Freeman Chari| I am not asking MDC to do extra-ordinary things. All I am saying is, if an MDC member’s house is burnt down, we should be there to rebuild it with a better and stronger one in 3 weeks. If one of ours is killed, their family should never want for anything. That should be priority.
“Unofira mahara!” should never be a statement that touches an MDC member. MDC should be the best friend of its resilient members. When we were student leaders and were expelled many people laughed at us but when Nordic countries offered scholarships perceptions changed.
This is not an out-of-this-world idea. With the power of his word @nelsonchamisa can team up with @advocatemahere and we can have a solid Foundation that helps victims through schools etc. It should be a mark of dignity to have been persecuted for a better Zimbabwe.
South African and Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed sugar producer Tongaat Hulett (THL) yesterday said it intends to institute civil claims against former and current top executives at Hippo Valley Estates Limited and Triangle Limited, over misstatements in its financial reports.
Zimbabwe-based executives facing civil claims include John Chibwe (Hippo Valley Estates Finance Director), Mr Sydney Mtsambiwa (former managing director of THL’s Zimbabwean operations), Mr Raphael Pfunye (Zimbabwe Sugar Sales Finance Executive) and Mr Steve Frampton (former Zimbabwe Sugar Sales General Manager).
From a criminal law perspective, Tongaat is engaging South African Police Services and the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa to “assist them in pursuing those parties who the NPA determines should be prosecuted”. “Equivalent authorities will be engaged in Zimbabwe and Mozambique where applicable,” said Tongaat.
The decision to prosecute and recover assets comes after the JSE-listed company received the results of a six-month forensic probe into its finances carried out by auditors.
Auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), found that profits and assets had been overstated in earnings reports. The PwC report was released on Friday last week.
“Certain senior executives initiated or participated in undesirable accounting practices that resulted, among others, in revenue being recognised in earlier reporting periods than it should have been, and in expenses being inappropriately capitalised to assets,” PWC said.
“This resulted in profits in the respective years being overstated, and in the overstatement of certain assets in THL’s financial statements.”
The PwC investigation identified that certain agreements in Zimbabwe which, in substance, were financing arrangements, were structured as sales of significant sugar stocks, and accounted for as sales every six months, at financial half year and year-end.
Furthermore, even though at least part of the sugar stocks comprised raw sugar, these “sales” were accounted for as sales of refined sugar, and priced accordingly. As a result, revenue pertaining to sugar sales was overstated.
The PwC investigation also revealed that there were a number of governance failures pursuant to which internal policies, guidelines and frameworks were not followed, creating an environment in which “senior executives could initiate or participate in the financial reporting misstatements”.
From the PwC investigation, it appears that personal financial enrichment of key senior employees was largely limited to the financial incentives paid to them during the years in which they achieved their employment targets.
Zimbabwean executives were mentioned as some of the individuals “involved in some or all of the above practices, to a greater or lesser extent.”
“Disciplinary action has been or is being taken in relation to certain of the senior executives referred to above and other individuals.
“The Board is considering the institution of civil actions against the senior executives referred to above and other individuals, including, among others: actions to recover bonuses and benefits paid to specific executives and other individuals for the relevant periods; and applications to court for orders declaring relevant people to be delinquent directors or otherwise incapable of occupying fiduciary positions.”
The Board is considering the institution of civil actions against the senior executives referred to above and other individuals, including, among others “actions to recover bonuses and benefits paid to specific executives and other individuals for the relevant periods; and applications to court for orders declaring relevant people to be delinquent directors or otherwise incapable of occupying fiduciary positions”.
Hippo Valley shares on the ZSE are currently suspended from trading after the firm had missed three deadlines to publish its financial results.
Allegations of financial misappropriation against South African-headquartered parent company Tongaat Hulett Limited (THL) had forced Zimbabwean subsidiary, Hippo Valley Estates Limited to postpone publication of its FY2019 results.
A Grade 7 pupil was killed, while at least two others and two adults were critically injured after being hit by a speeding Mercedes-Benz at Shawasha Grounds in Mbare yesterday morning.
The deceased, who was identified as Kudakwashe Mabhande, was pushing a cart and was dragged under the wheels of the Benz.
He had just passed his Grade 7 examinations with eight units.
When The Herald arrived at the scene, his father was seated a few metres away from his son’s body and in shock.
After hitting the boy, the car swerved to avoid a parked lorry, but hit the driver standing by the vehicle, before swinging to the other side of the road and ploughing into a group of vendors, injuring at least two children and one more adult.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, giving details, said the Benz, which was being driven by a woman, was heading towards the central business district and had just passed Rufaro Stadium when the multiple accidents occurred.
Asst Comm Nyathi said the driver could have accelerated accidentally instead of the braking, losing control of the vehicle, resulting in it running over several people, including vendors who were selling their wares by the roadside.
One of the witnesses, Mr Tendai Linde, said: “I was parked on the side of the road and when I was about to start off , I checked my rear view mirror and noticed that there was a speeding car coming behind me.
“So I decided to stay put and let it pass. When I was about to check my mirror again, I heard a loud bang at the back of my car. I then saw a boy who had been pushing a cart behind me being dragged for a few metres under the speeding car. When we got to him, he was already dead,” he said.
Mr Linde said the driver then swerved to avoid hitting a lorry that was parked on the side of the road and hit the driver instead.
The driver was tossed into the air and he fell head first on to the tarmac.State media
Staff Reporter | There is public outrage, after Vice President of the MDC-T Obert Gutu, went on Twitter, to attack Doug Coltart referring to him as “the son of a Rhodesian-era Selous Scout” and demanding that he and his father David apologise for pre-independence atrocities by the government first.
Wrote Gutu :“The son of a Rhodesian-era Selous Scout is crying louder than the bereaved!
This guy, together with his racist Rhodesia Front Selous Scout father, must firstly apologise & repent for the murderous & genocidal crimes they committed at Chimoio & Nyadzonia in Mozambique in Nov. 1977.”
Gutu was reacting to a lawyers march against police brutality in Harare, following the assault of Coltart at the central police station.
Police inside the station assaulted Coltart while he was representing a teachers’ union leader, Obert Masaraure, who was arrested for taking part in a protest last week.
Zimbabweans did not take kindly to Gutu’s views of the Coltart family, wrote one Zandoto, I’ve deleted my response to this tweet, nine times, because I had loaded unkind words about this shameful behavior of judging others by colors of their skins & history they didn’t participate in. I’m unsettled by this kind of hate on 2019AD. It’s scary to think that these are the leaders waiting to govern this country. Ma1.”
Correcting Gutu, another Twitter user under the name Chibayamoyo wrote, “ I don’t know when people will choose to be truthful. Dave Coltart was never SS. He was BSAP just like Chiyangwa who was a FR. This info is easily available to verify. I wonder what his boy should apologise for? “
THE prices of bread have gone up to $18 from $14 a loaf, further putting pressure on already overburdened consumers who are struggling to put food on the table due to the escalating prices of basic goods.
A snap survey done by NewsDay Weekender yesterday revealed that a standard Bakers Inn loaf was now going for $18, while a Lobels loaf was trading at $16,50 in supermarkets.
National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe president Denis Wala said he could not comment on the issue as he was attending a long meeting.
In January, a loaf of bread was going for 90 cents, but the prices have continuously been going up due to shortages of wheat and foreign currency as well as rising costs of fuel and power outages, which have forced many bakers to rely on costly generators.
In his 2020 national budget, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube removed government subsidies on maize and wheat causing a sharp rise in mealie-meal and bread prices.
But on Wednesday while addressing Zanu PF youths in Kadoma, President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced that government would restore the subsidies.
Exiled politician Professor Jonathan Moyo, has taken a swipe at ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa saying the man has never been a leader and lacks a moral compass.
In a wide ranging interview with the local daily Newsday, Moyo, also makes assertions that Zimbabwe is a Chinese government puppet, and that should Vice President General Chiwenga succeed Mnangagwa, in ZANU PF power struggles, he too will be illegitimate.
Said Moyo, “There’s no leadership to assess. Mnangagwa has never been a leader and he will never be a leader. This is because leadership is about morality. You cannot be a leader when, like Mnangagwa, you have no moral compass, you never speak to the nation on moral issues because you know you are a disaster on that score; and when you have no regard for human life; and you take pride in shortening the lives of your opponents.”
“A leader with a moral compass empathises with the people and their everyday struggles; understands their suffering and is committed to fulfilling their aspirations through people-centred policies, which are not declared at Press conferences, boardrooms or in meetings, but are implemented on the ground.”
Moyo alleged that Mnangagwa has proven that he has not risen above his historical role as the Gukurahundi chief instigator and enforcer.
A TEENAGE girl was grisly murdered by her uncle for coming home late on Wednesday night.
The girl only identified as Melissa of New Canaan in Highfield was reported to have been in the company of her lover only identified as Faison until around 7pm when the uncle Christopher Hwachi, 52, walked into the two and started assaulting them in the street.
Body of Melissa arriving at Machipisa police station
Faison sustained injuries on his arms during the attack for being in the company of Melissa before he took to his heels.
When she went home, Melissa met her fate with the uncle using pots and pans to assault her resulting in her death.
A sister to Hwachi’s late wife is Melissa’s mother.
Neighbours said they tried to restrain Hwachi but he went berserk assaulting the girl.
Hwachi was subsequently arrested and was assisting police with investigations at Machipisa police station and is expected to appear in court today.
“We heard noise and rushed to the scene and found Hwachi assaulting Melissa accusing her of spending most of her time caressing Faison,” said one of the neighbours.
“Melissa apologised and he left her and went out to watch European football and upon returning he assaulted her using pots and pans; he was hitting her in the head.
“Hwachi is someone who do not socialise with his neighbours and never approved of Melissa’s affair with Faison nekuti anogeza motokari,” said the neighbour.
One of the neighbors said Hwachi had been denied of his several se_xual advances to the girl which angered him forcing him to descend heavily on Melissa.
Neighbours followed proceedings at Machipisa police station where the body was initially before it was taken to Harare Central Hospital.
“Idzi ndidzo dzinonzi mhepo dzakaipa dzakabata baba ava dzekurova mwana zvekufa,” one of the onlookers was heard saying by the police station.
Melissa’s relatives refused to speak to the media.
— BMetro
A teenage girl was grisly murdered by her uncle for coming home late on Wednesday night.
The girl only identified as Melissa of New Canaan in Highfield was reported to have been in the company of her lover only identified as Faison until around 7pm when the uncle Christopher Hwachi, 52, walked into the two and started assaulting them in the street.
Body of Melissa arriving at Machipisa police station
Faison sustained injuries on his arms during the attack for being in the company of Melissa before he took to his heels.
When she went home, Melissa met her fate with the uncle using pots and pans to assault her resulting in her death.
A sister to Hwachi’s late wife is Melissa’s mother.
Neighbours said they tried to restrain Hwachi but he went berserk assaulting the girl.
Hwachi was subsequently arrested and was assisting police with investigations at Machipisa police station and is expected to appear in court today.
“We heard noise and rushed to the scene and found Hwachi assaulting Melissa accusing her of spending most of her time caressing Faison,” said one of the neighbours.
“Melissa apologised and he left her and went out to watch European football and upon returning he assaulted her using pots and pans; he was hitting her in the head.
“Hwachi is someone who do not socialise with his neighbours and never approved of Melissa’s affair with Faison nekuti anogeza motokari,” said the neighbour.
One of the neighbors said Hwachi had been denied of his several se_xual advances to the girl which angered him forcing him to descend heavily on Melissa.
Neighbours followed proceedings at Machipisa police station where the body was initially before it was taken to Harare Central Hospital.
“Idzi ndidzo dzinonzi mhepo dzakaipa dzakabata baba ava dzekurova mwana zvekufa,” one of the onlookers was heard saying by the police station.
Melissa’s relatives refused to speak to the media.
Tinotenda Kadewere scored a twice on Friday night as Le Havre registered a 2-1 victory at Rodez in the French Ligue 2.
The Zimbabwean striker who now have 4 braces this season struck in the second half to see his side coming from behind to win the match.
Kadewere first found the back of the net a minute into the second half to restore parity for the Sky-and-Navy. He came back again ten minutes later and got the winner after converting from the spot.
The 23-year-old also scored on his return from an injury last weekend against Guingamp. He leads on the Ligue 2 scoring chart with 15 goals from sixteen games.
Chippa United coach Norman Mapeza is reportedly targeting Orlando Pirates midfielder Bongani Sam as one of his potential signings in the Januuary transfer window amid the quest to bolster the Chilli Boys squad.
The Zimbabwen coach seems to have breathed some life into the Port Elizabeth-based outfit after arriving there with them not only languishing at the bottom of the table but also without a single win. However, back to back wins over Amazulu and Black Leopards have fuelled the fight for survival hence the need for squad reinforcements.
According to South African publication Soccer Laduma, Mapeza has his sights set on the 22-year-old Sam, who also plays for the South Africa U-23.
Sam has not really had the much needed game time at the Soweto giants and has not made any appearance since he joined them.Soccer 24
It was once one of the most famous shopping locations in Zimbabwe but the collapse of the country’s economy meant the Ximex Mall was unsustainable. When it closed, the street traders and illegal venders moved in, making it their own and turning what was once one of the city’s best shopping malls into a hive of down-market activity. It became a dumping ground with locals throwing their domestic waste into the abandoned mall. Like much of economically devastated Zimbabwe, it lay for a long time as a battered shell of its former self.
Ximex Mall has an interesting history spanning back decades. The property developer Sam Levy converted a car showroom into a department store in the 1960s and then into a shopping mall however with the economic crisis that tore Zimbabwe apart, the mall closed and was sold on for redevelopment. The new owners, NSSA, had plans to build a multi-storey office and shopping destination however while closed, it became a hub for street venders trading illegally and selling items such as phones. Police were constantly raiding the building to shut it down however the street dealers returned. Many people in the economically ravaged country take chances where they can to make ends meet. The Ximex Mall became a waste ground with rubbish piling up in various parts of the mall.
Ximex mall was located in one of the more upmarket areas in Harare and locals were not happy about the abandoned building and the people it was attracting. There were calls for it to be demolished and it was recently demolished and turned into a parking lot.
Harare’s most difficult place for passers-by — the former Ximex Mall area, the commuter bus terminus near Road Port and Copacabana — have attracted the attention of the police following numerous reports of abuse, especially against women.
About 250 dealers were arrested between Thursday and yesterday as police seek to restore order in Harare.
Reports on Saturday morning indicate that police have maintained their grip on the areas into the weekend with scores more of people being cleared from the area or arrested.
According to the reports, police are targeting suspected money chargers and anyone found with suspicious foreign currency.
