By – Madziwa villagers have resisted paying fines imposed on them by their local Chief, who convicted them of snubbing a funeral.

Chief Madziwa controversially fined 11 members for snubbing a funeral in his area.

The villagers have since said they would appeal to Chief Madziwa’s ruling.

The 11 From Zunde B Village were convicted of snubbing a funeral in the neighbouring Zunde A village and working their fields instead.

Chief Madziwa fined the villagers goats, a judgement they strongly oppose, arguing it was not mandatory to attend funerals.

The villagers also complained that the fine was not applied uniformly, with some of them asked to pay more goats than others for the same ‘crime.’

They have threatened to appeal against the judgement. – New Ziana

By A Correspondent-Norton MP Temba Mliswa (Independent) has accused Zanu PF bigwigs, including the party’s spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa of plotting against President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

In several leaked audio clips where the former Zanu Pf chairman for Mashonaland West was claiming to be closer to Mnangagwa he attacked CIO minister Owen Ncube , Mutsvangwa and Muchechetere for faking their support for Mnangagwa.

He accused Mutsvangwa of decampaigning Mnangagwa in Norton during the 2018 harmonised elections.
Mliswa claimed that he was responsible for mobilising voters for Mnangagwa in Norton.
He also accused Ncube of raising frivolous charges against him to settle personal scores over Susan Mutami, a woman who allegedly has links to both of them.
“I was arrested on baseless COVID-19 charges which were brought up by Mudha (Ncube), who said nothing at the helm of ED’s victimisation during the previous regime. What did they say in the Midlands province in defence of Ngwena (Mnangagwa) during his ? He used State apparatus to arrest me over the issue of Susan (Mutami) because he knows her.
Nobody should interfere between me and the President. I supplied confidential information to the President during the coup. You do not know what he did for me and what I did for him. If you don’t see me with the President it does not mean we are not in good books,” Mliswa said, claiming that in Parliament he defended Mnangagwa, including advocating for the removal of the late former President Robert Mugabe in 2017.
Mliswa also claimed that he had written to Mnangagwa informing him that the war veterans in Mashonaland West province were divisive.
Ncube refused to comment on the issue.
Muchechetere said: “I saw the messages from Temba attacking me, but I responded telling him I wondered why he was bothered when his sister had won in the polls.”
Said Mutsvangwa: “I don’t have time for fools. I have weighter responsibilities in the revolutionary party and have no time for vanity and self seekers. I will not build a personality by sparing with Mliswa. The President belongs to Zanu PF amd not to the independent.
As far as I am concerned, Mliswa doesn’t politically exist. If he can’t find a leader of his independent political party, he can’t appropriate my President.
“Someone for the past two decades has earned his daily keep by trolling Mutsvangwa, even all the way to Beijing during my ambassadorial posting. He strives to be my political alter ego with a ”

-NewsDay

By- Zanu PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa Wednesday endorsed and authenticated endorsed the results of his party’s chaotic and rigged provincial elections.

Mnangagwa also forced those complaining against the election outcome to support those they accused of rigging the polls.

He said everyone should forget about the rigged election and to work together for the “good” of the party.

“As we deliberate on the report of the elections, I urge all members of the party to be mindful of the fact that in our party there are no winners and losers. It is the people and ultimately the party that wins.

“Party cadres, who did not make it in the recent elections, must avail themselves, their experiences, skills and competencies to build and grow our mass party. Just as iron sharpens iron, the spirit of camaraderie and collegiality must be harnessed as we all serve this great party, Zanu PF and the nation as a whole. An election lost must never dampens the revolutionary spirit of any cadre, but inspires them to learn, develop and mature in their political career,” he told his party’s politburo.

The Zanu PF elections were reportedly marred by violence and vote rigging, with several losing candidates petitioning party commissar Michael Bimha demanding a rerun.
After the politburo meeting, Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa said the party had resolved to endorse the results despite the rigging claims and investigate the allegations later.
Zanu PF spokesperson, Chris Mutsvangwa
He, however, said the outcome of the investigations would not alter the outcome of the polls.
Mutsvangwa said the party would suspend members who instigated violence during the party’s internal polls.
Zanu PF spokesperson, Chris Mutsvangwa
“The President chastised those who did not want to participate in the elections in a fair, transparent and accountable manner. Those who are prone to try to short-change the system and, or other indiscipline will be suspended if the evidence is brought before the disciplinary committee,” Mutsvangwa said.
“Those who lost — the party is big, it has the wings of the chicken — all the chicks will be able to be accommodated somehow. But the principle that it is an election and not an appointment is fundamental. Those who lost must accept defeat.”

By- Goodness and Mercy Ministries church leader Tapiwa Freddy has denied raping and physically abusing his ex-girlfriend Rutendo Makuti.

Rutendo Makuti is employed by ZBC as a radio DJ.

T Freddy denied the rape charges when his trial opened at Harare Magistrates Court, Thursday.

Tapiwa Freddy, popularly known as Prophet T Freddy, is charged with two counts of rape and physical abuse.

He told the court that he had consensual sexual intercourse with the the ZBC DJ and the accusations arose only after he wanted to terminate their love relationship.

Freddy told the court that the rape allegations were concocted to tarnish his good name and embarrass him in society.

He also denied assaulting her at Moja Shopping Centre saying they never visited the place during the time they were in a relationship.
Regional magistrate Mrs Gloria Takundwa is presiding.

By- Villagers from Chilonga Communal lands, Chiredzi, Masvingo, are facing fresh evictions after the High Court has dismissed their appeal against the formed displacement.

The villagers were challenging some sections of the Communal Lands Act, which vests rural land in the President. They argued it was a colonial relic premised on a racist concept that an African could not own land.

The villagers also argued that the Communal Lands Act is a racist and colonial creature that regards Africans as too uncivilised to own land.

The villagers queried how an African can own a house in Harare’s plush suburb of Borrowdale but cannot own his ancestral home in areas such as Chiredzi, Mwenezi, Dotito, Chendambuya, Nkayi or Tsholotsho.
About 12 000 villagers face displacement.

The evictions are meant to pave the way for a commercial irrigation venture.
Chilonga villagers were being represented by MDC Alliance Vice President, Tendai Biti who is a Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights member.

By – Madziwa villagers are up in arms with their local Chief after his court controversially fined 11 members for snubbing a funeral in his area.

The villagers have since said they would appeal to Chief Madziwa’s ruling.

The 11 From Zunde B Village were convicted of snubbing a funeral in the neighbouring Zunde A village and working their fields instead.

Chief Madziwa fined the villagers goats, a judgement they strongly oppose, arguing it was not mandatory to attend funerals.

The villagers also complained that the fine was not applied uniformly, with some of them asked to pay more goats than others for the same ‘crime.’

They have threatened to appeal against the judgement. – New Ziana

By- A man who is said to be a ‘pastor’ from the viral video where he was seen bathing female ‘congregants’ has said the video was an acting scene, not a real service.

The man named Aniefiok Udoabasi posted on Facebook saying he is actually an actor.

Nobelie.com reports that Udoabasi’s stage name is pastor Blinks and he usually makes skits and short films about churches and other things that generate clicks.
In the video which had taken over the internet, some young ladies can be seen taking turns to get bathed by the pastor in the full view of everyone.

The video and pictures left many baffled. Commenting on the video some social media users bemoaned some women’s desperation.
Some observers, however, came to the pastor’s defence arguing that the pastor did not force anyone as such the women in the video did so willingly.

The internet is awash with videos of clergymen doing all sorts of things on congregants in the name of casting bad luck or cleansing them.
Some congregants were fed with grass, while some preachers would stand or sit on congregants.

-Online

By- After defeating her three rivals in the party provincial chairmanship race, Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs minister Mary Mliswa-Chikoka became the first woman to lead a province in Zanu PF’s history. 

She defeated, former ZBC boss, Happison Muchechetere and Kindness Paradza the deputy Information Minister.

She joins other candidates, who won the chairmanship, include Robison Mavenyengwa (Masvingo), Kazembe Kazembe (Mashonaland Central), Jabulani Sibanda (Bulawayo), Mike Madiro (Manicaland), Daniel Garwe (Mashonaland East), Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu (Matabeleland South), Godwills Masimirembwa (Harare), Albert Nyakuedzwa (Manicaland), Richard Moyo (Matabeleland North), and Larry Mavhima who was elected unopposed in the Midlands province.

Zanu PF’s Politburo Wednesday endorsed the results of the party’s provincial elections held recently across the country.

Some of the contestants had complained about violence and rigging and were hoping that Politburo, the highest decision-making organ in the party, would nullify the election outcome.

Addressing a Zanu PF politburo session at the party headquarters in Harare yesterday following the contentious provincial elections held last week, President Emmerson Mnangagwa urged members to accept the outcome and work together for the “good” of the party.

After the politburo meeting, Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa said the party had resolved to endorse the results despite the rigging claims adding that the outcome of the investigations was insignificant to alter the outcome of the polls. Mutsvangwa said: 

Those who lost — the party is big, it has the wings of the chicken — all the chicks will be able to be accommodated somehow. But the principle that it is an election and not an appointment is fundamental. Those who lost must accept defeat.

