By A Correspondent- A 35-year-old married woman was recently caught red-handed having se_x with a Form Four boy, but she has started threatening the husband with death if ever he ditches her, a civil court heard last week.
Mary Manjokonjo appeared before Civil Court magistrate Mr Noah Gwatidzo last week facing charges of verbally and physically abusing her husband, Collinias Rutanhike, after he confronted her about the extra-marital affair.
Rutanhike told the court that his wife constantly threatened to kill him.
“Your Worship, this person is my wife, but I no longer want her at my house. I do not want anything to do with her . . . ” he said.
“Earlier this year, I found out that the accused was having an extra-marital affair with a Form Four student, and she was even assaulted by a church mob that caught the accused red-handed at her rural home.
“The case appeared before a traditional court and the minor confessed . . . and claimed the accused would tell him that she was only giving him se_xual lessons.”
By A Correspondent- Disgraced pastor and founder of Kingdom Rulers International Church in Bulawayo, Greatness Tapfuma (37), who turned a 16-year-old congregant into a S_é_x Slave, infected her with HIV and g_eni_tal warts, is on the run after he absconded from court.
Legally, Tapfuma was supposed to have been taken back to prison last year when his appeal at the High Court was dismissed but the state media could not immediately get officials to explain why he has been a free man.
Tapfuma was scheduled to appear before Justices Marie-Anne Gowora, Francis Bere and Antonia Guvava during a Supreme Court circuit in Bulawayo last week to challenge the dismissal of his appeal against conviction and sentence by the High Court.
He however, defaulted resulting in a warrant of arrest being issued against him following an application by the State.
Tapfuma of Cowdray Park suburb made headlines in 2015 after he r_ap_ed the teenage congregant claiming to be driving out a death demon that wanted to kill her father and infected her with HIV and genital warts.
The disgraced pastor filed a notice of appeal at the Supreme Court soon after Justice Nicholas Mathonsi, who was then a High Court judge, dismissed his application in which he was challenging both conviction and sentence last year.
Tapfuma, who was out on $500 bail pending the outcome of his appeal, was legally supposed to have been taken back to prison following the dismissal of his appeal by Justice Mathonsi.
He was in 2015 convicted of two counts of rape by former Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Crispen Mberewere and sentenced to an effective 25 years in jail after five years were conditionally suspended for five years.
In his grounds of appeal, Tapfuma argued that in assessing the evidence and the credibility of witnesses, the judge failed to pay attention to the timelines in the matter.
“As a result of this omission, both the learned judge and the trial court reached conclusions of fact that cannot reasonably be supported on the record,” he argued.
Tapfuma said the judge erred by declining to order that the custodial sentences in the two counts run concurrently in light of evidence that the offences were inextricably linked in terms of common intent, locality and time.
He further argued that the judge failed to appreciate the significance and the discrepancies between the evidence of the two witnesses who testified.
Tapfuma said the evidence on record did not support conviction, arguing that it was fraught with contradictions and inconsistencies. He sought an order quashing his conviction and setting aside his sentence.
In dismissing Tapfuma’s appeal, Justice Mathonsi said the interests of justice dictate that “false men of God” should be incarcerated for lengthy prison terms to protect society from their evil acts.
He described Tapfuma as a s__xual pervert who sought to quench his s__xual ap_petite by ra__ping an innocent girl in the most callous and unimaginable manner.
According to the State papers, between October and November 2015, Tapfuma called the girl to his home and raped her in exchange for prayers for her father who he said was facing death. After raping the girl, Tapfuma ordered her to keep the s__xual act a secret as divulging it would provoke the death spirit to kill her father immediately.
The girl began to notice some blisters on her privates.
As her condition worsened in December, she tested HIV positive and that was when her mother asked how she got infected.
She then revealed what had been happening and a police report was made leading to Tapfuma’s arrest. A church elder approached her and tried to entice her to drop the charges in exchange for a house, a car or cash but she refused.
Business Tech|Department of Home Affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi has announced a number of new visa changes heading into the festive season.
In a presentation on Sunday (1 December), Motsoaledi provided an update on some of the key pronouncements made by the department in July and confirmed government’s readiness to facilitate traveller and goods movement at South African ports of entry over the festive season.
Some of the most notable changes are outlined below.
E-visas
Motsoaledi said that the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has started with the testing and piloting of its electronic visa application system.
“The decision to introduce e-Visa was informed by observable benefits of this system. It is reliable, client-friendly and convenient for visa applicants, airlines, trading partners and Home Affairs officials,” he said.
Once fully rolled-out, prospective visitors will apply online for visas, at home, office or place of work.
It will lessen administrative burdens, including those involved in receiving applicants at visa offices, printing visa stickers and returning passports to applicants.
Motsoaledi said that the department is currently testing the new system with Kenya.
He added that as part of the pilot, a team of DHA immigration and IT officials visited Kenya.
“This team is scheduled to return to Kenya next week on 9 December 2019. The first Kenyan tourist who applied for the visitors’ visa on the new e-Visa system arrived yesterday afternoon and more are expected this week as part of the pilot.
“We are continuously monitoring this pilot process to ensure that user experience is not compromised. In early 2020, we’ll include China, India and Nigeria to the pilot which will run until March 2020.”
Visa-free access
As part of efforts to attract tourists to South Africa, Motsoaledi said that his department has added the Republic of Tunisia to the list of countries which enjoy visa-free status to South Africa.
This means that tourists from this country will come to South Africa without requiring a visa and South Africans can visit Tunisia without a visa as part of reciprocity.
“The implementation date of this agreement will be decided and communicated after the two countries have agreed on a date,” he said.
“South Africa now has 83 countries which it has granted visa free status to. These countries are among the highest tourist sending nations globally.”
Festive season
Motsoaledi said that his department is working with border law enforcement agencies to ensure ease of movement for travellers over the festive season.
“We want travellers to enter and leave South Africa without hindrance in this peak period, and to do so in a manner that is legally permissible, without breaking any law of our country,” he said.
Motsoaledi said that capacity will be increased between Wednesday, 4 December 2019 and 13 January 2020.
“The ports of entry with traditionally high volumes of movement will have their operating hours increased by between one and seven hours.
“Border law enforcement entities have confirmed readiness to handle increased volumes of travellers and goods at all ports of entry. This increase in movement of people and goods, across borders, is due to the inflow and outflow of travellers such as tourists, cross-border workers, business, academics and those on educational activities.”
He said that Home Affairs will deploy close to 400 additional officials at selected ports, to assist with delivery of immigration services and offer technical support at the borders.
Most of these officials will be posted at the Beit Bridge Port of Entry with Zimbabwe, Lebombo, Maseru Bridge Port of Entry with Lesotho and the Ficksburg Port of Entry with Lesotho.
“We implore all travellers leaving and entering South Africa to ensure all their travel documents are in order to avoid unnecessary delays at ports. These include passports, visas, health certificates, permits for specified goods, plants and animals and vehicle insurance and bank authorised cross-border documents for vehicles.”
The below table shows the extended hours at the ports of entry:
By A Correspondent- Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga yesterday held a homecoming party where his wife and senior Zanu PF officials were conspicuous by their absence.
Chiwenga, who returned to Zimbabwe on November 23 after spending over four months at a Chinese hospital, did not mention his wife Mary’s name in his 25-minute long address to his relatives and church leaders that attended yesterday’s event in rural Wedza.
This followed reports that the former army commander dumped his wife while on his sickbed under unclear circumstances.
Chiwenga said people that stood by him during his illness were Health and Child Care minister John Mangwiro, who accompanied him to India and South Africa as well as China.
He also mentioned some of his close security details and a female nurse employed by the army.
“There are people who stood by me during all these days when I was battling sickness,” he said.
“Deputy minister Mangwiro, who is not here today was there for me till the end.”
He said if he had not been airlifted to China from South Africa chances were that he was not going to return home alive.
“President Mnangagwa didn’t only act like a leader, but also like a brother,” he said.
“He called Chinese President Xi Jinping so that I could be assisted there. It was bad and at one point I would even forget what I had done.
“If I had gone for a week or three days in South Africa, I could have been history,” he said.
Mary was also not at the Robert Mugabe International Airport to welcome her husband on his return from China.
Chiwenga, who arrived aboard a Chinese plan in the early hours of the morning was received by his brother and son as well as China’s deputy ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhao Boagang.
There were no government or Zanu PF officials at the airport. At the Wedza event where Chiwenga travelled by helicopter, soldiers outnumbered police officers.
The guests were mainly close family members, army generals, neighbours, villagers and members of the Roman Catholic Church.
Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs minister Aplonia Munzverengi was the highest ranked government official at the event while Zanu PF’s provincial vice chairperson Michael Madanha was the most prominent guest from the ruling party.
During Chiwenga’s absence, there were reports of resurgent factionalism in Zanu PF with some bigwigs allegedly pushing for his removal on the grounds that he was incapacitated because of his health woes.
Meanwhile, Chiwenga revealed that he was suffering from a blocked oesophagus. The oesophagus is a mascular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.
“After falling sick in October last year, no one thought I would be alive today,” the VP said.
He said he was confined to hospital wards for six months.
“I was in the intensive care unit for several months. I also spent several months in a ward,” he said.
“I was happy to see the sun for the first time in six months (on arrival in Harare) and that was last Saturday,” Chiwenga added, while standing just a metre from his late parents and siblings’ graves.
After the speeches, Chiwenga immediately flew back to Harare by helicopter while others, including villagers remained behind to feast.
Zanu PF supporters were seen trooping to the VP’s home long after he had left.
– Seventh-Day Adventists subscribe to a plant-based diet and they neither drink nor smoke
– The study showed early deaths among the Adventists are 30% lower while cancer prevalence is 30% lower than the general population
– The report also compared black SDAs and the general black population where it showed they live longer and healthier compared to the other people
– The study attributed the results to the diet and healthy lifestyle where they do not drink nor smoke
Seventh-Day Adventists (SDA) are more likely to live longer and have a lower likelihood of getting cancer, a new study reports.
The study showed that among SDAs, early deaths were 33% while cancer prevalence rates were 30% lower than the other population.
A Seventh-day Adventist church. The report showed members of its church were likely to live longer and healthier. Photo: The Standard.
According to Daily Mail, the study was carried out by a team from Loma Linda University, in California, United States where they said the attributed the results to the strict diet the church abides by.
Its members are always advised to stick to a plant-based diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and non-caffeine beverages and nuts for snacks.
Essentially, they follow a biblical diet, eating what people ate thousands of years ago.
A picture of vegetables. SDAs subscribe to a plant-based diet. Photo: Britannica.
They also do not smoke or drink alcohol, and they also use water as their beverage. They also exercise regularly.
The study also said Adventists created one of the world’s five Blue Zones. Blue Zones are places in the world where people live longer than the average person and have less chronic diseases.
In specific cancers, Adventists had 30% lower rates of breast cancer, 16% lower rates of colorectal cancer, 50% lower rates of rectal cancer and 30% lower rates of lung cancer.
The research also compared the black Adventists to the black population where it found cancer prevalence was 30% lower and 36% lower deaths.
As part of President Chamisa’s smart environment agenda he has a declared December of every year a smart-climate and tree-planting month. This to motivate the nation and the country to plant and preserve trees. The President would like to encourage the people to plant and conserve trees. This would enhance biodiversity and increase chances of food security in the country while mitigating against the impact of climate change on our country and on the globe.
In order to kick start this declaration, President Chamisa arranged to visit Marondera and plant trees, while raising awareness towards the smart environment agenda. The President made appropriate arrangements with the local authority to visit a local school that requires the planting of trees, as it has a open expanse of clear land. However, as morning arrived the school had been barricaded by about 200 heavily armed security personnel that included both uniformed and non-uniformed individuals. When we arrived at the scene we were informed that there had been orders from on-high to the effect that the event should not be allowed to take place.
Under these circumstances the Mayor and the local MP arranged to move the event to areas under their control, which the police hard not barricaded or declared interest in. The police had been fully aware before the event and never said that they were stopping the event because it was an illegal meeting or gathering, they simply said that had then recieved instructions to prevent tree planting from taking place. In fact, they were so crude as to search our car for any seeds or seedlings and almost caused a whole situation after mistaking at tissue paper pack for a secret stash of seeds.
The President started by planting trees at Marondera Municipal offices and then proceeded to Dombotombo clinic where the process continued.
The situation started off very calm and quickly unravelled as soon as a group of heavily armed security personnel, who were in police uniform arrived. The personnel were more armed than those experienced in previous public situations. Almost every one of them had at least a AK47 rifle and those that handled the police dogs also carried with them pistols. They had at least 4 police dogs, in each car and had individuals dedicated to tear gas operations.
These state agents did not talk to anyone even when the were attempts to understand their aggressive approach and demeanour. The shooting of live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas began almost as immediately as the vehicles came to a halt.
Let there be no doubt that this event was not a political gathering or a meeting but a tree-planting event to which the President was encouraging our society to take care of mother earth. The callous and unconscionable behaviour and attitudes towards such an event is troubling and, honestly, unredeemable.
The world must now be awake to the dangers of situations of unhinged, insecure, almost barbaric and savage relationship that these state apparatuses want to have with the country. A government whose single purpose and excitement is to harm citizens and to cause the most extreme violence, is a danger to itself, its neighbours and the national security interests of Zimbabwe and continues to bring shame and unnecessary disrepute to Africa and her heroic people.
By A Correspondent- The Chibuku Super Cup Champions 2019 are likely to forgo CAF Confederation opportunity due to financial constraints.
Highlanders beat Ngezi Platinum 1 0 to lift their major trophy in 4 years but their Africa return is in doubt.
A club source that spoke to a local publication said:
Unless the club’s sponsors chip in and avail the resources, the club cannot afford, unfortunately.
A lot of resources are required to play in Africa as you are well aware, resources that we don’t have. The club’s financial standing is well known, we just don’t have the resources.
Bosso has been having a great season ever since they hired a new coach Hendrik de Jongh to replace Madinda Ndlovu who resigned in June.
Correspondent|Exiled Matabeleland Liberation Organisation leader Paul Siwela has revealed that he recently sneaked back into the country to bury his father in Bulawayo.
Siwela escaped Zimbabwe in 2013 after he was charged by former President Robert Mugabe’s regime with treason alongside war veterans John Gazi and Charles Thomas after they distributed fliers calling for the secession of Matabeleland.
Gazi and Thomas have since been acquitted of the charges by the High Court, but Siwela remains holed up in an unknown country.
He said he had to return to the country last week to bury his 90 year-old father King Siwela, who died on Monday.
“”Yes it’s true that my father has passed on in Bulawayo. He was 90 years old and nine months and is survived by four children and 18 grandchildren as well as eight great grandchildren,” he said.
Siwela said he had last seen his father in August in neighbouring South Africa where he had gone for treatment.
“I am pleased that I have lived up to 57 years having my dad and was last with him in August 2019 when I had taken him for medical attention to South Africa,” he said.
Siwela confirmed that they had buried his father in Bulawayo on Thursday.
His mother died in 2016 and he could not return home to bury her as he feared for his life.
Mugabe’s government declared him a fugitive after he skipped the country in 2013.
Siwela says he still fears that he would be arrested if he returned to Zimbabwe as President Emmerson Mnangagwa was Justice minister when he was being persecuted.
At the time he was incarcerated for 90 days, with the state refusing to release him on bail on the grounds that he would continue with his subversive activities.
Siwela, who was one of the presidential candidates during the controversial 2002 elections, has in the past been a member of organisations that have been lobbying for the creation of a Mthwakazi State, carved out of the Midlands and Matabeleland provinces.
By A Correspondent- Manicaland JOC has raided Odzi gold panners to try and restore sanity after 4 gold panners died in those areas in the past few weeks, Newsday reports.
The operation was confirmed by Acting Provincial spokesperson Assistant Inspector Luxon Chinanda who said:
“I can confirm that we carried out a joint operation with the Ministry of Mines, but I cannot provide details because this was a district operation, so I will also need to be apprised on the operation. However, it is the mandate of the police to respond to any distress calls and ensure that there is peace in the country.”
The violent clashes at Odzi 1 and 2 mines have left 4 panners dead thereby increasing the need for the police and the army to intervene.
By A Correspondent- The Gokwe Nembudziya in a move that some have interpreted as allaying coup fears said the advent of the VP from his 4-month long medical trip will not result in a coup.
Justice Mayor Wadyajena said this while addressing people in his constituency.
Said the MP:
There were celebrations in the opposition that VP Chiwenga is back and ED is going. They said there is going to be a coup. Nothing like that will ever happen.
The President and his deputy are brothers and it is President Mnangagwa who spoke to his Chinese counterpart (Xi Jinping) to have his deputy flown to China for treatment because they say he was poisoned.
We hear you got calls from some ministers saying you must not bring the presidential inputs here. Whoever is calling you is working against the President.
That’s why youths say they are people targeting ED and Nicodemously, saying he must go and leave for a younger person. Leave to go where? The Constitution says he must serve for two terms.
The coup speculation was rife a week ago when the VP returned from China and no government official was there to welcome him at the Harare International airport.
By A Correspondent- A Bindura man has been convicted of resisting arrest and kidnapping a traffic police officer at a roadblock before assaulting other police details who intervened to rescue their colleague.
Godfrey Mhlanga of Simona village, Bindura, was sentenced to nine months in prison by magistrate Maria Msika. Four months of the sentence were suspended on condition that he pays a $1 000 fine while the remainder were set aside on condition of good behaviour.
Prosecutor Edward Katsvairo told the court that on September 13, Mhlanga, who was driving a Mazda pick-up truck was intercepted by a traffic officer Joseph Paribendipo at a roadblock in Bindura and was asked to produce a driver’s licence, which he failed to.
Paribendipo jumped into the truck and ordered Mhlanga to drive to the police station. Mhlanga instead drove in the opposite direction, threatening to assault Paribendipo.
Paribendipo’s colleagues identified as Assistant Inspector Mubaiwa and Constable Makuwasa pursued Mhlanga in a CMED vehicle and blocked him after a long chase. Mhlanga pulled off the road and tried to escape on foot, but was apprehended.
Mhlanga resisted arrest, pushed away Mubaiwa and broke his handcuffs in the process. The three officers had to use extra force to arrest the violent Mhlanga.
ZANU PF has secured 67 of the 150 beasts to be slaughtered during the annual conference to be held in Goromonzi next week, where it expects to spend over $5 million to feed at least
7 000 delegates.
The beasts sourced from party members — among them legislators, provincial members and supporting partners — will be kept at a paddock near the venue, Goromonzi High School.
Zanu PF Mashonaland East provincial secretary for administration Kudzai Majuru said they had started collecting the cattle.
“After all the pledges, we have started collecting 67 beasts that we are assured of getting. Starting from today (yesterday), the truck is already moving around collecting the cattle to be kept at a paddock near the conference venue. We are happy with the progress so far and we are well on course as far as the preparations are concerned,” he said recently.