With no toilets at the former Ximex Mall, people that have “occupied” the area relieve themselves in the open, especially on the Main Post Office wall, and a strong stench is felt around the place.
But since Thursday, police have been conducting patrols to weed out the illegal dealers, and about 250 people have been netted so far.
Most of the suspects were arrested at the former Ximex Mall, Eastgate Mall, Chinhoyi Street (Copacabana) and at Road Port.
On Thursday, police arrested 144 people, 100 of whom were illegal foreign currency dealers who were picked up for obstructing the free movement of people; 15 were vendors, eight were hitch-hikers, while 21 were arrested for dangerous parking.
Yesterday, 99 people were arrested, with 50 being forex dealers, 15 hitch-hikers and 34 for dangerous parking.
Some of the suspects were released after paying fines, while others will appear in court facing different charges.
But by yesterday, some dealers were back to the streets and were playing hide-and-seek with police officers, who were on patrol.
Enterprising dealers abandoned the former Ximex Mall and moved to Angwa City Building, where a few others were already operating from, in a bid to avoid the police.
However, police are now using video cameras from some high rise buildings near the hotspots, taking video footage of the dealers for easy identification.
Officer Commanding Harare Province Commissioner Bernard Dumbura confirmed the arrests and said the operation was continuing until sanity was restored.
“We are urging members of the public to be disciplined, especially drivers. They should follow the rules and regulations when travelling on road,” he said.
Comm Dumbura said it was disturbing to note that some of their officers were being attacked by unruly elements during the course of their duties.
“We would like to warn people who are engaging in any form of violence that the long arm of the law will catch up with them. They will have themselves to blame,” said Comm Dumbura.
A 16-member gang in Harare’s central business district (CBD) recently attacked three police officers on patrol, before breaking into some shops along Leopold Takawira and Rezende streets where they stole cash, mobile phones and other wares.
A police communication radio was also stolen, while a civilian was robbed of US$100 and $1 900.
Speaking at a crime awareness campaign on gender-based violence focusing on the 16 days of activism and drug use and abuse at bus terminuses this week, Harare Police Spokesperson Assistant Inspector Webster Dzvova said touts had become a menace in the CBD.
“We are facing challenges when it comes to touts. They verbally abuse women and children on streets and ranks,” said Asst Insp Dzvova.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe recently said police must decisively deal with criminals and hooligans who have become law unto themselves.
By Nelson Chamisa|HEALTH IS OUR WEALTH… A government that orders baton sticks,sjamboks and canisters yet claiming to have no money for doctors’ salaries, drugs & medicine is no government. It’s vital for citizens to create a new situation and reorder national priorities.#Acttogether #Actionnow
In a drama-filled incident a 28-year-old man was beaten up before he was arrested for stealing biltong from a retail shop in the city centre and stuffing it in his underwear.
The incident which attracted the attention of the shoppers happened at around 4pm last week on Friday at OK Jason Moyo Street.
Eugen Moyo (24) who was in the company of his two friends were buying alcohol at the supermarket.
While they were in the process of buying Moyo snatched a packet of biltong and stuffed it in his underwear.
Unbeknown to him he was captured on closed circuit television (CCTV). When he was making his way out of the shop a security guard arrested him.
“I was alerted by my boss in the control room that Moyo had taken a packet with two biltong pieces. We searched him and found the pack in his underwear,” said a security officer who requested anonymity.
The security guard went on to say Moyo tried to flee but onlookers effected a citizen’s arrest and pummelled him for his misdemeanour.
“They beat him and tore his shirt and three-quarter short. We took him to Bulawayo Central Police Station where a docket of theft was opened,” he said.
He appeared on Monday at Bulawayo magistrates’ court before magistrate Jeckonia Ncube facing a theft charge.
He pleaded guilty.
He took to the stand: “Your Worship, I apologise for stealing the biltong. On that particular day I was drunk and I acted under the influence of beer and I don’t know what I was doing. May you forgive me, I vow not to steal again.”
Police at the scene of an incident on London Bridge in central London following a police incident, Friday,
British police have shot dead a man who had strapped a fake bomb to his body and stabbed several people on Friday, including two fatally, in what they said was a “terrorism incident” near the London Bridge area of the capital.
The attacker went on the rampage just before 2pm (14:00 GMT), targeting people at Fishmongers’ Hall in the heart of the city’s financial district.
Authorities announced that the attacker was 28-year old Usman Khan, who had been had been convicted of terrorism offences and was released from prison last year.
“A male suspect was shot by specialist armed officers from the City of London police and I can confirm that this suspect died at the scene,” the United Kingdom’s top counterterrorism officer, Neil Basu, told reporters on Friday.
“A number of other people received injuries during this incident,” Basu said. “We believe a device that was strapped to the body of the suspect was a hoax explosive device.”
Following the deadly incident, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday it was important to enforce terrorism-related sentences, as The Times newspaper reported that the knife attacker had been convicted of an “Islamist terrorism-related offence” and released from prison about a year ago.
“It is a mistake to allow serious and violent criminals to come out of prison early and it is very important that we get out of that habit and that we enforce the appropriate sentences for dangerous criminals, especially for terrorists,” Johnson said.
A video posted on Twitter showed a group of about half a dozen men wrestling with someone on the ground on the pavement of the bridge during the attack. One of them backs away from the scene carrying a knife.
As he looks towards the melee, an armed police officer drags another person away from the man on the ground.
Soon after, what sounded like two gunshots rang out, and the man on the ground stops moving. Reuters could not immediately verify the footage.
In a statement on Twitter, London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “I remain in close contact with the Metropolitan Police and am being kept updated with events.”
My statement on the incident at London Bridge.
“It has been confirmed that people were injured in the attack. My heart goes out to them, their families and all affected,” it said, adding that people must stay “resolute” and “united in the face of terror”.
There was a heavy police presence in the area, which was sealed off as helicopters circled above. Several buildings were put on lockdown. People in buildings around the scene were evacuated to the north side of the River Thames by security services.
Connor Allen, an events manager who was near the scene, told Al Jazeera he heard “quite a few” gunshots.
“Everyone just started running, that’s what you do in that situation,” he said, describing scenes of “pandemonium”.
The UK’s main opposition Labour Party announced it would suspend all campaign events on Friday in light of the attack.
The ruling Conservative Party also stated it was unlikely that its events would go ahead on Saturday.
In a tweet, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn posted: “Shocking reports from London Bridge. My thoughts are with those caught up in the incident. Thank you to the police and emergency services who are responding.”
In June 2017, at least eight people were killed in the London Bridge area when attackers ploughed a van into pedestrians before carrying out a stabbing assault at Borough Market.
In March the same year, an attacker stabbed a policeman close to London’s parliament buildings after a car ploughed into pedestrians on nearby Westminster Bridge.
Six people died, including the assailant and the policeman he stabbed, and at least 20 were injured in what police called a “marauding terrorist attack”.
Earlier this month, Britain had lowered its national “terrorism” threat level to “substantial” from “severe”, its lowest level since 2014.
Vice President, Rtd General Constantino Chiwenga’s military generals who were key in executing the November 2017 coup against President Robert Mugabe, have allegedly declared war on President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and are said to be a step closer in launching another military operation to relieve Mnangagwa of his duties, Spotlight Zimbabwe, has been told.
The reports come hard on the heels of news last week, that the Chinese government and leadership have reportedly told Mnangagwa that his time to vacate office is up, and he should either retire or resign, or risk facing unspecified political action from Beijing, despite continuing to wear a brave face in public and making a symbolic cabinet reshuffle.
ANALYSING SPOTLIGHT OPINION ARTICLE ALLEGING MILITARY CLASH WITH MNANGAGWA https://t.co/bgHhCjazyJ
Some of the top generals in cabinet who include foreign affairs minister, Sibusiso Busi Moyo, who according to speculative media reports has been suddenly taken ill for treatment in South Africa this week and lands and agriculture minister, retired Air Chief Marshal, Perence Shiri, are said to be now at odds with Mnangagwa’s leadership and appalling statecraft, which has seen the economic situation deteriorating to stratospheric levels.
There are also growing fears around minister Moyo’s family circles, that he might have been poisoned just like VP Chiwenga, who has survived his alleged poisoning through the skin of the teeth, after undergoing special medical operations at a military hospital in China.
Defence ministry sources said another quartet of generals forced to retire and take up ambassadorial postings by Mnangagwa early this year, are understood to “have declared war against Mnangagwa” and want him removed following alleged damning intelligence, that his political faction in government and Zanu PF could be responsible for the spate of poisoning affecting influential military leaders.
The four retired generals include: retired Lieutenant Generals Martin Chedondo, Douglas Nyikayaramba, Anselem Sanyatwe and Air Vice Marshal Shebba Shumbayaonda.
Mnangagwa removed them from their posts in February and “promoted” the quartet to diplomatic service, while Chiwenga was absent in India for treatment, resulting in suspicion that Mnangagwa was taking advantage of Chiwenga’s absence to coup-proof himself by purging the VP’s close allies in the armed forces, all who were pivotal during Mugabe’s ouster.
“There is a damning military intelligence document with information, that Mnangagwa’s backers and faction in government and the ruling party could be responsible for the spate of poisoning affecting influential leaders in the army,” a senior official close to defence minister, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri’s office said.
“VP Chiwenga’s advisor, former Ethiopian ruler, Mengistu Haile Mariam, who also had an advisory hand in Operation Restore Legacy two years ago, after getting worried about Chiwenga’s health advised the military to conduct investigations into the VP’s poisoning, and it appears that almost all the generals involved in Mugabe’s coup have been exposed to poisoning of some sort, including minister Moyo, although the official line is that he is suffering from a kidney ailment.
“So it’s basically an all out war, and we are nudging towards another putsch. Those generals are angry, and the operation itself now depends on Chiwenga giving the greenlight.”
Mnangagwa himself suffered ice-cream poisoning in Gwanda in August 2017, and was ironically rushed to South Africa for treatment via air, through Manyame Air Base upon instructions from an alert Chiwenga, who was still Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Commander, at the time. (Readers please note this allegstion by Spotlight haa been found to be untrue.)
A September report in a wide circulating British newspaper, reported that Mnangagwa is so afraid of being poisoned by rivals that he no longer eats in public.
Spotlight Zimbabwe, first reported in May this year, that a hardline military faction backing Chiwenga’s political doctrine and ambitions, was on the verge of booting Mnangagwa out of office, through another subtle military intervention, allegedly called ‘Operation Restore Economy’, and the operation might have started to slowly be in motion, so it might seem.
Further compounding the situation for Mnangagwa is defence minister, Muchinguri-Kashiri’s tacit admission that the country’s 30,000-strong defence force is hungry, sick and ill-equipped.
“We are expected to host other defence forces but no-one wants to come here because of these conditions,” she told parliamentarians at a conference to plan for finance minister Mthuli Ncube’s budget speech last Thursday.
“We can’t beg for food for soldiers. These are people who have sacrificed themselves. We need food rations, as we are expected to provide 30 items, but we are only giving them 10.
“We are expected to provide four sets of uniforms but they have only one. You can identify a Zimbabwean soldier by their worn-out uniforms,” said Muchinguri-Kashiri, in remarks published by South Africa’s Sunday Times newspaper.
“It’s unfortunate that there are some people who have the kind of thinking that it will be one way. But we fought all the way and got here, which means we also want to win it," Ngezi Platinum FC coach.
State Media|IT was on August 15, 1942, in Majakatira village, Chief Chatongoza in Chiwundura communal lands, Midlands, when a baby boy was born after only seven months in its mother’s womb. His birth did not bring with it much joy, as he was a premature baby with a tiny body filled with little energy that made it difficult for one to carry him in the arms.
Extra care and additional clothing was needed to carry him. Back in that village, babies born prematurely were regarded as misfortune that would bring catastrophe to the community. Culture and tradition had it that the baby should be cast out of the village.
Village elders were then seized with responsibility of casting away that baby, but were supposed to convene a meeting to decide on how to dispose of the baby.
The village elders’ decision was final, according to the village’s traditional and cultural laws. As fate would have it, a few weeks into his birth, Joseph Mechanic Manyeruke got seriously sick. His illness seems to have sent a message to the village elders that the ancestors were not happy and they must cast away the premature baby as soon as possible or misfortunes would befall their village.
Without wasting time, a meeting was convened. One elderly woman was tasked to mould a big clay pot (“gate” in Shona) in which the baby was to be bundled in before being dumped on the banks of a nearby river.
His mother, Hakuna, was not informed of the village elders’ decision, neither was his father, Magundani. Sad! On the fateful day when Mechanic was supposed to be cast away from the village, elders also convened a meeting and proceeded to the Manyeruke homestead.
No one to this day has an explanation as to how the gospel singer’s father, who was not at home that particular time, got word of the village elders’ resolution and that they were at his homestead to take away the “misfortune” from the village.
This is the sad story of the life of legendary gospel singer Baba Mechanic Manyeruke as he narrated it to The Herald on Saturday Lifestyle this week.
“My mother told me that she suddenly saw my father arriving moments before I was bundled into the big clay pot. They wanted to take me to the river where I was to be washed away.
“I was told of how my father stood firm, telling the villagers that there was no one who was supposed to touch or think of taking me anywhere.
“On that day, my mother told me, I was so sick that she could not feel my heartbeat. This was despite the fact that I was slowly breathing.
“I was told how my father strongly warned people who had come to take me away that if they dare touched me, someone was going to face the music,” said Baba Manyeruke, as he found comfort on a sofa at his Chitungwiza house.
The village elders later left their homestead letting his parents nurse him until he regained his health. Interestingly, Baba Manyeruke captured his true story on the track “Vakandichengeta Mai” from the album “Dzokororo” released last year. But for him it was not yet over. It then came a time to name the baby.
Baba Manyeruke had a brother called Nkathazo who made and repaired metal pots and cups. He loved and was so passionate about his job to the extent of preferring to be called by the moniker, Makanika. Nkathazo then grabbed an opportunity to show the world how much he loved his job and came with a suggestion to name his younger brother Makanika.
“It was how the name Mechanic came about. My father named me Joseph and Nkathazo came with Makanika. “It was the nurses at the hospital who wrongly spelt the name and wrote Mechanic on the birth registration forms but it was supposed to be Makanika in Shona.”
As he grew up, the name Mechanic became more popular. “It appears people were keen on giving me names from my birth and do you know how the Baba came about? “I was referred to as Baba Manyeruke on the first day I stepped at RBC (Rhodesian Broadcasting Corporation) now ZBC. I had gone to record my first song “Mukoma Udzai Mai Kuti Ndaroora” after being called by producer Steven Kavhayi.
“That song was the only track that I did, which is not gospel. The youngster referred to me as Mudhara Meks, meaning elder. Then they began calling me Baba Manyeruke,” he recalled. Baba Manyeruke’s life seems to have been characterised by hurdles as he grew up.
