Incarcerated anti-Robert Mugabe protesters say that they are being denied food by the Prison authorities.
The 11 who are detained at Harare Remand and Chikurubi female prisons respectively, told People’s Democratic Party President Tendai Biti, on Tuesday, they are starving.
The activists complained about the lack of food as the prison officials were denying visitors to bring them food from outside the prison complex.
The prison guards reportedly cited health reasons.
Food and other drinks are on sale in prison: a two litre plastic bottle of Coke, which is sold outside for $1, 20 is going for $4 while a one litre bottle of water, which is sold for $0.75 in supermarkets, going for $1, 50.
The astronomical prices, the activists said, were forcing most of the inmates to go hungry most of the times as prison food was inadequate and poorly prepared.
Among the activists Biti visited were; Linda Masarira, Tatenda Mombeyarara, Pride Mkono, Pamela Mawire and Makomborero Haruzivishe, Irene Takavada, Shadreck Dhliwayo and Brian Kansunzuma.
The activists who were arrested last week, are failing to raise the $1,000 bail amount they were granted by a Harare magistrate.
They are being accused of robbing two women in central Harare, when they were staging a 16 day protest against Robert Mugabe’s misrule.
They are however denying the charges.
During the prison visit, Biti urged the activists to remain focused and strong, “despite the attempts by Zanu PF to use state machinery to clamp down on opposition forces”.

Terrence Mawawa, Zaka| State security agents last week raided Zaka Primary School and abducted a staff member who is a senior member of the Progressive Teachers Union(PTUZ).
In a telling reminder of the 2008 horror in which teachers and opposition supporters were abducted ahead of the disputed Presidential election run-off, CIO agents from Zaka office arrived at the school last Thursday and took away Matthew Eston, who is a PTUZ provincial member.
Sources at the school told ZimEye.com Eston was abducted in broad day light by the state security agents who accused him of denigrating President Robert Mugabe.
It is understood the CIO agents were helped by the school head, Mr Masese, who is a known Zanu PF activist, to track Eston.
“Eston was abducted in broad daylight by officials from the President’s office. They accused him of undermining the authority of the President and they also accused him of refusing to contribute money towards Mugabe’s birthday bash. They also ordered him not to associate with the PTUZ,” a teacher at the school said.
Eston was released after a few days of being subjected to intimidation and torture.
A jittery Eston also said he was slapped with open hands and burnt with unknown substances as the state security agents interrogated him. “All I can is that it was a horrible experience,” said Eston.
Local pressure group Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development(COTRAD), said state security agents do not have any right to abduct. “The incident is a reminder of the violence which rocked the whole nation in 2008. The CIO agents have to desist from acting as Zanu PF activists. Instead they must execute their duties in a professional manner. We view the incident as sad and unfortunate. As COTRAD we do not condone violence,” said the organisation’s Advocacy Officer, Brighton Ramusi.

Target Approach Programme funds meant for the country’s ailing health institutions have been abused, with at least $107 million going unaccounted for.
Irregularities in the disbursement of funds include the violation of tender procedures and procuring of obsolete equipment, among others.
A parliamentary portfolio committee on Health and Child Care said there was no proper supervision on the programme that was meant to give life to the ailing health institutions.
The committee’s investigations was triggered by Mberengwa North MP Tafanana Zhou (Zanu-PF) who raised a red flag on Mnene Mission in his constituency after allegations of failing to properly account for about $700 000 given to it.
Some of the observations were that budget and resource allocation was not above board while provincial medical directors and Zimbabwe Association of Church Related Hospitals were by-passed by the parent Ministry thereby could not supervise the programme.
“Tender procedures were flawed as the same company was contracted in almost all hospitals. Mission hospitals did not have the capacity to manage large sums of money and a lax financial system that allowed leakage of funds into individual pockets,” said Bulawayo Metropolitan MP Ms Nomvula Mguni (MDC-T) while presenting the committee report.
It was noted that PMDs were by-passed and were told not to interfere with the programme.
“Most of the hospitals negligently purchased dysfunctional equipment, disbursement of funds were inconsistent resulting in the stalling of some projects and Ministry of Health and Child Care disbursed funds to mission hospitals without receiving acquittals from these institutions,” said Ms Mguni.
The committee recommended disciplinary action against those that deviated from procedure.
“At Mnene, the committee was informed that tenders were approved by the Ministry of Health and Child Care and not by the hospital procurement and tender committee. It was further stated that some tenders that were approved by the State Procurement Board were overridden by the Ministry of Health and Child Care,” said Ms Mguni. 
Bikita West MP Dr Munyaradzi Kereke (Zanu-PF), said while the report was good there was need to make such investigations on time and not several years later.
“Here we are looking at a proficient report borne out of a hardworking committee, but it is looking at 2012 long after the horse had bolted. We need to ensure that Government audits are as current as possible,” said Dr Kereke.
Gutu South MP Dr Paul Chimedza (Zanu-PF), said most of the observations occurred during the inclusive Government and it was the MDC-T that held the Ministry of Finance and Health and Child Care respectively.
Binga North MP Mr Prince Sibanda (MDC-T), complained that hospitals from Matabeleland region got paltry amounts while those from other areas got the bulk of the money.
Some of the hospitals visited include Mutambara, Mtshabezi, Kariyangwe, St Albert’s and Chikombedzi. State Media

The crisis has seen depositors making numerous trips to banks to access their money, with each transaction attracting high charges.
According to the new charges announced yesterday, the maximum RTGS charge has been set at $5 from $10, while ATM charges did not change at $2.50.
Electronic funds transfer will now attract a minimum fee of 33 cents and a maximum of $2,10, while a point of sale (POS) transaction of up to $10 is now attracting a charge of 10 cents, and transactions above $10 will be charged 45 cents from $2,50. POS user charges have been removed, merchant service commission will now range from zero to a maximum of 1 percent for local transactions, while monthly administration charges will range from zero to a maximum of $5 for individuals.
Governor Dr John Mangudya said the new charges would go a long way in promoting the use of plastic money. State Media

 

Staff Reporter
Contrary to state media reports this morning that Arcadia United Football Club, legendary midfielder Mike Abrahams, had died, the man is actually alive and well and reported to have actually been at his work place at Delta Beverages in Bulawayo reading the news of his death.
A local daily ran a back page headline that the man nicknamed ‘Mabhurugwa’ during his heydays died last week on Wednesday and was buried in Bulawayo last Saturday.
The daily went further to quote a daughter of Abrahams named Naledi confirming the death of the once great midfield general.
Speaking on national radio this evening, prominent Bulawayo based sports commentator Sibongumusa Dlodlo dispelled the news saying that Abrahams was alive and well only shocked by the news of his death.
This is the second time in as many days that state media has provided a major boob in its sports reports. On Sunday the national broadcaster spent the better part of the day reporting that the Zimbabwe under 20 national soccer team had defeated Cameroon by a goal to nil while the team had actually lost by three goals to nil.
An official at the ZIFA offices in Bulawayo told ZimEye.com that they were also shocked when they read of Abrahams’ death in the media. The official said they doubted the news at first as there was no way a character of Abraham’s would die and be buried without the news getting to anyone at ZIFA or any of his former team mates.
“We doubted this whole thing from the onset and questioned how he would even be buried in Bulawayo when he is an Arcadia suburb born boy of which his community would not have taken to him being buried in Bulawayo,” said the official.
Meanwhile a ZimEye correspondent claims that a Mike Abrahams from Bulawayo died in the course of last week and may have been the source of the state media story.

