By James Gwati- Nick Managwana, the government spokesperson said he was briefly affected by the Sinopharm vaccination.
“About 6 hours after getting my second #ZimVaccinationdose, I felt woozy. I had to go to bed early. Maybe it was related to the vaccine, maybe it was not. This morning, I woke up feeling fresh and was able to follow my exercise repertoire without any after-effects”, he posted on his Twitter account this morning.
By A Correspondent- A four year old Tsholotsho baby has died from burns sustained from hot cooking oil which she lifted from a pan which was on fire.
According to the state media the mother of the baby had left her in the custody of a neighbour as she went to seek medical attention at Tsholotsho District Hospital.
After the incident, the girl was rushed to the same hospital but her mother decided the burns were minor and administered some traditional medicines.
Matabeleland North police provincial spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda confirmed the incident Friday calling on members of the public to be careful whenever they are minding children.
By James Gwati-In an effort to honour the late musician Andy Brown, the government through the National Arts Council Of Zimbabwe has appointed his daughter, Ammara to host this year’s National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) to be held today.
The prestigious awards which are held annually to honour outstanding artists will be held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The organisers of this year’s awards said they want to recognise artists who raised the country’s flag high over the past 40 years and have given the event the theme “Our Legacy, Our Pride”.
Busi Ncube, Mzoe 7, Tammy Moyo, Sylent Nqo, ExQ, Anita Jackson, Nutty O, Tariro NeGitare, Jose Sax and Fadza Mutengi hit-maker Poptain have been scheduled to perform during the award ceremony.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) communication and marketing manager, Rodney Ruwende said: “The awards are being held virtually so there’s no actual venue for the awards. All performances are virtual with artistes performing from their respective locations.
VIDEO LOADING BELOW
Elections lobby group the Election Resource Centre (ERC) has urged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to submit to the constitution and practices that are conducive during COVID-19.
In a statement reacting to ZEC’s announcement on the resumption of electoral activities that are only limited to voter registration and transfers ERC said the commission must administer electoral processes that are non selective.
“ZEC submits itself to the Constitution and best practices in administering electoral processes during the COVID-19 global pandemic through non selective compliance with legal and regional and international standards that include inclusivity in decision making, transparency in operations and accountability to all election stakeholders.
“ZEC reaffirms its independence by pronouncing itself on the status of by-elections and not just some electoral processes. ZEC reaffirms its commitment to holding constitutional and credible elections by outlining a comprehensive roadmap to instituting administrative reform ahead of the resumption of voter registration, other electoral processes and including by-elections.
“ZEC immediately rolls out voter education programmes to citizens in compliance with COVID19 regulations in by-election sites including monitoring the compliance of political parties in campaigning, in line with COVID19 regulations and the Electoral Act. ZEC formally invites observers to scrutinize the conduct of electoral processes under COVID19 and the submission of observations to influence credibility of processes,” noted ERC
The pressure group called on the Commission to desist from issuing press releases and call it an illegal way of administering electoral processes.
“The ERC observes with concern the continued use of press statements by ZEC to resume and suspend electoral activities. ZEC illegally suspended electoral activities through a press statement on the 7th of January 2021 and resumed operations on the 23rd of March 2021 using the same modus operandi, perpetuating an illegal way of administering electoral processes. The ERC maintains that while ZEC has a constitutional mandate to administer elections, the law does not give the body discretion to arbitrarily start and stop processes without a court order.”
ZEC announced the resumption of electoral activities following the relaxation of lockdown measures of Statutory Instrument 10 of 2021 however, the electoral body said the conduct of by- elections remains suspended.
By A Correspondent| Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) and Human Rights Watch (HRW) on March 24, 2021 held a virtual Diplomatic Briefing with African and international Diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe and South Africa to brief the diplomats on the continued economic and political crisis in Zimbabwe.
During the meeting, the Crisis Coalition and Human Rights Watch noted with concern the closure of the democratic space in Zimbabwe which has been characterized by arbitrary arrests of civic society and opposition activists, lengthy pre-trial detention of pro democracy activists and draconian legislation meant to entrench the ruling party, Zanu PF’s authoritarian rule.
Other issues highlighted to the diplomats include weaponization of the judiciary to persecute pro-democracy activists, subversion of the people’s will through recalls of Parliamentarians who won elections on the MDC Alliance ticket as well as continued harassment of human rights campaigners by activists aligned to the ruling party Zanu PF.
Abuse of Covid 19 regulations to clampdown on citizens’ fundamental rights was also highlighted as an issue of major concern during the meeting.
Another issue highlighted during the meeting is the continued involvement of the military in civilian and political processes.
The diplomats were briefed that this trend had worsened since the November 2017 military coup that led to the ascendancy of President Emmerson Mnangagwa to power and that the government of Zimbabwe continues to use terror to silence dissent.
The diplomats were also told that corruption and militarization of the state has worsened the economic and political crises in Zimbabwe.
In light of the government’s tactic to use terror against dissenting voices, the diplomats were briefed that there has been a continuous pattern of abduction and torture of pro democracy campaigners including opposition activists.
This has been worsened by the fact that the state media continues with its smear campaign against pro democracy activists and thus aiding their persecution.
The state’s clampdown on journalists exposing corruption and human rights abuses was also highlighted during the diplomatic briefing.
Zimbabwe’s constitutional crisis, which has been characterized by several amendments to the constitution, was highlighted during the meeting and Crisis Coalition and Human Rights Watch bemoaned that the amendments are part of efforts to further shrink the democratic space.
Way Forward
The Crisis Coalition and Human Rights Watch noted during the meeting that as Zimbabwe heads for the 2023 elections, there is a high likelihood that the political and economic crisis in the country will worsen especially given the military involvement in political processes.
Crisis Coalition Chairperson, Rashid Mahiya emphasized that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has an important role to play in as far as resolving the Zimbabwean crisis is concerned hence the need for intervention by the regional body.
As part of efforts to unlock the Zimbabwean crisis, Mahiya highlighted the urgent need for a multi stakeholder dialogue adding that there should be a clear roadmap for political, economic, electoral and institutional reforms as well as a clear implementation matrix of the reforms.
He added that reforms are critical for credible elections in Zimbabwe.
Another proposal highlighted during the meeting was that the government of Zimbabwe should implement the recommendations of the Motlanthe Commission which recommended that perpetrators of the August 1, 2019 shootings should be brought to book.
HIGH Court Judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi on Friday 26 March 2021 granted RTGS$5 000 bail to Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) leader Takudzwa Ngadziore, who had been in remand prison for 28 days on charges of partaking in or convening a gathering during the national lockdown period.
Ngadziore was arrested on 26 February 2021 by Zimbabwe Republic Police
(ZRP) members and charged with convening and partaking in a prohibited
gathering in contravention of section 5(3)(a) of the Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Consolidation and Amendment Order of Statutory
Instrument 200/2020 as read with Statutory Instrument 42/2021 for
allegedly partaking or convening a gathering which was prohibited
during the national lockdown period.
Prosecutors claimed that Ngadziore and other pro-democracy campaigners
attended at Harare Magistrates Court, where they convened a media
briefing denouncing the arrest of Makomborero Haruzivishe, castigated
police brutality and called for the resignation of ZRP Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga.
Ngadziore, who is represented by Tinashe Chinopfukutwa and Jeremiah Bamu of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) had been denied bail on 4 March 2021 by Harare Magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti-Guwuriro, who ruled that the 22-year-old ZINASU leader was likely to re-offend since he allegedly committed the offence while on bail in some other matters.
But Justice Chitapi on Friday 26 March 2021 granted an appeal filed by Ngadziore against Magistrate Guwuriro’s ruling and ordered the ZINASU leader to pay RTGS$5 000 bail and to report once every fortnight on Fridays at Harare Central Police Station.
Meanwhile, Harare West constituency legislator Hon. Joanah Mamombe and
opposition MDC-Alliance party youth leader Cecillia Chimbiri, will remain detained at Chikurubi Female Prison after Justice Chitapi denied them bail on Thursday 25 March 2021.
Justice Chitapi ruled that it is not in the interests of justice to grant the duo bail and said that he agreed with Magistrate Guwuriro that there are compelling reasons to deny bail to Hon. Mamombe and Chimbiri.
Hon. Mamombe and Chimbiri had appealed against Harare Magistrate
Guwuriro’s decision to deny them bail.
Hon. Mamombe and Chimbiri, who are represented by Bamu and Charles Kwaramba of ZLHR, were arrested on 5 March 2021 and charged with convening and partaking in a prohibited gathering in contravention of section 5(3)(a) of the Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Consolidation and Amendment Order of Statutory Instrument 200/2020 as read with Statutory Instrument 42/2021.
Hon. Mamombe and Chimbiri allegedly read a statement entitled; “Statement in Solidarity with Makomborero Haruzivishe and Condemnation of Police Brutality in Zimbabwe” in which she stated that police
officers “are among the top perpetrators of human rights abuses.
The price of a standard loaf of bread has risen by 6,8 percent to ZWL$94 which is US$1.10 using the official Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe exchange rate which is at ZWL$84/US$1.
The bakers attributed the increase on the recent upward review of utility charges and the price of fuel.
A snap survey carried out by Business Chronicle indicated that retailers in Bulawayo have increased the price of a standard loaf from $88 to $94.
Speaking by telephone National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe (NBAZ) president Mr Dennis Wallah said production and distribution costs have increased occasioned by the recent increase in utility charges and fuel price.
“Its not a hidden fact that if you look at the price of fuel it went up, so obviously distribution cost goes up.
“And also utilities have moved astronomically high obviously all these factors result in the cost of product spiraling upwards,” he said.
Of late, utility charges have risen significantly and in some instances by margins above 300 percent in cases such as water bills.
In addition, since the beginning of the year, the price of fuel has been increased twice with the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) attributing the upward review of fuel price to a general rise in prices of fuel on the International market.
Early this month, Zera increased the price of diesel 50 in local currency is $110,41 per litre from $105,56 while that of petrol (E10) rose to $109,17 from $104,82. In US dollars, the new price of diesel 50 was US$1,32 from US$1,27 while petrol was pegged at US$1,30 from US$1,26.
Zera has indicated that between January and February this year, there has been increases in the Free On Board (FOB) prices for petrol and diesel and this has a knock-on effect on the pump of fuel.
The FOB refers to the costs of shipping the product and as a net importer of fuel, any rise in the FOB results in price increases for the product.
In a separate interview, the National Consumer Rights Association spokesperson Mr Effie Ncube said from a consumer perspective there is no justification in increasing the price of bread.
“From a consumer standpoint, there is absolutely no justification whatsoever for the rise on the price of bread.
“Fuel and other utilities dominate the price of services and goods downstream, but there is no justification to the mark-ups that they did even taking that into account,” he said.
Mr Ncube said the business model that they presently have should be such that it can absorb price hikes of fuel and other utilities without necessarily passing them on immediately to consumers.
“They need to develop to a business model that allows them as businesses to function and prosper without constantly rising prices like what they are doing.
“There still has no justification for the mark-up rates that they are putting in order to respond to changes in the supply chain,” he said.
While the country had enjoyed notable price stability since the introduction of the auction system in June last year, there has recently been price increases across products.
Retailers say the increase resulted from a number of factors among them price increases by producers, arbitrage and opportunism by few players allowed to open during the lockdown period.
Manufacturers, however, argue that business have been responding to the general adjustments in various rates and fees across the economy and the absorption of these costs reflected in price increases as the costs are passed on to the consumer.
-State Media
By Jane Mlambo| Presidential Spokesperson George Charamba has attempted to pacify the dismissal of Zanu PF National Commissar Victor Matemadanda from his influential position saying he was reassigned for a higher responsibility out of the country.
In a comment made in the Newsday, Charamba said the removal of Matemadanda was at President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s discretion adding that a number of Zimbabwe embassies did not have representatives hence the need to fill those posts.
“(Cde) Matemadanda was not fired, but he has been reassigned for a higher responsibility out of the country,” Charamba said.
“A number of our embassies have no representatives, hence there is a need to fill in those vacant posts. But it’s up to His Excellency (Mnangagwa)’s discretion on assigning the individuals. There are a number of reassignments that are going to be taking place.” said Charamba.
Matemadanda was the deputy minister of defence and war veterans affairs as well as Zanu PF National Commissar.
His removal from the party commissariat can never be elevation to a high post as he was left without a post, the same way his predecessor Engelbert Rugeje was removed.
There are unconfirmed reports that Zanu PF factional fights are behind Matemadanda’s fall.
Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (Zuj) president Michael Chideme has indicated that he is hanging his boots and will not contest in the forthcoming congress later this year.
Chideme told journalists at a workshop in Chinhoyi that his term of office had come to an end.
“Our term of office has come to an end and personally, I will not contest the elections. We need new blood to lead. We have run our race and we have done our bit. Personally, I will not be part of the new Zuj leadership,” he said.
Chideme called on journalists to venture into income-generating activities in order to curb brown envelope journalism.
“’As journalists, you must venture into economic activities as you need to prepare for life after writing. Go into farming, mining and other activities that can empower you. Once you have financial back-up, you cannot be bribed,” he said.
“Politicians mostly abuse journalists using brown envelopes so that they can be given publicity. Once you have your own money, you can’t be fooled to write stories that do not benefit our communities. Let’s go and get farms, mining or embark on any other business ventures,” he said.
Chideme said the $5 monthly subscriptions paid to Zuj by its members was no longer sustainable.
“Some media houses are not remitting the money to the organisation,” he said.
Media trainer Vincent Kahiya said journalists should shun politicians who have nothing new to offer and concentrate on people-centred developmental stories.
The two-day workshop observed a minute of silence in honour of the late Zuj secretary-general Foster Dongozi.
-Newsday
Ex-president Jacob Zuma launched a brutal attack on the judiciary on Thursday, criticising the court system and saying a “judicial dictatorship” appears to be emerging in the country. This was according to an eight-page statement by the former president, which was shared on Twitter by his daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, late on Thursday evening.
“I strongly agree with the public sentiment that is starting to see the emergence of a judicial dictatorship in South Africa,” said Zuma in the statement.
“We have in South Africa today the gradual entrenchment of the counter-majoritarian problem. Unfortunately, when people rise up against this judicial corruption, our young democracy will unravel and many democratic gains will be lost in the ashes that will be left of what used to be our democratic state,” the statement read.
Zuma’s statement comes after arguments were heard in the Constitutional Court on Thursday, in which the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture asked the court to declare Zuma in contempt after he had defied a court order to attend and testify at the commission.
The commission requested on Thursday, that the court send Zuma to prison for a duration of two years, rather than impose a suspended sentence to get the former president to cooperate.
“The Commission has asked for a declaration of contempt and a two-year sentence – it has not asked for a fine or a suspended sentence,” said Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC, in the contempt of court application heard by the Court.
Zuma had previously defied the Constitutional Court’s order in January and had failed to appear in the Constitutional Court, on 15 February as required.
“Ordinarily and if I had faith that a South African court would consider my submissions, I would present them to the Constitutional Court,” Zuma said in his statement on Thursday.
“However, my experience is that many South African judges, including those of the Constitutional Court can no longer bring an open mind to cases involving me as they have done in awarding legal costs against me in a case I had not participated in.”
The Constitutional Court has “allowed itself to be abused” in this regard, despite his “repeated warnings” that continue to go “unheard”, Zuma said.
According to Zuma, the Constitutional Court was prejudicing and violating his constitutional rights.
In his statement, the ex-president cried foul at the inclusion of Acting Justice Dhaya Pillay — who was appointed to the Constitutional Court in an acting capacity in February 2021 — accusing her of bias and saying the decision was “curious if one considers her historical hostility and insults against” him.
Justice Pillay’s inclusion in the matter “demonstrates the crises engulfing our judiciary,” said Zuma.
Zuma added that Justice Pillay had insulted him — previously describing him as “a wedge driver with a poisonous tongue”.
Zuma reiterated that he was prepared to go to prison rather than adhere to judges and a court system that he believed to be biased.
He said: “All I said is that I am not afraid of going to jail as I was not under the apartheid system. However, I will not subject myself to an oppressive and unjust court system. They can put my physical body behind prison doors; however, my spirit is free to speak against the injustice of the imprisonment.”
Zuma’s lawyer, Eric Mabuza was contacted for comment but had told Daily Maverick that he is unable to comment on the former president’s statement and will not make any further comments on the situation.
