https://twitter.com/WellenceMujuru/status/1453269070330089478?s=20

By A Correspondent- Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife, Marry Chiwenga, has appealed for help to get her three minor children with the former army boss into her custody, saying they are being sexually abused by the housemaid.

In a post on social media, Marry also claimed that her estranged husband, who is also the Minister of Health and Child Care, does not take instructions from the President and therefore, she has no one to help her. 

Below is Marry’s statement:

It is most disturbing and disheartening as I write this piece of message. I write for the world to see, to know that the clock might be ticking for me, for those that wish to end my life, I have been followed, my cars have been bugged, my parents are being followed, all those that have assisted me have been threatened, some beaten up and some dismissed from work.

I have not committed a sin against those that persecute me, this persecution can be in the line for an Oscar nomination for best fiction.

I want the world to know that if I die today, it is not the will of God but the will of the one with access to state human resources that can eliminate without hesitation and on the instruction.

They don’t hide, they tell me they are “sorry”, his lawyer tells me that he is “sorry” and sends his wife to see me in my current home, to tell me that he has tried his best and “claims” that he has come under fire from his client because of wanting to reason with him, telling me that he is adamant and has become an animal.

If I am exterminated today, I want the world to know the truth, it is my prayer for God to review the truth and preserve my life.

I have been denied access to my children that are minors for the last 2 years and have also not spoken to them, children aged 10, 9 and 7, I don’t know if they are still alive or if they are dead because all access has been blocked.

I just hear from the grapevine that they were being sexually abused and verbally abused by the maid that was given custody of them, the same maid that has taken me to court, I am in pain and my health deteriorating because of the amount of torture that I am receiving from the other side.

I will not mention the things that are before the courts but the issue of my children was dismissed by the Supreme Court.

I was given custody of my children by the High Court which is the custodian of all minor children in Zimbabwe according to our “Constitution” and was thrown out the door by the above, same Superior court dismissed Frank Buyanga’s appeal to deny his wife access to their minor son and ordered to bring him back.

I am have been dubbed a drug addict by the one that introduced them to me as he was taking them, is it possible for me to have been doing that with him just observing, who was administering, even those that work with him know that he is the biggest user of opioids including his deputy in the health department.

I have approached the current many times, he has done nothing and has completely ignored me, citing reasons that his subordinate does not take instructions from him, who is the boss now???

If E.D.M wanted to help me, he would have done so, a long time ago because he knows there is no grain of truth in all these fabrications, he has put me out in the open to be terminated, he promised vehicles, security, accommodation since I am being denied access to my homes and all my bulletproof vehicles taken from me, money and all but Absolutely Nothing.

His private doctor E.D.M even advised him 18 months ago to send me outside the country for my hands to be operated and he completely ignored it, my own President can’t save me, ELIMINATION IS AT MY DOORSTEP.

I AM SEEKING ASSISTANCE FROM ALL THOSE THAT ADVOCATE FOR CHILDREN’S RIGHTS TO BE GIVEN MY CHILDREN BEFORE I AM KILLED, DEAD OR ALIVE, I WANT THEM IN MY CUSTODY.

I will write again if the opportunity arises, I think I am being persecuted for “operation restore legacy”, the truth will be revealed come rain and come thunder. God help me… I am suffering

Watch the live video loading below….

By A Correspondent- Comedienne Felistas Edwards who is popularly known as Mai Titi has taken to her Facebook page expressing frustration over a United States of America (USA) based Zimbabwean woman identified as Patricia Majoni whom she accused of trying to get her North Carolina event shut down and even called the police to arrest her.

According to Mai Titi, the police responded in her favour and protected her. She then threatened that Majoni will get the taste of her own medicine.

Mai Titi wrote:

“So the owner of the place were we held our event showed us this email from Patricia Majoni known as Mamoe on Facebook who was hoping my event shut down and even called the police to try and arrest me?

Unfortunately they came and protected me because I got rights to be here and be doing what I’m doing but by you trying to do this to me .

For what? I will see to it that you get your own taste of your own medicine. You think I don’t kno my rights because you been in America for a long time ???

You need to know the difference between me and you and henceforth you will kno the difference.

You should be ashamed of yourself after trying to steal from people claiming to host the event you get to this????

I don’t know you why the hate?? Are you ok upstairs????”

Below are some comments to the post.

By A Correspondent- Five MDC-Alliance Rusape councillors have been arrested on criminal abuse of office charges after they connived to pass a resolution to by-pass stipulated Government tender procedures, prejudicing the local authority of $1,3 million, the state media has reported..

Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) spokesperson Commissioner John Makamure confirmed the arrests made last night on charges of criminal abuse of duty.

“We arrested the following ward 1 cllr Patrick Chipere (51), ward 4 cllr Elizabeth Chidza (43), ward 9 cllr Luckson Zengeni (43), ward 3 Joseph Nyamupera (59) and ward 7 cllr Ndabanengi Mataga (38),” he said.

“The accused persons working in connivance passed a resolution to by-pass the Procurement Act, the resolution was then used to hand pick lawyers Mugiya and Muchadehama who then offered legal services worth $1 300 000 ignoring procurement thresholds and tendering process thereby showing favour to the handpicked lawyers.”

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police has charged 40 liberation war veterans for public violence after they were arrested for refusing to comply with a directive to allow only five of them to hand over their petition to government.

Said the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights:

“ZRP are charging 40 former liberation war veterans with participating in gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of the peace or bigotry as defined in section 37 of Criminal Code. ZRP accuses the former freedom fighters of singing “revolutionary” songs after they allegedly refused to comply with a directive to only allow 5 of them to hand over a petition detailing their grievances against govt at @ZimTreasury, Munhumutapa Building & @ParliamentZim. The 40 war veterans are still detained separately at Harare Central, Highlands,

JUST IN: ZRP are charging 40 former liberation war veterans with participating in gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of the peace or bigotry as defined in section 37 of Criminal Code. ZRP accuses the former freedom fighters of singing "revolutionary" songs

— ZLHR (@ZLHRLawyers) October 27, 2021

after they allegedly refused to comply with a directive to only allow 5 of them to hand over a petition detailing their grievances against govt at @ZimTreasury, Munhumutapa Building & @ParliamentZim. The 40 war veterans are still detained separately at Harare Central, Highlands,

— ZLHR (@ZLHRLawyers) October 27, 2021

By A Correspondent- Parents of the  16-year-old Form Three student who was recently expelled from Mabelreign Girls High School after she was involved in several sexual encounters with a security guard have cried foul on how the school authorities handled the case.

The accused, David Tembo who was employed by the school at the school premises resigned when his sexual relationship with the 16-year-old girl came to light.

After the sex scandal emerged,  the parents were handed a transfer letter and told to look for another school because the school could no longer accommodate her.

The parents of the victim have bemoaned how the school head, Nomatamsanqa Kusena has been protecting Tembo instead of their daughter who they allege was manipulated in sex.  The father believes that it was unfair for the school head to opt to expel their daughter instead of getting Tembo arrested for having sex with a student.

“The Headmistress is protecting a person who manipulated my daughter into sex.

Nothing has been done to him, and the head just wants us to go away

The security guy is someone who we entrust our kids with at the school and he is supposed to be a father figure.How could he do that to my daughter?,” the victims father said.

A local tabloid reports that the case was downplayed at the police station after the girl said the encounters were consensual.

However, Tembo is still denying having any sexual relations with the Form three student. In his defence, he claims that sexually explicit messages and images were found on his phone because another guy was using his phone to send messages to this girl.

I don’t know what you are talking about; yes I know her but the conversations you are referring to are involving another guy.

It was my phone which was used to send the messages and I was also fixing her phone.

The school head Mrs Kusena can testify because I explained everything to her.

Meanwhile, Tembo is still residing at the school premises even though he’s resigned.-H-Metro

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa has called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government to respect fighters of Zimbabwe’s war of independence and address their grievances rather than harass them.

This come after several war veterans were arrested in central Harare on Tuesday for protesting against poor pension stipends.

Chamisa took to Twitter this Wednesday morning to express solidarity with the incarcerated ex-combatants, saying his government will never “ignore or forget” them. He said:

“AS A PEOPLE’S GOVERNMENT we will never harass, terrorize, disrespect, victimize, ignore or forget our war veterans and liberation heroes.

“Their welfare and dignity is and shall be our top priority. All their grievances must be addressed. Stop arresting and harassing our liberation heroes.”

About 40 war veterans were detained at various police stations in Harare, with some taken to Harare Central Police Station, while the rest were taken to Rhodesville and Borrowdale police stations.

