By A Correspondent- A Harare slay queen Luminitsa Kimberly Jemwa has lost US$32 000 cash and jewellery worth US$152 000 to her landlord.

The landlord, Kundai Muradzikwa, has since been arrested and charged for theft.

Muradzikwa last week appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi charged with unlawful entry, and was released on free bail after the court noted that he was coming from home and not police custody.

Prosecutor Anesu Chirenje told the court that on an unknown date, Muradzikwa allegedly seized keys from the tenant, Luminitsa Kimberly Jemwa’s maid and ordered her to vacate the place because her boss was delaying in paying rentals as well as electricity bills.

It is alleged that Muradzikwa unlawfully entered Jemwa’s house in her absence and stole money amounting to US$32 000, two watches and jewellery, all valued at US$152 000.

A report was made to the police, leading to Muradzikwa’s arrest.

The maid also filed a complaint against Borrowdale Police Station officers who allegedly released the accused after alleged interference by his mother, Grace Muradzikwa.

In her affidavit, the complainant said Muradzikwa’s mother bragged that she was a commissioner, threatening to report the officers to Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga if they did not release her
son.

The maid said the police then released the accused, fearing backlash from their bosses.

Grace is the Insurance and Pensions Commission commissioner.

-NewsDay

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police has arrested two of its officers for selling 50 guns to robbers.

The two officers at the centre of the scandal, William Nhata (35) of 9631 Southview Park, Harare, worked at the ZRP police national arms’ depot in Harare, and Constable Crive Kadambure, who was based in Chinhoyi, have been arrested.

Kadambure (42) who was stationed at the Mashonaland West Provincial Armoury in Chinhoyi was recently arrested for dealing in more than 40 high-calibre weapons.

Kadambure was arrested with his alleged accomplices Wonder Tawanda Kwaramba (36), who is an ex-police officer and a civilian Edmore Manuwere (28), with police saying the trio worked as an organised firearms syndicate.
“Detectives received information to the effect that there was a criminal syndicate dealing in illegal firearms. The information was that during the period from January 2019 to date, the above accused were working as an organised criminal syndicate dealing in firearms. The accused persons would then approach registered firearms dealers across the country where they purchased forty-four high calibre rifles.

“The accused working as a syndicate went on to obtain fake firearm certificates with fake serial numbers and references. Armed with those fake certificates they would obtain the purchased firearms from the registered dealers.

“Thereafter the accused sold to or traded the firearms with poachers and armed robbers both inside and outside the country. Acting on the information, the detectives managed to arrest the three accused persons in Harare, Bulawayo and Chinhoyi. The team managed to obtain firearms registers from registered dealers and established the accused person had made several purchases,” reads police statement seen by Sunday Mail.

Kwaramba is also involved in another case, in which he is accused of dealing in firearms with Taona Javangwe (43) of  Nkulumane suburb in Bulawayo.

Upon his arrest early this month, Javangwe, who is charged with being in possession of two firearms illegally, implicated Kwaramba.

Nhata was arrested last week and appeared in court on Wednesday, charged with fraud and contravention of the firearms act.

Police documents show that Nhata is suspected of having illegally traded in firearms since October 2019.

The police records read:

“On October 29, 2019, accused who is a member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police attached at ZRP National Armoury was approached by the complainant Simon Mandicheta Nr 42-020505-L-34 of Plot 31 Wesly South Nyabira intending to buy a firearm for the purposes or crop and livestock protection. The accused person then told the complainant that he was selling a .22 FN rifle serial number 63861 for US$350 and was shown the rifle which was at the National Armoury.

“The complainant paid the money for the rifle and the accused was given a form FR 11 to process the firearm certificate so that he would collect the rifle by the accused. On 8 October 2021, the complainant approached the accused who was at his workplace intending to collect the firearm since he had acquired the firearm certificate for the rifle. The complainant then discovered that the accused did not have any rifle which he was selling. On October 18, 2021, complainant reported the matter at Harare Central leading to the arrest of the accused.”

Another suspect is Patrick Chirara (42) of 2240N Chiedza road Karoi, who is facing eight counts of illegally dealing in firearms, which had fake certificates.

Police records say Chirara sold the guns to armed robbers.

• SundayMail

By A Correspondent- MDC-T official who was beaten up in front of journalists by fellow party members, Thursday, Kudzai Mashumba is pushing for the arrest of the party leader, Douglas Mwonzora.

Mashumba was beaten up before addressing a press conference to expose Mwonzora’s alleged abuse of party finances.

“It is common knowledge that Mwonzora misappropriated more than six million Zimbabwean dollars granted to the MDC-T under the Political Parties Finance Act,” Mashumba said.

“It is common knowledge that the Zimbabwe republic police is in possession of affidavits filed by the then MDC-T Treasurer Sen. Chief Ndlovu, vice president Dr. T Khupe, chairman Sen. Komichi and Sen. Mudzuri conforming that indeed Mwonzora misappropriated party funds.  It is therefore shocking that the police have failed to charge the suspect. Perhaps this is due to his proximity to the head of state which he claims grants him immunity from prosecution,” he said.

“The party continues to ignore and defy all the relevant labour laws in dealing with its workers. Party workers continue to work with no written contracts, no fixed salaries, no fixed pay days, no pay slips and no proper grades. Furthermore, it is disheartening to note that the party has wilfully failed to remit PAY AS YOU EARN dues and NEC dues. This, we understand is due to Mwonzora’s proximity and protection by the government of the day,” he further claimed.

He went on to say that party members are shocked to hear that the party president is about to join President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD).

“Mwonzora is on record as saying the POLAD is a grouping of fake political parties created by President ED Mnangagwa, he has gone on to claim the current state president stole the 2018 election, went on to kill people on the 1st of august 2018 and on the 14th – 16th of January 2019,” Mashumba said in his statement. It is therefore shocking to hear that Mwonzora is about to join POLAD. This is just shows all and sundry that Mwonzora is a man lacking integrity and principle.”

-NewZimbabwe

Tinashe Sambiri|Zimbabwe is ready for real change, MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

President Chamisa made the remarks as he concluded his engagement programme in Manicaland Province.

Zanu PF hooligans working with State security agents tried frantically to block President Chamisa’s community engagement programmes in Masvingo and Manicaland.

According to President Chamisa, real change is unstoppable…

He wrote:
SOLID ORGANIC SUPPORT…

My unannounced surprise visit at a local market as I wrap up this Manicaland Citizens Interface provincial tour..

Zimbabwe is ready, ripe for true and real Change!Ngatipinde. Kasingene.Ngatunjile!!

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED…THANK YOU MANICALAND.

THANK YOU ZIMBABWE The love, support and appreciation is amazing! The future is exciting & bright! A New Great Zimbabwe is our charge! Winning Zimbabwe for real change. Happy Sabbath!
#Ngaapindehakemukomana #kangenesibiliujaha

nganjilemulombe

CCC

Godisinit

By A Correspondent- Police are investigating an attack on Senator for Manicaland Province, Dorothy Mabika’s house located in the low-density suburb of Chipinge that occurred around midnight on Wednesday.

Reports indicate that a gang of five unknown assailants threw stones on the house and smashed a parked vehicle’s windows and windowpanes.

One of the occupants at the house, Nyaradzo Guruza, who is also ZANU PF Chipinge District Coordinating Committee political commissar, told The Manica Post that there were four occupants in the house when the incident occurred. She said:

It was around midnight when the incident occurred. It all started with a vehicle that was making rounds in our street, and suddenly stones started raining at our house.

The gang attacked a Toyota Regius vehicle which was parked in the yard. Guards reacted and the gang fled.

They continued throwing stones all over the yard. The whole incident lasted for about two hours.

We phoned Cde Mabika who was in Harare and informed her about the incident. She immediately called the police who reacted fast and attended the scene.

No one was injured.

By A Correspondent- The ZANU PF restructuring process in Kwekwe has been largely marred by irregularities as party members are divided along factional lines in Midlands, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s home province.

The ruling party’s provincial chairperson, Daniel Mackenzie Ncube recently confirmed to ZWNews that the restructuring process had been compromised in some parts of the Midlands, especially in Kwekwe.

Ncube told a local radio station that there were amplified reports of electoral malpractices in the wake of the controversially conducted and disputed district elections which were characterised by violence and rigging.

The ZANU PF Midlands executive has been inundated by several complaint letters that had been brought forth following the chaotic polls, Ncube said.

According to Ncube, ZANU PF does not condone acts of violence and would not accept anything that does not reflect the will of the people and for this reason, he said all areas affected during the restructuring process would have re-runs.

While declaring the contentious electoral outcomes as null and void, Ncube said:

The Party is going to follow proper protocol in ensuring that all Elections in the Province are done in a free, fair and transparent manner.

