Former Zimbabwe Hospitals Doctors Association Secretary General Dr Bhebhe has alleged that a fake doctors association has been formed to negotiate a deal with the government over the more than 90 days strike that has been happening in the country.
Said Bhebhe, “A certain organization called PDAZ has claimed to be working with the Ministrey of Health and Child Care and government in trying to solve the ongoing impasse We understand its motivation is to strike a deal for doctors without the consent of the doctors. We shall see how this will end.”
The ZHDA has refused to bow down to the pressure of government who has fired doctors.
Journalisst Hopewell Chin’ono said the newly formed association called Progressive Doctors Association of Zimbabwe is formed is made up of army doctors.
“The Herald should simply say Government is forming an organisation to be called Progressive Doctors Association of Zimbabwe (PDAZ) with mainly army doctors who have been meeting for the past 3 weeks at State House!
“Forming a fake doctors association does not change the terrible state of public hospitals, instead of forming these funny associations, Government should be addressing the real issues!” Chin’ono said.
The government announced on Tuesday that the doctors who did not attend work on Monday will not be readmitted if they reapply.
OFFICER-IN-CHARGE at Marondera Central Police Station, Chief Inspector Emson Jokonya, who allegedly fired shots during opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa’s visit to the farming town at the weekend, has been transferred over the incident.
Jokonya will now head Epworth Police Station and will be replaced by one Chief Inspector Mangwende.
According to top police sources, a signal was sent across all police stations informing of Jokonya’s transfer together with other police officers in different provinces.
“A signal is here, Jokonya has been transferred to Epworth and this was triggered by the weekend skirmishes that angered the authorities. He is not the only police officer who was transferred but there are others too. However, we are aware that he is the main target following the clash with Chamisa,” said the police source.
But national police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he was not aware of Jokonya’s alleged transfer.
Chamisa claims that he survived death by a whisker after police officers fired live shots during his tree-planting programme at Dombotombo Clinic on Sunday. A number of people were injured after police teargassed the medical centre as they tried to bar Chamisa from leading the programme. Ad by Valueimpression
Police had earlier barricaded Cherutombo Primary School, the initial venue for Chamisa’s tree-planting event before the opposition party moved to the council-owned Dombotombo Clinic.
However, police rubbished claims that they fired live shots, saying they only used teargas to disperse the crowd after a defiant Chamisa had called for an unsanctioned rally.
Activists have been circulating a picture of Jokonya and his mobile number on various social media groups accusing the top cop of firing live ammunition at Chamisa.
Yesterday, the police boss could not be reached for comment and had exited all WhatsApp groups in Marondera.
By A Correspondent| The Zanu PF team that was meant to visit the USA and other countries has cancelled the trip after Zimbabweans based on the USA threatened to embarrass the Officials.
The group had planned to have massive demonstrations in Texas and Washington DC and deploy some of their members in the meetings to disrupt the “engagement from within.”
In a statement, one Zimbabwean explained saying, their argument is why should Zanu pf or the government of Zimbabwe want to come and engage Zimbabweans in the Diaspora when they refuse to engage with Zimbabweans back home.
In Zimbabwe Zanu pf and government officials gang up to abuse, beat up, arrest, abduct and sometimes kill Zimbabweans.
Zimbabweans in Zimbabwe do not feel safe with the government.
They live in fear of the government. The government continues to persecute and terrorize the citizens it is meant to protect. And this is the reason why Zimbabweans in the Diaspora want Zanu pf Emmerson Mnangagwa declared terrorists.
Diasporans have also declared war against Zanu pf officials including Emmerson Mnangagwa who travel outside Zimbabwe gobbling millions at the expense of the suffering majority – the war is a legal one where all those who are aiding and abeting state terrorism in Zimbabwe will be prosecuted.
All diasporans have been put on alert for Zanu pf traveling officials, a case in point Mudenda escaped arrest by a whisker as he had to be rushed out of Serbia with Serbian prosecutors threatening to throw him behind bars.
This trend awaits any Zanu Pf official who dares to come to the USA, UK, Australia, SA and Europe.
The MDC’s Deputy Information Secretary Tim Muringai speaks to ZimEye –
Farai Dziva|The Mighty Warriors, will face Mauritius in the AFCON first round qualifier in April 2020.
Should Zimbabwe triumph in their first-round tie, they will face the winners between Zambia and Mozambique in the last qualifying round scheduled for June.
The Mighty Warriors will be looking to return to the competition after they failed to qualify for the 2018 AWCON edition. The team has also struggled in other campaigns of late, missing a spot at the 2020 Olympics games.
Eight nations have been given byes into the second round, including defending champions Nigeria along with Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Morocco, Mali, Ghana, South Africa and Cote d’Ivoire.
11 winners of the second round will qualify for the 12-team final tournament billed to be staged between November 23 to December 1.
First round fixtures:
Zambia vs Mozambique
Malawi vs Eswatini
Zimbabwe vs Mauritius
Namibia vs Botswana
Gabon vs Central Africa
Angola vs Congo
DR Congo vs Sao Tome and Principe
Tanzania vs Kenya
Burundi vs Uganda
Ethiopia vs Djibouti
Liberia vs Senegal
Gambia vs Guinea Bissau
Togo vs Niger
Algeria vs Burkina Faso
Farai Dziva|The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League end of year awards ceremony will be held on Friday in the capital, Harare.
According to Soccer 24, the awards ceremony will be held at Manna Resorts at 6 pm.
The Castle Lager Zimbabwe and Zimpapers TV Network will also show the event on their Social Media accounts.
2019 Soccer Star of the Year Finalists:
Ariel Sibanda (Highlanders)
Clive Augusto (Chicken Inn)
Evans Katema (Mushowani Stars/ Dynamos)
Ian Nekati (ZPC Kariba)
Joel Ngodzo (CAPS United)
King Nadolo (TelOne)
Never Tigere (FC Platinum)
Phineas Bamusi (CAPS United)
Prince Dube Highlanders)
Ralph Kawondera (Triangle United)
Wellington Taderera (Black Rhinos)
Following an exclusive expose’ by ZimEye which began in February this year, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has announced arrests.
The investigation began in February when ZimEye revealed the presence of mashurugwis operating under a man aligned to CIO minister Owen Ncube. On Monday ZimEye reported recent mass murders in Mazowe.
The police together with the minister of Home Affairs, Kazembe Kazembe have announced they have launched raids to arrest the miners.
Matabeleland North is topping the list of the illegal miners arrested with 546, while Bulawayo had the least with 27.
Mashonaland East had 53, Midlands (200), Harare (200), Manicaland (42), Masvingo (46), Mashonaland Central (83), Matabeleland South (147) and Mashonaland West (186) illegal miners arrested.
“We have met with our Mines and Mining Development ministry counterparts and the police commanders today to discuss the tropical issues of the machete wielding gangs. The media is awash with stories of machete wielding gang wars and this is worrisome to us as we want peace and security to prevail.
“We will continue with the raids because we are saying Zimbabwe is open for business. We cannot attract investors if law and order is not prevailing in the country. We have moved a gear up in the raids as these issues are of a security threat,” said Minister Kazembe.
Farai Dziva| Warriors star midfielder Marvelous Nakamba will feature in Aston Villa’s starting eleven as his team faces Chelsea.
The 25-year-old was an unused substitute in the last two league games, a 2-0 win win over Newcastle and a 2-2 draw with Manchester United Old Trafford.
Nakamba will battle it out with Chelsea’s experienced duo of N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic.
It was the nightmare before Christmas all over again for
Everton and Marco Silva.
There were no Jurgen Klopp celebratory sprints onto the pitch on this occasion, although that was no consolation for the vanquished visitors.
The annual injury-time goal at The Kop end this year was Liverpool’s fifth, Gini Wijnaldum putting the tinsel on a curious game in which the league leaders were emphatically superior while remaining occasionally vulnerable in defence.
If Divock Origi’s last-gasp winner in this fixture a year ago was torturous for Silva, the Belgian’s sequel in this 5-2 hammering may mean the bell tolls on the Portuguese coach’s Goodison career.
Silva knows a heavy defeat makes it difficult – virtually impossible – for his board to keep him for the visit of Chelsea this weekend.
There was a period, particularly when Sadio Mane scored Liverpool’s fourth in the 45th minute, he may have considered himself lucky to make it to half-time. There will be little surprise if a statement materialises on Thursday.
It was almost cruel, taunting even, that Liverpool twice conceded shortly after taking a three goal advantage in the first half – keeping the visiting fans in their seats, forlornly yearning a comeback to rival Lazarus – when many must have considered escaping when their side conceded four in the first half of a Merseyside derby for the first time since 1935. Not since 1982 have they yielded five to their neighbours.
Everton are now in the bottom three, The Kop gleefully singing ‘going down’ to those who stayed until the bitterest of ends.
Never has the gap between these clubs looked so stark. Rarely has Everton’s immediate and long-term prospects seemed so bleak.
Even Klopp’s generous fiddling with his line-up – he left out Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino – did not spare Silva.
Liverpool looked like they would beat Jordan Pickford at will at one stage – Sadio Mane should have had a hat-trick – although their prospects of a relaxing 90 minutes continue to be undermined by an unreliable defence. Everton were offered a chance to avoid complete humiliation thanks to Michael Keane and Richarlison.
They might have scored more, Moise Kean particularly culpable.-Telegraph
ZANU PF youths have been accused of terrorising business people in Harare by demanding donations for the ruling party’s People Conference which is slated for next week in Goromonzi.
About 7000 delegates are expected to grace the event with the party saying that preparations are going according to plan.
A businessman who spoke to the Daily News on condition of anonymity revealed that the youths were demanding money from business people.
He said:
We thought this ended with Mugabe when such demands were common, especially when there were rallies, national hero funerals, his annual birthday, but the culture is back now.
“The youths want me to contribute money, which they say is for transport and logistical costs. I wouldn’t mind if it was a genuine request but there is an element of demand.
This was confirmed by another businessman who expressed sadness over the development which he said was happening when things were hard for everyone.
The allegations were dismissed as false by Zanu PF Bulawayo’s fundraising committee spokesperson, Khumbulani Mpofu that the party was targeting its traditional donors admitting however that raisingtargeted $500 000 was utopian.
Business people used willingly fund the ruling party’s events to safeguard their business interests but the rapidly deteriorating economy forced many to assume a retreating role as they are also struggling to keep their businesses afloat.
Credit :Daily News
BY DR MASIMBA MAVAZA Mashonaland East province which is the province which house the Vice President of Zimbabwe retired Army General Chiwengs sets to witness fireworks as the ZANU PF conference begins.
It’s great to be here in Goromonzi at the best conference for years, ZANU PF welcomes you to the Mashonaland East Province, to be specific Goromonzi the land of the great, where the big brains of the nation reside in silence not well noticed but in motion. We welcome all the comrades from everywhere welcome to the Province of Sekuru Chaminuka the province of Mbuya Nehanda and we know that some of you may have been mildly peppered with abuse on the way in but are you abashed? Are you downcast? Of course not. We are ZANU PF and we get on with serving the people. The Mashonaland East province is honoured to be hosting the progressive revolutionary party this year. This is the Second historical conference where His Excellency the President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa chairs since his ascendency to power in 2017.
The nation went through the most gruelling austerity measures which made most of us a laughing stock with the suffering masses. But there is no prosperity without sweat. The fruits of prosperity are watered with the blood of austerity, we have pulled through but it was hard and heavy.
But we know the whole of conference remains full of gratitude to His Excellency and to Mai Auxillia for their wisdom and their forbearance, and yes, we will work together and see our country back to unlimited unconditional and unstoppable prosperity. This conference is the conference of hope trust and patience. We will be building on your legacy and make it the legacy never to forget.
We will remember your predecessor Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe who passed on unfortunately he died under the evil spell of the domestic violence which we saw even in his death where he was denied a hero’s funeral by his wife. His Excellency has been the president for only two years but he has done so many things that give cause for hope. Our hospitals are finally getting the investment but they are let down by the staff who are controlled by a third force which we can see and causing havoc in our health system. the other staff in the essential services people who are sworn to save lives are being controlled to the extent of neglecting their duties and holding on to their unrealistic demands of higher rewards completely negating their oath of providing the medical care of our people, they are not the only ones in the essential services affected by the current economic situation, yet they want their demands to over shadow all other professions and all and sundry. Efforts are currently geared towards normalcy in the health sector not only for the doctors but for all involved in that sector and all civil servants.
Police colleges where idealistic young men and women are enrolling in large numbers to fight crime across the country, there have been a great transformation in our police force where corruption is fast departing. The police force is now serving people not tormenting people as was the norm. The president in these two years has made political partnership with business community and other political entities around the world the most successful political partnership in history which we will protect and we will defend against those who would wantonly destroy it.
After the new dispensation took over a lot of problems were planted in the path of the government, but the government managed to navigate through and made very significant investments and we are proud of the role this government is playing in every one of those investments and they are only possible because It was His Excellency’s government that tackled the debt and the deficit left by the last government, now we can proudly say ZANU PF has paid our debts and austerity measures have paid.
Mashonaland East hosts the conference when the nation now has the hope of real life, the youth now own mine claims, corruption is being tackled and the light is now flickering at the end of the tunnel. Zimbabwe has stood up and entered the trenches in a fierce fight against sanctions. The SADC region has joined us for the first time to fight the sanctions; the United Nations has heard our cries and sanctions are besieged. Mashonaland East province takes pride in that this conference we host today reviews these progresses we have made in making our nation better again. It is the conference where we see the open door policy yielding fruits. Our people are desperate for us to focus on their priorities yet some unprogressively minds still hinge on the past and failing to focus with the nation.
Zimbabwe has officially come out of the austerity measures so we can we must and we will even though things have not been made easier we will work for a better future of our youth, our children and our people. We as ZANU PF must outsmart outshine the puppets MDC and the G40 incarnate Kasukuwere who want to get on with their programme for total national discord turning the whole revolution which is great for this country – into chaos. Zimbabwe is in the shadows of bitter love, its bitter but its love, we are people who are prepared to suffer now so that we can correct the wrongs accrued through the ages. It’s painful to remove the culture of eating without saving, we need to fight to remove the negative mind set in the people, and we need to change that mind-set at a national level.
We need to promote progressive mind-set which is prepared to harvest fruits not on the spot but in the near future; this is because the entire mind set has to change. People have to learn to use this environment of peace and tranquillity people must learn to think outside the box how to make things work without corruption in a manner which is appealing to the society.
As for those in opposition their idea of serving the national interest was to write to EU and the USA urging them not to remove sanctions. It’s time to respect the lives of the people and call for the sanctions to go. We should be worried that after two years and half years people are beginning to feel that they are being taken for fools. They are beginning to suspect that there are forces in this country that simply don’t want success delivered at all. If they are right in their suspicions they will lose trust in us, on that point we need to root out those who cannot tore the line and those who are only Armchair leaders. We need leaders who lead from the front.
As a country we need to take back control of our money and our economy and our laws The health delivery is holy to the people of this country because it is life that it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from but when you are sick the whole country figuratively gathers at your bedside and does everything it can to make you well again, and everybody pays to ensure that you have the best doctors and the best nurses and the most effective treatments known to medical science. The government is committed to solving the deadlock with the health workers. as we begin this ZANU PF conference in the Great Mashonaland Region, the land of the great Chief Chikwaka Matemai and other respected chiefs we urge the delegates to visit our Mutoko caves, Murehwa caves, visit Chief Mangwende to show you areas which are holy and dear to our country and province. ZANU PF will show one and all that it is united and there is no fight between our leaders and that we are a united front. [email protected]
Farai Dziva|Elderly people and vulnerable children in Gutu District, Masvingo Province are being denied access to food aid for allegedly being sympathetic to the opposition.
This was revealed by MDC councillor for ward 27, Gutu South, Alderman Jeffrey Tangemhare.
“We have people who are really vulnerable; the elderly, widows, the sick and orphans. Most of these have totally run out of food because of the drought and now they are being left to starve to death by their own Government,” said Alderman Tangemhare.
Another source in area said:”Zanu PF activists have declared that they are determined to wipe out opposition supporters by denying them access to food aid.”
