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

Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North provinces came up with a similar resolution last week.

The resolution, among others, was revealed at the conference held at the Zanu-PF Conference Centre just outside Gweru on Saturday.

The resolutions were read out by Zanu-PF Midlands Provincial Vice Chairman, Robson Nyathi during the conference that was also attended by the party’s National Commissar Victor Matemadanda.

Nyathi said the resolutions –coming from the main wing, women’s wing, youths and war veterans – were a clear indication of the fact that the province was fully behind the leadership of President Mnangagwa. 

“As the Midlands province, all the wings of the party resolved to endorse President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the sole presidential candidate for 2023 elections in line with the dictates of the party’s constitution. This is one of the major resolutions passed during the one-day Provincial Inter-district Conference which had all eight districts being represented. So, we are a united front as Midlands province,” he said.

Matemadanda said war veterans were no longer an affiliate of the ruling party but a wing as they had been factored into the existing structures.

“May I point out that war veterans are no longer considered as an affiliate of the party. They are part of the party structures and this should be noted. We are coming through with new policies and direction which saw it fit to include them in the party structures from now going forward,” he said.

263chat|The state has finally withdrew subversion charges against two MDC Kwekwe legislators Settlement Chikwinya  (Mbizo) and Lloyd Mukapiko (Redcliff) who were arrested during the January 14 anti-government protests that rocked the country.

The two had their charges dropped after the state failed to provide evidence of their involvement in the violent scenes that were witnessed in many urban centres.

State witnesses claimed the two MPs were spotted in the Kwekwe CBD 14 January this year addressing a predominantly MDC gathering which they were inciting to engage in public violence.

In August this year, Kwekwe magistrate, Story Rushambwa cleared the two of charges of inciting public violence and participating in public violence at the close of the State case for lack of evidence.

Despite being freed of the two charges, Chikwinya and Mukapiko still had to answer to subversion.

During trial, the two MPs denied subversion allegations saying the charges were politically motivated since they were at different places when the protests occurred.

Chikwinya had told court he was at a local pub when the commotion started and further indicated that the State witnesses had been his political adversaries since 2000.

Mukapiko said he was at the Vehicle Inspection Department during the alleged time of the offence.

The January 14 protests were triggered by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s midnight announcement of 150 percent fuel price hike.

Correspondent|Bulawayo legislator Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga has requested the Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda to ask the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Cain Mathema to issue a statement on why most of the schools that recorded a zero pass rate in the recently announced Grade 7 results are from Matebeleland.

She said out of the 88 schools which had a zero pass rate, most of them were from Matebeleland North and South. She did not give the exact breakdown.

Mudenda said he would get in touch with the minister?

At least 48 percent of Zimbabweans are connected to the country’s power grid, making Zimbabwe number 25 out of 34 surveyed African countries in terms of citizen access to electricity.

This is according to an Afrobarometer survey on 34 African countries.

The study found that efforts to provide reliable energy among countries on the continent were making little progress.

According to the survey, 39 percent of locals believe government was doing a good job in providing electricity but stand at 30 percent in terms of quantity and quality.

Expansion of the electric grid appears to have stalled in most surveyed 34 countries, and only about four out of 10 African households enjoy reliable supply of electricity, a marginal improvement from survey findings three years before.

The analysis further shows that citizens living in rural areas and the poor were still at a great disadvantage when it comes to lights and power.

This may explain why fewer than half of Africans think their governments are doing a good job when it comes to providing reliable supply of electricity.

“Two-thirds (65%) of Africans live in areas served by an electric grid, with no evidence of significant gains since 2011/2013,” the report says.

“While about nine out of 10 households in North and Central Africa have access to a grid, less than one-third of citizens do in Burkina Faso (28%), Madagascar (29%), Mali (30%), Guinea (32%), and Liberia (33%).”

Rural respondents are less than half as likely (44%) as urbanites (92%) to live within reach of a power grid.”

On connection, fewer than six in 10 households (58%) are actually connected to an electric grid with Morocco, Tunisia, and Mauritius boasting of near universal coverage.

More than three out of four Burkinabè, Ugandans, Liberians, and Malagasy are still without an electricity connection.

“Fewer than half (43%) of Africans enjoy a reliable supply of electricity, a marginal improvement since the previous survey round,” Afrobarometer says.

“While electricity that works most or all of the time is the norm in Mauritius (98%) and Morocco (91%), it’s a luxury in Malawi (5%) and Guinea (7%)… Ghana, more than doubled its share of citizens reporting reliable power, from 37% in 2014 to 79%.

“Fewer than half (45%) of Africans say their government is doing a good job of ensuring a reliable supply of electricity and performance evaluations are strongly correlated with the level of access to the grid.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Own Correspondent|The move by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) last week to reduce the mandatory blending of petrol and ethanol before a dramatic reversal in a matter of hours pointed to serious problems in the fuel supply matrix.

Zera issued a brief statement where it announced that “the blending of anhydrous ethanol with unleaded petrol has been reduced from E20 to E10.”

A few hours later, the regulator issued another statement saying the blending would remain at 20% after it got assurances from the government and ethanol suppliers that the levels could be sustained.

Green Fuel, which is owned by a businessman with strong connections to the country’s leadership, enjoys an unfettered monopoly in the supply of ethanol.

Petroleum companies are compelled by law to blend petrol with ethanol before it is sold on the open market.

Zera’s statements last week came at a time when the fuel shortages in the country are getting worse and indications are that this has to do with inadequate supplies of ethanol.

The reduction of ethanol blending would not have been without precedence.

Last year, Zera reduced blending from E10 to E5 before raising it again to E20 after production at Green Fuel’s Chisumbanje sugar fields improved.

According to the government, blending of petrol with ethanol reduces the fuel import bill and ensures stable supplies of fuel.

For motorists, however, there is no evidence that the blending has been beneficial.

Instead many complain that blended petrol does not last and damages car engines.

One of the most likely reasons why the costs remain high is that Green Fuel enjoys a monopoly and is not under any pressure to charge prices that will cushion motorists.

The monopoly is also counterproductive in that when Green Fuel cannot supply enough ethanol the country is brought to a standstill.

It would be tragic if the government last week bent backwards to accommodate Green Fuel after Zera had correctly identified inadequate ethanol supplies as the reason behind the worsening fuel shortages and recommended a reduction in the blending threshold.