The veterans had gathered at the Africa Unity Square to protest over the $16 000 monthly allowances they are getting from the government when police in riot gear swooped on them.

This is the second time the war veterans have been arrested this year.

In August, nine of them were arrested for protesting at Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube’s offices, demanding a review of their pension benefits.

They were, however, released in the dead of night without charge, allegedly following instructions “from the top”.

By A Correspondent- President Nelson Chamisa’s citizens’ tour continues In Mashonaland West where he is set to meet the electorate.

The party however accused Zanu Pf of bussing in violent youth militia to disrupt the tour.

Said the party:

The citizens tour continues & president @nelsonchamisa is here in Mash West. T

The unelectable ZanuPF regime in #Zimbabwe is blocking access to communities in Hurungwe which he is alleged to be going & is bussing militias for violence.

The citizens tour continues & president @nelsonchamisa is here in Mash West. The unelectable ZanuPF regime in #Zimbabwe is blocking access to communities in Hurungwe which he is alleged to be going & is bussing militias for violence @hwendec @cazawaty #NgaapindeHakeMukomana pic.twitter.com/FofRBcuHOj

— CCC Mash West (@cccmashwest) October 27, 2021

Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy Associations (ZCIEA) held its 3RD National Elective Congress on the 22nd of October 2021 which saw Lorraine Sibanda who is also StreetNet International President re-elected as the ZCIEA National President.

As part of its Constitutional obligation to promote democracy, ZCIEA conducts an elective congress every five years to choose New leadership which oversees the day-to-day running of the organization.

The Congress was Graced by The Ministry of Public Service Labour and Social Amenities with the Acting Permanent Secretary Mr. Mabhena and Acting Deputy Director of Employment in the same Ministry Ms. Vimbai Chiza. Acting PS gave a transformational speech to the ZCIEA leadership and wished the organization a successful Congress.

A total of 235 delegates from 46 ZCIEA territories voted on the 22nd of October 2021. President Lorraine Sibanda (Gwanda) was duly elected as the ZCIEA National President after she garnered 122 votes whilst the ZCIEA Outgoing 3rd Vice National President Stella Chivandikwa (Kariba) got 107 votes, 6 votes were invalid.

ZCIEA Outgoing National Youth Chairperson Kizito Mupunga (Kwekwe) was re-elected into ZCIEA Management as the ZCIEA 1st Vice National President with 141 votes whilst Gweru Territorial President Shephard Museve got 80 votes, 14 votes were declared invalid.

ZCIEA Chitungwiza Organiser Janet Chirenje was nominated for the position of 2nd Vice National President as uncontested, she was endorsed by the ZCIEA National Congress and declared as the ZCIEA 2nd Vice National President.

ZCIEA Bulawayo Territorial President Musawenkosi Nyoni was declared the ZCIEA 3rd Vice National President with 144 votes whilst Zvishavane PWD Chair got 80 votes, 11 invalid votes.

Secretary General’s position was not contested for, it’s a full-time secretarial position.Plumtree Territorial President Lydia Maphosa was nominated as the 1st Vice Secretary-General uncontested, she was endorsed and declared by the ZCIEA National Congress.Chipinge Territorial President Dennis Maluwa was nominated for the position of 2nd Vice Secretary-General as uncontested, he was endorsed and declared by the ZCIEA National Congress.

The following three candidates wrestled for the position of National Organiser: Mutare Territorial President Benita Goneso topped with 107 votes, followed by the outgoing National Organiser Samson Sibanda (Binga) with 53 votes and Sanyati Territorial Organiser Garikai Mutunzi with 40 votes.

President Benita Goneso was declared the ZCIEA National Organiser.Beitbridge Territorial President Portia Shumba was declared the ZCIEA Vice National Organiser with 93 votes, whilst Guruve Territorial President Kelvin Musandauka got 91 votes and Kwekwe Secretary Moment Banda got 13 votes.Mashava Territorial President Nomore Sigauke garnered 126 votes and became ZCIEA National Treasurer, and Blessing Rukovo (Sanyati) got 94 votes.

ZCIEA National Women Chair Loice Gwangwara, National People With Disabilities Chair Tavengwa Mazhambe, and National Youth Chair Tinashe Musendami were elected into office on the 10th of December 2020, and they automatically become part of the ZCIEA National Leadership.ZCIEA appreciates the delegates for showing maturity during elections.

Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy Associations (ZCIEA) also appreciates election officers and their credentials for conducting elections transparently. This is a sign of true democracy and commitment to the vision, mission, and objectives of the organization.“The Chamber That Delivers

Report By Fungai Munetsi

By A Correspondent- President Nelson Chamisa’s citizens’ tour continues In Mashonaland West where he is set to meet the electorate.

The party however accused Zanu Pf of bussing in violent youth militia to disrupt the tour.

Said the party:

The citizens tour continues & president @nelsonchamisa is here in Mash West. T

The unelectable ZanuPF regime in #Zimbabwe is blocking access to communities in Hurungwe which he is alleged to be going & is bussing militias for violence.

The citizens tour continues & president @nelsonchamisa is here in Mash West. The unelectable ZanuPF regime in #Zimbabwe is blocking access to communities in Hurungwe which he is alleged to be going & is bussing militias for violence @hwendec @cazawaty #NgaapindeHakeMukomana pic.twitter.com/FofRBcuHOj

— CCC Mash West (@cccmashwest) October 27, 2021

By A Correspondent- Health deputy minister John Mangwiro yesterday claimed that his ministry was not responsible for the failure by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to hold by-elections, disputing claims by the commission that government was holding up the polls.

There are 28 vacant seats in the National Assembly and Senate, most of them as a result of the MDC-T faction led by Douglas Mwonzora recalling MDC Alliance legislators.

Zec chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba told diplomats last Wednesday that the electoral management body was ready to conduct the by-elections, but was waiting for Vice-President and Health minister Constantino Chiwenga to lift the suspension.

Last year, Chiwenga promulgated Statutory Instrument 225A of 2020 to indefinitely suspend elections over COVID-19 fears.

Mangwiro yesterday retorted: “But (elections have) got nothing to do with the ministry. We don’t supervise elections.”

Briefing diplomats, Chigumba said Zec could not be faulted for failure to hold by-elections, shifting blame on Chiwenga.

The commission, she said, had “taken measures to engage the minister on the possibility of lifting the suspension on the conduct of by-elections”.

“By-elections can only be held once the said suspension has been lifted. The commission, however, continues to receive calls by various stakeholders for it to conduct by-elections, with some sectors mistakenly believing that Zec is the obstacle towards the holding of these by-elections,” Chigumba said.

“The commission stands ready to conduct by-elections once the statutory instrument issued by the Minister of Health and Child Care suspending the conduct of by-elections is amended to allow for the resumption of by-elections.”-newsday

By A Correspondent- War veterans Association district chairpersons in Masholand Central province have threatened to sue Minister for provincial affairs in Mash Central Senator Monica Mavhunga for allegedly selling land in the province.

The chairpersons who spoke to a local publication claimed Mavhunga is denying their association members access to land while selling the land to land seekers.

“We are not happy with our Minister she is allegedly selling land in the province while denying war veterans from the association access to land,” lamented the sources.

“We have been trying to engage her through her office and she keeps on saying she is busy it’s now over three months but we have since decided to take her to Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Committee mayb that way we can be assisted.”

Although the provincial veterans chairman Sam Parirenyatwa refused to comment it is not a secret that Mavhunga and Parirenyatwa are not in good books after she allegedly refused to admit Parirenyatwa in the provincial lands committee in which she chairs.

Mavhunga did not pick calls from this reporter.

However, Mavhunga is not new to land scam as she has pending cases at High Court.

By A Correspondent- War veterans who were arrested in Harare on Tuesday for protesting over paltry stipends said the country has regressed to the Rhodesian era where they were not allowed to freely air their grievances.

The protesting ex-combatants, who are members of the War Veterans’ Welfare Pressure Group (WVWPG) and drawn from across the country’s provinces, accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government of neglecting them.

A war veteran from Mvurwi, Obert Hazvinei Machingura, said the former combatants were holding protests because of false promises made by Mnangagwa’s government.

Said Machingura:

We have seen other groups, including the ruling party itself, being permitted to conduct protests, but we are being blocked,” Machingura said.

We have gone back to the (late former Rhodesia Prime Minister Ian) Smith regime. We are not allowed to speak.

Why is it so hard for the authorities to allow us to submit our petition to the President?

We are wallowing in poverty, but we contributed immensely to the liberation of the country.

Some of us lost limbs, relatives and homes to free the country, but what is the reward for that? Nothing.

Another war veteran, Mildred Chimurenga, who came all the way from Kwekwe, said the arrests were an indication that there was limited freedom of expression in the country under Mnangagwa.