It is understood that factionalism is rife in Kwekwe, especially Kwekwe Central Constituency, which is widely believed to be the hotbed of divisional politics in ZANU PF.

Voting in Kwekwe Central was halted following violent confrontations between two rival camps amid indications that there were disagreements over the voter registers to be used.

A senior party official who spoke to the publication said a nephew to the Minister of State Security Energy Dhala Ncube was acting with impunity to influence electoral processes, given his proximity to power.

State Security Minister Owen Ncube or Mudha, as he is widely known in ZANU PF circles, has huge interests in Kwekwe as he has perennially been known to play kingmaker in the Midlands town.

Impeccable sources say Mudha has been fronting Dhala’s bid to wrestle the sole ruling party parliamentary candidacy from cleric and ZANU PF shadow MP, Kandros Mugabe.

During the abandoned Kwekwe Central by-elections last year, rowdy thugs who have links to Mudha’s alleged terror outfit, the infamous Al-Shabbab, are said to have been responsible for the assaulting of several provincial officials who were overseeing the aborted intraparty polls.

Following the recent disputed district elections in Kwekwe, it is further reported that Mudha’s camp has been refusing to hold re-runs in two out of five districts where electoral malpractices were rife.

Dhala’s camp is also accused of creating parallel branch registers for every branch register that was submitted to the ZANU PF Kwekwe district headquarters. Said a source:

This scenario resulted in the birth of conflicts as we ended up with two conflicting sets of branch executives from each ward across Kwekwe Central.

The process has divided the people in Kwekwe Central and the restructuring process which is supposed to be a Party Programme has been turned into a personal project by Dhala who enjoys the protection of his uncle.

When we were doing the door to door Cell Registration process, we submitted all the cell registers to Chiramba (District Coordinator) for forwarding to the DCC but we were surprised to hear that Dhala’s people, later on, submitted their own Cell Registers which were in stark contrast to the ones compiled following the door-to-door campaigns.

The source further added that compilation of the separate voter registers was done at Dhala’s office, which is infamously known as ‘Mukwati’ along Amaveni Road in Kwekwe

Zanu PF youths loyal to Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa want the constitution to be amended to enable the troubled leader to remain in power.

Mr Mnangagwa is supposed to serve only two terms.

However, former revolutionary party youths led by Tendai Chirawu have effectively declared Mr Mnangagwa life President.

Constantino Chiwenga wants to take over power Mr Mnangagwa, according to party insiders.

The party’s youth leader, Tendai Chirau, said:
We agreed that it is important that if the constitution of the country can be amended so that he (Mnangagwa) can have more than two terms.”

According to Chirau, the ZANU PF youth league has endorsed Mr Mnangagwa as the sole 2023 presidential candidate.

“The first thing we discussed and agreed on as the executive national youth league is that His Excellency President Emerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is our sole candidate for the party in the 2023 elections because he has shown less than three years good leadership so we do believe that he should continue.”

The former Finance Minister and current ZANU PF National Commissar, Patrick Chinamasa has ruled out foul play in the fire that destroyed his house following a loud bang yesterday.

Speaking over the incident, Chinamasa said: “Thank God the child’s mother, who had just arrived back from work, and the housekeeper managed to rescue the baby.

“The main bedroom, the bedroom where the fire originated from and my study were all gutted by the fire and reduced to ashes. Nothing was saved from these rooms. The Fire Brigade arrived in time to save the dining room, the lounge, the kitchen and the two remaining bedrooms.

“As to the cause of the fire, I am suspecting an electrical fault. I am ruling out completely any foul play. Enemies may celebrate over my misfortune but I believe there was no enemy hand behind this incident. I know social media will be awash with all sorts of speculations. This I have no power to stop. What I know from the bottom of my heart is that this was an accident, an act of God.”

Chinamasa added saying he has been left “severely traumatised” by the incident.

He said: “It’s not easy to accept that what we have worked for all our lives has gone up in smoke in a matter of seconds. All that we have remained with are the clothes we were wearing. The furniture, clothes, blankets, files, documents, records, manuscripts, family photos… everything, and above all my priceless and irreplaceable library is now just a heap of ash and rubble.”

He went on to conclude saying

“In conversations with friends and relatives, I find myself fielding Job-like questions but I want to assure all who care for my welfare that in God I trust and he will provide,” he said.

Tinashe Sambiri|Zimbabwe is ready for real change, MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

He made the remarks as he concluded his engagement programme in Manicaland Province.

Zanu PF hooligans working with State security agents tried frantically to block President Chamisa’s community engagement programmes in Masvingo and Manicaland.

According to President Chamisa, real change is unstoppable…

He wrote:
SOLID ORGANIC SUPPORT…

My unannounced surprise visit at a local market as I wrap up this Manicaland Citizens Interface provincial tour..

Zimbabwe is ready, ripe for true and real Change!Ngatipinde. Kasingene.Ngatunjile!!

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED…THANK YOU MANICALAND.

THANK YOU ZIMBABWE The love, support and appreciation is amazing! The future is exciting & bright! A New Great Zimbabwe is our charge! Winning Zimbabwe for real change. Happy Sabbath!
#Ngaapindehakemukomana #kangenesibiliujaha

nganjilemulombe

CCC

Godisinit

By A Correspondent- A 17 year old Madziwa boy was allegedly brutally assaulted by ZANU PF Shamva Distirict Coodinating Chairman over a school girl (form 3) last Wednesday.

An insider told  Bulawayo24.com the case that happened at Zvomuya Village, Chief Mutumba in Madziwa left form three pupil at Exodus Academy, (name provided) was left with a  broken tooth, burst head vein and  internal injuries on his abdomen after the alleged attack

It is alleged that on October 13 at around 1800hrs, the victimwas standing with his schoolmate  who had borrowed his notes, in front of her house when Muchemwa approached and stopped his vehicle in front of the two. 

Muchemwa started talking to the girl but there was no effective communication because the engine was still running. 

“Muchemwa then instructed the boy to walk away and the boy’s phone mistakenly lit on Muchemwa’s face and that did not go down well with him,” said the source. 

Muchemwa hit the boy with a fist once and he fell down before the fists started raining like monsoon. 

“Neighbors came to the boy’s rescue after hearing too much noise and tried to intervene and failed, but they later succeeded as the Chairman wanted more of the boy. 

Muchemwa’s son followed the boy and slapped him thrice on the face before they could let him go,” revealed the source. 

Muchemwa, who has previous violent records,  also shouted at the boy telling him that he will not stay in the area for long and threatened that the police will not do anything to him, not do anything to him since he is DCC chair.

Sources claimed Muchemwa has interests in the girl and does not want any man near her. 

The boy reported  the cazs at Madziwa Police station  under RRB number 4696663 but Muchemwa has not yet been apprehended up to the time of publication. 

Contacted for comment, Muchemwa said, “What do you want me to comment about that?” before he hung up his phone. 

Police could not be reached for comment.

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere has attacked the police for not being objective in their dealings with the party since the political violence and the attempt of Nelson Chamisa’s assassination.

“The onus is on the police to demonstrate that they are objective. They have history of prejudging these matters and turning on the victims. We saw what they did with the MDC trio Joana Mamombe Cecelia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova and other political violence and torture”, Mahere said.

However, the police said the MDC Alliance was not cooperating with the law enforcement agents to facilitate a probe into the opposition’s claims of violence against it’s leader.

The party alleges that  Chamisa’s convoy was intercepted by suspected Zanu PF supporters who allegedly shot the rear window of his car in a suspected assassination attempt.

By A Correspondent- His humble upbringing coupled with early life struggles punctuated by resilience, hardwork, self-motivation and determination to pursue his childhood dream, played a critical role in shaping his career path.

This is an amazing story about a Zimbabwean scientist, who despite his humble beginnings is now making waves in America.

Meet United States-based Zimbabwean scientist Dr Tatenda Shopera who has made history by being part of a team that was directly involved in the development of the world’s first Covid-19 vaccine manufactured by US drug firm, Pfizer, where he is the principal scientist.

He was part of the Upstream Process Development group whose main objective is to develop state-of-the-art manufacturing processes for biotherapeutics ranging from antibodies to vaccines.

The Pfizer vaccine was officially approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in December last year.

Dr Shopera was recently honoured with a breakthrough science and innovation prize by Worldwide Research, Development and Medical Operations (WRDM) for his exceptional commitment and extraordinary contribution in the development of the Pfizer vaccine manufacturing process.

He was recently promoted from senior scientist to principal scientist (bioprocess research and development) at Pfizer Inc, an American multinational pharmaceutical corporation, which is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies.

Retracing his journey, which started 35 years ago in one of the country’s oldest suburbs, Mbare in Harare, Dr Shopera’s radiant face beams as he relives his painful experiences, which catapulted him into what he is today.