Party commissar Bimha also confirmed that the politburo had endorsed the results, adding that the outcome of the proposed investigations would guide the party’s future elections.

Zanu PF will, however, organise provincial elections for the Matabeleland North provincial youth wing after all the candidates were disqualified because they were over 35 years.

Some party officials told NewsDay that unconfirmed results indicated that a faction linked to Mnangagwa was sharing control of the 10 provinces with one aligned to Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, some of whose candidates were controversially disqualified from the race.

More: NewsDay Zimbabwe

Tinashe Sambiri|Zimbabwe has been taken over by a gang of criminals, MDC Alliance deputy chairperson Hon Job Sikhala has declared.

The hard-hitting politician described the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa as a clown masquerading as a leader.

According to Hon Sikhala, the people’s struggle is unstoppable.

He argued:
“Our country was taken over by a criminal gang from 1980. Their business has been looting and looting to no end.

We need to stop it come 2023.

Zimbabwe needs new leaders.”

“The clueless party is saying they will suffocate us and make sure we don’t campaign.

You suffocate those who can be suffocated, not us.

We are the people.”

“A country that cannot issue a mere passport and allows its citizens to travel with documents has cursed leadership.

Zimbabwe has no leadership. It has clowns masquerading as leaders.

We are in the hearts and souls of the people of Zimbabwe,” added Hon Sikhala.

By A Correspondent- A police officer has been arrested accused of raping his 16-year-old biological daughter at a police station.

Police are investigating the New Year’s Day incident at Senga police camp in Gweru after the teenager claimed she had been raped inside a car whilst drunk.

Police say she previously reported being raped by two other relatives, including her stepfather who is based in South Africa.

The 37-year-old police constable, who cannot be named to protect the alleged victim’s identity, appeared before a Gweru magistrate and was held without bail.

Police said the alleged victim, her stepmother and stepfather were drinking whisky on New Year’s Eve waiting to celebrate the New Year.

The complainant, her stepmother and her siblings went outside just after midnight to celebrate the New Year but were allegedly ordered back into the house by the father.

“The complainant then went outside the house at around 1AM and entered into the accused person’s Toyota Porte vehicle which was parked outside the house. The complainant started vomiting and the accused person came and told her to stay inside the car until he comes back,” an internal police memo of the incident said.

“After about 10 minutes, the accused person entered into the vehicle, tried to communicate with the complainant but she could not respond since she was continuously vomiting.”

Police said the police officer then raped his daughter once without using protection.

Whilst inside the vehicle, the accused person removed complainant’s clothes, opened his trousers button, pulled the trousers down and lifted the complainant and made her sit on his erect penis.

The officer reportedly gave his daughter a cloth to cover her body and ordered her to go inside the house where she quickly fell asleep.

The victim allegedly woke up with a throbbing headache and was given painkillers by her father.

At around 8PM, police said she called her stepfather in South Africa and informed her that she had been raped by her father. Ironically, the ZRP has sought Interpol’s help in arresting the stepfather for allegedly raping his stepdaughter in March 2018.

On the morning of January 2, police said the teen’s mother sent her brother to assist her in filing a police report leading to her father’s arrest.

The teenager has another rape complaint filed with St Mary’s police in Chitungwiza.

Senga police said the complainant was “apparently prone to rape cases by close male relatives hence there is need for her to be placed in an environment where she is not taken advantage off” while committing to “thorough investigations to ensure that no miscarriage of justice occurs.”

By A Correspondent- Local civil society organisations (CSOs) have piled pressure on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to clear the air on the ongoing voter registration programme after it recently issued two different figures for first-time registrants captured on its database.

One of the CSOs, Project Vote 263, on Tuesday petitioned Zec demanding access to the consolidated national voters’ roll to enhance monitoring of the voter registration process ahead of the 2023 harmonised elections.

Zec last week disclosed that it only registered 2 000 first-time voters last year, but later revised the figure to 2 971 new voters, with civic groups claiming that the numbers were understated.

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) on Tuesday wrote to Zec on behalf of Project Vote 263, demanding copies of the consolidated national voters’ roll.

In the letter dated January 4, 2022 ZLHR lawyer Godfrey Mupanga said Project Vote 263 wanted both the electronic and print copies of the voters’ roll.

He stated that in line with section 20(4)(a) and (c) of the Electoral Act, Zec was obliged to keep at least one copy of every voters’ roll at its head office in both print and electronic formats.

“It is only for the sake of convenience that I point to you the provisions of the Electoral Act under which my client wishes to exercise their right to be furnished with copies of the voters’ roll,” Mupanga wrote.

“As you may be aware, my client is a civic organisation that is currently involved in mobilisation of qualified Zimbabwean citizens and residents to register as voters. Therefore, in terms of section 21(7)(iii), my client wishes to use the voters’ roll for purposes associated with the Electoral Act and not for commercial or other  purposes.”

Opposition Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume said he had also approached Zec officials, demanding justification for its disclosure that it had only registered less than 3 000 new voters despite several campaigns conducted by CSOs to encourage citizens to register.

“I went to the Zec offices yesterday (Tuesday) and I wanted to meet the chief elections officer (Utoile Silaigwana), but I failed,” Ngarivhume said.

“I met the public relations director Chinyuke. I quizzed Zec over why it had only registered 2 971 new voters when it had been allocated $11,6 billion from the national budget to run elections. If there are no electoral reforms, which include transparency, surely there is no need to go for the 2023 elections.”

In a statement on Tuesday, Zec commissioner Joyce Kazembe said by the end of November 2021, the electoral body had recorded 5 647 000 registered voters for the 2023 elections which consists of new and old registrants.

She said only successfully vetted new registrants were placed on the voters’ roll.

Meanwhile, pressure is also mounting for Zec to revamp its secretariat over inconsistencies in the voters’ roll and its failure to make it readily accessible.

Political analyst Kudakwashe Munemo said:  “Zec is one of the independent commissions supporting democracy established in terms of Chapter 12 of the country’s Constitution and charged with the mandate to manage the country’s electoral processes. It would be difficult to disband it.

“If Zec has staff who are employees of the military or other intelligence operatives, which are government-controlled entities, these must be discharged from their duties and it is the role of the commissioners to do so.”

Election Resource Centre director Barbra Nyangairi said: “Zec, which is composed of appointed members, has various functions which include voter registration and ensuring transparency in the commissions’ conduct. The principles that bind the commission and its members must be adhered to at all times.”-Newsday

By Jane Mlambo| The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) commissioners are set to fly to the resport town of Victoria Falls splashing thousands of dollars for a retreat at a time President Emmerson Mnangagwa has proclaimed date for the impending by-elections.

The retreat will be held at Elephant hills hotel from 9 to 15 January.

The retreat comes at a time the national voters roll is in shambles with by-elections to fill 18 seats left vacant following the death or recall of legislators by both Zanu PF and the opposition MDC.

According to a memo leaked to ZimEye, ZEC secretariat will travel by road to Victoria Falls stopping over in Bulawayo in what has been described as a waste of state resources that could have gone towards mobilizing citizens to register to vote as per the mandate of the commission.

“ZEC will be conducting a workshop on the preparedness for the by-elections, voter registration and delimitation programmes. The workshop will be held in Victoria Falls at Elephant Hills hotel,” reads the memo.

“Chairperson, Commissioners, CEO, DCEO KMC/ Director ICT and secretary to the Commission will travel by air on 9 January 2022 and return on 16 January 2022,” reads the memo.

“Mt Darwin, Muzarabani, Guruve, Mbire, UMP, Mudzi, Mutoko will travel on the 8th of January 2022 from their stations to Harare and put up there. PEO Manicaland, Mashonaland West, Bulawayo, DEO Chitungwiza, Hwange, Matobo, Bindura,Kwekwe,Hurungwe , UMP, Bulawayo kindly make sure that you travel with the junior national workers committee representative in your respective provinces and districts.

“Manicaland Province to travel to Bulawayo on 8 January 2022 and put up in Bulawayo.
Masvingo, Manicaland South and Matabeleland North will travel 9 January 2022 in the morning to Bulawayo.”

By Patrick Guramatunhu- Zanu PF is blatantly rigging the 2023 elections!

“Zanu PF bigwigs, Chief Serima and members of the dreaded Central Intelligence Organization have instructed the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to transfer a Gutu teacher for allegedly denouncing Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa,” reported Zimeye.

“Zanu PF MP for Gutu West Constituency, John Paradza also claims the teacher, Batsiranai Ngugama of Serima High School, is mobilizing the local community to vote against him.”

This is not only common occurrence, but worse things have happened to those considered a threat to Zanu PF’s strangle hold on power. Many opponents of the regime have been beaten, raped, had property destroyed and some have been murdered in cold blood.

In November last year, Nyasha Zhambe, a MDC activist was murdered by Zanu PF operatives for attending an MDC rally at Mupandawan Growth Point, less than 30 km from Serima High School. Nyasha named his assailants and yet to date no one has been arrested.