She said:

Government should be committed to improving our welfare the same way we dedicated our lives to the liberation of this country.

We have been reduced to beggars when we deprived ourselves of some freedoms and opportunities to enrich ourselves and chose to go to war. However, only a few are enjoying the benefits.

MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa said war veterans deserved respect and instead of harassing and terrorising them, the government should address their grievances.

About 40 ex-combatants were detained at Harare Central Police Station after they gathered at the Africa Unity Square to protest over the $16 000 monthly allowances they are getting from the government.

Others were detained at Rhodesville and Borrowdale police stations.

By A Correspondent- War veterans who were arrested in Harare on Tuesday for protesting over paltry stipends said the country has regressed to the Rhodesian era where they were not allowed to freely air their grievances.

The protesting ex-combatants, who are members of the War Veterans’ Welfare Pressure Group (WVWPG) and drawn from across the country’s provinces, accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government of neglecting them.

A war veteran from Mvurwi, Obert Hazvinei Machingura, said the former combatants were holding protests because of false promises made by Mnangagwa’s government.

Said Machingura:

We have seen other groups, including the ruling party itself, being permitted to conduct protests, but we are being blocked,” Machingura said.

We have gone back to the (late former Rhodesia Prime Minister Ian) Smith regime. We are not allowed to speak.

Why is it so hard for the authorities to allow us to submit our petition to the President?

We are wallowing in poverty, but we contributed immensely to the liberation of the country.

Some of us lost limbs, relatives and homes to free the country, but what is the reward for that? Nothing.

Another war veteran, Mildred Chimurenga, who came all the way from Kwekwe, said the arrests were an indication that there was limited freedom of expression in the country under Mnangagwa. She said:

Government should be committed to improving our welfare the same way we dedicated our lives to the liberation of this country.

We have been reduced to beggars when we deprived ourselves of some freedoms and opportunities to enrich ourselves and chose to go to war. However, only a few are enjoying the benefits.

MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa said war veterans deserved respect and instead of harassing and terrorising them, the government should address their grievances.

About 40 ex-combatants were detained at Harare Central Police Station after they gathered at the Africa Unity Square to protest over the $16 000 monthly allowances they are getting from the government.

Others were detained at Rhodesville and Borrowdale police stations.

By A Correspondent- Persecution on the Marry Chiwenga continued after yesterday the court again postponed her trial on money laundering and externalisation charges to November 2.

Marry is charged with allegedly externalising US$1 033 000 and laundering US$990 000. She is also facing separate charges of attempted murder and assault.
The State had set trial dates, but Marry, through her lawyer Ms Beatrice Mtetwa, told the court last week that she was not fit to stand trial as she was taking mental altering drugs that make it difficult for her to stand trial.

Yesterday, Mrs Netsai Mushayabasa, appearing for the State, requested for the postponement when Mubaiwa appeared before regional magistrate Mr Noel Mupeiwa saying they were still waiting for the results of the second medical examination.

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa has said that the arrest of over 40 war veterans Tuesday is a clear sign that the Zanu PF led government is insensitive to the plight of the former freedom fighters.

Armed police rounded up war veterans in central Harare who staged a peaceful demonstration against poor pension payouts.

“AS A PEOPLE’S GOVERNMENT we will never harass, terrorize, disrespect, victimize, ignore or forget our war veterans and liberation heroes.
Their welfare and dignity is and shall be our top priority. All their grievances must be addressed. Stop arresting and harassing our liberation heroes,” Chamisa tweeted Wednesday.

The veterans were detained at various police stations in Harare, with some taken to Harare Central Police Station, while the rest were taken to Rhodesville and Borrowdale police stations.

The veterans had gathered at the Africa Unity Square to protest over the $16 000 monthly allowances they are getting from the government when police in riot gear swooped on them.

This is the second time the war veterans have been arrested this year.
In August, nine of them were arrested for protesting at Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube’s offices, demanding a review of their pension benefits.

By A Correspondent- Dairai Lyn Chirimumimba is a Zimbabwean born frontline worker based in Ireland who today 27 October 2021 is celebrating her birthday.

This year, the celebrations are even more special because the occasion is coinciding with one of her childhood dreams.

Chirimumimba’s wish to see her works on the shelves has finally come true.

“I have always been an author. As a child, I wrote short stories and poems. The challenge is that everything that I wrote as a child was never published.”

 I am thrilled that my book has been published. This is just the beginning. I am going to write and publish more books. Writing is my passion and because I have always been a friend of the pen and paper, watch this space.”

So far, she has two completed books to her name, one of which has already been published.

Chirimumimba speaks to ZimEye and we publish below excepts of the interview:

ZimEye: Who is Dairai Lyn- Mary Chirimumimba?

Dairai:  I am a Zimbabwean by birth and I also grew up here. To be precise, I was born in Murehwa and grew up there. I went to school at Morris school in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe (UMP) from grade 1 to 3. The whole family then moved to Chitungwiza where l completed my primary education at Seke number 7 school. l went on to do my secondary education at Seke no 2 high school where l did form one to form four.

After my high school education, I trained as a general nurse at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and qualified in 1992. From Parirenyatwa Group of Hospital, l went on to work in Hwedza before I returned back home and worked at Chitungwiza Referral Hospital before I moved to Masvingo Hospital until 2 October 2002.

At the end of October 2002 I relocated to the republic of Ireland where l am currently based.

ZimEye: You are a qualified nurse, how did you start writing?

Dairai: When I was a teenager and doing my secondary education I was in the debate club and we used to do impromptu speeches. That kind of inspired me. In the Debate Club, you are just given a topic and you have to come up with a story and say something about it. Since that time, I realised I had a passion for writing too.

I would write and go places if an event is happening I would just write a short story, compile a small poem or something like that. I would do this while growing up but everything that I wrote was never published, because the publishing was not there.

I was just doing it out of interest I can say. So when my brother passed away, Dr Chirimumimba, may his dearly departed soul rest in eternal peace, I thought of writing his bibliography. So whilst I was doing that, that’s when it clicked that I have to be writing something.

I felt the urge to communicate and connect with the readers through my writing. I wanted to share my stories, so that is when I said to myself, I have to publish. I started working on my first book.

ZimEye: Can you please share the journey until you published your first book?

Dairai: Her Brothers’ Choice is the first book that I published because my brother’s bibliography was the first book I wrote but unfortunately, to date, it is still on the shelves. I didn’t get to publish it.

Her Brother’s Choice is a romantic fiction novel based on seeing and hearing stories about life, about love and what goes on around us. It is published on Live Life Academy, which is my website.

The story is about a young girl who fell in love but could not marry the man of her dreams because of culture and expectations. The girl was forced to marry someone she didn’t love. However, the marriage broke down and in the end she reunited with the love of her dreams. I urge you all to read and enjoy this beautiful romantic tale.

ZimEye: After the first publication, what next? Have you written more?

Dairai: The second book is Dementia Journey Walk With Me. This book is more like motivational or educational. It is about ways of coping with dementia if one member of the family has the condition, be it the parent, brother or sister. The book advises on how you can cope as a family.

I wrote this book because I felt the need to advise people on how to cope, what challenges families face and the existing choices. It enlightens people on how to make it when a family member has the condition. Because I am trained as a nurse and I am still working as one, when I started working in Ireland, I was exposed to people with dementia and I have seen how families were distraught and struggling to cope.

Through reading literature and talking to people, I decided to write this book just to give tips to people, to families and even those who already have dementia. Those that do not have the condition can also read it so that they may know more about it. So this book is for everyone. Anyone can use it because those who do not have dementia but may have friends should also know and have the knowledge of what support is out there.

Most of the time, coping with the condition is a challenge, how can the affected work around it when it’s like the end of life. It’s like because people are grieving, people are angry, people are in pain, it can be really tough. So that’s how I came to write this book. It is going to be edited and published by a publishing company in the UK. It will be available soon. It should be out this November or December.

ZimEye:  How have you balanced work and writing? What challenges have you faced as an author?

Dairai: It has been hectic balancing work and writing. My main challenge was time to sit down and write my content. As a nurse who is now at a more senior nursing position, I am an assistant director in nursing so my work demands are high. I also have a family that needs me, so to try and create time to write was my main challenge and it still is. Although, I can safely say now this has improved, that has been my greatest challenge.

Of course, there are other challenges such as establishing who will edit my book and the financial demands that come with editing to get it published.

ZimEye: What lessons have you learnt from these experiences?

