By A Correspondent-Some residents in Bulawayo’s Tshabalala suburb have gone for a week without electricity following the theft of copper cables.

The residents said they intercepted the daring thieves while cutting the cables and they fled in panic, leaving the cables lying on the ground before they hopped into a ZESA branded vehicle and sped off.

A witness, Bongani Dube, told CITE that the incident happened on November 23, 2021, around 2 am.

Dube said he was in the house studying when he heard a loud noise outside and went to investigate.

“Initially I thought maybe it was people trying to break into my car. I got a torch and went outside. I discovered they had actually stepped on my garage roof but it gave in because of their weight because the zinc is now very old,” narrated Dube.

“When I got outside I saw a man running on top of the precast wall. I rushed outside the gate and I saw him jump into a car with ZESA branding which was parked on the road. The car had no number plates.”

Dube said they made a report to the police but they were referred to ZESA.

“The police said this is a ZESA issue. We have been to the ZESA offices countless times but they haven’t come here. We fear for our safety. These cables have been lying here since then and we don’t know if they are live or not. We are also in the rainy season so we fear the worst. My neighbours are now using the back entrance because these cables are right on their gate,” he said.

ZETDC acting spokesperson Prisca Utete could not immediately comment on the issue but asked that the questions be emailed to her.
-CITE

By A Correspondent- Police have since questioned at least five people in connection with the death of Mr Doug Munatsi, who died in an inferno early Monday.

Mr Munatsi was the chief executive for the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA).

It is understood the businessman was alone in his penthouse at the upmarket Northfields apartments in Harare when a fire engulfed his room.
Among those that have been interviewed are the informant and neighbour Mr Charles Gardner (32), a security guard at the flats Shupai Zifunge (47) and Martin Chitura (41) of Borrowdale who was employed by Mr Munatsi as a personal driver.

Others are Saurosi Marichambo (53) who was employed by the now deceased as a chef since 2020 and the deceased’s younger brother Cardmelon Munatsi (47) of Kunatsa Estates, Matepatepa area.
They all informed the police the last time they had communicated with Mr Munatsi. The matter is being handled by detectives from CID Homicide.
Mr Gardner resides on the 10th floor, while Mr Munatsi occupied the 9th floor.
Investigations show that at around 2.50am on Monday, Mr Gardner was awakened by an explosion-like noise.

Mr Gardner went to the balcony to check where the noise was coming from and saw smoke coming from Mr Munatsi’s apartment.
He also heard a voice that was shouting for help and then alerted the fire brigade at the same time running down to the ground floor to seek help.
When police arrived at the scene, they observed that the main bedroom was extensively damaged by fire to the extent that all windows and doors were broken while all the furniture in the bedroom had been burnt.
Mr Munatsi’s body was found in the main bedroom with some burns on the hands and legs.
The body was taken to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals mortuary for post-mortem.

By A Correspondent- President Mnangagwa has announced that all returning residents should undergo PCR testing and quarantine at their own cost, even with a negative PCR test.

Here is what he announced Tuesday evening include :
-All returning residents to undergo PCR testing and quarantine at their own cost even with negative PCR test
-Curfew now 9pm to 6am

-All shops open 7am to 7pm
-Number and behaviour of persons attending gatherings must observe WHO protocols i.e masking, social distancing and sanitising.
-Covid funerals to be supervised by Ministry of Health and Environmental health technicians
-No liquor to be consumed at bottle stores which cease to be drinking premises until further notice

-Nightclubs and bars will admit vaccinated clients only
-Restaurants to close at 7 pm
-All those eligible should get vaccinated
The new measures will be reviewed after 14 days.

By A Correspondent-Police have lift the lid on the circumstances surrounding the death of Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), chief executive officer Douglas Munatsi, saying an explosion was heard before an inferno gutted the prominent banker’s Harare flat while he was still inside.

Munatsi died early Monday morning after failing to escape from his seven-roomed flat comprising three bedrooms, dining room, lounge, kitchen, and Gym.
Police forensic team is currently working with the Fire brigade to ascertain cause of explosion.
Police say they are also on the hunt for a guest who was recorded as the last person to visit the now deceased, a few hours before the fire.
She was recorded at the entrance as Colleta NFPK. It is not clear why she did not provide her full name.
The prominent banker is said to have cried for help when a fire broke out in his flat around 2:50AM on Monday.
“On 29 November 2021 at around 0250hours, the informant (Charles Gardner) heard some explosion-like noise and he woke up and went to the balcony to check where the noise was coming from, reads a police memo.
“The informant saw smoke coming from the now deceased’s flat which is directly below his flat and a voice that was shouting ‘Fire please help‘. Informant then phoned fire brigade at the same time running down stairs to the ground floor. A report was made at ZRP Harare Central.”
Police observed that Munatsi’s main bedroom was extensively damaged by fire to the extent that all windows and doors were broken, all the furniture in the bedroom were extensively burnt that only steel frames for the bed and built in cupboards were observed.
“The remains of the deceased was found in a sitting position just beside the tub in the main bedroom with some burns on the hands and legs, he was putting on a red T shirt and a black pair of shorts which were not burnt to suggest that the deceased could have been burnt by the heat of the fire and not direct flames,” police said.
Gardner is said to have told the police that he heard sound as if something had exploded at about 02:50AM and woke up to check and discovered that there was smoke coming from the now deceased’s flat.
He also mentioned that he heard the now deceased calling for help. Same mentioned that he phoned Fire Brigade at about 2:53AM at the same time telling the now deceased to come out. “The informant stated that he then ran down stairs on foot since there was no electricity on the flat since about 1445 hours on Saturday 27 November 2021. He further narrated that Fire Brigade arrived at the scene at about 0311 hours but had some challenges in accessing the flat since it was on the 9th floor. The informant mentioned that Fire brigade only finished extinguishing the fire at about 0530 hours,” police said.
“Also interviewed was Shupai Zifunge aged 47 years NR 04-070519 B 04 of Block 7, C10 Shawasha Flats, Mbare, Harare who is employed by Securico Security Company as a security guard based at Northfields Flats.”
“Same indicated that he last saw the now deceased on 28 November 2021 at about 1820 hours when he (deceased) told him that he was expecting a guest at the flat and he asked the informant to escort the guest to his flat when she arrived. The guard further mentioned that the said guest who was recorded on the security check point book as Coleta NFPK arrived at about 1905 and he escorted her to the now deceased’s flat. The said guest left the flat at about 2118 hours on foot. Shupai Zifunge further stated that on 29 November 2021 around 0300 hours he heard some explosion and he went out of the guardroom and saw the informant running downstairs telling him that there was a fire in flat number C9.”

-Zim Morning Post

By A Correspondent- The government of Zimbabwe has announced plans to recruit 10 000 teachers in 2022 in a bid to reduce the teacher-to-pupil ratio and decongest schools.

While presenting the 2022 national budget last Thursday, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube $11.6 billion will be allocated to the education sector.

He said the main objective is to decongest schools and support the infrastructural refurbishment of both primary and secondary, and tertiary education institutions.

The current teaching workforce is around 136 000, while the teacher-to-pupil ratio is 1:70 on average. Ncube said:

Government seeks to reduce the teacher-to-pupil ratio, and has set aside resources for the recruitment of 10 000 teachers in 2022.

To implement the ministry’s priority projects, an amount of $11.6 billion is being allocated to the Primary and Secondary Education ministry under the 2022 national budget. The demand for education services covering primary, secondary, higher and tertiary levels have been growing over the years. This has not been matched with infrastructural development programmes due to resource and capacity constraints, among others.

He added that the need to decongest existing schools in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and reduction of walking distance has prompted the need for additional facilities.

The minister also said there will be a need to procure information communication technology gadgets to promote e-learning during the COVID-19 era.

Meanwhile, teachers have in the past two years been protesting periodically over poor salaries and working conditions.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Some 66 passengers aboard a cross border MBT bus to South Africa were yesterday robbed of R167 050 and $7 367 after three armed robbers who had pretended to be genuine passengers drew out pistols and started shooting at passengers and at the roof of the bus while ordering the bus driver to stop.

Police confirmed the incident which occurred at the 186km peg along the Harare-Masvingo Highway near Mvuma around 11pm.
The bus driver, Mr Lazarus Mungadzi (46) and three passengers were injured.
One female passenger was shot on the chest and is in a critical condition and admitted to Gweru Provincial Hospital. Some of the passengers who spoke to The Herald said they were traumatised.
“We had a safe sail all the way from Harare where we left around 7pm when all of a sudden, there were gun shots and barking of orders in the bus as we approached Mvuma town.
“I was occupying one of the front seats and it was so frightening seeing one of the robbers besides me brandishing a pistol and shooting at the driver as the bus was moving,” said one of the victims, Mr Brain Mashoko.
Mr Mashoko said he had no cash on him as he was travelling to Masvingo, but could not escape the beating and kicking from the robbers.
“I complied with their orders when they approached me, I was just honest with them that I was not a cross border as my destination was Masvingo, but for failing to get a cent out of me, I was slapped kicked and shoved against the seats,” he said.
Mr Mashoko said after searching everyone, taking away cash and cellphones, the robbers ordered everyone to get back to their respective seats.
“They then disembarked and ordered the driver who was bleeding from gun wounds to drive off, we then drove to Mvuma police station where we filed a report,” he said.
According to the police, the scene was later attended to at around 9 am yesterday and four spent cartridges were recovered.
“There were also blood stains all over the bus,” he said. Herald

Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has warned Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa against using State institutions to suppress dissenting voices.

President Chamisa condemned the brutal murder of Movement for Democratic Change Alliance member Nyasha Zhambe by known Zanu PF agents.

President Chamisa, quoted by The Standard, accused the Zanu PF regime of murdering thousands of innocent citizens.

In an exclusive interview with the publication President Chamisa said:

“There is no shame or sense of accountability on the part of those responsible.

This is one of many cases we face as opposition and human rights defenders who continue to be treated in such a manner.

It is clear the leopard has not and will not change its spots,” said President Chamisa.

“This is an ominous sign of a dark cloud hovering over our nation, but nobody stays in charge forever.

No power is permanent and no authority is endless. Let us understand that all we do will hurt and haunt us one day.

It’s not good to have such impunity.

The nation needs healing and we need peace-builders not those who burn bridges.

The most unfortunate thing is we have the latter in the majority by those who are responsible.”

