$60M TO EASE FUEL CRISIS

Government has released US$60 million towards procurement of fuel to mitigate current shortages, a situation that had seen the emergence of unscrupulous fuel dealers charging more than double the gazetted pump price.

Long winding queues could be seen at  filling stations in Harare’s central business district yesterday as fuel tankers made deliveries.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Energy Mutodi said the availed funds would improve supplies considerably. Zimbabwe needs $20 million worth of fuel every week.
“Government has released some funds towards alleviating the current crisis which, however, will require constant monitoring as the US$60 million released will only last three weeks given the country’s US$20 million per week fuel requirement,” said Minister Mutodi.

Earlier, Energy and Power Development Minister Joram Gumbo had indicated that fuel supplies had arrived in Msasa but required foreign currency payment to be accessed.

Minister Gumbo, who had just arrived from a business trip to Mozambique, could, however, not reveal more information, saying he needed to get fuller details from the acting minister.
The unavailability of fuel in recent days had also seen commuter omnibuses hiking fares by almost double while fuel dealers were charging about $15 for five litres of petrol and $12 for five litres of diesel.

Meanwhile, Government has approved the current level of mandatory fuel blending to 15 percent.

This was announced in a Government Gazette published yesterday under the Petroleum Act [Chapter 13:22]: Exemption From Levels of Mandatory Blending of Anhydrous Ethanol with Unleaded Petrol.

“It is hereby notified in terms of Section 4(1) of the Petroleum Mandatory Blending of Anhydrous Ethanol with Unleaded Petrol) Regulations 2013, published in Statutory Instrument 17 of 2013, that the Minister of Energy and Power Development approves the current level of mandatory blending to 15 percent.

“The consequences of this approval is that all licensed operators shall from the date of publication of the general notice be mandated to sell unleaded petrol blended at E15,” read the SI.
In the Extraordinary Gazette, Government also announced customs duty on imported fuel with effect from today.

“According to the Extraordinary Gazette of 30 November 2018 Statutory Instrument 259 of 2018, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development has in terms of Section 225 of the Customs and Excise Act[Chapter 23;02] made the following notice:

“This notice maybe cited as the Customs and Excise (Tariff) (Amendment) Notice, 2018 (No. 5). This notice shall come into operation on 1st December 2018. Part 11 of the Second Schedule of the Customs and Excise (Tariff) Notice, 2017 published in Statutory Instrument 53 of 2017 is amended by the repeal of the following; leaded petrol and unleaded US$0,385 per litre for quantity of a kilogramme, cubic metre square or litre.

“Power kerosene, having a density at 200C expressed in kilogrammes per litre of no lower than 0,796 and a flash point (closed test at sea level) of not lower than 21 degrees Celsius 0, 796 and a flash point (closed test at sea level) of not lower than 21 degrees Celsius and not higher than 44 degrees Celsius at $0,33per litre.” — Herald

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RITZ OWNER DIES

BULAWAYO businessman, Mr Bekithemba Moyo, who used to run Ritz Bottle Store which was very popular in the city, has died.

Mr Moyo (60) who had kidney complications and was on dialysis for several years, suffered a heart failure during treatment on Thursday morning.

His daughter Mrs Sibongile Mpofu confirmed her father’s death yesterday saying the family had lost a pillar of strength.

“My father was on dialysis for the past eight years and his health had greatly improved. He collapsed and died on Thursday while he was going through dialysis. We’re devastated as a family because we have lost a great man who was our pillar of strength. 

“He loved everybody and never looked down upon people. He had a warm heart and took care of the whole family including children left by his late brothers. His death is a huge loss to the family and will change our lives forever,” said Mrs Mpofu.

Mr Moyo’s wife Mrs Nondlela Moyo said she had not only lost a husband but a friend who was always there for her.

“He was a great husband and a friend with so much love. I still can’t believe he’s gone. He had a good heart and took care of everybody in the family.

“I remember at one point we were paying school fees for 14 children, including those left behind by his late brothers. I’m still shocked by his death and it will be hard for me to move on because he was a good man who was always in a jovial mood,” said Mrs Moyo. 