Dairai: What I have learnt with my writing is that being an author is a full time profession. I have learnt to respect all authors. Writing requires a lot of commitment. I salute all the authors. I have read so many books from primary school when I was young including Kusasana Kunoparira, Akanga Nyimo Avangarara, Waiting For The Rain and Coming Of The Dry Season. I appreciate all those authors because my experience has taught me that it takes a lot of commitment to come up with a book.

ZimEye: Any future projects?

Dairai: The book My Brothers Choice was written in 2018 and rewritten in 2019 and completed in 2021. Dementia Journey Walk With Me was started in 2020 and it will be ready soon. It is my hope. For future projects, there are plenty to come. I have one that is set to come out early 2022, it is a christian book.

This upcoming book is a religious book centred on Jesus. It is a good book. I am a christian so I believe in Jesus and I also believe in sharing the word of God. Because of my background, this book will really be instrumental for me

Because Her Brother’s Choice is a small book, the second part may be coming soon. I should continue with the story. It will be different but it will be a continuation of this family. So watch this space. There may be other projects to come too so who knows there may be a third part of Her Brother’s Choice.

ZimEye: Your words of advice to aspiring writers?

Dairai: When you commit yourself to your project, you will definitely succeed. The sky is the limit. It is a laborious journey but worth it. Dreams do come true when you persevere.

All those wishing to read more about Dairai can visit her website Livelifecademy.com   

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa has challenged Zanu PF led government to respect the former freedom fighters.

Chamisa made the challenge after Tuesday the police had arrested scores of them for demonstrating against poor pension payouts.

“AS A PEOPLE’S GOVERNMENT we will never harass, terrorize, disrespect, victimize, ignore or forget our war veterans and liberation heroes.
Their welfare and dignity is and shall be our top priority. All their grievances must be addressed. Stop arresting and harassing our liberation heroes,” Chamisa tweeted Wednesday.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Harare have arrested 20 war veterans protesting against poor pensions.

Tuesday, the defiant former liberation war combatants said they were living in abject poverty while political elites were leading luxurious lives.

They said they were ready to be arrested or die for staging the protests meant to push the government to review their pensions.

They said they used to have better lives but now the situation has deteriorated. Watch the video below for more details.

They previously demonstrated in ‘defense of its people, freedoms, and the future’ after claiming that the ANC government was failing in its duty to effectively run the country.
The trend shows that some African governments are failing to address the veterans’ grievances, neither do they have sustainable plans for the welfare of war veterans.

-Online

By A Correspondent- Some MDC Alliance activists were severely assaulted by suspected Zanu PF machete-wielding assailants in Goromonzi South.

MDC Alliance last Sunday said the attackers were identified as James Marifani and Zaka and is urging the Zimbabwe Republic Police to take action. Said MDC Alliance:

GoromonziSouthViolence Zanu PF thugs who violently attacked our members on Sunday in Goromonzi South have been identified as James Marifani & Zaka.

Here are images of our members who were violently attacked with machetes & knives by ZANU PF thugs on Sunday. We condemn the cruel acts of this violent, murderous, corrupt regime.

MDC Alliance’s Secretary-General, Chalton Hwende, urged the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to investigate and arrest identified perpetrators. He added:

Some of our members were assaulted outside Mabvuku Police Station whilst trying to make Police reports. Political intolerance and violence must end and Police must not selectively apply the Law

There have been reports of assaults on MDC Alliance activists since two weeks ago when the party leader, Nelson Chamisa toured Masvingo and Manicaland provinces.

The party claimed that Chamisa himself narrowly escaped two assassination attempts allegedly plotted by the ruling ZANU PF.

Some political analysts are convinced that the attacks are meant to instil fear in the opposition party’s supporters ahead of the 2023 elections.

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said that he was very excited to be invited to attend the climate change conference in the United Kingdom.

United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) is scheduled for the 23rd and 24th of November in Glasgow, Scotland. 

Mnangagwa expressed his excitment on his twitter account Tuesday.

He tweeted:

I am eagerly looking forward to my first visit to the United Kingdom. @COP26meeting of nations comes at an extraordinary time in world history. Many countries are still battling the pandemic whilst having to undertake immense changes to our economies to meet climate goals.

The discussions @COP26 are going to be an important step in agreeing to a collective way forward.

For Zimbabwe, we feel the impact of climate change more than others. Our temperatures have risen by approximately 2°C over the past century. Which has seen a significant increase in extreme weather. In the past two decades alone, we have had to deal with 10 droughts.

If the world doesn’t step up, we will see jobs lost, livelihoods destroyed, and people will lose their lives. That is something we must avoid and why Zimbabwe is coming to the table with ambitious plans to tackle climate change.

Zimbabwe has now committed to reducing emissions by 40% before 2030. The time for words is over – we must act now.

While we will offer to hasten our economic transformation, we do need to remain alive to the shocks of drought and the impact of climate change through necessary social safety nets. I will be appealing for multilateral support to supplement our efforts.

Zimbabwe has come a long way over the past three years, I hope our presence @COP26 and our commitment to the global fight against climate change will be recognised as part of our ongoing re-engagement campaign.

By A Correspondent- Some MDC Alliance activists were Sunday severely assaulted by suspected Zanu PF machete-wielding assailants in Goromonzi South.

MDC Alliance has said the attackers were identified as James Marifani and Zaka and is urging the Zimbabwe Republic Police to take action. Said MDC Alliance:

GoromonziSouthViolence Zanu PF thugs who violently attacked our members on Sunday in Goromonzi South have been identified as James Marifani & Zaka.

Here are images of our members who were violently attacked with machetes & knives by ZANU PF thugs on Sunday. We condemn the cruel acts of this violent, murderous, corrupt regime.

MDC Alliance’s Secretary-General, Chalton Hwende, urged the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to investigate and arrest identified perpetrators. He added:

Some of our members were assaulted outside Mabvuku Police Station whilst trying to make Police reports. Political intolerance and violence must end and Police must not selectively apply the Law

There have been reports of assaults on MDC Alliance activists since two weeks ago when the party leader, Nelson Chamisa toured Masvingo and Manicaland provinces.

The party claimed that Chamisa himself narrowly escaped two assassination attempts allegedly plotted by the ruling ZANU PF.

Some political analysts are convinced that the attacks are meant to instil fear in the opposition party’s supporters ahead of the 2023 elections.

MY DREAM & MISSION is to see our politics based more on ideas and thought, anchored more on issues and debate away from insults,hate &violence. My joy will be complete when more young smart Zimbabweans join active politics. It’s doable. It’s possible.A New Great Zimbabwe loading!

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) October 26, 2021

Tinashe Sambiri|Zimbabwe’s international isolation can only end if key reforms are implemented.

Zanu PF blames sanctions for the economic quagmire in the country.

Addressing a media briefing in Harare on Tuesday, MDC Alliance vice president Professor Welshman Ncube called for an inclusive dialogue that will resolve the political crisis in Zimbabwe.

According to Professor Ncube, Zanu PF wants to suppress genuine dialogue through POLAD …

Watch:

By A Correspondent- While daily Covid-19 infections have significantly declined over the past weeks, almost half of the cases recorded in the country yesterday were from schools, the latest statistics from the Ministry of Health and Child Care have shown.

This is happening at a time when the uptake of Covid-19 vaccines has also gone down drastically, casting a shadow on the government meeting its 10 million target by year-end.

“Thirty-seven (37) new cases (all local) and four (4) deaths [were] reported today (Monday),” said the Ministry of Health and Child Care in its daily Covid-19 update late yesterday.

“Seven day rolling average for new cases remains at 40. Seventeen (17) of these cases are from outbreaks in schools.”

Schools in Manicaland had nine (9) cases, Masvingo six (6), Mashonaland West and Matabeleland North recorded one (1) case each.

In Bulawayo, according to the Health Services Department, a total of 23 learning institutions have recorded Covid-19 cases since schools opened in September with most having recovered and the situation under control.

Of those, there were 12 primary schools, 10 secondary schools and one tertiary institution that recorded cases between the end of third wave and last Friday.

“As of today (Monday), Zimbabwe has recorded 132 688 cases, 127 433 recoveries and 4 673 deaths,” said the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

A total of 3 299 cases were conducted yesterday with 1.2 percent of them coming out positive.

Active cases have since gone down to 585 with the national recovery rate now at 95 percent following 135 new recoveries recorded yesterday.

“As of 24 October 2021, at 1500 hours, there were 63 hospitalised cases, new admissions 1, asymptomatic 5, mild to moderate 42, severe 13 and 3 in Intensive Care Units,” said the Ministry.

A total of 6 378 people yesterday received their first jab bringing the cumulative total to 3 275 033 while 6 193 got their second dose pushing up the cumulative figure for the fully-vaccinated to 2 545 717. CITE

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Harare have arrested 20 war veterans protesting against poor pensions.