I have heard so many reports of people being followed door to door in Mhondoro where some headmen’s houses were searched, with those involved accusing them of harbouring ploughs and seeds I was said to have given them.

We have had cases of the military having meetings with chiefs where I had addressed like they did in Manicaland. It’s all part of the intimidation process.

The Zimbabwean crisis is man-made and authored by bad politics and bad governance,”he added.

“We can point at any external source, but for one finger pointing at that, four fingers are pointing at us.”

FORUS PRESIDENT’S SPEECH TO ZIMBABWE – “I am the truth to Power and power belongs to you the voter”

Today is a historic day in the FORUS family and Zimbabwe at large as we collectively embark on this first step towards total transformation of our lives. Through consultative engagement that we have been doing over the years and countrywide toured that I did with my team in the country’s ten provinces, we came up with a FORUS Party Manifesto with substance towards excellency in service delivery and practical solutions for Zimbabwean problems as demonstrated by our policies. We are showing, through our manifesto that we launch today as we officially commence our campaign, that indeed, we have a plan for economic emancipation, development, clean government with a clear vision to restore Zimbabwe to its glory status and prosperous future for generations to come.

FORUS PARTY VISION FOR ZIMBABWE

FORUS’s vision is that of a Sovereign Zimbabwe in which a democratic decision-making ‘order-maintaining’ state facilitates freedom of enterprising underpinned by the rule of law and property rights, to achieve transformation, justice, equality and prosperity for all. FORUS is a liberal democratic party whose core values includes:

• Recognition of the importance of the liberation of Zimbabwe in laying the first step of the country; thus commits to a fresh and transformational leadership that will complete and finish the unfinished business of the liberation struggle,
• The promotion of a democratic, transformative market economy where the regulatory role is to create a highly sophisticated and highly technologized society,
• Freedom, equality and justice that enable individuals to pursue their own interests,
• Safeguarding of civil rights and liberties based on the observation and respect of the rule of law,
• Accountable, transparency, responsible and people-centred leadership and government. FORUS Party therefore pledges:
• To build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which Zimbabweans seek to balance the fundamental values of economic freedom, equality and community, and in which no one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity
• Cultivate a transformational and servanthood leadership, selflessness and transparency, with zero tolerance to corruption to accelerate economic growth.
• Promote service delivery as a democratic right, a legitimate expectation and responsibility.
• Commits to fulfil, the war against poverty, unemployment, under-development, lack of opportunities and inequality.
• Ensure an efficient and predictable public sector incorporating participation and the rule of law, and democratic governance.
• Dispersed power to foster diversity and to nurture creativity.
• Based on the principles of constitutionalism, the rule of Law, respect of property and human rights and the creation of a consensus state.
• Gender-sensitive approach to governance, recognising and promoting the role of women, senior citizens, disabled and the youth in our governance systems.
• Address the issues such as transitional justice, national healing and reconciliation.
• Restoration of the social contract, building strong and independent institutions, economic devolution and equal development, establishment of a consensus state, eliminating corruption at all levels of power, development and urbanization of rural areas and infrastructure transformation.

To us the most effective leadership today isn’t about technical expertise and having all the answers. It’s about being an accommodative human, showing vulnerability, connecting and engaging with people, and being able to unleash their potential

By A Correspondent- Police in Chiredzi have arrested Alex Muchocha who allegedly killed his girlfriend and dumped her body at a dumping site.

The police confirmed the arrest on their Twitter handle and applauded residents for doing a sterling job and assisting with information leading to the apprehension of the suspect.

Said the ZRP in a tweet:

“The ZRP confirms the arrest of Alex Muchocha (45) in connection with the murder of his ex-girlfriend Mercy Zibhowa at Chiredzi Dumping Site on 22/11/21.

The suspect was arrested in Hippo Valley on 28/11/21 following a tip of from members of the public.

“Meanwhile, the ZRP applauds members of the public for supplying  vital information leading to the arrest of the suspect.”

By A Correspondent- Dutch health authorities announced on Tuesday that they found the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus in cases dating back as long as 11 days, indicating that it was already spreading in western Europe before the first cases were identified in southern Africa.

The RIVM health institute said it found Omicron in samples dating from November 19 and 23.

Those findings predate the positive cases found among passengers who came from South Africa last Friday and were tested at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport. The RIVM said:

It is not yet clear whether the people concerned [in the earlier cases] have also been to southern Africa.

RIVM added that the individuals had been informed of their Omicron infections and that local health services had started contact tracing. 

The institute added that it would re-examine more samples from previous COVID test results.

Belgium and Germany have also said that sample tests confirm the variant was in those countries before South African health officials alerted the world on November 24 of its existence.

Omicron has now spread to about 20 other countries, and many nations have imposed travel restrictions on passengers from southern African nations. 

This is amid fears that it could be significantly easier to pass from person to person and that it could have at least some resistance to current treatments and vaccines. 

Meanwhile, criticism is growing over the travel restrictions on passengers from Southern African countries. 

More: CBS News

By A Correspondent- Two members of the Zimbabwe National army died in a road traffic accident involving a Mazda Premacy vehicle and a haulage truck near Buffalo Range Airport along the Triangle-Ngundu highway this Monday.

The Zimbabwe National Army confirmed that the deceased were serving members deployed to provide security to the Buffalo Range International Airport.

In a statement, ZNA Four Infantry Brigade Public Relations Officer, Warrant Officer Class One, Emmanuel Muchaziwepi said the deceased are Lance Corporal Nehemia Mabuto and Private Tatenda Nyambi who were in the Mazda Premacy.

The haulage truck was towing two trailers loaded with 34 tonnes of sugar cane.

Lance Corporal Mabuto, who was driving the Mazda Premacy vehicle, died on the spot while Private Nyambi was pronounced dead upon arrival at Chiredzi District Hospital.

-ZBC

By A Correspondent- President Mnangagwa has announced fresh Covid-19 regulations which now require all returning residents to undergo PCR testing and quarantine at their own cost even with negative PCR test.

The new measures he announced Tuesday evening include :
-All returning residents to undergo PCR testing and quarantine at their own cost even with negative PCR test
-Curfew now 9pm to 6am

-All shops open 7am to 7pm
-Number and behaviour of persons attending gatherings must observe WHO protocols i.e masking, social distancing and sanitising.
-Covid funerals to be supervised by Ministry of Health and Environmental health technicians
-No liquor to be consumed at bottle stores which cease to be drinking premises until further notice

-Nightclubs and bars will admit vaccinated clients only
-Restaurants to close at 7 pm
-All those eligible should get vaccinated
The new measures will be reviewed after 14 days.

-Herald

By A Correspondent- The High Court has ruled that the US$20 million contract entered between Drax Consult SALG (Drax) the National Pharmaceutical Company (Natpharm) for the supply of medicines and medical sundries by the former to the latter was valid.

Drax is owned by Delish Nguwaya, who is a close friend of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s twin sons.

The ruling comes after Drax approached the High Court, contesting an arbitral award nullifying the tender it had been granted for the supply of the medicines and surgical sundries.

Justice Webster Chinamora today granted the application by Drax finding that the Procurement Regulations of Zimbabwe Authority Zimbabwe gave authority to Natpharm to act in accordance with a resolution that had been made in procuring the required medicines and surgical sundries.
The contract was brusquely cancelled after a national public outcry following corruption allegations surrounding it.
However, Drax local representative Delish Nguwaya and former health minister Obadiah Moyo who were arrested in connection to corruption charges relating to the contract, have since been cleared of the charges while three Natpharm top executives have since been removed from remand over the same charges.

• Herald

By A Correspondent-Police have lift the lid on the circumstances surrounding the death of Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), chief executive officer Douglas Munatsi, saying an explosion was heard before an inferno gutted the prominent banker’s Harare flat while he was still inside.

Munatsi died early Monday morning after failing to escape from his seven-roomed flat comprising three bedrooms, dining room, lounge, kitchen, and Gym.
Police forensic team is currently working with the Fire brigade to ascertain cause of explosion.
Police say they are also on the hunt for a guest who was recorded as the last person to visit the now deceased, a few hours before the fire.
She was recorded at the entrance as Colleta NFPK. It is not clear why she did not provide her full name.

The prominent banker is said to have cried for help when a fire broke out in his flat around 2:50AM on Monday.
“On 29 November 2021 at around 0250hours, the informant (Charles Gardner) heard some explosion-like noise and he woke up and went to the balcony to check where the noise was coming from, reads a police memo.
“The informant saw smoke coming from the now deceased’s flat which is directly below his flat and a voice that was shouting ‘Fire please help‘. Informant then phoned fire brigade at the same time running down stairs to the ground floor. A report was made at ZRP Harare Central.”
Police observed that Munatsi’s main bedroom was extensively damaged by fire to the extent that all windows and doors were broken, all the furniture in the bedroom were extensively burnt that only steel frames for the bed and built in cupboards were observed.
“The remains of the deceased was found in a sitting position just beside the tub in the main bedroom with some burns on the hands and legs, he was putting on a red T shirt and a black pair of shorts which were not burnt to suggest that the deceased could have been burnt by the heat of the fire and not direct flames,” police said.
Gardner is said to have told the police that he heard sound as if something had exploded at about 02:50AM and woke up to check and discovered that there was smoke coming from the now deceased’s flat.
He also mentioned that he heard the now deceased calling for help. Same mentioned that he phoned Fire Brigade at about 2:53AM at the same time telling the now deceased to come out. “The informant stated that he then ran down stairs on foot since there was no electricity on the flat since about 1445 hours on Saturday 27 November 2021. He further narrated that Fire Brigade arrived at the scene at about 0311 hours but had some challenges in accessing the flat since it was on the 9th floor. The informant mentioned that Fire brigade only finished extinguishing the fire at about 0530 hours,” police said.
“Also interviewed was Shupai Zifunge aged 47 years NR 04-070519 B 04 of Block 7, C10 Shawasha Flats, Mbare, Harare who is employed by Securico Security Company as a security guard based at Northfields Flats.”
“Same indicated that he last saw the now deceased on 28 November 2021 at about 1820 hours when he (deceased) told him that he was expecting a guest at the flat and he asked the informant to escort the guest to his flat when she arrived. The guard further mentioned that the said guest who was recorded on the security check point book as Coleta NFPK arrived at about 1905 and he escorted her to the now deceased’s flat. The said guest left the flat at about 2118 hours on foot. Shupai Zifunge further stated that on 29 November 2021 around 0300 hours he heard some explosion and he went out of the guardroom and saw the informant running downstairs telling him that there was a fire in flat number C9.”

