insiza (2 367) and Umzingwane (390).

Matabeleland South has an estimated cattle population of slightly above 600 000.

Matabeleland South provincial livestock officer, Mr Zondani Muchemwa said if urgent intervention was not taken the situation might turn out to be very catastrophic.-State media

PARENTS with children going to boarding schools and private schools in and around Bulawayo are likely to have a bleak Christmas as they will be agonising over school fees for next year, with some schools proposing figures in the range of $60 000 for the first term, while others are charging $17 000.

Revelations are that Falcon College in Esigodini has proposed a $60 000 or an equivalent of US$3 000 while Christian Brothers College (CBC) in Bulawayo will be charging $17 300 per term for next year.

Catholic-run Dominican Convent is also said to be charging in excess of $13 000 per term while Petra College is asking for $12 600 for secondary and $8 260 for primary with the possibility of a top up that will be determined by changes in the prices of goods mid-way through the first term.
Some private schools such as St Thomas Primary are charging $8 300.

Cyrene Mission (boarding school) is charging $4 000 excluding grocery. Matopo High School and Gloag are said to have adopted a wait and see attitude as schools closed without finalising the deliberations on the fees.-State media

VICE President Constantino Chiwenga has been urging his boss, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, to drop his soft stance and be a little bit harder including employing the tough liberation war-time tactics on political opponents, the President himself has revealed.

President Mnangagwa made the revelations on Saturday while responding to Zimbabwe Liberation War Collaborators’ Association (ZILIWACO) chairperson, Pupurai Togarepi, who had raised the issue of factionalism in Zanu-PF.

“Chiwenga always tells me that I am too soft. But I always tell him that we can no longer use tactics that we used during the war.

“But the truth is the truth. You don’t hunt with other people’s dogs. We need to find other ways to flush out other people’s dogs.

“And you, as war collaborators, can be our eyes and ears just like you were during the liberation struggle,” said President Mnangagwa.

The ZILIWACO meeting was held at the Harare City Sports Centre yesterday, and both the President and his deputy were in attendance.

Factionalism has been rearing its ugly head once again within the ruling party, with the President himself warning at a recent politburo meeting that the G40 remains stubborn and has been labelled a national security threat.

— Zimbabwe Voice

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa and his bloated entourage splashed US$12 million on travel expenses between January and September this year at a time government is battling to contain an intractable economic crisis.

However, the US$12 million reflected in the proposed 2020 budget estimates of expenditure contained in the blue book is a conservative figure, considering Mnangagwa’s endless flights aboard a luxurious hired jet which took him to Japan in August at a cost of US$1,7 million before he jetted to New York the next month for the United Nations (UN) General Assembly at roughly the same cost.

By August, Mnangagwa’s flying adventures had taken him to 40 destinations aboard the regal plane which costs US$30 000 to hire for an hour.Mnangagwa’s unbridled spending on lavish travel has seen government spend ZW$195 448 930 million (US$12,2 million at Interbank rate) on local and foreign trips in the first eight months of the year.

Calculations based on the budget estimates of expenditure tabled in parliament by Finance minister Mthuli Ncube reveal Mnangagwa used US$12 215 558 when converted at the current interbank rate. Actual figures of expenditure up to September 2019 outlined in the blue book, indicate that the Office of the President and Cabinet spent ZW$12 979 637 (US$811 227) on domestic travels, while ZW$182 469 293 (US$11 404 330) was on foreign trips.

According to the blue book, the money spent on travel by government was in excess of ZW$2 million of the year’s budget which was estimated at ZW$165 745 811 (US$10 359 113).

Since ascending into power through a military coup that toppled former president Robert Mugabe after nearly four decades of rule, Mnangagwa and members of his administration have been globe-trotting in search ofmuch-needed foreign investors, under the “Zimbabwe is open for business” mantra.

Mnangagwa has also been seeking lines of credit to kick-start the comatose economy.In the first nine months of last year Mnangagwa’s travels had gobbled US$23,2 million against a foreign travel budget of US$17 million, according to the Finance ministry.

On most of his foreign travels, Mnangagwa has been using a luxurious jet operated by Swiss aviation Comlux, hired at US$30 000 per hour.In July Mnangagwa attended the United Nations General Assembly in New York accompanied by a bloated entourage of 90 people, including Zanu PF youths.

Despite the rhetoric on austerity, government has been spending millions of taxpayers’ money on other controversial projects such as hiring four top-notch international public relations firms this year, to facelift the country’s battered image, in addition to numerous travels.The Ministry of Finance also allocated ZW$3,1 billion (US$187,6 million) to the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans.

While sectors which are critical to reviving the ailing economy, such as the Ministry of Industry and Commerce as well as the Mines ministry, have been allocated ZW$368 million (US$23 million) and ZW$293,2 million (US$18,3 million) respectively.

Ironically, the government is failing to address the water crisis and power outages due to lack of funding. Harare City Council has pointed out that it had lost capacity to purify the water it pumps into homes, citing shortages of foreign currency to buy the water treatment chemicals.

It also comes as runaway inflation, which has decimated earnings and pushed prices of basic goods and services beyond the affordability of the majority of Zimbabweans.

Annualised inflation, currently at 440% has forced local firms to adopt hyperinflationary reporting despite Ncube having projected single digit inflation for next year.

-The Independent

The Zimbabwe Peace Project has rapped Minister of Finance and Economic Development Mthuli Ncube for budgeting for space satilite at a time when majority citizens are wallowing in perpetual poverty due to economic crunch.

ZPP made the criticism in its latest report.

“Minister of Finance and Economic Development Mthuli Ncube presented the ZWD63, 66 billion 2020 budget titled ‘Gearing for Higher Productivity, Growth and Job creation’,” ZPP said.

“Notable and commendable changes were that the education and health sectors received the highest allocations at ZWD10, 7 billion and ZWD6, 5 billion respectively; a shift from the past where the defence ministry received the highest allocation.”

ZPP said furthermore, government set aside ZWD200 million to procure sanitary wear for disadvantaged women and girls, a welcome relief for millions of girls for whom sanitary wear was inaccessible due to high prices.

“Interestingly, while the majority of citizens are reeling in extreme poverty the budget statement also set aside resources for a space satellite,” said ZPP.

“Minister Ncube however announced the continuation of subsidies to Command Agriculture and Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) while scrapping grain subsidies to grain millers.”

ZPP said the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMZ) subsequently announced an increase in the price of mealie meal from ZWD55 to ZWD101, 66.

“The public outcry that followed led President Emmerson Mnangagwa to restore the subsidies. He stated that he had not been consulted before the decision was taken,” the watchdog said.

-Byo24

Title to the Mugabe family’s Borrowdale home commonly referred as the Blue Roof, and the Mount Pleasant property given to Bona Mugabe-Chikore — the late former president Cde Robert Mugabe’s daughter — as a wedding gift in March 2014, will be transferred to the former First Family, Zanu-PF has reiterated.

Last week, Zanu-PF’s commercial division, M and S Syndicate (Private) Limited, contested the registration of the upmarket properties cited as part of the late former president’s estate. Through their lawyers Chihambakwe, Mutizwa & Associates, the company argued the properties, including a Waterfalls home, still belonged to them and cannot be registered under the estate of the late former president.

The Mugabe family had listed the properties as part of the late former president’s estate in a declaration filed at the Master of the High Court.

Zanu-PF’s Secretary for Legal Affairs, Cde Paul Mangwana, said the position of the party remains that the properties will be transferred to the Mugabe family, adding the move is also in recognition of Cde Mugabe’s contributions to the country.

“The leader of the party (President Mnangagwa) made it abundantly clear that the properties in question will be transferred to the family. That is the position of the party as communicated by the First Secretary,” said Cde Mangwana.

“This also comes back to the issue of the relationship between the party and its former leader. He is the founding father of our beloved nation and that is one obvious reason why the President made that commitment.”

The route taken by M & S, Cde Mangwana said, was legally correct in terms of corporate governance, but work was underway to finalise the issue with the shareholder (Zanu-PF).

