MLO President Paul Siwela’s home was this morning stormed by Zimbabwe security agents again.

8 man dressed in navy blue work-suits, armed with AK47ns and driving a white Toyota Sienna without number plates raided Paul Siwela home this morning at 09h30 looking for him.

On their arrival 4 of them carrying cocked Ak47 rushed into the yard while 4 remained outside.

They found the gardener doing his work outside the house and asked him when last he saw Paul Siwela and his whereabouts. The petrified and terrified gardener told them that he has never met him and does not know where he was since he was employed when Paul Siwela was already in exile.

They then proceeded into the house where they found Paul Siwela’s daughter.They questioned her about Paul Siwela’s whereabouts to which she responded that she last saw him in 2013 when he left the country and had no idea on where he was at present.

The aggressive lot who were using crude and abusive language accused her of lying. They continued to interrogate her further, asking her where the rest of Paul’s children and family members were and why she remained in Zimbabwe and she told them that she was working as a teacher.

They then demanded the ID cards of both her and the gardener and took ID and contact numbers, issued them with their phone numbers, instructed them to call if they get info about Paul Siwela’s whereabouts.

Before they left they told Paul Siwela’s daughter to call her father and inform him that they need to meet him urgently to resolve his case because there is a new government.

We as MLO do not buy into this lie that they want to meet our leader to resolve the issues. If that was the case why were they armed with AK47ns? This is not a peaceful gesture at all but an act of cowardice by the government of Zimbabwe. We cannot be deceived we know that they are pursuing their agenda to assassinate Paul Siwela.

We challenge them to gather some courage and arrange a meeting in a neutral venue to discuss how Matabeleland and Zimbabwe can be separated without loss of blood as we have already sent them a Notice of Demand for the Restoration of Matabeleland.

We further state that harassing and abusing Paul Siwela’s family and workers will not solve anything.

For the record, today MLO President Paul Siwela once gain sent the Notice of Demand for the Restoration of Matabeleland to the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa reminding him to give immediate attention to the notice.

This is the third notice sent to the government of Zimbabwe. We advice the government of Zimbabwe not to view this as an act of cowardice but an important and right move to avoid destructive flames of war.

Izenzo kungemazwi!

Israel Dube

MLO Secretary for Information and Public Affairs

By A Correspondent- An Intercape bus travelling from Johannesburg, South Africa, to Harare was attacked by a gang of eight armed robbers who stripped passengers of their cellphones, cash and jewellery.

The incident occurred near Kranskop tollgate on the N1 in Limpopo. South Africa Police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo revealed on Tuesday that the robbers, who pretended to be passengers, pointed guns at the bus driver and ordered him to stop the vehicle. He added:

It is still unclear where the two got in. After stopping, another vehicle coming from behind with more robbers got into the bus and started robbing everybody.

The bus company confirmed that the incident occurred around 11 pm on Saturday, December 7.

It said in a statement:

This completely random, uncontrollable act by criminals masquerading as passengers is regretted by Intercape.

We would like to confirm that as an organisation we strive to keep our passengers safe at all times. Intercape would like to apologise to our most valued passengers for any inconvenience.

-TimesLives

By A Correspondent- An Intercape bus travelling from Johannesburg, South Africa, to Harare was attacked by a gang of eight armed robbers who stripped passengers of their cellphones, cash and jewellery.

The incident occurred near Kranskop tollgate on the N1 in Limpopo. South Africa Police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo revealed on Tuesday that the robbers, who pretended to be passengers, pointed guns at the bus driver and ordered him to stop the vehicle. He added:

It is still unclear where the two got in. After stopping, another vehicle coming from behind with more robbers got into the bus and started robbing everybody.

The bus company confirmed that the incident occurred around 11 pm on Saturday, December 7. It said in a statement: This completely random, uncontrollable act by criminals masquerading as passengers is regretted by Intercape.

We would like to confirm that as an organisation we strive to keep our passengers safe at all times. Intercape would like to apologise to our most valued passengers for any inconvenience.

-TimesLive

By A Correspondent- A 30 year old Mvurwi police officer is in soup for allegedly kidnapping a Form 3 student and having consensual se_x with her for five months.

Bryson Muriritirwa appeared last week before Guruve resident magistrate Shingirai Mutiro facing kidnapping charges. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded out of custody to December 20.

Prosecutor Carson Kundiona alleged that in April, the police officer met the 16-year-old student and proposed love to her and she accepted.

Muriritirwa took the girl to a lodge in Mvurwi and had consensual se_x several times.

On September 20, the girl’s mother received information that her child was cutting school and was being taken to a hide out in Glendale by the police officer.

In October, Muriritirwa moved the girl from Glendale to Dhahwe Farm after receiving information that her mother was looking for her.

The mother filed a police, leading to Muriritirwa’s arrest.

In his defence, Muriritirwa said the girl lied to him that she was 19 years old.

“Your worship, this girl is my girlfriend and when I proposed love to her, she lied that she was 19 years old, so I thought I was dealing with an adult,” he said.

-Newsday

Farai Dziva|Auxillia Mnangagwa has effectively distanced herself from Marry Chiwenga at a time her colleague in charity and hospitality work needs her most.

Barely a few months ago the two moved together around the country “showcasing” their philanthropic efforts.

However, today Auxillia Mnangagwa has chosen to travel to Chachacha to distribute groceries to the elderly in the area, far away from the capital city where Marry is languishing in remind prison.

See below a report that has been published by a state run newspaper:

In the spirit of giving, caring and sharing associated with Christmas, First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa is in Chachacha, Mutemeri village, Midlands Province, today.

She is giving the elderly groceries comprising food items, among other basic goods and performing household chores. She is washing dishes, cleaning houses, doing laundry and preparing meals.

Amai Mnangagwa baffled many when she left mbuya Ethas Mabope’s (86) house squeaky clean using cow dung as floor polish. She is visiting several homes in the area and planting fruit trees at each homestead.

Her show of love comes barely a week after she, through her Angel of Hope Foundation, donated an assortment of food items to children and old people’s homes.

Only yesterday, the mother of the nation rolled out a safety awareness campaign and engaged drivers and the travelling public in an effort to reduce accidents this festive season.
But it is her care for the elderly which has left people spellbound.

Farai Dziva|Media mogul and Emmerson Mnangagwa’s advisor, Trevor Ncube has waded into the Marry Chiwenga saga – inferring that the former super model is a victim of ” selective application of the law.”

Ncube believes the charges against Marry are somehow exaggerated.

“I have never met Marry Mubaiwa Chiwenga. I don’t know her from a bar of blue soap.

She has become the latest victim of selective application of the law and weak compromised/national institutions. What she is going through can happen to any of us,” tweeted Ncube.

Marry is facing several charges including attempted murder, according to court documents.

Farai Dziva| Seasoned publisher and Emmerson Mnangagwa’s advisor, Trevor Ncube has said Zimbabweans should not gloat over Marry Chiwenga’ s woes.

According to Ncube, the former super model is a victim of ” selective application of the law.”

Ncube believes the charges against Marry are somehow exaggerated.

“I have never met Marry Mubaiwa Chiwenga. I don’t know her from a bar of blue soap.

She has become the latest victim of selective application of the law and weak compromised/national institutions. What she is going through can happen to any of us,” tweeted Ncube.

Marry is facing several charges including attempted murder, according to court documents.

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki has today met with leaders of smaller parties, a day after meeting President Emmerson Mnangagwa and MDC leader Nelson Chamisa.

Mbeki is currently in the country meeting political leaders amid indications that a national dialogue is in the offing to solve the current economic impasse that has seen the country degenerate back to the 2008 chaos.

Details of the meeting have not been revealed.

View pictures below.

Farai Dziva|Former President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki has subtly urged MDC leader Nelson Chamisa to accept the outcome of the 2018 Presidential plebiscite.

Although he spoke in riddles, Mbeki called on the youthful opposition leader to “respect the decision of the courts.”