Farai Dziva|Elderly people and vulnerable children in Gutu District, Masvingo Province are being denied access to food aid for allegedly being sympathetic to the opposition.
This was revealed by MDC councillor for ward 27, Gutu South, Alderman Jeffrey Tangemhare.
“We have people who are really vulnerable; the elderly, widows, the sick and orphans. Most of these have totally run out of food because of the drought and now they are being left to starve to death by their own Government,” said Alderman Tangemhare.
Another source in area said:”Zanu PF activists have declared that they are determined to wipe out opposition supporters by denying them access to food aid.”
By Nigel Gwirikwiti|Firstly, Robert Mugabe was a fascist , an evil doer.
In fact , Mr Lipstick and Mugabe dually authored the economic disequilibrium/ doldrums the Republic is experiencing currently.
The two were at the epicenter of framing the current ambience of economic stagnation prevailing in the Republic .
Notwithstanding all the above aforementioned vices ; Mugabe was as clever as a fox.
Effortlessly, he mastered the artistry of cunning , mendacity , sneakiness with peculiar intelligence. Undoubtedly, he was an academic Czar an intellectual oligarchy . By virtue of his earned academic credentials, he was the most learned Heads of State, during his tenure. Ironically, his unprecedented longevity became a liability for the Republic.
In spite of all his intelligence and cunning propensities, the nation is perplexed upon the declassification of the dossiers that Mugabe never left a will . Knowing Mugabe’s cunningness/ intelligence it’s either he left a will that mysteriously disappeared or he deliberately opted not to leave a will, for a reason.
Surprisingly, Bona has now been designated the executor of Mugabe’s estate. Consequently, by law, she is now the curator at the primacy of the administration and distribution of the estate.
Bona has a certain elegance , believability factor , sincerity . I am sure she with diligently execute her legal duties with thoughtfulness and intelligence .
I am just curious. How come Mugabe’s properties abroad were not declared ? It’s practically impossible that Mugabe does not have a mansion in Singapore!
Mugabe was as clever as a fox ! Even in his “ mausoleum “ , he is still cunningly exhibiting his skills .
"Reform of any nature is difficult. Reform of the type and magnitude we are currently implementing at economic, political and legislative levels is even beyond difficult. It borders on the margins of hazardous in terms of degree of patients we as govt are asking from our people'' pic.twitter.com/lPP1LiXQgU
Own Correspondent| A new party named Zanu PF Original has notified the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission of its existence according to a copy of the letter circulating on social media.
The letter signed by Timothy Chimusoro who is the National Coordinator notified ZEC of its existence requesting to be included in all election related correspondencies.
A few weeks ago, another party named MDC Zimbabwe based in Gweru announced its existence with the electoral mother body accepting the request.
It remains to be seen if ZEC will accept the Zanu PF Original request considering that it could cause identity challenges to the current ruling party.
"Reform of any nature is difficult. Reform of the type and magnitude we are currently implementing at economic, political and legislative levels is even beyond difficult. It borders on the margins of hazardous in terms of degree of patients we as govt are asking from our people'' pic.twitter.com/lPP1LiXQgU
Farai Dziva|Former Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi has distanced himself from Saviour Kasukuwere’ s political project.
Regarded as one of the G-40 kingpins, Mzembi had been tipped to deputise, Kasukuwere in the supposed new political formation.
However Mzembi has dismissed suggestions that he will be the second in command in Tyson’s formation.
“I applaud every effort to democratise our country and wish
@Hon_Kasukuwere
well in his efforts, for the record I am not his Deputy in the #tysonwabantu nor in any structure.
I will pronounce myself in due course on Zimpolitics and my vision going forward,” tweeted Mzembi.
Farai Dziva|Former Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi has distanced himself from Saviour Kasukuwere’ s political project.
Regarded as one of the G-40 kingpins, Mzembi had been tipped to deputise, Kasukuwere in the supposed new political formation.
However Mzembi has dismissed suggestions that he will join be the second in command in Tyson’s formation.
“I applaud every effort to democratise our country and wish
@Hon_Kasukuwere
well in his efforts, for the record I am not his Deputy in the #tysonwabantu nor in any structure.
I will pronounce myself in due course on Zimpolitics and my vision going forward,” tweeted Mzembi.
Farai Dziva|Former Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi has distanced himself from Saviour Kasukuwere’ s political project.
Regarded as one of the G-40 kingpins, Mzembi had been tipped to deputise, Kasukuwere in the supposed new political formation.
However Mzembi has dismissed suggestions that he will join be the second in command in Tyson’s formation.
“I applaud every effort to democratise our country and wish
@Hon_Kasukuwere
well in his efforts, for the record I am not his Deputy in the #tysonwabantu nor in any structure.
I will pronounce myself in due course on Zimpolitics and my vision going forward,” tweeted Mzembi.
Farai Dziva|The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League end of year awards ceremony will be held on Friday in the capital, Harare.
According to Soccer 24, the awards ceremony will be held at Manna Resorts at 6 pm.
The Castle Lager Zimbabwe and Zimpapers TV Network will also show the event on their Social Media accounts.
2019 Soccer Star of the Year Finalists:
Ariel Sibanda (Highlanders)
Clive Augusto (Chicken Inn)
Evans Katema (Mushowani Stars/ Dynamos)
Ian Nekati (ZPC Kariba)
Joel Ngodzo (CAPS United)
King Nadolo (TelOne)
Never Tigere (FC Platinum)
Phineas Bamusi (CAPS United)
Prince Dube Highlanders)
Ralph Kawondera (Triangle United)
Wellington Taderera (Black Rhinos)
"Reform of any nature is difficult. Reform of the type and magnitude we are currently implementing at economic, political and legislative levels is even beyond difficult. It borders on the margins of hazardous in terms of degree of patients we as govt are asking from our people'' pic.twitter.com/lPP1LiXQgU
By A Correspondent| A Bulawayo woman has appeared in court charged with physical abuse after she allegedly stabbed her husband in a dispute over popular musician Jah Prayzah (pictured)’s show.
Rebecca Manzini (18) of Entumbane in Bulawayo is being charged with domestic violence after she allegedly attacked her husband, Jeffreys Gumbuti (33) with a broken bottle. This was after the woman had refused to go back home in Mbalabala with her husband because she wanted to attend the popular musician’s show which had been scheduled for later that day.
Manzini was not asked to plead to the charge when she appeared before magistrate Nomasiko Ndlovu on Monday. She was remanded to December 9 on $100 bail.
The court heard that on November 29 at around 1 o’clock in the afternoon, Gumbuti arrived home from Mbalabala only to discover that his wife was not around. He waited for her but she did not show up.
It is the State’s case that Gumbuti then went to a farm inputs shop in the city centre where he bumped into Manzini who was in the company of her younger sister.
Gumbuti allegedly advised Manzini that they should both go back home, but the latter refused saying she wanted to attend Jah Prayzah’s show at the Homestead Hall in Bulawayo.
Gumbuti advised Manzini’s younger sister to stop misleading the latter.
The court heard that Manzini suddenly ran amok and stabbed Gumbuti on the left side of the neck with a broken beer bottle.
Gumbuti sustained injuries as a result of the attack and was taken to hospital for treatment. A report was made to the police, leading to Manzini’s arrest.
By A Correspondent- Addressing the politburo Wednesday, president Emmerson Mnangagwa castigated armchair leaders urging Zanu Pf to remain a listening party which prioritised the people’s needs and servant leadership.
Mnangagwa said:
“We will not tolerate armchair leaders. The culture of the Second Republic is servant leadership. Those who are not prepared to fold their sleeves and work for the party, bad luck. We must remain a listening party.”
Zanu Pf on Wednesday held its crunch Indaba at the party headquarters in Harare.
The meeting followed an announcement by the party’s Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu inviting party heavyweights to the politburo meeting.
Said Mpofu:
Zanu Pf’s Secretary for Administration Obert Mpofu wishes to advise all members that there shall be a Politburo meeting to be held on Wednesday 4 December 2019 at the party headquarters commencing at 1000 hours.
The ZANU PF politburo is the party’s highest decision-making body outside Congress.
The politburo is constituted by members most of whom are handpicked by the party’s First Secretary, Emmerson Mnangagwa who in turn holds office for five years after nominations from the provinces.
By A Correspondent- A Bulawayo businessman who operates a farm and mine in Inyathi in Matabeleland North province allegedly shot two suspected illegal gold panners who were rushed to hospital after sustaining life threatening injuries.
This emerged when Nhlanhla Makuyana (56) approached the High Court seeking bail pending trial.
Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese released Makuyana on $300 bail and ordered him to reside at his given address and not interfere with State witnesses until the matter is finalised.
He also ordered the applicant to report twice a week on Mondays and Fridays at Bulawayo Central Police Station as part of the bail conditions.
Makuyana, a retired civil servant, is facing attempted murder charges after allegedly shooting and injuring two suspected illegal gold panners who had strayed into his mine in Inyathi.
In his bail application through his lawyers, Abigail Masawi Law Chambers citing the State as a respondent, Makuyana said there were no compelling reasons by the State for refusal of bail.
He said his farm has been invaded by illegal gold panners and efforts to get assistance from the police proved fruitless.
“On the day in question, mindful of a previous incident on the farm, I had gone to check on the intruders armed with a licensed 303 rifle. I only fired warning shots when the intruders became confrontational. I submit that the State has no compelling reasons to curtail my liberty,” he said.
Makuyana said as a family man with various properties including a house in Harare, a flat in Bulawayo, a plot, a mine and several cars, he had no reason to abscond.
He also disputed the assertion by investigating officers that if released on bail, he was likely to interfere with State witnesses.
According to court papers, on October 29 this year at around 8.40AM, Makuyana was at his farm known as Twin Farm in Inyathi district when he spotted two suspected intruders walking along a fireguard at the boundary of his farm.
He allegedly opened fire and shot them in the thighs. They sustained injuries and were taken to Inyathi District Hospital.
A report was made to the police leading to Makuyana’s arrest.
By Nomusa Garikai- “Zimbabwe is on the brink of man-made starvation and the number of people needing help is “shocking” for a country not in conflict, a United Nations special expert on the right to food said Thursday,” reported New Zimbabwe.
“I urgently call on the government, all political parties and the international community to come together to put an end to this spiralling crisis before it morphs into a full-blown conflict,” said Hilal Elver, the UN special expert.
She blamed widespread corruption, mismanagement, natural disasters, droughts and sanctions for the crisis. “It comes from (a) dysfunctional system,” she said.
This makes shocking reading, the more so because this is a nightmare we have seen coming these last 39 years and have done little to stop it.
Many Zimbabweans out there have known that corruption, for example, was rampant. In 2016 Mugabe admitted the nation was “swindled out of US$ 15 billion in diamond revenue alone”. The dictator never arrested even one swindler and/or never recovered even one swindled diamond dollar.
When Mnangagwa took over from Mugabe after the 2017 military coup; he promised “zero tolerance on corruption”. End words! Two years down the line, he too has yet to arrest one diamond swindler and/or recovery one swindled diamond dollar.
We know the wholesale looting of diamonds and other resources is still going on to this day. In 2017, the then Minister of Finance, Patrick Chinamasa, told parliament government was getting 1/6 of the expected diamond revenue. That has not changed!
The diamond mining has continued at its frantic pace. Mugabe booted out of the country a Chinese company, one of the many companies accused of the wholesale looting. The Chinese played a key role in bankrolling Mnangagwa’s blatantly vote rigging of the 2018 elections and, as a reward, the booted out Chinese company was allowed back in Zimbabwe.
Very few Zimbabweans have ever raised such issues as corruption, mismanagement, vote rigging and the myriad of other local problems with the Zanu PF government. Even now with the country now in serious economic, political and social trouble; Zimbabweans have not raised these burning issues with the country’s corrupt, incompetent and tyrannical leaders, much less putting an end to the madness.
Zimbabwe is a failed and dysfunctional nation and whist the international community can help up get out of this mess but it is for us, Zimbabweans, to take a lead in demanding meaningful change. So far, for the last 39 years, e have done very little.
By A Correspondent- A self proclaimed Buhera prophet has landed himself in soup after he bedded a 13-year-old girl three times before she eloped with him.
Tafadzwa Mabanga (26) of Chief Chamutsa in Buhera pleaded guilty to having sex with a minor when he appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Joshua Nembaware.
He was convicted and remanded in custody to today for sentence.
In mitigation, Mabanga pleaded for leniency and indicated that he wanted to marry the girl.
“You worship I am married with two children, one aged two years while the other is one-month old. I wanted to marry to the girl,” Mabanga said.
Prosecutor Gift Bikita told the court that sometime in August this year at around 4pm, Mabanga met the girl, who is aged 13 and doing Grade Six, on her way home from school and proposed love to her.
However, the girl turned down his proposal.
In October, he met her again while she was in the company of her friend and she accepted.
During the same month, the girl fell sick and went to his house for a prayer session and Mabanga lured her into his bedroom where he became intimate with her with her consent.
Last month, the girl asked for permission from her mother to go to church and it was granted.
She met Mabanga and they became intimate again after which he gave her $20.
The court heard that on November 18 at around 3pm, he went to the girl’s homestead in the absence of her parents and slept with her before buying her silence with $30.
The following day, the girl eloped to his homestead and they started staying together.
The matter came to light five days later after the girl’s mother gathered that she was staying with Mabanga and made a police report, leading to his arrest.
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF Bulawayo province is holding a fundraising event in the city tomorrow as it races against time to raise funds for the party’s annual people’s conference in Goromonzi next week.
Southern Eye has established that Zanu PF’s fundraising committee in the city is having sleepless nights as the party’s usual targets, private companies, have declared incapacitation to fund them.
Each province is expected to raise at least $500 000 to mainly feed Zanu PF delegates attending the conference.
Last week, chairperson of the Bulawayo fundraising committee Charles Chiponda claimed that the province had raised as much as 30% to 40% of their required budget.
But spokesperson of the fundraising committee Khumbulani Mpofu in an interview yesterday said the going has been tough for them with targeted traditional donors only making unfulfilled promises.
“We have traditional donors who we are targeting, but we are racing against time. As at present, they are just giving us promises since, as you know, the situation is difficult for many companies. It’s tough, but we are positive that some traditional donors will come through even at the last minute and assist,” Mpofu said.
In the past, the ruling party was accused of coercing some private companies to donate towards its conferences and other activities.
There have also been reports of some party activists taking advantage of the fundraising drive to divert donations for personal use.
In 2015, Zanu PF youth district chairpersons ousted their provincial executive – then led by Mpofu who is the current fundraising committee chairperson – on charges of corruption and using the party name to extort struggling companies of monies, groceries and fuel, which they later shared among themselves.
By A Correspondent- The government has announced a reduction of mealie meal prices, with the retail price of 10kg now set at $50.
This was revealed by Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube in a statement on Thursday morning.
He said:
As you may be aware, His Excellency the President, E.D Mnangagwa announced that subsidies on maize have been restored in order to cushion the vulnerable groups of our society from the negative impact of increases in basic food prices.
In this regard, the new subsidy model will, therefore, target the production of roller meal resulting in the retail price of ZWL$50 for a 10kg bag.
Last month, Ncube announced the removal of mealie meal subsidies while presenting the 2020 national budget statement.
The move was, however, reversed a few days later by President Emmerson Mnangagwa while addressing ZANU-PF youths in Kadoma.
By A Correspondent- Popular gospel artist and pastor Neyi Zimu has died.
The “Jehova Retshepile Wena” hitmaker was a pastor at All Nation Revival Ministries.
He died on Wednesday night at Busamed Hospital in Modderfontein,South Africa following a long illness.
News of this death comes not long after his wife Nelisiwe Sibisi-Zimu revealed that her husband was battling skin cancer and was admitted at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital where he was undergoing chemotherapy.
Condolence messages continue to pour in following the death of Zimu.
2 weeks ago, Sun City, Spiritual Awakening, this special tribute lifting Neyi Zimu up in prayer was performed. ?? Go well Ps Zimu, you have run your race. You ran it well. You touched so many of our lives. Ro livhuwa. ?? #RIPNeyiZimupic.twitter.com/ZB2XlAU8Jp
By A Correspondent- An armed member of the Presidential Guard has been arrested for committing a spate of robberies in the Masasa mining area in Mazowe last month.