Rural areas are Zanu PF strongholds for no other reason than that the party has total control over the people’s lives, they are nothing short of medieval serfs beholden to the overbearing Zanu PF lords. The rural voters constitute 50% plus of the electorate.

How can the elections be free, fair and credible when 50% plus of the electorate are frog marched to vote one way?

The Police and CIO should not be turning a blind eye to Zanu PF thuggery much less be actively involved in the lawlessness. Zimbabwe’s elections should not be taking place without first implementing the democratic reforms to ensure the Police, CIO, etc. are free to carry out their duties of maintaining law and order and guarantee free and fair elections.  

Zimbabwe had the golden opportunity to implement the democratic reforms during the 2008 to 2013 GNU. Sadly, Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC friends who were tasked to implement the reforms turned out to be breathtakingly corrupt and incompetent. They failed to implement even one reform in five years. Not even one reform!

Worse still, MDC leaders are the ones who have insisted in participating in these flawed and illegal elections in which rural voters are frog marched to vote for Zanu PF, with no verified voters’ roll, when 3 million (in 2023) Zimbabweans in the diaspora are denied the vote, etc.

By participating in these flawed elections, MDC has given Zanu PF legitimacy.

What has made this situation totally intolerable is that MDC leaders have known all along the futility of participating in flawed elections and readily admitted it.

“The worst aspect for me about the failure to agree a coalition was that both MDCs couldn’t now do the obvious – withdraw from the (2013) elections,” admitted David Coltart in his book, The Struggle Continues 50 years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe. Coltart was a MDC-N minister in the GNU.  

“The electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process credibility.”

Four of the main MDC factions plus three other opposition parties did form a coalition, the MDC Alliance, and still participated in the 2018 elections. Proof it was greed not the failure to form a coalition that was forcing the MDC leaders participate in flawed elections.  

Indeed, it was greed that had stopped the MDC leaders implementing even one reform during the GNU.

“Mazivanhu eMDC adzidza kudya anyerere!” (MDC leaders have learned to enjoy the spoils of power and not rock the boat!) boasted Zanu PF cronies during the GNU when asked why MDC leaders were not implementing the reforms.

MDC leaders have repeatedly claimed that they have “winning in rigged elections strategies”; all hot air, of course. They said it to justify why they have been participating in the flawed and illegal elections and cover the real reason – greed.

With not even one token reform implemented since the 2018 elections; of course, Zanu PF is blatantly rigging the 2023 elections just readily as the party rigged the 2018 elections! The elections should be declared null and void and Zanu PF denied legitimacy.

However, there are some Zimbabweans who are hell bent on participating in these flawed elections; hell bent on giving Zanu PF legitimacy. Still, come the morning after the 2023 elections, no Zimbabwean with half a brain should ever be in any doubt about the following three things:

1. That Zanu PF blatantly rigged the 2023 elections, the whole election process was not free, fair and credible.

• That MDC leaders insisted in participating in these flawed elections out of greed; they knew their “winning in rigged elections strategies” were all hot air.

• That by participating in the flawed elections Zimbabweans gave vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy and thus extended the Zanu PF dictatorship’s rule – pretty dumb thing to do in this day and age, especially after four decades of rigged elections.

By A Correspondent- Police in Mashonaland Central are hunting for a Concession man Imigrame Malaki (40) who allegedly struck and killed his neighbour with a log during an unknown dispute.

Police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe confirmed the case.

“We are looking for a murder suspect Malaki of Mashazhike compound, Concession who allegedly murdered his neighbour Jaison Dambakurimwa (38) in a misunderstanding,” Mundembe said.

According to police the suspect went to the now deceased  house  on Christmas day armed with a catapult and upon his arrival he met Dambakurimwa in his yard and started assaulting him without saying anything.

As the fight intensified Malaki pulled a wooden log and started assaulting Dambakurimwa on the head.

Dambakurimwa’s wife Helen Chundu fled to the nearby houses to seek for backup and when she came back with other villagers Malaki had already escaped.

The matter was reported at Concession police station and Dambakurimwa was sent to hospital where he succumbed to the injuries two days after his admission.

Police is appealing for information which can lead to the arrest of Malaki.

By A Correspondent- Three border jumpers believed to be Zimbabwean recently drowned in Limpopo River while attempting to cross into South Africa.

Zimbabwe and South African police have so far retrieved the body of a man believed to have drowned while illegally crossing into the neighbouring country through a crossing point near Maroy Farm some 40km west of Beitbridge town.

Efforts are underway to retrieve two more bodies that have been spotted on the South African side of the Limpopo River. It is reported that divers from the two countries failed to retrieve the two bodies on Tuesday due to the turbulent river current.

The police officer commanding Beitbridge district Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo said they were continuing with the efforts to retrieve the bodies today.

He said the search was initiated on Monday after two women reported that their husbands had drowned near a crossing point close to Nottingham Estate on Sunday.

“The divers came across the three bodies while searching for two men who were reported to have drowned on Sunday,” said Chief Supt Nyongo.

“However, the bodies we have spotted so far are not of those two men. As police, we are still treating them as missing persons.

“Searches are still on and during such searches and efforts are being made to retrieve two more bodies that were sighted at the same point at a deeper end”.

He said the police were suspecting there could be more cases of drowning along the Limpopo River, where the level of water has relatively risen.

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) is inviting applications from suitably qualified persons to fill the following posts that have arisen within the Authority.

Below are the adverts:

(1.) COMMISSIONER: DOMESTIC TAXES – LEVEL 2 (1 POST)

Main Function:

To provide leadership and policy guidance in the collection of revenue, advising government on fiscal and economic matters and to promote and enforce compliance with tax laws.

Responsibilities:

 Overall administration of Income Taxes, VAT, PAYE, Capital Gains Tax and other ancillary Tax Legislation.
 Negotiate international tax treaties.
 Give expert advice to Commissioner General on tax legislation, policy and administration.
 Give advice and guidance on research and development of all tax legislation.
 Determination of objections and dealing with appeals on tax matters.
 Responsible for the overall management and giving strategic direction to the Tax Division.
 Participate in policy formulation and implementation for the Authority.
 Any other duties as may be assigned and directed from time to time.

Qualifications and Experience:

 A degree in Accountancy, Business Administration, Economics or an equivalent accounting qualification.
 A relevant Master’s degree would be an added advantage.
 At least ten (10) years practical experience, five (5) of which were at senior management level.
 Strong leadership qualities and analytical skills required.
 Should have strong people management skills.
 Exposure on taxation of international businesses.
 Strong practical experience in working with revenue administration systems.
 Experience in a computerised environment is necessary.
 Clean Class 4 driver’s licence is a prerequisite.

Other Attributes:

 Drive for results.
 Ability to work under pressure.
 Ability to communicate at all levels.
 Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
 Unquestionable integrity.

Interested candidates should submit applications, accompanied by a detailed Curriculum Vitae and certified copies of academic and professional qualifications, by not later than 27 January 2022, in envelopes clearly indicating the position being applied for.

All applications should be emailed to [email protected] clearly indicating the position you are applying for as your E-mail Subject Reference and addressed to:

The Commissioner-General
Zimbabwe Revenue Authority
6th Floor ZB Centre
Corner First Street / Kwame Nkrumah Avenue
P. O. Box 4360
HARARE
Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be responded to.

(2.) COMMISSIONER GENERAL

The ZIMRA Board invites qualified and experienced Zimbabwean citizens to fill the position of Commissioner General.

Reporting Structure

The position reports to the ZIMRA Board of Directors.

Key Responsibilities

The Commissioner General shall be responsible for the following;

 Provide strategic, proactive and effective leadership for the authority’s operations.
 Supervising and managing the Authority’s staff, activities, funds and property.
 Advising the Government of Zimbabwe on fiscal policy matters, laws and regulations including amendments.
 Overseeing the interpretation and implementation of Zimbabwe’s policies relating to taxation and customs duties.
 Building and leading a modern and efficient revenue administration that ensures all taxes and duties due to the Government of Zimbabwe are collected.
 Broadening the revenue base and automation of ZIMRA business processes.
 Put mechanisms in place to reduce revenue leakages.
 Analyzing performance trends, setting operational targets and reviewing revenue collection strategies.
 Preparing strategic and development plans for the Authority.

 Providing policy analysis and advice in revenue collection and trade facilitation.
 Establishing, developing and maintaining strategic relationships, knowledge sharing, partnerships and collaboration between ZIMRA and multi-lateral organizations such as AfDB, ATAF, IMF, WCO, World Bank and WTO, and with regional organizations such as SADC, COMESA, ESAMI and bi-lateral relations with major trading partners.
 Performing such other functions as may be assigned by the Board.

Job Specifications

 Applicant must have demonstrable leadership capabilities to lead a large, complex diversified institution.
 The applicant is required to have a comprehensive knowledge of Zimbabwe’s tax and customs systems and familiarity with the revenue laws, regulations, treaties and protocols administered by the Authority.
 Excellent planning and organizing skills required in managing assigned projects to accomplish work objectives in compliance with procedural, administrative and technical requirements prescribed by the various laws and regulations administered by ZIMRA.
 Provides the Authority with effective leadership anchored on high ethical standards.
 Good interpersonal skills.
 Good communication and engagement skills.
 Excellent stakeholder engagement and management skills.
 Ability to lead large scale change management projects.

