By A Correspondent- The Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T has denied claims that it is planning to recall its vice president Thokozani Khupe from Parliament.

This follows reports indicating that the fractured opposition party held a national council meeting on 26 November where it was resolved to recall Khupe and eventually sack her from the party.

Khupe accuses the MDC-T of being tribalistic and has demanded that the party come out clean on attempts to fire her.

Through her lawyers Ncube Attorneys, Khupe wrote a letter to party secretary-general Paurina Mupariwa on Friday in which she alleged the party held a national council meeting on 26 November where the plot to recall her was hatched.

Khupe snubbed a recent meeting of the party’s shadow cabinet and has been avoiding some of the party programmes.

However, MDC-T acting chairman, Giles Mutseyekwa, dismissed Khupe’s claims, saying there was never such a meeting. Said Mutseyekwa:

At the last national council meeting we had, Khupe was in attendance and she was the first to even contribute as she was saying we should delay holding our congress.

She told us that the party needed more time to prepare for our congress but we felt that we have to do it as a matter of urgency.

So, it will be interesting to see the letter in which she alleges these things.

The factionalism which emerged at the chaotic MDC-T extraordinary congress held on 27 December 2020 has followed the party since, with the rifts seemingly widening.

By A Correspondent- With social distancing rules in place and nightclubs and bars closing earlier than usual, sex workers around the city have seen their incomes disappear almost overnight as a result of the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19).

Fearing for their livelihoods, as well as their health, some are offering services online to keep their business going, while others are turning to charities for help.

Ntando Ncube* has worked as a “hooker” for the past 10 years in Bulawayo, carefully building relationships with her clients.

But the spread of Covid-19 and the need for social distancing has prompted a drop in sex work, leaving her worried that her efforts will go to waste.

“It’s fair to say that if I’m not working for six months, a lot of people are going to forget me,” she says.

“I can’t contact my clients and just have a conversation with them. That doesn’t work in my industry. We need to build intimacy and that’s just not possible in the current environment.”

Before the Covid-19 outbreak, Ntando says she was earning an above-average income, and was able to get herself decent accommodation in North End.

Now nearly all her income has been lost. She has tried to adapt by moving her business online through WhatsApp, but says that cannot replace physical contact.

“Unfortunately, there are things that can’t be translated,” she says.

“I have made efforts to go online but not everyone is tech savvy. Some of my clients don’t even really know how to use a smartphone.”

While the Central Government has outlined a clear roadmap to reopening restaurants and cafes, there has been no plan for the sex industry.

That uncertainty, coupled with the many unknowns surrounding the virus itself, has left many sex workers with deep anxiety.

“I’m scared that all my work will come back to zero and I will just have to start hustling like I did when I first started out,” Ntando says.

She also fears for her clients’ health.

Are they even going to be there?” she says.

“There’s a lot of nervous energy going around.”

That’s left sex worker collectives and advocacy groups calling for members of the public to donate to emergency funds.

“These have been a real lifeline to sex workers for immediate bill paying, access to food and other key needs.

Some sex workers have been forced to continue working, risking hefty fines or exposure to the virus.

“In this country, sex workers are often the main breadwinner for the whole family, for their siblings, their children and their grandparents. So, this affects the whole extended family,” Ntando says.

But some sex workers find themselves unable to keep working – even if they would choose to. In Bulawayo, police have been patrolling the streets arresting anyone found on the streets during the curfew period.

In Zimbabwe, the Government set 9pm to 6am as curfew times in an effort to curtail the spread of the pandemic.

“We cannot work now, so we don’t have any income, which is scary,” says “Pinky”, who didn’t want to give her real name.

Pinky supports three children who live with her sister back in her rural village. She came to the city eight years ago when she was just 16. Although she needs money, she worries about the dangers of working during the pandemic.

“Even if we could work, people’s lives are at risk from the virus. We’d be scared to go to bed with our clients anyway, as we don’t know who is affected,” she says.

Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, thousands of ‘Johns’ would make use of their services every day and night. Many of the women and children who have turned to prostitution are victims of some sort of abuse with many of the younger ones runaways from family abuse.

“A lot of us either ran away or were thrown out of their homes as children. We lived on the streets and eventually turned to sex work to make ends meet,” says Patience Munyandu, who originally comes from Masvingo.

“I came to Bulawayo when I was 11, lived on the streets and was eventually raped when I was 14. After being raped, I couldn’t report my attacker because I didn’t even know his name. He just picked me up off the streets and promised me a home.

He took me to his house where he raped me all night before kicking me out in the morning,” Patience told Sunday News.

“I decided I may as well start making money from my body and maybe get off the streets. And for three years now I have worked on the streets,” Patience said.

While the Government and local aid organisations have delivered some emergency funds to the women, Patience says it has not been enough and some women received nothing at all.

“The amount of donations they’ve received from the Government or NGOs does not cover much,” she says.- Sunday News

By A Correspondent-MDC-T leader, Douglas Mwonzora, is reportedly plotting to recall his deputy and the former party leader (on an interim basis), Thokozani Khupe, from Parliament.

Khupe is through her lawyers demanding minutes of a meeting where resolutions and recommendations were made to expel her and her allies.

She is alleging that some tribal remarks were made during the MDC-T National Council meeting held in Harare on 26 November 2021.

Khupe and Mwonzora were instrumental in purging MDC Alliance MPs from Parliament and their officials from councils. 

Below is a letter written by Khupe’s lawyers to the party’s Secretary-General: 

RE: PENDING AND EXPULSION RECALL OF PARTY MEMBERS 

The above matter refers.

We represent the Deputy President Hon Doctor Thokozani Khupe in this matter. Please note our professional interests.

We have been advised by our client that on the 26th of November 2021, and at Morgan Tsvangirai House, there was a National Council meeting which was held in the capital city. In that meeting, there were certain words that were used by some members that were clearly of tribalistic nature.

Further, we have been advised that it is in that meeting where certain recommendations were made to recall, Doctor Khupe and others from Parliament and local authorities. We are advised that your goad office is in possession of such minutes and resolutions.

We request that your good office share with our client, the minutes and the resolutions of the National Council of the 26th of November 2021 urgently so that we could be in a position to take full instructions.

We have it on good authority that the intended recalls were due any time, therefore, we expect to hear from yourselves as a matter of urgency.

Your usual co-operation shall be greatly appreciated.

Yours faithfully

NCUBE ATTORNEYS

By A Correspondent- Traditional leaders have met to map the way forward on how they will tackle the Gukurahundi issue within their communities.

Chiefs from the Matabeleland region and Midlands Province were mandated to handle the Gukurahundi issue following a series of meetings with President Mnangagwa.

The last meeting between the President and the Chiefs was held at the State House in Bulawayo in September.

Due to their proximity to communities, it was resolved that the traditional leadership institution is a key stakeholder in handling problems affecting communities including the Gukurahundi matter.

However, the Covid-19 pandemic which has forced Government to restrict movement of people through lockdowns has largely hindered chiefs from implementing resolutions that were made with the President.

Chiefs have been meeting behind closed doors in Bulawayo for a four-day indaba at a local hotel to discuss a range of issues, with Gukurahundi on their agenda today.

In an interview, Deputy President of the National Council of Chiefs, Chief Mtshana said it was his hope that today’s meeting will produce concrete resolutions that they will take to the people.

“Like he (Chief Charumbira) told you, yes we are going to talk about it tomorrow,” said Chief Mtshana.

He said it was worrying that after chiefs were given the mandate to advance the Gukurahundi agenda they have not done much on the ground.

“As chiefs we have been given this mandate to deal with the Gukurahundi issue.

So, we are to do it step by step. As a result of lockdown measures that have been imposed to contain the spread of Covid-19, we have not done much.

“So, we have not really sat down to discuss how we will handle this since we had our last meeting. So, I hope tomorrow we will come up with a strategy on the way forward,” he said.

The president of the Chiefs Council, Chief Charumbira, briefly confirmed that Gukurahundi would be on their agenda in their meeting that is being held today.

“That will be on the agenda tomorrow.

It will be more of a feedback meeting on how far we have gone,” he said.

Chief Charumbira recently told Chronicle that the resolutions that the chiefs are going to come up with are going to be presented to President Mnangagwa before implementation.

The traditional leaders are expected to lead the reburial of victims of Gukurahundi in Matabeleland and the Midlands while Government will be involved in funding the process, as part of initiatives meant to address the issue and promote national healing.

The chiefs have in the past called for patience as they try to resolve the emotive issue stating that peace building takes time.

Since President Mnangagwa came to power, following operation restore legacy in 2017, he has called on the country not to be a hostage to its past, but confront it head on.

The President said Gukurahundi should be openly discussed to enable the nation to move on, which in itself was a break from the past.

President Mnangagwa has since instructed Government departments, including the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, to facilitate that those who were affected by Gukurahundi access national documents.

-Chronicle

By A Correspondent- A 46 year old woman from Rusape recently molested a 15-year-old boy during the night at her home after restraining him from going back home on the pretext that it was too dark.

The woman, Charity Muwereka of Plot 8, Nyamwari Farm, this week appeared before Rusape magistrate, Obedience Matare facing one count of aggravated indecent assault.

Muwereka is a neighbour to the complainant. On November 1, the complainant penned their cattle at Plot 9, Nyamwari Farm which is about 100 meters from Muwereka’s place.

Muwereka called the teenager and asked him to fix the lighting system in her bedroom. After fixing the lighting system, Muwereka told the teenager that it was no longer safe for him to go home since it was dark.

She told the teenager to sleep with her eight-year-old son in the dining room. Muwereka slept in the bedroom with her two daughters.

Later during the night, the complainant woke up to discover that Muwereka was sexually abusing him.

The teenager asked Muwereka what she was doing, but she told him not to tell anyone.