A monopoly at whatever level of the economy should not be allowed to hold the country at ransom.

It is incumbent upon the authorities to explain the curious decisions taken by Zera over the blending levels to remove any suspicions that the government was arm twisted.

The fuel shortage that has gone on for more than a year poses one of the biggest threats to economic revival and it needs a holistic approach, including doing away with monopolies.

Fuel users had heaved a huge sigh of relief following the recent pronouncement by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority that it was reducing the blending of Ethanol to 10% from 20%. Motorists were crying foul over the quality of petrol in Zimbabwe.

It simply did not last and would just dissapear from tanks leaving many motorists stranded. Zim drivers often found themseves going fewer kilometres unlike their South African counteraparts because of the poor quality petrol available in most garages.

The recent announcement had been welcomed with open hands. Another issue is that most cars in Zimbabwe are white old and they came from a period where manufactures recommended a maximum of 10% Ethanol and the not the 20% available in the country.

Fuel has however become scarce in the country with long queues being a common festure on filling station. It is also increasing inprice on a weekly basis. A litre if petrol is now costing around 18 rtgs dollars which is beyond the reach of many.

Former Cabinet minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo has come to the defence of Petina Gappah, a former advisor to President Emmerson Mnangagwa who has been attacked for her previous association with Mnangagwa.

Her critics argue that she is not sincere when she claims that she does not support a number of things in the Mnangagwa administration.

Moyo posted on Twitter in her defence saying:

The demonization of@VascoDaGappah after her interview with #TrevorNcube revealed she has big issues with the same #MnangagwaRegime she was part of after the Nov 2017 coup is wrong. Sadly, the “democratic movement” in Zim is its own worst enemy with a suicidal CANCEL CULTURE!

The same demonization of@VascoDaGappah has been extended to@daddyhope by the same self-righteous guardians and moral police of the “democratic movement” whose crude “bad guy versus good guy” narratives have retarded the discourse on and progress of change in Zimbabwe!

Instead of welcoming@VascoDaGappah &@daddyhope, to benefit from their experiences, first-hand information & perspectives, the holier-than-thou do-gooders in “CIVIL” society have amazing if not shocking energy, time & words to demonize & CANCEL OUT real and potential allies!

There’s no change in Africa, that has taken place or succeeded without former insiders & outsiders coming together to coalesce around shared goals for transformational change. The mantra that “once ZanuPF always ZanuPF”, is false & primitive. Even Tsvangirai was once ZanuPF!

The personalization of politics in Zimbabwe has become cancerous & is now a clear & present danger to the country. Every human engagement requires a meeting of minds, which should be the pivotal starting point. Once people have a meeting of minds, it must be all systems go!

Independent Presidential candidate Bryan Taurai Mteki has reportedly rejoined the ruling Zanu PF party ‘after realizing that there is only one President, Emmerson Mnangagwa,’ according to yet to be verified information.

Mteki was part of the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) which has been roundly condemned for its ineffectiveness in dealing with the political and economic crisis facing the country.

MDC VP led by Thokozani Khupe Obert Gutu has blasted ineffective political parties calling for the enactment of legislation that regulates their registration. Do you think Gutu's MDC is effective, popular & it will survive the same law being proposed by Gutu?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) December 9, 2019

By A Correspondent- Former deputy Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, advocate Obert Gutu has said that Zimbabwe needs legislation that will regulate the registration of political parties.

He added that at the moment, there are numerous but ineffective political parties.

His remarks come as 23 individuals contested for president in the 2018 elections with some getting very insignificant votes as the 94% of the total votes cast was shared between ZANU PF’s (President) Emmerson Mnangagwa and MDC-A’s Nelson Chamisa.

Speaking to a local publication after the opposition MDC led by Nelson Chamisa confronted the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission over the recent registration of a new political party, MDC Zimbabwe, Gutu said:

A political party is a voluntary association but there should be certain rules and regulations that guide the registration of political parties to prevent the hazard of having numerous political parties that are, in reality, one-person bands.”

He also speaks when another new party, ZANU PF Original recently notified ZEC of its existence, a move viewed by some as a strategy to divide the ZANU PF support base.

Meanwhile, there are some who believe that the presence of many political parties in the country reflected tolerance and democracy since citizens are allowed to join and form organisations they like.

-DailyNews

HARARE Magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti on Monday 9 December 2019 set free MDC Youth Assembly Secretary-General Gift Ostallos Siziba after ordering that he be removed from remand for allegedly inciting people to revolt against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’sgovernment.

Siziba had been appearing in court since he was arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers on Wednesday 10 July 2019 and charged with incitement to commit public violence as defined in section 187 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

Prosecutors charged that Siziba incited members of the public to rise up against President Mnangagwa’s government when he addressed his MDC party supporters at a political rally held in Harare.

On Monday 9 December 2019, the MDC youth leader’s lawyer Moses Nkomo of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights protested against the State’s failure to have his trial commence despite undertaking to do so on several occasions.

This resulted in Magistrate Muchuchuti agreeing with Nkomo’s submissions and removed Siziba from remand and ordering the State to proceed by issuing summons if it intends to press on with his prosecution.

A Highfield form three girl is reported to have died on Saturday evening at PamaStones Shopping Complex in a generator room while having hard core se_x with a man only identified as John.

The Highfield High 1 School pupil, only identified as Daisy, is reported to have entered a generator room of a local bottle store at the complex with John for a ‘pleasurable moment’ which ended up taking her life.

John is said to be a tuck-shop attendant at one of the tuck-shops at the same complex.

Daisy, who is said to be asthmatic, suffocated during the act due to the carbon monoxide produced by the generator.

John who is reportedly in hospital survived by a whisker after he was found gasping for air when people broke into the generator room after he had fallen on the power cable which cut off power in the bottle store.

“The guy was found gasping for air; people had to break into the generator room.

“He fell onto the power cable which disrupted power in the bottle store, so people rushed to the generator room only to find it locked and broke in and found the girl with no pulse but the guy still had pulse and was gasping for air.
“He had to be rushed to the hospital but I’m not sure which one,” said a source.

Another source revealed that the girl’s family were not taking the issue lightly and did not want to bury their daughter until the bride price has been paid.

