SUSAN CHENJERAI NOW FULLTIME PASTOR

 To those who worship at The New Gospel Church of God in Mbare and Banket in Mashonaland West Province, Susan Chenjerai is one of the many pastors who routinely read verses from the Bible. But to the residents of Beatrice Cottages in Mbare, the modest house at No. 1 Barbara Tredgold Street is held in high esteem by those who know the owner and her claim to fame.

She is “Mai Rwizi”, arguably one of Zimbabwe’s best actresses, who dazzled television viewers in the Mukadota drama series in the 1980s. She acted alongside comedian-cum-musician, Safirio Madzikatire, or simply Mukadota, who was the protagonist in the drama series.

No one ever imagined, even in the wildest of their dreams, that “Mai Rwizi”, whose natural flair on stage before making the big break in front of the lens made her an instant hit with the audience, would one day abandon the screen for the pulpit. Back then, “The Mukadota Family” sitcom was one of the leading television programmes that could keep many households glued to their screens.

“Regai ndinyatsopfekawo twukokoda twangu pamwe ndingabudawo panewspaper  zvakanaka (Let me put on my best shoes to make an impression to your readers if you publish my story in your newspaper),” she joked, as she prepared herself for a photo shoot with the media.

Talking to her, one cannot help noticing that she has not lost her humour, as she makes it a habit to leave people in stitches whenever she opens her mouth.

“Many people thought I was dead but I am still alive and now a full-time pastor at The New Gospel Church of God that my husband Lovemore Bope formed several years ago,’’ she said with a mischievous smile on her face.

Although she made a name for herself on TV, with producers, film directors, family and fans still yearning for her comeback, “Mai Rwizi” has vowed never to bounce back into acting again.

“I cannot go back to acting because the Lord called me and I cannot serve two masters at the same time.

“Hapana chandakabuda nacho pamazuva angu namushakabvu Mukadota (Acting was not rewarding and I achieved nothing despite the fame we achieved together with the late Mukadota),” she declared.

And true to her word, there is a sad story between her and Madzikatire despite the glamourous career they shared.

“Bhudhi (Mukadota) signed contracts on all the songs I composed and now I cannot lay claim to my songs because I did not personally sign for the songs. I’m the one who composed the hit song ‘KwaHanyani’,” she said.

The long association with Madzikatire on both stage and screen led to the assumption in many people’s minds that the two were husband and wife.

“He was like a brother to me. I used to talk to his son Elijah after his death but I lost his phone number.

“Maybe we can help each other to get royalties for our plays, which were screened on television,” she said.

Although she has been taking a low profile for many years now, Mai Rwizi was recently honoured by the Professional Women Executives and Business Forum (Proweb) for her role in the arts sector.

She received the accolade alongside some of the country’s luminaries like renowned talk-show hostess Amai Rebecca Chisamba and Women’s Affairs Minister Dr Olivia Muchena.

Mai Rwizi, who cannot remember her exact age, believes that she was born sometime in the mid-1940s.

She is a mother of five and has 44 grandchildren as well as great-grandchildren.

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INTERFIN BANK ZIMBABWE BROKE, CLIENTS SUE

INTERFIN Bank Limited, which is facing liquidity challenges, is being sued by several clients seeking to recover $30 million in deposit funds. This comes after the clients failed to access their funds in the commercial bank. The clients include FBC Renicance (Pvt) Ltd, City of Masvingo, Second Nominees Private Limited, Alshams Global BVI Limited and Harare businessman Mr James Maposa who are demanding a combined payment of $30 million plus interests.

FBC, which is claiming $309 000 an outstanding balance on an investment the bank made, has already filed its claim with the High Court. In his claim, Mr Maposa is demanding payment of $500 000 from Interfin.

Through his lawyers Scanlen and Holderness Mr Maposa submitted that on October 27, last year, he deposited $500 000 to mature on November 25.

On November 25, he said he rolled over the investment for 30 days. Prior to the expiry of the 30 days, Mr Maposa gave notice to Interfin not to roll over his investment as he intended to withdraw the money.

By arrangement with the defendant (Interfin), the plaintiff (Mr Maposa) completed a Real Time Gross Settlement form on January 4, 2012 requiring the defendant to pay the sum of $500 000 to his agent Olmac Zimbabwe Limited,” he submitted.

In breach of its undertaking, Interfin has reportedly failed or neglected to pay Mr Maposa.

In all circumstances, Mr Maphosa averred that it was agreed that the money would accrue interest at the rate of 20 percent per annum payable monthly in arrears or credited to his account.

Second Nominees Private Limited is also claiming $3 million, which it says it borrowed the bank two years through a revolving credit facility.

However, Interfin defaulted in making due punctual repayments and as at February 29, 2012 it had paid $935 944, 43 leaving a balance of $3 million in capital and $151 666,67 interests, which it has failed to pay despite demand.

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HARARE MAN SHOOTS DEAD WIFE, HIMSELF

A HARARE man shot and killed his wife before turning the gun on himself on Wednesday at their workplace in Glen Lorne in a suspected longstanding domestic dispute. The incident occurred at Imba Matombo Lodge where Farai Maseka (40) and Alice Sibanda (27) were both employed.

Maseka, who was on suspension, was the security manager, while Sibanda was a general hand. Police investigations have so far revealed that the two had a longstanding dispute which had resulted in Sibanda running away from their matrimonial home and staying at work. Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector James Sabau yesterday confirmed the incident.

He said Sibanda was shot in the chest, while Maseka shot himself under the chin.