Qualifications:

 Degree in Economics, Accounts, Business Studies, Fiscal Studies, Banking, Finance, Auditing or equivalent.
 A Masters’ degree or equivalent postgraduate commercial qualification in areas such as Taxation, Business Administration, Economics, Information Technology, Accounting, Fiscal Studies or Law.

Related Experience:

 A minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in Tax and/or Customs.
 At least 5 years’ experience at the executive management level.
 Experience in organizational management or other aspects of public administration would be an added advantage.
 Regional or international exposure will be an added advantage.
Interested candidates should submit applications, accompanied by a detailed Curriculum Vitae and certified copies of academic and professional qualifications, by 27 January 2022. All applications should be emailed to [email protected] indicating your E-mail Subject Reference as Commissioner General Position and addressed to:

The Board Chairperson
Zimbabwe Revenue Authority
6th Floor ZB Centre
Corner First Street / Kwame Nkrumah Avenue
P. O. Box 4360
HARARE

By A Correspondent- Norton legislator Temba Mliswa (Independent) has mocked former Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation chief executive Happison Muchechetere, who lost the Mashonaland West ZANU PF provincial chairmanship elections recently.

He also took a dig at other Zanu PF bigwigs and President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s perceived right hand men State Security minister Owen “Mudha” Ncube and party spokesman Christopher Mutsvangwa.

Mliswa chastised Muchechetere and one Zunzanyika for claiming the independent MP was plotting to form an opposition party, with his sister, Mashonaland West Provincial minister, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka. Mliswa-Chikoka won the Zanu PF provincial elections which were endorsed yesterday.

In several leaked audio clips, Mliswa explained his deep-rooted links to Zanu PF and aligned himself with a faction of disgruntled war veterans within the ruling party, exposing his links to the ruling party.

Party insiders have described Mliswa’s attacks as a ploy to worm his way back into the ruling party ahead of the 2023 elections.

Mliswa, a former Zanu PF Mashonaland West provincial chairman, was expelled from Zanu PF in 2015 allegedly for undermining the party.  Then he was also the ruling party’s Hurungwe West legislator.
In the audio clips, he attacked Ncube , Mutsvangwa and Muchechetere for faking their support for Mnangagwa, before claiming that he was the President’s relative and close ally.

He accused Mutsvangwa of decampaigning Mnangagwa in Norton during the 2018 harmonised elections.
Mliswa claimed that he was responsible for mobilising voters for Mnangagwa in Norton.

He also accused Ncube of raising frivolous charges against him to settle personal scores over Susan Mutami, a woman who allegedly has links to both of them.

“I was arrested on baseless COVID-19 charges which were brought up by Mudha (Ncube), who said nothing at the helm of ED’s victimisation during the previous regime. What did they say in the Midlands province in defence of Ngwena (Mnangagwa) during his ? He used State apparatus to arrest me over the issue of Susan (Mutami) because he knows her.

Nobody should interfere between me and the President. I supplied confidential information to the President during the coup. You do not know what he did for me and what I did for him. If you don’t see me with the President it does not mean we are not in good books,” Mliswa said, claiming that in Parliament he defended Mnangagwa, including advocating for the removal of the late former President Robert Mugabe in 2017.

Mliswa also claimed that he had written to Mnangagwa informing him that the war veterans in Mashonaland West province were divisive.

Ncube refused to comment on the issue.

Muchechetere said: “I saw the messages from Temba attacking me, but I responded telling him I wondered why he was bothered when his sister had won in the polls.”

Said Mutsvangwa: “I don’t have time for fools. I have weighter responsibilities in the revolutionary party and have no time for vanity and self seekers. I will not build a personality by sparing with Mliswa. The President belongs to Zanu PF amd not to the independent.

As far as I am concerned, Mliswa doesn’t politically exist. If he can’t find a leader of his independent political party, he can’t appropriate my President.

“Someone for the past two decades has earned his daily keep by trolling Mutsvangwa, even all the way to Beijing during my ambassadorial posting. He strives to be my political alter ego with a “

By-The Zimbabwe Republic Police has announced that only three bodies have been so far recovered from the 11 people who drowned while crossing the Limpopo River on Sunday.

The police said one of the bodies was retrieved at a crossing point near Maroy Farm some 40km west of Beitbridge town.

Efforts were by end of the day yesterday underway to retrieve two more bodies spotted on the deeper end of the South African side of the Limpopo River.
It is reported that divers from the two countries failed to retrieve the two bodies on Tuesday due to the high-water current in the river.

The police officer commanding Beitbridge District, Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo said they were continuing with the efforts to retrieve the bodies.
He said the search was initiated on Monday after two women reported that their husbands had drowned near a crossing point closer to Nottingham Estate on Sunday.
“The divers came across the three bodies on Tuesday while searching for two men who were reported to have drowned on Sunday,” said Chief Supt Nyongo.
“However, the bodies we have spotted so far are not of those two men. As police, we are still treating them as missing persons. Searches are still on and efforts are being made to retrieve two more bodies that were seen at the same point at a deeper end”.

He said police suspect there could be more cases of drowning along the Limpopo River, where the level of water has relatively risen.
Police warned people against using illegal crossing points as they risk prosecution or drowning in the Limpopo River.
The latest drowning incidents come a few days after Zimbabwean security rescued six people who got stranded at a crossing point near Dulivhadzimu Gorge, after a wooden makeshift boat they were using capsized.

The group was part of 15 people who were dumped in the middle of the river by some criminals who were assisting them to cross.
The men ran away upon spotting some security officials who were patrolling near the crossing point.

By -Zanu PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa Wednesday endorsed the party’s chaotic Provincial elections and ignored rigging claims by several officials who partook in the party’s internal polls.

A handful of Zanu members who contested in the 28 December Zanu PF provincial elections complained that the elections were rigged and demanded a re-run.

But Mnangagwa on Wednesday said everyone should accept the disputed outcome and work together for the good of the party.

Mnangagwa made the remarks while addressing a Zanu PF politburo session at the party headquarters in Harare on Wednesday. He said:
As we deliberate on the report of the elections, I urge all members of the Party to be mindful of the fact that, in our Party, there are no winners and losers. It is the people and ultimately the Party that wins.
Party cadres who did not make it in the recent elections must avail themselves, their experiences, skills and competencies to build and grow our mass Party.
Just as iron sharpens iron, the spirit of camaraderie and collegiality must be harnessed as we all serve this great Party, Zanu PF and the nation as a whole.
An election lost must never dampen the revolutionary spirit of any cadre, but inspire them to learn, develop and mature in their political career.
The Zanu PF elections were reportedly marred by violence and vote-rigging and the party is yet to announce the final results of the polls, more than a week after the votes were cast. Said Mnangagwa:

Irregularities and political chicanery across Party structures must be decisively dealt with and expunged from the Party.
I urge the Party leadership to always listen to the aspirations of the people at every level.

Mnangagwa urged party members to work towards securing “a resounding victory” in the 2023 general elections.

-ZBC

By-Zimbabwe and South Africa police are collaborating to search for people who are reported to have drowned while crossing the Limpopo River on Sunday.
So far one body has been retrieved at a crossing point near Maroy Farm some 40km west of Beitbridge town.
Efforts were by end of the day yesterday underway to retrieve two more bodies spotted on the deeper end of the South African side of the Limpopo River.
It is reported that divers from the two countries failed to retrieve the two bodies on Tuesday due to the high-water current in the river.

The police officer commanding Beitbridge District, Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo said they were continuing with the efforts to retrieve the bodies.
He said the search was initiated on Monday after two women reported that their husbands had drowned near a crossing point closer to Nottingham Estate on Sunday.
“The divers came across the three bodies on Tuesday while searching for two men who were reported to have drowned on Sunday,” said Chief Supt Nyongo.
“However, the bodies we have spotted so far are not of those two men. As police, we are still treating them as missing persons. Searches are still on and efforts are being made to retrieve two more bodies that were seen at the same point at a deeper end”.

He said police suspect there could be more cases of drowning along the Limpopo River, where the level of water has relatively risen.
Police warned people against using illegal crossing points as they risk prosecution or drowning in the Limpopo River.
The latest drowning incidents come a few days after Zimbabwean security rescued six people who got stranded at a crossing point near Dulivhadzimu Gorge, after a wooden makeshift boat they were using capsized.

The group was part of 15 people who were dumped in the middle of the river by some criminals who were assisting them to cross.
The men ran away upon spotting some security officials who were patrolling near the crossing point.

By- Zanu PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa Wednesday rubbished an appeal by war veterans from Mashonaland Central Province who approached the party complaining about Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe’s re-election as the party’s provincial chairperson.

The war veterans and several senior party officials said Kazembe rigged the elections and vowed not to recognise him.

Kazembe defeated businessman Tafadzwa Musarara amid reports of violence and massive rigging.