Muwereka continued sexually molesting the teenager for about five minutes before going back to her bedroom.

According to the prosecutor, the teenager went back home the following morning but could not tell her mother what had happened at Muwereka’s place. Instead, he started crying.

His mother took him to a local member of the ZRP’s Neighborhood Watch Committee, Abel Mushayabasa where he narrated what had transpired at the suspect’s place the previous night.

The boy said he could not tell her mother what had taken place as he was afraid that she could give him a thorough beating.- The Manica Post

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance vice president Hon Lynette Karenyi-Kore has said there is no time for political games as the popular movement prepares for the coming by-elections and the 2023 polls.

VP Karenyi-Kore made the remarks at the MDC Alliance 22nd anniversary celebrations held at Zororo School in Chivi on Saturday.

“We don’t have time for political games, let’s focus on our main objective- that is to win power.

I really mean it, lets focus on campaigning for the People’s President Advocate Nelson Chamisa and our popular movement,” said Hon Karenyi-Kore.

In a statement MDC Alliance Masvingo Province Youth Assembly said:

“Chivi North ward 4 today(Saturday) . The anniversary celebrations went on well as
@mdczimbabwe
celebrates 22 years of resilience & existence.

VP @KarenyiKore led the high-powered delegation in the deep rural of Masvingo Province. The ppl are clear & their resolve is #NGAAPINDEHAKEMUKOMANA.”

By A Correspondent- Civil society organisations (CSOs) yesterday said President Emmerson Mnangagwa had failed to honour his November 2017 pledge to uphold human rights and promote good governance, as he continues to further shrink the democratic space in the country.

This came out yesterday as local civic groups joined the rest of the world in commemorating International Human Rights Day.

This year’s commemorations were held under the theme: Equality: Reducing Inequalities and Advancing Human Rights.

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) spokesperson Marvelous Kumalo speaking on behalf of over 350 civic groups said Mnangagwa had failed to address the country’s toxic political environment and marginalisation of minority ethnic groups since he took over power through a military coup in November 2017.

“A toxic political environment coupled with high levels of corruption remain some of the major factors contributing towards inequality, with the government discriminating citizens along political party lines,” Kumalo said.

“Despite claims of a new dispensation, Mnangagwa’s government has a tainted human rights record and as such, has failed to put human rights at the centre of its development initiatives,” he added.

He said the draconian laws, judicial capture, arbitrary arrests, persecution of civil society actors and the ongoing arbitrary constitutional amendments continue to reverse the democratic gains attained by the adoption of a new Constitution in 2013.

Southern Defenders, a membership organisation of CSOs from across southern Africa, called upon governments in the region to respect, promote and protect all internationally recognised and constitutionally-guaranteed human rights and fundamental freedoms.

“Southern Defenders urge governments in the region to safeguard the online and offline civic, democratic and civil society space. A country which respects human rights has better prospects of engineering inclusive and sustainable economic growth,” Southern Defenders team leader Washington Katema said.

“The leaders in southern Africa and beyond should demonstrate the political will to foster a culture of human rights in their respective countries. This is also time to move from survival rights to free expression rights. Our people deserve the full menu of rights.”

The Election Resource Centre (ERC) said: “ERC continues to push for the by-elections to be held. Elections are the bedrock of participatory democracy and the continued suspension of by-elections infringes on citizens human rights. – NewsDay

By A Correspondent- An initiative by MDC Alliance supporters to raise US$120 000 to buy a bullet-proof vehicle for their leader Nelson Chamisa has seemingly angered ZANU PF.

After the fundraising initiative exceeded the target last week, ZANU PF sympathisers, among them Information secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana suggested that the crowdfunding violated the Political Parties Finance Act.

The law bans Zimbabwean political parties from receiving external funding.

However, a legal expert, Professor Lovemore Madhuku told The Standard that there was nothing wrong with the fundraising by the MDC Alliance supporters and any attempt to seize the vehicle will be illegal and an abuse of power. Said Madhuku:

There is nothing wrong with party supporters coming together to buy their leader anything.

These are ordinary people who can come together and buy their leader a vehicle. They are not foreigners and this is not foreign funding.

It is not prohibited under the said Act and it will also be evil if anyone prohibits that initiative by the supporters.

It’s like when you are on a campaign trail and someone wants to cook for you or provide transport for you, it is not prohibited and cannot be prohibited by the Political Party Finances Act or any other law.

There is nowhere they can impound this. It will be an abuse of power and very illegal.

There is no provision that allows that. When a vehicle comes, as long as it pays duty and all those other things, they cannot do anything.

Another legal expert, Bulawayo-based Nqobani Sithole, said as long as the vehicle was declared and was transported legally into the country and duty was paid for it, then there would be no justification to impound it. Said, Sithole:

The mischief of the Political Parties Finance Act is to avoid clandestine donations.

However, if it is declared, and there is no violation of any law, for example, the Foreign Exchange and Money Laundering Act, then that kind of donation will be above board.

The law provides for this, but that can be an exception as long as it is declared. At the end of the day, whatever resources parties get should be made clear.

There should not be any clandestine dealings, and sources of finance should be known by the regulating authorities.

Posting on Twitter, Mangwana suggested that there was reasonable justification to confiscate Chamisa’s vehicle as happened with the late MDC founding president Morgan Tsvangirai’s BMW X5 which was impounded by the police in Lupane in 2008.

Meanwhile, MDC Alliance secretary-general Chalton Hwende said the party was pushing for the release of Tsvangirai’s vehicle in Lupane and other MDC vehicles being kept in Gweru.-standard

By A Correspondent- A Bulawayo man has been arrested for distributing pornographic images on WhatsApp of a man and a woman in a compromising position.

Sydney Ndhlukula (63) becomes one of the first individuals likely to be charged under the Cyber Security and Data Protection Act.

The Cyber Security and Data Protection Bill was recently signed into law by President Emmerson Mnangagwa after it passed through both the National Assembly and Senate.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson for Bulawayo Province Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the case was under investigation. He said:

The matter in question is under investigation and the investigating officers are almost done with it.

They are still working out the exact charges and as soon as this is done, the suspect will be brought before the courts.

Ndhlukula was first picked by police on Tuesday after a complaint was filed by his neighbour, Rose Dube.

He was interviewed again by the police on Friday and a docket has since been opened against him.

Speaking to The Sunday News at her home last Friday, Dube said Ndhlukula sent her a picture of a couple being intimate. She said:

Last week Ndhlukula sent me a picture showing two people having sexual intercourse.

Initially, I thought he was joking but after a few more chats, I realised that he was actually seriously thinking it was indeed me in the picture.

I then told him that it wasn’t me but he went on to forward the picture to many groups.

I personally know of several people who have in-boxed me telling me about the picture and how he has been telling people it was me in it.

Even after I told him that it wasn’t me in the picture, he went to create a photo collage with the real pictures of me and added the one with the naked woman also and distributed it among several people some of whom I know.

I even asked him what his wife would think of me if she saw the pictures but he didn’t seem to care.

Dube accused Ndhlukula of ruining her life as she can no longer freely move around the neighbourhood saying she has lost the respect of her children and neighbours. She said:

I now understand what makes people consider suicide.

-standard

By A Correspondent- The City of Bulawayo is set to repossess several undeveloped stands in Emganwini high-density suburb, some of which are sited on wetlands.

According to the latest council minutes, the local authority has served beneficiaries of the housing stands with noncompliance letters for failure to develop them since 2002.

Bulawayo City Council director of housing and community services, Dictor Khumalo said the stands targeted for repossession were allocated to the beneficiaries between 15 September 2000 and 21 November 2002.

A report tabled at the 8 December full council meeting quoted Khumalo as saying:

Some beneficiaries were served with non-compliance letters and constant checks showed that there were no developments on the stands to date.

These stands had been turned into refuse dumping sites, thus posing a health hazard. The stands also owe rates.

Meanwhile, the council’s human capital office raised no objections to the housing and community services department repossessing the idle stands.

Chamber secretary Sikhangele Zhou then said if notices had been given, and the notice period had expired, the council must repossess the stands in terms of the agreements of sale.

The report said:

The financial director (Kempton Ndimande) had no objection to the intention to repossess the stands.

The beneficiaries should be dealt with as per policy.

The department’s view was that the stands be repossessed and be allocated to beneficiaries on the council waiting list as per policy with the exception of stand 6001.

The beneficiary of stand 6001 had already done a slab development and should be given a further building period extension of 24 months, failure of which council would take stern action.

The local authority said after repossession of the stands, the original beneficiaries must be given the first preference to buy them back at a price to be determined by the city valuer. The report said:

An extension fee of the building period of $7 000 will be paid. Failure to take up the offer in terms of policy, the stands will be re-allocated to other beneficiaries on the council waiting list in terms of procedure.

The City of Bulawayo has a housing waiting list of over 100 000.

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF warned members associating with former national commissar Saviour Kasukuwere that they risk suspension from the ruling party.

The threat comes amid accusations that some party members were putting Kasukuwere’s image as well as that of the late former president Robert Mugabe on party WhatsApp groups.

Zanu PF also wants party members to always denounce Kasukuwere, popularly known as Tyson.

The former commissar relocated to South Africa in the aftermath of the November 2017 military coup that toppled Mugabe and replaced him with Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Tyson has been linked to a plan to challenge Mnangagwa in the 2023 general elections, a move that has reportedly polarised Zanu PF structures.

A party insider told The Standard that secretary for war veterans Douglas Mahiya a fortnight ago told party members that a decision had been taken to suspend anyone, who will be found having links to Kasukuwere.

Mahiya made the announcement during a meeting that was to announce the elevation of Harare Provincial Affairs minister, Oliver Chidawu into the politburo at the ruling party’s Harare headquarters. Said an unnamed party official:

There is a memo advising party structures that anyone, who is found supporting Kasukuwere will be suspended from the party.

