Marry Mubaiwa is back in court after collapsing in the morning. She is on trial for attempting to formalise her marriage with vice President Constantino Chiwenga. The state was left with two witnesses to testify against her after the VPnailed her in December last year. Prosecutors today intended to submit a statement by a deceased witness Michael Louzidis but Mubaiwa’s lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa challenged that.

Magistrate Lazini Ncube is expected to hand down his ruling on the witnesses statement this afternoon.

Marry collapsed at the Harare magistrates court on Monday morning (pics-Newsday)

By A Correspondent | Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ambassador to China, Major Gen. Martin Chedondo, on Saturday honoured Nelson Chamisa’s MDC Alliance when he distributed an announcement for an official function held by the abducted Activist Netsai Marova and Chamisa’s Secretary for Policy Joana Mamombe.

The ambassador had forwarded the message to a group of Zimbabweans who want to be addressed by MDC Alliance MP Joana Mamombe and the MDC’s Secretary For Diaspora Affairs, Clifford Hlatshwayo.

The meeting was starting at 8pm on Sat and the ambassador only came back to distance himself after 10pm saying he had accidentally reposted the MDC Alliance Chamisa announcement.

The meeting had ended by that time, which was over 2 hours later.

Ambassador Chedondo said his post “was an accidental repost.”

He said he, “was scrolling the citizens posts when this happened.

“I will never be a messenger for the MDC. For the record I remain ZANU Pf and as Ambassador I serve all Zimbabweans.

“Once again I encourage all to desist using the platform as a vehicle for party political messages disguised as goodwill posts.”

But the ambassador can’t say I made a mistake…because if you’re forwarding something, you would know your contacts, that is the group you are directing it to, a source told ZimEye.

The meeting was an engagement for students in China.

https://twitter.com/blackbird_wacho/status/1482933655303602179?s=20

The young shall build a New Great Zimbabwe ??The past is broken. But the future is bright and exciting! Happy again. Blessed Monday! pic.twitter.com/BDC6oC5Pqv

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) January 17, 2022

By A Correspondent | Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ambassador to China, Major Gen. Martin Chedondo, on Saturday honoured Nelson Chamisa’s MDC Alliance when he distributed an announcement for an official function held by the abducted Activist Netsai Marova and Chamisa’s Secretary for Policy Joana Mamombe.

The ambassador had forwarded the message to a group of Zimbabweans who want to be addressed by MDC Alliance MP Joana Mamombe and the MDC’s Secretary For Diaspora Affairs, Clifford Hlatshwayo.

The meeting was starting at 8pm on Sat and the ambassador only came back to distance himself after 10pm saying he had accidentally reposted the MDC Alliance Chamisa announcement.

The meeting had ended by that time, which was over 2 hours later.

Ambassador Chedondo said his post “was an accidental repost.”

He said he, “was scrolling the citizens posts when this happened.

“I will never be a messenger for the MDC. For the record I remain ZANU Pf and as Ambassador I serve all Zimbabweans.

“Once again I encourage all to desist using the platform as a vehicle for party political messages disguised as goodwill posts.”

But the ambassador can’t say I made a mistake…because if you’re forwarding something, you would know your contacts, that is the group you are directing it to, a source told ZimEye.

The meeting was an engagement for students in China.

By A Correspondent- Police in Gokwe have banned the carrying of machetes and other dangerous weapons as a way of curbing the rise in cases of murder,  particularly those  involving crimes of passion, Southern Eye has established.

Officer commanding Gokwe district, chief superintendent Tsitsi Chikono said the ban would be effective for three months.

“Due to the rise in crimes of passion and use of weapons, the carrying whether openly or by concealment in a public place or public thoroughfare or public display of any of the following weapons; catapults, machetes, axes, knobkerries, swords, knives, spears (and) any traditional weapon whatsoever is looking likely to occasion public disorder or a breach of peace,” she said.

“I hereby issue an order prohibiting the carrying of such weapons in Gokwe district or part thereof for a period not exceeding three months that is from January 20 to April 20, 2022.”

Chikono said any member of the public seen carrying such weapons would be arrested.

The prohibition order comes at a time when Gokwe has been recording rising cases of domestic violence.

By A Correspondent- A 31 year old Rusape domestic worker, who was fully aware of her status, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after she sexually abused her employer’s grandson, aged between 9 and 11, on several occasions.

Precious Chitseko of Mhukayesango Village in Nyazura had no legal representation when she recently appeared before regional magistrate Francis Mapfumo.

Chitseko was convicted after overwhelming evidence was presented in court and the magistrate did not suspend any part of the sentence.

Prosecuting, Tawanda Munjanja told the court that the accused abused the juvenile when his grandmother had visited her daughter. Said Munjanja:

Chitseko and the juvenile are not related. On dates unknown to the prosecutor but during the period extending from 12 October 2020 to 09 November 2020, the juvenile was left in the custody of the accused person whilst his grandmother visited her daughter in Chegutu.

During that period, the accused person had sexual intercourse with the complainant without his consent on several occasions.

The matter only came to light when the complainant disclosed the matter to his grandmother on 26 February 2021.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reportedly fired the ZANU PF director for administration, Dickson Dzora, for his alleged involvement in a ballot paper printing deal that partly contributed to chaotic internal elections held last month.

Dzora allegedly colluded with some party officials to corruptly engage a private company to print thousands of ballot papers for the party’s provincial polls held in December 2021.

Reports indicate that Dzora was sacked after the politburo meeting held on Saturday.

It is alleged that Dzora engaged a company called VGP Technologies, based at Engineering House along Rezende Street in Harare which in turn subcontracted Lightpress, to print the ballot papers.

Dzora was reportedly working with other senior party officials and employees, including one identified as Munyaradzi Katsande who was in the ICT department.

Katsande was reportedly fired after he allegedly misappropriated thousands of dollars from the party.

NewsDay reported sources as saying that ZANU PF secretary for security Lovemore Matuke detected the scam and engaged the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) to investigate why the party subcontracted the work which was usually done by its printing arm, Jongwe Printers.

Said a source:

Such printing business is usually done by Jongwe Printers and it had already printed the ballot papers before Dzora approached VGP Technologies for the same.

His company of choice did not have the capacity and it subcontracted another company based in Graniteside called Lightpress for the job.

Investigations revealed personal interests and connivance at the party headquarters for them to benefit.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Former State Security minister Owen “Mudha” Ncube’s political fortunes continue to diminish after he lost the ZANU PF Midlands provincial vice chairmanship, on which he had imposed himself, over the weekend.

Ncube was demoted to a far less influential position of secretary for production and labour during a rescheduled provincial coordinating committee (PCC) held in Gweru on Saturday.

The PCC was rescheduled after violence unleashed by Ncube’s thugs the previous weekend ended the meeting prematurely.

A ZANU PF insider told a local publication that Ncube was given the position as a mere consolation. He said:

He was given the position of provincial secretary for production and labour as a mere consolation but politically he is finished.

At the previous meeting, Ncube had smuggled a controversial list that was supposed to make the provincial executive. It was however rejected by ZANU PF structures in Midlands.

The controversial list, which was packed with Ncube’s loyalists, included former Mbizo Legislator Vongai Mupereri as secretary for administration, Shurugwi South MP, Edmund Mkaratigwa as finance Secretary, among others.

Instead, former ZANU PF youth league deputy secretary Edward Chakanyuka Chiherenge will deputise provincial chairperson Larry Mavima, who was imposed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mkaratigwa is now the secretary for administration, Chirumhanzu MP Barbara Rwodzi becomes secretary for finance, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Paul Mavima is the new secretary for legal affairs.

In his address to the new executive, Mavima called for unity and implored party officials to stop denigrating each other.

He said:

My plea to you comrades as your chairman is that we unite and or at the least attempt to unite.

In retrospect, our differences are very minor as we all claim to be 100% behind HE E D Mnangagwa our current and future President in 2023 and one united Zanu PF party led by our current praesidium who have all clearly stated their support for Cde Dr E D Mnangagwa as the sole candidate for the 2023 General. elections.

Let us now put our personal differences aside and rally to win the By Elections and the 2023 General Elections. I as your chairman

By-The High Court is this week expected to hear a case in which the government is seeking to recover more than US$32 million and forfeit numerous properties from former Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri and his family.

Chihuri, who is believed to be in Malawi, is reported to have created a “criminal syndicated mafia” that siphoned funds for his personal, family and cronies’ benefit during the 25 years he was at the helm of the police force.
He fled the country following his removal from the post soon after the November 2017 resignation of the late former President Robert Mugabe.

Chihuri is alleged to have sold five properties between 2017 and 2018 that were part of a large property portfolio.
Buyers paid a total of US$620 000 for the five properties registered in the names of his family members and the State is still trying to find out how ownership changed in respect of two other assets previously owned by the Chihuri family.
Prosecutor-General Mr Kumbirai Hodzi, has filed a fresh application seeking explanation on the sale of the properties.
Justice Pisirayi Kwenda is on Wednesday expected to hear the matter in which Chihuri, through his legal counsel, will be expected to explain the sale of the properties.

In the latest High Court application counteracting Chihuri’s bid to set aside two orders issued against him, Mr Hodzi said a check with the Deeds Office showed the rushed disposal of assets by the Chihuri family.
Among the properties sold is a mansion in Gletwyn sitting on 30 acres of land valued at US$7 million.
On July 17, 2018, Isobel Halima Khan Chihuri sold stand 1421 Gletwyn Township which was walled, gated with a borehole, water tank, tank stand and wooden cabin to Brian Chijaka for US$130 000.
Her brother, Aitken Khan, had her power of attorney.
Stand Number 1411 Gletwyn was also sold by True Hope Trust again with Khan standing in for his sister, but the value of the property is yet to be established.
On March 21, 2018, Khan sold number 8 St Aubin’s Chisipite in Harare on behalf of owner Samantha Chihuri to Erinah Muchingami for US$365 000.