The MDC-T has suspended Acting Harare Mayor Christopher Mbanga and has recalled him from Town House for failing to recognise the appointment of former banker Mr James Mushore as the city’s town clerk.
The party’s National Standing Committee met last week and unanimously agreed to suspend Clr Mbanga who is now expected to appear before the party’s National Disciplinary Committee within the next 14 days.
Clr Mbanga, however, said he is yet to receive a letter outlining the position, although reports suggest that the party’s secretary for local government, Mr Eddie Cross, served him with the letter.
Government reversed the appointment of Mr Mushore soon after a council meeting that announced his appointment, saying council flouted procedures for appointing a town clerk as outlined in the Urban Councils Act and Local Government Board regulations.
According to the law in question, council was supposed to submit three candidates to the Local Government Board for approval.
Government later suspended Mayor Barnard Manyenyeni over the issue.
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Obert Gutu yesterday confirmed that Clr Mbanga has been suspended.
“Our National Standing Committee had a meeting on Wednesday last week. It was unanimously resolved that we suspend Clr Mbanga with immediate effect.
“He will appear before the National Disciplinary Committee chaired by our national chairman Mr Lovemore Moyo within 14 days,” he said.
Said Clr Mbanga: “Communications of that nature come from the secretary general (Mr Douglas Mwonzora). That has not been communicated to me yet.”
Communications seen by The Sunday Mail show that Mr Mushore had threatened to leave if MDC-T failed to get rid of Clr Mbanga.
In the communication, Mr Mushore calls Clr Mbanga “the head of the snake” at Harare City Council. MDC-T councillors are deeply divided over Mr Mushore’s appointment to the extent of failing to even convene a special full council meeting to hammer out a solution.
Last week Mr Mushore questioned Clr Mbanga on why he had taken time to request him to go on leave since the Special Council meeting which sent him on forced leave until determination of matters before the courts.
“I hope that the sudden delivery of your month old letter to me has not been motivated by any attempts on your part to derail the meeting which you are aware I requested with the chamber secretary Mrs (Josephine) Ncube, to begin the investigation into alleged corrupt activities and misuse of ratepayers’ funds,” reads the letter.
“It is my sincere hope that your reluctance to involve yourself actively and your apparent support of her being titled ‘Acting Town Clerk’ is not the motivation behind this special resolution letter as my mandate requires me to serve the ratepayers with transparency.”
In response to Mr Mushore’s letter, Clr Mbanga said: “I told him if you are town clerk as you purport, why didn’t you read the council resolution? I also told him that he was supposed to be in the chamber, so why did he want me to write to him, when he is the custodian of council minutes.”-state media

Outspoken Member of Parliament for Harare West, Jessie Majome has honoured the courage exhibited by solo actor Silvano’s Mudzvova in his popular play Missing Diamonds : I want my share.
Speaking at the show’s premiere, Majome said the actor had shown audacity by capturing in detail the anger and frustration of many Zimbabweans over the missing money that could have turned around the country’s economic fortunes.
“I want to say thank you,” Majome said to Mudzvova.
The MP said it was time people got rid of fear and spoke out against the excesses of a government that has long lost touch with the realities of citizens’ daily hardships.
Mudzvova’s play deals with real life issues of a population that has become hostage to its own government.
The play was inspired by President Robert Mugabe’s embarrassing admission that about $15 billion raised from diamond sales was missing during a televised boadcast ofhis annual birthday interview.
The play was first staged at Parliament building on April 13 leading to a nasty brush with the police.
In 2014, Mudzvova released a satirical film, Kumasowe, which chronicled the battering of several anti–riot police officers, who had accompanied Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe president, Johannes Ndanga to effect a ban of Johane Masowe eChishanu apostolic sect in Budiriro.
In 2011, Mudzvova came up with a play titled The Confessor that tackles political violence inspired by “a startling admission” by a chief in Zaka that he actually “played a part in the violence that rocked his area during the June 27, 2008 presidential election run-off poll”.
Mudzvova made headlines in 2007 after he was arrested after the launch of his play, Final Push, which was seen in some circles as a veiled instigation for people to oust the Zanu PF regime.
The award-winning actor has since said he is now living in fear.
“Knowing how things are in Zimbabwe, I am now living in fear that something might happen either to me or my family,” he told NewsDay recently.

ZRP cops have caused an uproar after displaying on paper what has been termed as shocking ignorance.

A mistake by a male cop as they wrote the embarrassing “underwear” word in place of “underway,” has sparked a social media frenzy.

The inspector wrote on a police report that investigations are underway, but used the word “underwear.”
Thousands took to social networks Facebook and WhatsApp to mock the force. “Many police officers do not have O’Level English”, wrote blogger Denford Dura.

Zimbabwe People First leader, Joice Mujuru will next weekend officially begin her meet the people tour with a rally in Bulawayo, ZimEye is can reveal.
The Bulawayo rally scheduled for Stanley Square Stadium in Makokoba will be the first of the scheduled ten rallies in weeks that will see her going through all the provinces in the country.
Sources within the party indicated that Mujuru will visit all provincial capitals on a weekly basis starting next weekend in Bulawayo before the party holds its official launch rally in Harare immediately after all the provinces have been visited.
Mujuru’s rallies come at a time when several of her members have been accusing her of being too silent and taking too long to launch her party. The sources say that Mujuru chose Bulawayo as her first point of call because of the huge membership she has attracted from the Matabeleland Regions.
The party’s Secretary General Dzikamai Mavhaire confirmed that Mujuru will be launching her provincial rallies next weekend though choosing not state where the first rally will be held. ZimEye.com however managed to establish that the party has indeed booked Stanley Square Stadium for a public gathering to be held on the 18th of June.

Following the cash shortage in the country,  the  Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has started an operation to assess banking systems by high cash generators such as wholesalers, retailers, mobile phone companies and fuel dealers after it was revealed that cash deposits fell by a staggering 40 percent on average last month.
The operation is part of a cocktail of measures to alleviate the current cash shortages.
The operation was revealed by Finance and Economic Development Minister Mr Patrick Chinamasa in his report on the implementation of the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim-Asset) to the Zanu-PF National Consultative Assembly last Friday.
The operation by the RBZ is covered under Section 11 of the Bank Use Promotion Act.
The Act reads: “Every trader and parastatal shall, unless it has good cause for not doing so, deposit in an account with a financial institution, no later than the close of normal business hours on the day following that on which the cash is received or on the next banking day, cash that is surplus to the requirement of the trader.”
The RBZ operation started early this month.
“The RBZ’s Financial Intelligence Unit invoked Section 6 of the Bank Use Promotion Act (Chapter 24:24), and has launched an operation targeted on assessing banking trends by high cash generators that include wholesalers, retailers, mobile phone companies, and fuel dealers. The first phase of this operation started on Friday the 3rd of June 2016,” said Chinamasa.
The RBZ has also been closely monitoring cash deposit patterns.
“RBZ had been monitoring cash deposit trends within various banks, where it was generally noted that cash deposits had declined by an average of 40 percent during the month of May 2016,” said Mr Chinamasa.
He indicated there had been reports of illicit cash deals on the market.
“There are reports which alleged that some players were selling cash, engaged in illicit deals, and were not depositing cash as required in terms of Section 11 of the Bank Use Promotion Act,” said Mr Chinamasa.