“Well, normally, I would say we must all of us respect the views of the people.

If people have queries, they must go to the courts because all the countries in the region have that provision that people can go and lodge their complaints about elections to the Judiciary. And once the courts have made a ruling, then we have got to accept that. So that’s generally the approach,”said Mbeki.

By A Correspondent- Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo on Thursday last week told the Senate that government had not banned peaceful demonstrations and marches adding that the government’s anti-sanctions march held late this year was successful and its impact was work in progress.

The march held on October 25, was poorly attended even after the ruling Zanu PF party tried to entice its supporters and Zimbabweans to attend by providing chicken and chips packs and soft drinks.

Mashonaland West Senator Joseph Chirongoma (Zanu PF) asked Moyo to explain if countries that imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe heeded the message after the October march.

“I have said in many fora that sanctions are a mass destruction weapon because they are not discrete in terms of who they are going to affect and because of that the United Nations food security rapporteur, who came into this country, highlighted that one of the reasons why Zimbabwe was having certain difficulties is because of sanctions and the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (Zidera),” Moyo said.

“Therefore, we believe that this psychological mobilisation of the world to sympathise with the position of Zimbabwe is actually having an impact.”

Moyo said the United States was generally slow in removing sanctions given that the late former South African President Nelson Mandela died while still being labelled a terrorist.

“Of course, there are some who believe the internet and there are some who are seeing the light of reform in terms of the second republic. You will recall that even Mandela died when he was still classified as a terrorist. It is not easy to actually remove sanctions,” he said.

Responding to Midlands Senator Morgen Komichi (MDC Alliance) on whether Zimbabwe was engaging the US to discuss the issues raised in Zidera so that a solution can be found on the sanctions issue, Moyo said:

“The major target for our re-engagement has been the United Kingdom and the European Union. What I can assure you now is that we have communication. We speak to each other directly with the US. Even if we differ, but we differ as we discuss. There has been quite a lot of progress, to an extent that there is discussion which is taking place within the US now.”
On the progress made in re-joining the Commonwealth, Moyo said everything is on course.

“So far we have not heard any dissenting voices in as far as our rejoining the Commonwealth is concerned. We believe everything is on course for Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting 2020, in Kigali,” he said.

Moyo said issues raised by the British Parliament that the obstacles to Zimbabwe rejoining the Commonwealth were to do with the human rights situation were their perception.

“What they say is their perception in as far as human rights abuses are concerned. They believe that this government has banned demonstrations for good or something like that. As far as I know, it is not the policy of this government to ban peaceful marches and demonstrations – that is not the case,” Moyo said.

-Newsday

Jane Mlambo| A top Harare businessman, Macdonald Makamba Chapfika died mysteriously yesterday after attending a meeting with government officials where he ate some meat and chips.

According to a memo circulating on social media, Chapfika died outside Munhumutapa building while on his way out of a meeting with Ministry of Finance officials.

Read the below memo for full details;

THE ruling Zanu PF party has unwittingly admitted failure to address the socio-economic challenges that have reduced the majority of Zimbabweans to abject poverty.

But the party has, however, accused the opposition MDC of causing the challenges.

In its central committee report to 18th national people’s conference held in Goromonzi last week, the party admitted to have superintended over a collapsed health sector, growing levels of unemployment and poverty, among other challenges, and also indicating that people had lost trust in the party’s promises to fight corruption.

“We know poverty is now pervasive among our communities. Unemployment remains a challenge. The health services sector, which underpins the wellness of our people, has become inadequate. Livelihoods remain fragile,” the report by the commissariat read.

“However, our President Cde Dr (Emmerson) ED Mnangagwa has remained resourceful and an inspiration to all by coming up with economic policies such as Transitional Stabilisation Programme. The department extends (its) deepest gratitude to the entire membership for remaining loyal to the party in the most trying and difficult socio-economic challenges.”

The report further stated that the Zanu PF government, despite all the glaring challenges in the country, would rule beyond 2023 and address the challenges.

While admitting that the country was in a crisis, the Zanu PF commissariat report, however, tried to shift blame to the opposition MDC, civic society and some embassies.

“2019 has been a difficult year for our party and country. The year was characterised by political challenges mostly driven by the plotting of immature main opposition party, namely the MDC-A, which focused its energies on disruptive political behaviour, which is misguided and unpatriotic, in an effort to effect regime change with the unholy alliance with the G40 misguided elements,” the report read.

But MDC spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka said it was absurd for a party that “stole” the 2018 elections to blame others for its failure to plot a successful course for the country.

“How are we responsible for the national crisis? We are not responsible for running government. It is that illegitimate regime that is responsible and where do we come in?” Tamborinyoka charged.

“We are not responsible for illegal taxes they collect after imposing them on people. We have not abused US$3 billion (command) agriculture (funds). So how do we become responsible for the crisis. Everyone knows we are where we are because of Zanu PF, who rigged the 2018 elections.”

On corruption, Zanu PF said there was the perception that the party had failed to deal with the vice and that was now creating problems in their recruitment drive as people were now shunning them.

“The perception that government lacks commitment to tackle the endemic problem of corruption has been posing a serious threat to party mobilisation efforts, but slowly, the public is beginning to appreciate government is not sleeping on the job,” the report read.

The party, however, revelled in electoral glory after winning a number of by-elections this year.

Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo was said to be in a meeting yesterday and could not immediately comment on the matter.

By A Correspondent- Former Warriors star Shingi Kaondera has opened up on the collapse of his marriage to current Second Lady Mary Mubaiwa Chiwenga.

Kaondera narrated how Mary duped him of the business he had heavily invested in. He also revealed how Mary ‘abducted’ the couple’s only child while he was away plying his trade in Cyprus.

In a heartrending interview, Kawondera revealed that he was Mary’s second husband. Her first marriage to businessman Terry Mandizha collapsed after the couple were blessed with a baby girl.

Speaking to an online publication, Kaondera said:

Wangu, when I met her (Marry) she was a struggling model. Of course, she came from a well up family but I was on fire, ndaipisa wangu and I invested in (a) business that I thought was ours.

I poured in money for her to start a business, we had a vision of Lachelle Company where we wanted to do boutiques and travel services and she took over because I was in Cyprus. She is a good woman but her rich background pushes her to maintain the status and she can do anything.

Kaondera claimed that he invested a massive US$80 000 in the Lachelle Company which he later lost after the former model dumped him in order to get married to (then) General Constantino Chiwenga. In a separate lawsuit, Kaondera alleges that Mary forged his signature on the divorce papers so that she could get married to the General. He is claiming a massive US$700 000 in damages.

Kaondera also alleges that Mary ‘abducted’ the couple’s 2-year-old daughter, Destiny, and falsified the baby’s birth certificate. She allegedly changed the child’s surname from Kaondera to Mubaiwa after conniving with corrupt officials at the Registrar-General’s office. Kaondera has not seen the child since then. Destiny is now 10-years-old.

Said Kaondera:

Wangu (my brother), my daughter I last saw him her when she was two years old and Marry went on to amend my daughter’s birth certificate, she liaised with Registrar General Office and my daughter ’s last name was changed from Kawondera to Mubaiwa, her maiden surname and that is not fair, but well Mwari ndewemuhu wese haamwire kuDreams, I wish her well though.

Ironically, even though Kaondera is suing Mary for forging the divorce papers, he insists that Vice President Chiwenga’s hands are clean in the whole debacle.

It seems like poetic justice may have finally caught up with the former model and estranged wife of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga. After a seemingly blissful 8 years of marriage, Mary seems to have fallen out of Chiwenga’s good graces and the two are currently embroiled in a tumultuous divorce. However, Mary appears to be bearing the brunt of the fight as her liberty is currently in jeopardy.

Mary is presently incarcerated at the women’s section of Chikurubi Prison after she was denied bail yesterday. She is facing a plethora of charges which include the attempted murder of her estranged husband. The charges also include illegally solemnizing a secret marriage presided over by Acting Chief Magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi without Chiwenga’s knowledge and consent.