He started working at Lyons Zimbabwe as a general hand before going to work as a gardener in the leafy suburbs of Borrowdale and Vainona for years up until he became an established singer. Although he is a role model to many and a celebrity to others, he feels all is not yet okay with him.
Without mentioning how he has been let down by people who had promised him a top of the range car — Jaguar XF — Baba Manyeruke has nothing much to show off for his fame, besides his house along Mandela Road in Chitungwiza. He does not own any other business as his life solely revolved on music.
On Thursday morning, when The Herald on Saturday Lifestyle visited him at his house, he was pre-occupied with his car — a Nissan Terrano — which he was thoroughly cleaning, preparing to sell it.
Baba Manyeruke wants to sell the Nissan Terrano to raise money to purchase roofing materials for the house he is building in Chiundura, Masvingo.
He has been failing to raise the money for quite some time and selling the car is the only option left for him. The renowned singer is married to Hellenah Manyeruke, who was also busy with laundry when we arrived at their house. Mai Manyeruke also told of how she and her friends called Baba Manyeruke Mr Two Dollars after he gave her a $2 note in the Harare Gardens when they were on a date.
“I first met him in Mabvuku at a church conference where he was a guest singer. We then went on a date and it was when he gave me $2. I was so annoyed and went to tell my friends, who then nicknamed him Mr Two Dollars after the incident,” she said.
Malawi Voice| Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has seized Zambian Chibuku super which was smuggled into the country worth K 5 million.
Speaking with Malawi News Agency (MANA) in Lilongwe on Friday at MRA Lilongwe offices during the destruction of the confiscated products, Customs Office Manager, Patricia Gondwe said the Chibuku Super was confiscated in Lilongwe and Mchinji districts.
She said the products were smuggled into the country through uncharted routes and they were intercepted and kept in our ware house.
“Malawi customs and exercise act under section 145 says if any goods have committed customs offence they are liable to forfeiter,” Gondwe said.
She said the products were being destroyed at Chibuku factories because the MRA does not have the facilities to destroy the products.
Chibuku Products Limited Operations Manager, Barter Chunga said the company in collaboration with MRA they has done a second wave of destruction of the smuggled Chibuku this year.
Chunga: it is affecting our business in Malawi- Photo by Roselyn Phiri,MANA
He said the product is not coming into the country in a proper way and it is also affecting the Market for Chibuku Super Malawi.
“The smuggled Chibuku which is coming through Mchinji boarder is affecting markets in Mchinji, Lilongwe Kasungu and we have seen the same product going in markets in the rural areas like Nambuma,” Chunga said.
He said it is a serious thing as it is taking up Malawi market which was suppose to be taken up by Chibuku Super Malawi.
He said they have managed to confiscate 12,000 litters of Chibuku Super Zambia.
Chunga said the supply of Chibuku super Zambia does not signal failure of the Chibuku Products Limited as the company has capacity to supply in all its markets.
He added that the smuggled product has taken almost 50 percent of their markets.
The Manager said there is a health risk with the smuggled Chibuku because a consumer does not know how the product was produced and sometimes it comes in the country expired.
“Smuggled Chibuku is not certified by the Malawi Bureau of Standards unlike the Malawi Chibuku super which is certified and also the consumer can come at any point in time to check how it is produced,” he pointed out.
Paul Nyathi|MDC Alliance councillor for Marondera Central, Charles Ngwena who was recently arrested with party activist Paul Chikuni for instructing police officers to arrest President Emmerson Mnanagwa instead for organising an anti-sanctions march, were yesterday set free by Marondera magistrate Patience Chirimo.
The pair represented by human rights lawyer Tinashe Chinopfukutwa was initially charged for undermining the authority of the President, but the offence was altered to obstructing the course of justice were acquitted on any wrong doing by the court.
Ngwena is a councillor for ward 4 in Marondera Central while Chikuni is a municipal police officer.
On October 23, at around midday, police officers identified as Constables Nyambisi, Mutiforo and Moyo all from ZRP Marondera Central were on patrol at Marondera Bus Terminus when they arrested Patrick Chabvata (31) who was selling bananas in a push cart.
It is alleged that while escorting Chabvata to the police station, the police officers passed by Ngwena and Chikuni who were in their Toyota Prado parked in central Marondera.
It is alleged that Ngwena shouted at the police officers in vernacular saying: “Mapurisa munopenga munosunga vanhu vanotambura endai munosunga Emmerson ari kuita ma anti-sanctions march (You police officers are insane. You are busy arresting poor people instead of arresting Emmerson who is organising anti-sanctions marches).
Chikuni allegedly disembarked from the vehicle and grabbed Chabvata’s push cart and pushed it away. The altercation attracted attention of passers-by who converged at the scene resulting in the police officers leaving, fearing for their safety.
In Marondera Magistrate Garakara sets free Councillor Charles Ngwena represented by @ZLHRLawyers after he was arrested in October&charged with obstructing course of justice&undermining ZRP after he allegedly questioned #ZRP's selective application of the law in prosecuting people
Paul Nyathi|MDC Vice President Tendai Biti has denounced the latest government mouse which obliges exporters to pay for electricity in US Dollars saying the move is a clear sign that de-dollarisation will simply not work.
“The regime has just gazetted SI 249 of 2019 which obliges exporters to pay for electricity in US$. This is further proof that de-dollarisation is not working and will not work,” said Biti.
“Quite clearly the instrument is null and void. The RBZ does not have the powers of currency selectivity.
“The regime’s penchant for rule by regulation is dangerous and authoritarian. Only autocratic regimes bypass Parliament and rule by decree.
“The country is being run by clueless louts on the basis of ill-thought kick and hope policies and policy reversals have become the order of the day.”
According to the new regulations, exporters will now have to pay Zesa in foreign currency, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) ordered yesterday in a statutory instrument, and Zesa can only use that foreign currency to pay for electricity imports, spare parts or critical equipment, foreign loan repayments and foeign insurance premiums.
Even exporters that export less than 80 percent of their output will still have to pay 35 percent of their electricity bills in foreign currency, although they can pay the whole lot in forex if they want to and the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority and the RBZ have to approve.
The new regulations are contained in Statutory Instrument 249 of 2019, titled Exchange Control (Payment for Electricity and Related Services in Foreign Currency by Exporters and Partial Exporters) Order, 2019.
Media Statement|Meeting Between Doctors Representatives and the Catholic Bishops and The Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe Representatives 29/11/2019
Today the ZHDA and SHDA representatives met the Catholic Bishops and Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe representatives at their request to discuss the challenges in the and map a way forward with the government with a view to resolve them.
The Bishops highlighted their expression of the plight of the people which they did to the Presidium and their wish to see a closure of the differences that are visible between the government and the doctors.
Doctors expressed their gratitude for the effort made by the bishops. It was reiterated to them that doctors are not on strike but are incapacitated through: 1. Financial incapacitation 2. Lack of drugs, sundries and breakdown of equipment at the hospitals and 3. The need for a safe environment for patients and doctors.
The Presidential moratorium was discussed, and it was noted that no implementation framework had been unveiled for this moratorium as yet.
The doctors expressed their hope that the moratorium will be extended as needed in line with the timelines availed by the negotiations.
Negotiations are ongoing with the government and the government has expressed commitment to getting the issues resolved quickly as evidenced by the activity since the moratorium was issued.
Own Correspondent|Italian International Footballer, Mario Balotelli Bawuah has called out world leaders for sabotaging the growth of Africa.
The Olympique Marseille striker says world leaders know the reason why Africa continues to be lagging behind in development but are silent because they benefit from it.
In a lengthy write up, he blamed them for stealing African riches for centuries only to frown on Africans when they travel to the western world for greener pastures.
According to Balotelli the western world wouldn’t face any immigration challenges from Africans had they not been stealing African riches.
“How can Africa be poor if it’s the richest continent” – Balotelli blames World Leaders for sabotaging Africa, “How can Africa be poor if it’s the richest continent” – Balotelli blames World Leaders for sabotaging Africa.
To conclude a long piece, the Italian footballer with Ghanaian heritage said Africa is for Africans so the West should stop putting their hand in the continent’s riches.
Independent|A SHAKE-UP is imminent in the Zimbabwe Republic Police, with Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga set to be replaced, as President Emmerson Mnangagwa continues to ring changes within the security sector, in a systematic bid to consolidate his grip on power, while whittling down the influence of his deputy Constantino Chiwenga, the Zimbabwe Independent can report.
The impending changes, government officials said, follow hard on the heels of significant alterations Mnangagwa has instituted within the security sector and government since ascending to power in 2017 through a military coup that toppled former president Robert Mugabe.
Mnangagwa has made some key changes within the military, the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) and government circles as he seeks to strengthen his grip on power, while emasculating Chiwenga’s influence.
Chiwenga returned from China last week where he was receiving medical treatment, only to find that Mnangagwa had reshuffled cabinet and appointed his loyalists.
Through the reshuffle, Mnangagwa also took into consideration complaints from Zezurus that the President’s Karanga tribe is dominating cabinet and the security sector. He appointed some Zezurus loyal to him, in a move seen as part of an ethnic balancing act.
Sources in the Home Affairs ministry told the Independent this week that Matanga, who was appointed to head the police in the aftermath of the November 2017 putsch, is set to be replaced.
The current Deputy Commissioners-General, Stephen Mutamba, Mind Elliot Ngirandi, Learn Ncube and Lorraine Chipato are being considered for the position while Registrar-General Clemence Masango, a former high-ranking police officer, is also in the running.
Masango, a Mnangagwa loyalist, served as immigration boss after moving from the police, before being appointed RG.Matanga replaced Augustine Chihuri, a perceived Mugabe loyalist who fled the country in the aftermath of the military coup. “Changes are looming in the police. On paper they are meant to improve the efficiency and operations of the police. But in real terms, these changes must be seen in the broader context of the ongoing changes Mnangagwa has been introducing in the security sector as he consolidates his grip, while weakening his ambitious deputy’s influence. The President wants trusted lieutenants in key positions,” a senior government official told the Independent this week.
After narrowly winning last year’s disputed polls, Mnangagwa embarked on a purging spree, removing some influential generals within the military perceived to be loyal to Chiwenga. The initial security changes and reconfiguration in the aftermath of the 2017 coup are widely read as Mnangagwa’s drive to flush out the residual elements of the Mugabe regime within the command structure of the army, while diminishing Chiwenga’s influence.
As reported by this newspaper in February, as a result of the volatile political and military dynamics in the current state of flux, Mnangagwa has swiftly manoeuvred to neutralise Chiwenga, coup proof his regime and consolidate power.
Early this year, Mnangagwa redeployed personnel in the Presidential Guard and Mechanised Brigade, where senior commanders and troops, who played critical roles in the coup, were shifted or removed.
Senior commanders who have since been retired and posted to diplomatic missions include Major-General Anselem Sanyatwe, who was commander of the Presidential Guard; former Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) chief-of-staff (administration) Douglas Nyikayaramba, chief-of-staff responsible for service personnel and logistics, Major-General Martin Chedondo, and Air Vice-Marshal Sheba Shumbayawonda.
Media Statement|Setting Up Of A Privileges Committee to Investigate the Conduct of MDC Members of Parliament Fundamentally and Procedurally flawed.
The purported setting up of a Privileges Committee ostensibly to investigate the conduct of Members of Parliament who did not attend the Budget Presentation on the 14th of November 2019 is fundamentally and procedurally flawed and against the tenets of democracy justice and fairness. Apart from the fact that the Opposition Chief Whip Honourable Prosper Mutseyami officially notified the Speaker of the unavailability of the MDC Members of Parliament, there is no provision or rule which compels backbenchers to attend any particular session.
What we find disconcerting is that on the day that Pupurai Togarepi the ZanuPf Chief Whip moved the motion for the setting up of Privileges Committee the Speaker did not even reflect on the matter but immediately made a Ruling to refer the matter to the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders and he had already shown that this matter had been predetermined when he responded to Honourable Temba Mliswa that the MDC Members of Parliament would be “punished” and in this regard whatever is going to happen is a charade.
There are breaches of the letter and spirit of the Constitution which in its preamble recognizes our diversity and the Founding Values and Principles in Section 3(2) d include the respect of the the Rights of all Political parties. The Speaker of the National Assembly has failed to show leadership and has dismally failed to discharge his responsibilities as an impartial arbiter and presiding officer.
The MDC Members of Parliament articulated the issues but the Speaker went on to unilaterally make a decision without following due process in terms of which it was the Committee of which he is only a chair which was supposed to make the determination.
Furthermore once the Speaker had unilaterally stated that members of the MDC who are supposed to be investigated could not be part of the Committee it equally meant that Members of ZanuPf could equally not be complainant prosecutor judge and jury rolled into one
The Speaker and his fellow ZanuPf Members also failed to appreciate that the discord in Parliament emanating from the disruptive behavior of members who are refusing to accept the chairing of Committees by MDC members who are appointed by the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders is a symptom of the bigger political question of legitimacy.
The critical issue is the the MDC members of the Committee dissociated themselves from the drama which violated all the principles of fairness . It’s unfortunate that ZanuPf Members failed to see reason and appreciate that as a country the issue of the illegitimacy of Emmerson Mnangagwa cannot be resolved by viciousness but through sincere and genuine dialogue.
We feel vindicated because when Honourable Chikwinya raised the issue of the Members who are causing pandemonium and mayhem and disrupting Parliament Business the same Speaker did not respond with the same vigour and urgency but instead decided to evade the issue by declaring that the matter was under consideration by the CSRO when the issues are different.
The bottom line is that the Jacob Mudenda has dismally failed the test and will probably go down as the worst Speaker in our country. Autocracy and partisanship can only result in the dysfunctionality of the Institution when all that is required is to take off the political party lenses when Presiding over Parliament and being in charge of its Administration.
Innocent Gonese
MDC Secretary for Justice and Legal Affairs
B-METRO|NOBHEKIMPILO Mbovora, affectionately known as Vivica, has opened up on her dressing which sparked a social media frenzy recently after she turned up in Zodwa Wabantu fashion fora lecture at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust).
Vivica said at the same time of seeking attention which she achieved, part of her goal was to fight for women’s rights.
“Women in my hood are raped and abused by men but in the name of umendo (marriage), they’d rather suffer in pain and I’m here to speak out against such abuse.
“More so there are A-level students who cannot afford to go to varsity due to the economy and I’m hoping that one day when I’m famous, I will be able to be of help,” said Vivica.
Statistics have it that in Zimbabwe, about one in three women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence and about one in four women have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15.
Clearing the air, Vivica revealed that she was a feminist, determined to stand for all women who are deprived of their rights and she was determined to achieve her dream through modelling.
