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

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 US$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 in a critical condition and is 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.

MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has accused Zanu PF of being behind the death of a party activist who was assaulted during his tour of Masvingo a month ago.

Nyasha Mawere was buried in Gutu yesterday after succumbing to the injuries sustained in the attack during Chamisa’s visit to the province. Top MDC Alliance leaders that attended the burial, including deputy president Lynette Karenyi-Kore went to bury Mawere and bemoaned the persecution of members of the opposition party.

The mainstream opposition leader told The Standard in an exclusive interview yesterday that the father of one was “killed like a fly.”

“That’s an issue of impunity and fertilises the breakdown of security of the person and security of the citizen,” Chamisa said.

“We have so many cases of so many people, who have been attacked like this over the past years and how do you kill somebody like a fly like that?”

“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.”

He said it was now clear that there was no difference between President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule and that of his predecessor, Robert Mugabe, where thousands of people were killed for supporting the opposition.

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

“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.”

Chamisa said his party had also received reports of door to door intimidation of his supporters in rural areas by Zanu PF members, who were panicking over MDC Alliance’s forays into rural constituencies.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Chamisa said Zimbabwe needed genuine dialogue facilitated by the Southern African Development Community, African Union, South Africa and Zambia.

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

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

“Let us address the issue of the four fingers pointing at us and that is the issue of reforms, finding each other, building a national consensus.

“We need a conversation as a source of resolving issues and that has been there since time immemorial.

“There is the concept of always sitting around a fireplace as a family to look at issues and if that fails, we always invite a neighbour.

“We have destroyed that fabric and ethic of conversation.

“We are sufficient to deal with issues if there is political will. We can look for common friends to have a conversation with.

“We have enough men and women in the clergy, in business, trade unions and civic society and let us try this very genuine way.

“There should be no conditions for dialogue except sincerity. It has to be about Zimbabwe.”- The Standard

By A Correspondent- Two workers from a gold processing plant near Kaguvi Training Centre have been arrested for allegedly stealing nine grams of gold from the mill before selling it to another buyer.

Laban Kawara (28) and Mfanelo Ncube (20) were employed as general hands at Barley Mine near Kaguvi Training Centre outside Gweru.

The duo appeared before Gweru Magistrate Ms Beaulity Dube facing one count of theft each.

The State alleges that on November 23 at around 6 pm, Kawara and Ncube, who were in the company of Lewis Dube, who is still at large, were at Barkley Mine and hatched a plan to steal gold from the mill.

They hatched a plan to steal gold that had been processed at the mill where they were working. After the gold had been processed, they unlawfully took the gold.

He said Kawara, Ncube and Dube were allegedly seen by their supervisor Mr Jefta Pedzisayi while committing the offence.

The court heard that Mr Pedzisayi raised the alarm before Kawara, Ncube and Dube took to their heels.

The court heard that the supervisor informed the mine owner, Mr Elia Mavhundutse, who reported the matter to the police leading to the arrest of the accused and the recovery of the 9 grams of toasted gold from a buyer where they had sold it.

The recovered gold has been taken for weighing to determine its value.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and were remanded in custody to December 21.

By A Correspondent| Six months after hearing an application challenging a government ban of by-elections, the High Court is yet to hand down its verdict.

High Court Judge Justice Siyabona Musithu on Monday 24 May 2021 reserved judgment after presiding over the challenge of the by-elections ban and indicated that he needed more time to go through all the submissions from the parties involved before handing down his verdict on the application.

On 2 October 2020, government suspended the holding of by-elections with Health and Child Care Minister Constantino Chiwenga issuing Statutory Instrument 225 of 2020 which indefinitely banned the holding of all by-elections to fill in a significant number of vacancies in both the National Assembly and in local authorities caused through recalls of office holders and deaths, claiming that it was a precautionary measure to contain the spread of coronavirus.

But Chiwenga’s ban of by-elections was challenged at the High Court on 13 October 2020 by Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (WALPE), Election Resource Centre (ERC) and six Harare and Marondera residents namely Ellah Tayengwa, Moud Chinyerere, Agnes Togarepi, Gracious Matsunga, David Gwanzura and Loice Gwangwara.

In the application filed by Tendai Biti of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, WALPE, ERC, Tayengwa, Chinyerere, Togarepi, Matsunga, Gwanzura and Gwangwara, who cited Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Chiwenga as respondents, argued that the suspension was a breach of the Electoral Act and the Constitution as government should have held by-elections before 30 September 2020 to fill in vacancies in local authorities and in the National Assembly.

On Monday 24 May 2021, when Justice Musithu presided over the hearing and determination of WALPE, ERC and Tayengwa, Chinyerere, Togarepi, Matsunga, Gwanzura and Gwangwara’s application, he quizzed Olivia Zvedi and Tawanda Kanengoni, the lawyers representing President Mnangagwa, Chiwenga and ZEC on their bureaucratic foot-dragging in not lifting the indefinite suspension of by-elections.

The Judge interrogated the lawyers on why government was reluctant to hold by-elections considering that it had eased national lockdown regulations including opening schools and universities.

Justice Musithu also asked why government was averse to holding by-elections and yet other countries such as Tanzania and the United States of America had held polls recently.

The Judge also asked Zvedi and Kanengoni to give an indication on when the indefinite suspension of by-elections would be lifted.

In his submissions, Biti argued that the motive of imposing a ban on by-elections by government has nothing to do with curbing coronavirus but is a suppression of democracy. He said government had suspended the Constitution by not implementing its provisions such as holding by-elections whereas other countries in Africa and beyond had held polls and emphasised that all constitutional obligations must be complied with diligently and without delay.

Zvedi argued that it is prudent for government to suspend by-elections in order to conquer the spread of coronavirus since the risk of a third wave of the pandemic was high. She also argued that section 86 of the Constitution provides for the limitation of rights hence government had taken the right decision in suspending by-elections.

Kanengoni argued that holding by-elections at a time of the coronavirus pandemic would curtail effective participation of the electorate and said that ZEC could only conduct by-elections once President Mnangagwa issues a proclamation.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation has announced that radio and Television transmission is down following a power outage at its Pockets Hill Broadcasting Centre.

Said ZBC News in a Twitter post:

The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation would like to inform all valued stakeholders that its Pockets Hill Broadcasting Centre has suffered a power outage. This has affected radio & TV transmission. We apologise for the inconvenience. Engineers are working to restore services.

ZTV and ZBC radio stations have been down on Monday Morning.

ZBC did not reveal the cause of the power outage.

Commenting on the announcement, exiled former Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo said the development was probably pleasant to many.

He said:

Many will take it as an early life-changing Christmas present if the transmission does not resume, permanently!

The state-run broadcaster has often been accused of being partisan, repeating programmes and content, and lacking creativity.

Since Zimbabwe has one television channel, it means there is no TV when ZBC TV is down.

There have been calls for Zimbabwe to effect media reforms to allow more independent players in the sector as information is vital for governance purposes.

Case Alert

29 November 2021

Six months after hearing an application challenging a government ban of by-elections, the High Court is yet to hand down its verdict.

High Court Judge Justice Siyabona Musithu on Monday 24 May 2021 reserved judgment after presiding over the challenge of the by-elections ban and indicated that he needed more time to go through all the submissions from the parties involved before handing down his verdict on the application.

On 2 October 2020, government suspended the holding of by-elections with Health and Child Care Minister Constantino Chiwenga issuing Statutory Instrument 225 of 2020 which indefinitely banned the holding of all by-elections to fill in a significant number of vacancies in both the National Assembly and in local authorities caused through recalls of office holders and deaths, claiming that it was a precautionary measure to contain the spread of coronavirus.

But Chiwenga’s ban of by-elections was challenged at the High Court on 13 October 2020 by Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (WALPE), Election Resource Centre (ERC) and six Harare and Marondera residents namely Ellah Tayengwa, Moud Chinyerere, Agnes Togarepi, Gracious Matsunga, David Gwanzura and Loice Gwangwara.

In the application filed by Tendai Biti of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, WALPE, ERC, Tayengwa, Chinyerere, Togarepi, Matsunga, Gwanzura and Gwangwara, who cited Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Chiwenga as respondents, argued that the suspension was a breach of the Electoral Act and the Constitution as government should have held by-elections before 30 September 2020
to fill in vacancies in local authorities and in the National Assembly.

On Monday 24 May 2021, when Justice Musithu presided over the hearing and determination of WALPE, ERC and Tayengwa, Chinyerere, Togarepi, Matsunga, Gwanzura and Gwangwara’s application, he quizzed Olivia Zvedi and Tawanda Kanengoni, the lawyers representing President Mnangagwa, Chiwenga and ZEC on their bureaucratic foot-dragging in not lifting the indefinite suspension of by-elections.

The Judge interrogated the lawyers on why government was reluctant to hold by-elections considering that it had eased national lockdown regulations including opening schools and universities.

Justice Musithu also asked why government was averse to holding by-elections and yet other countries such as Tanzania and the United States of America had held polls recently.

The Judge also asked Zvedi and Kanengoni to give an indication on when the indefinite suspension of by-elections would be lifted.

