Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has dismissed claims by the Zanu PF regime that the assassination attempts in Chiredzi and Mutare were dramatized.

Zanu PF agents attempted to assassinate President Chamisa In Masvingo and Manicaland during the vibrant MDC Alliance leader’s community engagement meetings in the respective provinces.

Speaking at Gogo Chamisa’s tombstone unveiling ceremony in Chiwara, Gutu on Saturday, the people’s President said he was ready to defeat the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa in the 2023 polls.

President Chamisa said:

” How can one fake an assassination attempt by destroying one’s car ? I know that they( Zanu PF agents) want to eliminate me but that’s impossible.

They tried it in Manicaland but touch not the anointed one.

They thought they had killed me in Mutare…

We know that they have hired foreign agents to eliminate us. We know everything.

They fired live bullets at my vehicle. ..

Violence will not end the deepening crisis.”

“Do you think I can be compared to Emmerson Mnangagwa ? I will defeat him in 2023. Do you think Biti can be compared to Mnangagwa’s vice presidents ? Sikhala cannot be compared to Muchinguri. We are miles ahead of them.

We are ready to deliver meaningful change to the people of Zimbabwe,” added President Chamisa.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has dismissed claims by the Zanu PF regime that the assassination attempts in Chiredzi and Mutare were dramatized.

Zanu PF agents attempted to assassinate President Chamisa In Masvingo and Manicaland during the vibrant MDC Alliance leader’s community engagement meetings in the respective provinces.

Speaking at Gogo Chamisa’s tombstone unveiling ceremony in Chiwara, Gutu on Saturday, the people’s President said he was ready to defeat the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa in the 2023 polls.

President Chamisa said:

” How can one fake an assassination attempt by destroying one’s car ? I know that they( Zanu PF agents) want to eliminate me but that’s impossible.

They tried it in Manicaland but touch not the anointed one.

They thought they had killed me in Mutare…

We know that they have hired foreign agents to eliminate us. We know everything.

They fired live bullets at my vehicle. ..

Violence will not end the deepening crisis.”

“Do you think I can be compared to Emmerson Mnangagwa ? I will defeat him in 2023. Do you think Biti can be compared to Mnangagwa’s vice presidents ? Sikhala cannot be compared to Muchinguri. We are miles ahead of them.

We are ready to deliver meaningful change to the people of Zimbabwe,” added President Chamisa.

By A Correspondent- The trial of Vice president Constantino Chiwenga’s wife, Marry, started Monday, despite calls from all over the country for Chiwenga to stop persecuting his wife.

The trial started with Marry pleading not guilty to numerous charges, including killing Chiwenga and money laundering.

Marry also denied trying to secretly arrange a wedding with the Vice President saying the latter was fully aware of the plan.

Her lawyer Ms Beatrice Mtetwa had initially applied for the recusal of Harare magistrate Mr Lazini Ncube from presiding over the case arguing that he would not give her client a fair trial.

Ms Mtetwa said she strongly believed Mr Ncube could not determine the case impartially and claimed the magistrate was making decisions on mood swings.
“The law requires that you should recuse yourself as there is a perception that you may be biased. We fear that you will not give the accused person an impartial trial that she deserves,” said Ms Mtetwa.
Ms Mtetwa said her application was based on consistent behaviour by the magistrate against her client.
Prosecutor Mr Tafara Chirambira, however, opposed the application saying the court should not abdicate its functions.

“The defence cannot choose a judicial officer of their own,” he said.
Last week two doctors who recently examined Mubaiwa sent reports to the court claiming that she was mentally fit for trial.
The application was dismissed.
Ms Mtetwa read her client’s defence outline in court stating.
In her defence, Marry said from the time VP Chiwenga paid lobola (bride price) in July 2011 the parties had agreed that they would formally wed and a wedding was requested from her family upon conclusion of the lobola ceremony.
“She will state that she was with the complainant in India in 2019 where she was receiving medical treatment and having so much time in their hands led them to discussing the wedding and they agreed that if they would be back home by July 2, 2019 they would have a small wedding,” reads the defence outline.

She further stated that the deposit of US$15 000 paid for the rings was paid.
“She will further point out that the complainant indicated that he would ask the President to be the best man and since the date had been set, she believed he had asked him” reads her defence outline.
“If he was unaware of the wedding and its date, he would not have spoken about asking the President to be his best man,” she said.
Marry said when they returned to Zimbabwe, the jeweller came to their house to measure their fingers and the complainant fully recognised the jeweller.
The State called its first witness former Judge president Justice George Chiweshe who is now working at the Supreme Court.
In his testimony Justice Chiweshe said he knew Marry as a niece in the extended family sense and a wife to the Vice President.
He said he also worked with the Vice President during the liberation struggle.
“Sometime in mid-2019, the accused person phoned me and said they would want me solemnise their wedding which would be held at their home in Borrowdale Brooke.

“I advised her that this process was done at the Magistrates Court and I could only assist by communicating with the then Chief Magistrate Mr Munamato Mutevedzi.
“I communicated with Mutevedzi and he said he was willing to help as the marriage officer for that occasion,” said Justice Chiweshe.
During cross examination by Ms Mtetwa Justice Chiweshe said he did not suspect any falsehoods from Marry as she was the complainant’s wife.
“It would be strange for a spouse to organise such a ceremony without her husband’s knowledge, that’s why I believed her,” he said.
He did not believe something amiss at that time Marry called him asking for assistance.
The matter was deferred to today for continuation.

-Herald

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu has been accused of invading the hotly contested Esidakeni Farm in Matabeleland North and chasing away workers.

The farm has come under the spotlight after the government parcelled it out to Mpofu and state security agents as well as National University of Science and Technology lecturer Dumisani Madzivanyati under unclear circumstances.

Malunga, Dhlamini and Moyo are challenging the seizure of the farm in the courts arguing that it was unfairly parcelled out after they bought it from a white former commercial farmer.

The dispute took a nasty turn yesterday after the alleged invasion by Mpofu’s son and “scores of people”.

“I just received a message from my partner Zeph Dhlamini at Esidakeni Farm that Obert Mpofu sent his son and scores of people there,” Malunga said.
“They are ploughing our fields. They chased our workers from the irrigation points and threatened them against taking pictures. This is what Zimbabwe has become.
“We will defend our rights. We will evict them and his people and we will not rest until he answers for his corrupt and criminal abuse of power and authority.
“We know we are not his only victims.” He added: “So this was the cowardly threat he was making: to invade our farm.
“Our fathers and our liberation heroes are surely turning in their graves. But we will fight Obert Mpofu.
“He does not intimidate us.” Malunga, Moyo and Dhlamini are challenging Mpofu’s offer letter for part of the property.
Malunga accused Mpofu of “primitive accumulation of wealth”.
“It’s called primitive accumulation.
“Primitive accumulation because it is primordial, animalistic, irrational and corrupt.
“Accumulation because it is voracious, expropriatory. It’s about taking everything from everyone,” he said.
“After initially denying it, Mpofu has now admitted that he grabbed our farm because he has no farm to grow crops.
“The sense of entitlement is nauseating. The unbridled greed is shocking. He had to take our farm.
“There is nothing revolutionary about his primitive accumulation. In time, I will say how he refused to allocate land to me and my brother Busi 20 years ago after being asked by (late vice-president John Nkomo).
“Then he takes our farm 21 years later.” Mpofu yesterday said he does not “respond to nonsense” when contacted for comment.
On Friday, he posted on Twitter: “I proudly possess an offer later, which was offered after due process. Fronting whites is not due process but trying to justify an illegality is criminal.”
Last week, the sheriff of the High Court evicted Madzivanyati from the farm following a recent High Court order to that effect notwithstanding an appeal he lodged at the Supreme Court.
Justice Evangelista Kabasa’s October 28 order came after Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese also ordered Madzivanyati to stop farming activities and return the farm to the owners. Standard

By A Correspondent- The rape trial of Harare-based pastor Tapiwa Freddy has been set for the 6th of January 2022.

