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.

By-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 Harare magistrate Victoria Mashamba has convicted a Mashonaland Central’s self-styled war veterans commander Dzingai Nevhunjere, of stealing 17 cattle belonging to a former white commercial farmer.

Nevhunjere, at the height of the land reform programme in 2002, allegedly terrorised commercial farmers in Mazowe district.

He was, was yesterday convicted of stealing 17 cattle from former farmer Thomas Charles Bayley.

His conviction came 20 years after the court challenge was lodged.

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 -THe Zimbabwe lawyers For Human Rights (ZLHR) has successfully blocked the Chitungwiza Municipality to stop destroying residents houses.

The municipality this week withdrew a demolition order which it issued on 31 December threatening to demolish “buildings and durawalls” at Town Centre Unit D Shopping Centre.

The development came after the Zimbabwe Lawyer for Human Rights (ZLHR) on 31 December 2021 wrote a letter to the local authority on behalf of Chitungwiza Residents Trust asking the local authority to withdraw the demolition order.

ZLHR said in a statement:
A significant victory in the New Year! [Chitungwiza Municipality] has withdrawn a Demolition Order which it issued on 30 December 2021 and advised us that “no demolitions shall be executed in compliance with it.”
In a letter written to [Zimbabwe Lawyer for Human Rights] on 3 January 2022, [Chitungwiza Municipality] said “demolition of illegal structures shall be executed subject to the provisions of the Constitution & the Regional, Town & Country Planning Act.”
This assurance came after our lawyer [Tinashe Chinox] on 31 December 2021 wrote a letter to the local authority on behalf of [Chitungwiza Residents Trust] asking [Chitungwiza Municipality] to withdraw the Demolition Order which it issued threatening to demolish “buildings and durawalls” at Town Centre Unit D Shopping Centre.
In a notice to residents last week, Acting Town Clerk Evangelist Machona said all those who are building or have already constructed any structures at the shopping centre have to avail council papers that prove that their structures are legal. Wrote Machona:

Notice is hereby given that it has come to the attention of Council that at Town Centre Unit D Shopping Centre, illegal structures (buildings and durawalls) are in the process of being put up or have already been put up without Council approval.
Therefore, take note that in terms of Section 35 of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29: 12) you are ordered to: Demolish any structures erected and remove any rubble from the land and restore the land to its original state.
This order comes into operation within 48hrs and the demolitions and actions outlined herein should be completed by January the 2nd, 2022.
All those buildings without adequate council papers and inspections will risk having their structures demolished.

By- Three people believed to be Zimbabweans were killed when a bus they were travelling in was involved in a road accident a few kilometres before Polokwane on Monday evening.

It is understood that 40 other passengers were injured in the accident that occurred near Botlokwa in Limpopo province.
In a statement yesterday, Limpopo’s Department of Traffic and Community Safety said the matter was under investigation.
“It is alleged that the driver of the speeding Scania bus lost control of the coach, hit an electricity pole and overturned,” read part of the statement.

“Three people were certified dead on the scene and over 40 passengers were rushed to hospitals in Botlokwa and Polokwane.
“Reckless and negligent driving is cited as a possible cause of the accident.”
Limpopo Transport and Community Safety officer, Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya yesterday sent messages of condolences to the families that lost their loved ones in the crash.
She also encouraged public transport operators to obey the speed limits since they had the responsibility to transport thousands of commuters on a daily basis.

Over 50 Zimbabweans have been killed in road traffic accidents along the N1 Highway in South Africa in the last 12 months.
The N1 Highway is the major commercial artery that links South Africa to Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Angola and Mozambique.

-State media

Tinashe Sambiri|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.

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.

On December 30, CIO operatives drove to Ngungama’s house and spent five minutes on a surveillance mission.

Speaking to ZimEye.com on Tuesday Ngugama said:

“MP Paradza, Chief Serima, police and OPC have instructed the DSI to transfer me immediately.

I have been instructed to vacate Gutu West by chief Serima, MP Paradza, OPC and CIO.

MP John Paradza says if he loses the 2023 polls it will because of me.They ( Zanu PF and CIO agents) also wanted to invade my house,” said Ngugama.

One Harrison Manda is directing the operations.

Ngungama’s lawyer, Advocate Martin Mureri is working on the matter.

A 5-year-old boy from Zongororo Village under Chief Mukota in Nyamapanda was recently attacked and killed by a crocodile in Mazowe River.

The crocodile reportedly attacked Shadreck July, who was playing in the water while his mother Ndaizivei Rabu (39) and his sister Nyasha July were washing their clothes nearby.

Reports say Rabu saw her child drowning and shouted for help from some villagers who rushed to the scene and realised that a crocodile was attacking the child. It is reported that all efforts to save the child were in vain.

The matter was reported to Nyamapanda police station who called in the police Sub-Aqua Unit for assistance. The Unit is said to have gone to the scene to retrieve the body but failed as the it had drifted to a part of the river where the flow was turbulent.

Police spokesperson for Mashonaland East Province Inspector Simon Chazovachiyi confirmed the incident and urged parents to always look for their children and stop them from playing in water bodies.

By- International fast food chain, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has closed its Victoria Falls branch citing lack of business.
This is happening when President Emmerson Mnangagwa is saying that more investors are coming to invest in the country.

The state media reports that the closed branch was opened in December 2016 and created jobs for about 30 employees, who have now been left stranded following closure of the outlet on December 31.

KFC Victoria Falls was the international brand’s sixth outlet in Zimbabwe.

By -Chitungwiza Municipality has withdrawn a demolition order which it issued on 31 December threatening to demolish “buildings and durawalls” at Town Centre Unit D Shopping Centre.

The development came after the Zimbabwe Lawyer for Human Rights (ZLHR) on 31 December 2021 wrote a letter to the local authority on behalf of Chitungwiza Residents Trust asking the local authority to withdraw the demolition order.

ZLHR said in a statement:
A significant victory in the New Year! [Chitungwiza Municipality] has withdrawn a Demolition Order which it issued on 30 December 2021 and advised us that “no demolitions shall be executed in compliance with it.”
In a letter written to [Zimbabwe Lawyer for Human Rights] on 3 January 2022, [Chitungwiza Municipality] said “demolition of illegal structures shall be executed subject to the provisions of the Constitution & the Regional, Town & Country Planning Act.”
This assurance came after our lawyer [Tinashe Chinox] on 31 December 2021 wrote a letter to the local authority on behalf of [Chitungwiza Residents Trust] asking [Chitungwiza Municipality] to withdraw the Demolition Order which it issued threatening to demolish “buildings and durawalls” at Town Centre Unit D Shopping Centre.
In a notice to residents last week, Acting Town Clerk Evangelist Machona said all those who are building or have already constructed any structures at the shopping centre have to avail council papers that prove that their structures are legal. Wrote Machona:

Notice is hereby given that it has come to the attention of Council that at Town Centre Unit D Shopping Centre, illegal structures (buildings and durawalls) are in the process of being put up or have already been put up without Council approval.
Therefore, take note that in terms of Section 35 of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29: 12) you are ordered to: Demolish any structures erected and remove any rubble from the land and restore the land to its original state.
This order comes into operation within 48hrs and the demolitions and actions outlined herein should be completed by January the 2nd, 2022.
All those buildings without adequate council papers and inspections will risk having their structures demolished.