The matter came to light at the Bindura Magistrates Courts yesterday where the suspect, Brighton Chizororo (30) of Chirwadzise village, Chief Ndanga in Masvingo appeared before magistrate Ethel Chichera facing robbery charges.
Chizororo pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded in custody to December 10 for trial.
Prosecutor Tariro Janhi alleged that on November 24, Chizororo and his accomplice only identified as Buju, who is still at large, armed themselves with an AK47 assault rifle, serial number ZA31605, loaded with 11 rounds, and a syjambok before storming Masasa Mine.
Upon arrival, the pair waylaid unsuspecting miners Chrispen Mahere (40) and Munyaradzi Masusu. Buju moved behind the miners wielding a syjambok while Chizororo pointed the rifle at them.
He cocked the rifle while ordering them to lie down and they complied.
He then allegedly demanded cash and was given $500 before ordering the miners to run from the scene.
The accused moved to another gold claim where they met Anold Chomusina (23) Maccani Mapiriyawo whom they robbed of US$20 using the same modus operandi.
However, the miners teamed up after their misfortune and pursued the robbers. They caught up with Chizororo, disarmed him while his accomplice varnished into darkness.
This comes after another Presidential Guard solder was arrested few weeks ago after he fired a gun whilst on guard duty at Zimbabwe State House. He allegedly complained that he was facing economic hardships.
“A young presidential guard soldier emptied his magazine firing in the air at State House in Harare this morning. He was arrested as he was reloading. He complained of hardships and said he ‘can’t survive in dead economy’. He’s been detained by the military at its holding cells!” Jonathan Moyo posted on Twitter.
By A Correspondent- Bona Mugabe-Chikore has been appointed the executor of her late father, former President Robert Mugabe’s estate.
Read a report by a local publication:
“Former President Robert Mugabe’s eldest child, Bona, has been appointed an executor of his estate. Her role is to identify and gather all the late president’s assets before overseeing their distribution to beneficiaries.”
Mugabe died on 6 September this year in Singapore where he had been receiving treatment for a couple of months.
His body was flown to Zimbabwe and later buried at his rural home at Kutama village in Zvimba district a few weeks after his death.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa broke tradition when he addressed the 334th Zanu pf politburo at the beginning of deliberations in Harare on Wednesday.
He began by welcoming the Vice President Constantino Chiwenga who attended his first politburo meeting since his return from China where he was receiving treatment for about four months.
Mnangagwa told the meeting that the party was ready for the People’s conference to be held in Goromonzi next week adding that preparations were going according to plan.
He added that his association with communities around the country gave him an informed view of what the citizens need.
The president also thanked China for the medical assistance given to Chiwenga.
By A Correspondent- The great thinker T.E Lawrence once said, “All men dream, but not equally.
Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible.”
All dreamers who dream that Zimbabwe will ever rise and be a normal country that it used to be are dreamers who dream by night and wake up to realise that they only had been dreaming.
The poor results of Grade 7 pupils in Zimbabwe is a clear indication of how much a failed state Zimbabwe is and an indication whether or not it will ever rise again from the dust.
Imagine what kind of leaders will Zimbabwe produce some 3 to 4 decades to come if its schools are under-performing as they are doing in all these past years.
When all other countries in the world are investing much in their young generations, Zimbabwe is totally destroying its simply because of its extreme desire of suppressing and oppressing Mthwakazi people in all forms.
It does not come as a surprise to us as Mthwakazi to learn that most of the schools that under-performed are Mthwakazi schools.
Maybe Zimbabweans could be scratching their heads trying to figure out what went wrong as they have the government that wishes them well.
On the other hand it may not worry them again as they know that failing at any level of education has never been a hindrance to them to further their studies or landing them jobs anywhere as their government will issue them with back door certificates.
Their only worry could only be on, are they ever going to be able to run their country with success?
That should be their only worry, bearing it in mind that if one of their most educated Mugabe failed them as he did with loads of educational qualifications that he was said to be having, then what will one reliant on back door certificates do for them.
Our investigation has revealed that teachers in Mthwakazi schools have not been getting paid while those in Mashonaland have been getting their pay. Although late sometimes, Mashonaland based teachers were getting paid to see them in school yards doing their work.
The investigation further revealed that with the stay away of teachers having started back in January, some teachers in Mthwakazi schools only went to their schools to safeguard their jobs, not to teach children.
Very few of the teachers did their duties as usual under the conditions of no pay and those were Mthwakazi born teachers, while many of the Shona teachers deployed in Mthwakazi schools were going for days out of their school yards and if in school, they would dare be seen in learning rooms.
Therefore as people without the government for now and people who believe in a future that is bright when its young generation is happy, we call upon all Mthwakazi communities to unite and decide what is best for their children.
It is said, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”
It is the time that we trust the Zimbabwe and Shona government no more with the future of our children. Together as communities, let us put together the little of the resources we have and pay teachers who will educate our children.
The colonial Zimbabwe government hates us and it will never do anything for us because it strives to see us continue under its rule. For that reason it will do all it can to deprive our children some education because it fears the brain of an educated man.
If we start doing that, that will also help determine who teaches our children.
By Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo- Zimbabwe is buffeted by lack of cohesion, it is buffeted by incapacitation, and it is buffeted by intra-party politics, indecisiveness and inconsistencies.
Political & Economic Indicators
1. The soldier who fired gunshots around State House
2. The woman who caused an ordeal around Munhumutapa
3. People running away from ED rallies during 2018 elections
4. MPs walking out of Parliament in defiance of ED
5. Mugabe’s snub
Complexities have forced 99% of the population to label “the” Government, the regime, rather than our Government. The general consensus is that Mnangagwa’s administration have failed and the conclusion is that it’s now a failed state.
A regime is described as authoritarian, and it is derived from a Latin word, regimen which means to rule. My comprehensive analysis is that there is a gap between the Government and the people.
There is no citizen engagement, decisions are made out of emotions and there is no tolerance, passion and love, these are based on gossip, lies and deception. One of the key aspects which has led us to be where we are today is the concept of “arrogance” and “force”.
Let’s come close home. Let’s analyze the phrase “Command Agriculture”. Look at the word “Command”, and how do you attract investors or development partners on the basis of “Command” or “force”.
For all these years when this facility was established, honestly you tell me we don’t have technocrats in the Government who could easily tell that the brand for this exercise reflected hostility?
How do you appeal to donors and potential investors with the command type of mentality? How do you define fairness, or can one negotiate when command is applied on any business model?
Success of any nation thrives on fairness, competence, best
practice, good business model, sense of humour, soberness, level headed and
high level of maturity, and the above mentioned factors feed into success
matrix of any given economy.
How do you define Command type of Governance? Command narrative
given birth to the following:
1. Looting
2. No negotiations
3. No fairness
4. No consultations
5. Don’t look back
6. Lack of cohesion
7. Inconsistencies
8. No trust
9. No love
10. Arrogance
The bottom line is the gap between Government and its own citizens is created by lack of understanding the real situation on the ground.
Demonstrations are a simple way of communicating to those who hold the instruments of power that we are grieved and frustrated.
From the time Mnangagwa took over the reigns of power in Zimbabwe, barely have you seen people demonstrating peacefully, it is either the demos are disrupted, banned or there is violence.
ED has never uttered a word concerning the state of our situation, and people are living from hand to mouth and life goes on like that. His silence may be concluded in three ways;
1. That’s none of my business
2. Who cares?
3. He is detached
4. He doesn’t have any solutions
5. Dare it and you will see?
It is so sad to see people hating their own Government. It is no
longer “our” own Government, it is the Government. Is it necessary to have
such kind of situation? Decisions can lead to such conclusions. Decisions can
be based on frustration, anger, emotions and love. Do you have any feedback
system in Zanu led administration? The question is do they really care about
people? Or is it arrogance? Do they appreciate that they are living beings out
there? Who cares?
Decision 1 – dismissing medical doctors plunging the whole
country into serious crisis
Decision 6 – killing of civilians on August 1 (case closed)
Apparently there is a disconnection between Government and
civilians and it’s detrimental. With the growing frustration amongst citizens,
a bad precedence is likely to be set when citizens are aggrieved.
Hameno ikoko
Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo – Doctor of Philosophy Candidate
(Women’s University in Africa)
By A Correspondent| Mutare residents were left suspecting satanism and black magic after a couple on board a silver Toyota sedan dumped a seven-metre long python behind Mutare Motoring Club and sped off.
The reptile which was placed in a sack was covered with several red cloths
Initially, witnesses suspected that the couple might have dumped a baby and rushed to the scene to investigate.
They were left dumpfounded when they opened the sack and discovered the giant reptile and an assortment of witchcraft-related paraphernalia.
The snake was then dragged into the Central Business District by an unknown man with the mob in hot pursuit.
Business was literally brought to a standstill as people jostled to see the snake which was eventually taken to Mutare Central Police Station.
Officer Commanding Mutare Central Police Chief Supritendent Florence Marume said a 21-year-old woman has since been arrested over the case.
“We have arrested a suspect over the case and we are still investigating the matter,” she said.
Own Correspondent|Reports just received indicate that taxi drivers and their touts in Gwanda have beaten up a ZUPCO Bus Driver for allegedly taking away their business.
Sources who spoke to ZimEye.com on Thursday morning said that the driver was beaten up on Wednesday evening as he found his way home after knocking off from work.
“The bus driver was beaten up at the local taxi rank as he intended to board a taxi home after leaving the bus at the depot,” the sources indicated.
“The touts and the drivers beat him up claiming that he was taking away their business. They further refused him to use their taxis to go home telling him to use the ZUPCO Bus,” added the source.
Police in Gwanda could not immediately confirm the issue.
NewsDay|EXILED former Zanu-PF national political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere, who is being linked to a new plot to bounce back and challenge President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the 2023 elections, has generated a fierce political storm after accusing serving ruling party elites of spending time on trivia instead of addressing the country’s worsening political and economic crisis.
Kasukuwere was the national political commissar when the late former President Robert Mugabe was toppled in a military coup in November 2017, and is reportedly launching a comeback bid.
A movement under the banner “Tyson waBantu” is taking shape amid reports the former Youth minister is angling to take Mnangagwa head-on and is enjoying the support of trained youths from the Zimbabwe National Youth Service, some youths in Zanu-PF and disgruntled ruling party officials, among others.
But the Zanu-PF national political commissar Victor Matemadanda at the weekend described Kasukuwere as a baby whose movement had no capacity to dislodge Zanu-PF.
“All of a sudden you find babies like Kasukuwere being introduced and referred to as veterans of the struggle. How can they be veterans of the struggle while only 45 years old?” Matemadanda told a Zanu-PF provincial meeting in Mashonaland West.
Kasukuwere hit back saying: “It was a tragedy that Matemadanda, a senior official in the governing party was focusing on trivia while the country was burning.” Ad by Valueimpression
“At least I was not a taxi driver like him while others were fighting in the liberation struggle. He must not lie to us. Just because he has an ugly face it doesn’t mean he went to war,” Kasukuwere fumed.
“He wants to use his ugly face kuvhundutsira vanhu (to scare people). He must tell people who he went to war with, who he reported to and what he did during the war. In any case, there is no need for trivia when the people are suffering like this,” the former Local Government minister said.
“We have a serious challenge on our hands. The health sector is in a crisis, people are dying and the country is on its knees. We can’t bury our heads in the sand and start focusing on issues that do not help the people.
“We need to focus on real issues on the ground and how to save the people from the crisis.”
By A Correspondent| A kombi driver is allegedly on the run following an accident which claimed five people.
Five people were killed, three of them on the spot, while 11 others were injured when a commuter omnibus they were travelling in veered off the road and overturned near Morgenster Mission Hospital early yesterday morning.
The driver, Takudzwa Chipindu, disappeared from the scene after the crash and his whereabouts were still unknown by yesterday evening.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said the accident occurred around 5am when Chipindu allegedly lost control of the vehicle at the 31-kilometre peg along the Morgenster Hospital-Masvingo Road.
He said the injured were rushed to Morgenster Hospital where two more people died on admission, while the bodies of the deceased were taken to Masvingo General Hospital mortuary. Asst Comm Nyathi said the commuter omnibus was carrying 16 passengers.
He said the vehicle, a Toyota Hiace, hit a tree, veered off the road to the right side and overturned before landing on its right side, killing three of the passengers instantly.
“Surprisingly, the driver ran away after the accident and we expect him to cooperate with the police,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
“We have launched a manhunt and the long arm of the law will catch up with him.
“Motorists should be responsible and drive cautiously without speeding, especially ahead of the festive season.
Late Sawujadi Phiri Zimbabwe National Darts Player to be remembered this weekend.
Own Correspondent|The Zimbabwe Darts fraternity will this weekend convene in Gwanda, Matabeleland South province for a three day Darts Tournament in memory of the late national darts team player, Sawujadi Phiri.
Phiri, who hailed from Gwanda and was the Vice Chairperson of Matabeleland South Darts Association, died on the 6th of July this year at Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo after a very short illness.
Mat South Darts Secretary Bongani Dube said that a total of twenty teams from across the country have confirmed their participation in the tournament which will see the winners walk away with a live cow plus cash.
“I can confirm that twenty of some of the country’s best teams have confirmed that they will be coming to Gwanda to spend their weekend playing darts for a noble cause,” he said.
“Sawujadi Phiri is a household name in Zim Darts and so every darts player in the country is motivated to play in her memorial,” he said.
Dube further indicated that the Association intends to make the memorial tournament an annual event.
Abel Chapani the Treasurer of the Association said that a bulk of proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the Phiri family.
“The tournament is not about us but about Sawujadi Phiri and so after paying out the prizes all the proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the Phiri family,” he said.
Sawujadi Phiri was born on the 30th of June 1976 at Esigodini Hospital.
She did her primary education at Mvuthu Primary School from 1983 to 1989 before proceeding to Mvuthu High School also in Esigodini from 1990 to 1993.
She started playing the game of darts in Gwanda in 2012. She became a member of the Mat South Ladies Darts team two years later.
She made her maiden appearance for the Zimbabwe Senior Ladies team in 2018 at the ZONE 6 games in Malawi where she scooped medals in all the events she participated in including a gold on ladies doubles.
Participating teams
Blanket Mine B (Gwanda), Flight Masters (Zvishavane), ZRP Support Unit Buchwa, Delta Bulawayo, Shake It (Bulawayo), Wise Waters (Bulawayo), Maphisa (Matobo), ZNA Mbalabala (Mbalabala), Vumbachikwe Mine (Gwanda), Prisons (Gwanda), Blanket Mine A (Gwanda), Sharks Gwanda Juniors (Gwanda), Archers (Bulawayo), Mushengenene Darts Clubs (Zvishavane), Bulawayo Veteran Stars (Bulawayo), Club Harvest (Gwanda), ZRP Gweru (Gweru), Mboma Darts Club (Gweru), Gwanda and District Club (Gwanda).
A ZANU PF MP has bowsed up a tanker meant to carry fuel with drinking water branded “ZANU PF.”
Hon MP Raj Modi truck is seen driving around Bulawayo South with the nothing but water inside. It is also inscribed, ” free water for Bulawayo community.”
Own Correspondent|Emmanuel Macron, Boris Johnson and Justin Trudeau have scrambled to wriggle out of their embarrassing diplomatic blunder where they mocked Donald Trump behind his back and caused the humiliated President to quit the Nato summit early.
The three leaders each moved to defuse the friction with their famously thin-skinned US counterpart, who scrapped a scheduled press conference and jetted out of London on Wednesday night.
Macron raged that the video – said to be captured by freelance cameraman Andy Laurence and handed to broadcasters by Nato – had surfaced at all and refused to be pressed on the gossip which was caught on hot-mic.
The French premier said: ‘I am not going to comment on stolen videos. That video wasn’t supposed to be filmed in that room.’
Relations between Macron and Trump were already prickly after the French President branded Nato ‘brain dead’ – comments the US leader slammed as ‘very nasty’.