“M & S Syndicate is legally correct that the properties in question belong to them. In terms of good corporategovernance, their position is justified. However, the party is the shareholder and there will be communication between the shareholder and M & S Syndicate on how the properties will be transferred.

“I am not at liberty to share discussions between M & S Syndicate and the shareholder, which is Zanu-PF. That information will be shared at the appropriate time. The issue of the transfer is work in progress and the President made his commitment towards that issue very clear.”

The Mugabe family appointed the late former president’s daughter, Bona Mugabe-Chikore, as the executor of his estate. According to the family, Cde Mugabe, who died in Singapore on September 6 this year after a long battle with prostate cancer, did not leave a will for his vast wealth.

He left behind wife Mrs Grace Mugabe, daughter Bona and sons Robert and Chatunga, as well as Russel Goreraza (stepson).

Sources privy to the compilation of Cde Mugabe’s estate told The Sunday Mail that at least three law firms — Uriri Attorneys-at-Law; DSL, a security services outfit; and Venturas and Samkange Legal Practitioners — are responsible for the onerous task.

Family lawyer Mr Terrence

Hussein of Hussein Ranchod is reportedly superintending over the process.

Some close family members, who elected to remain anonymous because of the sensitivity of the matter, recently told The Sunday Mail that some of Cde Mugabe’s wealth had already been divided up and might never be made public.

Family spokesperson Mr Walter Chidhakwa recently told this publication that the late revolutionary’s belongings were distributed in accordance with traditional custom at a memorial service held in Zvimba on October 19.

The Blue Roof mansion is valued around US$9 million.

-State media

THE Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has responded to reports that a new political party named Zanu-PF Original has been registered with the elections management body, saying as ZEC they do not register political parties.

Reports over the week indicated that a new party, believed to be fronted by former Zanu-PF Commissar Saviour Kasukuwere, had lodged its papers with ZEC.

The reports came after Kasukuwere, who is in self-imposed exile in South Africa, told media in that country last weekend that he is challenging the 2023 presidential elections, saying he has been receiving support from disgruntled members of the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC and the ruling Zanu-PF who wanted a third party that spoke to their aspirations.

However, ZEC Commissioner Qhubani Moyo has responded to reports that ZEC has registered Zanu-PF Original as a new party.

“ZEC does not register political parties. We are notified of existence and we acknowledge receipt of the existence upon submission of Constitution.The said Zanu-PF Original brought a letter announcing its existence but they are yet to give us their constitution so that we put them on our data base,” Moyo said on social media, Saturday.

Asked why ZEC allowed new parties choose a name that resembles one that already exists, as in the case of Movement for Democratic Change Zimbabwe which was recently announced, Moyo said that was a problem for legislators to resolve at law-making level.

“The challenge arises from the fact that there is no regulations for registration of political parties. In other countries there are such regulations and definitions of what a party must fullfill to be registered.

“There debate now on what model can be used to register political parties in Zim going into the future.

“For now even where a parties have similar names and differ acronyms they considered different parties,” the ZEC Commissioner explained.

-Harare Live

PARENTS with children going to boarding schools and private schools in and around Bulawayo are likely to have a bleak Christmas as they will be agonising over school fees for next year, with some schools proposing figures in the range of $60 000 for the first term, while others are charging $17 000.

Revelations are that Falcon College in Esigodini has proposed a $60 000 or an equivalent of US$3 000 while Christian Brothers College (CBC) in Bulawayo will be charging $17 300 per term for next year. 

Catholic-run Dominican Convent is also said to be charging in excess of $13 000 per term while Petra College is asking for $12 600 for secondary and $8 260 for primary with the possibility of a top up that will be determined by changes in the prices of goods mid-way through the first term.

Some private schools such as St Thomas Primary are charging $8 300. Cyrene Mission (boarding school) is charging $4 000 excluding grocery. Matopo High School and Gloag are said to have adopted a wait and see attitude as schools closed without  finalising the deliberations on the fees. 

“Meetings for the two schools will be held on 11 January to decide on the fees for the first term. But that is unfair to parents as there will be little time left before schools open on 14 January to run around and raise whatever will be required,” said a parent at Matopo, Mrs Miriam Ndlovu.

Parents with children at Government secondary schools in Bulawayo however, will pay between $400 and $600, according to sources. Meanwhile, our Harare Bureau reports that there is likely to be an exodus from private and mission schools to public schools due to sharp fees hikes with some schools. Most schools, both public and private, have already ominously signalled they would significantly hike their fees in tandem with galloping expenses needed to keep the institutions running. But some parents say the proposed new fees, as indicated by preliminary invoices handed out to parents last week, range from “shocking”, “ridiculous” to “outrageous”.

Although schools have been continuously adjusting their fees through out the year through top-ups, the latest round of proposed increases, especially at a time salaries have remained low, have created a “perfect storm” where parents and guardians — even with the aid of savings — simply cannot afford. The lowest-paid civil servant earns a little above $1 000 per month. 

Most of those affected are presently scouting for schools that meet their budget. 

“It is a shock! We had been anticipating an increase but not to this level,” said a parent whose child attends boarding school at Rusununguko High in Goromonzi, Mashonaland East, soon after picking up her son at Robert Gabriel Mugabe Square last week.

She refused to be identified for fear of victimisation.

“They say we have to pay $9 000 (next year), but where will we get the money? I am a mere nurse . . . so I may have to enrol him at a more affordable day school.”

The increases are being keenly felt in boarding schools. Pupils who will enrol for form one at Catholic-run St Dominic’s Chishawasha, located 24-kilometres from the capital, Harare, will have to part with $12 200. Similarly, Methodist-run Sandringham High School is proposing an $11 896 fee, including uniforms. Private schools are indexing their fees to the US-dollar exchange rate to insulate against soaring expenses, they say.

Fees at Highfield-based Regina Mundi Convent Primary School are currently pegged at US$280 per pupil per term, which translates to about $4 500 using the current interbank foreign exchange rate. A representative organisation of private schools, the Association of Schools (ATS), said schools will continue complying with the law, but they have to recover costs of delivering a specific service.

“As far as we understand, schools charge in Zimbabwe dollars. Each member school of ATS is independent: ATS is not required to approve or even know what fees that schools charge. ATS core values are: integrity, accountability, ethical governance and professionalism. One of the criteria of membership of ATS schools is that they are not for profit, but they do deliver a specific service whose costs have to be recovered,” said ATS chief executive officer Mr Tim Middleton.

However, there are fears that even Government schools would be applying for an adjustment, particularly in tuition, which is used to finance school projects and administrative expenses. Zimbabwe Schools Development Associations/Committees secretary-general Mr Everisto Jongwe said while schools had to review fees to remain viable, increases had to be borne out of an inclusive consultative process that guarantees a win-win for everyone.

“I would not want to blame the schools for wanting to hike the fees because the economic environment demands that they do that to remain viable. But we encourage schools to work with SDCs, parents and other stakeholders so as to come up with a solution which works for everyone.”

There are, however, fears the spate of fee hikes will trigger a wave of transfers between schools. Most worryingly, teachers believe that the present upheavals might result in rising drop-outs in rural schools. Zimbabwe Teachers’ Union (ZIMTA) chief executive officer Dr Sifiso Ndlovu said parents in rural areas might be worse off.

“We had a situation where parents in urban areas and formerly group A and B schools generally made an effort to pay school fees. It was in the rural areas where we had those problems, but with the current situation, we may begin to see even those in urban areas struggling.”

The solution, he added, lies in arresting inflation. 

“It is the shocker prices of everything that are causing this situation; we have shocker electricity bills, shocker fuel prices, shocker food prices. So as we try to come up with a solution, those are the factors that we have to consider.”

According to a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) report, about 20 400 pupils in Zimbabwe dropped out of primary school in 2018. The main reasons cited for this phenomenon were financial constraints, expulsion, and absconding.

Primary and Secondary Education Permanent Secretary Mrs Tumisang Thabela said schools should follow procedure before increasing fees.