She said her husband, who was popularly known by friends as Bro T or Manotsha was a man of the people had a warm heart. She said Mr Moyo celebrated his 60th birthday in July.

He was born in Tsholotsho and did his primary education at Mvundlana before doing his secondary education at Speciss College in Bulawayo.

He joined the police force and left in 1983 when he started running Ritz Bottle Store, which became a successful business over the years.

The bottle store was shut down in 2014 and Mr Moyo concentrated on his cattle ranching farm in Umguza.

He is survived by his wife several children and grandchildren. His body will lie in state at his home in Mahatshula tonight and he will be buried tomorrow in Tsholotsho at 12 noon.

Mourners are gathered at Number 12 Mahatshula South, Bulawayo. They will leave Bulawayo for Tsholotsho at 6AM tomorrow. Chronicle

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THIEVING COP, N'ANGA ESCAPE FROM PRISON

A COP who allegedly broke into colleagues’ houses and stole assortment of goods and a self-proclaimed inyanga who was recently jailed for rape, have escaped from Hwange Prison.

Maxwell Musariri, a constable and Masimpe Muleya, the self-proclaimed inyanga, allegedly used a piece of steel from a combat boot to drill a hole on a wooden section of the prison cell wall before making good their escape.

Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) assistant principal correctional officer who is also the public relations officer for Matabeleland North Gareth Nkomo said Musariri and Muleya who are both aged 28 escaped on Thursday.

“I can confirm that two inmates escaped from Hwange Prison yesterday and investigations are still underway to establish how they escaped,” he said. Musariri, who lived at number 1559 DRC in Hwange is facing 12 counts of unlawful entry and theft.

He was remanded in custody to December 12 by Hwange magistrate Ms Barbara Phiri .

Musariri allegedly broke into houses of six of his colleagues at Hwange Police Station and Empumalanga suburb and stole a laptop, a TV set, a DSTV decoder, car batteries, cellphones and other such gadgets.

He allegedly sold some of the property in Hwange, Victoria Falls, Gweru, Masvingo and at his rural home in Chirumhanzu in the Midlands province. 

Following reports of the thefts at Hwange Police Station Camp, police conducted investigations leading to the arrest of Musariri and recovery of some of the stolen property.

Muleya is an ex-convict who once served a jail term for unlawful entry in Binga.

He was last week sentenced to 18 years in jail for raping an 18-year-old girl in Lusulu, Binga, sometime in February last year.

Muleya who moved around carrying a bag containing a knobkerrie, okapi knife and snuff box which he used to intimidate victims before sexually abusing them, had before the rape conviction, been convicted of attempting to rape another girl in Binga in February this year and senteced to 30 months in prison.

Muleya who evaded arrest for almost a year after raping his first victim, was only arrested this year after attempting to rape his second victim.

Muleya was waiting to be transferred to Khami Maximum Prison in Bulawayo when he escaped. Chronicle

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FUEL CRISIS WORSENS

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HOOKER ACQUITTED OF STEALING FROM PASTOR

A hooker, who was being charged with stealing $2 000 from a self-proclaimed man of God in Bulawayo following an early morning sexual romp, has been acquitted.

Tanaka Hove from Sauerstown suburb, who claimed to be a bona fide member of the Lutheran Church, and that it was also his first time to “sample” the services of a sex worker dragged self-confessed sex worker Lyza Sibanda (35) to court accusing her of stealing his money amounting to $2 000.

However, the presiding magistrate Nyaradzo Ringisai dismissed Hove’s story due to lack of evidence.

The court heard that Hove met Sibanda on 8 September at around 4 am along Fort Street, between Second and Third Avenues where he was reportedly scouting for sexual services.

It is reported that Hove engaged Sibanda for sex after negotiating the price of $4 with her for a “short-time”, before they proceeded to the latter’s lodgings situated along Fort Street, between Second and Third Avenues to have sexual intercourse.