Professor Susan Booysen, a director at the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection and author of Dominance and Decline: The ANC in the Time of Zuma, said Zuma’s “vicious attack from [a] position of back-against-the-wall” is an attempt to defy the Constitutional Court’s “core principles”.
“His essential strategy here is to make the judiciary an accused, and make the Constitutional Court an accused in his tirade,” Booysen told Daily Maverick.
Booysen described Zuma’s move as his “last line of defence” against the judiciary. In the aftermath, the Constitutional Court will have to find an appropriate way to handle an attack of this nature, and “persuasively” rebut Zuma’s claims, said Booysen. The Constitutional Court reserved judgment on Thursday. – Daily Maverick
Parliamentarians have urged Government to urgently address teacher shortages in schools with some learning institutions said to be having only three teachers.
The legislators said disadvantaged communities were bearing the Covid-19 brunt which is affecting access to education.
Schools opened on Monday for all classes and school authorities are expected to ensure social distancing is maintained to prevent the spread of the virus.
Speaking during question and answer in Parliament yesterday, Umzingwane legislator Levi Mayihlome said pupils in rural areas, especially those learning at satellite schools, were at a disadvantage.
“Children in satellite schools are only benefiting 30 percent of what other children in conventional schools are getting in terms of attendance by staff. You find that there are three teachers at a school but the grades go from Grade 1 to 7 – the teacher has to shuttle between classrooms to teach different children,” said Cde Mayihlome.
“At the end of the day, the child gets only 30 percent of the time because the teacher is running three classes. What is the Ministry doing to ensure equity in terms of attendance or attention by teachers to children in satellite schools?”
Norton legislator Mr Temba Mliswa said the issue of availing enough teachers for pupils was very important.
“I was in my constituency yesterday and visited a secondary school. Your indulgence is sought here – maybe a Ministerial Statement should be put together. The 30 minutes which is normally given to a class – children are split 35\35. The usual class has got 60; the teacher spends 15 minutes in this class, walks to the next one that is five minutes and then ten minutes instead of sharing,” said Mr Mliswa.
“The issue is not really about the teachers; it is about the Public Service Commission in terms of employing more teachers. It is not the fault of the Ministry of Education but it is the teachers who are needed. What is the PSC doing to ensure that there are more teachers as a result of splitting because of the Covid situation?”
In response to the questions, the Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education
said Government was doing everything to ensure pupils access education even during these trying times.
“The issue of satellite schools is an issue basically of viability versus break even numbers in schools. You find satellite schools sometimes with about 13-15 pupils and those classes ranging from ECD to Grade 7. In some of the classes, there are two students or so – that is an issue of viability,” he said.
“On the breakeven side, we have a policy where the ratios – teacher provision versus the number of students per class and that is normally on average 1:35. Then you find that where a school has maybe 15 students, you would hardly have a teacher or half a teacher if that is possible, which is not possible,” said Dep Minister Moyo.
He said the Ministry has designed that in such schools, where there are composite classes and where minimum requirements are not met, there should be a minimum of three teachers so that those teachers can share the breadth and length of the grades.
“In secondary schools, the minimum then becomes five teachers for that kind of school. So, it is really a matter of issues to do with viability and also for Government to be able to pay all teachers. It will be very difficult to say where there is one student or two students; you have a teacher assigned to that particular class,” he added.
Deputy Minister Moyo also assured legislators that learners in rural areas failing to access e-learning will be catered for soon.
“The issue of access by rural students and communities is a problematic issue. However, Government is working on a number of measures, one of which is collaboration between our Ministry and that of ICT where this year we have earmarked 100 schools in the country for that connectivity especially to the disadvantaged communities. The other programme that we have also entered into at which I am pleased to say that we will be participating in a virtual inaugurative meeting tomorrow which we call a GIGA project which is meant to connect every school in selected countries and Zimbabwe is one of them,” he said.
“I cannot give a time line as to when that will happen. It is going to be realized but the process is beginning tomorrow where we shall be discussing that issue of connectivity in disadvantaged schools and Zimbabwe is one of the targeted countries.”
-State Media
The Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) resumes operations today following Cabinet’s approval for it to reopen, with Government working on modalities of assisting aspiring drivers whose provisional licences expired when the department was closed.
The VID closed in January after Government imposed tight lockdown regulations as the country recorded a spike in Covid-19 cases and deaths.
Since last month, Government has been gradually opening the economy and other economic sub-sectors as Covid-19 cases have decreased.
Government has also started the vaccination programme for the country to return to normalcy.
Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona said the VID is one of the public institutions whose operations have been severely affected by the lockdown.
Minister Mhona was responding to a question raised by Matabeleland South MDC-Alliance Senator Dr Bekithemba Mpofu who quizzed him on what interventions was Government putting in place to assist aspiring drivers whose provisional driver’s licenses during the lockdown.
“If you can recall, the driving schools were the most hit in terms of operations during the lockdown since last year. Recently, they have been allowed to commence their operations this coming Saturday on the 27th of March 2021. They have been allowed to resume their business operations during this recent Cabinet meeting,” said Minister Mhona.
“My Ministry is seized with the issue and it also came through the Association of Driving Schools, to say yes, this is a pandemic and it is not according to our own making that we could not go for the lessons, testing and so forth. So, we are seized with that matter.”
The Zimbabwe Driving School Owners Association (ZDSOA) commended Government for reopening the VID.
ZDSOA national vice-chairman Mr Edwin Ndlovu said the reopening follows engagement between Government and driving schools.
“We are happy that VID has finally reopened for learner drivers. We urge our members to abide by Covid-19 prevention protocols concerning driving schools and also urge our clients who are our learners to cooperate with driving schools and VID authorities concerning wearing of masks, sanitising and maintaining social distancing to avoid any conveniences. As an association we are prepared to start sending our clients for tests as we have been preparing since the announcement of relaxing of national Lockdown Level 4,” said Mr Ndlovu.
-State Media
By A Correspondent| Norton legislator Temba Mliswa’s ex-girlfriend Susan Mutami has posted on Twitter that her unborn babies are identical twin boys.
Mutami sparked controversy when she broke up with Mliswa and spilled the beans about her relationship with the Norton legislator.
She also alleged that she was expecting twins from her relationship with Mliswa.
She has since revealed the gender of her babies saying they are identical twin boys.
“Today I found out the gender of my babies and it’s confirmed I’m having two identical twin boys and I pray they are gonna look just like their mama,” said Mutami.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has fired Victor Matemadanda from the post of party political commissar and assigned him to a less glamorous role of heading a diplomatic mission.
The outspoken Zanu PF bigwig was demoted at a politburo meeting held in Harare on Thursday and now awaits his re-assignment.
Matemadanda, who was also War Veteran deputy minister, is reported to have been fired over incompetence after he presided over chaotic Zanu PF district coordinating committee (DCC) elections in December.
He was also punished for publicly bragging that his party was behind the decimation of the opposition MDC Alliance.
MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has accused Mnangagwa of sponsoring divisions in his party, an allegation Zanu PF denies.
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba yesterday confirmed that Matemadanda was no longer the party’s political commissar or deputy minister.
He said Matemadanda would be reassigned, but downplayed reports that he had been demoted.
“(Cde) Matemadanda was not fired, but he has been reassigned for a higher responsibility out of the country,” Charamba said.
“A number of our embassies have no representatives, hence there is a need to fill in those vacant posts.
“But it’s up to His Excellency (Mnangagwa)’s discretion on assigning the individuals. There are a number of reassignments that are going to be taking place.”
This week, following the recall of Tendai Biti and five other MPs from the MDC Alliance, the United States government accused Mnangagwa of abusing State machinery to annihilate the MDC Alliance through illegal recalls of its MPs, arbitrary arrests, asset seizure as well as denying it space to campaign freely.
The US State Department said the developments in Zimbabwe were worrisome as they confirmed the Zanu PF regime’s determination to close the democratic space and create a pliant opposition which poses no threat to the ruing party ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Charamba yesterday denied Zanu PF was engineering divisions in the MDC Alliance. He also denied that the ruling party was behind the recall of Chamisa’s MPs.
Matemadanda, who took over from Engelbert Rugeje in June 2019, reportedly fell out of favour with Mnangagwa over the chaotic manner he handled the DCCs.
Chaotic scenes characterised the DCC elections last December amid allegations of vote-rigging, burning of ballot papers and violence in most parts of the country.
Some Zanu PF members boycotted voting in the elections after names of their preferred candidates were removed from ballot papers under controversial circumstances. The voting also commenced very late in most parts of the country because of delays in the delivery of voting materials.
Matemadanda led the crusade against the late former President Robert Mugabe and his family, leading to his dismissal from Zanu PF in 2016.
He later bounced back and was initially appointed commissar just after Mugabe’s ouster, before being replaced by Rugeje, seen at the time as Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s appointee.
-Newsday
A Kwekwe High School teacher and a School Development Committee (SDC) clerk allegedly defrauded desperate parents who were searching for Form One places at the school.
The suspects, a history teacher only identified as a Mr Zimende and the SDC clerk, Mr Sham Mwarowa, allegedly demanded money ranging from US$80 to US$750 after promising parents and guardians places for their children at the school.
After making the payments, the parents would then be directed to the clerk where they would make payments and get receipts and other requirements.
The issue only came to light on the opening day when school authorities discovered that there was an extra class of about 30 students leading the school head Mr Nelson Shumba to launch an investigation.
When a Chronicle news crew visited the school, desperate parents were milling around the school pleading with school authorities to allow their children into class while investigations were in progress.
The school head refused to entertain the media.
The SDC chairperson, Mr Takaedza Ntuli confirmed the incident.
He said they had concluded initial investigations and they were handing the matter over to the police.
“We are handling a fraud case at the school where a teacher teamed up with a SDC secretary to prejudice parents who came looking for Form One places. As we speak, we have concluded initial internal investigations and we are now reporting a case of fraud against the two to the police so that the law can take its course,” said Mr Ntuli.
He said parents came armed with admission forms showing that their children had been accepted for Form One.
“We then asked parents and they told us that they were given the forms by the two. So as part of our investigation we interviewed the parents who implicated the two,” he said.
Mr Ntuli said they have since suspended Mwarowa, while Zimende’s case is now in the hands of the police and education authorities.
He said they were making arrangements with other schools so that they can accommodate the affected children.
“The head is calling other neighbouring schools to find out if they can accommodate the affected students because at the end of the day, we do not want to prejudice innocent children. We had set up four classes but due to pressure we had allowed them to be six, that is when we discovered that we had an extra 30 children,” said Mr Ntuli.- Chronicle
22-year-old woman from Dzivaresekwa, Harare, is in trouble for having a sexual relationship with 15-year-old boy after the duo met at a funeral.
Martha Gege was arraigned before the courts yesterday to answer to allegations of having sexual intercourse with a minor. She was granted $4 000 bail when she appeared before Harare magistrate Sharon Rakafa and will be back in court for trial on March 31.
The court heard that on December 27, 2020, the two met at a funeral and the boy proposed love to Gege and she accepted the advances. A few days later, allegations are that the boy went to Gege’s place where they had consensual sexual intercourse.
The court heard that the boy’s parents got wind of the occurrence and made a police report, leading to Gege’s arrest.
– Daily News
AN Odzi widow who decided to move on and marry another man is lucky to be alive after her late hubby’s brothers assaulted her for ‘betraying’ them.
The brothers — Tapiwa and Kudakwashe Rupiyo — were not comfortable with Lizzy Gowero’s decision to settle with a new lover at their late brother’s homestead and bashed her.
The two were this week ordered to pay fines of $7 000 each or spend two months in prison by Mutare magistrate, Ms Audrey Muzhingi, after being convicted of assault charges.
The court heard that on January 16, Gowero and the two accused persons had a misunderstanding over the complainant’s second marriage as she is still staying at her marital home.
The two accused persons assaulted Gowero with logs all over the body, resulting in her sustaining injuries.
She reported the matter to the police, thereby leading to the duo’s arrest.-Manica Post
Finance minister Mthuli Ncube has bemoaned the rampant corruption being experienced at Zimbabwe’s ports of entry, which he says is prejudicing the country of billions of dollars.
The Treasury chief said yesterday that the smuggling of goods in and out of the country was a cancerous vice that was derailing Zimbabwe’s economic development.
In a speech read on his behalf by Finance ministry permanent secretary, George Guvamatanga — to mark International Customs Day — Ncube said the government would introduce more measures to deal with graft.
“The corruption at ports of entry usually manifests through smuggling, under-valuation or under-declaration of imported goods, as well as collusion with Zimra (Zimbabwe Revenue Authority) officials, clearing agents and transporters, among other rent-seeking behaviour which is detrimental to the country’s developmental agenda,” he said.
Ncube further challenged Zimra to contribute towards the realisation of the region’s integration agenda — through the strict enforcement of the Electronic Cargo Tracking System, which he said was crucial in detecting and reducing incidences of transit fraud.
“There is, thus, a need for Zimra to forge stronger partnerships with other border agencies and associated partners and work towards the enhancement of the trade facilitation mandate,” he said.
This comes as Zimbabwe continues to battle massive corruption which authorities have admitted is bleeding the country’s struggling economy.
The government estimates that in the extractive industry alone, the country is on average losing between US$1,5 billion and US$2 billion annually through rampant smuggling of minerals, mainly gold.
Meanwhile, Zimra acting commissioner general, Rameck Masaire, said the revenue collector had decided to use integrated automation and innovative technology to bring convenience to clients and reduce physical interaction to reduce stakeholders’ exposure to the coronavirus pandemic.
“The authority has increased online clearance methods, motor vehicle valuations are now being processed online, while application for temporary importation privileges (TIPs) can be done on email as well.
“Appeals and applications for rebates are being submitted and responded to online, markedly improving our compliance to new normal protocols.
“Immigrants rebate interviews are now done on Skype after submissions of required documents have been sent online,” Masaire said at the same event.
“Stakeholders and business should also embrace the pre-clearance of goods, which is key in enhancing movement of commercial cargo at ports of entry, also cognisant of the need to reduce physical contacts, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic,” he added.
-Daily News
A 36-YEAR-OLD man was last week gruesomely murdered by a colleague at a Headlands farm following a misunderstanding over dagga.
Joseph Majoni was hit with a brick by Munyaradzi Garikai several times on the head.
He died upon admission at Headlands Clinic.
Police confirmed the case that happened at Doverleigh Farm in Headlands last week.
“Majoni and Garikai were smoking dagga at the farm when a misunderstanding arose, thereby leading to a fight between them. A colleague only identified as Edmore intervened and stopped the two’s fight,” said Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luxson Chananda.
However, Garikai allegedly took a brick and hit Majoni’s head.
“A colleague, Oliver Nyamanyu, saw Majoni bleeding profusely. He took him to Headlands Clinic and he died upon admission. Garikai was arrested and is assisting police with investigations,” said Inspector Chananda.
He urged members of the public to solve disputes amicably to avoid loss of lives.
Meanwhile, a Honde Valley man who was on the run on allegations of axing his wife to death was found hanging from a tree branch last week on Friday.
Nicholas Mupfawa’s body was found in a state of decomposition about 150 metres away from the couple’s homestead.- Manica Post
Zanu PF has dismissed allegations by the United States that it is involved in the recall of opposition members from Parliament.
Speaking at a press briefing at the sidelines of the 350th Politburo session at the party headquarters, the Secretary for Information and Publicity Cde Simon Khaya Moyo said Zanu PF had no role to play in the recall of opposition party members from Parliament.
Cde Khaya Moyo said the party cannot be threatened by the United States for the recalls made in Parliament.
“We have been under sanctions for more than two decades. They are saying they are now watching us because of the recall which we are not involved in. They must watch somewhere not us because we have nothing to do with the recalls,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.
“They are already watching Zimbabwe through the sanctions. We are calling for those sanctions to go.”
Some sections of the media reported allegations made by MDC-Alliance vice president and former legislator for Harare East Mr Tendai Biti that Zanu PF played a role in the recall of the opposition party members.
The statements come after Mr Biti and five others were recalled from Parliament after the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) announced that they no longer belonged to the party.
Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda announced the expulsion last week.
Adv Mudenda said PDP secretary-general Mr Benjamin Rukanda wrote to him advising that the six had ceased to represent their party. Other members who were recalled include William Madzimure of Kambuzuma, Settlement Chikwinya, Kucaca Ivumile Phulu, Sichelesile Mahlangu and Regai Tsunga.
The letter was copied to MDC-T, MDC led by Professor Welshman Ncube, the Multiracial Christian Democracy, Zanu Ndonga, Zimbabwe People First and Transform Zimbabwe, which were all part of the MDC-Alliance ahead of the 2018 harmonised elections.