The founder and leader of Goodness and Mercy Ministries appeared in court for his routine remand this Monday.

Prosecutors told the court that they are prepared to commence the trial on the 6th of January 2022 after carrying out further investigations.

Freddy (39), is facing allegations of raping a 33-year-old Harare woman on several occasions.

The self-styled prophet was arrested last month on allegations of raping the woman after promising to assist her with the upkeep of her child.

The court heard that three months after the death of the complainant’s husband in 2020, Freddy proposed love to the woman but she spurned her advances as she was still mourning her husband as per traditional protocols.

Some time in November 2020, Freddy reportedly visited the complainant’s rural home to see her child.

On his return, Freddy allegedly raped the complainant and instructed her to consider him as her new husband, threatening to cast a spell over her if she resisted.

Prosecutors further alleged that sometime in August this year, Freddy took her victim to Moja Shopping Centre in Mbare.

He reportedly physically abused the woman, who is physically challenged and nearly overran her following a heated argument.

More: ZBC News

By A Correspondent-President Cyril Ramaphosa introduces a set of new lockdown measures to curb rising coronavirus infections fuelled by the Omicron variant.

Ramaphosa (69) published his weekly letter to the nation, encouraging all citizens to get their COVID-19 vaccines immediately.

The South African president addressed his compatriots eight days ago but chose not to rock the boat but rather to maintain the status quo.

The National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) is set to meet later this week to “review the state of the pandemic”, with a presidential address to the nation likely to follow. Said Ramaphosa:

We will know more about the Omicron variant in the coming days and weeks. 

At the same time, we are keeping a close eye on the rates of infection and hospitalisation. I call on all South Africans to go and get vaccinated without delay.

We will soon be convening a meeting of the National Coronavirus Command Council to review the state of the pandemic.

This will enable us to take whatever further measures are needed to keep people safe and healthy.

More: The South African

By A Correspondent- AN MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa is said to be planning to invade the Midlands province, particularly Chirumanzu and Mberengwa districts, reliable sources have said.

Chamisa has been to different rural areas in the country to meet people during his “citizens convergence for change” tours..

His tours were marred by violence from Zanu PF thugs attempting to block him from meeting with citizens.

Chamisa was blocked and attacked in October and November when he visited Masvingo and Manicaland provinces.

There were also attempts to block him during his Mashonaland West, Central and Matabeleland tours.

A source in the MDC Alliance told Southern Eye that Chamisa would be visiting Chirumanzu and Mberengwa districts this week.

However, audio circulating on social media shows an unnamed female Zanu PF official is heard saying the ruling party would block Chamisa from entering Chirumanzu.

“Here in Chirumanzu South as we are talking, there is a rumour that Chamisa will visit Chirumanzu from today (Sunday) onwards. As people of Chirumanzu, we cannot allow our territory to be disturbed like that.
“We sat down as a leadership from the (Zanu PF) central committee to chairpersons of the district to discuss how we should defend our territory,” the Zanu PF official is heard saying on the audio.
“We must block all areas which we think Chamisa will come through from today. Right now police will be mounting roadblocks along the roads, and we will be inside the district and every group will be protecting their wards.”
The Zanu PF official is further heard saying the roads to be used by Chamisa must be blocked with stones and logs to ensure that he does not enter Chirumanzu.
“Last time we allowed him and he got almost 6 000 votes here. So as leaders we saw it fit that we should not allow him here.”
Contacted for comment, Zanu PF Midlands chairperson Daniel Mackenzie Ncube said: “I have listened to the audio. You can’t really make out the voice of the lady.
“The Churumanzu leadership is vehemently dissociating itself from the contents of the audio.
“I am not even aware that Chamisa would be visiting Chirumanzu. Maybe it is because most of the time I am in Mberengwa, and that is why I did not hear this.”
MDC Alliance deputy spokesperson Gift Ostallos Siziba said Chamisa and other leaders of the party were in Masvingo yesterday for the unveiling of his late mother’s tombstone.
Siziba said no matter the plots by Zanu PF to stop his “meet-the-people tours”, they would not succeed.
“The president is here in Gutu for his mother’s tombstone unveiling. Zanu PF will not stop us from moving anywhere in the country no matter how they try,” he said.
He, however, declined to reveal the exact dates when Chamisa would be visiting Chirumanzu and Mberengwa. “We listened to the audio and the party is not moved by the threats,” Siziba said.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- A 40-year-old member of the End Time Church in Chipinge stormed out of a church service and killed herself because she was tired of staying with an unemployed and broke husband.

Precious Mushunje’s body was found a few metres from the church’s premises at Chipinge Government Farm after a search by her husband, Edwin Chikwanha (54) and fellow church members.

She left a suicide note revealing that she was living a stressful life because her unemployed husband was not helping her with anything.

Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Sergeant Vimbai Mangundu confirmed the incident to The Manica Post. She said:

Mushunje of medium-density area of Chipinge left home proceeding to a church service at End Time Church near her residence.

Around midday, her son realised that her mother had stormed out of the church and tried to locate her without any joy.

He informed his father, Mr Edwin Chikwanha (54) who proceeded to make a report at Chipinge Police Station.

Searches were done with the help of church members before she was found lying dead a few metres away from the church premises.

A suicide note was recovered near her body and it stated that she was not happy because her husband was broke and unemployed.

Mangundu urged members of the public to seek counselling services whenever they are depressed with something.

More: The Manica Post

By A Correspondent-A Mutare woman is suing a Chinese-owned mining company Xu Zhong Jin Investments after it allegedly caused the death of her husband by burying him alive in one of its shafts.

The miner, Sure Mutamba, and his colleague Vincent Gundo who were artisanal miners, were buried alive when Xu Zhong Jin Investments filled the pit they were in.

The company reportedly dumped earth into the pit even though it was warned that there were two people inside.

The bodies of the miners were retrieved three days later following protests by neighbouring communities.

Mutamba’s widow, Nester Munyongani, and her four-year-old child are demanding $2 million from Xu Zhong Jin Investments as compensation for causing the death of her husband and father and for loss of support.

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), who are representing Munyongani and her child, said in a statement:

Xu Zhong Jin Investments, a Chinese mining company is standing trial after being sued for damages by the widow and child of Sure Mutamba, an artisanal miner, who was buried alive in November 2020 as the Chinese miner was rehabilitating a mining site at Premier Estate in Old Mutare in Manicaland province.

The widow, Nester Munyongani and her four-year-old minor child are suing Xu Zhong Jin Investments for $2 million for negligently causing the death of Mutamba and for loss of support emanating from his death.

Mutamba’s body was only exhumed three days after he died following protests by community members over the inhumane operations of the Chinese miner.