“On Wednesday at around 1830hours the husband visited the workplace and parked his Mercedes Benz at the car park,” Insp Sabau said. Sibanda went and sat in the car.

“After about 30 minutes, the shift manager heard two gunshots from the carpark and remained in the office since he was afraid,” Insp Sabau said. The manager phoned the police who arrived at the scene and saw two bodies lying in pools of blood, about three metres away from the car.

“They discovered that the wife had a gunshot wound on the chest while the husband had one under the chin,” said Insp Sabau.

“A 9mm pistol was found under the right hand of the husband.” Domestic disputes that result in fatalities are on the increase in the country.

Nine out of 24 murder cases recorded in February were a result of domestic-related disputes.

Some of the cases were attributed to infidelity while others to longstanding disputes. In January, police in Shamva arrested Zivai Chimombe for allegedly murdering his wife following a domestic dispute.

Chimombe subsequently attempted suicide, but was rescued by neighbours before being taken to Mount Darwin Hospital under police guard.

A domestic dispute between a Hurungwe couple ended tragically when the husband fatally struck his one-year-old son who was strapped to the mother’s back, during the same month.

In January, a Chinamhora man reportedly poured paraffin on his wife and set her ablaze after she accused him of infidelity. herald

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CHINA NOT PLUNDERING ZIMBABWEAN RESOURCES - TSVANGIRAI

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has softened his critical stance on China, saying the Asian economic giant is not plundering resources in Africa.

He made the remarks at the first International Fair for Trade in Services in Beijing during his visit this week. PM Tsvangirai is known locally as a fiery opponent of Chinese investment in Zimbabwe and has often accused the country of exploiting local resources.

“We have resources that China needs and I do not believe China is plundering our resources,” he said at the fair. “My hope is that my country can cope with a variety of challenges in its development, such as energy, water supply, roads and education . . . and China can play a significant role in this process.”

PM Tsvangirai dismissed accusations of China “robbing” resources in Africa, saying despite the presence of Chinese investments in a wide range of areas, Zimbabwe had full control over how the contracts should run. The fair attracted more than 22 000 service providers from 82 countries and regions to foster trade in the sector.

China has become the largest trading partner to Africa, with the bilateral trade reaching a record high of US$160 billion in 2011. The continent has become a major investment destination for Chinese enterprises where over 2 000 Chinese companies have invested in various sectors ranging from electronics, telecommunications to transport.

But these co-operations had triggered criticism from the likes of PM Tsvangirai, while his colleagues also accused China of practising “new colonialism” in Africa. 

Instead of resource plundering, Bheki Langa, South African ambassador to China, said at the forum that Chinese projects on the African continent, including dam construction, telecommunications, airports and roads, had helped create jobs and drive technological development.

Compared with European countries and US, China’s trade growth with African countries has been relatively steady. 

“African countries’ foreign trade has taken a hit from the global financial crisis of 2008, especially exports to the European countries and US, but Sino-African trade has maintained steady,” said Mr Henri Mumba, Malawi’s deputy ambassador to China.

herald

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396 DRIVERS CHARGED WITH CULPABLE HOMICIDE IN ZIMBABWE

AT least 396 drivers are being charged with culpable homicide after being involved in accidents that killed 630 people during the first four months of this year.

Last year, 564 drivers were charged. A total of 552 people were killed in road accidents last year.

Said acting national police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Luckmore Chakanza: “This year we have a total of 396 drivers facing culpable homicide charges.

“Some have been convicted while others have their cases pending at the courts.” He said this year, 10 895 accidents have been recorded with 5 171 people being injured.

Most of the accidents have been attributed to human error, speeding, overtaking errors, negligent driving and tyre bursts. Last year, 4 939 people were injured in 9 737 accidents that were recorded countrywide.

Asst Insp Chakanza said this year there have been more accidents and deaths compared to last year.

At its core, the term “culpable homicide” refers to an unlawful killing which is not classified as murder due to the evil intention of killing being absent.

It is a term used in Scottish law and among several places and countries where the English Common Law system of justice is administered.It is equitable to the term manslaughter. herald

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MAID IN COURT FOR RAPING EMPLOYER'S SON

A Cape Town domestic worker has been arrested for allegedly raping her boss’s teenage son.

The accused was fired from her job and found herself behind bars when her employer allegedly found out that she had sexually assaulted the woman’s 15-year-old son.

The woman was arrested on April 14 and faces a charge of statutory rape.

Two days later she appeared in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court where prosecutor Shaina Naidoo told the court that the 24-year-old woman had been employed by a Bergvliet family as their domestic worker.

She told Magistrate Marietjie van Eeden that while working for the family, the accused had allegedly forced the teenage boy to have sexual intercourse with her.

Naidoo asked the court to postpone the matter for a week while police investigators checked if she had any pending cases or previous convictions.

When the accused appeared in court again on April 23, she was told that the State was not opposing her release on bail. But Naidoo asked the court to set strict conditions as part of her bail.

In her sworn affidavit handed to the court, the accused said she knew the boy and his family for a year and knew where they lived.

She said that she lived with her grandmother in Macassar and that she had a one-year-old dependant. She also said that she intended pleading not guilty.

The accused’s bail was set at R300 and she was warned not to make any contact with the boy or his family.

She was instructed to stay out of the Bergvliet area and to report to the Macassar Police Station every Monday and Wednesday between 6pm and 10pm.