“Our position as the Government is that all schools, in consultation with the School Development Committees, should apply first before they increase school fees. This includes all schools, including boarding schools and trust schools, because they are registered with us.”

-State Media

By A Correspondent| Four members of Parliament, Temba Mliswa (Independent), Prince Dubeko Sibanda (MDC), Anele Ndebele (MDC), and Leonard Chikomba (Zanu PF), have been cleared of bribery allegations.

The four were accused of soliciting for a US$400 000 bribe from a Bulawayo businessman, James Goddard after they allegedly promised him lucrative contracts with Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL).

However, in his report tabled before the National Assembly, Parliament’s privileges committee chairperson Fortune Charumbira absolved the MPs, who were members of the mines portfolio committee, of corruption charges. Part of the report read:

The privileges committee is of the view that the conduct of the four MPs does not constitute a breach of privileges.

However, the committee is of the view that measures should be undertaken to ensure MPs are not involved in activities, which are inconsistent with parliamentary decorum.

The Privileges Committee also reported that controversial Kwekwe businessman Shepherd Tundiya was the architect of the entire bribery allegations, and he arranged the meetings between Goddard and management at HCCL, and also held meetings with the MPs, excluding Mliswa.

Tundiya also misrepresented himself as an official in the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) who was sent by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to sort out the mess at HCCL.

-Standard

By A Correspondent- Chief Tshovani (real name Hlaisi Mundau) and his subjects demonstrated outside the Chiredzi Magistrates Court to express anger against the Chiredzi District Development Coordinator (DDC)’s office and the Joint Operations Command (Joc) that they accuse of meddling in his wrangle with the recently-revived Neromwe chieftaincy.

Chief Neromwe (real name Clemence Madzingo) was at the court to hear a decision regarding his application for a restraining order against Chief Tshovani whom he wants banned from setting foot on any part of his territory.

The case, which was being heard by magistrate Rogers Mawarire, was postponed to December 06.

Chief Tshovani, who was being represented by a lawyer from Majoko and Majoko Legal Practitioners, raised placards outside the court, attacking the Ministry of Local Government, the DDC’s office and JOC for corruptly helping to resuscitate a ‘non-existent’ chieftainship.

 “DA, JOC yeChiredzi, MP Musikavanhu leave chieftainship issues vukosialihlotiwile tumbuluko Humambo hautsvagwi ndehwekuzvarwa nahwo.

“Ministry of Local Government siyanai nehuori hwekusika humambo husipo munyika yaMambo Tshovani. Tshikani Vugela lakutha tiko lahosi Tshovani,” read the placards.

Neromwe is seeking an interim peace order against Chief Tshovani pending a Supreme Court decision on a permanent peace order.

Madzingo was officially installed as substantive chief by Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs, Ezra Chadzamira together with Chiefs’ Council at his homestead at Marambakuzara Primary School earlier this year.

Tshovani disputes the new chieftaincy’s legitimacy whose revival came at a big expense to the size of his own area of jurisdiction.

Neromwe was awarded four wards namely ward 17, 26, 28 and 29 in Chiredzi North and Chiredzi West constituencies while Tshovani was left with only three wards.

A few months ago, Chief Tshovani addressed multitudes of Neromwe subjects at Ditoi, angering Neromwe who then applied for a temporary peace order at the local courts.

-TellZim

By A Correspondent- The Zanu-PF Midlands Provincial Inter-district Conference has endorsed the candidature of President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the party’s sole candidate for the 2023 presidential elections.

The resolutions read by Zanu-PF Midlands Provincial Vice Chairman, Robson Nyathi were a result of the provincial inter-district conference held this Saturday ahead of the National People’s Conference scheduled for Goromonzi in Mashonaland East Province.

“As a province, we have resolved to endorse President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the sole presidential candidate for 2023 elections in line with the dictates of the party’s constitution,” he said.

Midlands Provincial Chairman, Engineer Daniel Mackenzie Ncube urged party supporters to rally behind President Mnangagwa’s vision.

“We need to walk in the path of President Mnangagwa. His vision will take us to a Zimbabwe we will be proud of. It’s time to weed out those who are not walking with us,” said Engineer Ncube.

The party’s National Commissar, Victor Matemadanda castigated the culture of denigrating other party members which he said is rife within the Midlands Province.

“I’m not happy with the culture that is creeping particularly in this province. We have people who are busy denigrating other party members, labeling them G40 and all sorts of names. We need to grow the party as opposed to destroying it.

We have comrades who used to be in the Rhodesian forces but eventually helped in winning the war. There is no comrade better than the other. Let’s work in harmony,” said Matemadanda.

The revolutionary party is currently undergoing restructuring exercise as it seeks to strengthen all its structures ahead of the 2023 general elections.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Masvingo landlords who have been renting rooms to Masvingo Polytechnic and the Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) students face a bleak festive season following the closure of the two institutions for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The landlords “exploit” students by charging them very high rentals, most times they demand Rands and US dollars.

One of the landlords who spoke to Masvingo Star revealed that student rentals have been cushioning them against rising inflation. She said:

Life has become very difficult for most of us, especially family people because our salaries are extremely low to sustain basic needs which are becoming expensive daily. Therefore, if I get one or two tenants, that money for rent covers a very big gap.

Homeowners in suburbs such as Rujeko, Rhodene, Mucheke, Sisk, Eastvale, among others, are living off rental from students.

The closure of the tertiary institutions has also affected business people in the ancient town who have also been depending on rentals from the students.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- A 54 year old man from Maboleni area in Lower Gweru committed suicide by hanging himself from the trusses of his bedroom hut and left a note indicating he took his life after failing to raise money to repair a broken pool table belonging to a local police boss.

Acting police spokesperson for Midlands province Assistant Inspector Ethel Mkwende yesterday confirmed the incident but said she was yet to get the circumstances surrounding the matter.

“If I get the circumstances of the suicide, I will send the details to the national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi,” said Asst Insp Mkwende.

 According to sources, Douglas Lunga was playing a game of pool at Maboleni Business Centre on Monday with a friend only identified as Moyo when they damaged the table reportedly owned by Maboleni Officer-in-Charge, Inspector Joshua Ngeta.

“The now deceased and his friend intended to play pool but they broke the table as they tried to retrieve some of the balls by smashing it on the floor.

“The pool table which was at Ndini Shop belonged to the Maboleni police station Officer-in-Charge and when he was called and informed of the incident, he ordered that the two visit the police station,” said the source.

The source said at the police station, the two were detained overnight and released the following morning without charge.

“They were asked to pay US$500 each towards repairing the pool table and were released without charge after they committed to paying the figure in writing.

 “While at home, the now deceased then penned a suicide note indicating that he had no capacity to raise the $500 which was required in the form of United States dollars, hence he decided to take his life,” said the source.

Lunga’s daughter, Ms Sthabile Lunga yesterday said police who attended the scene recorded the suicide case under police RRB number 3970979.

She said the police also took away the suicide note.

“My father had a suicide note that he penned before he hanged himself during the night of December 2 which indicates that he had failed to raise the money which was needed to repair the pool table which he had allegedly broken,” Ms Lunga said.

Insp Ngeta declined to comment when he was contacted yesterday.

“I can’t comment on that. Get the facts of the suicide incident from our police district headquarters,” he said.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Mystery surrounds the death of a boy (13) from Bulawayo who allegedly finished an undiluted 750ml bottle of brandy in less than an hour.

The brandy has an alcohol percentage of 43 percent compared to ordinary beer that has between three and seven percent alcohol content. 

Sources alleged that Clayton Mhlanga of Entumbane suburb was forced to drink the alcohol by his older friends, but a statement given to the police suggests that he guzzled the liquor alone in their car while his friends were watching soccer at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday.

He died on Sunday from suspected alcohol poisoning. 

The group had gone to watch the Chibuku Cup final pitting Highlanders and Ngezi Platinum Stars.

Family members said Clayton’s hands and tongue turned black as he lay comatose at home.

He was expected to be buried at Athlone Extension Cemetery on Thursday.