The property, measuring 9 094 square metres has a four-bedroomed house with borehole and is gated and walled.
On August 29, 2017, Khan sold another property in Strathaven, registered in the name of Nicole Tawonga Chihuri to Fairline Investments Pvt Ltd for US$125 000.
The Chihuri family is expected to disclose how they acquired Lot 3 of Plot 4 of Juliasdale, Nyanga, a property worth US$3 860 000 and registered in the names of Samantha Chihuri, Ethan Augustine Chihuri, Nicole Tawonga Chihuri and Anashe Melamine Chihuri under Deed of Transfer 2208/12.
The family should also explain how it acquired — 14453 Ibhalabhala Crescent, Selbourne in Bulawayo which was transferred from the ex-police boss’ name into the name of Tendai Madamombe on July 24, 2018. The buyer has since resold the property.
Chihuri, his wife Isobel and children — Ethan and Samantha — were listed as respondents together with five companies involved in the alleged siphoning of money from the Police Revolving Fund.
An order which the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) obtained at the High Court placed known family property in Zimbabwe under the management of the Asset Management Unit of the NPA.
This means the property and companies cannot be sold without permission of the courts. Chihuri is challenging earlier unexplained wealth orders.
He argues that the unexplained wealth order constituted a “gross irregularity and a fundamental breach of their legal rights” and wants the High Court to declare that certain provisions of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Act of 2019, infringe the Constitution.

In challenging the constitutionality of these provisions in the High Court, Chihuri and his family rely on a constitutional provision that gives courts subordinate to the Constitutional Court the power to make constitutional declarations and to pronounce as invalid, offensive pieces of legislation, although any such finding is subject to confirmation by the Constitutional Court.
Chihuri argues that if for any reason, the High Court does not wish to consider the constitutional matter, then the constitutional questions he is raising should be referred to the Constitutional Court for determination.

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF’s has announced the dates for holding primary elections for members interested in representing the party in the March by-elections.

The party’s politburo sai at the weekend that the primary elections will be held on Thursday this week.

Addressing journalists at the party’s headquarters in Harare Saturday, Zanu PF political commissar Mike Bimha said the party had started preparations for primary elections.

“One of the issues (deliberated by the Politburo) had to do with the finalisation of provincial elections. Last time, the Politburo endorsed elections of three structures that were mainly chairpersons of the Main Wing, the Women’s League and the Youth League,” he said.
“In a province, we have a provincial structure of 120 members, so when the endorsement was done last time we were only talking of those three positions. We then sent Politburo members to go and oversee the equitable distribution of the remaining 117 members countrywide. Today we were presenting the names of the winners from each province. We now have 1 200 provincial members in the country. The structures have now been endorsed and approved.”
The party’s head office, he said, has started receiving and vetting curriculum vitae (CVs) of primary election candidates.
“Some of the activities had already started, with the meeting that was held by the organising committee and the call for submission of CVs.

“We are at the stage where the roadmap has commenced. We are now putting together a command centre at the head office to start the process which will culminate in the holding of the primary elections.”

By-Villagers in Kanengoni village under Chief Negomo in Chiweshe are distressed after illegal gold panners invaded a cemetery in the area in search of gold.

Kraal head, Garikayi Kanengoni, confirmed the development to H-Metro saying the illegal miners were expected to appear before Chief Negomo. He said:

I received information that there were some illegal miners operating at the village cemetery and I could not believe it.

As kraal head, I engaged Chief Negomo’s secretary and we visited the anthill where we lay to rest our relatives, and where our forefathers were laid to rest.

It is unbelievable that the miners failed to respect the dead and went on to expose some of the graves, in search of gold.

The matter has disturbed villagers and we agreed that this must stop.

Vamwe vana vacho ndevemumusha handizive kuti kana vavekufukunura makuva tochivigira kupi vafi uye isu tikafa tinovigwa kupi. 

Families have been clashing over this matter and it has been stopped and appropriate action has been taken.

The people involved are expected to appear before Chief Negomo this Saturday and I promise that this will surely be brought to a halt.

Authorities have turned a blind eye to the desecration of the cemetery as they are reportedly being given gold to allow the mining to continue.

More: H-Metro

By A Correspondent- The Nelson Chamisa led MDC said it would field recalled legislators and councillors in the upcoming by-elections without subjecting them to primary elections.

The party’s secretary for elections Ian Makone told   OpenParly that they have already notified these politicians:

In the case of recalled councillors and MPs, our principle of solidarity has informed the party decided to retain them as candidates.

Makone also revealed that in case of vacancies that arose as a result of death and recalls by Zanu PF, the MDC Alliance will field candidates seconded by the communities in which they reside. Said Makone:

We seek to field candidates who resonate with the community they will serve and apply the consensus approach. We are presently engaging stakeholders.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa proclaimed 26 March 2022 as the date for the by-election to fill the vacant 28 seats in Parliament.

Most of the vacancies arose after MDC Alliance MPs were recalled by MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora for pledging their loyalty to Nelson Chamisa.

By A Correspondent-The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said 967 motorists had been arrested for driving unlicensed, plate-less or unregistered vehicles.

ZRP launched an operation targetting all vehicles with no registration plates or Temporary Identification Cards (TICs) throughout the country.
Below is ZRP’s statement:

” The operation targeting unlicensed, plate-less and unregistered vehicles has started off with a total of 967 arrests being made countrywide on the 1st day, 15/01/22. Seven hundred eighty-four vehicles were impounded, and 179 motorists were fined for various offences while four others were,” ZRP said.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa on Sunday morning released a message of hope to millions of suffering citizens.

President Chamisa, a devout Christian himself, declared that the nation would flourish by God’s grace.

Despite negative comments about his Christian principles, the People’s President has remained unmoved by naysayers’ views.

President Chamisa wrote on his official Facebook page:

WE WILL FLOURISH IN THE LAND…

Then they dug another well,but they quarreled over that one also;so he named it Sitnah.He moved on from there &dug another well, and no one quarreled over it.

He named it Rehoboth,saying,”Now the LORD has given us room and we will flourish in the land.”Genesis:26.20-22. We are ready to make and take our Rehoboth.

At Rehoboth every Zimbabwean shall flourish. Wishing you a Reheboth 2022. Blessed Sunday.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa on Sunday morning released a message of hope to millions of suffering citizens.

President Chamisa, a devout Christian himself, declared that the nation would flourish by God’s grace.

Despite negative comments about his Christian principles, the People’s President has remained unmoved by naysayers’ views.

President Chamisa wrote on his official Facebook page:

WE WILL FLOURISH IN THE LAND…

Then they dug another well,but they quarreled over that one also;so he named it Sitnah.He moved on from there &dug another well, and no one quarreled over it.

He named it Rehoboth,saying,”Now the LORD has given us room and we will flourish in the land.”Genesis:26.20-22. We are ready to make and take our Rehoboth.

At Rehoboth every Zimbabwean shall flourish. Wishing you a Reheboth 2022. Blessed Sunday.

Former Zimbabwean minister Saviour Kasukuwere, former Chivi West legislator Killer Zivhu and outspoken Zimbabwean politician and the current Member of Parliament for Norton Constituency Temba Mliswa have resolved to support Emmerson Mnangagwa during the 2023 election.

This was revealed by Killer Zivhu on Twitter when he captioned a photo he took with the other two former Zanu-PF politicians.

Said Zivhu,

“We have resolved to remain Zanu-pf members no matter what may come, We have also agreed to support President ED  during 2023 elections. Kudzoswa kana kusadzoswa mumusangano , will not stop us to support ED 2023.”

Kasukuwere had captioned his picture, “Met two maverick Zimbabwean politicians. Interesting catching up with two comrades who have gone through a lot and are tactical politicians. Wish them well in their political journey.”

By A Correspondent- By the time fired State Security minister Owen “Mudha” Ncube was removed from office, he had become a Frankenstein monster for President Emmerson Mnangagwa, as he was now causing havoc in his home province.

Ncube, a close ally of Mnangagwa, was fired for a cocktail of reasons, including hooliganism, factionalism and destabilising Zanu-PF, fear of losing elections, undermining his grip on power and deadly battles over gold mines in Kwekwe.

Mudha is generally seen as the “commander” of a Kwekwe-based violent group known as AlShaabab, that is notorious for intimidation and brutality in local politics and gold mining affairs in the city and its surrounding areas.

Al-Shaabab is blamed for violent attacks and killings there, amid allegations that the group was responsible for many murders in gold-rich Kwekwe.

 Al-Shaabab, named after the Somali Islamist extremist group, is also behind a reign of terror in the Midlands, with elements often used to mete out violence on opposition supporters.

 But during the longstanding battle for the Zanu-PF Midlands chairperson’s position, the group has also been used to fight factional battles between Mudha and another Mnangagwa ally, Daniel Mackenzie Ncube.

When Mnangagwa appointed “Mudha” Ncube, there was public uproar, with critics saying he was not ministerial material given his background of hooliganism, violence and brutality in Kwekwe. Mnangagwa, however, did not heed the public concerns.

 In March 2020, the United States designated Zimbabwe’s former Presidential Guard commander Anselem Sanyatwe, now an ambassador, and “Mudha” Ncube for their “role in human rights abuses related to political repression in Zimbabwe”.

This further vindicated critics who had questioned his appointment. A Zanu-PF insider said “Mudha” Ncube had remained “the hooligan that he has always been” as minister. He still embraced gangsterism, violence and brutality; thuggery to settle issues.

Only last weekend he bused a group of his Al-Shaabab gang armed with machetes to a Zanu-PF Gweru meeting.

Sources say Ncube ran the show like a “warlord”, issuing instructions, threats and orders about how provincial structures should be like after the recent elections.

 Insiders add that Ncube wanted to control the structures in his own favour, not helping Mnangagwa to consolidate power, while others allege that he was working with Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s faction.

 “The dramatic events at the Zanu-PF provincial meeting at the party’s convention centre, The Winery, showed beyond reasonable doubt that Mudha had become a warlord, ruling the province by violence and fear. He brought thugs with machetes and illegally ran the meeting like a thug.

“He behaved like a mafia boss and issued orders and threats as he sought to influence structures after the provincial elections, not to help Mnangagwa but to control the region for his own good. Mnangagwa’s Midlands loyalists pushed for his removal. He had become a Frankenstein monster.

“Mudha is a creature of violent Zanu-PF politics Mnangagwa presided over in the Midlands and all over the country. Now, typically, he was now threatening to ruin his creator. Zanu-PF is in tatters in the Midlands, and of course all over the country, but in that region Mudha created havoc,” added the source.

 “Mnangagwa’s allies had been repeatedly warning him Mudha was destabilising the party and undermining him. He took a long to act because this was his key right-hand man for a long time, but then he had morphed into a Frankenstein. His actions risked defeat for Mnangagwa in 2023.”