At her lodgings, which she shared with other women, it was reportedly busy on the day in question as her roommates had also taken in other men for sex.

It is alleged that while Hove and Sibanda were enjoying sex, Hove started complaining that he was unable to climax owing to the presence of the people in the house.

He then suggested that the sexual act be completed in his car which was parked outside.

Following his suggestion they then proceeded to his car and upon arrival Hove asked Sibanda to unlock it from the passenger’s side claiming it could not be opened from the driver’s side.

While inside ,Sibanda is alleged to have locked herself and stole her client’s money amounting to $2 000 which was in the cabin.

It is reported that Sibanda knew that there was money in the cabin after she had sight of it when Hove paid her the $4 for her services.

After stealing the money, Sibanda is alleged to have disappeared to her room and nothing was recovered upon her arrest.

In her defence, Sibanda through her lawyer said she did not steal the complainant’s money and indicated that Hove was the one who wanted to kidnap her after freely enjoying her services.

The State was being represented by Taurai Hondoyemoto. b metro

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GINIMBI FOUND NOT GUILTY

Harare businessman Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure is now a free man after he was acquitted of fraud charges involving a mining equipment supply deal.

Kadungure was accused of defrauding Zanu-PF legislator Cde Dexter Nduna and a Kadoma miner Enos Gatawa of R1 581 890.

He appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Morgen Nemadire who said that there was no evidence linking Kadungure to the crime.


“The evidence that was presented before the court does not link the accused to the crime in any way, there is no rational connection between the accused and the victims.” Herald

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84 ON DEATH ROW AT HRE PRISON

EIGHTY-FOUR inmates at Harare Central Prison are on death row, H-Metro is informed.

In an interview, the Prison Officer in Charge Assistant Commissioner Never Kambizi said 84 inmates were condemned while three inmates escaped prison at the beginning of the year. 

The prison dad 1921 inmates as of yesterday. Ass Comm Kambizi said the prison was oversubscribed with close to 500 prisoners.

“We have only one person who is on life imprisonment and eighty-four condemned inmates.

“Holding capacity of Harare Central Prison is 1474 but today we have 1921 inmates,” said Ass-Comm Kazingizi.

“Most of the inmates are undergoing training in various skills to meet our mission to protect society from criminal elements through the incarceration, rehabilitation of offenders for their successful reintegration into society while exercising reasonable, safe, secure and humane control.

“Community is benefiting from some of the services rendered by inmates such as hand-made bags, car washing which is outside our fence for easy access and music performance by our choir at various functions,” said Ass-Comm Kazingizi.

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HOOKERS SHOP ROBBERS

TWO suspected armed robbers, believed to be part of a gang that has been terrorising residents in Mutare’s affluent suburbs with machetes, were arrested at a night club in the city centre on Monday morning following a heated brawl with sex workers over unpaid dues.

Irked by the duo’s behaviour after one of them refused to pay for a quickie, the sex workers alerted bouncers manning the popular night spot who quickly descended on the suspected robbers.

Upon realising that there were no match for the security details, the suspects — Artwell Murwisi (28) and Prosper Mudzingwa (20) — decided to arm themselves with machetes, catapults and other dangerous weapons.

The weapons were stashed in a taxi parked outside the night club. Murwisi, of Sunningdale 2 in Harare and Mudzingwa of Rimuka in Kadoma then attacked the security personnel using the weapons but members of the public intervened and fought in the bouncers’ corner.

The mob gave the duo a thorough hiding leaving them battered, bruised and bleeding profusely from deep wounds.

Detectives later arrived at the scene and apprehended the duo but some of the accomplices had already fled from the scene.

Murwisi and Mudzingwa were later taken to Mutare Provincial Hospital for treatment under police guard.

On Tuesday they were hauled before courts facing 24 counts of attempted murder, rape, robbery, unlawful entry and the possession of articles for criminal use.

They were not asked to plead to the charges when they appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mr Tendai Mahwe. The court advised them to apply for bail at the High Court since they were facing Third Schedule offences.