Cde Khaya Moyo said over the weekend there were reports from some sections of the media saying that Zanu PF was responsible for the recall of members belonging to other parties from Parliament.
“I want to state clearly that we cannot be held responsible as Zanu PF for the recall of members of other parties.
“We can only recall our own members, not members of other parties. It is not possible. It’s illegal and I don’t think it will be acceptable by any authority in Parliament, the Speaker and the rest. So let it be very clear that we dismiss that report that we are behind the recall of members of the opposition.”
He emphasised that there is no legal instrument which can be used by any party to recall members from the opposition party.
“We have no mandate. There is no legal instrument we can use as a party to recall members of other parties in Parliament. Those who are being recalled are being recalled by their own parties not by Zanu PF. We have no interest actually in recalling people, because we have two third majority in Parliament
“So why should we lose sleep by saying we want to recall so and so,”
Further, Cde Khaya Moyo said members are recalled by their own parties, the Speaker of Parliament makes the announcement in the House.
The recalls of opposition MPs and senators follows major leadership disputes in two opposition parties, and a dispute over the precise legal status of the MDC-Alliance. These disputes have seen civil suits in the Supreme and High Courts with opposition party members suing other opposition party members. None of the suits involved the Government or Zanu PF.
The first cases resulted in a Supreme Court judgement brought by one group within the MDC-T against another group in the same party. The Supreme Court found, after going through the evidence presented, that under the MDC-T’s own rules, its party constitution, that Adv Nelson Chamisa had first been improperly promoted to a vice-president of the party and then had improperly taken control of the party after the death of Mr Morgan Tsvangirai. Thus the party leadership reverted to those who were in position before these improper appointments.
The MDC-T leadership then asserted that the MDC-Alliance was simply an electoral pact formed by seven opposition parties to prevent a split in the opposition vote in the 2018 elections. Those running the MDC-A said the pact had been converted into a new political party. The High Court found that the MDC-T position was the correct interpretation after looking at the papers presented by both sets of opposition leaders.
Under the MDC-A pact each of the constituent opposition parties had been allocated seats to fight on behalf of the alliance, that is they would nominate the joint opposition candidate.
The MDC-T under its original leadership recalled a large number of legislators on the grounds that they declined to acknowledge the party leadership, and even their membership of the party, and so were no longer members of the party. The same grounds were given by the PDP when it recalled its six MPs. None of the other five parties who made up the alliance have recalled members.
In yesterday’s breifing Cde Moyo said the Politburo also received the constitutional review process from the Secretary for Legal Affairs Cde Paul Mangwana following recommendations from the constitutional review committee.
The objective of the review process, he said is to strengthen and democratise the party.
-State Media
Two Bindura University of Science and Education students were among six people killed in two separate road accidents on Tuesday evening along the Harare-Mukumbura Highway.
The students were identified as Vimbai Margaret Mugomberi (23) and Gerald Simbarashe Mutambiranwa (21).
In the first accident, a Mercedes Benz heading towards Bindura collided head on with a Toyota Cresta at the 55-km peg on the highway.
Both drivers, including two of their passengers, died as a result of the collision.
In the second accident, a Toyota Mark X heading towards Harare carrying three passengers collided head on with a Nissan NP300, also with three passengers.
As a result of the collision two people died on the spot.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the accidents in a statement.
“The ZRP expresses its deepest condolences to the bereaved families of six people who died as a result of two separate road traffic accidents which occurred along Harare-Mukumbura Road on March 24 2021,” he said.
“In the first accident, a motorist driving a Toyota Mark X towards Harare with three passengers on board collided head on with a Nissan NP300 with three passengers on board, and as a result two people died and six were injured.
“The deceased have since been identified as Vimbai Margaret Mugomberi (23) and Gerald Simbarashe Mutambiranwa (21) both students at Bindura University of Science and Education.”
Asst Comm Nyathi said after the head on collision involving the Mercedes Benz and a Toyota Cresta, the Mercedes Benz caught fire and the driver was burnt beyond recognition.
“All the four occupants of the two vehicles died as a result of the collision,” he said.
He said the deceased in both the accidents were ferried to Bindura Provincial Hospital for post mortem, while the injured were referred to the same hospital where they were still admitted.
Asst Insp Nyathi urged motorists to be observant, exercise extreme caution and avoid speeding.
“Drivers must be patient when travelling and always aim to be exemplary on the roads,” he said.
-State Media
By A Correspondent- In a shock move, the Zimbabwean government has announced its decision to severely increase the amount of money required to run a casino, lottery or betting shop within the southern African country.
Not only that, but they also gave operators very little time to react to the news, making the announcement in late February and stating the new licensing fees and costs would come into effect immediately. However, they did not state how it would affect applications that have already been made and are pending approval.
“It is hereby notified that the Minister of the Interior and Cultural Heritage within the meaning of Section 65 of the Lotteries and Gambling Act [Chapter 10:26] as read in Sections 16 and 23 of the Betting and Totalizator Control Act [Chapter 10:02], made the (verified fees) regulations,” read the government gazette.
Under the new rules, the review and processing of an application for a permanent license for a casino or lottery operation increased to $250 000. Review, processing or renewing a Totalizator license can now cost up to $50 000, while review, processing or renewal of a gaming house license has also been set at $50 000; this includes bookmakers as well.
-Newsday
Tinashe Sambiri| President Nelson Chamisa has said the MDC Alliance will not disclose its strategies on social media platforms as this will alert political opponents.
President Chamisa was responding to questions from potential voters on the way forward.
“We will not discuss and disclose our strategies on social media platforms.We are serious about our next steps.
If you want to understanding our value just check how our opponents are panicking and misbehaving,” said President Chamisa.
Zanu PF bigwigs are desperate to neutralize President Chamisa’s rising influence.The panicky regime is using all means at its disposal to dismantle the MDC Alliance.
By A Correspondent- Bakers have hiked the price of bread by almost 10% and attributed the price hike to the government’s failure to tame fuel prices.
A snap survey carried out by Business Chronicle indicated that retailers in Bulawayo have increased the price of a standard loaf from $88 to $94.
Speaking by telephone National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe (NBAZ) president Mr Dennis Wallah said production and distribution costs have increased occasioned by the recent increase in utility charges and fuel price.
“Its not a hidden fact that if you look at the price of fuel it went up, so obviously distribution cost goes up.
“And also utilities have moved astronomically high. Obviously, all these factors result in the cost of products spiralling upwards,” he said.
By James Gwati-Daughter to the late musician, Andy Brown, Ammara has been selected to host this year’s National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) to be held tomorrow.
The prestigious awards which are held annually to honour outstanding artists will be held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The organisers of this year’s awards said they want to recognise artists who raised the country’s flag high over the past 40 years and have given the event the theme “Our Legacy, Our Pride”.
Busi Ncube, Mzoe 7, Tammy Moyo, Sylent Nqo, ExQ, Anita Jackson, Nutty O, Tariro NeGitare, Jose Sax and Fadza Mutengi hit-maker Poptain have been scheduled to perform during the award ceremony.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) communication and marketing manager, Rodney Ruwende said: “The awards are being held virtually so there’s no actual venue for the awards. All performances are virtual with artistes performing from their respective locations.
By James Gwati-Six people were killed Tuesday in two separate road accidents along the Harare-Mukumbura Highway.
The six include Bindura University students who were identified as Vimbai Margaret Mugomberi (23) and Gerald Simbarashe Mutambiranwa (21).
In the first accident, a Mercedes Benz heading towards Bindura collided head-on with a Toyota Cresta at the 55-km peg on the highway.
Both drivers, including two of their passengers, died as a result of the collision.
In the second accident, a Toyota Mark X heading towards Harare carrying three passengers collided head-on with a Nissan NP300, also with three passengers.
As a result of the collision, two people died on the spot.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the accidents in a statement.
“The ZRP expresses its deepest condolences to the bereaved families of six people who died as a result of two separate road traffic accidents which occurred along Harare-Mukumbura Road on March 24 2021,” he said.
“In the first accident, a motorist driving a Toyota Mark X towards Harare with three passengers on board collided head-on with a Nissan NP300 with three passengers on board, and as a result, two people died and six were injured.
“The deceased have since been identified as Vimbai Margaret Mugomberi (23) and Gerald Simbarashe Mutambiranwa (21) both students at Bindura University of Science and Education.”
Asst Comm Nyathi said after the head-on collision involving the Mercedes Benz and a Toyota Cresta, the Mercedes Benz caught fire and the driver was burnt beyond recognition.
“All the four occupants of the two vehicles died as a result of the collision,” he said.
By James Gwati-The Zimbabwe Republic Police has once again resumed roadblocks in all roads leading to the Central Business District of Harare where they are screening vehicles entering into the CBD.
The deployment of police officers started today with the government saying it’s meant to curb cases of armed robbery.
“According to the report availed to me by the Zimbabwe Republic Police Commissioner-General (Godwin Matanga), robbery cases are occurring in all parts of the country, and it is not only affecting the Midlands province,” Home Affairs deputy minister Ruth Maboyi told parliament Wednesday.
“The upsurge of crime was being spearheaded by unlicensed firearms, therefore, it is the duty of every MP to make sure that they tell their people to report (people in possession of) illegal firearms across the country,” she said.
By James Gwati-Music promoters say they are preparing for the resumption of live performances one year after the arts sector has not been active due to the COVID-19 induced lockdowns.
Music Associations and Arts Promoters in Zimbabwe chairperson Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza told NewsDay that they were optimistic about the reopening of the showbiz sector following their meeting with Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation deputy minister Tinomudaishe Machakaire in Harare on Tuesday.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak in March last year, physical gatherings for live concerts have remained banned as part of a raft of measures to curb the spread of the deadly virus and as a result, most artistes are struggling to survive.
“As the chairman of Arts Promoters in Zimbabwe, I requested to meet the sector’s deputy minister, Honourable Tino Machakaire and he agreed to interface with us and we shared issues that have greatly affected us and our sector at large under this COVID-19 environment. This was the main agenda of the meeting and we are happy that it went well,” Chipaz said.
“I know we have so many artistes, but they all carry different weights.
“So, we chose artistes we thought would add weight to come on behalf of the industry through some could not make it as they were out of Harare, but all genres were represented.
“Also our plea to the good government led by his Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa is for it to assist our sector by giving us a financial support scheme the same way they do with command agriculture where farmers are given inputs to be paid back after harvesting.”
By A Correspondent | The fired Deputy Minister of Defence and National Political Commissar for ZANU PF cde Victor Matemadanda was fired for opposing July Moyo in a war to control Midlands Province.
Sources close to the case have said there has been a fierce war for the control of Midlands. There are two factions in the Midlands which have reeled ugly heads. All the factions purport to be defending Mnangagwa.
July Moyo who is angling to become the president himself is supported by Owen Mudha Ncube who is the minister of State Security and are both believed to be very close to the president.
July Moyo’s ambitions to become the president first came into light when Norton MP Temba Mliswa sounded alarm bells.
July Moyo is believed to be creating his power base and acting on the people who pay their allegiance to him.
Matemadanda was seen to be the stumbling block as he thwarted the efforts by July Moyo to seize control of the party as position himself for the position.
Sources close to the drama have said Mnangagwa is still in denial and instead he fired Matemadanda a clear sign that he has taken the side of July Moyo.
July Moyo and Mnangagwa are related as Moyo’s daughter is married to one of Mnangagwa’s sons.
What has made matters worse is the fact that last week Matemadanda when addressing a meeting in Mashonaland central told the meeting that Goche was a senior member in Mashonaland Central Province. This was reported to Mnangagwa by July Moyo. Mnangagwa was so angry because he had appointed Cde Musanhi to be the senior member in Mashonaland Central. Matemadanda’s declarations at a meeting was taken as a sign to undermine Mnangagwa.
In a bid of getting to Matemadanda July Moyo and Mudha found an opportunity to have Matemadanda removed and to have their plans executed without disturbances from Matemadanda. .
Information on the ground is that all is not well in the presidium.
In the meantime July Moyo and Mudha Ncube are now controlling the party and have become very powerful in ZANU PF and in the country.
Matemadanda has been reassigned to be an ambassador to Mozambique.
“Mnangagwa has become very insecure and his insecurity has blinded him to the real danger around him,” said a source.
They added saying:
“As we speak, the two Midlands ministers have been making sure the relationship between Mnangagwa and his Deputy Chiwenga is kept frosty so that they will gain more traction.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bq7BDmwDaU
By A Correspondent| The stage is set for the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) powered by Old Mutual Zimbabwe this Saturday in what will be a unique experience for the industry and the fans, with the show being held virtually.
Arts mother body, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NAC), says this year the ceremony will honour local legends under the theme: Our Legacy, Our Pride and to spice things up, a star-studded line up of new and old stars will perform at the ceremony which is being hosted virtually because of Covid-19 restrictions and regulations.
Legend Busi Ncube, who is now based in the Scandinavian country of Norway, will perform alongside local rising stars among them Tamy Moyo, Anita Jackson, Tariro neGitare, Nutty O, Poptain, Sylent Nqo, DJ Tamuka, Mzoe 7, Jose Sax and the evergreen urban groover, ExQ.
The virtual show will also see Zimbabwean artistes in the Diaspora: Bekezela (South Africa), Brian Nhira and Cindy Munyavi (United States of America), Sani Makhalima (Australia), Tina Masawi (Spain), Vimbai Zimuto (Netherlands) and Vusa Mkhaya (Austria) releasing a track titled the Big Diaspora Collaboration.
The Living Legends Awards ceremony will mark the return of the popular Nama Awards after last year’s show was cancelled following the outbreak of the coronavirus. The awards will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of Zimbabwe – by honouring 40 legends in the local showbiz — as well as NAC’s 35th anniversary.
The Old Mutual Zimbabwe Foundation is the main sponsor of the awards, to continue its traditional promotion of arts and culture. In addition to sponsoring the Nama awards, it is also a traditional partner of the Harare International Festival of Arts (HIFA).
The sponsorship underscores the financial conglomerate’s commitment to Zimbabwe by supporting the growth of the Zimbabwean economy through initiatives that foster development.
The ceremony will be beamed live on ZBC TV, ZTN Facebook page, and NAMAtv YouTube page.
By A Correspondent- Two pupils from How Mine Secondary School have been arrested after they allegedly raped a seven-year-old minor at a community hall.
A family member, who spoke to B-Metro on condition of anonymity, said the two suspects were aged 14 and 15 years old.
The family source said the 15-year-old teenager master-minded the rape ordeal by giving the Grade Two pupil sweets and after that inviting the minor to a community hall to play.
When they got there he played with the unsuspecting child and after some minutes they were joined by his 14-year-old friend, the source said.
A source close to investigations said one of the rape suspects undressed the minor and the two then took turns to rape her.
After the act the 15-year-old gave the minor more sweets so as to buy her silence, said the source.
The source said after the ghastly act, the minor bled and walked with difficulty. Her mother got suspicious when she saw her walking in that state and asked what happened to her, the source said.
She revealed to her mother that the two boys took her to a community hall to play and later raped her and gave her sweets so that she would not tell anyone.
The mother then took the child to How Mine clinic, where she was referred to United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH),
where the minor was examined and it was confirmed that the child was raped.
She reported the rape incident at How Mine police base leading to the arrest of the two suspects.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident: “ We would like to urge parents and guardians to always monitor their children and warn them not to agree to play at a secluded place. And they have to report to their parents any person who acts suspiciously to them.”
-statemedia
By A Correspondent- Journalist Robert Mukondiwa today appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Court facing aggravated indecent assault charges following allegations that he sexually attacked an Upper Six student at Allan Wilson High School.
Mukondiwa appeared before magistrate Mrs Barbra Mateko who remanded him in custody to April 12.
Magistrate Mateko advised Mukondiwa to approach the High Court for bail application.
Mr Malvin Mapako prosecuted.-statemedia
ASSEMBLY OF WOMEN STATEMENT ON AMAI SUSAN NYARADZO TSVANGIRAI
The MDC Alliance Assembly of Women today remembers the great works done by the late Amai Susan Tsvangirai who was killed in a designed collision on the Harare- Masvingo Road on 6 March 2009.
Zanu PF is well known for using road accidents to eliminate anybody who opposes their view, even from within their own party. One cannot even start to count how many people have been eliminated so far since Robert Mugabe regime, from the likes of Herbert Chitepo, Moven Mahachi, Elliot Manyika, Boarder Gezi and many more others.