Mnangagwa’s allies led by Midlands provincial chairperson Larry Mavima feared Mudha was now undermining Mnangagwa to vengefully help his deputy and rival Chiwenga after he was blocked from becoming party provincial chair.

His actions damaged Mnangagwa, but helped Chiwenga. Mnangagwa blocked Ncube from becoming Midlands chairperson as he battled former chair Daniel McKenzie Ncube. Mavima, who has no political capital, became the compromise chair.

This enraged Mudha and he became destructive as he lashed out in all directions, using fear and violence, insiders say.

While Mudha continued to defy Mnangagwa, he was also at war with First Lady Auxillia in Kwekwe.

Auxillia, who was backing local gold magnate Kandross Mugabe for the Kwekwe central seat, was involved in direct confrontation with losing 2018 parliamentary candidate Energy Ncube, nephew of Mudha, during the primaries in 2020.

In October 2020, Zanu-PF primary polls to choose a Kwekwe Central parliamentary candidate for a by-election turned bloody following intense clashes between rival groups at Kwekwe district offices.

Police had to fire warning shots after being called to contain the situation which had spiralled out of control as factions bludgeoned each other over the voters’ roll, with Mudha accused of being among the chief instigators of the violence.

 In a leaked voice recording ,party supporters in the Midlands talk about Mudha’s violent machinations in the province, describing how youths were hired to bruitalise rival factions.

In the audio, recorded after a provincial meeting in Gweru, party supporters say Mudha had become a de facto leader in the Midlands. “Mudha is doing what he wants here. He would shut down anyone who would stand up to speak during the meeting. Some politburo members had to ask him for permission to speak.”

 “The power that Mnangagwa has given Mudha is too much,” an unidentified supporter said.

Observers say Mudha overestimated his importance in Mnangagwa’s camp, but it remains to be seen whether Mnangagwa will discard his blue eyed boy forever or he will resurface in another portfolio.-newshawks

By A Correspondent- Samuel Chikengezha, a 35-year-old fireman, sits on a sofa in his modest home, staring at the television set while he stresses over how he’ll make ends meet this month.

He has not yet paid school fees for his three children, he said – one of many financial challenges he faces because the money he pulls in as a first responder in Zimbabwe has not kept pace with inflation for years.

“I survive on borrowings from friends and family to get by as the money is barely enough,” he told Al Jazeera.

Like many of his colleagues, Chikengezha reckons the solution to his financial woes is to leave Zimbabwe for a higher-paying job abroad.

“I want to leave the country. Every one of us wants to leave for other countries. We are all in waiting mode, really,” he said. “Once an opportunity presents itself, I am out.”

Zimbabwe’s economy was already on its knees before the pandemic struck, and COVID-19 has only made things worse.

Salaries are stagnant, foreign currency is in short supply, and the purchasing power of the Zimbabwean dollar continues to erode, with annual inflation topping 60 percent at the close of last year. Manufacturing is low, and poverty is rising along with prices for everything, including essentials like food and fuel.

Now the economic carnage is threatening essential public services by triggering a massive brain drain in critical sectors.

Harare City Council, which runs the Zimbabwean capital’s fire department, said the city lost 125 firefighters last year.

Council spokesperson Innocent Ruwende told Al Jazeera that they left to chase more lucrative jobs overseas, mostly in Middle East Gulf states.

“Our firefighters are in demand because they are highly trained,” he said.
The draw of higher pay, better conditions

The allure of a more lucrative, more stable payday abroad is an enticing proposition for Chikengezha, who currently brings home $200 a month.

“Entry salaries [abroad] are somewhere in the region of $1,300-$1,500,” he said.

1t’s not just firefighters who are chasing bigger paycheques. Brain drain is also roiling Zimbabwe’s healthcare sector. With the pandemic increasing demand for healthcare workers around the globe, Zimbabwe lost some 2,000 healthcare professionals last year, according to state media. That is more than double the exodus rate of 2020.

The President of the Zimbabwe Nurses Association, Enock Dongo, told Al Jazeera that poor remuneration and working conditions are compelling more nurses to seek positions outside of the troubled Southern African nation, where nurses earn less than $200 a month.

“The salaries of nurses in Zimbabwe are too low. Even when compared to peers in the Southern African region, Zimbabwean nurses are the least paid,” Dongo told Al Jazeera.

He also noted that a lack of personal protective equipment has made conditions for nurses in Zimbabwe “really dangerous”.
The public outcry

As the number of firefighters dwindles, a public outcry has ensued, accusing the first responders of poor services.

In November, Harare’s fire department was heavily criticised over a penthouse blaze that cost the life of investment banker Douglas Munatsi.

Acting Chief Fire Officer Clever Mafoti defended the performance of the fire department, saying trees had prevented aerial ladders from being deployed to rescue Munatsi on the ninth floor.

And while Mafoti acknowledges that an exodus of firefighters is having an impact, he insists the service is still there for the people of Harare when it counts.

“Our ability to execute our duties has been ailing or diminishing but we are still able to fulfill our duties,” he told Al Jazeera. “We have not reached a stage where we have failed to discharge our duties and just let people’s properties burn to the ground.”

But Mafoti said financial constraints are taking a toll beyond personnel shortages – specifically with ageing fire trucks.

“[The city] council has promised us some vehicles, but as you know, this is normally a process,” he said.

On the healthcare front, pregnant women in Glen View and Budiriro, both high-density suburbs south of Harare, no longer have antenatal care at specialty clinics because there are no nurses on staff to provide those services.

“Specially trained nurses such as antenatal ones have left to look for better opportunities elsewhere,” said Harare City Council spokesperson Ruwende, adding that he’s looking for partners to provide funding in United States dollars to hire increasingly scarce talent.

“People prefer to earn US dollars and they are refusing our offers for jobs,” he said.-Aljazeera

By A Correspondent- Government is continuing its retributive land seizures targeting political opponents, real or imagined, this time cancelling former Finance minister Ignatius Chombo’s 99-year lease for Allan Grange Farm in Zvimba.

Chombo, who was arrested, tortured and detained by the military during the 2017 military coup which toppled former president Robert Mugabe and catapulted President Emmerson Mnangagwa into power, was seen as a key member of the G40 faction.

The G40 faction had coalesced around Mugabe and his wife Grace, and was pushing for former Defence minister Sydney Sekeramayi to succede the former president, instead of Mnangagwa.

 The Mnangagwa administration has also targeted farms owned by other G40 members, among them former ministers Jonathan Moyo, Saviour Kasukuwere and Patrick Zhuwao.

Some perceived critics such as Osisa boss Siphosami Malunga and Fred Mutanda have also been targeted under the farm-grabbing blitz. Malunga, the son of national hero Sydney, and his business associates Charles Moyo and Zephania Dlamini are battling for their farm in court.

The farm has been allocated to Zanu-PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu and National University for Science and Technology (Nust) lecturer Dumisani Madzivanyati, among other people.

Part of Chombo’s farm has been allocated to his estranged former wife Marian, and some unnamed individuals who invaded the land.

In a letter dated 21 September 2021 and delivered to Chombo’s lawyers on 10 January 2022, Lands minister Anxious Masuka cited government’s one man one farm policy, government policy on spousal rights to land upon divorce, and a court order in favour of Marian Chombo as some of the reasons for the lease withdrawal.

Earlier, in 2021, Masuka had written to Chombo, giving a lease cancellation notice, with the intention to allocate part of the farm to Marian Chombo and other settlers.

In response to the minister’s proposal, Chombo made reference to a valid 10-year joint venture which had invested more than US$2 million which the ministry had authorised as one of the reasons why it would be difficult to withdraw the lease.

The joint venture, which started in 2018 and will run until 2028, had resulted in investment in farming equipment such as centre pivots and a new farm manager’s house, among other improvements, resulting in increased production.

Chombo argued that the distribution of assets between him and his former spouse was a prerogative of the courts, and not the ministry.

He later invited the minister and his officials to the farm, to appreciate the huge investment before making decisions. Chombo also informed the minister that although Allan Grange Farm was 3 000 hectares in extent, only 505 hectares is arable, hence the proposed subdivision would not be of much benefit to the new beneficiaries because the bigger part is covered by a range of mountains.

He also argued that the farm was highly productive and should not be considered for repossession, given that there are many idle farms.

Despite the submissions, the minister withdrew the lease. He told Chombo that he entered the joint venture without the consent of his ex-wife. Masuka said although the farm was productive, Marian had a right to claim a share.

“The rights of beneficiaries trump the production levels. Productivity ought to be weighed up against other factors like enjoyment of rights by other parties to an agreement,” he said.

The minister said he did not need to visit the farm since a team from the ministry had done so prior to the lease cancellation.

He said Chombo will be allocated a portion of the land after the replanning exercise. Commenting on the issue, a female lawyer and women’s rights activist said other former spouses of Zanu-PF bigwigs should benefit from land in a similar manner.

 “The controversial policy regarding spousal access to land upon divorce has been laid bare, thanks to Dr Masuka. Ironically, the same policy has only applied to a sacked Zanu-PF bigwig,” she said.

“Our government has never seriously considered women as direct beneficiaries of agricultural land, as such, women are now getting land through the back door. This means that all former wives of bigwigs, the likes of Tambudzani Mohadi, Tracy Mutinhiri, Mary Chiwenga, Jocelyn Chiwenga, Florence Ziyambi and many more can smile all the way the the minister’s office for redress.”

By A Correspondent- Political scientist Professor Jonathan Moyo says Douglas Mwonzora’s manoeuvre for the MDC-T to contest the 26 March by-elections under the MDC-Alliance banner is null and void at law and would confirm the country as a pariah state if allowed by the courts or the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec).

Mwonzora wrote to Zec on 3 January indicating he is president of the MDC-Alliance, based on the pre-2018 election pact which MDC-T was part of.

He also informed the electoral body that other MDC formations should cease using the MDC acronym.

 “We are the owners of the Movement for Democratic Change name,” Mwonzora wrote in the letter.

 “Over the years, there has been so many derivatives put on it. However, the leadership of this party was defined by the Supreme Court in the judgement in SC 56/20. Pursuant to this judgement the party held its extraordinary congress on December 27, 2020, where I was elected the substantive president of the party.

“By virtue of the Composite Political Agreement signed on August 5, 2017, and the subsequent meetings of the MDC Alliance, I assumed the leadership of the MDC Alliance.”