“It is being said the girl’s family don’t want anything to do with the burial until John’s family pays bride price because John was already taking her as a wife by sleeping with her,” said the source.H-Metro

Farai Dziva|MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa has said the ZBC documentary on the late founding president of the opposition party, Morgan Tsvangirai, is full of lies.

“I hear ZBC TV is running a documentary based on lies and propaganda against MDC,the late Icon Dr Tsvangirai and myself.

State media propaganda and lies instigate genocides,conflicts and irreparable harm by fomenting unwarranted hate and enmity.

We must learn from Rwanda.stopthehate,” Chamisa posted on Twitter.

Farai Dziva| Emmerson Mnangagwa has revealed that his deputy
Constantino Chiwenga believes he is a very soft man.

Mnangagwa said Chiwenga has been pushing him to adopt a hardline stance against his opponents in the ruling ZANU PF party.

Mnangagwa made remarks on Saturday while addressing Zimbabwe Liberation War Collaborators’ Association (ZILIWACO) members.

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

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

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

Farai Dziva|Ziyambi Ziyambi has dismissed talk of a widening rift between Emmerson Mnangagwa and Constantino Chiwenga.

Ziyambi made the remarks at an event in Chinhoyi.

“There are some rogue elements within the war veterans peddling lies that the province has endorsed VP Chiwenga as the party’s 2023 presidential candidate; that is a lie … instead, VP Chiwenga is behind the candidature of President Mnangagwa thereby endorsing it,”claimed Ziyambi.

A GWERU radio presenter Kim Wimbai Sibanda is being sued ZWL200 000 for adul_tery damages by a businessman’s wife.

Sibanda is alleged to have been engaging in an adulter0us affair with Margret Mupasi’s husband Chris Mupasi which has seen Mupasi neglecting his family.

In summons dated December 3, 2019 at Gweru Magistrates Court, Sibanda is expected to respond within seven working days.

In the particulars of claims, Margret wants ZWL200 000 for adul_tery damages arguing that Sibanda engaged in the adulter0us affair fully aware that Mupasi was married under Marriage Act Chapter 5:11.

“The plaintiff’s husband has now been spending time away from the matrimonial home

“He has now been neglecting his husband duties let alone take care of his family welfare because of the respondent’s presents in his life,” reads part of the Summon.

Sibanda made headlines last year when her photograph with Mupasi trended in the City of Progress.

-State Media

Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has asked Parliament to explain why Gokwe-Nembudziya legislator Justice Mayor Wadyajena is given special treatment in Parliament adding that the youthful flamboyant legislator has never read a report from the Agriculture Committee on his own as he is always absent.

Speaking in the National Assembly recently, Honourable Mliswa said it appears that Wadyajena who chairs the Agriculture Portfolio Committee is only there to chair the committee meetings.

“Mr Speaker Sir, when you are Chairperson of the Committee, there are certain issues which require a Chairperson to be there and report to. I have always talked to Honourable Wadyajena, whether he is a blue-eyed boy or not, he has never given reports.

“He never gives reports as the Chairperson. It seems as if he is only there to chair a Committee and never contributes in Parliament and so forth. You wonder what is wrong with him.

“What are the functions of a Chairperson according to your criteria of picking them? It does not augur well for the people,” he said.

The Norton legislator added that “The only time you see him is when he chairs the Committee. Question time, he is not here and reading of reports, he is not here. I can give you how many times he has never done that including other Chairpersons too,” said Mliswa.

It is not a secret that although Mliswa and Wadyajena are both Emmerson Mnangagwa’s loyalist, they, however, do not see eye-to-eye.

Sometime earlier this year, Honourable Wadyajena chased Mliswa from attending the Agriculture Committee as part of the audience adding that the Norton legislator was not welcome.

According to Honourable Mliswa, Wadyajena is doing whatever he wants in Parliament because he is a blue-eyed-boy and is protected.-

-Open Parly

The opposition MDC President Nelson Chamisa is currently in Germany where he is attending thevGermany Social Democratic Party SPD conference.

Posting on Twitter, Chamisa said he is attending the conference with leaders from other African political parties including the African National Congress of South Africa and Chama Cha Mapinduzi of Tanzania.

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The South Africa-registered Quantum which collided with a Ford Fiesta in Musina yesterday was ferrying some undocumented children to that country to spend the Christmas and New Year break with their parents. 

Five Zimbabweans, including two children died when a Johannesburg-bound cross border Toyota Quantum collided with a Ford Fiesta along the N1 Highway near Musina, Limpopo Province in South Africa.

In a telephone interview yesterday Limpopo Province Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said the white Quantum had 25 passengers on board, all Johannesburg-bound when the crash happened on Friday night. 

He said the South African Police Service (SAPS) was yet to verify the documentation of the children who were involved in the accident. 

“The South African Police Service in Musina are investigating a case of culpable homicide which took place on December 6, 2019 at about 2200 hours along the N1 road between Beitbridge and Musina policing area. 

“A white Quantum with registration number HO54SDGP, pulling a trailer was from Zimbabwe with 25 passengers going to Johannesburg. Among the passengers, there were some kids. The Ford Fiesta vehicle registration number JG71KRGP was from Johannesburg to Zimbabwe with the driver Mr Farai Hunyei and one passenger. 

“Along the N1 road after Baobab Tollgate the above vehicles had a head-on collision,” he said. 

“The driver in the Ford Fiesta died at the scene and his passenger died in hospital. The driver was identified as Mr Farai Hunyei from Zimbabwe. Two passengers in the Quantum died at the scene and their driver Mr Emmanuel Sibanda, also from Zimbabwe died in hospital. The total number of fatalities is five,” said Brigadier Mojapelo. 

The police spokesperson said drunken driving was the suspected cause of the accident although investigations were ongoing. 

“Preliminary police investigations revealed alcohol might have contributed to the collision. Investigations are still continuing,” he said.

By Patrick Guramatunhu| “The Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services portfolio committee said soldiers and police officers are being poorly fed, a situation that compromises their discipline and poses a grave danger to national security” reported Zimeye.

“The nine ration items per soldier per day translate to $54,98 per soldier per day. A paltry $103,17 million was allocated for this item, it is far below the minimum requirement,” said Committee chair, Levi Mayiholme.

“It means that each soldier will survive on 39 cents per day, yet each meal is currently selling at an average price of $30.

“This implies that the soldiers are exposed to intolerable hunger which affects training and skills development programmes. It compromises the soldiers’ discipline.”