Some party officials described the election as a sham after widespread reports of poll anomalies were noted in Mbire and Muzarabani, two of the constituencies that gave Kazembe victory.

Mnangagwa addressed his party’s politburo meeting Wednesday and said that everyone must accept the outcome of the December 28 provincial elections.

By- Zanu PF Politburo Wednesday posthumously declared the late former High Court Judge Advocate Siwanda Kennedy Mbuso Sibanda a national hero.

Adv Sibanda, a legal icon of the liberation struggle, died on December 22 at Morningside MediClinic in Johannesburg, South Africa, at the age of 89.
He was one of the few lawyers that dedicated their lives to defending political prisoners during the days of the liberation war.

Adv Sibanda participated in the formation of a special committee for the defence of political prisoners in Zimbabwe and in apartheid South Africa.
During that time, he was instrumental in tracing and finding arrested political “offenders” and guerrillas and providing them with legal services.
His hero status was announced yesterday by Zanu PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa after a Politburo meeting.
“We have a new national hero, Advocate Sibanda. He died in South where his family is based. He was a nationalist. He was part of the Lancaster House Agreement in United Kingdom in 1979,” said Ambassador Mutsvangwa.

The national hero, Ambassador Mutsvangwa said, was a legal advisor to the ZAPU delegation and was involved in nationalist politics with the late National Hero Cde Edson Sithole.
“His pedigree is sterling and the President knew him because he was part of the legal advisors of the Patriotic Front,” said Ambassador Mutsvangwa.
He was unanimously declared a national hero at the request of Bulawayo province.
At a time when the white minority regime was using the law as a tool to oppress African people, Adv Sibanda was instrumental in helping the people to access and relate to the prescripts of the law and at the same time translated the grievances of the people into the law, thus, using the law as a tool and a weapon against injustice and oppression.
He was instrumental in changing the post-independence legal landscape continuing to grow his legal practice while opening doors for many other lawyers who would go on to establish their own careers and firms
Adv Sibanda’s practice survives him and continues to be the mainstay of Bulawayo’s legal fraternity. He was one of the first black advocates of the High Court of Rhodesia in the early 1970s and went on to set up his own legal practice in Bulawayo.

Adv SKM Sibanda as he was affectionately known was a highly skilled legal practitioner with vast experience in the practice of law, having completed his studies at the University of Natal in the 1960s.
Widely regarded as an outstanding defence counsel, Adv Sibanda used his legal skills and acumen to actively contribute to the liberation of Zimbabwe, defending freedom fighters captured by the regime, saving many from the gallows.
Further, his commitment to liberation and specialised knowledge in constitutional law saw him contributing to the nation’s liberation as one of the drafters of the Lancaster House Constitution in 1979, paving the way to the country’s independence from white minority rule in 1980.
Post-independence, Adv Sibanda continued to build his legal practice, while continuing to dedicate his life and energy to the development of the country.
He did this through his involvement in politics, business, sport and various Government commissions.
In 1997, Adv Sibanda was called to the bench, serving as a judge of the High Court in Bulawayo where he significantly contributed to the shaping of the country’s laws.
Upon retirement in 2002, he returned to private practice where he continued to mentor young lawyers in his firm.
Born on 19 April 1932, he grew up in Somnene, Bulilima District in Matabeleland South. Adv Sibanda was the son of successful farmers, Jack Mbuso Sibanda and Volo Sibanda (nee Gumbo)

As the eldest of six children, he was raised to be responsible not just for himself but for his siblings as well.
Adv Sibanda attended Tshabanda School in the then Nata Territorial Tribal Lands, now Bulilima, in 1945.
In 1948 he went to study at Solusi Mission where he completed his Junior Certificate in 1955 and the following year, he went to South Africa intending to sit his Matric at Adam’s College.
In 1957 he entered Kilnerton Institute in Pretoria and matriculated in 1958 and that same year, he met friends that made him aim higher than Matric.
He enrolled for a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Natal in 1958 but lost the whole year due to illness and was enrolled again in 1960 and finished his studies in 1962 after which he enrolled for a law degree.
His law studies were interrupted by a series of illnesses in 1963, 66 and 68.

Against the advice of his doctor, Adv Sibanda finished his studies. His determination paid off and when his health improved, he transferred his registration to Maritzburg where he finished his law studies in 1970.
In order to raise his university fees, he had to study during the day and work at night. After finishing his law degree in South Africa, he worked with a firm of attorneys to complete his articles.
He returned to then Rhodesia in March 1971 and was successful in Rhodesian examinations to be an advocate. Adv Sibanda abhorred injustice and inequality.
He joined the Pan African Congress of Azania and worked alongside Steve Biko and Griffiths Mxenge in the student movement that would resist the racist policies of the South African government.
His political involvement continued after his return home, fighting against the Rhodesian white minority government.
Adv Sibanda joined Zapu and rose to the position of being one of the legal advisers of the party. It was in this capacity that he served as one of the drafters of the Lancaster House Constitution, which paved the way to Zimbabwe’s independence from white minority rule in 1980.

-State media

By A Correspondent-The Zimbabwe Republic Police has announced that they had arrested over 89 000 people for committing a cross-border related crime.

The police said the arrests were made under the operation Code-named “No to Cross Border Crimes/Fhasi Ngamilandu Yamukanoni/Mhosva Pamiganhu Ngadzipere/Amacala Kawaphele Emingceleni Yelizwe”.

They said some of the suspects were fined while others are expected to appear in court after being vetted.

“The ZRP reports that on January 2, 2022, 781 people were arrested on operation ‘No to Cross Border Crimes/ Fhasi Ngamilandu Yamukanoni Yamashango/Mhosva Pamiganhu Ngadzipere/ Amacala Kawaphele Emingceleni Yelizwe’.
“The cumulative number of arrests on the operation now stands at 89 277, since the inception of operation,” National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi told the state media Wednesday.

Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has said the late Movement for Democratic Change founding father, Gibson Sibanda was a dedicated trade unionist and national leader.

Sibanda was the first MDC vice president at its inception in 1999.

Sibanda and the late MDC president Morgan Richard Tsvangirai led a formidable force that challenged Zanu PF hegemony.

President Chamisa wrote on Twitter:

THE PEOPLE’S STRUGGLE…

This week, in memory, we honour the founding leader of the People’s Movement, the late veteran trade unionist, Gibson Sibanda.

Was born on the 1st of January 1944.

This week he would have turned 78 yrs old. Rest in peace Qhawe, Lala ngokuthula Qhawe.

By A Correspondent | A War veteran commander, Dzingai Nevhunjere, who troubled commercial farmers in Mazowe district during the late President Robert Mugabe’s commandeered 2002 land reform program, has been slapped with a six-year jail term for stealing a herd of cattle.

Nevhunjere, 64, was caged after a full trial by Harare magistrate Victoria Mashamba.

He escaped the nine year mandatory sentence for stock theft after the magistrate considered that when be committed the offence, common law was still in place.

The war veteran will also serve five years effective after one year of his sentence was set aside on conditions of good behavior.

Nevhunjere was found guilty of stealing a herd of 16 cattle from farmer Thomas Charles Bayley back in 2002.

Bayley was the owner of Danburry Park Farm in Marlborough, Harare.

The National Prosecuting Authority proved that Nevhunjere and some youths invaded the farm on April 13, 2002 and prevented Bayley from entering it.

They barricaded the entrance using poles and drums, and then forced Baylely’s family out of the farm, which had 977 cattle and 210 calves. Nevhunjere took custody of all the cattle.

On April 5 and 7, 2002, Nevhunjere then drove 20 cattle to his Omeath Farm in Mvurwi.

Sixteen beasts were recovered from him on November 13, 2003 after the complainant identified them.

The court also heard that on several occasions, the war veteran would order his youths to slaughter cows for meat.

When Bayley was finally allowed to enter his farm on July 13, 2002, he collected 1 042 cattle, and discovered that 145 beasts were missing.

On February 5, 2005 police recovered six beasts from Nevhunjere.

In passing sentence the magistrate said she will also consider that Nevhunjere is now an old family man.

She also considered the circumstances circumstances around the commission of the offence.

She said the Nevhunjere was a first offender as such deserved liniency.

“When the accused committed the offence, it was because he wanted to implement what he fought for (as a war veteran). But this did not go well because you end up taking someone’s cattle, ” said the magistrate.

She added, Moral blameworthiness is high because he was a commander and took advantage of your authority by stealing and distorting the agrarian reform.”

“You planned to steal because you sent the cattle to your farm in Mvurwi. You did not assist in recovery of the cattle. You tried to fight against the offence. You are luck that at the time it was not 9 years mandatory as this time. The court shall not impose that 9 years mandatory but will use the common law,” Mashamba ruled.

By- Police officers yesterday intercepted 400 by 100mls bottles of BronCleer cough syrup with an estimated street value of ZAR40 000.
The contraband was being transported in a Honda Fit vehicle along the Limpopo River.

One person, Custom Savanhu (40) has since been arrested for unlawful possession of prohibited, controlled and restricted medicines.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed.