Mahiya told party structures that anyone found with Kasukuwere’s picture on their WhatsApp status or party group icons will be suspended. This also included Mugabe’s picture.

The party wants to dilute Kasukuwere’s perceived support base in the ruling Zanu PF party.

It was made clear that all meetings should denounce Kasukuwere and the G40 cabal without fail and anyone who is seen posting pictures of him, even with Mugabe in that picture, should face disciplinary action.

Mahiya is said to have taken the same message to other provinces to try to destroy Kasukuwere’s perceived support within the party structures.

Reports indicate that Zanu PF is using mostly 2014 party structures that worked with Kasukuwere as the commissar.

More: The Standard

By A Correspondent- A Zanu PF Mashonaland West provincial coordinating committee (PCC) meeting scheduled for Saturday was cancelled at the eleventh hour after 50 members sent apologies they could not attend owing to illness.

The meeting was postponed indefinitely after about a third of the PCC members said they were exhibiting flu-like symptoms, which are suspected COVID-19 positive cases.

The ZANU PF provincial structure has over 180 members.

The province had been without a substantive chairperson since June following the promotion of Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi to the party’s Politburo.

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF warned members associating with former national commissar Saviour Kasukuwere that they risk suspension from the ruling party.

The threat comes amid accusations that some party members were putting Kasukuwere’s image as well as that of the late former president Robert Mugabe on party WhatsApp groups.

Zanu PF also wants party members to always denounce Kasukuwere, popularly known as Tyson.

The former commissar relocated to South Africa in the aftermath of the November 2017 military coup that toppled Mugabe and replaced him with Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Tyson has been linked to a plan to challenge Mnangagwa in the 2023 general elections, a move that has reportedly polarised Zanu PF structures.

A party insider told The Standard that secretary for war veterans Douglas Mahiya a fortnight ago told party members that a decision had been taken to suspend anyone, who will be found having links to Kasukuwere.

Mahiya made the announcement during a meeting that was to announce the elevation of Harare Provincial Affairs minister, Oliver Chidawu into the politburo at the ruling party’s Harare headquarters. Said an unnamed party official:

There is a memo advising party structures that anyone, who is found supporting Kasukuwere will be suspended from the party.

Mahiya told party structures that anyone found with Kasukuwere’s picture on their WhatsApp status or party group icons will be suspended. This also included Mugabe’s picture.

The party wants to dilute Kasukuwere’s perceived support base in the ruling Zanu PF party.

It was made clear that all meetings should denounce Kasukuwere and the G40 cabal without fail and anyone who is seen posting pictures of him, even with Mugabe in that picture, should face disciplinary action.

Mahiya is said to have taken the same message to other provinces to try to destroy Kasukuwere’s perceived support within the party structures.

Reports indicate that Zanu PF is using mostly 2014 party structures that worked with Kasukuwere as the commissar.

More: The Standard

By A Correspondent- A Bulawayo man has been arrested for distributing pornographic images of a man and a woman in a compromising position on WhatsApp.

Sydney Ndhlukula (63) becomes one of the first individuals likely to be charged under the Cyber Security and Data Protection Act.

The Cyber Security and Data Protection Bill was recently signed into law by President Emmerson Mnangagwa after it passed through both the National Assembly and Senate.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson for Bulawayo Province Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the case was under investigation. He said:

The matter in question is under investigation and the investigating officers are almost done with it.

They are still working out the exact charges and as soon as this is done, the suspect will be brought before the courts.

Ndhlukula was first picked by police on Tuesday after a complaint was filed by his neighbour, Rose Dube.

He was interviewed again by the police on Friday and a docket has since been opened against him.

Speaking to The Sunday News at her home last Friday, Dube said Ndhlukula sent her a picture of a couple being intimate. She said:

Last week Ndhlukula sent me a picture showing two people having sexual intercourse.

Initially, I thought he was joking but after a few more chats, I realised that he was actually seriously thinking it was indeed me in the picture.

I then told him that it wasn’t me but he went on to forward the picture to many groups.

I personally know of several people who have in-boxed me telling me about the picture and how he has been telling people it was me in it.

Even after I told him that it wasn’t me in the picture, he went to create a photo collage with the real pictures of me and added the one with the naked woman also and distributed it among several people some of whom I know.

I even asked him what his wife would think of me if she saw the pictures but he didn’t seem to care.

Dube accused Ndhlukula of ruining her life as she can no longer freely move around the neighbourhood saying she has lost the respect of her children and neighbours. She said:

I now understand what makes people consider suicide.

More: The Sunday News

By A Correspondent- Social media audiovisuals of a certain family character complaining about a Tinashe distributing pornographic images on a family WhatsApp group continue to trend with people creating jokes out of it.

By A Correspondent- The bizarre occurrences at the home of a Nyanga family continue unabated, with the latest incident happening last week on Sunday.

It’s no longer a novel phenomenon for Gogo Nyikayaramba and her grandchildren to find their food eaten by unseen beings and the plates or pots filled with soil.

On more than three occasions, they have also woken up to find their property up in flames.

Last month a mysterious fire destroyed two huts at the homestead and destroyed property and foodstuffs.

Three juveniles who are in Grades Six, One and Early Child Education (ECD) have had to drop out of school after losing their clothes in the fires.

Meanwhile, a Nyanga exorcist, Sekuru Shingirai Mukotsanjera, is trying to put to an end the mysterious happenings at Gogo Nyikayaramba’s home.

Acting Chief Saunyama on Tuesday confirmed the latest incident to The Manica Post that happened at the Nyikayaramba homestead in Ward 14 of Kute Village. He said:

The fires are more vicious than ever. Another hut was razed down last Sunday. Gogo Nyikayaramba’s property was destroyed in that fire.

The Nyikayaramba family is going through trying times. They don’t know what to do.

We advised them to meet Sekuru Mukotsanjera for the best way forward.

This is severely traumatising the kids and their health is failing.

Villagers are also perplexed. We hope to find a lasting solution soon.

Speaking in an interview with the publication, Sekuru Mukotsanjera said the family is being terrorised by goblins or avenging spirits and if nothing is done soon, there will be death in the family. He said:

On December 17 when the case is heard at the chief’s court, I will try to ensure that one of the children manifests before everyone so that everything comes out clear.

These are goblins or avenging spirits at play. They are so vicious and if nothing is done in the immediate future, deaths will be recorded in the family.

It is sad that within a month, more than three huts have been razed down by fire.

I will also make sure that whatever it is will not torment the kids again. This is affecting their lives and education.

More: The Manica Post

By A Correspondent- In what sounds stranger than fiction, a woman says she spent a night squaring off with a lioness.

She escaped with injuries only, after the feline gave up at daybreak.
Winnet Zvingwari is recovering at Kariba District Hospital and claims she used a high-pitched voice and hand clapping to keep the feline at bay.
Initially, the lion and lioness attacked her together but the male one somehow lost interest and left.
“I was attacked by two lions, a male and female. The male leapt on my back while the lioness bit a chunk off my right thigh before biting again my left thigh,” said Mrs Zvingwari.
“I fell to the ground in a sitting position and screamed which seemed to disturb the lions with one of them which I believe to be the male lion as I saw the mane moving away from me while roaring.”
The male, she said could be heard roaring from a distance for the better part of the night while the lioness remained behind trying several times to attack her.
The stand-off lasted the entire night and so did Mrs Zvingwari’s clapping and shouting.
She sustained deep wounds on her thighs and an incision on her upper back.
On the fateful day, Mrs Zvingwari had finished fishing in the area known as Mafiriji in Gache Gache and packed her belongings including the day’s catch to join her colleagues who were nearby.
“We could communicate by shouting from where they were. It was around 8pm when I decided to join my colleagues so that we could go home together as we always did.
“As I was walking with my belongings I got into a depression that leads to a small river. That is when I was attacked. I think they were waiting for me to pass,” she said.
Mrs Zvingwari is grateful to be alive but remains confused as to how she managed the rare feat.
Her colleagues could hear her cry for help but they also feared being attacked.
“My fellow fishers could hear my cries for help but they felt helpless and feared for their own lives. I kept shouting the whole night. I realised that I could not run away because I was hurt and bleeding profusely,” she said.
“When I shook off the male lion that was at my back I realised that I had a deep cut. The lioness moved a distance of about five metres and starred at me. Every time it tried to come to me I would scream and clap my hands. We were like that the whole night. It only left as dawn was breaking. Even then I could not go anywhere.”
She waited for sunrise to shout again for help and villagers and her husband came to her rescue and organised transport to hospital.
The Herald visited Mrs Zvingwari at her hospital bed where she narrated her ordeal and how the incident has left her considering going back to her rural home in Hurungwe.
“I have been fishing for the past 10 years but I have never had such a near death encounter like this. After such an incident I do not think I can still continue fishing. I now want to go back to my rural home and find something else to do,” she said.
“I have been surviving by catching fish which we sell in communal areas of Hurungwe and as far as Chikuti. On a normal day I can catch up to 16kg and that has been enough to sustain me and my family.”
But were they lions or there were other predators?
She swears that she was attacked by lions on the fateful night as she crossed a rivulet separating her and some colleagues.
If they were lions how could she survive one of the most lethal predators in the animal kingdom?
That the supposed male lion left behind the lioness gives credence to assertions that they were lions as female lions mostly do the hunting.
However, that the lions did not go for the kill as is expected of them deepens the mystery.

• Herald

By A Correspondent- Traditional leaders have met to map the way forward on how they will tackle the Gukurahundi issue within their communities.
Chiefs from the Matabeleland region and Midlands Province were mandated to handle the Gukurahundi issue following a series of meetings with President Mnangagwa.
The last meeting between the President and the Chiefs was held at the State House in Bulawayo in September.
Due to their proximity to communities, it was resolved that the traditional leadership institution is a key stakeholder in handling problems affecting communities including the Gukurahundi matter.