The duo will be back in court on December 11 for routine remand. Asked by Mr Mahwe how they sustained injuries the suspects said:

“We were assaulted by the public”. Public prosecutor, Mr Fletcher Karombe, told the court that Murwisi and Mudzingwa were at Mandisa Night Club along with their accomplices only identified as Matibiri and Majamu when they picked a misunderstanding with Patience Maturure.

The argument caught the attention of security guards, Casper Chesa and Brian Magada, who were manning the club.

“The accused persons used machetes to hit complainant, Casper Chasi, several times all over the body thereby causing severe injuries on the head and left eye. The accused were overpowered by members of public and were later arrested by police,” he said. 

Upon their arrest Murwisi and Mudzingwa were found in possession of four machetes, two pairs of catapults and two torches.

The gang was quickly linked to a spate of robberies that occurred in the city in recent weeks.

The State further alleged that on October 15, Murwisi and Mudzingwa ganged up with their accomplices, who are still at large, and went to broke into Sydney Mutafani’s house in Greenside.

They stole $735, clothes, blankets and a radio. On the same day at around 2am, the gang also broke into Dumisani Nyathi’s apartment in the Avenues. They attacked and robbed him of his property.

On October 26 the duo teamed up with Matibiri and Majamu and broke into Machikicho Madiki Amato’s house in Murambi.

They stole household property and vanished. The following night, they returned to the same neighbourhood and forced their way into Tafadzwa Jaricha’s house where they a television set and $640.

Lucia Chifamba of Murambi also lost household property to the gang after they broke into her house on November 3.

The court also heard that on November 4, they attacked Pauline Kurehwatira after breaking into her house in Greenside and got away with a cellphone, cash and other valuables.

On November 5 between 9pm and 2am, the gang used the same modus operandi and broke into five houses in Palmerstone.

They went away with household properties worth thousands of dollars.

A week later, the gang armed itself with machetes and a pistol and broke into Robert Matsvimbo’s house in Murambi where they stole household property.

On November 24 at around midnight, the gang pounced on a house near Mutare Girls High School where they forced open the doors using machetes.

It is alleged that Mudzingwa raped the woman they found at the house before his accomplices reportedly took turns to sexually attack her.

That same night the gang proceeded to break into a nearby house where they took turns to rape another woman.

Murwisi and Mudzingwa are also alleged to have broken into more houses in the Murambi, Palmerstone and Greenside where they stole an assortment of household properties.

Weapons banned include machetes, catapults, axes, knobkerries, swords, knives and daggers. Manica Post

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HAILSTORM LEAVES TRAIL OF DESTRUCTION

POWERFUL hailstorm and heavy winds swept across Magamba Training Centre on Monday causing a trail of destruction that saw property worth $21 000 being destroyed.

The hailstorm also ravaged tobacco crops worth over $US6 000 and ruptured roofs at three boys’ hostels, administration offices and tobacco barns.

The centre’s accountant Mr Amos Kazambara, said the hailstorm affected more than 100 students whose hostels and classroom roofs were blown off.

“More than 100 students were left in the open after their three hostels were ravaged by the hailstorm. We are still assessing to establish the exact level of damage. We are saddened by the loss of property. Fortunately no one was injured during the process,” he said.

When The Manica Post visited the scene on Wednesday, it was noted that three workshop buildings as well as administration offices ceilings were destroyed. 

“The situation is very bad at the campus where three administration offices are left with cracks, three workshop buildings which include a welding workshop, building workshop, two classrooms and hostels had their roofs blown-off during the heavy hailstorm,” said Mr Kazambara.

About 120 asbestos sheets were blown off from the buildings’ rooftops. Last November, a hailstorm also ravaged the green house and two classrooms at the institution.

He indicated that the hailstorm damaged two hectors of tobacco crops valued at US$6 000 as well as the tobacco barn roofs. It also uprooted trees at the campus as well as two electric poles which fell resulting in power cut at the campus.

“Quantification of the actual magnitude of damage caused by the hailstorm is underway,” he added.