The Chinese miner had been advised that Mutamba was underground before its employees even closed the deep pit but they proceeded and closed the pit.

More: NewZimbabwe.com

By Investigative Reporter | ZANU PF F has made the tiny town of Gokwe (currently with a population of less than 500,000 people, produce a record 5,000,000 votes.

A leaked audio of the current ambassador to Mozambique, Victor Matemanda, has the former National Commissar spilling how this has been done. In the lengthy clip, the former Deputy Defence Minister announces in part saying (part transcript):

This is not the first time that elections are being held in the Gokwe town. These elections began in 1980. Other people don’t know that if we start with the council in 1980 it had many counsellors 38 in number but the miracles that happened in the town is that during that time there was ZAPU and ZANU. Each won 18. Many who are running today, do not know what they’re talking about; they don’t know that the problem of the council getting into a crisis of 18 apiece, how did we solve it. We will just tell those who ask us.

All those who you see our jumping up and down do not know this thing. They do not know that the town is structured in what way from the time it was north and south. Many do not know and many do not want to ask because they pretend like they know. Those who were there they know that it was once one constituency. You know it well, right now … those constituencies are now 9-in number many who are jumping around do not know how the 9 constituencies came about; don’t want to work with those who made it work for the new 9 constituencies.

That’s why you see right now while in Gokwe, that we want 5 million votes.

Meanwhile, contacted for a comment, Ambassador Matemadanda had not responded at the time of writing. Several insiders however confirmed the audio saying it is Matemadanda’s.

By A Correspondent- A Police officer died after he was allegedly attacked, resulting in a deep cut on the back of the head and bruises in the mouth in the early hours of yesterday in Pumula South, Bulawayo.

Sunday News visited the area yesterday where shocked residents said the murder was worrying and could have been fuelled by bars in the area that were flouting Covid-19 lockdown measures by operating late into the night.
A resident said he was a friend of the police officer and expressed shock at his death.
“He was my friend and had been for a long time.
I am saddened by his death and hope those responsible will be arrested soon.
My friend didn’t even drink alcohol and did not deserve to die the way he did,” the friend said.
Some residents said gangs were patrolling the area and drinking beer at local bars late into the night.
Police officers told Sunday News that the body of their colleague was discovered by two officers who were on night patrol.
The patrol team had responded after a resident reported that there was a body lying near Eyethu Sports Bar at Makoni Shopping Centre in Pumula South at around 1.30am.
“The police officers proceeded to check on the state of the body.
When they checked for pulse on the neck and wrist, no pulse could be felt.
Upon discovering that the body was lifeless one of the officers went to the station to inform their superior,” an officer said.
The officer said they managed to positively identify the body as that of their colleague and it had a deep cut at the back of the head on the right side and bruises on the mouth.
The officer added that their colleague was on morning shift at Emthunzini base and had knocked off duty at 1pm on Friday.
Police could not immediately give an official comment on the matter. Sunday News

Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has said the late human rights defender Dewa Mavhinga was a solid democrat and fighter.

Dewa Mavhinga was found dead in a hotel room on Saturday.

Said President Chamisa in a brief statement:

I’m in the countryside yet so gutted and deeply devastated. Death is always an unbearable blow.

We’ve lost a fighter, an intelligent patriot, rights defender & a solid democrat.A Cde in the struggle for freedom in Zimbabwe.A very humble Comrade indeed! My Condolences to his beloved wife Fiona & the entire family.

I’m really saddened. May God grant us the courage to be bold and brave through it all. RIP my Cde!

An MDC Alliance official has claimed that they have unearthed a Zanu PF plot to block opposition party leader Nelson Chamisa from visiting the Midlands province, particularly Chirumanzu and Mberengwa districts this week.

Chamisa has been to different rural areas in the country to meet people during his “citizens convergence for change” tours.

In October and November, Chamisa was blocked and attacked when he visited Masvingo and Manicaland provinces. There were also attempts to block him during his Mashonaland West, Central and Matabeleland tours.

A source in the MDC Alliance told Southern Eye that Chamisa would be visiting Chirumanzu and Mberengwa districts this week.

However, there is an audio circulating on social media where an unnamed female Zanu PF official is heard saying the ruling party would block Chamisa from entering Chirumanzu.

“Here in Chirumanzu South as we are talking, there is a rumour that Chamisa will visit Chirumanzu from today (Sunday) onwards. As people of Chirumanzu, we cannot allow our territory to be disturbed like that.

“We sat down as a leadership from the (Zanu PF) central committee to chairpersons of the district to discuss how we should defend our territory,” the Zanu PF official is heard saying on the audio.

“We must block all areas which we think Chamisa will come through from today. Right now police will be mounting roadblocks along the roads, and we will be inside the district and every group will be protecting their wards.”

The Zanu PF official is further heard saying the roads to be used by Chamisa must be blocked with stones and logs to ensure that he does not enter Chirumanzu.

“Last time we allowed him and he got almost 6 000 votes here. So as leaders we saw it fit that we should not allow him here.”

Contacted for comment, Zanu PF Midlands chairperson Daniel Mackenzie Ncube said: “I have listened to the audio. You can’t really make out the voice of the lady.

“The Churumanzu leadership is vehemently dissociating itself from the contents of the audio.

“I am not even aware that Chamisa would be visiting Chirumanzu. Maybe it is because most of the time I am in Mberengwa, and that is why I did not hear this.”

MDC Alliance deputy spokesperson Gift Ostallos Siziba said Chamisa and other leaders of the party were in Masvingo yesterday for the unveiling of his late mother’s tombstone.

Siziba said no matter the plots by Zanu PF to stop his “meet-the-people tours”, they would not succeed.

“The president is here in Gutu for his mother’s tombstone unveiling. Zanu PF will not stop us from moving anywhere in the country no matter how they try,” he said.

He, however, declined to reveal the exact dates when Chamisa would be visiting Chirumanzu and Mberengwa. “We listened to the audio and the party is not moved by the threats,” Siziba said. -Newsday

The Dewa Lessons and Values

By AGO Mutambara in Memory of Dewa Mavhinga 06/12/2021

Self-selection: Leadership is a decision. Leaders are neither born nor made. Leadership is a choice. Dewa chose to lead.

Self-sacrifice: The price of freedom is death. The path of a revolutionary is a journey of sacrifices. If you are not prepared to die for freedom, you don’t deserve freedom. If you are not prepared to die for justice, you don’t deserve justice. If you are not prepared to die for democracy, you don’t deserve democracy. A revolutionary has no life. It belongs to the struggle, to the people, to the cause. Dewa understood this.

Education and hard work: Revolutionaries must diligently and masterfully pursue both formal and informal exposure or training. There must be excellence in both the streets and the classrooms. Change agents must be relentless and fearless. Dewa was an embodiment of courage and a personification of excellence.

Disagree without being disagreeable: Fighters for and defenders of human rights, democracy and freedom must NOT use terms like sellout or traitor to describe those they disagree with in a common struggle, be they rivals or opponents. Freedom fighters must NOT use and internalize repressive regimes’ violent and disparaging language. Such language is meant to de-legitimize competitors and justify their physical elimination (death). Human rights activists, opposition activists and progressive journalists cannot be part of such a value system. Dewa never stooped that low.