Zimbabwe is in a real economic mess and all because for the last 39 years the country has had the great misfortune of being ruled by individuals who are corrupt and incompetent. The chicken are finally coming home to roost. 

As long as Zimbabwe remain a pariah state ruled by corrupt and incompetent thugs, the economic meltdown will only get worse!

Zimbabweans should not be particularly concerned about lack of discipline among those in the security services given that Zimbabwe is a police state and the demise of the Zanu PF dictatorship would never happen as long as the Police, Army, CIO remain doggedly loyal to the dictatorship. 

After decades of those in the security services unlawfully propping up the Zanu PF dictatorship and living in a bubble; the bubble has popped and we welcome the Police, Army and CIO rank and file to the real Zimbabwe. If you survive the chaos and life threatening challenges ahead, none of you will ever support a dictatorship ever again! 

If any of us survive because, right now, everything is in the air. In Zimbabwe, human life is as cheap as chips. Hospitals have closed, 7.7 million are facing starvation and there is no sign to suggest there will be any meaningful change as the Zanu PF ruling elite are clearly determined to hang on to power regardless of the human tragedy, suffering and deaths the dictatorship has caused. Brace yourselves, we are in for a real rough rid and there will be a lot wailing and gnashing of teeth.

One only hopes that we will emerge out of this wise after learning the many lessons from the tragic events of the last 39 years. After 39 years of the nation repeating the same foolish mistakes year after year; hope is very, very thin. 

SOURCE: zimbabwelight.blogspot.com

By Elvis Dzvene| “Rebranding Zimbabwe political arena is critical at this juncture”

Former Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister Dr Walter Mzembi’s name continues to dominate on the political raising fears within the ruling Zanu PF which remains uncertain within the former Masvingo South legislator’s next move.

Despite resembling the best leadership credentials, Mzembi has remained in the background, with many people pushing for his name in the political ring. Respected development and political Analyst Claudius Madhuku has weighed in saying Mzembi resembles good leadership skills and he is a presidential material. He remains one of the people’s darling and admired across political divide.

He commands a lot of respect within the military, youths, within the ruling Zanu PF, within the corporate world. Some have even went on to suggest that amongst the group of those who left the country popularly known as the G40, he remains the best and clean, and majority of Zimbabweans are comfortable to have the former tourism Minister.

He earned a lot of respect when he protected beauty models who contested when he was the tourism minister from political vultures who wanted to take advantage of the young girls. Respected political stalwart and academic Dr Walter Mzembi’s political narrative remains strategic despite many people within political, business, academic circles having many speculations on Walter Mzembi’s political future prospects.

From the onset, he remains one of the respected ministers, if not the only one in Mugabe’s era which resembles some respect within the liberation movement and outside. He remains one of the top role models for many young people who have political, social and economic aspirations.

Apart from the local content, the former Foreign Affairs Minister has received wide endorsement from the international community, military and across political divide. Mzembi is perceived to be one of the serious threats to Mnangagwa regime, after political calculations from the current regime, and this led to his hibernation outside the country.

Comparative analysis entails that amongst the political contenders seeking the highest office of the land, Mzembi and Nelson Chamisa of the MDC led Alliance defines the future generational consensus, and this has led to suggestions of the former Foreign Affairs Minister coupling with the MDC Alliance leader.

Well respected academic and former Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister, Dr Walter Mzembi is a deferred potential Presidential aspirant who could change the Zimbabwe political landscape if given chance to bounce back in the mainstream politics.

Studying from a distance the former Foreign Affairs Minister has clearly calibrated his re-entry into politics and may not be in a hurry to get into the mainstream politics. Mzembi a calculative politician, has avoided responding to media taunts, cheap and personal pot shots at his person which has obviously been a project for deliberate besmirching by his enemies in the current administration.

There is every reason why the regime pushed the former Foreign Affairs minister out of the country for posing a serious threat to Mnangagwa’s presidency. Mzembi is one of the few within Zanu PF who would stand for his words, and he remains one of the few principles if not the only one who would resemble some semblance of respect and dignity. After a near successful run for the post of United World Tourism Organisation Secretary General for which he received a rare commendation from the then cabinet of Zimbabwe for excellent statesmanship and defence of brand Zimbabwe it was a cold blooded act of malice for the very same Government two months later to withdraw its goodwill and persecute him for his loyalty to the late President Robert Mugabe.

The last man standing before a detach military coup, Mzembi’s diplomatic skills have been tested to the limit even in his self-imposed political sabbatical but he has responded with an characteristic golden silence, only broken after nearly two years with another of his trade-mark diplomatic epistles urging dialogue between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Advocate Nelson Chamisa as the closet solution to resolving the current national crisis. Zimbabweans are yearning for progressive politics culminating into a proper development agenda, and this can only be achieved by coupling of young and progressive elements across political divide.

There is an overall consensus within the generational consensus that Advocate Chamisa and the respected Former Foreign and Tourism Minister in Mugabe’s Government, Dr Walter Mzembi resemble some form of respect across political divide. Amongst the Mugabe’s former ministers, Mzembi remains one of the respected officials whose credentials remain undisputed. Walter Mzembi (born 16 March 1964) is a Zimbabwean politician. He previously served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry. He was the Member of the House of Assembly for Masvingo South (ZANU-PF).

Mzembi who led tourism ministry during the time of rebranding Zimbabwe, was the only remaining minister who commanded respect within Mugabe’s Government. When leading the tourism ministry, it was clear that the Former Masvingo South legislator had an infectious charm that broke the barriers of the cultural and political context within and outside the country.

There is a clear testimony why Mzembi remains a thorn in Zanu PF flesh, just after the military coup which led to the ouster of former veteran leader Robert Mugabe, Mzembi was ED’s target, out of the whole G40 cabal, he is the only one who was on target despite court processions giving him a lifeline of relief, they ensured that he was haunted of the country.

Mzembi (55), exuded the hallmarks of personal diplomacy so imperative in leading such an important assignment. Why would the public push for Mzembi’s name despite the Tyson wabantu project that has proved to be a failure from the onset? Why would young people from across political divide yearn for Walter to throw his name in the political ring? Why would some individuals from across political divide push for the former tourism boss? Why would scholars and researchers push for a coupling Chamisa factor? Time will tell, but above everything else, Walter Mzembi’s political journey defines a third narrative concept.