“On January 4, 2022 a team of police officers who were on patrol, along the Limpopo River enforcing operation ‘No to cross border crimes’, arrested Custom Savanhu aged 40 for unlawful possession of prohibited, controlled and restricted medicines.
“Police recovered 400 x 100ml of Broncleer cough syrup with a street value of ZAR 40 000 which was in a Honda Fit vehicle,” he said.
The arrest comes after three women were intercepted in Harare and Mutare in separate incidents after they were found in possession of 281kg of mbanje and 50 bottles of BronCleer cough syrup.

Another 75 people have been arrested countrywide for dealing in crystal methamphetamine drugs, commonly known as “Mutoriro.”
The three women are Patricia Munyengeri (38), Jennifer Mahachi (28) who were both arrested in the capital while Chenal Mukungatu (34) was arrested in Mutare.
Munyengeri was arrested in Epworth and found with 20kg x 13 bags mbanje weighing 260kg while Mahachi was found in possession of 50 x 100mls of BronCleer cough syrup.
In Mutare, Mukungatu was intercepted with 21kg mbanje along the Mutare–Chimanimani Road.
From December 27, 2021, to January 2, 2022, 75 people were arrested countrywide for dealing in crystal methamphetamine drug under the ongoing operation ‘No to Crystal Meth.’
Most of the suspects are still assisting police with investigations and will appear in court soon.

The arrests came reports that abuse of the dangerous drug called crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as “mutoriro”, “dombo” or “guka”, by youths has reached alarming levels with at least 100 young men and women appearing at the Harare Magistrates Court.
The rise in cases where people are dealing in dangerous drugs is blamed for the surge in cases of drug-induced mental illnesses.

-Herald

A stray elephant has killed a mother and her six-month-old baby in Kushinga B village under Chief Musikavanhu, Chipinge.

The sad incident happened on New Year’s Day.

Shylet Muyambo (22) died on the spot with her female infant baby when a jumbo trampled them to death close to her matrimonial home.

Police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident on 1 January.

Circumstances indicate Muyambo was coming from her sister’s Charity Muyambo (25) homestead in the same village, at around 1800hrs when the elephant charged towards them.

Chinyoka said the deceased’s relatives were alerted by loud cries for help that a stray elephant was on the loose attacking the duo.

“Charity and her husband Simbarashe Kumbula heard Shylet’s cries for help, but only found her and the child lying lifeless on the ground when they approached the scene. After the matter was reported to Chisumbanje Police Station the two bodies were taken to St Peter’s Hospital where they were pronounced dead,” Chinyoka said.

Zimparks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo also confirmed the fateful incident.

He said the victims had travelled to a neighbouring community visiting relatives when they met a herd of elephants.

“It is unfortunate that a Chipinge woman and her three months old child were trampled to death by an elephant on New Year,” Farawo said.

“The woman had visited her relatives in the neighbouring community and she was on her way back when she met the herd of elephants and was attacked by one, which killed her on the spot together with her baby.”

Farawo said the marauding elephant had since been killed.

BY- Eleven (11) Zimbabwean border jumpers are feared to have drowned in separate incidents attempting to cross the Limpopo River into South Africa.

A boat carrying eight (8) Zimbabweans who were attempting to cross the crocodile-infested Limpopo River into South Africa reportedly capsized near Gate 7 east of the border post on Sunday.

The other three were reportedly swept away in different incidents also on Sunday.

Beitbridge Police District Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo confirmed to News24 that only one body had been recovered so far. Said Nyongo:

So far a body has been recovered, but has yet to be identified. Two more bodies are in the river, but on the SA side and to retrieve them, there’s [the] need [for the] services of a helicopter because the water current is strong.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)’s Aub-Aqua Unit had been trying to get the bodies since Sunday when they were reported to authorities, without success.

Superintendent Nyongo said they had informed the South African Police Services (SAPS) who were expected to dispatch a helicopter to the area.

News24 reported sources in Beitbridge as saying that the eight believed to have drowned were seen in an inflated boat near Dite Village, 40 kilometres east and downstream from the bridge.

However, Superintendent Nyongo said ZRP had not received the report about the boat.

More: News24

By- The fight between the MDC-T President Douglas Mwonzora and Gweru mayor Josiah Makombe (MDC Alliance) has turned nasty, with the former refusing to had recalled the latter.

Mwonzora and his party’s secretary-general Paurina Mpariwa, according to the Gweru Mayor lied to the police that they did not recall him from representing MDC in the local authority.

Through his lawyer Nqobani Sithole, Makombe alleged Mwonzora and Mpariwa jointly lied under oath in a case before the Bulawayo High Court where the two leaders claimed they had not recalled him from office.
Makombe, MDC-T vice-president Thokozani Khupe and Chitungwiza mayor Lovemore Maikorecently filed a joint urgent application at the Bulawayo High Court seeking an interdict to stop their impending recalls from Parliament and council by the MDC-T.

Responding to the report, MDC-T spokesperson Witness Dube insisted that the party’s leaders did not discuss the issue of recalling members during a meeting held on 26 November 2021. Wrote Dube:
We learnt with utter dismay from social media and some newspaper articles that President Douglas Mwonzora and some of our leaders committed perjury in case number CR27/01/22 with the police in Bulawayo.
We also have noted that perennial haters led by Professor Jonathan Moyo have been inciting the arrest of our leaders using social media posts that are devoid of truth.
We maintain that there is absolutely no perjury and our leaders never lied under oath.
Our President Douglas Mwonzora, Chairman Morgen Komichi and Secretary-General Paurina Mpariwa were called upon to answer specific accusations.
It was accused that they presided over a National Council meeting on 26 November 2021 in Harare and the meeting resolved to expel the applicants from the party.
It can be clearly seen that the allegations were specific to the date, venue and forum of the alleged violations.
Our leaders’ response was therefore that there was no resolution to recall any of the applicants, our leaders attached video evidence as well as official resolutions of the meeting in question.
We, therefore, maintain that what they said in their response was the absolute truth.
Our leaders were never asked whether or not there had been recall discussions BEFORE the meeting and therefore didn’t answer that question.
Our leaders never made an undertaking that there will be no recalls in the future.
It is the applicants themselves, and the sheer incompetence of whoever drafted their papers, that tied them to a specific date.
Our records show the decision to recall mayors was made in mid-2020 when Dr Thokozani Khupe was acting President.
Furthermore, our records show that the decision to proceed with recalls was made by relevant party organs.
The official recall letter was then written and signed on the 5th of November 2021 weeks before the National Council Meeting of 26 November 2021. The decision to press criminal charges is despicable and malicious.
We maintain the truth of what our leaders stated in court papers that there was no discussion to recall the applicants on 26 November 2021.
We, therefore, challenge people like Prof Moyo and others to openly share the letter of recall with the date clearly showing.
We insist that they deliberately withheld publishing the letter because it would disapprove of the perjury allegations.

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF President Mnangagwa has read a riot act to his senior party members during a crunch politburo held this morning.

The riot act comes after his party chaotic provincial elections last week.

Mnangagwa was reading the riot act ahead of discussing the disputed outcome of the chaotic PCC elections.

Mnangagwa said the party would not hesitate to ‘expunge’ errant members.

“Let me further hasten to say that constitutionalism, unity, peace, harmony and development remain our absolute compass, now and going into the future.
“Irregularities and political chicanery across party structures must be decisively dealt with and expunged from the party.

I urge the party leadership to always listen to the aspirations of the people at every level. It is equally important that the party leadership and membership in general work concretely to achieve a better quality of life for our people. It is after all the people who have entrusted us with the mandate to govern over our great country,” he said.

Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has said the late Movement for Democratic Change founding father, Gibson Sibanda was a dedicated trade unionist and national leader.

Sibanda was the first MDC vice president at its inception in 1999.

Sibanda and the late MDC president Morgan Richard Tsvangirai led a formidable force that challenged Zanu PF hegemony.

President Chamisa wrote on Twitter:

THE PEOPLE’S STRUGGLE…

This week, in memory, we honour the founding leader of the People’s Movement, the late veteran trade unionist, Gibson Sibanda.

Was born on the 1st of January 1944.

This week he would have turned 78 yrs old. Rest in peace Qhawe, Lala ngokuthula Qhawe.

By A Correspondent- A Nust final year student committed suicide in his rural home of Masvingo, the university’s Students Representative Committee (SRC) has said.

It is still unclear what caused Tanaka Muzondo to kill himself.

“It is with a heavy heart that we notify you of the passing on of one of our own, a fellow NUST student, Tanaka Muzondo, a final year student (Part 4) from the Banking and Investment Management class. We have been informed that he committed suicide at his rural village in Masvingo. May we pray for the Muzondo family, that they may find solace during this time,” said the Nust SRC in a statement on Twitter.

On December 29, 2021, Muzondo posted a poem Because I could not stop for death, written by Emily Dickson, on his Facebook account.

SRC president Tapfuma Muganiwa said the Nust community had been plunged into mourning.