By -Six men from Magedleni Village in Gwanda have been arrested for allegedly stoning and killing another at his homestead after they found him skinning a sheep that was reportedly stolen.

The victim, Richard Nyoni, was stoned by the six men of which four Mayibongwe Nsingo (38), Thulani Mdlongwa (33), Likhwa Nsingo (20), Thobekani Nsingo (20) and Stanford Nsingo (44) have since been arrested and are up for murder. The other two Khumbulani Nsingo and Moses Ndlovu are still at large.
Posting on their Twitter page, police said the alleged murder occurred on Monday.

“Police in Gwanda have arrested Mayibongwe Nsingo (38), Thulani Mdlongwa (33), Likhwa Nsingo (20), Thobekani Nsingo (20) and Stanford Nsingo (44) in connection with a case of murder which occurred on 03/01/2022 at Magedleni Village.
“The suspects as well as Khumbulani Nsingo and Moses Ndlovu who are still at large, hit the victim, Richard Nyoni with stones and logs after they found him at his homestead, skinning a sheep allegedly stolen from Unite Ndlovu (58),” posted police.

-State media

By- The ruling Zanu PF Sandton chairperson Simba Chitando faces expulsion from South Africa after he issued a statement condemning a South African cabinet minister and proposing sanctions against the neighbouring country’s entities.

Chitando said Zimbabwe should introduce a Dr Motsoaledi Aviation Bill which will see South African air traffic passing over Zimbabwe being levied.
He was referring to South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi whose ministry is responsible for immigration in that country.
In November last year, South Africa announced that it was discontinuing special permits for Zimbabweans, called the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) that benefited about 200 000 Zimbabwean nationals.

In a statement, Chitando accused Motsoaledi of promoting xenophobia, remarks that may end his stay in South Africa. Part of the statement read:
Dr Motsoledi emboldens xenophobic violence, through his support for xenophobic organisations, like “Put South Africa First”, which incite violence targeting Zimbabweans, which has led to the loss of life, severe injury, and destruction of property.

South Africa’s Head of Public Diplomacy in the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, Clayson Monyela, confirmed that Chitando has been reported to authorities.
He was responding to a Twitter user, African Renaissance who had demanded that Chitando be reported to “Monyela’s bosses” to act.

“You guys are playing. Deport the boy with immediate effect. This back and forth won’t work. He insulted our Minister & inevitably our cabinet, and in any sane sovereign state, he should be sending such foolish letters outside the country. @ClaysonMonyela report to bosses to act,” read the tweet.

Without giving any details and what action the South African Government could take against Chitando, Monyela responded, “Reported. Done!”

-Online

By-A Beitbridge family has been left homeless after lightning struck their home Sunday morning.

The eight-member family comes from Siyoka area, Ward 12, some 100km west of Beitbridge town.

Property worth thousands of dollars, including clothes and food, went up in smoke early Sunday morning (at around 1 am) during a thunderstorm.
Beitbridge District’s Civil Protection Unit Chairperson (CPU), Mrs Sikhangazile Mafu who is also the District Development Coordinator (DDC), said they had sent a local disaster management team to assess the damages on the ground.

“We have a team led by Ward 12 councillor on the ground to assess the damage and the needs of the family and to also check if they are more homesteads that were affected by the same storm in Siyoka area,” she said.
“The information we are having so far is that eight family members, including four children and four adults, are now sharing one hut as a result of this unfortunate incident.”
Mrs Mafu said they had started mobilising food, nonfood items (blankets, clothes, sanitary wear, pots, and soap), and building material for the family to build another house.
At the moment, she said, they will use tents as temporary shelter for the eight family members.

-Herald

By- An unidentified man suspected to be an electricity transformer thief was found dead after he was electrocuted while trying to steal a Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution (ZETDC) transformer in Beatrice.

Local cattle herders stumbled upon the body on Monday morning at a transformer at Gowelands B, Beatrice.

A satchel with an empty wallet, spanners, a rope, a pair of trousers, a jacket and a t-shirt was found on the deceased.



The Mirror reported that their efforts to get a comment from Mashonaland East police spokesperson Inspector Simon Chazovachivi were futile as his mobile was unreachable.

The publication also reported sources as saying that a group of men was seen milling at the transformer place at around 1 AM.

The now-deceased is reported to have climbed up the transformer and was electrocuted after hooking a live wire.

Meanwhile, most of Gowelands B did not have electricity on Monday.

More: The Mirror

Tinashe Sambiri|
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe(ARTUZ) has denounced the harassment of Batsiranai Ngugama of Serima High School in Gutu District.

Ngugama is an English Language teacher at the Roman Catholic tun school.

Zanu PF bigwigs, Chief Serima, MP John Paradza and Central Intelligence bosses ordered the immediate transfer of Ngugama.

He is accused of denouncing the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa and “inciting” members of the local community to vote for President Nelson Chamisa.

State Security agents claim Ngugama is a security threat.

ARTUZ posted on Twitter:
While we are pushing for the revival of the classroom.State actors & ZANU PF cadres are escalating victimization of trs further suffocating the classroom.

MP Paradza in Gutu is deploying thugs & State agents to haunt a teacher at Serima High accusing him of not supporting ZANU PF.

Tinashe Sambiri|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.

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.

On December 30, CIO operatives drove to Ngungama’s house and spent five minutes on a surveillance mission.

Speaking to ZimEye.com on Tuesday Ngugama said:

“MP Paradza, Chief Serima, police and OPC have instructed the DSI to transfer me immediately.

I have been instructed to vacate Gutu West by chief Serima, MP Paradza, OPC and CIO.

MP John Paradza says if he loses the 2023 polls it will because of me.They ( Zanu PF and CIO agents) also wanted to invade my house,” said Ngugama.

One Harrison Manda is directing the operations.

Tinashe Sambiri|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.

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.

On December 30, CIO operatives drove to Ngungama’s house and spent five minutes on a surveillance mission.

Speaking to ZimEye.com on Tuesday Ngugama said:

“MP Paradza, Chief Serima, police and OPC have instructed the DSI to transfer me immediately.

I have been instructed to vacate Gutu West by chief Serima, MP Paradza, OPC and CIO.

MP John Paradza says if he loses the 2023 polls it will because of me.They ( Zanu PF and CIO agents) also wanted to invade my house,” said Ngugama.

One Harrison Manda is directing the operations.

Ngungama’s lawyer, Advocate Martin Mureri is working on the matter.

By A Correspondent- Police details in Gwanda have arrested Mayibongwe Nsingo (38), Thulani Mdlongwa (33), Likhwa Nsingo (20), Thobekani Nsingo (20) and Stanford Nsingo (44) in connection with a case of murder which occurred on Monday at Magedleni Village.

The suspects as well as Khumbulani Nsingo and Moses Ndlovu who are still at large, hit the victim, Richard Nyoni with stones and logs after they found him at his homestead, skinning a sheep allegedly stolen from Unite Ndlovu (58).