The accused was back in court on Wednesday where she heard that cops had wrapped up their investigation into the alleged incident and were ready to proceed with the trial.

Naidoo asked the court to postpone the case so that arrangements can be made for the matter to be transferred to the Wynberg Regional Court.

The accused was not home when the Daily Voice visited her on Wednesday. Her grandmother, who was sitting in the doorway, said the accused wasn’t home and sent a young girl to call the woman’s sister.

“She lives in the bungalow at the back with her sister,” says the ouma. “I don’t know where she is but maybe her sister will know.”

When the sister came to the door, she insisted that she didn’t know where the accused was.

“Ek is haar sister. Vir wat soek julle vir haar (I’m here sister. Why are you looking for her)?” she asked. “Who sent you to come look for her?”

The young woman folded her arms across her chest and insisted she didn’t know where her sister was. “She hasn’t come home yet and I don’t know where she is or what time she’ll be home. DAILY VOICE

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AFRICAN BANKER OF THE YEAR NAMED

Nigerian banker, Olusegun Agbaje, has been named  African Banker of the Year. Mr Agbaje, managing director of Nigeria's Guaranty Trust Bank, received the award at the 6th edition of the African Banker Awards, held on the sidelines of the ongoing annual general meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Arusha, Tanzania. He was presented with his trophy by Tim Turner, director of private sector operations of the AfDB.

In another category, Ecobank beat tough competition posed by six other contestants in its category to come out on top as African Bank of the Year.

The bank was given particular credit for its continued expansion throughout Africa as the pan African bank. Ecobank got a strong endorsement  when South Africa's Public Investment Corporation officially signed the US$250m investment agreement in the Group.

The African Banker Awards are organised by African Banker magazine, IC Events and BusinessinAfrica Events, and celebrates excellence and best practices in African banking and finance.

Commenting on the ceremony, Omar Ben Yedder, Publisher of African Banker, said 'We have recognised some superb individuals and institutions tonight. Africa's financial sector is a major vehicle for driving the economic growth that has become the talk of the investor community around the world.'

Following are all the winners at of the various awards:

African Bank of the Year: Ecobank (ETI), Togo

African Banker of the Year: Olusegun Agbaje, Managing Director, Guaranty Trust Bank, Nigeria

Best Regional Bank in Africa: Attijariwafa Bank, Morocco (North Africa); BGFI, Gabon (Central Africa);

Bank of Kigali, Rwanda (East Africa); Access Bank, Nigeria (West Africa); BCI, Mozambique (Southern Africa).

Investment Bank of the Year: Renaissance Capital

Award for Innovation in Banking: Equity Bank, Kenya

Socially Responsible Bank of the Year: BMCE Bank Group, Morocco

Award for Financial Inclusion: Groupe Banque Populaire, Morocco

Deal of the Year: Jinchuan's Acquisition of Metorex - Standard Bank Group

Best Bond Deal: Republic of Senegal: Sovereign Bond Issue - Standard Chartered Bank

Investment Fund/Private Equity Fund of the Year: Citadel Capital, Egypt

Best Retail Bank in Africa: Coris Bank International, Burkina Faso

Central Bank Governor of the Year: Mustapha Kamel Nabli, Central Bank Governor, Tunisia

Finance Minister of the Year: Kerfalla Yansané, Minister of Finance, Guinea

Lifetime Achievement Award: Arnold Ekpe

African Banker Icon: Dr Eleni Gabre-Mahdin, Founder and CEO, Ethiopia Commodities Exchange

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PRIDE AND AFRICAN POLITICS

Africa's week has been interesting as usual. A painting, The Spear, which depicts the South African President Jacob Zuma, with his trousers unzipped and his member protruding, has tested the republic's tolerance for its liberal constitution and freedom of expression.

As lawsuits were thrown around it was said the artists were out of tune with the masses, who saw no African "Ubuntu" in mocking a sitting president in this manner.

Over in Mali, their caretaker President Dioncounda Traore was accosted by a baying mob accusing him of dragging his feet over the transition to democracy after their coup.

The poor man was beaten by a many headed monster which may well have been a rent-a-crowd hired courtesy of the junta leaders.

The office of the presidency has been abused and mocked in the most un-African manner. The cynics will snigger and say, "So what, presidents are not demi-Gods and they must be teased."

Some of thousands of Malians protest on May 21, 2012 in Bamako after breaking the gates of the presidential palace Protesters in Mali attacked the presidential palace in Bamako

If a man is in the headlines for his procreational prowess and his many wives, then isn't it fitting to show President Zuma with his phallus taking centre stage?

Such cynics ignore cultural sensitivities. For even today in this hurtling 21st Century, with its attention deficit disorder, celebrity obsession and shallow understanding of life, we would be hard pressed not to find polygamists in our lineage.

And what is more, those who are quickest to mock are those furthest away from such ancestral backgrounds.

So can the president take them all on through the courts?

Protesters burn copies of the City Press newspaper that first published a photograph of a controversial painting by Brett Murray on 26 May 2012 Demonstrations in South Africa have been held on behalf of the president's dignity

From the artist whose painting so offended, to the gallery displaying it, to the newspapers giving it space on their websites, The Spear has divided the republic.

President Zuma has found overwhelming support amongst the ANC faithful who have declared themselves "hurt" on his behalf.

One newspaper - City Press - removed the painting from its website. A pragmatic move or an empathetic one?

Nor did it end with the papers' climb down - days after the painting was vandalised in front of visiting school children in the Goodman Gallery, demonstrations are all the rage on behalf of the president's dignity.