She was allegedly dragged naked from the bathroom during her arrest and the Vice President kicked her out her the couple’s matrimonial home after changing the locks on the doors after she was arrested. The Vice President also allegedly forcefully took the couple’s three minor children into his custody while the other two from Mary’s previous relationships were taken into the custody of Mary’s mother, Helga Mubaiwa.

Mary’s lawyers are currently battling to secure her freedom from the High Court.

-ZimMorningPost

A Zimbabwean woman who allegedly recruited people in a drug smuggling syndicate was reportedly killed in a hotel in China.

However, there is also a theory that reports of her death might be aimed at getting her underground and assume a new identity.

The drug queen is believed to be the one who recruited four Zimbabwean women who are facing 20 years in Mauritius after they allegedly smuggled 1,487 kg of heroin worth R22 million in their bellies and bags.

Reports filtering from sources close to the family say Blessings Tafadzwa Marufu who was married to one Kenneth Mutsena based in South Africa was found dead by cleaners in a hotel in China.

“She passed through here in Zimbabwe before she travelled to China where she was seen by a South African man in the hotel.

“We are told cleaners found her dead after noticing she had spent considerable time without coming out of her room.

“It’s being said a man was seen coming from her room and never returned,” said the source.

One source Nickson Museyamwa, who tracked Tafadzwa following the arrest of the four Zimbabwean women she recruited said she promised them huge amounts of money then eventually use them as drug mules.

“Blessings Tafadzwa Munatsa is the one who fled to China. She used to work as a Secretary at Christ Embassy in Joburg.

“She is the one who organised those T-shirts they were wearing and told them to lie to custom officials that they were going to a Roman Catholic church conference.

“Zimbos are being used as drug mules to Mauritius, they are obliviously fed heroin with instructions not to eat anything till they arrive at their destination so that they excrete pellets of heroine.

“The problem is people who know more are afraid to speak out coz they say the drug lords are dangerous,” said Musiyamwa.

Some reports say Tafadzwa could have been killed by the drug lord she worked with after her cover was blown.

-State Media

By A Correspondent| Following his meeting with South African former president Thabo Mbeki, opposition leader Nelson Chamisa emphasised the importance of meaningful dialogue saying it must bring the needed change that benefits every Zimbabwean.

Said Chamisa:

We want dialogue that is meaningful, where the political will to change for the benefit of Zimbabweans outweighs political expediency.

Dialogue must deliver true change & real reforms. When we shake hands let us be agreeing to truly walk in the same direction,a new direction.

Democracy can’t exist without a true commitment to happiness, freedom & peace. Our political impasse cannot continue.

We stand firm on the principle that none but ourselves can bring about the true change we need.Real issues affecting us all must be at the heart of any dialogue.

Former South African President, Thabo Mbeki said on Monday the Southern African Development Community must now take up the matter of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe with the Donald Trump administration as part of the plan to resolve the impasse.

Mbeki, who paid a courtesy call on President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House, said it was imperative the bloc continues to stand by Zimbabwe in its times of need.

“I am very glad with what the President is doing to respond to the challenges and I think it’s very important that the region should come behind the President and the country because the challenges of Zimbabwe are our challenges,” Mbeki told reporters after closed door talks that last over an hour.

With Sadc having pronounced its position on sanctions that Washington imposed on Harare, Mbeki said it was time to escalate the matter.

Zimbabwe has been under US sanctions for nearly two decades, an embargo that is blamed for fueling the country’s economic meltdown through blocking potential investment and access to international financial support.

The embargo paints Zimbabwe as a rogue state that other nations and investors must not deal with.

SADC has repeatedly called for the lifting of the embargo and declared October 25 this year an anti-Zimbabwe sanctions day in which individual member countries held different activities to show their displeasure at the embargo.

“(After pronouncing its position on the matter) It is important that the region should then follow up on an important matter like that with countries like the United States so that we act on this issue,” Mbeki said.

The Zimbabwe government estimates the sanctions to have cost the economy close to US$100 billion in potential revenue flows over the years.

Through its engagement and re-engagement agenda, President Mnangagwa’s government is trying to build bridges that could lead to the lifting of the sanctions imposed over political differences to do with the land reform programme.

The agrarian reforms saw the government compulsorily acquiring vast tracts of prime agricultural land owned by a small number of white farmers and redistributing it to over 300 000 black families in a bid to address a colonial legacy.

The US government remains adamant that the sanctions on the country are justified.

President Mnangagwa lauded Mbeki’s visit as a show of deep ties between Zimbabwe and South Africa.

“Zimbabwe and South Africa are very close friends,” he said, jokingly adding that Mbeki was the only living former South African President who was yet to visit him since taking over from the late former President Robert Mugabe over two years ago.

Officials said Mbeki was expected to meets with local opposition leaders and former First Lady, Grace Mugabe to pay his condolences following the passing on of former President Mugabe.

-State Media

By A Correspondent- The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara) is to transport 7,000 tonnes of maize from Tanzania to Zimbabwe.

In an emailed response to questions sent by Bloomberg, Tazara Managing Director Bruno Ching’andu also revealed that in September, Tanzania sold 17,000 tonnes of maize to Zimbabwe, with the shipment done ahead of schedule. He said:

The next batch of 83,000 tons is still in discussion, however, we have in the meantime received an order to move 7,000 tonnes.

… the exercise, which was meant to take three months, took just over two months to complete.

Zimbabwe is currently in the throes of a severe famine due to drought and misuse of billions of dollars meant for a government-funded programme, Command Agriculture.

Meanwhile, the country has an 800 000 tonnes deficit of maize, with the United Nations World Food Programme estimating that half of Zimbabwe’s population requires food aid.

-Bloomberg

By A Correspondent- Finance minister Mthuli Ncube has hinted to Parliament that he will be introducing higher denominations of $10 and $20 notes in the near future.

Ncube revealed this on Thursday in the Senate while responding to a question by Masvingo Senator Tichinani Mavetera (MDC Alliance) on the practical steps that he was taking to deal with unscrupulous practices, whereby some businesses are demanding payment in United States dollars.

Ncube said to deal with re-dollarisation, he would first ensure that more cash, in terms of Zimbabwean dollars, was pumped into the system.
“In the last month, we put in cash to the tune of $110 million and we said that in the next six months, we will continue to put in more cash,” Ncube said.

“What we will do going forward is to also increase the size of the denomination. You can imagine that if it is $2 or $5 notes, you have to pack quite a lot of them into the automated teller machines to make withdrawals and so high denominations like $10 or $20 notes are needed going forward and we will be doing that,” he said.

Ncube said they were releasing the new $2 and $5 notes in dribs and drabs to avoid inflation.

“If we put in all the cash that is needed in one moment, it will increase inflation sharply, but also, it may impact the exchange rate and even cause more inflation and so we are using a strategy called a swap, where we are swapping RTGS [real time gross settlement] balances for cash with the bank,” he said.

“What that does is it helps you pump cash into the economy, but without increasing the aggregate amount of cash in circulation.”

The Finance minister said at the moment, the cash in circulation in Zimbabwe, as a percentage of the stock of cash, is just above 4%.

“This is well below that of similar countries in the region. We should double that and that means we have to put in about $1 billion into the economy. That is the first strategy,” Ncube said.

He said the second strategy was legal enforcement to ensure that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) is given enough teeth, powers and legal instruments to enforce the use of domestic currency and also impose adequate penalties to dissuade those who demand payments in US dollars from doing so.

“So, I will be bringing before this august House, as part of the Finance Bill, some provisions and amendments of the RBZ Act to give more teeth to the Reserve Bank,” the Treasury boss said.

He said to ensure that the country does not re-dollarise, he would put more cash into the system, which would also strengthen the use of the local currency and build confidence around it, thereby discouraging the use of the greenback.

-Newsday

SIX people died on the spot while three others were seriously injured after two vehicles collided near Stanmore along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Highway.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident which occurred on Saturday at around 3PM at the 81 kilometre peg.