However, in a series of Tweets political scientist Prof Jonathan Moyo said the 2017 MDC-Alliance was not a political party, but an alliance ahead of the 2018 polls. The MDC-Alliance only existed as a party in 2019 after the alliance failed to win the polls and is therefore different to the 2017 alliance.

“No one needs to be a lawyer to know that the 2017 MDC-A was not a political party, but a pre2018 election alliance; meant to become a post2018 election coalition govt, had the pre-election alliance won the 2018 poll. The 2017 MDC-A was thus only a pre-2018 election alliance,” Moyo said.

“Agreements have a duration. The 2017 MDC-A pre-2018 election agreement did not mutate into a post-2018 election coalition government; because the pre-2018 election alliance (MDC-A) did not win the 2018 election. As such, the 2017 pre-election (MDC-A) agreement expired in 2018.

“Since 2018, no pre-election alliance agreement has been entered into by @OurMDCT with any party for 2022 by-elections or 2023 elections or any elections. The @OurMDCT cannot use an expired 2018 agreement, which was never renewed, for 2022 by-elections or 2023 elections. No!

Finally, one need not hold a brief for @nelsonchamisa to realise that his @mdczimbabwe is not connected to the 2017 (MDC-A) pre-2018 election Agreement nor to any pre-election alliance; it’s a political party in its own right formed in 2019 and is entitled to its full rights.”

In another thread, Moyo described Mwonzora’s letter as shocking. He said if Zec or the courts allow MDC-T to contest the by-elections as the MDC-Alliance, Zimbabwe would be confirmed as a pariah state.

 “@DMwonzora and his @OurMDCT present their quest to contest the by-elections as a legal matter, premised on the 2017 pre-2018 election pact, but their arguments are all propaganda based on an agreement that expired long ago when the 2017 Alliance did not form govt in 2018,” Moyo said.

“The 2017 pre-election Alliance pact that expired in 2018, after the Alliance did not win the poll to form a govt which would have extended the pact to 2023, had one and clear identity which was to use, not a common name but a common election symbol for all candidates.

“The expired 2017 Alliance pact says each alliance partner candidate shall seek nomination at the Nomination Court under its name, but using the alliance common symbol; yet @DMwonzora’s ZEC letter lists only @OurMDCT officials to approve nominations; even for other parties.”

 Moyo also said Mwonzora falsely claims that the expired pact provided that the leader of the MDC-T would lead the alliance. “No. It said the ‘presidential candidate’ would be the ‘best individual who can win the election’ & specifically named that individual as Morgan Tsvangirai,” Moyo said.

Moyo added that whereas Mwonzora indicated that he was the president of the MDC-Alliance, the expired 2017 pre-election pact did not create offices or officers, but only provided for election candidates.

“Tsvangirai was the presidential candidate, not President, of the Alliance,” Moyo said.

“As a result of the Supreme Court judgment of 31 March 2020 in the Mashavira case, Hon Mwonzora is debatably Tsvangirai’s successor as MDC-T leader; but it is not debatable that he did not and could not inherit Tsvangirai’s popularity as the ‘best presidential candidate’.

“All told @OurMDCT’s claim to the MDC-A name is based on a non-existent 2017 pre-election Alliance Agreement that expired in 2018; and Hon @DMwonzora’s claim that he is President of the MDC-A is based on a non-existent office, not even in the 2017 pre-2018 election agreement!”

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Saturday threatened to make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory, saying his government has sourced enough vaccinations to inoculate everyone.

Mnangagwa made the remarks while addressing a ZANU PF politburo meeting in Harare. He said:

Altogether we have now received over 12 million doses from China as donations. So there is no need for anybody to remain unvaccinated.

There are so many vaccine doses that we will soon be stopping people on the streets to vaccinate them.

I would like to commend those who have heeded my clarion call to get a booster vaccine dose.

Government will continue mobilising vaccines to ensure that lives and livelihoods are saved and protected.

In the same issue of risk reduction, I call upon the nation to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and adhere to the set containment measures.

According to the latest statistics released by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, on Saturday, 15 January 2022, 4 203 858 have received one dose, 3 228 693 have been jabbed twice, while a paltry 25 798 have received booster shots.

Meanwhile, on Friday, Acting President Constantino Chiwenga extended the Level Two COVID-19 lockdown measures by a further two weeks.

He hinted that schools may be reopened in the second week of February.-standard

By A Correspondent- The Government has directed all public schools that intend to increase their tuition fees and school development levies for the 2022 first term to apply for approval from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education before making any changes.

In an interview with State media, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education director of communication and advocacy Taungana Ndoro said unilateral fees adjustments by schools will not be binding on parents.

Said Ndoro:

Parents and the schools must have school development plans and budgets every year. They put the budget proposals, including any proposed school fees adjustments, to a vote and they come up with a consensus on whether to adjust school fees.

They then approach the ministry with that adjustment proposal for the ministry to validate or approve that agreed position.

So what the ministry does is endorse an already agreed position between the parents and the school.

Where you have issues of parents complaining, it is either perhaps they have not attended the meeting or they were outvoted. We don’t impose any school fees structure on any school.

According to the Education Act, any tuition fees increase has to be approved by a majority of the parents at a meeting of the School Parents Assembly attended by not less than 20 per cent of the parents.

The school authorities will then present an application for an adjustment accompanied by minutes of the meeting and the school budget to the Ministry for consideration. Added Ndoro:

We cannot say we are going to adjust fees when some schools are comfortable with the school fees that was approved last time.

We look at the applications on a case by case basis. One school’s needs differ from those of the next because school development projects are different.

Some may want to build a school hall, others want to build a tennis court and others want to build hostels, so their needs are very different.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Schools Development Association/Committees secretary-general Evaristo Jongwe said the majority of parents are failing to pay tuition for their children, especially in rural and resettlement areas. He said:

The tuition fees structure is determined by an individual school’s scenario.

Parents and the school administration agree on set figures according to their needs, wants and projects for the school.

However, I must admit that parents are facing challenges with tuition fees adjustments because of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result, the average rate of school fees collection remains below 50 per cent and the demand for COVID-19 materials also remains a challenge.

The worst affected schools are those in rural, farm and peri-urban areas.

War veterans and war collaborators in Manicaland Province said they would soon meet President Emmerson Mnangagwa over the provincial elections they claimed were rigged.

The war veterans have since refused to recognise Mike Madiro as the Zanu PF provincial chairperson after he was declared the winner in the 28 December elections, alleging rigging.

Members of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) and the Zimbabwe Liberation War Collaborators Association (ZILIWACO) met at Mutare hall in Mutare last week and resolved to engage President Emmerson Mnangagwa over the matter.

Albert Nyakuedzwa, who lost to Madiro, and his supporters claim the elections were rigged.

Speaking on behalf of the war veterans after the meeting, war veteran Stembile Zimunya said they want Mnangagwa to “revisit” the outcome of the Zanu PF Manicaland provincial elections. She said:

The President should be given the correct results, we want to tell our President that with the current situation Manicaland has gone to the opposition and the issue of elections should be addressed as soon as possible.

We have decided that there should be a re-run. The opposition is laughing at us because of what happened in the province.

Yes, we are not disputing what the Politburo said but we are pleading with Emmerson to revisit the issue of Manicaland.

ZILIWACO secretary for administration in Buhera District, Enock Mukushwa, said they want a re-run of the elections. Said Mukushwa:

Electoral corruption was rampant in Buhera district among other areas. The results which came out are not a true representation, and we want a re-run.

ZNLWA national political commissar Joel Mureremba said he will continue fighting for Nyakuedzwa’s cause even it if means imprisonment for him. He said:

I don’t have any challenge with what the Politburo said but when I was given the provincial election results Nyakuedzwa had won only to realise later that the results have been changed.

The results should be corrected. We were arrested during the former late President Mugabe, we slept in the cells at Mutare Central so l am not afraid to be arrested.

There are people who are stopping us from meeting President Mnangagwa but we are going to find a way to meet him.

Meanwhile, Madiro on Saturday told The Standard that he will “not comment on such wild claims.”

More: The Standard

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa has hinted, yet again, that the opposition party will adopt a new name as the party gears up for the 26 March by-elections and 2023 harmonised elections.

The MDC-T led by Douglas Mwonzora said it will use the MDC Alliance as its name in elections, leaving Chamisa’s party without a name.

Mwonzora has gone as far as writing a letter to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) asking the electoral body not to allow any other political party to use the name MDC or its derivatives in any election as it is their identity.

Tweeting on Sunday morning, Chamisa hinted of a new party name by referring to a Biblical story of a quarrel between the patriarch, Isaac and the Philistines over wells of water.

The Philistines were jealous of Isaac’s wealth and they claimed a spring he had dug as theirs.

Isaac then dug another well and gave it a new name, and yet again, the Philistines claimed it as theirs, forcing him to move to another place and digging another well and giving it a different name. 

Wrote Chamisa:

WE WILL FLOURISH… Then they dug another well, but they quarrelled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah.

He moved on from there &dug another well, no one quarrelled over it. He named it Rehoboth, saying, “Now the LORD has given us room & we will flourish in the land.” Genesis: 26.20-22.

University of Kent law lecturer, Alex Magaisa, a former advisor to the late MDC founding president, Morgan Tsvangirai, recently urged Chamisa to abandon the MDC brand and adopt a new name for the party

Magaisa argued that there are some battles that are not worth fighting. That was after the Chamisa-led party had vowed not to give up the MDC Alliance name without a fight.

War veterans and war collaborators in Manicaland Province have refused to recognise Mike Madiro as the Zanu PF provincial chairperson after he was declared the winner in the 28 December elections, alleging rigging.

Members of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) and the Zimbabwe Liberation War Collaborators Association (ZILIWACO) met at Mutare hall in Mutare last week and resolved to engage President Emmerson Mnangagwa over the matter.

Albert Nyakuedzwa, who lost to Madiro, and his supporters claim the elections were rigged.

Speaking on behalf of the war veterans after the meeting, war veteran Stembile Zimunya said they want Mnangagwa to “revisit” the outcome of the Zanu PF Manicaland provincial elections. She said:

The President should be given the correct results, we want to tell our President that with the current situation Manicaland has gone to the opposition and the issue of elections should be addressed as soon as possible.

We have decided that there should be a re-run. The opposition is laughing at us because of what happened in the province.

Yes, we are not disputing what the Politburo said but we are pleading with Emmerson to revisit the issue of Manicaland.