He highlighted other interventions Government was implementing to address the liquidity challenges.
These include foreign exchange stabilisation and export incentive measures, promoting the use of banks and domestic resource mobilisation.
On foreign exchange stabilisation and export incentive measures, Mr Chinamasa said there had been a significant rise in the use of plastic money by the public.
The number of point of sales machines had increased sharply from 4 258 in 2012 to 17 448 as of April 2016, he said.
The increase in POS machines partly follows a directive by Treasury via circular No 7 on May 30, 2016, instructing Ministries, Government departments, local authorities and parastatals to introduce POS machines.
Chinamasa said consultations on reducing charges and fees for use of POS machines, Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and mobile banking platforms were underway.
There have been concerns over high bank charges since dollarisation in 2009 and the public outcry grew louder with the current cash shortages as more Zimbabweans turned to plastic money.
The average charge on RTGS transaction is $10 while withdrawal fees are on average $3 in banking halls and $2 – $2.50 for withdrawals through on ATMs.
ZIPIT/POS fees are as high as $10 for a $500 transaction.
This is over and above accounts maintenance fees of about $12 per month.
President Mugabe last week called for urgent review of bank charges.
“The domestic resource mobilisation entails harnessing financial resources from the local sources through initiatives such as taxes, savings, and plugging leakages throughout the economy, among others,” said Chinamasa.
He said Government was aware of challenges facing the country’s taxation system like corruption, inefficiencies, illicit financial flows and a declining tax base due to de-industrialisation and growing informal sector activities as well as relatively high effective tax rates.
Mr Chinamasa said Treasury had since given the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority board the mandate to increase the tax base, automate the tax collection system and to combat corruption.
The report by Mr Chinamasa touches on various other economic essentials expected to address the current economic malaise. – state media

Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Fred Moyo lost his property as the High court sheriff visited his Borrowdale home and attached property worth thousands of dollars after he and fellow directors of a mining firm failed to settle a $1,5 million debt.
Moyo and fellow directors stood surety to Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe Limited for a $765 000 loan, now repayable with interest and other charges almost matching the principal.
The money was advanced as a loan to Ox Mining Private Limited, a company in which Deputy Minister Moyo was a director.
It is reported that Deputy Minister Moyo bound himself as surety together with three other top-ranking OX Mining officials.
When Ox Mining failed to pay the debt, Stanbic sued the firm and its directors.

Last Friday the Office of the Sheriff of the High Court indicated interest stood at $691 239 while the commission was $72 861.30.
Other smaller charges were factored in, giving a total of $1 457 225, 30.
On Friday, the Sheriff of the High Court went to the deputy minister’s house on Quinnington Road, and attached almost all moveable property in sight, including a Ford Ranger T6 and a Nissan Hardbody.
All household property including six fridges, two sets of sofas, stoves, kitchen unit, computers, tables, microwaves, dressing tables, were attached.
The Sheriff also attached 15 school desks at the house, window and door frames, a Kipor electric generator, two water tanks, among other items.
The property was attached in the presence of the deputy minister’s wife Mrs Moyo, who watched helplessly as the Sheriff executed his duties.
The property attached was valued at less than a quarter of the debt and the Sheriff is expected to attach more property to satisfy the court judgment.- State Media

Tendai Biti, is reflecting on what happened during his term as Minister of Finance with some disappointment. In 2010, during the inclusive government era, Biti suggested Zimbabwe join the Rand Monetary Union (RMU) as a way of adopting the South Africa Rand instead of using a basket of multiple currencies, including the US dollar.
The US dollar became the dominant currency on the Zimbabwean market but its elusiveness has nearly brought President Robert Mugabe’s government to its knees, prompting it to use unpopular means such as introducing bond notes, in a desperate attempt to arrest the cash crisis.
Biti this week told the Daily News on Sunday that it is too late to join the RMU or adopting the South African Rand.
“There are some who are now calling that we should join the Rand Monetary Union.
“In 2010, I moved that Zimbabwe should join the Rand Monetary Union and I was heavily opposed, ironically, by the Bankers Association of Zimbabwe (Baz) among other groups but now I think it’s too late,” Biti told the Daily News on Sunday, exclusively.
“Now it’s no longer a solution because of the volatility of the South African Rand and also the disequilibrium of our own economy.
“The current cash squeeze which has seen long queues forming at local banks on the back of pronouncements of introducing the bond notes, has led to suggestions that Mugabe’s administration must adopt the Rand as its major currency.
Baz, a professional and lobby group representing local bankers, has also waded into the Rand use debate.
Last week, its chairperson Charity Jinya told Parliament that government should explore the use of the Rand.
Jinya heads MBCA Bank, a subsidiary of Nedbak South Africa.
But Biti said Zimbabwe’s problems are too many to be exported into the RMU.
“The members of the RMU will not accept us because our economy has deteriorated so much” it would be like “the importation of Zimbabwe’s structural problems into the RMU.
“And so they won’t accept unless we attend to certain structural problems.
“The underlying structure of the Zimbabwe economy is wrong, so whatever currency you use and change, it will be delegitimised by the structure of this economy and that’s why you need reform.
“It’s like a crook with a scar on his face it doesn’t matter what make-up you use, the scar remains the same.
“So deal with the fundamental problem of that structure. That is a problem we have it’s no longer a currency issue but a structural issue.
“So let’s reduce the cost structure and make it more competitive. So what needs devaluation is not the US dollar; what needs devaluation is the cost structure of Zimbabwe which is fundamentally skewed.”
Biti’s successor Patrick Chinamasa has ruled out adopting the Rand while Mugabe has put the speculation on whether the bond notes are coming or not to bed by declaring there will be in circulation in October.
Most Zimbabweans, victims of Mugabe’s toxic and disastrous policies, have received with trepidation the announcement of bond notes introduction.
Although central bank governor John Mangudya has ruled out the immediate return of the Zimbabwe dollar, insisting conditions are not yet ripe for its re-introduction, there is palpable fear that Mugabe’s government will take back the country to the days of hyperinflation in 2008.
Millions of Zimbabweans sank into poverty while pensioners’ savings were wiped off as they were left to contend with the worthless local currency.- State Media

Terrence Mawawa, Chiredzi|A Chiredzi man ejaculated on the thighs of a 60 year old woman as he attempted to forcibly have sex with the elderly lady.
Polite Makajani of Lisenga Village under Chief Tshovani in Chiredzi, appeared before Magistrate Tafadzwa Mhlanga on Saturday, facing attempted rape charges.
The incident happened last Thursday when the complainant had gone to the field to look for okra since she wanted to prepare a meal.
Makajani trailed her as she went to the field and grabbed her by the neck and pulled her to the ground.
He removed her pants and tried to rape her but the woman resisted and overpowered him.
Makajani who was already expecting to have sex with the woman ejaculated on her thighs and fled from the scene. He was later apprehended after a police report had been made.
Makajani denies attempting to rape the woman, has admitted emptying his discharge on her.
Makajani was remanded in custody to June 20 when trial is expected to resume.
Speaking to ZimEye.com yesterday, local villagers said Makajani’s reckless behaviour stunned the whole community. “We did not expect such behaviour from the young man. We were shocked by his reckless behaviour. After all the woman she attempted to rape is just like his own grandmother.
We did not expect him to behave in such a deplorable manner,” said a local villager who declined to be named.

Chipangano warlord, Jim Kunaka has replaced humiliated lobbyist, Acie Lumumba.
The two who were both once members of Chipangano, a rogue organisation that terrorised Harare citizens, were ousted by Robert Mugabe’s party. Now  in the never ending drama within the ruling party, Jim Kunaka is back firmly in the bosom of the party that groomed him. Pictured in the below, was Kunaka (left) yesterday as he made his debut entry, sitting beside Patrick Zhuwao at a time when his colleague Lumumba on the other hand was being pushed further down the political latrine. Kunaka told ZimEye.com in an exclusive interview he has been warmly accepted (click here to read more).