At a young age of nine, Dr Shopera’s dream was to become a scientist drawing inspiration from his parents and late elder brother, Blessing.

Since his father was not gainfully employed and his mother being a vendor, the family struggled to make ends meet.

To supplement his parents’ income through selling wares, Dr Shopera would occasionally wash cars as well as sell sweets in the streets to raise money for school fees.

“To help my parents, I would wash cars near Mukuvisi River and some people in my neighbourhood, notably Mdara Diva and the late Magofingo, were actually the ones who taught me everything in the trade,” he said.

“I would also do street vending and use the proceeds to buy my school shoes, stockings and books among other necessities. In fact, I had an entrepreneurial spirit from a very young age.”

Dr Shopera said the hardships that he encountered in his early childhood taught him not to easily give up in life.

“I have carried with me these lessons throughout my life and they have certainly helped me get to where I am today.

I vividly recall when I was in Grade Three, I would walk from Mbare to the city centre to beg motorists to guard their cars in public parking spaces and they would pay me for my services,” he said with a chuckle.

“Despite my financial struggles, I had big dreams and was really determined to fulfil them at all costs.”

Dr Shopera said his dream has always been to make an impact at a global scale and contribute to society.

“I want to use my talents and expertise to help people and improve their quality of life. However, I honestly never imagined that I would be where I am today,” he said.

“Mostly importantly, I have taught myself that in life you have to fully embrace opportunities that come your way.”

Dr Shopera said growing up in the dusty streets of Mbare, he never imagined that one day he would make history by being part of the Pfizer team that developed the world’s first Covid-19 vaccine in record time.

He said under normal circumstances, it takes years for a therapeutic product to obtain the FDA regulatory approval.

The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs and biological products in the US.

“I was part of the medical team that achieved that in August 2021 when the Covid-19 vaccine was fully approved by the FDA. This was a huge accomplishment and I am actually proud of that feat,” said Dr Shopera.

“It takes lots of hard work, dedication, focus, collaboration, self-belief, and importantly being objective. As scientists, we make evidence-based decisions that are guided by scientific data and judgement.”

Dr Shopera holds a PhD in Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering from Washington University in St Louis and a Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from the same university.

Between 2009-2012 he studied BSc in Chemical Engineering at Jacobs University Bremen in Germany.

In 2014, he won a poster award after giving a presentation about his research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 2017, he featured in the American Chemical Society Journal due to his PhD research.

Dr Shopera said although he is now based in the US, Zimbabwe remains his home and will continue to hold a special place in his heart.

“Through my expertise, my desire is to develop a world-class healthcare system in Zimbabwe, which is centred around adequately addressing people’s health needs locally, affordable healthcare, and specialised care. I am also passionate about advancing science and technology in Zimbabwe and Africa as a whole,” he said.

“With the advent of some of the exciting emerging technologies in biotechnology, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence and so on, science and technology is critical for the development of Africa and I will definitely be contributing and collaborating with others in this space.”

Dr Shopera attended Chiedza Primary School in Mbare before he dropped out in Grade Three and spent several months without going to school because he didn’t have a birth certificate.

After securing a birth certificate, he briefly enrolled at Gombo Primary School in Dzivarasekwa before he moved back to Mbare and enrolled at Chirodzo Primary School where he completed his primary education.

He proceeded to Harare High School in Mbare for secondary and high school education.

At Advanced Level, he studied Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and Accounting. After passing his A-levels, Dr Shopera enrolled at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) for a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) programme.

He only attended for two semesters before he left the country and went to Germany after getting a scholarship.

By A Correspondent- Government says it is scaling up confidence-building measures to boost deposits into the country’s banking sector.

Giving a keynote address during last night’s 22nd edition of the Banks and Banking Survey, which was held virtually, Finance ministry permanent secretary George Guvamatanga said the process commenced with moves to introduce payment of interest on electronics balances.

Zimbabwe’s banking sector has paid the price of waning market confidence since the 2004/2005 financial crisis when operators collapsed under the weight of a corporate governance rot and financial mismanagement that triggered a depositor flight.

But Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor John Mangudya has significantly stabilised the sector since coming into office in 2013. However, confidence continues to be hammered by operators’ reluctance to pay interest on deposits, while charging punitive fees and commissions.

In August, the RBZ chief encouraged banks to pay interests on deposits, after negotiations with the Bankers Association of Zimbabwe (BAZ). Guvamatanga yesterday said at the survey award ceremony sponsored by First Capital Bank Zimbabwe (FCB) the government was determined to restore confidence in the sector.

“Government on its part is introducing policies to promote confidence in the financial sector such as the payment of interest on electronic balances, including those on mobile platforms, enhancing the operation of the Deposit Protection Corporation (DPC), among others,” he said.

“The depositors’ protection scheme has inspired confidence greatly as small depositors, who usually suffer the consequences of a bank failure, have been guaranteed protection by the existence of the scheme.

“Nonetheless, I also notice some of the challenges which need to be addressed, including gender equity on most boards.”

Guvamatanga’s declaration that digitalisation is the future of the sector dovetailed into the theme of this year’s survey theme, “Adapting to Market Disruption Through Digitalisation”. While the outbreak of Covid-19 has brought challenges to the sector, the permanent secretary said it had also unlocked opportunities for banks.

“To achieve this, the need for investment in Information Communication Technology market infrastructure cannot be overemphasised. You have already witnessed that most banks have grown digitally with most services now available on e-services, improving convenience and accessibility of banking services. Business disruptions which included job losses in the banking sector resulted in business being conducted virtually leading to the closure of many bank branches,” Guvamatanga added.

He said while digitalisation represented the future of the banking sector, mergers by sector players would allow them to develop critical mass and take advantage of economies of scale. AMB Capital Limited executive director, Zenzo Lusengo, who was guest of honour at the awards ceremony, concurred that the pandemic could be a catalyst for the development of new banking sector products that unlock fresh opportunities.

“As someone with an innate curiosity, the hunger to explore new ventures and who appreciates the importance of reinvention, an interest question would be where I see opportunities in banking and financial sectors going forward: digital only banks — in South Africa we have seen new banks emerging like Discovery Bank, Tyme Bank and Bank Zero, in particular,” he said.

Lusengo added that in any disruption, “upstarts often end up eating the incumbent’s lunch, if the incumbents let them do so”.

FCB managing director Ciaran McSharry said while digitalisation brings significant progress within the banking sector, the downside to it is increased cyber security risks.

“We encourage everyone to use digital channels in a safe manner and to understand how they operate. Internally we have enhanced our security by partnering with Visa to bring the Visa 3D to secure functionality for all online payments,” he said.

“We have also embarked on a customer education journey on our digital channels across diverse platforms to ensure they have knowledge of our platforms. Our aim is to do what we can to protect our customers funds.”

McSharry said the new normal characterised by digital solutions has become a reality.

Zimbabwe Independent editor Faith Zaba said despite: “Despite the headwinds stemming out of the Covid–19 pandemic, and disruptions to operations that have been brought by the rapid shift to digital platforms, the future appears bright as Zimbabwe banks continue to innovate and accelerate their digital transformation.

“I have no doubt in the ability of our banking industry to overcome, having seen how they emerged out of previous turbulences. As has already been said, this year’s Banks & Banking Sector Survey has demonstrated how important it has become for economies to adapt to the “new normal”, and how banks are rolling out digitalisation and other innovations to make the banking experience easy and profitable.”-Zim Independent

By A Correspondent- A Harare landlord appeared in court for stealing US$32 000 cash and jewellery worth US$152 000 from a tenant.

Kundai Muradzikwa appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi charged with unlawful entry.

Muradzikwa was released on free bail after the court noted that he was coming from home and not police custody.

Allegations were that Muradzikwa took door keys from the maid of his tenant Luminitsa Dumbisa Jemwa, who is footballer Nyasha Mushekwi’s ex-wife, before he opened the door and stole the cash and goods.

The State alleges that on an unknown date, Muradzikwa allegedly seized keys from the Jemwa’s maid and ordered her to vacate the place because her boss was delaying in paying rentals as well as electricity bills.

It is alleged that Muradzikwa unlawfully entered Jemwa’s house in her absence and stole money amounting to US$32 000, two watches and jewellery, all valued at US$152 000.

A report was made to the police, leading to Muradzikwa’s arrest.

The maid also filed a complaint against Borrowdale Police Station officers who allegedly released the accused after alleged interference by his mother, Grace Muradzikwa.

In her affidavit, the complainant said Muradzikwa’s mother bragged that she was a commissioner, threatening to report the officers to Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga if they did not release her
son.

Grace is the Insurance and Pensions Commission.

The maid said the police then released the accused, fearing backlash from their bosses.

Anesu Chirenje prosecuted for the State.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Police arrested four suspected armed robbers believed to have been behind robbery incidents that happened in Kezi, Maphisa and Zvishavane.