Rest in Peace, an icon of the Human Rights struggles in Zimbabwe, SADC, Africa and the Global South

By A Correspondent- A Gold panner from Gwanda is on the run after he fatally stabbed his workmate with an okapi knife in a dispute over sharing of money.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena confirmed the incident which occurred on December 4 at around 9PM at Majoda Farm panning site in West Nicholson.

She said Norman Moyo (27) of Matshesheni area in Gwanda stabbed Bhekinkosi Moyo (30) also from the same area below his left breast before fleeing the scene.

“I can confirm that we recorded a murder case which occurred in West Nicholson area where a man was stabbed to death. Norman Moyo and Bhekinkosi Moyo were at Majoda Farm panning site when they had a misunderstanding over sharing of an undisclosed amount of money they realised after selling gold.
“The misunderstanding turned into a fight and they exchanged blows. Norman retrieved an okapi knife and stabbed Bhekinkosi below his left breast before fleeing the scene. Bhekinkosi bled profusely as a result on the attack and died on the spot,” she said.
Insp Mangena appealed to members of the public that have information on the whereabouts of Norman to visit any police station near them. She urged members of the public to desist from resorting to violence when faced with disputes.

-Chronicle

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu was yesterday accused of invading the hotly contested Esidakeni Farm in Matabeleland North and chasing away workers.

The farm has come under the spotlight after the government parcelled it out to Mpofu and state security agents as well as National University of Science and Technology lecturer Dumisani Madzivanyati under unclear circumstances.

Malunga, Dhlamini and Moyo are challenging the seizure of the farm in the courts arguing that it was unfairly parcelled out after they bought it from a white former commercial farmer.

The dispute took a nasty turn yesterday after the alleged invasion by Mpofu’s son and “scores of people”.

“I just received a message from my partner Zeph Dhlamini at Esidakeni Farm that Obert Mpofu sent his son and scores of people there,” Malunga said.
“They are ploughing our fields. They chased our workers from the irrigation points and threatened them against taking pictures. This is what Zimbabwe has become.
“We will defend our rights. We will evict them and his people and we will not rest until he answers for his corrupt and criminal abuse of power and authority.
“We know we are not his only victims.” He added: “So this was the cowardly threat he was making: to invade our farm.
“Our fathers and our liberation heroes are surely turning in their graves. But we will fight Obert Mpofu.
“He does not intimidate us.” Malunga, Moyo and Dhlamini are challenging Mpofu’s offer letter for part of the property.
Malunga accused Mpofu of “primitive accumulation of wealth”.
“It’s called primitive accumulation.
“Primitive accumulation because it is primordial, animalistic, irrational and corrupt.
“Accumulation because it is voracious, expropriatory. It’s about taking everything from everyone,” he said.
“After initially denying it, Mpofu has now admitted that he grabbed our farm because he has no farm to grow crops.
“The sense of entitlement is nauseating. The unbridled greed is shocking. He had to take our farm.
“There is nothing revolutionary about his primitive accumulation. In time, I will say how he refused to allocate land to me and my brother Busi 20 years ago after being asked by (late vice-president John Nkomo).
“Then he takes our farm 21 years later.” Mpofu yesterday said he does not “respond to nonsense” when contacted for comment.
On Friday, he posted on Twitter: “I proudly possess an offer later, which was offered after due process. Fronting whites is not due process but trying to justify an illegality is criminal.”
Last week, the sheriff of the High Court evicted Madzivanyati from the farm following a recent High Court order to that effect notwithstanding an appeal he lodged at the Supreme Court.
Justice Evangelista Kabasa’s October 28 order came after Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese also ordered Madzivanyati to stop farming activities and return the farm to the owners. Standard

By A Correspondent-A Police officer died after he was allegedly attacked, resulting in a deep cut on the back of the head and bruises in the mouth in the early hours of yesterday in Pumula South, Bulawayo.

Sunday News visited the area yesterday where shocked residents said the murder was worrying and could have been fuelled by bars in the area that were flouting Covid-19 lockdown measures by operating late into the night.
A resident said he was a friend of the police officer and expressed shock at his death.
“He was my friend and had been for a long time.
I am saddened by his death and hope those responsible will be arrested soon.
My friend didn’t even drink alcohol and did not deserve to die the way he did,” the friend said.
Some residents said gangs were patrolling the area and drinking beer at local bars late into the night.
Police officers told Sunday News that the body of their colleague was discovered by two officers who were on night patrol.
The patrol team had responded after a resident reported that there was a body lying near Eyethu Sports Bar at Makoni Shopping Centre in Pumula South at around 1.30am.
“The police officers proceeded to check on the state of the body.
When they checked for pulse on the neck and wrist, no pulse could be felt.
Upon discovering that the body was lifeless one of the officers went to the station to inform their superior,” an officer said.
The officer said they managed to positively identify the body as that of their colleague and it had a deep cut at the back of the head on the right side and bruises on the mouth.
The officer added that their colleague was on morning shift at Emthunzini base and had knocked off duty at 1pm on Friday.
Police could not immediately give an official comment on the matter. Sunday News

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwean community in Johannesburg’s northern suburb of Windsor East was at the weekend thrown into mourning following the deaths of three of their friends who died in an accident near the Rhema Church in Randburg.

The trio of Liberty Makore (27), Eddie Tapera (26) and Laura Sanyika (24) were killed when an Audi A4 hit the car they were travelling in during the early hours of last Sunday on their way from a popular entertainment centre called Pamusha near Cosmo City.
The driver of the car they were in and another female passenger survived the mishap and are out of hospital.
Tapera died instantly while Makore died on the way to hospital. Sanyika was in a coma and succumbed to her injuries last Sunday afternoon.
The driver of the car that hit them, varnished from the scene and the South African Police Service is hunting for him. They just left the wrecked cars and fled the scene.
For a whole week, the community joined hands and attended funeral services throughout the week.
On Friday and Saturday, hundreds brought the township to a standstill and they conducted a street send-off gala at the Windsor East shopping centre.
Police could not even attempt to disrupt the event that was characterized by song and dance as they sent off Tapera and Makore over the two days.
Tapera was repatriated on late Friday afternoon while Makore was sent home on Saturday afternoon.
Makore was in the tree-felling business and his fellow colleagues brought motorised chainsaws imitating what he used to do when he was at work.
Others danced on top of the trailer that was carrying his remains.
Expensive gin, beer and whiskey was poured on top of the trailer as a “way of celebrating his way of life”.
Some ladies sang songs whose lyrics are unprintable claiming he was one of their “clients”.
Some blew condoms and spread them across the tarmac. Fireworks and helium balloons were also in the mix as the ‘celebratory’ mood continued.
Renowned pastor Kelvin Zivavose had a hard time delivering his send-off service sermon.
He had to also climb on top of the hearse in order to be heard. He was flanked by another elder in the community Nyasha Mupimbira.
“Let me remind all of you that you must be always in good books with the Lord. Remember one day you shall leave this earth and you shall be accountable to God.
“Take time to get to learn the word of God. We may be mourning Liberty today but tomorrow it could be you. Be ready for that day,” preached Pastor Kelvin.
A number of other community leaders donated their vehicles to be used during the funeral service.
“As a community of Zimbabweans in a foreign land we need to remain united and help each other especially when it is a time of need like this.
“We have plans to set up a formal society where we will pool funds together so that we assist each other in times of needs,” said James Chetsanga one of the leaders.
After the sermon the hearse moved onto the N1 highway which connects Johannesburg and Beitbridge.
Again there was a traffic blockade as the singing and dancing continued.
Tapera was buried in Mhondoro on Saturday and Makore was expected to be buried in Shurugwi today.
Plans are underway to ensure the remains of Sanyika are sent home before the end of the week. “We will be back again on the streets during the week to ensure Laura gets a decent send-off as well.
“We will not get tired,” quipped one of the ghetto youths known as Hebza “Childish Gambino” Jakaz.