Susan Tsvangirai was a motherly figure of MDC and the nation as a whole as witnessed by the number of people who attended her burial at Humanikwa Homestead in Buhera which shocked the world. Even the late Morgan Richard Tsvangirai was amused as he openly said he would not have such a crowd on his funeral.
Though she avoided direct public spotlight, she played a significant role in the Zimbabwean politics, becoming one of the most popular figures within the MDC-T, supporting her husband and the struggle behind the scenes.
Amai Tsvangirai, on several occasions managed to comfort and support a lot political violence victims. At some time she would bring food for the incarcerated members and supporters and upon receiving the food she would even kiss the forehead of each supporter encouraging them to be strong and soldier on.
Though she was taken away so soon, she was optimistic change would come one day and with President Advocate Nelson Chamisa, Change is indeed inevitable. It will surely come and her efforts won’t be in vain.
She supported and stood strongly by her husband as he faced treason charges and heavy police beatings for opposing Robert Mugabe .
She was indeed a pillar of strength to all members, supporters and her husband as she kept on encouraging us to soldier on. In a struggle of this magnitude, one needs someone to lean on and she was always there for him, for her family and for all of us.
As we continue to celebrate the women’s month as the MDC Assembly of women, we celebrate Mama Susan Tsvangirai’s life and thank her for the great works that she did amongst us and the struggle continues. May Her Dear Soul Continue To Rest In Power.
Barbara G.Tanyanyiwa
Spokesperson MDC-A Assembly of Women.
Warriors coach Zdravko Logarušić has made history by becoming the first foreign coach to lead the Warriors to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.
Since independence in 1980, only local coaches; Sunday ‘Mhofu’ Chidzambwa (2004 and 2019), Charles Mhlauri (2006) and Kalisto Pasuwa (2017), had managed to do so
The radical Croat led his depleted Warriors side to a very important 1-0 victory over the Zebras of Botswana, in the penultimate round in Francistown today.
The win, coupled by Zambia’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Algeria in Lusaka, means that Zimbabwe book a spot at the continental showpiece as Group H runners up, behind defending champions and already qualified Algeria.
Today’s victory was a watershed one in Logarušić’s tenure in the Warriors dugout. The former Sudan coach is one individual many expected or wanted to fail, as evidenced by mounting and sometimes undeserved critics on social media.
He started his tenure with a 1-3 defeat to Algeria, a game which quiet frankly, the Warriors should have won had they taken the chances which came their way.
What followed that painful defeat was a 2-2 draw with the Desert Foxes at the National Sports Stadium , an impressive come back from 0-2 down in the first half to restoring parity and grabbing a crucial point which brought the qualifying campaign back on track.
It was Loga’s half time changes which reminded the local football-loving public of what he can do, tactically that is.
Fans would turbulent on him in the wake of the disastrous CHAN campaign, but every objective individual cannot benchmark a coach’s ability after failing at a tournament where he had at his disposal, players who had last played competitive football eight months back.
Then came the Botswana game, marred by the unavailability of key players like Khama Billiat, Marvelous Nakamba, Tino Kadewere, Marshall Munetsi and Tendayi Darikwa, due to Covid-19 related traveling restrictions.
Regardless, the Croat and his charges grinded a win in enemy territory, to book a place at Africa’s greatest football showpiece, slated for Cameroon next year.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is sitting on a very highly explosive social bomb to explode in the near future unless government act now.
In about 10 years from today millions of Zimbabweans born after independence would have reached retirement age.Most of them have never been formally employed so they would have no pension savings at retirement age.
The danger of having majority of people in informal employment is the people would not be having pension savings at retirement.
Zimbabweans are employed as makorokoza, kiyakiyas, secondhand clothes vendors etc are not able to save for retirement as their income is for hand to mouth.This creates a very dangerous political,economic and social problems.
Unless millions of jobs are created as soon as possible the country will have an unsustainable old age expecting foodhandouts and medical care from government with a very small tax base.
Even those who benefited from the land resettlement programme will at one time be unable to survive on farm as they wont have the energy and power to farm.They will be on land as their retirement old people’s homes.Most of Rhodesian created small purchase areas (Matemganyika)are no longer productive as the owners are old and can not work on the land.
Zimbabwe must work on a model which promotes social welfare care for the aged and more importantly with the situation in the country in which millions of retired would not have saved a single dollar.
The situation is going to be worse as all civil servants that is soldiers, police officers, CIOs, Prison officers,teachers, nurses etc are unable to build houses during their working terms.The government is likely to throw thousands if not millions into retirement as destitutes.
In 10 to 20 years we are likely to have more former civil servants and government workers sleeping in the streets if nothing is addressed immediately. The pleasure of soldiers and police officers of staying in camps and barracks is short lived.The luxury of teachers and nurses of staying in school and government accommodation is short lived.The luxury of work uniform is short lived as retirement is yearly knocking on the door.A good government plans for the future of its citizens. Is this ZanuPF government having a clear plan for the social welfare of those to retire without pension savings?
??✋???Patriotic Papa JC speaks when things are not good !!
By Dr Ellane Simon
Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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Tinashe Sambiri|A soccer analyst has postulated that the current Warriors squad is better than the famous Dream Team.
Knowledge Musona set a new record after leading the Warriors three times to the AFCON finals( wearing the armband)…
The Warriors edged the Zebras of Botswana 1-0 to book a berth at the AFCON finals.
Football analyst Phil Jambaya observed:
If football is all about statistics and numbers , Knowledge Musona is the best ever Warriors captain, the first captain to qualify thrice for Afcon , qualifying twice with a game to spare.
The current Warriors players have proved that they are better than the Dream team.”
Tinashe Sambiri|The relentless persecution of Hon Joana Mamombe and Cecilia Chimbiri by the Zanu PF regime is totally unacceptable, the MDC Alliance has said.
The two were denied bail by High Court Judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi on Thursday.
“Harare West MP Hon Joana Ruvimbo Mamombe and MDC Zimbabwe Deputy Youth Chairperson Cecillia R Chimbiri have been denied bail.
Justice Chitapi pointed out that he agrees with Magistrate Muchuchutu-Guwuriro that there are compelling reasons to deny the duo bail…
The persecution of our members is unacceptable- this is clear weaponization of the law to suppress dissenting voices,” an MDC Alliance official said.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance deputy chairperson and Zengeza West MP, Hon Job Sikhala has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is a desperate dictator.
The Zanu PF regime has announced that MDC Alliance MPs, particularly Hon Sikhala and Hon Settlement Chikwinya will be fined for disrespecting Mr Mnangagwa in Parliament.
Responding to the announcement, Hon Sikhala wrote on Twitter:
Ladies and gentlemen I have one question to all of you who participated and celebrated November 17, 2017 kuti maiva maonei muna Mnangagwa? Kurikuendeswa nyika is totally closure of any pol space. All of us are going to be banned from contesting elections using one trick or the other.
Our freedom will never be deterred by antics of a desperate dictatorship.
Yesterday Jonathan Samkange presented a Report on the Parliamentary Privileges Committee which he was chairing and found 108 MDC Alliance MPs guilty of not standing up when Emmerson Mnangagwa comes to Parliament. All MPs were fined )level 12 of the fine)
So as it stands no Member of Parliament elected on the MDC Alliance ticket in 2018, will be allowed to stand again to become one in their lifetime. When we talk of evil, this is evilness in full motion.”
MDC Alliance spokesperson, Advocate Fadzayi Mahere also dismissed the pronouncement:
“Parliament has ceased to be a legitimate voice for the people.
They want Hon
@JobSikhala1 and Hon
@chikwinya
to pay $800,000 and others to pay $400,000 as a fine for challenging Zanu PF.”
Tinashe Sambiri| President Nelson Chamisa has said the MDC Alliance will not disclose its strategies on social media platforms as this will alert political opponents.
President Chamisa was responding to questions from potential voters on the way forward.
“We will not discuss and disclose our strategies on social media platforms.We are serious about our next steps.
If you want to understanding our value just check how our opponents are panicking and misbehaving,” said President Chamisa.
Zanu PF bigwigs are desperate to neutralize President Chamisa’s rising influence.The panicky regime is using all means at its disposal to dismantle the MDC Alliance.
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Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance deputy chairperson and Zengeza West MP, Hon Job Sikhala has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is a desperate dictator.
The Zanu PF regime has announced that MDC Alliance MPs, particularly Hon Sikhala and Hon Settlement Chikwinya will be fined for disrespecting Mr Mnangagwa in Parliament.
Responding to the announcement, Hon Sikhala wrote on Twitter:
Ladies and gentlemen I have one question to all of you who participated and celebrated November 17, 2017 kuti maiva maonei muna Mnangagwa? Kurikuendeswa nyika is totally closure of any pol space. All of us are going to be banned from contesting elections using one trick or the other.
Our freedom will never be deterred by antics of a desperate dictatorship.
Yesterday Jonathan Samkange presented a Report on the Parliamentary Privileges Committee which he was chairing and found 108 MDC Alliance MPs guilty of not standing up when Emmerson Mnangagwa comes to Parliament. All MPs were fined )level 12 of the fine)
So as it stands no Member of Parliament elected on the MDC Alliance ticket in 2018, will be allowed to stand again to become one in their lifetime. When we talk of evil, this is evilness in full motion.”
MDC Alliance spokesperson, Advocate Fadzayi Mahere also dismissed the pronouncement:
“Parliament has ceased to be a legitimate voice for the people.
They want Hon
@JobSikhala1 and Hon
@chikwinya
to pay $800,000 and others to pay $400,000 as a fine for challenging Zanu PF.”
By A Correspondent- A ZTN journalist Robert Mukondiwa today appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Court facing aggravated indecent assault charges following allegations that he sexually attacked an Upper Six student at Allan Wilson High School.
Robert Mukondiwa (left) arrives in court with his lawyer
Mukondiwa appeared before magistrate Mrs Barbra Mateko who remanded him in custody to April 12.
Magistrate Mateko advised Mukondiwa to approach the High Court for bail application.
Mr Malvin Mapako prosecuted.
By A Correspondent- A Zimpapers Television News (ZTN) anchor, Robert Mukondiwa has been remanded in custody to April 12 for allegedly sodomising a form six student who approached him seeking financial assistance.
Mukondiwa is facing aggravated indecent assault charges. His lawyer said the offense is a Third Schedule offense therefore, it warrants continued detention of the accused until there is proof that proves otherwise.
Watch the video below for more……
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) has asked oil firms to continue using petroleum importation licences issued in 2019, while the two sides negotiate new licensing requirements.
To be granted authority to operate, oil companies are required to pay retail and fuel importation licence fees.
Zera and indigenous fuel companies have been fighting over importation licences since last year when the regulator announced a new regime compelling operators to demonstrate that they had previously imported at least 10 million litres. They are also required to have at least 15 refuelling stations.
But petroleum firms, represented by the Direct Fuel Import (DFI) group and the Indigenous Players Association of Zimbabwe (Ipaz), last year rejected the “outrageous” conditions and accused the regulator of promoting big foreign players.
The standoff sparked a High Court showdown. The High Court ruled in the operators’ favour, forcing Zera to roll over 2019 licences into 2020.
Businessdigest understands that Zera has authorised firms to roll over the 2019 licences again into this year.
“All the petroleum companies which were issued with 2019 procurement licences are still allowed to use the same licences in 2021 for their fuel importation operations,” Zera chief executive officer Addington Mazambani said in a March 3 letter seen by businessdigest.
“This position shall remain up until such a time that the authority prescribes new procurement licensing terms and conditions after consulting with various stakeholders,” he said.
According to sources who attended a meeting called by Zera last week, there were proposals that retail licence fees be pegged at US$24 360. There were also proposals that operators pay for three service stations by the end of next month.
However, the DFI group appeared to have reconsidered these issues.
“We have received the summary of the meeting from some of our colleagues from a sister organisation. For the record our position is as follows: We accept the Procurement Licence fee of US$24 360 for the year 2021. We reject paying for 2020 licences because your negligence in administering the whole exercise resulted in your failure to announce acceptable conditions to this very day. You cannot be rewarded for negligence. We also highlighted to you at our meeting in December 2020 that our members had incurred losses when you illegally suspended their licences for about a month in May 2020,” DFI said.
“We reject any requirement for service stations to be attached to procurement licences. Such attachment is a violation of the Petroleum Act. This Act clearly recognises the separate nature of the different licence
categories. If sustained, this requirement will have the effect of amending/annulling an Act of Parliament.”
It said the mandate of Zera was to administer the laws of the country and not to amend them.
“We reject the requirement for past imports as this has the effect of inhibiting entry of competition into the sector. This is a naked violation of the Petroleum Act, which is self-explanatory. It is also a violation of other laws we have cited to you in previous correspondence,” the DFI group said.
“Our view is that any group of people that gets together to make agreements, while setting aside the pertinent laws of the country, is committing a grave act of corruption. We will not be party to this corruption. There is certainly nothing to ululate about and celebrate on this false agreement. Further, be advised that the laws regarding this issue have not changed since we secured a High Court judgment against yourselves over the same issue in May 2020.”
The DFI group condemned Zera for lack of proper consultation and planning.
“We write to register our grave concern regarding the (recent) meeting. Firstly the notice time for the meeting was too short, just 24 hours, although it was postponed by a day. We had requested you for this meeting in July 2020 and you were unable to respond until now. For this reason, we made all efforts to attend,” it said.
“At today’s meeting (March 17, 2021) all our members experienced connection problems of different kinds and upon reflection, it would seem this was a deliberate action to reduce our presence and effectiveness. We therefore refuse to be silenced by technical gremlins that seemed to be only interested in our members.”
Mazambani said the meeting was part of stakeholder consultations.
Tinashe Sambiri| President Nelson Chamisa has said the MDC Alliance will not disclose its strategies on social media platforms as this will alert political opponents.
President Chamisa was responding to questions from potential voters on the way forward.
“We will not discuss and disclose our strategies on social media platforms.We are serious about our next steps.
If you want to understanding our value just check how our opponents are panicking and misbehaving,” said President Chamisa.
Zanu PF bigwigs are desperate to neutralize President Chamisa’s rising influence.The panicky regime is using all means at its disposal to dismantle the MDC Alliance.
By A Correspondent- Two Bindura University of Science Education students died on Wednesday after a Mark X vehicle they were travelling in encroached into an oncoming lane and was hit by a Securico Nissan NP 300 at the 62-kilometer peg along Harare-Mukumbura highway.
Vimbai Mugonderi (23)died upon admission at Concession hospital while Simbarashe Gerald Mutambiranwa (21) died upon admission at Bindura hospital. Six other passengers were seriously injured and are currently admitted at Bindura hospital.
Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe confirmed the accident.
“Two people died and six others injured at 62-kilometer peg along Harare Mukumbura yesterday (Wednesday),” Mundembe said.
According to police, the accident was due to speeding and the Mark X driver Steven Eric Moyo (24) is being charged with culpable homicide.
“We are charging Moyo with culpable homicide and the accident was due to speeding.”
“The injured six are Moyo (24) Kudakwashe Nyandoro (28), Luxon Matangira(20), Langton Chikwavava(52), Menard Chimucheka(44 and Albert Mpofu(44),” he added.
Police warned motorists to avoid speeding and exercise extreme caution on the road especially this rainy season.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bq7BDmwDaU
By A Correspondent- Government has awarded a multi-million dollar tender to a Chinese firm to replace a redundant aviation system following pressure exerted by the Joint Operations Command (JOC) to award the deal to a company drawn from a friendly nation.
In 2016, military, police and intelligence chiefs – who make up the JOC – covertly supported a Supreme Court challenge by Italian firm Selex ES to successfully overturn the US$33 million tender that was awarded to a Spanish firm – Indra Sistemas.
Among other reasons, the deal with Indra Sistemas was terminated on the grounds that the tender did not go through procedures as prescribed by law.
Indra Sistemas did not pass a critical security vetting process by the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) and the Air Force of Zimbabwe.
Hailing from the West, which has slapped Zimbabwe with sanctions, securocrats had reservations over the Spanish entity.
The vulnerability of Zimbabwe’s shambolic radar system was exposed when JOC hastily convened an urgent meeting in 2019 after the aviation system broke down, disrupting flights.
At the time when military and intelligence chiefs convened the meeting, the airspace was temporarily closed, thereby exposing the country to hostile elements that could potentially fly in and out without detection.