Some African countries jail people for insulting their president, but not this republic.

South Africans, fiercely proud of their libertarian constitution find themselves imprisoned by it: The most liberal gay rights on the continent must contest for space with the murders of lesbians; artistic expression must vie with affronted dignity and conservative African values.

Mr Zuma may as well put himself on a Shakespearean stage and recite the universal bard's lines in Measure for Measure: "Sith 'twas my fault, to give the people scope, 'Twould be my tyranny to strike and gall them, For what I bid them do…"

Meanwhile, yet another president in the midst of his country's most trying period, insecurity, religious clashes and economic uncertainty, found time to pose for Italian Vogue.

The decision to do this can only be perceived as a vanity project or a massive error of judgement by his advisers.

We learned nothing from Goodluck Jonathan's appearance in this fashion bible except that the president was trying to rebrand his country through a fashion magazine and to name drop a couple of Nigerian fashion designers with his ministers of tourism and oil in tow.

Perhaps to those of us on the outside looking in - it is the bombs that seem to be grabbing the headlines and a light touch from a fashion magazine does not distract from the issues of Boko Haram and the killings of 2012 in Nigeria.

And so rather than feel sorry for these men of power, I wondered whether there was something about them which makes the office of the presidency such an easy target for ridicule.

Footballer to president?

In search of alternative African heroes who could restore African pride, I settled down for a shisha and whisky the other night to watch the Champions League Football Final.

Didier Drogba celebrates a goal during a Champions League match Didier Drogba's equalising header in the 88th minute sent the Champions League final into extra time

In my mind's eye, I could see screens flickering to life from Bamako to Burkina, Abidjan to Accra, Harare and Hargeisa because after all there are far more replica football shirts on our streets than there are political posters promoting the virtues of one party over another or one president over an opponent.

Football, we know, is our great escape and the one true place for the modern African hero.

Didier Yves Drogba Tebily made the millions who followed him in the colours of the English Premiership club, which as an Arsenal supporter I am loathe to mention here, leap with joy.

This is a great man, Africans declared, a true hero to the continent, a man who spends his millions on giving back.

And as he left the bright lights of the English Premier League, allegedly heading to the vast riches of the new empire that is China, no-one could begrudge him his swan song.

He has truly represented.

As Drogba won the ultimate club prize for his team, millions wondered when he would leave the football alone and raise the Ivorian flag from the presidential palace as president.

Such a move would curse a natural talent to the mundane blood-soaked business of politics, open to ridicule and pomposity, and great heroes do not deserve such a fate. FARAI SEVENZO BBC

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WE WANT OUR MONEY - SUGARCANE FARMERS IN DEMO

More than 150 outgrower farmers recently demonstrated at the Macdom Investments offices in Chisumbanje, accusing the consortium of failing to pay for the sugarcane they had supplied.

“We had a very good agreement with ARDA where the company supplied us with inputs which we would pay back during the marketing season. For the past three seasons we delivered sugarcane to the company but we have not received a cent,” a farmer identified only as Sithole, told The Zimbabwean. Macdom is in a joint venture with Green Fuel, Agricultural and Rural Development Authority and Rating Investments to produce ethanol. But the joint venture has suffered setbacks because there no ready buyers for its 10 million litres of fuel.

The farmers say they have an agreement with Macdom whereby the company provides farming inputs, and at the end of each season the growers sell the sugarcane back to the company and use part of the proceeds as repayment for the inputs.

We have been unable to verify the existence of such an arrangement, which sources at Macdom deny. The farmers said Macdom proposed to give them a total of $20,000 as part payment, but they rejected it, as they were owed $500,000.

“They owe us a lot of money and the little they brought to us was an insult,” said Sithole. “Before Macdom came we enjoyed a cordial relationship with ARDA. We sold our cotton through their account and we would get our money without hassles,” he added.

“Our children are out of school, we have no food at home and we are living in poverty,” said one of the farmers. They alleged that Macdom had requested the farmers to give them time to sell the ethanol fuel. Macdom declined to comment. Zimbabwean

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FORGET ABOUT RACISM, GO TO UKRAINE, SAYS CHISORA (video)

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RETIRED COP SHOOTS AT PURSUING HARARE MOB

 A retired policeman who masqueraded as a serving member was on Wednesday arrested for attempted murder after he fired gun shots at members of the public who were chasing him after they suspected him of being a thief.

No one was injured in the incident. Harare Provincial police spokesperson Inspector James Sabau told New Ziana the man was previously stationed at the Harare Central police station.

Sabau said the incident happened after the man allegedly “arrested” a man he caught urinating in public and demanded a bribe. He said the retired police officer was allegedly demanding $40 to let go the man.

“An alert police officer who had overheard the conversation between the two confronted the bogus police officer and demanded to see his identification card,” he said.

The bogus police officer then produced a pistol and threatened to shoot,” said Sabau.

Sabau said the bogus police officer proceeded to flee from the scene with members of the public joining in the pursuit.

“The suspect proceeded towards Harare Gardens while allegedly shooting at the members of the public who were closing in on him. He proceeded to flee towards Makombe Building where he was apprehended by armed police from the Harare Gardens police outpost,” Sabau said.

Sabau warned the public against trying to apprehend suspected criminals, especially when they were armed as it was dangerous.

“They should instead quickly report such criminals to the nearest police details,” he said.