The British Prime Minister pleaded ignorance when grilled by reporters about his part in the Palace gossip circle and said: ‘I really don’t know what is being referred to there.’
Asked if he had been laughing at the President, he added: ‘Complete nonsense. I don’t know where that has come from.’
His Canadian counterpart, who was blasted by Trump as ‘two-faced’, also sought to squirm his way out of the awkwardness by insisting that they were not ridiculing the President but merely expressing surprise he chose to announce details of an upcoming G7 summit.
Trudeau said: ‘We were all surprised and I think pleased to learn that the next G7 will be at Camp David. I think that was an unscheduled announcement and I think everyone’s team, every different leader has teams that every now and then have their jaw drop at unscheduled surprises like that video itself for example.’
The Canadian PM had a quiet word and a handshake with Trump as he arrived at the summit on Wednesday, and later tried to shrug off the episode.
He said: ‘As you all know, we have a very good and constructive relationship between me and the President.’
But asked if the gaffe had given him pause for thought, Trudeau said that ensuring the focus of attention remained on matters of substance ‘is something that we’re all going to try to do a little harder.’
After watching the viral clip, Trump tweeted that he would leave the summit without holding a scheduled press conference, bringing an acrimonious end to the military alliance’s 70th anniversary gathering.
The President wrote: ‘When today’s meetings are over, I will be heading back to Washington. We won’t be doing a press conference at the close of NATO because we did so many over the past two days.’
At around five o’clock UK time he boarded Marine One at the Grove Hotel in Watford and flew to the runway where Air Force One was preparing to take off.
In the bombshell clip, Trudeau makes the most cutting comments, laughing about Trump’s lengthy Q&A sessions with reporters and saying even the President’s staff were shocked at some of his actions.
Paul Nyathi|Zimbabweans have questioned the genuineness of late former President Robert Mugabe’s estate tabled to the Master of the High Court claiming that the list definitely does not show everything that Mugabe owned before his death.
The late veteran leader’s daughter Bona Mugabe notified the Master of the High Court of Mugabe’s estate which comprised of a few houses a rural home, 10 vintage vehicles and US$10 million in a bank account.
Declared properties:
* House Number 129 Forbes, Road, Waterfalls
* Villa Number 65, Gunhill, Harare
* Number 27 Quorn Avenue, Mt Pleasant
* Lot GB Helensvale and Lot 1 of subdivision B of Sub G of Helensvale
* Highfield Farm
* Zvimba rural farming plot (about 5 acres)
* Zvimba rural home (one hectare)
* Zvimba orchard (about five acres)
* 10 cars
Conspicuously missing from the list isGushungo Holdings which the whole world knows belonged to Mugabe. 96
“It is their company which is well known so we expected it to top the list.
“But it is not there. May be they sold it without our knowledge,” said an unnamed family member raising the concern to media.
“If they could deliberately leave Gushungo Holdings from the list, what else could have been left out?” the family member asked rhetorically.
The late former President is believed to have bought properties in Capetown, South Africa, Malasyia and in some Nothern American islands.
Citizen|The return of the ANC to power in the City of Joburg and the election of Geoff Makhubo as its mayor is a “tragedy” for the city’s residents and could potentially harm President Cyril Ramaphosa’s anticorruption crusade, according to an analyst.
Outspoken political analyst Dr Ralph Mathekga said the election was not a true victory for the ANC because it came to power without promising to change anything in Johannesburg.
“The ANC is back in power without doing anything or promising to do anything differently in Joburg. We cannot interpret this as an ANC victory, but a Democratic Alliance blunder.
“What did the ANC promise to do for people of Johannesburg before they were voted back? Nothing,” Mathekga said.
The analyst added: “If we are not careful as a nation, we will find ourselves supporting battles that will have no positive consequences for South Africa.”
He said the ANC victory could also signal a sad moment for Joburg residents, as it could mean a return to poor service delivery, such as rubbish not being collected, the billing system malfunctioning and corruption. This would contradict the aim of Ramaphosa’s “new dawn” and deal a blow to his efforts to run a corruption-free administration.
When Makhubo was officially nominated ahead of the vote, cries of “tsotsi, tsotsi”, aimed at the corruption-accused ANC politician, could be heard resounding through the chamber.
Mathekga questioned Makhubo’s election, despite his poor track record as former MMC for finance, and accusations of corruption hanging over his head.
Makhubo was alleged to have shares in the Gupta-linked Trillian Capital, a firm implicated in state capture.
The ANC welcomed the results and celebrated the victory.
In a tweet, Gauteng Premier David Makhura congratulated Makhubo, saying: “Joburg is one of the cities that has the responsibility to pull our nation out of the current economic challenges. We are confident that you will lead our people to prosperity”.
Another analyst, Somadoda Fikeni, said the ANC would have to work hard to win back the confidence of people who were disillusioned by its past mistakes in the city.
How the numbers added up
Geoff Makhubo won with 137 votes. The Democratic Alliance (DA) only managed 101, meaning at least three of its councillors didn’t vote for its candidate in a surprise outcome (the DA has 104 seats).
All of the EFF’s 30 councillors voted for its candidate, Musa Novela, which contributed to helping Makhubo to defeat the DA’s Funzela Ngobeni by a wide margin.
All the smaller parties, including the Inkatha Freedom Party, supported the ANC.
It was established ahead of the vote that two councillors were not present, making the total number of participants 267 as opposed to the expected 269 – which would be the total of council seats, 270, minus that of ANC councillor David Monamodi, who died in November.
The dispute over what constituted a majority – with some parties arguing that the candidate with the highest amount of votes would become Joburg’s new mayor and others saying that a majority must mean over 50% of the vote – was resolved earlier yesterday.
Council speaker Vasco da Gama said a majority could only mean more than half of the votes.
This meant that of 267 councillors present, a majority vote would be 134 votes or more – or 50% plus one.
Coalition of African National Medical Associations
PRESS STATEMENT ON THE MASS DISMISSAL OF MEDICAL DOCTORS IN ZIMBABWE
The continuing dismissal of doctors by the Zimbabwean Government over their protest on grievances which relate to conditions of service and other legitimate demands has come to the attention of the Coalition of African National Medical Associations (CANMA).
We have on record that over 500 doctors have been discharged at present, and this exercise is still ongoing. This unfortunate development is quite worrisome, particularly as a critical part of any health system is its workforce with healthcare personnel being the wheels that run the healthcare system and provide necessary healthcare services to the populace for sustainable socio-economic development.
The African healthcare situation has long faced difficulties related to the chronic shortage of her health workforce, most especially due to the insufficient supply and retention of doctors in the African continent. The African situation is so critical with evident ominous effect.
In 2006, there was a global shortage of 4.25 million health workers according to the World Health Organization. According to this 2006 WHO report, of the 57 nations facing a dire shortage of health workers, 36 were in sub-Saharan Africa.
Every year thousands of qualified doctors and other health professionals leave Africa for better remunerative offers and better working conditions.
In Zimbabwe in particular, it has been reported that the flight of doctors has been so overwhelming to prompt the unfortunate contemplation of recruitment of Cuban doctors by the Zimbabwean government, to fill the gap, an act that undermines the genuine efforts of the coalition of all national medical associations in Africa (CANMA) to convert the overwhelming brain drain of doctors from Africa to brain gain for continental development.
It is in view of the foregoing disturbing picture that CANMA finds very odd and antithetical to health system development, the latest action of the Zimbabwean government, dismissing over 500 of its medical personnel.
Accordingly, CANMA strongly condemns this action and urges the Zimbabwean government to reverse its dismissal/discharge order and seek more amicable means of getting back to the negotiation table with the aggrieved medical doctors and their professional groups and unions.
In this regard, CANMA is very willing to partner with the government of Zimbabwe to ensure speedy resolution of this impasse and strengthen future partnerships for the sake of the Zimbabwean health system and her people.
Dr Oşahon Enabulele Coordinator, CANMA 29th November 2019.
By Patrick Guramatunhu- Zimbabwe’s economy is in total meltdown; unemployment has remained 90% plus, 3/4 of the population are living on US$40 per month and the country’s estimated 1000% hyperinflation is dragging them even deeper into poverty, public health care has all but closed down and people are dying of easily treatable ailments, etc.
The situation is alarming but what makes it worse is that those in position of power and authority do not seem to even notice it!
“His Excellency the President has a meeting with all political actors who participated in the 2018 harmonised elections under the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) except for one or two political parties that are yet to join others,” commented VP Chiwenga.
“There is no doubt that a peaceful environment in our country translates into socio-economic development, empowerment and growth of our country.
“Let me, therefore, reiterate His Excellency’s view that as Zimbabweans we are capable of finding enduring solutions to our own challenges. As such, home-grown solutions are to be pursued than international mediation that other parties are trying to pursue.
“Hatiende kunotsvaga nyamukuta kunext door. Vana nyamukuta vedu tinavo muno.” (We are not going to seek political midwives outside Zimbabwe when we have competent ones right here.)”
VP Chiwenga was addressing a delegation of church leaders who have been calling on MDC to accept Mnangagwa as the legitimate president and then join other politicians in POLAD.
No doubt, VP Chiwenga was looking pointedly at the church leaders when he mentioned the “capable local midwives”! He, like Mnangagwa is particularly pleased with the church leaders who have been calling on Chamisa to recognise Mnangagwa as the legitimate president.
As for the “home-grown solution”; this is just reckless political arrogance at its worst because after 40 years of blundering from pillar to post and with the country up to her eyes in this economic mess, it is nauseating to keep talking about a home-grown solution.
So the country not only needs help to dismantle its corrupt and dysfunctional political system but, worse still, needs help to acknowledge the system has failed regardless of the heartbreaking human tragedy unfolding in the country.
VP Chiwenga and his Zanu PF colleagues are shrewd enough to know that no political midwife worth his salt would ever want to be involved in the Zimbabwe crisis unless they believe there is a realistic chance the democratic reforms necessary to guarantee free, fair and credible elections will be implemented this time. SADC took on the challenge and was the guarantor of the 2008 Global Political Agreement and GNU that failed to get even one reform implemented. They would not want their fingers burnt once again.
Mnangagwa’s insistence that all parties to the political dialogue must first publicly acclaim him as the legitimately elected president of Zimbabwe; ruling out the need for any far reaching reforms. Zimbabwe’s local leaders are also demanding that the opposition parties endorse Mnangagwa as the legitimate president; no wonder Zanu PF is warming up to local midwife rather than outsiders.
So the local midwives with their home grown solution will not move us an inch out of this economic and political mess. Not one inch! The only reason VP Chiwenga and his Zanu PF colleague are keen on these church leaders playing a role is that the leaders recognise that Zanu PF does not want any meaningful democratic reforms to be implemented. The party does not want free, fair and credible elections because that will undermine it’s iron grip on power; not now, not ever.
The corollary is equally true and unmovable; without free, fair and credible elections Zimbabwe will never ever have any meaningful economic recovery; not now not ever! The prospect of Zimbabwe’s dire economic situation continuing unresolved with people now dying like flies is simply unthinkable.
Zimbabwe’s economic situation demands a solution that will end the curse of rigged elections and bad governance and since the local midwives cannot deliver such a solution the country must look further afield for those who can and will implement the reforms
Academic Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo writes: On Tuesday evening, I followed the cabinet briefing proceedings led by Hon Mutsvangwa who happens to be the Minister of Information and publicity, I failed to get either meaning or logic, and to conclude that: is this what men and women are discussed the whole of Tuesday?
I thought it would be wise if they can put a draft or raka raka game in the cabinet, or any micky and mouse plonker so that they can spent the whole day pleasuring themselves.
I expected the following to be discussed :
1. 4.1 million people facing starvation. What are they doing about it?
2. National projects which brings Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Case studies of other countries, for example power projects, etc.
3. Re-direction of expenditure into the mainstream of the economy. How do we boost the economy? Capital injection into critical sectors of the economy such as Agriculture, Tourism, mining etc.
4. Development partnership with potential investors and partners. They should be discussing business models which drive the market force and earn this country USD.
Eric Muzamhindo
5. Tourism sector. We have one of the best resort areas such as Vic Falls, Kariba, how do we turn them into business models, commercialisation of those sectors to attract foreign direct investment
6. National Development Agenda in line with five year plan (2018-2023). We can never attract a single investor without any proper NDA. We need one.
7. Foreign Policy
8. Human Rights Obligations. Deal with that and update the nation
9. Policy inconsistencies
10. Research and Development Agenda must follow after proper establishment of neutral institutions which are not politically inclined to Zanu PF
11. Institutional reforms eg public sector. What have you done so far?
12. Corruption which is rampant across all the sectors of the economy.
13. Update of the 5.9 billion which went missing through the vehicle of Command Agriculture. There was no single invoice or voucher of that disbursement
I was very disappointed after following those proceedings, after I saw the Minister of Energy talking about raka raka things instead of updating the nation about :
1. New power stations and projects which attract investors.
2. Update on the Gwanda solar project. 7 million was chewed and nothing happened.
3. Reforming the energy sector
4. The latest appointment of the energy board.
5. By the way energy parastatals is a cash cow for lubricating the regime.
Chasi is now baptized into the system, he was busy campaigning on the social media before he became a full cabinet minister and most people they labelled him ” chibaba chibabest”, and some even suggested that he runs for Zanu PF ticket , 2023, now that he is baptized and he has been shown how it is done, he is now silent and he is just enjoying the gravy train.
Minister of Finance
We have become a laughing stock of the whole world. So far two countries have issued official conflicting statements over the budget statement released by Mthuli over figures . We have China and USA, and this is a bad signal that our finances are in wrong hands. Nobody knows how much this country is making and national debts and other critical issues. Even during Chinamasa period it never happened. Patrick must more professional and consistent. We were expecting the following :
1. Disclosure of the national debt.
2. Local and foreign debt and how we arrived on such figures.
3. How much aid we have received so far and how the money was used by the Government?
4. Corruption.
5. Short term recovery plan.
6. Where is the new currency which was promised?
7. The liquidity hasn’t improved and what is the problem?
8. Allegations from China and USA over aid figures. What is the signal? Could there be something wrong over the person handling state funds?
Coming to the minister of public works and National housing. I thought this ministry would be placed under local Government to cut expenditure. I laughed off when I heard the Minister talking about building flats for medical personnel around the country. Minister I expected the following :
1. Development partnership with potential partners around the globe on national projects which improve the livelihood of people. We can do well with bigger projects. We must think big and broaden our mind when we sit in those cabinet boardroom and discuss bigger projects, fellowship programs which can attract funding.
2. Identify land which can be built more housing units for civil servants who can’t afford housing schemes and identify local and foreign partnership schemes, this is what Zambia is doing and this is how it is done Mr Minister.
Honestly how can a minister sit comfortably in that boardroom to tell us about building two blocks of flats? So what is the difference between this minister and a primary school headmaster chairing an sdc committee on building one school block?
We need serious business in that boardroom !!!
Agriculture
We need to identify potential investors who can partner with us in the agro-based sector, we have so much potential in the sector, we can manufacture products, using a proper business model concept of a win -win solution and then this will creat employment for our local graduates and increase Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and increase exports to deal with our balance of payments. We must identify key commercial farms that can be set aside for commercial agriculture and we must restore the glory of bread basket economy within the region.
Not to spent the whole day talking about Mugabe’s farms which he grabbed during the land reform program? The whole day bhakhiti??..
Mining
We need a proper mining investment policy. The current one is outdated and it must be reviewed. We have those boys with mabemba, killing people in Kwekwe, Kadoma, Chegutu, and I guess you know the commander of that project. There must be proper laws to deal with that. We have so much potential to turn around the economy. We need to come up with business models that can leave Zimbabwe richer with more capital injection etc
In a Nutshell
To be honest I’m so disappointed with what is happening in our country. What is being discussed in the cabinet board room every Tuesday? Unless you tell me there will be questions like how many farms do you have? Do you need another additional one? Did you manage to get inputs? What about latest V8 vehicles, was it a good model? What about you did you manage to get fuel coupons? What about stands and lithium project did you manage to squeaze yourself in? What are those Chinese and Russians saying?
So what is the discussion around the development of this country?
When are we going to develop Zimbabwe?