ZILIWACO secretary for administration in Buhera District, Enock Mukushwa, said they want a re-run of the elections. Said Mukushwa:

Electoral corruption was rampant in Buhera district among other areas. The results which came out are not a true representation, and we want a re-run.

ZNLWA national political commissar Joel Mureremba said he will continue fighting for Nyakuedzwa’s cause even it if means imprisonment for him. He said:

I don’t have any challenge with what the Politburo said but when I was given the provincial election results Nyakuedzwa had won only to realise later that the results have been changed.

The results should be corrected. We were arrested during the former late President Mugabe, we slept in the cells at Mutare Central so l am not afraid to be arrested.

There are people who are stopping us from meeting President Mnangagwa but we are going to find a way to meet him.

Meanwhile, Madiro on Saturday told The Standard that he will “not comment on such wild claims.”

More: The Standard

By- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has threatened to make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory, saying his government has sourced enough vaccinations to inoculate everyone.
Mnangagwa made the threats while addressing a Zanu PF politburo meeting in Harare on Saturday.
He said:
Altogether we have now received over 12 million doses from China as donations. So there is no need for anybody to remain unvaccinated.
There are so many vaccine doses that we will soon be stopping people on the streets to vaccinate them.

I would like to commend those who have heeded my clarion call to get a booster vaccine dose.
Government will continue mobilising vaccines to ensure that lives and livelihoods are saved and protected.

In the same issue of risk reduction, I call upon the nation to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and adhere to the set containment measures.

-Standard

 By-Divisions have rocked the War Veterans Welfare Pressure Group (WVWPG) after it emerged that some disgruntled members were plotting to form a splinter group.

This comes months after some WVTWPG members were arrested in Harare following a protest they staged, where they accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa of neglecting them.

Police blocked them from submitting a petition to Mnangagwa for a review of their pension earnings.

Reports have emerged that the ex-combatants are up in arms with each other amid claims that disgruntled members were working with some politicians to form a splinter association.

WVWPG chairperson Amos Sigauke blamed some “outsiders” for taking advantage of disgruntled war veterans to advance their political interests and cause divisions in the association.

“There are some members who are being used by other people from outside, who have some political agendas to distract the purpose of the group,” Sigauke told NewsDay Weekender.

“However, I can say there are no divisions within the pressure group. Our members are united. WVWPG is not even a registered organisation, hence claims of plans to form an independent alliance are baseless.”

But in one audio clip that was posted on the war veterans WhatsApp group, a member of WVWPG, Shoorai Nyamangondo, confirmed the divisions.

“Since we started bringing up accusations against each other, we are now deviating from our main focus of the group. No one is now talking about the welfare of the war veterans who were arrested,” Nyamangondo said in the recording.

“Nothing is being discussed on how we are going to raise the funds to pay the lawyer who represented the arrested cadres. We are not benefiting anything from these continued misunderstandings.”

-NewsDay

By-MDC Alliance leader Nelson has saluted all Zimbabweans for supporting his movement and said that his party would win the March By-elections.

In an interactive discussion with his followers on Twitter, Chamisa said: “Get ready for victory, we have heard you. We listened and it shall be done as per your command and demand. Timing and strategy is everything. The new way, the new wave, it is time for change. Let’s teach them a lesson, you are the game changers and we are unstoppable.”

Observers had accused Chamisa of keeping his supporters in the dark over his game plan following the takeover of the party name by the rival faction led by Douglas Mwonzora.

Mwonzora last week wrote to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) seeking to bar Chamisa from using both the MDC Alliance party name and MDC acronym in by-elections set for March 26.

Chamisa’s party assured supporters that they would contest the upcoming by-elections as MDC Alliance.

“We will participate because as a movement that believes in democratic change, we know and understand the power of the ballot, the collective power of the citizens,” party spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said.

“It’s only when president Chamisa says there is cause to worry that we should then start to worry, so far there isn’t anything of that sort. We are constantly making sure that our eye is on the ball.

“They (Zec) know who the MDC Alliance is. There will be no confusion, remember when (MDC-T vice-president Thokozani) Khupe purported to run away with the name MDC just before the 2018 election, was anybody confused when it came to voting?”

Party vice-president Tendai Biti added: “Those who are pushing us are desperate, but of course, we will consult our people in due course and we will make the right decisions in the best interest of the people of Zimbabwe.

“The MDC is a brand that was built over 20 years. We can’t be forced into a script that we have not written. We can’t be forced to have a dinner that we don’t know who has cooked it.”

The country will on March 26 hold by-elections to fill over 100 council and parliamentary seats left vacant after Mwonzora recalled MDC Alliance councillors and legislators.

-NewsDay

Tinashe Sambiri| The MDC Alliance will on February 1 launch a voter registration blitz meant to encourage thousands of citizens to participate in coming polls.

This was said by MDC Alliance Secretary General, Charlton Hwende on Friday.

According to the MDC Alliance, ZEC is sabotaging the voter registration exercise across the country.

“On the 1st of February the voter registration Blitz is going to start. I would like to thank the Citizens who helped in donating 150 000 flyers that you see being printed here for Mash East Province.

Our branches will soon do door 2 door village by village voter mobilization drive,” said Hwende.

The MDC Alliance Secretary General also exposed Mr Douglas Mwonzora’s “hypocrisy.”

“The Alliance Agreement ceased to exist after the Elections that is the reason why we created a party with a constitution called MDC Alliance Party in Gweru 2019.

This is exactly what Mwonzora is saying here. He is now being used by ED as a puppet Opposition Party Leader.”

The Alliance Agreement ceased to exist after the Elections that is the reason why we created a party with a constitution called MDC Alliance Party in Gweru 2019. This is exactly what Mwonzora is saying here. He is now being used by ED as a puppet Opposition Party Leader pic.twitter.com/moV3xZrFFG

— Chalton Hwende MP Chairperson Public Accounts (@hwendec) January 15, 2022

On the 1st of February the voter registration Blitz is going to start. I would like to thank the Citizens who helped in donating 150 000 flyers that you see being printed here for Mash East Province.Our branches will soon do door 2 door village by village voter mobilization drive pic.twitter.com/UhunuwwGbf

— Chalton Hwende MP Chairperson Public Accounts (@hwendec) January 15, 2022

Tinashe Sambiri| The MDC Alliance will on February 1 launch a voter registration blitz meant to encourage thousands of citizens to participate in coming polls.

This was said by MDC Alliance Secretary General, Charlton Hwende on Friday.

According to the MDC Alliance, ZEC is sabotaging the voter registration exercise across the country.

“On the 1st of February the voter registration Blitz is going to start. I would like to thank the Citizens who helped in donating 150 000 flyers that you see being printed here for Mash East Province.

Our branches will soon do door 2 door village by village voter mobilization drive,” said Hwende.

The MDC Alliance Secretary General also exposed Mr Douglas Mwonzora’s “hypocrisy.”

“The Alliance Agreement ceased to exist after the Elections that is the reason why we created a party with a constitution called MDC Alliance Party in Gweru 2019.

This is exactly what Mwonzora is saying here. He is now being used by ED as a puppet Opposition Party Leader.”

The Alliance Agreement ceased to exist after the Elections that is the reason why we created a party with a constitution called MDC Alliance Party in Gweru 2019. This is exactly what Mwonzora is saying here. He is now being used by ED as a puppet Opposition Party Leader pic.twitter.com/moV3xZrFFG

— Chalton Hwende MP Chairperson Public Accounts (@hwendec) January 15, 2022

On the 1st of February the voter registration Blitz is going to start. I would like to thank the Citizens who helped in donating 150 000 flyers that you see being printed here for Mash East Province.Our branches will soon do door 2 door village by village voter mobilization drive pic.twitter.com/UhunuwwGbf

— Chalton Hwende MP Chairperson Public Accounts (@hwendec) January 15, 2022

Five inmates have escaped from custody after a group of heavily armed men freed them from a police truck transporting them to court, the police said on Friday.

SAPS spokesperson in Gauteng, Brigadier Brenda Muridili told TV channel Newzroom Afrika that the SAPS officers transporting the inmates to the Vosloorus Magistrate’s Court were overpowered on the way.

Muridili urged members of the public to be very careful as those suspects are armed and very dangerous. He said:

The accused are all Zimbabwean nationals and their names are Nkhululeko Nkomo; Robert Hlatshwayo; Thulani Dube; Augustine Moyo; Mbongiseni Mkandla. We are currently having a team that has been launched so that they can do a manhunt and find the escapees.

The police were outnumbers. It was two vehicles that were involved in this incident. One blocked the police vehicle from the front and a number of armed suspects, with rifles, then indicated to the police officers that they must stop the vehicle.

Police later clarified to IOL that only four were Zimbabweans and the other, Robert Hlatswayo was a South African. She said people from another vehicle that was behind the government truck broke the lock and the inmates fled.

The escapees were going to court on charges including possession of unlicensed firearms, business robbery, attempted murder and shoplifting. They are aged between 30 and 45.

The SAPS has appealed to community members to help them with information to locate the wanted suspects.

Last year, four “dangerous” prisoners escaped from custody in Limpopo after disarming a police officer.

He said seven prisoners were being transported from Polokwane Correctional Centre to Mokopane, for sentencing, when four of them allegedly escaped.

Rape-charged cleric Tapiwa Freddy claimed Friday that his accuser, a ZBC radio presenter, got angry with him after he ended their relationship.

This emerged as the rape trial continued before Harare magistrate Gloria Takundwa.

Defence lawyer, Everson Chatambudza, claimed the presenter, Rutendo Makuti, became angry after Freddy ended their relationship.

He said during cross-examination:

The accused decided to terminate his relationship with you because he found out that you were cheating on him with (ZBC boss) and another musician.

Is that correct?

Makuti denied the allegation.

Challenged on why she reported the alleged rape a year later and after she had been arrested for extorting the cleric, Makuti said she was traumatised by the vile attack and did not know what to do. She said:

I was a moving grave because of the accused.

Chatambudza insisted that Makuti only reported the matter because of the changed circumstances adding that she used the rape allegations to blackmail Freddy.

Makuti rejected the claim saying she could not have scared such a big man. Makuti also denied that she was the person in the audio that was played in court in which a woman alleged to be her declared her love for Freddy. The woman in the audio said:

I felt so much hatred such that I never wanted to see you again. Whatever happened was out of love but my love turned into hurt.