The Zanu PF provincial leadership recently said the party wanted to source 400 goats and
5 000 chickens to feed the 7 000 delegates expected to grace the event.
Zanu PF has a penchant for splashing huge amounts of money during its functions, with government departments such as Zesa Holdings, Zimbabwe National Water (Zinwa) and TelOne, among others, chipping in as well.
Currently, the District Development Fund and Zinwa have drilled four boreholes at the venue, while roads have been graded and resurfaced bringing a new look in the district that has poor infrastructure despite its proximity to the capital city.
Roads that link to schools providing accommodation like St Johns High have been worked on, while the one linking to Chinyika Clinic has been rehabilitated.
Standard|Vice-President Kembo Mohadi has approached the High Court seeking to stop his former wife from selling his property following a nasty divorce.
Tambudzani Mohadi, a Zanu PF senator, in October succefully obtained two writs of execution against the VP as she sought to recover $259 666 as part of their divorce settlement.
The VP, however, is arguing that the two writs of execution issued by the registrar of the High Court on October 14 were “grossly irregular, misleading and misrepresented the facts of the matter.”
His lawyer Tafadzwa Muvhami said they wanted the court orders declared null and void.
The writs of execution against Mohadi were obtained by Tambudzani who claimed that the VP had failed to comply with a consent paper agreement, which he signed and was registered as a court order by High Court judge Justice David Mangota on March 1, 2019.
Mohadi said Tambudzani had failed to interpret the terms of the consent paper.
“The respondent’s writs of execution dated October 14, 2019 against the applicant are grossly irregular in that; they are inconsistent with the court order for which they are issued under, they are misleading and misrepresented to the extent that they relate to a non-existent court order and they seek to create terms of the court order which does not exist at all,” Muvhami said in his founding affidavit.
“The two writs of execution are clearly misleading, misrepresenting facts and not consistent with the order of this court in HC8128/18, regulated by the consent paper which is now part of the court order.”
According to the court papers, Tambudzani had sought to attach Mohadi’s movable goods at lot 1 of Lot 10 Farm, Jompembe in Beitbridge.
Mohadi argued that the writs were confusing in that they sought to attach property and interest at the rate of 3% per annum from February 28, 2019, and yet the court order was only granted on March 1, 2019.
Zimbabwe News Live|Troubles between VP General Chiwenga and his ex-model wife Mary Mubaiwa continues to mount after revelations that his DNA failed to match one of the young sons he thought was his, this is according to online Zimbabwe News Live publication.
Mary Chiwenga with her children
According to the media, unverified online sources disclosed that, Chiwenga (63) made the shocking discovery recently when DNA tests revealed the unnamed boy he had brought up as his own, was not his biological son.
“Since getting the DNA results, both Mary and Chiwenga have been on a journey to get answers, with Chiwenga banning Mary from his house — and Mary contemplating on her next move”, said an unnamed source.
The pair have been locked in a bitter fallout since Mary was banned from his Chinese hospital after she unplugged a cable supplying oxygen when he was seriously ill. She is also accused of having poisoned Chiwenga with skin bleaching chemicals.
Chiwenga is expected to reunite and marry his former wife who is based in Luton in the United Kingdom as soon as he finalises his divorce with Mary.
Correspondent|THE Bulawayo City Council has honoured late Zapu secretary for security, Canaan Ncube by allowing him to be buried at the revered Lady Stanley Cemetery.
This is after the Zanu PF politburo failed to accord the one time liberation fighter national hero status.
Ncube, who served under the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) intelligence during the liberation struggle, died aged 80 at a local hospital following a long illness.
He was also the inaugural chairperson of Zapu’s Bulawayo province after a section of the party’s leadership 2008 pulled out of the 1987 unity accord entered between the then Zanu and PF Zapu.
Said party spokesperson, Iphithule Maphosa, “As Zapu, we are shocked that this government which calls itself the new dispensation has failed to declare Ncube a national hero.
“Ncube deserves that status due to his outstanding role during the struggle.
“Anyway, we are not bothered by the Zanu PF government’s deafening silence on his status because burying him at the Heroes Acre or not, that will not change the fact that he is a hero.”
Maphosa, said the late liberation fighter will, instead, be buried at Lady Stanley Cemetery where some of his liberation war comrades are buried.
Lady Stanley Cemetery is a place reserved for the city’s most illustrious citizens.
It has however been converted into a de-facto Heroes Acre for ZIPRA veterans who have been denied the opportunity to be buried at the national shrine in Harare.
Some of the Zapu and Zipra cadres who have been interred at the cemetery include Lookout Masuku, former Matabeleland North, governor Welshman Mabhena; Isaac Nyathi, ZIPRA commander Swazini Ndlovu, Richard Dube and Ethan Dube.
“I think Ncube’s soul will be at peace at Lady Stanley because this is where some of his colleagues are buried,” Maphosa said.
“We are glad that the city fathers have honoured our gallant freedom fighter.”
Ncube is expected to be buried this Monday.
Zapu‘s president Isaac Mabuka said the national Heroes Acre has lost its dignity because it has been monopolised by Zanu PF.
“In any case, there is nothing special about Heroes Acre. Even the late former President Robert Mugabe who denied others hero statuses refused to be buried there. That place is now a circus,” said Mabuka.
The Zapu president said following the inception of the Emmerson Mnangagwa led government; his party expected the issue of national heroes’ status addressed.
“It is unfortunate that the new government continues to make the same mistake of choosing national heroes and heroines along partisan lines,” said Mabuka.
IF ever there were any doubts about Prince Dube’s dazzling strike that won the Chibuku Super Cup for Highlanders against Ngezi Platinum Stars at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday having crossed the line, still images show that the ball did go over.
Ngezi Platinum coach Rodwell Dhlakama was furious after first assistant referee Salani Ncube made the call that Dube’s ferocious strike had crossed the line, which led to the man in the middle, Brighton Chimene to point to the centre spot.
“It was the turning point of the game, the ball did not even cross the line, it hit the bar, came back into play and the referee had to give that goal. Where have you seen a goal given like that in this world?” fumed Dhlakama.
Still images however prove that it was a genuine goal by the 22-year old Dube, the fourth for the striker in the Chibuku Super Cup. Dube actually scored in of Bosso’s four matches in the Chibuku. The Warriors striker scored a goal each against Dynamos, FC Platinum, ZPC Kariba and Ngezi Platinum.
Pictorial evidence shows the ball which hit the cross bar, the ground then bounced back into play landed over the line before ricocheting off to an already beaten Nelson Chadya who handled. As Chadya was preparing to launch an attack, Ncube had his flag to signal that the ball had crossed the line with Chimene obliging by pointing in the direction of the centre circle.
The images show that it was a brave but correct call by the 34-year old Ncube, a member of the Fifa panel. It is even said that Match Commissioner Brighton Mudzamiri, the only Zimbabwean referee to appear at the Fifa World Cup finals when he did so at the 2002 tournament held in Japan/South Korea was impressed by the call made by the Minda High School Mathematics teacher.
Even the Bryton Malandule led Zifa Referees Committee is understood to have commended Ncube for his call as they believe that it is an indication that he was alert at that decisive moment in the game.
A football expert said for a goal to be given, the whole circumference of the ball has to be over the line and the images show that it did go over by some inches before bouncing back into play.
Oppah Muchinguri Led the SADC Observer Team in Namibia
All Africa |Namibia’s opposition parties are crying foul after incumbent president Hage Geingob was re-elected for a second term with a reduced majority on Saturday.
Geingob’s rivals are claiming vote manipulation and accused the SADC observer mission headed by Zimbabwe’s defence minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri of being unfit for the task.
Mike Kavekotora, the leader of the Rally for Democracy and Progress, said they were coordinating with the other parties about how to respond to alleged electoral malpractices.
The election was marred by allegations of faulty voting machines.
Geingob received 56 percent of the vote while closest challenger Panduleni Itula had 29 percent. Itula made history as the first independent candidate for the presidency, though he retained his ruling party membership.
Itula did not attend the announcement of the final results, also aggrieved by what he saw as vote manipulation.
The ruling SWAPO party for the first time lost its two thirds majority in Parliament. SWAPO polled 536,861 of the votes (65,5 percent), earning the party 63 of the 96 seats in the National Assembly, down from the 77 won in 2014.
Kavekotora, whose party won one seat in last week’s election, told reporters Muchinguri-Kashiri and her delegation were unfit to observe Namibia’s elections because of persistent vote rigging allegations against her Zanu PF party.
“The SADC observer mission was loaded with a lot of people from Zimbabwe. What do we expect from somebody who was coming from a rigged election in his or her own country? How do you expect that person to come and give you a proper observation in another country? That’s just impossible…,” Kavekotora said.
He said Muchinguri and her delegation could not do anything other than “rigging and basically supporting your friends in the country that you are now observing elections in.”
“We consider this matter to be very serious. We’re going to engage the other political parties and we’ll keep our options open and see what’s the right course of action. Namibia cannot be manipulated. We have to come to a point where we say ‘enough’,” he added.
Stergomena Tax, the SADC executive secretary, tried to address the issue in a tweeted response on Saturday night.
She said: “It should be noted that the current SADC Organ chair is Zimbabwe, thus, the SADC Electoral Observation Mission to Namibia was led by Zimbabwe, supported by Organ Troika Members – Botswana and Zambia. The mission comprised of observers from 11 members states.”
It is not the first time Muchinguri-Kashiri has faced tough questions over Zimbabwe’s lead role.
Shortly after arriving in Namibia before the November 27 vote, Muchinguri-Kashiri had a torrid time trying to explain her selection to lead the regional bloc’s election observation mission after being confronted by both the Namibian media and opposition politicians.
Muchinguri-Kashiri was giving the Namibian media and election stakeholders a briefing on the SEOM role on November 25 as well as giving their preliminary findings on the pre-election environment in Namibia.
One journalist asked Muchinguri-Kashiri how the Namibian electorate could trust the SEOM headed by members of the Zimbabwean government that saw six people die in elections last year.
“Why should we trust you to run a credible election here in Namibia under SADC when your election claimed six lives in Zimbabwe and why is it that the whole SEOM is made up of revolutionary parties representatives and no opposition politicians?” the journalist asked Michinguri-Kashiri.
Head of the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) to the 2019 Presidential and National Assembly Elections in the Republic of Namibia, Hon. Mrs Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri.
SADC News|The Head of the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) to the 2019 Presidential and National Assembly Elections in the Republic of Namibia, Hon. Mrs Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs of the Republic of Zimbabwe on 29th November, 2019 presented the SEOM’s Preliminary Statement, highlighting the Mission’s observations of the pre-election and voting processes.
The Head of SEOM was accompanied by the Former Minister of Justice of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Alternate Head of the SADC Electoral Observation Mission, Honourable Patrick A. Chinamasa and the SADC Executive Secretary, Her Excellency Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax. The event was attended by senior officials from the Government of the Republic of Namibia, Ambassadors and Heads of Diplomatic Corps, representatives of United Nations agencies, SADC Ambassadors accredited to Namibia, representatives of political parties, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Electoral Commission of Namibia, government ministries, the Police, religious and traditional leaders, academia, and the media fraternity.
In the Preliminary Statement, the Head of Mission applauded the level of compliance with the Electoral Law and the Electoral System stating that the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) had generally followed the country’s electoral laws and the electoral system in the execution of its duties. Furthermore, she said that political parties also showed respect for the country’s electoral laws and conducted their campaigns with due regard to the rule of law. The Head of Mission also commended the people of Namibia for maintaining political maturity and for their peaceful conduct during the elections, which she described as generally peaceful, organised and conducted in a professional manner enabling voters to express their democratic right. She further noted that the political and security environment in the pre-election and election period was calm with no visible political and security risk.
The Republic of Namibia was using the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) for the second time since the 2014 elections. The Head of Mission alluded to the concerns surrounding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) stating that its lack of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) raised persistent perceptions, among the electorate and stakeholders, that they were not secure and could be hacked or manipulated and potential compromise the integrity of the electoral process. She said the lack of trust in the EVMs was further compounded by the loss of some of the EVM units, under unclear circumstances, which were lent to the ruling SWAPO Party in 2017. Moreover, there were issues arising from EVMs in several polling Stations relating to non-functional units, which delayed the opening or disrupted the voting and verification processes. The Mission recommended that relevant authorities take necessary steps to give effect to the provisions of the Electoral Act, as this may contribute to increasing public confidence in the electoral system, and in the use of EVMs. The need for voter education on the use of the EVMs was also raised.
The Mission further recommended that the National Assembly should consider amending the Electoral Act to ensure that the votes from special voting should be counted together with those from the main election in order to minimise speculation and undue influence on voters.
The release of the SADC Preliminary Statement was held in conjunction with the African Union Electoral Observation Mission (AUEOM), headed by H.E. Ernest Bai Koroma, Former President of the Republic of Sierra Leone; the Commonwealth Electoral Observation Mission, headed by Mr Musa Mwenye, former Attorney-General of the Republic of Zambia; and the Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Countries (ECF-SADC) headed by, Mr Emmanuel Magade, Deputy Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).
His Excellency Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, constituted SEOM to the elections in Namibia which deployed 59 observers in all the 14 provinces of the country. SEOM will issue its Final Report within thirty (30) days of the conclusion of the electoral cycle in accordance with the revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2015).
Paul Nyathi|Parents with boarding children at the private run St Gorges will pay a staggering ZWL $44 000 for the first term only as communicated by this memo.
The fees announced come a week after the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education ordered that all school fees increases by private schools for next year are null and void, as they have not been approved by the ministry.
The warning came after a number of private schools sent similar circulars to parents indicating new hefty fees structures for next year, with some of the schools demanding that the fees be paid before the end of this year.
In an interview in Bulawayo a week ago, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry Mrs Tumisang Thabela said her office was yet to receive any application for fees review.
“We haven’t received their applications from what I know, because ordinarily what should happen is that they must follow the circular that guides them. The parent’s assembly should meet, deliberate and of course there is a need to take economic variables in to consideration.
“We are guided by what the parents say, if the attaching minutes and all the financial audited records indicate that they have utilised whatever they had and its justifiable to seek a rise, we accent.
“But where we don’t have, we do not authorise and currently I am not aware of that development from schools and particularly from the school in question.”
Paul Nyathi|Zanu PF Central Committee member, Joseph Tshuma, says and former legislator for the party in Bulawayo has condemned the unwarranted shooting at opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa in Marondera on Sunday by members of the police force.
In an interview with VOA News, Tshuma said the attack on Chamisa was uncalled for as Chamisa and his people were doing a noble thing, planting trees on National Tree Planting Day.
Tshuma claimed that the people who directed the Police to shot at Chamisa were doing so to sabotage President Emmerson Mnangagwa and called on government and the party to investigate the incident and punish those found to be responsible for the attack.
By Arts Correspondent- Gospel music has over the years been overshadowed by other music genres competing for visibility with dancehall, sungura, hip hop and mbira among others.
While many gospel musicians have thrown the towel, others like Nickson Tagara are clearly budding and have found their roots in the gospel music industry revealing that they are not retiring any time soon.
Tagara’s new album
Basking in the limelight following the release of his debut album titled “Kusanangurwa ne Nyasha”, the gospel artist traced his musical journey revealing optimism about a brighter future in the music industry.
He said this following the release of his album which was launched at a local radio station recently.
Nickson Tagara
Tagara said that he envisions blessings and elevation as he spreads the word of God through music.
“In about 10 years, it is my wish and dream that God will elevate me to befitting levels. I know he is a God of wonders and i am confident that just like he gives me the motivation and ability to spread his word as a musician, he has good plans for me which will see me soar high and convert souls through psalmodies.”
“My new album gives me hope and I have
faith that in the coming 10 years I would have grown into a big gospel singer
.I also look forward to inviting many lost sheep to Christ through my music,”he
said .
Tagara, a driver by profession revealed that he started his musical journey in 1997 when he was in Form 2 at Chemagamba 2 High School in Chinhoyi.
“I started singing in secondary school but it was not gospel. I would write and sing songs at home. I would sing everyday and anywhere.”
He added that gospel music is a calling from God and the lyrics come directly from the almighty
“I meditate on his word and the lyrics just come. My singing is a calling.”
The album was recorded and produced at VOT studios and it has eight tracks with one track that featured a veteran musician Munyaradzi Munodawafa called “Kuna Mwari”.
The album also features a song “Kusanangurwa neNyasha” which is also the title album amongst other songs.
Other songs to look out for on the album also include ,Ndinoda ndione , Kana Uchifara and Zvakazarurwa that also featured another gospel artist called sister Mary .
On his album, Tagara has included the praise and worship feel ,danceable,well-packaged rhythm while some of the tracks have a laid-back beat which has made his album a unique one .
His manager Pamela Nyabadza also said that they took their time to release the album as they wanted to bring out quality music.
Nyabadza also said that Tagara is hardworking and very easy to work with and they are releasing a video for one of the songs very soon.
Said the young female manager:
“Fans are loving our recent work ,we are thankful to God. We have set up our media platforms because many people are looking for our music.
We took our time in releasing the album since we did not want to just release a half baked thing.
I am also motivated to work with Tagara because like me, Nickson is goal driven and very hardworking. The future looks bright.
We will be releasing a video for one of the songs very soon.”
In his spare time, Tagara loves watching and playing soccer and spending time with his family.
On how he balances work, music and family. Tagara said:
“It becomes easy as I need God’s hand be it at work or at home, so sometimes I compose a song while working.
I do the rehearsals while enjoying work too or even when am home I compose a song and rehearse it together with my family.
I meet up with the guys for tunes and melodies then go to the studio for recording to come up with a well polished song.
So it’s all about doing one thing at a time in its rightful place without interupting the cause.”
Tagara is married to Lynn Mhizha and the young couple is blessed with two children, a boy named Aubrey and a month old baby girl called Makanaka.
Correspondents|THE ruling Swapo Party has lost its overwhelming parliamentary dominance after gaining 63 seats in the National Assembly election – just short of a two-thirds majority that would have enabled the party to push through constitutional changes despite opposition from other parties.
President Hage Geingob won re-election with 56,3% of the votes cast in the presidential election – a fall of more than a third from his 87% share of the vote in 2014. Independent presidential candidate Panduleni Itula received 29,4% of the votes in the presidential election, ending in second place after Geingob.
The ruling party enjoyed an overwhelming majority in the National Assembly since 1994 and reached a high point of winning 77 out of 96 voting seats in the 2014 election.
A total of 820 227 votes were cast in this year’s National Assembly election, according to results announced by the Electoral Commission of Namibia on Saturday evening.
Swapo received 536 861 of the votes, which is equivalent to 65,5% and earned the ruling party 63 of the voting seats in the National Assembly.
Coming in second is the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), which gained 136 576 votes or 16,6% of the total number of votes cast.
The quota to qualify for a seat in the National Assembly was set at 8 544 votes.
Eleven out of the fifteen political parties that contested the National Assembly election won seats in parliament.
The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) is the biggest winner with 16 seats, followed by new entrants the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) with four seats.
The PDM won five seats in the National Assembly in the 2014 election.