In an interview with the Zimbabwe Independent this week, Transport and Infrastructure Development secretary Thedius Chinyanga said the deal had been awarded to one of China’s largest state-owned entities, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).
CHEC is a subsidiary and an overseas arm of the China Communications Construction Company (CCC).
Chinyanga said CHEC had been identified as the suitable company through a proper procurement process but negotiations over terms of the contract were underway.
“The procurement process on that project was done but the signing of the contract has not yet been done,” he said, without elaborating on the terms and conditions of the agreement.
With CHEC now on the driver’s seat to install the aviation control system whose installation has been mired in a convoluted and protracted process sucking in the country’s security machinery, China, whose firms are already rolling out massive airport expansion projects in the country has emerged as the trusted partner by Zimbabwe’s leadership.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in 2018 in china, where the leaders agreed to elevate their countries’ relations to a more mutually beneficial strategic partnership.
Currently, Jiangsu International, a company from china is rolling out the US$153 million Robert Gabriel Mugabe International airport expansion project to increase the airport’s holding capacity to six million people per annum from 2,5 million.
The firm also undertook the US$150 million Victoria Falls expansion project.
The protracted process of replacing the antiquated aviation technology was amplified by Finance minister Mthuli Ncube in his 2021 National Budget last year when he underscored that Zimbabwe was losing potential revenue due to the obsolete infrastructure.
“Airspace management and air safety require immediate intervention through procurement and installation of the requisite equipment,” Ncube said.
Under its website, chEc is “prominent for technological advantages in the field of infrastructure construction and has completed many top-class and high-quality projects all over the world. “currently chEc has more than 90 subsidiaries serving clients in over 100 countries around the world.”
In Africa, the Chinese state enterprise has undertaken multimillion-dollar projects in countries such as Mozambique, South Sudan, Tanzania, Ghana and Uganda. Since 2017, the critical project, which has now been awarded to chEc (pending finalisation of the contract), has sparked a battle between the securocrats and the civil aviation authority of Zimbabwe (Caaz) with competing interests ranging from security to self-aggrandisement coming to the fore.
at the time of publishing, acting Caaz director general Bertha Muzangaza had not responded to questions relating to the terms of the government’s agreement with chEc.
Tawanda Gusha, the acting chief executive of the Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ), had also not responded to the same questions.
The tussle to maintain control over the aviation project climaxed when the air Traffic controllers association of Zimbabwe wrote to the then late Transport minister Joel Biggie Matiza highlighting the security and associated risks posed by the dilapidated aviation system.
“Our air safety letter issued in September 2017 and may 2019 refers. We note with concern the continued deterioration in air navigation communication performance. There have been several cases in which there was total loss of air Traffic Services (ATS) air ground communications in the upper airspace. Worst case scenarios include the 25th of September, 2019, 29th September 2019 and 16 October 2019, where there was communication blackout lasting a whole day,” the letter gleaned by this newspaper in 2019 read.
It was also copied to Caaz acting director general Margret Mantiziba and director of air navigation and technical services Blessing Ngwarai.
“This chaotic and dangerous situation persisted on October 18 and continues to be experienced now and then. The air Traffic controllers association of Zimbabwe (atcaz) has on several occasions called for the urgent replacement of the obsolete communication system. air Ground communications is a fundamental and mandatory requirement for a functional aTS unit without which air traffic controllers are incapacitated to actively prevent collisions.”
Other risks associated with running a shambolic aviation radar system include “losses of revenue as aircraft avoid the space and portrayal of the country in bad light”.
Running and maintaining the aviation radar technology has been a theatre of fierce contestation between Caaz and the country’s security apparatus.
as reported by the Independent on December 21, 2018, the country has struggled to find a new radar system after Matiza and Caaz general manager David Chawota allegedly facilitated the awarding of a US$33,3 million tender to Indra Sistemas of Spain for air traffic control equipment without following public procurement procedure.
Given Zimbabwe’s strategic central position in the Southern african Development community, the obsolete aTc system is viewed as a threat to the region’s security, in view of the number of flights in and out of the region which pass through Zimbabwe’s airspace.
On numerous occasions, Zimbabwe has relied on neighbouring South Africa for radar assistance information relating to gauging the altitude of planes flying over the local airspace.
Since china and Zimbabwe upgraded their bilateral relationship to comprehensive-Strategic Partnership status, the asian economic power house has snapped lucrative contracts to implement massive infrastructure projects.-Independent
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By Patrick Guramatunhu- The Americans, the EU, the British and everyone who genuinely want to see an end to Zimbabwe’s curse of rigged elections and bad governance must focus on demanding the implementation of democratic reforms. They should be careful not to send mixed and confusing messages.
The 2018 elections proved, as if we needed any such proof, that it is impossible to hold free, fair and credible elections in Zimbabwe without first implementing democratic reforms. We know, for example, that 3 million Zimbabweans in the diaspora were denied the vote. And that ZEC failed to produce something as fundamental to democratic elections a verified voters’ roll; a legal and common-sense requirement.
It should be noted here that the law calls for the production of a verified voters’ roll at least a month before nomination day. ZEC not only failed to meet the nomination day deadline it failed to produce a verified voters’ roll for the voting day itself or thereafter. There is no verified voters’ roll in Zimbabwe! None!
“We also note the government’s selective enforcement of Covid-19 regulations to indefinitely postpone by-elections and prohibit MDC Alliance gatherings, while permitting internal elections and gatherings for the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu PF) party and its allies to go forward,” said US Department of State, according to a New Zimbabwe report.
“Zanu PF is misusing the levers of government to silence critics, neutralise opposition, and entrench its political power over the Zimbabwean people.”
The US Department was reacting to recent reports that ZEC would resume voter registration and other activities. However the holding of by-elections will remain suspended.
Are we saying it is ok to hold by-elections with no verified voters’ roll?
In less than two and half years Zimbabwe will once again go to the polls and not even one of the raft of democratic reforms has been implemented. I would rather pressure this Zanu PF regime to implement the reforms and make sure 2023 elections are free, fair and credible than waste time and resources holding fraudulent by-elections.
If Zanu PF fails to implement the reforms before the 2023 elections; millions of Zimbabweans in the diaspora are denied the vote, there is no verified voters’ roll, etc., etc.; the plebiscite must be declared null and void. We must not give Zanu PF the excuse for failing to implement the reforms.
We know that Chamisa and his friends in the opposition camp are the ones itching for the by-elections regardless how flawed and illegal the process happens to be. They have participated in similar fraudulent elections in the past because they also know that Zanu PF gives away a few gravy train seats to entice the opposition – these they find irresistible.
Of course, Chamisa et al are selling out in participating in flawed and illegal elections giving the process credibility and the result legitimacy to feed their insatiable greed. We should be condemning these opposition opportunists and not be seen as their cheerleaders!
A Harare Polytechnic College student Yolanda Musithu was on the 22nd of March suspended for hugging a colleague inside the campus premises, ZimEye can report.
According to the suspension letter seen by ZimEye, Musithu was seen by the College Principal hugging a fellow student Blessing Pasipanodya which the institution said was in violation of World Health Organisation, Government of Zimbabwe and Harare Polytechnic.
“You Yolanda Musithu C a student at Harare Polytechnic doing National Diploma in Office Management violated WHO, Government and Harare Polytechnic COVID-19 regulations. You were caught by the Principal on 22 March 2021 hugging Blessing Pasipanodya an NC DDT student. This was in direct violation of WHO, Government and institutional standing against COVID19 regulations,” reads part of the letter to Musithu.
“The institution conducted health education on COVID 19 through posters on notice boards at entrance but you opted to ignore these regulations,” further reads the letter.
By A Correspondent- A Bulawayo woman was arrested for allegedly torturing her two stepsons aged 11 and 13 by pressing a hot electric iron on their left wrists as punishment after they were reportedly duped of an undisclosed amount of money and a laptop.
The incident which shocked residents happened on 16 March 2021 at Ntabazinduna Flats in Mzilikazi suburb.
It is reported that on the day in question, the woman aged 35 (name withheld) flew into rage when she got home from work to discover that her stepsons had been duped of cash and a laptop.
It is reported that she assaulted them all over their bodies.
When she reportedly discovered that they were not crying she then took it further by switching on an electric iron and pressing it on their wrists.
As a result of their stepmother’s dastardly act, the boys were reportedly left with wounds on their wrists.
The matter was reported to the police leading to the woman’s arrest and her subsequent appearance in court, charged with physical abuse as defined in Section 3 (1) (a) as read with Section 4 of the Domestic Violence Act, Chapter 5:16.
For her alleged evil act, the woman was not asked to plead and is languishing in remand prison.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- Report of domestic violence only cause outrage when a female is the victim and a male the perpetrator.
But many a time, men just like their female counterparts, also bear the pain of abuse and suffer in silence due to this societal prejudice which socialised them into a feeling that a “real man” is expected to control his wife.
For many men “taking it like a man” means do not complain and do not show that you are vulnerable, but the controversial advice seems to have no meaning for a 40-year-old man who reported his 28-year-old wife to the police after she viciously battered him with a cooking stick all over the body.
The victim Clemence Nyathi from Sifungo Line under Chief Mahlathini received a thorough hiding from his wife Alice Ncube after he indicated to her that he was moving out of their matrimonial house because of her alleged adulterous behaviour.
As if the brutal assault was not enough, little did Nyathi know that his wife had another rude plan up her sleeve when she violently grabbed and twisted his manhood.
Circumstances are that on 21 March 2021, the couple had an argument after Nyathi accused his better half of indulging in extra marital affairs.
Nyathi is reported to have indicated to his wife that they should separate so that she can freely continue with her extra-marital affairs.
This, however, did not go down well with Ncube, who in a fit of rage allegedly assaulted Tshuma with a cooking stick all over the body.
She reportedly went on to pull his manhood before Nyathi gathered courage and pushed her away and headed to the police to report the matter.
As a result of the assault, he sustained injuries, but did not seek medical attention.
Ncube was saved from the humiliation of a trial when her husband decided to withdrew the matter before plea.
In his affidavit, Nyathi stated that his wife had asked for forgiveness while adding that he was also afraid that if she was convicted and sent to jail there would be no one to look after their three minor children since he was employed.
By A Correspondent- The National Pharmaceutical Company (Natpharm) has been forced to reverse a decision to disqualify a Chinese firm from a Covid-19 test kits tender after it had been denied on the basis of excluding transport costs from Robert Mugabe International Airport to the parastatal’s stores.
An investigation by the Zimbabwe Independent, in collaboration with Information for Development Trust (IDT), a non-profit organisation helping the media to probe corruption and bad governance, showed that Natpharm had opted for companies which charged higher prices for three million Covid-19 test kits.
The parastatal, under tender details “NAT RBM 02/2021 for the supply and delivery of laboratory equipment and consumables for Covid-19 management to Natpharm Harare regional stores (manufacturers only)”, shortlisted companies to supply of Covid-19 materials.
Procurement of Covid-19 materials and consumables was done in line with Circular 1 of 2020, which was issued by the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Praz) in March 2020, to allow state-owned companies to expedite purchase of personal protective clothing, laboratory equipment, consumables and reagents.
According to a notice published on Tuesday 16 February, 2021, Natpharm procurement management unit (PMU) named three firms – Beijing Diagreat Biotechonologies, Abbott Rapid Diagnostics, Germany and SD Biosensor, South Korea.
Beijing Diagreat charged US$3 per Sars Cov-2 antigen RDT kit, giving a total of US$9 million for the three million kits.
Abbott Rapid Diagnostics pegged its price at US$5,50 per kit and US$16,5 million for the consignment, while SD Biosensor’s kits cost US$7,50 per test kit and US$22,5 million for the Covid-19 materials.
The contract to supply has not been awarded to any of the three shortlisted companies for the test kits. however, Beijing Diagreat Biotechnologies had initially been disqualified by NatPharm because it had allegedly not included transport costs from Robert Mugabe International airport to Natpharm. This effectively left abbott, Germany (US$16,5 million) and SD Biosensor (US$22,5 million) as shortlisted companies.
A letter dated march 5, gleaned by the Independent, written by Natpharm acting managing director Evans Dumba to Beijing Diagreat, stated that the company failed to meet the tender requirements. The Chinese company wrote to NatPharm on February 26, 2021, inquiring about the tender.
In response, Dumba clarified that Beijing Diagreat had not won the tender, but was only shortlisted as one of approved suppliers of covid-19 tests kits.
“Kindly be advised that shortlisting does not translate to winning a tender as evaluation takes into consideration other factors as stated in the tender document,” wrote Dumba.
“It must be further noted that in your bid submission, prices were quoted as cost Insurance Freight (CIF) Incoterm instead of the Delivered at Price (DaP) Incoterms required in the tender document under Section 1.4.1. The cIF Incoterm would mean that there are hidden freight and insurance charges for delivery to NatPharm Harare that were not declared by your firm.
“Accordingly, this would mean your quoted prices did not reflect the full cost of delivering the product to Natpharm Harare.
“In view of the background given above, your organisation did not meet the requirements for the supply of SarS coV-2 antigen rDT kits.”
However, Beijing Diagreat wrote back to Natpharm explaining that it had no hidden costs. The parastatal then backtracked on its decision and wrote to the Chinese firm stating that it was shortlisted for consideration.
Dumba wrote that: “It must be noted that Natpharm’s assessment had been based on CIF Incoterm, as stipulated in your bid document and the resultant interpretation was that the destination of the goods procured would be the port of entry being Robert Mugabe International airport, Harare.
“On further scrutiny of your bid document, supported by your letter dated 10 march 2021 written in response to your letter dated 5 march 2021, it is clear that your quoted price covers delivery to Natpharm Harare regional stores (DaP) as stipulated in our tender document.”
Based in China since 2013, Beijing Diagreat is a high-tech enterprise specialising in developing, manufacturing and distributing of IVD (In Vitro Diagnosis) reagents, analysers and raw materials.
Abbott, Germany, is a company whose line of business includes the wholesale distribution of surgical, medical instruments, apparatus, and equipment. another potential Covid-19 test kits supplier is SD Biosenser – a South Korean global bio-diagnostic company that provides technologies and know-how, “aiming to contribute to the health and happiness of the human race”.
A check on Covid-19 test kits procurement history revealed that in a government gazette published on October 12, 2020, Natpharm shortlisted three companies for supply of 300 000 antigen rapid test kits and these include abbott, Germany, under bidder name Medsure Diagnostics, which charged US$3,1 million for the consignment.
Assure Tech (Hangzhou) Limited, china, under bidder name Platinum resources, at US$1,8 million. The other manufacturer was Xiamen Bioteme Biotechnology which charged US$1,5 million for 300 000 Sars cov antigen rapid diagnostic test kit. abbott, Germany has been shortlisted in the new February 2021 tender together with Beijing Diagreat and SD Biosensor.
Zimbabwe has been sourcing tests kits through procurement and donations from international health partners such as the United Nations International children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef).
Contacted for comment Dumba asked for question in writing, but had not responded by the time of publishing. “For me to give a detailed response I need questions in writing,” he said.
Procurement regulations
The NatPharm covid-19 test kits tender was done in line with circular 1 of 2020 issued by Praz, which allows public entities to acquire covid-19 materials for a quick response to deal with the novel coronavirus.
Praz published circular 1 of 2020 on march 27, 2020, titled Procurement of Requirements to Manage Covid-19 Disease Outbreak, for quick purchase of personal protective clothing, laboratory equipment, consumables and reagents.
Praz was established after the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public assets act (chapter 22:23) came into effect on January 1, 2018. It replaced the State Procurement Board, which conducted procurement on behalf of public entities. The authority is responsible for overseeing and regulating procurement by government ministries, parastatals and local authorities.
Public procurement regulations provides for public entities to buy from the lowest bidder who meet tender specifications for cost-effectiveness. Immediate past chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio committee on Public accounts Tendai Biti said all public entities must follow the law that govern public procurement.
he said: “and where public companies don’t follow the law, that’s unconstitutional, and illegal. We had asked for an audit of all Covid-19 procurement and that was coming because we are aware that huge amounts of money are being expended.”
Natpharm polluted history
NatPharm has hogged the limelight for alleged tenders mishandling. The parastatal is a successor to the Government medical Stores, and has a responsibility on behalf of government to purchase, sell and store medicines for hospitals, clinics and pharmacies.
NatPharm has in recent years become a feeding trough for executives, including those under an old management led by former managing director Florah Nancy Sifeku, finance manager Charles Mwaramba and operations manager Rolland Mlalazi, who were arrested in 2020, for flouting procurement regulations.