“Men shouldn’t be affected by how we dress, if it was a man half-naked, it wouldn’t be an issue but just because I am a woman, it becomes an issue, it’s high time the society stops treating women as possessions,” said Vivica, who was dressed in a bum short.
Vivica’s pictures and videos which went viral on social media made her a target of verbal abuse as people in her class called her names.
Some of the comments in the class’ WhatsApp group which B-Metro Entertainment is in possession of read: “We should gang bang on her, she really needs to be transformed.” “She should be f****d by uhlanya (mad person).” “She really needs to be infected with STIs and HIV.”
This did not go down well with the young lady who visited the publication’s offices on Tuesday to clear the air on her dressing and the agenda of fighting for women’s rights.
Vivica said many people had adopted western dressing and wondered why some people would want to prescribe what she should wear.
“Zimbabwe is a multicultural society, choice of dressing should be respected,” she added.
Vivica is a first year student at Nust studying Computer Science, ambitious to invent something new as a girl child. She has made a name for herself by being the first student to wear a transparent highly revealing gear.
“Dressing doesn’t define character,” she said.
One on one with Vivica.
Q: What did your parents say about your outfit?
A: My mum is very open and somehow she has no problem with that.
Q: How about your boyfriend?
A: Well, I have never dated, and I’m not interested in that kind of stuff yet.
Q: Have you ever been to a bar?
A: I don’t take alcohol and I’ve never been into a club, my religion doesn’t approve of such, I am a Seventh Day Adventist.
Efforts to get a comment from Vivica’s mother to hear her side of the story were fruitless as she said, “She can’t talk to the media”.
Minister lures doctors with free ZUPCO bus transport. "ZUPCO buses, transport to and from work has been put in place," health minister Obadiah Moyo says pic.twitter.com/M4zIv2npKv
File Picture of Villagers matching to attend a traditional court hearing
A Gokwe man was fined three cows after he bedded his stepmother before confessing that he had bedded half the married women in his area due to his insatiable se_xual appetite.
Albert Musokeri (25) of Gokwe under Chief Chireya slept with his father’s second wife Ketina Musokeri (35) who is 10 years his senior.
A source close to the family said Albert and his stepmother had an affair close to two years behind Albert’s father, Joshua Musokeri. “Albert and his stepmother have been seeing each other for close to two years now but Albert’s father did not know about it.
“At some point he started suspecting that his wife was having an extra marital relationship with someone but not knowing it was his own son. He then hatched a plan to follow Ketina everywhere she went,” said the source.
On the fateful day, Musokeri followed his wife who had gone to fetch water but did not find her. He traced her shoeprint and caught the pair red handed having se_x in the bush. He then reported the awkward incident to the village head who forwarded the matter to Chief Chireya.
Chief Chireya confirmed presiding over the case.
“I can confirm that l presided over a case where a man slept with his father’s wife. I ordered the man to pay three cows, and the woman to pay three goats,” said Chief Chireya.
“The young man also confessed that he had slept with over half of the married women from his area because his father had given him juju which resulted in him having a huge se_xual appetite,” added Chief Chireya.
A protester captured leading a lion against police dogs in Iraqi protests.
Paul Nyathi|Iraqi citizens have been launching a series of relentless protests against the ruling political elite since 1 October 2019.
They are accused of systemic corruption and inability to rule the country.
Police recently threatened the protesters with trained dogs. However, what stunned people is one of the protesters who brought out a lion to the protests as a way to defend himself from the angry police dogs.
BBC reports that at least 13 people have been killed in in a fresh wave of protests in the southern city of Nasiriya on Thursday morning.
Meanwhile, the violent protests are still on going as the police keep clashing with demonstrators.
Correspondent|Officials in Namibia say preliminary results from this week’s presidential election will be reported instead on Saturday because of delays in counting results that “could not be finalized as expected.”
“The ECN experienced unexpected connectivity challenges in certain constituencies relating to the transmission of election results,” said the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) in a statement.
Those affected came from parts of Windhoek and six other regions, with an analysis from The Namibian suggesting results may indicate loss of support for incumbent President Hage Geingob in urban areas.
Yet Geingob was holding a strong lead late Friday with roughly 80 percent of the southern African nation’s constituencies counted. Geingob and his ruling South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO) party held 66.4 percent of the vote. His strongest challenger, independent Panduleni Itula, had 15.7 percent of votes cast while the third-place candidate, Bernardus Swartbooi of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) was at 5.2 percent.
Geingob has pressed advantage as the candidate to whom SWAPO remains loyal, while fending off concerns over Namibia’s struggling economy and a major corruption scandal that blew up days before the election. Itula, a dentist and longtime SWAPO member, emerged from internal party clashes as a challenger with a progressive, youth-oriented vision for Namibia’s stagnant economy.
The incumbent received 92.5 percent of the vote during 2014 elections, but Namibians are turning to alternatives in this election, which featured 11 candidates. Most of them have attracted less than 2 percent of the tally each.
The process has been mostly peaceful, with a number of African Union and Southern African Development Community observers on hand.
The SADC, which said it sent 53 observers from eight member nations led by Zimbabwe’s Oppah Muchinguri, said during a press conference Friday that at least one demonstration was shut down by police using tear gas.
Harare, Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe’s food security situation poses a potential threat to national security and can cause civil unrest and general insecurity in the country, a top United Nations envoy warned.
The UN special rapporteur on the right to food, Hilal Elver, who was in the troubled Southern African country from November 18-28, said the food security situation could potentially worsen by the end of the year.
In her preliminary findings, she said the international community should scale up humanitarian aid to eliminate hunger and malnutrition in the country.
“Finally, let me echo the words of a government official I met in Harare: ‘food security is national security’. Never has this been truer than in today’s Zimbabwe. Food insecurity and land conflict increase the risks of civil unrest and insecurity,” Elver said in her report.
“The international community must scale up its humanitarian assistance and provide for most of the resources needed to eliminate hunger and malnutrition in times of food emergency.
“I urgently call on the government and the international community to come together to put an end to this spiralling crisis before it morphs into a full-blown social unrest.”
She said early warning mechanisms to monitor the economic and social rights of the citizens should be put in place to prevent further suffering.
Elver said the food security situation in urban areas was a cause for concern, saying the currency crisis, a heavy tax system, unpredictable inflation rates, high levels of unemployment and low wages had worsened the food crisis affecting urban households.
Zimbabwe adopted the use of the US dollar in 2009 after hyperinflation drastically reduced the value of the local currency.
But “dollarising” the economy hit a major bump in 2015 when greenbacks started vanishing from the formal banking system.
In a bid to end the US dollar shortage, Zimbabwe’s central bank introduced bond notes – a form of surrogate currency – that was backed by a $200m bond facility from the Africa Export-Import Bank.
But black market speculation quickly eroded the bond note’s value, triggering a shortage that the central bank tried to offset by creating electronic notes.
Then this past February, bond notes – both physical and electronic – were merged into the Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) dollar, also known as the Zimdollar.
In June, the government moved to defend the Zimdollar against speculators by banning all foreign currencies in local transactions. But the effort has largely failed after the Zimdollar quickly fell prey to black market speculation that sent its value plummeting.
The Zimbabwe dollar is currently trading at 1:20 against the US dollar on the black market.
“As economic inequalities are on the rise, the once thriving middle-class of Zimbabwe is severely impacted by the crisis. Civil servants, doctors, nurses, and teachers are no longer able to feed their families without alternative sources of livelihood,” she said.
The situation, according to Elver, is so bad in the urban areas that several people are surviving on just one meal.
“Many of the people I spoke to in Harare, told me that they could only afford one meal a day,” she said.
“I witnessed the consequences of the disastrous economic crisis on the streets of Harare, with people spending long hours queuing for fuel, as well in front of banks to get cash, and in shops to obtain cooking gas or water.”
Elver said several Zimbabweans she spoke to in Harare, the capital of the Southern African country, told her while food was readily available in supermarkets, inflation of up to 490 percent had made them “food insecure”.
According to Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVAC), urban food insecurity is now affecting 2.2 million people.
She also raised concern that some of the country’s citizens were living under what she described as inhumane conditions.
Scores of people who escaped from poor rural areas and moved to the cities in search of job opportunities to improve their access to sufficient and adequate food and other public services had ended up living in informal settlements that are multiplying in the suburbs of Harare, the report said.
Among other things, spreadable diseases are seen increasing because of the use of unsafe and inefficient water and open sewage.
“I visited one of the settlements located south of Harare. Approximately 5,000 people were living in inhuman conditions without any infrastructure, without jobs, without hope, and help,” said Elver.
“One resident of Chikos, told me that ‘I do not think they even know we exist’. Most of the public schools in Harare are no longer able to continue their school feeding programmes. At best, some schools are able to offer one meal a week per classroom.”
The report paints a desperately gloomy picture of the humanitarian situation in the country.
“The most vulnerable segments of society, including the elderly, children and women, are forced to rely upon coping mechanisms such as, school dropout, early marriage, and sex trade to obtain food, behavioural patterns that often are accompanied by domestic violence,” she said.
“This kind of struggle for subsistence affects their physical wellbeing and self-respect. It creates behaviour and conditions that violate their most fundamental human rights.”
A total of 60 percent of Zimbabwe’s 14 million population is considered food-insecure and living in a household that is unable to obtain enough food to meet basic needs.
By the end of this year, the food security situation is expected to “worsen” with an estimated eight million people requiring urgent action to reduce food consumptions gaps and save livelihoods.
According to recent data released by the ZimVAC, 5.5 million people, 38 percent of the rural population, is currently facing food insecurity.
Periodic droughts, poor rains and erratic weather patterns have been blamed on last season’s poor agricultural production.
The number of food-insecure people is expected to almost double in early 2020 compared with the same period in the prior year. The peasant community, which produces 70 percent of staple foods (maize, millet and groundnuts), is particularly vulnerable.
It has access to less than 5 percent of irrigation facilities, and is struggling to access productive resources due to cash shortages, Elver said.
She added widespread poverty, limited employment opportunities, liquidity challenges, pervasive corruption, economic instability, mismanagement of funds, natural disasters, recurrent droughts, and economic sanctions and conditionalities by the US and the EU all contributed to Zimbabwe’s current crisis.
Independent|FORMER Finance minister and Harare East legislator Tendai Biti says Zimbabwe needs to reintroduce the multi-currency regime, seek debt cancellation and liberalise the fuel industry, among other interventions, to get the economy ticking again.
In an interview, Biti also said a political solution is key to addressing Zimbabwe’s economic crisis and resolving the crisis of legitimacy emanating from last year’s general elections.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa beat MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa by a wafer thin margin although the MDC insists the elections were rigged.
“We can easily do that (solve the legitimacy crisis) through dialogue between Nelson Chamisa and Mr Mnangagwa,” Biti said.“We need to establish a national transition mechanism as a matter of urgency.”
Biti also said government should repeal Statutory Instrument 142/19 with immediate effect, and the government should go back to the regime of multiple currency even with the local currency working as a medium of exchange and the exchange rate will find equilibrium.
“We need to restore the multiple currency in particular the US dollar and the rand as the legitimate legal tender in Zimbabwe,” he said.The government, Biti said, should amend the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act to stop the RBZ from printing money as the solution to cash crisis.
“We need to protect the economy against the excesses and the rock behaviour of the central bank” Biti said.“We need to ban the export surrender requirements as a matter of urgency to avoid government taking people’s money in the name of export surrender requirements.
“We also need to liberalise the fuel market so that anyone with free funds should be able to import fuel to ensure availability of fuel at a cheap and affordable price.”
Biti said the government should ring-fence pensions and savings in US dollar terms to avoid devaluation of pensions and savings.The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority, he said, should be allowed to levy its charges in US dollars. This will enable the parastatal to import the required 400 megawatts of electricity.
Biti believes the government should get rid of command agriculture and introduce incentives to the farming sector.
“Every farmer must have a title deed, the banking sector must mobilise resources to finance agriculture,” Biti said.The MDC vice-president said government should also weed out “the more than 400 thousand ghost workers” from the civil service to reduce the government wage bill.
On the 2% tax on electronic transfers, Biti said it must be lifted with immediate effect while reducing corporate tax. He said government should introduce flat tax across the board of 15% provided the country adopts the use of multi-currency as legitimate legal tender in Zimbabwe.
“We have to invest in our infrastructure and this needs about US$20 billion, but to do this we should first solve the current Zimbabwe debt structure,” Biti said.
“We have to negotiate with the World Bank with the international community and this requires a government that is respected by the international community but Zanu is not respected.”
Biti said the government should find ways to negotiate with the US and the Paris Club of creditors before seeking debt cancellation on the quid pro quo for sound economic behaviour. “Zimbabwe’s debt should be cancelled,” he said.
Samson Murombo, a lieutenant colonel in the Presidential Guard (PG), who was the commanding officer at State House, was last week transferred ‘‘to the pool’’ at the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA)’s headquarters, now known as Josiah Magama Barracks following the shooting that took place at the State House.
Speaking to the Daily News, unnamed sources said that there was no way Murombo could have retained his position considering that he previously clashed with First Lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa who accused him of spying on her.
One of the sources said:
“He (Murombo) was indeed the commander (when last week’s shooting incident happened) and should have been more vigilant … but he slept on the job by keeping a mentally ill person to guard State House.”
“In the process, he compromised the security of the president and as such he has had to be removed from there.”
Murombo has been replaced by Major Regis Mangezi, a few days after former Cabinet minister and respected war veteran, Tshinga Dube, had questioned why the government had up to this day not established who was behind the Bulawayo assassination attempt.
Mnangagwa’s security concerns have been growing with reports that factionalism was taking shape in the ruling party.
Zimbabwe’s representatives in the CAF Champions League FC Platinum suffered a 2-1 defeat in their opening Group B game against Al Hilal in Omdurman, Sudan on Friday night.
The hosts set an early and took the game to the Platinum Boys, forcing two successive saves from Francis Tizayi. They also got a couple of corner-kicks in the opening moments.
FC Platinum, on the other end, never created a chance until the 17th minute when Gift Mbweti sent his effort wide. The Zimbabwe champions came back again a few moments later with Devon Chafa and Never Tigere, but they both missed the target.
Despite making a couple of goal attempts, Al Hilal continued to hold the edge and broke the deadlock in the 26th minute through Mohamed Musa Eldai.
The Sudanese team had the ball in the back of the net again five minutes later but, fortunately for FC Platinum, it was ruled out for an offside.
The away side tried to pick up the momentum in the second half but failed to break beyond the last line. They, however, relied on shooting from a range and Kelvin Madzongwe got the team’s first strike on target just moments after the hour.
Eldai got his second of the day on the 70th minute to give the hosts a two-goal cushion.