Mr Kazambara said while the rainstorm was yet to cause human casualties in the area, students should exercise extreme caution since the rain storms are likely to recur. Manica Post

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ZIM ATTRACTS ONLY $470M FDI

 ZIMBABWE attracted $470 million in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2018, making it one of the least attractive investment destinations in the Southern African Development Community.

This comes against the backdrop of claims by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration that the country had attracted a staggering US$12 billion in FDI, mostly through various “mega-deals” signed during the year.

Announcing his maiden budget statement for 2019 last week, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube said a harsh investment climate — characterised by erratic power supplies, redundant firms requiring massive investment capital, rigid licensing requirements and a shambolic liquidity situation — was discouraging investors.

The southern African nation is ranked 155 out of 199 economies on the 2018 World Bank (WB) Ease of Doing Business index.

“In 2018, FDI is projected at only US$470 million against FDI inflows of about US$2,3 billion and US$1,1 billion received by our counterparts in the region — Mozambique and Zambia in 2017,” Ncube said.

“Identified major weaknesses are in the areas of: getting electricity, resolving insolvency and time taken and cost to import and export goods.”

However, inspite of the paltry FDI inflows Zimbabwe attracted in 2018, Mnangagwa, who won this year’s disputed poll, has announced several murky multi-billion dollar investment deals under the mantra: “Zimbabwe is open for business”.

Ahead of the July 30 elections, Mnangagwa promised to transform Zimbabwe into a friendly investment destination, as part of a departure from former president Robert Mugabe’s policies.

Mugabe’s hostile policies, particularly the violent land reform programme and the indigenisation policy, coupled with his abrasive relationship with the West turned Zimbabwe into a pariah state.

Since assuming power through a millitary coup in November last year, Mnangagwa’s administration has announced that it has secured huge investment deals although actual capital inflows remain at a minimum.

Last week, Mnangagwa announced that his government had managed to secure US$5,2 billion from China Power and General Electric to build a 2 800-megawatt (MW) hydro-power generation station at Batoka Gorge, in the Zambezi Valley.

Earlier this month, Mnangagwa also addressed a press conference announcing that Australian-listed Invictus would initially invest US$20 million to explore for oil reserves around the Muzarabani area, with the figure expected to increase to hundreds of millions of dollars depending on the availability of the resource.

In April, Mnangagwa parcelled vast platinum claims to his associate Lucas Pourolis through his Karo Resources investment vehicle to set up a refinery plant estimated at US$4,2 billion with potential to create over 100 000 jobs.

However, Bobby Morse, a senior partner at Tharisa Plc — a sister company of Karo Resources — disowned the US$4,2 billion figure in an interview with the Zimbabwe Independent, suggesting the investment amount was plucked from thin air by government.

In June, Mnangagwa’s administration also announced another controversial US$5,2 billion project with murky South African outfit Nkosikhona Holdings to transform coal into fuel in the Zambezi Basin.

This year, government also signed an agricultural deal with the Financial and Commodities Ecosystem (FinComEco) to the tune of US$1,5 billion, touted to directly create 630 000 jobs.

Economist Tinashe Kaduwo said the persisting currency volatility crisis, arising from the value disparities between the United States dollar and the local bond currency, was frustrating investors from repatriating profits to shareholders strewn around the globe.

He contended that Zimbabwe’s “political arena”, struggling to break away from Mugabe’s toxic policies, continued to jinx the southern African country’s efforts to mobilise investment capital.

“Capital always goes where it can be withdrawn without restrictions and challenges. Delta, for example, has been struggling to remit dividends to its foreign shareholders due to foreign currency payments gridlocks.

“The political arena is also to be blamed. This is to some extent the economic cost of a disputed election. Investors will wait till the climate becomes certain,” Kaduwo said.

Over the past six years, Zimbabwe has attracted foreign investment averaging below US$1 billion annually, while Mozambique’s investment inflows peaked to over US$6 billion in 2013, before declining to US$2,3 billion in 2017.