Anything meaningful remaining for this generation and the future?
Hameno !
Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo – D. Phil Cand
Muzamhindo is a Policy Advisor and leading Consultant in Project Management and he can be contacted at [email protected]
Correspondent|BULAWAYO woman has appeared in court charged with physical abuse after she allegedly stabbed her husband in a dispute over popular musician Jah Prayzah (pictured)’s show.
Rebecca Manzini (18) of Entumbane in Bulawayo is being charged with domestic violence after she allegedly attacked her husband, Jeffreys Gumbuti (33) with a broken bottle. This was after the woman had refused to go back home in Mbalabala with her husband because she wanted to attend the popular musician’s show which had been scheduled for later that day.
Manzini was not asked to plead to the charge when she appeared before magistrate Nomasiko Ndlovu on Monday. She was remanded to December 9 on $100 bail.
The court heard that on November 29 at around 1 o’clock in the afternoon, Gumbuti arrived home from Mbalabala only to discover that his wife was not around. He waited for her but she did not show up.
It is the State’s case that Gumbuti then went to a farm inputs shop in the city centre where he bumped into Manzini who was in the company of her younger sister.
Gumbuti allegedly advised Manzini that they should both go back home, but the latter refused saying she wanted to attend Jah Prayzah’s show at the Homestead Hall in Bulawayo.
Gumbuti advised Manzini’s younger sister to stop misleading the latter.
The court heard that Manzini suddenly ran amok and stabbed Gumbuti on the left side of the neck with a broken beer bottle.
Gumbuti sustained injuries as a result of the attack and was taken to hospital for treatment. A report was made to the police, leading to Manzini’s arrest.
AmaShurugwi mines are wrecking harvoc in Matabeleland North
Own Correspondent|Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Minister Richard Moyo has blamed a group of artisanal miners called AmaShurugwi for terrorising residents in his province.
He said amaShurugwi were killing people, raping women and slaughtering residents’ livestock while conducting illegal mining activities.
“Our people are living in fear because of the violent behaviour of the illegal gold miners who come from other districts. The guys who are called amaShurugwi attack locals if they find them also panning for gold. They are always carrying axes and machetes. They are so daring that if the gold belt is stretching to people’s homesteads, these criminals violently force them out of their homes so that they can extract the minerals,” said Moyo.
He called on the police to take action against the violent illegal miners who are causing untold suffering to members of the public.
“We are engaging police to ensure that they increase deployment of their officers in these areas affected by the violent gold panners,” said Moyo.
Deputy Chiefs’ Council president, Chief Mtshane Khumalo, whose jurisdiction covers Bubi district said the illegal gold panners were not just making life a hell to communities but their livestock as well.
“A lot of animals are falling into pits left by these illegal gold miners who have no regard whatsoever for locals. They brutalise people while damaging the environment. They even dig shafts in grazing lands so some of the villagers are now losing their livestock and cannot even confront the violent gold panners,” said Chief Khumalo.
“When these gold panners come, they build their shacks that are not fit for human habitation. As it is, we have water shortages and the toilets are not enough to cater for everyone. This exposes the community to diseases,” he said.
Recently, Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Larry Mavima said amaShurugwi had caused extensive damage in the province resulting in Government deploying the provincial Joint Operations Command.
national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi
ONE person died while another was severely injured in Inyathi, Bubi district, Matabeleland North when a gang of about 50 gold panners went on a rampage attacking other miners in the area.
In a Twitter post, the Zimbabwe Republic Police said the violence occurred on Sunday and Monday.
“Fifty artisanal miners armed with machetes and axes went on a rampage, attacking other miners. Two male adults were severely assaulted and they sustained serious injuries. One resultantly died upon admission to Inyathi Hospital. The accused person, who informed other gold panners of his heinous deed, is still at large,” tweeted ZRP.
In a follow up interview yesterday, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they were investigating the alleged murder and reports of violence in gold rich areas across the country.
“We have made arrests, people have appeared in court, we are aware that there are areas where people have reported the so-called gold rush which is causing chaos and disputes. Members of the public should report incidents where the so-called gold rush is taking place so that appropriate and swift action can be taken before people engage in acts of violence,” said Ass Comm Nyathi.
He, however, said they have not yet received any cases of women being raped and livestock being slaughtered in Matabeleland North by gold panners.
Asst Comm Nyathi said they have partnered with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to fight against escalating illegal gold panning wars that have claimed lives in the Matabeleland North.
“We also appeal to mining companies that where some mines have been decommissioned, security measures have to be put in place to curtail chances of people coming in to try to get gold and, in the process, engaging in some of these disputes which can easily be resolved,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.
State Media|POOR management has left the National Sports Stadium exposed to the kind of sanctions which saw the Confederation of African Football banning the country’s biggest stadium from hosting international match. The giant stadium has fallen short when it comes to the need for it to have bucket seats, turnstiles and surface maintenance equipment.
The lack of bucket seats, turnstiles that will guarantee the safe movement of fans, in the event of an emergency, the bumpy surface and poor state of dressing rooms have been highlighted by CAF as part of the reasons the country’s main stadium failed their latest test.
CAF banned the giant stadium from hosting international matches, until renovations are carried out.
Rufaro, which is in a desperately poor state despite a recent multi-million dollar facelift by City of Harare, remains outlawed from staging such games.
The Mbare stadium is in a worse state than was the case before the “facelift” amid fears the millions, which council poured into the project, might have slipped into the pockets of people rather than improving the stadium.
Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane has also failed to pass the test.
Barbourfields was handed a temporary reprieve with CAF officials demanding that some improvements be done or it will suffer the same fate.
Fears abound that the Warriors and other national teams could be forced to play their home matches outside the country in what would be a huge embarrassment for the nation.
It has also emerged that the Warriors told their management, ahead of their 2021 AFCON qualifier against Botswana, that they were not comfortable playing at the bumpy National Sports Stadium and wanted the match moved to Barbourfields.
There have been complaints from the Warriors that many of them are ending up picking injuries whenever they come home for national duty.
The maintenance of the stadium rests with the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing after the Chinese Government handed over the facility in 1987.
The stadium has hosted many important events, including the 1995 All-Africa Games.
Recommendations made after Zimbabwe hosted the continental Games, especially those related to the evacuation of people in the event of an emergency, were never implemented in full.
The plan was that it was safer for the people to be evacuated onto the field, in the event of an emergency, than for them to try and push their way out of the stadium.
Thirteen fans died at the giant stadium in 2000 in a stampede while this year also marks the 30th anniversary of the Hillsborough Stadium disaster, which claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool fans, in Sheffield, England.
The National Sports Stadium was closed for 20 months, from November 2006, for major renovations under the auspices of the Chinese Government.
According to the information on the China Aid Data website, the Asian country, which has proved to be Zimbabwe’s all-weather friend, granted the country US$10 million for the renovation of the stadium in 2006 in preparation for the 2010 World Cup.
Initially, the Chinese government had given a grant of US$5.8 million to fund the improvements.
However, the amount almost doubled because of rising costs.
The then Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Ignatius Chombo said a number of areas, including the roof, public address system, electronic scoreboard, sewage system and offices, needed to be renovated.
The description of the work was recorded under the Project ID 18845, according to the China Aid Data website.
“In October of 2006, China began the renovation of the Zimbabwe National Sports Stadium in the capital of Harare.
“Phase one of the renovation was expected to be completed within 20 months at an initial cost of $5.8 million USD, disbursed with a previous grant provided by the Chinese government.
“Jiangsu International Economic-Technical Cooperation is responsible for the project.
‘‘The maintenance work includes repair of the giant stadium’s roof, toilet facilities, attendant sewer reticulation system, scoreboard, public address system, sub-station equipment and electrical reticulation components.
“Offices will also be refurbished and redecorated. In April of 2009, the renovations were completed. Phase two (making improvements on the playing ground) of the renovations were expected to be completed in 2010.
‘’In 2010, China handed over the finished stadium to the Zimbabwean government. The total renovation was completed at a cost of $10 million USD.”
However, red flags have been raised over the lack of maintenance by the c
ZIFA communication manager, Xolisani Gwesela, yesterday said the latest verdict by the CAF stadium inspection team has left Zimbabwe in a tight spot.
The CAF inspectors looked at many items essential to the modern game that include the state of the pitch, dressing rooms, access areas, medical and media facilities as well as floodlights.
The doping rooms, which are mandatory, were found to be non-existent, with no basic equipment.
“It’s a sad situation. This is why we have always been appealing, time and again, to the local authorities and stadium owners to take serious action when it comes to the upgrading of facilities.
“All over in Africa, stadiums have been improving. It’s only us who are lagging behind.
‘‘CAF noted in their letter that we have shown no commitment in that area and they have made it clear that we could be forced to play some of our home matches outside the country if we do not show any commitment.
“The ball is now in our court. In the meantime, we can only use Barbourfields for national teams and CAF inter-club competitions and it becomes a big challenge let’s say when we have two CAF games on the same weekend,” said Gwesela.
ZIFA have since approached the Government to help fix the challenge the national game now faces.
State Media|Norton Member of Parliament Temba Mliswa and three other legislators accused of soliciting a US$400 000 bribe from a local businessman, were yesterday barred from sitting on the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines for bringing the House into disrepute.
They were also directed to apologise to the National Assembly for their conduct and are now set to lose a day’s sitting allowance.
Parliament’s Privileges Committee chaired by Chiefs Council president Fortune Charumbira said although there was no concrete evidence linking the four to the US$400 000 bribe allegations, they should be punished for bringing the august House into disrepute after they allegedly convened meetings at night, away from Parliament Building under the guise of holding official business.
Chief Charumbira said this when he tabled the Privileges Committee report in the National Assembly. The committee was set up early this year to investigate Mr Mliswa, Gokwe Kabuyuni MP Leonard Chikomba (Zanu-PF), Magwegwe MP Mr Anele Ndebele and Binga North representative Mr Prince Sibanda ( both MDC-Alliance.)
The four were being investigated on allegations of demanding a US$400 000 bribe from local businessman Mr James Ross Goddard of JRG Contracting (Pvt) Ltd, as “facilitation fee” to help his company secure a mining contract at Hwange Colliery.
In the report, Chief Charumbira said his committee recommended that the four MPs be cleared on charges of soliciting for a bribe due to lack of sufficient evidence but said measures should be taken to rein in their behaviour.
“The committee is of the view that measures should be taken to ensure MPs are not involved in activities which are inconsistent with parliamentary decorum and as a deterrent measure,” said Chief Charumbira.
“It is the findings of the committee that the conduct of the four of convening a meeting with Mr Goddard and his team outside the parameters of official committee business at night and by further engaging in a discussion on a matter that was before the committee created an impression of impropriety.”
The committee noted that it was not clear why the legislators ended up discussing the Hwange issue instead of the debt Chikomba said he was owed by Mr Shepherd Tundiya, the facilitator of the said meeting, at Mr Goddard’s Borrowdale offices.
It was also noted that the US$400 000 issue was raised by Chikomba to Mr Tundiya in a car park who went on to submit his banking details but Mr Mliswa had long left the venue saying he had pressing family business.
“While the three Honourable Members, namely Hon Chikomba, Ndebele and Sibanda, indicated that the main purpose of the meeting was in pursuit of the debt owed to Hon Chikomba, the committee finds the explanation disingenuous as the issue was never discussed in Mr Goddard’s office,” said Chief Charumbira.
He said there were conflicting statements on how much Chikomba was owed by Mr Tundiya as two different figures of US$2 100 and US$1 600 had been mentioned and why it had become urgent, given that it dated back to 2007.
The committee questioned whether a debt of US$2 000 would have ballooned to US$400 000 regadlesss of the exchange rate used.
“This begs the question, would a debt of US$2 000 have taken a businessperson of Mr Goddard’s stature to travel all the way from Shangani to Harare at night accompanied by his mining director to only give assurance to four MPs that he would take over and pay the debt on behalf of Tundiya? This puts to credence the allegations relating to solicitation. In response to a question why US$2 100 had risen to US$400 000 Hon Chikomba characterised it as a casual comment,” said Chief Charumbira.
The committee noted that it was also interesting that Mr Ndebele said he had accompanied Chikomba in his capacity as a lawyer for the latter but surprisingly when the issue of US$400 000 was raised by Chikomba, he sat in his car.
FIVE people died, three on the spot, while 11 were injured when a commuter omnibus they were travelling in overturned after the driver lost control near Morgenster Hospital in Masvingo yesterday morning, police have confirmed.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said the crash happened at around 5 AM.
The driver allegedly fled from the scene and his whereabouts are still unknown.
Asst Comm Nyathi said the bodies of the deceased were taken to Masvingo General Hospital mortuary for post-mortem while the injured were rushed to Morgenster Hospital where they are receiving treatment.
The condition of the injured is said to be critical.
He said the commuter omnibus had 16 passengers.
“I can confirm there was a fatal road traffic accident at 31 km along Morgenster-Masvingo Road. The driver of the kombi was travelling towards Masvingo and allegedly lost control of the vehicle,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
He said the Toyota Hiace hit a tree, veered off the road to the right side, rolled once and landed on its right side killing three people on the spot.
Asst Comm Nyathi said the driver who was only identified as Takudza Chipindu fled from the scene.
“Surprisingly, the driver ran away after the accident yet we expect him to cooperate with the police. We have however launched a manhunt and the long arm of the law will catch up with him,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi advised the motoring public to be extra cautious when travelling on national roads, especially towards the festive season.
“Motorists should just be responsible and drive cautiously without speeding. They should learn to be responsible so that they make sure that they do not cause unnecessary road carnage which has claimed many lives.”
ONE person died while another was severely injured in Inyathi, Bubi district, Matabeleland North when a gang of about 50 gold panners went on a rampage attacking other miners in the area.
In a Twitter post, the Zimbabwe Republic Police said the violence occurred on Sunday and Monday.
“Fifty artisanal miners armed with machetes and axes went on a rampage, attacking other miners. Two male adults were severely assaulted and they sustained serious injuries. One resultantly died upon admission to Inyathi Hospital.
The accused person, who informed other gold panners of his heinous deed, is still at large,” tweeted ZRP.
In a follow up interview yesterday, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they were investigating the alleged murder and reports of violence in gold rich areas across the country.
“We have made arrests, people have appeared in court, we are aware that there are areas where people have reported the so-called gold rush which is causing chaos and disputes.
Members of the public should report incidents where the so-called gold rush is taking place so that appropriate and swift action can be taken before people engage in acts of violence,” said Ass Comm Nyathi.State media
A SELF-PROCLAIMED prophet from Bulawayo has been sentenced to a wholly suspended three months in prison after he stole a cell phone from a church member.
Godfrey Mabhena (50) from Old Lobengula suburb stole a Huawei X3 cell phone from Ms Patience Makondo (19) while he was praying for her father who is blind.
Mabhena pleaded guilty to a theft charge before Western Commonage magistrate Ms Tancy Dube.
The magistrate sentenced him to three months in prison which was wholly suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next three years.
Mabhena said he was possessed when he stole the cell phone.
“I do admit to the charges levelled against me, I stole the cell phone after being pressured by devious elements, we are people of flesh,” he said.
For the State, Mr Tapiwa Solani said the prophet committed the offence on November 20 this year.
“At around 1PM, the accused person went to the complainant’s place of residence to pray for the complainant’s father who is blind. He took advantage of the complainant’s disability and took the cell phone valued at $200 while the complainant was away,” he said.
Mr Solani said Mabhena was arrested after police found the stolen cell phone wrapped inside a sack at his home.-State media
FIVE people died, three on the spot, while 11 were injured when a commuter omnibus they were travelling in overturned after the driver lost control near Morgenster Hospital in Masvingo yesterday morning, police have confirmed.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said the crash happened at around 5 AM.
The driver allegedly fled from the scene and his whereabouts are still unknown.
Asst Comm Nyathi said the bodies of the deceased were taken to Masvingo General Hospital mortuary for post-mortem while the injured were rushed to Morgenster Hospital where they are receiving treatment.
The condition of the injured is said to be critical.
He said the commuter omnibus had 16 passengers.