FC Platinum fought back and pulled one back through Never Tigere who converted from a free-kick ten minutes from time. However, the goal was a mare consolation as it ended 2-1 in favour of Al Hilal.
In another Group B encounter also played on Friday, Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia edged a ten-man Egyptian side, Al Ahly 1-0 with Yassine Chikhaoui scoring the solitary goal in the second half.
CAF Champions League – Group B Results: Al Hilal 2-1 FC Platinum Etoile du Sahel 1-0 Al Ahly
RESURGENT Bulawayo giants Highlanders will wrestle for the Chibuku Super Cup against Ngezi Platinum Stars at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon hoping to land their first major silverware in six years.
The Chibuku Super Cup, a tournament that headlined yesteryear football calendars, was reintroduced in 2014, and Highlanders will be aiming to become the first traditional football giant to lift the latest version of the competition.
FC Platinum won the 2014 edition, Harare City were crowned champions in 2015 and 2017, with Ngezi Platinum winning the 2016 edition and Triangle United claiming the 2018 crown.
This year’s edition is being sponsored to the tune of $1.5 million by Delta Beverages and winners of today’s final will pocket $225 000 and earn the right to represent Zimbabwe in the Caf Confederation Cup. The losers will get $150 000.
Highlanders and Ngezi Platinum are facing each other for the second time inside three weeks at the same venue where they drew 1-1 in a league match.
Ngezi Platinum coach Rodwell Dhlakama stoked the flames ahead of today’s encounter by saying they would have beaten Bosso in the league match had they not been awarded a questionable penalty that forced a draw.
Dhlakama, a former Young Warriors, Monomotapa and Chapungu coach, told our Harare Bureau that they are coming to finish off Highlanders in their backyard.
“It’s unfortunate that there are some people who have the kind of thinking that it will be one way. But we fought all the way and got here, which means we also want to win it.
“Obviously, we are aware that we are playing away from home. The environment gives the home team an edge, largely because of the supporters who make up the 12th man,” said Dhlakama.
“That is why we have stressed the importance of psychological preparedness. Of course, you will never get to a point where you say you are 100 percent satisfied, but I believe our guys will be up to the task.
“I am sure they already know what to expect. If you remember earlier this month, we played Highlanders at Barbourfields in a league match and I should say they were very lucky to get a point.
“We had the upper hand and they got a penalty, which I thought wasn’t warranted for the equaliser. I am not a prophet, but I prepare my team well,” he said.
Ngezi Platinum will miss the injured pair of Nielson Ketala and Tichaona Mabvura.
Their hopes will be pinned on goalkeeper Nelson Chadya, experienced defenders Qadr Amini and Polite Moyo, former Ajax Cape Town defensive midfielder Gerald Takwara, Frank Makarati, attackers James Nguluve and Marlon Mushonga.
They also have Donald Teguru, arguably one of their best performers this season.
Bosso, whose preparations for the final were boosted by goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda and striker Prince Dube being voted among the country’s soccer stars, will hope the pair continue with their fine form in the tournament. Sibanda is yet to concede in the tournament, while Dube has scored at every stage.
Sibanda kept a clean sheet in the opening round where they beat Dynamos 1-0, as well as the 3-0 quarter-finals victory over FC Platinum and the 1-0 semi-finals win against ZPC Kariba.
Dube scored in all those matches, with Tinashe Makanda and Denzel Khumalo also on target against FC Platinum.
The quartet as well as defenders Peter Muduhwa, McClive Phiri, Andrew Mbeba and Mbongeni Ndlovu, defensive linkman Nqobizitha Masuku and central midfielder Brian Banda are expected to power Bosso to victory.
“I believe in a good result, but I respect the opponent because it’s a good side. I believe it will be the small details that will matter on Saturday.
“It will not be an easy game, but I believe in a good result. We’re ready for the final,” said Highlanders coach Hendrik Pieter de Jongh.
South African businessman Patrice Motsepe was successful in his bid to prevent a Botswana weekly from publishing negative stories about him relating to a fierce internal political battle in that country.
Almost eight months after it published an article alleging that businessman Patrice Motsepe smuggled R22-million to pay for the political campaign for a rival to Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, Botswana’s Sunday Standard has been muzzled by a court.
In a judgment that was made public on Friday morning, Justice Gabriel Komboni has “interdicted and restrained” the Sunday Standard from “publishing and/or disseminating directly and indirectly false and/or defamatory allegations” about Motsepe.
It also has to “remove any and all false and/or defamatory statements or references relating to or regarding [Motsepe]” published on its website and any other social media platform.
Justice Komboni has also ordered the newspaper to pay the cost of Motsepe’s application, which included two counsel, and he has given Motsepe 30 days to move his defamation application against the paper. Motsepe has claimed damaged of P5-million – or R6.73 million – against Sunday Standard after it published a story stating that Motsepe smuggled money to fund the party presidential campaign of former foreign minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi.
The story was published on 1 April this year, and retracted in the paper the following week, but the allegations were repeated in a story on 10 June without “engaging” Motsepe. The stories were published under a Staff Reporter byline. Justice Komboni agreed with Motsepe’s argument that the paper did this on purpose after he issued his summons for damages. “In my view, the conduct of the Respondent of retracting and then republishing a retracted publication which is deemed defamatory grounds an apprehension of irreparable harm on the part of [Motsepe]. I think that there is a basis for [Motsepe] to apprehend that further defamatory publications may be made by [Sunday Standard].”
Motsepe argued that if the publication of these alleged defamatory statements continued, then “his reputation will continue to suffer and his businesses will be adversely affected”, according to the judgment. Motsepe said “his good name and reputation are important to him and his business partners and other parties that he interacts with and [Sunday Standard] have been made aware of this”. The paper did not file any affidavit to support the facts in its story but said in meetings outside the court that it had this evidence.
Justice Komboni, however, said allegations of a lone person smuggling R22-million “to fund political campaigns in this country [Botswana] is indeed serious. The same allegation shows the perpetrator as someone who breaks the law, possibly several laws of his own country and those of this country. I will say no more”.
Motsepe’s sister, businesswoman Bridgette Motsepe-Radebe, has also threatened the paper with a lawsuit following a series of stories alleging her involvement in a campaign to oust Masisi. Motsepe-Radebe is close to former president Ian Khama, who left the governing Botswana Democratic Party earlier this year to throw his weight behind a new opposition party, the Botswana Patriotic Front, ahead of last month’s elections. The party, however, did not perform as well as Khama might have hoped.
Motsepe-Radebe has been fighting her own battles against negative publicity after her name recently was mentioned in a court case involving an intelligence agent nicknamed “Butterfly”, in which it was alleged that Motsepe-Radebe helped the agent to move billions of dollars into Absa and Nedbank accounts in South Africa. The banks, however, denied that these accounts existed. The Black Business Council (BBC) this week also issued a statement denying that it was pushing for Motsepe-Radebe to resign from the council. On 29 August the Sunday Standard published a story claiming that the BBC requested Motsepe-Radebe to step down “or face a motion of no confidence that will see her dismissed from the association and its 63 business affiliates”. BBC president Sandile Zungu said: “The BBC would like to set the record straight and confirm that Mrs Motsepe-Radebe is in good standing and an office-bearer of the BBC. We would like to reiterate our vote of confidence in Mrs Motsepe-Radebe.”
Sunday Standard editor Outsa Mokone told Daily Maverick the paper will appeal. “Our lawyers have advised us to appeal the judgement in the interest of press freedom in Botswana,” he said in response to a Whatsapp enquiry.
State Media|Exporters will now have to pay Zesa in foreign currency, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) ordered yesterday in a statutory instrument, and Zesa can only use that foreign currency to pay for electricity imports, spare parts or critical equipment, foreign loan repayments and foeign insurance premiums.
Even exporters that export less than 80 percent of their output will still have to pay 35 percent of their electricity bills in foreign currency, although they can pay the whole lot in forex if they want to and the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority and the RBZ have to approve.
Zesa has to keep all these payments in a special foreign currency account, which is strictly limited and used for the four approved purposes, and must in any case have written approval from the RBZ to spend even one US dollar.
The new regulations are contained in Statutory Instrument 249 of 2019, titled Exchange Control (Payment for Electricity and Related Services in Foreign Currency by Exporters and Partial Exporters) Order, 2019.
SI249 was made in terms of the Exchange Control Regulations, 1996, and had the approval of the Minister of Finance and Economic Development.
While the statutory instrument mentions US dollar and Euros by name it says any other foreign currency can be used. All forex payments must be made from the nostro account holding retained export earnings or from a foreign currency account containing free funds. This, in effect, bars companies from using black market funds.
The combined nostro accounts of all exporters have reached very high levels as account holders are reluctant to sell on the interbank market for as long as possible but this statutory instrument should help to ensure more of those retained earnings are used as well as helping Zesa access the foreign currency it needs for legitimate approved payments.
While partial exporters must pay 35 percent of their bills in forex, they can pay the whole bill in forex, but in that case there must be a contract or memorandum of agreement and that has to be submitted to Zera and the RBZ prior to implementation. The same need for advance approval of a contract is required where a customer wants to pay in forex in advance.
The regulations are valid for six months from yesterday unless earlier renewed for another period not exceeding six months.
Paul Nyathi|A popular Holy Bible section warns against speaking to other people’s situations before attending to your own similar issues that may even be of a higher magnitude.
Matthew Chapter 7 Verses 3 to 5 narrates:
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
The above teaching may very well need to be brought to the attention of President Emmerson Mnangagwa who has rushed to condemn attacks on civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo while he fails to say a word when his own soldiers and police brutalise innocent citizens.
Speaking as the SADC Chairman on Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, Mnangagwa is quoted as having expressed “deep concern and strongly condemns” the attacks on civilians and the resultant violent demonstrations against United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) peacekeepers.
“The attacks in Beni have resulted in the death of approximately 80 people, as well as the injury and displacement of many people,” he said.
Shockingly when similar attacks on citizens hit his own country, Mnangagwa is always accusing the western countries for supporting the protests that come as s result of how own failures.
In January this year at least 12 civilians died and hundreds more were injured following a joint police and military crackdown on citizens.
“We regret the loss of life but we needed to protect property as well as other citizens not involved in the protests,” was all that Mnangagwa could say on his own citizens.
“We have told the western countries that they cannot turn around and raise concerns when they are the ones sponsoring the violence,” the privately-owned NewsDay newspaper quoted Mnangagwa as saying.
When he took over from Robert Mugabe in 2017, Mnangagwa pledged to revive the moribund economy and attract foreign investment by ending the country’s international isolation due to its history of violence on citizens.
Speaking on the violence that has erupted in the DRC, Mnangagwa called on the government there to protect citizens something which his own government has failed to uphold back home.
“SADC calls upon the Government of the DRC to take all necessary measures to ensure the protection of civilians, and end the violence perpetrated on peacekeepers,” he said.
He said SADC reaffirms its continued commitment to support the DRC to restore peace and tranquillity and enable the country to return to political normalcy
A Grade 7 pupil was killed, while at least two others and two adults were critically injured after being hit by a speeding Mercedes-Benz at Shawasha Grounds in Mbare yesterday morning.
The deceased, who was identified as Kudakwashe Mabhande, was pushing a cart and was dragged under the wheels of the Benz.
He had just passed his Grade 7 examinations with eight units.
When The Herald arrived at the scene, his father was seated a few metres away from his son’s body and in shock.
After hitting the boy, the car swerved to avoid a parked lorry, but hit the driver standing by the vehicle, before swinging to the other side of the road and ploughing into a group of vendors, injuring at least two children and one more adult.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, giving details, said the Benz, which was being driven by a woman, was heading towards the central business district and had just passed Rufaro Stadium when the multiple accidents occurred.
Asst Comm Nyathi said the driver could have accelerated accidentally instead of the braking, losing control of the vehicle, resulting in it running over several people, including vendors who were selling their wares by the roadside.
One of the witnesses, Mr Tendai Linde, said: “I was parked on the side of the road and when I was about to start off , I checked my rear view mirror and noticed that there was a speeding car coming behind me.
“So I decided to stay put and let it pass. When I was about to check my mirror again, I heard a loud bang at the back of my car. I then saw a boy who had been pushing a cart behind me being dragged for a few metres under the speeding car. When we got to him, he was already dead,” he said.
Mr Linde said the driver then swerved to avoid hitting a lorry that was parked on the side of the road and hit the driver instead.
The driver was tossed into the air and he fell head first on to the tarmac.State media
President Mnangagwa yesterday capped 2 897 graduates at Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) and installed Professor Paul Henry Gundani as the institution’s substantive Vice Chancellor.
A distinguished academic, Prof Gundani took over from Professor Francis Mugabe who had been acting since the death of founding Vice Chancellor Professor Primrose Kurasha in 2017.
At a colourful ceremony held in the capital, President Mnangagwa conferred 1 598 undergraduate degrees, 280 Masters degrees and 15 Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
Women constituted the bulk of graduates at 1 630 which was about 56,2 percent against 1 267 men who constituted 43,8 percent.
The Faculty of Education had the highest number of graduates at 1 432, which constituted about 49,4 percent.
Notable graduates included South Sudanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Deng Boutros Thok who was conferred with a Doctor of Philosophy in Conflict Management and Econet Wireless chief executive Mr Douglas Mboweni who was conferred with a Doctor of Philosophy in Business Leadership.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira said it was high time the country’s education system responded to the needs of industry.
“Remember that as the Second Republic, we are involved in constructing a house. We are involved in building a nation, we are not superficial, we are transforming, we walk the talk,”said Prof Murwira.
“Our problem as a country has never been lack of intelligent people.
To the contrary, our problem has been using systems that are not designed to deliver the output that we desire as a nation, our problem has been a configuration problem, so we have fixed it, move with us.”State media
In a drama-filled incident a 28-year-old man was beaten up before he was arrested for stealing biltong from a retail shop in the city centre and stuffing it in his underwear.
The incident which attracted the attention of the shoppers happened at around 4pm last week on Friday at OK Jason Moyo Street.
Eugen Moyo (24) who was in the company of his two friends were buying alcohol at the supermarket.
While they were in the process of buying Moyo snatched a packet of biltong and stuffed it in his underwear.
Unbeknown to him he was captured on closed circuit television (CCTV). When he was making his way out of the shop a security guard arrested him.
“I was alerted by my boss in the control room that Moyo had taken a packet with two biltong pieces.
We searched him and found the pack in his underwear,” said a security officer who requested anonymity.
The security guard went on to say Moyo tried to flee but onlookers effected a citizen’s arrest and pummelled him for his misdemeanour.
“They beat him and tore his shirt and three-quarter short. We took him to Bulawayo Central Police Station where a docket of theft was opened,” he said.