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MNANGAGWA BREAKS GROUND FOR NEW PARLY

The long awaited construction of the new 650-seater multi-million dollar parliament building under a special Chinese grant will now commence following a groundbreaking ceremony conducted by President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the site in Mt Hampden about 18 kilometers northwest of Harare.

To be built in 32 months by Shanghai Construction group, the new parliament building will decongest the old parliament which is too small to accommodate the current 350 legislators.

To mark the commencement of the building of the new august house, President Mnangagwa unveiled a plaque to lay the foundation of the new state-of-the-art parliament.

In his address the President thanked China for setting aside Zimbabwe’s old debt and giving the new dispensation a new lease of credit lines.

“Chinese President Xi Jinping allowed the release of new funds for Zimbabwe projects after my state visit to China in April this year, including funding – the US$1.5 billion for Hwange 7 and 8 expansion project, the US$153 million Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport rehabilitation, then the 3rd is the grant, not a loan, to build a new parliament,” President Mnangagwa said.

President Mnangagwa expressed profound gratitude to the government of China for their commitment to support the emerging economy of Zimbabwe.

He said the new parliament building will address congestion challenges at the present parliament building, adding that the project was muted many years ago but resource constraints had delayed it.

He said the construction of the new parliament will culminate in the creation of a new world class city and called for both local and international investors to come on board and grab abundant trade and investment opportunities available.

Cde Mnangagwa says the relocation of parliament to Mt Hampden will be a catalyst for development around the area which will all culminate into a modern world class city.

“There will be other entities and structures supporting the legislative structure. The judicial cluster, and then the executive cluster will be relocated to the area – some ministries will be housed here including finance…. Other facilities like banks, hotels will be built around this place…

“Modern residential areas will also be built. Developers must come on board and develop a world class city …if they do not take advantage, foreign investors will come and benefit from long-term opportunities. We want a modern, smart city to be constructed here,” said President Mnangagwa.

President Mnangagwa said government is determined to achieve Vision 2030 saying it is a question of commitment for the vision to come to fruition.

He said the construction of the new parliament building will create employment for Zimbabweans.

“The majority of workers during construction will be local; they will be partnering those from China,” he said.

The President challenged members of parliament to be accountable to the people individually and collectively as they represent the people that elected them into office.

“All parliamentarians have a critical role to play in propelling the national vision through hard work and diligence to duty…non-attendance of meetings shall not be tolerated,” he said.

Also present at the ground breaking ceremony were the two Vice Presidents Retired General Dr Constantino Chiwenga and Cde Kembo Mohadi, cabinet ministers, Chinese officials, legislators, chiefs and top government officials. zbc

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FUEL SCAM : CLEARING AGENT ACCOUNT SUSPENDED

A LOCAL clearing company, Morris and Charts Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd, has taken the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) to court after the tax agency allegedly suspended the firm’s account on allegations of improper conduct.

According to the court papers, the clearing agent, which is based in Mutare and conducts its business at Forbes Border Post, is alleged to have cleared petrol which was in transit to Zambia sometime in July 2017, but the commodity was never acquitted as having left the country.

This led to Zimra officials suspending the firm. The agent appealed against the suspension, arguing it had not been accorded the chance to prove its case, but the tax body stood its ground, prompting the court action.

Through its managing director, Morrison Rundogo, Morris and Charts Enterprises filed a court application seeking review of the matter, arguing Zimra officials had failed to properly handle the matter despite proof the said fuel was cleared at Chirundu Border Post.

“The current application for review is being made on the grounds that the first and second respondents (Zimra commissioner-general Faith Mazanhi and Zimra) violated section 3(1) (a) and 3(2) of the Administrative Justice Act, in that they failed to act lawfully, reasonably and in a fair manner,” he said.

“They failed to give applicant (Morris and Charts Enterprises) adequate notice of the nature and purpose of the proposed action, a reasonable opportunity to make adequate representation and adequate notice of any right of review or appeal where applicable. The respondent’s decision is ultra vires section 98E (5) of the Customs and Excise Act.”