In his submissions, Biti argued that the motive of imposing a ban on by-elections by government has nothing to do with curbing coronavirus but is a suppression of democracy. He said government had suspended the Constitution by not implementing its provisions such as holding by-elections whereas other countries in Africa and beyond had held
polls and emphasised that all constitutional obligations must be complied with diligently and without delay.

Zvedi argued that it is prudent for government to suspend by-elections in order to conquer the spread of coronavirus since the risk of a third wave of the pandemic was high. She also argued that section 86 of the Constitution provides for the limitation of rights hence
government had taken the right decision in suspending by-elections.

Kanengoni argued that holding by-elections at a time of the coronavirus pandemic would curtail effective participation of the electorate and said that ZEC could only conduct by-elections once President Mnangagwa issues a proclamation.

By A Correspondent- The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), Douglas Munatsi, died in a house fire on 29 November 2021.

Munatsi died around 4am on Monday at his 9th floor Northfields flat located at the corner of Fifth Street and Josiah Tongogara Avenue. 

Revealed a source:

The cause of the fire is not known but it is highly likely that it is arson.

The former BancABC CEO was appointed to the role by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2019.

It is reported that Munatsi was due to meet Mnangagwa on Monday morning.

He was known mostly for leading BancABC since its formation in 2000, until its acquisition by Atlas Mara in 2014. 

Munetsi who was a close friend of President Mnangagwa was also the owner of Kunatsa Estates.

The Northfields Owners Association, in a statement, said there was no electricity at the time due to a cable fault – ruling out an electrical fault as the cause.

The association said one of Munatsi’s neighbours in apartment C10 heard a commotion at around 2.50 AM and went to his balcony to investigate.

From the balcony, he reportedly spoke to Munatsi who told him there was a fire in his apartment and asked him to call the fire brigade.

The association added:

The fire brigade arrived at 3.11AM and 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.

His death in one of Harare’s prime real estate will send tongues wagging. His family has reportedly told police that Munatsi had been receiving threats from unknown people, which will now form part of the police investigation into his death.

By A Correspondent- Police are investigating a case of baby dumping after a baby girl was found abandoned in a drain in Bulawayo. The baby was taken to Mpilo Hospital.

We present a police statement on the case:

The ZRP is investigating a case of exposing an infant which occurred in Bulawayo on 28/11/21, where a baby girl was found dumped in a drainage near Gampu Primary School, Mpopoma. The infant was wrapped in a red t-shirt which was in a plastic bag.

Meanwhile, the infant was taken to Mpilo Hospital for further management. Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact any nearest Police station.

Police recently expressed concern over the cases of baby-dumping that have remained unacceptably high in 2021 in spite of an overall decline compared to 2020.

Sally Mugabe Central Hospital clinical director Dr Hopewell Mungani revealed that they receive two or three cases of baby-dumping every mon

The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation would like to inform all valued stakeholders that its Pockets Hill Broadcasting Centre has suffered a power outage.This has affected radio & TV transmission.We apologise for the inconvenience.Engineers are working to restore services.

— ZBC News Online (@ZBCNewsonline) November 29, 2021

By A Correspondent- Zanu Pf sympathiser and CEO of ZIDA Doug Munatsi has died.

Munetsi, the owner of Kunatsa Estates reportedly died in a fire tragedy.

More details follow.

By A Correspondent- Teachers and Primary and Secondary Education minister Evelyn Ndlovu will today meet in Harare under the cloud of threats to boycott public school examinations that are scheduled to begin today.

Teachers have registered their displeasure over disparities in salaries with other government workers, among several other issues about their conditions of service.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou confirmed the meeting yesterday, saying it would include government and other stakeholders in the educations sector.

Zhou said it would discuss several issues, including that of teachers threatening to boycott invigilation of the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec) “O” and “A” Level examinations if they were not paid for the services.

“It’s a final meeting that would apprise the minister of an array of challenges affecting teachers such as pathetic salaries and the need to restore the purchasing power parity of teachers’ salaries to the pre-October 2018 position of an average of US$540,” Zhou told NewsDay yesterday.

“While this is a sole responsibility of the Public Service Commission (PSC), the line ministry needs apprisal so that it can inform the PSC, Cabinet and Treasury to address the issue as a matter of urgency.

“The issue of contract/payment for invigilation will be discussed. The current united front position of teachers is that no contractual agreement/payment, no Invigilation unless Zimsec is brought to pay teachers for the invigilation of public examination under its auspices, and teachers will not invigilate such examinations,” Zhou said.

Zimbabwe Teachers Association chief executive Sifiso Ndlovu said the issue of boycotting of Zimsec examinations would come up for discussion, among several other issues affecting teachers. But he said the decision to boycott would be up to individual teachers to make.

“To us, the contracts have to do with individual teachers, but at the moment, what we are engaged with is the discussion on the issue of examination management and related allowances. We are not going to look at invigilation only,” Ndlovu said.

“We are looking at all various issues. The new curriculum is dictating that there be continuous assessment, which then makes examinations only a component of 30%, and with that, it means every teacher, who has been involved, is an examiner and in that instance, we are introducing a new paradigm, where we are asking the authorities now to introduce a policy that recognises the new paradigm that will remunerate all those involved in all those activities.

“That level of engagement will see us tomorrow (today) engaging the ministry together with other stakeholders to concretise them on that. Our position has always been that we want teachers paid for invigilation, but we have not yet said we are going to boycott invigilation.”

He said during today’s meeting, teachers would make appropriate claims against government.

“The boycott position has not been communicated, and it will come to that if we have challenges along the way. At the moment, let us cross that bridge when we see it,” Ndlovu said.

Smaller unions like the Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe have already made their position clear that their members will boycott invigilating the examinations as long as there was no written agreement to pay them for the services.

Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro last week made it clear that if teachers boycotted invigilation of examinations, government “will use anyone” to invigilate them.

Ndoro also said there were several non-unionised teachers that could invigilate for free.

Last year, government used school ancillary staff and villagers to invigilate the examinations after teachers boycotted.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Former Harare City town clerk Tendai Mahachi has been acquitted by the Supreme Court in a matter where he was accused of criminal abuse of office by corruptly awarding millions of United States dollar tenders for waterworks during his tenure in office.

Mahachi, who was represented by Tapson Dzvetero, was being charged together with Simon Muserere, Christopher Magwenzi Zvobgo, Misheck Bvumbi, Masiye Kapere, Wilton Janjazi, Pauline Macharangwanda and Urayai Mangwiro for allegedly corruptly awarding a tender valued at US$13,8 million for the rehabilitation of the Firle Sewage Digester and Ancillary Works.

They were also accused of corruptly awarding a tender for the rehabilitation of Firle and Crowborough Sewage Works valued at US$18,1 million to Sidal Engineering (Pvt) Ltd, which had no capacity to execute the required work.

Sidal allegedly, in turn, sub-contracted Energy Resources Africa Consortium to do the work, thereby breaching Harare City Council tender procedures.

The High Court had acquitted the accused persons on the basis that the manual used as evidence had been put in place by an illegal commission and had not been adopted or regularised.

But State prosecutor chief law officer Chris Mutangadura appealed to the Supreme Court, saying the High Court erred in discharging the accused persons.

A Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Nicholas Mathonsi, Alphas Chitakunye, and Lavender Makoni dismissed the State’s appeal saying the accused person’s guilt was not proved beyond reasonable doubt, and that the appeal by the State was without merit.

“The guilt of the respondents was not proved beyond reasonable doubt. The appeal is without merit. In the result, it be, and is hereby ordered that the appeal is dismissed,” the bench ruled.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Former young warriors star Ronald Mudimu has died.

Said Langeni Thawalala on facebook:

“We have lost one of our celebrities in Chitungwiza Ronald Mudimu, former young warriors, Caps Football Club and Triangle goalkeeper.”

More details follow…….

By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF is battling to conclude its restructuring exercise due to violent clashes among supporters, which have affected several provinces, it has emerged.

Several provinces, especially in Midlands, Mashonaland West, Harare and Mashonaland Central, have been affected by factional fights as the ruling party prepares for provincial elections next month.

In Manicaland, two Zanu-PF youths were dragged to court on Thursday to answer to charges of malicious damage of property after they allegedly stoned a vehicle belonging to Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial chairman Mike Madiro.

The accused youths, Malcolm Masarira (31) and Occasion Chimwendo (33) appeared before Mutare magistrate Langton Kata and were remanded on $10 000 bail each to December 14.

Court papers allege that the two stoned Madiro’s Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle in October at the 220km peg along Harare-Mutare Highway.

The vehicle was being driven by Ndava Mapungwana, who is the Transport deputy minister’s official driver.

One of the stones allegedly struck the windscreen of the vehicle, hit the driver on the chest and damaged the steering wheel.

In Harare, acting chairperson Godwills Masimirembwa and aspiring chairperson Godwin Gomwe are also embroiled in a legal battle after violence erupted in Epworth last month.

Gomwe is accused of assaulting Masimirembwa, who last week told NewsDay that “body movements” were normal in any contestation.