Zanu PF will soon release US$6,4 million to pay second term school fees for children and dependents of war veterans.
This is to fulfil the President’s promise made in April to improve the welfare of former freedom fighters and their dependents.
About 43 000 children are listed as beneficiaries of the War Veterans School Fees Fund.
Secretary for Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Ex-Political Detainees and Ex-Restrictees Brigadier-General (Retired) Walter Tapfumaneyi told The Sunday Mail that Treasury had already transferred some of the money to accounts of beneficiaries.
“We are in the process of receiving money from Treasury as part of US$6,4 million billing per term. Some of the funds are already reflecting in our account.
“We are finalising clearing the remaining arrears for first term with schools that hold other accounts since we first dealt with account holders in banks such as POSB, Cabs and CBZ where the majority of our members are banked.
“We will be done with the minority accounts by early next week to pave way for the new processes which we believe won’t take time to dispatch to different schools as we have completed a new database of beneficiaries.
“Most parents are grateful with the work we have done so far, but we feel there is need to increase our pace so that children are not inconvenienced due to late payment of school fees. We plead with schools not to turn away children from attending lessons for non-payment of fees.”
Rtd Brig-Gen Tapfumaneyi said the new database of beneficiaries would root out fake claims.
War veterans are entitled to pensions, education fees, medical support, funeral cover, loans and subsistence benefits.
Rtd Brig-Gen Tapfumaneyi said a special purpose vehicle — People’s Own Wealth Empowerment Right (Power) Zimbabwe Private Limited — had been established to increase war veterans’ financial capacity through multi-million-dollar initiatives.
Dzimbahwe Trust superintends the SPV, which will seek stakes in mining, agriculture, media and other businesses.-State Media

The Harare Residents Trust has blamed unabated graft in the Harare City Council for its failure to provide essential services and also to pay council employees their salaries on time.
This emerged after four Harare City Council officials allegedly diverted 52 000 litres of petrol worth US$70 400 last year and documents with incriminating evidence were destroyed. It is also alleged other important records were not availed for audit, thereby raising fear that more could have been looted.
Implicated in the fuel scandal are Messrs L Mabika, N Chitate, V Fundikwa and I Chirengo who allegedly connived to misappropriate 4 000 litres of petrol per day for 13 days.
It also emerged that 146 goods received notes vanished.
This is contained in an internal report dated April 27, 2016; titled “Systems review audit on procurement of fuel at Harare water”.
Council spokesman Mr Michael Chideme declined to discuss the matter.
However, the internal audit report is expected to be discussed at the full council meeting tomorrow.
Council auditors recommended the department of water to report the looting to police.
“Audit is concerned at the serious breakdown of procurement systems at Harare Water and feels that the misappropriation of fuel could have just been a tip of the iceberg as audit failed to vouch 146 goods received notes, due to failure by stores officer to avail them,” reported council auditors.
The audit report notes that from the onset, it was clear that Mabika had an intention to misappropriate the fuel because the volumes he requested (4 814 — 7 882) were far too large for the Harare Water Highfield’s petrol tank which measures 4 000 litres.
Mabika is accused of witnessing as fuel was loaded at the supplier’s depot. He also signed delivery notes although the fuel did not reach the council’s storage tanks.
Part of the audit report reads: “Stores personnel falsely acknowledged that the fuel was physically received and recorded, by processing the goods received notes for the fuel which was not received. The loss control records also show that the fuel was not physically received.”
Council officials stand accused of destroying 12 copies of fuel purchase order books.
“Fuel receiving books and goods received note books were not availed, raising fears that they could have been more fuel paid for but not received.
“More so, goods received note books at Highfield Stores could not be verified as they were only recorded in the security register on issuing only. Furthermore, some pages for an analysis book for transaction sent for payment by the procurement office during the same period were also destroyed,” reads part of the report. Auditors also unearthed lack of compliance to record goods received which were not entered into the receipt book.
It was revealed that goods received notes numbers 403851, 403855, 406508 and 501601 were fraudulently used as support for payment for goods which were never received.
In response, the Harare Residents’ Trust said: “The main reason the municipality is unable to pay council workers their salaries and provide essential services to the people is that most of the money being generated from viable ventures in being abused. Service delivery continues to deteriorate yet some funds are missing and no action is being taken to punish the culprits.

A united front of churches has called on President Robert Mugabe to resign in order to redeem the flagging fortunes of the country.
Several church organisations met in Harare this week, where a consensus was reached to put pressure on President Robert Mugabe to leave office for allegedly failing to run the country.
The Zimbabwe Divine Destiny (ZDD), Christian Prophetic Voice Zimbabwe, Christian Voice, Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, Christian Alliance and Prayer Network Zimbabwe, among others, convened a meeting to discuss efforts and approaches being taken by church organisations in response to Zimbabwe’s challenges.
The convener of the meeting, Ancelimo Magaya, said Mugabe was abusing citizens’ rights and implementing unworkable policies.
“There is a clear indication and consensus that President Mugabe has failed us. We feel very strongly that he is also too old to continue,” Magaya said.
“He has failed and we have made observations that whatever difficulties we are going through right now, it is actually a result of the leadership crisis where a leader has failed to provide servant leadership.”
Magaya said his ZDD would particularly mobilise for Mugabe to realise the need to pave way for others.
“As ZDD, we are going to increase action against reckless policies, ad hoc policies such as the introduction of bond notes. We are also going to resist a situation where a given bunch of people really take our lives for granted. Now we really have to push for his (Mugabe’s) retirement,” he said.
Pius Wakatama, of the Christian Prophetic Voice of Zimbabwe, said the Zanu PF government was politicising food aid, disrespecting the rule of law and was corrupt, urging the church to rise and defend the poor and powerless from abuse.
Opposition parties also threw their support behind the call by churches for Mugabe to step down.
MDC-T spokesperson Obert Gutu said: “The involvement of the church in the country’s politics is a new dawn and vindicates what we have always said. We have always called for democracy and Mugabe to step down, but because we are a generally Christian nation, we hope they will accept the church’s call.”
Zimbabwe People First spokesperson Rugare Gumbo also said they were in full support of the church’s call for Mugabe to retire.
“The church has always been involved in politics even before independence and it played a big role in fighting oppression. The church is now reawakening and we hope the rest of the nation will look at the situation from the church’s perception,” Gumbo said.
Kurauone Chihwayi, the spokesperson for the MDC, also welcomed the stance taken by the Christian denominations.
“We hail the position taken by the clergy since it buttresses and approves the call by opposition political parties and civic society.
There is need for all sections of society to explore and agree on a working political formula or language that Robert Mugabe will understand,” Chihwayi said.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) have urged citizens to be vigilant, tolerant and united in working together towards transformation of the floundering economy.
ZHOCD raised concern over the delays in processing real-time gross settlement payments for a period of up to eight days.
The church leaders urged authorities to ensure that there was no heavy-handedness in ensuring compliance on various measures put forward in the financial sector, while expressing concern over high lending rates by local financial institutions and the introduction of bond notes.
They said if the government decides to carry on with bond notes, they must have an expiry date not going beyond December 2017. They called for the introduction of an independent board to monitor issuance of bond notes and allow respected international monetary institutions to monitor their injection into the financial system.-Newsday