Tuesday, the defiant former liberation war combatants said they were living in abject poverty while political elites were leading luxurious lives.

They said they were ready to be arrested or die for staging the protests meant to push the government to review their pensions.

They said they used to have better lives but now the situation has deteriorated. Watch the video below for more details.

They previously demonstrated in ‘defense of its people, freedoms, and the future’ after claiming that the ANC government was failing in its duty to effectively run the country.
The trend shows that some African governments are failing to address the veterans’ grievances, neither do they have sustainable plans for the welfare of war veterans.

-Online

By A Correspondent- Former MDC T stalwart Obert Gutu who is now a commissioner at the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission has reiterated his sanctions must fall mantra regretting ever supporting their imposition on Zimbabwe as arguably the worst mistake of his political career.

He said in a tweet:

My Damascus moment was clear & emphatic.

Supporting & clamouring for more sanctions to be imposed against my beloved country, Zimbabwe ?? was arguably the WORST mistake of my political career.

I publicly apologised for this awful & treacherous mistake.

SANCTIONS MUST FALL

My Damascus moment was clear & emphatic.
Supporting & clamouring for more sanctions to be imposed against my beloved country, Zimbabwe ?? was arguably the WORST mistake of my political career. I publicly apologised for this awful & treacherous mistake.

SANCTIONS MUST FALL

— Obert Gutu (@GutuObert) October 26, 2021

By A Correspondent- The Mines Ministry is demanding $8 million from the 2022 budget to woo investors into the mining sector and ensure that closed mines scattered around the country are reopened.

This was said on Sunday by Mines minister Winston Chitando in a report which he presented in Victoria Falls during the 2022 pre-budget seminar in response to issues raised by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines.

He said:

The ministry will enhance its efforts towards the resuscitation of closed mines. A total of $8 172 604 is required to support promotional activities, engagement with investors and relevant stakeholders towards the reopening of the closed mines.

More effort is also being made through Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) whereby they are engaging various investors to reopen closed mines. The ministry intends to transform the Lupane office into a full-fledged provincial office. Currently, Bulawayo Metropolitan hosts most of the staff and operations of the province.

Chitando said during public hearings by the committee on the 2022 national budget, members of the public demanded that government must prioritise the reopening of closed mines throughout the country to enhance employment creation and improve mining revenue going into the national purse.

He said Zimbabwe had a lot of large-scale mines that were shut down due to the collapse of the economy leaving thousands of employees jobless.

He added that it was also recommended that a lithium smelting and processing plant should be set up to produce products rather than export raw minerals.

Zimbabwe intends to achieve a US$12 billion mining industry by 2023 with a view to attaining an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.

By A Correspondent- The ruling party Zanu-PF’s 19th National People’s Conference kicks off at Chipadze Stadium in Bindura, Mashonaland Central province tomorrow, with a number of high-level engagements expected to dominate the four-day programme which runs up to Saturday.

The National People’s Conference is being held in a hybrid format for the first time in the history of Zanu-PF due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw last year’s calendar event being suspended.

The party’s Politburo meeting will be held at the main venue while delegates from the provinces are expected to follow the main proceedings at Chipadze Stadium virtually.

In line with Covid-19 health regulations, delegates are expected to produce their valid Covid-19 vaccination certificates before accreditation.

In Bulawayo, 101 delegates will gather at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Hall 2 where they will follow the virtual proceedings from the main venue.

Other provinces will also congregate at selected venues where they will follow proceedings.

Bulawayo yesterday joined the rest of the country in marching against sanctions

The annual party indaba takes place at a time when the Government under the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa is rolling out a number of initiatives to revive the economy as part of a transformative drive towards an upper middle-income economy by 2030.

In an interview yesterday, Zanu-PF acting spokesperson Mike Bimha said it was all systems go following the last meeting on preparations yesterday.

“We are almost ready for the indaba and various sub-committees today submitted their reports to the national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri. She was quite happy with the amount of effort that has been put by the sub-committees to make sure that the conference is a success,” he said.

“With the reports that we got, it is quite clear that we will have a successful conference. The various provinces are ready with all the materials and we believe that the connectivity will operate as expected.”

Bimha said the main venue was mainly for the Politburo members who are less than 100, including some Government ministers.

“The conference is officially starting on Wednesday with the Politburo meeting while the Central Committee will be on Thursday,” he said.

Bimha said President Mnangagwa will officially address delegates on Friday.

The conference will discuss, among other issues, the state of the party, state of the economy, food security and nutrition, social services and poverty eradication, macroeconomic stability and reengagement, infrastructure development and utilities as well as value addition and beneficiation.

The annual Indaba is coming at a time the country has embarked on rapid modernisation in terms of infrastructure development, industrialisation and economic growth in line with President Mnangagwa’s vision for an upper middle-income economy by 2030.

Consistent with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and the country’s devolution thrust, the Government is making sure that development leaves no one behind.

Infrastructure development and rehabilitation, a key pillar in the economy in terms of the NDS1, is receiving increased attention under the Second Republic, with several key projects being implemented across the country.

Some of the notable projects being undertaken by the Government include the construction of Lake Gwayi-Shangani in Hwange district, Matabeleland North, Tuli-Manyange Dam in Ntalale in Gwanda district, Matabeleland South, the revamping of Beitbridge Border Post and dualisation, upgrading and tolling of the Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu highway.

The Lake Gwayi-Shangani project is a major component of the National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project (NMZWP), which upon completion in December, is expected to provide a permanent water solution for Bulawayo and Matabeleland region.

Modernisation of the Beitbridge Border Post is in line with Vision 2030 of attaining an upper middle-income economy, and is one of the key projects being undertaken by the Government to promote the ease of doing business and trade facilitation.

The Government is also undertaking the Robert Mugabe International Airport upgrade and the US$1,5 billion Hwange Units 7 and 8 expansion as well as the Hwange Power Station units 1-6 upgrade.

The ongoing Emergency Roads Rehabilitation Programme 2 (ERPP2) launched by President Mnangagwa in response to the damaged road network throughout the country as well as devolution funding, have transformed key infrastructure in both urban and rural areas.

Road rehabilitation is a key enabler in transforming Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income economy by 2030.

The economy is on a recovery trajectory and for the first time in many years, the country exhibited higher resilience to recent unforeseen shocks, including the latest outbreak of Covid-19.

Anchored on the successful 2020/21 rainfall season, higher international mineral commodity prices and a stable macro-economic environment, Zimbabwe’s enhanced resilience to prevailing shocks has it implementing a number of development projects despite the many competing priorities.

Domestic GDP growth for the year 2021 is projected to remain strong at 7,8 percent, slightly above the 2021 National Budget growth forecast of 7,4 percent

This will be mainly driven by recovery in the agriculture sector, which recorded a bumper harvest in the last season, and is set to grow by to 34 percent.

The good harvest realised by Zimbabwe from the last farming season will slash the import bill by US$300 million.

The recent success in food production indicate that Zimbabwe is on course to achieve the US$8,2 billion revenue from agriculture by 2025 under the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy.

Agriculture and mining sectors are expected to collectively contribute US$20 billion to the economy in a few years’ time.

Due to continuing fiscal support measures, higher growth rates are projected in agriculture, electricity generation, accommodation and food services as well as financial services.

The fiscal and monetary consolidation measures being implemented by Government have firmly anchored inflation expectations as shown by a significant decline in inflation from 837,5 percent in July last year to 106,6 percent in June 2021.

The country’s annual inflation stood at 51,55 percent for the month of September 2021.

In recent months, the country’s annual inflation has been slowing down as monetary authorities projected a rate below 25 percent by year-end.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) statistics show that there has also been a steady performance of the mining sector, coupled with noticeable recovery in the manufacturing sector whose capacity utilisation rose from 36 percent in 2019 to 47 percent last year and 54 percent in the second quarter of 2021.

The strong economic recovery has also been attributed to the comprehensive reform drive being undertaken by  the Government.-statemedia

Case Alert

25 October 2021

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government is adamant that it has accomplished a lot in stopping child marriages in Zimbabwe despite some reported rising cases of the pervasive practice.

In response to summons filed at Harare High Court on 28 September 2021, government lawyers are unwavering that President Mnangagwa’s administration had taken all the legislative and other steps required at law to stop child marriages including enforcement of the same.

The lawyers argued that a request for an order from the High Court to secure the rights of the girl children exposed to the practice of child marriages is misplaced, unnecessary and incompetent.

In March 2021, government released some shocking figures showing that 4 959 girls fell pregnant between January and February 2021 alone at a time when the scourge of child marriages increased due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and associated national lockdowns.