• H Metro

By A Correspondent- The battle for the control of Matabeleland North by Zanu PF factions is heating up with one of the camps accused of resorting to dirty tactics.

Former Tsholotsho senator Believe Gaule, who is said to be a staunch ally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, is seeking to topple Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs minister Richard Moyo as provincial chairperson.

Gaule, a former Zanu PF district coordinating committee chairman for Tsholotsho, is said to be enjoying an upper hand in the race as shown by the outcome of district elections held so far.

In the Hwange district elections held last weekend, Reeds Dube who is fighting in Gaule’s corner polled 475 votes against 65 for Gift Nyoni, a Moyo supporter.

Gaule is said to be controlling five districts, which are his home area of Tsholotsho, Bubi, Binga, Nkayi and Hwange.

On his part Moyo has Umguza in his pocket while Lupane is split between the two protagonists.

Gaule’s supporters are accusing Moyo of employing dirty tactics like threatening to suspend some districts chairpersons for refusing to support him.
He is also accused of using state resources for his campaign activities.
Sources said during the Hwange elections, Moyo’s teams were distributing t-shirts with messages such as “Givie (Gift Nyoni) ngena (get in), Reeds phuma (get out)”.
A message distributed through a WhatsApp group and written by one James Phiri from Hwange read: “On Saturday Lwendulo will decide whether to accept and follow Gaule or remain Zanu PF with Gift Nyoni.
“The good thing about Hwange people is that they will pretend to like you, but take you out through the ballot. Lwendulo think and act wisely.”
Gaule was one of the people behind the Dinyane High School meeting in 2004, which was later to be known as the Tsholotsho Declaration.
A total of six provincial chairpersons namely Philip Chiyangwa (Mashonaland West), now late Themba Ncube (Bulawayo), July Moyo (Midlands), Jacob Mudenda (Matabeleland North), Lloyd Siyoka (Matabeleland South), Daniel Shumba (Masvingo) and Mike Madiro (Manicaland) attended the gathering under the guise of a prize giving ceremony.
It later turned out the meeting was meant to push for Mnangagwa to take over the post of vice president ahead of Joice Mujuru.
The vice presidency had become vacant following the death of Simon Muzenda.
However, at the end of the day then president Robert Mugabe supported Mujuru and Mnangagwa’s plans were scuttled.
At the Dinyane meeting Gaule had brought a leopard skin for Mnangagwa who was supposed to the guest of honour at the prize giving day ceremony, but ended up not turning up due to an emergency politburo meeting and Patrick Chinamasa had to stand in for him.
Artefacts such as leopard skins are only reserved for royalty in the African set-up.
Gaule and Moyo could not be reached for comment yesterday. Standard

By A Correspondent- At least 990 Prison officers have tested positive for Covid-19 in the country’s prisons since the pandemic, the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services has announced.

ZPCS Commissioner-General Moses Chihobvu told the Sunday Mail that they managed to contain the situation and avoided further spreading of the virus.

“As part of measures to contain its (the virus) spread, the ZPCS has been religiously following and adhering to both the WHO (World Health Organisation) and national guidelines and protocols to prevent the spread of this virus.”
He added: “Those infected have been isolated to curb the spread of the disease. Uptake of vaccination has also been pleasing.
“We are also cognisant of the fact that there is a new variant that was recently detected in Botswana and South Africa; hence the ZPCS continues to conduct awareness campaigns within its cantonment areas.
“In terms of statistics, a total number of 992 officers and 2 038 inmates were infected with the virus, with 32 deaths being recorded (10 officers, 18 inmates and four dependants).”

He said 90 percent of all prison officers have been vaccinated against Covid-19.

-Sunday Mail

By A Correspondent- Investment banker and Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) chief executive Mr Douglas Munatsi was buried at Greendale Cemetery in Harare Sunday, with his family demanding answeres on the cause of the fire that killed him.

Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Province Oliver Chidawu described Mr Munatsi as a charismatic man who built big businesses from nothing.
“When we started BancABC, Douglas was the brains behind. I had no idea about a balance sheet, but he was a man who was able to bring talent to achieve his objectives,” he said.
“We did not have money, but we had brains and we achieved a lot. His death is not only a loss to the Munatsi family, but a loss to the whole country.
“We have lost a committed and hardworking man who was determined to work for his country. He was the chief investment officer of the Government; he was also the chief marketing officer of the Government and the void he has left is irreplaceable.”
BancABC chief executive Dr Lance Mambondiani said Mr Munatsi, like his name, did good to people and the nation.
“We recognise Douglas not only as a leader to his family and his private businesses, but also as someone who decided to leave a private life to serve his country.
“He had the courage to do so and he died contributing to his country,” said Dr Mambondiani.
A family friend, Mr Francis Dzanya, said Mr Munatsi was a hardworking family man and great friend.
“People walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave a footprint in your heart. Douglas was an intelligent man and to his children, I say they should follow his footsteps so that his legacy lives on.
“I suggest that one of the streets in Mufakose where Mr Munatsi grew up, should be named after him,” said Mr Dzanya.
National Railways of Zimbabwe board chairman, Advocate Martin Dinha, said: “In the rail sector, as you are aware, we are undergoing recapitalisation; he had a key interest to find that we had investors for the development of railways. The nation has lost a man who had a vision and a passion for the country.”
Former BancABC marketing manager Mr Desmond Ali said Munatsi was a leader in the mould of what “John Maxwell would call a level five leader”.
“He developed others to be leaders,” said Mr Ali.
Family spokesperson, Mr Teddy Gazi said: “We find ourselves recounting incidents where he has impacted our lives. Most certainly, he was somebody we are beginning to miss. Already we are recounting, and feel the void that he has left.”

– Herald

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwean community in Johannesburg’s northern suburb of Windsor East was at the weekend thrown into mourning following the deaths of three of their friends who died in an accident near the Rhema Church in Randburg.