There were gunshots in Kwekwe two weeks ago when two rival factions clashed at the party district offices as factionalism continued to rear its ugly head in Zanu-PF.

Several people have been appearing in court in the Midlands province on various charges, including violence that engulfed the district since the beginning of the restructuring exercise.

In Mashonaland East, Zanu-PF women’s league national secretary for administration Monica Mutsvangwa and legal affairs secretary Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana are in a fierce fight over the party’s provincial chairperson post, a development that has irked members of the province.

The chaos in the province started after the reinstatement of provincial co-ordinating member Nyarai Tsvuura as the provincial women’s league boss following resolutions made by the central committee at the October national annual conference held in Bindura.

Tsvuura was removed from the top post in 2019 after being accused of “gossiping”, but was found not guilty by the national disciplinary committee, leading to a central committee decision to reinstate her. She was, however, blocked from resuming her duties, with Mutsvangwa and Mangwana claiming the move had been overtaken by events.

In a letter addressed to provincial chairperson Michael Madanha dated November 15 and seen by NewsDay, Mutsvangwa said the position taken by both the central committee and the provincial co-ordinating committee (PCC) was incorrect.

“This position taken by your PCC is incorrect, and an abrogation of Zanu-PF procedures. The NDC reinstated Tsvuura in June 2019 which the central committee report correctly captures. However, what the report does not capture is that after NDC reinstated Tsvuura as acting chairperson, this was implemented by the late JB (former Transport minister Joel Biggie) Matiza, who was the provincial chairperson by that time,” the letter read in part.

“A team led by the national secretary for commissariat, in the women’s league, (Maybe) Mbowa was deployed to the province and held a meeting with the provincial women’s league executive on September 25, 2020. During this meeting, an election to choose a substantive chairperson was conducted and the candidates were Tsvuura and Gororo. The results were 25 for Gororo and three for Tsvuura.”

Another letter from Mangwana addressed to the Zanu-PF women’s league boss, Mabel Chinomona, dated November 16 also said that the central committee could not nullify what was already on the ground.

The provincial members have said they would only comply with the central committee recommendations.

In a letter in response to Mutsvangwa dated November 17, provincial secretary for administration Kudzai Majuru, who recently announced Tsvuura’s reinstatement, said only the central committee could reverse the decision.

Majuru claimed that the province was correct in reinstating Tsvuura as the provincial women’s league boss.

By Nomusa Garikai- The sheer hypocrisy and duplicity of MDC leaders when it comes to dealing with the thorny issue of Zimbabwe’s political culture of violence, never seize to infuriate me!

“That’s an issue of impunity and fertilises the breakdown of security of the person and security of the citizen,” said Nelson Chamisa.

“We have so many cases of so many people, who have been attacked like this over the past years and how do you kill  somebody like a fly like that?”

“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.”

Chamisa was speaking of the murder of a Gutu MDC activist, Nyasha Mawere, by Zanu PF thugs. Nyasha was attended by his assailants for attend a rally address by Chamisa. The names of the three assailants were given to the Police but, as usual, there have been no arrests. 

During the 2008 elections, over 500 innocent Zimbabweans were murdered and hundreds of thousands were beaten and/or raped and millions were subjected to all manner of harassment and abuse. The elections was a watershed in that the nation witnessed some of the worst wanton violence in the country’s history.

The heinous crimes were committed by Zanu PF youths and war veterans, as the foot soldiers, backed up by the Police, Army, CIO and Prison Services personal who carried out the heavy duty stuff of abducting and killing. This was a Zanu PF instigated “Operation Mavhotera ani!” (Operation Whom did you vote for!) to punish the people for daring to vote for the MDC in the earlier, March 2008 vote. 

Of course, none of the perpetrators of the wanton 2008 violence were ever arrested and faced justice. The Police, Army, etc. were and still are to this day captured by Zanu PF; the Police, Army, etc. are nothing but a department of Zanu PF there to serve the party’s selfish interest of no regime change. 

So Nelson Chamisa is right to moan about the culture of impunity and no sense of shame on the part of those responsible for upholding the rule of law and protecting the sanctity of human life. 

Nelson Chamisa and his MDC friends are shameless hypocrites for three reasons:

1. MDC had the golden opportunity during the 2008 to 2013 GNU to implement the democratic reforms which would have dismantled the Zanu PF dictatorship, end the party’s strangle hold on the Police, Army and all the other state institutions and restore the individual freedoms and rights including the right to free elections and the right to life. They failed to implement even one reform in five years because Mugabe bribe them. They forgot about the reforms because they had their snouts in the feeding trough.

2. Everyone has argued that Zimbabwe must implement the reforms first before holding elections. It is none other than MDC leaders who have stubbornly insisted on having elections with no reforms. Zanu PF has been offering a few gravy train seats to entice the opposition to participate and MDC and company have found the bait irresistible. Mnangagwa has increases the bait by creating POLAD, a superfluous political body to reward all presidential candidates who endorsed him as the legitimate winner of the rigged 2018 elections.  

3. By participating in these flawed and illegal elections, MDC and company are giving legitimacy to the vote rigging Zanu PF. Of course it is an outrage that the country’s fight to end the Zanu PF dictatorship and the corse of bad governance is now being frustrated by MDC who then have the chutzpah to pontificate over suffering and deaths of the victims of their blatant betrayals.

Yes, Zanu PF have created and ruthlessly retained this de facto one party dictatorship. However, we cannot deny that the 2008 to 2013 GNU was our get out of jail card which Morgan Tsvangirai and his mates failed to use by implementing the raft of democratic reforms to dismantle the dictatorship. 

We can evoke the get out of jail card by demanding the implementation of the reforms before elections and it is MDC leaders who are refusing to do so under the pretext they have “winning in rigged elections strategies!” All nonsense of course because none of these strategies have worked and after 41 years of rigged elections the insanity must be stopped. 

“There is the concept of always sitting  around a fireplace as a family to look at issues and if that fails, we always invite a neighbour,” continued Chamisa.

It was SADC who facilitated the 2008 to 2013 GNU and MDC failed to implement even one reform in five years because MDC leaders are corrupt and breathtakingly incompetent. Another GNU will accomplish nothing, not as long as the same corrupt and incompetent Zanu PF and MDC leaders are allowed to play leading roles.  

Zimbabwe cannot afford yet another meaningless election process just to give vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy and another five more years in power. We have the get out of jail card, we must evoke it by demanding reforms before elections. 

Just because MDC and Zanu PF leaders have proven to be corrupt and incompetent beyond the pale does not mean no one else can implement the reforms. We just need competent men and women to implement the reforms and not these hypocrites; the reforms themselves are not rocket science.

ReplyReply allForward

By A Correspondent- Women rights defenders are convening a virtual indaba tomorrow to deliberate on the continuous harassment and alleged abuse of Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife, Marry Mubaiwa Chiwenga, by the former military boss. Marry, who is facing charges of attempting to kill Chiwenga , has allegedly been blocked from receiving treatment outside Zimbabwe for a life threatening ailment by the VP after their marriage broke down.
A visibly sick Marry has been a subject of pity from across the political divide though Zanu PF and government have chosen to remain mum on the issue insisting this was a private matter.
Marry 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 also doubles up as Health and Child Care minister, appealed against an earlier judgement in her favour.
Chiwenga argued his ex-wife was not mentally fit and was a drug addict.
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 and 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 opposition MDC Alliance also weighed in on the Chiwenga has wife saga.
“The MDC Alliance assembly of women notes with concern the increased incidences of gender based violence that has become the hallmark of Mnangagwa’s government.
“The most recent example of the regime’s toxic culture of abusing women and weaponising the law against them is the harassment and torture of Marry Chiwenga, estranged wife of VP Chiwenga,” MDC Alliance assembly of women spokesperson Barbara Tanyanyiwa said.
She said Mubaiwa was a victim of people settling political scores and that should not be tolerated as she continues to suffer.
Marry was on Friday remanded to tomorrow when the latest medical report on her mental state to stand trial will be presented in court.
She filed an application to stop her trial, saying she was not fit to stand trial citing ill-health.
-Standard

By A Correspondent- Direct flights between South Africa and the United Kingdom (UK) will resume next week, the Department of International Relations and Co-operation said on Sunday.Spokesperson Clayson Monyela said British Airways would resume direct flights to South Africa from Tuesday, with the first flight to London on Wednesday.
“It will be one daily flight to Cape Town and OR Tambo International Airport [ORTIA], Virgin flies three times a week into ORTIA. They have not stopped theirs,” Monyela said in a tweet.
The United Kingdom High Commission in South Africa said entry would still be restricted to United Kingdom/Irish nationals and those with residence rights would need to undertake 10 days quarantine in a government approved hotel.
The United Kingdom (UK) imposed a travel ban on South Africa and other five southern African countries with effect from November 26, following the detection of a new Covid-19 variant known as Omicron first detected in Botswana and subsequently South Africa.
The other countries on the UK red list were Botswana, Lesotho, eSwatini, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Botswana said the Omicron variant was detected on four foreign nationals who had entered the country on November 7, on a diplomatic mission. They tested positive for Covid-19 on November 11 as they were preparing to return.
Botswana Health Minister Dr Edwin Dikoloti said the country has recorded 15 more Omicron variant cases, taking the country’s tally to 19.
One of the cases was a South African who was in the country visiting family.
In a televised national address on Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said he was deeply disappointed in the reaction to SA regarding the Omicron variant
He said there was no scientific justification for keeping imposing restriction on South Africa.
The emergence of the Omicron variant should be a wake-up call to the world that vaccine inequality cannot be allowed to continue.
“We have said that vaccine inequality not only costs lives and livelihoods in those countries that are denied access, but that it also threatens global efforts to overcome the pandemic,” Ramaphosa said.
He added that the restrictions were unjustified and unfairly discriminated against South Africa and southern African countries.
“The prohibition of travel is not informed by science, nor will it be effective in preventing the spread of this variant.
“We call upon all those countries that have imposed travel bans on our country and our southern African sister countries to urgently reverse their decisions and lift the bans they have imposed before any further damage is done to our economies.”
IOL