In an unrelated incident police are investigating a case of public violence which occurred at Manyunyu Village, Tshanyaugwe, Gwanda on Sunday at about 0200 hours.

According to police reports, 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.

Meanwhile, Police are hunting for the suspects who include, Prince Makhalima, Mehluli Makhalima, Nhlanhla Makhalima, Precautious Makhalima, Mavha Gumbi, Nkomoza Gumbi, as well as other suspects only identified as Lawrence, Mbongeni and Evans among other unnamed suspects

By A Correspondent- The family of a 15 year old boy from Plumtree who was injured by an electric shock that killed two donkeys last week is appealing for financial assistance so that they can buy medication for the teenager.

The boy, Mthokozisi Ncube, was in the company of his 17-year-old brother, taking their sister-in-law to a hospital using a donkey-drawn scotch cart when he was electrocuted.

The scotch cart was being drawn by three donkeys and two of them died on the spot after being electrocuted.

Mthokozisi was seriously injured on his right hand and fingers and has been going to Plumtree District Hospital seeking medical attention.

His grandfather Emody Dube, told CITE that they were in need of financial help to get Mthokozisi to Mpilo Central Hospital for further medical assistance. He said:

Not much has been done for him in Plumtree. He needs at least some pills and injections for the wound to heal and for the pain as well. They (health workers) only put bandages on him. There was no other medication.

If we could get him to Mpilo Central Hospital it would be better. But still considering the current situation there would be a need to buy more medication. We are appealing to those who can be able to assist to kindly do so.

Those who are able to assist can contact Emody Dube on 078 322 5495.

If you are wondering whether the latest iPhone is suitable for livestreamers, continue reading to familiarise yourself with its various features and upgrades.

In September 2021, Apple unveiled the latest model in its ongoing iPhone franchise in the form of the iPhone 13. It introduced new-and-improved cameras, colours, notches, and chips and, in doing so, cemented Apple’s place as the unquestionable pioneer of the modern smartphone.

It is its live streaming capabilities, however, that has excited a growing number of gamers around the world as the smartphone gaming trend continues to gain traction and, perhaps most importantly, welcome a new age of gaming that is set to prevail in the coming years. If you are wondering why the latest iPhone is built for livestreamers, continue reading to find out everything you need to know.

Improved battery life

If you have owned an iPhone since they first burst onto the scene in 2007 or have only recently made the switch, you may be aware of how each latest and greatest model tends to come equipped with an improved battery life. It may, therefore, come as no surprise that the iPhone 13 is home to the longest battery life of any model to come before it. A longer battery life is beneficial for iPhone users for a number of reasons but is perhaps particularly beneficial for gamers that like to livestream from their smartphone.

It is no secret that livestreaming can drain a smartphone battery considerably faster than scrolling on social media. In addition to an improved battery life, the iPhone 13 also features updated low-power displays, a highly efficient A15 chip, and a number of brand-new power-efficient components so you can be reassured that your livestreaming session will never be interrupted by the all-too-common low battery warning.

Better display

If you have ever live streamed from your current smartphone, you will be familiar with how difficult it can be to replicate the one-of-a-kind experience of playing in live casinos from such a small or poor-quality screen. It may, therefore, benefit you to know that the iPhone 13 has a better display than that of former models and, as a result, is built for users that like to game on the go or livestream their online gaming escapades to a sizable audience. If you currently own an iPhone 12, for example, you may not necessarily notice too many differences between your current model and its successor but the minor changes that have been made have led to a much better display overall.

It is the notch on the screen that has probably undergone the biggest difference with a noticeably smaller appearance although only horizontally. In addition, it is also slightly heavier and bulkier than last year’s model, but this may be an advantage if you are planning to livestream with your smartphone.

Greater storage

If you are a self-confessed hoarder or just find yourself storing a great deal of images or videos as a livestreamer, you will be pleased to know that the iPhone 13 has been designed with greater storage capabilities than that of any former model. This comes as Apple continues to prioritise storage capabilities with each and every new update and, in doing so, recognise a growing need to cater to the various needs and wants of today’s digital consumer.

In previous years, for example, you may have been forced to pay for additional storage if the amount you required was not included with the purchase of the model. With the iPhone 13, however, the base level of storage has been upgraded from 64GB to a staggering 128GB. If this wasn’t enough, the iPhone 13 Pro also comes with the option to upgrade to 1TB of storage so you can be confident that splashing out for additional storage or connecting and reconnecting external hard drives on a regular basis is very much a thing of the past.

If you are contemplating investing in the latest iPhone model as a livestreamer, you may have a number of concerns regarding whether or not it is likely to suit your lifestyle. It may, however, benefit you to know that it comes equipped with an improved battery life compared to former models, a better display for replicating the land-based casino experience, and greater storage so you can continue to livestream your online gaming activities to your audience without compromising on quality or quantity.

It may sound like a considerable investment but by weighing up the various pros and cons, it is clear that the latest iPhone is built for livestreamers.

By A Correspondent- Chitungwiza Municipality has withdrawn a demolition order which it issued on 31 December threatening to demolish “buildings and durawalls” at Town Centre Unit D Shopping Centre.

The development came after the Zimbabwe Lawyer for Human Rights (ZLHR) on 31 December 2021 wrote a letter to the local authority on behalf of Chitungwiza Residents Trust asking the local authority to withdraw the demolition order.

ZLHR said in a statement:

A significant victory in the New Year! [Chitungwiza Municipality] has withdrawn a Demolition Order which it issued on 30 December 2021 and advised us that “no demolitions shall be executed in compliance with it.”

In a letter written to [Zimbabwe Lawyer for Human Rights] on 3 January 2022, [Chitungwiza Municipality] said “demolition of illegal structures shall be executed subject to the provisions of the Constitution & the Regional, Town & Country Planning Act.”

This assurance came after our lawyer [Tinashe Chinox] on 31 December 2021 wrote a letter to the local authority on behalf of [Chitungwiza Residents Trust] asking [Chitungwiza Municipality] to withdraw the Demolition Order which it issued threatening to demolish “buildings and durawalls” at Town Centre Unit D Shopping Centre.

In a notice to residents last week, Acting Town Clerk Evangelist Machona said all those who are building or have already constructed any structures at the shopping centre have to avail council papers that prove that their structures are legal.

Wrote Machona:

Notice is hereby given that it has come to the attention of Council that at Town Centre Unit D Shopping Centre, illegal structures (buildings and durawalls) are in the process of being put up or have already been put up without Council approval.

Therefore, take note that in terms of Section 35 of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29: 12) you are ordered to: Demolish any structures erected and remove any rubble from the land and restore the land to its original state.

This order comes into operation within 48hrs and the demolitions and actions outlined herein should be completed by January the 2nd, 2022.

All those buildings without adequate council papers and inspections will risk having their structures demolished.

By A Correspondent- A “sweet-talking” fraudster is on the police’s wanted list after she allegedly duped Borrowdale residents of their money, after promising and failing to deliver various goods since January 2021.