The trio of Liberty Makore (27), Eddie Tapera (26) and Laura Sanyika (24) were killed when an Audi A4 hit the car they were travelling in during the early hours of last Sunday on their way from a popular entertainment centre called Pamusha near Cosmo City.
The driver of the car they were in and another female passenger survived the mishap and are out of hospital.
Tapera died instantly while Makore died on the way to hospital. Sanyika was in a coma and succumbed to her injuries last Sunday afternoon.
The driver of the car that hit them, varnished from the scene and the South African Police Service is hunting for him. They just left the wrecked cars and fled the scene.
For a whole week, the community joined hands and attended funeral services throughout the week.
On Friday and Saturday, hundreds brought the township to a standstill and they conducted a street send-off gala at the Windsor East shopping centre.
Police could not even attempt to disrupt the event that was characterized by song and dance as they sent off Tapera and Makore over the two days.
Tapera was repatriated on late Friday afternoon while Makore was sent home on Saturday afternoon.
Makore was in the tree-felling business and his fellow colleagues brought motorised chainsaws imitating what he used to do when he was at work.
Others danced on top of the trailer that was carrying his remains.
Expensive gin, beer and whiskey was poured on top of the trailer as a “way of celebrating his way of life”.
Some ladies sang songs whose lyrics are unprintable claiming he was one of their “clients”.
Some blew condoms and spread them across the tarmac. Fireworks and helium balloons were also in the mix as the ‘celebratory’ mood continued.
Renowned pastor Kelvin Zivavose had a hard time delivering his send-off service sermon.
He had to also climb on top of the hearse in order to be heard. He was flanked by another elder in the community Nyasha Mupimbira.
“Let me remind all of you that you must be always in good books with the Lord. Remember one day you shall leave this earth and you shall be accountable to God.
“Take time to get to learn the word of God. We may be mourning Liberty today but tomorrow it could be you. Be ready for that day,” preached Pastor Kelvin.
A number of other community leaders donated their vehicles to be used during the funeral service.
“As a community of Zimbabweans in a foreign land we need to remain united and help each other especially when it is a time of need like this.
“We have plans to set up a formal society where we will pool funds together so that we assist each other in times of needs,” said James Chetsanga one of the leaders.
After the sermon the hearse moved onto the N1 highway which connects Johannesburg and Beitbridge.
Again there was a traffic blockade as the singing and dancing continued.
Tapera was buried in Mhondoro on Saturday and Makore was expected to be buried in Shurugwi today.
Plans are underway to ensure the remains of Sanyika are sent home before the end of the week. “We will be back again on the streets during the week to ensure Laura gets a decent send-off as well.
“We will not get tired,” quipped one of the ghetto youths known as Hebza “Childish Gambino” Jakaz.

• H Metro

Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has said the late human rights defender Dewa Mavhinga was a solid democrat and fighter.

Dewa Mavhinga was found dead in a hotel room on Saturday.

Said President Chamisa in a brief statement:

I’m in the countryside yet so gutted and deeply devastated. Death is always an unbearable blow.

We’ve lost a fighter, an intelligent patriot, rights defender & a solid democrat.A Cde in the struggle for freedom in Zimbabwe.A very humble Comrade indeed! My Condolences to his beloved wife Fiona & the entire family.

I’m really saddened. May God grant us the courage to be bold and brave through it all. RIP my Cde!

Statement by MDC Alliance Secretary for Health and Child Welfare Dr Henry Madzorera on the Omicron variant.

About Omicron and how to respond to it

The Omicron variant of SARS CO-V-2 was first identified in Botswana and South Africa just over two weeks ago.

It is now present in all the WHO regions of the world. It has over 30 mutations on its spike protein and this has caused extreme panic among world leaders.

We have seen the introduction of somewhat irrational and knee-jerk decisions that are not guided by science.

It is generally believed that because of the number of mutations of the Omicron variant and the fact that it has all the mutations of previous variants, it is likely to combine all the vicious attributes of previous COVID-19 infections, in terms of transmissibility and possibly, severity of illness.

At this stage, these predictions remain speculation because the epidemic is still unfolding and there is a lot more to learn.

In the meantime, we must all exercise caution and continue to religiously observe all COVID-19 safe protocols.

These include washing our hands regularly with soap, sanitising, wearing masks, respecting cough etiquette, social distancing, avoiding crowded & poorly ventilated rooms, staying outdoors as much as possible and avoiding super spreader events, including funerals, large political gatherings, large celebrations, and ZUPCO buses.

Vaccination of all eligible Zimbabweans remains one of the most important interventions. Government must redouble its efforts to get ten million people vaccinated as soon as possible.

Because of the paucity of information in these early phases of the omicron pandemic, these tried and tested scientifically proven methods of transmission prevention should suffice.

Unfortunately, the ill-thought-out COVID-19 containment measures announced by the developed world do not have the backing of Science and do not inspire any sense of global solidarity in the fight against the pandemic.

As new evidence accrues, we hope those measures will be proven impotent and be reviewed promptly.

The Government of Zimbabwe has also announced measures to contain the virus and prevent a nasty fourth wave.

These measures include mandatory PCR testing for COVID-19 at ports of entry and mandatory quarantine, both at the expense of those travelling.

Unfortunately, these measures have been clumsily imposed without regard for the science and the consequences of the said measures.

Most agree that imposing a mandatory two-week quarantine for persons who test negative is grossly unreasonable and must be reconsidered.

We implore the government to remove the unreasonable border controls, especially the mandatory quarantine particularly for those who test negative.

Mass testing remains important to ensure we isolate those with the infection. The testing should be done by government at a nominal fee and on a not for profit basis.

This is not the time for anybody to profiteer from the pandemic. The economic burden is heavy on the people already. Self-isolation can be done at home as has been in the past.

Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono has announced that the High Court has dismissed charges of incitement to Public Violence laid against him by the state when he was arrested in July last year.

Chin’ono who has endured 15 months before the Harare Magistrates court applied for exception of charges on the basis that the charges raised by the state did not amount to a criminal offence.

His application was dismissed at the Harare Magistrates court prompting him to approach the High Court to challenge the decision of the lower court.

The High Court has just dismissed charges against him.

“The High Court of Zimbabwean has dismissed the charges against me for Incitement to Public Violence. It means my arrest was & my case were trumped up as I have always argued! I spent the past 15 months in jails and courts for something that I didn’t do! It was cruel and tragic,” said Chin’ono while posting on Twitter.

By A Correspondent- The rape trial of Harare-based pastor, Tapiwa Freddy, has been set for the 6th of January 2022.

The founder and leader of Goodness and Mercy Ministries appeared in court for his routine remand this Monday.

Prosecutors told the court that they are prepared to commence the trial on the 6th of January 2022 after carrying out further investigations.

Freddy (39), is facing allegations of raping a 33-year-old Harare woman on several occasions.

The self-styled prophet was arrested last month on allegations of raping the woman after promising to assist her with the upkeep of her child.

The court heard that three months after the death of the complainant’s husband in 2020, Freddy proposed love to the woman but she spurned her advances as she was still mourning her husband as per traditional protocols.

Some time in November 2020, Freddy reportedly visited the complainant’s rural home to see her child.

On his return, Freddy allegedly raped the complainant and instructed her to consider him as her new husband, threatening to cast a spell over her if she resisted.

Prosecutors further alleged that sometime in August this year, Freddy took her victim to Moja Shopping Centre in Mbare.

He reportedly physically abused the woman, who is physically challenged and nearly overran her following a heated argument-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe recorded one death and 523 new cases of Covid-19 yesterday, statistics from the Health ministry have revealed.

By A Correspondent- Exiled former ZANU PF politburo member Professor Jonathan Moyo has warned President Emmerson Mnangagwa against trying to oust his deputy in government and in the ruling party, Constantino Chiwenga.

This follows reports that Mnangagwa’s allies are plotting a vote of no confidence against Chiwenga fearing that he may want to run for the presidency in 2023.

Chiwenga was Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) commander in 2017 when the military overthrew the late Robert Mugabe and replaced him with Mnangagwa.

Other reports allege Mnangagwa and Chiwenga fell out immediately after colluding to get rid of Mugabe after the former reneged on a deal to serve only one presidential term.