Others who were fired include human resources manager Walter Nhau, regional manager Raguel Mthombeni, stores pharmacist Rumbidzai Kanhema and Bridget Kumapenda.
Some NatPharm ex-bosses were accused of mishandling a US$5,6 million Vovid-19 consumables tender which was given to Young healthcare Limited. however, the tender was cancelled.-Independent
By Jane Mlambo | Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has revealed Government plans to build 24 new district hospitals and has already engaged the European Union for support.
Speaking after meeting the EU Ambassador Timo Olkkonen who visited Health minister Constantino Chiwenga yesterday, Mthuli Ncube said Government would work with the EU to come up with a hybrid model to manage resources.
“Already when we look at the implementation of last year’s Budget, we will meet the Abuja targets of 15 percent spending on the health sector because of the response to Covid-19,” he said.
Prof Ncube said improved access to health services by citizens was important and the EU had been interested in discussing how it could support a national health insurance scheme.
“We will work together with the EU on ways of coming up with some hybrid models to make sure that resources that they provide can be managed in a way that both sides have full transparency and accountability,” he said.
Prof Ncube said the financing by the EU was making an impact in communities, but Zimbabwe might not be able to fully measure that impact if there was no co-management of resources.
Ambassador Olkkonen said the meeting had provided a good platform to exchange notes on various issues. He said the EU was also supporting Zimbabwe’s response to the Covid-19.
“We are also supporting Zimbabwe in their response to the Covid-19 pandemic through the Health Development Fund and also for humanitarian aid we have been channelling funds to the response to the pandemic,” he said.
By A Correspondent- Mpilo Central Hospital yesterday received state-of-the-art machines from the Higher Life Foundation to help the hospital improve maternal and neo-natal health services.
The equipment includes three cardio tachographs, one ultrasound, three portable multi-parameter monitors, three vacuum extraction kits, 10 suction machines, two neonate resuscitation kits, three CPAP machines, three multi-parameter monitors, four infusion pumps and four syringe pumps.
Part of the package includes servicing the donated machines whenever they break down which the foundation will finance in partnership with the ELMA Group of Foundations. Mpilo recorded 7 167 births, 44 home births and 10 deaths last year which translate to a 140 MMR.
A total of 378 women died while giving birth in Zimbabwe in 2020 which translates to a maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of about 127 per 100 000 births. Of these women, 66 died at home while 312 lost their lives at health institutions.
In the Trends in Maternal Mortality Study, the United Nations considers an MMR of less than 100 as low, between 100 and 299 as moderately low and high when it is 300 to 499.
In his speech, Higher Life Foundation chief executive officer Dr Kennedy Mubaiwa said the placement and use of this critical equipment in maternity wards will improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
“These will also facilitate the correct risk assessments, diagnosis, and treatment of mothers and neonates. The maternal health project is part of our work towards strengthening the healthcare system in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Dr Mubaiwa said Covid-19 continues to disrupt the provision of essential maternal and neonatal health services.
“We remain truly grateful to The ELMA Group of Foundations for their continued investment and support to this project which builds capacity of our maternity wards and healthcare staff within our hospitals,” said Dr Mubaiwa.
The equipment was also distributed to maternity departments at Sally Mugabe Hospital, Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital, Chitungwiza Hospital, United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), Manicaland Provincial Hospital and Midlands Provincial Hospital.
“This is the second round of equipment deliveries to the seven hospitals after the first handover in December. Furthermore, to build technical capacity and improve service delivery, we recently commenced Emergency Obstetrics and Neonatal Care Training and Human Factors, Leadership, and Ethics Training which will reach 3 768 doctors, nurses, midwives, and auxiliary staff,” he said.
Dr Mubaiwa added: “Our hope, through the provision of this equipment and delivery of much-needed training, is to create a safe working environment in our maternity wards and to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes across the institutions we have targeted.”
Mpilo acting chief executive officer Professor Solwayo Ngwenya said the machines will help Mpilo to continue saving the lives of pregnant women and unborn babies.
“We are very grateful because this equipment will improve maternal and neo-natal health. The ultimate aim is making sure we deliver safe babies as women are a backbone of the nation and we should do everything to save their lives as they bear the future of Zimbabwe,” said Prof Ngwenya.
Mpilo has been doing well in providing maternal services as shown by a sharp decline in maternal deaths says Prof Ngwenya.
“Our challenge has been to reduce neo-natal mortality which remains high. Covid has also affected us in a way as some of our deaths were recorded from positive women,” said Prof Ngwenya.-chronicle
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF Central Committee member Esau Mupfumi is suing three party members for more than US$200 000 for allegedly humiliating him during a party meeting in Mutare and sending malicious messages on their WhatsApp group platform.
Mupfumi, through his lawyers Dube-Tachiona and Tsvangirai Legal Practitioners, filed three separate summonses at the Bulawayo High Court citing Zanu-PF national youth league treasurer Cdes Gertrude Mutandi, Pamela Razemba and Taurai Anesu Mvokwe as defendants.
The Mutare-based former Dangamvura-Chikanga legislator is demanding a total of US$220 000 from the three defendants in defamation damages: US$100 000 from Mvokwe, US$70 000 from Mutandi and US$50 000 from Razemba. Mupfumi is accusing Mvokwe of sending malicious and false messages on the Zanu-PF Ward 9 (Mutare) WhatsApp group defaming him. The message was allegedly sent on February 17 this year.
In the message, Mvokwe allegedly said Mupfumi was treating the people of Mutare like his kids and was dividing people using money. Mvokwe also allegedly said Mupfumi was a G40 member, “a mongrel” and was playing dirty politics.
“The message by the defendant (Mvokwe) is malicious, wrongful and defamatory of me. The statements were made with the intention to defame me and to injure my reputation as a respectable member of the Central Committee of Zanu-PF in Mutare,” he said.
“The statement was understood by the group members and was intended to portray me as a corrupt and violent person who causes chaos and despondency in the party. I am a Central Committee member of Zanu-PF with a good standing and therefore such utterances injured my name and reputation.”
Mupfumi said the statements by Mvokwe were false and hurtful and diminished his dignity. He wants Mr Mvokwe to pay US$100 000 in defamation damages. Mupfumi is demanding US$70 000 from Mutandi and US$50 000 from Razemba whom he accuse of humiliating him while he was addressing party members at Mutare Queens Hall on March 7.
“The defendants shouted and uttered false and malicious statements. They also banged the table while shouting at me before they stormed out of the meeting,” he said.
Mupfumi said Cdes Mutandi and Razemba together with their colleagues, hurled insults at him during the meeting, which was attended by the Zanu-PF Mutare district leadership and other Central Committee members.
“The statement was understood by the members who were present in the meeting as portraying me as a dishonest and disreputable person. As a result of the defamation, my image was tarnished and I suffered damages in the sum of US$120 000,” he said.
Mupfumi said despite demand, the defendants have failed, neglected and refused to pay the monies. The three defendants have filed notices of appearance to defend the summonses.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- The World Health Organisation (WHO) has cleared the controversy surrounding the Chinese Covid-19 vaccine, Sinopharm, saying countries were free to import the drug and administer it.
Sinopharm has not yet been certified by the global health agency, as it is currently undergoing the evaluation process.
There have been general reservations about the Covid-19 vaccines globally with Zimbabweans being among those reluctant to take the Chinese vaccine due to widespread speculation and unfounded conspiracy theories against it.
As at this week, less than 40 000 people had been vaccinated out of the 400 000 Sinopharm jabs donated by China. Zimbabwe is targeting to inoculate 10 million people to achieve herd immunity.
Only four vaccines have so far been approved by WHO, namely AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer-Biotech and Modena.
Sinopharm is one of the 27 vaccines that are undergoing the emergency use and evaluation process under the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts.
WHO country representative to Zimbabwe, Dr Alex Gasasira said this week there was nothing amiss with the process in which the Chinese government handled its vaccine distribution.
The global health body explained that the Chinese government had the right to distribute the drug within its borders since it was approved by its national regulatory
authority.
“Vaccines are taken to the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts after they have been registered in their countries of origin. So, you are taking these documents to WHO for you to have a global approval or registration of your vaccine,” Gasasira said during a question and answer session at a training programme on Covid-19 reporting in Gweru organised by the Media Institute of Southern Africa-Zimbabwe Chapter.
“But you are perfectly free to use it in your own country because you developed it and your own regulatory authority has approved it. And if there is person A or B who wishes to buy from you, they can buy and use it.”
He said while it was good to have WHO approval, it did not hamper use of a vaccine or medicine.
“There are many examples of medicines that are registered by the Food and Drug Administration of the USA that are not registered by WHO. They are being used because the Food and Drug Administration is registered. There are many of these examples,” Gasasira said.
He said people should understand the process that leads to certification of drugs.
“WHO insists that one brings dossiers after a national regulatory authority has registered you. When your national regulatory authority is happy with the work that you have done in developing that vaccine or developing that medicine or in developing that medical device, then you bring your papers to us. We then look at the documents,” Gasasira said.
He said chances were high for discordance between WHO and member countries or manufacturers over the certification of vaccines.
“So at the end of the day you might have discordance where WHO might say, maybe we need more evidence here, we need more evidence there, do this and that while the national regulatory authority is happy. And for as long as the national authority is happy that medicine can be on the market,” Gasasira said.
He said Sinopharm is fairly advanced in the process of WHO evaluation though its recommendation depends on when the manufacturers submitted their documents.
By A Correspondent- The Easter holidays are celebrated widely in Christendom with mass gatherings, and health experts are concerned there could be an explosion of coronavirus cases immediately after the holidays.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa on Thursday told Senators that Cabinet was aware of the risks of a rise in infections during the holidays.
She said:
All the security agents would be out in full force to ensure there is compliance with regulations because we have noticed that compliance is becoming a problem following the easing of some of the restrictions.
Mutsvangwa also said church gatherings should not be more than 50 as required by the regulations.
The country’s borders have not yet been re-opened, and only returning residents would be allowed to enter the country, Mutsvangwa added.
She said the government has put in place mechanisms to ensure people do not use fake COVID-19 test certificates to travel.
-statemedia
By A Correspondent- Bakers have said a recent spike in the prices of bread is attributed to the recent increase in utility charges and fuel prices which have a direct impact on production and distribution costs.
Chronicle conducted a snap survey which observed that retailers in Bulawayo have increased the price of a standard loaf from $88 to $94.
National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe (NBAZ) president Mr. Dennis Wallah told Chronicle that there was a direct relationship between production and distribution costs and utility charges and fuel price.
Wallah said:
Its not a hidden fact that if you look at the price of fuel it went up, so obviously distribution cost goes up.
And also utilities have moved astronomically high obviously all these factors result in the cost of product spiraling upwards.
Of late, utility charges have risen significantly and in some instances by margins above 300 percent in cases such as water bills.
In addition, since the beginning of the year, the price of fuel has been increased twice with the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) attributing the upward review of fuel price to a general rise in prices of fuel on the International market.
In a separate interview, the National Consumer Rights Association spokesperson Mr. Effie Ncube said from a consumer perspective there is no justification in increasing the price of bread.
He said:
From a consumer standpoint, there is absolutely no justification whatsoever for the rise on the price of bread.
Fuel and other utilities dominate the price of services and goods downstream, but there is no justification to the mark-ups that they did even taking that into account.
They need to develop to a business model that allows them as businesses to function and prosper without constantly rising prices like what they are doing.
There still has no justification for the mark-up rates that they are putting in order to respond to changes in the supply chain.
Ncube’s remarks echo those of the government that has often accused some businesses of profiteering at the expense of the general populace.
In response, businesses have been arguing that their prices are reasonable considering the environment they are operating in adding that they risk closure if they fail to adjust their prices accordingly.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance deputy national spokesperson Clifford Hlatywayo said that his party was ready for by-elections.
Speaking during an interview with Nehanda Radio, Hlatywayo said comprehensive electoral reforms have to be implemented first before Zimbabwe can hold credible elections. He said:
MDC Alliance has presented minimum conditions for the holding of credible elections in Zimbabwe in our document called PRICE- Principles for Credible Elections.
There is a need for serious electoral, political and economic reforms in Zimbabwe. Zanu PF does not like that because it enjoys the suffering of ordinary people.
MDC Alliance is ready for any election at any time as long as the process is fair, free, peaceful and the security of the voters and vote is guaranteed.
Hlatywayo claimed that Zanu PF knows that it is an illegitimate regime occupying the positions of authority.
He further charged that the ruling party employs “diabolic” means to stay in power such as arbitrary arrests and illegal detentions of dissidents.
The former youth assembly spokesperson said the recalls of MDC Alliance councillors and legislators has impacted negatively on service delivery in local authorities and crippled the parliamentary oversight role.
-NehandaRadio
By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF has been hit by fresh chaos, with the party’s highly divisive and recently restored District Co-ordinating Committees (DCCs) at the centre of the latest commotion.
The DCCs – which were scrapped in 2012 at the height of Zanu-PF’s factional, tribal and succession wars, in the twilight of the late former president Robert Mugabe’s rule – are accused of usurping the powers of other organs of the ruling party.
Insiders confirmed to the Daily News yesterday that the DCCs had become “a major headache” in the party – prompting Zanu-PF’s national political commissar, Victor Matemadanda, pictured, to issue a stern warning recently against the abuse of the structures.
This comes amid reports that the demons of factionalism that gutted the ruling party during Mugabe’s last few years in power had returned to the ranks of the former liberation movement with a vengeance. In a March 15 circular to Zanu-PF’s provincial and DCC chairpersons, Matemadanda ordered the divisive structures to stop convening all unconstitutional meetings forthwith.
“The commissariat department has noted with great concern the abuse of office by the DCCs through the exercise of power and authority that is not granted to them by the party’s constitution. “This circular is designed and issued to correct and bring to an end all activities and decisions that DCCs mistakenly believe are within their limits of discretion and directs all members of the DCCs to note that with immediate effect no such decisions and activities shall be permitted unless as directed by the commissariat headquarters through the auspices of the provincial political commissar,” he wrote.
Matemadanda also reminded the DCCs that they did not have disciplinary powers and, therefore, “at no time should they undertake disciplinary action against members of the district councils or any lower organs”. “DCCs have no power of co-option and as such, any co-options that were made under the direction or supervision of the DCCs remain unauthorised and invalid.
“DCCs have no power to organise and cause elections of district executive councils. Any elections conducted at the instigation and supervision of the DCCs is null and void. “Removal of district executives through a process of no confidence votes engineered by the DCCs is invalid,” Matemadanda warned.
“DCCs have no power to create own programmes without consultation with, and obtaining prior approval of the provincial political commissar. “All purported campaigns for positions currently held by a sitting MP or local authority councillor or a rural district councillor and or shadow MP are not permitted. “Violations of instructions issued under this circular will not be tolerated and may attract disciplinary action as appropriate,” Matemadanda thundered further.
The DCC structures elect Zanu-PF’s 10 provincial executives – from where the party and President Emmerson Mnangagwa draw members of the central committee and the politburo. The party’s DCCs were disbanded in 2012 after they were deemed to be fanning factionalism during Mnangagwa and former vice president Joice Mujuru’s battles to succeed Mugabe.
The run-up to last year’s DCC polls was also marred by allegations of bribery, factionalism and tribalism – with party wars coming to a head in October when violent youths disrupted the former liberation movement’s primary elections for the Kwekwe Central Parliamentary by-election.
Meanwhile, apart from having to contend with DCC chaos, Zanu-PF sources said the party was also facing fresh problems over “the long overdue” elections for provincial chairmanships. The party’s regional chairpersons lead the provincial co-ordinating committees (PCCs).
Divisions were particularly said to be ravaging five provinces – Harare, Bulawayo, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West and Mashonaland Central – which are under interim chairpersons, who stand accused of being sources of factional fights. With some PCCs having had interim executives for more than five years, Zanu-PF national spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo said the party’s restructuring exercise had been stalled by Covid-19.
“You may be aware that even the DCCs have not been inaugurated yet and once we have contained the Covid-19 pandemic the process will continue. “After that, the party will do the provinces. You cannot wake up in the middle of a pandemic and start thinking about restructuring party structures. “All that needs to be done will be concluded once the environment becomes conducive,” Khaya Moyo told the Daily News.
In Mashonaland Central, current provincial chairperson Kazembe Kazembe was said to be under pressure from several party officials – including telecommunications mogul James Makamba, who is back in the country after spending years in self-imposed exile in neighbouring South Africa. Kazembe took over from Dickson Mafios in 2017. Kazembe told the Daily News yesterday that elections would be held soon in the increasingly fractious province.