The response by government filed at High Court on 18 October 2021 came after Sharon Moffat, a Masvingo resident and two human rights organisations recently asked the High Court to order Marange Apostolic Church of St Johanne and the Apostolic Churches Council to mount a campaign denouncing the practice of child marriages.

In the application, Moffat, Legal Resources Foundation (LRF) and Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) want Marange Apostolic Church of St Johanne and the Apostolic Churches Council to be ordered to publish at every shrine or every place of worship, a message for 19 consecutive weeks, clarifying, for the benefit of their congregants
and adherents, that the marrying or giving in marriage of girl children is not an aspect of their respective faiths and should not be committed in the name of their religion.

Moffat, LRF and WCoZ also want the High Court to order Health and Child Care Minister Constantino Chiwenga, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Hon. Ziyambi, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Hon. Kazembe Kazembe, Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Hon. Sithembiso
Nyoni, Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Gender Commission and Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, to take steps to bring to an end the practice of marrying and giving in marriage of girl children in Marange Apostolic Church of St Johanne and in Independent African Apostolic Churches represented by Apostolic Churches Council.

The trio want Zimbabwean authorities to conduct an identification of children married in terms of the practice, their removal, from such marriages and placement in places of safety established in terms of the Children’s Act for their rehabilitation.

They also want the activation of the criminal justice system against all men who have married or otherwise have had sexual intercourse with minor children in the name of religion post the decision of the Constitutional Court in Mudzuru and Another v Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and Others in Case No. CCZ-12-15 and the publication of a summary of the declaraturs in all national newspapers and on all national radio stations in all vernacular languages.

Moffat, LRF, which is a law based human rights organisation and WCoZ, a network of women’s organisations involved in the preservation and protection of women’s rights including the rights of children are represented by Paidamoyo Saurombe of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Advocate Thabani Mpofu, Advocate Regina Bwanali and Advocate Choice Damiso.

The matter is yet to be set down for hearing.

Watch the live video loading below……

Watch the live video loading below……

Our press briefing is proceeding at 12noon despite the unlawful threats & intimidation by ZANU PF thugs. pic.twitter.com/ZRsZAvJ8t7

— Fadzayi Mahere?? (@advocatemahere) October 26, 2021

MNANGAGWA'S TRANSACTIONAL NATIONALISM has gone too far. It's cruel that Zimbabweans & their compatriots in the barracks & camps must live from hand to mouth, purportedly due to sanctions, while Mnangagwa, "#TheGameChanger", and his vast families & countless kids live extra large!

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) October 26, 2021

To get an accurate number of Mnangagwa's kids would require a census!

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) October 26, 2021

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has visited Cyrene Farm in Figtree, owned by the Anglican Province of Central Africa Church, to investigate cases of human rights violations by invaders and police.

This was after a church worker was assaulted by police officers when he went to report the invasion of the property.

Over 500 illegal settlers have invaded the property owned by Anglican Province of Central Africa Church, Figtree, Matabeleland South province.

The settlers seized the farm at the height of the chaotic land reform programme in 2000, with police said to be reluctant to evict them despite the existence of a High Court order.

ZHRC officers, who visited the area early this month, are preparing a report to be submitted to Parliament and President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

“The commission is investigating how the invaders got on the farm, who gave them permission, and whether their offer letters are valid and authentic, and why the local authority has not taken action even after church officials engaged them several times on the issue.  They are investigating why there is laxity on the part of law enforcement agents to deal with the invaders and the land barons,” a source from the church said.

The source said ZHRC intended to establish who was responsible for the acquisition of the farm since it is disputed land.

ZHRC chairperson Elisto Mugwadi could not deny nor confirm that the commission was probing the Cyrene Farm invasion.

Mugwadi said he was not on the ground to comment and referred Southern Eye to his deputy Dorothy Moyo, who is based in Bulawayo.

“Yes, our team went on a fact-finding mission. It is currently  writing a report that will constitute our recommendations. I will link up with  it tomorrow and see how far it has gone,” Moyo said.

Sometime in 2003, the Anglican Church filed a High Court application seeking the eviction of settlers from the farm.

The High Court granted the order, but the deputy sheriff did not execute the order until recently.

Indications are that the deputy sheriff was paid to deal with only 52 of the illegal settlers.

Church officials are concerned that the settlers are returning to the place and police officers are reluctant to take action.

The invaders are reportedly encroaching onto Cyrene High School, clinic and a cattle-ranching project.-newsday

By A Correspondent- A 33 year old man from Gutu has been arrested in Beitbridge for breaking into two houses and stealing an assortment of goods, including an AK47 rifle belonging to a member of the President’s Department.

Obey Mhuru was arrested after a man he had threatened to shoot using the stolen rifle in  Vhembe View suburb knocked him down with a car on Friday morning.

Mhuru was not asked to plead to two charges of unlawful entry when he appeared before Beitbridge Resident Magistrate Mr Takudzwa Gwazemba on Saturday.

Mhuru was remanded in custody to November 5.

Prosecuting, Mr Ronald Mugwagwa said on September 7 at around 5pm, Mhuru stole a Samsung J7 smartphone, R1 000 and US$70 after breaking into a cottage in Benne Knot Street .

The court heard that the following day at around 5pm, Mhuru went to a house  belonging to the President’s Department when the occupants were away.

He broke down the door to the dining room and subsequently forced open the doors to the other rooms, ransacked the house and stole an AK47 rifle and a magazine with  30 rounds.

Both offences were discovered on September 9 and reported to the police.

Mhuru was arrested on Friday last week at around 2am after being hit by a car as he attempted to attack a motorist using the stolen firearm.

The rifle was recovered loaded with 19 rounds and Mhuru confessed to investigators that he had stolen the firearm.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Bulawayo residents have lamented the council’s delays in responding to  burst sewerage in their communities saying this could contribute to disease outbreaks.

The city has recorded a series of sewer pipe bursts, which has seen raw effluent flowing into their homes.

Speaking during a Ward 17 meeting in Pumula North yesterday, residents said apart from sewer pipe bursts, the council also delayed in attending to burst water pipes, which sometimes leaves them without water for days.

The meeting was organised by the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association and was attended by council officials and area councillor Ms Sikhululekile Moyo.

The meeting’s agenda was to brief the community on council budget processes as most of them had not participated in its online consultation processes.

One of the residents said she had been living with a burst sewer for three  months despite reporting the burst pipe to council.

“I reported this issue three months ago  to have raw sewage flowing from your  home on a daily basis with no action being taken.
“We don’t know whether the council’s offices are still functional. Where should we report now?” asked the resident, who did not reveal her identity.

Another resident said council was also not attending to burst water pipes and as a result he had dug a small well in his yard to harvest the water.

“Whenever there is water shedding, some residents even come to my house to fetch water from the well.

“The council is losing a lot of treated water due to its failure to timeously respond to burst pipes,” said the resident.

The residents said council should channel ward retention funds towards fixing burst water pipes.

Some residents complained that the council keeps increasing rates yet service delivery was not improving.
This was in response to the city’s proposed 2022 budget which will see rates increasing by 200 percent.

In response to their concerns, Cllr Moyo said the local authority was resource constrained to effectively attend to some of their concerns.

“As council we don’t have enough money to attend to some of the challenges that are obtaining in our communities. I understand that residents want to channel ward retention funds to fixing burst sewer and damaged water pipes but the money is too little.

“I however urge you to continue paying your bills as this will enable the council to attend to some of your challenges,” said Cllr Moyo.

She said ward retention funds can be channelled towards resuscitating soccer grounds and other recreational facilities.

Cllr Moyo said this will help youths to refrain from substance abuse and also reduce general crime in the area.

She challenged residents to also protect council infrastructure from vandals that deliberately destroy the local authority’s property.-statemedia

A land cruiser has dropped off suspected ZANU-PF thugs at MDC Alliance Vice President Tendai Biti’s office, ahead of his press conference due to start at 12 pm, the party reports.

– this is a developing story

?Toyota Land cruiser Silver in colour, AFC 8492, has dropped off Zanu PF thugs at Biti Law Chambers where we are supposed to address members of the media at 1200hrs. The lady inside the car is monitoring her team from a distance. pic.twitter.com/V6jbC24QWi

— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) October 26, 2021

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Friday last week arrested two armed robbers who were masquerading as police officers. The duo is said to have been involved in several robbery cases. Said the police in a statement:

On 22/10/21, police in Mutawatawa joined hands with members of the public and managed to arrest two of the several armed robbery suspects, Chikomborero Gono (28) and Luckson Tsingano (32) who were masquerading as police officers.