He appeared on Monday at Bulawayo magistrates’ court before magistrate Jeckonia Ncube facing a theft charge.B-Metro
RESURGENT Bulawayo giants Highlanders will wrestle for the Chibuku Super Cup against Ngezi Platinum Stars at Barbourfields Stadium today hoping to land their first major silverware in six years.
The Chibuku Super Cup, a tournament that headlined yesteryear football calendars, was reintroduced in 2014, and Highlanders will be aiming to become the first traditional football giant to lift the latest version of the competition.
FC Platinum won the 2014 edition, Harare City were crowned champions in 2015 and 2017, with Ngezi Platinum winning the 2016 edition and Triangle United claiming the 2018 crown.
This year’s edition is being sponsored to the tune of $1.5 million by Delta Beverages and winners of today’s final will pocket $225 000 and earn the right to represent Zimbabwe in the Caf Confederation Cup.
The losers will get $150 000.
Highlanders and Ngezi Platinum are facing each other for the second time inside three weeks at the same venue where they drew 1-1 in a league match.
Ngezi Platinum coach Rodwell Dhlakama stoked the flames ahead of today’s encounter by saying they would have beaten Bosso in the league match had they not been awarded a questionable penalty that forced a draw.
Dhlakama, a former Young Warriors, Monomotapa and Chapungu coach, told our Harare Bureau that they are coming to finish off Highlanders in their backyard.
“It’s unfortunate that there are some people who have the kind of thinking that it will be one way. But we fought all the way and got here, which means we also want to win it.
“Obviously, we are aware that we are playing away from home.
The environment gives the home team an edge, largely because of the supporters who make up the 12th man,” said Dhlakama.State media
FORMER CAPS United forward Nyasha Mushekwi yesterday completed the clearance of the luxurious bus he bought for his old club.
He brought in the outstanding documents which were required by Zimbabwe Revenue Authority officials to finalise the transaction.
The Zimbabwe international bought the US$120 000 bus for his former team as a token of appreciation for the part they played in his development as a footballer. Yesterday, Zimra officials completed the clearing process after Mushekwi brought in the last documents. The bus left Beitbridge yesterday evening and was expected to arrive in Harare today.
The tour will see the bus travelling to Bulawayo before arriving in the capital today. Speculation was rife that customs officials were demanding that CAPS United should pay an undisclosed amount.
But it has since emerged that customs officials only wanted some original paperwork which was missing from papers that were lodged to Zimra at the Beitbridge Border Post. The specially-customised 45-seater passenger bus has excited the Green Machine fans.
The gesture has also been applauded by other clubs. The bus came through South Africa, where it was branded after it was shipped from China. “It’s God’s work, CAPS United put me on the map. I’m thankful to God for this opportunity and I know the situation back home and it’s like, as and when I can help, I should be able to do so,’’ Mushekwi said.
‘‘God is always doing amazing things, we give praise to Him. I love my team, they are my team and they gave me an opportunity to be who I am. “I can never forget what they did to me and it’s important that the new generation of players should also be inspired that, if they work hard, they can go places and, maybe, one day they can also give back to the team.
‘‘CAPS United is a big brand and it’s a huge family and we are all part of it, including those fans who cheer the team week in and week out, and it’s important that we keep the team moving forward because, before us, there were some people who were playing for this team and helped it to be what it is.’’State media
Justice Loice Matanda Moyo with President Emmerson Mnangagwa
State Media|THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has assured the nation that it will continue investigating corruption until the nation is free from the vice.
Commissioning the specialised anti-corruption courts in Marondera, ZACC chairperson Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo implored the nation to be patient with the anti-graft body as it intensifies its clampdown on corruption.
The Mashonaland East launch ran concurrently with a similar event in Bindura, Mashonaland Central. The launch brings the total number of specialised anti-corruption courts operating in different provinces to seven.
“It takes tireless effort, perseverance and unhesitant deployment of resources for a country to weed out corruption. I assure you that ZACC and its partners are built with these characteristics,” she said.
“ZACC and the ZRP will not tire in investigating corruption and making arrests where those are called for, the National Prosecuting Authority on its part must always stand ready to diligently prosecute cases and the courts to play their adjudicative role without fear or favour until the whole of Zimbabwe is rid of corruption.
“All I wish to do is to implore the public to remain patient because legal investigations and legal processes are intricate. Hurried investigations usually result in weak evidence being placed before the courts, leading to the discharge of persons who may otherwise be guilty. ZACC does not believe in rushed investigations aimed at pacifying members of the public in the short-term, but achieving very little if anything in the long-term,” she said.
She said the advantage of the corruption courts is that corruption cases are prioritised.
“They no longer need to join the routinely long queues which the ordinary cases go through to be heard in court. That results in expeditious resolution of the cases, which in turn gives the public confidence in Government’s efforts of dealing with corruption.”
She said the New Dispensation had made it clear that economic recovery can only be achieved if corruption is wiped out.
She commended organisations for partnering ZACC in the fight against corruption by assisting in the setting up of the specialised anti-corruption courts.
“As you may all be aware, the Second Republic has made it clear that the country’s economic recovery is heavily anchored on the eradication of corruption.
“All players in the administration of justice therefore have no alternative but to coalesce around the scourge,” she said.
“I must acknowledge from the onset that the ongoing establishment of specialised anti-corruption courts across the country is an attractive initiative adopted not only by the Zimbabwean Judicial Service Commission, but also by other jurisdictions which are serious about tackling corruption cases head-on.
“It, therefore, requires no emphasis that specialised treatment of corruption cases provides for close attention to be accorded to the challenge of corruption. This fits well into the national anti-corruption strategy set up by Government. We must all come together and find ways of implementing the national strategy,” she said.
Justice Matanda-Moyo said corruption is a global complex war, which requires joint and coordinated efforts.
“Fighting corruption is never a stroll in the park, it requires joint and coordinated efforts at local and international levels. One of the worst effects of corruption is the plunder of national resources by those engaging in the vice, even acts of economic crime that occur cross-border still have local effect.
“For this reason, the commission is making concerted efforts to recover proceeds of corruption laundered in regional and offshore hide- outs.
In pursuit of this, the commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Anti-Corruption Commission of Zambia on October 17.
The agreement entails collaboration with our Zambian counterparts in joint investigations, mutual assistance, the exchange of crime intelligence, the recovery of proceeds of crime and exchange of skilled personnel among other issues.”
A self-styled prophet from Jahana village in Gokwe under Chief Njelele was dragged to the chief’s traditional court after it was discovered that he was having sexual relations with three of his female congregants who are all married.
The man of cloth, Madzibaba Nathaniel Shumba, confessed to having illicit relationships with Tabeth Moyo, Getrude Shangani and Tambirai Mashoko saying he proposed to them.
The matter came to light when the three women’s husbands reported the matter to Chief Njelele after discovering that the man of cloth was having illicit affairs with their wives.
Chief Njelele in whose jurisdiction the area falls under confirmed the incident.
“Last week l presided over a matter of a prophet known as Madzibaba Shumba who slept with three married women who are his congregants. He confessed before a fully packed court to having extra marital affairs with the women saying he simply proposed love to them and they agreed,” he said.
Chief Njelele said the husbands to the three women reported the matter to him after they stumbled upon various love messages from Madzibaba in their wives’ phones.
“The men came to report the matter after they saw love messages that were from Madzibaba Shumba. The women would tell their husbands that they were going to church, each time they had an appointment with the man of cloth where they would have sex with the prophet in church and sometimes in the bush.”
Chief Njelele said he ordered Prophet Shumba to pay three head of cattle to each of the women’s husbands.
“I ordered him to pay three cows to each man for disrespecting them in such a manner. That means all in all he will part with nine cows.
“I also warned the three women to respect themselves and their husbands by not engaging in extra marital affairs.
If they feel that they are not happy with their husbands they should leave instead of engaging in sexual relationships with other men yet they are married,” he said.B-Metro
Ordinary Zimbabweans say ” THE” Government rather than ” OUR”
Zimbabwe is buffeted by lack of cohesion, it is buffeted by incapacitation, 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
Eric Muzamhindo
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 practise, 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 it’s 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)
Farai Dziva|A Zimbabwe Council of
Churches (ZCC) official has said Zimbabwe does not need foreign intervention as the solution to the crisis is within the country.
ZCC secretary-general Kenneth Mtata said Chamisa should swallow his pride and accept that Mnangagwa is the legitimate Head of State.
Mtata made the remarks during an interview with state media where he also called for inclusive political dialogue.
“Dialogue is imminent, but it is just a matter of time. President Mnangagwa is the Head of State and Government. He is our statesman.
He has the keys for dialogue, (the) MDC-A leader should swallow his pride and engage and consider President Mnangagwa as the President of Zimbabwe.
Dialogue is coming, we need to prepare for it, but it might take time. We do not need foreign intervention.”
Chamisa has flatly rejected the outcome of the 2018 presidential election in which Mnangagwa was declared the winner amid controversial circumstances.
Farai Dziva|MDC councillor for ward 4, Masvingo Urban Constituency, Godfrey Kurauone has said no form of intimidation will stop him from taking on Emmerson Mnangagwa’s “oppressive regime.”
Kurauone’s car was burnt by suspected Zanu PF hooligans last night.
Said Kurauone:”They burnt my car last night but I will not backtrack.
I believe in Nelson Chamisa and no amount of intimidation can distract me from focusing on removing ED and his satanic cabal.”
The purported setting up of a Privileges Committee ostensibly to investigate the conduct of Members of Parliament who did not attend the Budget Presentation on the 14th of November 2019 is fundamentally and procedurally flawed and against the tenets of democracy justice and fairness.
Apart from the fact that the Opposition Chief Whip Honourable Prosper Mutseyami officially notified the Speaker of the unavailability of the MDC Members of Parliament, there is no provision or rule which compels backbenchers to attend any particular session.
What we find disconcerting is that on the day that
Pupurai Togarepi the ZanuPf Chief Whip moved the motion for the setting up of Privileges Committee the Speaker did not even reflect on the matter but immediately made a Ruling to refer the matter to the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders and he had already shown that this matter had been predetermined when he responded to Honourable Temba Mliswa that the MDC Members of Parliament would be “punished” and in this regard whatever is going to happen is a charade.
There are breaches of the letter and spirit of the Constitution which in its preamble recognizes our diversity and the Founding Values and Principles in Section 3(2) d include the respect of the Rights of all Political parties.
The Speaker of the National Assembly has failed to show leadership and has dismally failed to discharge his responsibilities as an impartial arbiter and presiding officer.
The MDC Members of Parliament articulated the issues but the Speaker went on to unilaterally make a decision without following due process in terms of which it was the Committee of which he is only a chair which was supposed to make the determination.
Furthermore, once the Speaker had unilaterally stated that members of the MDC who are supposed to be investigated could not be part of the Committee it equally meant that Members of ZanuPf could equally not be complainant prosecutor judge and jury rolled into one
The Speaker and his fellow ZanuPF Members also failed to appreciate that the discord in Parliament emanating from the disruptive behaviour of members who are refusing to accept the chairing of Committees by MDC members who are appointed by the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders is a symptom of the bigger political question of legitimacy.
The critical issue is the MDC members of the Committee dissociated themselves from the drama which violated all the principles of fairness.
It’s unfortunate that ZanuPf Members failed to see reason and appreciate that as a country the issue of the illegitimacy of Emmerson Mnangagwa cannot be resolved by viciousness but through sincere and genuine dialogue.
We feel vindicated because when Honourable Chikwinya raised the issue of the Members who are causing pandemonium and mayhem and disrupting Parliament Business the same Speaker did not respond with the same vigour and urgency but instead decided to evade the issue by declaring that the matter was under consideration by the CSRO when the issues are different.
The bottom line is that
Jacob Mudenda has dismally failed the test and will probably go down as the worst Speaker in our country.
Autocracy and partisanship can only result in the dysfunctionality of the Institution when all that is required is to take off the political party lenses when Presiding over Parliament and being in charge of its Administration.
Innocent Gonese
MDC Secretary for Justice and Legal Affairs
Today marks Day 3 as the world and nation commemorate 16 days against gender based violence.
This year’s commemorations runs from 25 November to 10 December under the theme, “Generation Equality Stands Against Rape”.
As the MDC Youth Assembly joins the rest of the world and other progressive organizations in commemorating these important calendar days, it is our underlining that our society need to eradicate and eliminate all forms of gender based violence hence our localized theme, Let’s Go 365, Not 16.
The Assembly has lined up a number of programs and events to raise awareness against gender based violence starting with a roadshow program to be held in Gwanda on 30 November.
Generally women and young women in particular are often victims of gender based violence.
We have noted with concern that some very senior politicians are chief culprits when it comes to perpetrating violence against women, especially their spouses.
From Kembo Mohadi to General Constantine Chiwenga, the media is awash with stories about how the two ZANU PF Vice Presidents ill treat their spouses and sometimes with the help of law enforcement agents as in the case of the former against Tambudzani, his wife.
The most saddening part is that even in Universities which ideally should be paragons against gender violence, female students’ rights are often violated in what is infamously referred to as “Thigh for A Mark” practice by male lecturers.
Despite Zimbabwe outlawing child marriages, this social ill is still rampant in the periphery of the periphery of our countryside.
It is also clear that not enough has been done by this military government to support provision of basics like monthly cycle pads to young girls especially those in primary schools.
The shrinking democratic space has also not helped the fight against gender based violence as oftentimes civic groups and organizations are branded enemies of state for carrying civic work for such purposes.
State agents have also catapulted cases of women abuses as was the case on 01 August 2018 and January 2019 when women were raped and murdered.
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma- MDCYouthAssemblyNationalSpokesperson
His Excellency President ED Mnangagwa has issued a moratorium enabling fired doctors to return to work. He has done this out of compassion as well as to satisfy his fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of Zimbabwe. pic.twitter.com/DUmnNz3vVC
His Excellency President ED Mnangagwa has issued a moratorium enabling fired doctors to return to work. He has done this out of compassion as well as to satisfy his fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of Zimbabwe. pic.twitter.com/DUmnNz3vVC
By A Correspondent| Zimbabwe Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s wife, Mary has made a stunning revelation that Chiwenga banned her from social media.
When asked during an interview with a local publication whether she uses social media she said:
”I don’t go on social media, I’m not on Facebook, I used to be on Instagram my husband told me to close it and I did.
I’m not on Twitter, I’m not on anything, my husband said to me “If you want to be happy, stay away from searching yourself on the Internet, don’t go on social media you will live a happy life. So I am living a happy life with none of those things.”
By Own Correspondent| A grade seven pupil, Kudakwashe Mabhande has died, four feared dead among them minors whilst 10 others were badly injured after a speeding vehicle ploughed through people in Mbare this morning around the Mupedzanhamo flea market area.