However, the Covid-19 pandemic which has forced Government to restrict movement of people through lockdowns has largely hindered chiefs from implementing resolutions that were made with the President.
Chiefs have been meeting behind closed doors in Bulawayo for a four-day indaba at a local hotel to discuss a range of issues, with Gukurahundi on their agenda today.
In an interview, Deputy President of the National Council of Chiefs, Chief Mtshana said it was his hope that today’s meeting will produce concrete resolutions that they will take to the people.
“Like he (Chief Charumbira) told you, yes we are going to talk about it tomorrow,” said Chief Mtshana.

He said it was worrying that after chiefs were given the mandate to advance the Gukurahundi agenda they have not done much on the ground.
“As chiefs we have been given this mandate to deal with the Gukurahundi issue.
So, we are to do it step by step. As a result of lockdown measures that have been imposed to contain the spread of Covid-19, we have not done much.
“So, we have not really sat down to discuss how we will handle this since we had our last meeting. So, I hope tomorrow we will come up with a strategy on the way forward,” he said.
The president of the Chiefs Council, Chief Charumbira, briefly confirmed that Gukurahundi would be on their agenda in their meeting that is being held today.
“That will be on the agenda tomorrow.

It will be more of a feedback meeting on how far we have gone,” he said.
Chief Charumbira recently told Chronicle that the resolutions that the chiefs are going to come up with are going to be presented to President Mnangagwa before implementation.
The traditional leaders are expected to lead the reburial of victims of Gukurahundi in Matabeleland and the Midlands while Government will be involved in funding the process, as part of initiatives meant to address the issue and promote national healing.
The chiefs have in the past called for patience as they try to resolve the emotive issue stating that peace building takes time.
Since President Mnangagwa came to power, following operation restore legacy in 2017, he has called on the country not to be a hostage to its past, but confront it head on.
The President said Gukurahundi should be openly discussed to enable the nation to move on, which in itself was a break from the past.
President Mnangagwa has since instructed Government departments, including the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, to facilitate that those who were affected by Gukurahundi access national documents.

-Chronicle

By A Correspondent- The smoking of shisha could increase the risk of one being infected with Tuberculosis (TB) as the hookah pipe is shared among a group of smokers at any given time, a local TB expert has warned.

Shisha smoking is increasingly becoming popular in Zimbabwe around some of the popular joints where multiple smokers take turns puffing on the pipes.

However, hygiene etiquette is given scant regard, with shisha sessions often going for hours in bars and lounges.

This means users are exposed to a higher volume of harmful bacteria and susceptible to infections.

Often, shisha is smoked in large groups, rather than as individuals and as people share mouthpieces, various commensal and pathogenic organisms may be transmitted between the smokers through saliva.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) National TB Program Manager Dr Charles Sandy said though there was no available data to quantify the extent to which smoking Shisha spreads TB, the practice increases the risk of TB transmission in the country.

Dr Sandy was speaking during a Stop TB partnership Social media campaign launch in Kadoma recently. He said:

On Shisha, we don’t have any data to say this is the amount of TB you get but I think with COVID-19 we know what’s happening with COVID.

Common sense is there that you actually increase your risk of infection by sharing the same air with somebody who is infected but we don’t have any data as yet that we can refer to and say according to this study by so and so.

Dr Sandy added that men were at greater risk of developing TB due to the high-risk behaviours they engage in.

More: Health Times

By A Correspondent- A Zimunya man proved to be a wolf in sheepskin after he allegedly offered to carry a woman’s bags before raping her in the presence of her two children.

Tendai Zengeni (57) was not asked to plead to rape charges when he recently appeared before Mutare magistrate, Ms Prisca Manhibi.
Zengeni was remanded in custody.

Prosecutor Ms Tafadzwa Chiwanza said the complainant was on her way home from Masvingo when she met Zengeni at Muromo Business Centre.
Zengeni offered to help carry her bags since she had a baby strapped on her back as well as a four-year-old child.
On their way to her home, Zengeni asked the woman if he could be intimate with her, but she turned him down.
“While using a footpath that passes through some bushes, Zengeni fondled the complainant’s breasts, and kissed her without her consent. He asked to be intimate with her again, but she spurned his advances.
“When they arrived at the complainant’s home, there was no one at home, and Zengeni is alleged to have grabbed her right hand before dragging her into the kitchen hut. He closed the door and continued pestering the woman to be intimate with him,” said Ms Chiwanza.
She said Zengeni removed the woman’s baby from her back and placed him on the floor.
Zengeni allegedly raped the woman once, before leaving.
The woman later made a police report, thereby leading to Zengeni’s arrest. Manica Post

Tinashe Sambiri|A Zanu PF councillor has threatened to withdraw farming inputs from villagers who attended Nyasha Zhambe’s funeral in Gutu.

Zhambe was murdered by Zanu PF hooligans for attending President Chamisa’s community engagement meetings.

The MDC Alliance has denounced the politicization of inputs by Mr Mnangagwa’s administration.

See statement below:

ZANUPF continues to politicise food aid & abuse state inputs after its Gutu councillor threatened to withdraw inputs from our party members who chanted slogans at Nyasha Zhambe’s burial.

This unconstitutional behaviour must stop

As we commemorate International Human Rights Day, the MDC Alliance celebrates the life of prominent human rights champion, Dewa Mavhinga. He was a pillar of the struggle for a better Zimbabwe. He will be greatly missed.

Ex-cop Joseph Nemaisa says he has nothing to do with ZB Bank robbery…

By A Correspondent- The MDC Alliance led by President Nelson Chamisa has challenged the decision by the Zanu PF regime to ban unvaccinated citizens from using public transport.

Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa has a penchant for dictating issues to citizens.

“The decision to ban unvaccinated citizens from using public transport is an unfortunate event,” MDC Alliance said on Friday.

By A Correspondent- The smoking of shisha could increase the risk of one being infected with Tuberculosis (TB) as the hookah pipe is shared among a group of smokers at any given time, a local TB expert has warned.

Shisha smoking is increasingly becoming popular in Zimbabwe around some of the popular joints where multiple smokers take turns puffing on the pipes.

However, hygiene etiquette is given scant regard, with shisha sessions often going for hours in bars and lounges.

This means users are exposed to a higher volume of harmful bacteria and susceptible to infections.

Often, shisha is smoked in large groups, rather than as individuals and as people share mouthpieces, various commensal and pathogenic organisms may be transmitted between the smokers through saliva.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) National TB Program Manager Dr Charles Sandy said though there was no available data to quantify the extent to which smoking Shisha spreads TB, the practice increases the risk of TB transmission in the country.

Dr Sandy was speaking during a Stop TB partnership Social media campaign launch in Kadoma recently. He said:

On Shisha, we don’t have any data to say this is the amount of TB you get but I think with COVID-19 we know what’s happening with COVID.

Common sense is there that you actually increase your risk of infection by sharing the same air with somebody who is infected but we don’t have any data as yet that we can refer to and say according to this study by so and so.

Dr Sandy added that men were at greater risk of developing TB due to the high-risk behaviours they engage in.

By A Correspondent- The wife to Decent Rimbi of Rimbi Travel and Tours was yesterday dragged to court after she reportedly conspired and formed a gang to rob a woman she suspected to be having an affair with her husband.

Everjoice Rimbi, 40, who is also the co-director of the bus company, was not asked to plead when she appeared before Harare magistrate Barbra Mateko.

She appeared together with her alleged accomplices Pamela Mutanhairi, Melissa Muzuva, Washington Njengwe, Richard Chikwaya, Givemore Mazerenganwa, Tafadzwa Mazerenganwa and Brighton Chiteka.

Rimbi and Mutanhairi were released on free bail as they were coming from home while the rest were ordered to pay $20 000 as bail.

The court heard that between August and November, Rimbi discovered some text messages between her husband and a female employee Nomalanga Thodlana which suggested that he had a soft spot for her and she suspected that they were in a secret affair.

Rimbi reportedly then engaged Muzuva through Mutanhairi after getting her contacts in a Whatsapp group and asked them to mobilise a gang that would harass Thodlana whom she wanted to resign voluntarily after the mission.

An initial payment of US$150 was paid to the gang and on December 7, an unknown person went to Decent Rimbi and advised him of the planned robbery and how it was going to be done and he alerted CID Homicide detectives who waylaid the gang.

The gang armed with machetes went to the garage in New Ardbennie to commit the offence but were intercepted and arrested before executing the mission and they implicated Rimbi, Mutanhairi and Muzuva to have hired them to rob and harass Thodhlana-H Metro

A Correspondent- Rasin Zulu, a cop based at the canine Section at Chikato Police Station, appeared in court after allegedly pointing a gun at a woman for opening a shop after the curfew hours.

Zulu appeared before Masvingo Magistrate Ritaiswe Silaigwana this week for contravening the Firearms Act after he pointed firearms at a civilian.

The Mirror attended the case.

It is the State case that on September 4 2021, Zulu arrested the complainant for operating business after hours.

Tendai Maposa and her husband Frank Shepherd were initially taken to Masvingo Central then Chikato since the crime occurred in the latter’s policing area.

The two were released to go home after it was realised that they did not have their medication on them.

As they got to the court Zulu allegedly threatened Shepherd and the wife confronted him over those threats. Zulu then allegedly pulled out a gun and pointed it at Maposa and uttered the words “ndokulayita” meaning I will kill you. The accused person was restrained by his workmates.

Godknows Mugondo represented the State.