By A Correspondent- The Miss Tourism board has made a shock U-Turn and reinstated Chipo Mandiudza, who had only reigned for two days before she was dethroned over nudes scandal.She was crowned on October 19 at a ceremony in Bulawayo, which was followed by controversy after her supposedly nude pictures made rounds on social media platforms.
In the pictures were screenshots from a video in which Mandiudza looks like she was in gyrating dances clad in skimpy outfits.
Mandiudza reportedly wrote to the Miss Tourism board tendering her resignation. But the model fired back at the board and revealed in the media that she was forced to resign.
In a press statement released by Miss Tourism Zimbabwe board chairperson Busi Dube-Muleya, said Mandiudza a marketing student at Lupane State University has been restored as reigning queen till the next contest.
“It is common cause that in the last edition of the Miss Tourism Zimbabwe beauty pageant, the crown had been awarded to Chipo Mandiudza upon her successful virtual competing against other contestants,” Dube-Muleya said.
“Subsequent to her winning of the top chair, Chipo was disqualified on account of inappropriate personal materials that went into the public domain.
“The Miss Tourism Zimbabwe pageant carries the name of the country’s tourism sector and for this reason, we apply the highest standards on pageant contestants on moral uprightness.
“As and when disciplinary measures will have been taken against a contestant, there is room for an appeals process in our disciplinary and grievances procedures.
“After Chipo had hurriedly handed us her resignation letter she automatically became suspended from the Miss Tourism Zimbabwe throne.
“She then formally appealed, presenting all the photographic materials that had caused the disciplinary measures against her during, which period the deadline for the Miss Tourism International entry lapsed thereby deeming it impossible for Chipo to compete.
“The Miss Tourism board has carefully looked at all the photographic images presented by Chipo on appeal.
“That process proved that though inappropriate, in fact on all the photos that caused the public stir, there was no nudity.
“Accordingly, the Miss Tourism Board reconsidered the circumstances and determined that Chipo Mandiudza be restored back to the throne with immediate effect as the reigning Miss Tourism Zimbabwe 2021 until the next MTZ pageant.”
Mandiudza will represent Zimbabwe in the Miss Tourism International search that will be held virtually due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
The global finals will be held on December 15.

-Standard

By A Correspondent- Members of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s escort Saturday assaulted a Harare motorist and later detained him on charges of intercepting his long motorcade.

The incident happened at the intersection of Seke and Cripps roads in the morning.

Malvern Samakande was detained at Mbare police station after police cut him off and assaulted the 25-year-old on charges of obstructing the presidential motorcade.

He was only released after paying an admission of guilty fine of $2000 following the intervention of Human Rights NGO Forum lawyer Nobel Chinhanu. Chinhanu confirmed the incident. He said:

The Forum has attended today at Mbare Police Station to represent Samakande, who was accused of failure to obey road signs and signals.

Allegations are that Samukande failed to give way to the presidential motorcade.

It was alleged that Samukande failed to obey multiple police officers stopping the movement of traffic and was only stopped by the presidential guards.

He was released after the payment of an admission of guilty fine.

Several motorists were in the past assaulted by the late former president Robert Mugabe and now Mnangagwa’s security men for not giving way to the presidential motorcade.

Riders on the motorcade have also been killed after motorists failed to observe the unwritten law of giving way to the presidential motorcade.

In 2016, Joseph Chakanetsa was jailed for two years for cutting Mugabe’s motorcade in the capital after the court found him guilty of negligent driving.

He was slapped with another 60-day jail term for failing to stop after committing the offence.

His driver’s licence was cancelled and he was banned from driving heavy vehicles and public transport for life.

More: The Standard

The MDC Alliance has come out to defend Zimbabweans stranded in South Africa.

The party, has stood out to confront the South African government over the plight of the nearly 200,000 set to loose their immigration status as the neighbouring country ends the Zimbabwe special dispensation permit grants.

Our message to all the affected individuals and families is that we will not leave any Zimbabwean behind, the party said in a statement. FULL TEXT BELOW

On the 25th of November 2021, the South African Government announced that it will no longer be extending Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEP) which expire on the 31st of December 2021.

South Africa’s latest position will affect more than 182 000 Zimbabweans. We respect the decision of the South African government and we appreciate South Africa’s help. The nation has repeatedly supported Zimbabwean citizens who were fleeing poverty, injustice and corruption.

Our people left the country in search of better opportunities and jobs following the socio-economic and political crisis created by the regime in Harare. As a social democratic party whose core value is to champion a better society for the people of Zimbabwe, we are extremely concerned with the plight of our brothers and sisters who have become perpetual victims of the authorities that deliberately renege on their responsibility to serve and protect the people.

At the core of Zimbabwe’s problem is a legitimacy crisis flowing from the disputed election of 2018, illegal and unconstitutional accumulation of wealth through looting, corruption and abuse of state institutions. Zimbabwe has become one of the worst governed countries in the world due to the regime’s misrule and maladministration. ZanuPF’s anti-poor policies have driven the citizens away.

South Africa, SADC and the rest of Africa will have to deal with the harsh reality that as long as they ignore the call to encourage Zimbabwean government to conduct free and fair elections, observe the rule of law, respect human rights and other key constitutional mandates, the immigration problems will continue to affect the neighbouring countries and beyond. Instead of championing a better society anchored on democratic values, the regime in Harare is focusing on authoritarian consolidation.

As the MDC Alliance, we stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters domiciled in South Africa. We are appealing to SADC to assist the struggle by playing their part to hold the regime to account when they abuse the citizens and practice bad governance contrary to the principles enshrined in the SADC Treaty.

Our recently launched Diaspora Affairs and Mobilisation Department will be fully seized with this issue, engaging with stakeholders to find a lasting solution within the twelve months’ grace period given by the South African government.

Our message to all the affected individuals and families is that we will not leave any Zimbabwean behind as we prepare for the 2023 election victory by President Nelson Chamisa.
Together, we will win Zimbabwe for change.

Issued by: Clifford Hlatywayo

Tinashe Sambiri|Fearless MDC Alliance vice chairperson Hon Job Sikhala has said the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa and his former boss Robert Mugabe murdered thousands of innocent citizens for opposing Zanu PF.

An emotionally- charged Sikhala vowed to end political violence across the country.

Addressing mourners at the burial of MDC Alliance member Nyasha Zhambe in Gutu District, Mawere area on Saturday, Sikhala blamed known Zanu PF members for killing Zhambe.

Zhambe was abducted and tortured by Zanu PF hooligans in Gutu during President Chamisa’s community engagement programme in October.

“I received a call from Councillor Bernard Chimwango about Nyasha’s deteriorating condition after he had been assaulted by known Zanu PF hooligans.

He arrived at my place around midnight. He could not walk properly…

Akandiudza kuti pane mipurwa yandirova maGutu umu( He related how Zanu PF people assaulted him).

Vanhu veZanu PF varipano go and Mnangagwa kuti zvanzi naJob Sikhala urimupurwa wemunhu.”

“Mnangagwa and Mugabe murdered 20 000 citizens in Matabeleland. They also killed Ndabaningi Sithole’s supporters.

We all know that Zanu PF killed thousands of Movement for Democratic Change supporters. As citizens, it is our constitutional right to protect ourselves.

I am not afraid of Zanu PF…

Tinoti Mwari vaita kuda kwavo but not in this case …Some people ended Nyasha’s life.

Tirikuona vanhu veZanu PF who are here, you come here just to feign concern … pfutseki imi vanhu veZanu PF vakaita izvi ( Zanu PF you are very stupid)

Councillor Bernard, you are the chairperson of the provincial youth assembly, it is your duty to protect the community.

Our message to Zanu PF is clear – stop killing our people. I will personally come back to end these barbaric acts.

I confronted one Mafios in Gutu( he was among those who killed Nyasha) and he ran away.

I will go to Mupandawana to look for him. We will see if he is able to kill me. I am also a fighter.”

He added:” Pupurai Togarepi you are the MP for this area, stop these acts of violence. After all you can’t even write a single correct sentence in English.
Stop lying to us, you are not a war collaborator.”

ZANU PF activist, Sybeth Musengezi, Friday vowed to continue with his court action where he is challenging the constitutionality of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ascendancy as ZANU PF leader in 2017.