The Herald reports that the deceased attained eight units at the most recent grade seven examinations.
The publication was told by eyewitnesses that a speeding driver hit the boy and proceeded to hit another driver who was standing beside his vehicle before crossing the road where the vehicle ploughed through at least 13 people among them vendors, buyers and minors at a flea market
By A Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission have jointly impounded over 100 vehicles which were allegedly smuggled into the country reportedly with the help of ZIMRA officials.
ZIMRA Loss Control Manager, Selleck Mapfeka told the state media in an interview that the blitz aimed at impounding smuggled cars will extend to other provinces.
Mapfeka added that there is a mismatch between the number of vehicles imported into the country and the revenue the taxman registered.
Doctors, nurses & all the staff at Karanda Mission Hospital in Mt.Darwin deserve national recognition as well as an award for their sterling & selfless dedication to duty. They're the unsung heroes & heroines of our time.
Presidential Spokesman, George Charamba | DEBATING IN PERSPECTIVE: The issue of striking & dismissed junior doctors and senior doctors awaiting disciplinary outcome needs debating in proper, factual perspective. So far, lots of heat and very little light on the matter whose importance and impact can hardly be overstated.
And precisely why facts, figures and sequence of developments have to be honoured for knowledgeable discussion, evaluation and possible solutions. First, the issues raised by doctors relate to:
~salaries;
~housing;
~transport/vehicles;
~Food.
For remuneration, doctors initially demanded payment in US Dollars, suggesting USD$5 000. They shifted to payment in local currency of Z$18 000; later they came down to Z$10 000, demanding that the figure follow and adjust to reigning interbank rates. Should that have been conceded, doctors would have been the most highly paid professionals in the Public Sector, earning well above Cabinet Ministers. Of course that would most certainly be followed by similar demands within and beyond the medical field, principally nursing and related staff in the medical sector, teachers and rest of civil servants in the rest of the Public Service.
This is key in debating the issue lest an incorrect impression is created that wage demands by doctors could be isolated and immunized from the rest of the Service. There is an inevitable domino effect sure to reverberate across the whole Public Service Sector, with obvious budgetary implications, principally the Staff Monitored Programme agreed to between government and the IMF in the context of broader macroeconomic Reforms for recovery.
Government responded by an initial counter-offer of 30% remuneration review. The doctors rejected it. Government came back with a revised counter-offer of 60%. Again that was rejected. Finally Government acceded to a 100% wage rise. That, too, was rejected.
On housing, Government responded by securing accommodation for Junior Doctors at Russell Hotel & at a block of Flats closer to the Catholic Cathedral, promising to look for more blocks of flats in order to accommodate Doctors. Apparently that made no impression on the doctors.
All that was in the immediate. In the medium to long term, Government undertook to put up more hostels and apartments to boost institutional accommodation already available to doctors. It should be noted that a good number of striking doctors are already accommodated in apartments within major hospitals, themselves doctors’ workplaces. This factor has a direct bearing on the whole argument to do with claims of “incapacitation”. On transport, Government agreed to source start-up vehicles for junior doctors, as well as buses dedicated to them.
The upshot is that the principle of transport facilitation as an aspect of composite conditions of service, was acceded to by Government. The issue of food was accepted by Government. I need to stress that the doctors did not want truncated concessions, pressing for a full package of all that they demanded. Alongside what Government acceded to, there was also a parallel initiative involving a private corporate player, and the Global Fund which Government engaged with a view to doubling retention allowances for doctors. Even the World Bank has
been engaged, alongside other donor players whose delivery portfolios are dependent on an fully functional national health delivery service. All these contacts have either already translated into concrete offers or are on the verge of becoming so, thus boosting what Government has already put on the table. To complete the demand and offer, mention should be made of equipment, medicines and accessories needed as stock-in-trade by doctors. Lots of these came into the country by way of out-Of-Budget purchases done at the instance of the President, by way of donations from friendly Governments, notably United Arab Emirates, and by way of direct Government purchases. In fact, the industrial action broke out when Government was in the middle of this major re-investment and retooling of the Health Sector.
Faced by growing obduracy by the junior doctors, and detecting both unprofessional influence from senior doctors and political instigation and interference from political parties and at least one foreign government and several organizations, Government turned to the Labour law as another level of tackling this problem which, anyway, was affecting an area regarded at law as an ESSENTIAL SERVICE. The courts were approached, which found against the doctors, thus making the industrial action ILLEGAL!!! At that stage, doctors renounced their institutional mechanism of negotiations, while changing their whole argument to one of INCAPACITATION. The notion of incapacitation must be tested by institutional accommodation arrangements available to striking doctors, and offers already made to them, all detailed above.
Still doctors would not relent, during which disposition the situation in hospitals continued to take a turn for the worse, and worst as lives continued to be lost, patients continuing to suffer. As required by law, after 14 days of judgment and non-compliance with court order,Government started disciplinary proceedings against doctors whose services had long been withdrawn. This is an important point worth keeping in mind in view of a false argument that disciplinary action by Government in terms of the law exacerbated the situation in hospitals and for patients. Simply, THINGS CAN’T GET WORSE FOR PATIENTS FROM DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST WORKERS WHO HAVE ALREADY WITHDRAWN THEIR SERVICES!!! Additionally, laws of the country apply to all, regardless of what skills one wields and how critical these may be to human life.
In fact this last fact makes enforcement of the law even more dire!! Also noteworthy is that Government continued to engage striking doctors even as disciplinary action was being pursued, interlarding this with plaintive appeals to doctors to go back to posts.
As I tweet, Government has granted a 48-hr moratorium during which striking doctors may rejoin the service without having to reapply or to answer questions about their past conduct. This concession followed an approach and appeal from Catholic Bishop’s Conference, led by Archbishop Ndlovu. The latest is that mediators from the Catholic Church who have met with doctors have reported that the striking doctors have asked for the moratorium in writing. Again Government, through HSB, has agreed to this request, with a written undertaking likely to be delivered to striking doctors either this evening or tomorrow morning at the latest. I made reference to foreign meddling through a foreign embassy & some foreign sponsored organizations, both already known to Government. I should also indicate monies – USD-denominated – allowances given to sections of the striking doctors through a well-known so-called human rights lawyer, to stiffen the back of striking doctors. The payments to the few who have received them amount to a princely sum of USD$5 000/person!!
The projection is for an escalation in the health sector, and a snowballing of the industrial action across sectors in the Service to trigger generalized instability. To date, 448 doctors have been dismissed, with 57 senior doctors allegedly associated with the strike at various stages of disciplinary hearings. To appreciate and support church-related health institutions which have been saving the situation, Government has now decided to incorporate all Church-run District Hospitals into its overall health budget. This support will cover…
Government started disciplinary proceedings against doctors whose services had long been withdrawn. This is an important point worth keeping in mind in view of a false argument that disciplinary action by Government in terms of the law exacerbated the situation in hospitals and equipment, medicines, accessories and utilities such as water and electricity bills which have been weighing down these institutions. Tellingly, Church-run Hospitals like Silveira in Bikita, Msiso in Zaka, Mt St Mary’s in Hwedza, have been playing role of District Hospitals, as no such facilities exist in those Districts. The decision by Government to recognize these strictly on basis of service, as opposed to ownership, is a major policy milestone which the Catholic Church secured after yesterday’s meeting with the Presidency.
London (CNN)A man with a hoax device strapped to him has been shot dead in central London by police officers in a terrorist incident that’s left a number of people injured, some seriously.
Officers have not commented further on the motive for the attack near London Bridge, but Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu told a press conference on Friday afternoon that they were enhancing patrols in the area and across the city in response.
Video filmed at the scene by an eyewitness showed a man being wrestled to the ground by members of the public. The incident comes more than two years after eight people were killed and dozens more wounded in a terror attack at London Bridge.
London Bridge.
Lloyd Griffiths, 35, was on a bus on the bridge on Friday as the attack unfolded. He told CNN he saw an altercation as several people tried to wrestle a man with a knife before police intervened.
“I saw a shine on a knife or metal blade, it was startling. It was large blade, it wasn’t small, and then I was locked on the bus, people tried to tackle to man trying to fight him, ordinary people jumping out of the car, trying to fight him,” Griffiths told CNN.
“Then police ran over with guns, screaming,” before shooting the man, Griffiths added. A large number of emergency vehicles quickly arrived on the scene, with many people evacuated from the area.
London mayor Sadiq Khan praised the “breathtaking heroism” of “ordinary Londoners” who risked their lives to intervene in the incident.
“We are resolute, we stand united in the face of terrorism and we will not allow anybody to divide us,” Khan said in a press conference.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “being kept updated on the incident at London Bridge and want to thank the police and all emergency services for their immediate response.”
Farai Dziva| Outspoken Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp has once again openly attacked the Warriors technical team over talismanic winger Khama Billiat.
Billiat took part in Zimbabwe’s two AFCON 2021 qualfiers against Botswana (at home) and Zambia (away) scoring a brace in the latter but reportedly returned to Naturena with a tight harmstring after the international break, forcing him out of Amakhosi’s Telknom Knockout defeat to Maritzburg United.
After the Maritzburg defeat, the German coach criticised the Joey Antipas-led technical team over the maner in which Billiat was used and yesterday, Middendorp complained once more in that regard.
No, no,” Middendorp said in an interview with Soccer Laduma, when asked if there is an any sort of communication between him and the Warriors technical team.
“Serving the country is important, serving the country in Zambia, in Zimbabwe, in South Africa is important and that’s fine, it is a given situation so I have to send (the players), FIFA rules are there, even if he has a broken arm or leg, we have to send them,” he said.
Middendorp also made made some comparisons between the Zimbabwe technical team and their South African counterparts.
He said: “I don’t even know who is the one to talk to in Zimbabwe or Zambia, meanwhile there is a good communication with Molefi (Ntseki), the Bafana coach and with David Notoane at U23 and I think that it should be that the initiative should come out of the camp of the national team, to look in to who is injured and who has an issue.”
Weduwee ndarwadziwa. Hama yangu akanorapwa ku Karanda last week. Hanzi Zanu iya yauya ku Karanda hospital vachiti vanhu vakuwandisa munokonzeresa Cholera plus ma charges enyu ari pasi pasi. Nhai weduwee chiiko ne Zanu. Vese ana Mai Mnangagwa vakaenda nana Mutsvanga…
Weduwee ndarwadziwa. Hama yangu akanorapwa ku Karanda last week. Hanzi Zanu iya yaka ku Karanda hospital vachiti vanhu vakuwandisa munokonzeresa Cholera plus ma charges enyu ari pasi pasi. Nhai weduwee chiiko ne Zanu. Vese ana Mai Munangagwa vakaenda nana Mutsvanga… @InfoMinZWpic.twitter.com/J4rmlQf70C
Farai Dziva|The Zimbabwe Warriors made a giant leap on the latest FIFA Rankings released on Thursday.
However, the Warriors could not finish the year in the year in the Top 100.
Zimbabwe were in action during the November international break, playing back-to-back Afcon qualifiers against Botswana and Zambia. They drew goalless in their first match against the Zebras while in their second encounter, they beat Zambia 2-1 in Lusaka.
The national team gained 13 points and moved six places up to number 111 in the world. They also climbed up on the African standings to number 27.
Belgium will end the year as the best-ranked team in the world while Senegal retained the top spot on the continent.
FC Platinum returns to CAF Champions League action tonight when they play Al Hilal in Sudan.
The match will be played at Al-Hilal Stadium in Omdurman and kick-off is at 9 pm Zimbabwean time.
Coach Lizwe Sweswe travelled with a twenty-one member squad for the encounter that includes their star players such as Petros Mhari, Lawrence Mhlanga, Rodwell Chinyengetere, Never Tigere, Devon Chafa and Rahman Kutsanzira.
The team visited the Zimbabwean embassy on Thursday and met ambassador Emmanuel Gumbo who promised to mobilise some fans who will cheer them at the stadium.
Gumbo also warned the players to remain calm even when provoked by the hosts.
“We will be with you at the stadium, though it will be a few of us,” he said. “You will certainly hear our voices and indeed you shall see our national flag.
“Put on your best behaviour. You are likely to be provoked and disappointed by certain decisions or actions from the hosts, but never lose sight of your ambassadorial role.”
The Zimbabwe champions, who reached the group stages for the second successive season, arrived in Sudan on Tuesday. However, their preparations there were disrupted after they lost their luggage while in transit to North Africa.
The bags, which included the team’s playing and training kit as well as other clothing items, had been left behind at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where the team caught a connecting flight.
The luggage only arrived in Sudan on Thursday, a day before the match.
FC Platinum Squad:
Goalkeepers: Petros Mhari, Francis Tizayi, Wallace Magalane.
Defenders: Raphael Muduviwa, Tawana Chikore, Lawrence Mhlanga, Gift Bello, William Stima.
Today (Wednesday ) marks Day 3 as the world and nation commemorate 16 days against gender based violence.
This year’s commemorations run from 25 November to 10 December under the theme, “Generation Equality Stands Against Rape”.
As the MDC Youth Assembly joins the rest of the world and other progressive organizations in commemorating these important calendar days, it is our underlining that our society need to eradicate and eliminate all forms of gender based violence hence our localized theme, Let’s Go 365, Not 16.
The Assembly has lined up a number of programs and events to raise awareness against gender based violence starting with a roadshow program to be held in Gwanda on 30 November.
Generally women and young women in particular are often victims of gender based violence.
We have noted with concern that some very senior politicians are chief culprits when it comes to perpetrating violence against women, especially their spouses.
From Kembo Mohadi to General Constantine Chiwenga, the media is awash with stories about how the two ZANU PF Vice Presidents ill treat their spouses and sometimes with the help of law enforcement agents as in the case of the former against Tambudzani, his wife.
The most saddening part is that even in Universities which ideally should be paragons against gender violence, female students’ rights are often violated in what is infamously referred to as “Thigh for A Mark” practice by male lecturers.
Despite Zimbabwe outlawing child marriages, this social ill is still rampant in the periphery of the periphery of our countryside.
It is also clear that not enough has been done by this military government to support provision of basics like monthly cycle pads to young girls especially those in primary schools.
The shrinking democratic space has also not helped the fight against gender based violence as oftentimes civic groups and organizations are branded enemies of state for carrying civic work for such purposes.
State agents have also catapulted cases of women abuses as was the case on 01 August 2018 and January 2019 when women were raped and murdered.
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma- MDCYouthAssemblyNationalSpokesperson
VETERAN FC Platinum striker Mkhokheli Dube believes the luggage incident was a blessing in disguise as it actually hardened them to be prepared to grind a result tonight against hosts Al Hilal.
The two teams open their Group B encounter at the Ali Hilaly Stadium at 9pm tonight and Dube said this while addressing members of the media at the final press conference at the 65000 seater facility last night.