The suspects robbed Tinotenda Karumazondo (21) employed at a local gold milling company of USD15 000, 49g gold and a cellphone before kidnapping him, tying him with shoelaces and spraying him with an unknown substance that made him go unconscious.

A member of the public sustained a gunshot injury on the palm during the exercise. The two suspects are assisting the police with investigations whilst the other suspects are at large.

This comes after police announced the arrest of a syndicate that was dealing in guns. Two police officers who were part of the syndicate were also arrested.

Police said some of the guns were being sold to armed robbers.

Cases of armed robberies have been on the rise in the country lately.

This is grossly unacceptable! This country’s democratic and developmental advance is consistently held back by ZANU PF’s penchant for violence, impunity and total disregard for human rights.Being in opposition is not a crime! Please respect us @edmnangagwa ! https://t.co/hdFFKr7i0E

— Hlatywayo Gladys Kudzaishe ?? (@gladyshlatywayo) October 26, 2021

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said he is eagerly looking forward to his first visit to the United Kingdom when he attends the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) scheduled for the 23rd and 24th of November in Glasgow, Scotland.

He revealed this in a twitter thread where he said that because Zimbabwe felt

I am eagerly looking forward to my first visit to the United Kingdom. @COP26 meeting of nations comes at an extraordinary time in world history. Many countries are still battling the pandemic whilst having to undertake immense changes to our economies to meet climate goals.

The discussions @COP26 are going to be an important step in agreeing to a collective way forward.

For Zimbabwe, we feel the impact of climate change more than others. Our temperatures have risen by approximately 2°C over the past century. Which has seen a significant increase in extreme weather. In the past two decades alone, we have had to deal with 10 droughts.

If the world doesn’t step up, we will see jobs lost, livelihoods destroyed, and people will lose their lives. That is something we must avoid and why Zimbabwe is coming to the table with ambitious plans to tackle climate change.

Zimbabwe has now committed to reducing emissions by 40% before 2030. The time for words is over – we must act now.

While we will offer to hasten our economic transformation, we do need to remain alive to the shocks of drought and the impact of climate change through necessary social safety nets. I will be appealing for multilateral support to supplement our efforts.

Zimbabwe has come a long way over the past three years, I hope our presence @COP26 and our commitment to the global fight against climate change will be recognised as part of our ongoing re-engagement campaign.

Meanwhile, ousted Ntabazinduna chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni on Thursday last week led a group of demonstrators to the Zimbabwean embassy in the United Kingdom (UK) calling for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to be barred from participating at the event.

?Toyota Land cruiser Silver in colour, AFC 8492, has dropped off Zanu PF thugs at Biti Law Chambers where we are supposed to address members of the media at 1200hrs. The lady inside the car is monitoring her team from a distance. pic.twitter.com/V6jbC24QWi

— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) October 26, 2021

By A Correspondent- Members of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) yesterday staged online anti-government protests meant to coincide with the Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) anti-sanctions solidarity day where they demanded improved working conditions.

They said the protests were targeted at Finance minister Mthuli Ncube, whom they accused of slashing their salaries from US$540 in 2018 to US$100 as he implemented his unpopular fiscal policy measures in 2018.

Their protest yesterday ran under the hashtag #EndSalarySanctions.

In a series of tweets, Artuz said the salaries that teachers were getting were inadequate for their self-sustenance.

“The teacher takes home a salary of ZW$16 308, which is an equivalent of around US$82. The teacher cannot afford 2 100 calories of food per day for each member of a family of five. They earn below the food poverty line. They are malnourished. These are sanctions imposed on us by the government #EndSalarySanctions,” Artuz tweeted.

“This is the reason why we are calling on citizens to help us implore @MthuliNcube to end #EndSalarySanctions.”

They said the only weapon left for them was to down tools in protest as the responsibility to save the education sector was on Ncube’s shoulders.

“Teachers keep on piling pressure on @MthuliNcube to end salary sanctions. The government should not punish civil servants who are working round the clock to keep this nation ticking. The sanctions list is long.”

Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) acting national general-secretary Goodwill Taderera said although teachers affiliated to his union had not unanimously decided to join the online protests, as a union they welcomed every effort and move by different stakeholders to enhance the conditions of service for teachers.

“We support every move and effort that will push the government to pay teachers a reasonable salary. We appreciate Artuz for fighting in their corner and we have no problem with any stakeholders that push for salary enhancement and the well-being of teachers,” Taderera said.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) President Takavafira Zhou said sanctions come in two forms; internal and external.

Zhou said internal sanctions included issues such as underpayment of teachers in particular and of civil servants in general, as well as the high-profile corruption that has become routine and has invited imposition of external sanctions.

“We call upon our Zimbabwean government to pay teachers and the rest of the civil servants as they are the pillars of sustainable development of the nation.  As much as we have not jointly planned anything with any other union in Zimbabwe, we have been in the forefront  in calling for unity in diversity against slave wages for teachers that in some way are a form of internal sanctions.

“What is, however, more deleterious to national development are internal sanctions characterised by cartelism, underpayment of workers and a shocking contrast between richness and poverty,” Zhou said.

Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) secretary-general Japhet Moyo said as a union, they had been campaigning against wage theft over the years.

“Any effort by any of our affiliates or workers to demand a living wage is appreciated and supported. Businesses have been making huge profits taking advantage of the parallel market rates, but at the same time refusing to link wages to the same exchange rates. Most goods and services are in US$ or parallel exchange rate, but wages are compressed. This is in both the public and private sectors,” Moyo said.

Last week in response to threats by teachers to strike, Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro said:  “There is nothing overwhelming about calls for job action that would be heeded by about 3 000 teachers.  Primary and Secondary Education minister Evelyn Ndlovu said she was committed to address issues pertaining to the welfare of teachers.”

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

By A Correspondent- A suspected armed robber, who was last week run over by a car belonging to a would-be victim in Beitbridge, was yesterday arraigned before the courts.

Obey Mhuru of Ruzive village, Chief Chimombe, Gutu, is facing two counts of housebreaking and theft involving an AK47 rifle, R3 500 and US$70.

Mhuru, who was not asked to plead, was remanded to two weeks in custody from his hospital bed at Beitbridge District Hospital by magistrate Takudzwa Gwazemba.

He was hit by a car at a house that he had broken into in a bid to commit robbery last Friday.

Allegations are that on September 7, 2021, Mhuru, broke into a cottage at 193 Benne Knot Road in Beitbridge.

He stole a Samsung Galaxy 7 mobile phone, R1 000 and US$70 belonging to Zakaria Manatse and Albert Mtandwa.

Mhuru returned the following day and broke into the main house and stole a collapsible AK47 which had 30 live rounds belonging to Phillip Wutawunashe.

He was arrested on Friday while allegedly attempting to steal at a house along  Hill Close.

Mhuru sustained back and facial injuries after the owner hit him with a car. He was found in possession of an AK47 gun.

Ronald Mugwagwa appeared for the State.

By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF has disowned its member, Sybeth Musengezi, who recently filed a High Court application, challenging President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s legitimacy as leader of the party and country.

Last week, Musengezi approached the Bulawayo High Court seeking the nullification of the November 19, 2017 special session of the Zanu-PF central committee meeting which elected Mnangagwa to replace the late former President Robert Mugabe.

Through his lawyer, Nqobani Sithole, Musengezi cited Zanu-PF as the first respondent and Mnangagwa as the second, while other respondents are party secretary for administration Obert Mpofu, acting political commissar Patrick Chinamasa, former Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko and former Finance minister Ignatius Chombo.

Zanu-PF director of information and publicity Tafadzwa Mugwadi yesterday said Musengezi was not a Zanu-PF member, warning him to “chew what he was capable of swallowing”.

“The official Zanu-PF position on Musengezi is that the character in question is not a member of Zanu-PF,” Mugwadi said.

“As such, the party does not take cognisance of whatever he is up to. However, we are alert to how his actions are aimed at tarnishing the image of the party and the sooner he realises the legal consequences of such actions, the better for him and those behind his actions. He must be advised to chew that which he is capable of swallowing.”

But Musengezi dismissed attempts by Zanu-PF to disown him, saying he has locus standi to sue the ruling party, Mnangagwa and other senior party officials.

In his court application, he said he had been a member of the ruling party for over 20 years, adding that he was a youth league member under Mugabe’s leadership in Harare province, and held party card number 1515786.

He said he renewed his Zanu-PF party membership following the 2017 power transition at Mai Chitepo branch in Muzinda 1 party district in Harare province under card number 0131988.

Musengezi also participated in the Zanu-PF primary elections for Harare North constituency ahead of the 2018 elections and lost to the MDC Alliance’s Allan Markham in the elections.