-Zim Morning Post

 By A Correspondent- The body of the late prominent banker Mr Douglas Munatsi was found without nails raising suspicion over the cause of his death.

Munatsi (51) died early yesterday in a mysterious fire that authorities say is now under investigation.

The death of Mr Munatsi, who was the chief executive officer of the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), triggered an outpouring of grief with President Mnangagwa describing his demise as a shocker.

It is said the businessman was alone in his penthouse at the upmarket Northfields apartments in Harare when an inferno engulfed his room.

The NewsHwks posted pictures of one Colleta, the lady believed to have been at the residence of the late  Douglas Munatsi, on the night he died in a house fire.

 Latest reports suggest that the body of Munatsi who was a close associate of President Emmerson Mnangagwawas found without nails. The NewsHawks posted on Twitter this Tuesday:

Banker Mr Douglas Munatsi (51) died early yesterday in a mysterious fire that authorities say is now under investigation.

The death of Mr Munatsi, who was the chief executive officer of the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), triggered an outpouring of grief with President Mnangagwa describing his demise as a shocker.
It is said the businessman was alone in his penthouse at the upmarket Northfields apartments in Harare when an inferno engulfed his room.

In his condolence message to the Munatsi family, President Mnangagwa said the nation has been robbed of a “creative business leader and great patriot”.
“The death early this morning of our inaugural chief executive officer of ZIDA, in unclear circumstances came to me as a shock. A leading banker, visionary business leader, and outstanding farmer, Mr Douglas Munatsi had become our point man in operationalising our nation’s One-Stop Investment Project for improving the investment climate and ease of doing business for our country,” the President said.
The President added that the country had lost a great patriot who had represented the country well on the international arena, most recently, at the Dubai International Expo and the African Continental Free Trade Area that was held in Durban, South Africa.
“We have lost a creative business leader and great patriot, making our nation all the poorer for it,” said the President.

“On behalf of Government and my own behalf, I wish to console the Munatsi Family, especially Amai Munatsi and the children who now have to face the world without a husband and loving father respectively. As we await completion of police investigations into this fatal fire incident, may they continue to find comfort and solace in the visible footprints the late departed made in serving his country.”
Police said investigations are underway to ascertain the circumstances leading to the death of the renowned banker.
“The ZRP is investigating a fire incident, which occurred at C9 Northfield Flats, Cnr Fifth Street and J Tongogara Avenue, Harare, in which ZIDA CEO, Douglas Munatsi passed on. The incident is said to have occurred at 0300 hours (Monday) morning.”
In a statement, Northfields Owners Association chairperson Mr C Gardiner said a fire was detected at approximately 02.50AM on Monday morning in flat C9 where Mr Munatsi lived.
“There was no electricity at the time due to a cable fault. The occupant in C10 heard commotion and noise and went to his balcony to investigate further.
“There, he heard from the occupant of C9 that there was a fire and he asked to call the fire brigade. At 02.59, the fire brigade was called, and they arrived at 03.11. They fought the blaze for 2 hours, and despite their efforts, they were unable to save the occupant of C9, who is believed to be Mr Douglas Munatsi. The association has engaged the services of a forensic fire investigator to assess the cause of the fire,” said Mr Gardiner.

Stakeholders in the industry and finance sectors expressed sadness on the passing of the respected banker.
Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA) chairman Busisa Moyo said Mr Munatsi was a goal-oriented leader who was determined to attain methods that would enhance the country’s ease of doing business environment for both the investor community and the private sector.
“Mr Munatsi was a passionate and competent executive leader at ZIDA. He was the first chief executive of the newly formatted organisation. ZIDA was launched under his leadership. He worked tirelessly to assemble a team at ZIDA and was committed to developing responsive and relevant processes for the private sector and the investor community among many other initiatives. The ZIDA board is deeply saddened at the passing on of Mr Munatsi,” said Mr Moyo.
Mr Munatsi was the first chief executive officer of the newly configured ZIDA which was launched in 2020.
A successful farmer, an associate of the Bankers Association of Zimbabwe (BAZ), and once BancABC chief executive, Mr Munatsi had a finance and investment background, holding a Master of Business Administration (Finance) degree from the American University in Washington DC.
Mr Munatsi joined the banking sector in 1985 as a graduate trainee and 10 years later in 1995, he established one of the first indigenous-owned banks, Heritage Investment Bank.
He began his career at Barclays after leaving university and later joined the World Bank under the International Finance Corporation.
Mr Munatsi was to later acquire First Merchant Bank (FMB) through a consortium that outdid fellow rivals for the bank’s stake after Anglo-American disposal of First Merchant Bank (FMB), the country’s oldest merchant bank.

In 2000, Mr Munatsi merged FMB with a leasing firm and a discount house, to set up the African Banking Corporation, now BancABC, which he went on to list in Botswana.
In March 2020, new legislation merged investment promotion agencies, the Zimbabwe Investment Authority, the Joint Venture Unit, and the Zimbabwe Special Economic Zones Authority to form ZIDA.
In 2019 Mr Munatsi was appointed to the RBZ’s monetary policy committee, a position he later relinquished to concentrate on ZIDA after his appointment at the agency.
Mr Munatsi was invited to lead the new ZIDA by President Mnangagwa given his track record, market credibility and private sector experience.
He was co-founder and partner of BDF Capital Partners Limited.

By A Correspondent- Pictures of one Colleta, the lady believed to have been at the residence of the late ZIDA CEO, Douglas Munatsi, on the night he died in a house fire have emerged on social media.

Circumstances around Munatsi’s death are still “mysterious” with police suspecting foul play.

Emerging reports suggest that the body of Munatsi who was a close associate of President Emmerson Mnangagwa was found without nails. 

ZimEye is currently establishing the authenticity of the identity of the woman alleged to be Colleta.

We publish below a police memo on investigations into Munatsi’s death:

MEMORANDUM

SUBJECT: SUDDEN DEATH BY FIRE OF DOUGLAS MUNATSI AT NUMBER C9 NORTHFIELDS FLATS, CORNER JOSIAH TONGOGARA AND FIFTH AVENUE, HARARE.

This memorandum serves to put on record circumstances and initial Investigations on the above subject matter.

Informant

• Charles Gardner Aged 32 years
• NR: 22-086170 A 00
• Res: Number C10, Northfields Flats, Harare
• Bus: Number 1, Barry Close off LgmAgyndi, Rd, Harare

Deceased

• Douglas Muipalsi Aged 59 years
• NR: 63-361205 E 83.
• Res: C9 Northfields Flats, Harare.
• Bus: Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA CEO)

CIRCUMSTANCES

The informant occupies the same flat as deceased, residing at the apartment on the 10’n floor, while the deceased occupied the apartment on the 9th floor. On 29 November 2021 at around 0250hours, the informant heard some explosion-like noise and he woke up and went to the balcony to check where the noise was coming from. The informant saw smoke coming from the now deceased’s flat which is directly below his flat and a voice that was shouting ‘Fire please help’. Informant then phoned fire brigade at the same time running downstairs to the ground floor. A report was made at ZRP Harare Central.

Scene was attended by CID Homicide, CID Studios, CID Scenes of Crime, CID Forensic and ZRP Harare Central who made the following observations.

• Scene is a ninth floor 7 roomed flat comprising of three bedrooms, dining room, Lounge, kitchen and Gym situated at corner Josiah Tongogara and Fifth Street, Harare.
• The main bedroom was extensively damaged by fire to the extent that all windows and doors were broken, all the furniture in the bedroom were extensively burnt that only steel frames for the bed and built-in cupboards were observed.
• The remains of the deceased found in a sitting position just beside the tub in the main bedroom with some burns on the hands and legs, he was putting on a red T-shirt and a black pair of shorts which were not burnt to suggest that the deceased could have been burnt by the heat of the fire and not direct flames.
• Interviewed was the informant who indicated that he heard sound as if something had exploded at about 0250 hours and woke up to check and discovered that there was smoke coming from the now deceased’s flat, He also mentioned that he heard the now deceased calling for help. Same mentioned that he phoned Fire Brigade at about 0253 hours at the same time telling the now deceased to come out. The informant stated that he then ran downstairs on foot since there was no electricity on the flat since about 1445 hours on Saturday 27 November 2021. He further narrated that Fire Brigade arrived at the scene at about 0311 hours but had some challenges in accessing the flat since it was on the 9th floor. The informant mentioned that Fire brigade only finished extinguishing the fire at about 0530 hours.
• Also interviewed was Shupai Zifunge aged 47 years NR 04-070519 B 04 of Block 7, C10 Shawasha, Flats, Mbare, Harare who is employed by Securico Security Company as a security guard based at Northfields Flats. Same indicated that he last saw the now deceased on 28 November 2021 at about 1820 hours when he (deceased) told him that he was expecting a guest at the flat and he asked the informant to escort the guest to his flat when she arrived. The guard further mentioned that the said guest who was recorded on the security checkpoint book as Coleta NFPK arrived at about 1905 and he escorted her to the now deceased’s flat. The said guest left the flat at about 2118 hours on foot. Shupai Zifunge further stated that on 29 November 2021 around 0300 hours he heard some explosion and he went out of the guardroom and saw the informant running downstairs telling him that there was a fire in flat number C9.
• Martin Chitura aged 41 years, Nr 48-093840 M 48 of number 858, Helvesia Road, Borrowdale, Harare who is employed by the now-deceased as a personal driver, he indicated that he last saw the now deceased on Sunday 28 November 2021 at about 1800 hours when they were both him and the now-deceased were doing some covid tests. He mentioned that he left the now deceased in his motor vehicle parked at the flat proceeding to his home.
• Further interviewed was Saurosi Marichambo aged 53 years Nr 24-075307 L 24 of number 14132 Hatcliffe, Harare, a male aged 36 years who is local and he stated that he was employed by the now-deceased as a chef since 2020. He also mentioned that he last saw the now deceased on Saturday 27 November 2021 at about 1500 hours when he knocked off duty, he mentioned that he left the now deceased alone at home. He went on to say he only came to know of the incident on 29 November 2021 at about 0630 hours when he arrived for work and saw the fire brigade vehicle at the flat.
• Deceased’s young brother Cardmelon Munatsi, aged 47 years NR 63-940546 S 83 residing at Kunatsa Estates, Matepatepa area, same indicated that he was with the now-deceased the previous day. He further stated that the now deceased sent a WhatsApp sms on the family group at 0159 hours of 29 November 2021 which sms was over a topic they were discussing as a family.