He said a Honda CRV was headed for Bulawayo with four passengers on board when the driver encroached into the lane of oncoming traffic and collided with an Opel Corsa that was headed for Beitbridge.

Ass Comm Nyathi identified the deceased persons as Thulani Zvonoyo (55) from Kwekwe, Patson Ndlovu (25) from Binga, Thulani Ziga (35) from Waterford in Bulawayo, Sithethiwe Ndlovu (38) and Cosmas Muphasu (45) both from Rushinga while the sixth victim was yet to be identified.

“A Honda CRV was travelling along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road headed for Bulawayo with four passengers. Upon reaching the 81 kilometre peg near Nswazi turn off the driver encroached into the lane of incoming traffic and collided with an Opel Corsa that was coming from the opposite direction.

“The Honda CRV veered off the road before coming to a halt at the edge of the road while the Opel Corsa skidded on the road and came to a stop in the middle of the road. Six people died on the spot as a result of the accident among them four men and two women. Three people including the two drivers sustained serious injuries and they were ferried to United Bulawayo Hospitals,” he said.

Ass Comm Nyathi said the accident was suspected to have been caused by speeding. He urged motorists to adhere to road regulations and be safety conscious when travelling on roads in order to avoid loss of life.

“We appeal to drivers to observe road rules and regulations at all times. They shouldn’t speed as a number of accidents are being recorded as a result of excessive speeding. Drivers should also ensure they stick to their lanes and not straddle the centre line,” he said.

In another crash, a driver died on the spot while five passengers sustained injuries when a vehicle they were travelling in burst a tyre before rolling several times. Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident which occurred just outside Gwanda Town at the 117 kilometre peg along Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road on Thursday at around 3AM.

-State Media

Takunda Chitaka is a Zimbabwean scientist studying for a PhD in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.

Harare City Council’s Finance and Development Committee has recommended that the city disposes 87 old council vehicles through a public auction.

The vehicles are either old and disused or too expensive to repair and have been lying idle at the Council’s Stores.

Speaking during a tour of the workshops and vehicle yards, Finance Committee Chairperson Councillor Luckson Mukunguma said the committee has resolved to dispose these vehicles since the cost of maintenance of some of the vehicles now exceeds their actual value.

“Council’s workshop has the custodianship of all these properties hence they have to take account of all the parts for these cars,” he said.

“The main challenge is that some of these vehicles have been lying idle for the past two years because their cost of maintenance far exceeds their value,”he said.

Cllr Mukunguma said council will come up with policies that help in regulate and monitor council vehicles to ensure that vehicles that are old and disused are out under the hammer.

By A Correspondent- Armed anti-riot police Saturday on evening raided the homestead of the dethroned outspoken traditional leader, Chief Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni in Ntabazinduna.

The Chief’s lawyer, Dumisani Dube from Mathonsi, Ncube Law Chambers confirmed the development.

He said:

I can confirm that anti-riot police accompanied by Umguza district coordinator visited Ndiweni’s home in Ntabazinduna on Saturday night.

They wanted to confiscate his vehicle and regalia but unfortunately, the Chief is outside the country.

Again, as far as Ndiweni is concerned, he is still the chief because he has not received any official communication regarding his purported dismissal.

Chief Ndiweni was ousted by President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week. Mnangagwa directed that Ndiweni’s government allocated car and all the all State assets are seized immediately.

The chief has refused to be cowed by the government and has been vocal against the 1980s Gukurahundi genocide. He also attended the opposition MDC congress in May this year and called for additional targeted sanctions against the country’s political elite.

-NewZimbabwe.com

Dethroned Ntabazinduna Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni’s lawyer Dumisani Dube yesterday blocked Umguza district development co-ordinator (DDC) Tapiwa Zivovoyi from collecting the former chief’s government-issued vehicle and the traditional regalia in his absence.

Ndiweni was dethroned by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government with effect from November 30 on the grounds that he was not the rightful heir to the throne.

Yesterday, Dube confirmed to Southern Eye that on Saturday the DDC went with the police to Ndiweni’s homestead intending to collect the official vehicle and traditional regalia, but failed to do so because Ndiweni was not present.

Yesterday, the DDC was supposed to go with his team to Ndiweni’s homestead again.

“The chief is in South Africa. At 10am, I was at the DDC’s office. I met with DDC today (yesterday) to get official communication from the government regarding the dismissal of Chief Ndiweni and he (DDC) made me a copy,” Dube said.

“I also advised them not to repeat what happened on Saturday when he (DDC) went with riot police to collect the chiefs’ regalia and vehicle when he is still outside the country. He (DDC) advised that he would wait and communicate the position from government on what to do.”

Zivovoyi confirmed meeting Dube yesterday. He indicated that they will wait for Ndiweni’s return.

“Yes, we met him. In fact, how can we collect the property if he (Ndiweni) is not around. He is the only person who must give us, we will wait for him,” Zivovoyi said.

Matabeleland Chief’s Council recently referred the dispute concerning the Ndiweni chieftainship to the Ndiweni clan which endorsed Nhlanhlayemangwe as the authentic heir to the throne.

However, Mnangagwa’s office sent a letter dethroning Ndiweni as chief.

-Newsday

Farai Dziva|Media mogul Trevor Ncube has waded into the Marry Chiwenga saga – inferring that the former super model is a victim of ” selective application of the law.”

Ncube believes the charges against Marry are somehow exaggerated.

“I have never met Marry Mubaiwa Chiwenga. I don’t know her from a bar of blue soap.

She has become the latest victim of selective application of the law and weak compromised/national institutions. What she is going through can happen to any of us,” tweeted Ncube.

Marry is facing several charges including attempted murder, according to court documents.

Own Correspondent|Former South African President Thabo Mbeki met President Emmerson Mnangagwa and MDC leader Nelson Chamisa separately in Harare yesterday.

Emerging from the meeting with President Mnangagwa, Mbeki said that opposition parties that lose elections must accept defeat after the elections.

In clear reference to Chamisa, Mbeki said losing candidates must appeal to the courts when they feel cheated and also accept the ruling of the courts.

“Well, normally, I would say we must all of us respect the view of the people. If people have queries, they must go to the courts because all the countries in the region have that provision that people can go and lodge their complaints about elections to the Judiciary. And once the courts have made a ruling, then we have got to accept that. So that’s generally the approach,” he said.

Own Correspondent|FORMER South African President Thabo Mbeki held talks with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa in Harare yesterday amid speculation that he had come to initiate talks between Zanu PF and MDC to resolve the deepening socio-economic crisis in the country.

After the meeting, Mbeki said he was happy with what Mnangagwa was doing to resolve the country’s crisis.

“I am very glad with what the President of the country is doing to respond to the challenges and I think it is very important that the (Sadc) region comes behind the President and the country because the challenges of the country are our challenges,” he said.

“As you know, we all of us have a responsibility to help one another, to the extent that if there is anything we can do to the President and the government and the country, we would want to do that.”

Online publication Zimlive has reported that Pokello Nare, step-daughter of Ignatius Chombo, has been bought a 2020 Range Rover by boyfriend Emmerson Mnangagwa Junior in South Africa.

Pokello was born in Gwanda, Zimbabwe on the 24th August 1985 to retired Colonel George Nare and Bessy Muzvidzwa. She turned 34 in 2019. She is also the stepdaughter of the former Zimbabwean Cabinet Minister Ignatius Chombo.

Watch the video below:

FINANCE minister Mthuli Ncube has hinted to Parliament that he will be introducing higher denominations of $10 and $20 notes in the near future.

Ncube revealed this on Thursday in the Senate while responding to a question by Masvingo Senator Tichinani Mavetera (MDC Alliance) on the practical steps that he was taking to deal with unscrupulous practices, whereby some businesses are demanding payment in United States dollars.

Ncube said to deal with re-dollarisation, he would first ensure that more cash, in terms of Zimbabwean dollars, was pumped into the system.