“While we may be making assumptions about the reasons behind the disappearance of our luggage, this uncertainty on it being found has actually hardened us. If it was meant to distract us then tough luck, we are more than focused,” said Dube who was in the company of coach Lizwe Sweswe.
He said African football has been known to provide dramatic anti-football antics before and during the match by the hosts and as players, they were now ever ready and immune to the objectives of such archaic acts.
“Our job here is to play football and we shall do that, of course we have respect for our opponents but that is only outside the pitch,” said Dube.State media
The purported setting up of a Privileges Committee ostensibly to investigate the conduct of Members of Parliament who did not attend the Budget Presentation on the 14th of November 2019 is fundamentally and procedurally flawed and against the tenets of democracy justice and fairness.
Apart from the fact that the Opposition Chief Whip Honourable Prosper Mutseyami officially notified the Speaker of the unavailability of the MDC Members of Parliament, there is no provision or rule which compels backbenchers to attend any particular session.
What we find disconcerting is that on the day that
Pupurai Togarepi the ZanuPf Chief Whip moved the motion for the setting up of Privileges Committee the Speaker did not even reflect on the matter but immediately made a Ruling to refer the matter to the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders and he had already shown that this matter had been predetermined when he responded to Honourable Temba Mliswa that the MDC Members of Parliament would be “punished” and in this regard whatever is going to happen is a charade.
There are breaches of the letter and spirit of the Constitution which in its preamble recognizes our diversity and the Founding Values and Principles in Section 3(2) d include the respect of the Rights of all Political parties.
The Speaker of the National Assembly has failed to show leadership and has dismally failed to discharge his responsibilities as an impartial arbiter and presiding officer.
The MDC Members of Parliament articulated the issues but the Speaker went on to unilaterally make a decision without following due process in terms of which it was the Committee of which he is only a chair which was supposed to make the determination.
Furthermore, once the Speaker had unilaterally stated that members of the MDC who are supposed to be investigated could not be part of the Committee it equally meant that Members of ZanuPf could equally not be complainant prosecutor judge and jury rolled into one
The Speaker and his fellow ZanuPF Members also failed to appreciate that the discord in Parliament emanating from the disruptive behaviour of members who are refusing to accept the chairing of Committees by MDC members who are appointed by the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders is a symptom of the bigger political question of legitimacy.
The critical issue is the MDC members of the Committee dissociated themselves from the drama which violated all the principles of fairness.
It’s unfortunate that ZanuPf Members failed to see reason and appreciate that as a country the issue of the illegitimacy of Emmerson Mnangagwa cannot be resolved by viciousness but through sincere and genuine dialogue.
We feel vindicated because when Honourable Chikwinya raised the issue of the Members who are causing pandemonium and mayhem and disrupting Parliament Business the same Speaker did not respond with the same vigour and urgency but instead decided to evade the issue by declaring that the matter was under consideration by the CSRO when the issues are different.
The bottom line is that
Jacob Mudenda has dismally failed the test and will probably go down as the worst Speaker in our country.
Autocracy and partisanship can only result in the dysfunctionality of the Institution when all that is required is to take off the political party lenses when Presiding over Parliament and being in charge of its Administration.
Innocent Gonese
MDC Secretary for Justice and Legal Affairs
His Excellency President ED Mnangagwa has issued a moratorium enabling fired doctors to return to work. He has done this out of compassion as well as to satisfy his fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of Zimbabwe. pic.twitter.com/DUmnNz3vVC
His Excellency President ED Mnangagwa has issued a moratorium enabling fired doctors to return to work. He has done this out of compassion as well as to satisfy his fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of Zimbabwe. pic.twitter.com/DUmnNz3vVC
Farai Dziva|A Zimbabwe Council of
Churches (ZCC) official has urged MDC leader Nelson Chamisa to recognise Emmerson Mnangagwa as the legitimate President of Zimbabwe.
ZCC secretary-general Kenneth Mtata said Chamisa should swallow his pride and accept that Mnangagwa is the legitimate Head of State.
Mtata made the remarks during an interview with state media where he also called for inclusive political dialogue.
“Dialogue is imminent, but it is just a matter of time. President Mnangagwa is the Head of State and Government. He is our statesman.
He has the keys for dialogue, (the) MDC-A leader should swallow his pride and engage and consider President Mnangagwa as the President of Zimbabwe.
Dialogue is coming, we need to prepare for it, but it might take time. We do not need foreign intervention.”
Chamisa has flatly rejected the outcome of the 2018 presidential election in which Mnangagwa was declared the winner amid controversial circumstances.
Farai Dziva|A Zimbabwe Council of
Churches (ZCC) official has said Zimbabwe does not need foreign intervention as the solution to the crisis is within the country.
ZCC secretary-general Kenneth Mtata said Chamisa should swallow his pride and accept that Mnangagwa is the legitimate Head of State.
Mtata made the remarks during an interview with state media where he also called for inclusive political dialogue.
“Dialogue is imminent, but it is just a matter of time. President Mnangagwa is the Head of State and Government. He is our statesman.
He has the keys for dialogue, (the) MDC-A leader should swallow his pride and engage and consider President Mnangagwa as the President of Zimbabwe.
Dialogue is coming, we need to prepare for it, but it might take time. We do not need foreign intervention.”
Chamisa has flatly rejected the outcome of the 2018 presidential election in which Mnangagwa was declared the winner amid controversial circumstances.
Farai Dziva|MDC councillor for ward 4, Masvingo Urban Constituency, Godfrey Kurauone has said no form of intimidation will stop him from taking on Emmerson Mnangagwa’s “oppressive regime.”
Kurauone’s car was burnt by suspected Zanu PF hooligans last night.
Said Kurauone:”They burnt my car last night but I will not backtrack.
I believe in Nelson Chamisa and no amount of intimidation can distract me from focusing on removing ED and his satanic cabal.”
Farai Dziva|A Zimbabwe Council of
Churches (ZCC) official has said Zimbabwe does not need foreign intervention as the solution to the crisis is within the country.
ZCC secretary-general Kenneth Mtata said Chamisa should swallow his pride and accept that Mnangagwa is the legitimate Head of State.
Mtata made the remarks during an interview with state media where he also called for inclusive political dialogue.
“Dialogue is imminent, but it is just a matter of time. President Mnangagwa is the Head of State and Government. He is our statesman.
He has the keys for dialogue, (the) MDC-A leader should swallow his pride and engage and consider President Mnangagwa as the President of Zimbabwe.
Dialogue is coming, we need to prepare for it, but it might take time. We do not need foreign intervention.”
Chamisa has flatly rejected the outcome of the 2018 presidential election in which Mnangagwa was declared the winner amid controversial circumstances.
Own Correspondent | As the power struggles within Zanu PF continue, pitting party leader Emmerson Mnangagwa against his deputy General Constantino Chiwenga, more scalps in the security sector are going to be claimed, a local weekly reports.
The Independent newspaper reports that top of the firing line list is Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga who is set to be replaced, as Mnangagwa consolidates his grip on power.
Quoting unnamed sources the publication, also writes that Mnangagwa has made some key changes within the military, the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) and government circles as he seeks to strengthen his grip on power, while emasculating Chiwenga’s influence.
Chiwenga returned from China last week where he was receiving medical treatment, only to find that Mnangagwa had reshuffled cabinet and appointed his loyalists.
Through the reshuffle, Mnangagwa also took into consideration complaints from Zezurus that the President’s Karanga tribe is dominating cabinet and the security sector. He appointed some Zezurus loyal to him, in a move seen as part of an ethnic balancing act.
Sources in the Home Affairs ministry told the Independent this week that Matanga, who was appointed to head the police in the aftermath of the November 2017 putsch, is set to be replaced.
The current Deputy Commissioners-General, Stephen Mutamba, Mind Elliot Ngirandi, Learn Ncube and Lorraine Chipato are being considered for the position while Registrar-General Clemence Masango, a former high-ranking police officer, is also in the running.
Masango, a Mnangagwa loyalist, served as immigration boss after moving from the police, before being appointed RG.Matanga replaced Augustine Chihuri, a perceived Mugabe loyalist who fled the country in the aftermath of the military coup. “Changes are looming in the police. On paper they are meant to improve the efficiency and operations of the police. But in real terms, these changes must be seen in the broader context of the ongoing changes Mnangagwa has been introducing in the security sector as he consolidates his grip, while weakening his ambitious deputy’s influence.
The President wants trusted lieutenants in key positions,” a senior government official told the Independent this week.
After narrowly winning last year’s disputed polls, Mnangagwa embarked on a purging spree, removing some influential generals within the military perceived to be loyal to Chiwenga. The initial security changes and reconfiguration in the aftermath of the 2017 coup are widely read as Mnangagwa’s drive to flush out the residual elements of the Mugabe regime within the command structure of the army, while diminishing Chiwenga’s influence.
Own Correspondent | Former War Vets Minister, Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube, has warned the country’s leaders against toxic power.
Dube said in an interview on local radio, “For instance, now we have all these problems. I am certain that our leaders can find a solution instead of thinking about power because power intoxicates. Absolute power intoxicates absolutely.”
Dube recently published a book, ‘Quite flows the Zambezi’, which documents his early life and his participation in the armed struggle, up to the time of the ceasefire.
The book also covers the Gukurahundi era, including untold stories of the tensions that characterised the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) in its formative years because of deep- seated suspicions between Zipra, Zanla and Rhodesian forces.
“We have to realise that we have no other country except Zimbabwe and if we are going to make Zimbabwe a country that we are proud of, we have to think seriously and forget selfish tendencies.”
LOCAL directors of Power Sales, one of Zimbabwe’s largest clothing retail chains, are in talks to buy out South Africa’s Pepkor.
Pepkor, which controls about 20 local Power Sales retail branches, announced this week that it had decided to exit Zimbabwe after the local operation posted a R70 million loss.
However, in a statement yesterday, Power Sales said the decision by Pepkor would not affect its operations in Zimbabwe.
“Power Sales would like assure our valued customers and business partners that Power Sales is not closing,” the company said.
“Please be assured that while it is a fact that Pepkor is exiting Zimbabwe, Power Sales is not closing. Final negotiations are in place with the relevant parties to conclude terms of sale between Power Sales’ resident directors and Pepkor,” it said.
Power Sales said since July 2019, it had changed its business model by supporting local manufactures.
“This has been a great success. We know our business and we look forward to many years of partnership together,” it said.
Power Sales is one of the oldest clothing retail chains in Zimbabwe, having opened its shop in the country 40 years ago.
Defence deputy minister Victor Matemadanda has been taken to court by fellow war veteran, Amos Sigauke who is claiming $400 000 damages for criminal defamation.
Sigauke recently issued summons against Matemadanda, accusing him of soiling his character through a newspaper article published in a local daily in July this year.
He claimed Matemadanda accused him and his pressure group, War Veterans Pressure Group (WVPG) of being sponsored to destabilise President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.
“The statements were made with the intention to defame plaintiffs and to injure their respective reputations. As a result of the defamation, plaintiffs have jointly and severally the one being injured the other to suffer, been damaged in their reputation and they have suffered damages in the sum of $400 000.”
“The statements by the defendant are wrongful and defamatory to the plaintiffs. The statements were understood by the addressees and were intended by the defendant to mean that plaintiffs are dishonest and without morale fibre in that they associate themselves with rapists. Additionally, the statements by the defendant were understood by the ordinary reader to depict that plaintiffs are engaging in acts to subvert a constitutionally elected government through unconstitutional means,” Sigauke said.
In the same summons, Sigauke is also claiming interest at the prescribed rate from the date of judgement to the date of full and final payment, as well as 10% collection commission in terms of the Law Society of Zimbabwe.
REGISTRAR-GENERAL Clemence Masango is claiming $3,5 million in defamation damages from a Harare man who allegedly called him a corrupt government official.
Masango recently issued summons against Godwin Gumisai Mureriwa accusing him of having defamed him on September 19 this year in front of staff at Harare Central Registry.
In his declaration, quoting Mureriwa, Masango said: “Plaintiff (Masango) is corrupt and habitually abuses his office by allocating emergency passports to his relatives while prejudicing deserving applicants of a timely service and such conduct is deliberately calculated by plaintiff to sabotage the government’s economic turnaround effort and that applicant has and continues to have illegal and unfettered access to the confidential records lodged in the national registry”.
Masango said Mureriwa’s statements were wrong, defamatory, false and were intended to be understood by those present, when they were uttered, to mean that he (Masango) was corrupt, unpatriotic, incompetent, a saboteur and not a law abiding citizen who lacks moral fibre.
“The said statements were motivated by malice and were intended to defame plaintiff and injure his reputation, lowering him in the estimation of his subordinates, his employer, his family, ordinary reasonable persons, exposing him to public ridicule and contempt in his professional and personal capacity,” Masango said.
“Plaintiff was subjected to great defamation and embarrassment by the said utterances and was damaged in his reputation inter alia, as the Registrar General, a civil servant and citizen of Zimbabwe. As a result of defendant’s defamation, plaintiff has been damaged in his reputation and has suffered damages in the sum of $3,5 million.”
Mureriwa is yet to file his response to the claim.
The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association has said Strive Masiyiwa’s donation of $5,000 bond, is not enough. They also indicated that the government’s 2 day moratorium will likely lapse without an agreement. They communicated all this in a 29th November update, which read in full:
On Sunday 24th November, the ZHDA and SHDA met with a representative from Higher life Foundation and deliberated on their offer of financial assistance to government doctors. It was agreed that feedback was to be given after consulting the ZHDA Constituency before entering into any memorandum of understanding.
As such, it was concluded that, in as much as the support from HLF is welcome, it does not address completely the demands of the doctors for a salary whose value is preserved despite soaring inflation as well as the provision of adequate and appropriate tools of trade.
It was posited that the offer from Higher life may be reconsidered once the stand-off between the ZHDA and its employer (HSB) has been resolved. This recognises the sincerity of the donor group and its desire not to interfere with the negotiation process.The stipulated timeframes and terms and conditions surrounding the offer doesn’t make it a viable long lasting solution that the doctors are in search of at the moment.
We appreciate the role played by the Catholic bishops which has resulted in the doctors being issued a moratoriurn, valid for the next 48hrs. Sadly the moratorium has come without a new offer on the table having been communicated to us. Should this moratorium lapse without the formal communication of an offer that is reasonable, it would stand as yet another gracious privilege that is lost.
We would appreciate it more if the bishops talk to the doctor, representatives first so that they are in an informed position to represent the doctors real interests.
We appreciate the role played by this latest intervention in a labour dispute that has gone past the 88th day and we reiterate that we remain open to dialogue, hoping that a lasting solution will be found without further delay.