Trial continues.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has announced the commencement of an operation targeting unregistered and unlicenced vehicles as well as those without plates. 

A police statement said there are no exemptions emphasising that all vehicles that do not have plates, that are unregistered or unlicensed will be impounded. Pindula News presents the police statement: 

COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATION TARGETING PLATELESS, UNREGISTERED AND UNLICENSED MOTOR VEHICLES

The Zimbabwe Republic Police informs that the operation targeting plateless, unregistered and unlicensed motor vehicles commenced today, 15th January 2022, and we continue to urge motorists to abide by the law and comply with police directives.

As we carry out this operation, the motoring public is advised that there are no exemptions in as far as this operation is concerned. All plateless, unregistered and unlicensed motor vehicles will be impounded and cases referred to Court for prosecution, including Government vehicles.

The operation is being conducted in order to account for criminals who are committing crimes using these plateless, unregistered and unlicensed motor vehicles.

We continue to warn all those with criminal intentions that we will be
ruthless with them in ensuring that sanity prevails on our roads.

(BLESSMORE CHISHAKA) Chief Superintendent

Staff Officer (Press, Public and International Relations) to the Commissioner-General of Police

Police General Headquarters

By A Correspondent- Two women were arrested in Mutare, Manicaland province for possession of three 20-litre buckets full of marijuana.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) arrested them at a police checkpoint whilst aboard a Harare-bound bus. Police said in a statement: 

On 13/01/22, Police in Chiadzwa, Manicaland arrested two female suspects aged 25 and 35, in connection with a case of illegally possessing dangerous drugs. The suspects who were passengers in a Harare bound bus travelling from Chipinge were intercepted at a Police checkpoint at Hotsprings, Mutare. The bus was searched leading to the recovery of 3x 20-litre containers full of dagga.

Scores of people are being arrested for illegal possession of various drugs including some categorised as “dangerous.”

By A Correspondent- Political scientist Professor Jonathan Moyo says Douglas Mwonzora’s manoeuvre for the MDC-T to contest the 26 March by-elections under the MDC-Alliance banner is null and void at law and would confirm the country as a pariah state if allowed by the courts or the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec).

Mwonzora wrote to Zec on 3 January indicating he is president of the MDC-Alliance, based on the pre-2018 election pact which MDC-T was part of.

He also informed the electoral body that other MDC formations should cease using the MDC acronym.

 “We are the owners of the Movement for Democratic Change name,” Mwonzora wrote in the letter.

 “Over the years, there has been so many derivatives put on it. However, the leadership of this party was defined by the Supreme Court in the judgement in SC 56/20. Pursuant to this judgement the party held its extraordinary congress on December 27, 2020, where I was elected the substantive president of the party.

“By virtue of the Composite Political Agreement signed on August 5, 2017, and the subsequent meetings of the MDC Alliance, I assumed the leadership of the MDC Alliance.”

However, in a series of Tweets political scientist Prof Jonathan Moyo said the 2017 MDC-Alliance was not a political party, but an alliance ahead of the 2018 polls. The MDC-Alliance only existed as a party in 2019 after the alliance failed to win the polls and is therefore different to the 2017 alliance.

“No one needs to be a lawyer to know that the 2017 MDC-A was not a political party, but a pre2018 election alliance; meant to become a post2018 election coalition govt, had the pre-election alliance won the 2018 poll. The 2017 MDC-A was thus only a pre-2018 election alliance,” Moyo said.

“Agreements have a duration. The 2017 MDC-A pre-2018 election agreement did not mutate into a post-2018 election coalition government; because the pre-2018 election alliance (MDC-A) did not win the 2018 election. As such, the 2017 pre-election (MDC-A) agreement expired in 2018.

“Since 2018, no pre-election alliance agreement has been entered into by @OurMDCT with any party for 2022 by-elections or 2023 elections or any elections. The @OurMDCT cannot use an expired 2018 agreement, which was never renewed, for 2022 by-elections or 2023 elections. No!

“Finally, one need not hold a brief for @nelsonchamisa to realise that his @mdczimbabwe is not connected to the 2017 (MDC-A) pre-2018 election Agreement nor to any pre-election alliance; it’s a political party in its own right formed in 2019 and is entitled to its full rights.”

In another thread, Moyo described Mwonzora’s letter as shocking. He said if Zec or the courts allow MDC-T to contest the by-elections as the MDC-Alliance, Zimbabwe would be confirmed as a pariah state.

 “@DMwonzora and his @OurMDCT present their quest to contest the by-elections as a legal matter, premised on the 2017 pre-2018 election pact, but their arguments are all propaganda based on an agreement that expired long ago when the 2017 Alliance did not form govt in 2018,” Moyo said.

“The 2017 pre-election Alliance pact that expired in 2018, after the Alliance did not win the poll to form a govt which would have extended the pact to 2023, had one and clear identity which was to use, not a common name but a common election symbol for all candidates.

“The expired 2017 Alliance pact says each alliance partner candidate shall seek nomination at the Nomination Court under its name, but using the alliance common symbol; yet @DMwonzora’s ZEC letter lists only @OurMDCT officials to approve nominations; even for other parties.”

 Moyo also said Mwonzora falsely claims that the expired pact provided that the leader of the MDC-T would lead the alliance. “No. It said the ‘presidential candidate’ would be the ‘best individual who can win the election’ & specifically named that individual as Morgan Tsvangirai,” Moyo said.

Moyo added that whereas Mwonzora indicated that he was the president of the MDC-Alliance, the expired 2017 pre-election pact did not create offices or officers, but only provided for election candidates.

“Tsvangirai was the presidential candidate, not President, of the Alliance,” Moyo said.

“As a result of the Supreme Court judgment of 31 March 2020 in the Mashavira case, Hon Mwonzora is debatably Tsvangirai’s successor as MDC-T leader; but it is not debatable that he did not and could not inherit Tsvangirai’s popularity as the ‘best presidential candidate’.

“All told @OurMDCT’s claim to the MDC-A name is based on a non-existent 2017 pre-election Alliance Agreement that expired in 2018; and Hon @DMwonzora’s claim that he is President of the MDC-A is based on a non-existent office, not even in the 2017 pre-2018 election agreement!”-newshawks

AT the time former president Robert Mugabe was deposed in a military coup in November 2017, police were investigating senior Zanu-PF officials linked to then Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa over alleged illegal gold panning, cases of violence and murders in and around Kwekwe’s volatile gold-mining fields.

The police, then under the command of exiled Augustine Chihuri, who refused to support the military coup and was associated with the pro-Mugabe G40 faction, were investigating cases of violence and killings which occurred over Globe and Phoenix Mine, also known as Falcon Gold, allegedly controlled by Gokwe-Kana legislator Owen “Mudha” Ncube.

Ncube had reportedly illegally taken over mining rights with the assistance of Zanu-PF politburo member July Moyo and Zanu-PF Midlands spokesperson Cornelius Mupereri, who were all key Mnangagwa allies, at a time he was battling for the control of Zanu-PF with the G-40 faction.

The brutality and murder cases are being committed allegedly by Zanu-PF youths loyal to Ncube. The escalation of crime in the gold-rich area prompted cabinet to set up a taskforce to look into the chilling cases of violence and murder in Mnangagwa’s political sphere of influence.

Police sources at the time revealed the police were acting on four active cases of murder, spanning the period between 2016 and 2017, with a view to bringing some bigwigs to justice.

The first case was the murder of Washington Dick, allegedly by Likwa Ngwenya in November 2016. The matter was in the courts.

Police investigations showed that before turning on each other, Ngwenya and Dick were appointed leaders of an unregistered security organisation — which later became a terror gang — allegedly run by Ncube to ensure illegal panners do not invade Globe and Phoenix.

The state’s case was that on 10 November 2016, Ngwenya, in the company of other unnamed accused persons, attacked Dick with machetes several times all over the body until he died near Sable Flats in Kwekwe.

After committing the crime, Ngwenya and his alleged accomplices fled the scene.

“The accused’s (Ngwenya) cellphone was recovered at the scene, his vehicle was seen at the scene and the police also recovered a bloodstained worksuit in his motor vehicle,” said the state before a Kwekwe magistrate in 2017.

Before his death, Dick was facing an attempted murder charge (ZRP Kwekwe CR101/09/16 and Kwekwe CID 01/10/16) for allegedly attacking Ngwenya using a machete following a dispute over a gold claim.

Ncube is said to have been carrying out gold mining operations in Kwekwe since 2002 when mining ground to a halt, as the owners felt operations were no longer viable.

Police sources also said when Globe and Phoenix Mine ceased operations, illegal gold panners and political leaders in Kwekwe scrambled to acquire tribute rights to the mine.

The police sources said Kwekwe Consolidated Gold Mines (Private) Limited and Homesake Mining and Technical Services approached the ministry of Mines in 2009 seeking to clarify the validity of the agreement of the tributes.

However, the ministry said the agreement elapsed in February 2005, adding that any operations under the tribute were illegal. Police sources added that political interference led to a gold rush at the mine before Ncube took control.

He allegedly took advantage of unemployed Zanu-PF youths and gave them responsibilities of providing security at the mine by protecting it from other illegal panners and supervising those who would have been given permission to mine on a 50-50% basis.

The sources said Ncube claimed to own all mining tributes at the mine. He is alleged to have also claimed ownership of Moonbeam Hammer Mill, located two kilometres from Globe and Phoenix South pit mine.

However, the seizure of mining operations by Ncube did not go down well with some members of the Kwekwe community, the sources said.

This saw the youths employed by the security firm engaging in running battles with members of community who also wanted to mine gold there. This resulted in a dramatic rise in cases of violence, assault and murder.

The sources said in 2016, the security outfit’s leadership split into two camps over gold interests; one led by Ngwenya and the other by the late Dick. The sources said the two groups — which later morphed into terror gangs — would engage in vicious fights using machetes and knives, commonly known as “colombia clubs”.

However, both camps remained loyal to Ncube, widely viewed as the “gold lord”, “gold baron” or “kingpin”, in the area. Talking to the Zimbabwe Independent in September 2017, Ncube said he did not know Dick and Ngwenya.

He also said he was not involved in gold mining.

“I have been sick for seven months since last year August and I was not in the country. I was admitted at Donald Gordon hospital in South Africa. I only came back in the country early this year. I am actually supposed to go back for a check-up. The incidents you are talking about, the violence in October until January occurred while I was outside the country, so how do they involve me?” Ncube asked.