New Ziana

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ITS ALL FAKE, SAYS MANETA

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PROF CUTS CHEATING WIFE'S LIPS, EATS THEM

A former associate professor at Sweden's prestigious Karolinska medical institute is being held in police custody for cutting off his wife's lips with a knife and then eating them in Stockholm.

According to Sweden's Aftonbladet newspaper, the man flew into a jealous rage over suspicions that his much younger wife had been having an affair.

The man, who is 52, admitted to cutting off his wife's lips in a closed court hearing, the paper reported, saying it was retaliation.

'It was honour related. He doesn't seem to regret a thing. He believes she insulted him,' a source with knowledge of the matter told the paper.

The assault was so brutal that the prosecutor tried to have him charged for attempted murder. But the court sought to downgrade the charge to aggravated assault.

Ingela Hessius Ekman, who represents the victim, said her client may have suffered irreparable damage.

'She has very serious injuries, doctors can not yet determine whether she can be healed or not,' she told Aftonbladet.

The man, who is from Iran, was doing post-Doctoral research at the institute in 2010.

He is now employed by a university in Tehran, but still lived partly and Stockholm, where he collaborated with his old research group at the university, and used its email services and library through a 'declaration of association.'

'It is, of course, a very tragic story,' says Bengt Norrving, the institute's director.

'But since the researcher in question is not an employee of Karolinska Institutet we are unable to consider legal action.' daily mail

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FORTY PEOPLE IN TROUBLE OVER ZBC LICENCES

Forty people from Chitungwiza have been issued with warrants of arrest by the police for failing to pay ZBC television and radio licences and are expected to appear in court.

Many people are resisting paying tv licences because they say ZBC television viewing is not worth it. The warrants of arrest have been issued after the defaulters were given a 14-day grace period.

ZBC legal and corporate services manager Irvin Mhlanga said the national broadcaster is guided by the Broadcasting Services Act which requires anyone in possession of a garget that is capable of receiving a broadcasting signal to be licenced.

He added that ZBC will bring to book every radio and television licence defaulters.

With an estimated figure of 6 million gargets receiving broadcasting signal nationwide the national broadcaster is getting less than a third of the subscriptions.

Default in payment of tv and radio licences has led to many challenges for ZBC in acquiring quality TV programmes.

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CHAINED IN THE NAME OF HEALING

Four Namibians and two Angolans are being chained to rocks and trees with heavy metal objects by a reverend of the Apostolic Church, on the premises of his church at the Sauyemwa informal settlement in Rundu, Namibia because “they are a danger to society”.

Reverend Moses Matyayi of the Protestant Apostolic Church at Sauyemwa has for several weeks incarcerated four Namibian men and two Angolans, one of them a woman who came to Namibia to seek “spiritual healing” for an unknown malady.

The reverend seemingly revered for his healing powers, says some of his detainees whom he has chained to boulders and to heavy tree trunks to prevent them from escaping will be detained until they are completely healed.

He says today’s society is filled with all types of diseases and evils. The church leader, who manages a church-cum-clinic, says his patients and followers suffer because the church gets no assistance whatsoever.

Matyayi told New Era that he has “cured” many in the past through prayer only.

“Many came here walking with crutches and sticks, but if you chase him away today, you will not catch him,” the man of the cloth jokingly told New Era.

Pointing to a bundle of sticks and crutches, he said people become fed up with hospitals and traditional healers and when they eventually come to him for prayers, their ailments and disabilities become a thing of the distant past.

According to the reverend, patients come from as far as Angola and various parts of Namibia to ask for his prayers.

“All these objects you see are things that patients came with from traditional healers, and when they are healed they leave them behind,” he said.

Matyayi pleaded with people to stop wasting their money to get healed, because the medicine is in the Holy Bible.

“As stated in John 5:2 and Exodus 27:20, warm water and olive oil is the medicine required for dealing with any type of health problem,” he said.

Matyayi said he prays for those who approach him, but ironically when their problems persist he refers them to traditional doctors and to hospitals and clinics. The church leader pleaded for good Samaritans to assist his church with food, accommodation facilities, toilets and a new church building.

“At the moment people suffer a lot, especially those that do not have relatives in Rundu. Those with relatives receive food from their families,” he said.

When New Era visited the church premises, four men who are allegedly mentally ill were tied to poles under a zinc structure to prevent them from absconding.

“In the past, some of these people broke the padlocks, some even using their teeth. We have explained to their relatives why we tie up the patients and they fully understand,” he said.

“These three are a danger to the public because they are very aggressive, if you look at my legs you can see the scars after they attacked me. One of them was bewitched by his neighbour in Angola, the other is from Usakos where he attacked people,” he explained.

The church makes use of offerings brought by its followers to buy food and other items the patients need. Just a stone's throw from the church, about 50 tents are pitched to house about 40 prayer-awaiting patients.

According to the Regional Crime Coordinator in the Kavango Region, Deputy Commissioner Willie Bampton, the police in the region are unaware of the activities at the church where mentally ill patients are tied up with chains.

“Now that we have a bit of information, we will launch an investigation because the manner in which it is done is very cruel,” Bampton said.

Chief Social Worker in the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Fransiska Hamutenya, described the whole situation as  "degrading".

“If someone is mentally ill it does not take away his or her rights. This is abuse,” she said.

A shocked Hamutenya told New Era that there is a psychiatric health centre in Windhoek mentally ill patients can be referred to.