Mnangagwa and Zanu-PF recently threatened to sue Musengezi’s lawyers demanding withdrawal of the court challenge.

Musengezi’s lawyers have accused Mnangagwa and ZANU PF’s lawyers of using bullying tactics and reported them to the Law Society of Zimbabwe.

The ZANU PF activist is seeking a court order declaring null and void a November 19, 2017, ZANU PF central committee meeting that elected Mnangagwa as party leader after the late Robert Mugabe’s dismissal.

In an opposing affidavit, ZANU PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu argued that Mnangagwa enjoyed presidential immunity. He also dismissed Musengezi as a bogus ZANU PF member.

Musengezi cited ZANU PF, Mnangagwa, Mpofu, acting finance secretary Patrick Chinamasa, former Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko and ex-ZANU PF finance secretary Ignatius Chombo as the first to fifth respondents respectively in his application. Musengezi said in his answering affidavit filed through his lawyers Ncube Attorneys:

Applicant clearly has sued the second respondent in his official capacity as the President and first secretary of the first respondent. To suggest that the applicant is thereby suing the office of the President is self-servingly misleading.

He said the fact that Mnangagwa is the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe does not bar a suit against him in his capacity as President and 1st Secretary of ZANU PF.- NewsDay

Tinashe Sambiri|Fearless MDC Alliance vice chairperson Hon Job Sikhala has said the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa and his former boss Robert Mugabe murdered thousands of innocent citizens for opposing Zanu PF.

An emotionally- charged Sikhala vowed to end political violence across the country.

Addressing mourners at the burial of MDC Alliance member Nyasha Zhambe in Gutu District, Mawere area on Saturday, Sikhala blamed known Zanu PF members for killing Zhambe.

Zhambe was abducted and tortured by Zanu PF hooligans in Gutu during President Chamisa’s community engagement programme in October.

“I received a call from Councillor Bernard Chimwango about Nyasha’s deteriorating condition after he had been assaulted by known Zanu PF hooligans.

He arrived at my place around midnight. He could not walk properly…

Akandiudza kuti pane mipurwa yandirova maGutu umu( He related how Zanu PF people assaulted him).

Vanhu veZanu PF varipano go and Mnangagwa kuti zvanzi naJob Sikhala urimupurwa wemunhu.”

“Mnangagwa and Mugabe murdered 20 000 citizens in Matabeleland. They also killed Ndabaningi Sithole’s supporters.

We all know that Zanu PF killed thousands of Movement for Democratic Change supporters. As citizens, it is our constitutional right to protect ourselves.

I am not afraid of Zanu PF…

Tinoti Mwari vaita kuda kwavo but not in this case …Some people ended Nyasha’s life.

Tirikuona vanhu veZanu PF who are here, you come here just to feign concern … pfutseki imi vanhu veZanu PF vakaita izvi ( Zanu PF you are very stupid)

Councillor Bernard, you are the chairperson of the provincial youth assembly, it is your duty to protect the community.

Our message to Zanu PF is clear – stop killing our people. I will personally come back to end these barbaric acts.

I confronted one Mafios in Gutu( he was among those who killed Nyasha) and he ran away.

I will go to Mupandawana to look for him. We will see if he is able to kill me. I am also a fighter.”

He added:” Pupurai Togarepi you are the MP for this area, stop these acts of violence. After all you can’t even write a single correct sentence in English.
Stop lying to us, you are not a war collaborator.”

Tinashe Sambiri|Avenging spirits will torment those who kill innocent citizens, MDC Alliance vice president Hon Lynette Karenyi-Kore has said.

Speaking at the burial of MDC Alliance member Nyasha Zhambe, ( ward 24, Gutu South Constituency) Hon Karenyi-Kore pointed out that Zanu PF was responsible for the opposition activist’s death.

Zhambe was buried in Gutu District, Mawere area on Saturday.

Said Hon Karenyi-Kore:”
This is a sad situation. Nyasha was brutally murdered by Zanu PF members.

The young man had a bright future that he was deprived of by the regime.

Let me warn those who are being assigned to kill innocent citizens that ngozi( avenging spirits) will torment you forever.

The avenging spirits will come to you not those who initiate the assignments.

Stop killing innocent citizens.”

Addressing mourners at the funeral, a traditional leader said:
” I don’t belong to any political party but my message is very clear- I don’t support political violence.

I am not afraid to express myself. Nyasha was brutally murdered and that cannot be supported. “

Tinashe Sambiri|Fearless MDC Alliance vice chairperson Hon Job Sikhala has said the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa and his former boss Robert Mugabe murdered thousands of innocent citizens for opposing Zanu PF.

An emotionally- charged Sikhala vowed to end political violence across the country.

Addressing mourners at the burial of MDC Alliance member Nyasha Zhambe in Gutu District, Mawere area on Saturday, Sikhala blamed known Zanu PF members for killing Zhambe.

Zhambe was abducted and tortured by Zanu PF hooligans in Gutu during President Chamisa’s community engagement programme in October.

“I received a call from Councillor Bernard Chimwango about Nyasha’s deteriorating condition after he had been assaulted by known Zanu PF hooligans.

He arrived at my place around midnight. He could not walk properly…

Akandiudza kuti pane mipurwa yandirova maGutu umu( He related how Zanu PF people assaulted him).

Vanhu veZanu PF varipano go and Mnangagwa kuti zvanzi naJob Sikhala urimupurwa wemunhu.”

“Mnangagwa and Mugabe murdered 20 000 citizens in Matabeleland. They also killed Ndabaningi Sithole’s supporters.

We all know that Zanu PF killed thousands of Movement for Democratic Change supporters. As citizens, it is our constitutional right to protect ourselves.

I am not afraid of Zanu PF…

Tinoti Mwari vaita kuda kwavo but not in this case …Some people ended Nyasha’s life.

Tirikuona vanhu veZanu PF who are here, you come here just to feign concern … pfutseki imi vanhu veZanu PF vakaita izvi ( Zanu PF you are very stupid)

Councillor Bernard, you are the chairperson of the provincial youth assembly, it is your duty to protect the community.

Our message to Zanu PF is clear – stop killing our people. I will personally come back to end these barbaric acts.

I confronted one Mafios in Gutu( he was among those who killed Nyasha) and he ran away.

I will go to Mupandawana to look for him. We will see if he is able to kill me. I am also a fighter.”

He added:” Pupurai Togarepi you are the MP for this area, stop these acts of violence. After all you can’t even write a single correct sentence in English.
Stop lying to us, you are not a war collaborator.”

By A Correspondent- 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.

“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,” Kwenda wrote.

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

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

By A Correspondent- COSAFA has revealed names of candidates in the running for executive posts at the association’s elective annual general assembly to be held in Mbabane, Eswatini, on December 19.

For the post of president, incumbent Phillip Chiyangwa has decided not to run for a second term, leaving Safa president Danny Jordaan to battle it out with Angola Football Federation president Artur de Almeida e Silva

Comoros Football Federation president Said Ali Said Athouman will stand unopposed for the position of vice-president.

There are seven candidates for five positions as ordinary members on the executive committee, which as per Cosafa regulations must include at least one woman.

Three women have thrown their hat into the ring and they include Ria Ledwaba (South Africa), Brenda Kunda (Zambia) and Solondranja Mahatovo (Madagascar).

They will stand for a position with Timothy Shongwe (Eswatini), Ranga Haikali (Namibia), Marshlow Motlogelwa (Botswana) and Andrew Kamanga (Zambia).

Chiyangwa was elected president of Cosafa in December 2016 after standing unopposed at the organisation’s annual meeting in South Africa.

He took over from Suketu Patel, who elected not to stand, after completing two terms in office. It had also become clear at the time of the polls that Patel had lost the backing of regional football leaders amid winds of change, which were sweeping across African football/.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- A group of war veterans is angling for the takeover of properties owned by white businesspeople around the Lake Chivero Recreational Park in Harare accusing them of disrespecting President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

In 2004 and 2010, the Zanu-PF storm troopers invaded the recreational park, and yesterday they warned “another 2010” is coming.

Over 20 tourism facilities were invaded in 2010 by Zanu-PF activists wearing party regalia and claiming to be war veterans, a development that attracted global condemnation.

Reasons given for the latest takeover bid are that some of the property owners are racist because they refuse to hoist the country’s flag on their premises or to display Mnangagwa’s portrait.

“Gone are the days, 2010 is coming. Watch the space,” Michael Gomo, a Zanu-PF activist who also claims to be a war veteran warned in the Lake Chivero Whatsapp group platform.

Gomo told The Standard yesterday that there was no turning back on their threats.

“We took over some of these facilities after 2010 and it is coming back because we want to fight their actions,” Gomo said.

“We will do this our way as Zimbabweans and we will continue to fight them.

“We started fighting them in 2004 and we will continue until we win since we are now seeing changes.

“There are some, who remain there who think they own the Lake. They do not even hoist the president’s flag and that of the country, not even a picture of the president in his facility, nothing.”

Gomo vowed to fight on accusing those making complaints of using “Rhodesian laws.”