Elvis Dzvene is an academic writer who can be contacted at [email protected]

THE memorial service of the late Glen View South legislator Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java, who died in June from injuries sustained in a road accident in Kwekwe, will be held this Saturday at her late father Morgan Tsvangirai’s Strathaven home after the party failed to secure the City Sports Centre for fear of the event turning into a rally.

The Tsvangirai family spokesperson Manase Tsvangirai confirmed the development. The event, which is expected to be attended by church leaders, politicians, friends and relatives, will be graced by MDC leader Nelson Chamisa.

“The event will be held on December 14 (Saturday) at the family home in Strathaven. The programme will start in the morning at 0900 hours,” Tsvangirai said.

Vimbai succumbed to injuries sustained in a horrific crash on her way from Bulawayo, where she had gone to attend party meetings. The accident also claimed the lives of Paul Rukanda, the late MP’s campaign manager and councillor Tafadzwa Mhundwa, a brother to her late mother, Susan Tsvangirai.
The former MDC women’s assembly secretary general is survived by her husband Batsirai Java, who is a church leader for the Tabernacle of Grace Ministries.

Sources told NewsDay that the MDC had initially settled the City Sports Centre or the Harare International Conference Centre, but struggled to have bookings, forcing the venue to be moved to the late Tsvangirai’s home.

Failure by the family to get a booking at the City Sports Centre, the source said, was a deliberate attempt by the ruling Zanu PF party to block any gathering that will be graced by Chamisa for fear that it would turn into a rally.

Additional Reporting by Newsday

MANICALAND Senator Douglas Mwonzora has called on government to stop funding terror gangs that torment the electorate.

Mwonzora said this in the Senate during debate on the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Bill which was brought before Parliament by Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi where he pointed out that he suspected that the Bill was being crafted to deal with a shadowy Zanu PF political outfit called G40.

G40 was very active during former leader, the late President Robert Mugabe’s time and had rivalry with the Lacoste faction allegedly fronted by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The law seeks to curb corruption by demanding clarification on unexplained wealth and targets terrorism financing.

It was first crafted last year through the Presidential Powers provision, but the country’s laws stipulate that once regulations are crafted through Presidential Powers they must be brought before Parliament for crafting within six months.

“I do agree that there must be curbing to the funding of terrorism, but terrorism must be defined because what happens to the funding of the militia by politicians? This is not covered in this law,” Mwonzora said.

“In other words and like what happened in 2008 where organised gangs were sent on payment to terrorise people: That kind of terrorism is not covered by this law,” he said.

In 2008 there was a campaign of violence and repression in Zimbabwe, aimed at destroying the opposition and ensuring that the late Robert Mugabe retained the presidency in elections runoff.

Zanu PF activists reportedly tortured “sell outs” particularly in areas considered its strongholds that had voted for the MDC in the parliamentary and first-round presidential elections, through an exercise dubbed “Operation Makavhoterapapi? (Where Did You Put Your Vote?)”

Mwonzora said he suspected that the law was being crafted with certain people in mind, for example, due to factionalism in political parties in Zimbabwe.

“There is always something wrong in making a law with a group of people in mind; a group of internal party opponents or former party opponents. At one point in time, we made a law when we were debating the Constitution. We were very clear that when we talked about the President, it was a man called Robert Mugabe.

“The wrongness of that is apparent when that person is not there. I want to appeal to my learned colleagues, who are in Zanu PF, and say that we do know for certain that there are internal dynamics. We do know that there is an outfit called G40. We do not have to like it, I do not like it, but we do know that it exists. But making a law apparently targeting that group is wrong,” he said.

But Ziyambi dismissed Mwonzora’s fears that terrorist financing could mean financing of political terrorists.

“The fears of Mwonzora are not founded and this is a very good and progressive law that will allow us to deal with corruption and ensure that we will be recognised as a Senate that passed a law that helps this country in the fight against corruption,” Ziyambi said.

He said the aim of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Bill was to curb corruption by acts of extortion, fraud, theft, tax evasion, robbery, hoarding of huge amounts of cash and property which the owners do not utilise themselves.

“Homes become unaffordable because of them, capital that should be channeled through banks and other lending institutions is wasted and made unavailable for loans to buy houses or to start business or to employ persons gainfully,” Ziyambi said.

-Newsday

FIVE ZIMBABWEANS, including two children died when a Johannesburg-bound cross border Toyota Quantum collided with a Ford Fiesta along the N1 Highway near Musina, Limpopo Province in South Africa.

Sources who spoke to Chronicle said the South Africa-registered Quantum was ferrying some undocumented children to that country to spend the Christmas and New Year break with their parents.
In a telephone interview yesterday Limpopo Province Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said the white Quantum had 25 passengers on board, all Johannesburg-bound when the crash happened on Friday night.

He said the South African Police Service (SAPS) was yet to verify the documentation of the children who were involved in the accident.

“The South African Police Service in Musina are investigating a case of culpable homicide which took place on December 6, 2019 at about 2200 hours along the N1 road between Beitbridge and Musina policing area.

“A white Quantum with registration number HO54SDGP, pulling a trailer was from Zimbabwe with 25 passengers going to Johannesburg. Among the passengers, there were some kids.

The Ford Fiesta vehicle registration number JG71KRGP was from Johannesburg to Zimbabwe with the driver Mr Farai Hunyei and one passenger.

“Along the N1 road after Baobab Tollgate the above vehicles had a head-on collision,” he said.
“The driver in the Ford Fiesta died at the scene and his passenger died in hospital.

The driver was identified as Mr Farai Hunyei from Zimbabwe. Two passengers in the Quantum died at the scene and their driver Mr Emmanuel Sibanda, also from Zimbabwe died in hospital. The total number of fatalities is five,” said Brigadier Mojapelo.

The police spokesperson said drunken driving was the suspected cause of the accident although investigations were ongoing.

“Preliminary police investigations revealed alcohol might have contributed to the collision. Investigations are still continuing,” he said.-credit :Chronicle

Zimbabwe’s central bank has asked the International Monetary Fund to overlook the country’s shortcomings in achieving fiscal targets and allow a program to help restore the econo my to run its course.

Eddie Cross, a member of the monetary policy committee who attended the meetings held with the Washington-based lender’s delegation on Thursday, said policy makers expected a “tough report” from the IMF team, which is in the country until Wednesday (Dec 11) to review progress under a Staff Monitored Program.