The remains of deceased’s body were taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital mortuary awaiting post mortem.

Investigations are underway under ZRP Harare Central IR 112047 refers.

Outstanding

• Ascertain the cause of death through postmortem.
• To establish the cause of fire through reports from Fire brigade and Forensic.
• To interview the said guest who was recorded as the last person to visit the now deceased at the place of occurrence one only recorded as Colleta NFPK.

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DEPARTMENT: 29 November 2021
HOM 1002/21

Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has warned Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa against using State institutions to suppress dissenting voices.

President Chamisa condemned the brutal murder of Movement for Democratic Change Alliance member Nyasha Zhambe by known Zanu PF agents.

President Chamisa, quoted by The Standard, accused the Zanu PF regime of murdering thousands of innocent citizens.

In an exclusive interview with the publication President Chamisa said:

“There is no shame or sense of accountability on the part of those responsible.

This is one of many cases we face as opposition and human rights defenders who continue to be treated in such a manner.

It is clear the leopard has not and will not change its spots,” said President Chamisa.

“This is an ominous sign of a dark cloud hovering over our nation, but nobody stays in charge forever.

No power is permanent and no authority is endless. Let us understand that all we do will hurt and haunt us one day.

It’s not good to have such impunity.

The nation needs healing and we need peace-builders not those who burn bridges.

The most unfortunate thing is we have the latter in the majority by those who are responsible.”

I have heard so many reports of people being followed door to door in Mhondoro where some headmen’s houses were searched, with those involved accusing them of harbouring ploughs and seeds I was said to have given them.

We have had cases of the military having meetings with chiefs where I had addressed like they did in Manicaland. It’s all part of the intimidation process.

The Zimbabwean crisis is man-made and authored by bad politics and bad governance,”he added.

“We can point at any external source, but for one finger pointing at that, four fingers are pointing at us.”

Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has warned Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa against using State institutions to suppress dissenting voices.

President Chamisa condemned the brutal murder of Movement for Democratic Change Alliance member Nyasha Zhambe by known Zanu PF agents.

President Chamisa, quoted by The Standard, accused the Zanu PF regime of murdering thousands of innocent citizens.

In an exclusive interview with the publication President Chamisa said:

“There is no shame or sense of accountability on the part of those responsible.

This is one of many cases we face as opposition and human rights defenders who continue to be treated in such a manner.

It is clear the leopard has not and will not change its spots,” said President Chamisa.

“This is an ominous sign of a dark cloud hovering over our nation, but nobody stays in charge forever.

No power is permanent and no authority is endless. Let us understand that all we do will hurt and haunt us one day.

It’s not good to have such impunity.

The nation needs healing and we need peace-builders not those who burn bridges.

The most unfortunate thing is we have the latter in the majority by those who are responsible.”

I have heard so many reports of people being followed door to door in Mhondoro where some headmen’s houses were searched, with those involved accusing them of harbouring ploughs and seeds I was said to have given them.

We have had cases of the military having meetings with chiefs where I had addressed like they did in Manicaland. It’s all part of the intimidation process.

The Zimbabwean crisis is man-made and authored by bad politics and bad governance,”he added.

“We can point at any external source, but for one finger pointing at that, four fingers are pointing at us.”

By A Correspondent- Police in Harare have reportedly banned the MDC Alliance’s belated 22nd anniversary celebrations scheduled for November 28, citing manpower shortages.

The opposition party’s secretary-general Chalton Hwende told NewsDay yesterday that they would challenge the police decision, which he described as politically-motivated.

“Firstly, the police claimed that they did not have enough manpower to monitor the gathering as they will be monitoring some members of the public who have a soccer match during a voter registration campaign scheduled for that same day,” Hwende said.

But Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza said he was unaware of the matter.

Hwende also claimed that Harare City Council had initially charged them US$192 for use of the hall, but later hiked it to US$1 069,50 following “orders from above”.

“The illegitimate regime led by (President Emmerson) Mnangagwa is afraid of the MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa. That is why they are making efforts to stop us from participating in the political field. That is why they do not want to recognise us as a legitimate political party.

The council official who issued out the quotation told us that she was acting on orders from above,” he said.

“We had budgeted for the celebrations. We are not backing off, the rally is going ahead. We are mobilising our troops. We are nearing a confrontation season. We are going to disregard the illegal and unconstitutional directive that comes from this regime and that is the stage that we are now.”

Contacted for comment, Olivia Mutandwa, the council official who issued out the quotation, denied being made to inflate the charge for hiring the hall, saying she had erroneously underquoted.

“The one with a higher quotation figure of US$1 069 is the correct one, according to the 2021 council tariffs. I had initially given them a quotation for hiring for a wedding gathering, which costs US$192, which is less than quotation for a political gathering,” she said.

Meanwhile, Chamisa told party supporters in Umzingwane, Matabeleland South province at the weekend, that he had shifted focus to rural constituencies because “that’s where the people are”.

Addressing a campaign rally in ward 12, Umzingwane, on Saturday, the opposition leader also said he would not abandon his campaign despite attacks by suspected State agents and Zanu-PF supporters.

“This time around, we are going into rural areas because it’s where people are. I have been attacked in several places, but I’m not going to give up because I have the support of the people. Let us all go and register so that we can win the elections with many votes,” he said.

“There is going to be a new name for the party because our colleagues in the opposition have tried to steal our names. We are also going to change the colours of the part. This is a way of clearing confusion that has been caused in the party.”

Speaking at the same event, some villagers said they did not see any value in voting in an election whose results are predetermined, but the party leadership assured them that the 2023 poll would be a different ball game altogether.-newsday

By A Correspondent- The World Health Organisation (WHO) has allowed governments to impose mandatory COVID-19 vaccination as the world faces the threat of a new variant, Omicron.

WHO, however, warned that governments must exhaust all measures to encourage voluntary inoculation.

The Omicron variant was recently detected in South Africa and has since been detected in other countries including Botswana, the UK, and Israel.

In a recent audio clip, WHO head of health emergencies programme Mike Ryan said governments that wished to impose mandatory vaccination should avail the relevant information on the pandemic to enable informed choices.

Ryan said:

Our position in WHO is that mandatory vaccination should be only considered when the health gain that you are going to get from that is very clear and you have tried all other measures to get people vaccinated.

I still personally believe that the best way is to continue engaging with people and to continue to drive the idea of an informed choice, but there are circumstances in which the threat to society, the threat to the health system, and the threat to the economy is such that governments, having tried all other measures are able to make that decision.

This raises real issues around human rights and it’s something that governments should consider carefully, and they need to be sure that the benefits of doing this outweighs the risks and that they have done everything possible to address vaccine hesitancy and other issues, and they feel that they have no other alternative.

Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights secretary Norman Matara said the government can utilise community health promoters to enhance awareness on vaccines.

Community Working Group on Health executive director Itai Rusike echoed Matara’s remarks saying Zimbabwe needs to identify community vaccine champions and ambassadors.

WHO’s stance comes as a huge fraction of the world population is resisting the vaccine citing various reasons.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- The headmaster of Mbuso Primary School in Matobo district, Matabeleland South province, has been accused of abusing his position as Zanu-PF district chairperson to threaten teachers.

A villager, Darlington Dube, alleged that Maphosa was using his Zanu-PF position to threaten teachers.

“We have a serious problem at Mbuso Primary School. Maphosa, who is Zanu-PF Matobo district chairperson, and is victimising other teachers using his political position. Every teacher is now afraid of him, and some are resigning,” Dube said.

“Maphosa spends most of his time away from school, either on party business or importing fuel from Botswana for resale. Does the Constitution of Zimbabwe allow civil servants to be involved in politics?

“We demand his resignation, either from politics or civil service. He can’t have both. How is he going to develop our school when he is embedded in politics? Headmasters should be non-partisan.”

Zimbabwe’s Constitution bars civil servants from holding political office.

Maphosa asked Southern Eye to send questions in writing, but had not responded to them by the time of going to print yesterday.

Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro said he was yet to receive the report on Maphosa’s alleged misconduct.

“I haven’t received any report about that issue yet. I will find out about what is happening at the school,” he said.

“In the meantime, villagers should not panic. As soon as we get the full details, we will make a plan.”-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Public exams started yesterday smoothly and without incident beginning with the Grade 7 Zimsec examinations in all registered primary schools, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education reported last night.

The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education also met teachers’ unions in Harare yesterday and advised them to bring forward all their concerns in writing.

Zimbabwe has put in place adequate measures, informed by the World Health Organisation guidelines, to ensure public examinations are held without risk to the safety of either learners or teachers.

Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson Mr Taungana Ndoro gave the details last night.

“The exams started well across the country and we did not have any problems. It sailed smoothly and we are grateful to all those who played a part.

“The teachers’ unions have their concerns as well, and today they met the minister where they were advised to come up with a position for all their requests through ZIMTA,” said Mr Ndoro.

“We expect to finish these exams incident-free even for the upcoming O and A’ Level examination. This is not the first time we are having examinations under Covid-19. Last year we did well and we expect the same.”

That the examinations were held in an incident-free environment was corroborated by the heads who were upbeat of finishing the job at hand without any challenges.

National Association of Primary Heads president Mrs Cynthia Khumalo said all the reports she received were positive.

“We started well; everything was in place. Today there was one exam in the morning and on Wednesday they will write two examinations. We are just following the standard operating procedure prescribed by the Ministry of Health and Child Care which has meant that everyone remains safe,” said Mrs Khumalo.

She said they were not expecting any major challenges with the handling of public examinations following the protocols put in place and the support they were getting from the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

In keeping with social distancing rules, more classrooms and spacious halls are being used to space out the pupils writing the examination.

“It is not the first time we are holding public examinations under these conditions,” said Mrs Khumalo.

“We are now better prepared because of the experience we had last year and remember last year there were no incidents and exams were held in a safe manner. We are also holding end of year local examinations for our schools, so at times classes will be alternating, such that when we have a public exam in the morning local ones will be written in the afternoon.”

The Herald visited some schools in Harare and it was business as usual in most areas.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Three women are suspected to have ganged up with two men and assisted them to rape two victims in separate incidents.

This raises concerns over involvement of women in the perpetration of violence against other women.