FORMER secretary general in the Professor Welshman Ncube led Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Moses Mzila Ndlovu and at least 64 others have terminated their membership and completely cut off ties with the “green” party.
Ndlovu announced he and other former members were finally ending their relationship with MDC at a presser Saturday morning held at the Presbyterian Church in Bulawayo.
The meeting was also attended by about 150 people – most of them former members of the MDC such as Esaph Mdlongwa, Elizabeth Ndlovu, Abednico Moyo, Dudu Dube and former deputy minister of higher education, Lutho Tapela who was in the crowd.
The crowd even chanted “Simunye Mthwakazi, Simunye” meaning we are one nation.
Ndlovu said “serious” deliberations were made but the group realised there were irreconcilable differences which could not be solved between them and MDC leadership.
“The challenges bedeviling the people’s organisation, the MDC have long been a public issue. Of course the public at large might not be aware that while some ugly scenes played out in the media, both formal and informal means were attempted to resolve some of the problems through the laid down internal processes.”
Ndlovu said there “was a minimum of 65 people” who have turned in their MDC membership card and party regalia as a show of leaving the opposition party.
“As Zimbabweans, we have been exposed to cruel ways of terminating one’s party membership like burning t-shirts,” he said. “We are going to do things in a civilised way. If our colleagues insist that it belongs to them, we will engage in negotiations with them. For now, we are keeping custody of this (cards and regalia).”
The former secretary general pointed out despite numerous attempts to resolve the issues, no meaningful results were made.
“Indeed, the problems are deep rooted and complex to even try and narrate then here, suffice to say we have not resolved anything. Hence my acknowledgement and expression of gratitude to colleagues who waited trustingly and confidently for the internal processes to address these issues but unfortunately nothing has happened or even initiated along those lines. At this juncture and chapter of our protracted struggle, it is no longer a question of who did what and why? We have come to accept that let bygones be bygones. It is time to close that chapter,” he said.
“Some of us have taken a decision,” he said. “Since we are at crossroads, we were compelled to decide one way or the other. Indeed, making such profound decisions cannot be easy, but we have done so nonetheless. History will judge us by the decision we have taken. Having carefully studied our situation and the conditions in the MDC, we do not regret in this important decision.”
The former minister of National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration in the Government of National Unity, however, paid tribute to Prof Ncube and “all colleagues we have struggled together in the MDC.”
“There are lifelong lessons we learnt and would continue cherish especially from President of MDC, (Professor) Welshman Ncube,” Ndlovu said.
“Those amongst us who have worked with him since the formation of the MDC are well aware of his many qualities and commitment to democratic change. He always led from the front.”
Ndlovu dismissed suggestion that he is leaving the MDC to lead a regional party, but insisted that, “there is so much energy amongst us, we have no intention to say our departure from the MDC should also mark our departure from politics.”
Elizabeth Ndlovu, a former MDC in Matabeleland South, lamented that the leadership acted unilaterally compromising the party’s standing.
She referred to the infamous case involving Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga where it is alleged Prof Ncube handpicked her to represent Umzingwane constituency to the exclusion of local female candidates.
“I have been hurt and disappointed by the MDC. I started politics long ago where the likes of the late Joshua Nkomo used to respect me but only for me to be disappointed by MDC,” Ndlovu said.
She also encouraged potential male political leaders to behave themselves and respect women and stop making advances at females in the party.
“To the men close your zips, you can’t run a country where the agenda is to have as many women to your name,” Ndlovu claimed.

By Simukai Tinhu Political analyst

Summoned state television journalists were ordered to record the nonagenarian as he reads his “resignation” speech.
Due to ill-health, he reads the speech which interrupts the normal ZBC’s 8pm news bulletin. The president is stepping down and annointing Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa as his successor. Looking exhausted and “frail”, Mugabe finishes his speech by urging the party and nation to rally behind the Midlands heavyweight.
Six months down the line, Mnangagwa is firmly in power. Changes have been sweeping. His government has already introduced more than a hundred changes that include abolishing the elected mayors, city councillors and has closed down private radio stations on the one hand.
On the other hand, thousands of miles away from Harare, in his Saudi Arabian palace — the “Siberia” of deposed African leaders — Mugabe regrets as the three-hour long interview nears its end: “I made a mistake!”
The Guardian newspaper interviewer thinks to himself: the nonagenarian has never admitted to making a mistake before.
“So you think if you had changed the course of your country by introducing progressive economic reforms and liberalising the political system and then mapped out a succession plan, things might have turned out differently for your nation?”
But the former Zimbabwe strongman is talking about something totally different: “No! I mean, I should have seen this coming and finished Mnangagwa off within a year of being vice-president!”
Usually, internal crises of men of Mugabe’s gigantic intelligence take place in those most private and remote regions where we mere mortals can never reach. Did he mean demotion, expulsion or assassination? We will never know.
Mugabe’s stance on succession
In recent months, Mugabe’s room for political manoeuvre has been seriously squeezed by a trend within his own party. Since he ascended to the vice-presidency, those within the ruling party who are in support of Mnangagwa taking over have, on behalf of the reluctant Midlands godfather, been attempting to force out the nonagenarian. The most active in that endeavour have been the war veterans, a group of senior elites in the central committe and politburo and some youth groups who are eager to see the nonagenarian depart from the political scene and hand over the leadership of the party well before the 2018 elections.
In response to this growing pressure, the president has been characteristically outlandish. A couple of weeks ago, the nation’s strongman sanctioned the party’s youth wing to organise what has become known as the “million-man march” in support of his candidature for the upcoming elections.
At the million-man march, Mugabe reiterated that he has no intention, any time soon, of passing on the political baton to anyone, least of them Mnangagwa. His wife, Grace, supported her husband’s position and told the Zanu PF loyalists who thronged Robert Mugabe Square, just outside Harare’s central business district, that her husband was not going anywhere. Instead, he would rule from beyond the grave. According to her, he is “irreplaceable”.
In politics, such outlandish utterances, if said once, can be excused as a mistake or too much excitement by the speaker. The politician concerned might indeed go ahead and apologise and the public might have no qualms in forgiving him or her. But if the politician makes such statements more than once, these statements then form a trend and the public should have a greater interest in their meaning. This is not the first time that the First Lady has said something similar, with the same message being directed at Mnangagwa. Before, she has talked about getting a wheel barrow or a special wheelchair for her husband if his age becomes a stumbling block to eternal rulership.
What more clear message does Mnangagwa need in order to understand that his senior in the party and government has no intention of handing over power to him, any time soon. Indeed, if he continues to forestall his allies in the army and war veterans association’s call for a much more confrontational approach with the president, his ambitions risk suffering a still birth like those of his predecessor, Joice Mujuru.
The Midlands godfather seems to prefer the wait-and-see approach, hoping one day to receive a letter from State House or a hospital in the Far East telling him that Mugabe has succumbed to biology. On the other hand, his allies, in particular the impatient war veterans and Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander General Constantine Chiwenga, who risks losing his job anytime soon, are urging him to ratchet up the pressure against Mugabe. With Mnangagwa contradicting a confrontational style favoured by his allies, what you have in the Team Lacoste, as the Mnangagwa camp is known, is a muddled grand approach to remove the president.
But with such strong resistance from the president, his wife and their G40 loyalists on one hand and a poor strategy by Team Lacoste on how to undermine the nonagenarian on the other, Zanu PF might as well be represented by a 94-year-old at the 2018 elections. Indeed, time is running out for the 77-year-old Mnangagwa — he is not 74 as officially understood — leaving a coup, whether in the party or government, as the only realistic strategy to push Mugabe out well before the upcoming elections.
Before venturing much into this discussion, let it be understood that writings about a coup should not be interpreted as a deadly suggestion — that is, if you don’t want your elected leaders, you have to get rid of them through extra-constitutional means. Nor should it be seen as an expression of one’s wishes. Writing about coups in our very own context is important in the sense that it helps broaden our imagination to the realms of what can happen to any political system, including our own. Coups have been executed in some of the most unimaginable political situations. Surely, a coup must have crossed the minds of Mnangagwa’, Chiwenga and others at some point.
Now, let’s look at various ways in which Mnangagwa can at least in theory orchestrate a coup.
 