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CHILDLESS MARRIAGE ON THE BRINK AS WIFE IMPREGNATED BY EX

A marriage of six years is on the brink of collapse after a city man discovered communication suggesting that his wife might have been impregnated by her ex-boyfriend. Heartbroken Trust Mutengiwa has surrendered his wife Prisca Gomba to her ex-boyfriend Umali Maduka. The Maduka family stays at St Alberts Mission in Muzarabani.

"I have been married to Prisca for the past six years and in our marriage we did not manage to have a baby of our own. I had no problem with that because what was more important to me was having my wife because I really loved her. A month ago, she (Prisca) then told me that she was pregnant, I was so happy when she broke the news," said Trust.

Acting on a tip-off from Prisca's friend, Trust went through his wife's cell phone and found text messages wherein his wife was informing her Umali that she was pregnant by him. The message authored by Prisca and sent to Umali's phone read: "Machawa makaoma handichayendi kumwedzi (You are bad! I have missed my menstrual period)".

Umali responded: "Handizivi kuti ndodini nekure kwauri zvirinani ndongokutizisa zvangu handidi kuti ushungurudzwe bye my sweetie (I might have you elope because of the long distance between us. I don't want you to be troubled)".

Umali admitted that he sent the messages. "She is my ex-girlfriend, we grew up in the same area and I did not know she had a husband. I was actually shocked to see her husband for the first time yesterday. We are good friends and she sent a text asking for bananas from the village so when I replied her, the message was not meant for her. I sent the messages by mistake," he said.

In another interview Prisca denied having an affair with Umali. She said Umali was her ex-boyfriend and there was no longer any relationship between them.

"We once dated some couple of years ago so he is my ex. I have not been cheating on my husband. The baby that I am carrying is my husband's. I will not stay at Umali's house. As for the messages, I am not the one who sent them," said Prisca who however failed to explain why her mobile number reflected on Umali's phone.

Trust went on to say that he was finding it hard to let go of his wife but had no other choice.
"It is not easy to part ways with a woman whom I have been staying with for six years but I have to do it because it is the best thing to do. It seems as if I was disturbing them so its better I leave them alone," he said.

Trust also said that from the intelligence he gathered, it was revealed that Prisca and Umali would meet and use Prisca's sister's house as the playground for their 'sausage in, sausage out' game.

"Her sisters are the ones who initiated all this. I don't even know why they are supporting such acts. I was reliably informed that Umali and my wife have been using my wife's sister's house as their love nest," he said. hmetro..

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ESTATE OF MAN WHO DIED HAVING A THREESOME AWARDED $3 MILLION

The family of William Martinez, the Georgia man who died on March 12, 2009 while engaging in a threesome with a friend and woman other than his wife, was awarded $3 million in a medical malpractice suit. Why? Because he died one week after being seen by a cardiologist and one day before he was scheduled to have a heart stress test, reports the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

The attorneys representing the estate of Martinez claimed that Dr. Sreenivasulu Gangasani failed to take a comprehensive medical history of the 31-year-old husband and father of two, who suffered with high blood pressure and was at high risk of having clogged heart arteries. When Martinez came in complaining of pain radiating from his arm, Gangasani checked him out and told him to return in eight days for a heart stress test.

Unfortunately, the threesome proved too much for his heart and he didn’t make it. According to a press release issued by the plaintiff’s law firm, Edmond & Lindsay, Gangasani also allegedly failed to warn Martinez that he should stop all physical activity until the test was completed.

The jury actually awarded Martinez’s estate $5 million, but it was reduced to $3 million because they also found him 40 percent responsible for his own death, according to the AJC.

Attorneys for Dr. Gangasani plan to appeal.

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WHY I JOINED MDC - TRACY MUTINHIRI

Former ZANU PF Women's League Political Commissar and Marondera East MP Tracy Mutinhiri has told SW Radio Africa that she was attracted into joining the MDC-T because the party prioritises "putting bread and butter on people's tables."

Mutinhiri represented ZANU PF as Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare in the shaky coalition government before she was expelled in August last year for allegedly de-campaigning the party. She joined the MDC-T a few days after the expulsion but the switch was only announced early this month for her own safety.

On Wednesday the ex-wife of retired army Brigadier-General, Ambrose Mutinhiri was a guest on SW Radio Africa's Question Time. She said when the MDC was formed she was serving as a diplomat in the former Yugoslavia and like many in ZANU PF believed the 'propaganda' about 'how bad the party was' for Zimbabwe.

"But when I joined the inclusive government and seeing how they were working, how they were functioning, how they would want to reach out to people and bring bread and butter on peoples tables, I said after all this party is not as bad as it was being portrayed and some of their core values I respect them," she said.

Mutinhiri said her problems in ZANU PF started because she had a good working relationship with her boss, the Minister for Labour and Social Welfare Paurine Mpariwa who is from the MDC-T. She explained: "They (ZANU PF) preferred me to fight with Paurine from time to time, disrupting our government programmes."

Mutinhiri said things came to a head when she and Mpariwa conducted a government work programme close to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's home area. The PM invited them over to his home and when pictures of Mutinhiri and Mpariwa were published in the MDC-T newsletter, her problems began.

In the interview broadcast Wednesday evening Mutinhiri claimed State Security Minister Sidney Sekeramayi was behind most of her problems because she had turned down his sexual advances. She also blamed the breakdown of her marriage to Brigadier-General Mutinhiri on Sekeramayi and his 'emissaries.'

Mutinhiri also tackled issues around how she and her ex-husband violently seized their farm from its former white owners, the killing of MDC-T supporters by the Central Intelligence Organisation and the dumping of the bodies in the Wenimbe Dam in Marondera and whether she will stand as an MDC-T candidate.