“In the last month, we put in cash to the tune of $110 million and we said that in the next six months, we will continue to put in more cash,” Ncube said.

“What we will do going forward is to also increase the size of the denomination. You can imagine that if it is $2 or $5 notes, you have to pack quite a lot of them into the automated teller machines to make withdrawals and so high denominations like $10 or $20 notes are needed going forward and we will be doing that,” he said.

Ncube said they were releasing the new $2 and $5 notes in dribs and drabs to avoid inflation.

“If we put in all the cash that is needed in one moment, it will increase inflation sharply, but also, it may impact the exchange rate and even cause more inflation and so we are using a strategy called a swap, where we are swapping RTGS [real time gross settlement] balances for cash with the bank,” he said.

“What that does is it helps you pump cash into the economy, but without increasing the aggregate amount of cash in circulation.”

The Finance minister said at the moment, the cash in circulation in Zimbabwe, as a percentage of the stock of cash, is just above 4%.

“This is well below that of similar countries in the region. We should double that and that means we have to put in about $1 billion into the economy. That is the first strategy,” Ncube said.

He said the second strategy was legal enforcement to ensure that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) is given enough teeth, powers and legal instruments to enforce the use of domestic currency and also impose adequate penalties to dissuade those who demand payments in US dollars from doing so.

“So, I will be bringing before this august House, as part of the Finance Bill, some provisions and amendments of the RBZ Act to give more teeth to the Reserve Bank,” the Treasury boss said.

He said to ensure that the country does not re-dollarise, he would put more cash into the system, which would also strengthen the use of the local currency and build confidence around it, thereby discouraging the use of the greenback.

NewsDay

Own Correspondent|President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week dismissed Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni from his position as Chief Ndiweni.

Mnangagwa ordered Ndiweni to surrender all State property in his possession, including a Government vehicle.

Secretary for Local Government and Public Works Mr Zvinechimwe Churu announced the dismissal of Felix through a letter dated December 12 and addressed to the Matebeleland North Provincial Assembly of Chiefs.

“Please be advised that His Excellency, the President has, as per your recommendation and in line with the provisions of Section 283 (ii) of the Constitution and subsection 2 (a) (i) of Section 3 of the Traditional Leaders Act (Chapter 29:17) removed Felix Ndiweni from the office of Chief Ndiweni in Umguza District of Matabeleland North province, with effect from November 30 2019,” he said.

Mr Churu directed the Provincial Council to officially notify the former chief as well as cease the payment of his allowances.

He also ordered the recovery of the Government-allocated vehicle, all chiefs’ regalia and any other State assets in his custody with the assistance of police if need be.

As instructed, heavily armed anti-riot police on Saturday evening descended on ousted Ndiweni’s homestead in Ntabazinduna where they unsuccessfully tried to impound the State-issued vehicle and traditional regalia in his possession.

However, the seizure of the property was unsuccessful as the former chief is reported to be out of the country. The anti-riot police were accompanied by Umguza district coordinator, Tapiwa Zivovoyi.

They are said to have stormed the controversial traditional leader’s homestead and demanded the vehicle’s car keys and regalia.

They wanted to confiscate his vehicle and regalia but unfortunately the Chief is outside the country.

Ndiweni has already instructed his lawyers to challenge the dismissal at the High Court on grounds that the dismissal was unconstitutional.

Own Correspondent|Former South Africa President, Thabo Mbeki, is back in Zimbabwe and has declared that he is willing to assist in resolving the challenges that the country is facing.

Zimbabweans have not quickly forgotten about Mbeki the man who took charge of the negotiations that brought about the unpopular Government of National Unity in 2008.

He met with President Mnangagwa for over two-hours at State House in Harare yesterday.

Zimbabweans have always accused Mbeki of failing to negotiate fairly between Zanu-PF and MDC when he advocated for a coalition government after the 2008 elections.

His coalition government brought back to the power a defeated Robert Mugabe and relegated election winner Morgan Tsvangirai to second fiddle.

President Mbeki’s rationale was that given the kind of aggressive attitudes of certain western governments in other parts of the world, he didn’t want to see them taking over in any kind of process. Core on his strategy was the question of stabilisation more than democratisation in Zimbabwe an idea that Zimbabweans would not want to hear this time around.

Within the mediation process, using his quiet diplomacy, Mbeki allowed a huge silence around the manner in which Zanu-PF blocked the reform agenda even under the global political agreement and the violence of the 2000s.

In the case of Zimbabwe, the policy of quiet diplomacy was a disaster. If you want proof that it was a disaster you just have to look at Zimbabwe now.

Quiet diplomacy meant a preference for stability over democracy…

“The energy should have been focused on setting conditions to allow for free and fair elections,” Tendai Biti said then.

Zimbabweans are today pushing the same message that instead of wasting time and money on talks that will give Mnangagwa legitimacy, energy would rather be on setting up for free and fair elections.

Can Mbeki guarantee that?

Own Correspondent|VICE PRESIDENT Constantino Chiwenga’s double standards on his fight against his wife Marry were quickly exposed in court on Monday at the initial hearing of arrested Marry Chiwenga’s case.

Chiwenga was immediately exposed to be in the process of attempting to seize the upmarket house in South Africa that his jailed wife is being accused of having fraudulently acquired.

Marry is accused of sourcing for foreign currency from CBZ allegedly to buy event tents and chairs but instead use the money to buy assets in South Africa.

However, her lawyer Taona Nyamukara, during cross examination of Victor Masimba, an investigating officer from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on Monday hinted that VP Chiwenga was claiming ownership of the South African properties.

“What if I tell you that Vice President Chiwenga is claiming ownership of those South African properties you allege were bought illegally in the ongoing divorce proceedings?

“What if I tell you he is also claiming the marquees in question?,” Nyamukara asked Masimba.

However, Masimba failed to answer the questions.

She faces six counts of externalisation, five for money laundering and one case of attempted murder.

SIX people died on the spot while three others were seriously injured after two vehicles collided near Stanmore along the Bulawayo- Beitbridge Highway.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident which occurred on Saturday at around 3PM at the 81 kilometre peg.

He said a Honda CRV was headed for Bulawayo with four passengers on board when the driver encroached into the lane of oncoming traffic and collided with an Opel Corsa that was headed for Beitbridge.

Ass Comm Nyathi identified the deceased persons as Thulani Zvonoyo (55) from Kwekwe, Patson Ndlovu (25) from Binga, Thulani Ziga (35) from Waterford in Bulawayo, Sithethiwe Ndlovu (38) and Cosmas Muphasu (45) both from Rushinga while the sixth victim was yet to be identified.

“A Honda CRV was travelling along the Bulawayo- Beitbridge Road headed for Bulawayo with four passengers. Upon reaching the 81 kilometre peg near Nswazi turn off the driver encroached into the lane of incoming traffic and collided with an Opel Corsa that was coming from the opposite direction.

“The Honda CRV veered off the road before coming to a halt at the edge of the road while the Opel Corsa skidded on the road and came to a stop in the middle of the road. Six people died on the spot as a result of the accident among them four men and two women. Three people including the two drivers sustained serious injuries and they were ferried to United Bulawayo Hospitals,” he said.

Ass Comm Nyathi said the accident was suspected to have been caused by speeding. He urged motorists to adhere to road regulations and be safety conscious when travelling on roads in order to avoid loss of life.

“We appeal to drivers to observe road rules and regulations at all times. They shouldn’t speed as a number of accidents are being recorded as a result of excessive speeding. Drivers should also ensure they stick to their lanes and not straddle the centre line,” he said.

In another crash, a driver died on the spot while five passengers sustained injuries when a vehicle they were travelling in burst a tyre before rolling several times. Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident which occurred just outside Gwanda Town at the 117 kilometre peg along Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road on Thursday at around 3AM.-

MAJOR supermarkets in Bulawayo and Matabeleland North provinces yesterday began selling mealie meal at subsidised prices.