The four, found in possession of firearms, are Sizwenkosi Hlongwane (42), Isheunesu Gumbo (27), Bruce Ephraim Makara, (29) and Don Tanaka Masukume (29).

National police spokesperson assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi on Thursday confirmed the arrest of the four.

“Police in Zvishavane received a tip off to the effect that there were some suspected criminals at a local car sale. A team of police officers acted upon the information and discovered that the suspects had driven off in a Toyota Wish motor vehicle towards Bulawayo along Masvingo – Mbalabala Road. The suspects were then arrested at a police roadblock along the same road,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

A Taurus pistol with an empty magazine, a Star pistol with an empty magazine, an AK rifle bayonet and 3mm pistol rounds were recovered from the suspects.

Meanwhile, Asst Comm Nyathi said police are also appealing for information which may assist in the investigation of a murder-robbery case which occurred on October 21, 2021 at around 12 midnight at Molife Village, Chief Chinamhora.

“On the said date, the victim (28) and his wife were asleep in their bedroom when five suspects came to the house and demanded the couple to open the door alleging that they were police officers. The suspects, who were armed with iron bars, machetes and an unknown firearm suspected to be an AK 47 rifle, went on to fire shots on the floor of the house through the window,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

“The four suspects gained entry into the house through the window after removing burglar bars. Whilst in the house, the suspects attacked the couple with iron bars demanding cash before they were given US$2 800 by the victim’s wife. One of the suspects fired two shots on the victim’s back as the suspects escaped through the window. The victim died on the spot.”

He said anyone with information may contact the national Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp number 0712 800107.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- The Ministry of Healthcare and Child Welfare has reiterated that there is no outbreak of Covid-19 at Nashville school as reported by the media.

This week the media accused the school of hiding the Corona cases with pictures of seemingly seek children going viral. 

In a statement, the Ministry said covid rapid response team has been dispatched to the school and all the tests done  came out negative. 

“The school has 192 borders, 628 day scholars and 38 teachers. All the borders have been tested for Covid 19 and are all negative. The teachers were also tested and also  came out negative. The testing of day scholers is currently under way,” read the Ministry’s statement.

The Ministry further warned the public from posting out unverified reports.

The permanent secretary for the Ministry of Information and Publicity, cde Nick Mangwana also urged the media to seek clarity first before publishing fake news.

“The public media has been found wanting on this story. What happened to the principle of verification?” asked Mangwana.

Meanwhile some social media users has commended the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare for its swift response in setting the record straight and avoid public panic.

By A Correspondent- CBZ Agribusiness manager Tafadzwa Madzokere was on Friday sentenced to 24 months imprisonment after she stole US$8 500 and mobile phones from her estranged boyfriend, Solomon Sibanda.

Madzokere will not serve time in jail after magistrate Joseph Mundondo suspended six months on condition that she did not commit the same offence in five years and another 10 months on condition that she restituted Sibanda of the US$8 500 by November 30 this year.

The remaining eight months were commuted to 280 hours of community service at Eastridge Infant School.

The court heard that on March 19 this year, Madzokere met Sibanda, a farmer, in Harare’s central business district. The two had a disagreement over an undisclosed issue and Madzokere grabbed three iPhone cellphones from Sibanda and fled.

They later agreed to meet in Borrowdale, where Sibanda allegedly attempted to assault Madzokere.

However, Madzokere took US$8 500 stashed in the glove compartment, some phones and fled. Sibanda made a report at the Harare Central Police Station, leading to Madzokere’s arrest. Madzokere told the court that she was sorry for her behaviour.

By A Correspondent- MDC-T party leader Douglas Mwonzora has distanced himself and his party from former Thokozani Khupe aide Kudzanai Mashumba violence incident in which the latter attempted to hold a press conference purportedly on behalf of the MDC-T.

Mashumba is alleged to have tried to address the media (Thursday), in Harare on the pretext of representing the party, which was resisted by some party members and left property destroyed at Media Centre in Harare.

Contacted for comment, Mwonzora said he was not aware of press conference held and directed all questions to MDC-T presidential spokesperson Lloyd Damba.

“I was not aware of the press conference and investigations have been carried out, for more comments you can contact my spokesperson Lloyd Damba,” said Mwonzora.

Damba said Mashumba was once a party member and an aide to Dr Thokozani Khupe but was expelled and his case is now at the labour court.

“Mashumba was once our party member and Dr Khupe’s aid but he was expelled from the party and his case is at the labor court. He held a press conference with a poster that had a picture of the president and our party logo.

“He is an imposter and he involved himself in violence where he attacked party members who came expecting to be addressed by the president and it is evident from the videos circulating that he was the one who attacked a member,” said Damba.

He said they were not part of the violence that took place and one of their party members Yvonne Musarurwa tried to stop people from attacking Mashumba.

“We are not violent and if you look at the videos circulating, one of our members Yvonne Musarurwa was actually shouting so that people stop attacking Mashumba,” said Damba.

However, Damba said that the incident occurred outside Jurisdiction of harvest house so police have every right to investigate since the press conference was illegal.

In a statement issued by Mashumba, the party constitution has a period stipulated for one to hold a position and Mwonzora was supposed to leave office in 2019.

“The constitution of the party is very clear on the timeframe for any congress. The term of office for 2014 office bearers expired long back in November 2019 and one wonders how and why the current office bearers continue to exercise their functions,” read part of the report.

MDC-T also issued a statement on the commotion at the Media center saying that party youths and leaders were not involved in violence that occurred.

“The MDC-T has noted an incident that occurred at the Media Centre in Harare this morning. Whilst investigations are ongoing, we can fully confirm that our youths and their leaders were not involved in any form of violence,” reads part of the statement.

Last week MDC-A president Nelson Chamisa was attacked in Masvingo in Charumbira communal lands and also in Manicaland showing the level of political violence and intolerance currently obtaining in the country.

By A Correspondent- Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation Minister, Kirsty Coventry believes local coaches are the best for the senior men’s football national team.

Coventry said appointing Croatian Zdravko Logarusic as Warriors coach keeping him in the job that long was a mistake.

She said her office only learnt at a later stage that the Croatian would come into the country when the national team had an assignment and fly out soon after.

Coventry said the appointment of FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza as Logarusic’s replacement was a step in the right direction. She said:

I think the appointment of the new coach is a move in the right direction. We really need someone who understands our game.

I might not have been a team player in my days as an athlete, but I have learnt that for anyone to be a good coach, they need to have a better understanding of the players and environment. That is something that lacked under Logarusic.

In fact, I only came to learn later that he was flying into the country a few days before an assignment, and would fly out soon after. That is not ideal. It was actually a mistake to have allowed that situation to prevail.

Now that we have Norman Mapeza, it is a step in the right direction. I hope going into the future, we will continue embracing some of our former players, and give them roles in our national team technical set-up.

We really need these former players because of their deeper understanding of the environment and style of play.

Coventry was speaking in an interview with Manica Post at the Nyanga/Mutasa Community Tournament where she was the guest at DC Mutasa Ground last week on Saturday.-ManicaPost

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has expressed concern over a surge in senseless murders across the country emanating from petty disputes.

In a statement, this Saturday, ZRP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi implored members of the public to respect the sanctity of life and try to settle differences without resorting to violence.

In one such incident, a nine-year-old Grade One pupil assaulted another Grade One learner aged twelve whilst they were playing a kicking game known as “Kigida” or “Magadu” on Friday last week.

The incident took place at Tokwane Ngundu Primary School in Masvingo and the victim died on Wednesday this week at Dohwai Village, Masvingo.

Below is Asst Comm Nyathi’s statement in full:

MURDER CASES IN BEITBRIDGE, MASVINGO, SIAKOBVU, BULAWAYO AND LUPANE

The Zimbabwe Republic Police is concerned with the loss of lives through murder. Most of these cases are emanating from petty disputes which can be easily resolved by engaging third parties such as church and traditional leaders, relatives, and others.

On 22nd October 2021, a male juvenile aged 16 ran amok and fatally struck Sarina Mbedzi (24) with a wooden stick before strangling her two children, Thanganedzo Mbedzi (6) and Phidzuro Mbedzi (5) at Village 27 Fula, Beitbridge.

He dragged their bodies into a kitchen hut which he set on fire, resulting in the three being burnt beyond recognition. Police recovered a Mobicel cellphone and ZAR 72.00 cash from the suspect.

The teenager is on free bail for another case of murder for killing his aunt, Muhlaba Mbedzi (62) in April 2021 in Fula Village, Beitbridge.

In another case of murder, a nine-year-old grade one pupil assaulted another grade one learner aged twelve whilst they were playing a kicking game known as “Kigida” or “Magadu” on 15th October 2021 at Tokwane Ngundu Primary School in Masvingo. The victim died on 20th October 2021 at Dohwai Village, Masvingo.