“I can confirm there was a fatal road traffic accident at 31 km along Morgenster-Masvingo Road.
The driver of the kombi was travelling towards Masvingo and allegedly lost control of the vehicle,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
He said the Toyota Hiace hit a tree, veered off the road to the right side, rolled once and landed on its right side killing three people on the spot.
Asst Comm Nyathi said the driver who was only identified as Takudza Chipindu fled from the scene.
“Surprisingly, the driver ran away after the accident yet we expect him to cooperate with the police. We have however launched a manhunt and the long arm of the law will catch up with him,” he said.State media
MOSES CHUNGA, the coach who gave Nyasha Mushekwi his professional breakthrough, says he wasn’t surprised by the striker’s decision to buy a luxurious 45-seater bus for CAPS United.
The bus was unveiled at a glitzy function held in the shadows of the National Sports Stadium on Tuesday.
Mushekwi is believed to have spent in excess of US$200 000 to finally get the bus home and present it to the CAPS United family.
The former Warriors forward chose not to attend the unveiling ceremony, telling The Herald he feared he would choke under the emotions.
Crucially, said Mushekwi, he didn’t want the occasion to be about him but to be about the Green Machine family.
‘‘If I had come there, everyone would be wanting to talk to me, the cameras would be on me and not the bus and I thought that wasn’t right,’’ he said.
‘‘This wasn’t about me, but about God delivering something special to my old club and it was good that I wasn’t there when the bus was presented.
‘‘But my family was there, my sister was there, she represented me well, and my brothers and grandmother were also there.’’
Chunga was the Green Machine coach when Mushekwi arrived as a raw footballer after having switched from playing basketball.
The China-based striker singled out Chunga for special praise in a speech where the bus was unveiled.
‘‘Firstly, I would like to thank God for this amazing gift that he has given to my old team CAPS United,’’ said Mushekwi in a speech read, on his behalf, by his sister Nyari.State media
By Patrick Guramatunhu| Zimbabwe’s economy is in total meltdown; unemployment has remained 90% plus, 3/4 of the population are living on US$40 per month and the country’s estimated 1000% hyperinflation is dragging them even deeper into poverty, public health care has all but closed down and people are dying of easily treatable ailments, etc. The situation is alarming but what makes it worse is that those in position of power and authority do not seem to even notice it!
“His Excellency the President has a meeting with all political actors who participated in the 2018 harmonised elections under the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) except for one or two political parties that are yet to join others,” commented VP Chiwenga.
“There is no doubt that a peaceful environment in our country translates into socio-economic development, empowerment and growth of our country.
“Let me, therefore, reiterate His Excellency’s view that as Zimbabweans we are capable of finding enduring solutions to our own challenges. As such, home-grown solutions are to be pursued than international mediation that other parties are trying to pursue.
“Hatiende kunotsvaga nyamukuta kunext door. Vana nyamukuta vedu tinavo muno.” (We are not going to seek political midwives outside Zimbabwe when we have competent ones right here.)”
VP Chiwenga was addressing a delegation of church leaders who have been calling on MDC to accept Mnangagwa as the legitimate president and then join other politicians in POLAD.
No doubt, VP Chiwenga was looking pointedly at the church leaders when he mentioned the “capable local midwives”! He, like Mnangagwa is particularly pleased with the church leaders who have been calling on Chamisa to recognise Mnangagwa as the legitimate president.
As for the “home-grown solution”; this is just reckless political arrogance at its worst because after 40 years of blundering from pillar to post and with the country up to her eyes in this economic mess, it is nauseating to keep talking about a home-grown solution.
So the country not only needs help to dismantle its corrupt and dysfunctional political system but, worse still, needs help to acknowledge the system has failed regardless of the heartbreaking human tragedy unfolding in the country.
VP Chiwenga and his Zanu PF colleagues are shrewd enough to know that no political midwife worth his salt would ever want to be involved in the Zimbabwe crisis unless they believe there is a realistic chance the democratic reforms necessary to guarantee free, fair and credible elections will be implemented this time. SADC took on the challenge and was the guarantor of the 2008 Global Political Agreement and GNU that failed to get even one reform implemented. They would not want their fingers burnt once again.
Mnangagwa’s insistence that all parties to the political dialogue must first publicly acclaim him as the legitimately elected president of Zimbabwe; ruling out the need for any far reaching reforms. Zimbabwe’s local leaders are also demanding that the opposition parties endorse Mnangagwa as the legitimate president; no wonder Zanu PF is warming up to local midwife rather than outsiders.
So the local midwives with their home grown solution will not move us an inch out of this economic and political mess. Not one inch! The only reason VP Chiwenga and his Zanu PF colleague are keen on these church leaders playing a role is that the leaders recognise that Zanu PF does not want any meaningful democratic reforms to be implemented. The party does not want free, fair and credible elections because that will undermine it’s iron grip on power; not now, not ever.
The corollary is equally true and unmovable; without free, fair and credible elections Zimbabwe will never ever have any meaningful economic recovery; not now not ever! The prospect of Zimbabwe’s dire economic situation continuing unresolved with people now dying like flies is simply unthinkable.
Zimbabwe’s economic situation demands a solution that will end the curse of rigged elections and bad governance and since the local midwives cannot deliver such a solution the country must look further afield for those who can and will implement the reforms. – SOURCE: zimbabwelight.blogspot.com
A ZIMRA data capture clerk, Herry Phiri has resigned after he was charged with 183 counts of fraud.
He allegedly forged customs clearance certificates to evade duty. Phiri appeared before Beitbridge Resident Magistrate, Langton Mukwengi and was granted $5 000 bail and ordered to report three times per week at Beitbridge Police. He was remanded to a later day for continuation of trial.
The complainant in the matter is Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) represented by Benjamin Masendeke.
It is the State case that on June 29, 2019 at Malindi Transit shed in Beitbridge, the accused cleared a Mercedes Benz E200, 2009 model, Engine number 27195631124819, chasis number WDB2110412b394378 for Charles Muzavazi of Marlborough in Harare using forged customs clearance certificate number 248968A.
He then gave Muzavazi a forged certificate which belonged to Loreen Mudapakati of Seke, Chitungwiza who cleared a Honda Fit Airwave and not a Mercedes Benz in order to evade Mercedes Benz E200, 2009 model duty.
The forged certificate is not issued by ZIMRA stores as per procedure and it’s not in ZIMRA Beitbridge records. ZIMRA suffered prejudice of $5 816.64 and the Benz was seized under notice of seizure number 010132L.
The appointment of Dr Sydney Gata as executive chairman of Zesa Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, continues to draw criticism with the country’s development and technical partners in crafting the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act becoming the latest to express their displeasure.
Energy and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi in November announced a new board of directors for the power utility to be chaired by Dr Gata in an executive capacity with the minister justifying the appointment as compelling.
The move has quickly been received with sharp criticism from human resources experts as well as good corporate governance proponents.
Now, a World Bank consultant and a retired judge has joined the critics and bemourned the appointment of an executive chairperson at the utility.
Speaking at the official launch of the Act in Harare yesterday, World Bank consultant in public financial management and State entities reforms, Mr Sonny Mabheju, said while the Act provides for specific roles for State entities’ board of directors and management separately, it, however, does not provide for both combined.
“There is really no specific provision for that (executive chairman appointment) . . . it (the Act) sets the board members separately from executive management,” said Mr Mabheju.
“Specific terms for the chief executive and his team are specifically provided for in the Act, and also terms for the board members and the board chair are also specifically provided for in the Act.
“There is no section anywhere in the Act where there is provision that there can be an executive chairperson and in any case, in most cases that scenario is being discouraged,” he said.
Former High Court judge, Justice Moses Chinhengo who spoke after Mr Mabhengu, concurred with the World Bank consultant and added that the undesirability of an executive chairman in state entities is self-evident.
The arrangement, he said, was fertile ground for conflict between management already in situ and the incoming executive chairman.
“The undesirability of it is self-evident. You have an executive chairman coming into a parastatal, I am very certain the first thing he will say is he wants the biggest office,” said Justice Chinhengo.
“Now the CEO who must be head of the organisation — you start off with a conflict immediately. Where is he going to sit? Will he accept the executive chairman and sit in some corner office,” he queried.
The Public Entities Corporate Governance Act was enacted into law last year as Government moved in to foster accountability and effective management of state-owned entities many of which had been rundown due to management inefficiencies and corruption.
In the case of Zesa, Minister Chasi has, however, insisted that the creation of an executive chairman’s post was in the best interest of the power utility.
“I also needed somebody who will break the barriers, who is not bureaucratic, who understands and is current regarding what Government is looking at with regards to Zesa,”
“ . . . requires that you have somebody who is in situ on a day to day basis and if you have somebody who has the experience and knowledge of the organisation, why should we double the expenses by having a CEO and a chairman who will be doing basically the same thing except chairing the meeting,” argued the Minister.
The Act will also see the end of “career CEOs” as the it stipulates that one can only serve for a maximum of two, five year terms. -Herald
Farai Dziva|Former ZBC radio and television presenter, Ezra Tshisa Sibanda, has postulated that Robert Mugabe’s wealth should be shared among his political victims.
Below is Sibanda’ s argument :
Robert Mugabe is reported to have died and left just over $10m in cash, farms and several houses, but left no will.
We know the truth, he had more money and assets than declared- scattered all over the world. No one has legal right to his estate since he had no will, probably he didn’t want any member of his family to benefit from his loot.
Since he left no will, his cash and assets should be shared by families of victims he killed and maimed.
His wife and children should not get anything from Mugabe’s Estate.
They are all rich so the money he accrued through his evil deeds, corruption and mass murder should be forfeited and paid to victims!
By A Correspondent- A Twitter account believed to be run by the president’s spokesperson George Charamba, has said Senator David Coltart‘s son, lawyer Doug Coltart is funding the ongoing doctor’s strike.
Jamwanda was responding to a Twimbo who had asked:
Who capacitated the “incapacitated” Drs to demomstrate? The banners and posters are not cheap.
Jamwanda responded:
Dougie Coltart who affords to fly in some small helicopter with bags of money to pay the doctors to remain on strike. Zvino zvaponga!! Good question Sec for Administration!! Really using your vast skills to interrogate strange occurrences in our Land. Hapana kwavanosvika havo asi
The Doctors staged a protest today where they marched and presented their petition to the parliament.
By Dorrothy Moyo| The parliamentary committee set up to investigate for members of Parliament for allegedly bribing a businessman they were interviewing, a lumpsum USD400,000, has punished the MPs by slashing down 1 days allowances.
The MPs who include Norton legislator, Temba Mliswa were cleared of charges against with the committee however noting that they could not reconcile a debt figure of USD2,000n ended up being USD400,000 as discussed during the meeting held in the dark of the night.
The four were found to have brought the house into disrepute by holding a secret meeting in the dark of the night outside business hours and physically outside the Parliament Building.
The case draws a parallel to that of MDC MPs who were punished by the same Parliament 2 months ago and made to lose over 5 months worth of allowances, as punishment for refusing to recognise Emmerson Mnangagwa as President.
Below was the Executive Summary
The Committee of Privileges, hereinafter referred to as “the Committee”was established on 18 February 2019 by the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders to inquire into the allegations of corruption against Hon. Mliswa, Hon. Chikomba, Hon. Ndebele and Hon. Sibanda. The Committee was mandated to inquire into the allegations and table a report to the National Assembly. This Report therefore contains the processes, procedures adopted by the Committee, the submissions made by various witnesses during the inquiry, the observations, findings and recommendations of the Committee.
The Chairperson of the Committee takes this opportunity to express his gratitude to all the Members of the Committee for their immense contribution to the inquiry that culminated in this Report. Similarly, the Committee wishes to thank the Offices of the Speaker, Clerk of Parliament and staff for the support in the execution of its mandate and the production of this report.
Against this background, and, on behalf of the Committee, I have the honour and pleasure to present this report to the National Assembly.
1. Part I: Establishment, Mandate and Composition of the Committee
Pursuant to Standing Order 24 of the Standing Rules and Orders of the National Assembly, the Committee was established on 18 February 2019. The terms of reference of the Committee were to inquire into the allegations of corruption against Hon. Mliswa, Hon. Chikomba, Hon. Ndebele and Hon. Sibanda.
In particular, the Committee was mandated to-
1.1 inquire if Hon. Mliswa, Hon. Chikomba, Hon. Ndebele and
Hon. Sibanda solicited a bribe of $400 000 from Mr. Goddard as facilitation fees for Mr. Goddard to secure a mining contract at Hwange Colliery Company;
1.2 determine if the conduct of the four Honourable Members of
Parliament constitutes a breach of privilege amounting to contempt of Parliament; and
1.3 report in writing, its findings and recommendations to the
Committee on Standing Rules and Orders on or before 15 March
2019 and to the National Assembly on or before 18 March 2019.
The following seven Members of Parliament were appointed to serve in the Committee:-
(i) Hon. Sen. Chief F. Z. Charumbira (Chairperson);
(ii) Hon. J. T. Samukange;
(iii) Hon. C. Madiwa;
(iv) Hon. I. Gonese;
(v) Hon. T. Mavetera;
(vi) Hon. P. Mpariwa; and
(vii) Hon. Dr. Nyashanu.
2. Part II: Basis of the Inquiry.
Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 68(d), Hon Mataranyika raised a motion on a “Notice of Privilege” to the National Assembly of Zimbabwe on 7 February 2019. The Notice detailed specific allegations of corruption against 4(four) Honourable Members of Parliament. The four members’ are;
2.1 Hon. T. Mliswa;
2.2 Hon. L. Chikomba;
2.3 Hon. A Ndebele; and
2.4 Hon. P. D. Sibanda.
The allegations emanated primarily from a report published by the Herald newspaper on 4 February 2019. In the report, it is alleged that the 4 (four) Honourable members of Parliament solicited for a bribe from Mr. James Ross Goddard (“Mr. Goddard”). The motion was debated by the Members of the National Assembly resulting in a ruling by the Speaker that a prima facie case had been established against the 4 (four) accused Honourable members. In accordance with the Standing Rules and Orders of the National Assembly, the matter was referred to the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders which subsequently established a Privileges Committee to conduct inquiries into the allegations.
The referral to the Privileges Committee recognizes that the allegations against the four Honourable members, if proven, were injurious to the good standing and reputation of Parliament. The inquiry is a sine qua non because Parliament is the constitutional watchdog over other branches of Government with respect to corruption and improper conduct.
The matter is indeed of profound public importance. It is indisputable that the inquiry into the alleged conduct of the four Honourable Members is in the public interest. The enquiry will also foster public confidence in the institution of Parliament and presents a unique opportunity to disabuse the mind of the public against the slightest perception of tolerance to corruption by Parliament.
This inquiry is consistent with prior Parliamentary resolutions where it resolved to be decisive in investigating allegations of corruption and to take stern action against its members whose conduct is found engendering improbity.
In the case of S v Ngara 1987 (1) ZLR 91 (S) @ 101A-C, Dumbutshena CJ remarked that: –
“Any form of corruption resorted to by public officials … whose duty it is to uphold the law and by their conduct set an example of impeccable honesty and integrity, is rightly viewed with abhorrence. It is a dangerous and insidious evil in any community and in particular requires to be guarded against in a developing country”.
This inquiry will reaffirm the commitment of Parliament to the elimination of corruption which as noted in the “Global Corruption Barometer Africa 2019 report” has been on the rise. The need for decisive action cannot therefore be overstated in boosting public confidence in Parliament’s oversight role.
By Ezra Tshisa Sibanda|Robert Mugabe is reported to have died and left just over $10m in cash, farms and several houses, but left no will.
We know the truth, he had more money and assets than declared- scattered all over the world. No one has legal right to his estate since he had no will, probably he didn’t want any member of his family to benefit from his loot.
Since he left no will, his cash and assets should be shared by families of victims he killed and maimed.
His wife and children should not get anything from Mugabe’s Estate.
They are all rich so the money he accrued through his evil deeds, corruption and mass murder should be forfeited and paid to victims!
By Patrick Guramatunhu- Zimbabwe’s economy is in total meltdown; unemployment has remained 90% plus, 3/4 of the population are living on US$40 per month and the country’s estimated 1000% hyperinflation is dragging them even deeper into poverty, public health care has all but closed down and people are dying of easily treatable ailments, etc.