Residents jostled in long queues to buy a 10kg bag of roller meal at $50kg and 20kg bag at $100. Before the Government injected a subsidy to cushion consumers recently the prices of the packages ranged between $100 and $250.

Some customers at OK Supermarket said they had been waiting for hours to get the mealie meal which they had been looking for, for nearly two weeks.

“We have been looking for this subsidised mealie-meal for more than two weeks and now that it is here we will wait for the supermarket to sell it. They told us that 60 tonnes had been brought here by two lorries which are offloading at the back of the shop,” said Ms Nonhlanhla Moyo.

Another woman who preferred anonymity and had two 20 and two 50 kilogramme bags of roller meal said she was lucky to buy the mealie- meal in the morning at the affordable price.

“Mealie-meal is very scarce and people in the rural areas are really suffering. Now that I managed to secure this much, it means I will be able to feed my family back at home,” she said.

Grain Millers’ Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) spokesperson, Mr Garikai Chaunza, declined to comment on the quantities availed to the market, saying only the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development could do so.

“The national total consumption per month is 32 000 tonnes. As of now the Ministry of Finance and Grain Marketing Board (GMB) are the ones who are working hand in hand with millers and I cannot comment on the quantity but the Ministry of Finance can,” said Mr Chaunza.

The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Mr George Guvamatanga, declined to comment.

On Saturday, Government started rolling out the subsidy programme to all licensed grain millers and has made advance payment for this month as it moves to stabilise mealie-meal prices.

Former South Africa President, Thabo Mbeki, is willing to assist Zimbabwe in resolving the challenges that the country is facing and has commended the policies adopted by Government so far.

He met with President Mnangagwa for over two-hours at State House in Harare yesterday.

Speaking to journalists after meeting President Mnangagwa, Mr Mbeki said Sadc countries had an obligation to assist each other.

“We all have a responsibility to help one another to the extent that we can do anything we can do to assist brethren, the Government and the country,” he said.

“So the reason we spent this amount of time (in the meeting) as I have said, is because I haven’t seen the President in Harare as President of the Republic, so there was a lot of ground to cover.

“But I am very glad indeed with what the President and the country are doing to respond to the challenges, and I think it’s very important that the region comes behind the President and the country because the challenges of Zimbabwe are our challenges.”

Mr Mbeki added that Sadc should follow up on its resolution calling for the removal of sanctions on Zimbabwe.

“Here for instance, the President was telling me about the decision taken by Sadc on the sanctions matter. It’s an important decision and of course the region should make a follow up with countries like the United States so that we act on this issue. So this is part of what we were reflecting about,” he said.

The former South African President also said it was important for political parties to respect the will of the people in electoral processes adding any grievances should be dealt with through the legal route.

“Well, normally, I would say we must all of us respect the view of the people and if people have got queries they must go to the courts because all the countries in the region have that provision that people can go and lodge their complaints about elections to the judiciary and once the courts have made a ruling then we have got to accept that. So that’s generally the approach,” he said.

In his brief remarks, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe and South Africa shared cordial relations.

“Yes, of course, you know Zimbabwe and South Africa are very close friends. Former President (Kgalema) Motlanthe came to see us, visit us. President (Jacob) Zuma did come, President Cyril Ramaphosa came. So it was only President Mbeki who had not come, so the four have been here what else would you want?” President Mnangagwa said.

Own Correspondent|Questions have been raised on whether the Zimbabwean Courts can try Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s wife Marry Chiwenga on attempted murder charges on a crime she committed in South Africa.

The attempted murder charge arises from when she accompanied her husband who had been airlifted to South Africa in July for urgent medical attention.

Marry Chiwenga allegedly refused to let him be admitted to hospital for 24 hours until security personnel insisted.

She then visited her husband in hospital, dismissed his security staff, and when alone with him allegedly removed the intravenous giving set and the central venous catheter.

A legal expert who spoke to state media under anonymity said the attempted murder case can legally be tried in Zimbabwe, although the offence was allegedly committed in South Africa.

“If the idea to kill started here in Zimbabwe before the complainant was removed from Zimbabwe to South Africa, our courts will have jurisdiction to hear the case,” said the lawyer.

“Again, the law says if the offence has an effect on Zimbabwe, it can be tried by the local courts.”

The Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act reads:

“A person may be tried, convicted and punished for a crime, whether in terms of this Code or any other enactment, where the crime or an essential element of the crime was:

(a) committed wholly inside Zimbabwe; or

(b) committed partly outside Zimbabwe, if the conduct that completed the crime took place inside Zimbabwe; or

(c) committed wholly or partly outside Zimbabwe, if the crime:

(i) is a crime against public security in Zimbabwe or against the safety of the State of Zimbabwe;

or

(ii) is a crime which:

has produced a harmful effect in Zimbabwe; or
was intended to produce a harmful effect in Zimbabwe; or

was committed with the realisation that there was a real risk or possibility that it might produce a harmful effect in Zimbabwe.”

If Marry Chiwenga is convicted of attempted murder, the maximum penalty provided for in the Act is life imprisonment depending on the circumstances.

Source: State Media

State Media|Daily hire rates for contracted Zupco buses have risen from $2 000 to $3 000 following a plea by private transport operators, a Government official has said.

The new tariff comes into effect this month, but bus owners, while continuing to support Zupco, have asked Government to consider paying the equivalent of the initially agreed US$270 a day.

The increase was announced in a letter on December 4 by Finance and Economic Development Secretary Mr George Guvamatanga to Local Government and Public Works Secretary Mr Zvinechimwe Churu.

Zimbabwe Passenger Transport Organisation spokesperson, Mr Regis Munhenzva, said the move to increase the rates was welcome, although it fell short of the agreed US$270.

“However, our Government is also struggling, so we are doing our best in terms of national interests to help our fellow Zimbabweans,” he said.

Mr Munhenzva slammed shops selling spare parts in forex.

“We are buying our spares using US dollar as shops are refusing our local currency despite Government having issued a clear directive to ban forex sales,” he said.

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

Watch the video loading below. ..

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ZimEye begins an investigation into the welfare of a male body-builder recognised as Constantino Chiwenga’s wife’s personal trainer, Vince Lambourn, who vanished in Zimbabwe soon after being accused of bedding Marry Chiwenga.

ZimEye has received the below missing person alert. (This is a developing story and updates will be posted here).

FULL TEXT:

A white guy by the name of Vince Lambourn accused of sleeping with Marry Chiwenga.

He is an ex Mr Zimbabwe bodybuilding champion and personal trainer. She was going to him for personal training. He has fled Zimbabwe after receiving death threats and is currently in hiding in South Africa.

He has changed all his numbers fearing for his life. Even his family posted a missing person request on Facebook. 

VIDEO LOADING BELOW

MARRY MUBAIWA, the estranged wife of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is already facing attempted murder, fraud and currency externalisation charges, may face more charges.

She is being investigated for swindling State aides of their daily allowances while in foreign lands and grabbing vehicles awarded to Miss Zimbabwe pageant winners, the court heard yesterday.

This emerged while she was remanded in custody on charges of attempting to murder VP Chiwenga, illegally externalising US$1 033 000, laundering US$990 000 and fraudulently seeking to upgrade her customary union to a civil marriage without her husband’s consent.

The attempted murder charge arises from when she accompanied her husband who had been airlifted to South Africa in July for urgent medical attention.

Mubaiwa allegedly refused to let him be admitted to hospital for 24 hours until security personnel insisted.
She then visited her husband in hospital, dismissed his security staff, and when alone with him allegedly removed the intravenous giving set and the central venous catheter.

The remand court was told that she was also being investigated on charges of taking away the daily allowances of her aides on foreign trips, of how vehicles won by models in the Miss Zimbabwe pageant were registered in her name, and how she handled funds in Musha Mukadzi Zimbabwe Armed Forces Foundation (MZAFF).State media

Watch video below. ..