The war veterans say they are also happy about property owners who complain of noise pollution as people hold events around the lake.

“Is it noise when the people are celebrating in their own country? You can’t tell me about cutting down trees from other facilities. What does that have to do with what is happening here?,” Gomo said.

“They cannot control us and we cannot use the (former Rhodesian prime minister Ian) Smith laws and we say no to that.”

“They want to control us with Harare laws yet we are in Zvimba. I told them we are coming for them and we will toyi-toyi at their facilities.”

Land invasions have been on the rise under Mnangagwa regime with war veterans and Zanu-PF activists forcefully taking over farms, mines among other facilities.

War veterans invaded the facilities in 2010 when former vice president Joice Mujuru was acting president forcing protests in Spain where then Tourism minister Walter Mzembi was marketing the country as a safe tourism destination.-standard

By A Correspondent- A 33 year old man from Plumtree was arrested for allegedly stealing a car he had sold to someone.

Chido Abel Chifeku (33) from Dingimuzi suburb allegedly stole a vehicle he had sold to Irvine Muzenda (34) who is a teacher at Imvimila High School using its duplicate key.

Allegations against Chifeku are that on 15 October 2021 he sold a motor vehicle, Toyota Raum,   to Muzenda for US$1 100 through his friend Yeukai Jimu.

The car had no tyres and Muzenda paid US$600 before Chifeku gave him the vehicle’s original registration papers and one key.

The two parties then agreed that Muzenda would pay the remaining balance of US$500 by 31 December 2021.
After being given the vehicle Muzenda reportedly serviced it and parked it at his car wash.

It is reported that on 29 October 2021 Chikefu proceeded to the car wash in the absence of Muzenda and allegedly stole the car using a duplicate key.

He then allegedly sold the same vehicle to Muzi Dube of Kwite Primary school. The matter was reported to the police leading to Chifeku’s arrest.

For the offence Chifeku has since appeared in court charged with theft as defined Section 113 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.

He was not asked to plead and was remanded out of custody to November 30.-BMetro

By A Correspondent- A married woman from Tsholotsho’s area of Mapengula was on 21 November busted by her husband indulging in sex with another man after the husband came home unannounced from South Africa.

The husband, Simon Mpofu (38), had been tipped off by one of the villagers that his wife, Mkhiwa Ndlovu (35), had a boyfriend.

Mpofu waited for nightfall before he made his way home, where he found his wife in bed with another man in their bedroom.

Out of fear and disgrace, Mkhiwa and her boyfriend ran away undressed.

They were spotted by villagers at Tsholotsho Business Centre running in different directions.

In a fit of rage, a furious Mpofu engaged people to talk with his father-in-law Gibson Ndlovu to see how he can compensate him for the damage caused by his daughter and pay him back the Lobola he had paid.

” I don’t want to fight. I bought donkeys and a cart that I was safe-keeping at my in-laws. I want my property back.

I also want them to repay me the lobola I paid for their daughter to end this chapter.

“My wife ran away and I don’t know where she is, so the father has to compensate me because she is his daughter,” said Mpofu.

Since the farming season has arrived Ndlovu feels punished by his son-in-law for demanding his belongings.

“Every year I use these donkeys to farm and I don’t know what will become of me this year this means I will be left with nothing and it seems next year I won’t reap anything,” said Ndlovu.

By A Correspondent- Soldiers that were part of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s escort yesterday assaulted a Harare motorist and later detained him on charges of intercepting his long motorcade.

The incident happened at the intersection of Seke and Cripps roads in the morning.

Malvern Samakande was detained at Mbare police station after police cut him off and assaulted the 25 year-old  on charges of obstructing the presidential motorcade.

He was only released after paying an admission of guilty fine of $2000 following the intervention of Human Rights NGO Forum lawyer Nobel Chinhanu. Chinhanu confirmed the incident.

“The Forum has attended today at Mbare Police Station to represent Samakande, who was accused of failure to obey road signs and signals,” he said.

“Allegations are that Samukande failed to give way to the presidential motorcade.

“It was alleged that Samukande failed to obey multiple police officers stopping movement of traffic and was only stopped by the presidential guards.

“He was released after the payment of an admission of guilty fine.”

Several motorists were in the past assaulted by the late former president Robert Mugabe and now Mnangagwa’s security men for not giving way to the presidential motorcade.

Riders on the motorcade have also been killed after motorists failed to observe the unwritten law of giving way to the presidential motorcade.

In 2016, Joseph Chakanetsa was jailed two years for cutting Mugabe’s motorcade in the capital after the court found him guilty of negligent driving.

He was slapped with another 60-day jail term for failing to stop after committing the offence.

His driver’s licence was cancelled and he was banned from driving heavy vehicles and public transport for life.

He had been convicted on his own plea of guilty.

During the same year, two Zimbabwe Republic Police members allegedly intercepted Mugabe’s motorcade in Harare and assaulted two of his outriders after they had been ordered off the road.

They were arrested and dragged to court.-standard

By A Correspondent- A woman from Hillside suburb in Bulawayo has been arrested over allegations of deliberately infecting her lover with HIV.

The 32-year-old woman, whose name is being withheld, allegedly didn’t disclose her HIV positive status to her 40-year-old lover when they started having unprotected sex sometime in February 2018.

The man discovered that his lover was HIV positive when he stumbled upon her HIV patient card which was reportedly hidden under the bed. This was also after his lover’s brother informed him of her status.

The woman has since appeared in court charged with a crime of deliberate transmission of HIV as defined in Section 79 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.

She was not asked to plead and was remanded out of custody to December 16.

Circumstances are that on an unknown date but sometime in January 2018 the two fell in love before they started having unprotected sex in February 2018.

It is reported from that time until October this year they would meet at different lodges in the city and have unprotected sex.

It also emerged that before the two parties engaged in unprotected sex, they didn’t get tested.
The court heard that despite the complainant being informed about the accused’s HIV status by her brother, the two kept on indulging in unprotected  sex until the complainant stumbled on the accused’s HIV patient card which she was keeping under her bed.

When he went through the patient card, the complainant was shocked when he discovered that his lover had been on treatment since 2017 but did not tell him about it before they engaged in unprotected sex.

It is reported that on October 2, the complainant got tested and discovered that he had been infected with HIV.

Irked by the results, the complainant went and reported the matter to the police  leading to the arrest of his lover and her subsequent appearance in court.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe is moving towards the decriminalisation of willful transmission of HIV as part of efforts to end stigma and discrimination that surrounds HIV infection.

Through an amendment in the Marriages Bill 2019, Parliament is seeking to repeal Section 79 of the Criminal Code which modernise and humanise the country’s HIV response and would no longer make it an offence to knowingly infect another.-BMetro

By A Correspondent- Police in Gweru have busted a gang of five robbers who specialised in committing robberies along highway roads in and around Gweru.

The five have been arrested and are assisting police with investigations. Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the arrests. He said the arrests were made between 20 and 22 November and police have since recovered seven vehicles.

Insp Mahoko said Carlisto Banarbas Sakume (25) of Chiundura, Richard Maingehama ( 41) of Mkoba 13, Tafara Tenson Muzanenhamo (36)of Mkoba 6, Farirai Brandy (43) of Ascot, and Romeo Tinashe Mukwada (31) of Mkoba 3, Gweru have since appeared in court and were remanded in custody to 7 December for trial.

“In their modus operandi, they would board lifts pretending to be undertaking journeys. After travelling for some distance, they tell the driver to stop. They go on to threaten to kill the driver, brandishing a pistol and knives before forcibly taking away the car and other belongings,” he said.

Insp Mahoko said property they stole include a Toyota Bubble motor vehicle stolen from Makhosana Sibanda (44) of Bulawayo, a Honda Fit  stolen from Emmanuel Mundandi (38) of Gweru, a Honda Fit stolen from Stephene Deraruwa ( 36) of Kadoma, a Honda Fit stolen from Maxwell Seta (32) of Kadoma, a Honda CRV stolen from Freddy Shutu (38) of Redcliff, a Honda Fit stolen from Simbarashe Mucharwei (33) of Gweru and another Honda Fit stolen from Eric Bishi Mangozhe (66) of Kwekwe.

“The motorists were also robbed of cash and gadgets such as cellphones and laptops. The suspects would use the motor vehicles they stole for a day or two, usually for pirating before dumping them. The total value stolen and recovered are yet to be quantified,” said Insp Mahoko.

So far the syndicate, he said, has been linked to 21 armed robbery cases and expectations are that more cases would be uncovered and more arrests made as investigations continue.

“May members of the public co-operate with us by supplying any information they think will be useful in these cases.

You may get in touch with Criminal Investigations Department, Gweru or any nearest police station. Also the public should desist from boarding private motor vehicles and looking for transport at undesignated places so as not to fall victim to robbers,” said Insp Mahoko.

By A Correspondent- The multi-million-dollar contract to fix Zimbabwe’s Air Traffic Control Communication Systems (ATCCS) by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) is yet to commence, seven months after the Chinese multi-national signed a contract with the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ).

A senior government official has blamed the delay on the failure by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) to release the money required to fund the project.