 
Allies in the military
Mnangagwa is close to Chiwenga whom he reportedly intends to make a potential vice-president. In return for the vice-presidency and potentially passing on the leadership baton in the future, the general can facilitate a coup. The nonagenarian could be arrested, pressured to tender his resignation and then hand over power to his vice-president.
Alternatively, the military could declare a coup without directly contacting Mugabe. The claim to “restore democracy and reconstruct the country” could be cited as the reasons for this extreme measure. State of emergency is declared and parliament suspended.
The military will then follow the standard post — coup restoration of civilian order sequence. Initially, they might probably want to run the country themselves with Chiwenga heading a military government for a couple of years whilst “progressive reforms” are being implemented or install a transitional civilian government run by handpicked politicians, mostly from the ruling party, Zanu PF. An election will then have to be organised after at the end of the transitional government. The Midlands godfather will then “win the election”.
However, Mnangagwa is unlikely to take this course. This is because there is a massive chance that a military coup might fail. Mugabe’s allies may call an anti-coup demonstration or protest that might galvanise the president’s support base of women, youths, Mashonaland provinces and rural voters against coup plotters. The security sector itself, in particular, that section of young officers who detest Mnangagwa might turn against the coup. Indeed, they might back off and even join the protesters if the coup faces stiff resistance.
Also, the vice-president understands how seriously Mugabe takes being challenged. If the coup fails and is sent into reverse, this move will certainly have serious consequences for Mnangagwa’s camp. Not only will his ambitions be dealt a huge blow, but also the nonagenarian might take extreme measures.
Hunting down Mnangagwa and his allies will follow if a coup fails. Furthermore, for a man who craves legitimacy, in order to mask his historical human rights abuses and corruption, Mnangagwa understands that ascending to power through a military coup means that all that work that he has undertaken in order to convince the British, in particular, and the West in general that he is the right man for the job, might suddenly unravel.
 
Using party elites
Mnangagwa has not only grown powerful as a result of the security sector support, but also within the party. He has a huge following of party elites within both the politburo and central committee who wants him to take over.
He can use these disgruntled party elites either through the ruling party structures, as Mujuru attempted to do in 2013, or those party elites in the politburo or central committee to openly defy Mugabe thereby undermine his authority. If Mugabe submits to this pressure, this could be seen as a “soft coup” — a palace coup.
This again, is a strategy which is fraught with risks. None in the politburo or party’s central committee who were appointed by the nonagenarian for that matter can openly challenge Mugabe. Not only do these elites risk losing their positions within the party, but they also risk being kicked out of the party or government altogether. This will not only mean loss of political power, but most importantly loss of patronage and access to state resources for personal survival.
Political allegiance in Zanu PF is also fluid making it difficult for the vice-president to have a good estimate of who is and who is not on his side. As the case of three youthful politicians who until recently owed their political careers to the Midlands godfather, Zanu PF elites are ready to jump ship when their political careers are threatened. Mnangagwa used his political capital, resources and networks for the former ZBC reporter, Makhosini Hlongwane, Anastacia Ndhlovu and Tapiwa Matangaidze to further their political careers. However, these politicians have since switched sides to G40, which is led by Grace Mugabe.
Alliance with the opposition
This then leaves Mnangagwa with only one realistic option — an alliance with the opposition.
This can be done in two ways. First, utilising state resources and also his authority within the government, Mnangagwa can use the opportunity provided by the protests against Mugabe’s rule or use his power within the government to provoke a crisis that can be used by the opposition to stage a demonstration. Indeed, Harare’s political rumour mill has it that Mnangagwa, through his ally Patrick Chinamasa, mooted the idea of bond notes, a political move meant to undermine Mugabe’s leadership, or clandestinely encourage the opposition to protest against Mugabe’s rule. Not only will he need to devote resources to that cause, but he also needs to use his connections in the security sector to be restrained in their containment of these protests. The objective of such a strategy will be to erode Mugabe’s authority through delegitimation, forcing him to reconsider his position as party and the nation’s leader.
Second, he can combine forces with the MDC parties and use the legislative approach to push Mugabe out. This would be in the form of an impeachment. The president could be impeached on various grounds, but mostly realistically for corruption and incompetence in government. Mnangagwa would have to persuade a sufficient number of Zanu PF legislators to back his plan and also earn the trust of the opposition which is, however, likely to view that strategy with suspicion.
If it were to be successful, this strategy will allow Mnangagwa to earn legitimacy in the eyes of the international community and possibly some sections of the opposition. The resultant transitional or government of national unity with the opposition will allow him to buy time that he will certainly need to consolidate his position within his party and government in the post-Mugabe era.
Will a coup happen?
Mnangagwa is not a risk-taker. Though many point to the Tsholotsho Declaration of 2004, in which he attempted to circumvent Mugabe’s then choice of vice-president, Joice Mujuru, many have to remember that this was not his idea nor did he execute it personally. It was Professor Jonathan Moyo’s idea and his other allies at the time. Also, without clear signs that Mugabe has been weakened significantly, Mnangagwa is also unlikely to make any move against his senior.
In addition, a coup might set him on a collision course with London, which he is so desperately keen to impress.
But most importantly, almost every coup has been preceeded by strong rumours and in some cases, strong evidence of an impending coup. Indeed, there is always a sense of sweeping of the regime, which any insightful leader such as Mugabe would be able to see. These are both missing in Zimbabwe, and this explains why Mugabe can afford to leave for a month-long holiday in the Far East with the man who wants to take his position in charge of the nation. Such audacity tells us that the prospects of a coup in Zimbabwe are very remote even if politics is unpredictable.
Tinhu is a political analyst based in London.    – Standard

Bank executives and managers are failing to keep their hands off their female colleagues in rampant cases of sexual harassment that have now been brought to the attention of Parliament.
Representatives from the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions and the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions who appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Service Sociological Welfare told of how employers also use the Labour Amendment Act passed into law last year to convert workers’ contracts from permanent to one-year fixed contracts.
They said employers took advantage of employees by applying the carrot and stick method in order to have their way.
ZCTU vice president Mr Peter Mutasa said female employees were the most affected. “We have instances where female employees are now being sexually harassed,” he said. “You have to choose between being abused and a three months’ notice. If it’s a female-headed household you can guess what the employee will choose. “In short, the impact of that amendment is that it eroded all the other pieces of law that seek to protect workers.”
MPs asked that he corroborates his claims by clearly stating where such abuses were rampant.
“We have done a survey in the banking sector and the figures coming from these banks are too high. You hear women testifying that ‘our managers are telling us to book for lodges and hotels using our own money and say call us when you are ready.
“Managers will be holding a three-months termination letter. If you don’t want, you are put on the (termination) list. So people are suffering. Women are suffering much more than men with this amendment. If we don’t protect labour by protecting job security, we are destroying the nationhood of this country which is against our ideals,” said Mr Mutasa.- state media

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Deputy Minister Tapiwa Matangaidze has said there is need to review the current framework on vacation leave for teachers as it tends to give them an unfair advantage over other civil servants, since they have three months holiday per year coupled with a three month leave entitlement after seven years.
He said while Government agrees that teachers are entitled to leave, there is need to rationalise the framework.
He was responding to a barrage of questions from several Senators on whether Government would review the leave framework for educators considering that the Labour Court ruled that the State could not unilaterally revoke that right.
Manicaland Senator David Chimhini (MDC-T) wanted to know what the way forward was, considering the ruling by the Labour Court.