The suspect, Chiyedza Blessing Tichareva, reportedly conned a number of families, including high-profile people, in the Borrowdale suburb.

Her pictures are circulating on the Borrowdale and Greystone Park WhatsApp groups, with one of the messages posted in the groups saying:

That lady has been staying with one of the gardeners without the knowledge of the house owner along Gaydon Road.

She has a sweet tongue and a number of her victims have even failed to report their cases, in a way to protect their names.

One of Tichareva’s alleged victims only identified as Patience told H-Metro that she lost US$100 to the alleged con artist. She said:It is now worrying that there are women targeting other women.

I lost US$100 after she promised to bring me blankets.

She has a sweet tongue, anyone can easily trust her and I fall victim.

I met her while I was looking for water, she told me that she had a boutique at Eastgate Mall and that she crosses to South Africa every week, to bring blankets.

She lied about owning a house and we later found out she was being accommodated by a gardener who never told his employer.

Muridzi weimba anogara kunze kwenyika saka gardener akamugarisapo achiti imba yemukoma wake achimubhadharisa mari ndokuwana kwaakaita nguva yekubira vanhu.

(The landlord stays in South Africa so the gardener accommodated her after telling her that the house belongs to his brother. He made her pay rent and that’s how she stayed at the house long enough to defraud residents).

Patience lodged a police report in June, under RRB 4742205, at Borrowdale Police Station.

It is believed many other cases are still to be reported.

Meanwhile, Tichareva is reported to have relocated to Marlborough.-BMetro

By A Correspondent- 2021 Ordinary and Advanced Level examination candidates resumed writing the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) exams on Monday after a two-week break.

O’ Level candidates sat for Biology as well as English Literature papers while A’ Level candidates sat for Physics, with the last exams set to be written on 31 January.

Last week, President Emmerson Mnangagwa deferred schools opening from 10 January to a date yet to be announced and directed that pupils in non-examination classes should remain at home.

Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson, Taungana Ndoro said the absence of other classes has made it easier for the examinations classes to observe COVID-19 protocols. Said Ndoro:We are very lucky that the exams are being written in an environment where the other learners aren’t there.

So social distancing is very easy to implement. We can make use of more infrastructure than is necessary and we can have more spacing than the spacing that we normally have.

The exams around the country started off smoothly, especially in Bulawayo.

We have gone around schools with the City Health department making sure that all schools are adhering to the protocols of COVID-19.

We are making sure that the standard procedures are in place, such as having thermometers, hand washing bays and the like.

Biology Paper Two, English Literature for A-Level, Physics for A-Level and it all went smoothly and we are glad that even the invigilation process went well.

Our noble and responsive teachers came to the party and managed to invigilate very well so it’s all systems go and there are no challenges and we don’t anticipate challenges until the exams are over.

Ndoro said pupils who test positive for coronavirus will be isolated while they continue to write their exams.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Members of the public have been warned against getting complacent amid the fourth COVID-19 wave triggered by the Omnicron variant of the coronavirus.

This follows reports suggesting that Omicron is milder than the Delta variant that pushed up infections and deaths in mid-2021 during the COVID-19 third wave.

However, a 14-day analysis of the period starting from 20 December 2021 to 2 January this year showed that more cases are being recorded compared to the same period when the second wave hit the country.

From 20 December 2021 to 2 January, 245 COVID-19 deaths were recorded compared to 73 recorded during the same period in 2020.

The daily average of recorded cases is at 1 580 to give a total of 22 121 recorded cases in two weeks so far.

However, during the same period last year, the daily average of recorded cases was 167, which resulted in 2 346 cases over the same period during the 2020 festive season.

The Chief Coordinator of the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Agnes Mahomva, implored the public to remain vigilant and to get vaccinated.

She said:

The view that the fourth wave where the Omicron variant is dominating most of our cases is not bad is not a true reflection of what is on the ground because indeed, we are seeing deaths.

Each time we record a death we are saddened and we just have to put out a message of warning.

We cannot relax or be complacent and we want to continue pushing the message so that our communities remain vigilant.

It is not over until it is over, there is always a danger of a sudden upsurge in deaths and new cases hence let’s not tire doing what we know is right especially getting vaccinated, we know that it saves lives.

She also revealed that by the end of 2021 Zimbabwe had 33 per cent of the targeted population fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

By A Correspondent- The Warriors’ friendly game against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon that was supposed to take place this Tuesday has been called off.

Zimbabwe had lined up two friendly matches against Sudan and Cameroon in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals that kick off on 9 January.

The Warriors played Sudan on Sunday and this could be their only preparatory match in Cameroon before the tournament starts.

Team manager Wellington Mpandare on Sunday confirmed to The Herald that the proposed match with the Indomitable Lions will no longer take place.

He said:

That game is no longer possible. Cameroon wanted to use the match venue for their opening game in the tournament but CAF advised that the venue is not available for use by any team five days before the start of the tournament, in line with the tournament rules.

So the Cameroonians wanted us to play on Monday (today) but we felt it was not ideal to play two games in successive days since we had another game lined up against Sudan (yesterday).

Cameroon wanted to use the Paul Biya Stadium as the venue for the friendly match with Zimbabwe.

The stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the 33rd AFCON edition.

The opening ceremony will take place this Sunday and will be followed by the match between the hosts, Cameroon and Burkina Faso.

By A Correspondent- The Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance has condemned the country’s security forces for allegedly assaulting and torturing citizens being deported by the South African government for violating the neighbouring country’s migration laws.

The MDC Alliance South Africa chapter said in a statement on Monday:

We would like to condemn in the strongest terms the harassment and abuse of deported Zimbabweans by Zimbabwean soldiers at the Beitbridge border post.

These are desperate Zimbabweans attempting to cross into South Africa because there are no jobs or cheap healthcare in Zimbabwe.

Scenes of huddled poor Zimbabweans surrounded by horse-riding, gun-totting soldiers are disconcerting. This in the midst of the fourth wave is uncalled for and illogical.

Equally puzzling are beatings being meted out on the hapless deportees by the soldiers and police officers.

The behaviour of the soldiers is callous and undeserved, and should therefore be stopped promptly.

The opposition party accused the ZANU PF-led Government of creating the migrant crisis by failing to deal with the country’s political and economic challenges that are now forcing hundreds of Zimbabweans to cross into South Africa illegally on a daily basis.

The statement read:

We expect the clueless Harare regime to adopt a people-centred approach to deal with the migration of Zimbabweans to South Africa.

The ZANU-PF government is the author of the economic and political problems ordinary Zimbabweans are running away from.

How ironic is it that army officers from the underperforming Zimbabwean government are brutalising Zimbabweans for looking for greener pastures?

The humanitarian crisis being created at the Beitbridge Border post requires both the Zimbabwean and South African governments to work together to find long-lasting solutions to this annual migration.

The MDC Alliance raised their concerns after pictures of hundreds of Zimbabweans detained by soldiers and the police at the Beitbridge border post started circulating on social media platforms.-newsday

By A Correspondent- One of the directors at a Chinese-owned mine, Rongxin /Mambo Mine, in Sanyati has reportedly offered 10 kilogrammes of gold as “compensation” to quash the investigation into a marriage between a Chinese engineer at the mine and a local underage girl.