Clayton’s older friends Mthunzi Malaba (22), Thobani Ncube and Likhwa Dube — all from the same suburb — have allegedly disappeared.

They told police that they had left the boy in their car while they watched the Chibuku Cup final which Highlanders won 1-0. 

They also claimed that when they returned, they found the boy had downed the brandy and was in a semi-conscious state.

 Bulawayo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the incident.

“On November 30 at around 2PM, the deceased went to Barbourfields Stadium to watch the match with his friends. The now deceased was left guarding the car. After the match, the three friends returned and realised that the now deceased had consumed undiluted alcohol which they had left in the car,” she said.

Chief Insp Simango said the friends took Clayton to his parents’ house at around 10PM and handed him over to his stepfather Mr Emmanuel Sibanda.

 “Sibanda tried to talk to the now deceased and he was not responding. He sprinkled some water on him but he did not respond and he later laid him on his bed,” she said.

On December 1, the boy’s health had seriously deteriorated.

“His father gave him some porridge and water. After consumption he vomited everything and his condition seriously deteriorated. At around 3PM he showed no signs of life,” said Chief Insp Simango.

Clayton’s grandmother, who declined to be named, said the family did not know what happened to him.

“We cannot tell you anything pertaining to the death of our son. We are being told that he drank ‘hot stuff’,” she said.

The granny said what remains mysterious is that his tongue and hands had turned black.

“The post-mortem results said his kidneys were swollen, his tummy was full of water and some drops of alcohol were also found in the tummy. So, if it is alcohol that caused his death then why has his tongue and hands turned black. We suspect that there might be foul play by his friends,” she said.

-StateMedia

President Mnangagwa has revealed that there is a hidden hand behind the ongoing strike by some doctors, who have not been reporting for duty since September 3 citing incapacitation.

But more doctors, in addition to the 46 that have already taken up Government’s offer, have expressed their interest to return to work, he added.

“We made a decision to take disciplinary action and most of them were fired, but we gave them an olive branch to return to work. There were 46 who returned at first, but just two days ago, more of them said they would return.

Some of those who returned confessed that they were being used for certain agendas bent on destabilising the country. They said some of their leaders were now playing politics.
“Some of them say they are incapacitated yet Government has offered them accommodation at the hospitals.

We have now uncovered that a few of them are receiving money from some forces, they are receiving US dollars to snub work and sabotage the country. We are going to reveal it all at some point.”

The Head of State and Government said Government is committed to revamping the country’s health delivery system.

He also made a pledge to redistribute land that has been identified through the ongoing land audit to landless Zimbabweans, including Ziliwaco members that did not benefit from the land reform exercise.

“The land audit has covered a lot of ground in about six provinces so far, and a lot needs to be corrected. There are some farms that were gazetted for redistribution but have not been redistributed.

There are top officials who own multiple farms but we are going to make sure that everyone, regardless of who they are, remains with one farm.”

It is believed that “there are two provinces where multiple farm ownership by top officials is rampant”. Some of the farms are reportedly disproportionately large as they range between 2 000 and 3 000 hectares.
“We are going to cut those sizes and parcel the land to those that do not have farms,” the President said.

Ziliwaco members were encouraged to tap into various Government empowerment programmes. The economic reform agenda to achieve an upper middle-income economy by 2030 will continue, he said.

“The Transitional Stabilisation Programme and the comprehensive reforms we have undertaken are already yielding results across all sectors. We have now adopted our own currency.”
In his remarks, Vice-President Dr Constantino Chiwenga commended President Mnangagwa for his consistency.
“He is a hard worker and he remained consistent. We can trust that his economic reform will bear fruits because he has the pedigree for hard work and dedication.”

The meeting was also attended by Defence and War Veterans Minister and Ziliwaco patron Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Ziliwaco chairperson Cde Pupurai Togarepi, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association Chair Ambassador Chris Mutsvangwa, war veterans secretary in the politburo Douglas Mahiya, senior Zanu-PF officials and senior Government officials, among other dignitaries.
— SundayNews

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested 10 Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) officers and agents stationed at Beitbridge Border Post on allegations of smuggling vehicles into the country.

This is just a tip of what is suspected to be a very large syndicate involving 102 of the suspected 2 400 smuggled vehicles in the investigation.

In addition to the 10 arrested, four Zimra supervisors are suspected of being implicated in the smuggling scam, and one of them has since been suspended from work to pave the way for investigations. 

Reports also suggest that managers of three companies that were contracted by Zimra to clear the vehicles and goods implicated in the scam and their clearing agents, have also been arrested or face arrest.

ZACC spokesperson Commissioner John Makamure yesterday confirmed the arrests.

“Yes, we have arrested 10 Zimra officials who were allegedly involved in the smuggling of vehicles and they will soon appear in court,” he said. 

“The operation targeting to recover smuggled vehicles is an ongoing exercise and we will not rest until all who are involved are brought to book.

“ZACC and Zimra have since started to recover some of the vehicles which entered in the country illegally. We expect to recover more. The nation has lost thousands (of dollars) in revenue in this scam and we need to recover that money.”

The arrests come after ZACC and Zimra launched a blitz targeting suspected smuggled vehicles which were usually sold at car sales across the country.

About 102 vehicles have so far been recovered.

Vehicles netted under the blitz were recovered from Washnet, Emri and Prince Edward Car Sales and from a dealer based at the intersection of Mazowe Street and Josiah Tongogara Avenue in Harare.

Mr Makamure said the operation was continuing and more arrests were likely once investigations were completed.

The joint operation by the ZACC and Zimra is targeting 2 400 vehicles suspected to have been smuggled in recent months.

Mr Makamure warned car importers and Zimra officials that ZACC will not hesitate to arrest those found on the wrong side of the law, whatever their status in society.

He said the country should have earned foreign currency through duty payments, but corrupt officials are blocking revenue collection.

“We recently signed an MoU with Zimra to collaborate in the fight against graft and these are some of the fruits. There will be several arrests and this will include high-profile figures linked to these criminal activities,” said Comm Makamure.

Recently, Zimra identified 433 vehicles suspected to have been smuggled into Zimbabwe and has invited their owners to the revenue collecting body’s offices for verification.

Top-of-the range models that include Toyota Landcruisers, BMWs, Jeep Grand Cherokees, Toyota Hilux, Toyota Lexus, Mercedes Benz, Toyota Fortuners, Range Rovers, Isuzus, Land Rover Discoveries, Ford Rangers and Audis, are dominating the targeted list

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent| Zimbabwe Liberation War Collaborators have been told they can’t get the same benefits as the war veterans as government has no capacity to compensate them.

Addressing collaborators who are said to be above 10 000 President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the government may not afford to compensate them but it would reward them.

He said:

“We know that you wanted compensation, but if we go for compensation, no one will want to be left out.

But once you are done with your vetting, we have a window of funds that we have arranged for you. There are three or so that have been set up.

We are going to fund these projects for you to empower yourselves.

These funds are not for individuals, so you need to set up groups and identify what you can do. We will not forget what you did and we will reward you

War collaborators is another wing of people who played a tremendous role during the war.

-StateMedia

A BULAWAYO-based pressure group Ibhetshu LikaZulu has called on the government to go a step further in addressing the Gukurahundi issue and account for victims that were abducted and never seen again.

The government has offered to facilitate exhumations and reburials of Gukurahundi victims as part of measures to address the 1980’s mass killings.

This followed a meeting President Emmerson Mnangagwa had with Matabeleland civic groups and clergy under the banner Matabeleland Collective held at the State House in Bulawayo early this year.

Ibhetshu LikaZulu coordinator Mbuso Fuzwayo said the pressure group is organising Unity Day activities to remember Gukurahundi victims, adding their main call is for the accounting for those that were kidnapped.

“We are busy preparing for the end of the Matabeleland Genocide, which we will hold on Unity Day,” Fuzwayo said.

The country commemorates Unity Day on December 22 to celebrate the signing of a Unity Accord between PF Zapu and Zanu that marked the end of Gukurahundi, resulting in the formation of Zanu PF.