“We are bound by the court’s ruling. But the point is there is a good case to argue that the leave days for teachers is excessive and unsustainable.
“There is need for framework to rationalise the leave days. What we have here is a department in Government which is seasonal just like tobacco industry. There is a season when teaching does not occur like January, August and December,” said Deputy Minister Matangaidze.
Harare metropolitan Senator Theresa Makoni (MDC-T) asked why Government wanted to vary conditions that had been in existence since colonial times and after independence.
Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Paul Mavima weighed in saying there is need to do things efficiently and effectively.
He said the fact that the practice had been there before independence did not make it right.
Responding to another question, Deputy Minister Matangaidze said Government had three months’ supply of food for the vulnerable.
He said more food was expected both for the vulnerable and to help under the food for work programme.
“We are currently sitting on enough stock. We have three months’ supply and more is expected,” said Deputy Minister Matangaidze.
He said there had been an increase in the elderly and people living with disabilities who required food owing to drought. – State Media

Top businessman and one of the country’s pioneers in the indeginisation drive ,Aaron Hapagarwi Samuriwo, has died.

He was 89.

Samuriwo succumbed to heart failure at Trauma Centre and Hospital in Harare on Tuesday.

Samuriwo is father to one of the first three pilots in Zimbabwe, Charles.

Family spokesperson Ms Abigail Samuriwo said mourners are gathered at No. 13 Ecstien Road in Marlborough.

“People will leave for our rural home in Chihota, Mashonaland East, tomorrow (today) ahead of his burial on Saturday,” she said.

Terence Mawawa | A self-styled prophet, Isaac Makomichi was forced to run for dear life  being exposed for planting a fake goblin in a home-stead he was apparently ‘cleansing’ of demons. Makomichi,who is a leader of one of the many spiritist churches in the country, the Miracle Healing and Deliverance Ministry, was forced to flee from the homestead after family members discovered he had planted ta fake goblin in the main bedroom of their house, in order to dupe them over his ability to exorcise demons.
He had demanded $490 to carry out the exercise.
The incident happened last week in Chirumanzi where Makochi was invited by Trust Chembesi whose three year old son had fallen ill, to conduct the deliverance session.
“I visited Makomichi last Sunday and he told me there were goblins and demons which were tormenting my son and said there was need to visit my homestead to exorcise the evil spirits,” Chembesi narrated his ordeal with the fake prophet.
He further explained, “Makomichi asked us to pray facing the north and as we prayed one of his emissaries planted the fake goblin in the main bedroom. However, my brother Maxwell noticed it.” At being discovered, Makomichi disappeared into the fields with Chembesi and his relatives in hot pursuit. His Nissan X-trail vehicle was badly damaged as he fled from the scene.
“We then asked him to hand over the so called goblin to us but he refused. He became jittery and fled from the house and we pursued him ,”explained Chembesi.
Makomichi however dismissed the story as baseless adding he never planted the said goblin at the homestead. He also threatened to sue Chembesi for the damages to his car.

Controversial Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe President, Aspher Madziyire , is said to have been involved in a road accident near Mvuma.
According to one of his junior pastors, Judah Danda, who posted on the church’s Facebook page, Madzivire escaped with minor injuries.
“He was with his wife and they are said to be fine. We thank God. Let us pray for them,”posted pastor Danda.

In an exercise which opposition parties have tagged “Fools for Work” a ZANU PF official has told villagers in Matobo to continue working for government in the Food for Work Programme even without getting the promised food aid (reward) as they will be compensated by obtaining an exemption from paying subscriptions for their ZANU PF membership cards and other local levies raised by the party.
The Villagers in the Mbembeswane area of Matobo district who are involved in the ongoing government Food for Work programme have been promised a year’s exemption from forced ZANU PF membership subscription.
Villagers in the Mbembeswane area of Matobo claim that they were recruited by ZANU PF district officials in the province to do the food for work. As payment the villagers were to be paid with a bag of maize for work done.
However, after working for almost (15) fifteen days repairing a road in the area, the villagers have not been assured if they will be get their promised payment. Instead an unnamed ZANU PF district official has told the villagers that they will be given exemptions from paying the compulsory ZANU PF card subscriptions.
According to the villagers, ZANU PF officials responsible for the project refused to assure the villagers that they will get their bag of maize as promised.
The villagers say they approached the local councillor seeking assurance and the latter referred them to District Development Fund authorities who neither would assure them of their grain gain.
The villagers have since threatened to quit the programme unless they get assurance of payment as agreed.

Turning to Zaoga leader Ezekiel Guti, Grace Mugabe said he was in many ways like her husband, President Robert Mugabe.

“When I look at you every time, you remind me of my husband…” – Grace

Report by Newsday |FIRST Lady Grace Mugabe yesterday made security agents and sound engineers run after she complained about the poor sound quality just before stammering through her prepared speech at the official opening of the ZAOGA Forward in Faith Ministries-owned Mbuya Dorcas Hospital (MDH) in Harare.
State security agents moved behind the public address system controls and started giving sound engineers instructions after Grace expressed unhappiness over the echoes coming from her microphone.
“I don’t like the microphone, it’s making echoes,” she said, sending her contingent of security officers into action.
Grace stumbled through words such as “casualty” and “indigenisation” as she read her prepared speech, but later became animated when she started speaking off the cuff.
Turning to Zaoga leader Ezekiel Guti, Grace said he was in many ways like her husband, President Robert Mugabe.
“When I look at you every time, you remind me of my husband. You are such a neat person, very well presented and a very meticulous person and you always glow, you glow because of the thoughts you carry in your heart,” she said.
Although the First Family is renowned for seeking medical attention outside Zimbabwe, after touring the medical facility, Grace said it had world-class medical equipment.
MDH, which has two wings — one for medical health care and the other for spiritual healing, a first of its kind in Zimbabwe — was mooted 50 years ago in the mind of Guti as he preached at Harare Central Hospital.
MDH opened its doors in 2012 and has a state-of-the-art laboratory, A-Grade intensive care unit, maternity ward and paediatric ward.
Health deputy minister Aldrin Musiiwa said while government had moved to accept traditional medicine, it was yet to incorporate spiritual healing into the health care system.
Grace, who arrived amid tight security, was accompanied by daughter Bona Chikore.
Also in attendance were Bona’s husband Simba Chikore, together with their child Simbanashe, who appeared in public for the first time after Bona’s recent return from Singapore, where she had gone to give birth about two months ago.