According to a NewsDay report, the 15-year-old girl dropped out of school after she was married off to the Chinese engineer by her parents on 26 November 2021.

The engineer allegedly paid US$2 000 as the customary bride price to the girl’s parents.

The girl was in Form 3 at Tomdrayer Secondary School at the time she was forcefully married off to the Chinese man.

The girl is from Ward 5 under Chief Neuso, Sanyati District, in Mashonaland West province.

NewsDay reported sources as saying that one of the directors at the mine has offered to pay at least 10kg of gold worth US$570 000 for the case to be set aside.

Said a source:

The director of the mine is one of the owner’s daughters. She gives directives from China.

She has said they want the case suppressed by any means possible.

The main reason is that the forced marriage suspect is a key engineer at the mine and operates the underground mining department.

They do not want to lose him by any chance and are doing everything to ensure he is not jailed for marrying the minor.

In December, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that a Chinese mine engineer who works at Ringxin/Mambo Mine had been arrested for marrying a minor.

The engineer in question last week appeared before a Kadoma magistrate, where he was remanded out of custody.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Some ZANU PF supporters in Manicaland province have threatened to employ the “Bhora Musango” strategy in the 2023 elections by voting for MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa in protest over alleged rigging in last month’s provincial elections.

Bhora Musango was a clandestine campaign by some ZANU PF leaders in the run-up to the 2008 harmonised elections against voting for the party’s presidential candidate Robert Mugabe.

ZANU PF conducted provincial elections on 28 December amid reports of vote-buying, violence, and massive rigging in most districts.

Preliminary results released by ZANU PF’s national political commissar, Mike Bimha showed that in Manicaland, Mike Madiro retained the provincial chairmanship while Happiness Nyakuedzwa won in the women’s league and Stanely Sakupwanya in the youth league.

However, NewZimbabwe.com reported sources in ZANU PF as saying Nyakuedzwa won the election, but the poll was rigged in favour of Madiro.

According to the preliminary results, Madiro polled 16 263 votes against Nyakuedwa’s 14 748. One insider said:

We are going to implement the ‘Bhora Musango strategy’ ahead of the 2023 presidential elections because these internal elections were not legitimately conducted.

In Makoni, the polls were delayed as the vehicle that was supposed to ferry the ballot papers arrived without them. Election coordinators claimed there was a mix-up.

However, we suspect it was a deliberate move to influence the outcome. We cannot remain docile as our internal elections now lack transparency.

Another supporter said it was strange that people who do not have support across the province won in the polls. Said the supporter:

It is worrisome and disheartening that some candidates who won according to preliminary results did not have support across the province.

How can someone win with a wide margin yet have lost support in the party? If the party’s leadership fails to address these legacy issues, we will easily change the goalposts in 2023 and vote for Chamisa.

An unnamed war veteran opined that delaying announcing the results by 72 hours raises questions on the integrity of the elections. He said:

Just imagine, we had to wait for three days for the results to be announced. After the results were announced, the leadership still claimed there is no winner or loser.

This shows that something fishy is happening and we will not condone this.

By A Correspondent- Some unions representing teachers on Monday claimed that their members had failed to report for duty to invigilate the ongoing Ordinary Level and Advanced Level ZIMSEC examinations due to financial incapacitation.

2021 Ordinary and Advanced Level examination candidates resumed writing the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council exams on Monday after a two-week break.

Speaking to NewsDay yesterday, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Takavafira Zhou said:

At the moment invigilation is being carried out by headmasters, their deputy heads, senior teachers as well as heads of departments. A majority of teachers remain incapacitated and are at home.

Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union (ARTUZ) president Obert Masaraure claimed that some rural schools hired villagers and other members of the public to perform invigilation duties.

However, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson Taungana Ndoro dismissed the claims, saying the unions were clamouring for attention.

Said Ndoro:

The truth is it’s totally preposterous to think that villagers can invigilate examinations, or that we have a shortage of teachers.

It is really unfair and is a cry for attention. Exams are progressing well. We have no hitches and we have no complaints.

We are very proud of our education system and our teachers who are doing a great job invigilating.

Schools were scheduled to open for the First Term on 10 January but President Emmerson Mnangagwa directed that they should remain closed indefinitely due to COVID-19.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Exiled former Deputy Higher and Tertiary Education minister Godfrey Gandawa has suggested that guns that were illegally seized from the police and intelligence services during the November 2017 military coup that overthrew the then president Robert Mugabe are now being used to commit armed robberies.

In a post on Twitter, Gandawa claimed that the guns were seized without documentation and it is unclear if they were returned to State custody. 

We publish Gandawa’s Twitter thread below:

The seemingly sudden wave of armed robberies involving members of the defence forces is linked to the chaotic, unlawful and dangerous takeover of armouries during the 2017 coup where the police and intelligence services were disarmed without a formal handover-takeover process. 1/

During the coup, every level of security perceived as hostile to the coup-makers was disarmed with weapons taken from lawful possession even at traffic stops. This chaotic process included no documentation. It is unclear that these weapons were returned to state custody. 2/

Indeed, given the fluid situation and the fear of a counterattack that was prevailing at the time, it appears unlikely they would have readily surrendered the weapons to a central authority that could fall out of their control. 3/

A new status quo now prevails in which an unknown quantity of weapons are in the possession of criminal elements linked to the security forces. These weapons add a new dimension to Zimbabwe’s security situation and are possibly outside Mnangagwa’s control. 4/

This is a real possibility for the simple reason that many lower-level coup co-conspirators are yet to be paid for their service. There is growing bitterness within the armed forces over unfulfilled coup promises while the top ranks enjoy the fat of the new dispensation. 5/

Govt cannot dismiss these armed robbers as rogue soldiers given the repeated pattern of military personnel involvement. It is clear that there is a new source of insecurity linked to the army and this requires an honest and meaningful response from govt. /6

In any case, the rogue soldier argument is disproven by the actions of the military subsequent to the killing of these armed robbers. You cannot claim a soldier has gone rogue and yet bury him with military honours following his death at a crime scene. 7/

It is futile for govt to discourage the public from holding large sums of money. Nobody in their right mind wants the risk of carrying large sums of cash; the practice has arisen due to the collapse of confidence in the banking system post the 2017 coup. /8

The bogus foreign currency auction rate is theft by administrative fiat and no amount of persuasion will convince the public to deposit funds into a banking system that forcibly liquidates up to 40% of hard currency at that rate. The public is in an impossible position. /9

The same is true of cross-border traders robbed on their way to South Africa. Most will be carrying cash. Mnangagwa, Mangudya and Mthuli have had four years to fix the central issue of confidence: they have failed as demonstrated by widespread banking hesitancy. /10

The banking solution is simple enough: stop stealing from the public by means of the official exchange rate. The problem of military personnel involved in armed robberies cannot be solved without admitting to its existence. For now, govt believes there is no problem. /11

That these interlinked problems have not aroused alarm in govt is yet another sign that Mnangagwa has no real interest in governance, merely its trappings. His is a govt of thugs intent on plundering public resources; they have no aspiration to improve people’s lives. 12/

By-Over 600 people were arrested on Sunday at the Beitbridge border post for allegedly trying to cross to South Africa without proper documentation.
.
National police spokesperson Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests.