“We will have a peace march from the city centre to Stanley Square in Makokoba where activities such as testimonials from victims will be held,” he said.

“While we appreciate what government has done to try and address the issue, however, there is silence on those that were abducted.

“No one is speaking to that; we want to amplify our voice on those who were abducted so that they are also accounted for.”

Police have recently not been sanctioning street marches, particularly those organised by the opposition MDC citing many excuses such as fears that the opposition and other anti-government groups will hijack the proceedings.

The government once initiated a probe into the Gukurahundi massacres but the findings of the investigation by the Chihambakwe Commission of Inquiry were never made public.

There have been calls for Mnangagwa to ensure the release of the report in the spirit of promoting national healing,and to commit himself to compensating the victims’ families and survivors.

Standard

FORMER Higher and Tertiary Education minister Jonathan Moyo (pictured right) will this week launch a book that will allegedly demonstrate how last year’s elections were rigged in favour of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Moyo, a former Zanu PF’s election strategist, reviewed a number of alleged irregularities before, during and after the polls and the findings form the basis of the book titled Excelgate.

He contends that opposition MDC Alliance candidate Nelson Chamisa beat Mnangagwa in the polls, but could not be declared the winner after the military allegedly intervened.

In the book set to be launched simultaneously in Harare, South Africa, Europe and the United States, Moyo claims the military played a key role in ensuring a Mnangagwa victory.

“All told, it is clear from the foregoing that the military had a rigging conspiracy or that it colluded with (the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission) Zec through (chairperson Priscilla) Chigumba and the (Constitutional Court) ConCourt via (Chief Justice Luke) Malaba,” reads an extract from the book.

“Results for the presidential and the National Assembly elections were transmitted using different routes from the ward collation centre.

‘While the destination for the National Assembly election results was the constituency centre, the presidential results were forwarded to the district centre for onward transmission to the national command centre in Harare,” he added, quoting Zec allegedly making the admission.

Moyo said he got most of the information from Zec officials, among other sources.

“My special gratitude goes to 11 unnameable Zec staff members and three Zec commissioners whose direct and indirect assistance to me was invaluable beyond description,” he added.

“ It is unfortunate but understandable that none of them wishes to be acknowledged by name.”

Moyo also wrote that Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga led the 2017 coup as he was afraid of being charged for treason.

Prior to the coup Chiwenga issued a statement ordering then president Robert Mugabe to stop purge against war veterans in Zanu PF. Zanu PF described the statements as treasonous.

“Some have claimed that the coup was triggered by the dismissal of Mnangagwa from the position of Vice President on November 6, 2017,” Moyo wrote.

“Again, this is far-fetched notwithstanding Mnangagwa’s ‘I will be back’ press statement he released on November 3, 2017.

“Others have alleged Mugabe’s refusal to meet Chiwenga on November 13 was the trigger of the coup. There was no refusal.

“The issue was about finding a mutually convenient time, and the expectation was that the meeting would be on Wednesday November 12, which turned out to be the day of the military coup.”

Moyo also dismissed claims that the coup was necessitated by the G40 faction that hadcoalesced around then first lady Grace Mugabe and that it was to target “criminals around Mugabe”.

He also describes claims that former police commissioner general Augustine Chihuri had attempted to arrest Chiwenga upon arrival from China as false.

Moyo said there was no grain of truth in allegations that Mugabe wanted to make Grace his successor, claiming instead, the late veteran leader wanted former Defence minister Sydney Sekeramayi to succeed him.

“But of course, it was convenient propaganda to claim that Grace was on the verge of taking over.

“On the other hand, the proposition that stopping Grace from succeeding her husband required a military coup was necessary and was a ludicrous excuse.”

Moyo claimed that in his book, there were points were he showed how the military used Zec to “steal the elections”.

“In this book, I show how the military used Zec to steal Zimbabwe’s presidential election from main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa who received 66% of the vote, to benefit Mnangagwa whose actual tally was 33%,” he said.

“The irrefutable evidence is overwhelming and beyond rational disputation. It is an open and shut case,” Moyo claimed.

Moyo claimed Foreign Affairs Minister Sibusiso Moyo, reporting to Chiwenga led the army manipulation of Zec systems.

Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya-Moyo said he would not comment on a book he had not read.

“l cannot comment on something that I have not seen,” he said.

Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana rubbished the book and confirmed he had seen Moyo’s claims.

Standard

By Own Correspondent| The Finance Minister, Mthuli Ncube last year promised to change govt policy on respecting property rights.

He gave the below responses to questions at London’s Chatham House institute on the 8th October 2018.

A year later we ask what has changed(?).

FULL TEXT –

Simba Chikanza: “Would you not agree that your commitment to the rule of law and to property rights is in question sir and I’m quoting here, legal experts from Veritas, who have raised for instance, two issues, the declaration of a military cantonment-area, on which there are mining claims, and the imposition of increased taxes, And electronic money transfers and they say this has raised questions about the government’s respect for property rights, and broadly the commitment to the rule of law.

And honorable Minister, Sir, it is not true that the only violent incident post-election is the one August there are numerous incidents of political violence that have continued even into this week and I’ve got a whole database here hereof people who either had their houses demolished, many have even been beaten on the streets we’re talking violence not by civilians; violence by either the military or members of the police force, and Sir, minister, do you not agree that your commitment to the rule of law and to property rights, your commitment to economic recovery is in question said since this is happening in your period?

Minister Mthuli Ncube replied saying, “…Simba on this issue about the commitment to the rule of law, I understand why you are saying it (sic) err, this incident, I don’t know what is true maybe you have better information than me which I suspect by the way, because I’ve only been in the country properly, not for one month but two weeks.”

Simba Chikanza: ” I’ve got full fact proof, checked, I’ve got a whole database that I can show you and the whole house; this is very very serious.

Mthuli Ncube: “I am hearing you but you see precedence is committed to abiding by the rule of law, you have said it on a full program, we are determined to do our best in this regard so but I’m not going to deny what you are saying as you have more information than me and I suspect, some so we are determined to make sure this stops and we abide by the rule of law, and expect property rights. I think what we are trying to do with the land issue as I was explaining and that it’s a simpler way we want to make sure…”

State Media|TEN schools from the Matabeleland region made it into the country’s top 100 schools, in this year’s Grade Seven results, while 32 others from the region got a zero percent pass rate with the ministry saying it is seized with the dismal performance of the schools.

Matabeleland North has 15 schools with zero percent pass rate while in Matabeleland South 10 recorded zero percent pass rate, seven schools with zero pass rate came from Bulawayo. This year’s national pass rate decreased by 5.18 percent from 52 percent last year to 46.9 percent.

In Matabeleland region, Coalfields Primary School, Oakleigh House, Portland Primary School, Wellton Primary School, Amazon Primary School, Fairview Adventist Primary School and Maranatha Adventist Primary School recorded a 100 percent pass rate, while ZRP Ross Camp recorded 98,90 percent, Fusi Primary School in Gwabalanda, Bulawayo recorded 98,69 percent and Dominican Convent 96,36 percent.

The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Cain Mathema, confirmed that this year’s Grade Seven results in Matabeleland dropped significantly compared to other years.

“Yes, some schools have performed dismally not only in Matabeleland but all over Zimbabwe. A number of schools recorded zero percent pass rate. As a ministry we will be working on finding out the reasons behind such performances. Of course, there may be issues to do with resource constraints. The fact that there are no proper classrooms, teachers have no houses because I know of one school in Matabeleland North where 10 teachers share one house and in some schools there is no water. Those are some of the things that bring about low pass rates,” he said.

Mathema said as a ministry they had to assist teachers to make the learning environment conducive for both the learner and the teacher.

“Teachers need to be helped to have proper classrooms, textbooks, proper cottages and piped water. Also, one of the important issues is we have to encourage close relationship between the parents and the school and their children that are at school. Parents have to know why they send children to school thus they should be equally involved in the learning process.