Other political parties that gained seats in the National Assembly for the first time include the Christian Democratic Voice Party and the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), which won one and two seats respectively.
The United Democratic Front (UDF), National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo), All People’s Party and Republican Party won two seats each, while the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) and Swanu scraped back into the National Assembly with one seat each.
The four parties that did not qualify for any seats in parliament are the former official opposition the Congress of Democrats, the Workers Revolutionary Party, the National Patriotic Front and the National Democratic Party.
In a short statement delivered after his re-election, Geingob downplayed the importance of a two-thirds majority in parliament, saying it could not prevent the National Assembly from passing important laws.
Geingob said the two-thirds majority can only be useful when deciding on crucial things such as amending the constitution.
PDM leader McHenry Venaani in an interview with The Namibian said it was good news that the two-thirds majority was broken.
“It will sanitise the politics of the country. It will sanitase the debate in the house, legislation and we will start listening to each other, because we are sitting with a government that doesn’t listen to anyone,” Venaani said.
State Media|BULAWAYO commercial farmer and the late Vice-President Joshua Nkomo’s longtime friend, Gerhard Friedrich Georg, who died on Monday last week, has been declared a liberation war hero in recognition of the sacrifices he made during the liberation struggle.
Georg (90) died at Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo after a short illness and was buried on Friday at Umvutshwa Park Cemetery in the city.
In a statement, Zanu-PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu confirmed that President Mnangagwa had conferred Georg liberation war hero status.
“His Excellency, the President and First Secretary to Zanu-PF, Cde Mnangagwa, has conferred liberation war hero status to the late Cde Gerhard Friedrich who died on November 25, 2019,” said Mpofu.
Georg’s daughter, Thabeth, yesterday said her father was a dedicated liberation cadre whose family was placed under constant surveillance by the Rhodesian Government after he decided to use his farm as a meeting place for freedom fighters.
“My father’s political contribution to the liberation struggle began when he met the late Vice-President Joshua Nkomo in 1960. When he bought a farm in Siphaziphazi in 1965, he used it as both a residence and meeting place for political gatherings until he was forced to relocate his family due to constant surveillance by the Ian Smith regime,” she said.
Georg was born in Weilburg in Germany and migrated to Africa in 1954. He worked on several farms in South Africa before moving to Zimbabwe, which was then Rhodesia in 1956. He met Dr Nkomo in 1960 and the two forged a strong friendship.
In 1971, Georg was employed by a Rhodesian commercial farmer to manage a factory in Bulawayo where he would take maize meal and other food stuffs to feed freedom fighters resulting in him being incarcerated for five months. During the detention of some nationalists at Gonakudzingwa, Whawha and other detention camps, Georg would chip in and assist their families with food and school fees for their children. Between 1972 and 1994, Georg worked for the Bulawayo City Council starting off as a parks officer responsible for the maintenance and development of the city’s recreational parks and gardens.
He rose through the ranks to become senior parks officer in charge of the city’s environment, forestry and game projects. Georg was instrumental in the establishment of Umguza and Mazwi nature reserves on the outskirts of Bulawayo. He retired from the city council in 2013 and ventured into consultancy work for a plant nursery in Francistown in Botswana called German Society for International Co-operation and later St Luke’s Mission.
Georg is survived by nine children, 21 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Paul Nyathi|Police and ZANU PF have unashamedly continued to claim that they did not use live or rubber bullets at MDC leaders and few supporters who had gathered to plant trees in Marondera on Sunday.
The police say they used tear smoke to disperse the small MDC gathering at Dombotombo Clinic in Marondera claiming that it was unsanctioned.
The police claim that they fired the tear smoke, which apparently left holes resembling live bullets, “after part of the crowd, who had arrived in kombis, refused to disperse and continued to block patients from using the clinic.”
They said they first engaged the party supporters and their leadership to leave the venue because there had been no prior notification as required, but without success and they were forced to use violence.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “The Zimbabwe Republic Police dismisses allegations that live rounds of rubber bullets were used or fired when police officers in Marondera dispersed MDC supporters and activists on Sunday afternoon who had illegally gathered at Dombotombo Clinic and some leaders attempted to address the gathering without following the laid down notification procedures in terms of the law.
“Police only used tear smoke to disperse the gathering and politicians, with some who had been transported in kombis openly refusing to comply with lawful orders which had been given by the police.”
The MDC supporters who were at the scene posted a video clip on social media which showed that there were gunshots fired in the direction of the MDC leadership and supporters. Police and government officials however unwarrantedly dismiss the authenticity of the video.
ZANU PF spin doctor and government, Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Nick Mangwana claimed that the MDC was dramatising the incident which was highly life threatening not only to the MDC leadership but also innocent members of the community including patients at the clinic.
“It’s the usual opposition histrionics and dramatics. (MDC-Alliance leader Nelson) Chamisa tried to have a rally in Dombotombo Clinic, disrupting the delivery of care to the sick people there,” he said.
“Police were called in. At this point there were kombis full of rowdy people who were very aggressive. They started surging towards the police in an aggressive way. Police deployed tear smoke to disperse the people. There was no use of firearms and none of the police details was armed with live ammunition,” he said
Mangwana added: “What we are dealing with here is attention-seeking theatrics we have come to expect from an opposition which is devoid of ideas and political programmes.”
MDC-Alliance MP for Marondera Central Caston Matewu insisted that live bullets were used against supporters and party leader Mr Chamisa while he was conducting a tree-planting ceremony.
By A Correspondent| Zanu Pf Youth league leader Tendai Chirau has trashed reports that live ammunition was fired at opposition leader Nelson Chamisa as he was conducting his tree planting day in Marondera.
Said Chirau:
The difference between the sound of an AK 47 rifle and a tear gas gun is like day and night. This difference can only be figured by those who know. What was fired in Marondera is a mere teargas gun…
Zimbabwe’s representatives in the CAF Champions League FC Platinum suffered a 2-1 defeat in their opening Group B game against Al Hilal in Omdurman, Sudan on Friday night.
The hosts set an early and took the game to the Platinum Boys, forcing two successive saves from Francis Tizayi. They also got a couple of corner-kicks in the opening moments.
FC Platinum, on the other end, never created a chance until the 17th minute when Gift Mbweti sent his effort wide. The Zimbabwe champions came back again a few moments later with Devon Chafa and Never Tigere, but they both missed the target.
Despite making a couple of goal attempts, Al Hilal continued to hold the edge and broke the deadlock in the 26th minute through Mohamed Musa Eldai.
The Sudanese team had the ball in the back of the net again five minutes later but, fortunately for FC Platinum, it was ruled out for an offside.
The away side tried to pick up the momentum in the second half but failed to break beyond the last line. They, however, relied on shooting from a range and Kelvin Madzongwe got the team’s first strike on target just moments after the hour.
Eldai got his second of the day on the 70th minute to give the hosts a two-goal cushion.
FC Platinum fought back and pulled one back through Never Tigere who converted from a free-kick ten minutes from time. However, the goal was a mare consolation as it ended 2-1 in favour of Al Hilal.
In another Group B encounter also played on Friday, Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia edged a ten-man Egyptian side, Al Ahly 1-0 with Yassine Chikhaoui scoring the solitary goal in the second half.Soccer 24
SHDA would like to set the record straight on certain matters. Contrary to circulating media reports, we have not rejected the conciliatory gesture of His Excellency in which a moratorium of 48 hours was extended to doctors who had been dismissed from government services. The moratorium would allow fired doctors to return to work without questions being asked. We welcome the involvement of His Excellency as we believe the situation in our hospitals will now receive the level of attention it deserves.
As it stands, none of the prevailing factors that brought us to this point have been addressed, namely
1. A long term solution to our financial incapacitation by offering a living wage which will not be eroded by inflation.
2. Safe working environment for ourselves and the patients in terms of hospitals themselves.
3. Tools of the trade- we reiterate again that hospital drug supply remains poor, consumables remain inadequate, even syringes are a challenge, and the situation with equipment is as it was in March, because the Indian consignment was mainly unusable.
We cannot overstate the fact that at this point, should we all return to work tomorrow, there will be no change in the patient outcomes because of the poor state of the hospitals. Their families will just incur financial strain from medical and funeral bills.
However, we have now re-engaged our parent ministry and negotiations are at an advanced stage. We have kindly requested that the moratorium come into effect upon conclusion of these negotiations to the satisfaction of both parties. We hope that we can continue on this path of reconciliation and work together for a holistic and long- lasting solution.
English side Arsenal have sacked manager Unai Emery.
The club issued a statement on their website confirming that they have parted ways with the Spaniard.
“We announce today that the decision has been taken to part company with our head coach Unai Emery and his coaching team.
The decision has been taken due to results and performances not being at the level required.
We have asked Freddie Ljungberg to take responsibility for the first team as interim head coach. We have full confidence in Freddie to take us forward.
The search for a new head coach is underway and we will make a further announcement when that process is complete,” read the statement.Soccer 24
Allegations of live rounds being fired in Marondera.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police dismisses allegations that live rounds or rubber bullets were used or fired when Police Officers in Marondera dispersed MDC supporters and activists this afternoon who had illegally gathered at Dombotombo Clinic and some leaders attempted to address the gathering without following the laid down notification procedures in terms of the law.
Police only used tear smoke to disperse the gathering and politicians with some who had been transported in combis openly refusing to comply with orders which had been given by the police.
The facts on the ground are very clear on what happened. We urge members of the public and activists to comply with orders given by law enforcement agencies in their various activities in order to ensure that law and order is properly maintained by police without any hassles.
P.NYATHI [Assistant Commissioner) Senior Staff Officer [Press. Public and International Relations) to the Commissioner-General of Police POLICE GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga yesterday revealed he was battling a disease of the oesophagus during his four-month stint in hospital.
The disease made it difficult for him to eat as he could not swallow anything.
He said this at a homecoming Roman Catholic Church mass held for him at his rural home in Wedza.
His recovery, he said, was nothing short of a miracle.
“I was telling colleagues that I spent close to six months without seeing the sun. I only saw it this last Saturday upon returning home,” he said.
“I want to thank you all for your prayers. Those prayers made me to survive. “Since I started falling sick in October last year, there were not many who thought I would heal completely. There were not many who thought I would be standing before you like this.
“The sickness is called idiopathic oesophageal stricture. It means that you cannot take in food and also you cannot even vomit. It involves blocking of the oesophagus and I spent a lot of time in the intensive care unit.”
VP Chiwenga thanked President Emmerson Mnangagwa for facilitating his treatment in China.
He also paid tribute to Chinese doctors and his team, led by Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Dr John Mangwiro, which accompanied him to China and other countries where he sought treatment.
On the striking doctors who are still refusing to return to work, the VP Chiwenga said:
“We are the most educated country in Africa, but I do not understand what has become of the young people . . . Every day, they want to make rich pickings, with little sweat. Where is that spirit coming from?
“Let us put the interests of our country first and have a unity of purpose. That is the Zimbabwe we want.
“Yesterday (Friday), we had a meeting with church leaders, whose leaders included . . . Archbishop Robert Christopher Ndlovu and other church leaders.
“The President said Government had done all it could and it was no longer clear what the doctors really want. They got 30 percent, they refused; they got 60 percent and they refused again.
Government then gave them a 100 percent increment, but again they refused.
“All that time, people were dying because the doctors were not at work. Doctors should respect the sanctity of life.”State media
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga yesterday revealed he was battling a disease of the oesophagus during his four-month stint in hospital.
The disease made it difficult for him to eat as he could not swallow anything.
He said this at a homecoming Roman Catholic Church mass held for him at his rural home in Wedza.
His recovery, he said, was nothing short of a miracle.
“I was telling colleagues that I spent close to six months without seeing the sun. I only saw it this last Saturday upon returning home,” he said.
“I want to thank you all for your prayers. Those prayers made me to survive. “Since I started falling sick in October last year, there were not many who thought I would heal completely. There were not many who thought I would be standing before you like this.
“The sickness is called idiopathic oesophageal stricture. It means that you cannot take in food and also you cannot even vomit. It involves blocking of the oesophagus and I spent a lot of time in the intensive care unit.”
VP Chiwenga thanked President Emmerson Mnangagwa for facilitating his treatment in China.
He also paid tribute to Chinese doctors and his team, led by Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Dr John Mangwiro, which accompanied him to China and other countries where he sought treatment.
On the striking doctors who are still refusing to return to work, the VP Chiwenga said:
“We are the most educated country in Africa, but I do not understand what has become of the young people . . . Every day, they want to make rich pickings, with little sweat. Where is that spirit coming from?
“Let us put the interests of our country first and have a unity of purpose. That is the Zimbabwe we want.
“Yesterday (Friday), we had a meeting with church leaders, whose leaders included . . . Archbishop Robert Christopher Ndlovu and other church leaders.
“The President said Government had done all it could and it was no longer clear what the doctors really want. They got 30 percent, they refused; they got 60 percent and they refused again.
Government then gave them a 100 percent increment, but again they refused.
“All that time, people were dying because the doctors were not at work. Doctors should respect the sanctity of life.”State media
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga yesterday revealed he was battling a disease of the oesophagus during his four-month stint in hospital.
The disease made it difficult for him to eat as he could not swallow anything.
He said this at a homecoming Roman Catholic Church mass held for him at his rural home in Wedza. His recovery, he said, was nothing short of a miracle.
“I was telling colleagues that I spent close to six months without seeing the sun. I only saw it this last Saturday upon returning home,” he said.
“I want to thank you all for your prayers. Those prayers made me to survive. “Since I started falling sick in October last year, there were not many who thought I would heal completely. There were not many who thought I would be standing before you like this.
“The sickness is called idiopathic oesophageal stricture. It means that you cannot take in food and also you cannot even vomit. It involves blocking of the oesophagus and I spent a lot of time in the intensive care unit.”
VP Chiwenga thanked President Emmerson Mnangagwa for facilitating his treatment in China.
He also paid tribute to Chinese doctors and his team, led by Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Dr John Mangwiro, which accompanied him to China and other countries where he sought treatment.
On the striking doctors who are still refusing to return to work, the VP Chiwenga said:
“We are the most educated country in Africa, but I do not understand what has become of the young people . . . Every day, they want to make rich pickings, with little sweat.
Where is that spirit coming from?
“Let us put the interests of our country first and have a unity of purpose. That is the Zimbabwe we want.
“Yesterday (Friday), we had a meeting with church leaders, whose leaders included . . . Archbishop Robert Christopher Ndlovu and other church leaders.
“The President said Government had done all it could and it was no longer clear what the doctors really want. They got 30 percent, they refused; they got 60 percent and they refused again.
Government then gave them a 100 percent increment, but again they refused.
“All that time, people were dying because the doctors were not at work. Doctors should respect the sanctity of life.”State media
Government is considering imposing restrictions on the importation of ex-Japanese cars as some of them come with serious defects making the country a dumping ground for old vehicles, the Ministrer of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Joel Biggie Matiza, has said.
In an interview on the side-lines of the week-long Africa Transport Policy Programme (SSATP) annual general meeting which ended here on Friday, Minister Matiza, who was guest speaker at the conference, said while there is a high appetite for owning cars, citizens should be patient and embrace Government initiatives to ease transport problems such as the introduction of Zupco buses on rural and urban routes.
“There is an appetite to own cars which has seen a rise in importation of ex-Japanese cars. Time has come to legislate and monitor the number of years for each car before it is imported. There is really a need to look at the age of each car as most of them are grounded after two months because people can’t get spare parts,” said Minister Matiza.
He said defective ex-Japanese cars were partly to blame for road accidents.
“We can’t be a dumping ground for old cars and it’s something we have to work on with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce who are hands on on that. We as Transport feel the carnage on the roads is partly because of these cars because they are very old,” said Minister Matiza.
The Minister said the country now has in excess of 900 000 vehicles.
He implored Zimbabweans to be patient as Government rolls out Zupco buses to ease transport challenges both in the urban and rural areas. “As for urban transport nobody can say they are not experiencing joy in terms of their pockets because of Zupco whose numbers are increasing and are always packed. It’s a process that we started recently and it has proven that it’s a model that works and needs some fine tuning and making sure we have more buses,” said Minister Matiza.
He said the franchising arrangement with kombi operators was also working, and called for patience as Government is doing wonders despite illegal sanctions imposed by Western countries.
“People need to be patient when such good well-meaning projects are being availed by Government. We need to support such projects which we are doing under very difficult conditions as we are under sanctions and can’t be compared to those countries that have no sanctions. What we are doing in that tight space is comparable to what others are doing,” the Minister said.
Minister Matiza said plans are underway for the Central Mechanical Engineering Department (CMED) to partner some local bus manufacturers so that coaches can be made locally. Chronicle
The disgraced pastor and founder of Kingdom Rulers International Church in Bulawayo, Greatness Tapfuma (37), who turned a 16-year-old congregant into a sex slave, infected her with HIV and genital warts, is on the run after he absconded from court.
Legally, Tapfuma was supposed to have been taken back to prison last year when his appeal at the High Court was dismissed but The Chronicle could not immediately get officials to explain why he has been a free man.
Tapfuma was scheduled to appear before Justices Marie-Anne Gowora, Francis Bere and Antonia Guvava during a Supreme Court circuit in Bulawayo last week to challenge the dismissal of his appeal against conviction and sentence by the High Court.
He however, defaulted resulting in a warrant of arrest being issued against him following an application by the State.
Tapfuma of Cowdray Park suburb made headlines in 2015 after he raped the teenage congregant claiming to be driving out a death demon that wanted to kill her father and infected her with HIV and genital warts.
The disgraced pastor filed a notice of appeal at the Supreme Court soon after Justice Nicholas Mathonsi, who was then a High Court judge, dismissed his application in which he was challenging both conviction and sentence last year.
Tapfuma, who was out on $500 bail pending the outcome of his appeal, was legally supposed to have been taken back to prison following the dismissal of his appeal by Justice Mathonsi.
He was in 2015 convicted of two counts of rape by former Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Crispen Mberewere and sentenced to an effective 25 years in jail after five years were conditionally suspended for five years.
In his grounds of appeal, Tapfuma argued that in assessing the evidence and the credibility of witnesses, the judge failed to pay attention to the timelines in the matter.
“As a result of this omission, both the learned judge and the trial court reached conclusions of fact that cannot reasonably be supported on the record,” he argued.
Tapfuma said the judge erred by declining to order that the custodial sentences in the two counts run concurrently in light of evidence that the offences were inextricably linked in terms of common intent, locality and time.
He further argued that the judge failed to appreciate the significance and the discrepancies between the evidence of the two witnesses who testified.
Tapfuma said the evidence on record did not support conviction, arguing that it was fraught with contradictions and inconsistencies. He sought an order quashing his conviction and setting aside his sentence.
In dismissing Tapfuma’s appeal, Justice Mathonsi said the interests of justice dictate that “false men of God” should be incarcerated for lengthy prison terms to protect society from their evil acts.
He described Tapfuma as a sexual pervert who sought to quench his sexual appetite by raping an innocent girl in the most callous and unimaginable manner.