“After all, I am not involved in mining. I don’t have any rights at Globe and Phoenix Gold mine, neither was I interested in it. I am into farming. I am a farmer. So there is totally nothing like that. It is all lies. You are actually the fifth person to call me since last year over this issue and I have always said it’s lies. You are welcome to visit this side and see for yourself what is happening on the ground.”

Police sources at the time said between 18 September 2016 and 10 November 2016, a number of cases were reported.

The violent clashes drove then Zanu-PF Kwekwe Central MP Masango “Black Man” Matambanadzo into organising a “peace campaign” meeting in 2016 at Globe & Phoenix Mine, where he brought together about 120 people.

Matambanadzo tried to unite Ngwenya and Dick before his death, as well as their camps and also discouraged violence and use of machetes to resolve disputes.

On September 26 last year, Dick and an accomplice allegedly assaulted Ngwenya over a mining dispute at Globe & Phoenix mine. Dick and partner allegedly disarmed Ngwenya and grabbed his star pistol, serial number 1418040, and struck him with a machete and a log all over his body.

After that, Dick and his accomplice were arrested. However, before judgment was passed Dick was allegedly murdered (CR38/11/16 at Kwekwe Central and DR14/11/16 at Kwekwe CID) by Ngwenya and two accomplices.

Ngwenya allegedly brutally assaulted and murdered Dick using machetes and “colombian daggers”. Another murder case was also reported (CR86/10/16 at Kwekwe Central police station and CID Kwekwe 01/11/16) involving Noel Jacha, who is said to have been working with the late Dick.

Police sources said Jacha was stabbed on 22 October 2016 while having drinks with Clive Maronje at Much Better Bar in Kwekwe. It is alleged Chamunorwa Marete, who belonged to Ngwenya’s camp, allegedly entered the bar with a machete and without being provoked, stabbed Jacha once on the right side of the chest, just above the right side of the chest and at the back.

Jacha died on the spot. Marete, who fled the crime scene, was arrested by police in Masvingo on 10 January 2017 and transferred to Kwekwe for trial. Another case occurred in the wee hours of 14 January 2017 when Elvis Moyo was murdered along Nhamo Street in Rutendo.

His body was discovered by police officers who were on patrol. Police sources said investigations revealed Moyo was murdered allegedly by Ngwenya’s terror group members, Goodhope Tawanda Mahachi and Courage Sibanda, who ran away from the police at the crime scene.

The murder case is under CR34/01/17 at Kwekwe Central Police Station, while recorded under DR28/01/17 at Kwekwe CID. In February 2017, Mines minister Walter Chidakwa said cabinet had set up a committee to look into violence at mining communities.-Newshawks

By A Correspondent- Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) president Obert Masaraure and 15 other teachers  have appeared in court after they were arrested in Harare this week for having an unlawful gathering in the Central Business District with the intention of causing mayhem.

Masaraure, (37), Munyaradzi Ndawana (42), Liam Takura Manhenga (45), Wellington Geese (34), Andrew Munger (45), Panashe Mutsvairo (23), Munyaradzi Masiyiwa (33), Tadiwanashe Muguti (22), Isaiah Chamunorwa (24), Brian Muthlanga (55), Sharon Tambudzai (27), Linia Nkiwani (38), Patricia Chiedza (40), Vimbai Mamutse (38), Sokuluthle Ndlovu (36) and Thembekile Ncube (48) were facing charges of being part of an illegal gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaching peace or bigotry when they appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Yeukai Dzuda.

The accused persons submitted complains against police whom they accused of assaulting them after being arrested. The State opposed bail before calling the investigating officer who told the court that the accused persons were not proper candidates for bail as some of them gave wrong addresses to police.

The investigating officer further submitted that the placards that were carried by the accused persons had messages undermining the President. Mrs Dzuda remanded  them in custody for continuation of bail application.

The court heard that on January 12, the informant and other police officers attached to the Police Reaction Group (PRG) were on duty patrolling the Central Business District when they received information that there was a group of people unlawfully gathered at National Social Security Authority (NSSA) complex which houses the offices of the Public Service Commission.

It is alleged that the police proceeded there and on arrival, they observed that the accused persons had stones and weapons and were singing holding placards.

Police said there was real risk or possibility that by their conduct ,they would disturb the peace, security and order of the public.

On seeing the police reaction group, the accused persons fled in different directions leading to the arrest of some of them.

By A Correspondent- Chiefs, once described by the late president Robert Mugabe as paragons of virtue, have called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration to publicly apologise for the Gukurahundi massacres that claimed an estimated 20 000 innocent lives in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces in the early 1980s.

Mnangagwa has opened dialogue on the emotive subject, but like his predecessor, he has not offered any apology for the mass killings.

His redress efforts have been dismissed as piece-meal, half-hearted and insufficient.

Matabeleland South provincial chiefs’ assembly chairperson Chief Masendu, speaking on behalf of traditional leaders in the province, said Gukurahundi could not be wished away.

“Chiefs are the rightful people to handle the Gukurahundi issue because they belong to the people. We stay with them; they talk to us. What they want is an apology and compensation,” he said.

“Government must agree and openly apologise to the people. No other person can come from outside whom people can understand and relate to their issues confidently besides the chiefs.”

Masendu condemned the recent destruction of Gukurahundi memorial plaque at Bhalagwe in Maphisa, Matebeleland South province, and called on government to bring the culprits to book.

“This is beyond cruelty. Government must investigate this and anyone with information must come out in the open and assist the law enforcement agents to carry out investigations,” he said.

The plaque was erected by villagers in memory of victims of the Gukurahundi massacres buried inside the Bhalagwe mass graves.

On Wednesday, the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition said it was appalled by the destruction of the memorial plaque for the third time.

Over two decades later, there has been no compensation to the victims and surviving family members of Gukurahundi victims.

To justify the deployment of the North Korea-trained Fifth Brigade, Mugabe claimed arms cache had been uncovered on farms owned by Zapu and the ZPRA.

After the “discovery” of the weapons, Mugabe fired then Zapu leader Joshua Nkomo and Cabinet ministers Josiah Chinamano and Joseph Msika (all late), among others, from government on charges of plotting to overthrow his government, culminating in the Gukurahundi massacres.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is investigating an armed robbery case in which eight robbers armed with an AK47 rifle, a pistol and a knife pounced at a house in Kezi, Matabeleland South and robbed a couple of money, gold and a vehicle.

ZRP said the robbers got away with ZAR29 000 and USD1 000 cash, 1 150kgs of gold bullion, a 9mm pistol and a Toyota Wish motor vehicle. Pindula News presents the police statement on the case:

The ZRP is investigating a case of Armed Robbery which occurred on 14/01/22 at Maphisa, Kezi, Matabeleland South in which six unknown male adults who were armed with an AK47 rifle, a 9mm star pistol and an okapi knife pounced at a house and robbed a married couple of their ZAR29 000 and USD1 000 cash, 1,150kgs of gold bullion valued at USD78 280, a 9mm pistol and a Toyota Wish motor vehicle.

Police say the robbers also kidnapped the couple’ employee, a 25-year-old man, whom they later dumped in the stolen motor vehicle in Bulawayo.

Police are appealing to members of the public who may have information on the suspects to contact any nearest Police Station

Chaos ran supreme at the most recent Zanu-PF Masvingo Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting after the new provincial chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa and his team allegedly smuggled in losing candidates from their faction replacing those who won but belong to the rival faction led by former chair Ezra Chadzamira.

Hell broke loose when the Mavhenyengwa faction replaced Energy Mutodi with Bikita South MP Josiah Sithole whom he thumped during the December 28, 2021 election to book a seat in the provincial frontliners.

Zanu-PF politburo member and secretary for legal affairs Paul Mangwana intervened and told the presiding team led by Fredrick Shava and Monica Mutsvangwa that what was being done was against the party constitution.

A team that is inclined to the former chair Ezra Chadzamira has the majority in the PCC and was hoping to win the slots for the vice chair, commissar and spokesperson among others, but the Mavhenyengwa faction came up with another strategy of appointing instead of going for election or at least by form of consensus.

Sources who spoke to TellZim News said after confirming the provincial leadership winners, Monica Mutsvangwa who was presiding over the process asked people to get into subcommittees and asked the chairpersons to elect the other key positions which they did instead of making everyone vote

“Mutsvangwa asked the chairpersons to go out, elect the Vice chair and other vacant posts after which the process was done. However, they went on to elect other members who lost in the elections into provincial members. The likes of Josiah Sithole who lost to Energy Mutodi in Bikita South and Ephraim Gwanongodza in Chivi replacing Chadzamira’s ‘blue-eyed boy’ Godfrey Mukungunugwa,” said the source

When contacted for comment, Mangwana declined to shed more light saying it was an internal process and everything that was said there was meant to strengthen the party as well as to making sure everything was done according to the party regulations.

“The issues that were discussed and took place are not for the media; they were internal processes and I only made contributions which I thought were going to strengthen the party,” said Mangwana.

“I had no power to stop the process, I was one of the senior members there and also the secretary for legal affairs, so whatever contribution I made there was to make sure that the process goes smoothly. It is not something for the media and public consumption,” said Mangwana

Mutodi confirmed having been replaced by Sithole and said he appealed to Mavhenyengwa who told him that they had not processed his transfer so he cannot be in the provincial executive.

“I won with close to 300 votes ahead of Sithole, but in the list provided by the new chair, I am not there. When I checked with him, he told me that they had not cleared my transfer but surprisingly they allowed me to contest. We have since appealed to the relevant authorities and I am sure the matter will be discussed at the Politiburo,” said Mutodi.

Mavhenyengwa who is also the MP for Zaka North said the process was completed and they have since forgotten about it.

“We have already completed the process and all the vacant posts were filled up. Those who are complaining are just doing so because it is their right and it is normal for losers in any election to complain that they were rigged,” said Mavhenyengwa.

He said as the new chairperson for the province he was ready to work with everyone as the party prepares for 2023 general elections.

“Zanu-PF is for us all and I am now the chairperson, it is no longer important whether you wanted me or not. We have to unite as we prepare for the 2023 elections,” he said.

Mavhenyengwa said the new Vice Chairperson is Trust Mugabe, Secretary for Administration Mathias Tongofa and Roy Bhila for finance.