“We have deployed enough manpower to deal with criminal elements along the border.
“On Sunday alone we arrested 632 people under the ongoing operation ‘No to Cross-border Crimes-Fhasi Ngamilandu Yamukanuni Yamashango — Mhosva Pamiganhu Ngadzipere — Amacala Kawaphele Emingceleni Yelizwe’.
“Among these were smugglers, illegal vendors, Covid-19 protocols violators, and irregular migrants,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi said the police were conducting operations concurrently with their South African counterparts.

Police also warned people against using informal crossing points since they risked prosecution, being attacked by thugs or wild animals, and drowning in the Limpopo River.
“We are carrying out the security operations concurrently with our counterparts in South Africa so that we don’t give the criminals breathing space.
“The security forces are out in full force along the borderline and we are descending hard on those breaking the law,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
He said the number of people using the border has been increasing in the past week with many migrants trying to beat the very tight security checks as the festive season winds up.
The police, said Asst Comm Nyathi, would not take lightly to those people smuggling goods, skipping the border, and smuggling the Covid-19 virus across borders.

It is understood that some immigrants are using over 200 illegal crossing points along the Limpopo River to enter or leave and smuggle goods into the country.
The sole legal crossing point is at Beitbridge.
The most common crossing points are Mai Maria, Dite, Panda Mine, River Ranch, Dulivhadzimu Gorge, Spillway and Tshivhara.
Bulky smuggled goods include electrical gadgets, groceries, and other prohibited goods.
Zimbabwe beefed up security along its border with South Africa in January last year after it was discovered that general crime and smuggling was rife and the country was losing millions of revenue in terms of import duty.
The security patrols are being conducted by helicopters, drones, the police and army horse-mounted units, and the canine sections.
Over 80 000 people were arrested for various offences between January and December last year under the same operation.

-Herald

I see nothing of real substance that Brig-Gen Chipwere speaks of as implied by the headline.

Regarding the first incident, Brig Gen Chipwere says the death could have been avoided had the deceased not strayed in the cantonment area…….but he avoids saying the death could also have been avoided had the soldier not fired wily nily at the deceased without verifying his intentions and identity.

In the second incident where soldiers were involved in armed robbery, Brig-Gen Chipwere conveniently does not comment, obviously because there is no justification whatsoever for soldiers to be involved in armed robberies.

In the third incident, the Brigadier is at pains magnifying the warning shots that the soldier fired as the crowd charged, but not pointing out that a firearm should never be an option in such circumstances. We are also not told what the soldier was doing with a firearm in those civilian spaces. (Comment by Chasura Hungwe)

The Brig is taking a defensive posture and trying to blame members of the public for all these incidences.

This kind of approach will not solve the real issues at hand. The issue of discipline in the rank and file of the security forces need to be looked into. The ZDF needs to carry out thorough investigations to get to the bottom of these issues otherwise if this is not done this will come back to haunt them in a matter of time .At this moment these soldiers are still robbing a few thousand dollars from the people but in time they will want more and they will turn their guns on the VIPs, VVIPs and the ruling class and by then the problem will have spiraled out of control.
Right now armed robbery cases need very stiff sentences(minimum 20 years) and if its committed by any member of the security forces then it must be at least 30 years.

The image of the ZDF is at stake and taking a defensive position will not solve the issues at hand. The ZDF must not wait for members of the public to report any mis-behaviour from their members, the ZDF must take a proactive stance, how can the public report the behaviour of ZDF members who reside in barracks and cantonments?  (2nd Comment)

People must report any member of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) engaging in criminal activities or unbecoming behaviour, the ZDF said in a statement on New Year’s Eve after seven people died in three recent shootings, one involving a robbery, one involving a soldier now in custody reacting to a mob attack and another involving a man who ignored warnings in a cantonment area.
Brigadier-General Augustine Chipwere, in a statement yesterday, expressed the ZDF’s regret at the deaths.
“The ZDF acknowledges and regrets the loss of innocent lives and deeply commiserates with the bereaved families and communities. The ZDF will assist all the bereaved families in accordance with regulations pertaining to such incidents. “The ZDF wishes to appeal to members of the public to report any member of the ZDF who behaves in a criminal manner or displays behaviour not in keeping with the ZDF code of conduct, to the nearest cantonment area or to phone the following numbers 024 2792661 and 071 2808007 so that corrective action is taken promptly,” Brig-Gen Chipwere said. In the first incident, a ZDF member who was on patrol on Christmas Eve within the cantonment area at Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base in Gweru shot and injured Painos Zihesvu Dzvetsvera who later succumbed to his injuries. Brig-Gen Chipwere said the death could have been prevented had the late Mr Dzvetsvera observed and complied with sign posts around the cantonment area and instructions by the patrol.

On the same day Sergeant Lameck Kabara and Corporal Christopher Charuma were part of an armed robbery gang at 2345 Fern Road, Hatfield in Harare that resulted in the death of Elvis Chijaka and serious injury to Brian Chijaka. The two soldiers and their accomplices are already before the courts.
In the third incident on Christmas Day, there was a shooting at Wanganui Shops in Mhondoro Ngezi at around 6pm resulting in the death of five people. According to Brig-Gen Chipwere, investigations indicate Lance Corporal Monga had a misunderstanding with a civilian, Brian Mutero, at the shops resulting in a mob attack on Lance Corporal Monga. After being cornered and in the melee and confusion that followed, Lance Corporal Monga warned the crowd by firing three rounds into the air.
“Despite the warning shots, the crowd continued to close in on him. He then fired his weapon into the crowd thereby killing four people on the spot and injuring four others, of whom one later died at a local clinic. The other three who sustained minor injuries were medically attended to and discharged from hospital,” Brig-Gen Chipwere said.
He said after the incident, Lance Corporal Monga then sought assistance from a nearby school where one of the teachers drove him to the nearest police station but out of fear, the police officers who were manning the police station could not effect an arrest.
The soldier then walked throughout the night to his camp where he handed himself over to the military authorities who in turn surrendered him to the police.- State Media report

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the arrest of an Epworth woman for selling drugs.

ZRP said the woman was selling dangerous drugs at her house.

Police said this in a statement.

Detectives in Harare acted on a tip off and arrested Patricia Munyengeri (38) at her house in Epworth for unlawful dealing in dangerous drugs. The suspect was found in possession of 20kg x 13 bags of loose dagga weighing 260 kg.

By- The Zimbabwean Embassy in South Africa has distanced itself from a statement issued by the ZANU PF Sandton chairperson Advocate Simba Chitando who alleged that he had a meeting with the Ambassador of Zimbabwe to South Africa to discuss a bill that will see South Africa paying hefty charges for using Zimbabwe airspace.