Writing on Twitter, Moyo, who was was part of the G40 faction which rivalled Mnangagwa’s Lacoste, said history is now repeating itself. Said Moyo:History repeats itself as a farce. People in ZANU PF need to wake up and smell the coffee.

Some of us learnt our lessons about Mnangagwa’s treachery in 2004; after the so-called Tsholotsho Declaration.

Emmerson is a user. In short, he is a snake. He used Chiwenga in 2017.

The Tsholotsho Declaration refers to a clandestine meeting organised by a faction loyal to Mnangagwa in 2004 to plot ZANU PF’s succession.

The plot’s objective was to have Mnangagwa elevated to the vice presidency ahead of Joice Mujuru, succeeding the late Simon Muzenda.

In another tweet, Moyo suggested that Mnangagwa’s loyalists in Masvingo and Midlands Provinces were plotting Chiwenga’s downfall unaware that they were playing with fire. Wrote Moyo:

Dear Mnangagwa, your clansmen in Zanu PF are mobilising dirty tricks against your deputy in government, who is also one of your two deputies in your party.

You do not need me of all people to warn you that you are playing a dangerous game, as good as digging your own political grave!

Mnangagwa carried out a coup to grab power, lying that he is bringing in a new dispensation and a new Republic to end what used to happen in the Mugabe days; yet he is doing the same and, in some cases, doing worse.

By A Correspondent- Civil servants will continue getting their salaries in local currency even though they received their bonuses in US dollars.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube on Friday revealed that while bonuses were paid in foreign currency, Government will continue to pay salaries in local currency.

Civil servants’ representatives have been pushing for salaries to be paid in foreign currency but Ncube said payment of bonuses in USD is a “once-off gesture” from President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Said Ncube:

No (We are not going to pay salaries in US dollars.) This is a once-off gesture from His Excellency, just to deal with inflationary pressures that we saw emerging in this last quarter.

We will continue to pay our normal salaries in Zimbabwe dollars.

Ncube said Treasury has released about US$120 million for civil servants’ bonuses as well as civil service pensioners and war veterans and this has been done to cushion them against rising inflation.

He said:

In terms of the civil servants bonuses for this year, we basically released about US$120 million.

We hope this will go a long way in dealing with the inflationary pressures they are facing.

This is the decision of the President to deal with those inflationary pressures. Inflation has been ticking up so we just want to make sure that they are protected from this inflation.

So, we thought that it would be a good idea to certainly pay them in US dollars. This also covers pensioners, as well as war veterans.

By A Correspondent- Vendors selling foodstuffs, mainly drinks, fruits and snacks at most toll gates across the country are now engaged in illegal forex deals thereby depriving the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) of the much-needed foreign currency.

The vendors are reportedly buying foreign currency at black market rates so motorists can use Zimbabwe dollars to pay tollgate fees at official rates.

The majority of motorists will be more than willing to deal with the forex dealers as they will be paying less in local currency than in USD since there is a huge discrepancy between the official rate used by ZINARA and the parallel market rate used by vendors.

ZINARA charges US$2 for light vehicles or ZWL$164 in local currency. Vendors would offer motorists ZWL$164 for just US$1 making it a no-brainer for the latter to take the offer.

As a result, ZINARA is being deprived of thousands of US dollars in potential revenue as the money is being mopped up at tollgates by the vendors as motorists choose to convert their USD to local currency which they then use to pay toll fees.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said vending and money changing at tollgates is against the law and those engaging in such activities will be arrested.

He said:

As the police and ZINARA, we have taken a common position that vending and foreign currency dealings at tollgates are illegal.

The police will take all the necessary measures to ensure the illegal vendors are removed from tollgates.

Those who resist will be arrested. We also urged ZINARA officials who are also at toll gates to conscientise the people that vending and money changing are illegal.

Asst Comm Nyathi also warned police officers who dabble in such activities and join money-changers that the long arm of the law will catch up with them.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- A Harare man swallowed 20 ecstasy tablets to avoid arrest after he was cornered by police detectives.

Aubrey David John Judge (55) of Greendale, Harare, appeared before Harare magistrate Stanford Mambanje on Friday facing charges of unlawful possession of dangerous drugs

He was represented by Macpatrick Zinyakatira. His bail ruling was set for Monday.

Prosecutors told the court that on 1 December this year at around 3 PM, detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Drugs Section, Harare, received a tip-off that the accused was in possession of dangerous drugs.

The detectives proceeded to Arcadia Shopping Centre in Braeside, Harare where they located the accused and identified themselves.

John Judge then immediately swallowed a plastic sachet containing 20 ecstasy tablets in a bid to conceal them.

The detectives forced him to spit out the plastic sachet containing the pills.

Tests were conducted and came out positive for Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, which is a part of a dangerous drug with an approximate weight of 4.5 grams.

The 20 ecstasy tablets had a street value of $20 000.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Over 2000 inmates have tested positive for Covid-19 in the country’s prisons since the pandemic outbreak, the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services has announced.

ZPCS Commissioner-General Moses Chihobvu told the Sunday Mail that they managed to contain the situation and avoided further spreading of the virus.

“As part of measures to contain its (the virus) spread, the ZPCS has been religiously following and adhering to both the WHO (World Health Organisation) and national guidelines and protocols to prevent the spread of this virus.”
He added: “Those infected have been isolated to curb the spread of the disease. Uptake of vaccination has also been pleasing.
“We are also cognisant of the fact that there is a new variant that was recently detected in Botswana and South Africa; hence the ZPCS continues to conduct awareness campaigns within its cantonment areas.
“In terms of statistics, a total number of 992 officers and 2 038 inmates were infected with the virus, with 32 deaths being recorded (10 officers, 18 inmates and four dependants).”

He said 90 percent of all prison officers have been vaccinated against Covid-19.

-Sunday Mail

By A Correspondent- Pedzisai Scott Sakupwanya, a dealer considered close to the first family, has been kicked out of a gold mining venture in Penhalonga, Manicaland province.
Sakupwanya’s Better Brands company had been allocated 132 gold claims at Redwing Ming Company (RMC) under hazy circumstances.
Rival miners, the surrounding community and local advocacy groups were accusing Sakupwanya of having become the law unto himself by terrorising competitors and defying the police for causing extensive environmental damage at Redwing.
They reported that the gold miner claimed that the mining concessions he was running in Penhalonga belonged to President Mnangagwa.
Sakupwanya is a prominent member of the Affirmative Action Group, which is considered an elitist club of ruling ZANU PF sympathisers disguised as beneficiaries of black empowerment.
In early October, Information for Development Trust (IDT), working in collaboration with The Standard newspaper, reached out to Charamba over Sakupwanya’s alleged abuse of the president’s name and he threatened that namedroppers would “rot in jail”.

There has been a serious level of name-dropping by people who are trying to ride rough-shod over the law in the name of the leadership. We take a very dim view of such personalities and in the event that we catch up with them, those guys will rot in jail.
Tell that Sakupwanya that, really, he must look at his articles of association and see if the president is a shareholder (in Betterbrands).
A follow-up by Grazers News, the IDT online publication, established that the caretaker management at Redwing had resolved to stop Better Brands from operating at the goldfields.