In a related case which occurred on 20th October 2021 at Siakaloba Village, Siakobvu, Responsible Siazemba (22) was stabbed with a knife on the groin by his brother, Lloyd Siazemba (18) after the victim became violent whilst they were thatching a bedroom hut together with their other brother, Joseph Siazemba (25).

Responsible Siazemba charged towards his brothers whilst armed with an axe after he allegedly felt disrespected by his young brother, Lloyd Siazemba who had assigned him to bring thatching materials.

On 2nd October 2021, Thulisiwe Ndlovu (38) was assaulted with open hands, booted feet and a stone by Thulani Ndlovu (40), Mkokeli Ncube (31) and Nephani Sibanda (31) at a beer drinking spree in Pumula North, Bulawayo after a misunderstanding over beer. The victim was referred to Mpilo Hospital where he died whilst on admission on 21st October 2021.

Meanwhile, on 21st October 2021, Gilbert Ndlovu (33), who is a suspected mental patient, fatally struck Jerot Sibanda (61), with an axe on the head for an unknown reason, at Dheka Village, Lupane.

The Police urge members of the public to respect the sanctity of life and try to solve disputes amicably.

By A Correspondent- Minister of State for Masvingo Province, Ezra Chadzamira, has been implicated in the politically motivated violence that rocked Chief Charumbira’s home area last week.

Village heads and villagers in the area alleged that Chadzamira was responsible for fomenting and organising the violence.

The violence was meant to stop MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa from visiting the Mutema family where he wanted to pass his condolences.

Speaking to The Mirror in separate interviews, the village heads said the perpetrators of the violence were prostitutes, hooligans and unemployed youths.

They said the thugs were hired by Chadzamira and Ward Six Councillor, Wellington Mahwende, from the gold panning town of Mashava.

Also fingered in organising the violence is ZANU PF Ward 10 councillor Sengerai Manyanga.

Chamisa’s convoy was stoned and Ward Five councillor, Daniel Mberikunashe was injured in the melee.

Meanwhile, Mahwende distanced himself from the allegations saying he lives next door to a house where Chamisa intended to have a private executive meeting.

The house belongs to an MDC Alliance member and the meeting ended prematurely after it was disrupted by the police. Said Mahwende:

I didn’t have anything to do with what happened in the Charumbira area. I think my name is being dragged in the mud because I live next Wilstaf Stemere’s house.

There was no way I was going to leave my house because there was an MDC meeting next door.

No one can speak on behalf of ZANU PF except Patrick Chinamasa, national spokesperson or provincial spokesperson.

So, anyone who is claiming to be a ZANU PF member and is saying Mahwende was part of the organisers of political violence is just hallucinating.

Contacted for comment by The Mirror, Chadzamira said he didn’t own any thugs arguing that people who demonstrated wanted to send a message to Chamisa that they didn’t want sanctions.

However, village head Mudawose Govo who admitted to being a strong ZANU PF supporter, said he did not condone violence.

He said that the perpetrators of violence were from Mashava and were organised by Chadzamira who is also the MP of Masvingo for Masvingo West. Govo said:

We are ZANU PF supporters and it’s fact. We are even proud of it but we are not violent. We voted Chadzamira, but he is now encroaching on community leadership issues.

He is the one fanning fights between Chief Charumbira and Chief Bere that is why he bussed people to commit violent acts in Charumbira’s backyard.-Mirror

By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF is plotting fresh constitutional amendments that would allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to serve for more terms after the 2023 elections.

Under the provisions of the 2013 Constitution, if Mnangagwa wins the 2023 elections, his term of office expires in 2028, but the youth league yesterday endorsed Mnangagwa as the sole candidate in the upcoming polls “and beyond”.

The Zanu-PF national youth executive met yesterday in the capital and agreed that there was “need” to amend the Constitution to allow Mnangagwa to stay in power beyond the current constitutional limits.

Addressing a Press conference at the party’s headquarters yesterday, Zanu-PF acting deputy secretary for youth affairs Tendai Chirau said the youth representatives from all the country’s 10 provinces had unanimously agreed that Mnangagwa was a befitting presidential candidate for the 2023 elections and beyond.

The youth’s endorsement for Mnangagwa comes ahead of the Zanu-PF annual conference to be held in Bindura next week.

“The first and important thing which we discussed and agreed upon as the national executive is that His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is our first secretary and the president of the party, is our sole candidate for the 2023 election and beyond,” Chirau said.

“We also agreed that if need be, it is very important the current Constitution of the country is amended so that it can allow a leader to have more than two terms.

“The reason is that we realised that development does not have a term limit. Development requires someone to continuously have more time so that we can still have more good things happening in this republic.”

Zanu-PF has already made over 27 controversial amendments to the 2013 Constitution to allow Mnangagwa to consolidate power, whittling powers of both the Legislature and Judiciary and allowing him to handpick his deputies.

The youth league’s proposal comes at a time when a Zanu-PF member, Sybeth Musengezi, last week approached the courts challenging Mnangagwa’s legitimacy.

Mnangagwa is facing internal dissent, with his party locked in serious factional fighting in the ongoing district restructuring exercise.

But the youths claimed that Mnangagwa had proved that he was an “exceptional leader” through his various developmental projects which were aimed at empowering the youth and reviving the economy.

But the youth later made a contrary point in the address, acknowledging that the economy was on retardation, blaming it on “illegal sanctions imposed by the West”.

“We lost 90% of our investment in mining and industries due to the illegal sanctions. There is economic retardation due to sanctions,” Zanu-PF youth league secretary for business development and liaison Calvin Manyengawana said.

“Zimbabwe, for close to two decades, has been isolated from the international community due to the illegal sanctions that have been imposed upon it by the United States and its Western allies.”

In May 2019, Mnangagwa declared that he would still be President in 2030.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- One of the largest apostolic sects with membership across the southern African region has applied for official affiliate status with Zanu-PF and in return, the sect leaders would rally their followers to vote for the ruling party.

The sect said the ruling party had listed opposition to homosexuality and same sex marriages as one of the main requirements for collaboration.

Zimbabwe criminalises same-sex relations, but the Constitution guarantees rights such as equality and non-discrimination.

Zanu-PF has, however, listed resolute opposition to homosexuality and same sex marriages in response to the request by the leadership of the apostolic congregation, Johane Masowe WechiShanu WeAfrica.

This followed a meeting that Zanu-PF acting political commissar Patrick Chinamasa held with the church’s leader, Bishop Andby Makururu on September 2.

Makururu was accompanied by 37 members drawn from the district and provincial leadership ranks, including members of the 250-large “prophetic council”.

“The meeting explored modalities for collaboration between the church and Zanu-PF, especially in the area of  economic empowerment, agriculture, mining, touring etc … They applied for affiliate status with Zanu-PF and I briefed them on the requirements,” Chinamasa revealed in a series of tweets.

According to Chinamasa, some of the demands include sharing Zanu-PF values, preservation and defence of the national interest, national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Zimbabwe, resolutely opposing tribalism, regionalism, nepotism, corruption, racism, religious fanaticism, among others,

The church promised to fulfil Zanu-PF’s requirements.

Chinamasa said he was in a meeting when contacted for comment.

Zanu-PF acting spokesperson Mike Bimha and Tafadzwa Mugwadi, the party’s information director, refused to comment, referring the NewsDay Weekender to Chinamasa.

Zanu-PF has always drawn support from the apostolic sects, especially during elections.

In February 2019, Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe president Johannes Ndanga said President Emmerson Mnangagwa was God-ordained while addressing mourners at the burial of United Apostolic Church Independent Church of God Archbishop Chiutsi Zihowa Motsi in Mt Darwin.

In a research titled White Garment Churches (Vapositori) and Zanu-PF Party Politics in Zimbabwe: True Marriage or Marriage of Convenience During and Post-Mugabe era, researcher Phillip Musoni argues that Zanu-PF had a marriage of political expediency with the church.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- A Nigerian man, who married a Zimbabwean woman, promised his in-laws that he will fly cattle from his home country for the payment of roora/ lobola (bride price).

Adewale Yusuf Olayiwola married his fiancée Nunurai Colleta Mudarikwa, daughter to Uzumba MP Simbaneuta Mudarikwa (ZANU PF) and his wife Verna Muromba Mudarikwa in Mutoko.

Adewale, who is from Nigeria’s Osun State Province reportedly paid at least US$10 000 cash.

Mudarikwa’s Nigerian son-in-law is in Real Estate and Logistics entrepreneurship in both Nigeria and South Africa.

He was represented by his father’s brother, Ishmael Olayiwola, two men and a woman all from Nigeria during the marriage rituals.

Speaking to H-Metro, the bride, Nunurai, expressed excitement following her marriage to Adewale.