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WHITE FARMERS SPONSORING ZANU PF - BENNETT

Exiled MDC-T treasurer-general Roy Bennett claims there is a network of white commercial farmers that have resigned themselves to sponsor Zanu PF with money in order to keep their farms.

Bennett made the claims on Tuesday during a public lecture to Rhodes scholars at Rhodes House, Oxford, in the United Kingdom.

He said white farmers like him who snubbed Zanu PF’s cash demands were victimised, while those who supported the party financially were spared.

“There is a relatively small but very significant network of whites that work closely with Zanu PF — the message will come down from on high — ‘he is one of us; leave him alone’,” said Bennett.

“Among those who became ‘one of us’ are people who used to bust sanctions for Ian Smith during the war, while others were closely connected to South African intelligence during apartheid.

“Still others include former members of the Selous Scouts, the Rhodesian Special Forces unit that Zanu PF charges with more wartime atrocities than anybody else. Roy Bennett, too, could have been ‘one of us’ if he had helped milk the cow,” he said.

He also described Zanu PF’s indigenisation policy as racist.

“The official definition of an indigenous Zimbabwean is overtly racist — ‘for use by non-whites only’ as the apartheid government would have put it, and some of Zanu PF’s most important partners, co-sponsors of the current economic anarchy are whites,” said Bennett.

Zanu PF national spokesperson Rugare Gumbo, however, denied the allegations saying Zanu PF funded its programmes from its own projects.

“It is all nonsense. We are not a party which is sponsored by Western powers like the British, Americans, or even local farmers,” said Gumbo.

“The money which we generate comes from our own sources and the whites that were allowed to remain in the country were allowed to do so on the basis of their contribution to the economy and productivity,” said Gumbo. newsday

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MAN WITH RARE DISFIGUREMENT SEEKS CURE, LOVE

A young man, who has been plagued with a rare condition which left him with a giant head, feet and hands, is desperately searching for a cure so he can finally find love.

Sain Mumtaz, 22, has been seriously disfigured by Proteus syndrome which has caused certain parts of his body to continue growing.

He has been accepted by locals in his neighbourhood on the outskirts of Lahore, in Pakistan, but the disease has left him with ongoing medical problems and he finds it difficult to get around.

It is thought that Sain suffered from a unique variation of Proteus syndrome - which also affected 'Elephant Man' Joseph Merrick - because of the symmetrical deformity on his face and skull.

Heartbreakingly Sian once believed his terrible affliction was a curse bestowed on him by a vengeful God, leaving him listless and depressed.  But supportive friends and family have kept his spirits high and he is now determined to embrace life.

Kindly locals refer to him as their 'giant friend' and are determined to discover a cure for Sian who in turn hopes he will meet the woman of his dreams.

He said: 'I've been this way since I was born. My face, arms and legs all differ in size and people assume I'm not like other normal human beings.

'But I'm mentally fit and understand everything, I live like my life like everyone else despite all my family including my mother, father, brothers and sisters all being born without the condition.

'People used to run away from me. But now they treat me normally and sit and talk to me when I am out.

'They call me their friend. One day I hope to be cured and meet a woman who will love me.' DAILY MAIL

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MONEY LENDER FLEECES CIVIL SERVANTS

CIVIL servants are demanding the immediate return of thousands of dollars that a money lending company reportedly deducted from their salaries without their consent.

The company, trading as McDowelles International Investments, allegedly used the stop order system  to deduct money from civil servants who had not borrowed money from them. Scores of civil servants also alleged that the company was failing  to reimburse the money they deducted because  officials at the company told them that the company's coffers were dry.

 In an interview yesterday, one of the affected civil servants who identified himself as Mr Ncube said the company had "fleeced" him part of his April and May salaries.

"I realised that this company deducted $220 from my salaries without my permission. I approached them but was only told that it was an error.

"The people did not give me a clear explanation as to how they managed to access my account. They have only managed to give me $40 from the money they took without my consent," said Mr Ncube.

He said more than 100 people were affected and some had never borrowed money from McDowelles International Investments.

"Life has been difficult for the past two months and what hurts me most is that I was supposed to receive my salary on 24

May with other civil servants but the company deducted my salary again. People need to be wary of such companies who are making profits at the expense of people's livelihoods," said the emotional Mr Ncube.

Another woman who spoke on condition of anonymity said the company had made thousands from innocent people.

"Amounts that have been deducted range from $90 to $220 and it is surprising that most of these deductions were done without our signatures or our consent. Personally I have never borrowed money from the company and I am wondering how they accessed my account," said the woman.

"I was supposed to receive my full salary last week but $150 was deducted without my knowledge or consent. After a series of enquiries, I discovered that McDowelles had taken the money," said the woman.

She said the company admitted erroneously deducting the money.

"I went to the offices but they said they did not have money at the moment and only gave me $40 out of the $150 they stole from my bank account. I  appeal to responsible authorities to look into this issue," she said.

Contacted for comment, an official from McDowelles only identified as Angie said clients had to approach the company directly and desist from running to the media when they encountered problems.

"I cannot say much but that we are working on solving that problem. However, I encourage our clients to come to us directly because running to the media causes commotion. They should come so we solve the problems amicably and they will receive their money at the end of the month," said Angie.

The company has offices in Bulawayo, Harare and Masvingo. chronicle

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MVUMA MAN JAILED FOR BATTERING LOVER TO DEATH WITH LOG

GWERU — A 48-year-old Mvuma man will spend the next 20 years behind bars after a High Court judge convicted him for beating his long-time girlfriend to death with a log.