“Provincial elections for the entire party throughout the 10 provinces, and not just Mashonaland Central, will be held anytime from now and as directed by the national leadership.
“The provincial executive in Mashonaland Central is as old as any other provincial executive in the entire Zanu-PF. So, I don’t understand why some people believe Mash Central is any different. “In any case all the structures in the party except for the DCCs were voted into office around about the same time,” Kazembe told the Daily News.
“Our cells … branches … districts, all the way up are due for elections and the national commissariat will direct us as and when the elections will be held. “All provincial members in Mash Central and all the other provinces were either elected or co-opted in accordance with the constitution,” he added. Other Zanu-PF sources also told the Daily News that in Mashonaland West, incumbent chairperson Ziyambi Ziyambi was also facing a stiff challenge ahead of elections to choose the new provincial executive.
Ziyambi, who is also Justice minister, is said to be facing competition from Provincial Affairs minister Mary Mliswa-Chikoka. In Harare and Bulawayo, on the other hand, Godwills Masimirembwa and Obert Msindo were appointed interim chairpersons respectively, after the dissolution of structures for the two metropolitans in 2019 for allegedly being havens of factionalism.
Masimirembwa is set to be challenged by former Mount Pleasant MP Jason Pasade, Harare South MP Tongai Mnangagwa and land developer Justin Zvandasara. Mashonaland East province, on the other hand, is chaired on an interim basis by Michael Madanha – who replaced the late former Transport minister Joel Biggie Matiza, who succumbed to Covid-19 early this year.
In the twilight of Mugabe’s rule, Generation 40 (G40) kingpins coalesced around the nonagenarian’s erratic wife Grace, resulting in the group being involved in a hammer and tongs tussle with Mnangagwa’s Team Lacoste over Zanu-PF’s still then unresolved succession question. Mugabe subsequently fired Mnangagwa in early November 2017, before he came back to be the country’s new leader following a stunning and widely-supported military coup.
-DailyNews
Nkayi South Member of Parliament (MP), Stars Mathe, refused to use the English language during a question and answer session between legislators and ministers in Parliament Wednesday, maintaining she preferred to speak in her native language isiNdebele instead.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe recognises a total of 16 official languages of the country.
Mathe refused to repeat her question after Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa indicated had not fully understood the former’s question which had been asked in Ndebele.
The Nkayi South lawmaker had asked why post-mortem results are required before the burial of the deceased whose death causes would be known, adding the requirement resulted in the bereaved families incurring unnecessary costs.
“I was trying very hard to understand her question,” said Mutsvangwa.
“I thought it applies to the police when there is a death and somebody is well known for the disease they have been suffering from and whether there is any need to take that person for post-mortem. I would need your help Madam Speaker. That is how I got to the question.”
Before Bulawayo proportional representation MP, Thokozani Khupe who had been asked by National Assembly Deputy Speaker, Tsitsi Gezi, to interpret had done so, Mathe she would ask the question again next week.
“Madam Speaker my question was not answered, anyway I will rephrase my question next week,” she said in the august House.
“Please go ahead with other questions. I did get that my sister did not get my question very well. I do not want to ask in English, I want to ask my question in the Ndebele language.”
However, Norton legislator, Temba Mliswa immediately came in saying it was regrettable that despite the country’s constitution recognising 16 languages the Parliament still does not have translators.
“Madam Speaker it exposes this Parliament in that we have got 16 languages in the Constitution and up to now we do not have people translating this,” he decried.
“It is a shame, to be honest with you. It is a disgrace. She (Mathe) has a right to speak in whatever language she wants to speak. There are people out there on television who listen to Ndebele, so do not force her to speak any other language. We must make sure that in this Parliament there is a translator for the 16 languages which are mentioned in the Constitution. We cannot be skirting around the issues all the time. She has a right to speak even in Tonga.”
-Cite.org
A Bulawayo woman was arrested for allegedly torturing her two stepsons aged 11 and 13 by pressing a hot electric iron on their left wrists as punishment after they were reportedly duped of an undisclosed amount of money and a laptop.
The incident which shocked residents happened on 16 March 2021 at Ntabazinduna Flats in Mzilikazi suburb.
It is reported that on the day in question, the woman aged 35 (name withheld) flew into rage when she got home from work to discover that her stepsons had been duped of cash and a laptop.
It is reported that she assaulted them all over their bodies.
When she reportedly discovered that they were not crying she then took it further by switching on an electric iron and pressing it on their wrists.
As a result of their stepmother’s dastardly act, the boys were reportedly left with wounds on their wrists.
The matter was reported to the police leading to the woman’s arrest and her subsequent appearance in court, charged with physical abuse as defined in Section 3 (1) (a) as read with Section 4 of the Domestic Violence Act, Chapter 5:16. For her alleged evil act, the woman was not asked to plead and is languishing in remand prison.- B- Metro
A 62-YEAR-OLD man from Nkenyane area in Bubi District, Matabeleland North province, who has been terrorising women by grabbing or touching their breasts as they walked home from fetching water, has been arrested.
George Moyo, an alleged serial groper is accused of ambushing women from his area as they walked home from fetching water before reaching out and grabbing their breasts, with the most recent offence taking place on 12 and 13 March 2021 and the victims being two women aged 17 and 26.
Allegations against Moyo are that on 12 March 2021 and at around 10am, he landed himself in trouble when he allegedly indecently assaulted his 26-year-old neighbour. This was after he ambushed her on her way home from fetching water. It is reported that when he saw her, Moyo drew closer and fondled her breasts as she walked by.
As if that was not enough, the following day, Moyo using the same modus operandi, is accused of making similar assaults on a 17-year-old girl. He is alleged to have put his hand on her shoulder before he shoved it inside her dress and tried to fondle her breasts.
Sensing danger, the girl reportedly pushed him away before she ran away and alerted her parents, who later reported the matter to the police leading to Moyo’s arrest.
Following his arrest, it emerged that Moyo had also violated another woman, who is also his neighbour.
For groping his neighbours, Moyo was dragged before Bulawayo magistrate Rachel Mukanga charged with two counts of indecent assault.
He was not asked to plead and was remanded out of custody on $1 500 bail.- B-Metro
A Bulawayo woman was arrested for allegedly torturing her two stepsons aged 11 and 13 by pressing a hot electric iron on their left wrists as punishment after they were reportedly duped of an undisclosed amount of money and a laptop.
The incident which shocked residents happened on 16 March 2021 at Ntabazinduna Flats in Mzilikazi suburb.
It is reported that on the day in question, the woman aged 35 (name withheld) flew into rage when she got home from work to discover that her stepsons had been duped of cash and a laptop.
It is reported that she assaulted them all over their bodies.
When she reportedly discovered that they were not crying she then took it further by switching on an electric iron and pressing it on their wrists.
As a result of their stepmother’s dastardly act, the boys were reportedly left with wounds on their wrists.
The matter was reported to the police leading to the woman’s arrest and her subsequent appearance in court, charged with physical abuse as defined in Section 3 (1) (a) as read with Section 4 of the Domestic Violence Act, Chapter 5:16. For her alleged evil act, the woman was not asked to plead and is languishing in remand prison.- B- Metro
A 62-YEAR-OLD man from Nkenyane area in Bubi District, Matabeleland North province, who has been terrorising women by grabbing or touching their breasts as they walked home from fetching water, has been arrested.
George Moyo, an alleged serial groper is accused of ambushing women from his area as they walked home from fetching water before reaching out and grabbing their breasts, with the most recent offence taking place on 12 and 13 March 2021 and the victims being two women aged 17 and 26.
Allegations against Moyo are that on 12 March 2021 and at around 10am, he landed himself in trouble when he allegedly indecently assaulted his 26-year-old neighbour. This was after he ambushed her on her way home from fetching water. It is reported that when he saw her, Moyo drew closer and fondled her breasts as she walked by.
As if that was not enough, the following day, Moyo using the same modus operandi, is accused of making similar assaults on a 17-year-old girl. He is alleged to have put his hand on her shoulder before he shoved it inside her dress and tried to fondle her breasts.
Sensing danger, the girl reportedly pushed him away before she ran away and alerted her parents, who later reported the matter to the police leading to Moyo’s arrest.
Following his arrest, it emerged that Moyo had also violated another woman, who is also his neighbour.
For groping his neighbours, Moyo was dragged before Bulawayo magistrate Rachel Mukanga charged with two counts of indecent assault.
He was not asked to plead and was remanded out of custody on $1 500 bail.- B-Metro
Touts remain present at many bus terminuses despite Zupco reclaiming these, and still control the informal pick-up points where pirate kombis load, with the Minister responsible for women’s affairs and the Zimbabwe Passenger Transport Organisation now wanting effective action to enforce the laws and getting them out of terminuses and off the streets.
Both the Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Ministry and the Zimbabwe Passenger Transport Organisation have been holding meetings with the relevant authorities this week to work out how the menace can be eliminated.
Touts also operate as self-appointed enforcers in other public areas, such as water points and in open markets, with women being seen as the soft targets.
In the absence of strong and continuous police at terminuses and pick-up points, unemployed youths move in, harassing passengers, extorting from kombi operators and sometimes stealing. The same happens in other areas where these touts run what amount to protection rackets, again with women being the main target.
At the moment an old video clip has gone viral on social media showing an elderly woman crying while being harassed at Beitbridge bus terminus, including being violently dragged by at least nine touts who also forcibly took her luggage at Beitbridge bus terminus.
Since none of the crowd in the clip are masked, it is assumed the clip pre-dates the Covid-19 public health rules, but similar scenes can be found in many places today. The clip is a good example of the threats women in particular face every day atterminuses when they want to travel.
Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Mrs Sithembiso Nyoni yesterday attacked the harassment of women travellers by touts saying the barbaric act has no place in any decent society.
“We would like to assure the citizens that in collaboration with the relevant duty bearers, my Ministry shall ensure that corrective action and these perpetrators are bought to book.
“Eventually we want to witness the removal of touts from all bus terminuses. Public spaces must be safe for all and it may be known that the law enforcing agents shall not deal with this lightly.
“My Ministry has engaged relevant Government departments and local authorities to nip these in humane acts of gender based violence in the bud,” she said.
“We condemn this out rightly and it should not be allowed to happen again in a peace loving nation. It is most unfortunate that this is happening at a time when the country and the world is celebrating women. It is disturbing that there are some who are stripping women of their dignity even in public spaces,” she said.
The harassment is happening in broad daylight on streets, bus terminuses, near schools, markets and water distribution sites in diverse settings both rural and urban.
She said such acts reduce women and girls ability to participate freely in work, at school and in national development as well as limits their access to essential services and enjoyment of freedoms granted by the Constitution.- The Herald
ZIMBABWE’S Warriors gave the country something to cheer its spirits last night after they completed their mission, to qualify for the 2021 AFCON finals, with a game to spare.
After having taken care of their business, with a 1-0 win over Botswana in Francistown earlier, which eliminated their hosts from the race, the Warriors then watched from their hotel rooms, as they earned a ticket to Cameroon.
This followed some dramatic events in the other group match.
The result in Botswana meant Zambia, who were playing later in the night, had to find a way to become the first team, in more than 20 matches, to beat Algeria.
Such a result would have helped Chipolopolo to force a final-day shootout, against the Warriors on Monday in Harare, for a ticket to the AFCON finals.
However, despite a spirited performance, the Zambians could only draw 3-3 with the African champions, with Patson Daka giving as much as he could for his country by converting two penalties.
In a heart-stopping final few minutes of the game, Daka thought he had won the game, for his team, but his cool effort was ruled out for offside.
Replays showed he had started his run, just a bit earlier, than the Algerian defence.
Then, an Algerian defender, somehow, pushed his clearance onto his upright post, in the madness of that finale, before the Desert Foxes held out for a draw, which ended Zambian hopes.
It meant the Warriors, who have eight points, cannot be caught by either Zambia, who have four, or Botswana, who also have four, even if they lose their final match, against Chipolopolo, on Monday.
Had the Zambians won, it would have set the stage for a replay of what happened, during the ‘94 Nations Cup qualifiers, when they came to the National Sports Stadium, and forced the result they wanted, to qualify for the finals in Tunisia.
Kalusha Bwalya headed home a late equaliser, on that afternoon, to lead his side, still mourning the loss of their teammates in a plane crash, off the coast of Gabon, the draw they required.
It’s a result that shattered the Dream Team hopes, in the final game of the qualifiers, and whose pain is still being felt today.
This time, though, the Zimbabweans would now have required just to avoid defeat, in the final qualifier in Harare on Monday, had the Zambians forced a victory, against the Africans champions, last night.
However, that was not to be, with the Desert Foxes, who were without a number of their regular players, after having qualified in the last round of qualifiers in November, ensuring they kept their impressive lengthy unbeaten run intact.
Islam Slimani, the gangly forward who once starred for English Premiership side, Leicester City, appeared a man on a mission, to ensure his teammate at French Ligue 1 side, Tino Kadewere, would also be at the AFCON finals next year.- The Herald
Tinashe Sambiri|Zimbabwe is not Zanu PF’s private property, MDC Alliance has said.
In a statement on Wednesday, the MDC Alliance Namibia described Zanu PF Political Commissar, Victor Matemadanda as a hopeless daydreamer.
Matemadanda said war veterans would not surrender the country to MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa.
Below is the MDC Alliance Namibia statement:
ZIMBABWEANS ARE NOT YET LIBERATED! MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA RESPONDS TO ZANUPF POLITICAL COMMISSAR.
24 MARCH 2021
Zanupf political commissar old man Victor Matemadanda has sensationally pronounced they (war veterans) did not liberate this country to donate or surrender it to Chamisa. It must be clear to the overambitious former taxi driver that President Advocate Nelson Chamisa Wamba Dia Wamba is the rightful alternative with the full potential to put the economy on a sounder footing. Matemadanda must also be reminded that Zimbabwe is not Zanupf’s private property, we are all Zimbabweans therefore trying to personalise our beloved country by these morons should be resisted with equal measure. He will finally realise that his dream of a dead Mdc Alliance is just a fallacy once they allow by-elections on the illegally recalled legislators and councillors.
Mdc Alliance Namibia would like to send its message to Victor Matemadanda about liberation. By definition: Liberation is defined as being set free , or obtaining equal rights ; it is a process of striving to achieve equal rights and status of citizens; it can also be the action of setting someone free from imprisonment, slavery, or oppression, release. Under Zanupf governance nothing mentioned above is attainable, what we see is a serious clamp down on the voices of dissent when citizens demonstrate against profound social, political and economic inequalities. It is from this pathetic background that we wake up to hear that Matemadanda is saying” Chamisa’s party is melting like a candle and they are not yet done”. As a district , we urge Zanupf to concentrate on the economy that has struggled for decades now due senseless looting and barefaced corruption practised through cartels.
Furthermore, we reiterate that with this prolonged cruel , inhuman and unjust treatment of opposition activists demonstrate that Zimbabweans are not yet liberated! Right now we have Hon Joana Mamombe and Cecilia Chimbiri in Chikurubi maximum prison residing with a satanic snake and many other political prisoners. This is more than colonial persecution and torture of citizens just for holding a press conference demanding justice to Cde Makomborero Haruzivishe who is incarcerated for expressing his political opinions. This Matemadanda can simply be described as an uneducated clan-tribal village thug perennially in support of a monocratic, thugocratic regime with a clear record of unprecedented human butchery, gross human rights abuses, abductions, disappearances , tribalism , racism led by a clueless and unapologetic clan-tribal minded Karanga -Chinhu chedu massacre of Matebeleland and Midlands , who called his own peoples cockroaches and barking dogs.
Moreover, the presence of the social act of placing severe restrictions on individuals, individual groups or institutions does not reflect any liberation in Zimbabwe. Zanupf must note that citizens are quite aware that Victor Matemadanda and his boss Mr Mnangagwa are using the liberation struggle to loot and squander the fortunes of the Zimbabwean people. The shocking selective application of the law in the country is a clear testimony pointing to the perpetual tyranny where dissenting voices are muted through prosecution. One-Man-One-Vote is being reversed day and night by Zanupf autocrats and their surrogates who were busy since March 2020 with parliamentary manoeuvres that saw Mdc Alliance illegally losing 39 or more MPs and 81 of councillors. This is a clear reversal of the supposed gains of the so-called liberation struggle which was anticipated to deliver constitutional democracy.