“As a ministry we are trying to train and educate our children from an early age so that they are able to manipulate the economic and social environment. We have to link the education system to the economy, as learners need to be prepared for the world,” said Mathema.

Midlands Province’s top school Cecil John Rhodes Primary School recorded 98,77 percent, Takawira Primary School 98,72, Senga Primary school 98,53, Stanley Primary 98,16, Matongo Primary 97,60, St Paul’s Mkoba Primary  96,99 and Budiriro Primary  96,91.

Nationally, schools that made it to top 10 are, Aspindale Park Primary, Divaris Makaharis Junior Primary, Dominican Convent Primary, Happy Primary, Lusitania Primary, Maranatha Primary (Harare), Pathway Private Primary, St Martins Convent and The Grange Christian School with 100 percent pass rate.

However, Minister Mathema said parents are flooding the e-map online application with boarding and private schools having the most preferences despite the anticipated fees increases. He said the sole purpose of the e-map online application platform was to cut transport costs for parents and avoid a situation where parents apply in more than three places and end up not knowing where the child was going to be accepted.

THE ruling Zanu PF and opposition MDC yesterday said they were unfazed by the launch of a political movement by self-exiled former ruling party stalwart, Saviour Kasukuwere.

Kasukuwere’s movement, known as “Tyson Wabantu”, was launched in Bulawayo on Thursday by a group of disgruntled former Zanu PF members known as G40.

The movement distributed flyers and T-shirts branded “ Tyson Wabantu” in many residential areas in the country’s second capital city.

Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo told NewsDay Weekender yesterday that the ruling party would not spend sleepless nights on Kasukuwere, whom he described as a nonentity.

“The launch of the movement is insignificant and meaningless to us. He is representing nothing. That movement has no bearing on Zanu PF. We are a mass party which has a vast support base. We don’t lose sleep on that nonentity. He is just but a dreamer,” Moyo said.

MDC president Nelson Chamisa’s spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda said Kasukuwere’s movement did not even affect an inch of their space as he was a Zanu PF creation.

“We don’t have to comment on that. Kasukuwere is former Zanu PF or Zanu PF, I think a comment from there would suffice. The MDC has had Kasukuwere as a political opponent. You know how we won elections when he was in politics. Why is that question even relevant?” Sibanda asked rhetorically.

Rose Phiri, former member of the ruling party women’s league, is the co-ordinator of Kasukuwere’s movement.

She said: “Tyson Wabantu movement is meant to unite all Zimbabweans and provide leadership towards a better Zimbabwe.”

Phiri said they were targeting one million people for the movement but admitted that the movement had no proper structures.

Kasukuwere has said he would issue a statement clarifying the position later on.

NewsDay

THE World Food Programme (WFP) is expanding its emergency operation in Zimbabwe with plans to assist more than four million people deemed food insecure by next month, amid revelations that drought has plunged more than seven million people into severe hunger.

The development comes at a time when the country is facing another poor rainfall season as the effects of climate change begin to manifest. The emergency operation seeks to complement Government’s efforts with WFP saying it will double the number of people it is helping to 4,1 million by providing life-saving rations of cereal, pulses and vegetable oil and a protective nutrition ration for children less than five years of age as it scales up efforts to avert further starvation in the country.

In a statement, WFP executive director Mr David Beasley said funds were required immediately, if the organisation was to meet the growing needs of the hardest-hit Zimbabweans.

“We are deep into a vicious cycle of sky-rocketing malnutrition that’s hitting women and children hardest and will be tough to break. With poor rain forecast yet again in the run-up to the main harvest in April, the scale of hunger in the country is going to get worse before it gets better,” said Mr Beasley.

He said Zimbabwe’s hunger crisis was the worst in more than a decade and was part of an unprecedented climate-driven disaster gripping Southern Africa.

“Temperatures in the region are rising at more than twice the average global rate and ever more erratic rainy seasons are hitting the country’s subsistence farmers hard. The crisis is being exacerbated by a dire shortage of foreign currency, runaway inflation, mounting unemployment, lack of fuel, prolonged power outages and large-scale livestock losses, afflicting urban residents and rural villagers alike,” said Mr Beasley.

He said WFP’s planned scale-up was a huge logistical undertaking, with the limited availability of Zimbabwean dollars and surging prices for basics presaging a near wholesale switch from cash assistance to food distributions.

“It envisages the sourcing, purchase and delivery to the land-locked country of more than 240 000 tonnes of commodities through June, a challenge all the more daunting because drought and flooding have eroded food supplies across much of Africa. An estimated US$293 million is required for WFP’s emergency response with less than 30 percent of that sum having been secured. We must not let our immediate focus on emergency aid distract us from investing in the resilience programmes that will help chronically hungry people cope with the ever-more severe impacts of erratic weather,” Mr Beasley said.

He added: “We urge the international community to step up funding to address the root causes of long-term hunger in Zimbabwe.”

Labour and Social Welfare Deputy Minister Lovemore Matuke said Government had already deployed resources into affected areas and had also identified water bodies to grow maize. He confirmed the dire situation saying the Government was working hand in glove with its partners to make sure no one dies of hunger.

“The Government is working towards averting the drought situation. Efforts by NGOs and other organisations are well appreciated and also add to efforts by the Government to sustain our nation in so far as food security is concerned. We will be working closely with organisations that seek to assist our country.

“Furthermore, we have been importing a lot of maize from South Africa and we want to work towards growing our own. In that light the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement has managed to identify a significant number of water bodies, which will be used to grow maize, as a complementary measure to reduce imports,” said Matuke.

State Media|PARENTS with children going to boarding schools and private schools in and around Bulawayo are likely to have a bleak Christmas as they will be agonising over school fees for next year, with some schools proposing figures in the range of $60 000 for the first term, while others are charging $17 000.

Revelations are that Falcon College in Esigodini has proposed a $60 000 or an equivalent of US$3 000 while Christian Brothers College (CBC) in Bulawayo will be charging $17 300 per term for next year. 

Catholic-run Dominican Convent is also said to be charging in excess of $13 000 per term while Petra College is asking for $12 600 for secondary and $8 260 for primary with the possibility of a top up that will be determined by changes in the prices of goods mid-way through the first term.

Some private schools such as St Thomas Primary are charging $8 300. Cyrene Mission (boarding school) is charging $4 000 excluding grocery. Matopo High School and Gloag are said to have adopted a wait and see attitude as schools closed without  finalising the deliberations on the fees. 

“Meetings for the two schools will be held on 11 January to decide on the fees for the first term. But that is unfair to parents as there will be little time left before schools open on 14 January to run around and raise whatever will be required,” said a parent at Matopo, Mrs Miriam Ndlovu.

Parents with children at Government secondary schools in Bulawayo however, will pay between $400 and $600, according to sources. Meanwhile, in Harare reports that there is likely to be an exodus from private and mission schools to public schools due to sharp fees hikes with some schools. Most schools, both public and private, have already ominously signalled they would significantly hike their fees in tandem with galloping expenses needed to keep the institutions running. But some parents say the proposed new fees, as indicated by preliminary invoices handed out to parents last week, range from “shocking”, “ridiculous” to “outrageous”.

Although schools have been continuously adjusting their fees through out the year through top-ups, the latest round of proposed increases, especially at a time salaries have remained low, have created a “perfect storm” where parents and guardians — even with the aid of savings — simply cannot afford. The lowest-paid civil servant earns a little above $1 000 per month. 

Most of those affected are presently scouting for schools that meet their budget. 

“It is a shock! We had been anticipating an increase but not to this level,” said a parent whose child attends boarding school at Rusununguko High in Goromonzi, Mashonaland East, soon after picking up her son at Robert Gabriel Mugabe Square last week.

She refused to be identified for fear of victimisation.

“They say we have to pay $9 000 (next year), but where will we get the money? I am a mere nurse . . . so I may have to enrol him at a more affordable day school.”

The increases are being keenly felt in boarding schools. Pupils who will enrol for form one at Catholic-run St Dominic’s Chishawasha, located 24-kilometres from the capital, Harare, will have to part with $12 200. Similarly, Methodist-run Sandringham High School is proposing an $11 896 fee, including uniforms. Private schools are indexing their fees to the US-dollar exchange rate to insulate against soaring expenses, they say.