Justice Meshack Cheda, sitting with assessors Wellington Takawira Matemba and Jameson Lekesi Dhlula, found Pio Pedzisai Masiiwa guilty of murder with actual intent but ruled out premeditation.

State counsel Shepherd Robert Mafa told the court that on September 30, 2011 at about 1930 hours, Masiiwa met his then girlfriend Jenica Burede (36) in Village 13, Mavise resettlement area in Mvuma.

Burede was in the company of her friend Moleen Chivige. The court heard Masiiwa offered to accompany Burede to her parents’ home since it was getting dark, but the latter turned down the offer.

This did not go down well with Masiiwa who pursued the women until they got to Chivige’s home. In a fit of rage, Masiiwa picked up a log and struck her several times on the head until it broke into pieces.

He picked up a glowing log from Chivige’s kitchen hut and continued striking Burede until she fell unconscious. Burede was taken to Mvuma Hospital where she was pronounced dead the following day.

In his defence, Masiiwa told the court he struck her in self-defence after she grabbed his manhood. He also told the court he failed to control his temper when he discovered condoms falling out of her pockets. NEWSDAY

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FACE EATING ATTACK IN MIAMI - THE VIDEO

A surveillance video has surfaced of Rudy Eugene (pictured left), who Miami police shot to death on May 26, after they discovered him gnawing on the face of 65-year-old Ronald Poppo (pictured right). Poppo was homeless for nearly four decades before the attack, reports the Daily Mail.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO action starts at 3 mins

The 18-minute video depicts Eugene, who was naked and had taken his clothing off on the causeway, straddling, punching, and then ripping off Poppo’s clothing as he slept on some train tracks. Afterward, the “Miami Zombie” — as he is now being called — began feasting on Poppo’s face.  Police investigators state that the attack was totally unprovoked.

When officers yelled at Eugene to stop his assault and he ignored their cries, they shot him dead in a hail of bullets.

Eugene was a former North Miami High School football player.  He allegedly enjoyed smoking marijuana and planned on starting his own mobile car wash business.  Friends describe Eugene as a friendly lover of music, especially rap, and very normal. About five years ago, the young man’s luck went south, and he ended up divorced from his wife, Jenny Ductant, and arrested a few times.  Eugene was said to have always worked and owned a car.

“He was always looking for ways to make money. Not necessarily illegal, but sometimes he got in trouble with it,” lifelong friend, Daniel Ruiz told the Miami Herald. “But for Rudy to do something that graphic, that aggressive, that violent, that gruesome — that’s what’s really troubling us. Rudy? Really? Rudy? Naw.”

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ROKI TO WIN BIG BROTHER - MAMPI

Recently evicted Big Brother Stargame housemate, Mampi Mukate, has tipped Roki to win this year’s reality show.

In an interview with NewsDay yesterday, the 25-year-old Zambian R&B singer, who was booted out of the show last Sunday, said she believed the

$300 000 prize will go to Roki or Sierra Leone’s Zainab because of the duo’s interesting characters.

“These two housemates thrilled me when I was in the house because of their characters. They are special cases because they are weird, mad, insane and beyond crazy,” said Mampi.

“They have entertaining issues and I think Africa will fall in love with their characters and would want to keep those two in the house till the game ends.”

Mampi, who had earlier on hinted that if she was not evicted she would take a voluntary exit, said she had been ready to leave the game.

“I got tired of playing the game. I loved the house, the set-up and all, but my heart was no longer there. I was relieved when I left the house because I was homesick, missing my fiancé and all.”

Asked about her gossiping tendencies, which apparently contributed to her eviction, Mampi said she did not regret her actions.

“I don’t feel bad about gossiping about other housemates because there is nothing much to do in that house, so for me, talking about others was a source of entertainment. Everyone gossips in that house, but it’s just a pity that some housemates hated me because they did not want to be told the truth. If you don’t gossip in that house then you would probably be betraying someone, lying, flirting or studying other housemates,” she said.

Mampi acknowledged that Maneta Mazanhi was her favourite housemate.

“Maneta understood me more than all the other housemates in that house. I will definitely miss her and Roki. I know Maneta will manage to survive without me as she is a strong woman,” she said.

Asked about Prezzo (Kenya) and Goldie’s (Nigeria) romantic relationship, Mampi said Prezzo was probably doing it for television.

“Prezzo is probably playing along with Goldie for the game as he has a wife back home. I think Goldie is a girl who always wants to be in someone’s arms. It’s all up to Prezzo, they might end up genuinely falling in love because love comes when you least expect it.”

The Zambian superstar said Big Brother enhanced her fame and she will take the opportunity to boost her music career.

Meanwhile Maneta has confessed she was shocked that she was not evicted on Sunday evening.

“I thought I was going home on Sunday, but I was really shocked to see myself survive,” said Maneta.

She said she was humbled and very grateful that Africa had voted for her. Maneta survived eviction by a whisker as she got two country votes from Zimbabwe and Botswana to save her.

Maneta admitted she was nominated because of her alliance with Mampi.

“I know that I was nominated because of Mampi — people thought we were always scheming. Mampi was causing conflicts and dragging me along,” said Maneta.

Mampi’s eviction from the house seems to have changed Maneta’s attitude and strategy for the game.

She has toned down on gossiping and is now trying to create friends. She has been very close to Roki of late and the two seem to be getting along very well.

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