Moreso, Mdc Alliance Namibia orders Matemadanda to desist from commenting on the liberation war because he is a war deserter and coward. He hibernated in Zambia where he was a taxi driver when the liberation struggle and its iconic luminaries diligently fought for independence , said Rundu Branch Spokesperson. The corrupt practices in Zanupf government are the actions that are subverting the dreams and aspirations of the genuine liberators and further undermine democracy and deny millions of Zimbabwean citizens their national cake.
In a nutshell, Zanupf must concentrate on trying to fulfill its 2018 manifesto before thinking about the next elections. President Advocate Nelson Chamisa will bounce back with #CitizensCovergenceForChange where a broader Alliance of progressive citizens will be put in place to demand for comprehensive political and electoral reforms to promote credible, free and fair elections in 2023. Matemadanda and his desperate cronies must be ready to accept defeat because this time the citizens will defend their vote. Mdc Alliance Namibia says , “Not yet Uhuru!” We shall converge as citizens and confront Zanupf Satanists for complete change.
Mdc Alliance Namibia
Rundu Branch Spokesperson
Robson Ruhanya
Tinashe Sambiri|Zimbabwe is not Zanu PF’s private property, MDC Alliance has said.
In a statement on Wednesday, the MDC Alliance Namibia described Zanu PF Political Commissar, Victor Matemadanda as a hopeless daydreamer.
Matemadanda said war veterans would not surrender the country to MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa.
Below is the MDC Alliance Namibia statement:
ZIMBABWEANS ARE NOT YET LIBERATED! MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA RESPONDS TO ZANUPF POLITICAL COMMISSAR.
24 MARCH 2021
Zanupf political commissar old man Victor Matemadanda has sensationally pronounced they (war veterans) did not liberate this country to donate or surrender it to Chamisa. It must be clear to the overambitious former taxi driver that President Advocate Nelson Chamisa Wamba Dia Wamba is the rightful alternative with the full potential to put the economy on a sounder footing. Matemadanda must also be reminded that Zimbabwe is not Zanupf’s private property, we are all Zimbabweans therefore trying to personalise our beloved country by these morons should be resisted with equal measure. He will finally realise that his dream of a dead Mdc Alliance is just a fallacy once they allow by-elections on the illegally recalled legislators and councillors.
Mdc Alliance Namibia would like to send its message to Victor Matemadanda about liberation. By definition: Liberation is defined as being set free , or obtaining equal rights ; it is a process of striving to achieve equal rights and status of citizens; it can also be the action of setting someone free from imprisonment, slavery, or oppression, release. Under Zanupf governance nothing mentioned above is attainable, what we see is a serious clamp down on the voices of dissent when citizens demonstrate against profound social, political and economic inequalities. It is from this pathetic background that we wake up to hear that Matemadanda is saying” Chamisa’s party is melting like a candle and they are not yet done”. As a district , we urge Zanupf to concentrate on the economy that has struggled for decades now due senseless looting and barefaced corruption practised through cartels.
Furthermore, we reiterate that with this prolonged cruel , inhuman and unjust treatment of opposition activists demonstrate that Zimbabweans are not yet liberated! Right now we have Hon Joana Mamombe and Cecilia Chimbiri in Chikurubi maximum prison residing with a satanic snake and many other political prisoners. This is more than colonial persecution and torture of citizens just for holding a press conference demanding justice to Cde Makomborero Haruzivishe who is incarcerated for expressing his political opinions. This Matemadanda can simply be described as an uneducated clan-tribal village thug perennially in support of a monocratic, thugocratic regime with a clear record of unprecedented human butchery, gross human rights abuses, abductions, disappearances , tribalism , racism led by a clueless and unapologetic clan-tribal minded Karanga -Chinhu chedu massacre of Matebeleland and Midlands , who called his own peoples cockroaches and barking dogs.
Moreover, the presence of the social act of placing severe restrictions on individuals, individual groups or institutions does not reflect any liberation in Zimbabwe. Zanupf must note that citizens are quite aware that Victor Matemadanda and his boss Mr Mnangagwa are using the liberation struggle to loot and squander the fortunes of the Zimbabwean people. The shocking selective application of the law in the country is a clear testimony pointing to the perpetual tyranny where dissenting voices are muted through prosecution. One-Man-One-Vote is being reversed day and night by Zanupf autocrats and their surrogates who were busy since March 2020 with parliamentary manoeuvres that saw Mdc Alliance illegally losing 39 or more MPs and 81 of councillors. This is a clear reversal of the supposed gains of the so-called liberation struggle which was anticipated to deliver constitutional democracy.
Moreso, Mdc Alliance Namibia orders Matemadanda to desist from commenting on the liberation war because he is a war deserter and coward. He hibernated in Zambia where he was a taxi driver when the liberation struggle and its iconic luminaries diligently fought for independence , said Rundu Branch Spokesperson. The corrupt practices in Zanupf government are the actions that are subverting the dreams and aspirations of the genuine liberators and further undermine democracy and deny millions of Zimbabwean citizens their national cake.
In a nutshell, Zanupf must concentrate on trying to fulfill its 2018 manifesto before thinking about the next elections. President Advocate Nelson Chamisa will bounce back with #CitizensCovergenceForChange where a broader Alliance of progressive citizens will be put in place to demand for comprehensive political and electoral reforms to promote credible, free and fair elections in 2023. Matemadanda and his desperate cronies must be ready to accept defeat because this time the citizens will defend their vote. Mdc Alliance Namibia says , “Not yet Uhuru!” We shall converge as citizens and confront Zanupf Satanists for complete change.
Mdc Alliance Namibia
Rundu Branch Spokesperson
Robson Ruhanya
A DETECTIVE based at Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Gokwe, died on the spot when unknown assailants attacked him and a colleague while they were on their way home from work.
Police have since launched a manhunt for the assailants who stabbed Lloyd Muchaiona who later died from excessive bleeding.
Muchaiona’s friend, Fanuel Chirori, is battling for life after he was stabbed on the shoulder and thigh.
National Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.
“On 19 March 2021, in Gokwe a police officer who was in the company of a friend and was on his way home from work, was stabbed with a knife on the thigh for unspecified reason and he died on the spot,” said Ass Comm Nyathi.
“His friend was also stabbed on the left shoulder and right thigh before being hurried to hospital by well-wishers,” he said.
Police are still looking for the attackers.
“The two suspects involved in the stabbings are still at large. Anyone with information on the case can contact any nearest police station or National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631 or 0712800107,” said Ass Comm Nyathi.
Meanwhile, in another incident police in Kwekwe shot dead a suspect linked to assault and robbery cases after he resisted arrested and attacked police officers with a homemade knife.
“On March 15, in Amaveni, Kwekwe, a 20-year-old man was shot by a police officer on duty. The police officer intended to arrest him in connection with cases of assault and robbery,” said Ass Comm Nyathi.
He said the suspect, whose name was not given, resisted arrest and attacked three police officers with a home-made knife after initially hiding in his bedroom.
He was shot once on the chest and he succumbed to the injuries.-Chronicle
By Honest Makanyire |The Child Registry Life Membership scheme, which was launched to assist teachers in various capacities, is gathering momentum.
Child Registry has introduced unique initiatives for teachers in Zimbabwe.The initiatives include support in commputer literacy, digital communication, educational advancement and exchange programmes.
Teachers across the country are keen to join the Child Registry Life Membership scheme for empowerment.
“I am aware of the benefits of joining the Life Membership scheme and I am in the process of registering,” said one teacher.
” I am interested and I will inform my colleagues about the scheme,” said a teacher who is based in the ancient city of Masvingo.
In a statement, Child Registry said:
” We have unique
initiatives for teachers in Zimbabwe.
The initiatives include support in computer literacy for the educational
advancement, offering courses at a cost of US $1 and other crucial services which
benefits the entire sector.
Our aim is to equip teachers with relevant new technology skills in line with the emergence of digital communication.
We are now living in a digital world- as such educators need to be in touch with new teaching systems to augment learning processes.
We are working on several programmes to empower and equip educators with essential skills.”
See links below for more information:
Now Accepting LIFE Membership for all Teachers, Professors, Educators. Benefits include Financing, Grants, Subsidized Healthcare Plans, US$ Income Opportunities, Retirement Pension, International Exchange Program. Click below to join now!
www.childregistry.org
Tinashe Sambiri|Police details raided prominent civil activist Prosper Tiringindi’s house in Masvingo on Thursday morning.
Tiringindi is accused of participating in the spraying of graffiti on buildings in the Central Business District of Masvingo.
Police from the Law and Order Section raided Tiringindi’s house searching for spray guns and equipment allegedly used to spray graffiti on walls.
Tiringindi was arrested in the morning and police details took him to his house to conduct a search. Tiringindi is being represented by Martin Mureri.
The civil rights activist is denying the charges.
Watch video below:
Tinashe Sambiri|Police details raided prominent civil activist Prosper Tiringindi’s house in Masvingo on Thursday morning.
Tiringindi is accused of participating in the spraying of graffiti on buildings in the Central Business District of Masvingo.
Police from the Law and Order Section raided Tiringindi’s house searching for spray guns and equipment allegedly used to spray graffiti on walls.
Tiringindi was arrested in the morning and police details took him to his house to conduct a search. Tiringindi is being represented by Martin Mureri.
The civil rights activist is denying the charges.
Watch video below:
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe’s Warriors moved closer to qualification, for their third straight AFCON finals, with a 1-0 win over Botswana in Francistown tonight.
Forward Perfect Chikwende scored the priceless goal, in the first half, to take the Warriors to eight points, on the table, two behind African champions, Algeria.
The result means coach Zdravko Logarusic’s men can qualify for the Nations Cup finals, should the Zambians fail to beat the Desert Foxes, later tonight.
In the event Zambia win that game, the stage will be set for a final showdown, for a ticket to Cameroon next January, when the Warriors host Chipolopolo at the National Sports Stadium in Harare on Monday night.
-Herald
By James Gwati- Outspoken former Zanu PF MP for Chivi South, Killer Zivhu, said President Emmerson Mnangagwa has failed the people of Zimbabwe and suggested that only changing the name of the country could help end the suffering Zimbabweans are enduring.
“Guys does our constitution allow us to change the name of our country, zita rokuti Zimbabwe rinotipa munyama, kutukwa, kuvengwa kune dzimwe nyika (the name Zimbabwe gives us bad luck. We are ridiculed and hated when we travel to other countries)
“We have changed leadership from all political parties but still, nothing changed people are still suffering. Lets change the name,” said Zivhu.
Zivhu was fired from the ruling party last year after he had suggested that both Mnangagwa and MDC-Alliance president Nelson Chamisa’s wives should engage and influence their husbands to form a unity government.
By A Correspondent -MDC- Alliance president Nelson Chamisa will tomorrow Friday, 26 March sign the condolence book at the Embassy of Tanzania following the death of one of the continent’s finest leaders, John Magufuli last week.
The Tanzanian Embassy is situated at Ujamaa House, 23 Baines Avenue, Harare.
Chamisa will visit the embassy tomorrow at 10 am
By James Gwati- Zanu PF wants MDC-Alliance Chairman, and Zengeza West lawmaker Job Sikhala fined $1.2 million for disrespecting President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Sikhala and former Mbizo MP Settlement Chikwinya, who are part of a parliament portfolio committee chaired by Zanu PF MP for Mudzi South, Jonathan Samkange challenged a motion which was raised by the same during one of its sessions which wanted all the Nelson Chamisa led MDC MPs be sanctioned for ignoring President Emmerson Mnangagwa address.
MDC-Alliance legislators led by Sikhala sang, boycotted the sitting, with some remained seated or walked out of the chamber on five occasions when President Mnangagwa delivered his State of the Nation addresses or was present on other formal occasions.
By James Gwati-Zanu PF is pushing for the withdrawal of diplomatic passports from the Nelson Chamisa led MDC parliamentarians who ignored President Mnangagwa’s address in parliament.
The push is coming from a parliament portfolio committee chaired by Zanu PF MP for Mudzi South, Jonathan Samkange.
Samukange wants the 118 sitting and former MDC Members of Parliament and senators’ diplomatic passports to be withdrawn because they either sand remained seated or walked out when President Mnangagwa came to Parliament on five formal occasions.
MDC-Alliance legislators sang, boycotted the sitting, remained seated or walked out of the chamber on five occasions when President Mnangagwa delivered his State of the Nation addresses or was present on other formal occasions.
By James-Gwati- Zanu PF has targeted the remaining MDC-Alliance lawmakers for mocking President Emmerson Mnangagwa in parliament.
According to the state media, a committee, chaired by lawyer and Mudzi South National Assembly member Jonathan Samkange (Zanu PF) has recommended that all the 118 sitting and former MDC Members of Parliament and senators who sang, remained seated or walked out when President Mnangagwa came to Parliament on five formal occasions should be found in contempt of Parliament, be fined $400 000 each and lose their diplomatic passports.
The report said two MPs, Zengeza West MP Mr Job Sikhala and former Mbizo MP Mr Settlement Chikwinya, should pay additional second fines of $800 000 for disrespecting the committee when it was carrying out its work as well as disrespecting the President.
According to the Zanu Pf report, if approved that would bring their fines to $1,2 million.
The state media said Parliament had the right to investigate charges of contempt of Parliament and can withdraw privileges, impose fines and, in the case of its members, suspend these members.
By Business Correspondent |
When considering the challenging year that the financial markets saw, a lot of traders may be unsure over what to expect from the forex market in 2021. The following tips serve the purpose of guiding traders who wish to trade the forex market in 2021.
Before starting in forex trading, each trader must have an idea of what they aim to achieve through trading, and how they plan to get there. It is imperative that traders have a clear goal in mind, followed by ensuring that their trading method can achieve their goal.
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It is crucial for traders to research the market before opening a position. The forex market works in a unique way to other financial markets. Each trading day will bring different market conditions, it is important for traders to know what they should expect, and how to deal with varying conditions.
It is difficult to speculate on the prices of forex pairs and traders must learn about the forces that drive the prices in the forex market, as it is driven by supply and demand.
Three key factors that traders must keep in mind revolve around central banks, news reports, and market sentiment.
There are countless opportunities in the forex markets, but each comes with its own unique risks. The forex market is volatile, and traders must be mindful to political, economic, and social events that shift prices on currencies. Traders must ensure that they have an adequate risk management strategy in place to mitigate risks.
Forex News from around the world: Chinese city curbs exporters’ forex deals to slow yuan rally
Traders must choose an account type that is suited to their expectations and level of trading knowledge, skill, and experience. Traders are urged to choose lower leverage levels and work their way up as they become more experienced.
The world of forex trading is deep and complicated due to the chaotic, unpredictable nature of the markets, the diverse characters, and the purposes of various market players. Traders who are just starting out, and those who do not have a substantial amount of experience are urged to stick to one currency pair that they understand, or the most liquid pairs.
Greed, excitement, panic, fear, or euphoria must never have a place in the calculations of any trader. However, it is impossible to eliminate emotions. Traders must practice discipline in controlling their emotions and to avoid having emotions direct their trading decisions. For this reason, traders must have a solid trading plan in place that they follow.
An analytical approach towards trading starts with the first steps which are taken into trading; the first funds placed in an open position and the first mistakes in calculation and trading. Successful traders keep a diary during their journey, containing both their successes and failures, enabling them to grow and refine their trading skills.
Ready to start trading? – Click here to Open a FREE TRADING account
By James Gwati-The President Emmerson Mnangagwa government has assigned Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Sithembiso Nyoni to deal with touts who are harassing travellers in Harare, raising questions about his seriousness in wanting to eradicate these thugs.
The controversial reaction by Mnangagwa follows the circulation on social media recently of a video in which a woman was filmed crying while being harassed by touts at an unidentified bus terminus.
The circulating video on social media platforms shows a woman being forcefully dragged by touts as she fights and cries while another is also seen pulling away from her luggage.
Nyoni confirmed to the state media that she had been tasked to deal with touting.
“Eventually, we want to witness the removal of touts from all bus termini. Public spaces must be safe for all and may it be known that the law enforcing agents shall not deal with this lightly.
“My ministry has engaged relevant Government departments and local authorities to nip these inhumane acts of gender-based violence in the bud,” she said.
By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance members Joana Mamombe and Cecilia Chimbiri accused of breaching Covid-19 regulations after holding a press conference at the Harare Magistrates’ Court have been denied bail.
They had appealed to the High Court for bail pending trial.
However, Justice Chitapi threw out the appeal.