One of the incidents occurred near Kelvin North industrial site in Bulawayo on Friday while the second was in the bushy area close to United Bulawayo Hospitals the following day.

The incidents come just days after Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in commemorating 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

Sixteen Days of Activism Against GBV is commemorated annually from November 25 to December 10 with the aim of preventing violence against women and the girl child.

Bulawayo deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said they were investigating two cases in which women are suspected to have assisted men to rape women.

She said the first victim is a 26-year-old woman from Iminyela suburb, who had boarded a grey Honda Fit on her way home, but it diverted from her route and she was sexually assaulted.

Asst Insp Msebele said the vehicle had a male driver and two other females who sat in the back seat of the car and the victim sat in the front seat.

“The driver stopped the vehicle in a bushy area near Revival Turn along Nketa Drive and slapped the complainant once on the face accusing her of staring at him. He ordered her to remove her blouse which he blindfolded her with.

The two women joined in assaulting the complainant with fists. One of the accused persons searched and took the complaint’s cash and a Mobicel cellphone from her pocket,” she said.

“The two women held her hands and legs apart while the man raped her once without protection. After the act the accused persons drove off leaving the complainant lying on the ground.”

Asst Insp Msebele said the victim reported the matter to the police on Saturday and she was taken to Mpilo Central Hospital where a medical examination was conducted.

She said the second incident occurred on Saturday involving a 20-year-old from Inyathi, who had arrived in the city in the morning to buy groceries.

Asst Insp Msebele said the young woman was lured by another woman, who promised her a job as a domestic worker in Suburbs suburb.

Asst Insp Msebele said as they walked to the Suburbs home, the two met a man who accused them of picking up his money.

“The unknown female adult who was walking with the complainant then gave the accused US$50 and the man released her. The suspect then held the victim’s hand and walked with her from Harare Road to Gwanda Road into a bushy area near UBH. He forcibly removed the complainant’s trousers and had sexual intercourse with her once without protection and without her consent.

The accused then forcibly took cash and an Itel cellphone from the complainant,” said Insp Msebele.

She said both rapists and their accomplices have not been arrested.

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association gender officer Ms Abigail Siziba said it was shocking that women were aiding men in violating women.

She said while 16 Days of Activism Against GBV focuses on male perpetrators, the society should also focus on abusive women.

“As you are seeing, women are accomplices in GBV, so we cannot say GBV is always committed by men. So, in dealing with this we should focus on both men and women because at times a woman can be an accomplice in having a man raping his daughter. Women are accomplices in GBV against women. We are usually blinded in focusing on men as perpetrators,” said Ms Siziba.

Mr Makhosi Sibanda of Men’s Conference said it is not expected for women to assist men in abusing women.

“Rape is not good for society and it worries us to have women playing an active part in perpetrating evil to other women.

It derails the efforts that we are making to prevent violence against women. Women should know better what rape does to women and society at large. We would expect women to protect other women,” said Mr Sibanda.

Bulawayo lawyer Mr Zibusiso Ncube said the women will be charged with rape.

“That one is straight forward, they will be charged with rape. They are accomplices. There have been incidents where we have had women being charged and convicted of rape,” said Mr Ncube.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- About half of the $16 billion allocated for roads rehabilitation projects remains unspent due to slow procurement and improper accounting mechanisms, among other challenges.

This was revealed at the roads workshop organised by the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) that started in Victoria Falls yesterday.

The workshop seeks to outline Zinara’s mandate, give an update on the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP2) and role of the ERRP2 steering committee on monitoring and evaluation as well as capacitate roads authorities on their responsibilities in the national projects, among other objectives.

President Mnangagwa launched the US$400 million ERRP2 programme in March this year premised on the basis that roads are the network that promote beneficial social and economic activities through ensuring a smooth flow of goods and services.

The programme is in four phases spread over three years.

Permanent Secretary in the Office of Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, Major Gen (Rtd) Godfrey Chanakira, who chairs the ERRP2 Steering Committee, implored roads authorities to prioritise service delivery and raise the performance bar going forward to improve on funds utilisation.

“We had a budget of $16 billion and as of last week we had used $8 billion, which means there is $8 billion remaining. We are hoping that what is available can be transferred to the dedicated account at Zinara so that projects are completed in the new year without stoppage,” he said.

Road authorities include the Department of Roads, District Development Fund and all local authorities.

He said the responsibility lies with local authorities because they were all advised of their budgets, but they have not been able to draw up budgets for executing works they have proposed.

Government, however, considers that this was the first year of operation of the programme and is a learning curve.

“People were slower in initiating procurement and we wonder what is happening. To Treasury this means that what was allocated is more than what you need. We are trying to discuss with Treasury to roll over what has not been spent to next year, and as we go forward, especially after this workshop, we should see a faster execution of this project.

Our worry is delay in procurement. Most authorities were using direct bidding whose period is 20 days and for ERRP, the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) allowed this to be five days,” he said.

In a speech read on his behalf by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Engineer Theodiuos Chinyanga, Transport Minister Felix Mhona challenged road authorities to play their part as Government is committed to road rehabilitation.

“This workshop has come at an opportune time as the Government in the Second Republic has intensified the rehabilitation of our road network under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme 2. In every corner of

Zimbabwe as we speak there is a road project going on, funded by the Government. This is meant to facilitate trade and free movement of goods and people as we grow our economy towards an upper middle-income status.

“I am advised that there has been a low uptake of funds from Zinara for road rehabilitation as most road authorities are failing to utilise their disbursements due to lack of procurement and technical skills within their structures. This workshop is to learn about the processes from experts from PRAZ and Zinara, and as Government, it is our desire to see all funds allocated for road rehabilitation being utilised for that purpose.

As we implement our projects, let us also adhere to quality standards expected and work within timeframes,” he said.

The minister said Government is not going to tire in this regard and the New Dispensation has taken road rehabilitation to a level that has never been seen before, with a good road infrastructure a key catalyst for NDS1, which feeds into Vision 2030.

He reiterated that Government will not leave anyone or any community behind in terms of road infrastructure development.-newsday

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has launched an investigation into the alleged illegal sale of part of the late national hero and Lands and Agriculture minister Perrance Shiri’s estate.

It is alleged that some of the late former Air Force commander’s children were behind the illegal sale of his assets, a year after the decorated soldier died from COVID-19 complications.

Shiri’s daughters, Tatenda and Cynthia allegedly connived with Tawanda Zulu, who is reportedly “Shiri’s son”, and sold Shiri’s Rarai Lodges at Arcadia Dam in Bindura for US$1 million to one Kangara, son of the late gold miner, Kudzai Kangara.

All the three are beneficiaries of the late Shiri’s multi-million-dollar estate.

Shiri’s Rarai Lodges have since been rebranded to Kangara Resort.

The matter is being investigated by Zacc under case reference number HCR116-09-21.

Shiri’s other daughter Rufaro Stephanie, also a beneficiary of his estate, has reportedly made an application at the High Court seeking to reopen her father’s estate, citing irregularities in the execution process, which includes appointment of executor.

She argued that as the Shiri family trust executor, the resort could not have been sold because it was part of the assets under the family trust.

Rufaro also alleged that the farming area of the properties where Shiri’s Rarai Lodge is located now belonged to Zulu.  She claims that Kangara, who has taken over the resort, is hosting musical gigs every Saturday.

Social media fliers also reveal that Kangara hosts gigs during weekends at Arcadia Dam charging US$20 for VIPs and US$10 for the general public.

Last weekend, musicians Tocky Vibes and Gemma Griffiths held a gig at the farm.

Rufaro said she was not consulted when her siblings and Kangara sealed the deal.

“I have distanced myself from anything to do with the estate. I don’t understand how the resort was sold. At first, they claimed it belonged to the government, but I knew that was a lie because my father would not have invested so much in a property that didn’t belong to him. So here we are today. They have sold the resort to Kangara for US$1   million. The question I have for Kangara is how could he have bought something before liquidation? Did he even do due diligence inquiries prior to purchasing the properties?”

Zacc spokesperson John Makamure confirmed that the matter was under investigation. “We have the case and we are investigating it,” he said.

Efforts to get a comment from Kangara were fruitless as his number was unreachable.

Rufaro also challenged the appointment of former Attorney-General Sobusa Gula-Ndebele as executor of the late national hero’s estate, accusing him of bias.

She also accused her siblings Cynthia and Tatenda of drafting a fake 1995 will purported to have been prepared by Shiri, which allocated them more inheritance than the “authentic will”.

In the 1995 will, Shiri bequeathed 50% of his bank savings and insurance policies to his now late son, Titus and the other half of savings to Tatenda and Cynthia, and all other children yet to be born.

A death notice filed at the master of the High Court showed that Tatenda, Cynthia, Zulu, Rufaro Stephanie and Tanaka Shiri, reportedly also known as Tanaka Musvamhiri, were listed as children and beneficiaries of the late Shiri’s estate.

Rufaro questioned why Tanaka and Zulu were included in the distribution list when they reportedly had no national identity documents bearing Shiri’s name, as well as why the other children received shares on Shiri’s properties when the 1995 will stated that they would only get bank proceeds.

“Tawanda stayed with the family for 10 years and still has no ID. Why is Tanaka included in the distribution account as Tanaka Stephanie Shiri when she has no ID? Tanaka is said to have taken DNAs with an uncle and the DNAs matched above 90% to suggest that he is her real father. And then on the master’s appointment, if he was appointed by the will, why is the executor dative not testamentary and the document has a stamp for the 20th when signed on the 21st of August.”

She questioned why a public office would forget to change date stamps.

“The letter also shows Mr Sobusa-Gula Ndebele came as an executor because he was appointed by the Master of the High Court. This proves the long-standing argument that he was no longer the late’s lawyer, that is why he didn’t come to read the will.”

Through her lawyers, Tapera Muzana & Partners, Rufaro Stephanie, wrote to the Master of the High Court on November 3, 2021, complaining about the deliberate and fraudulent omission of some properties in the distribution list of the late minister’s estate.

In response to her complaint, in a letter dated November 9, 2021, the Master of the High Court advised her to make a list of the assets that she alleged were left in the distribution lists.

Rufaro said she would challenge the Master, executor and Tatenda, Cynthia and Zulu’s shenanigans.

Zulu referred NewsDay to the Master of the High Court.

“Kangara had always had his farm in the said area. The Lands ministry can attest to that. His (Kangara) involvement in the matter is not necessary. I will not comment on this issue, but the executor or the Master of the High court can give you answers to the questions,” Zulu said.