Chitando said the Bill shall be called the Dr Motsoaledi Aviation Bill.
Below is the Zim-SA Embassy statement to that effect:

1. The Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe to the Republic of South Africa is aware of a statement that is circulating on social media circles bearing the crest of the Office of Advocate Simba Chitando, dated 30 December 2021 and titled “ZANU PF SANDTON DISCUSSION: THE DR MOTSOLEDI AVIATION BILL”.
2. In its opening paragraph, the document claims that a meeting took place on 23 December 2021 between the ZANU PF Sandton Branch, the ZEP Leaders and the Zimbabwean Ambassador to South Africa.
   This is a total falsehood. The Zimbabwean Ambassador has never had a meeting with the ZANU PF Sandton Branch. The Embassy denounces in the strongest terms this attempt to associate it with this unhelpful statement.
3. The Embassy wishes to inform that a meeting that took place on 23 December 2021 was between the Ambassador and some ZEP leaders as part of the Embassy’s engagement with holders of the ZEP. That meeting was solely confined to ZEP-related issues and aspects and nothing else. The meeting was non-partisan.
4. The Embassy is deeply concerned by the content and tone of this statement which is diametrically opposite to the maintenance and strengthening of the excellent bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and South Africa.
5. The Embassy reiterates the government of Zimbabwe’s acknowledgement and acceptance of the sovereign decision by the government of the Republic of South Africa to not renew the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) on its expiry at 31 December 2021 and to extend a 12 month grace period to ZEP holders to regularize their stay in South Africa in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations of the country.
6. The Embassy urges Zimbabwean nationals in South Africa to comport themselves in a manner that promotes the good relations between the two countries’ peoples and governments.

By- The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has revised upwards the number of newly registered voters in 2021 after members of the public disputed its recent disclosure that only 2000 people had as at the end of last year in Dember 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.
Various political parties and civic groups in the country have been encouraging new voters to register to vote ahead of the by-elections slated for early this year and the 2023 plebiscite.
In its latest statistics, ZEC said a total of 1 647 men were registered to vote against 1 324 women.
Harare had the highest number of registered voters (722) while Mashonaland Central province only has 15 new registered voters, the least among the 10 provinces in the country.

Non-governmental organisation programme dubbed Project Vote 263 claimed that it had facilitated the registration of 9 635 voters throughout the country last year. Project Vote 263 said in a statement released on Friday:
We have been engaging communities since March 2021, taking them through voter education.
After realising the concerns raised by the citizens of failing to easily access Zec centres in June we started to embark on the provision of transport and mobility services and until this date, we have been doing the best we can to help people reach out to Zec centres.

Members of the public reacted differently to the statistics released by ZEC, with some accusing the electoral body of misrepresenting figures.
Law expert and political analyst Alex Magaisa accused Zec of suppressing the electorate. Magaisa tweeted:
The real story is voter suppression by the election management body, @ZECzim. Unfortunately, some had fallen for the ruse, framing the issue outside ZEC and giving it wriggle room. They started with 2 000, then it rose to 2 900! Remember the furore over election results.

Women Academy for Leadership (Walpe) also accused ZEC of misrepresenting facts saying through its 2.2 million votes for women election campaign, it managed to get 175 women registered in Mutasa, Manicaland province from August to October last year, ZEC said only 117 women registered to vote in the whole of Manicaland province.

-NewsDay

By- Zanu will take disciplinary measures against members who committed acts of indiscipline during last week’s provincial elections and will nullify victories earned by deception and irregularities.
National Political Commissar Mike Bimha said the Politburo would meet this week to deliberate on the results and alleged incidents of violence in some areas.
The ruling party would also look into complaints raised by some losing candidates after which some victories could be withdrawn if irregularities were noted.
The ruling party on Friday announced preliminary election results for provincial main wings, the women’s and youth leagues.

However, there were unconfirmed reports of indiscipline by contesting members in some provinces which the party is now investigating.
Bimha said the preliminary results were subject to verification by the Politburo and after all cases of alleged indiscipline were interrogated.
“We would want these cases to be fully investigated. Where we have candidates that would have been involved in cases of violence, such candidates will be disqualified and furthermore, be subjected to the party’s disciplinary procedure,” said Bimha.
He warned those who triumphed to stop celebrating until the results were endorsed by the Politburo.

“In terms of these preliminary results it’s not time for those who have triumphed to celebrate yet. Celebrations will be justified after the deliberations of the Politburo,” said Bimha.
He said there were some aggrieved candidates who complained about the conduct of elections in some
provinces
“The results are also preliminary in the sense that whenever you go through elections, there are some who will feel aggrieved by the conduct of the elections.
“For those who might feel that they were treated unfairly and have complaints, we do not throw these complaints away. We obviously would want these complaints to be considered, investigated, so that decisions are made on the basis of objectivity,” he said.
Bimha said his office was also waiting for reports from the teams that were supervising the elections in the various provinces.

Mashonaland West’s newly elected provincial youth chairman Tapiwa Masenda thanked President Mnangagwa, who is the First Secretary of the party, for exhibiting a high level of democracy in the recently held internal elections.
“I am looking forward to spearheading youth programmes in line with Vision 2030. We are also expected to mobilise youths especially from tertiary institutions to join the revolutionary party and be part of the bigger team ahead of the 2023 elections,” said Masenda.
Masenda said as the vanguard of the party, youths were going to defend the country from Western machinations.
His colleague from Mashonaland East Isaac Taskan hailed the party’s leadership for its stance on the age limit for Youth League executive members.
The party has maintained that only those who are 35 years and below are allowed to contest for the positions.
“We want the voices of the youths to be heard,” said Taksan.
Emmanuel Mahachi who won in Harare said he was geared to mobilise youths for the party through online platforms
“We want the party to win all seats in Harare during the by-elections set for the first quarter of the year,” said Mahachi.

The provincial elections were held on Tuesday and Wednesday last week, with a number new faces taking over the reins.

By A Correspondent- Journalist-cum-politician Jealousy Mawarire has announced that the former Local Government Minister and G-40 Kingpin Saviour Kasukuwere.

Mawarire said Zanu PF should brace for the stiff political competition ahead of next year’s polls.

He posted this on his Twitter account.

“Dewa ndovave panyanga saka munhu wese position, position”, get ready G40 is overtaking #2023Chatsva!

By- Zanu PF has hinted that it would call for a re-run of elections in provinces that produced disputed results.

The party conducted its Provincial Coordinating Committee elections on 28 December.

In provinces such as Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland west the elections were marred with violence and produced disputed results.

National Political Commissar Mike Bimha said the Politburo would meet this week to deliberate on the results and alleged incidents of violence in some areas.
The ruling party would also look into complaints raised by some losing candidates, after which some victories could be withdrawn if irregularities were noted.

“We would want these cases to be fully investigated. Where we have candidates that would have been involved in cases of violence, such candidates will be disqualified and, furthermore, be subjected to the party’s disciplinary procedure,” said Bimha.