She said:

I am excited because today is my birthday and I am getting married to Adewale.

We met about five years ago through mutual friends at a friend’s house. In fact, we started off as friends and we eventually started dating.

I do not tolerate cheating and it helped me in my relationship. I do not have the emotional capacity, so I cannot stay with a cheating man, even if I get that my husband is cheating on me, I won’t stand it.

She said cultural differences made the marriage a bit of a challenge but they managed to mix the two to come up with a hybrid culture.

Said Nunurai:

The only challenge that I faced is that my husband is Nigerian, so cultural differences were kind of a challenge for both families at some point.

However, we managed to have a mix of both and we ended up with our own culture.-HMetro

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently threatened fire State Security minister Owen Mudha Ncube following his involvement in devastating factional battles currently ravaging Zanu-PF, highly placed sources in the ruling party said.

Mudha, as he is more popularly known, has been fighting to wrest the provincial chairmanship from the incumbent, Daniel Mackenzie-Ncube.

The latter was last month forced to issue a strongly worded statement rebuking him and members of his camp for fanning factionalism in Mnangagwa’s home province.

Mudha’s bid was being supported by Local Government minister July Moyo, who considers himself as the province’s godfather but faces stiff competition from his cabinet and politburo counterpart Joram Gumbo who also claims the honours.

The two are sworn, long-term adversaries.

The sources said Mnangagwa summoned Mudha to a meeting where he strongly chastised him for his role in the ongoing rumpus.  Mnangagwa also warned Mudha that unless he renounces his bid for the party provincial chairmanship, he would be left with no option but fire him fire him from the lucrative ministerial job.

And, as reported by NewZimbabwe.com Friday, Mudha opted to retain the ministerial job and bowed out of the race, preferring instead to throw his weight behind another claimant, Edson Chiherenge Chakanyuka.

It has since, however, emerged that Mnangagwa also asked the province’s heavyweights to propose three names of potential candidates for the chairmanship and they submitted only the name of Larry Mavima, the current minister of State for Provincial Affairs, thereby leaving Chakanyuka in the cold.

Nevertheless, July Moyo’s camp has not stopped campaigning for him.

“The real reason why Mudha dropped out of the chairmanship’s race is that he was summoned by the president and told in plain terms that if he continues to on that path, he would have to be fired,” a Zanu-PF politburo source said.

“He was given two options, either to focus on the chairmanship and lose the ministerial position or to renounce his interest in the chair and keep the job. The president’s concern was that he holds a very demanding official job which cannot be double crossed with an equally demanding party position. So he has since decided he wants the ministry more,” the source said.

“After that, we were all called in by the president and told to come up with three names who will contest for the chairmanship. However, the leadership overwhelmingly endorsed Larry Mavima. No other name was submitted, which means Chiherenge was omitted. His camp though has not stopped campaigning regardless of that and thinks it can brew a shocker,” the source added.

“They may be hopeful, which is okay, but they stand virtually no chance.-newzim

Statement by the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation, His Excellency Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, regarding the Mission of the Special Envoy to the Kingdom of Eswatini:

STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SADC ORGAN ON POLITICS, DEFENCE AND SECURITY COOPERATION, HIS EXCELLENCY MATAMELA CYRIL RAMAPHOSA, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, REGARDING THE MISSION OF THE SPECIAL ENVOY TO THE KINGDOM OF ESWATINI

1. Following the escalation of civil unrest in the Kingdom of Eswatini, as the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation, I deployed, Mr Jeff Radebe former Minister in the President’s Office, as my Special Envoy supported by representatives of the Republics of Namibia, and Botswana as the In-coming and Out-going Chair of the Organ respectively, assisted by the SADC Secretariat, to Eswatini on 21-22 October 2021.

2. The Special Envoy paid a courtesy call on His Majesty, King Mswati III. Subsequently, amongst others, the Special Envoy met with members of Cabinet led by the Honourable Cleopas Sipho Dlamini, the Prime Minister, members of the Diplomatic Corps, civil society organizations, Members of Parliament, trade unions and members of the all society in Eswatini.

3. During the engagements, all stakeholders agreed that the conduct of national dialogue should be the appropriate platform to address the current challenges facing the country. In this regard, they recognised the need for a peaceful and conducive environment for the dialogue to take place.

4. In view of the fact that His Majesty King Mswati III has accepted the need for national dialogue, as announced by the INDVUNA YELULUDZIDZINI, on His Majesty’s behalf, it is in this context and development that I appeal for calm, restraint, the respect for the rule of law and human rights on all sides to enable the process to commence.

5. I wish to reaffirm SADC’s solidarity and support to the people and Government of Eswatini towards the achievement of practical and sustainable solutions to enable peace to prevail in the country.

H.E. Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa
Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA
22 OCTOBER 2021

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesman George Charamba says he will expose an altercation between MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa and his security detail.

He did not reveal where and when the alleged quarrel took place or what it was about.

Chamisa recently toured Masvingo and Manicaland provinces where he was attacked several times by suspected ZANU PF supporters.

Posting on Twitter using his @Jamwanda2 handle, Charamba promised to release recordings of the alleged altercation between Chamisa and his aide. Wrote Charamba:

We have recordings of an altercation between Chamisa and his security detail who tries in vain to knock sense into the drama-comedian!!! We shall release it in due course zvedu!!!!!

Charamba also claimed that Chamisa does not want imminent by-elections as well as the 2023 general elections in the hope that “he recovers lost ground”. Said Charamba:

IN CASE YOU DON’T KNOW: Chamisa haadi maELECTIONS. GET IT FROM ME. ZVESE INCLUDING THOSE BACKING HIM. THEY WANT A HOLDING POSITION WHILE THEY HOPE HE RECOVERS LOST GROUND. NOTHING WILL BE SPARED TO DERAIL 2023: PSEUDO-EVENTS ON NEVER-NEVER VIOLENCE; ELECTORAL SABBATICALS; NTAs…and DESTABILISATION OF OUR CURRENCY.

Meanwhile, we determinedly forge ahead with preparations for elections, starting with COVID-19-stalled by-elections!! We did not make appointments for full ZEC for nothing. Voter registration, delimitation are set to start soon. Antics or no antics, ZIMBABWE GOES POLLING!!!

Phoney challenges on the President’s legitimacy and much more court cases to stop elections being mulled, ZIMBABWE GOES A-POLLING. KNOW THIS ALL YE MEN AND WOMEN!!!!!

Responding to a Twitter user who had advised him to move on from Chamisa since he has no “MP, Cllrs, Party name and even Party building”, Charamba said:

Pabateyi maChinja mose: Chamisa tichatamba naye kusvika ati eke!!! Zvenyu zvekufunga kuti you demobilise us through cheap, saving claims kanganwai. Naye kusvika muna 2023. Get ready to defend your hopeless fella!!!!! #EDTheGameChanger!!!!

Scores of MDC Alliance MPs and councillors have been recalled by the MDC-T under Thokozani Khupe and her successor Douglas Komichi, leaving their seats without representatives.

According to online sources, in Russian culture, kompromat, short for “compromising material”, is damaging information about a politician, a businessperson, or other public figure, which may be used to create negative publicity, as well as for blackmail, often to exert influence rather than monetary gain, and extortion.

-TheInsider

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF acting political commissar Patrick Chinamasa has opened up on the causes of the fire that burnt down his Borrowdale house Thursday afternoon.

In a statement Chinamasa, said no one was harmed by the fire that destroyed his house.

Below is the complete statement by Chinamasa:

The main bedroom, the bedroom where the fire originated from and my study room were all gutted by the fire and reduced to ashes. Nothing was saved from these rooms. The Fire Brigade arrived in time to save the dining room, the lounge, the kitchen and the two remaining bedrooms.
As to the cause of the fire, I am suspecting an electrical fault. I am ruling out completely any foul play. Enemies may celebrate over my misfortune but I believe there was no enemy hand behind this incident. I know social media will be awash with all sorts of speculations. This I have no power to stop. What I know from the bottom of my heart is that this was an accident, an act of God.

It’s not easy to accept that what we have worked for all our lives has gone up in smoke in a matter of seconds. All that we have remained with are the clothes we were wearing. The furniture, clothes, blankets, files, documents, records, manuscripts, family photos… everything, and above all my priceless and irreplaceable library is now just a heap of ash and rubble.
In conversations with friends and relatives, I find myself fielding Job-like questions but I want to assure all who care for my welfare that in God I trust and he will provide.

By A Correspondent- A Harare landlord, Kundai Muradzikwa, has been arrested for stealing US$32 000 cash and jewellery worth US$152 000 from a tenant.

Muradzikwa appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi charged with unlawful entry, and was released on free bail after the court noted that he was coming from home and not police custody.