Tanaka said she was very sure that she was Shiri’s daughter, adding that she had DNA evidence.

“Whoever is making the allegation is selfish. If we go by the 1995 will, why would the late Shiri list me as a beneficiary to his estate, if it is monetary when he knew I was not his daughter?”

Cynthia refused to comment and referred all questions to Gula-Ndebele.

“My father’s estate is being handled by the executor Ndebele. He is better placed to respond to your questions,” she said.

Repeated efforts to get a comment from Gula-Ndebele were fruitless as he was not picking up calls.

But in an emailed response to a D Ndlovu of Tapera Muzana & Partners last week, Gula-Ndebele & Partners stated that they had handled Shiri’s estate in compliance with the Administration of Estates Act.

“There is no legal basis for expecting a response from our office. We are actually waiting for the view of the Master of the High Court on that letter. We have handled the late General Shiri’s estate in compliance with the law being the Administration of Estates Act and the legally valid will.”

A close relative of the Shiri siblings, who spoke to NewsDay on condition of anonymity, said the row over the late Shiri’s estate among his children was an issue of concern.

“What we wanted was proper distribution of our late relative’s estate in a dignified manner.  We just hope that those involved in the legal procedure of distributing the estate will follow due process.”

Rufaro said no one was above the law in the Second Republic — be it a sister or relative, adding that they should face the music and stop treating her father’s estate like a tuckshop.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- A Mt Darwin man is living in pain after spending six days bleeding through his genitals after bedding a married woman

Brian Nyakwasva, a gold panner in Mazowe and stays in the Matopi area, claims he did not know the woman was married.

He said she lied to him before he was caught red handed by the woman’s husband whilst in his house.
Brian said the man told him he would make him menstruate like a woman until he pays him.
He started bleeding and while he has since bandaged the area with a cloth, he has been bleeding for six days.
He was then told to pay goats within three days for his freedom.
“I stay in Mt Darwin and I was dating a certain woman whilst we were panning for gold in Mazowe. She stays in area called Chanaka, she lied to me that she was not married yet she was married.
“So the husband caught us red handed and he told me to bring three goats within three days. I was at his house,” he said.
Brian said the man took his particulars as guarantee that he would return. “The man took my pants and identity card as guarantee that I will bring the goats.
“So I want to go back home and get the goats. I have the goats at home in Mt Darwin and I am going to take them.”
Asked where he was staying, Brian said. “I was at his house and I am now going back to get the goats.”
A source said: “He was dating a married woman and they dated for a longer time. He was then caught red handed with the woman’s husband while in their house. The man told him to pay with cows but he said he did not have cows.
“He was then given three days to bring three goats.” H Metro

By A Correspondent-   Mr Douglas Munatsi, ZIDA CEO who died in an inferno early Monday, had an appointment with President Emmerson Mnangagwa a few hours after his death, it has emerged. 

President Mnangagwa has since said that circumstances surrounding the top banker’s death were unclear.

Munatsi’s family said he had been receiving death threats in recent weeks, believed to relate to a report on “land barons” he sent to 

The police said they believed to be leaning on the side that the fire was started deliberately and that Munatsi had been “immobilised”, possibly drugged, to prevent him from escaping.

The fire was detected around 0300 hours and other tenants at a block of flats in Harare called the City of Harare Fire Brigade, which managed to put out the fire, but unfortunately could not save Mr Munatsi.

Mr Munatsi died in the fire in his 9th floor flat at the block located at the corner of Fifth Street and Josiah Tongogara Avenue.

Northfields Owners Association chairman only identified as C Gardiner said in the statement: 

The association wishes to advise stakeholders that at approximately 02.50 AM, on Monday 29th November, a fire was detected by the occupant of flat C9 in Northfields.

There was no electricity at the time due to a cable fault. The occupant in C10 heard commotion and noise and went to his balcony to investigate further.

There, he heard from the occupant of C9 that there was a fire and he asked to call the fire brigade. At 02.59, the fire brigade was called, and they arrived at 03.11.

They fought the blaze for two hours, and despite their efforts, they were unable to save the occupant of C9, who is believed to be Mr Douglas Munatsi.

Thanks must be given to the professionalism and endeavours of the City of Harare Fire Brigade.

Without their intervention, is it very likely that more lives would have been lost and more property destroyed.

The Association has engaged the services of a forensic fire investigator to assess the cause of the fire.

Police said they were still investigating the case as possible arson. 

Online

By A Correspondent- A Chiredzi magistrate has been arrested for aggravated indecent assault after he allegedly lured his drunk friend to his house in the sugar cane growing town before kissing him and sucking his private parts.

Simbarashe Gundani (30) of Impala Drive, who was stationed at the Chiredzi magistrates court has since been arraigned before the courts to be formally charged.

He was not asked to plead when he appeared before Masvingo Magistrate Ms Patience Madondo facing aggravated indecent assault charges.
Ms Madondo remanded him in custody to December 9.
Agreed facts are that on November 21 this year in Chiredzi, Gundani lured the 32-year-old complainant, who stays in West road in the same town, to his house after a beer drink.
Gundani allegedly offered the complainant a place to sleep in his house and the two retired to bed. The magistrate then allegedly woke up later on at night and approached the complainant who was sleeping and kissed him once on his lips.
He then allegedly proceeded to remove the complainant’s boxer shorts and sucked the latter’s private parts without his consent. The complainant positively identified the accused since the pair were friends.
He made a report at Chiredzi police station leading to Gundani’s arrest. Ms Sophia Bhusvumani appeared for the state. Herald

By A Correspondent- A group of about 15 villagers from Gwanda allegedly kidnapped and tortured seven men for four days after accusing them of stealing their livestock.

The Chronicle news crew caught up with two of the injured men, Mr Emmanuel Mguni and Mr Thembinkosi Ndlovu who are admitted at Gwanda Provincial Hospital.

The other five victims have been discharged.
Mr Mguni who could not stand because of severe burns underneath his feet, said he was tortured for four days.
He said his assailants would heat stones, place them in a bucket and force him to stand on them while ordering him to reveal the location of their missing livestock.
He said they also tied him to a tree and whipped him. They also submerged his head in a bucket full of water and filled his ears with river sand.
Mr Mguni said he tried to explain to his kidnappers that he had not stolen their cattle but they would not entertain his explanation.
“They kidnapped me on the night of Sunday, 14 November and they took me to a bushy area in Manama. They were about 15 of them who comprised men and women. They asked where their cattle were and I told them I didn’t know what they were talking about.
They said my friend Jose confessed to have given me stolen cattle for safekeeping. I tried to explain that I was innocent but they would not listen,” he said.
“For four days I was subjected to severe torture. They tied me to a tree several times and whipped me. They put stones on a fire and forced me to stand on hot stones. They also submerged my head in a bucket full of water several times, poured river sand in my ears which has affected my hearing. They kept changing places where they were keeping us hostage.”
Mr Thembinkosi Ndlovu from Tshanyaugwe area said he was kidnapped and tortured by the same group for a day.
He said he found others who had been detained for three days.
Mr Ndlovu said while he was at his home on Wednesday, he heard dogs barking in the middle of the night. He said a group of people broke into his house and took him away.
“They took me to a group of people that had already been detained and they tortured me while asking about the whereabouts of the cattle that I didn’t know about. They burnt my feet, whipped me and poured river sand in my ears.
As I speak, I’m in excruciating pain and I can’t walk because of the burns underneath my feet,” he said.
Mr Ndlovu said they were freed the following day after police arrived at the scene and their assailants fled.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Loveness Mangena said police received a tip off on the suspects who were holding people hostage.
She said investigations were underway and appealed to members of the public with information on the identity of the suspects to contact the police. Insp Mangena raised concern over cases of mob justice with some cases being fatal.
“As police we are concerned by the increasing cases of mob justice where members of the public choose to deal with suspects. Some of these cases end up in fatalities. We urge members of the public to surrender suspects to the police instead of taking the law into their own hands,” she said.
Insp Mangena said they had launched an operation targeting stock thieves.
The operation has curtailed cases of stock theft being recorded in Tshanyaugwe and surrounding areas in Gwanda which have become a breeding ground for cattle rustling syndicates in Matabeleland South province.
Under the operation police recently recovered 51 stolen cattle. The areas of Tshanyaugwe, Ngoma and John Dip are the hotspots of cattle rustling. Chronicle

By A Correspondent-Women rights defenders are today convening a virtual indaba over the alleged harassment and abuse of Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife, Marry Mubaiwa Chiwenga.

Marry, who is facing several criminal charges alleges that the former military boss blocking her from receiving treatment outside Zimbabwe for a life-threatening ailment.

A visibly sick Marry has been a subject of pity from across the political divide. She says President Emmerson Mnangagwa and first lady Auxillia have let her down by not intervening in the fight with her estranged husband.

She lost custody of her three minor children after Chiwenga, who doubles as Health and Child Care minister, appealed against an earlier judgement in her favour.

Human rights defenders have since organised the virtual discussion under the Women’s Academy for Leadership (WALPE) banner to debate the Marry “abuse” issue.

The discussion will feature known human rights defenders, including Margaret Mutsamvi (gender rights advocate, Sitabile Dewa (human rights defender), Samkeliso Tshuma (women’s rights expert), Maxine Chisweto (a lawyer) and prominent author Tsitsi Dangarembga.

It will be hosted under the theme: Women’s human rights are a yardstick of national progress: A case of Marry Chiwenga.

The rights defenders have also started a #JusticeforMarry campaign to fight against the decision that denies her access to medical attention outside the country while her health continues to deteriorate.

Marry, who suffers from lymphoedema, has had her applications for release of her passport to seek medical attention outside the country dismissed by the courts.
The former model says charges against her were manufactured by Chiwenga to punish her.
More: Standard

By A Correspondent-More than 22 000 dead people have been removed from the voters’ rolls in the latest batch of such routine deletions, with a notification and appeal process in place in case a mistake was made, while the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is now fully funded to prepare for and run the 133 by-elections likely early next year.

ZEC is now actively keeping the civil society organisations posted on what is happening. Friday’s meeting in Harare was to update them on the roadmap to the 2022 by-elections and the 2023 harmonised elections.

