RECALLED CCC MPs BARRED

 

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MR UGLY COLLAPSES, DIES IN A TOILET

FORMER Mr Ugly, Mison Sere, has died at the age of 51 after reportedly collapsing while relieving himself in the toilet at his family house in Mabvuku.

Family spokesperson, Danny Sere, told H-Metro that they believe his death was probably caused by illicit drugs and alcohol he was consuming.

“Mison has been abusing drugs and drinking illicit alcohol for some time,” said Danny.

“At one time, he would show signs of mental disturbances due to drugs.

“He would move around looking for houses where people are gathered for funerals.

“There was no funeral gathering around Mabvuku, which he didn’t attend, just for beer only.

“He would spend more than three days camped at a funeral.

“Chainyanyorwadza ndechekuti ainwa tudoro utwu asinakudya,” said Danny.

Sere won the title of “ugliest person” four times, beating inaugural winner, William Masvinu. His 2015 win was marked with disturbances, with some contesting that he was too ‘handsome’ to be counted among the contestants.

They said he only had missing teeth and should not be among the ugly contestants.

Aspiring Mabvuku legislator, Scott Sakupwanya, donated mealie-meal, meat, tomatoes and vegetables for the funeral. H Metro

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COUPLE JAILED FOR LOCKING UP CHILDREN

A MAN and his partner have been sentenced to 12 months in jail for locking two children in a room without food or water.

Simbarashe Mabuwana (38) and Fiona Mapuranga (28) were initially sentenced to 15 months by Harare magistrate Tsitsi Chitatu, who suspended threee months on condition of good behaviour.

Mabuwana and Mapuranga were found guilty of ill-treating and neglecting the two children aged four and one, who were fathered by Mabuwana in a previous marriage.

The couple had taken custody of the children from their mother, Sikoliwe Masaiti, after she visited the pair to collect maintenance, but was ordered to leave the children with her ex-partner’s new lover.

An informant later found the children in bad shape, locked inside a room.

It was proved by the State that on December 31 last year, Masaiti visited the couple with the intention of collecting maintenance from Mabuwana after he had defaulted for four months.

They ordered her to leave the children and she obliged.

However, upon request to see the children sometime in August, an informant discovered that the children were in bad shape and locked in a room.

The two minors were interviewed and they revealed how they used to go for long hours without food. They were sometimes beaten and were always locked inside a room.

They also could not talk or walk properly.

A report was made at Waterfalls Police Station and the two kids were taken to Sally Mugabe Hospital for medicals.

Kate Kamanda appeared for the State. H Metro

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MUFAKOSE KILLER WAS WANTED BY COPS

THE Butcher of Mufakose, Thomas Nyamhunga, was on the police wanted list for assaulting his girlfriend, Needmore Mauka, after a row over US$5.

Mauka reported the case in October.

Yesterday, Nyamhunga was remanded in custody to December 20 on murder, attempted murder and domestic violence charges after he killed Mauka’s five-year-old son on Sunday night.

He appeared at the Mbare Magistrate Court following his arrest in Waterfalls on Tuesday morning.

Nyamhunga, an employee of Koala Meats in Chitungwiza, appeared before Mbare magistrate Batanai Madzingira, who referred him to the High Court for bail application.

It was established that Nyamhunga was on the police’s wanted list for a matter reported by Mauka in October.

Nyamhunga is accused of domestic violence after he went to Mauka’s house demanding his US$5 from her.

Maunga told him that she was going to give him back the money on a later date.

This did not go down well with Nyamhunga who assaulted her.

She reported the case to the police.

The State case suggests a relationship between the two which appears to have gone off the rails leading to tension.

It all exploded on Sunday night when Nyamhunga killed one of Mauka’s children, by using a knife to stab him on the neck, before attempting to kill the deceased’s sister.

Prosecutor Fidelis Chiherenge said on Sunday, at around 7pm, Nyamhunga went Mauka’s house in Mufakose where he found her three children aged five, eight and 12 years alone.

Nyamhunga called Mauka to inquire about her whereabouts.

He was told she was returning from watching the Chibuku Super Cup final between Dynamos and Ngezi Platinum Stars in Mhondoro.

An argument ensued over the phone.

The State said Nyamhunga instructed two of the girls to sleep on the floor while he, and the five-year-old boy, slept on the bed.

At around 8.30pm, Nyamhunga took a kitchen knife and slit the boy’s throat leading, to his death.

The State said Nyamhunga then stabbed the eight-year-old girl on the throat, but the girl’s screams made him panic.

The girl sustained a deep cut and ran to a neighbour’s house, while Nyamhunga fled the scene.