“We asked them to recognise the achievements we have made in such a short space of time,” Cross said in an interview in the capital, Harare. “We urged them to recognise that our fundamentals are now sound.”

Cross said some of the achievements include a reduction in the budget deficit, the establishment of an interbank market and reducing state employee costs.

An electronic interbank system will go live later this month as the central bank tries to bring transparency into the trading system.

So far, 15 lenders have confirmed their participation.

However, the gains have been overshadowed by the worst economic crisis in a decade.

Inflation surged to 38 percent in October and while the statistics agency has stopped publishing an annual price-growth rate, Cross puts it at 400 percent. According to Bloomberg calculations, based on the statistics office’s  consumer price index data, the rate was 440 percent in October.

A drought has also left nearly half the population of 14 million people food-insecure.

Rising food costs forced the government to make an about-turn on scrapping grain subsidies.

The government will shoulder this cost and it’s likely to attract scrutiny from the IMF after it called for tighter monetary measures and curbs on government spending in its last review.

The Staff-Monitored Program is seen as a precursor to getting debt relief that’ is needed to restore the economy, and is due to end in March.

Cross said he was sure that the IMF would “grudgingly agree” to let the program run its course. 

BLOOMBERG 

2/2 Meanwhile police have arrested 16 suspects who assaulted a Zupco driver en route to BB on 4/12/19 at a service station in Gwanda. They will appear in court soon. #notocrime @ChronicleZim @ZBCNewsonline @HeraldZimbabwe @SundayMailZim @ZiFMStereo @NewsDayZimbabwe @DailyNewsZim

— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) December 7, 2019

THE memorial service of the late Glen View South MP Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java, who died in June from injuries sustained in a road accident in Kwekwe, will be held this Saturday at her late father Morgan Tsvangirai’s Strathaven home.

The Tsvangirai family spokesperson Manase Tsvangirai confirmed the development. The event, which is expected to be attended by church leaders, politicians, friends and relatives, will be graced by MDC leader Nelson Chamisa.

“The event will be held on December 14 (Saturday) at the family home in Strathaven. The programme will start in the morning at 0900 hours,” Tsvangirai said.

Vimbai succumbed to injuries sustained in a horrific crash on her way from Bulawayo, where she had gone to attend party meetings. The accident also claimed the lives of Paul Rukanda, the late MP’s campaign manager and councillor Tafadzwa Mhundwa, a brother to her late mother, Susan Tsvangirai.

The former MDC women’s assembly secretary general is survived by her husband Batsirai Java, who is a church leader for the Tabernacle of Grace Ministries.

Sources told NewsDay that the MDC had initially settled the City Sports Centre or the Harare International Conference Centre, but struggled to have bookings, forcing the venue to be moved to the late Tsvangirai’s home.

Failure by the family to get a booking at the City Sports Centre, the source said, was a deliberate attempt by the ruling Zanu PF party to block any gathering that will be graced by Chamisa for fear that it would turn into a rally.

Correspondent|MDC Vice President Professor Welshman Ncube has welcomed former ZANU PF Political Commissariat Saviour Kasukuwere to opposition politics.

Writing on Twitter Ncube said, “Welcome to the opposition my brother Tyson hoping u have learned the lesson of history from the failed J. Mujuru experiment that it is foolish to think that ZANUPF is a voluntary organisation whose members and supporters can leave at their whim and vote for whosoever they want.”

Welcome to the opposition my brother Tyson hoping u have learned the lesson of history from the failed J. Mujuru experiment that it is foolish to think that ZANUPF is a voluntary organisation whose members and supporters can leave at their whim and vote for whosoever they want.

— Prof. Welshman Ncube (@Welshman_Ncube) December 7, 2019

Welsman Ncube’s statement invited mockery from National Patriotic Front Spokesperson  Jealousy Mawarire who said, “Hope you also learnt from your failed MDC-N experiment that MDC is not a voluntary organisation where members support whoever they want.”

Kasukuwere is rumoured to be behind the #TysonWabantu Movemnt which launched itself to the political super league of Zimbabwe last Friday.

In a tweet on Friday the organisation said, “The #TysonWabantu Movement needs to be demystified and understood by all, this movement was started by various groups who believe in the capabilities and abilities of  Kasukuwere to lead, we to this day await Kasukuwere acceptance to lead us into a formidable movement.”
Kasukuwere is yet to endorse the movement.

NewsDay|ZANU-PF MPs have called on MDC legislators to surrender the diplomatic passports issued to them courtesy of President Emmerson Mnangagwa if their claim that he is illegitimate is genuine.

The call was made by Zanu-PF MP for Mberengwa North, Tafanana Zhou, in the National Assembly recently after raising a point of privilege.

“It must be realised that the diplomatic passports were issued on the understanding that when MPs are outside the country, they represent the president who they say they don’t recognise so they should surrender them to the clerk of Parliament forthwith to show that they are genuine.

“They cannot take from the president only that which suits their personal interests,” Zhou said.

The call was met with approval from the opposition bench, with MPs waving the passports in the air and as they called on clerk of Parliament Kennedy Chokuda to take them, saying they did not need the documents.

MDC Alliance councillors in Marondera last week walked out of a meeting called by the Provincial Development Coordinator (PDC) Tarubarira Kutamahufa at Government Complex protesting the presence of a police officer.

This paper is reliably informed that the councillors protested why a member of Police Internal Security Intelligence was attending the meeting before they all walked out, resulting in the meeting ending pre-maturely.

Deputy mayor Bornface Tagwireyi yesterday said the councillors walked out of the meeting following the business community’s recent refusal to attend a budget meeting at council chambers.

“I was not there, but the business community reported us to the resident minister resulting in us being summoned to her office. Remember that the business community walked out of a council budget meeting recently, so the councillors did the same. I will get the finer details from the mayor because I was in Kariba,” he said.

Marondera mayor Chengetai Murowa was not picking calls yesterday.

Marondera Urban Business Association (MUBA) chairperson Carlos Pindirire confirmed that the councillors walked out of the meeting.

“The councillors walked out of the meeting after the (PDC) had summoned them to deliberate issues that were raised by the business community. The meeting didn’t go as planned due to the behaviour of the council,” he said.