According to the State papers, between October and November 2015, Tapfuma called the girl to his home and raped her in exchange for prayers for her father who he said was facing death. After raping the girl, Tapfuma ordered her to keep the sexual act a secret as divulging it would provoke the death spirit to kill her father immediately.
The girl began to notice some blisters on her privates.
As her condition worsened in December, she tested HIV positive and that was when her mother asked how she got infected.
She then revealed what had been happening and a police report was made leading to Tapfuma’s arrest. A church elder approached her and tried to entice her to drop the charges in exchange for a house, a car or cash but she refused.- Chronicle
Dear Editor-Assassinating President Advocate Nelson Chamisa will not solve the Zimbabwe’s problems!
Neither will it kill the MDC ideology!
Neither will it uproot the rampant corruption within your backyard Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa .
Please change your formula before you sink!
Keep the AK47s away from peaceful Zimbabweans! They shall be used against you before you even realise.Concerned Zimbabwean
Dear Editor-Assassinating President Advocate Nelson Chamisa will not solve the Zimbabwe’s problems!
Neither will it kill the MDC ideology! Neither will it uproot the rampant corruption within your backyard Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa . Please change your formula before you sink!
Keep the AK47s away from peaceful Zimbabweans! They shall be used against you before you even realise.Concerned Zimbabwean
Stanley Gama | @edmnangagwa a boy has just been hit by a car along Edinburgh Rd, Vainona. He broke his leg and blood is gushing out from his head& face! He is critical. Ambulance services are refusing to help him saying hospitals hv no doctors. This young man will die if not attended to.
As part of President Chamisa’s smart environment agenda he has a declared December of every year a smart-climate and tree-planting month. This to motivate the nation and the country to plant and preserve trees. The President would like to encourage the people to plant and conserve trees. This would enhance biodiversity and increase chances of food security in the country while mitigating against the impact of climate change on our country and on the globe.
In order to kick start this declaration, President Chamisa arranged to visit Marondera and plant trees, while raising awareness towards the smart environment agenda. The President made appropriate arrangements with the local authority to visit a local school that requires the planting of trees, as it has a open expanse of clear land. However, as morning arrived the school had been barricaded by about 200 heavily armed security personnel that included both uniformed and non-uniformed individuals. When we arrived at the scene we were informed that there had been orders from on-high to the effect that the event should not be allowed to take place.
Under these circumstances the Mayor and the local MP arranged to move the event to areas under their control, which the police hard not barricaded or declared interest in. The police had been fully aware before the event and never said that they were stopping the event because it was an illegal meeting or gathering, they simply said that had then recieved instructions to prevent tree planting from taking place. In fact, they were so crude as to search our car for any seeds or seedlings and almost caused a whole situation after mistaking at tissue paper pack for a secret stash of seeds.
The President started by planting trees at Marondera Municipal offices and then proceeded to Dombotombo clinic where the process continued.
The situation started off very calm and quickly unravelled as soon as a group of heavily armed security personnel, who were in police uniform arrived. The personnel were more armed than those experienced in previous public situations. Almost every one of them had at least a AK47 rifle and those that handled the police dogs also carried with them pistols. They had at least 4 police dogs, in each car and had individuals dedicated to tear gas operations.
These state agents did not talk to anyone even when the were attempts to understand their aggressive approach and demeanour. The shooting of live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas began almost as immediately as the vehicles came to a halt.
Let there be no doubt that this event was not a political gathering or a meeting but a tree-planting event to which the President was encouraging our society to take care of mother earth. The callous and unconscionable behaviour and attitudes towards such an event is troubling and, honestly, unredeemable.
The world must now be awake to the dangers of situations of unhinged, insecure, almost barbaric and savage relationship that these state apparatuses want to have with the country. A government whose single purpose and excitement is to harm citizens and to cause the most extreme violence, is a danger to itself, its neighbours and the national security interests of Zimbabwe and continues to bring shame and unnecessary disrepute to Africa and her heroic people.
Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has related how ZRP cops fired live bullets at him in Marondera.
Overzealous ZRP cops fired live bullets at Chamisa as he was planting trees at Dombotombo Clinic.
“Gunshots and canisters..So shocked by the behavior of the police, armed with guns and weapons, as they besieged the venue and started taking aim at us as we were planting trees at Dombotombo clinic in Marondera today.Had to take cover.I can’t get this excessive use of violence,” tweeted Chamisa.
Advocate Nelson Chamisa | Gunshots and canisters..So shocked by the behavior of the police, armed with guns and weapons, as they besieged the venue and started taking aim at us as we were planting trees at Dombotombo clinic in Marondera today.Had to take cover.I can’t get this excessive use of violence..
President of the Law Society of Zimbabwe Mr T.M Moyo
Dear Sir
As a private citizen and in terms of Statutory Instrument 37 of 2018, which outlines the code of conduct for legal practitioners in Zimbabwe, I wish to lay an official complaint against one of your members, Obert Chaurura Gutu of Gutu & Chikowero attorneys at Law.
On the 29th of November 2019, Mr Gutu posted the following comments on the social media platform, “Twitter”:
“The son of a Rhodesian-era Selous Scout is crying louder than the bereaved! This guy, together with his racist Rhodesia Front Selous Scout father, most firstly apologise & repent for the murderous & genocidal crimes they committed at Chimoio & Nyadzonia in Mozambique in Nov. 1977”
Mr Gutu’s comments, unsupported by any evidence to substantiate their validity, sought to cast aspersions on the character of Messrs Doug Coltart and his father David Coltart by labelling them as racists and implying that they were part of and responsible for the colonial era massacres that were carried out by the then colonial government.
Although he did not mention the Coltarts by name in his comments, it is a matter of public record that a political narrative, built on a false position (see attached Appendix) of Mr David Coltart’s alleged association with the Rhodesian regime’s Selous Scouts, has been pursued by his political opponents to imply that he was part of the injustices pursued by the colonial government It is therefore clear who Mr Gutu was referring to in his tweet
That said, section 23 of the Legal Practitioners code cautions legal practitioners from “failing or neglecting to treat professional colleagues with courtesy, respect and fairness”.
Mr Gutu’s allegations against the Coltarts, who are registered legal practitioners, calling them racist, murderous and genocidal, was neither courteous, respectful and fair. Mr Gutu was therefore in clear violation of the code to the extent that he also may have brought “the legal profession into disrepute”.
I therefore submit that the Law Society of Zimbabwe considers an investigation into this infringement of the code b Mr Gutu and offer appropriate sanction to this unbecoming behavior by one of your members.
Kind Regards
The struggling national flag carrier, Air Zimbabwe, has announced flight disruptions on Monday 2 December warning passengers in advance early this evening.The airline said in a statement all flights on this day are disrupted, due to “operational limitations beyond our control.”
Respected academic and human rights advocate, Dr Phillan Zamchya, has weighed in on the cries by the MDC Alliance leadership, that there was an assassination attempt on Advocate Nelson Chamisa, earlier today in Marondera. Below is his own account.
Dr Phillan Zamchya| Reader, after the 2018 general election, I interviewed a war veteran and senior security guy at a restaurant in Zimbabwe. He told me that ‘if Chamisa does not come to the table a bullet only costs 32 cents…there has never been political assassination in this country. This will be the first…it will not be coordinated it will just be one rogue element thinking the country can not be put to ransom by one young man who did not go to war…’ He sounded so agitated, then aggressive and later behaved like someone in a frenzy. I was now sensing danger for little me. Fortunately, one senior lawyer walked in, calmed the situation and took me away. The good lawyer warned me not to interview unstable people like that. Thought of this when I heard some bullets were fired at Nelson Chamisa and the people in Marondera today. Barbaric and cowardly act.
MDC-Alliance members have reacted angrily to the attack on their President, Nelson Chamisa, earlier today, taking it as a declaration of ‘war.’
The MDC Alliance was planting trees in Marondera, as part of the National Tree Planting Day, when gunshots were heard, with the party saying live rounds of ammunition were shot directly towards party leader, Chamisa.
Wrote Hon. Shepherd Murehwa Matanhire, on social media, “The gunshots fired on the direction of the MDC President by the state security agencies on its own a clear signal and a Declaration of war.”
Another party leader, Happymore Chidziva linked the attack directly to ZANU PF party leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa, “ED anofunga tinotya pfuti he is pushing us to the corner Zimbabweans will respond accordingly as cornered people.”
Meanwhile, MDC Alliance Vice President, Tendai Biti, came out guns blazing, saying “the regime has de facto banned the MDC.”
Wrote Biti on Twitter, “At a local clinic in Marondera, where the MDC family and President @nelsonchamisa were gathered for a tree-planting ceremony unprovoked police opened fire at unarmed civilians. The continued closure of space & downright abuse & lawlessness continues unabated under Emmerson.”
Tagging the South African Presidency on Twitter, Biti, went on to write, “ For all intents & purposes, the regime has de facto banned the MDC. We can’t breathe march or gather, in Parly our Committees can’t sit, we can’t even plant trees. The truth is Emmerson has failed to uphold & protect the constitution & guarantee the security of all @PresidencyZA“
Veteran actress Rhodha “Mai Sorobhi” Mthembe may be down, but she is certainly not out. A year ago, Mai Sorobhi suffered a stroke which partially paralysed her left side. At some point, she fell on hard times and had to depend on well-wishers. But the seasoned actress, who made a name for herself as Phillip “Paraffin” Mushangwe’s wife in the popular drama series “Paraffin”, said not even failing health will take away her love for the small screen. The actress’ passion for acting remains intact. In fact, Mai Sorobhi is actively searching for fresh roles on television. She also feels that she is now ripe for a directorial role due to her experience in the industry. “I was born an actress and I cannot do away with this part of my life for any reason, health included. Right now, I am ready to take up new roles. I can even direct plays as I have acquired enough experience,” she said. The veteran actress still has her old touch. She remains a bubbly, hilarious, candid and easy-going character. During an interview with The Sunday Mail Society, Mai Sorobhi cracked several jokes and made light of her situation, which is clearly dire. “Kana ipo pano ngachitotsva nekuti zvichirimo (Even now, let’s get down to it because I’m still adept),” she said with a chuckle. Mai Sorobhi started acting during her school days at Mutambara Primary and Secondary schools in Mutare. More than a decade later, she broke into professional circles through “Paraffin”, a drama that propelled her to national acclaim. Her role in the drama series was so financially rewarding that she, together with her late husband Vaxison Mthembe, bought their Kuwadzana Extension home. Mai Sorobhi feels that the stroke that has afflicted her came at the wrong time as she has lost her husband as well as her friends Mushangwe and Lilian Mbirimi from the “Paraffin” cast. Without a shoulder to cry on, she feels that bottled up stress culminated into a stroke. She remembers how her daughter’s illness shortly before the stroke also gave her sleepless nights. “Nomatter is my sixth born child. She lives in South Africa and is the one who sees to my welfare. When she fell sick, I got stressed up, wondering how I would survive if she died. We are very close.” On the day she became paralysed, Mai Sorobhi was at home and her other daughter, Charity, had briefly gone out. She describes having a strange sensation as she was cleaning up after breakfast. “I felt as if I had been electrocuted,” she recalled. At the time, she did not realise that she had just had a stroke. The popular actress describes the time she was admitted at Harare Hospital as the worst days of her life. Doctors had to take her through counselling sessions as her blood pressure remained high, thereby posing a threat to her life. While she is yet to fully recover, Mai Sorobhi still has good memory, a sharp eye for scrutinising things and some intelligence to spice it all up. Mai Sorobhi’s favourite actor is Lazarus “Gringo” Boora. She says she was heartbroken when he was hospitalised a few weeks back. She believes Gringo can still reach dizzy heights in acting. “He has so much to offer. Given the resources, Gringo can make a great difference in the industry,” said Mai Sorobhi, adding that she wishes to pay him a visit despite her own health woes. Whenever she can, Mai Sorobhi watches some local television dramas and feels that she can contribute to the growth of the industry. She believes that the current crop of actors needs to go back to the basics. Sunday Mail
Staff Reporter| President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s deputies, General Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, seem to have never ending wife problems.
Chiwenga is a source of increasing media speculation, over his young wife Mary who has been conspicuous by her absence from the publiclight. It is already concluded that there is trouble in paradise, after Mary was in a no show at the VP’s homecoming party yesterday. Unconfirmed reports, also indicate that Mary was bundled out of China, were Chiwenga was receiving treatment for idiopathic oesophageal stricture, he revealed for the first time yesterday. The VP made headlines during his divorce with businesswoman, Joycelyn, the ensuing drama, as she opened up in public, “I regret ever marrying him. If I had known he was an abusive husband like this, I would not have married him. I don’t care now, I am out of his system.”
Meanwhile the drama between Mohadi and Tambudzani continues, with the VP reported to have approached High Court seeking to stop his former wife from selling his property following a nasty divorce.
The weekly Standard newspaper, reports that,
Tambudzani Mohadi, a Zanu PF senator, in October successfully obtained two writs of execution against the VP as she sought to recover $259 666 as part of their divorce settlement. The VP, however, is arguing that the two writs of execution issued by the registrar of the High Court on October 14 were “grossly irregular, misleading and misrepresented the facts of the matter.” His lawyer Tafadzwa Muvhami said they wanted the court orders declared null and void. The writs of execution against Mohadi were obtained by Tambudzani who claimed that the VP had failed to comply with a consent paper agreement, which he signed and was registered as a court order by High Court judge Justice David Mangota on March 1, 2019. Mohadi said Tambudzani had failed to interpret the terms of the consent paper. “The respondent’s writs of execution dated October 14, 2019 against the applicant are grossly irregular in that; they are inconsistent with the court order for which they are issued under, they are misleading and misrepresented to the extent that they relate to a non-existent court order and they seek to create terms of the court order which does not exist at all,” Muvhami said in his founding affidavit. “The two writs of execution are clearly misleading, misrepresenting facts and not consistent with the order of this court in HC8128/18, regulated by the consent paper which is now part of the court order.” According to the court papers, Tambudzani had sought to attach Mohadi’s movable goods at lot 1 of Lot 10 Farm, Jompembe in Beitbridge. Mohadi argued that the writs were confusing in that they sought to attach property and interest at the rate of 3% per annum from February 28, 2019, and yet the court order was only granted on March 1, 2019.
Ngezi Platinum coach Rodwell Dhlakhama was left furious with the match officials following their 1-0 defeat to Highlanders in the 2019 Chibuku Super Cup final played at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday.
Dhlakama feels the near side assistant referee, Salani Ncube, robbed them after awarding Prince Dube a first half goal which he thinks didn’t cross the line. The Bosso striker hit from a range and crashed his effort against the cross-bar before it took a bounce.
Ncube approved the goal and referee Brighton Chimene pointed to the centre.
Speaking after the game, the Ngezi Platinum coach said: “The ball did not even cross the line, it hit the bar, came back into play and the referee had to give that goal. Where have you seen a goal given like that in this world?”
Ngezi were playing in their second Chibuku Super Cup final, having featured in the 2016 edition where they won it.Soccer 24
Controversial opposition politician, Paul Siwela, recently sneaked into Zimbabwe to bury his father.
The leader of the Matabeleland Liberation Organisation, is campaigning for an immediate breakaway of Matebeleland from Zimbabwe, saying that the region remains underdeveloped and marginalised.
Siwela, a thorn in the flesh of the late former president Robert Mugabe, was declared a fugitive, after he skipped the country , escaping continued persecution by the regime. The politician had no kind words for South Africans, who hailed Mugabe as a hero, “What standard are they using to call Mugabe a hero? Its like someone coming here to South Africa and saying Pik Botha, Magnus Malan, Adriaan Vlok, John Vorster and the rest of them are heroes because they created South Africa that you see today, so would you call them heroes?”
Siwela confirms to the local weekly The Standard, that indeed he was in Zimbabwe, “Yes it’s true that my father has passed on in Bulawayo. He was 90 years old and nine months and is survived by four children and 18 grandchildren as well as eight great grandchildren,” he said. Siwela said he had last seen his father in August in neighbouring South Africa where he had gone for treatment. “I am pleased that I have lived up to 57 years having my dad and was last with him in August 2019 when I had taken him for medical attention to South Africa,”he said.
By Farai D Hove| The ministry of information has said no bullets were fired at MDC President Nelson Chamisa in Marondera Sunday morning.
Their announcement flies opposite that of the MDC who say of a truth bullets were fired and several people injured.
Zimbabwe’s largest political party was holding a tree planting session at Dombotombo Clinic when party members fled for cover after armed police officers had swooped in to disrupt it.
Below is the government’s statement following the suspected assassination attack on Chamisa.
“Police in Marondera had to deploy tearsmoke to disperse an aggressive crowd that was closing in on them. This was after leadership of a political party tried to hold a rally at Dombotombo Clinic without notifying police. For the avoidance of doubt, no firearm was discharged”
Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga yesterday held a homecoming party where senior Zanu PF officials were conspicuous by their absence.
Chiwenga, who returned to Zimbabwe on November 23 after spending over four months at a Chinese hospital, did not mention his wife Marry’s name in his 25-minute long address to his relatives and church leaders that attended yesterday’s event in rural Wedza.
This followed reports that the former army commander dumped his wife while on his sickbed under unclear circumstances.
Chiwenga said people that stood by him during his illness were Health and Child Care minister John Mangwiro, who accompanied him to India and South Africa as well as China.
He also mentioned some of his close security details and a female nurse employed by the army.
“There are people who stood by me during all these days when I was battling sickness,” he said.
“Deputy minister Mangwiro, who is not here today was there for me till the end.”
He said if he had not been airlifted to China from South Africa chances were that he was not going to return home alive.
“President Mnangagwa didn’t only act like a leader, but also like a brother,” he said.
“He called Chinese President Xi Jinping so that I could be assisted there. It was bad and at one point I would even forget what I had done.More in Home
“If I had gone for a week or three days in South Africa, I could have been history,” he said.
Mary was also not at the Robert Mugabe International Airport to welcome her husband on his return from China.
Chiwenga, who arrived aboard a Chinese plan in the early hours of the morning was received by his brother and son as well as China’s deputy ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhao Boagang.
There were no government or Zanu PF officials at the airport. At the Wedza event where Chiwenga travelled by helicopter, soldiers outnumbered police officers.
The guests were mainly close family members, army generals, neighbours, villagers and members of the Roman Catholic Church.
Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs minister Aplonia Munzverengi was the highest ranked government official at the event while Zanu PF’s provincial vice chairperson Michael Madanha was the most prominent guest from the ruling party.
During Chiwenga’s absence, there were reports of resurgent factionalism in Zanu PF with some bigwigs allegedly pushing for his removal on the grounds that he was incapacitated because of his health woes.
Meanwhile, Chiwenga revealed that he was suffering from a blocked oesophagus. The oesophagus is a mascular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.
“After falling sick in October last year, no one thought I would be alive today,” the VP said.
He said he was confined to hospital wards for six months.