VIDEO LOADING BELOW

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

ZimEye begins an investigation into the welfare of a male body-builder recognised as Constantino Chiwenga’s wife’s personal trainer, Vince Lambourn, who vanished out of Zimbabwe soon after being accused of allegedly bedding Marry Chiwenga.

ZimEye has received the below missing person alert. (This is a developing story and updates will be posted here).

FULL TEXT:

A white guy by the name of Vince Lambourn accused of sleeping with Marry Chiwenga

He is an ex Mr Zimbabwe bodybuilding champion and personal trainer she was going to him for personal training, he has fled Zimbabwe after receiving death threats and is currently in hiding in South Africa.

He has changed all his numbers fearing for his life. Even his family posted a missing person request on Facebook. 

VIDEO LOADING BELOW

Watch the video loading below. ..

Farai Dziva|The MDC candidate for the Tongongara Rural District Council ward 6, Marry Choga got only 16 votes.

Her rival, Addmore Chitera polled 396 votes.

See Zimbabwe Electoral Support Network Report below:

The by-election was held in accordance with section 121A of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13) following the death of the previous councillor, Edward Chitera, who was elected on a ZANU-PF ticket in the July 31, 2018, harmonised elections.

ZESN observed that the by-election which was won by ZANU-PF’s Addmore Chitera with 396 votes compared to 16 votes received by the MDC Alliance’s Marry Choga was held according to the law.

Farai Dziva|The MDC candidate for the Tongongara Rural District Council ward 6, Marry Choga got only 16 votes.

Her rival, Addmore Chitera polled 396 votes.

See Zimbabwe Electoral Support Network Report below:

The by-election was held in accordance with section 121A of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13) following the death of the previous councillor, Edward Chitera, who was elected on a ZANU-PF ticket in the July 31, 2018, harmonised elections.

ZESN observed that the by-election which was won by ZANU-PF’s Addmore Chitera with 396 votes compared to 16 votes received by the MDC Alliance’s Marry Choga was held according to the law.

By A Correspondent- The lawyer representing Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s wife, Marry Chiwenga nee Mubaiwa, said a group of men who claimed to be detectives from the Zimbabwe Anti-corruption Commission (ZACC), took away the couple’s three children and their whereabouts remain unknown.

Mtetwa was speaking to the media about what transpired on Saturday at the Chiwengas’ home when Marry was arrested.

Said Mtetwa:

They also took away the couple’s three children and no one knows where they are right now.

But the laws of Zimbabwe are very clear that when a couple separates, the minors stay with their mother, but as it is, they have taken away Marry’s children from her.

Marry appeared at the Harare regional court on Monday morning where she was formally placed on remand on the charge of attempting to kill her husband.

The former model was initially charged with the externalization of US$1 million, fraudulently seeking to solemnise her marriage with neither Chiwenga’s knowledge nor consent and money laundering.

However fresh murder charges have been laid against the second lady where she allegedly tried to kill the vice president.

By A Correspondent- MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has revealed that his party was going to remove President Emmerson Mnangagwa from power in the next five months of the new year if dialogue fails to yield positive results.

The youthful leader made the remarks yesterday at Chisamba grounds in Mutare while addressing thousands of party supporters, where he said the country should not always be in election mode.

He also spoke in an earlier interview with the NewsDay saying the just-ended Zanu PF conference held in Goromonzi, Mashonaland East province, was testimony the Mnangagwa administration was clueless on how to end the country’s socio-economic crisis.

Chamisa, however, ruled out violence and anarchy in his plans to end Mnangagwa’s political career, but claimed his party would always remain radically correct.

“We are getting near freedom, we are near Canaan. We have only five months to finish the issue of politics in the country. We need 2020 (next year) to clear political challenges we are facing as a country. We can’t be a country that is in a perennial election mode,” he said.

“We can’t continue to say dialogue, dialogue for five years. We have a window period for this. We are giving dialogue a chance because we want to give peace a chance. If Emmerson Mnangagwa refuses dialogue, then we have the power of the people.”

“We want everyone to know that we are giving dialogue a chance so that we do some reforms. If we finish politics, we are not worried about economics. To lead a country is easy, you just need to respect what people are saying.

“Some churches came to me over dialogue issue and I asked them if they had prayed and I told them to go and pray. Churches play a critical role in the peace-building of this country.”

Added Chamisa: “Even though things are difficult, let us remain focused. Freedom is never free and cheap. Democracy needs everyone to work. We have to make sure that we organise ourselves as the people of Zimbabwe and say enough is enough.

“We don’t believe in violence, we don’t believe in anarchy. Our late former President Morgan Tsvangirai told me if things are difficult, never use violence, but non-violence; and be radically correct,” he said

Chamisa also said Zimbabwe needs an independent electoral body to run polls, saying the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) was compromised.

Earlier, Chamisa had said the first five months of the new year would be decisive because Zanu PF has failed.

“Goromonzi has not brought us anything. A problem cannot be a solution. A question cannot be an answer and you can’t expect juice out of stones. The only way forward for this country is for us to address the crisis. We must not turn every Zimbabwean into a politician. The first five months of 2020 will be decisive,” he warned.

“In the past, if there was a crisis, people would put their heads together to find a solution. It needs everyone to put hands on the deck. Everyone should come forward to resolve the crisis.”

He said Zanu PF had “officialised” lying and believed their propaganda.

“Zimbabwe is not poor, but it has poor leadership. We need to resolve this crisis. Things are done in an opaque manner. There is opaqueness in government, lots of lies in this country. Lying has been elevated to officialdom. Spewing propaganda (such that) you end up lying to yourself,” Chamisa said.

“No one is happy. Our military used to be the best in the region, but politics has changed that. Our police used to be the best, but politics has turned them into something else. Our doctors are the best the world over, but politics came in and look at what is happening now, they are victims of politics.”

Addressing the Mutare gathering, MDC deputy president Lynette Karenyi-Kore said: “I am worried by the economic situation we are facing as a country. Mnangagwa should just pack and go because he has failed.”

The party’s co-vice president Tendai Biti labelled Mnangagwa a thief.

“These people can steal. I once told my president, Nelson Chamisa, that there are pastors of stealing and Mnangagwa is the archbishop of stealing. They steal through Command Agriculture, they steal US dollars, he hires expensive planes,” he said.

Zanu PF Simon Khaya Moyo said he was busy finalising the conference report and was not in a position to comment on the matter.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Mary Chiwenga (nee Mubaiwa) the estranged wife of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has been denied bail.

Mary who is facing a myriad of charges which include fraud and the attempted murder of the Vice President has been remanded in custody to December 30, 2019.

The state was represented by Michael Reza and Jonathan Murombedzi while the Second Lady, was represented by Taona Nyamakura and Mzokuthula Mbuyisa from Mtetwa and Nyambirai law firm.

Michael Reza argued that the attempted murder charge is a third schedule offense and that as such, the Magistrates’ court should not grant bail.

He said that only the High Court could grant bail in such circumstances. He said that Marry should approach the high court for bail. The Magistrate agreed with Reza and advised Mary to apply for bail at the High Court. She was ordered to return to court on the 30th of December for routine remand.

On the charges of fraud, the export of foreign currency and money laundering also opposed bail for Mary arguing that there is a likelihood that Mubaiwa will continue working to ensure that she kills Chiwenga.

Reza also added that Mary may interfere with key state witnesses and investigations if granted bail. He argued that the witnesses in the externalization case are Mary’s friends who may reconsider their testimonies if approached the right way by the accused.

Mary was arrested on Saturday night by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) allegedly at the orders of her husband. The arrest came after an explosive family meeting to discuss the collapse of the couple’s marriage was held on Friday.

A feisty Mary is alleged to have become indiscrete during the meeting and made barbed remarks about her husband’s alleged sexual inadequacies.

Mary is facing a number of charges of externalizing US$1 million and seeking to fraudulently formalize her marriage without the consent of the Vice President. Mary is also battling another lawsuit from her ex-husband and former Warriors star Shingi Kaondera.