The neighbour called Maunga informing her about the murder and attempted murder of her kids. H Metro

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CONFIRMED : OIL IN MUZARABANI

 

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CHIWENGA'S CHICKS FOR VOTES

VICE-PRESIDENT Constantino Chiwenga yesterday donated 10 000 day-old chicks, mealie-meal and bread as he canvassed for votes for the ruling Zanu PF party’s Beitbridge West candidate in the Saturday by-elections.

Chiwenga who was on a campaign trail in the constituency also promised to drill three boreholes in each ward.

“We don’t promise what we cannot deliver. It is you Beitbridge people who have witnessed our work and we are going to do more. You must give us back this seat (Beitbridge West) and we will be able to achieve the upper middle class economy together,” Chiwenga said.

He was addressing about 5 000 people who attended the rally held at Bishopstone Estates open grounds.

Zanu PF will be represented by Thusani Ndou in the by-election.

He will square off against Nelson Chamisa’s Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) candidate, Morgan Ncube and Toriso Moyo of Zapu.

The by-elections were triggered by the recall of CCC Members of Parliament (MPs) and councillors by Tshabangu who claims to be the party’s interim secretary-general.

“We have been given another opportunity to correct our mistakes and we should come out in numbers to win this seat. We must rout CCC,” Chiwenga said.

He pledged several drought relief packages for Beitbridge residents, including fodder for their livestock.

“I brought along a borehole rig which will not leave Beitbridge until the target I mentioned is achieved. Besides, we are going to revive all irrigation schemes and make sure people are self-sufficient. We have started breeding fingerlings because we should have fisheries at all homesteads,” he said.

Zanu PF failed to garner a two-thirds majority in Parliament in the disputed August elections. Newsday

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ZANU PF IN STUNNING U TURN : NULLIFIES SUSPENSIONS

ZANU PF Midlands province has climbed down and nullified all hearings, suspensions and prohibition orders issued to several members accused of de-campaigning the party’s candidates ahead of the August 23 and 24 elections.

There were reports of a bhora musango plot in President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s backyard where disgruntled members were accused of sabotaging the party’s candidates.

The reports saw the Midlands executive suspending Mnangagwa’s ally and former Gokwe-Nembudziya legislator Justice Mayor Wadyajena and many provincial executive members on the same charges.

The hearings for the suspended members were scheduled to be conducted yesterday but were cancelled  at the last minute after party spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa called the leadership to order.

According to a notice written by acting provincial chairperson  Edson Chiherenge issued on Tuesday, the hearings and prohibition orders were no longer valid.

The notice was addressed to all district co-ordinating committee (DCC) chairpersons and senior provincial members.

“Please be advised that the acting Midlands provincial chairman has ordered the nullification of all disciplinary processes within the Midlands province,” part of the notice read.

“All notices of hearings and prohibition orders issued out are no longer valid.”

In a memo to DCC and senior provincial members on Monday, Chiherenge insisted that the hearings would proceed.

“In that regard, all members of the party who were summoned to appear before the Midlands provincial disciplinary committee are directed to report at the Zanu PF provincial offices on (Wednesday) December 6, 2023,” he wrote.

Wadyajena, who lost to Flora Buka during the primaries, was accused of sabotaging her campaign rallies.

Several party members who lost in the primaries faced the same fate amid indications that as many as 360 members faced the chop.

On Monday, Mutsvangwa reminded party members of a politburo directive stopping arbitrary suspension of party members.

Mutsvangwa made the order after Midlands and Harare provinces had embarked on an exercise to purge members who worked against the provincial leadership.

Harare provincial chairperson Godwills Masimirembwa, who is under fire for failing to mobilise support for the party in the August 23 and 24 polls, was axingprovincial and district members on spurious allegations. Newsday

 

  

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REGULARISE BY DEC 15 OR LOSE THE CARS : ZIMRA TELLS IMPORTERS

A NARROW window has been opened by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) for the public, companies or any other entities with vehicles not properly cleared through the tax collector, to regularise the clearance and registration by December 15 after which they will be liable to forfeiture.

In a statement, Zimra said irregular cases include vehicles that could have been undervalued, smuggled, imported on temporary importation permit and where the permit was unprocedurally acquired or where a regular permit has expired and where the temporary importation permit has expired.

Some of the cars could have been cleared through a false claim to a rebate or suspension of duty, or any other violation of the legislation governing the importation of vehicles.

“Note that penalties may be waived, depending on circumstances. The full duties, including additional duties assessed and interest on any unpaid duties will remain due and payable.