The contract, awarded by CAAZ in 2020 through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, entails that CHEC will supply and install air traffic control communication systems at a cost of US$4,810,177 and accessories that would cost US$87,163, bringing the total to close to US$5 million.

This publication, working with Information for Development Trust — a non-profit organisation sponsoring and facilitating in-depth coverage of matters relating to public accountability, revealed in a story early this year that government awarded the lucrative project to a company with a tainted history of non-delivery, blacklists and bribery reports in some countries.

At the negotiation stage, the contract hit some humps when CHEC insisted on getting its payment once it had delivered the specified communication products required to revamp the aviation system, while CAAZ argued that the Chinese company must install the equipment to ensure it worked, and this carried the day.

CAAZ eventually had its way with CHEC finally securing the bank guarantee on its own.

Waiting for Godot

In an interview, Transport ministry permanent secretary Thedius Chinyanga insisted that the project was within the agreed time frame but blamed the slow pace on the central bank which he said was delaying the release of an advance payment to CAAZ, which would then pay CHEC to start the ATCCS works.

Chinyanga exonerated CHEC from blame saying the company did not “contract itself,” but was waiting for its Zimbabwean partners to fulfil their end of the bargain.

“In any contract, there are two parties. In any event, so far CHEC has performed according to the dictates of the contract. They have signed the contract.

“They have provided a bank guarantee for the contractually provided advance payment.

“They have caused commencement of manufacture of the equipment, which is not an off the shelf equipment.

“This will be followed by client experts travelling to China next year for a quality assurance mission,” said the ministry’s top bureaucrat.

Chinyanga said the project was initially billed to commence in 2022, but expressed measured concern that the RBZ delay would negatively affect the project.

“CHEC has so far performed but such continued performance is premised on the reciprocal performance by the client.

“So far there is a delay in the release of the advance payment by RBZ, which in itself will have a ripple effect on the agreed schedule,” he said.

Chinyanga, though, told The Standard that CHEC had commenced the manufacture of equipment needed for the ATCCS even though it had not been paid.

This raised questions on how CHEC was funding the reported manufacture of the equipment.

The permanent secretary, however, said CHEC could still go ahead with the manufacture of the equipment as it awaited the funds from RBZ.

“They are contractors and once someone participates in a tender, it means they know where to get their materials…It doesn’t mean the contractor waits till the advance is paid.

“If we don’t perform as a client, nothing stops the contractor invoking relevant breach clauses and reciprocate on such non-performance,” said Chinyanga.

Questions were raised on the choice of the blacklisted Chinese firm to undertake the project after initial indications pointed to a company that has had a foggy background when it comes to honesty.

In our previous story, we revealed that CHEC was one of the three Chinese firms that were shortlisted for the lucrative contract through a restricted bidding system that opened the bidding process to Chinese and Russian firms only.

European competitors that were initially part of the bidding process were viewed as a risk to the country because of the European’s Union’s sanctions regime against the Zimbabwe government that came into effect in 2002 and have been reviewed and renewed annually to date.

Details of the contract have been kept a closely guarded secret, with only the Office of the President and Cabinet, Transport ministry and CHEC having been given signed copies, procurement authority sources revealed.

Bidding history

Chinyanga refused to share the contract with The Standard insisting that “it is not a standard practice to give to journalists, contracts of this nature or any contract for that matter because of confidentiality clauses”.

Three bids were received from CHEC, Joint Venture of Beijing CSSCA Technology working with Nainjing Les Information Technology as well as JSC Azimut.

The tender closed on October 27, 2020 and CHEC emerged as the sole bidder since the other two lost the energy along the way and never returned, according to a source in the SPOC.

It was not immediately clear why the two other bidders did not complete the process despite being availed with bidding documents on September 1 2020.

While the Procurement Authority of Zimbabwe’s special committee on tenders recommended due diligence on pricing during tendering, it seems just about everyone ignored—conveniently or unknowingly—to check CHEC’s background, which, searches on open sources revealed, is littered with allegations of corruption and non-delivery.

The Beijing-based China Harbour says about itself that it focuses on basic infrastructure construction such as marine engineering, roads and bridges, airports and reclamation and prides itself for operating a US$10 billion business from 70 overseas branches and clients in 80 countries.

It is part of the China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC) in which the Chinese government has a controlling stake.

In 2014, Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni, under mysterious circumstances, booted out China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) from the US$2 billion Standard Gauge rail project and replaced it with CHEC.

Numerous legislators protested against the decision and complained that CHEC kept raising the price of the project, from an initial $6.7 billion Ugandan shillings to $11.4 billion.

There were also allegations that CHEC had paid a whopping US$200 million to officials in government, while it was on record that the CHEC executives made private visits to Museveni at his farm.

To CHEC’s defence

However, Chinyanga defended the eventual choice of the firm.

“Issues concerning the blacklisting of CHEC are in the public domain. If you go onto the World Bank site you will appreciate that CCCC was the one blacklisted for its misdeeds. However, CHEC being a subsidiary of CCCC it was thus affected. The sanctions were lifted after expiration of the embargo as per WB policy and hence we felt that the history is not material.”

He said the tendering process was above board.

“Yes the tender was very much above board as all tender formalities were followed starting with expressions of interest which were floated through two specific friendly countries (Russia and China).

“Response came from five companies who were all issued with the tender document after they were shortlisted. At close of tender, CHEC is the only one that returned or submitted its tender. Upon evaluation they were compliant and PRAZ gave its approval,” Chinyanga said.

Initial reports suggested PRAZ was opposed to the awarding of the contract to the Chinese firm insisting the law had been broken when CAAZ invited bidders to express interest and advertised the tender without the knowledge of the special committee that scrutinises procurement contracts for adherence to set regulations.

Reached for comment, PRAZ chief executive officer C Ruswa could not be drawn to discussing the issue again.

In a brief response to questions , Ruswa said “the airspace falls under State Security, therefore the procurement process was guided by Section 54 the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Act (Chapter 22:23) as read together with Section 15 (17) of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (General) Regulations, 2018”.-standard

By A Correspondent- Two more pregnant women were yesterday morning raped at Maphisa District Hospital in Matobo District, Matabeleland South Province by yet to be identified alleged criminals who broke into the maternity waiting home.

The incident comes barely four months after a similar incident took place at the same hospital, with the criminals using the same modus operandi.

While confirming receiving the report, Matabeleland South police provincial spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena said police officers were still conducting their investigations to determine what transpired.
“So far details are a bit sketchy as our investigating officers are still on the ground conducting the necessary investigations,” said Insp Mangena.

Sources at the hospital revealed that they suspected that the same people who had attacked the hospital in July were the ones who had carried out the latest criminal act, judging from the manner in which the rape incidents were done.

“The manner in which these criminals broke into the hospital is the same way those people broke into the hospital last time. This took place in the early hours of Saturday morning. We suspect that this is a syndicate that is taking advantage of the relaxed security at the hospital.

“What worries us as employees is that despite this happening in July there has been no movement in terms of upping security at the hospital,” said the source.

In July, the suspects allegedly used the window to sneak into the maternity home where three pregnant women were sleeping. The victims had only locked the doors and left the windows open.

The fourth woman who was in the room managed to escape unharmed. Pregnant women who are close to their due dates camp at the hospital so as to get attention immediately because of long distances they have to travel from their homes to the hospital.

Matabeleland South provincial medical director Dr Rudo Chikodzore, said cases of women being raped at hospital maternity homes have been escalating during the past few months with cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) also escalating at growth points.

“The raping of women has been an issue at the growth point and around the district so there has been a multi-sectoral response to GBV and sexual assault involving the police and all stakeholders in the Rural District Council.

Police are doing patrols around the growth point. We have also educated the community to avoid travelling at night to avoid being mugged or raped,” she said.

The incident happened as the country has joined the world in the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence that started on Thursday.

By A Correspondent- Watch Harare socialite and artist Kikky Badass showing off her body.

https://www.facebook.com/kikkybadass

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa has accused Zanu PF of murdering a party activist, Nyasha Mawere, who succumbed to injuries sustained after being assaulted during Chamisa’s tour of Masvingo a month ago.

Nyasha Mawere was buried in Gutu on Saturday.

Chamisa told The Standard in an exclusive interview on Saturday that the father of one was “killed like a fly.” Said Chamisa:

That’s an issue of impunity and fertilises the breakdown of security of the person and security of the citizen.

We have so many cases of so many people, who have been attacked like this over the past years and how do you kill somebody like a fly like that?

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.

ZANU PF denied responsibility. 

Chamisa warned perpetrators of violence that their actions shall haunt them one day adding that “nobody stays in charge forever.”

Zimbabwe has a long history of political violence that dates back to the 1980s where Mugabe unleashed the Fifth Brigade in the Midlands and Matabeleland where supporters of opposition ZAPU led by the late vice president Joshua Nkomo were targeted.

Chamisa said Zimbabwe needed genuine dialogue facilitated by the Southern African Development Community, African Union, South Africa and Zambia to address a “man-made and authored” political and governance crisis. 