Magistrate Silaigwana ordered Zulu to come back to Court on December 8, for further trial. Masvingo Mirror

On 26 November 2021, WHO designated the variant B.1.1.529 a variant of concern, named Omicron, on the advice of WHO’s Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution (TAG-VE). This decision was based on the evidence presented to the TAG-VE that Omicron has several mutations that may have an impact on how it behaves, for example, on how easily it spreads or the severity of illness it causes. Here is a summary of what is currently known.

Current knowledge about Omicron

Researchers in South Africa and around the world are conducting studies to better understand many aspects of Omicron and will continue to share the findings of these studies as they become available.

Transmissibility: It is not yet clear whether Omicron is more transmissible (e.g., more easily spread from person to person) compared to other variants, including Delta. The number of people testing positive has risen in areas of South Africa affected by this variant, but epidemiologic studies are underway to understand if it is because of Omicron or other factors.

Severity of disease: It is not yet clear whether infection with Omicron causes more severe disease compared to infections with other variants, including Delta. Preliminary data suggests that there are increasing rates of hospitalization in South Africa, but this may be due to increasing overall numbers of people becoming infected, rather than a result of specific infection with Omicron. There is currently no information to suggest that symptoms associated with Omicron are different from those from other variants. Initial reported infections were among university students—younger individuals who tend to have more mild disease—but understanding the level of severity of the Omicron variant will take days to several weeks. All variants of COVID-19, including the Delta variant that is dominant worldwide, can cause severe disease or death, in particular for the most vulnerable people, and thus prevention is always key.

Effectiveness of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection

Preliminary evidence suggests there may be an increased risk of reinfection with Omicron (ie, people who have previously had COVID-19 could become reinfected more easily with Omicron), as compared to other variants of concern, but information is limited. More information on this will become available in the coming days and weeks.

Effectiveness of vaccines: WHO is working with technical partners to understand the potential impact of this variant on our existing countermeasures, including vaccines. Vaccines remain critical to reducing severe disease and death, including against the dominant circulating variant, Delta. Current vaccines remain effective against severe disease and death.

Effectiveness of current tests: The widely used PCR tests continue to detect infection, including infection with Omicron, as we have seen with other variants as well. Studies are ongoing to determine whether there is any impact on other types of tests, including rapid antigen detection tests.

Effectiveness of current treatments: Corticosteroids and IL6 Receptor Blockers will still be effective for managing patients with severe COVID-19. Other treatments will be assessed to see if they are still as effective given the changes to parts of the virus in the Omicron variant.

Studies underway

At the present time, WHO is coordinating with a large number of researchers around the world to better understand Omicron. Studies currently underway or underway shortly include assessments of transmissibility, severity of infection (including symptoms), performance of vaccines and diagnostic tests, and effectiveness of treatments.

WHO encourages countries to contribute the collection and sharing of hospitalized patient data through the WHO COVID-19 Clinical Data Platform to rapidly describe clinical characteristics and patient outcomes.

More information will emerge in the coming days and weeks. WHO’s TAG-VE will continue to monitor and evaluate the data as it becomes available and assess how mutations in Omicron alter the behaviour of the virus.

Recommended actions for countries

As Omicron has been designated a Variant of Concern, there are several actions WHO recommends countries to undertake, including enhancing surveillance and sequencing of cases; sharing genome sequences on publicly available databases, such as GISAID; reporting initial cases or clusters to WHO; performing field investigations and laboratory assessments to better understand if Omicron has different transmission or disease characteristics, or impacts effectiveness of vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics or public health and social measures. More detail in the announcement from 26 November.

Countries should continue to implement the effective public health measures to reduce COVID-19 circulation overall, using a risk analysis and science-based approach. They should increase some public health and medical capacities to manage an increase in cases. WHO is providing countries with support and guidance for both readiness and response.

In addition, it is vitally important that inequities in access to COVID-19 vaccines are urgently addressed to ensure that vulnerable groups everywhere, including health workers and older persons, receive their first and second doses, alongside equitable access to treatment and diagnostics.

Recommended actions for people

The most effective steps individuals can take to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus is to keep a physical distance of at least 1 metre from others; wear a well-fitting mask; open windows to improve ventilation; avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces; keep hands clean; cough or sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue; and get vaccinated when it’s their turn.

WHO will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available, including following meetings of the TAG-VE. In addition, information will be available on WHO’s digital and social media platforms. –
Source :
World Health Organization

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By A Correspondent| A Zanu PF councillor has threatened to withdraw farming inputs from villagers who attended Nyasha Zhambe’s funeral in Gutu.

Zhambe was murdered by Zanu PF hooligans for attending President Chamisa’s community engagement meetings.

The MDC Alliance has denounced the politicization of inputs by Mr Mnangagwa’s administration.

See statement below:

ZANUPF continues to politicise food aid & abuse state inputs after its Gutu councillor threatened to withdraw inputs from our party members who chanted slogans at Nyasha Zhambe’s burial.

This unconstitutional behaviour must stop

As we commemorate International Human Rights Day, the MDC Alliance celebrates the life of prominent human rights champion, Dewa Mavhinga. He was a pillar of the struggle for a better Zimbabwe. He will be greatly missed.

The new National Executive of ZINASU as elected:

President Benon Ncube V P Busiso Khanye

Secretary General- Joseph Nyamayaro

Treasurer General- Lessanio Kuyeli

Spokesperson- Lennon Mazuru

Legal Secretary- Boris Muguti

International Relations- Memory Makasi

Research Secretary- Takudzwa Mukono

Gender Secretary- Aulyn Makoni

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF Mashonaland Central provincial chairperson Kazembe Kazembe’s decision not to attend an event officiated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Mazowe recently left his boss “worried”.

Mnangagwa was in Mazowe to unveil a foundation stone to mark the construction of the University of Zimbabwe’s (UZ) quinary hospital.

Kazembe, who is also the Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister, decided to go on a campaign trail in Mbire District for the retention of his chairmanship while he was fully aware of Mnangagwa’s visit, sources told NewZimbabwe.com.

Both Mazowe and Mbire districts are in Mashonaland Central province.

Mnangagwa is said to be worried by the act of “indiscipline” shown by Kazembe as it came when ZANU PF is in the throes of factionalism.

Said a source from Mashonaland Central Province:

Kazembe bunked the event, opting to go to Mbire for his campaigns.

He is the provincial chairperson and protocol demands of him to receive the president who is the party’s First Secretary.

This got Mnangagwa worried and the Office of the President (and Cabinet) concerned.

It is the worst act of indiscipline and exposes his (Kazembe) hunger for power.

Kazembe’s chairmanship is under threat from businessman Tafadzwa Musarara, who has in the past few months mounted a serious challenge.

Kazembe is said to be one of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s foot soldiers in the province.

Musarara, who is the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) chairperson, is reported to be a Mnangagwa ally.

By A Correspondent- At the time of his demise, Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) chief executive Douglas Munatsi and his business partner Francis Dzanya were in a legal battle with BancABC Zimbabwe over US$14 134 357.32.

Munatsi played an important role in the founding of the African Banking Corporation, now trading as BancABC.

He was involved in the merger of Bard Discount House, First Merchant Bank, UDC and ULC Companies that were operating in Botswana, Mozambique, Malawi (LFC), Tanzania and Zambia.

Munatsi became the first CEO of the bank in 2000 while Dzanya was appointed group chief financial officer in 2005.

By the time the duo left BancABC in 2014, the institution has grown its assets to more than US$2 billion. The bank was taken over by Atlas Mara.

Court documents show that Munatsi and Dzanya had sued BancABC as they jointly sought US$14 million from the bank, in High Court case number 11582/17.

Munatsi was the first plaintiff while Dzanya was the second plaintiff. The joint pretrial conference minute shows that issues in contention were:

… whether defendant is liable to pay plaintiff USD$4 769,034.40 as follows, (a) the sum of USD$2 531,726.30 to the first plaintiff; (b) The sum of USD$2, 237,308.00 to the second plaintiff; (c) Whether defendant is entitled to interest on the sums set out above from the date of issue of Treasury Bills to the date of payment of the sums involved.

Whether defendant is liable to pay plaintiff damages as follows: (a) USD$4 971,746.88 to the first plaintiff; (b) USD$4 393,576.04 to the second plaintiff.

… whether plaintiffs breached the fiduciary duties they owed defendant; whether plaintiffs are entitled to a refund of only the capital sums they invested and whether the claim in reconvention is prescribed.

Munatsi died in a mysterious fire at his upmarket Harare apartment on 29 November.

His relatives and friends believe his death was not an accident but was a cold-blooded murder.

By A Correspondent- Shine Tanaka Nyamhunga who allegedly provided armed robbers with information in the deadly Chadcombe robbery case has appeared before a Harare magistrate this Saturday charged with armed robbery.

Nyamhunga (21) was remanded in custody by the magistrate to 28 December.

According to Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, Nyamhunga had given his accomplices some information on some cash transactions by a company where he is employed.

Nyathi said Nyamhunga told his accomplices that the money was being kept at his employer’s house in Chadcombe.

He said Nyamhunga was in constant touch with Tariro Gora, a 21-year-old soldier killed in the shootout, with a view of having his employer targeted by the armed robbers.

Armed with the information, the five armed robbers, among them, serving members of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) went to Chadcombe on Monday night.

However, their plan failed to work after the gang attacked the wrong house where three of the alleged robbers were killed in a shootout.

The robbers forcibly entered Joseph Nemaisa’s house, a former CID detective, who shot and killed three of them while two escaped unhurt but were eventually arrested by the police.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- The National Assembly has adjourned for the year and will resume sitting in February 2022 unless they are summoned by the President.

The Lower House of Parliament adjourned after approving the Finance (2022) Bill and the Appropriation (2022) Bill.

The Finance Bill and the Appropriation Bill will be presented before the Senate which is expected to sit this coming week.