“I was in the intensive care unit for several months. I also spent several months in a ward,” he said.
“I was happy to see the sun for the first time in six months (on arrival in Harare) and that was last Saturday,” Chiwenga added, while standing just a metre from his late parents and siblings’ graves.
After the speeches, Chiwenga immediately flew back to Harare by helicopter while others, including villagers remained behind to feast.
Zanu PF supporters were seen trooping to the VP’s home long after he had left.
English side Arsenal have sacked manager Unai Emery.
The club issued a statement on their website confirming that they have parted ways with the Spaniard.
“We announce today that the decision has been taken to part company with our head coach Unai Emery and his coaching team.
The decision has been taken due to results and performances not being at the level required.
We have asked Freddie Ljungberg to take responsibility for the first team as interim head coach. We have full confidence in Freddie to take us forward.
The search for a new head coach is underway and we will make a further announcement when that process is complete,” read the statement.Soccer 24
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga yesterday revealed he was battling a disease of the oesophagus during his four-month stint in hospital.
The disease made it difficult for him to eat as he could not swallow anything.
He said this at a homecoming Roman Catholic Church mass held for him at his rural home in Wedza.
His recovery, he said, was nothing short of a miracle.
“I was telling colleagues that I spent close to six months without seeing the sun. I only saw it this last Saturday upon returning home,” he said.
“I want to thank you all for your prayers. Those prayers made me to survive. “Since I started falling sick in October last year, there were not many who thought I would heal completely. There were not many who thought I would be standing before you like this.
“The sickness is called idiopathic oesophageal stricture. It means that you cannot take in food and also you cannot even vomit. It involves blocking of the oesophagus and I spent a lot of time in the intensive care unit.”
VP Chiwenga thanked President Emmerson Mnangagwa for facilitating his treatment in China.
He also paid tribute to Chinese doctors and his team, led by Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Dr John Mangwiro, which accompanied him to China and other countries where he sought treatment.
On the striking doctors who are still refusing to return to work, the VP Chiwenga said:
“We are the most educated country in Africa, but I do not understand what has become of the young people . . . Every day, they want to make rich pickings, with little sweat. Where is that spirit coming from?
“Let us put the interests of our country first and have a unity of purpose. That is the Zimbabwe we want.
“Yesterday (Friday), we had a meeting with church leaders, whose leaders included . . . Archbishop Robert Christopher Ndlovu and other church leaders.
“The President said Government had done all it could and it was no longer clear what the doctors really want. They got 30 percent, they refused; they got 60 percent and they refused again.
Government then gave them a 100 percent increment, but again they refused.
“All that time, people were dying because the doctors were not at work. Doctors should respect the sanctity of life.”State media
Suspected Zanu PF supporters yesterday invaded a farm belonging to former president Robert Mugabe on the outskirts of Harare. The rowdy invaders, including a man who was armed with a gun arrived at Pomona Farm near the Pomona army barracks late in the afternoon. They set up barricades at the farm entrance where they searched cars and people who were getting in or out of the farm. Workers at the farm said the invades, some that were wearing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s 2018 election campaign t-shirts, started trooping in at around 3pm.
At around 8:30pm the invaders had started a fire at the gate and were blocking access to the farm. The armed man searched the car used by our news crew. “Can you open the doors, we want to see what is in the car. One of you should come out and open the boot for us,” one of them said, before they eventually allowed the news crew out. Mnangagwa last week hinted at a Zanu PF rally in Kadoma that Mugabe’s family will be forced to relinquish its farms in line with the government’s one-man one-farm policy. Mugabe, who died in Singapore in September, owned several commercial farms that were seized from white Zimbabweans at the height of the chaotic land reform programme. The former first family is already on the verge of losing a Mazowe farm, which is being parcelled out to small scale gold miners. Soon after Mugabe’s death some Zanu PF officials wanted the ruling party to seize his Blue Roof mansion and another house in Harare. The properties are registered under Zanu PF and calls to seize them were seen as an attempt to hit back at Mugabe’s widow Grace (pictured) after she blocked the government from burying Zimbabwe’s founding leader at the Heroes Acre. Grace was part of a Zanu PF faction that temporarily pushed Mnangagwa out of the ruling party and government in 2017 before he bounced back with the help of the military. Standard
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga yesterday revealed he was battling a disease of the oesophagus during his four-month stint in hospital.
The disease made it difficult for him to eat as he could not swallow anything.
He said this at a homecoming Roman Catholic Church mass held for him at his rural home in Wedza.
His recovery, he said, was nothing short of a miracle.
“I was telling colleagues that I spent close to six months without seeing the sun. I only saw it this last Saturday upon returning home,” he said.
“I want to thank you all for your prayers. Those prayers made me to survive. “Since I started falling sick in October last year, there were not many who thought I would heal completely. There were not many who thought I would be standing before you like this.
“The sickness is called idiopathic oesophageal stricture. It means that you cannot take in food and also you cannot even vomit. It involves blocking of the oesophagus and I spent a lot of time in the intensive care unit.”
VP Chiwenga thanked President Emmerson Mnangagwa for facilitating his treatment in China.
He also paid tribute to Chinese doctors and his team, led by Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Dr John Mangwiro, which accompanied him to China and other countries where he sought treatment.
On the striking doctors who are still refusing to return to work, the VP Chiwenga said:
“We are the most educated country in Africa, but I do not understand what has become of the young people . . . Every day, they want to make rich pickings, with little sweat.
Where is that spirit coming from?
“Let us put the interests of our country first and have a unity of purpose. That is the Zimbabwe we want.
“Yesterday (Friday), we had a meeting with church leaders, whose leaders included . . . Archbishop Robert Christopher Ndlovu and other church leaders.
“The President said Government had done all it could and it was no longer clear what the doctors really want. They got 30 percent, they refused; they got 60 percent and they refused again.
Government then gave them a 100 percent increment, but again they refused.
“All that time, people were dying because the doctors were not at work. Doctors should respect the sanctity of life.”State media
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga yesterday revealed he was battling a disease of the oesophagus during his four-month stint in hospital.
The disease made it difficult for him to eat as he could not swallow anything.
He said this at a homecoming Roman Catholic Church mass held for him at his rural home in Wedza.
His recovery, he said, was nothing short of a miracle.
“I was telling colleagues that I spent close to six months without seeing the sun. I only saw it this last Saturday upon returning home,” he said.
“I want to thank you all for your prayers. Those prayers made me to survive. “Since I started falling sick in October last year, there were not many who thought I would heal completely. There were not many who thought I would be standing before you like this.
“The sickness is called idiopathic oesophageal stricture. It means that you cannot take in food and also you cannot even vomit. It involves blocking of the oesophagus and I spent a lot of time in the intensive care unit.”
VP Chiwenga thanked President Emmerson Mnangagwa for facilitating his treatment in China.
He also paid tribute to Chinese doctors and his team, led by Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Dr John Mangwiro, which accompanied him to China and other countries where he sought treatment.
On the striking doctors who are still refusing to return to work, the VP Chiwenga said:
“We are the most educated country in Africa, but I do not understand what has become of the young people . . . Every day, they want to make rich pickings, with little sweat. Where is that spirit coming from?
“Let us put the interests of our country first and have a unity of purpose. That is the Zimbabwe we want.
“Yesterday (Friday), we had a meeting with church leaders, whose leaders included . . . Archbishop Robert Christopher Ndlovu and other church leaders.
“The President said Government had done all it could and it was no longer clear what the doctors really want. They got 30 percent, they refused; they got 60 percent and they refused again.
Government then gave them a 100 percent increment, but again they refused.
“All that time, people were dying because the doctors were not at work. Doctors should respect the sanctity of life.”State media
Staff Reporter | Social media trolls are apparently on the attack, targeting comedian Gonyeti and body shaming her.
Gonyeti (Samantha Kureya), was last week awarded the Human Rights Defender of the Year Award, by The Southern Africa Human Rights Network. Which has apparently attracted a social media backlash.
“After the announcement of the award some ghost accounts have already started trolling Gonyeti and body shaming her, so we are going to be attacked for this award, but we have to be strong and continue doing what we love to do,” Lucky Aaroni told the weekly Standard newspaper.
This is not the first time Bustop TV has been exposed to negative criticism as well as intimidation tactics.
In addition to Gonyeti’s detention with her co-actor Magi earlier this year by the police, suspected state agents
allegedly abducted and tortured the comedienne for one of their comic skits earlier.
According to SAHRDN the courage under such circumstances are one of the reasons why Gonyeti deserves this year’s honours for Southern Africa.
“Despite all these operational challenges and threats, Samantha has continued to use satire to defend the rights of the most marginalised at great personal risk,” read their statement.
Meanwhile, Aaroni said they were honoured to add a prestigious gong to their cabinet in a confirmation of the impact their art has on society.
“Its been five years of doing work and we have won a number of awards before as BustopTV and on her
personal capacity Gonyeti won awards, but this award is special to us because its recognition at another level of artistic content we generate,” he said.
Staff Reporter | Exiled politician Savior Kasukuwere, has announced his intention to challenge ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa in the 2023 Presidential elections, as he revealed that supporters of the late former President Robert Mugabe were funding his campaign.
“People want me to be the leader in leadership renewal, particularly the young people,” the 49-year-old told the Sunday Times this week from exile in SA.
Kasukuwere tells the newspaper that he has buckled to pressure from disgruntled MDC and ZANU PF supporters who want him to lead them.
“People know that I stood by Robert Mugabe right up to the bitter end. I am deeply respected within Zimbabwe and beyond,” said Kasukuwere. “I interacted with former SA Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma. They know me. I have links with business people in the region as well as former allies of Mugabe across the world, he said.
Kasukuwere’s spokesperson, Ntokozo Msipa, said Kasukuwere’s ten years as Cabinet Minister meant that “he now knows the mistakes that need to be corrected.”
Msipa added: “There’s need to find a solution to the political and economic problems in Zimbabwe. The youth comprise 60% of the total population, and we have been subjected to much suffering.”
Kasukuwere would not be drawn into declaring whether he will contest the 2023 elections as an independent or under a political party. His ally, Jonathan Moyo, also said he would not want to comment on Tyson’s political moves.
Former President Robert Mugabe’s wealth will be revealed in a few days’ time, putting to rest much speculation and conjecture.
This week the Master of the High Court is expected to give the full list of what he owned, including investments, houses, cash and gifts ranging from cattle, precious minerals and even wild animals.
A Government gazette published on November 15 confirmed the registration of the estate.
“Notice is hereby given that the estate of the under-mentioned deceased persons, minors or persons whose whereabouts are unknown, are unrepresented and that the next of kin, creditors or other persons concerned are required to attend on the dates and at the times and places specified, for the selection of an executor, tutor or curator dative, as the case may be,” read the notice, which appeared with Mugabe’s name.
The estate, if published in full, will either confirm or put paid to various truths and untruths held by the public.
Mugabe died in Singapore on September 6 after battling ill-health since April. He was 95.
His widow, Grace, daughter Bona and sons, Robert Jnr and Bellarmine Chatunga, are likely to be beneficiaries of whatever the late former president left behind.State media
Jane Mlambo| Several people have been reportedly injured following an assasination attempt on MDC President Nelson Chamisa in Marondera today.
According to Marondera Central legislator Caston Matewu, Chamisa was attending a tree planting ceremony when people believed to be from the army fired live shots which hit a precast wall close to where the youthful politician was.
This left several people injured though we could not confirm if they were MDC supporters.
Chamisa has since assuming the MDC top job survived a number of assasination attempts including when a marked Toyota Harrier followed him when he was again coming from Marondera rally.
Jane Mlambo| According to Marondera Central Member of Parliament Caston Matewu, live shots were fired at opposition MDC President Nelson Chamisa in Marondera during a tree planting exercise.
“I was beside him. We were missed by a whisker. We were only planting trees for National Tree planting day in Marondera Today,” said Matewu.
Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga yesterday held a homecoming party where his wife and senior Zanu PF officials were conspicuous by their absence.
Chiwenga, who returned to Zimbabwe on November 23 after spending over four months at a Chinese hospital, did not mention his wife Mary’s name in his 25-minute long address to his relatives and church leaders that attended yesterday’s event in rural Wedza.
This followed reports that the former army commander dumped his wife while on his sickbed under unclear circumstances.
Chiwenga said people that stood by him during his illness were Health and Child Care minister John Mangwiro, who accompanied him to India and South Africa as well as China.
He also mentioned some of his close security details and a female nurse employed by the army.
“There are people who stood by me during all these days when I was battling sickness,” he said.
“Deputy minister Mangwiro, who is not here today was there for me till the end.”
He said if he had not been airlifted to China from South Africa chances were that he was not going to return home alive.
“President Mnangagwa didn’t only act like a leader, but also like a brother,” he said.
“He called Chinese President Xi Jinping so that I could be assisted there. It was bad and at one point I would even forget what I had done.
“If I had gone for a week or three days in South Africa, I could have been history,” he said.
Mary was also not at the Robert Mugabe International Airport to welcome her husband on his return from China.
Chiwenga, who arrived aboard a Chinese plan in the early hours of the morning was received by his brother and son as well as China’s deputy ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhao Boagang.
There were no government or Zanu PF officials at the airport. At the Wedza event where Chiwenga travelled by helicopter, soldiers outnumbered police officers.
The guests were mainly close family members, army generals, neighbours, villagers and members of the Roman Catholic Church.
Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs minister Aplonia Munzverengi was the highest ranked government official at the event while Zanu PF’s provincial vice chairperson Michael Madanha was the most prominent guest from the ruling party.
During Chiwenga’s absence, there were reports of resurgent factionalism in Zanu PF with some bigwigs allegedly pushing for his removal on the grounds that he was incapacitated because of his health woes.
Meanwhile, Chiwenga revealed that he was suffering from a blocked oesophagus. The oesophagus is a mascular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.
“After falling sick in October last year, no one thought I would be alive today,” the VP said.
He said he was confined to hospital wards for six months.
“I was in the intensive care unit for several months. I also spent several months in a ward,” he said.
“I was happy to see the sun for the first time in six months (on arrival in Harare) and that was last Saturday,” Chiwenga added, while standing just a metre from his late parents and siblings’ graves.
After the speeches, Chiwenga immediately flew back to Harare by helicopter while others, including villagers remained behind to feast.
Zanu PF supporters were seen trooping to the VP’s home long after he had left.
Greetings once again. I am sure I find you as you were last week, in fine fettle. We have come to the end of another eventful week.
Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Environment, Concillia Chinanzvavana [MDC], was on Wednesday voted out of her position by Zanu PF members during a post-budget meeting. ZANU PF has reportedly set in motion plans to purge MDC chairpersons of parliamentary portfolio committees using its majority in the august House.
After her ouster from the chair of her committee, Concilia Chinanzvavana commented that her ouster had been unconstitutional, not procedural and contrary to Parliament’s Standing Rules and Orders.It turns out she was correct.
Section 139 of the Constitution states that parliamentary proceedings must be regulated by Standing Rules and Orders, which are drawn up by the Houses on the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee on Standing Rules and Orders (CSRO).
According to the National Assembly’s Standing Rules and Orders, the chairpersons of all portfolio committees must be appointed by the CSRO – Standing Order 18. The chairing and composition of committees must take into account the number of MPs from each party in Parliament and also gender representation.
It follows that only the appointing authority (the CSRO) may remove a chairperson from office, whether temporarily or permanently.
ZanuPf legislators purport this is in retaliation to MDC legislators not recognising Mnangagwa as the president.A more plausible argument is the Zimbabwe Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee hearing into Command Agriculture and Sakunda.
The Committee and was expected to question Sakunda boss Kuda Tagwireyi over his company’s role in the Command Agriculture, a program which has been used as a vehicle for siphoning public funds to corrupt individuals.
Much whirl was made of the wizardly re-emergence from deaths gallows of coup plotter in chief Constantino Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga.With a spring in his step, disembarking a Chinese jet and welcomed by the Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe[yes you read that right],one was left to marvel at the extent of Chinese ingenuity ,at the same time sceptical if this was a clone or the real thing.Like all Chinese products , they do not last. Let’s ‘’hope’’ this is the exception to the rule.
Zimbabweans have been such a tormented ,abused lot , bereft of hope,that they celebrated the return of the ‘’Ambi one’’,regardless of the glaring fact that he is the central figure in the palace putsch that has left us in such a labyrinth.
COUP TO CURE A COUP?
To a general with a hammer, everything will tend to look like a nail. Officers will view the task of reforming the state as being susceptible to the tools in which they have greatest expertise. Force is then not used only as a means of defeating those taking up arms against the coup, but also to eliminate those with ideological inclinations or political affiliations that don’t match the blueprint followed by the army.
Military power has an affinity with domination that makes it uniquely unsuited to securing people from the face of oppression.
In fact, across the spectrum of cases that are most likely to need urgent, remedial action, the military will often have a very close affinity with precisely those evils that need remedy. If violent oppression is the evil, it is most likely already being perpetrated by means of the armed forces. If so, it seems naive to imagine the army itself as a natural saviour of the people. If the disease is corruption, it is also corruption that frequently motivates plotters in the first place – as Edward Luttwak remarks, corrupt states offer great material rewards to successful plotters – in other states, coups just aren’t worth the personal risk. Likewise, if rebellion is justified against tyrannical, authoritarian rule, then placing hopes in senior figures from what is traditionally the most consistently authoritarian social institution seems misguided.
It’s not just that the cure is worse than the disease; the cure typically is itself an offshoot of the disease. When you start a cure with the wrong diagnosis, there is little chance you will succeed.
WASTED OPPORTUNITY.
Mnangagwa has missed opportunities to “cure the coup”, particularly the failure to create stable transitional mechanisms. Mnangagwa and his co-conspirators unwittingly attempted to “cure” the coup through a manipulated “election” and this strategy has backfired and the sooner they come to terms with this reality the better. Unbeknown to Mnangagwa was that the ball was in his court and he had many options to redeem himself as a unifying leader. However, his lack of vision has exposed him as an unglued kleptomaniac with no strategy of moving Zimbabwe forward.
One of the more obvious options available to him at the time was calling for a genuine national dialogue of all stakeholders, not for the purposes of power-sharing but rather to carve the way forward for Zimbabwe towards political and economic reforms to address the 37-year rot created by him and Mugabe. This kind of dialogue would have come out with clear timelines on fundamental reforms at the same time as one of the main steps in curing the coup. It would have also helped to cool down the political temperatures and depolarise our politics.
However, that did not happen, as Mnangagwa became consumed and intoxicated by power, allegedly building his power around a partisan and parochial tribal agenda. Mnangagwa has been busy focussing on consolidating his power at the expense of building a nation, renaming roads after himself instead of repairing decrepit ones, let alone construct new ones. Bequeathing himself with unconscionable degrees, with Harvey Weinstein perks to boot.
LESSONS FROM ‘’KUITISWA’’
Letting military elites’ interference in the political process go unchecked ultimately undermines norms of civilian control of the military that are a prerequisite for stable, democratic rule. It encourages military officers to see themselves as above the law. Hence, when civilian elites invite military officers to weigh in on politics, it is difficult to get them to stop.