-Herald

By-Non-governmental organisation programme dubbed Project Vote 263 claims that it facilitated the registration of 9 635 voters throughout the country last year. This comes as the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is saying almost 3 000 people were registered as new voters. In a statement issued on the 31st of December 2021, Project Vote 263 said:
PRE: PROJECT VOTE 263 END OF YEAR STATEMENT AND EVALUATION
Fellow Zimbabweans, it is such an honor that we conclude the year 2021 with the hope that we ensure the full participation of Zimbabweans to register through our potbellied geographical area and our different political persuasion. It’s that time of the year again where we have to give an honor for the blessing of life as we managed to win against the battle of COVID 19. We also take this opportunity to thank all young volunteers of ProjectVote263 as we reflect on the work we have been doing in our country to serve and sacrifice to ensure election rights be part and parcel of our community life. We have been engaging communities since March 2021, taking them through voter education. After realizing the concerns raised by the citizens of failing to easily access ZEC centres we have in June 2021 started to embark on the provision of transport and mobility services and until this date we have been doing the best we can to help people reach out to ZEC centres. The table below illustrates the number of registrants and their respective Provinces.

By- An unrepentant thief was arrested in Mutare after stabbing a neighbourhood watch member to death with a knife.

Alois Rupondo (36), who is also facing several cases of housebreaking and unlawful entry, appeared before Mutare magistrate Langton Kasa last Friday facing murder charges.



He was remanded in custody to January 14.

The State alleges that on December 24, Peter Manjoro (47) who was a member of the neighbourhood watch entangled with Rupondo at a vegetable stall and accused him of being a thief.

Rupondo armed himself with a kitchen knife and stabbed Manjoro.

After stabbing him, he removed the knife from the body of the deceased and ran away.

Manjoro managed to report the matter at Sakubva Police Station but died on admission at Victoria Chitepo Hospital.

More: NewsDay Zimbabwe

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance Secretary on International Relations Gladys Hlatywayo has scoffed at government’s solution to the illegal migration of Zimbabweans into neighbouring South Africa arguing that there is no need for a National Security Task Force but addressing the broader governance and legitimacy crisis in Zimbabwe.

Hlatywayo said:

1/3 A government worth its salt must be embarrassed by such, for it is a serious indictment of the governance situation in Zimbabwe. For more than two decades, Zimbabweans have tracked down south in huge numbers, running away from the crisis of bad governance in Zimbabwe.

2/3 The solution is not a “National Security Task Force to thwart illegal activities along the border with South Africa” The solution is to address the broader governance & legitimacy crisis so that citizens do not need to flock to SA. Address the problem and not the symptoms.

/3 We continue to appeal to our neighboring countries @DIRCO_ZA@PresidencyZA@BWPresidency & the regional block @SADC_News to pay attention to Zim’s governance & illegitimacy crisis. Without addressing the root causes, Zimbabweans will continue flocking to neighboring countries.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has arrested two men in connection with the murder of John Gomba (39) of Alarm 2 Mine Compound in Kwekwe.

Munashe Mpofu (18) and Humble Makore (29) were arrested after they stabbed to death Gomba over a girlfriend.

Said the ZRP:

“Police in Kwekwe arrested Munashe Mpofu (18) and Humble Makore (29) for murder which occurred on 31/12/21 at Alarm 2 Mine Compound. The suspects stabbed the victim John Gomba (39) with an unknown sharp object after an argument over a girlfriend.”

By A Correspondent- Exiled former Information Minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo has called for the disbandment of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) arguing that a reformed commission will result in the transformation of Zimbabwe..

Moyo who is also a former Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education echoes calls by other stakeholders including the opposition, governance institutes and the international community who want Zimbabwe to implement political and electoral reforms.

He said this on twitter where he posted the below thread:

IT IS NECESSARY for @ZECzim to declare and account for the BVR kits in its custody and use in the ongoing voter registration exercise. Since BVR kits are the instruments for generating voters rolls & for creating polling stations, secret BVR kits can be used to steal an election!

When @ZECzim conducts free & fair elections as a matter of course; in accordance with the Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013), the Electoral Act, Electoral Regulations & ZEC Manual for Electoral Officers; everyone wins & when everyone wins; Zimbabwe wins. To get there, #DisbandZec!

Moyo speaks ahead of the by-elections scheduled for March and harmonised elections pencilled for 2023.

This is happening when the ruling ZANU PF is being accused of abusing state institutions including ZEC to retain power.

Some analysts say there is no incentive for the governing party to implement the requisite reforms.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police has finally arrested the soldier who killed five people and injured three others on Christmas Day.

Lance Corporal Monga reportedly shot eight people at Wanganui Shops in Mhondoro Ngezi at around 6 pm after he had a misunderstanding with a civilian, Brian Mutero.

Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF)’s Brigadier-General Augustine Chipwere, confirmed Lance Corporal Monga’s arrest. He revealed that Lance Corporal Monga was nabbed after he eventually surrendered himself to the police.

Speaking on the shooting incident, Brig-Gen Chipwere said that investigations indicate, a mob got itself involved in the quarrel between Lance Corporal Monga and Mutero.

Brig-Gen Chipwere told the State media that Lance Corporal Monga warned the crowd by firing three rounds into the air after being cornered by the mob.

Despite the warning shots, the crowd continued to close in on him. He then fired his weapon into the crowd thereby killing four people on the spot and injuring four others, of whom one later died at a local clinic.

The other three who sustained minor injuries were medically attended to and discharged from the hospital.

Lance Corporal Monga reportedly sought assistance from a nearby school after the shooting incident. One of the teachers at the school is said to have driven him to the nearest police station. However, the police officers who were manning the police station did not arrest him because of fear.

After the police officers refused to arrest him, Monga is alleged to have walked throughout the night to his camp where he handed himself over to the military authorities.

Brig-Gen Chipwere bemoaned the shooting incident which happened on Christmas day. He said the Zimbabwe Defence Forces deeply regrets the recent shootings, including the other two that occurred on Christmas Eve in Gweru and Harare respectively.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has arrested two men in connection with the murder of John Gomba (39) of Alarm 2 Mine Compound in Kwekwe.

Munashe Mpofu (18) and Humble Makore (29) were arrested after they stabbed to death Gomba over a girlfriend.

Said the ZRP:

“Police in Kwekwe arrested Munashe Mpofu (18) and Humble Makore (29) for murder which occurred on 31/12/21 at Alarm 2 Mine Compound. The suspects stabbed the victim John Gomba (39) with an unknown sharp object after an argument over a girlfriend.”

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has issued an update on Warriors midfielder, Kudakwashe Mahachi who left the pitch injured in a friendly match against Sudan on Sunday. ZIFA posted an update this Monday:

Update on Kudakwashe Mahachi’s injury. He is expected to shake off the thigh contusion from yesterday’s match vs Sudan in the next three days.

There were fears that the injury could be serious.

Fans were worried given that Zimbabwe is already without some of its key players including Khama Billiat, Tendayi Darikwa, Marshal Munetsi, Marvelous Nkamba and Brendan Galloway who are out over various reasons.

Meanwhile, it is not yet clear whether the Warriors will take part at the tournament or not after FIFA threatened the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) with unclear sanctions for suspending the ZIFA board over maladministration.