The situation is alarming but what makes it worse is that those in position of power and authority do not seem to even notice it!
“His Excellency the President has a meeting with all political actors who participated in the 2018 harmonised elections under the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) except for one or two political parties that are yet to join others,” commented VP Chiwenga.
“There is no doubt that a peaceful environment in our country translates into socio-economic development, empowerment and growth of our country.
“Let me, therefore, reiterate His Excellency’s view that as Zimbabweans we are capable of finding enduring solutions to our own challenges. As such, home-grown solutions are to be pursued than international mediation that other parties are trying to pursue.
“Hatiende kunotsvaga nyamukuta kunext door. Vana nyamukuta vedu tinavo muno.” (We are not going to seek political midwives outside Zimbabwe when we have competent ones right here.)”
VP Chiwenga was addressing a delegation of church leaders who have been calling on MDC to accept Mnangagwa as the legitimate president and then join other politicians in POLAD.
No doubt, VP Chiwenga was looking pointedly at the church leaders when he mentioned the “capable local midwives”! He, like Mnangagwa is particularly pleased with the church leaders who have been calling on Chamisa to recognise Mnangagwa as the legitimate president.
As for the “home-grown solution”; this is just reckless political arrogance at its worst because after 40 years of blundering from pillar to post and with the country up to her eyes in this economic mess, it is nauseating to keep talking about a home-grown solution.
So the country not only needs help to dismantle its corrupt and dysfunctional political system but, worse still, needs help to acknowledge the system has failed regardless of the heartbreaking human tragedy unfolding in the country.
VP Chiwenga and his Zanu PF colleagues are shrewd enough to know that no political midwife worth his salt would ever want to be involved in the Zimbabwe crisis unless they believe there is a realistic chance the democratic reforms necessary to guarantee free, fair and credible elections will be implemented this time. SADC took on the challenge and was the guarantor of the 2008 Global Political Agreement and GNU that failed to get even one reform implemented. They would not want their fingers burnt once again.
Mnangagwa’s insistence that all parties to the political dialogue must first publicly acclaim him as the legitimately elected president of Zimbabwe; ruling out the need for any far reaching reforms. Zimbabwe’s local leaders are also demanding that the opposition parties endorse Mnangagwa as the legitimate president; no wonder Zanu PF is warming up to local midwife rather than outsiders.
So the local midwives with their home grown solution will not move us an inch out of this economic and political mess. Not one inch! The only reason VP Chiwenga and his Zanu PF colleague are keen on these church leaders playing a role is that the leaders recognise that Zanu PF does not want any meaningful democratic reforms to be implemented. The party does not want free, fair and credible elections because that will undermine it’s iron grip on power; not now, not ever.
The corollary is equally true and unmovable; without free, fair and credible elections Zimbabwe will never ever have any meaningful economic recovery; not now not ever! The prospect of Zimbabwe’s dire economic situation continuing unresolved with people now dying like flies is simply unthinkable.
Zimbabwe’s economic situation demands a solution that will end the curse of rigged elections and bad governance and since the local midwives cannot deliver such a solution the country must look further afield for those who can and will implement the reforms
Farai Dziva|In spite of the claims by government that rubber bullets were used to disperse rowdy opposition supporters in Marondera, MDC deputy president Tendai Biti insists ZRP cops fired live ammunition at youthful party leader, Nelson Chamisa.
Biti on Tuesday met with diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe to brief them on the situation in the country and what transpired in Marondera on Sunday.
“We briefed them on the Marondera situation. We gave them a chronology of events. We told them there was no meeting, but it was just a tree-planting event,” said Biti.
He added: “They wanted the facts because government said there were no gunshots. The fact of the matter is there was live ammunition.
The whole story doesn’t hold water. Even if they only released teargas, as they lie, why do that?”
Farai Dziva|In spite of the claims by government that rubber bullets were used to disperse rowdy opposition supporters in Marondera, MDC deputy president Tendai Biti insists ZRP cops fired live ammunition at youthful party leader, Nelson Chamisa.
Biti on Tuesday met with diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe to brief them on the situation in the country and what transpired in Marondera on Sunday.
“We briefed them on the Marondera situation. We gave them a chronology of events. We told them there was no meeting, but it was just a tree-planting event,” said Biti.
He added: “They wanted the facts because government said there were no gunshots. The fact of the matter is there was live ammunition.
The whole story doesn’t hold water. Even if they only released teargas, as they lie, why do that?”
AN unlicensed driver from Beitbridge allegedly hit and killed a six-year-old boy who was cycling home.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident that occurred on Sunday at around 7PM in Shuleshule area.
He said Anna Mthunzi (29) also from Shuleshule was driving along a dust road when she lost control of the vehicle and hit Joseph Dube.
“I can confirm that we recorded a fatal accident which occurred in Shuleshule area in Beitbridge.
Anna Mthunzi was driving along a dust road with one passenger on board when she lost control of the vehicle which veered off the road.
“She hit a cyclist Joseph Dube aged six years.
He sustained head injuries and fractured both legs. He was rushed to Beitbridge District Hospital where he died upon admission.
Mthunzi is facing charges of culpable homicide and driving without a licence,” Chief Insp Ndebele said.-Chronicle
Dr Walter Mzembi’s quotes
Our eyes must be focused on creating a progressive generation, rather than focusing on elections. Our worry must be the future, generation of ideas, participate in progressive development, uniting together to achieve one common goal “development”.
We have a duty and obligation to deliver the best four country. We can still be resonate and do the best for our country. We need a better, Zimbabwe, a future, a hope and a new narrative. It is high time we must come back to our sense to give hope to the young generation by practicing progressive politics and change of mindset.
Eric Muzamhindo
I have seen people in hotels going to bathrooms carrying their drinks, even mineral water for fear of being poisoned. I have seen people refusing to offer transport to an opposition member or ruling party. In other countries, they campaign on same platforms during elections, they exchange regalia. We are not tolerant, we use hate language, and this has spilled even to sports and recreation, for those who have been watching our recent soccer matches involving our senior team, I have seen people waving political symbols in the national sports stadium. We cannot speak using same language, with one voice.
My simple question is who owns Zimbabwe? What defines Zimbabwe? If participating on the national tree planting day can result in shootings, then I think we have to suspend politics. Firing bullets, firing doctors, firing salvages etc. can’t we adopt a developmental stance? What is that we are fighting for? Zimbabwe is buffeted by toxic politics, indecisive fundamentals, conflicts and disputes and we have a duty and obligation to come up with progressive matrix which gives birth to development narrative.
Its over three solid decades and we have achieved nothing close to development. We need a better Zimbabwe, and it is my humble plea, we come together and focus on the development agenda and forget about elections. If I may ask you how much money has gone into elections? Last year we had over 500 million which was set aside for elections which could have achieved a lot. The same applies to 1980,1985,1990,1995,2000,2008 scenarios and this has given birth to disputes, conflicts, social imbalances, toxic politics and other misfortunes.
No one would want to hear of Murambatsvina, 2002 elections, land invasions, 2008 presidential run off, and the 2018 August 1 shootings as a result of disputed polls. I’m of the idea that we avoid polls mainly because as we speak, the ruling Zanu PF is already in the electoral mode, defining the 2023 narrative and one would then ask what about the promises that were fed to people during the drum up support towards 2018 watershed elections?
Hon MP from the MDC Alliance Memory Mbondiah posted a picture dishing out sanitary wear to women in rural areas. She was putting her MDC regalia and she was giving sanitary wear to a Zanu PF woman who was putting on a Zanu PF regalia, smiling. This was actually good and it created an atmosphere of unity, respect and love. I know some questioned the motive, but basing on the image, it should be the norm in our daily routines. I’m not sure what happened to the lady who received pads from the MDC Legislator, but this was a clear message to the leadership of this country, we are one and we must suspend politics and develop our country. Some people have been denied food handouts particularly in rural set up mainly because they are members of the opposition party. Is it a crime to belong to opposition politics?
Change of Mindset
We need a paradigm shift or approach on development. We have a toxic environment, there is no soberness to deal with the current situation, and our environment is marred by violence, lack of understanding, political dominance, deaths, shootings and other imbalances. I remember there are some senior Government officials who lost their jobs as a result of being seen with an mdc member, or posing for a photo with an MDC person. I remember that police officer who was in trouble for saluting the then Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, Dr Morgan Tsvangirai. My simple question is, Tsvangirai was the Prime Minister for which country? We have failed to contain ourselves, to reflect soberness and level headed, and we have gone to the extreme with national politics. I was following Mnangagwa’s Facebook posts, and his recent updates on social media on his engagements, and as of late, 97% of the comments you find on social media are insults. He has been showered with all sorts of insults.
Recently Mwonzora was out of the country on Government, I supposed parliamentary business, with the speaker of Parliament, if I’m not mistaken it was an anti-sanction program, and he was in hot soup with some die hard supporters. My simple question the speaker of parliament is from which country? Do we deserve sanctions? Fine, we have to go through the effects of sanctions on the socio-economic development arena of our country, but do we deserve them? Few days ago, the SG for MDC, Charlton Hwende paid a courtesy call to the Zimbabwe diplomat, checking on students in Germany and other issues of diplomacy and International relations, what was wrong with that meeting? I’m not defending the meeting, I would ask a simple question, how many times have the USA President Donald Trump met the democrats and republicans? So many times, and have you heard any noise about it? They are progressive and they adopted a national development mindset to sustain their lives without any interference. It is only in Zimbabwe, where you see a senior Zanu PF member or opposition figure being summoned or suspended for posing for a picture with another person from another political party who does not subscribe to your political affiliation or ideology. This can only happen in Zimbabwe.
Why would you fire live ammunition to a fellow Zimbabwean? If I may say Nelson Chamisa is a 41 year old Zimbabwe who is participating in national politics. Anything bad about it? So why would you tamper with people’s peace for the sake of eliminating your own opponent, to achieve what? When I went through the August 1, shootings, it was a sad event, where some children were left vulnerable to so many kinds of trauma and social imbalances just because of a vote. Killing someone because of power? To achieve what? The other day I saw Dr Energy Mutodi posing for a picture with Advocate Nelson Chamisa the current MDC President on Tuku funeral, he was bashed on social media and some even said, “Do not contaminate our People’s president? What was wrong about it?
Do we need elections?
I’m of the opinion that we must suspend elections for ten years and build Zimbabwe. It’s high time, students, academics, politicians, civic society, business community come together and decide the future of our country. If I may ask what has elections achieved in this country other than leaving Zimbabweans with so many scars, torture and trauma. Each time we have elections in Zimbabwe, we have a story to tell. In 2000, we had serious problems when the boat was about to sink, in 2002, we had controversial land reform which spilled into elections leaving many people dead, displaced and some even fleeing the country. In 2008, we had the presidential run off, which left many opposition members dead, and in 2013, we had few issues mainly because we were coming from a power sharing agreement. In 2017, we had a military coup which gave birth to the so called new dispensation which left over 7 people dead on August 1 as a result of shootings. Today as we speak, the economy is literally dead, and what have we achieved so far after 2018 elections, other than relying on bandages from Botswana and other handouts from other countries. Billions of dollars have gone missing in the central bank of Zimbabwe, as a result of looting.
Conclusion
In a nutshell we are saying, we can do the best for our country. Look at Zambia, South Africa, Namibia and others within our region, they are doing the best. Look at the roadmap Lungu has achieved in Zambia. Every district has a hospital, he launched a 4000 road network for the entire Zambia for road rehabilitation, and look at the new Kenneth Kaunda airport refurbishment etc. we are still fighting over small issues, looting our country to the core, grabbing farms, mines etc.
Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo – D.Phil Candidate (Women’s University in Africa)
Farai Dziva|Outspoken leader of the Zimbabwe Divine Destiny church, Bishop Ancelimo Magaya has said Emmerson Mnangagwa lacks genuine interest in dialogue with the real stakeholders in the whole process.
Bishop Magaya, quoted by Daily News, accused Mnangagwa of dividing the church by meeting with leaders who always nod to everything he says even at the expense of the nation.
“The truth of the matter is that Mnangagwa is not sincere on the issue of dialogue.
His biggest challenge is that he does not know what it takes to end this crisis. He has to be sincere because he is at the centre of our problems.
Polad is a defective process because it’s a political dialogue including only political parties, unfortunately without the biggest opposition party.
Nelson Chamisa said he cannot go to dialogue without an independent convener,” said Bishop Magaya.
Farai Dziva|Outspoken leader of the Zimbabwe Divine Destiny church, Bishop Ancelimo Magaya has said Emmerson Mnangagwa is oblivious of what it takes to end the long standing political crisis in Zimbabwe.
Bishop Magaya, quoted by Daily News, accused Mnangagwa of dividing the church by meeting with leaders who always nod to everything he says even at the expense of the nation.
“The truth of the matter is that Mnangagwa is not sincere on the issue of dialogue.
His biggest challenge is that he does not know what it takes to end this crisis. He has to be sincere because he is at the centre of our problems.
Polad is a defective process because it’s a political dialogue including only political parties, unfortunately without the biggest opposition party.
Nelson Chamisa said he cannot go to dialogue without an independent convener,” said Bishop Magaya.
Farai Dziva|Outspoken leader of the Zimbabwe Divine Destiny church, Bishop Ancelimo Magaya has said Emmerson Mnangagwa is oblivious of what it takes to end the long standing political crisis in Zimbabwe.
Bishop Magaya, quoted by Daily News, accused Mnangagwa of dividing the church by meeting with leaders who always nod to everything he says even at the expense of the nation.
“The truth of the matter is that Mnangagwa is not sincere on the issue of dialogue.
His biggest challenge is that he does not know what it takes to end this crisis. He has to be sincere because he is at the centre of our problems.
Polad is a defective process because it’s a political dialogue including only political parties, unfortunately without the biggest opposition party.
Nelson Chamisa said he cannot go to dialogue without an independent convener,” said Bishop Magaya.
Firstly, I would like to thank God for this amazing gift that he has given to my old team CAPS United. I am at a loss for words on how grateful I am for this wonderful gift to my team.
I would like to thank the CAPS United president, Mr Farai Jere, for the risk he took when I first walked into his office, thinking about it now today, we couldn’t see what the future was holding.
I am grateful to God for the opportunity he gave me.
Thank you Mr Jere for remaining committed to this team, for remaining strong and these salary delays are common all over the world and you have remained a pillar of strength for CAPS United and, how you have soldiered on, despite all the hardships to keep this club intact, shows what a great leader you are.
I would also like to thank my coach, Moses Chunga, for spotting me when I was just coming from basketball, it’s an amazing story, he took a risk that most coaches wouldn’t but he did it and gambled on me.
And, today, I am what I am because of the opportunity he gave me.
I am grateful to him and I owe it to him for everything that is happening in my life till today and I thank you so much for what you did to me. I would like to thank the Ministry of Sports for the efforts they did to try and get me a letter of exemption of duty, though it didn’t pull through, I am grateful for the efforts and all the other Government officials who tried to assist in this quest of trying to get the exemption letter.
I am grateful to their efforts.
I hope through this gesture, other players can witness and be inspired.
I know most guys are inspired, I know the guys have always wanted to do something for their old clubs, even just grooming at grassroots levels.
I know guys are interested in this but it’s just that we need more support from our Government just to encourage us also, I don’t know how our Government can help us in this regard.
We would be super grateful and I am sure most guys are going to run up even in the small things, it doesn’t have to be a bus, just the small things will make a difference in your old team or the young upcoming players because Zimbabwe has a lot of talent.
It’s just that our talent is not being recognised the way it’s supposed to.
At the end of the day, praise to the Almighty God for all the blessing and such a wonderful day and the amazing thing that has happened, not only in my life, but also in the CAPS United family, to help the team with this bus.
I am grateful to everyone who played a role in my career, I give God all the grace, I have seen God doing miracles in my life throughout my career.
I have gone to places I never thought I would be, I have seen things I never thought I would see, through God and his guidance in my life, I am grateful for everything.