“Our year has commenced on a rather sad note. I am informed of the passing of our fellow student Mr Tanaka Muzondo. He is said to have committed suicide. Tanaka was studying Banking and Investment Management in his fourth and final year. We used to play social soccer matches from part two through to part four with him. We have been left with too many questions.

“May the dear Lord comfort the bereaved families. The loss of our brother in this manner has cut a deep wound to the NUST Community. We are left with much work to do. Go well, Tanaka. I have so many questions,” said Muganiwa.

Last year a Nust final year student reportedly committed suicide by throwing himself into a dam in Mvurwi.

In 2018 a second-year Finance student at the same university was found hanging in his hostel in a suspected case of suicide.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- A traditional healer, supposedly aged 106, on Monday, appeared in court for extortion involving a late businesswoman he allegedly helped to amass wealth.

The traditional healer, Elias Godknows Zinyemba, appeared before Harare magistrate Shane Kubonera charged with extortion.

He had allegedly threatened the family of the late businesswoman, Precious Nyakujara, with death if they did not return the goblins he claimed to have given the now deceased.

Precious, who was well-known in Harare as a foreign currency dealer, died in August 2021.

Zinyemba appeared in court together with his daughter Pamela Zinyemba and his nephew Newlife Magona.

State prosecutor Marian Furidze told the court that in November last year, the trio, with Artwell Magona and Elton Dickson connived and wrote a letter which they addressed to the late businesswoman.

The letter was delivered to the late Nyakujara’s residence in Glen Lorne by Magona and was received by her husband John Mukorera.

Mukorera reportedly advised his mother-in-law Josephine Edith Nyakujara of the contents of the letter which purported to invite his late wife to Zinyemba’s shrine.

On 24 November last year, Mukorera and his mother-in-law and his cousin Brian Goto went to Zinyemba’s shrine in Musekiwa village in Bindura escorted by Magona.

Zinyemba allegedly informed them that he had given the late Precious some goblins, which had helped her succeed in her business.

He further told them that since Precious had died and no one was there to take care of the goblins, it was safe that he repossessed them because they wanted blood.

Zinyemba reportedly claimed that he had an agreement with Precious that whenever the goblins were to be returned, they were to be accompanied by a payment of 40 cattle, a house in Harare and a car.

After Josephine allegedly begged for leniency, Zinyemba reviewed the payment downwards to US$5 000 and a motor vehicle.

Zinyemba reportedly sent two representatives with Josephine to Precious’ house and performed some rituals to remove the goblins.

After the rituals were done, Josephine allegedly paid them US$7 000 in the presence of her son-in-law Mukorera and Goto.

Meanwhile, Josephine later informed her uncle Douglas Chiendambuya what had transpired and they agreed to meet at a local hotel.

At that meeting, Chiendambuya was accompanied by Justice Muzungu who revealed that he had been treated in the same way by Zinyemba after his father died but had refused to make the payment after noting “inconsistencies”.

Josephine then decided to make a police report for extortion, resulting in the arrest of Zinyemba and his alleged accomplices. They were remanded to 20 January.-BMetro

By A Correspondent- Gweru mayor Josiah Makombe (MDC-T) yesterday reported his party leader Douglas Mwonzora and secretary-general Paurina Mpariwa to the police for lying under oath.

Makombe, through his lawyer Nqobani Sithole, said Mwonzora and Mpariwa jointly lied under oath in a case before the Bulawayo High Court where the MDC-T leaders claimed they had not recalled him from office.

He alleged that Local Government minister July Moyo was in possession of a letter from the duo recalling him.

The matter was recorded at Bulawayo Central Police Station under case CR 27 /01/22.

“I can confirm that we filed a police report against Mwonzora and Mpariwa. Police said they are investigating the matter,” Sithole said.

Mwonzora’s spokesperson Lloyd Damba said: “The matter is still at the courts whose judgment we are still waiting for. Those who reported did so within their rights but how can they claim that they lied when the minister did not act on the alleged letter which he possesses?”

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube referred questions to national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi who was not picking up calls yesterday.

The report comes after Makombe filed a joint urgent application at the Bulawayo High Court with party vice-president Thokozani Khupe and Chitungwiza mayor Lovemore Maiko seeking an interdict to stop their impending recalls from the opposition
party.

The trio claimed it was being targeted for allegedly sympathising with MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Police in Zvishavane have received 10 bicycles from Mimosa Mines to help combat crime in the Midlands mining town.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Mimosa general manager Steven Ndiyamba said it was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility to capacitate local police to enable them to fight crime.

District police commander Chief Superintendent Martin Makusha said their operations were being hampered by lack of transport.

“A number of police stations in the province were facing vehicle shortages, a development which made them to fail to attend to crime scenes on time,” he said.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Mashonaland Central’s self-styled war veterans commander Dzingai Nevhunjere,  who at the height of the land reform programme in 2002 allegedly terrorised commercial farmers in Mazowe district, was yesterday convicted of stealing 17 cattle from former farmer Thomas Charles Bayley.

Nevhunjere’s conviction came 20 years after the court challenge was lodged.

The matter was heard by Harare magistrate Victoria Mashamba yesterday.

In mitigation, Nevhunjere’s lawyers Tonderai Chikosha and Tsitsi Katherine pleaded for a lenient sentence saying their client committed the offence during the peak of the land reform programme.

They said after chasing away Bayley, Nevhunjere (64) thought that the beasts belonged to him.

“During the time of the alleged offence, he was 44 years. He is married with six children with the young one being 11 years old. He is a war veteran who fought for the liberation of this country. He has been going through this trial for the past 20 years and it had a negative impact on him,” Chikosha said.

Prosecutor Tafadzwa Shoko said Nevhunjere should be given a lengthy sentence to deter other would-be offenders.

“17 beasts were recovered, however, the recovery of the beasts were not by chance. The recovery was as a result of the skill by the police and information supplied by witnesses. He did not assist in the recovery of the beasts. The recovery is not part of remorse of the convict, because of not being remorseful the court must not be lenient,” Shoko said, describing stocktheft as a serious crime.

Mashamba postponed sentencing to today.

Bayley was the owner of Danburry Park Farm in Marlborough, Harare.

Allegations were that Nevhunjere and some youths invaded the farm on April 13, 2002 and prevented Bayley from entering it.

They barricaded the entrance using poles and drums, and then forced Baylely’s family out of the farm, which had 977 cattle and 210 calves. Nevhunjere took custody of all the cattle.

On April 5 and 7, 2002, Nevhunjere then drove 20 cattle to his Omeath Farm in Mvurwi.

Sixteen beasts were recovered from Nevhunjere on November 13, 2003 after the complainant identified them.

The court also heard that on several occasions, the war veteran would order his youths to slaughter cows for meat.

When Bayley was finally allowed to enter his farm on July 13, 2002, he collected 1 042 cattle, and discovered that 145 beasts were missing.

On February 5, 2005 police recovered six beasts from Nevhunjere.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Gilbert Nyambabvu has left his role as director of digital and TV services at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation after nearly three years with the public broadcaster.

Nyambabvu said it was his decision to leave, a year after he was unexpectedly shunted out his previous job as the ZBC’s head of news and current affairs.

“I always meant to do between two and three years at the national broadcaster and then move on because I take the view that public service is a shared responsibility and no single individual can have all the answers,” Nyambabvu told ZimLive.

Reflecting on his time at the ZBC, Nyambabvu called it a “teaching experience.”

“You can’t learn from four CEOs in just under three years; the corporation is unique like that,” he said.

“I’m proud of one small but in my view hugely impactive initiative – we launched Ndebele for beginners lessons on the ZBC YouTube channel; a contribution to address one of the mischiefs of our country’s history.”

Nyambabvu was critical of the ZBC’s funding model.

“For our policy-makers, they need to understand that while the 1950s British concept of Public Service Broadcasting might have universal applicability, its funding model doesn’t,” he said.

“The BBC gets billions of pounds annually from licence fee collections because its viewers and listeners like to be compliant; our people on the other hand are just not minded to pay.”

Part of the ZBC’s problem, he said, is that while it is allowed to source for advertising, “the public utility content requirements imposed on the corporation have no commercial value and, therefore, little prospect of attracting advertising.”

“What this means, in my view, is that the government must fully fund the public broadcaster,” he said.

Nyambabvu is expected to return to the United Kingdom and rejoin online publication New Zimbabwe.com, this time as CEO.

The 46-year-old’s time at the ZBC was not without incident. His removal as head of news and current affairs in August 2020 came after he was summoned by first lady Auxillia Mnangagwa who hectored him for half-an-hour after he had suspended her favourite cameraman.

Cameraman Stan Marodza was suspended after causing the broadcasting of a video clip showing President Emmerson Mnangagwa receiving a donation of Covid-19 masks and PPEs from Delish Nguwaya, the country representative of corruption-linked company – Drax International – which was irregularly awarded tenders worth over US$60 million for medical supplies.

ZBC’s senior editorial team had decided that the clip would not be used, believing they were shielding Mnangagwa from an already raging controversy over how Drax was awarded tenders. Nguwaya is a business associate of Mnangagwa’s twin sons, Sean and Collins.