In a letter dated 29 November 2021 that was addressed to Better Brands, Knowledge Hofisi, the Redwing interim corporate rescue manager, said he had replaced Sakupwanya’s company.
Duatlet Investments is now set to partner with Redwing, a subsidiary of Metallon Corporation that is domiciled in the UK. Part of the letter reads:
Accordingly, any and all mining activities that are being carried out by Better Brands Mining Company have been suspended and suppressed by the new arrangement and should therefore stop by end of business today. In other words they should immediately vacate RMC premises.
The local community also accused Sakupwanya of fuelling criminal cases in the area after he hired artisanal miners from Kwekwe to boost his operations.
The artisanal miners, commonly known as Mashurugwi, allegedly beat up rivals and went on a stealing spree in the area.
Previous investigations showed that Better Brands’ operations were in violation of Statutory Instrument (SI) 258 of 2018 Environmental Management (Control of Alluvial Mining) (Amendment) Regulations, which outlaws setting up washing plants, ore stockpiles, slime dams or mining ponds within 500 meters from river banks.

-Online

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF supporters in Masvingo last week passed a vote of no confidence to the Minister of State for Masvingo, Ezra Chadzamira, accusing the top politician of engaging in corruption activities.

The party supporters staged a demonstration at the Zanu PF provincial offices a day before Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s visit to the city last Friday for a clean-up campaign.

Zanu PF Women’s League members donning party regalia waved placards denouncing Chadzamira, accusing him of corruption and dividing the ruling party.

The minister, who doubles as the party’s provincial chairperson, stands accused of allocating land and mining claims to close allies while abusing his political muscle.

ZANU PF Masvingo provincial commissar Jevas Masosota confirmed there was a demonstration against Chadzamira but said the party was fully behind the embattled minister despite the shenanigans to soil his name.
He suggested that the demonstration could be connected to the upcoming ZANU PF provincial elections.

Chadzamira, a top ally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, was recently arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) over alleged corruption.

However, the matter was dropped following the intervention of senior ZANU PF officials.
Reports suggest that there has been intense fighting between Chadzamira and his Vice-Chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa who is allegedly eyeing to take over the chairmanship post from Chadzamira.

Meanwhile, former ZANU PF MP for Chivi South, Killer Zivhu has warned that the opposition MDC Alliance will gain ground in the province if the intraparty fighting continues. He said:
The confusion in Masvingo Province is a big advantage to Chamisa, mukaita zvokutamba mukomana Masvingo unopinda akavhara kumeso chaiko. [Chamisa will easily take Masvingo if you continue fighting] This demonstrations must be solved nicely kwete zviya zvechibhinya bhinya [not violently], vatotanga kuti #NgaapindeHakeMukomana kumamisha hazviperi mushe. [the rural folks have already started chanting Chamisa’s slogan – NgaapindeHakeMukomana].

Earlier this year, war veterans staged another demonstration in Chiredzi against Chadzamira over the corrupt allocation of sugarcane plots in the Lowveld.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services has announced that 59 prisoners broke out of correctional facilities countrywide this year.

ZPCS Commissioner-General Moses Chihobvu announced this through the Sunday Mail and blamed his staff for the escapes.

“A total of 59 escapees have so far been recorded in 2021 as compared to 48 recorded over the same period in year 2020,” he said.
“However, notwithstanding such escape incidents, the ZPCS continues to conscientise its staff on the need to be vigilant during the call of duty.
Comm-Gen Chihobvu said over 2 000 prisoners have been infected with Covid-19 since the outbreak of the pandemic.
He said 90 percent of all prison officers have been vaccinated against Covid-19.

“As part of measures to contain its (the virus) spread, the ZPCS has been religiously following and adhering to both the WHO (World Health Organisation) and national guidelines and protocols to prevent the spread of this virus.”
He added: “Those infected have been isolated to curb the spread of the disease. Uptake of vaccination has also been pleasing.
“We are also cognisant of the fact that there is a new variant that was recently detected in Botswana and South Africa, hence the ZPCS continues to conduct awareness campaigns within its cantonment areas.
“In terms of statistics, a total number of 992 officers and 2 038 inmates were infected with the virus, with 32 deaths being recorded (10 officers, 18 inmates and four dependants).”

-Sunday Mail

By A Correspondent- A Bulawayo-based police officer was found dead in the early hours of Sunday with a deep cut on the back of the head and bruises in the mouth, raising suspicions that he was murdered.

The body of the law enforcement agent was found near Eyethu Sports Bar at Makoni Shopping Centre in Pumula South around 1.30 AM in an area where bar owners were allegedly routinely flouting COVID-19 lockdown measures by operating late into the night.

Residents who spoke to The Sunday News said gangs were patrolling the area and drinking beer at local bars late into the night.

They said the body was discovered by two officers who were on night patrol after a resident reported the matter to the police.

Speaking to The Sunday News, a police officer preferred anonymity their colleague was on the morning shift at Emthunzini base and had knocked off duty at 1 PM on Friday. He said:

The police officers proceeded to check on the state of the body.

When they checked for a pulse on the neck and wrist, no pulse could be felt.

Upon discovering that the body was lifeless one of the officers went to the station to inform their superior.

He added that they managed to positively identify the body as that of their colleague.

The body had a deep cut at the back of the head on the right side and bruises on the mouth, said the officer.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) had not yet commented on the matter.

More: The Sunday News

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has assured members of the security forces that they will not lose their jobs in the new and democratic Zimbabwe.

According to President Chamisa, only the failed Zanu PF leadership will be replaced.

The People’s President made the remarks at the unveiling of Gogo Chamisa’s tombstone in Chiwara, Gutu.

“The army, police and CIOs are patriotic civil servants. We will not replace the security forces- rather we will remove the failed Zanu PF political leadership.

” We will improve the conditions of service for security forces.

Why should a member of the security forces retire without a house? A soldier or police officer’s welfare is a reflection of the government’s concern about its workers,” said President Chamisa.

He added:” I am ready to lead… I am ready to deliver jobs to the young people…I am ready to deliver proper healthcare services.

I am ready to lead the nation… I am ready to end decades of poverty and suffering.

I am ready to end years of Zanu PF oppression.”

By Dorrothy Moyo | The court-doctored party MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora has announced he wants a government of national unity.

Last year Mwonzora who has battled distancing himself from Emerson Mnangagwa, denied he is aiming for a unity government, and said at the time:

“In those chats, an impression is being created that I am in discussions with the government to form a Government of National Unity in which I will be Prime Minister.

“The chats are fake and malicious.

“For the record, my goal is not to be Prime Minister of Zimbabwe.

“My dream is to see a just and prosperous Zimbabwe where people make their political choices freely and without fear. A Zimbabwe free of political acrimony and rancour. The screenshots being circulated are just fake, cheap and malicious. Unintelligently done.

But speaking over his latest tours, Mwonzora said his structures have opted for unity with ZANU PF leader Emerson Mnangagwa.

https://youtu.be/YQOsJIKPSZ0

“This is one of the first meetings we are doing, to spread our message of dialogue; our message is to make people ready for elections. But basically, it was consultations and advising people of the decision made by the national council for us to intensify the issue of dialogue,” Mwonzora said.

“The results of dialogues are known. We may have a GNU or whatever arrangement, and that is what I was talking about. We want to follow in the footsteps of Morgan Tsvangirai. He did dialogue and it was in the best interests of the people of Zimbabwe. And we want to follow suit. It is up to the people of Zimbabwe, I am ready to serve what the people of Zimbabwe will ask me to do.”