Prosecutor Anesu Chirenje told the court that on an unknown date, Muradzikwa allegedly seized keys from the tenant, Luminitsa Kimberly Jemwa’s maid and ordered her to vacate the place because her boss was delaying in paying rentals as well as electricity bills.

It is alleged that Muradzikwa unlawfully entered Jemwa’s house in her absence and stole money amounting to US$32 000, two watches and jewellery, all valued at US$152 000.

A report was made to the police, leading to Muradzikwa’s arrest.

The maid also filed a complaint against Borrowdale Police Station officers who allegedly released the accused after alleged interference by his mother, Grace Muradzikwa.

In her affidavit, the complainant said Muradzikwa’s mother bragged that she was a commissioner, threatening to report the officers to Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga if they did not release her
son.

The maid said the police then released the accused, fearing backlash from their bosses.

Grace is the Insurance and Pensions Commission commissioner.

-NewsDay

By A Correspondent- A lion is suspected of having killed and devoured a woman from the Gache Gache area in Kariba who went missing last Friday only to be found with half her body missing.

The woman, identified as Sibongile Ncube, is said to have died last week Friday while on her way from Mudzimu Irrigation Scheme about 12 kilometres from Gache Gache village.

She reportedly left the irrigation scheme for the village on Friday intending to return on the same day.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) on Wednesday recovered the body and took it for postmortem following a request from the family who are suspecting foul play.

Ward 2 Nyaminyami RDC Councillor Kudzanayi Makanyaire confirmed the incident which has left the community shocked.

 He said:

Information at hand is that the woman visited the village on Friday and left later that day to return to the Mudzimu Irrigation Scheme.

When she left, she had a torch and was riding a bicycle. However, she did not reach the village as expected by her husband.

… We are greatly shocked by the incident where this woman lost her life under mysterious circumstances.

Her body has been taken by police for postmortem following the request by her family who are still shocked by her mysterious death.

We are not yet sure when the body will be back for burial.

-State media 

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF youth league has announced that they want to push for the amendment of the party constitution to give more years for Emmerson Mnangagwa to stay in power.

If this happens, it would mean that Mnangagwa’s deputy Constantino Chiwenga who is fighting to takeover power from the incumbent, would be doomed.

Chiwenga believes he should be the President because he helped to Mnangagwa, in 2017 when they removed the former President, Robert Mugabe, through a coup.

The party’s youth leader Tendai Chirau said Mnangagwa must rule forever.

Said Chirau:
We agreed that it is important that if the constitution of the country can be amended so that he (Mnangagwa) can have more than two terms.
Chirau also said that the ZANU PF youth league is endorsing President Mnangagwa as their 2023 presidential candidate. He said:

The first thing we discussed and agreed on as the executive national youth league is that His Excellency President Emerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is our sole candidate for the party in the 2023 elections because he has shown less than three years good leadership so we do believe that he should continue.

By A Correspondent- Douglas Mwonzora’s MDC has joined the Zanu PF’s sanctions removal campaign.

A senator in the Mwonzora’s party, Mogen Femai, said Zimbabweans were President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s children and therefore were affected by targeted sanctions imposed on him.

Some of Zimbabwe’s political elites are under United States of America financial sanctions for alleged human rights abuses and corruption, among them State Security Minister Owen Ncube and the country’s ambassador to Tanzania Anselem Sanyatwe.

In the Senate during the debate of the SONA speech, Femai argued that sanctions affect every Zimbabwean citizen even if they could be targeted at certain individuals. He said:

Mr President, I want to talk about sanctions. Yes, there are some who say sanctions are good while others are saying they are affecting us. It is true sanctions affect us.
They are not good for us because if you find yourself with a catapult, you see a bird in its nest and you attack it, it means you have killed the chicks as well because if you kill the mother, you have killed the children as well.
We are President Mnangagwa’s children and if he is under sanctions and we are his children, where do we get food from because the person who gives us food is the one who has been slapped with sanctions?
So, it means we should build our economy on our own. If we have illegal gold panners paying taxes and if we engage on Pfumvudza, it will help us to build on our economy.

Femai also took the opportunity to hit out at pirate taxis (Mushikashika), accusing them of destroying roads that have been rehabilitated by President Mnangagwa. He said:
…I think pirate taxes should really be investigated because they do not follow traffic safety rules.
They are the ones damaging the roads that will have been rehabilitated by the President.
The pirate taxis should be investigated so as to find out why we have a lot of illegal taxis on the roads. Who owns them?

By A Correspondent- A man from Chivi District, Masvingo Province, was last week on Thursday killed in cold blood by the husband of a woman he was having an adulterous affair with.

The victim, Josiah Manatsa (36), was lured to a borehole by the aggrieved husband, Laurey Tafirei (25) of Madungwe Village under headman Watungwa, using phone messages who then stabbed him to death.

Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident which took place on 15 October.

Sources told The Mirror that in the evening before the fateful day, Tafirei clashed with his wife Brenda Ainos (23) over a love message received from Manatsa.

Tafirei grabbed his wife’s phone and continued chatting with Manatsa as if he was Ainos.

At around 4 am, he armed himself with a knife and a catapult and invited Manatsa for a nice time by the village borehole.

Oblivious of the source of the message, Manatsa obliged and went to the borehole where he was stabbed in the back and chest by the accused.

Tafirei left the scene after committing the crime and went and reportedly told his friend Silas Midzi (40) about the incident.

Tafirei and Midzi then went to report the issue to the village head Hikira Madungwe (79) and the three went to the scene where they found Manatsa lying in a pool of blood.

Tafirei who was now in a state of panic ran away from the scene but was later apprehended by the police.-masvingomirror

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF youth league has shut doors for the Zanu PF vice president, Constantino Chiwenga who wants to take over power from Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Chiwenga is fighting to takeover power from Mnangagwa, whom he imposed in 2017 after they removed the former President, Robert Mugabe, through a coup.

The party’s youth leader Tendai Chirau said it wants to do this by amending the party constitution to allow Mnangagwa to rule forever.

Said Chirau:
We agreed that it is important that if the constitution of the country can be amended so that he (Mnangagwa) can have more than two terms.
Chirau also said that the ZANU PF youth league is endorsing President Mnangagwa as their 2023 presidential candidate. He said:

The first thing we discussed and agreed on as the executive national youth league is that His Excellency President Emerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is our sole candidate for the party in the 2023 elections because he has shown less than three years good leadership so we do believe that he should continue.

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF youth league said it wants the party President Emmerson Mnangagwa to stay in power for long.

The party’s youth leader Tendai Chirau said it wants to do this by amending the party constitution.

Said Chirau:
We agreed that it is important that if the constitution of the country can be amended so that he (Mnangagwa) can have more than two terms.
Chirau also said that the ZANU PF youth league is endorsing President Mnangagwa as their 2023 presidential candidate. He said:

The first thing we discussed and agreed on as the executive national youth league is that His Excellency President Emerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is our sole candidate for the party in the 2023 elections because he has shown less than three years good leadership so we do believe that he should continue.

By A Correspondent- The MDC-Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa has challenged the Zimbabwe Republic Police to uphold the constitution.

In a statement Friday after several attacks on the party leader during his ongoing meet the people national tour, MDC-Alliance spokesperson said the police should be ashamed.

Below is the Full statement :

Under Section 219 of the Constitution, the Police Service have an obligation to preserve the internal security of Zimbabwe, maintain law and order as well as a duty to protect and secure the lives and property of the people.

In light of this constitutional imperative, the MDC Alliance is concerned with the political posturing by the Police Service and the unfounded allegation that members of the MDC Alliance are not cooperating with police investigations into the attempted assassination of President Nelson Chamisa and political violence that took place on Monday 18 October 2021.

We wish to place on record the fact that a police report was made by our members led by Vice President Karenyi-Kore in the company of our Organizing Secretary, Hon Chibaya, our Deputy Secretary-General, Hon Chimhini and Hon Mutseyami. The report was recorded under RRB4124513. It was made in the presence of our lawyers.

We are accordingly surprised that Police Spokesperson Paul Nyathi alleged to the press that he was unaware that a report had been made. His allegation is simply untrue.

The police sent forensic officers to inspect the vehicles and conduct a check on the number plates of the vehicles concerned.

The police officers were given access to the vehicles and full cooperation. Our lawyers were present at all times. The officers took photographs and the ballistic team conducted their examination.

Accordingly, we are surprised to learn of an alleged failure by us to co-operate communicated through the press. It is not true that we have not cooperated.

What troubles us is the fact that no investigations have commenced or arrests effected in respect of the actual perpetrators of the attempted assassination and political violence.

Four days after video footage went viral of the perpetrators of the violence, why have no arrests have been effected?

Why are the police allowing ZANU PF to erect illegal roadblocks and disturb the free movement of vehicles?

Why are these thugs being allowed to search citizens who are going about their business?