Three days later, however, Marodza allegedly saw an opportunity when most senior editorial gatekeepers were absent and caused the clip to run on the main news.

Government spokesman Nick Mangwana originally backed Nyambabvu.

“I am informed that after the reporter shelved the story, the scammers got to the cameraman Stan Marodza who managed to get the clip played three days later and then gave the original to Nguwaya for leveraging officials,” he tweeted on June 20, 2020.

Ministry of information officials and ZBC chiefs were shocked however, on June 23, when Nyambabvu was summoned by the president’s wife who was critical of the original decision not to run the clip, and the subsequent decision to suspend the cameraman.

“Nyambabvu was fired five times in that meeting,” a colleague briefed on the discussions said. “The first lady was surrounded by 15 or so men, security types, and didn’t give him a chance to put a word in. She completely went bananas.”

Marodza later appeared before a ZBC internal disciplinary committee and was cleared of wrong-doing after the first lady’s dramatic intervention.

Given to sudden mood swings, Auxillia Mnangagwa’s relations are notoriously fluid.

“Marodza and the reporter Theophilus Chuma would also later fall out of favour and be banned from covering her because she doesn’t have permanent pleasures,” a ZBC insider said.

The ZBC is tightly controlled by the ruling Zanu-PF party and the security establishment. Nyambabvu’s time spent in the United Kingdom and previous criticism of the regime meant that he was always viewed with suspicion.

One of Nyambabvu’s colleagues said: “Well, with this lot you must always have an exit plan and be sure to trigger it at a time of your own choosing; otherwise you risk being escorted off site by security, followed by a lengthy spell in remand prison.”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said high COVID-19 deaths and hospitalisations could end in 2022 but the coronavirus itself is very unlikely to go away completely.

In a recent statement, WHO chief of emergencies, Mike Ryan, urged governments to continue enforcing public health measures set to control the spread of the virus. Said, Ryan:

With regards to the pandemic, we have been saying this for a very long time. The acute phase of the pandemic, the pandemic that’s been associated with the tragedy of deaths and hospitalisations — can end in 2022.

The virus itself is very unlikely to go away completely and will probably settle down into a pattern of transmission, low level causing occasional outbreaks in under-vaccinated populations.

And we hope that is the end game, but we are not there yet. This is going to be a bumpy road on the way to low levels of COVID-19, but I think the most important thing at this moment is we need to be careful about changing tactics and strategies immediately on the basis of what we are seeing in early Omicron data.

The Zimbabwean Government last week extended the level two lockdown measures by a further two weeks and postponed the reopening of schools indefinitely as new coronavirus infections remain high.

Statistics released by the Ministry of Health and Child Care show that on Tuesday, there were 1 591 new coronavirus cases recorded, while 31 people succumbed to the virus.

The test positivity rate had, however, declined to 22.14% while the national recovery rate stood at 86%.

After the outrageous report that only 2971 people were registered to vote in 2021, I decided to visit the ZEC offices to demand for answers. Citizens are clearly justified to call for the resignation of the ZEC chief elections officer Utoile Slygwana.

He is famous for announcing election results back in 2005. When I got to the ZEC offices around 10AM, I was greeted by a truck of armed riot police. We parked our two small cars outside the heavily fortified office.

Inside there was no parking space, the car park was fully packed with brand new 4X4 vehicles. You need not be a mathematician to estimate that the value of the vehicles runs into millions of US dollars!

At the gate were four armed police officers in uniform. They asked who we were and the TZ organizing secretary introduced our delegation. As he mentioned that I was Ngarivhume they pointed us to the offices and that we go in and see the police at the reception. I was alarmed, police at ZEC reception?

We went to the reception as directed, there were four police officers at the foyer reception. They asked for our details and questioned us the reason of our visit. Our organising secretary explained again. We asked to see the chief elections officer.

One police man lead us into the ZEC reception where there was no one. He gave us chairs to sit and asked us to wait. After fifteen minutes a gentleman came to speak to us and we explained ourself again. He went out to call the ZEC Director of public relations and they both sat for a meeting with us.

We obviously raised our great exception to the presence of police at ZEC offices and the various layers of police that we went wthrough to secure the meeting. They explained to us that it’s for security reasons. Zec had been attacked by hooligans before and so they were taking preventive measures.

We highlighted that as it stands ZEC is no longer an office for the people of Zimbabwe but a private security fortification. They noted our concern and promised to raise it to the higher authorities. The two ZEC officials informed us that we could not see the chief elections officer because he was not in the office neither was any of the ZEC commissioners.

We agreed to discuss with them. We shared our huge frustration of the 2900 people registered to vote in 2021. We informed them that citizens were angry and are calling for the resignation of the chief elections officer for gross incompetence.

We demanded to know the ZEC plan for 2022 as far as voter registration is concerned and the plan for by elections coming up in April. We also asked to know when a more massive and aggressive voter registration campaign is starting.

In response they said that they also are let down by lack of progress to issue National IDs from the Registrar General’s office. They assured us that a more aggressive program with over 900 registration centers was coming in February. Currently they said registration was only in 73 centres throughout the country.

They also informed us that they were launching various radio programs to promote voter registration which will culminate in a delimitation exercise. After a one hour meeting we left. We were led out by three police officers and one ZEC official.

When we got out, I got a harrowing narration of harassment of my team by officers claiming to be CIO and police intelligence. My team informed me that they were surrounded and asked endless questions by plain clothed men claiming to be CIOs.

They were demanding to know what they were doing at ZEC and what Ngarivhume really wanted. Several 4×4 vehicles came in and occupants were taking pictures of our two very small vehicles.

A dozen plain cloth men and women were involved in the harassment operation. My team took reg numbers of vehicles that had and pictures of some of the CIOs and plain clothed policemen. Some of them were armed.

I was informed that there was near confrontation with my team as they were very provocative and agitated. I was angry to hear this. I realized that this regime has upped the stakes of freeing this nation.

If we are to achieve change, that may not at all come cheap. Now they have militarized an office that is suppose to be for the citizens. It’s now a military facility. Police are harassing stakeholders at ZEC who are suppose to be partners in the roles and responsibilities of Zec. Where are we going as a nation?

The CIO identify themselves openly at a ZEC office and show their anger that an opposition official is at the ZEC office. So who is suppose to be there?

As I am writing this I realize that our task ahead is no small. We must be ready to risk ourselves as we seek justice and freedom in this country.

The regime and the captured systems are not ready for free and fairness no they aren’t! I could read that from the heavily condoned ZEC offices this morning.

But our resolve is unshackable.

Aluta continua.

#UtoiletSlygwanaMustFall!

Jacob NgarivhumeTZ President

By A Correspondent- Journalist and editor of a local publication was robbed in Harare Tuesday.

Revealed Chipo Gudhe on facebook:

“Glory be to God my protector. I was robbed yesterday morning together with my aunt and another woman after we boarded a gold Toyota hilux double cab at Harare drive and Lomagundi in Harare.

The driver just turned into Westminster and then Suffolk on the pretext that he was avoiding traffic. At that same time the other passenger produced a pistol and started demanding cash and other valuables.

The driver had a Colombiana knife. After they took the money, phones and laptop I was the first to be pushed out of the car and they sped off.

The car had no number plates at the back.

Made a police report at Mabelreign police and we were told there is a fortuner using the same modus operandi.

I just thank God for life.”

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) says it has so far recorded five million, six hundred and forty-seven thousand (5 647 000) registered voters countrywide for next year’s elections.

In a statement, ZEC Commissioner Joyce Kazembe said 22 000 dead people have been removed from the voters roll.

She also said that voter registration was voluntary and continuous according to the law. Said Kazembe:

By end of November 2021, we had recorded 5 647 000 registered voters for 2023 elections including the new ones and those that had registered in the previous elections.

The figure provided by the commission was of voters registered in 2021 and is not the cumulative figure in the country’s voter’s roll.

Please note that the figure is added to already registered voters in the voters roll.

The Commission implores all prospective registrants to visit our 63 districts and 10 provincial offices to get registered.

… Come 2023, the commission will be ready to hold the general elections without any hurdles.

ZEC has of late come under intense scrutiny over allegations that it was under-reporting registration statistics across the country.

Last week, the electoral body revised upwards the number of newly registered voters in 2021 after members of the public disputed its recent disclosure that only 2 000 people had registered to vote.

On Friday, ZEC released new statistics that showed that only 2 971 new voters were registered to vote countrywide, contrary to the 2 000 that the ZEC commissioner Jasper Mangwana announced last week Wednesday.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- The Police in Gwanda is investigating a case in which villagers attacked a 72-year-old man with machetes accusing him of selling them out to the police.

In a statement, the police said the public violence case occurred at Manyunyu Village, Tshanyaugwe, Gwanda on Sunday at 2 AM.

“Several suspects from neighbhouring villages armed with axes, machetes, spears, iron bars and knobkerries attacked a man (72) and his three sons alleging that they were giving information to the Police on the suspects’ cattle rustling activities,” said the police.