Fees at Highfield-based Regina Mundi Convent Primary School are currently pegged at US$280 per pupil per term, which translates to about $4 500 using the current interbank foreign exchange rate. A representative organisation of private schools, the Association of Schools (ATS), said schools will continue complying with the law, but they have to recover costs of delivering a specific service.

“As far as we understand, schools charge in Zimbabwe dollars. Each member school of ATS is independent: ATS is not required to approve or even know what fees that schools charge. ATS core values are: integrity, accountability, ethical governance and professionalism. One of the criteria of membership of ATS schools is that they are not for profit, but they do deliver a specific service whose costs have to be recovered,” said ATS chief executive officer Mr Tim Middleton.

However, there are fears that even Government schools would be applying for an adjustment, particularly in tuition, which is used to finance school projects and administrative expenses. Zimbabwe Schools Development Associations/Committees secretary-general Mr Everisto Jongwe said while schools had to review fees to remain viable, increases had to be borne out of an inclusive consultative process that guarantees a win-win for everyone.

“I would not want to blame the schools for wanting to hike the fees because the economic environment demands that they do that to remain viable. But we encourage schools to work with SDCs, parents and other stakeholders so as to come up with a solution which works for everyone.”

There are, however, fears the spate of fee hikes will trigger a wave of transfers between schools. Most worryingly, teachers believe that the present upheavals might result in rising drop-outs in rural schools. Zimbabwe Teachers’ Union (ZIMTA) chief executive officer Dr Sifiso Ndlovu said parents in rural areas might be worse off.

“We had a situation where parents in urban areas and formerly group A and B schools generally made an effort to pay school fees. It was in the rural areas where we had those problems, but with the current situation, we may begin to see even those in urban areas struggling.”

The solution, he added, lies in arresting inflation. 

“It is the shocker prices of everything that are causing this situation; we have shocker electricity bills, shocker fuel prices, shocker food prices. So as we try to come up with a solution, those are the factors that we have to consider.”

According to a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) report, about 20 400 pupils in Zimbabwe dropped out of primary school in 2018. The main reasons cited for this phenomenon were financial constraints, expulsion, and absconding.

Primary and Secondary Education Permanent Secretary Mrs Tumisang Thabela said schools should follow procedure before increasing fees.

“Our position as the Government is that all schools, in consultation with the School Development Committees, should apply first before they increase school fees. This includes all schools, including boarding schools and trust schools, because they are registered with us.”

State Media|Title to the Mugabe family’s Borrowdale home commonly referred as the Blue Roof, and the Mount Pleasant property given to Bona Mugabe-Chikore — the late former president Robert Mugabe’s daughter — as a wedding gift in March 2014, will be transferred to the former First Family, Zanu-PF has reiterated.

Last week, Zanu-PF’s commercial division, M and S Syndicate (Private) Limited, contested the registration of the upmarket properties cited as part of the late former president’s estate. Through their lawyers Chihambakwe, Mutizwa & Associates, the company argued the properties, including a Waterfalls home, still belonged to them and cannot be registered under the estate of the late former president.

The Mugabe family had listed the properties as part of the late former president’s estate in a declaration filed at the Master of the High Court.

Zanu-PF’s Secretary for Legal Affairs, Paul Mangwana, said the position of the party remains that the properties will be transferred to the Mugabe family, adding the move is also in recognition of Mugabe’s contributions to the country.

“The leader of the party (President Mnangagwa) made it abundantly clear that the properties in question will be transferred to the family. That is the position of the party as communicated by the First Secretary,” said Mangwana.

“This also comes back to the issue of the relationship between the party and its former leader. He is the founding father of our beloved nation and that is one obvious reason why the President made that commitment.”

The route taken by M & S, Mangwana said, was legally correct in terms of corporate governance, but work was underway to finalise the issue with the shareholder (Zanu-PF).

“M & S Syndicate is legally correct that the properties in question belong to them. In terms of good corporate governance, their position is justified. However, the party is the shareholder and there will be communication between the shareholder and M & S Syndicate on how the properties will be transferred.

“I am not at liberty to share discussions between M & S Syndicate and the shareholder, which is Zanu-PF. That information will be shared at the appropriate time. The issue of the transfer is work in progress and the President made his commitment towards that issue very clear.”

The Mugabe family appointed the late former president’s daughter, Bona Mugabe-Chikore, as the executor of his estate. According to the family, Cde Mugabe, who died in Singapore on September 6 this year after a long battle with prostate cancer, did not leave a will for his vast wealth.

He left behind wife Mrs Grace Mugabe, daughter Bona and sons Robert and Chatunga, as well as Russel Goreraza (stepson).

Sources privy to the compilation of Mugabe’s estate told The Sunday Mail that at least three law firms — Uriri Attorneys-at-Law; DSL, a security services outfit; and Venturas and Samkange Legal Practitioners — are responsible for the onerous task.

Family lawyer Mr Terrence

Hussein of Hussein Ranchod is reportedly superintending over the process.

Some close family members, who elected to remain anonymous because of the sensitivity of the matter, recently told The Sunday Mail that some of Cde Mugabe’s wealth had already been divided up and might never be made public.

Family spokesperson Mr Walter Chidhakwa recently told this publication that the late revolutionary’s belongings were distributed in accordance with traditional custom at a memorial service held in Zvimba on October 19.

The Blue Roof mansion is valued around US$9 million.

Deliberations at the annual indaba of the ruling party scheduled for Goromonzi, Mashonaland East, this week will mainly focus on “challenges facing the country”, particularly prices of basic commodities and improving people’s standards of living, Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu has said.

About 5 000 party delegates from across the country are expected to attend the 18th Annual People’s Conference at Goromonzi High School.

Another 2 000 participants from private organisations, including other political parties, will also attend.

The five-day event kicks off with Politburo and Central Committee meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

Delegates are expected to travel to the venue on Thursday, where proceedings will begin the next day.

However, discussions at the conference, which is running under the theme “Modernise, Mechanise and Grow the Economy”, would likely centre on policies to grow the economy and improve people’s livelihoods.
“We understand the challenges facing the country in terms of prices of basic commodities,” said Dr Mpofu.

“As you aware, the President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) recently directed the return of subsidies. We are sensitive to the plight of our people that after this conference it will be all systems go, for the betterment of the life of our people.”

Cabinet ministers have been invited to give an outline of the progress made in the journey to achieve a moderately prosperous society in 11 years’ time.

Government’s Vision 2030 is premised on establishing an upper-middle income society, which implies growing the country’s economic output (Gross Domestic Product) from an estimated US$25 billion last year to US$65 billion in 2030.

Delegates, Dr Mpofu said, will break into select committees where resolutions will be drawn on the deliverables that people expect in the coming year.

Some of the key issues on the agenda include devolution, food security, social services, macro-economic stability, inclusive growth, infrastructure development, as well as value addition and beneficiation.
People will also know what to expect next year, added Dr Mpofu.

He said: “So there is going to be a takeaway for everyone. They will have a deeper understanding of how the economy is running and what they can also look forward to in the next year. That is why at the end of the conference, there will be resolutions that will aim to direct Government on what they need to do to better people’s lives.”

The conference comes after Zanu-PF recently remodelled itself by seconding senior officials to run the secretariat at the party’s headquarters.

Professionals have also been recruited to superintend over finances, research, policy formulation, as well as social media presence.

The ruling party now has a resource mobilisation unit, under which the party has its own income-generating projects, an investment committee, and a research and policy unit.State media

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa charmed guests during a tour of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo yesterday, when he showed his romantic side by purchasing earrings and some traditional beadwork for First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa.

The First Family was rounding off its tour of the National Gallery when the regional director, Mr Butholezwe Nyathi, showed them the Sabona Sales Gallery, where various artefacts from the Matabeleland region were on sale.