Kaondera has dragged Mary to the High Court demanding a massive US$700 000 alleging that she forged the divorce papers which allowed her to leave him and to get married to Chiwenga back in 2011.

Mary’s camp is suspicious that the lawsuit is being bankrolled by Chiwenga. The reason being that if Mary’s divorce is ruled fraudulent, it would deem her marriage to the former army General legally void.

By A Correspondent- A psychiatrist who is treating former Tourism Minister Prisca Mupfumira has pleaded with the Harare Magistrates Court not to commence with her corruption trial and give her at least three months to recover from a mental illness.

Walter Mangezi who has been a psychiatrist for over 15 years, testified in court on Friday and argued that a trial now would worsen Mupfumira’s mental condition.

“I had three sessions with her before I diagnosed depression and put her on medication. Hers is severe depression because she exhibited five of the core symptoms as she was facing difficulties sleeping, was always sad, lost appetite, pleasure, energy and interest in daily activities.

“Any court proceedings will bring back memories of what she has been through. All I ask for is some time to allow her to recover.”

Prosecutor Clement Chimbare however hit back saying; “If the accused person is suffering from a mental illness why has she not been admitted into a mental facility in compliance with the law?

“There is no reason to postpone trial because as we speak she is following proceedings,” Chimbare said.

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), which arrested Mupfumira in July this year, alleges she misused about USD$94 million from the state’s National Social Security Authority (NSSA) while serving as minister of Public Service, Labor and Social Welfare.

The charge sheet also accuses Mupfumira of “criminal abuse of duty as a public officer” for allegedly taking unauthorized loans from the NSSA to buy a vehicle and fund her political campaign.

She also allegedly instructed NSSA to provide funds to Metbank “under unclear circumstances.”

-StateMedia

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By A Correspondent| Marry Chiwenga’s father Kenny Mubaiwa has said justice will prevail after his daughter was denied bail and locked behind bars for a slew of charges including attempted murder of VP Constantino Chiwenga.

In a dramatic twist of events, Marry was considered a flight risk by the state thus she was denied bail.

She was remanded in custody to the 30th of December.

Marry’s father was asked on what he thought of his daughter’s incarceration and the crestfallen Kenny said justice will prevail.

By A Correspondent- MDC leader Nelson Chamisa told party supporters that he is keen on dialogue with President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Addressing thousands of his supporters at Chisamba Grounds in Mutare’s Sakubva high-density suburb over the weekend, Chamisa said:

I need everyone to know that we are giving dialogue a chance because we want to give peace a chance.

But we will not be pursuing a dialogue in perpetuity. It has to be pursued within a limited period after which we pursue other means. We will give dialogue a chance … There is some talk going on slowly.

… If dialogue is done it will spell out the specific reforms that need to be done.

The opposition leader said the envisaged dialogue with Mnangagwa is not about forming a government of national unity (GNU), as happened in 2009, but that it will be about political reforms.

Meanwhile, Mnangagwa and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga have hitherto insisted that Chamisa should join other losing presidential candidates under the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD).

-DailyNews

By A Correspondent- The Apex council has dismissed messages circulating on social media that civil servants will get a cushion allowance by December 18.

The council is the umbrella body for civil servants’ organisations.

Part of the message circulating on social media reads: “civil servants to get $500 cushion by December 18. The special payment involved an allocation of $1 billion set aside to address the plight of civil servants.”

“The special assistance of $500 for civil servants on grade E5 and the $250 payment for government pensioners, will also be paid on 18 December said Finance Minister Prof Mthuli Ncube.”

In telephone interview yesterday, Apex Council President Mrs Cecilia Alexander said what is circulating on social media is incorrect and emphasised that the council uses main stream media to disseminate information.

“We met Government and we presented the plight of civil servants in terms of the festive season and also their monthly salaries and we suggested that we really need a cushioning before Christmas, Government has not yet responded and what is circulating on social media is not true,” said Mrs Alexander.

She said the Apex Council is expecting Government response today.

Mrs Alexander said the journalist who wrote the story for an online publication is tarnishing the image of the Apex Council.

“The messages speak to a very important issue that impacts on and pertains to the livelihood of so many people. It is wrong to play politics with people’s suffering. Everyone is now anticipating a cushion that was never promised. It’s so wrong,” said Mrs Alexander.

— StateMedia

By Own Correspondent| Following months of passport backlogs, the Registrar General’s office has announced new passport prices that take effect immediately.

Many citizens were left stranded as the Passport office was failing to meet demand owing to forex currency shortages for consumables used in passport production.

The situation was further worsened by the unrealistic price that saw a Zimbabwean passport costing the equivalent of 3USD for the ordinary one that came out after 6 months.

Zimbabweans in the diaspora will be expected to fork out more at USD318 whilst locals paying in local currency will pay ZWL 3180 for one that comes out after 3 days.

Below are the revised prices:

Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) has in a statement said that doctors remained incapacitated even after revealing their grievances to the government three months ago.

The association which represents junior and middle-level doctors speaks after a splinter group of doctors has launched the Progressive Doctors Association of Zimbabwe (PDAZ) a development which ZHDA says was an expected one.

We present below the association’s statement in full.

State Media|Harare motorists continued with double parking and illegal parking despite new clamping and towing charges of between $500 and $900 taking effect last Friday.

City Parking marshals were not taking action on errant drivers, amid fears they could be taking pay-offs.

When The Herald did rounds in the city to check on the effect of the new fines, several vehicles were still double parked at various places.

Motorists interviewed said a lot more needed to be done to bring order to the city centre.

Tinashe Kambonde said: “I thought that the high fines would whip some people into line, but they did not or maybe we are being too expectant and there might be need to wait a few days for results.

“If the results do not come, there might be need for a holistic approach to address the issue. Fines might not do the trick.”

Another motorist, Mrs Evelyn Magaso, blamed the lukewarm response to the fines by defaulting drivers to the reluctance of council officials to enforce them.

“I expected to see a lot of vehicles being clamped today, so that errant drivers get the message that council means business, but as you can see some cars have been double parked for hours now and no-one is taking action,” she said.

“I suspect that parking marshals are now cashing in on the new fees, otherwise why are they not taking action when they are empowered to do so.”

There has been numerous allegations of corruption involving officials in the City’s Parking division.

A report with this publication recently alleged a motorist made an EcoCash payment of $10 to a parking attendant under reference number 207581, Txn ID MP190828.1404.D43291, but the marshal issued a $5 receipt.

When the reporter contacted City Parking public relations manager Mr Francis Mandaza, he said the issue should be raised with the customer services department for investigations.

When contacted later on the outcome of the investigations, Mr Mandaza was reluctant to shed light over the matter.

According to the new charges, clamping of light motor vehicles will now cost $500 up from $57, a 15-seater commuter omnibus will be charged $600, while the owner of an 18-seater bus will pay $700.

Conventional buses and lorries will now be penalised $800 and articulated heavy lorries $900.

Owners or drivers of towed vehicles, charges will now pay $500 to $800, depending on the type of vehicle.

Light motor vehicles will now be charged $500, while tow away fines for a 15-seater commuter omnibus and that of an 18-seater are now pegged at $700 and $800, respectively.

Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Nelson Chamisa says he will only call for the removal of sanctions after he meets President Emmerson Mnangagwa and agree on, and implement political reforms.

Chamisa said this while addressing thousands of MDC supporters at Chisamba Grounds in Mutare’s Sakubva high-density suburb over the weekend. He said:

I told Mnangagwa that let us unite… because we have a problem in the home … Let’s resolve our differences and after we agree on the needed reforms we then go out with one position and demand that all sanctions be lifted.

They will be lifted because of who will be asking for their removal … They will not listen to crooks.

The ruling ZANU PF party has been calling for the immediate and unconditional removal of the targeted sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe at the turn of the Millenium by the United States and the European Union.

The Western powers have, however, insisted that Harare undertakes comprehensive political reforms for the restrictive measures to be removed.