 
Simbanashe, President Mugabe’s first grandson, yesterday made his maiden public appearance with his parents Bona and Simba Chikore, while accompanying First Lady Grace Mugabe at the official opening of Mbuya Dorcas Hospital in Waterfalls, Harare.
Although Simbanashe did not follow the official proceedings with his parents at the high table, Zaoga Forward In Faith church co-patron Dr Eunor Guti took the platform to congratulate the First Family for the safe arrival of Simbanashe to this world.
Dr Guti said she hoped Simbanashe would grow up to become a doctor and provide his services to Mbuya Dorcas Hospital.
“I want to take opportunity of this platform to congratulate you on the safe arrival of your grandson. I know how it feels to be a grandmother.
President Mugabe cradles his grandson, Simbanashe Chikore, in Singapore at the weekend while First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe and proud mother Bona (partly obscured, right) look on. (Picture by Presidential photographer Joseph Nyadzayo.
President Mugabe cradles his grandson, Simbanashe Chikore, in Singapore at the weekend while First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe and proud mother Bona (partly obscured, right) look on. (Picture by Presidential photographer Joseph Nyadzayo.
“I hope one day he will grow up and be a doctor who will work here at Mbuya Dorcas Hospital and say that I was here before with my grandmother when I was young and I am here again to save lives,” said Dr Guti, to the applause of the gathering.
“You might take it lightly just as an ordinary talk, but it may actually be a vision,” said Dr Guti who is wife to Archbishop Professor Ezekiel Guti.
Amai Guti, who is a nurse by profession, also told the gathering that Professor Guti shared the vision of a Zaoga FIF administered hospital to her and her five colleagues years ago when she was still working as a nurse at Harare Central Hospital.
She said then, she thought she and her friends would be part of the nurses who would be working at the hospital. Fifty-nine years later, Professor Guti’s vision is fulfilled. -state media

Terrence Mawawa, Zvishavane| A Zvishavane man stunned all and sundry when he killed his mother following an argument over food.
Hardlife Mukwari(25)murdered his mother, Juliet Nhokwara, after accusing her of failing to give him food in time.
Mukwari appeared before Zvishavane Magistrate, Peter Madiba last week, facing murder charges. Mukwari hit his mother with a pestle several times on the head and left arm, accusing her of failing to give him food.
On May 23 in Hove village, Mukwari went to his mother’s house and demanded food saying he was hungry. His mother could not give him food since she had already washed the plates. She then went to wash her feet at the back of the house.
Incensed by his mother’s response, Mukwari took a pestle and followed her where she was cleaning her feet and struck her several times. She collapsed on the spot.
Nhokwara’s severely battered body was discovered by passersby who tried to resuscitate her and Mukwari admitted to killing her.
Local villagers then took Mukwari to Zvishavane Police Station where he was immediately arrested.
The magistrate has since ordered doctors to examine Mukwari’s mental condition. The was briefly adjourned to allow the medical doctors to prepare a comprehensive report.
Shocked villagers said the entire community has been shaken by the tragic incident.

Zanu PF has apparently ratcheted up its “political programme” to frustrate and cause the implosion of former Vice President Joice Mujuru’s fledgling Zimbabwe People First (ZPF) party.
Reliable sources within the ruling party claimed to the Daily News that chaotic scenes around an alleged leadership contest, the many recent acts of intimidation and thuggery targeted at ZPF supporters as well as officials were all “well-orchestrated”.
“I can tell you that before 2018 People First will be history. Many of the people in that party have skeletons in their closets and just watch this space to see what will happen to them,” one of the sources said.
Another insider said the current Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) drive was also meant to “rattle” some ZPF officials since they were once in government and several key parastatals.
“As you may know, Mujuru herself has a file hanging over her head, detailing her transgressions. There is gnashing of teeth in that little party,” the Zanu PF bigwig said.
This latter claim tallied with what Mujuru herself said soon after launching her party in February, when she alleged that Mugabe had a file on each of his ministers, which kept them on a string like “puppets”.
And as the charade unfolds, ZPF deputy spokesperson Kudzai Mbudzi confirmed that senior officials were under the gun.
“That is lamentable because we think that corruption should be dealt with not as a tool to fix political opponents. Zimbabweans think that if there is really the political will to genuinely deal with the scourge of corruption, the blitz should star with (President Robert) Mugabe himself who should justify his current economic might that has seen him establish the businesses he owns,” he said.
The ex-senior army officer also admitted that Zanu PF, through State security agents, had infiltrated ZPF.
“We know that Zanu PF has no capacity to infiltrate us on its own but . . . are doing so through the security system. Members of the security sector must be warned, however, that the man they are protecting is in the political departure lounge and they will have to answer for their crimes come 2018,” Mbudzi warned.
Academic and researcher Pedzisai Ruhanya said both the Movement for Democratic Change and ZPF must be wary of infiltration.
He said the two parties must realise that a “broad coalition of meaningful political parties is the way to go”, but warned that such a structure without addressing institutional reforms cannot defeat Zanu PF.
“They (MDC and ZPF) must also do their research because they will be elements, particularly in MDC and People First, who will work day and night to make sure that MDC and PF and the general meaningful parties are not united. It is not in the interests of Zanu PF for such a coalition,” he said.
“They will be people who will be vehement and virulent in opposing a coalition because they will be doing it for Zanu PF and there are some who are doing it for positions within those parties. Zanu PF will invest through the State security to kill prospects of unity between the MDC and PF,” Ruhanya said.-Daily News

A report claims ZRP cops have arrested civil and political rights activists currently staging a 16 day and night protest demanding for the restoration of the rule of law and the economy in Africa Unity Square.
Those who were reportedly arrested and are said to be detained at Harare central police station are Itai Dzamara’s young brother Patson, Makomborero Haruzivishe, Pride Mkono , Oliver Chikumba, and Tatenda Mombeyarara .
Linda Masarira, the spokesperson of the coalition of youth organisations staging the historic demonstration where they are also demanding for the safe return of the abducted human rights activist Itai Dzamara, said that her male counterparts were nabbed in the early hours of Thursday after the police had earlier attempted to disperse them.
“At exactly 23:30 pm three police officers tried to disperse us and we told them they had no constitutional right to disperse us. After 20minutes of heated argument with the police officers they walked away,” said Masarira.
“At exactly midnight two women showed up walking towards us from the corner Third Street and Jason Moyo Avenue and as they approached us I noticed that they were wearing the same hats black and white striped hats, carrying Tshangani bags. They passed us and stopped 10m away and inquired where 4th street was purporting to have disembarked a Kombi from Murehwa. I told them to go where they were going as we were aware of their intentions,” she said.
Masarira said the women who had asked them the directions were the same who claimed that they had been robbed by her colleagues, who had not even moved from “our gathering”.
“The two women came back running screaming mbavha mbavha (thieves thieves). We just watched them as they ran past us. Instead of going straight to Jason Moyo they cut across the park into the dark and we saw three policemen jumping from the hedge. The women accused Patson Dzamara and Makomborero Haruzivishe as the men who followed them and took their filthy, torn Tshangani bags,”she narrated.
She said  “we” see this as a ploy by the state security agents to frustrate “our” demonstration.
“We are not stupid. We will not be abused. We are sick and tired of a partisan police force that serves the interest of ZANU PF. These stage managed shows show that this government has ran out of ideas,” she said.

@Mathuthu @mayor_justice Moment of today's parliament session. Honourable Wadyajena dispelling rumours he is dead! pic.twitter.com/uCBmTFDWuR

— Larry Moyo (@larry_moyo) June 8, 2016

A Gwanda based ZRP cop currently in trouble for abusing vendors, has fallen into a court “dead end” after reports were made that he allegedly assaulted his wife.
Pictures seen by ZimEye.com strongly suggest that Tinashe Gono (24) bludgeoned his wife in an inhuman way.
Tinashe Gono and Takura Mataruse (28) are already under serious charges of extorting vendors. They were allegedly caught in the act demanding so called “protection taxes” from Gwanda vendors. ZimEye.com has previously exposed other accomplices (pictured) at markets in Harare.