The National Assembly and local authority by-elections were necessitated by deaths, dismissals from political parties and recalls of MDC-T members from the National Assembly and local authorities.
Normally these would have been spread out, but all by-elections were halted on public health grounds in March last year when Covid-19 struck the country so they have been accumulating until public health authorities agreed they could now control the risk of large numbers of voters assembling.
President Mnangagwa, who by law sets the dates of all polls once informed of the vacancies, has suggested that the by-elections will be held during the first quarter of 2022.
As of October 22, Zimbabwe had a total of 133 elective by-elections at National Assembly and local authority levels.
The meeting with civil society follows the routine removal of 22 656 dead people from the voters’ roll as required by law.
Removal of the deceased from the roll is an on-going exercise with the names of the latest batch of those struck off have been published by ZEC chief elections officer Mr Utloile Silaigwana in the Government Gazette under General Notice 3379 of 2021 and in terms of the Electoral Act.
Mr Silaigwana said the names of those persons will be removed from the voters roll unless notice of appeal is given to ZEC.
While removing the names of those for whom death certificates have been sought and issued is relatively simple and automatic, there is a perennial problem when families do not seek a death certificate, common when the estate left is very small.
Speaking at the meeting with the organisations, ZEC chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba said the meeting was meant to discuss all electoral issues of concern.
“We discussed issues around polling, deferment of the mobile voter registration exercise and gazetting of the deceased as a precondition for voters’ roll cleaning,” said Justice Chigumba.
Justice Chigumba appealed to citizens who have lost their relatives to notify ZEC so that the names are removed from the voters roll.
“The issue of ghost voters has been misunderstood over the years. Monthly, the Registrar-General Office sends us a list of deceased voters and, members of the public must come forward and tell us about the death of their relatives. That is the only way we can remove deceased voters from voters roll,” she said.
She cleared the air on the postponement of the mobile voter registration exercise which was pencilled for December 6 saying the deferment was meant to allow all eligible stakeholders to acquire national identity cards, which are a requisite for voter registration. The mobile voter registration has been postponed to February 2022.
Justice Chigumba said: “The need to uphold inclusivity, which is one of the commission’s core values, has necessitated this postponement. Thus, this deferment is meant to allow all eligible stakeholders to acquire national identity cards, which are a requisite for voter registration.”
The period for the voter registration, she said, would have excluded some stakeholders without national identity cards but postponement gave the Civil Registry Department enough time to prepare for issuance of identity documents.
The voter registration was also intended to address under-registration in certain areas, afford those coming of age a chance to register as new voters where necessary, allow registrants to update their information and especially reflect the changes in their civic statuses, such as changes in names and places of residence.
Turning to the conduct of by-elections, she said the proposal to conduct by elections in the first quarter of next year was necessitated by the number of vacancies involved. ZEC needed ample time for preparations for so many by- elections.
“These preparations involve among other activities, effecting of transfers and removal of the deceased voters. This was going to be difficult if the mobile voter registration was not postponed,” she said.
The commission was currently seized with alpha list updating to factor in developments which had taken place in the polling areas since the last mapping in 2017. This basically requires ZEC to look at where voters now live to space out the polling stations and position them correctly so the number voting at each station is as close as possible
Attention is being given to areas that have seen rapid land use changes and new residential developments, which affect voter population dynamics,” Justice Chigumba said. The commission wants to assign each voter to their nearest polling station,
Another area of focus was composite polling stations that had many streams of voters. At the last general election voters were split by their surname. This time addresses will be used and so ensure that everyone in the same hosuehold goes to the same polling station, said Justice Chigumba.
Election Resource Centre director Ms Babra Dube thanked the commission for coming up with the meetings and briefings. “These sessions are really going to help us to understand ZEC’s preparedness both for the voter registration blitz as well as the by-elections and the 2023 harmonised elections,” said Ms Dube.
Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe national Coordinator Ms Sally Ncube said the exercise was very informative. “We are hopeful that ZEC will be supported with adequate PPEs and adequate materials so that the process will be responsive to the requirements of Covid-19 control,” said Ms Ncube.
-Herald

By A Correspondent | Suspected ZANU PF thugs during the night have arrived at the home of the Progressive Teachers Union leader Raymond Majongwe demanding to see the singer Enzo Ishall.

Majongwe made the revelations Tuesday night saying everything was coinciding with a state media Herald newspaper article that accuses him of being a regime change agent.

Wrote Majongwe:

The same night you are accused of being a regime change agent is the same night drunk persons come to your house looking for Enzo I Shall. It’s sad we have gone back to the Mugabe terror tactics.All this intimidation is uncalled for. We are patriotic cThe same night you are accused of being a regime change agent is the same night drunk persons come to your house looking for Enzo I Shall. It’s sad we have gone back to the Mugabe terror tactics.All this intimidation is uncalled for. We are patriotic citizens hoping for nothing but the best for Zimbabwean teachers.

These unfortunate unfounded ludicrous hallucinations and baseless accusations must stop. Citizens hoping for nothing but the best for Zimbabwean teachers. These unfortunate unfounded ludicrous hallucinations and baseless accusations must stop.

Majongwe was responding to the below Herald article which says:

TEACHERS’ unions and other civil society organisations have been roped in to push the Western-funded regime change agenda in the country with handsome perks being given to the unions’ leadership. The illicit funding of teachers’ unions from countries like the United Kingdom and the United States has created a financial gulf between leaders and the people they purportedly represent.

At the centre of the latest regime change push against a democratically elected Zanu PF Government, are unions such as the Progressive Teachers Unions (PTUZ) and the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), with attempts being made to bring more unions on board.

Last week, the British House of Lords exposed the extent covered in trying to create synergies between Trade Union Congress in the United Kingdom and local trade unions, as part of upsetting the status quo in Zimbabwe. Asked what the United Kingdom is doing to corner the Zanu PF Government, Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Mr Tariq Mahmood Ahmad said they are working closely with teachers’ unions in Zimbabwe.
“We certainly have been meeting in Harare with various unions, including teaching unions, most recently in September 2021 on salaries and the impact of Covid-19. Trade unions form an important part of civil society in any country, and we engage with them at all levels,” said Mr Ahmad as he exposed the UK’s hand in Zimbabwe’s internal political affairs. The insidious conspiracy to engage teachers by the Western countries is part of a broader plot to use local organisations as vehicles to push for regime change after failing to make headway with the fractured and often corruption-riddled opposition.

Apart from that, the civic society organisations are also being used as proxies for financing the same opposition which is prohibited under the Political Parties Finance Act from getting foreign funding. And ahead of the 2023 elections, more than US$5 million has been channelled towards the anti-Zimbabwe civic society organisations from the United States to run anti-Zanu PF campaigns, with organisations like Crisis Coalition and Zimbabwe Coalition for Debt and Development (Zimcodd), having already started their campaigns such as “The how far campaigns” to discredit the Government of the day. Frustrated by little headway in overthrowing a democratically elected Government, the British are now trying to coax the country’s neighbours to exert pressure on the Zanu PF-led administration.
“We are engaged very much with South Africa and, yes, it wants to see a progressive, inclusive Zimbabwe as part of the region and the wider world. Zimbabwe holds ambitions to join the Commonwealth as well. It is a collective effort. I do not think that one country alone can influence the progression and inclusiveness of democracy. It is therefore important that we, together with key partners, continue to play this role,” Mr Ahmad said.
On the other hand, the United States is funding NGOs to fight the Government through the courts of law. A US grant that will run for five years funded through the USAID will see NGOs being supported to influence the alignment of legislation with the Constitution and advance the implementation of key provisions through innovative and reinforcing advocacy action. The NGOs will also get funding for legal advocacy, litigation, and other strategies that seek to influence both the formal alignment of laws as well as the ongoing implementation of the Constitution.

By A Correspondent-Women rights defenders are convening a virtual indaba on Tuesday 30 November 2021 over the alleged harassment and abuse of Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife, Marry Mubaiwa Chiwenga.

Marry, who is facing several criminal charges alleges that the former military boss blocking her from receiving treatment outside Zimbabwe for a life-threatening ailment.

A visibly sick Marry has been a subject of pity from across the political divide. She says President Emmerson Mnangagwa and first lady Auxillia have let her down by not intervening in the fight with her estranged husband.

She lost custody of her three minor children after Chiwenga, who doubles as Health and Child Care minister, appealed against an earlier judgement in her favour.

Human rights defenders have since organised the virtual discussion under the Women’s Academy for Leadership (WALPE) banner to debate the Marry “abuse” issue.

The discussion will feature known human rights defenders, including Margaret Mutsamvi (gender rights advocate, Sitabile Dewa (human rights defender), Samkeliso Tshuma (women’s rights expert), Maxine Chisweto (a lawyer) and prominent author Tsitsi Dangarembga.

It will be hosted under the theme: Women’s human rights are a yardstick of national progress: A case of Marry Chiwenga.

The rights defenders have also started a #JusticeforMarry campaign to fight against the decision that denies her access to medical attention outside the country while her health continues to deteriorate.

Marry, who suffers from lymphoedema, has had her applications for release of her passport to seek medical attention outside the country dismissed by the courts.
The former model says charges against her were manufactured by Chiwenga to punish her.
More: Standard

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa said he had been shocked by the death of  Mr Douglas Munatsi, ZIDA CEO who died in an inferno early this morning 

Munatsi’s family said he had been receiving death threats in recent weeks, believed to relate to a report on “land barons” he sent to President Mnangagwa Munatsi had an appointment with Mnangagwa at 7.20 AM today.

The police said they believed to be leaning on the side that the fire was started deliberately and that Munatsi had been “immobilised”, possibly drugged, to prevent him from escaping.

The fire was detected around 0300 hours and other tenants at a block of flats in Harare called the City of Harare Fire Brigade, which managed to put out the fire, but unfortunately could not save Mr Munatsi.

Mr Munatsi died in the fire in his 9th floor flat at the block located at the corner of Fifth Street and Josiah Tongogara Avenue.

Northfields Owners Association chairman only identified as C Gardiner said in the statement: 

The association wishes to advise stakeholders that at approximately 02.50 AM, on Monday 29th November, a fire was detected by the occupant of flat C9 in Northfields.

There was no electricity at the time due to a cable fault. The occupant in C10 heard commotion and noise and went to his balcony to investigate further.

There, he heard from the occupant of C9 that there was a fire and he asked to call the fire brigade. At 02.59, the fire brigade was called, and they arrived at 03.11.

They fought the blaze for two hours, and despite their efforts, they were unable to save the occupant of C9, who is believed to be Mr Douglas Munatsi.