Government last week summoned all councillors following a chaotic supplementary budget meeting that saw members of the business community in Marondera walking out of the meeting accusing council of ignoring their concerns.

The business community under MUNA recently told council that they will only participate in a new budget exercise after council provides answers to their queries; among them the existence of a parking company that is collecting money from motorists with reports that council is not benefiting from the deal.

The MDC councillors, however, accused MUBA members for being linked to Zanu PF hence their move to disrupt their operations.

NewsDay

By Farai D Hove| Zimbabwe’s most popular politician, Nelson Chamisa has blasted the state broadcaster over a hate campaign documentary against him and his late mentor, Morgan Tsvangirai.

Chamisa said ZBC could end up creatimg conflicts and irreparable harm by fomenting unwarranted hate and enmity.

I hear ZBC TV is running a documentary based on lies and propaganda against MDC, the late Icon Dr Tsvangirai and myself, he wrote.

He continued saying: State media propaganda & lies instigate genocides, conflicts & irreparable harm by fomenting unwarranted hate & enmity.

After all we are one people. Life is too short to waste on unprofitable enterprises.

We as a nation should build, transform and develop. We must learn from Rwanda.

State Media|ALL is set for the 18th Zanu-PF Annual National People’s Conference, which starts tomorrow with about 10 000 people expected to attend, a senior party official said yesterday.

Speaking on the sidelines of a Zanu-PF meeting at the Bulawayo Polytechnic, the party’s Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu said the party has mobilised enough resources to cater for the delegates.

“We are almost 100 percent done and all is now set for the conference. We were expecting 5 000 delegates, but then we have got other stakeholders who have been so overwhelmingly keen to attend the meeting and that has actually spiralled the number to almost 10 000. In fact, 5 000 of those are observers who will just attend the opening session, but our delegates will remain,” he said.

The conference runs from tommorow until December 15 at Goromonzi High School in Mashonaland East.

Dr Mpofu said the party was flooded with requests from representatives of various sectors of the economy interested in attending the conference.

“There has been overwhelming requests from all sectors of the economy throughout the country as people want to attend the conference. It is unprecedented because we haven’t had this kind of interest before, but this time all sectors have asked to be accommodated in the opening of the meeting. We are also ready with resources to cater for all the people who will be attending and we would not disappoint as usual,” he said.

Dr Mpofu said top on the agenda at the indaba will be the state of the party and the prevailing economic challenges.

Cabinet Ministers have been invited to give updates on the progress made in the journey to achieve a prosperous society in 11 years’ time. Government’s Vision 2030 is premised on establishing an upper-middle income society, which implies growing the country’s gross domestic product from an estimated US$25 billion last year to US$65 billion in 2030.

“We are going to focus on bread and butter issues and top on the agenda is the issue of the economy and the challenges that the country is facing, which people are concerned about and those will be addressed by Ministers, heads of departments in the party. We have thematic committees that will specifically address issues that would have been raised by the conference as well as by the party,” he said.

Delegates are expected to travel to the venue on Thursday, with proceedings expected to begin in earnest on the next day.

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

He said the conference would consolidate national efforts towards reviving the economy, a marked departure from the previous regime when political issues took centre stage.

Some of the key issues on the agenda include devolution, food security, social services, macro-economic stability, inclusive growth, infrastructure development, as well as value-addition and beneficiation. In line with President Mnangagwa’s enunciation that in the Second Republic the party has supremacy over Government, Zanu-PF is expected to come up with key economic decisions to be tabled before Government for implementation.

FIVE ZIMBABWEANS, including two children died when a Johannesburg-bound cross border Toyota Quantum collided with a Ford Fiesta along the N1 Highway near Musina, Limpopo Province in South Africa.

Sources who spoke to Chronicle said the South Africa-registered Quantum was ferrying some undocumented children to that country to spend the Christmas and New Year break with their parents.

In a telephone interview yesterday Limpopo Province Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said the white Quantum had 25 passengers on board, all Johannesburg-bound when the crash happened on Friday night.

He said the South African Police Service (SAPS) was yet to verify the documentation of the children who were involved in the accident.

“The South African Police Service in Musina are investigating a case of culpable homicide which took place on December 6, 2019 at about 2200 hours along the N1 road between Beitbridge and Musina policing area.

“A white Quantum with registration number HO54SDGP, pulling a trailer was from Zimbabwe with 25 passengers going to Johannesburg. Among the passengers, there were some kids. The Ford Fiesta vehicle registration number JG71KRGP was from Johannesburg to Zimbabwe with the driver Mr Farai Hunyei and one passenger.

“Along the N1 road after Baobab Tollgate the above vehicles had a head-on collision,” he said.

“The driver in the Ford Fiesta died at the scene and his passenger died in hospital. The driver was identified as Mr Farai Hunyei from Zimbabwe. Two passengers in the Quantum died at the scene and their driver Mr Emmanuel Sibanda, also from Zimbabwe died in hospital. The total number of fatalities is five,” said Brigadier Mojapelo.

The police spokesperson said drunken driving was the suspected cause of the accident although investigations were ongoing.

“Preliminary police investigations revealed alcohol might have contributed to the collision. Investigations are still continuing,” he said.-

State Media|High mark-ups imposed by importers, wholesalers and retailers of medicines have resulted in a flood of cheaper drugs being smuggled from neighbouring countries and sold on the streets by vendors.

Along with legal drugs, that require a doctor’s prescription and in any case can legally only be sold by a registered pharmacy, vendors are also pushing banned drugs.

The street drugs are not tested and there is no guarantee that they are genuine and have been stored properly.

Worse still, the drugs are being dispensed by untrained vendors, who have usurped the functions of doctors, nurses and pharmacists.

Street drugs can cost as low as a quarter to an eighth of the pharmacy prices.

Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) Commissioner-General Faith Mazani confirmed that drugs were being smuggled into the country, saying this called for a joint operation involving the police and the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

“Smuggling of medicines is now rampant in this country. Some enter through undesignated points that we are not even aware of. At times, there is connivance with our officers. They are corrupted the same way as those who are involved in vehicle smuggling scams.

“Another problem is that, as Zimra, we can only detect consignments that come through the border posts.

“Others are smuggled by water using boats and with our limited resources, we are not capacitated enough to prevent such occurrences. When the drugs get into the cities, we all see them but it is difficult for us to tell whether they were smuggled or stolen from hospitals.