“Please note that this moratorium ends after 15 December 2023 and any irregularly cleared vehicle encountered thereafter will be treated as liable to seizure and possible forfeiture in terms of the Customs and Excise Act,” said Zimra.

In 2019, the government introduced a motor vehicle rebate scheme in which civil servants who have served for 10 years and above can import vehicles without paying import duty.

The scheme has however, been abused with several individuals and Zimra officers at border posts appearing in court for fraud and money laundering charges after allegedly using forged civil service rebate letters to import vehicles for resale. — New Ziana.

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MUFAKOSE KILLER REMANDED IN CUSTODY

A Mufakose man who allegedly killed his girlfriend’s son and injured her daughter over an unknown dispute yesterday appeared in court for remand.

Thomas Nyamhunga (43) was facing murder charges when he appeared before a Mbare magistrate who remanded him in custody pending trial.

Only the High Court can grant bail in murder cases..

Allegations are that on Sunday at around 7pm, Nyamhunga went to the house of his girlfriend Needmore Kudzai Mauka in Mufakose and found her not at home.

But her children were there and he allegedly called his girlfriend to enquire where she was.

The State alleges he had a misunderstanding with Ms Mauka over the phone.

Nyamhunga then slept on the bed in the company of the boy while another child was on the floor.

It is alleged that at around 8:30pm, Nyamhunga took a kitchen knife from the kitchen drawer and cut the throat of the boy three times, killing him.

He then stabbed the other child sleeping on the floor.

It is alleged that the child woke up screaming and ran out of the room to a neighbour with a cut on the throat.

Nyamhunga, who is also facing a domestic violence charge, then fled from the scene.

Concerning the domestic violence charge, it is alleged that on October 25, Nyamhunga went to Ms Mauka’s house and demanded reimbursement of US$5.

She told him she had no money and he started slapping and punching her. Herald

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WIFE STABS HUBBY TO DEATH, FLEES

Police in Bulawayo are appealing for information that could lead to the arrest of a 23 year old Trish Ndlovu of Nkulumane Suburb who stabbed her husband and later died in the early hours of Wednesday over an undisclosed matter.

The deceased, Hillary Mugiyo, was also 23 year old.

Bulawayo’s acting Provincial Police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident and said Ndlovu is on the run.

“On 6 December 2023, around 2am, a neighbour to the couple was awakened by noises coming from the couple’s house. The neighbour proceeded to their house and discovered a pool of blood in the passage and also in the spare bedroom. He asked Ndlovu, who was inside the house, what had happened and she revealed that she had a fight with Mugiyo over an undisclosed issue,” said Asst. Inspector Msebele.

According to Asst. Inspector Msebele, Ndlovu stated she had stabbed Mugiyo with a kitchen knife once on the neck and that he was outside the house. 

“The neighbour went to check on Mugiyo and found him lying on the ground facing upwards while blood was oozing from the neck, and he was still showing signs of life. While the neighbour tried to seek help for Mugiyo, Ndlovu disappeared from the scene and her whereabouts are still not known,” said the acting police spokesperson.

Asst. Inspector Msebele said an ambulance was summoned for Mugiyo, who was then pronounced dead. 

“A police report was then made. The body was conveyed to United Bulawayo Hospitals for Post Mortem,” she said.

Asst. Inspector Msebele urged members of the public to solve their problems amicably rather than to use violence as this results in unnecessary loss of lives. 

“Such a young life has been lost, in an incident which could have been avoided if both parties had sought assistance in solving their issue. As we commemorate 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence, we encourage members of the public to use dialogue rather than violence and seek advice from third parties such as Emthonjeni Women Forum, Musasa and Contact Family Counselling Centre,” said the acting police spokesperson. CITE

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COPS SHOOT THREE ROBBERS DEAD

THREE robbery suspects, part of a gang that raided at least three schools in and around Bulawayo, have been shot dead in a shoot-out with police in Kadoma.

The suspects were shot dead on Tuesday after they opened fire at the police while fleeing in their car.

Their two accomplices, believed to be foreigners, surrendered and were arrested while police are now hunting the sixth and final member of the gang.

The three robbers had been tracked down by detectives from Bulawayo.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi identified the three who died from their injuries in the shoot-out at Tandara Shopping Centre in Ingezi, Kadoma, as Peter Ngulube (38), Shylock Makoni (41) and Tendai Madiki (52).

“On December 5, 2023, detectives from CID Homicide, Bulawayo acted on received information and arrested two foreign national suspects in Bulawayo.

“The two suspects admitted to committing several armed robberies around Bulawayo and they revealed that they were in transit to Kadoma where they would meet their accomplices, Peter Ngulube, Shylock Makoni and Tendai Madiki with an intention to commit another robbery,” he said.