Thanks must be given to the professionalism and endeavours of the City of Harare Fire Brigade.

Without their intervention, is it very likely that more lives would have been lost and more property destroyed.

The Association has engaged the services of a forensic fire investigator to assess the cause of the fire.

Police said they were still investigating the case as possible arson. 

Online

By A Correspondent- In A police officer investigating a matter where a ZBC presenter is accused of extorting prominent preacher Tapiwa Freddy has been accused of unlawfully seizing her mobile phone.

In a letter addressed to one Assistant Inspector Mushurwa dated November 25, Rutendo Makuti’s lawyer Diana Kawenda said police officers, who arrested her on November 11 took her mobile phone without a court order. Kwenda wrote:

We note that there is no court order that was obtained by yourselves to conduct the search…

The digital evidence that is contained in that phone is tremendously personal to the extent that it called for the need to obtain a search warrant.

Makuti stands accused of extorting US$35 000 from the controversial cleric known as Prophet T Freddy.

She appeared before magistrate Sheunesu Matova who granted her $5 000 bail. 

Meanwhile, the Goodness and Mercy Ministries leader who is also a gospel musician was recently arrested for raping Makuti and has since appeared in court.

He was arrested on allegations of raping the disabled radio presenter after promising to assist her with the upkeep of her child. 

He was released on free bail.

Online

By A Correspondent- Three armed robbers, who were disguised as genuine travellers in a cross border bus, last night robbed passengers of R167 050 and $7367.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) say the robbers suddenly drew out pistols and started shooting at sixty-six passengers aboard a cross-border MBT bus before searching them one-by-one.

Police said the incident occurred at the 186km peg along the Harare-Masvingo Highway near Mvuma town around 11 pm on Monday.

Three passengers, including the bus driver Mr Lazarous Mungadzi (46), were injured.

One female passenger (name withheld), who was shot in the chest, is reportedly critical and admitted at Gweru Provincial Hospital.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he was still to gather the details.

The robbery has since been reported at Mvuma Police Station.

-Herald

By A Correspondent- Owners of the flats at Northfields block where prominent banker Mr Douglas Munatsi, ZIDA CEO died in an inferno early this morning has spoken on the fire incident.

They said the fire was detected around 0300 hours and other tenants at a block of flats in Harare called the City of Harare Fire Brigade, which managed to put out the fire, but unfortunately could not save Mr Munatsi.

Mr Munatsi died in the fire in his 9th floor flat at the block located at the corner of Fifth Street and Josiah Tongogara Avenue.

Northfields Owners Association chairman only identified as C Gardiner said in the statement: 

The association wishes to advise stakeholders that at approximately 02.50 AM, on Monday 29th November, a fire was detected by the occupant of flat C9 in Northfields.

There was no electricity at the time due to a cable fault. The occupant in C10 heard commotion and noise and went to his balcony to investigate further.

There, he heard from the occupant of C9 that there was a fire and he asked to call the fire brigade. At 02.59, the fire brigade was called, and they arrived at 03.11.

They fought the blaze for two hours, and despite their efforts, they were unable to save the occupant of C9, who is believed to be Mr Douglas Munatsi.

Thanks must be given to the professionalism and endeavours of the City of Harare Fire Brigade.

Without their intervention, is it very likely that more lives would have been lost and more property destroyed.

The Association has engaged the services of a forensic fire investigator to assess the cause of the fire.

Police said they were still investigating the case as possible arson. 

More: The Herald

By A Correspondent-More than 22 000 dead people have been removed from the voters’ rolls in the latest batch of such routine deletions, with a notification and appeal process in place in case a mistake was made, while the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is now fully funded to prepare for and run the 133 by-elections likely early next year.

ZEC is now actively keeping the civil society organisations posted on what is happening. Friday’s meeting in Harare was to update them on the roadmap to the 2022 by-elections and the 2023 harmonised elections.

The National Assembly and local authority by-elections were necessitated by deaths, dismissals from political parties and recalls of MDC-T members from the National Assembly and local authorities.
Normally these would have been spread out, but all by-elections were halted on public health grounds in March last year when Covid-19 struck the country so they have been accumulating until public health authorities agreed they could now control the risk of large numbers of voters assembling.
President Mnangagwa, who by law sets the dates of all polls once informed of the vacancies, has suggested that the by-elections will be held during the first quarter of 2022.
As of October 22, Zimbabwe had a total of 133 elective by-elections at National Assembly and local authority levels.
The meeting with civil society follows the routine removal of 22 656 dead people from the voters’ roll as required by law.
Removal of the deceased from the roll is an on-going exercise with the names of the latest batch of those struck off have been published by ZEC chief elections officer Mr Utloile Silaigwana in the Government Gazette under General Notice 3379 of 2021 and in terms of the Electoral Act.
Mr Silaigwana said the names of those persons will be removed from the voters roll unless notice of appeal is given to ZEC.
While removing the names of those for whom death certificates have been sought and issued is relatively simple and automatic, there is a perennial problem when families do not seek a death certificate, common when the estate left is very small.
Speaking at the meeting with the organisations, ZEC chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba said the meeting was meant to discuss all electoral issues of concern.
“We discussed issues around polling, deferment of the mobile voter registration exercise and gazetting of the deceased as a precondition for voters’ roll cleaning,” said Justice Chigumba.
Justice Chigumba appealed to citizens who have lost their relatives to notify ZEC so that the names are removed from the voters roll.
“The issue of ghost voters has been misunderstood over the years. Monthly, the Registrar-General Office sends us a list of deceased voters and, members of the public must come forward and tell us about the death of their relatives. That is the only way we can remove deceased voters from voters roll,” she said.
She cleared the air on the postponement of the mobile voter registration exercise which was pencilled for December 6 saying the deferment was meant to allow all eligible stakeholders to acquire national identity cards, which are a requisite for voter registration. The mobile voter registration has been postponed to February 2022.
Justice Chigumba said: “The need to uphold inclusivity, which is one of the commission’s core values, has necessitated this postponement. Thus, this deferment is meant to allow all eligible stakeholders to acquire national identity cards, which are a requisite for voter registration.”
The period for the voter registration, she said, would have excluded some stakeholders without national identity cards but postponement gave the Civil Registry Department enough time to prepare for issuance of identity documents.
The voter registration was also intended to address under-registration in certain areas, afford those coming of age a chance to register as new voters where necessary, allow registrants to update their information and especially reflect the changes in their civic statuses, such as changes in names and places of residence.
Turning to the conduct of by-elections, she said the proposal to conduct by elections in the first quarter of next year was necessitated by the number of vacancies involved. ZEC needed ample time for preparations for so many by- elections.
“These preparations involve among other activities, effecting of transfers and removal of the deceased voters. This was going to be difficult if the mobile voter registration was not postponed,” she said.
The commission was currently seized with alpha list updating to factor in developments which had taken place in the polling areas since the last mapping in 2017. This basically requires ZEC to look at where voters now live to space out the polling stations and position them correctly so the number voting at each station is as close as possible
Attention is being given to areas that have seen rapid land use changes and new residential developments, which affect voter population dynamics,” Justice Chigumba said. The commission wants to assign each voter to their nearest polling station,
Another area of focus was composite polling stations that had many streams of voters. At the last general election voters were split by their surname. This time addresses will be used and so ensure that everyone in the same hosuehold goes to the same polling station, said Justice Chigumba.
Election Resource Centre director Ms Babra Dube thanked the commission for coming up with the meetings and briefings. “These sessions are really going to help us to understand ZEC’s preparedness both for the voter registration blitz as well as the by-elections and the 2023 harmonised elections,” said Ms Dube.
Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe national Coordinator Ms Sally Ncube said the exercise was very informative. “We are hopeful that ZEC will be supported with adequate PPEs and adequate materials so that the process will be responsive to the requirements of Covid-19 control,” said Ms Ncube.
-Herald

By A Correspondent- Mai Titi, born Felistas Maruta Edwards, has done it again and is now is officially off the market.

Mai Titi got married to her United States-based lover, Tinashe Maphosa in an intimate ceremony.
She left social media buzzing with their wedding photos as the development surprised many. Some still doubt the wedding is real considering that the month of November is considered locally as not suitable for marriage.

The couple had not been together for long and their wedding ceremony comes barely a month after they got engaged.

Meanwhile, Mai Titi’s relationship with Tinashe reportedly got bumpy a couple of days ago after she was recorded speaking to her ex-boyfriend Shepherd. In one of the recordings, Mai Titi was heard dissing Tinashe and trashing their romance.
Many thought the couple was heading for a split but that was not the case as Mai Titi reassured her followers that she and Tinashe were very much together after the damning audios were leaked.

Mai Titi also revealed that her ex-boyfriend Shepherd has been blackmailing her over her USA visa. She also said that he threatened to leak her nudes on social media.
She recently posted on her social media handles informing her followers that she was okay after a social media user raised the alarm claiming that Tinashe had physically assaulted her.

-Online

By A Correspondent- Three armed robbers, who were disguised as genuine travellers in a cross border bus, last night robbed passengers of R167 050 and $7367.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) say the robbers suddenly drew out pistols and started shooting at sixty-six passengers aboard a cross-border MBT bus before searching them one-by-one.

Police said the incident occurred at the 186km peg along the Harare-Masvingo Highway near Mvuma town around 11 pm on Monday.

Three passengers, including the bus driver Mr Lazarous Mungadzi (46), were injured.

One female passenger (name withheld), who was shot in the chest, is reportedly critical and admitted at Gweru Provincial Hospital.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he was still to gather the details.

The robbery has since been reported at Mvuma Police Station.

-Herald

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has described the late party activist Nyasha Zhambe as a gallant change soldier.

Zhambe was murdered by Zanu PF hooligans in Gutu during President Chamisa’s community engagement programme in Masvingo Province.

President Chamisa posted on Twitter:

LEADERSHIP 101…Honouring and laying to rest a gallant Change soldier Nyasha Mawere who was assaulted and later succumbed to death.

Nyasha was assaulted in Gutu during Our Citizens and Community interface tour of Masvingo province.VP Kore eloquently captures the issues there…

LEADERSHIP 101…Honouring and laying to rest a gallant Change soldier Nyasha Mawere who was assaulted and later succumbed to death.Nyasha was assaulted in Gutu during Our Citizens and Community interface tour of Masvingo province.VP Kore eloquently captures the issues there? pic.twitter.com/jc4aUcSpW4

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) November 28, 2021