Delegates were left in awe after the First Lady showed her interest in some of the earrings on display, which the President gladly purchased for her, leaving her with an appreciative smile.

He used his personal bank card for the transaction.
It was a rare glimpse of the soft and romantic side to the country’s first citizen.

The President also purchased a painting by local artist Mr Davison V. Mlotshwa named “The Lion in the Wilderness” — which depicts a lion standing in between two lionesses — as well as maps of Zimbabwe from 1711.

The artist thanked President Mnangagwa for the honour and support.

During their tour, which preceded the official launch of the National Arts, Culture and Heritage policy document at a local hotel, the First Family were shown various paintings depicting hope and love.
They also took time to appreciate local art and sculpture.

The newly launched policy serves to remind present and future generations of the country’s values and aspirations, and how to foster cohesion. It also recognises the country’s cultural diversity.State media

By Own Correspondent| Policies to improve people’s livelihood and grow the economy are expected to be discussed at the imminent Zanu PF’s congress according to Obert Mpofu.

The publication quoted Dr Obert Mpofu who is part of the organisers and asked him about the main theme and aim for the congress Dr Mpofu said:

….We understand the challenges facing the country in terms of prices of basic commodities.

As you aware, the President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) recently directed the return of subsidies.

We are sensitive to the plight of our people that after this conference it will be all systems go, for the betterment of the life of our people.

Dr Mpofu was speaking in reference to the party’s annual which kicks off this week. 7000 delegates are expected to attend and the 5-day event will start with a politburo meeting according to the publication.

-StateMedia

The EU has taken to task ED’s government over the continued human rights abuses and the slow pace of reforms, the Independent reports. The meeting was held a fortnight ago and the agenda was the continued human rights violations and the continuous harassment of opposition parties in Zimbabwe.

EU ambassador to Zimbabwe Tim Olkkonen spoke to the publication about the meeting and said:
We raised our concerns on the overall human rights situation, particularly in 2019. We had discussions on some of the issues which include the excessive use of force by the security forces.

We had differences in how we interpreted these events. We raised the slowness of reforms and what we hoped to have seen a faster pace both on the economic and political side. We also discussed the
transitional stabilisation programme (TSP ); I think the TSP envisages a faster pace of reforms.
It was a good discussion, very substantial. We had a very substantial agenda.

We discussed political issues, human rights which we needed to discuss at these meetings, governance and the progress on economic reforms.

It was a long meeting which lasted about five hours which tells you about the interest and the level of detail we went into. Of cause we couldn’t agree on everything. But all in all it was an in-depth discussion that we had.

We raised the Mothlanthe Commission report, the EU Electoral Observer Mission report where we have not seen a lot of movement in implementation.-The Independent

Farai Dziva|Zanu PF Secretary for Administration Obert Mpofu has hinted that Emmerson Mnangagwa can rule beyond 2028.

According to party insiders, Mpofu recently told his boss (Mnangagwa) that Parliament can amend the constitution for him to have more than two terms.

Mpofu said:
“Mr President, you can go beyond 2028 if you so wish because the issue of law can be taken care of in Parliament.”

PRESS STATEMENT 6 DECEMBER 2019
THE ZIMBABWE REPUBLIC POLICE’S STATEMENT ON THE 2019 FESTIVE PERIOD

The festive season is now upon us, the Zimbabwe Republic Police makes a passionate appeal to members of the public to observe the country’s laws as they conduct various activities during the period.

Firstly, we implore motorists to observe all traffic laws and regulations as they travel to different destinations.

Motorists are urged to plan their journeys and avoid travelling during the night. We also entreat public service operators to avoid over-burdening drivers by carrying out extra trips as fatigue will catch up with them leading to accidents.

Overloading and speeding are serious offences in terms of the law hence we implore drivers and operators to be exemplary by being responsible on the roads.

Drivers should avoid driving whilst drunk or driving under the influence of alcohol as this often leads to accidents.

Drivers should check the road-worthiness of their vehicles before embarking on journeys. Police will not hesitate to impound all defective and unroadworthy vehicles besides arresting all those who flout the rules of the road.

On the other hand, cases of unlawful entry and theft are likely to be on the increase during this period.

We urge members of the public to put in place measures to ensure that their homes and property are secured. If travelling, at least a trusted person should be left at home and the Police can be advised to put the house under supervision where possible.

Keeping of large sums of cash and other attractive items at home is discouraged as robbers may pounce on unsuspecting individuals.

As we are now in the rainy season, we discourage drivers from attempting to cross flooded rivers as they risk being swept away by heavy water tides.

Cases of drowning normally characterize this period hence parents and guardians should also monitor their children whenever they play near water bodies to avoid the imminent danger of drowning.

Even travelling whilst it raining is discouraged as lightning can strike at any time. The Zimbabwe Republic Police will deploy officers to enable a conducive environment before, during and after this period hence any suspicious activities should be reported promptly to the nearest Police Station or police officer on sight.

Anti-corruption teams will also be checking on illicit activities hence the public and the police officers are warned to desist from corrupt activities.

Report any suspicious activities on the following numbers, Harare -0242748836, Bulawayo – 0292 -885479, 273547, Midlands – 0542-228636, 230837, Mutare -02020-64288, Masvingo – 0392 -62627, Mashonaland West -0267-2129049, Matabeleland South – 08428- 22834 and
Matabeleland North – 0281 – 35013/12 We also take this opportunity to wish everyone a crime-free festive period and beyond.

[INYATHI P] Assistant Commissioner Senior
Staff Officer (Press, Public and International Relations]
To the Commissioner-General of Police
Police General Headquarters

By A Correspondent- The opposition MDC does not consider Saviour Kasukuwere a threat to its support base as he is a creation of the ruling ZANU PF party.

MDC president Nelson Chamisa’s spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda refused to comment much on Kasukuwere’s “Tyson Wabantu” movement.

Speaking to a local publication on Friday, Sibanda said:

“We don’t have to comment on that. Kasukuwere is former Zanu PF or Zanu PF, I think a comment from there would suffice. The MDC has had Kasukuwere as a political opponent. You know how we won elections when he was in politics. Why is that question even relevant?

Kasukuwere is a former ZANU PF bigwig and has been living in self-imposed exile in South Africa since the November 2017 military coup.

His movement, consisting of disgruntled former ZANU PF supporters, distributed flyers and T-shirts branded “Tyson Wabantu” in Bulawayo’s suburbs on Thursday.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- A 16 year old schoolboy was crushed to death when a big teak tree fell on him as he was walking past a vegetable market in Victoria Falls, police confirmed yesterday.

The incident occurred at 12 midday on Thursday.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police are investigating the unfortunate incident.

“We confirm receiving a report about an incident which occurred at 12PM involving a Form Three pupil who was on his way home from school. The incident happened when he passed through a vegetable market and in the process he was crushed to death by a big tree that fell on him,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

He identified the deceased, who was a pupil at Dadane Vocational College, as Steven Sibanda of Chinotimba suburb.

Asst Comm Nyathi said the big tree suddenly fell on the unsuspecting boy and he died on the spot.

His body was trapped under the fallen tree.

Residents who witnessed the incident said they heard a thunderous and deafening sound as the tree fell unexpectedly.

They said Steven was in the company of two schoolmates when the incident occurred.

The two schoolmates left him outside the vegetable market and on their way out they found him waiting for them. He allegedly started walking ahead in the direction of his home when the two classmates heard people shouting urging him to run away as the tree was falling.

The tree however, fell on him before he could react.

“We just heard a loud sound and thought some cars had collided. As we checked, the whole area was dusty. People started trickling in and crowded the place when they heard that there was a boy trapped underneath,” said an eye witness.

The state media was told that the boy was carrying his school report in his hands as he had passed his end of year examinations and had been telling his friends that the first thing he would do upon arriving home was to show his mother.

Victoria Falls Municipal workers used an excavator to move the tree to remove his body.

When the state media arrived at the scene, the tree had been moved a few metres away.

Another one which had been closer to the one that fell on the boy had been cut down by municipal workers.

The body was taken to the mortuary.

-StateMedia