More: The Standard

By A Correspondent- The arrested journalists who were covering an opposition MDC Alliance protest outside the Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC) provincial offices in Harare

They are currently being held at Harare Central police station.

All the arrested journalists, Thomas Madhuku, Nyadzashe Ndoro, Leo Munhede, Marshall Bwanya, Gaddaffi Wells, Adrian Maratu, Tongai Mwenje, Charles Dzimwasha, Tinashe Muringayi and Robert Tapfumaneyi work for local media organizations. 

According to International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) the move to detain journalists is blatant intimidation and harassment by the state.

The General Secretary of the IFJ said: “There seems to be no basis for the arrest of our colleagues and their arbitrary detention is a clear attempt to prevent them from doing their job and informing the public. This is blatant intimidation and harassment against journalists who are simply doing their job.”

Zimbabwe Union of Journalists said in a statement that “[we] find such police action highly unacceptable and were clearly designed at foiling the journalists’ coverage of the ZEC proceedings and thus stifling truth, which is fundamental to national development.”

By A Correspondent-Opposition MDC Alliance’s co-national vice-chairperson, Job Sikhala, says he tried to effect a citizen arrest on Saturday following the assault and eventual death of an MDC Alliance member Nyasha Mawere.

The deceased succumbed to injuries sustained from an assault by suspected a ZANU PF mob last month when Chamisa toured Masvingo province to mobilise voters ahead of the 2023 elections.

Mawere was buried on Saturday in Gutu.
Sikhala says the case is being investigated by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). He said:
Dear Zimbabweans: Nyasha Zhambe Mawere died after he reported by name the ZPF thugs who murdered him. Sgt Nyoni of Gutu Police Station is the Investigating Officer of the case & has done nothing. I even visited his assailants yesterday 2 effect a citizen arrest & they ran away.

Meanwhile, MDC Alliance has condemned political violence in the country. Said the party:
The MDC Alliance continues to mourn the sad passing of Nyasha Mawere who passed away last week. He was beaten by ZANU PF thugs & suffered injuries. He died a few days later. We call for an end to the primitive politics of violence against citizens for their political choices.

The party’s spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere also castigated political violence in the country.

She said:
We must all take heed of this powerful message by VP @KarenyiKore at the burial of Nyasha Mawere yesterday. Political violence is unacceptable. It must never be tolerated. It is not a crime to demand a better society. Nobody should be beaten for calling for change & sound Govt.

Election watchdogs have also castigated political violence in the country saying it will jeopardise 2023 elections and by-elections scheduled for 2022.

By A Correspondent- Muridzo has trashed reports suggesting his wife, Chido Manyange, better known as Mai Keketso, is cheating.

The Afro-fusion singer said the rumours were being peddled by detractors who do not want “to see him happy”.
The couple reunited some three or so months back after spending some time apart, during which the “Dherira” hitmaker publicly flirted with two different women on different occasions, both of whom he promised to marry.
But, there are claims the singer’s marriage is not smooth-sailing. It is alleged that Andy Muridzo recently got hold of steamy messages between Mai Keketso and his former manager.
And the reports further suggest that this is not the first time the talented singer has caught his wife offside. In fact, it is alleged that this was the reason they separated in the first place.
However, the musician said he was dumbfounded by the rumours.
“To be honest, I was shocked by the gossip. Those are just false and malicious statements being spread by my detractors. They are against my happiness and want to see me suffer,” he said.
His life, he added, is now back on track after reuniting with his family.
“I know some are wishing me bad, but I have no problem with my wife at the moment. We are enjoying every moment of our love life.”
Mai Keketso said she was not in the least concerned by the rumours.
“We are being targeted by jealous people who are not happy to see us together. They are trying every trick possible to separate us again. However, I say shame on them. We are now inseparable till death do us apart,” she said.

• Sunday Mail

By A Correspondent- Two more pregnant women were yesterday morning raped at Maphisa District Hospital in Matobo District, Matabeleland South Province by yet to be identified alleged criminals who broke into the maternity waiting home.
The incident comes barely four months after a similar incident took place at the same hospital, with the criminals using the same modus operandi. While confirming receiving the report, Matabeleland South police provincial spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena said police officers were still conducting their investigations to determine what transpired.
“So far details are a bit sketchy as our investigating officers are still on the ground conducting the necessary investigations,” said Insp Mangena.
Sources at the hospital revealed that they suspected that the same people who had attacked the hospital in July were the ones who had carried out the latest criminal act, judging from the manner in which the rape incidents were done.

“The manner in which these criminals broke into the hospital is the same way those people broke into the hospital last time. This took place in the early hours of Saturday morning. We suspect that this is a syndicate that is taking advantage of the relaxed security at the hospital.
“What worries us as employees is that despite this happening in July there has been no movement in terms of upping security at the hospital,” said the source.
In July, the suspects allegedly used the window to sneak into the maternity home where three pregnant women were sleeping. The victims had only locked the doors and left the windows open. The fourth woman who was in the room managed to escape unharmed. Pregnant women who are close to their due dates camp at the hospital so as to get attention immediately because of long distances they have to travel from their homes to the hospital.
Matabeleland South provincial medical director Dr Rudo Chikodzore, said cases of women being raped at hospital maternity homes have been escalating during the past few months with cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) also escalating at growth points.

“The raping of women has been an issue at the growth point and around the district so there has been a multi-sectoral response to GBV and sexual assault involving the police and all stakeholders in the Rural District Council.
Police are doing patrols around the growth point. We have also educated the community to avoid travelling at night to avoid being mugged or raped,” she said.
The incident happened as the country has joined the world in the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence that started on Thursday.

By A Correspondent- MDC-Alliance deputy chairman, Job Sikhala, said Zanu PF was responsible for the death of their Gutu member early this week.

Sikhala posted on his Twitter account Saturday at the burial of their party member Nyasha Zhambe Mawere:

I heard the horrific story of hw Nyasha Zhambe Mawere ws abducted & attacked by ZANU PF thugs near Mpandawana Growth Point. The boy in red jacket hs bn left without a father coz of ZANU PF’s thugs. We buried his father amid tears of sorrow. We will make sure he completes his sch

Heard the horrific story of hw Nyasha Zhambe Mawere ws abducted & attacked by ZANU PF thugs near Mpandawana Growth Point.

The boy in red jacket hs bn left without a father coz of ZANU PF's thugs.

We buried his father amid tears of sorrow. We will make sure he completes his sch pic.twitter.com/9q4vNXz1pX

— HON Job Wiwa Sikhala (@JobSikhala1) November 27, 2021

By A Correspondent- Tourists are being turned away from the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo after Zesa cut electricity from the facility three weeks ago over a $700 000 debt.
The museum’s director Dr Moira Fitzpatrick said the debt accumulated over the past one and a half years as they were struggling to operate due to Covid-19 pandemic induced lockdowns.
“We are a victim of Covid-19 and we have not had income for the past one and a half years because of the pandemic and we had no tourism. We are at the point now where we cannot afford to pay our electricity bill which stands at about $700 000,” said Dr Fitzpatrick.
“People can come in and see a little bit if they are willing to pay but they aren’t. We have been largely closed for the past three weeks. The offices, those being powered by solar, are open, but largely everything else is closed.”

Before the onset of Covid-19, the museum would receive about 5 000 to 6 000 visitors monthly, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is receiving a little over 1 000. Tourists pay US$10 each and locals pay the equivalent of US$3 per adult and US$1 per child per each visit.
Dr Fitzpatrick said they had made a request through their headquarters in Harare to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage for intervention.
“We fall under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage and we requested three weeks ago for the ministry to pay or help us out and we are hoping they will give us some money. We are still waiting and hopeful that they will intervene,” said Dr Fitzpatrick.
She said they had installed solar power for some sections of the museum and the institution needs between US$30 000 and US$40 000 to complete the project.

“We started the first phase, but we could not continue due to Covid and lockdowns. We had the money in reserve to put in solar, but had to use it to keep afloat as an institution and now it’s been exhausted. We would probably need between US$30 000 to US$40 000 for us to complete the solar project,” said Dr Fitzpatrick.
“We do have a bit of solar power, and few of our galleries are lit up and we can’t expect the tourist to pay the entrance fee while we are in darkness. At this point now we can’t receive any income in order to pay our bills such as the Zesa one.”
The museum contains exhibits illustrating the history, mineral wealth and wildlife of Zimbabwe, including the second largest mounted elephant in the world. It is one of the five national museums nationwide and the only natural history museum in Zimbabwe.
It is part of the Heritage Corridor trail that starts at the Inxwala Grounds, The Hanging Tree some metres away from the Inxwala site, headed south on Joshua Mqabuko Street.
The trail continues to the iconic Joshua Mqabuko statue in the middle of Joshua Mqabuko Street and 8th Avenue in the CBD then the St Mary’s Cathedral Basilica Parish, that is found at 9th Avenue and Lobengula Street. Part of the Heritage Corridor takes tourists to the Joshua Nkomo Memorial Museum along Aberdeen Road in Matsheumhlope, some 8km from the CBD. The last leg of the Heritage Corridor tour is Natural History Museum corner Park Road and Leopold Takawira.

-Chronicle