Why is ZANU PF being allowed to unlawfully bus in in excess of 300 thugs to our meetings with community leaders and harass and abuse our members?

The descent into lawlessness and the breakdown of the rule of law call into question the independence of the police and their commitment to carry out their constitutional functions.

We call into question the professionalism and independence of the Police who have actively worked against us in the past and throughout the course of this citizen conversation tour.

They have been taking instructions from Zanu PF thugs at roadblocks and shielding the perpetrators of violence committed against us. They have watched while we were being stoned and mobbed.

Instead of ensuring the safety and security of persons and property in line with their constitutional imperative, they have either turned a blind eye or been complicit in the violence. Where is their bona fides or fidelity to the Constitution?

The events of the last fortnight demonstrate that they have not exercised objectivity in their dealings with us since the political violence started in Masvingo.

There is a confidence gap that makes it hard for us to trust that they will carry out their duties constitutionally. The onus is on the police to demonstrate that they are objective.

They have a history of prejudging these matters and turning on the victims. We saw what they did with the MDC trio.

Following the abduction, torture and sexual assault of Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova, a police report was made which led to the arrest of these women on allegations of communicating falsehoods.

They were then prosecuted for making the report while the perpetrators were never brought to book.

Several other victims of political violence and torture have suffered the same fate. Their modus operandi and pattern of conduct tell a sad tale.

We call for the Police Service to focus on holding the perpetrators of violence to account in accordance with their obligations under section 219 of the Constitution.

Fadzayi Mahere

National Spokesperson

By A Corespondent- Medical doctors examining Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife, Marry Mubaiwa, yesterday failed to turn up in court to testify over her health condition.

Mubaiwa faces fraud charges after she was accused of attempting to obtain a marriage certificate at a time when Chiwenga was sick. She also faces money laundering and attempted murder charges.

Her doctors failed to turn up on Tuesday to ascertain her health condition for her trial to kick off. Mubaiwa is suffering from lymphoedema, but the State wanted her trial to continue despite protests from her lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa.

This marked the third time that her doctors avoided testifying in court.

Prosecutor Michael Reza told magistrate Lazini Ncube that he called the doctor, but someone answered the phone and advised him that the doctor was in the theatre.

Reza said when he called again, the phone was not answered.

Mtetwa had warned the court her client’s doctors were living in fear of their boss, Chiwenga who is also Health minister.

Reza and Mtetwa then agreed that a clinical director at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals will provide a doctor who specialises in mental health to examine Mubaiwa before the trial.

The matter was postponed to November 10 for the medical specialists to testify.

Supreme Court judge Justice George Chiweshe, a retired soldier and former chief magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi, who is now a High Court judge, are the witnesses in the matter.

-NewsDay

Douglas Mwonzora who exactly 2 years ago once said there are no sanctions, was the first to meet the visiting sanctions rapporteur Alena Douhan in Harare.

His party in a brief statement indicated Mwonzora is now a sanctions activist.

Tinashe Sambiri|Despite relentless efforts by the Zanu PF regime to block President Nelson Chamisa’s programmes, the MDC Alliance leader is simply unstoppable.

On Thursday he addressed community leaders and women’s groups in Makoni area, Manicaland.

Zanu PF agents are desperate to block his community engagement programme.

MDC Alliance posted on Twitter:

The People’s President, Adv
@nelsonchamisa
was well-received in Makoni where he met community leaders, women’s groups and citizens.

He shared our message of hope to the people.

Under an MDCA Govt, we will ensure freedom, jobs & opportunities for all.

By a Correspondent- Armed robbers on Thursday pounced on the gospel
musician Kudzaishe Nyakudya and got away with cash and other valuables.

Nyakudya was robbed while dropping off a friend in Marlborough, Harare.

Police confirmed the incident, which they said took place around 5 PM on Thursday at Corner Elizabeth Windsor and Newstead Rd in Marlborough. ZRP said:

The Zimbabwe Republic Police is investigating circumstances surrounding an armed robbery case involving Zimbabwe Gospel musician, Kudzaishe Nyakudya (35), which occurred at Corner Elizabeth Windsor and Newstead Rd, Marlborough, Harare on 21/10/21 at about 1700 hrs.
The victim was driving in a Toyota Wish motor vehicle from Harare CBD along Elizabeth Windsor Rd. When he stopped to drop his friend, he was suddenly blocked by three (3) unknown male adults who were driving in a white Mercedes Benz E300 motor vehicle reg number ADF2867.
The suspects who were armed with unidentified pistols assaulted & robbed the victim’s friend of an undisclosed amount of money.
Thereafter, they kidnapped & took the victim to a certain place where they assaulted him & robbed him of his cash & valuables before dumping him.

In a related development, police in Lupane are appealing for information that may lead to the arrest of Mlungisi Moyo and Lungani Moyo of Lupane who are wanted in a case of robbery which occurred at Gomoza Business Centre, Lupane on Tuesday this week.
Police said the suspects approached the victim, Simisilwe Ncube (41), who was offloading groceries for his shop, attacked him with a stone and robbed him of his ZAR10 000.00 and fled to an unknown destination.
Anyone with information to contact the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631, WhatsApp 0712 800 197 or Mat North Ops on (0281) 35011

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF acting political commissar Patrick Chinamasa’s house has reportedly been bombed by unknown assailants.

Information we are receiving from Zanu PF insiders which has also been posted by journalist-cum-politician Jealous Mawarire, on his Twitter account, is that Chinamasa’s house had been set on fire.

Mawarire has also posted a short video of the alleged burning of Chinamasa house.

” Getting reports that Chinamasa’s house caught fire, allegedly from a explosion this afternoon. Pakaipa,” posted Mawarire.

Zimeye has been calling Mr Chinamasa for over an hour to verify these claims, but he was not picking up his phone.

By A Correspondent- The government, through the ministry of health and child care, Friday dismissed Nashville High school covid-19 outbreak reports.

On Thursday, there were reports of the pandemic outbreak at the Gweru based secondary school. Some parents confirmed these reports claiming that there were children who had tested positive for covid-19.

In a statement Friday, the Ministry of Health said the reports were not true:

 The Ministry of Health and Child Care wishes to inform parents and all concerned stakeholders that there are no cases of COVID-19 at Nashville High School in Gweru.

Investigations conducted at the school today by the Provincial COVID-19 Rapid Response Team led by the Provincial Medical Director have indicated that there are 16 cases of mild flu among the school children who are all boarders.

The school has 192 boarders, 628 day scholars and 38 teachers. All the boarders have been tested for COVID-19 and are all negative.

The 38 teachers were also tested for COVID19 and were also negative. Testing for day scholars is in progress.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care has followed up by telephoning three (3) parents who had taken their children home during the week. None of the parents has reported any of the children as COVID-19 positive.

The pictures that are circulating on social media are those of seven (7) male learners who took pictures of each other basking in the sun while waiting to be taken to Totonga Clinic after they had complained of flu-like symptoms a day ago.

All seven (7) boys were seen at Totonga Clinic and treated for mild respiratory tract infections. The seven (7) are also part of the 192 students seen and tested for COVID-19 today and are negative.

All parents with children at the school are advised to remain calm. The public is being discouraged from circulating unverified reports through social media as they can cause despondency and panic.

In the event that there is an outbreak of COVID-19 at any school, parents are advised not to withdraw their children from the school as this promotes the spread of the infection. Children are isolated or quarantined and treated at the school at no cost to the parents.

As usual, it is important that we continue practising recommended behaviours for the prevention of COVID-19 which include masking up, washing hands with soap and water or sanitizing, not touching the mouth, nose and eyes and avoiding crowds.

Any suspected cases should be reported to the nearest health facility.

By A Correspondent- Medical doctors examining Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife, Marry Mubaiwa, yesterday failed to turn up in court to testify over her health condition.

Mubaiwa faces fraud charges after she was accused of attempting to obtain a marriage certificate at a time when Chiwenga was sick. She also faces money laundering and attempted murder charges.

Her doctors failed to turn up on Tuesday to ascertain her health condition for her trial to kick off. Mubaiwa is suffering from lymphoedema, but the State wanted her trial to continue despite protests from her lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa.

This marked the third time that her doctors avoided testifying in court.

Prosecutor Michael Reza told magistrate Lazini Ncube that he called the doctor, but someone answered the phone and advised him that the doctor was in the theatre.

Reza said when he called again, the phone was not answered.

Mtetwa had warned the court her client’s doctors were living in fear of their boss, Chiwenga who is also Health minister.

Reza and Mtetwa then agreed that a clinical director at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals will provide a doctor who specialises in mental health to examine Mubaiwa before the trial.

The matter was postponed to November 10 for the medical specialists to testify.

Supreme Court judge Justice George Chiweshe, a retired soldier and former chief magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi, who is now a High Court judge, are the witnesses in the matter.

-NewsDay