“So the issue is so complex and there is need for a joint operation involving Zimra, the Ministry of Health and the police to enable to raid the drugs from the streets,” she said.

Some of the drugs are banned by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) because of their hazardous effects, but they find their way illegally onto the market.

MCAZ director-general Mrs Gugu Mahlangu said MCAZ previously launched joint operations with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Drugs and arrested a number of dealers.

Mrs Mahlangu said previous blitzes did not include Zimra, which has now turned to be an important stakeholder in the fight against illegal drug sales.

However, Mrs Mahlangu said fines imposed on the offenders were not deterrent enough.

“Fines of $500 imposed on the drug dealers are not deterrent at all. They actually treat the fines as a cost of doing business.

“Legislators should amend the laws and prescribe a mandatory prison term for drug peddlers. The fine is now more like a parking ticket,” said Mrs Mahlangu.

The opening for the smuggling chains ending with the street vendors comes from the high prices of medication in Zimbabwe compared to identical products in the rest of the region.

There are Zimbabweans who find it cost-effective to drive to Musina to fill prescriptions, or even take a bus to Blantyre every three months.

A near monopoly by one Zimbabwean company on imports of Indian generics, usually the cheapest tested brands of particular drugs, has been identified as the major reason for the high prices in pharmacies.

While smuggling used to be largely through official entry points, with corruption of Zimra officials part of the overhead, a general tightening of procedures has seen more smugglers reverting to canoes to bring their high-value but small-bulk cargoes across the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers.

Some of the drugs being sold on the streets without prescription include: cotrimoxazole, ibrufen, pethidine, stromox, super apetito, erythromycin, azithromycin combicult, brimal satchets, Broncleer, comblimodus, diclofenac tablets, Depo provera, doxycycline, hydrochloride injection, Attesan, benzylpenicillin, diezpam and ampicilasodica.

Other dealers are now selling drugs from their houses in high-density suburbs like Mufakose, Mbare and Mabvuku.

Sex enhancers, which are also on the market, are prohibited in the country because of their side effects which may cause heart failure or damage to kidneys.

The sex-enhancing drugs selling on the illegal market include Blue Diamond tablets, Viengray, Cobra, Pentra-50, Manforce and another inscribed “7 hours”.

Our investigations have established that the drugs smuggled from Zambia and South Africa using haulage trucks and bus drivers through Beitbridge and Chirundu border posts with more dealers now using boats to smuggle the drugs from Zambia across the Zambezi River and linking up with the truck drivers just outside Chirundu.

Drugs from the borders are offloaded at service stations along Simon Mazorodze Road in Harare, where the drivers are paid for their work.

Consignments will then be taken for resale at various known “bases” at Copacabana market in the central business district (CBD), around the Fife Avenue Shopping Centre, Mbare, Highfield, Mabvuku, Kambuzuma, Glen View, Mufakose, Budiriro and Warren Park.

Those who cannot afford medical consultation fees, are either diagnosed by the street vendors for free, or do self-diagnosis before buying cheaper drugs.

Some are under proper medical care and have been given prescriptions but cannot afford the pharmacy prices, so they also resort to the vendors.

All that is done in violation of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act and its associated regulations. A handful of medicines, such as aspirin, can be sold in a licensed general shop.

The next batch can be sold in a licensed pharmacy only, but does not need a prescription. The final batch can only be dispensed by a licensed pharmacy on the instructions of a doctor’s prescription.

At Mupedzanhamo market in Mbare, illegal medicines traders were visibly overwhelmed with customers.

Hydrochlorothiazide (25mg), a drug taken by hypertension patients, was selling at Z$12 for a 10-day supply while the same supply costs between $20 and $25 at city pharmacies.

Brufen, a strong painkiller once available in supermarkets as well as pharmacies, can easily be bought in Mbare without any hassle for as little as Z$3 for a packet of 10. The same pack costs up to $25 at registered pharmacies in Harare.

At the intersection of Leopold Takawira Street and Robert Mugabe Road in Harare, women vendors who were displaying empty boxes of sex enhancing and skin lightening creams were touting for customers.

This writer bought family planning tablets inscribed “Secure L (Levonorgestrel)” for Z$3 when registered pharmacies were charging Z$12.

In an interview, a vendor who is popularly known as Chihera at Mupedzanhamo in Mbare said street sales were on the increase so she and her friends have to restock weekly.

“Our prices are reasonable and more people are now buying from us. We are now forced to restock every week.

“We are saving lives here although we are not trained to dispense drugs. People can no longer afford drugs from pharmacies,” she said.

Another woman, who preferred anonymity, said she was making a living through selling such drugs at Copacabana.

She said her suppliers smuggle the drugs from Zambia through undesignated entry points using boats along the Zambezi River.

“We used to smuggle the drugs and creams through Chirundu Border Post, but now it is hard to do that, now we take them through Zambezi River using boats,” she said.

“There are people ready to do that for us. We don’t have any challenges transporting our ‘stuff’ from the border to Harare because no searches are conducted throughout the journey.”

Some of the drugs have since been banned by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) because of their hazardous effects, but they find themselves illegally on the market.

Recently, MCAZ spokesperson Mr Richard Rukwata said sex enhancers and other prohibited drugs were hazardous to health.

“People should know that these sex-enhancing drugs are dangerous and can cause irreversible damage to their kidneys,” he said. “The victims end up in a terrible condition where they require regular dialysis services for the rest of their lives. We advise men who suffer erectile problems to see urologists for help than abusing the banned drugs. They should always keep fit by exercising regularly. After taking the enhancers, some may suffer heart failure.”

Recently, MCAZ spokesperson Mr Richard Rukwata said sex enhancers and other prohibited drugs were hazardous to health.

“People should know that these sex-enhancing drugs are dangerous and can cause irreversible damage to their kidneys,” he said. “The victims end up in a terrible condition where they require regular dialysis services for the rest of their lives. We advise men who suffer erectile problems to see urologists for help than abusing the banned drugs. They should always keep fit by exercising regularly. After taking the enhancers, some may suffer heart failure.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mwnation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— NewsDay

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

. ZimLive

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“I didn’t employ myself,” she said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Standard
  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Marry Chiwenga

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— The Standard/

VIDEO LOADING BELOW

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— Zimbabwe Voice

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-The Independent