The new Political Commissar is Brian Munyoro who is Gutu District Chairperson; Simon Muchafa is now the secretary for Transport while Ophias Murambiwa retained the post of secretary for information

 By A Correspondent- A 71 year old Chirumanzu man and his 10-year-old grandson drowned while swimming in a pond on Wednesday.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident yesterday.

“Everisto Mukashi together with his grandsons Tafadzwa Mukashi (10) and Simbarashe Mukashi (7) of Toindepi village under Chief Hama in Chirumanzu went to a nearby pond to swim,” he said.

“On arrival, Everisto and Tafadzwa dived into the pond and drowned. Simbarashe rushed back home and informed his mother, Monica Maputa of the incident and she together with other villagers rushed to the pond where they found the two bodies floating.”

In an unrelated case, a four-year-old Lower Gweru girl drowned in a washing dish on Thursday after her mother left her in the company of other minor children.

Mahoko said: “Mavis Moyo, a female aged 24 of Bhekeni village, Chief Bunina in Lower Gweru left her four-year-old daughter playing with other children in the yard while proceeding to the fields to call her parents for breakfast.

“On her return, she found the body of her daughter, Thandeka Moyo, floating in the dish.”

Meanwhile, police in Plumtree have launched a manhunt for a man who allegedly stabbed a fellow villager he accused of having a relationship with his girlfriend.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena confirmed the incident yesterday.

The incident happened in Toti village in the Madlambudzi area on January 8.

“Mthokozisi (nicknamed Banda) was with his girlfriend  when he accused Norivete Ncube (21) for having an affair with his girlfriend. He stabbed him once on the left side of the chest, resulting in him collapsing. Mthokozisi fled from the scene after committing the crime and police are now keen to interview him,” she said.

By A Correspondent- Opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa yesterday broke his silence on the raging debate regarding contestations over the party name, and told his supporters that he was unfazed by Zanu-PF and MDC-T machinations to decimate it.

In an interactive discussion with his followers on Twitter, Chamisa said:

“Get ready for victory, we have heard you. We listened and it shall be done as per your command and demand. Timing and strategy is everything. The new way, the new wave, it is time for change. Let’s teach them a lesson, you are the game changers and we are unstoppable.”

Observers had accused Chamisa of keeping his supporters in the dark over his game plan following the takeover of the party name by the rival faction led by Douglas Mwonzora.

Mwonzora last week wrote to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) seeking to bar Chamisa from using both the MDC Alliance party name and MDC acronym in by-elections set for March 26.

Chamisa’s party assured supporters that they would contest the upcoming by-elections as MDC Alliance.

“We will participate because as a movement that believes in democratic change, we know and understand the power of the ballot, the collective power of the citizens,” party spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said.

“It’s only when president Chamisa says there is cause to worry that we should then start to worry, so far there isn’t anything of that sort. We are constantly making sure that our eye is on the ball.

“They (Zec) know who the MDC Alliance is. There will be no confusion, remember when (MDC-T vice-president Thokozani) Khupe purported to run away with the name MDC just before the 2018 election, was anybody confused when it came to voting?”

Party vice-president Tendai Biti added: “Those who are pushing us are desperate, but of course, we will consult our people in due course and we will make the right decisions in the best interest of the people of Zimbabwe.

“The MDC is a brand that was built over 20 years. We can’t be forced into a script that we have not written. We can’t be forced to have a dinner that we don’t know who has cooked it.”

The country will on March 26 hold by-elections to fill over 100 council and parliamentary seats left vacant after Mwonzora recalled MDC Alliance councillors and legislators.-newsday

By A Correspondent- The one-year-six months old Rutenga minor who was attacked by a swarm of bees on the afternoon of January 13, died upon admission at Neshuro District Hospital hours after the vicious attack.

Praise Mombeyarara, who was with her mother on their way to Rutenga Bus Stop reportedly fell from her back after a swarm of bees suddenly attacked them near the Netone area.

An eyewitness who was together with Praise’s mother, who also suffered some bee bites told TellZim News that the insects were provoked by some kids before making a surprise attack on them as they were passing.

“I was together with Praise’s mother when we were suddenly attacked by the bees. Her child who was on her back fell during the attack and the bees ended up shifting to the minor engulfing her as they stung her all over the body,” said the lady who identified herself as Mai Archford.

Roving their vehicles around the helpless minor, some motorists tried all but in vain to rescue the child from further attacks.

The hovering bees ended up penetrating through the helpless crying minor’s mouth, attacking everyone daring to come closer.

As the crowd struggled to chase the bees, the girl’s father who was immediately telephoned, rushed to the scene where he used some burning tyres to disperse the bees but they had already caused fatal harm on the minor.

The minor together with her mother were rushed to Rutenga Clinic and then to a local private surgery before being referred to Neshuro District Hospital where the child died upon admission.

By the time of writing, Praise’s mother was still admitted at the District Hospital while burial arrangements for the minor were being progress

By A Correspondent- The  National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC), which comprises Government and civil servants’ representative body, the Apex Council met on the 14th of January 2022 over workers’ salaries.

Workers have for the past two years been pressing the government to restore their 2018 salaries that were denominated in United States Dollars.

They argue that inflation that has continued unabated eroded their salaries hence the need to restore their 2018 salaries that were around US$500 for teachers. They currently earn an equivalent of about US$100.

The recent meeting agreed that the workers’ grievances were genuine hence the need to address the request to find a long-lasting solution to the salary issue as an urgent matter.

We present an update on the NJNC meeting:

The much-awaited NJNC first meeting of 2022 finally took place today. The meeting which happened against the backdrop of Government having pledged to pay the USD 75 COVID -19 allowance In hard currency saw the workers request that Government concede to their long-standing demand to pay their salaries USD.

In light of the above, the Government team appreciated the workers’ reasons for sticking to their position of a non-inflationary and sustainable solution to the salary circus, upon which they asked for time out to consult with their principals.

It was also agreed that this was an urgent matter and that the NJNC reconvenes In the shortest time poss

By A Correspondent- Divisions have rocked the War Veterans Welfare Pressure Group (WVWPG) after it emerged that some disgruntled members were plotting to form a splinter group.

Reports suggest that disgruntled members are working with some politicians to form a splinter association.

WVWPG chairperson Amos Sigauke blamed some “outsiders” for taking advantage of disgruntled war veterans to advance their political interests and cause divisions in the association. Sigauke told NewsDay Weekender:

There are some members who are being used by other people from outside, who have some political agendas to distract the purpose of the group.

However, I can say there are no divisions within the pressure group. Our members are united. WVWPG is not even a registered organisation, hence claims of plans to form an independent alliance are baseless.

But in one audio clip that was posted on the war veterans WhatsApp group, a member of WVWPG, Shoorai Nyamangondo, confirmed the divisions. Nyamangondo said in the recording:

Since we started bringing up accusations against each other, we are now deviating from our main focus of the group. No one is now talking about the welfare of the war veterans who were arrested.

Some WVTWPG members were arrested in Harare following a protest they staged, where they accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government of neglecting them.

Police blocked them from submitting a petition to Mnangagwa for a review of their pension earnings.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Bulawayo residents have accused  officials at the Registrar-General (RG) Office in the city of poor service amid claims they were only processing 40 national identification documents per day.

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) chairperson Ambrose Sibindi said residents were facing serious challenges in acquiring identity documents.

“The issue of acquiring national IDs is a matter of serious concern that needs to be addressed as the offices here only process IDs for less than 40 people per day,” Sibanda claimed.

Sibindi said it was the right of every citizen to have an ID, adding that the poor service was promoting a culture of corruption as desperate residents were now forced to pay bribes to access the documents.

BPRA secretary for administration Thembelani Dube said residents were being robbed of their right to own national documents.

“The level of underperformance by the department in issuing IDs is alarming. Residents are being disenfranchised from their right to have identity documents.

“This snowball effect affects private candidates who intend to sit for examinations and new prospective voters as they fail to register at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission,” Dube said.

Contacted for comment, Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe said the ministry would look into the matter.

“I will ask the RG to address the situation as a matter of urgency,” he said.

Recent reports said the RG’s Office had stopped issuing plastic identity cards due to lack of materials.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Some two people were seriously injured when a commuter omnibus (kombi) veered off the road after officers of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) threw a spike on the oncoming vehicle.

The incident happened at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) offices in Harare. Watch the video below for more.

WATCH VIDEO- Two people, one of them a minor seriously injured after @police throw spike at kombi in Harare. The kombi veered off the road. @PoliceZimbabwe #Zimbabwe pic.twitter.com/keW2hmFedR

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) January 15, 2022

By Zanu PF’s Mutare province has launched campaigns for the March by-elections, dishing out fertilizers to prospective voters.

In Manicaland, there are two vacant seats in the National Assembly in Dangamvura/Chikanga and Mutasa South constituencies.

The province has seven vacant seats in the Mutare council.

Addressing scores of Zanu supporters in ward on Thursday, Mutare district co-ordinating committee (DCC) chairperson Binali Yard confirmed that the ruling party had kick-started its by-election campaigns.

“We are launching our by-elections campaign today (Thursday) without candidates. We are waiting for the party leadership to guide us on the subject of candidates,” Yard said.

“We are giving you fertilizers. Put it to good use.”

Zanu PF has been accused of vote-buying in the past. Food-for-votes has been cited as the party’s favourite strategy during the electioneering period. NewsDay is reliably informed that the province has already endorsed some candidates to represent the party.

Sources in Mutare said central committee member Esau Mupfumi was endorsed by the provincial leadership to represent the party in the Dangamvura/Chikanga constituency.

Mupfumi is the area’s former MP.

The seat fell vacant after MDC Alliance MP Prosper Mutseyami was recalled from Parliament last year by MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora.

In Mutasa South constituency, Zanu PF will be represented by Misheck Mugadza.

-NewsDay

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa has announced a politburo meeting to review the December 28 chaotic party’s provincial elections.

According to Mutsvangwa the meeting will be held today at the party’s headquarters in Harare.

‘The Secretary for Administration Dr O.M. Mpofu wishes to advise all members that there shall be an ordinary session of the Politburo to be held on Saturday, January 15 2022 at the home of the people’s revolution, Zanu PF headquarters commencing 1000hours.
All members should be seated by 0945hours sharp,” he said.

Some of the issues expected to be discussed are the post-mortem on the just ended provincial elections and preparations on the upcoming by-elections, among other issues.