The two suspects led detectives to Tandara Shopping Centre, Ingezi, Kadoma where they positively identified the other three suspects who were driving a silver Toyota Raider D4D registration number AFR 4376 to the detectives.

“On seeing the detectives, the suspects opened fire whilst speeding off and a shoot out ensued. The detectives searched the suspects’ motor vehicle and recovered an A.38 Smith and Wesson revolver with one round, seven spent cartridges, two gas operated pellet guns, a bolt cutter, a crow bar, a machete, a pepper spray, two balaclavas and three pairs of woolen gloves.

“Two of the suspects, Peter Ngulube and Shylock Makoni were seriously injured and were rushed to Kadoma General Hospital where they were pronounced dead. Tendai Madiki was shot when he tried to run away during indications in Muzvezve, Kadoma where detectives were recovering other weapons used to commit criminal acts by the suspects,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.

Madiki was taken to Kadoma General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Investigations revealed that the suspects are linked to five robberies including one at Inyanda High School, Gwabalanda on September 9 where 26 HP laptops valued at US$13 000 were stolen, as well as a robbery on September 13, 2023 at Ingwengwe Primary School, Bulawayo where US$ 1 253 cash was stolen.

The gang is also linked to a robbery on September 15, 2023 at Queen Elizabeth Primary School, Illanda, Bulawayo where solar panels were stolen.

Meanwhile, police are appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of the outstanding suspect only identified as Gody of Maboleni Village.

Anyone with information should contact National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631, Bulawayo Operations on 0292 74525 or Police General Headquarters WhatsApp number 071 2 800 197 or report at any nearest Police Station.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that operations to account for all robbery suspects are in full swing and will ensure that all criminal groups or syndicates involved in robbery cases are brought to justice without fear or favour,” Asst Comm Nyathi said. Herald

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MTHULI DEFENDS SUGAR TAX

Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has defended the proposed tax on high sugar content beverages, saying the revenue generated will go towards creating a cancer fund.

Addressing a press conference at the ongoing International Conference on Aids and STIs in Africa (ICASA) in the capital on Wednesday, Professor Ncube said after realising that HIV has got co-existing conditions, which turn out to be non-communicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular issues among others, he saw it necessary to fund the response to these co-morbidities.

He said as a result, last year his Ministry introduced some taxes on cigarettes and alcohol which are also going towards cancer treatment.

“This year, I have introduced an additional tax on sugar drinks and currently the figure is 2 cents per gram of sugar in a can of Coca Cola. Of course there is an outcry from manufacturers saying it’s too expensive and all that, but the principle is clear, we want to create a cancer fund.

“That’s where we are going with this, and that’s a very noble thing to do where we link taxes on sugar to the creation of such a fund,” he said.

Prof Ncube said as a Ministry, they will continue innovating in that area to make sure there is support for the HIV response as well as other innovative ways to finance the whole non-communicable diseases space.

He said a few years back he proposed the launch of a health bond, whereby when there is an income strength that can be ring-fenced, for example the 2 percent levy from sugar that is guaranteed quarterly when companies pay their taxes, the income stream becomes very clear as you can go into the capital markets to borrow against it.

“So you have an immediate shot in the arm, the money comes in now, but you then service the interest on those borrowings using the levy. Those are some of the innovations that we will be exploring going forward,” he said.

Apart from allocating 14,3 percent of the national Budget to the health sector, Prof Ncube said the Government has been borrowing to support infrastructure development and currently there is an arrangement with a United Kingdom-based company, where they are building thirty polyclinics across the country and six state-of-the-art rural district hospitals.

“These are really high quality facilities, but it’s a polyclinic, it’s not a large hospital, but is of the highest quality. So we are making sure that there is some infrastructure development that is supporting the health sector response beyond just normal budget,” he said.

Prof Ncube added that they have also borrowed from the private sector and some South African banks and raised a guarantee to enable the transaction to be completed from the Export Credit Guarantee Agency under that country’s government.

He said by spending money on health, it is not just expenditure, but investment in human capital, adding that as a country, investment on health has been growing every year, highlighting that the pre-2020 budget was 7 percent of total revenues before shifting gear thereafter to above 10 percent.

For the 2024 Budget, he said Treasury has allocated $6,311 trillion out of a Budget of $44,012 trillion, which translates to 14,3 percent of the National Budget being allocated to the Health Ministry.

“That is very close to the 15 percent target from the Abuja Principle.

“We are almost there, so we are compliant with the Abuja Principles. That is the right thing to do as investment in health is investment in the economic activity in the first place,” said Prof Ncube. – New Ziana.

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