Faith in the military to restore democracy is misplaced. There is, in fact, scant evidence that coups and other forms of military intervention result in more democratic rule. Notwithstanding the recent uptick in the number of “good coups,” coups still more often than not simply replace one dictator with another.
Just as importantly, those military interventions that are followed by elections rarely bring about lasting change. In Egypt, for instance, human rights organizations documented mass, arbitrary arrests, the detention of protesters and human rights workers, new restrictions on nongovernmental organizations and repression of political opposition. The same misplaced optimism followed the 2006 coup in Thailand.
CONCLUSION
Research by the African Development Bank, among other institutions, shows that there have been more than 200 coups in Africa since the post-independence era of the 1960s, with 45% of them being successful and resulting in the displacement of the head of state and government officials, and/or the dissolution of previously existing constitutional structures.
The emergence of a growing culture of the rule of law, constitutionalism and the democratic dispensation has largely taken away the appetite for coups.
With several countries reaping the “democratic dividend”, those that want to disrupt their country’s growth trajectory through coups and acts of bad governance will not only find themselves out of fashion but also risk a revolt from their own people, who are witnessing what political stability and respect for the rule of law have achieved elsewhere on the continent and would similarly want to benefit from them.
So to Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and your coterie of democracy controverts, political reforms are essentially the only roadmap to curing your coup and any temptation to a short cut will have unimaginable consequences.
Have a wonderful weekend.
By Tim Mutsekwa: Political Science and International Relations [University of Greenwich]
By A Correspondent| Emmerson Mnangagwa’s deputy Constantino Chiwenga has revealed the illness that made him bedridden for several months in China, a condition previously linked to HIV AIDS.
Chiwenga was speaking at his rural home celebrating his return to “good health.”
While criticising Zimbabwean doctors and at the same time praising Chinese medics, Chiwenga revealed more on his illness.
He said he was suffering from a disease called idiopathic oesophageal stricture.
He quoted by the Sunday Mail said,
“I was telling colleagues that I spent close to six months without seeing the sun. I only saw it this last Saturday upon returning home,” said Chiwenga.
He continued saying:
“I want to thank you all for your prayers. Those prayers made me to survive. “Since I started falling sick in October last year, there were not many who thought I would heal completely. There were not many who thought I would be standing before you like this.
“The sickness is called idiopathic oesophageal stricture. It means that you cannot take in food and also you cannot even vomit. It involves blocking of the oesophagus and I spent a lot of time in the intensive care unit.”
An academic reading (below) links the condition to HIV AIDS. FULL TEXT:
https://youtu.be/rrHSMVjgWmo
Idiopathic midesophageal stricture: a new cause of dysphagia in a patient with AIDS.
Shapiro BD, et al. South Med J. 1997.
Show full citation
Abstract
A number of disorders may result in the complaint of dysphagia in HIV-infected patients. These include fungal, viral, bacterial, parasitic, medication-induced, and idiopathic lesions in the esophagus. In the current case, a 32-year-old man with advanced HIV infection had recurrent bouts of esophageal stricture. No ulcer was associated with this stricture. No infectious causes of the stricture could be determined. The patient required multiple upper endoscopies and dilatations for treatment of this stricture and subsequently had a food impaction. This is the first case in the medical literature of an idiopathic stricture in the middle portion of the esophagus in an HIV-infected patient. We postulate that this lesion may have been caused by the patient’s medications. Esophageal strictures should be considered in HIV-infected patients with severe dysphagia or food-bolus impactions of the esophagus.
MATABELELAND South Zanu-PF Member of Parliament (Proportional Representation) Alice Ndlovu-Zulu has died.
She was 63. Her younger brother, Mr Patnas Mazibuko said Ndlovu-Zulu succumbed to kidney failure last Friday, which she had been battling for a long time.
“She was in and out of hospital due to her condition but she finally succumbed to it on Friday. She was in and out of hospital and was on medication but this time around she couldn’t make it. She died at Parkview General Hospital in Harare,” said Mr Mazibuko.
He said due to her condition she developed an infection which affected her health. Mr Mazibuko said Ndlovu-Zulu’s death was a great loss to the family and the country at large as she played a pivotal role in the emancipation of women and rights development. He said she began her political career after having worked in the NGO sector.
He said the burial had been tentatively set for Tuesday and mourners are gathered at her homestead in Msithi in Filabusi.
Insiza South Member of Parliament (Zanu-PF), Spare Sithole said Ndlovu-Zulu’s death had robbed the district, province and country at large of a leader, who had the people’s concerns at heart.
“She was not just in politics but she was a leader. She had a great influence in people’s lives and that anyone can give testimony to. Her death is a great loss to the party and also to the development of the country. Not so long ago we lost cadres in Lupane and Plumtree. We really wonder what this means. She is at rest now and that is all that we can say,” said Sithole.
Africa Report|From the rise of “Gucci Grace” to the fall of “Comrade Bob”, to Emmerson Mnangagwa’s incredible escape, the book ‘Secrets of history’ recounts the riveting story of the presidential couple’s last weeks in power.
Grace Mugabe is hardly ever seen leaving her private villa in Mount Pleasant, in the upscale suburb of Harare, where she has taken refuge with her daughter, Bona, after deserting the cursed Blue Roof mansion. The last time people saw her in public since the coup d’état of November 14, 2017 was just under two months ago, at the family funeral of her husband, Robert Mugabe.
After refusing an official state funeral and burial at the Capital’s Heroes’ Square for her husband, Grace led the funeral procession to Kutama Cemetery, where the father of independence was born 95 years earlier. “If she doesn’t come out anymore, it’s because she’s afraid of being stoned to death,” believes one of Zimbabwe’s many critics of Grace.
“Wrong,” retorts one of the few MPs who still dares to associate with her: “If she lives in a recluse, it is because she can no longer bear to feel the presence of those who betrayed her husband”.
Political life in Zimbabwe is similar to the plot of Game of Thrones, with spectacular outbursts of public anger by actors who accuse each other of the worst deeds.
In exchange for dropping legal proceedings against her – which was demanded by many Zimbabweans – Grace Mugabe agreed to remain silent and to withdraw from the world. The opaque elite who have governed this country for four decades stand united. When you can’t kill yourself, you make compromises.
The secret story of Grace’s rise following Robert Mugabe’s fall is told by Zimbabwean journalist and writer Douglas Rogers in a detailed investigation published on the second anniversary of Operation Restore Legacy (Two Weeks in November, London, Short Books). It begins one day in the austral winter of 2014.
At an extraordinary meeting of the Zanu-PF Central Committee, President Mugabe announces his decision to appoint the first lady to head the female branch of the ruling party and her subsequent entry into the political bureau. Among Zanu-PF loyalists, many of whom were former liberation fighters, they’re aware of the influence that the former secretary has over the leader who is forty-one years her senior.Daily newsletter:join our 100 000 subscribers!Each day, get the essential: 5 things you need to know Sign upAlso receive offers from The Africa ReportAlso receive offers from The Africa Report’s partners
They’re also aware of her escapades. “Gucci Grace” has a taste for luxury, an eruptive temperament and enjoys lavish shopping trips to London and Singapore aboard the presidential Boeing. Everyone fears and, silently, disapproves of her appointment.
The first lady acts like a second president. She summons ministers, attends hearings with a notebook in her hand, and appoints members of her own stable – the “Generation 40” (G40) – to head local federations. The group’s composed of ambitious politicians who were too young to have participated in the glorious “chimurenga” – the armed struggle.
It’s led by the Minister of Higher Education, Jonathan Moyo, an unscrupulous opportunist who, after being a fierce opponent of the regime, has turned into a zealous courtesan of the presidential couple. As head of the universities, he also ensured that Grace obtained a doctorate in sociology in record time: just three months.
Grace’s first target is a woman, who poses a major threat to her ambition of succeeding her husband.
Joice Mujuru is a decorated veteran, a minister since 1980, and Vice-President of the Republic for ten years. She’s the widow of General Solomon Mujuru, who died in 2011 during a suspicious fire on her farm. Her nickname during war was “Teurai Ropa” – the one who spills blood. Joice enjoys undeniable legitimacy, to the point that many Zimbabweans see her as the natural heir to “Comrade Bob”.
After her appointment to political office, Grace launches a campaign against Joice Mujuru, calling her a “conspirator” who’s determined to avenge her husband’s death, and seize power. In December 2014, Mugabe gives in.
He dismisses Mujuru and eight ministers deemed close to her. Her successor as vice-president is another veteran: Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa. This will be Grace Mugabe’s second target.
Even more than Joice Mujuru, Mnangagwa is a respected personality among veterans and the leading figure of Zanu-PF’s so-called “Lacoste Group” – a reference to the crocodile-shaped logo of the famous French sportswear brand – which brings together the “liberators” of Zimbabwe. The guerrilla unit, he led, during the liberation struggle was called the “Crocodile Gang”. He was arrested by the police, tortured, and sentenced to ten years in prison for sabotage against Ian Smith’s government. Behind bars, he met Robert Mugabe. Since then, they have never left each other’s side.
North Korean advisors
For three decades, Mnangagwa executed the wishes of his leader without hesitation. As Minister of Security in 1983, he supervised the bloody “Gukurahundi” operation (“the rain that sweeps away garbage”) in Matabeleland, resulting in the deaths of 20,000 people in nine months.
In 1998, he was deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he coordinated the Zimbabwean contingent’s support for the Laurent-Désiré Kabila regime. It allows senior officers to enrich themselves through the trafficking of copper and diamonds. In both 2008 and 2013, as Minister of Defence, he played a key role in the post-election violence and repression that decimated the ranks of the opposition’s leader, Morgan Tsvangirai.
InDecember 2016, as Zimbabwe plunged further into economic and social turmoil, Zanu-PF nominated Comrade Bob, 92, as its 2018 presidential candidate. The plan devised by Grace and her G40 was simple: her husband, once re-elected, will resign in her favour. But first, she must be reappointed as vice-president.
In early 2017, as Grace prepares to take the old leader on an exhausting tour of pre-election meetings, she holds a secret meeting at the Blue Roof Manor. In his room upstairs, Robert Mugabe is asleep. In the living room downstairs, the G40 leaders gather around Grace as she explains why the Lacoste Group must be “neutralized” one by one, starting with Mnangagwa.
The two factions hold the same views, ideology, and vision.. Only the struggle for power matters. During campaign meetings Robert Mugabe falls asleep frequently as Grace and Mnangagwa challenge each other.
Arsenic poisoning?
In mid-August, a lunch is organized in the town of Gwanda on the sidelines of one of these gatherings. After consuming ice cream from Grace Mugabe’s dairy farm (seized about ten years earlier from a white owner), the vice-president collapses. He was evacuated to a hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mnangagwa and his entourage are convinced that Grace laced his food with arsenic. When asked about this accusation a few days later during a talk show on ZBC, Grace laughed, saying “Why would I want to kill Mnangagwa? Who is Mnangagwa on this earth? Killing someone my husband made? It doesn’t make any sense!”.
In this hostile climate, the election campaign continues. At the beginning of October, the First Lady crosses the line: she attacks her rival directly, accusing him of fomenting a coup d’état. Standing with a microphone in her hand, dressed like a rock star, she screams: “Traitors and usurpers will be eliminated!”
Sitting to the right of the old chief, with his eyes half closed, Emmerson Mnangagwa did not react. He replies indirectly a month later, at a meeting in Bulawayo. As Grace gets up from her chair to deliver a new diatribe, the crowd, mostly made up of veterans, explodes in jeers while waving hundreds of toy crocodiles.
The message is very clear. Robert Mugabe, drawn from his sleep by the screams, immediately asks for the microphone. He lifts a boney finger and says, “You insult and denigrate the first lady on behalf of Mnangagwa? All right. I’ll fire him”.On November 6, Mnangagwa was dismissed and excluded from the party. His personal guard is unarmed.
To escape imminent arrest, he takes flight.
Emmerson Mnangagwa at Zanu-PF headquarters in Harare, Wednesday, November 22. Ben Curtis/AP/SIPA
At dawn on November 7, he leaves Harare in a convoy of three vehicles, heading southeast towards the Mozambican border. He puts on his wife’s king-size sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed safari hat. His three sons and a handful of bodyguards accompany him. When he arrives at the Mutare border crossing, police officers recognize him and draw their weapons, forcing the convoy to make a hasty U-turn. After a few kilometres, the three 4×4s take a side road and stop in front of an abandoned earthen hut. Mnangagwa and his eldest son, Junior get off and take shelter under the thatched roof, while the vehicles return to Harare.
At nightfall, they both walk along a smuggler’s trail that will take them to Mozambique. But police equipped with powerful flashlights and sniffer dogs are looking for them. Mnangagwa and Junior – who firmly holds his father’s Louis Vuitton bag containing US$8,000 in small bills – are forced to cross a swamp and crawl through the mud to escape them.
They meet a mystic with amulets, who shows them the way and chases away evil spirits in exchange for a few greenbacks. Next, they stumble upon a garbage collector armed with a rusty AK47. They pay him $500 to leave them alone.
After 24 hours in the bush, they finally arrive in the Mozambican city of Manica, with sore feet and covered in mud. From there, they move to Maputo and Johannesburg, where a disparate group of Zimbabwean opponents take care of them. It’s a strange cocktail of war veterans, Zanu-PF elders, expropriated white farmers, and human rights activists, who help them.
Gun in hand
In Harare, the news of Mnangagwa’s escape is greeted with jubilation by Grace and the G40. “Finally rid of the Crocodile!” says Mugabe. His wife’s official appointment as vice-president is scheduled for 16 November. Euphoric, Grace makes preparations for a grand ceremony but nothing will go as planned.
Mnangagwa’s escape raises Robert Mugabe’s paranoia, who fears a coup d’état. The first on his list of suspects is none other than the Chief of the Army Staff, General Constantino Chiwenga, a relative of Mnangagwa with whom he served during Operation Gukurahundi. Mugabe orders his arrest as soon as he steps on the tarmac at Harare airport after returning from a working visit to China.
In the evening of November 12, a squadron of police officers waits for Chiwenga as he gets off the plane. But, the General is aware of the plan, and takes precautions. Members of the special forces are disguised as airport maintenance staff. They surround the police officers with their weapons drawn. The attempted arrest turns into a fiasco.
The next day, Chiwenga and – from South Africa – Mnangagwa rally most of the senior officers by telephone around Operation Restore Legacy, the code name for what was nothing more than a coup d’état. On the afternoon of November 14, the operation was launched, just as Robert Mugabe began to chair the Council of Ministers. On the agenda: the inauguration of the First Lady, scheduled for the next day.
Zimbabweans celebrate Robert Mugabe’s resignation in Harare on Tuesday, November 21. Ben Curtis/AP/SIPA
It is 6pm when Robert and Grace Mugabe leave the palace. Army tanks have surrounded the barracks of the Presidential Guard, whose leader is secretly aligned to the coup plotters. The couple still have no idea what is going on.
Their convoy heads to the Blue Roof mansion in the Borrowdale suburb. In addition to the 5-ton armoured Mercedes Pullman Guard, there are four other Mercedes filled with Central Intelligence Organization (CIO) secret service agents, six police Land Rovers and two trucks carrying 30 black hooded Presidential Guard personnel.
Standing in front of the Blue Roof entrance gate, three tanks and about a hundred soldiers are waiting for them in combat position. Police officers and CIO agents raise their arms and let themselves be disarmed, while the Presidential Guard watch the scene without moving. It was then that Robert and Grace Mugabe finally understood that a coup d’état had just overthrown them. They are silent. It was only later that night, when the sick old lion had gone to bed, that Grace burst into fury in her living room.
At the same time, the army is arresting the main leaders of the G40.
All were handcuffed without resistance, with the exception of the Minister of Finance, Ignatius Chombo, whose private guard resisted. Three security guards were shot dead by the military. They’ll be the only ones who die from Operation Restore Legacy. Jonathan Moyo has better luck. He manages to escape,taking refuge in the Blue Roof mansion, from where he negotiates his fate with the new authorities: exile in Nairobi in exchange for immunity.
On the morning of 21 November, Zimbabwean deputies, who were only yesterday zealous supporters of the “national hero”, vote to dismiss him. That same afternoon, Robert Mugabe resigns for a $10 million signing bonus, legal immunity, and a promise that the couple’s property would not be seized.
The next day, Emmerson Mnangagwa returns to Harare. His first gesture is to reward the three generals who ran the operation: Chiwenga was appointed Vice-President, Perence Shiri becomes Minister of Lands, and Sibusiso Moyo takes over as Minister of Foreign Affairs. In Zimbabwe, everything moves but nothing changes.
Correspondent|United Nations special rapporteur on the right to food Hilal Elver’s preliminary report following her 11-day fact-finding mission to Zimbabwe is a poignant reminder of everything that has gone wrong with this country.
Elver concluded that Zimbabwe was on the brink of “man-made starvation” with close to 60% of the population now food insecure.
She feared that the crisis would escalate due to political instability and the deteriorating economic situation. Elver said the dire food shortages were worsened by hyperinflation.
She rightly concluded that Zimbabwe’s transformation from being “the breadbasket of Africa to now considered food insecure, with most households unable to obtain enough food to meet basic needs due to hyperinflation” was largely due to failures in governance.
From a chaotic land reform programme that destroyed Zimbabwe’s agriculture-based economy, unchecked corruption by the elite to poor economic policies and human rights violations, the country’s collapse has been well-documented before.
Elver was merely restating what Zimbabweans have debated about and begged their government to correct to no avail.
Even President Emmerson Mnangagwa two years ago acknowledged these issues when he took over from Robert Mugabe following a military coup.
Mnangagwa promised Zimbabweans “a new kind of democracy” and a swift economic revival, which he said would be achieved through a complete shift from the way things were done under Mugabe.
Elver, however, was the second UN expert to raise questions about the so-called new dispensation in less than four months after special rapporteur Clement Voule also made a damning conclusion about the deteriorating situation in the country.
As expected, the government has brushed aside Elver’s report with Information secretary Nick Mangwana insisting on social media platforms that the country’s problems were a result of droughts and sanctions.
During Mugabe’s era, the government never took responsibility for any of the problems the country faced, blaming everything on Western countries.
The destruction of agriculture and corruption that has seen the country lose billions of dollars is being done by the Zimbabwean government and until the country has a responsible leadership, the rot will continue.
Instead of burying their heads in the sand like ostriches when confronted with the truth, government officials need to take stock of the things that the country needs to do differently.
Zimbabwe is a very resource rich country and its citizens do not deserve to be starving and dying of medieval diseases such as typhoid and cholera.
Standard|Transport minister Joel Biggie Matiza has been accused of deliberately misleading cabinet in a bid to scuttle the US$400 million National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) recapitalisation project.
The Diaspora Infrastructure Development Group (DIDG), which won a 2017 tender to recapitalise the ailing national rail service, made the claims in a withering statement Friday after Matiza was quoted by the state-owned Herald newspaper saying government was forced to cancel the tender after the company failed to provide proof of funds.