Senate (Upper House of Parliament), had adjourned on the 25th of November. However, not much debate is expected in the Senate as the Government is rushing to conclude the budget before the end of the year.

There are fears that the recent surge in new coronavirus infections may result in the country being put under lockdown.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care announced 4 996 new coronavirus cases on 8 November. New cases rose to 5 189 on 9 November, and on the 10th of November, 6 181 new cases were recorded.

A Correspondent- Rasin Zulu, a cop based at the canine Section at Chikato Police Station, appeared in court after allegedly pointing a gun at a woman for opening a shop after the curfew hours.

Zulu appeared before Masvingo Magistrate Ritaiswe Silaigwana this week for contravening the Firearms Act after he pointed firearms at a civilian.
The Mirror attended the case.
It is the State case that on September 4 2021, Zulu arrested the complainant for operating business after hours.
Tendai Maposa and her husband Frank Shepherd were initially taken to Masvingo Central then Chikato since the crime occurred in the latter’s policing area.
The two were released to go home after it was realised that they did not have their medication on them.
As they got to the court Zulu allegedly threatened Shepherd and the wife confronted him over those threats. Zulu then allegedly pulled out a gun and pointed it at Maposa and uttered the words “ndokulayita” meaning I will kill you. The accused person was restrained by his workmates.
Godknows Mugondo represented the State.
Magistrate Silaigwana ordered Zulu to come back to Court on December 8, for further trial. Masvingo Mirror

By A Correspondent- A parent was forced to withdraw his child from Sacred Heart Primary School in Esigodini, Matabeleland South, after school authorities allegedly concealed a bullying incident and claimed the victim had tried to commit suicide.

The Grade Four boy was on November 6 taken for treatment at United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) where the doctor noted that he had suffered very serious injuries and that severe force was used to inflict them.
The schoolboy is said to have been brutalised by Grade Seven boys as he was on the verge of testifying in an investigation into sexual relations among pupils at the boarding school.
He was allegedly blindfolded, tied, assaulted, tied with a shoelace on the neck and thrown out of a window, an incident that saw him losing consciousness.
The father of the Grade Four pupil, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the minor, said while there is evidence that his son was a victim of bullying, authorities at the Roman Catholic Church-run learning institution covered up the matter.
He said the incident occurred on October 24.
After the incident, the boy’s father was called and informed that his son had attempted to commit suicide.
He said he rushed to the boarding school in Esigodini to find his son with marks on the neck following the alleged strangulation and his eyes red from choking.
The parent said of concern is that while the incident had occurred at about 3PM, with his son falling unconscious for about 10 minutes, the school only informed him two hours later about the case.
The father, however, said upon getting to the school, his son dismissed the claim that he tried to commit suicide.
“What shook me is that I was told that my child had fallen unconscious for about 10 minutes two hours later.
I was called at 5PM and arrived at the school at about 6PM and only to be informed that the incident occurred at 3PM.
It did not make sense why the school would delay informing me about such a worrying case.
“I was shocked when I was told that my child tried to commit suicide.
This occurred as he was supposed to testify the following Monday in a case involving claims that some pupils were having sexual relations.
But that wasn’t to be as he was attacked on Sunday,” said the concerned parent.
He said upon asking his son what could have transpired leading to him to try and take his life, the boy refuted that he wanted to commit suicide.
“When I quizzed him, he said he never tried to commit suicide using shoelaces.
He told me that he was attacked by a group of Grade Seven boys who blindfolded him using socks and took him to a window where one of them pushed him outside. He said his son told him that he tried to call his friend to help him,” he said.
He said upon learning about the circumstances relating to the matter, he engaged the school as he believed that his son was being bullied.
“The school and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education promised to carry out investigations and nothing has come out.
I then went to the Ministry’s district offices in Esigodini to meet the District Education Director (DEO).
The DEO was not there and I was advised to write a letter and send it through their email which I did and they saw that letter.
I continued to make follow ups with the DEO and on Monday he told me that he has been consulting and the issue is confidential,” said the parent.
“My concern is that such bullying cases are being swept under the carpet.
I had wanted the Ministry to make an investigation on what is going on. We entrusted our kids to them and we expect them to account because we are in constant contact with them and never at any point, did they raise alarm over my child’s behaviour.”
He said he was worried by the lack of action from both the school and ministry officials.
The parent said the lack of decisive action on the matter forced him to withdraw his son from the school.
The school’s headmistress Mrs Sindi Mpofu could not be reached for comment.
Umzingwane DEO Mr Raxon Phiri referred questions to the Provincial Education Director who was not reachable.
Primary and Secondary Education communication and advocacy director Mr Taungana Ndoro said he had not been briefed about the Sacred Heart incident.
“However, the Ministry’s position is that such issues should be investigated at the district level and resolved amicably.
There is also a need to protect the learner by providing pycho-social services through our district and provincial psychologists to ensure that the learner is of sound mind which is necessary for them to continue wanting to go to school and learn.
“These are the normal process that we take. I had wanted to get the exact details from Matabeleland South officials but I couldn’t get through to them,” said Mr Ndoro.
Incidents of bullying are on the rise in schools and recently police had to be called to quell violence after rivalry gangs started attacking each other at Msiteli High School in Mpopoma suburb. Chronicle

By A Correspondent-MDC-T leader, Douglas Mwonzora, is reportedly plotting to recall his deputy and the former party leader (on an interim basis), Thokozani Khupe, from Parliament.

Khupe is through her lawyers demanding minutes of a meeting where resolutions and recommendations were made to expel her and her allies.

She is alleging that some tribal remarks were made during the MDC-T National Council meeting held in Harare on 26 November 2021.

Khupe and Mwonzora were instrumental in purging MDC Alliance MPs from Parliament and their officials from councils. 

Below is a letter written by Khupe’s lawyers to the party’s Secretary-General: 

RE: PENDING AND EXPULSION RECALL OF PARTY MEMBERS 

The above matter refers.

We represent the Deputy President Hon Doctor Thokozani Khupe in this matter. Please note our professional interests.

We have been advised by our client that on the 26th of November 2021, and at Morgan Tsvangirai House, there was a National Council meeting which was held in the capital city. In that meeting, there were certain words that were used by some members that were clearly of tribalistic nature.

Further, we have been advised that it is in that meeting where certain recommendations were made to recall, Doctor Khupe and others from Parliament and local authorities. We are advised that your goad office is in possession of such minutes and resolutions.

We request that your good office share with our client, the minutes and the resolutions of the National Council of the 26th of November 2021 urgently so that we could be in a position to take full instructions.

We have it on good authority that the intended recalls were due any time, therefore, we expect to hear from yourselves as a matter of urgency.

Your usual co-operation shall be greatly appreciated.

Yours faithfully

NCUBE ATTORNEYS

By A Correspondent- Mr Peter Simon Berry of Vainona in Harare is in trouble by the family of his 86-year-old domestic worker who was found dead in his backyard cabin on Tuesday.

H-Metro reports that, Margaret Muzanago Sibanda, who has been working for the Berry family for 57 years, was reported to have been denied access to health care and ablution facilities as well as payment for years.

She was found dead by the Berrys’ gardener only identified as Simon clad in her uniforms.

In ire, the Muzanago family dumped her belongings in protest against the alleged abuse of Gogo Margaret under the mercy of her white man Paul Simon Berry.
Reports say Gogo Margaret had one child Christopher Muzanago who also worked as a gardener at Berry’sBerry’s house in Vainona.
He died at the same house in 2012.
The late Gogo Margaret is also said to have refused to remove Christopher’sChristopher’s belongings from the room he used to occupy over unpaid salaries.
Berry told H-Metro that he was not in a position to give his side of the story referring questions to one of his relative only identified as Mary.
“”Sorry we are mourning, get in touch with Mary,”” said Berry.
Muzanago family spokesperson Leticia Muzanago, 32, narrated to H-Metro the ill-treatment Gogo Margaret under went as a maid since 1964 when she started working for Berry family.
“”Gogo died a poor person under the roof of a rich family,”” said Muzanago.
“”She passed on wearing her kitchen uniform in a cabin room located between the two better houses belonging to Berry and his son.
“”She started working for the Berry family in 1964 in Gweru and when her first employer who happen to be the present Berry’sBerry’s parents died she was taken to Vainona in Harare in 2008 to work for the son Paul Simon Berry.
“”Gogo had agreed with her employer that she wanted them to keep her salaries till they buy a house for her.
“”Paul promised to pay for a Gweru residential stand three years ago but nothing materialized.
“”She was never taken to medical doctors but had to continue working while sick.
“”I visited her many times and discover that she was no longer had energy to visit a toilet which some meters away from her cabin.
“”She had to do a bucket system till her time of death.
“”When she died they were quick to call a funeral parlour to remove the body without engaging any of us,”” said Muzanago.
When H-Metro visited the house, one Mary was ordering Muzanago to hire a lorry and remove all belongings of Gogo Margaret and that of her late son Christopher Muzanago and take them to their home village in Chirumhanzu.
“”Hire a lorry and collect everything of Margaret and that of her late son,”” said Mary.
In an interview, Mary told H-Metro that Margaret was very lucky to have worked for a caring family who would never do anything against her wishes.
“”Margaret refused to go to the doctor so we always had to organise a house visit which was very costly,”” said Mary.
“”Margaret was well looked after by my partner’spartner’s brother Paul.
“”Paul organised his maid to cook for Margaret every day.
“”I tried to persuade Margaret to move into a room where her late son Christopher used to stay which was close to the toilet and shower in the staff quarters but she refused.
“”In that room there is her double bed which was given to her by Paul’sPaul’s mother and a cupboard which belonged to Christopher.
“”When Paul’sPaul’s mother died she should have gone back to Chilimanzi but she would not go.
“”When I met her about 11 years ago, she would spend all day in the kitchen roasting chicken and boiling water.
“”The kitchen is tiny and there was no space for anyone else! I ended up persuading Peter to buy a small stove which we put in the cottage.
“”However thanks to Covid Margaret was told to stay in her cottage,”” said Mary refusing to answer on salaries issue.
Gogo Margaret’sMargaret’s body was not taken for post-mortem and Covid-19 tests but to a funeral parlour and straight to Chirumhanzu village on Wednesday.