I am at a loss of words at what to really say, to express how I feel, I am thankful for everyone for their outstanding support, I can’t name their names otherwise my speech would be long but I am thankful to all the coaches who coached me in the national team.
They might not be involved in the CAPS United set-up but, to some point, they were involved in how they groomed me to be who I am today.
I would like to thank my family for always being there for me, my grandmother, my mum, my fiancé, my late grandfather, when he was still alive, always praying for me, always being there during the good times and the bad times, I am super grateful.
To all my former teammates that I played with, I am grateful for the times we spent together and the experiences.
My former captain Method Mwanjali, words cannot describe how big a role you played in my life for me to be the man I am today, all the support, the advice, I thank you so much Method, I will always be grateful.
This is a God-given gift, it has nothing to do with Nyasha, I know people are excited, it’s normal but at the end of the day I don’t want the attention on me, I hope people can praise God and thank God for this amazing thing He has done.
I had people from South Africa applauding this but at the end of the day I would like to thank God. I would like to thank the CAPS United family, the fans that believed in me from Day 1 till today, they still believe in me, it’s amazing how voices of people you know nothing about can impact your life in so many amazing ways, I am grateful to them, too.
They have supported my life from the word go to this very day and I thank them for all the support they gave me when I was playing for CAPS and also thank them for the support they gave me when I was playing for the national team.
I am not big on social media but I always follow, once in a while, I check what’s happening on the CAPS United Facebook page.
For all those who came to support, I thank you, for all those who came for the handover, I thank you, the media, I thank you. I apologise once more for not making it today but I am sure I will be free soon and I will meet people, when I can, and I will be able to answer some questions and talk to people like I have always done.
Nyasha Mushekwi delivered this speech, through his sister Nyari, at the National Sports Stadium yesterday on the occasion of the unveiling ceremony of the luxury coach he acquired for his former club CAPS United.
Togarepi ZANU found the behaviour by the MDCA Mps to be disrespectful of the office of the Head of State,in terms of Parly customs and practices which Parliament is expected to observe,” said Adv Mudenda
Zanu is the complainant Zanu is the jury Zanu is the judge
Paul Nyathi|Geoff Makhubo of the ruling African National Congress was elected the new mayor of Johannesburg.
Makhubo was elected at a Johannesburg council meeting on Wednesday.
Last week’s vote was delayed when Speaker Vasco da Gama stated that legal opinion was needed on the election process.
The battle for Johannesburg was settled on Wednesday. Needing 135 votes to seize control of a majority, the ANC’s nominee Geoff Makhubo squeaked home with 137 in his favour. The ballot was decided in the first round of counting, and the party have ended up with a majority of six councillors in the mayoral vote.
The flimsy lead should hold out until the 2021 Municipal Elections. The DA have now lost two metros they earned in 2016, after their coalition also collapsed in Nelson Mandela Bay. This is a dark day for the Blues, but all the talk will be about “Mayor Makhubo” for now.
DA’s Herman Mashaba vacated the position after he tendered his resignation in October.
The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) is struggling to feed and provide medical attention to inmates due to shortages of food and drugs, officials have said.
This emerged at a Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) consultative meeting held in Bulawayo yesterday to assess living conditions in Zimbabwe’s prisons and mental health institutions.
ZPCS provincial commanders, Ingutsheni Psychiatric Hospital and Ngomahuru Psychiatric Hospital officials were invited to share their experiences and challenges from their respective institutions.
The ZPCS commanders indicated that all prisons shared the same challenges of food, toiletry, clothing, medicine and incapacitation, all blamed on the hyperinflationary environment prevailing in the country.
Present at the consultative meeting were commanders from Matabeleland South, Midlands and Masvingo provinces.
ZPCS deputy officer commanding Matabeleland South, Assistant Commissioner Mkhulunyelwa Ngwenya said prisons were facing food and medication challenges.
“We are facing serious challenges, we cannot adequately feed our inmates, neither are we able to treat them due to lack of medicine in our institutions,” Ngwenya said.
The issue of lack of a balanced diet was said to have resulted in malnutrition among inmates.
The prisons officials admitted that they had no vehicles to transport inmates to the courts.
“We are highly incapacitated. We cannot take our inmates to court on time, hence violating their rights,” Ngwenya said.
Ingutsheni psychiatric doctor, Wellington Ranga, questioned the ZPCS chiefs on how they handled inmates with mental health problems when they did not have psychiatric nurses or psychologists within the institutions, at the same time claiming to be rehabilitation centres.
Ngwenya said as ZPCS, they did not have the capacity to recruit psychiatric nurses or psychologists.
ZPCS was also challenged on how they were properly managing their soccer team, Whawha FC, which was elevated to the Premier Soccer League yet failing to employ psychiatrists.
Paul Nyathi|Information just received indicates that at least four people have died in a horrific accident in Masvingo.
Though still sketchy, indications are that the driver of a commuter omnibus they were traveling in lost control of the vehicle near Morgenster Hospital resulting in the four dying on the spot.
Masvingo police Spokesperson Chief Inspector Charity Mazula has meanwhile confirmed the accident indicating that police national spokesperson Superintendent Paul Nyathi will provide more details at a later stage.
Own Correspondent|South African Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has noted and welcomed the adoption of the Border Management Authority Bill by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).
Minister Motsoaledi said the adoption of the Bill by the NCOP gives impetus to the country’s efforts to deal with the country’s porous borders which enable the illegal crossing of people, illicit goods, drugs, trafficking of people, particularly of women and children, and stolen vehicles.
“We welcome the adoption of the Bill by the NCOP. The department must now increase its efforts to prepare for the establishment of the Border Management Authority.
“The implementation protocols with border law enforcement agencies for the mandatory co-ordination of their respective functions within the border law enforcement area and at ports of entry must be finalised within six months of the Bill being signed into an Act,” said Motsoaledi.
The NCOP has referred the Bill to the National Assembly which will consider it before sending it to the President before it becomes law.
Minister Motsoaledi said that the department has been preparing for the implementation of the BMA through the Project Management Office.
The adoption of the Bill by the NCOP means that the work of this project management office will be accelerated.
Paul Nyathi|Member of Parliament of the MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe, Priscilla Misihairabwi Mushonga has refused to join the Parliament Privileges Committee set up by Jacob Mudenda yesterday to decide on what parliament needs to do on Nelson Chamisa led MDC legislators who boycott parliament whenever President Emmerson Mnangagwa comes to the house.
On Mudenda's committee investigating MDC MPs for refusing to recognise ED Misihairabwi says:"I have a conflict of interest.I can't go and sit on a committee whose matter I have a preposition on,do you want me to reveal my conflict of interest?,&the speaker said, 'not necessary'." pic.twitter.com/uRUJBaObcP
Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, who was appointed part of the 10-member committee chaired by Jonathan Samkange, declined the appointment saying she was “conflicted”.
The committee is tasked with investigating the conduct of MDC MPs towards Mnangagwa and determine possible action to be taken by parliament.
It should report its findings by 28 February next year.
Paul Nyathi|Zanu PF has sensationally accused human rights activist Dougie Coltart of funding the doctors demonstration that took place in Harare on Wednesday.
The party’s usual spin doctor George Charamba pinpointed at Coltart when he responded to ZANU PF Youth League Secretary for Administration Tendai Chirau Twitter post questioning where the doctors got funds to prepare well presented placards for their march.
“Who capacitated the incapacitated Drs to demomstrate? The banners and posters are not cheap.”
In a sensational tweet on Wednesday Charamba through his account Jamwanda said, “Dougie Coltart who affords to fly in some small helicopter with bags of money to pay the doctors to remain on strike. Zvino zvaponga!! Good question Sec for Administration!! Really using your vast skills to interrogate strange occurrences in our Land. Hapana kwavanosvika havo asi.”
Chamisa Saluting ED As President Wil Stop Mnangagwa From Stealing from RBZ, & Stop Him From Killing Own Citizens Like DDT, Improve The Economy? @nelsonchamisa@edmnangarwa
Chamisa Saluting ED As President Wil Stop Mnangagwa From Stealing from RBZ, & Stop Him From Killing Own Citizens Like DDT, Improve The Economy? @nelsonchamisa@edmnangarwa
Correspondent|Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe left behind $10million (R146.2m) in a foreign currency account with local bank CBZ and extensive properties – including a farm and residential houses in Harare as well as his rural Zvimba home – which are set to be bequeathed to his flamboyant wife, Grace, and his four children.
The declaration of the contents in Mugabe’s estate by his family has, however, sparked allegations that some of the properties were omitted, as no will was found for the veteran politician, who died at the age of 95 in September.
The estate that was registered with the Master of the High Court in Harare includes 10 vehicles and five residential houses in Harare, three farming and rural properties in Zvimba, state media reported.
In January, three former employees appeared in court for allegedly stealing $1m in cash from a briefcase at Mugabe’s Zvimba home.
Mugabe’s luxury Blue Roof mansion in Harare, which had earlier been claimed by his ruling Zanu-PF party, was included in the list of his assets after President Emmerson Mnangagwa allegedly directed that the property be transferred to his family.
By Farai D Hove| The presidential guard soldier who open fire and emptied his magazine at state house 2 weeks ago has heen named.
Writing on his twitter portal, the exiled former Information Minister, prof Jonathan Moyo revealed his name as he said he has been detained at the KG6 Hospital for 2 weeks to date.
Wrote Prof Moyo: “Pvt Novet Joshua Magandu 33yrs old is detained & admitted at KGVI 2 Referral Hospital Ward 1, Bed 3 & wasting away from taking a cocktail of 5 of the strongest anti psychotic drugs.
“He’s lost mental & bowl control in 2 weeks. His family has had no access to him since his arrest!”
Paul Nyathi|Exiled former ZANU PF information guru Professor Jonathan Moyo has revealed that the allegedly insane soldier who fired live rounds at State House is admitted in a Military hospital and allegedly being denied access to his relatives.
Moyo made the revelation on his Twitter Handle.
Pvt Novet Joshua Magandu 33yrs old is detained & admitted at KGVI 2 Referral Hospital Ward 1, Bed 3 & wasting away from taking a cocktail of 5 of the strongest anti psychotic drugs. He's lost mental & bowl control in 2 weeks. His family has had no access to him since his arrest! https://t.co/DeBAzDp1ND
Mourners hold a poster during the state funeral of Zimbabwe’s longtime ruler Robert Mugabe at a national sports stadium in Harare.
Reuters – The process of establishing the assets of the late Robert Mugabe will take some time, his lawyer said on Tuesday, casting doubt on a state media report that the former Zimbabwean leader left $10 million (7.79 million pounds) and some properties in the capital.
Zimbabweans have speculated for years about Mugabe’s wealth, with many assuming that he and his family amassed a vast fortune – perhaps as much as $1 billion, according to a leaked U.S. cable from 2001 – during his 37 years in power.
The government-owned Herald newspaper said Mugabe’s daughter Bona Chikowore wrote in October, the month after her father’s death, to the High Court seeking to register the estate.
The paper listed assets including $10 million in a local bank, four houses in Harare, 10 cars, one farm, his rural home and an orchard.
One of the properties is the palatial home known as Blue Roof in an upmarket suburb where Mugabe lived.
The list does not include several farms that he reportedly owned or a dairy business he ran with his wife Grace, or any property outside Zimbabwe.
Mugabe’s lawyer, Terrence Hussein, told Reuters that the Master of the High Court would this week appoint an executor to compile Mugabe’s assets and liabilities.
He said the properties listed in the Herald report were not in Mugabe’s name while his rural homestead had no title because all communal land in Zimbabwe is owned by traditional chiefs.
Blue Roof and another house in Harare are owned by the ruling ZANU-PF party, although President Emmerson Mnangagwa has previously promised to transfer them to the Mugabe family.
COMPILE ASSETS
“The first task of the executor will be to compile assets and then decide who will be a beneficiary. Therefore the suggestion that the estate has been finalised is untrue and misleading. The long drawn-out process has only begun,” he said in response to written questions.
“The 10 cars are a vintage car collection which frankly had value only to him.”
The Herald said Hussein had also asked the court to register the estate, saying he and the family had not found a will.
Under Zimbabwean law, the estate of a person who dies intestate is distributed between their spouse and children.
Hussein would not say whether he had written the letter, saying the matter was before the court. Bona Chikowore did not answer calls to her mobile phone.
A diplomatic cable from the U.S. Embassy in Harare in 2001 published by WikiLeaks said Mugabe was rumoured to have more than $1 billion of assets in Zimbabwe and overseas but it had no reliable information.
Social media posts showing his sons Robert Jr and Bellarmine Chatunga with bottles of expensive champagne at a Johannesburg nightclub and reports of Grace’s shopping sprees have offered glimpses of lavish spending.
A legal dispute in 2014 over a $5 million villa in Hong Kong suggested the family had been buying overseas property. The government said it owned the house.
Latterly, Mugabe complained about his retirement package and said he could not afford to maintain Blue Roof.
Mnangagwa hinted last week that the Mugabe family owned a number of farms in Zimbabwe and that the government would leave them with just one, in line with rules limiting farm ownership.
British Police in West Midlands have announced they are searching of a 21-year old Zimbabwean man who is wanted for for alleged robbery. Their “wanted person’s ” notice reads:
#WANTED| Do you know the whereabouts of Brian Dube, aged 21, and Natasha Teasdale, aged 23, from Coventry?
The pair are wanted for a robbery at an address on Southcott Way in #Coventry on Friday 15 November.
Anyone with information can contact us via LiveChat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight, or call 101 anytime.
Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111. Please quote crime reference 20CV/270698F/19.
A travel agency has taken Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) to court after the football body failed to settle a US$55,000 debt incurred during the 2019 COSAFA Women’s Championship.
ZIFA who is yet to respond to the claim flew 52 people to Port Elizabeth, South Africa for the tournament which ran from July 31 to August 11.
Travel Genius has approached the High Court after the association ignored several demands to settle the bill.
“First defendant (ZIFA) is in material breach of the agreement in that service was rendered and it has failed to pay the total amount of US$55,164 on the agreed date. Despite several demands, the first defendant has failed, neglected or refused to pay the said amount,” the travel agent’s lawyers said in the summons filed at the court.
ZIFA has been sued several times this year for failing to clear their debts.
In September, a garnishee order was placed on the association’s accounts after a former employee approached the courts, seeking to recover a compensation package of $518,331.81. They were also ordered to pay back US$1,2 million to Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) borrowed to send the Warriors to Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon in 2017.
The current total owed by the football body stands at over US$ 8 million.Soccer 24
LONDON– Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister launched an epic rant at Virgil van Dijk after the Liverpool star made a joke about the Juventus hero at the Ballon d’Or awards.
Anfield ace Van Dijk finished second to Lionel Messi as the Barcelona forward bagged a record sixth Ballon d’Or trophy, while Ronaldo finished a distant third.
Ronaldo did not attend the glitzy do in Paris and instead showed up at the 2019 Gran Cala del Calcio do in Milan to pick up the Best Player in Serie A gong.
Ronaldo knew he would not claim a sixth Ballon d’Or and Van Dijk made light of the fact in an interview with Dutch TV channel RTL7 before the gala.
Asked if Ronaldo’s absence meant he had one fewer rival to beat to claim the crown, the Champions League winner said: “Was he a rival then?”
The tongue-in-cheek response prompted an almighty rant from 34-year-old Ronaldo’s older sister Katia Aveiro on Instagram.
She wrote: “I think there are people living completely frustrated and unrealistic!
“It is well-known that Ronaldo will not win tonight’s prize. Although he has won important collective titles . . . but this is another conversation. We will see where the truth about football will come!
“Now, dear Virgil, where you are going, Cristiano Ronaldo has gone and come a thousand times.
You see, my dear Virgil, that Cristiano Ronaldo was a tri-champion in the country where you have been playing for years and you still haven’t got your hand on the trophy. Cristiano Ronaldo was even the best player and best scorer in the country where you play, Virgil. By the way, he was younger than you.
“Then, dear Virgil, Cristiano Ronaldo went to other places and became the greatest player in the history of Real Madrid. Tell you something, Virgil? Maybe so, because this club, with this Cristiano guy, even beat you in the Champions League final . . .’’’ — The Sun.