“Who is Mugwadi to discredit my membership when he doesn’t even have five years in the party?  Although I lost, I was a Zanu-PF primary election candidate for Harare North constituency ahead of the 2018 general elections.”

He told South African broadcaster SABC on Saturday that he was not fighting for the removal of Mnangagwa, but he wanted the party to follow the dictates of its constitution on appointment of its leaders.

He said he received overwhelming support from some Zanu-PF members close to Mnangagwa for filing the application.

Legal expert Alex Magaisa said Musengezi’s application exposed an internal power struggle in Zanu-PF which clearly showed that he had backing from an authority within the party.

“We were not far off at the BSR (Big Saturday Read) when we suggested there are several signs of trouble in the house (of) Mnangagwa.  Musengezi is a smart, articulate and well-prepared chap. He has done his homework. But he is not a lone wolf. He is a well-trained proverbial tortoise, but not even the smartest tortoise can climb to the top of the fence post on its own.

“Someone helps it to get up there. An application like this would have taken several meetings of well-organised people to plan and execute. Other tortoises usually lend their name to an application and remain in the background. They have no voice, even when they are challenging individuals without State power. It’s more than bravery for Musengezi to take up such a public platform as the SABC,” Magaisa said.

By A Corespondent- Supporters of eSwatini Premier League teams Pirates, Wanderers, Swallows and Highlanders have threatened to boycott playing matches against eSwatini security forces football clubs because of violence on civilians. Security forces are reported to be brutalising pro-democracy protestors.

We publish below the joint statement from the supporters:

We as representatives of the supporters of the top four teams in the country, Mbabane Highlanders, Moneni Pirates, Mbabane Swallows and Manzini Wanderers met on this day to discuss the issue of playing against the security forces teams going into the new season.

Mental,/ football is supposed to help improve concentration, boost mood and reduce stress while building good friendship and working together However, these have been dented by the forces’ brutality on unarmed civilians including football supporters of the teams.

it is for this reason that we feel our supporters and players are not mentally fit to engage in sporting activities with teams from the forces. The teams are therefore appealing to the PLE to positively address and put this into consideration and give guidelines to avoid negative consequences that may include tines in the event teams take the decision to boycott games against the forces.

We, therefore, give your office up until Friday to respond on this matter.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Members of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) yesterday staged online anti-government protests meant to coincide with the Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) anti-sanctions solidarity day where they demanded improved working conditions.

They said the protests were targeted at Finance minister Mthuli Ncube, whom they accused of slashing their salaries from US$540 in 2018 to US$100 as he implemented his unpopular fiscal policy measures in 2018.

Their protest yesterday ran under the hashtag #EndSalarySanctions.

In a series of tweets, Artuz said the salaries that teachers were getting were inadequate for their self-sustenance.

“The teacher takes home a salary of ZW$16 308, which is an equivalent of around US$82. The teacher cannot afford 2 100 calories of food per day for each member of a family of five. They earn below the food poverty line. They are malnourished. These are sanctions imposed on us by the government #EndSalarySanctions,” Artuz tweeted.

“This is the reason why we are calling on citizens to help us implore @MthuliNcube to end #EndSalarySanctions.”

They said the only weapon left for them was to down tools in protest as the responsibility to save the education sector was on Ncube’s shoulders.

“Teachers keep on piling pressure on @MthuliNcube to end salary sanctions. The government should not punish civil servants who are working round the clock to keep this nation ticking. The sanctions list is long.”

Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) acting national general-secretary Goodwill Taderera said although teachers affiliated to his union had not unanimously decided to join the online protests, as a union they welcomed every effort and move by different stakeholders to enhance the conditions of service for teachers.

“We support every move and effort that will push the government to pay teachers a reasonable salary. We appreciate Artuz for fighting in their corner and we have no problem with any stakeholders that push for salary enhancement and the well-being of teachers,” Taderera said.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) President Takavafira Zhou said sanctions come in two forms; internal and external.

Zhou said internal sanctions included issues such as underpayment of teachers in particular and of civil servants in general, as well as the high-profile corruption that has become routine and has invited imposition of external sanctions.

“We call upon our Zimbabwean government to pay teachers and the rest of the civil servants as they are the pillars of sustainable development of the nation.  As much as we have not jointly planned anything with any other union in Zimbabwe, we have been in the forefront  in calling for unity in diversity against slave wages for teachers that in some way are a form of internal sanctions.

“What is, however, more deleterious to national development are internal sanctions characterised by cartelism, underpayment of workers and a shocking contrast between richness and poverty,” Zhou said.

Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) secretary-general Japhet Moyo said as a union, they had been campaigning against wage theft over the years.

“Any effort by any of our affiliates or workers to demand a living wage is appreciated and supported. Businesses have been making huge profits taking advantage of the parallel market rates, but at the same time refusing to link wages to the same exchange rates. Most goods and services are in US$ or parallel exchange rate, but wages are compressed. This is in both the public and private sectors,” Moyo said.

Last week in response to threats by teachers to strike, Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro said:  “There is nothing overwhelming about calls for job action that would be heeded by about 3 000 teachers.  Primary and Secondary Education minister Evelyn Ndlovu said she was committed to address issues pertaining to the welfare of teachers.”

-Newsday

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

By A Correspondent- Opposition MDC Alliance’s deputy chairperson, Job Sikhala has dismissed as rubbish a poster circulating on social media that claims he is the MDC Alliance candidate in the 2023 presidential election.
He says the poster was created by the ruling ZANU PF in connivance with the central intelligence organisation (CIO) to create confusion and hatred in the opposition party.

The CIO has created a poster circulating on social media of the MDC-Alliance deputy chairman, Job Sikhala, portraying him as the party’s 2023 presidential candidate.

Said Sikhala:

“It is not all the rubbish & nonsense I respond to, but I can not allow this scandalous scam by the CIO & the ZANU PF intelligence 2 destabilize our party & its unity. They are circulating this nonsense to cause hatred. Our President is Adv Nelson Chamisa,” Said Sikhala on his twittrt account.

Dear Zimbabweans;

It is not all the rubbish & nonsense I respond to, but I can not allow this scandalous scam by the CIO & the ZANU PF intelligence 2 destabilize our party & its unity.

They are circulating this nonsense to cause hatred.

Our President is Adv Nelson Chamisa pic.twitter.com/jrzszkV2kU

— HON Job Wiwa Sikhala (@JobSikhala1) October 25, 2021

By A Correspondent- Members of the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) are said to be trying to divide the opposition MDC-Alliance ahead of the 2023 elections.

The CIO has created a poster circulating on social media of the MDC-Alliance deputy chairman, Job Sikhala, portraying him the party’s 2023 presidential candidate.

Sikhala has since dismissed the poster:

“It is not all the rubbish & nonsense I respond to, but I can not allow this scandalous scam by the CIO & the ZANU PF intelligence 2 destabilize our party & its unity. They are circulating this nonsense to cause hatred. Our President is Adv Nelson Chamisa,” Said Sikhala on his twittrt account.

Dear Zimbabweans;

It is not all the rubbish & nonsense I respond to, but I can not allow this scandalous scam by the CIO & the ZANU PF intelligence 2 destabilize our party & its unity.

They are circulating this nonsense to cause hatred.

Our President is Adv Nelson Chamisa pic.twitter.com/jrzszkV2kU

— HON Job Wiwa Sikhala (@JobSikhala1) October 25, 2021

By A correspondent- Police in Harare’s in Budiriro high-density suburb is looking for an alleged rapist named Madzibaba Tanya.

Madzibaba is wanted in connection with an alleged case of rape where he is said to have sexually abused a 33-year-old woman twice at his shrine.

The incident is said to have happened in September after the victim visited him seeking help for her sick son.

Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza yesterday warned women against being trapped by “perverts bent on sexual gratification” at religious shrines.

“Sex predators are a menace to society. The public, especially women, should not be deceived into believing in such religious pronouncements by perverts whose acts are simply bent on sexual gratification. People should always be alert and report such people to the police,” Mwanza told NewsDay.

“We are on the hunt for the alleged rapist and anyone with information on his whereabouts should report to any nearest police station.”

It is alleged that on September 20, the complainant, from Budiriro 1, went to the accused person’s shrine seeking assistance for her son.

Madzibaba Tanya reportedly told the complainant that she had spiritual husbands and ordered her to have sexual intercourse with a man in the bush for three consecutive days and then bring semen for cleansing.

“The complainant told the accused person that she had no one to have sexual intercourse with and the accused volunteered to be the man,” Mwanza said.

After two encounters, she did not return for the third time after figuring out that she was being raped.

She reported the matter to the police.

-NewsDay