-H Metro

By A Correspondent- Parliament has stopped all physical meetings, switching to virtual, which will include sittings of the National Assembly and Senate, after a number of Parliament staff tested positive to Covid-19 recently.

In a statement, acting Clerk of Parliament Ms Helen Dingane, said all meetings will with immediate effect be held virtually.

“The acting Clerk of Parliament wishes to advise all Honourable Members of Parliament that today 9 December 2021, there will be no physical presence in the Chamber. All members must connect virtually. No one will be allowed into the building. Please continue to mask up and sanitise and social distance,” said Ms Dingane.

On Wednesday, acting Speaker Mr Martin Khumalo had indicated that a decision was imminent on how to respond to the ever rising figures of staff of Parliament and legislators who had tested positive to the disease.
This was after legislators led by Norton Member of Parliament Mr Temba Mliswa called upon Parliament to adjourn the House arguing that from his enquiries at least half of staff at Parliament had tested positive.
The issue drew a lot of debate with some legislators rallying behind Mr Mliswa while others said there was no statistics that Mr Mliswa had brought forward to support his assertions.
Zanu PF Chief Whip, Cde Pupurai Togarepi argued that if there was anyone who felt that they were at risk they could follow proceedings virtually.

Debate eventually resumed as portfolio committee chairperson presented their reports of Ministries they shadow.
The portfolio committee on Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services bemoaned poor funding to the digitalisation programme.
Its chairperson and Matabeleland South Proportional Representative MP Ms Sipho Mokone (MDC-T) said the huge discrepancy between the requested funds and the allocated funds will significantly hamper the progress of the digitalisation project.
“Currently, the revised target for completion of the project is 2023, and this milestone will be impossible to achieve without adequate funding. The committee notes with concern that the project is moving at a slow pace and the committee calls for early disbursements of funds, if approved, to minimise exchange losses,” said Ms Mokone.
“The slow pace of implementation of the ZimDigital project leads to violation of Sections 61 and 62 of the Constitution which calls for freedom of expression and freedom of the media and access to information.”
The Lands and Agriculture committee also noted that the use of International Monetary Fund Special Drawing Rights in establishing an Export Revolving Fund was noble.

“The Committee also appreciates that part of the SDR from the IMF will be used in the agriculture sector. The establishment of an export revolving fund for agriculture targeting floriculture, blueberries, and macadamia, which is to be financed to the tune of US$30 million from the SDR funds is noted.
However, given the current challenges with respect to repayment of loans, it is critical to ensure that safeguards are in place so that the facility becomes a revolving fund with those benefiting repaying so that other farmers can also benefit,” said committee chairperson and Gokwe Nembudziya MP Justice Mayor Wadyajena.

By A Correspondent- The wife to Decent Rimbi of Rimbi Travel and Tours was yesterday dragged to court after she reportedly conspired and formed a gang to rob a woman she suspected to be having an affair with her husband.

Everjoice Rimbi, 40, who is also the co-director of the bus company, was not asked to plead when she appeared before Harare magistrate Barbra Mateko.

She appeared together with her alleged accomplices Pamela Mutanhairi, Melissa Muzuva, Washington Njengwe, Richard Chikwaya, Givemore Mazerenganwa, Tafadzwa Mazerenganwa and Brighton Chiteka.

Rimbi and Mutanhairi were released on free bail as they were coming from home while the rest were ordered to pay $20 000 as bail.

The court heard that between August and November, Rimbi discovered some text messages between her husband and a female employee Nomalanga Thodlana which suggested that he had a soft spot for her and she suspected that they were in a secret affair.
Rimbi reportedly then engaged Muzuva through Mutanhairi after getting her contacts in a Whatsapp group and asked them to mobilise a gang that would harass Thodlana whom she wanted to resign voluntarily after the mission.
An initial payment of US$150 was paid to the gang and on December 7, an unknown person went to Decent Rimbi and advised him of the planned robbery and how it was going to be done and he alerted CID Homicide detectives who waylaid the gang.
The gang armed with machetes went to the garage in New Ardbennie to commit the offence but were intercepted and arrested before executing the mission and they implicated Rimbi, Mutanhairi and Muzuva to have hired them to rob and harass Thodhlana.
H Metro

Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has dismissed a bogus calender of events for 2022 circulating on social media platforms.

According to the party, an official calendar shall be released in due course via appropriate channels.

“We note that an unofficial calendar of the party has been created and shared without the party’s consent or adherence to protocol.

Please be advised that we are yet to launch our 2022 calendar. The official calendar will be launched & published through our official channels,” said the party in a statement.

The MDC Alliance also unveiled President Nelson Chamisa’s plan to win Zimbabwe for change.

“President
@nelsonchamisa
’s plan to win Zimbabwe for change:

1. 6 million votes Presidential election
2. Two thirds majority in Parliament
3. Majority in Local Govt elections
4. Communities will select candidates by consensus.”

By A Correspondent- Mashonaland East Provincial Education Director (PED), Anatoria Ncube says the US$50 cellphone levy announced by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Mthuli Ncube will have a negative impact on the education sector.

Presenting the 2022 National Budget Statement in Parliament last month, Mthuli Ncube proposed the introduction of the US$50 duty on cellphones.

He said the tax will be refunded within 30 days if import duty had been paid on the cellphone when it was imported.

This comes as online learning has gradually been taking centre stage since the emergence of the novel coronavirus which forced schools to shut down a few times since early 2020.

Speaking during an interview with The Mirror, PED Ncube said rural parents are not going to afford the gadgets needed for their children’s education.

She said:

The levy will have a gross and negative impact on the rural people who are the majority of our population.

Parents will not afford these gadgets and this will negatively impact rural education.

… We are trying to digitalise as a nation, E-learning is becoming popular in schools and boom we introduce new taxes on gadgets.

The Minister is like the right hand that doesn’t know what the left hand is doing

Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president, Obert Masararure said that the cellphone levy if implemented, will cripple education.

He said cellphones are no longer luxuries but a tool for education needed by pupils and students from the lowest grades up to University.

The combative unionist implored the Government to scrap the levy as Zimbabwe was lagging far behind other countries in terms of digitalisation.

Masararure was speaking at the launch of his organisation’s voter education campaign in Chivhu.-TheMirror

By A Correspondent- Former Marange Police Station’s officer-in-charge, Francis Ruzungunde, has been hauled before the courts on allegations of stealing US$14 330 paid by offenders as fines.

The varying amounts which were captured in the receipt books were not banked since 2018, and the missing money was only detected this year during a hand-over take-over exercise with a new boss at the station.

Ruzungunde (49) who is now stationed in Nyanga appeared before Ms Perseverance Makala facing theft charges.

He was granted $10 000 bail, and the case goes for trial on January 5 next year.
Mr Farai Matinhure of Gonese and Ndlovu Legal Practitioners represented Ruzungunde, while Ms Sharon Chibvongodze prosecuted.
The court heard that on May 27, the informant, Inspector Easter Muruko, was transferred from Nyanga District to ZRP Marange as Officer-In-Charge, while the accused was transferred to ZRP Nyanga District Headquarters.
“On June 1 to 3, the two conducted station hand-over take-over procedures under the supervision of the Manicaland Provincial Quartermaster, Chief Inspector Chimanyiwa.
During the process, the informant discovered that receipt books were filed in the General Record Book, but were not available for checking. Inspector Muruko asked Assistant Inspector Mugari who was in charge of administration, and was told that the books in question were not filed as indicated in the General Record Book.
He further revealed that the books were at his home where he was compiling charge sheets as per Ruzungunde’s instructions.
Inspector Muruko requested to see the books and they were given to her after several requests.
“That is when she discovered that cash amounting to US$14 330 had been receipted but could not be accounted for. She then notified the Officer Commanding Mutare Rural District of the discrepancy,” said Ms Chibvongodze.
On December 6, the case was referred to CID Mutare for further investigations.
It was revealed that the accused person had converted the US$14 330 to his own use. Manica Post

By A Correspondent- A Penhalonga woman has been arrested for reportedly forcing her sister’s two children aged five and 11 to relieve themselves in a tin and eat their waste.

The children’s mother, who is based in South Africa, left the children in Zvevamwe’s custody.
She pleaded guilty to charges of ill-treatment or neglecting children as defined in Section 7 (3) of the Children Protection Act when she appeared before Mutare magistrate, Ms Prisca Manhibi.
She was remanded in custody to December 30 for sentencing.
Prosecuting, Ms Tafadzwa Chiwanza said on an unknown day in November, the accused ordered the complaints to relieve themselves in a tin and eat their waste as she watched.
“She threatened to kill the children if they disobeyed her orders. On another day, Zvevamwe used plastic to burn one of the complaints on her back, stomach and hands.
“She would also pull their tongues using a pair of pliers as punishment,” said Ms Chiwanza.
The court heard that the accused would also assault the children with a whip and cooking stick.
The abuse the children suffered at the hands of their aunt only came to light on November 30 through an anonymous tip-off.
Police in Penhalonga and some child protection organisations reacted to the tip-off and went to Zvevamwe’s residence to investigate the matter.
Their findings led to her immediate arrest. The children were medically examined and taken to Simukai Child Protection Programme where they are being offered safe shelter.
Child abuse includes all types of physical, emotional and sexual abuse, or negligence which results in harm to the child’s health, development or dignity.
-Manica Post

By Are Correspondent- Armed robbers pounced on Atlas 16 Gold Mine in the early hours of Wednesday 8 December and got away with 130kgs of pregnant gold carbon worth about US$62 000.