DIDG, which led the winning consortium that includes South Africa’s rail service Transnet and a syndicate of banks counting Absa and Nedbank among others, is accusing Matiza of lying to cabinet in a bid to push the project to a proxy.
Company chairman Donovan Chimhandamba told The Standard they had instructed Atherstone and Cook Legal Practitioners to take legal action against Matiza in his personal capacity.
“His actions are unlawful and cannot go unchallenged, we intend to pursue this to the end.
“We are going to take legal action against Matiza in his personal capacity for abuse of government office as we can demonstrate that he employed malicious falsehoods to advance a personal agenda,” Chimhandamba said.
“It is shamefully dishonest for him to claim that we did not provide proof of funding when NRZ has already acknowledged, in writing, that it received the proof of funding and sent the same to Treasury for verification.
“The question is why Matiza is so desperate to scuttle this project that he went to the extent of lying to cabinet and the people of Zimbabwe?”
NRZ is reportedly yet to formally communicate with DIDG on the cancellation, amid claims executives are divided over the issue with some accusing Matiza of suppressing NRZ board resolutions and recommendations in his presentation to cabinet.
“The situation is quite sensitive because on one hand you have the minister saying DIDG has not provided the proof of funds and requiring us to communicate the cancellation to the consortium, while on the other hand we had already written to the consortium acknowledging the proof of funds, which has since gone to Treasury for verification,” a source inside the NRZ said, requesting anonymity for fear of victimisation.
“Nobody wants to put their signature to the letter because you expose yourself professionally and legally if you generate two contradictory letters, it’s an administrative stalemate.”
The NRZ deal has exposed fissures in government with the Herald Friday uncharacteristically allowing DIDG a right to respond carte blanche directly to Matiza’s claim.
“Proof of funding was provided timeously. The Herald has been provided with the proof of funds that includes funds from Absa, Nedbank and other banks, with Afreximbank as the lead arranger.
“This a matter of fact, not speculation … No cancellation has been communicated by the authorised legal body (NRZ) dealing with this matter.
“It is unprofessional to purport to cancel commercial agreements through newspapers,” the company said in a nearly 400-word statement..
A source said the publication of the statement was done under the threat of legal action.
“They received the proof of funding and a letter threatening legal action if the paper did not retract the article.
“The paper could not retract the article because the statements attacking DIDG were issued by a competent authority, so the only option was to give them a right to respond,” the source said.
“It was a difficult situation because the usual government channels have not commented in support of Matiza. So nobody is clear if the attack on DIDG was sponsored by government or if it is a personal project that could come back to haunt the paper.” Meanwhile, NRZ advisors Deloitte have been sucked into the scandal after they allegedly started reporting directly to Matiza despite having been contracted by NRZ. DIDG is advised by Atherstone and Cook, Webber Wentzel, EY, Sandama Legal and Costa Madzonga Attorneys.
“The accusation that we avoided the Transport ministry and Deloitte are without merit for the simple reason that the contracting party is NRZ.
“Deloitte is an advisor to NRZ and the there is no basis for us to engage them or the Ministry of Transport,” Chimhandamba said.
“We communicate directly with NRZ and we made it clear to Deloitte after they attempted to communicate directly with us that there was no legal basis for such communication.
“Matiza appears to be dealing directly with Deloitte which is something of a curiosity as their fiduciary responsibility is to NRZ.”
NRZ faces liabilities emanating from the transaction after Transnet delivered 13 locomotives and 200 wagons in 2018 as an interim solution.
At least US$5 million in unpaid lease fees would become due if the transaction falls through. DIDG has reportedly incurred transaction costs in the region of US$8 million in structuring the deal. Efforts to secure comment from the mandated lead arranger, Afreximbank, were unsuccessful.
Africa’s largest online market place for safari holidays on the African continent, SafariBookings, has named Zimbabwe among the continent’s finest safari destinations for the year 2019.
Zimbabwe was awarded a rating of 4,38 out of 5 rating, placing it at number 4 among a list of 12 African countries with the best jaw-dropping safari adventures.
The country is endowed with world famous attractions such as the majestic Victoria Falls, the mystique Nyanga as well as a variety of wildlife species found in a few places world wide.
Despite Africa having several countries endowed with various safari adventures and attractions, Zimbabwe fourth out of more than 4 000 reviews that were analysed by Safari Bookings.
In terms of rankings, Botswana retained the number one slot with a 4,61 rating, followed by Tanzania at 4,55 and Zambia with 4,46 points then Zimbabwe was number four with 4,39 points.
Other that were rated include Kenya, South Africa, Namibia, Uganda, Rwanda, Swaziland, Mozambique and Malawi which came in that order.
Safari Bookings said, “A study in alternating landscapes, from the stark, arid beauty of the Kalahari Desert with its bellowing black-maned lions to the Okavango Delta, famed for its shimmering, winding waterways and profusion of elephants – on average had the highest scores, though Tanzania was not far behind.
“A closer analysis of the results throws up a surprise: when broken down the results tell us that the industry experts rated Botswana the highest, but that there was a preference for Zimbabwe amongst safari-goers.”
The safari industry is expected to generate at least US$7 billion annually by 2030, which seems quite promising if planned programme to stimulate the industry are implemented.
Tourism promotion body, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) recently participated at the Incentive Business Travel and Meetings (IBTM) World Exhibition to promote the country as a Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) destination extending the country’s potential in harnessing safari returns .
The developments follow Government’s extended incentives to support the tourism industry to reach its full potential.
Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the world and many countries rely on it.
The sector’s strategic importance stems from the fact that the tourism sector has some form of resilience to challenges that may affect other economic sectors.
The industry’s earnings reached US$1 billion last year.
by Grace Kwinjeh | The opposition movement in its different shades and stripes must never be a laundromat, a cleansing ground for former Zanu PF politicians with a track record of leading violent campaigns against innocent civilians, with impunity.
Savior Kasukuwere’s call to fame in Zanu PF and why there are nostalgic feelings for his ‘heroic’ return, sends chills down my spine, because that call only reminds me of his role in the project to totally annihilate the opposition, it is about a past characterised by violence, torture and killings.
After the mistake of supporting the 2017 coup, one would assume, we have learnt a bitter lesson, we are wiser, are more strategic in our thinking, towards a new narrative, that defines a Zimbabwe led by men and women who have a clean past.
Men and women who will unite the nation, facilitate a process of healing, reconciliation, justice and accountability. Not one person in Zanu PF in its present form or out of it can do that, because Zanu PF by its nature has the DNA of violence, kleptomaniacs who care for no-one else.
I remember during the 2000 elections I was working at Harvest House, when Zanu PF unleashed one of its most violent campaigns in the Mashonaland Central Province.
It was a horror scene only replica of a country at war, with two armed sides, not an attack on innocent civilians. Our support group at the time one evening, brought in truckloads of women, men, children, mutilated, scarred, bloody bodies, open deep wounds, some burnt with open blisters, it was a terrible site. With reports of rape too. We cleared the boardroom for them to find rest and be secure, while we looked for medical help.
Mashonaland Central the Headquarters of the Border Gezi Training Centre, named after the late politician, Border Gezi, became notorious for violence, ‘no go area’ the MDC did not win any of the ten seats in the whole province, in the 2000 Parliamentary elections.
Torture camps had been set up where identified opposition members were targeted, sent there and could only thank their maker if they lived to tell their story.
Not to mention extra-judicial killings, we all remember Trymore Midzi, Pvebve and the well over two hundred well documented cases of our supporters who were mercilessly slaughtered during the violent campaigns.
Kasukuwere must account for the Chaona massacre in 2008, well documented evidence on how on the on the 5th May 2008, he “organized and ferried a group of over 300 youths to Chaona, Mazowe where a lot of people were seriously injured and six people were killed. The youths were wearing Kasukuwere’s campaign T- shirts.”
This pattern would repeat itself in the next elections, over years, in the sealed no go areas, that were closed for opposition campaigns, as Zanu PF sought to totally annihilate the opposition MDC party. The party survived and may Morgan Tsvangirai’s soul rest in peace, the memory of what he stood for not die because of political expediency.
Calling Kasukuwere out in his role in the violence over the years is a must, he has to redeem himself, earn the confidence and trust of Zimbabweans.
The pain of witnessing scenes of attacks, hearing testimonies of victims and burying the dead, brings a notch in my stomach, the trauma in these communities is yet to heal, for them to have the source of their grief unleashed on them as their ‘savior’.
It is demonstrably foolhardy, that Kasukuwere’s current call to fame is violent, thuggish behavior, which is attracting those supporting him, as the only viable possibility of meeting Zanu PF , ‘fire with fire’ in its bloody onslaught against citizens.
It is a desperate and warped thinking, to assume that the very people who tormented and caused untold suffering to us over the past decades, are the ones who should be entrusted with leading us to a democratic Zimbabwe.
As we languish under the new dispensation birthed by a coup many supported under the false illusion we had arrived, two years later nothing has changed, Zanu PF under Emmerson Mnangagwa remains arrogant and intransigent. Its DNA of violence and looting remains the same.
A slow genocide describes the situation in our country, people are dying not because of life threatening illnesses, but a selfish leadership that simply refuses to take responsibility, be accountable to citizens by appropriating resources to important sectors such as health.
Furthermore, this conversation around Kasukuwere’s Presidential ambitions gives Zanu PF a false sense of comfort, that there is life after killing and torturing innocent civilians, only if one joins the opposition.
Kasukuwere is said to be exiled in South-Africa home to hundreds of victims of violence, home to mai Tandare who lost her husband Gift on March 10 2007, after he was shot, point blank in cold blood.
Let future generations judge us correctly, recycling expired Zanu PF politicians would be a serious indictment against us. Not Yet Uhuru.
Standard|Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga yesterday held a homecoming party where his wife and senior Zanu PF officials were conspicuous by their absence.
Chiwenga, who returned to Zimbabwe on November 23 after spending over four months at a Chinese hospital, did not mention his wife Mary’s name in his 25-minute long address to his relatives and church leaders that attended yesterday’s event in rural Wedza.
This followed reports that the former army commander dumped his wife while on his sickbed under unclear circumstances.
Chiwenga said people that stood by him during his illness were Health and Child Care minister John Mangwiro, who accompanied him to India and South Africa as well as China.
He also mentioned some of his close security details and a female nurse employed by the army.
“There are people who stood by me during all these days when I was battling sickness,” he said.
“Deputy minister Mangwiro, who is not here today was there for me till the end.”
He said if he had not been airlifted to China from South Africa chances were that he was not going to return home alive.
“President Mnangagwa didn’t only act like a leader, but also like a brother,” he said.
“He called Chinese President Xi Jinping so that I could be assisted there. It was bad and at one point I would even forget what I had done.
“If I had gone for a week or three days in South Africa, I could have been history,” he said.
Mary was also not at the Robert Mugabe International Airport to welcome her husband on his return from China.
Chiwenga, who arrived aboard a Chinese plan in the early hours of the morning was received by his brother and son as well as China’s deputy ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhao Boagang.
There were no government or Zanu PF officials at the airport. At the Wedza event where Chiwenga travelled by helicopter, soldiers outnumbered police officers.
The guests were mainly close family members, army generals, neighbours, villagers and members of the Roman Catholic Church.
Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs minister Aplonia Munzverengi was the highest ranked government official at the event while Zanu PF’s provincial vice chairperson Michael Madanha was the most prominent guest from the ruling party.
During Chiwenga’s absence, there were reports of resurgent factionalism in Zanu PF with some bigwigs allegedly pushing for his removal on the grounds that he was incapacitated because of his health woes.
Meanwhile, Chiwenga revealed that he was suffering from a blocked oesophagus. The oesophagus is a mascular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.
“After falling sick in October last year, no one thought I would be alive today,” the VP said.
He said he was confined to hospital wards for six months.
“I was in the intensive care unit for several months. I also spent several months in a ward,” he said.
“I was happy to see the sun for the first time in six months (on arrival in Harare) and that was last Saturday,” Chiwenga added, while standing just a metre from his late parents and siblings’ graves.
After the speeches, Chiwenga immediately flew back to Harare by helicopter while others, including villagers remained behind to feast.
Zanu PF supporters were seen trooping to the VP’s home long after he had left.
President Hage Geingob and his ruling Namibian South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) party won Wednesday’s election, the country’s electoral commission announced.
The SWAPO party received over 56 percent of the votes for the national assembly, significantly less than during the last elections when the party, which has been in power since independence in 1990, won 80 percent of the vote, Saturday’s results showed.
Independent candidate Itula Panduleni Filemon Bango finished second, with just over 29 percent of the vote.
Disaffection, especially among Namibia’s jobless youth, fueled support for former Swapo member and dentist Itula, 62, who ran as an independent candidate.
Geingob celebrated his win even before the official results were made public.
“I am humbled and commit to serve the Namibian nation with more passion and utmost dedication, to bring tangible improvements in the lives of our citizens,” Geingob wrote on Facebook on Saturday afternoon. “I have heard you.”
Fishrot corruption scandal
Geingob’s win comes days after allegations of corruption and money laundering in the Namibian fishing industry led to the resignation and arrest of two government ministers in the wake of a joint investigation by Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit, the Icelandic State Broadcaster RUV, and the Icelandic magazine Stundin.
Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Bernhard Esau, and minister of Justice, Sacky Shanghala, resigned following the revelations.
The two were accused of taking bribes in return for giving Samherji, one of Iceland’s largest fishing companies, preferential access to Namibia’s rich fishing grounds.
James Hatuikulipi resigned as chairman of the state-owned fishing company, while the CEO of Samherji, Thorsteinn Mar Baldvinsson, stepped aside from his post pending an independent investigation.
Both ministers were arrested following the Al Jazeera investigation, Anatomy of a Bribe, which will be released in full on December 1.
Several businessmen related to the scheme, including Esau’s son-in-law Tamson Hatuikulipi and his cousin James Hatuikulipi, were also taken into custody.
The group of six are accused of fraud and corruption. They deny all wrongdoing.
Slow vote counting
In recent days, Namibians expressed frustration over what they considered the slow pace of vote-counting.
In 2014, provisional results were announced a day after voting took place.
Opposition parties also complained about the use of electronic voting machines, fearing the lack of paper could facilitate fraud.
Despite being one of the most mineral-rich countries in Africa, with diamonds, silver, uranium, copper, zinc and gold representing more than 30 percent of its exports, the nation of some 2.5 million has been hit by an economic slowdown while unemployment – especially among the younger generation – remains stubbornly high.
In addition, economic inequality among the country’s black and white population is glaring. About six percent of the country’s inhabitants are white, with some German-speaking descendants from the colonial era and others originally from South Africa.
The country is also experiencing one of its worst droughts in history, wreaking havoc on crops, scorching grazing lands and threatening the food supply.
Joice Dube | Mary Chiwenga is missing from the public eye, fuelling speculation that all is not well between her and husband General Constantino Chiwenga.
The general’s close family and friends gathered in his rural home Wedza, Saturday, to welcome him back home, after he spent several months in China where he was receiving medical treatment.
Upon his return home, last Saturday, Chiwenga was met at the airport by the Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe and close family and friends, Mary his wife was nowhere in site.
Chiwenga has made other public appearances which include the inspection of the new parliament building, which is being constructed by Shanghai Construction Group, through a grant from the Chinese government.
Speculation has been rife, with several theories being put forward as to why the ‘second First Lady’ was missing from the public eye, with some advancing conspiracy theories on her role regarding her husband’s health.
Socialite William Gerald Mutumanje was equally concerned , “Are we really all going to act like we didn’t notice kuti Mary was not at the Airport to recieve her husband, neither was she at home pauya vaenzi? Rega nditaurire hangu.”
Other theories being advanced, claim that the general did not take kindly to Mary pushing him to formalise their marriage while he was on his ‘death bed.’
It is also reported that the increasingly paranoid general, while still in China had fired his close security from the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), also ordering his wife Mary to return home.
Speaking at the Wedza bash Chiwenga instead thanked his boss ZANU PF President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, for his ‘brotherly love’, and Zimbabweans in general for praying for him, no mention made of his likely estranged wife Mary.
State Media|VICE President Kembo Mohadi has warned Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) officers against ill-treating inmates, saying their conscience should be guided by the need to observe human rights.
He was speaking at the 148th ZPCS pass-out parade at Ntabazinduna Prison Training School yesterday, where 553 prison officers, 150 of whom were females, graduated after six months of training.
VP Mohadi said corruption is a cancer, which would not be tolerated in the Second Republic.
“As correctional officers, you should desist from corrupt activities and lead by example. We expect you to treat inmates with utmost fairness, respect and dignity while displaying courage in the performance of your sworn duty. Your conscience should always be guided by the need to observe human rights,” he said.
The Vice President said corruption negates the gains towards the achievement of an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
“The reconstitution and consolidation of the powers of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission by His Excellency the President Cde ED Mnangagwa is testimony of our zero tolerance to corruption. There will be no sacred cows and therefore, you as incoming correctional officers as well as those already serving should read the writing clearly. Boldly join the crusade against corruption,” he said.
VP Mohadi said there is a need to build communities and a society that has strong values through a correctional service that supports the grooming of citizens through a positive penal system.
“Peace and nation building are integral to economic and social development. A positive correctional service therefore is a critical restorative vehicle for the building of peace. Your fight against crime as well as the rehabilitation of the offender is key to guiding the citizen on economic and social development,” he said.
Turning to the graduates, VP Mohadi congratulated the recruits for successfully undergoing a rigorous training programme, in which only nine failed to make the grade and had to drop out.
The areas covered during training included constitutionalism, the criminal justice and prisons penal system in Zimbabwe, prison administration, rehabilitation, drill and weapon-handling, health and hygiene, the Mandela Rules (formerly the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the treatment of offenders) and civic education.
“I am convinced that the training that you underwent will unlock opportunities for further career development. The professional world you are going into is dynamic and competitive and it requires determination and commitment,” VP Mohadi said.
The VP said despite the prevailing economic hardships that the country is going through due to illegal sanctions, Zimbabweans must be patient, as the measures being implemented by the Government were part of the stabilisation process to grow the economy.
ZPCS Commissioner-General Retired Major-General Paradzai Zimondi said the correctional services has transformed from a punitive and retributive approach to a more rehabilitative approach.
“Following the 2013 constitutional developments which saw ZPCS being rebranded and reconfigured, the organisation is embracing and scaling up the offender rehabilitation and reintegration thrust. In this regard, the ZPCS has moved from a retributive approach and embraced the rehabilitation approach in the management of our prisons,” he said.
Rtd Maj-Gen Zimondi said as a result, their training officers must impart to inmates skills that they will utilise upon release from prison in line with international best prison practices.
Correspondent|THE police last night dismissed a video which went viral on social media yesterday as an old footage from the violence which occurred in Harare three years ago when one of its cars was burnt by rioters.
In the video, dated November 26, but without the year, an angry mob could be seen tearing an officer’s hat and later burning a police car from the national quartermaster division.