In the gold industry, activated carbon is used to recover gold from the gold-cyanide complex also known as the cyanide process. It is a technique for extracting gold from low-grade ore by converting the gold to a water-soluble coordination complex.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) say the robbers were armed with knives and iron bars. Pindula News presents a police statement on the case:
The ZRP is investigating a case of robbery which occurred at Atlas 16 Gold, Mine on 08/12/21 at about 0300 hrs. Eight unknown suspects who were armed with knives and iron bars attacked two security guards who were on duty at the mine and tied them with barbed wire before proceeding to the gold carbon room where they stole 130 kgs of pregnant gold carbon worth approximately US$62 000.

ZRP officers are also investigating another robbery case in which a truck driver was robbed after a breakdown. Police said:
In another case Police in Bulawayo are investigating a robbery incident where a truck driver was robbed of property worth US$1 440 after a breakdown at Umguza Bridge, along Harare-Bulawayo Rd on 08/12/21.

By A Correspondent- Winky D’s fans who call themselves MaGaffa nemaGaffaress have petitioned the Zimdancehall chanter to release an album for the summer season.

The petition that was initiated by one Gaffa Kusvika Ndafa had, as of the time of writing, been signed by 34 people out of the required 100. Reads the petition:

This is a petition to Winky D and the management team Of the Vigilance brand. Firstly, we would like to thank you for dropping one of the best albums in Zim Dancehall. Many people doubted the impact it would make at the very first stages of its release, but later on, everyone became conscious about the message you were communicating to us. We appreciate your brilliance in penning down lyrics that open our eyes in these times where we have a lot of distractions blurring our vision of reality.

This petition is to appeal for a new album that might as well give us something fresh for our ears to consume. We have enjoyed quite a number of tracks released during the course of this year from other artists but igaroziva kuti kana tapinda summer time mowanzotipa zvinyowani [you usually give us some music for Summer]. This hasn’t been a great year, but your music can get us smiling thus, ending the year in a much better mood. Saka isu tatimotipawo chero single zvayo yekuti titambise Kisimusi nayo [we are requesting that you release even a single song for Christmas].

Your assistance will be highly appreciated.

Yours Faithfully

MaGaffa nemaGaffaress

VIDEO LOAING BELOW…

By A Correspondent- As of Friday 10 December 2021, US$121 555 000 had been raised towards buying an armoured car for opposition MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa.This is against a set target of US$120 000.

The organiser of the gofundme initiative, T Basvi, says the drive to buy Chamisa an armoured vehicle was triggered by “countless merciless attacks (on Chamisa) by the ruling party, aided by the government security sector.”

He cites an attack on Chamisa’s convoy on the 11th of October 2021 by a group of suspected ZANU PF youths as evidence that Chamisa’s life was in danger.

The attack left Chamisa’s vehicles damaged and many of his aides seriously injured and hospitalized. The convoy was on its way to engaging the rural community in Masvingo to understand their issues in the aftermath of the pandemic’s 3rd wave. 

Basvi believes chances that violence will intensify during the 2023 elections are high hence the need to beef up Chamisa’s security before any unfortunate eventuality occurs. Basvi added:

As concerned global citizens, we have come up with this initiative to raise funds for the purchase of an amour plated vehicle as well as security apparel for his safety and security.

He also said it was clear that the regime wants to continue to frustrate democracy by attacking the main opposition.

-Online

By A Correspondent- Nineteen nurses, who work in the same ward at the United Bulawayo Hospital (UBH), tested positive for COVID-19 after admitting several patients infected by the virus.

Bulawayo provincial medical director Maphios Siamuchembu said the hospital was still to ascertain which COVID-19 variant infected the nurses.
The new Omicron variant of COVID-19 was discovered in South Africa and Botswana recently.

It has also been detected in Zimbabwe. “About 19 members of staff tested positive at UBH. We are doing the standard antigen COVID-19 tests, and we haven’t done genetic sequencing to identify the Omicron variant.
“In short we are not sure which variant we are dealing with,” Siamuchembu said. “All people are screened and sanitised at the hospital entrance.
“All admitted patients are sent to Arundel COVID-19 hospital, while all symptomatic staff members are tested.
“We have procured personal protective equipment for staff members.’ Although the Omicron variant is said to be very mild, the variant is reportedly spreading fast in terms of infections.
The country recorded 4 996 new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday, and two deaths. Of the 4 996 new infections, Bulawayo recorded 338.
The COVID-19 scare at UBH comes at a time when an influenza outbreak has hit Bulawayo.
Siamuchembu said Bulawayo had been hit by the COVID fourth wave and urged people to get vaccinated.
“The number of COVID-19 cases is increasing in Bulawayo. We are effectively in the fourth wave. Vaccination is the number one tool we have to fight the pandemic,” he said.
“We should continue exercising hand hygiene, physical distancing and masking up properly. Residents need to be wary of people coming from outside the country.
“They should make sure such people are coming from the appropriate quarantine or isolation centres.
“If you are symptomatic please go to the nearest health facility for testing and treatment.”
Several institutions, including Parliament, the courts, schools and non-governmental organisations were forced to close after they recorded a surge in COVID-19 infections.
-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Norton Member of Parliament, Temba Mliswa who tested positive for Covid-19, Thursday, said fellow MPs were responsible for spreading the pandemic in the house of assembly.

The candid and out-spoken independent law-maker announced this through his ever-busy Twitter handled Wednesday evening.

Mliswa said he had immediately self-isolated as a responsible way of curbing the spread of the deadly pandemic.

“1/ Dear Colleagues, Honourable MPs, Parliament staff, Norton constituency and friends. Just to let you know that despite taking all precautions and testing negative on both Monday at Norton Hospital and Tuesday at Parly, I have just tested positive for Covid-19,” he posted.

Mliswa blamed fellow parliamentarians for promoting the spread of the pandemic after they contradicted him Tuesday when he suggested that they should all go on self-isolation because some parliament staff had tested positive for covid.

“This was exactly my point yesterday, I think I should be known as Prophet Mliswa forthwith. Forewarned is forearmed and disclosure is critical in mitigating the spread of the virus. It’s sad Togarepi couldn’t comprehend this point. For now my symptoms are mild, and I’ll rest,” he said.

By A Correspondent- An 86-year-old Vainona domestic worker was found dead in her employer’semployer’s backyard cabin on Tuesday.

Margaret Muzanago Sibanda, who has been working for the Berry family for 57 years, was reported to have been denied access to health care and ablution facilities as well as payment for years.

She was found dead by the Berrys’Berrys’ gardener only identified as Simon clad in her uniforms.

In ire, the Muzanago family dumped her belongings in protest against the alleged abuse of Gogo Margaret under the mercy of her white man Paul Simon Berry.
Reports say Gogo Margaret had one child Christopher Muzanago who also worked as a gardener at Berry’sBerry’s house in Vainona.
He died at the same house in 2012.
The late Gogo Margaret is also said to have refused to remove Christopher’sChristopher’s belongings from the room he used to occupy over unpaid salaries.
Berry told H-Metro that he was not in a position to give his side of the story referring questions to one of his relative only identified as Mary.
“”Sorry we are mourning, get in touch with Mary,”” said Berry.
Muzanago family spokesperson Leticia Muzanago, 32, narrated to H-Metro the ill-treatment Gogo Margaret under went as a maid since 1964 when she started working for Berry family.
“”Gogo died a poor person under the roof of a rich family,”” said Muzanago.
“”She passed on wearing her kitchen uniform in a cabin room located between the two better houses belonging to Berry and his son.
“”She started working for the Berry family in 1964 in Gweru and when her first employer who happen to be the present Berry’sBerry’s parents died she was taken to Vainona in Harare in 2008 to work for the son Paul Simon Berry.
“”Gogo had agreed with her employer that she wanted them to keep her salaries till they buy a house for her.
“”Paul promised to pay for a Gweru residential stand three years ago but nothing materialized.
“”She was never taken to medical doctors but had to continue working while sick.
“”I visited her many times and discover that she was no longer had energy to visit a toilet which some meters away from her cabin.
“”She had to do a bucket system till her time of death.
“”When she died they were quick to call a funeral parlour to remove the body without engaging any of us,”” said Muzanago.
When H-Metro visited the house, one Mary was ordering Muzanago to hire a lorry and remove all belongings of Gogo Margaret and that of her late son Christopher Muzanago and take them to their home village in Chirumhanzu.
“”Hire a lorry and collect everything of Margaret and that of her late son,”” said Mary.
In an interview, Mary told H-Metro that Margaret was very lucky to have worked for a caring family who would never do anything against her wishes.
“”Margaret refused to go to the doctor so we always had to organise a house visit which was very costly,”” said Mary.
“”Margaret was well looked after by my partner’spartner’s brother Paul.
“”Paul organised his maid to cook for Margaret every day.
“”I tried to persuade Margaret to move into a room where her late son Christopher used to stay which was close to the toilet and shower in the staff quarters but she refused.
“”In that room there is her double bed which was given to her by Paul’sPaul’s mother and a cupboard which belonged to Christopher.
“”When Paul’sPaul’s mother died she should have gone back to Chilimanzi but she would not go.
“”When I met her about 11 years ago, she would spend all day in the kitchen roasting chicken and boiling water.
“”The kitchen is tiny and there was no space for anyone else! I ended up persuading Peter to buy a small stove which we put in the cottage.
“”However thanks to Covid Margaret was told to stay in her cottage,”” said Mary refusing to answer on salaries issue.
Gogo Margaret’sMargaret’s body was not taken for post-mortem and Covid-19 tests but to a funeral parlour and straight to Chirumhanzu village on Wednesday.

– H Metro