This led to frenzied speculation that the incident happened on Tuesday along Harare street.
“I can confirm that this is an old video from August 2016 when one of our cars from the Police General Headquarters (PGHQ) was burnt when our officers had been deployed to do their tasks in the city centre.On the same day that one of our vehicles was burnt, the ZBC had also its car set alight. People who are circulating the video are trying to create an impression that it is very recent,” national police spokesman, Paul Nyathi said last night.
The first conference of ZANU was held in 1969 with Chitepo as Chairman.ZANU was formed 8 August 1963 when Ndabaningi Sithole, Henry Hamadziripi, Mukudzei Midzi, Herbert Chitepo, Edgar Tekere and Leopold Takawira decided to split from ZAPU the formation was commenced at the house of Enos Nkala in Highfield.The founders were dissatisfied with the militant tactics of Nkomo.
In contrast to future developments, both parties drew from both the Shona and the Ndebele, the two major tribes of the country. Both ZANU and ZAPU formed political wings within the country (under those names) and military wings: the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA) and the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) respectively to fight the struggle from neighbouring countries – ZANLA from Mozambique and Zambia, and ZIPRA from Zambia and Mozambique. The founding fathers of ZANU grew very impatient with the old way of politics playing at ZAPU. So ZANU was a militant organisation that fought against white minority rule in Rhodesia, formed as a split from the Zimbabwe African People’s Union ZANU founders had grown tired of the games being played by the colonisers who continued to plunder our wealth sharing amongst themselves. However ZANU had to split in 1975 into wings loyal to Robert Mugabe and Ndabaningi Sithole, later respectively called ZANU–PF and ZANU – Ndonga. These two sub-divisions ran separately at the 1980 general election, where ZANU-PF has been in power ever since, and ZANU – Ndonga a minor opposition party faded into History. Dare ReChimurenga was a Zanu War Council that led in the confrontation with the Rhodesian colonial regime as part of the Second Chimurenga. Dare ReChimurenga was initially led by Herbert Chitepo as chairman and Noel Mukono as Secretary of Defence. Dare ReChimurenga was created as a wing of the Zanu party soon after its formation in 1964.
Dare ReChimurenga has been likened to the modern day politburo in Zanu-PF. The Dare met regularly with the High Command. It’s role in the liberation war was to deal with administrative issues while High Command comprised commanders responsible for executing the war. Dare ReChimurenga would source materials for the war from all over the world. This Dare was like some central government outside Rhodesia. Members Members of the Dare reChimurenga elected at the biennial conferences and their portfolios. The Dare was expanded from four to eight members in 1969. At the 1971 review conference two people lost their positions and one resigned. Of those elected in 1971, four people were replaced at the 1973 conference and the military was represented for the first time when Tongogara came in. So from the formation of ZANU the conference was held once after every two years. Before the first conference of 1969 Herbert Chitepo led as Chairman. Cde Noel Mukono was the Defence Secretary Cde Henry Hamadziripi was the Secretary for finance he was a Zimbabwean politician, member of the Dare ReChimurenga, member and co-founder of ZANU. Hamadziripi was allegedly involved together with Joram Gumbo, Mukudzei, Joseph Chimurenga and Augustine Chihuri in the 1978 rebellion against the ZANU’s top leadership.
Hamadziripi and Mukudzei Midzi were jailed by Robert Mugabe in Mozambique in 1978 for rebelling against his leadership.Hamadziripi died a pauper and were denied burial at Zimbabwe National Heroes Acre. Secretary for Administration was cde Mukudzei Midzi.
1969 there was the first Biennial Review Conference Herbert Chitepo retained the Chairmanship while cde Noel Mukono took the Defence secretariat with Hamadziripi retaining the Finance position cde Mukudzei Midzi remained at Administration.
The conference agreed to extend the Dare and cde Nathan Shamuyarira was elected as External Affairs Secretary. Cde Taziana Mtizwa was elected publicity secretary with cde Stanley Parirewa as welfare and Social Affairs Secretary with Political affairs given to cde Simpson Mutambanengwe. In 1971 Biennial Review Conference cde Richard Hove was elected external affairs secretary replacing cde Shamuyarira. A new department of publicity was created and was headed by cde Washington Malianga. With the rest maintaining their positions. In 1973 Biennial Review Conference Noel Mukono was elected to be in charge of External Affairs and Cde Kumbirai Kangai was elected to head Labour social services and welfare replacing cde Parirewa. Cde Rufaro Gumbo was elected Information and Publicity while cde John Mataure was elected secretary for Political affairs and cde Josiah Magama Tongogara landing on defence. It has been alleged by some members of the Dare ReChimurenga that some leaders in Dare ReChimurenga were selling information to the Smith regime.
While DareRechimurenga was seized with the sellouts scandal cde Herbert Chitepo was murdered in Zambia. After Herbert CHitepo’s assassination at his home in a car bomb in 1975 in Lusaka, Zambia, some Dare ReChimurenga Gumbo and Kangai were arrested by the Zambian government. Speculation was rife Kangai was involved in the murder of Chitepo, but Gumbo defended him. Later in an interview Gumbo said: We were arrested by the Zambian government on March 18, 1975 over the murder of Chitepo but we put out a position that he was murdered by the Rhodesian forces. We were incarcerated in Zambia at Kabwe Maximum Prison which is just like Chikurubi Maximum Prison here. Kangai was not involved in the killing of Chitepo even though all of us were arrested; none of us was involved. There was nothing of that nature.
The Dare ReChimurenga would coordinate its activities with those who were in prison in Rhodesia using letters that were smuggled into the prisons. These prisoners would help with advice. In 1977 cde Robert Mugabe chaired the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) group from 1975 to 1980 and led its successor political party, the ZANU – Patriotic Front (ZANU–PF), from 1980 to 2017. In 2017 Emerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa took over the reigns of the party and government.
Cde Mnangagwa was born in 1942 in Shabani, Southern Rhodesia, to a large Shona family. His parents were farmers, and in the 1950s he had to move with his family to Northern Rhodesia because of his father’s political activism. There, he became active in anti-colonial politics, and in 1963, he joined the newly-formed Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army, the militant wing of the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU), and returned to Rhodesia in 1964. Leading a group called the “Crocodile Gang”, he attacked white-owned farms in the Eastern Highlands.
In 1965, he bombed a train near Fort Victoria (now Masvingo) and was imprisoned for ten years, after which he was released and deported back to Northern Rhodesia, by then independent as Zambia. He then studied law at the University of Zambia and later at the University of London, and practiced as an attorney. He soon left legal private practice and went to Portuguese Mozambique to rejoin ZANU. There he was assigned to be Robert Mugabe’s assistant and bodyguard, accompanying him to the Lancaster House Agreement, which resulted in the recognised independence of Zimbabwe in 1980.
After independence, Mnangagwa held a series of senior Cabinet positions under Mugabe. From 1980 to 1988, he was the country’s first Minister of State Security, and oversaw the Central Intelligence Organisation. Mnangagwa was Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs from 1989 to 2000 and then served as Speaker of the Parliament from 2000 to 2005, when he was demoted to Minister of Rural Housing . Mnangagwa served as Minister of Defence from 2009 until 2013, when he became Minister of Justice again. He was also appointed First Vice-President in 2014 and was widely considered to be a leading candidate to succeed Mugabe. He secured his first full term as President in the July 2018 election with 50.8% of the vote.
Mnangagwa is nicknamed “Garwe” or “Ngwena”, which means “the crocodile” in the Shona language,initially because that was the name of the guerrilla group he founded, but later because of his political shrewdness. This conference is the second conference cde Mnangagwa is to preside as the party president and First Secretary.
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga yesterday revealed he was battling a disease of the oesophagus during his four-month stint in hospital.
The disease made it difficult for him to eat as he could not swallow anything.
He said this at a homecoming Roman Catholic Church mass held for him at his rural home in Wedza.
His recovery, he said, was nothing short of a miracle.
“I was telling colleagues that I spent close to six months without seeing the sun. I only saw it this last Saturday upon returning home,” he said.
“I want to thank you all for your prayers. Those prayers made me to survive. “Since I started falling sick in October last year, there were not many who thought I would heal completely. There were not many who thought I would be standing before you like this.
“The sickness is called idiopathic oesophageal stricture. It means that you cannot take in food and also you cannot even vomit. It involves blocking of the oesophagus and I spent a lot of time in the intensive care unit.”
VP Chiwenga thanked President Emmerson Mnangagwa for facilitating his treatment in China.
He also paid tribute to Chinese doctors and his team, led by Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Dr John Mangwiro, which accompanied him to China and other countries where he sought treatment.
On the striking doctors who are still refusing to return to work, the VP Chiwenga said:
“We are the most educated country in Africa, but I do not understand what has become of the young people . . . Every day, they want to make rich pickings, with little sweat. Where is that spirit coming from?
“Let us put the interests of our country first and have a unity of purpose. That is the Zimbabwe we want.
“Yesterday (Friday), we had a meeting with church leaders, whose leaders included . . . Archbishop Robert Christopher Ndlovu and other church leaders.
“The President said Government had done all it could and it was no longer clear what the doctors really want. They got 30 percent, they refused; they got 60 percent and they refused again.
Government then gave them a 100 percent increment, but again they refused.
“All that time, people were dying because the doctors were not at work. Doctors should respect the sanctity of life.”State media
Former President Robert Mugabe’s wealth will be revealed in a few days’ time, putting to rest much speculation and conjecture.
This week the Master of the High Court is expected to give the full list of what he owned, including investments, houses, cash and gifts ranging from cattle, precious minerals and even wild animals.
A Government gazette published on November 15 confirmed the registration of the estate.
“Notice is hereby given that the estate of the under-mentioned deceased persons, minors or persons whose whereabouts are unknown, are unrepresented and that the next of kin, creditors or other persons concerned are required to attend on the dates and at the times and places specified, for the selection of an executor, tutor or curator dative, as the case may be,” read the notice, which appeared with Mugabe’s name.
The estate, if published in full, will either confirm or put paid to various truths and untruths held by the public.
Mugabe died in Singapore on September 6 after battling ill-health since April. He was 95.
His widow, Grace, daughter Bona and sons, Robert Jnr and Bellarmine Chatunga, are likely to be beneficiaries of whatever the late former president left behind.State media
Tinotenda Kadewere scored a twice on Friday night as Le Havre registered a 2-1 victory at Rodez in the French Ligue 2.
The Zimbabwean striker who now have 4 braces this season struck in the second half to see his side coming from behind to win the match.
Kadewere first found the back of the net a minute into the second half to restore parity for the Sky-and-Navy. He came back again ten minutes later and got the winner after converting from the spot.
The 23-year-old also scored on his return from an injury last weekend against Guingamp. He leads on the Ligue 2 scoring chart with 15 goals from sixteen games.
Emmerson Mnangagwa’s deputy Constantino Chiwenga has revealed the illness that made him bedridden for several months in China, a condition previously linked to HIV AIDS.
Chiwenga was speaking at his rural home celebrating his return to “good health.”
While criticising Zimbabwean doctors and at the same time praising Chinese medics, Chiwenga revealed more on his illness.
He said he was suffering from a disease called idiopathic oesophageal stricture.
He quoted by the Sunday Mail said,
“I was telling colleagues that I spent close to six months without seeing the sun. I only saw it this last Saturday upon returning home,” said Chiwenga.
He continued saying:
“I want to thank you all for your prayers. Those prayers made me to survive. “Since I started falling sick in October last year, there were not many who thought I would heal completely. There were not many who thought I would be standing before you like this.
“The sickness is called idiopathic oesophageal stricture. It means that you cannot take in food and also you cannot even vomit. It involves blocking of the oesophagus and I spent a lot of time in the intensive care unit.”
An academic reading (below) links the condition to HIV AIDS. FULL TEXT:
https://youtu.be/rrHSMVjgWmo
Idiopathic midesophageal stricture: a new cause of dysphagia in a patient with AIDS.
Shapiro BD, et al. South Med J. 1997.
Show full citation
Abstract
A number of disorders may result in the complaint of dysphagia in HIV-infected patients. These include fungal, viral, bacterial, parasitic, medication-induced, and idiopathic lesions in the esophagus. In the current case, a 32-year-old man with advanced HIV infection had recurrent bouts of esophageal stricture. No ulcer was associated with this stricture. No infectious causes of the stricture could be determined. The patient required multiple upper endoscopies and dilatations for treatment of this stricture and subsequently had a food impaction. This is the first case in the medical literature of an idiopathic stricture in the middle portion of the esophagus in an HIV-infected patient. We postulate that this lesion may have been caused by the patient’s medications. Esophageal strictures should be considered in HIV-infected patients with severe dysphagia or food-bolus impactions of the esophagus.
A self-styled prophet from Jahana village in Gokwe under Chief Njelele was dragged to the chief’s traditional court after it was discovered that he was having sexual relations with three of his female congregants who are all married.
The man of cloth, Madzibaba Nathaniel Shumba, confessed to having illicit relationships with Tabeth Moyo, Getrude Shangani and Tambirai Mashoko saying he proposed to them.
The matter came to light when the three women’s husbands reported the matter to Chief Njelele after discovering that the man of cloth was having illicit affairs with their wives.
Chief Njelele in whose jurisdiction the area falls under confirmed the incident.
“Last week l presided over a matter of a prophet known as Madzibaba Shumba who slept with three married women who are his congregants. He confessed before a fully packed court to having extra marital affairs with the women saying he simply proposed love to them and they agreed,” he said.
Chief Njelele said the husbands to the three women reported the matter to him after they stumbled upon various love messages from Madzibaba in their wives’ phones.
“The men came to report the matter after they saw love messages that were from Madzibaba Shumba. The women would tell their husbands that they were going to church, each time they had an appointment with the man of cloth where they would have sex with the prophet in church and sometimes in the bush.”
Chief Njelele said he ordered Prophet Shumba to pay three head of cattle to each of the women’s husbands.
“I ordered him to pay three cows to each man for disrespecting them in such a manner. That means all in all he will part with nine cows.
“I also warned the three women to respect themselves and their husbands by not engaging in extra marital affairs.
If they feel that they are not happy with their husbands they should leave instead of engaging in sexual relationships with other men yet they are married,” he said.B-Metro
Liverpool have confirmed their midfielder Fabinho will be out for the rest of the year after suffering an injury during the 1-1 draw against Napoli in the Champions League.
The Brazilian who has established himself as a core member of the team damaged his ankle ligament after falling awkwardly during a challenge. He was subbed off just 18 minutes into the game.
“Liverpool can confirm Fabinho suffered ankle ligament damage during the Champions League encounter with Napoli in midweek,” reads a statement posted on the club’s official website.
“Further assessment on the injury has discovered Fabinho will be out of action until the New Year.
“The Brazilian will begin a rehabilitation programme with the Reds’ medical team at Melwood as he works his way back to full fitness.”
Fabinho’s injury is a blow to the Reds who are pursuing their first league title in 30 years. They currently lead the EPL standings with an 8-point gap.Soccer 24
The Young African Leaders Forum (YALF) invites interested Africans to submit research articles for publication in the third edition of its Young African Leaders Journal of Development (YALJOD). The journal is aimed at fostering the collective progress and development of the African people, and it provides the blueprint for the development objectives and implementation plans of many international organisations in Africa.
YALJOD is a biennial journal of development established to host scholarly analysis and competing viewpoints about the development of Africa. YALF’s motive for establishing this historic journal is to garner the ideas of young Africans as pertaining the development of the continent. During the official launch of its first edition at the African Union Headquarters in October 2016, Founder and President of YALF, Prince Ifoh, revealed the organisation’s plans to take the strategic journal into all corners of the continent. According to him, there is a strong implementation policy which ensures that ideal solutions published in the journal are practically implemented to have the right impact on the African people. The journal is available at the African Union Headquarters, in several universities’ libraries, civil societies and government parastatals across the globe. A downloadable e-Book version is also available on the digital library of Kennesaw States University, United States.
YALJOD is Africa’s most popular youth-led journal of development, and its multidisciplinary approach makes it more formidable. It accepts papers from varied disciplinary areas – including Social Sciences, Physical Sciences and Humanities – that show direct relevance to the development of Africa. In this sense, it publishes researches understood as highlighting the social, political, cultural and technological processes of positive change in the continent. The specially targeted audience of the journal are the continent’s leadership operators and stakeholders, national governments, civil societies and NGOs, development academics, researchers and youth leaders.
GUIDELINES FOR THE SUBMISSION OF ARTICLES
Articles submitted to YALJOD must be original work that has not been published previously, and is not currently under consideration by any other publication. Any consequences for the violation of copyright laws or infringement will be duly borne by the defaulting author. The journal is scholarly peer-reviewed.
Please carefully read through and ensure you comply with the stated guidelines as any breach of the submission rules may lead to the rejection of your paper.
· Each paper must be accompanied by the Author’s profile summary of no more than 100 words. This should include Author’s qualification and other affiliations.
· Each paper must be accompanied by an abstract of not more than 150 words.
· Article must not exceed 3,500 words.
· All articles must be properly proofread by the author.
· Articles must be double spaced.
· Tables, models, diagrams or photographs should be within the text, and NOT as appendix.
· Citations and referencing should follow the recent APA style.
· Manuscripts should be submitted via regular email, and should take the form of attachment formatted in MICROSOFT WORD (send to [email protected] )
· Author must be willing to participate in the launch or present the paper in any of the YALF Conferences when called upon.
We are regrettably unable to provide individualised critiques of most of the manuscripts that we reject. However, we will ensure we confirm the receipt of articles once they arrive.
The 3rd edition of YALJOD will be officially launched at the African Union Headquarters in October, 2020. For more information, visit www.yalfafrica.org/YALJOD
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF PAPERS IS MARCH 31, 2020.
Emmerson Mnangagwa, in his capacity as the chairman of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation has denounced attacks on civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) a rebel group in Uganda and DRC.
Reports suggest that the attacks resulted in the death of about 80 civilians thereby triggering the violent demonstrations against United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) peacekeepers.
In a statement, Mnangagwa expressed condolences to the government and the People of DRC, as well as the bereaved families. Part of the statement reads:
The attacks in Beni have resulted in the death of approximately 80 people, as well as the injury and displacement of many people.
SADC is resolute in voicing its condemnation of the attacks that the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) continue to perpetrate on the civilian population in the DRC.
These remarks have attracted criticism from Zimbabwean observers who said that Mnangagwa was “hypocritical” since he “unleashed a reign of terror” on civilians back home.
Analysts also observed that the democratic space in Zimbabwe has been diminishing lately.Credit:NewsDay
SHDA would like to set the record straight on certain matters. Contrary to circulating media reports, we have not rejected the conciliatory gesture of His Excellency in which a moratorium of 48 hours was extended to doctors who had been dismissed from government services. The moratorium would allow fired doctors to return to work without questions being asked. We welcome the involvement of His Excellency as we believe the situation in our hospitals will now receive the level of attention it deserves.