Rundogo said the incident leading to the current litigation occurred on August 7, 2017 when Zimra’s shift manager at Forbes Border Post unilaterally and without notice, summarily suspended his firm’s agency account.

“The allegations contained in the letter were to the effect that the applicant had processed a bill of entry, S13510, for petrol in transit and that the applicant had contravened the law as the fuel was consumed in Zimbabwe. In the same letter, the applicant’s account was again suspended with immediate effect,” Rundogo said.

He added that his firm then appealed Zimra’s decision and also highlighted that the tax body had cited a non-existent section of the Customs and Excise Act, and also that it was entitled to a notice of the proposed action as well as reasonable opportunity to respond and make representations.

“On February 3, 2018, the Commissioner Customs and Excise then wrote to the applicant dismissing our appeal…the Commissioner-General (then) in his decision admitted that validation and acquittals were properly done, but, however, insist that the goods that were cleared did not exit Zimbabwe. The first and second respondents alleged the goods did not exit Zimbabwean borders without the proof to back their allegations,” he said.

The matter is pending. Newsday

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ED GETS INQUIRY REPORT

THE Commission of Inquiry into the post-election violence of August 1 that claimed six lives in Harare and left 22 injured yesterday submitted the executive summary of its report to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, two days after wrapping up public hearings, with the complete document expected to be released tomorrow.

John Masuku, the commission spokesperson, confirmed the development, saying copies of the full report had gone for printing and would be presented to Mnangagwa and the public tomorrow.

“Today, the commission presented to the President what we call an executive summary, while the complete report will be presented this Saturday,” Masuku said.

“In short, what I am saying is that, yes, the report is complete, but we have sent it to government printers for printing and binding, and it shall be presented to the President and public this Saturday.”

The commission, which is chaired by former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, began the hearings in Harare on October 16 and heard testimonies from security officials, including the Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander, Valerio Sibanda; the Presidential Guard and National Reaction Force tactical commander Brigadier-General Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe; Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga and Officer Commanding Harare province, Chief Superintendent Albert Ncube.

Among political figures, opposition leader Nelson Chamisa testified on Monday, along with the MDC deputy national chairperson Tendai Biti, while former Home Affairs minister and Zanu PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu testified on the final day.

Former Zanu PF Harare provincial youth leader Jim Kunaka testified last week. The committee also heard testimonies in Bulawayo, Mutare and Gweru.

The commission completed its work in under two months, despite being given a three-month deadline to conduct public hearings and report back to Mnangagwa, who set up the seven-member commission at the end of August.

Mnangagwa and his deputy Constantino Chiwenga, whose names repeatedly surfaced in the hearings as the principals who ordered soldiers who allegedly killed the six civilians to quell the protests, were not summoned to testify.

Mpofu, in his submissions, claimed Mnangagwa authorised the deployment of soldiers to help the police which he claimed had been overpowered by the protesters. He claimed there was correspondence to the effect and theorised that unknown elements had posted snipers on the roof to shoot at civilians as part of a smear campaign against government.

In his testimony, Matanga also claimed he had a letter of authority from Mnangagwa to use the military.

However, Chief Superintendent Ncube said members of the military were deployed illegally and violated provisions of the Public Order and Security Act (Posa).

He said although he was the one who had requested for reinforcements, he only got to know that his request had been granted when he heard gunshots in Harare’s central business district.

“I did not know that soldiers were in town by the time they were deployed. I only heard gunshots and on asking my officers on the ground, I then learnt that soldiers were on the ground and that they were shooting,” he said.

Under Posa, any member of the army deployed upon police request was supposed to report to police commanders first and operate under their orders, but this did not happen in this case, and he was unaware of who was commanding the troops.

Sanyatwe told the commission that the soldiers were taking orders from him, in violation of the law.

Chamisa asked the commission to focus its energy on who had deployed the soldiers, who he claimed were behind the shootings, supporting his arguments by video footage.

Biti called into question the credibility of some of the commissioners and queried Mnangagwa’s moral right to appoint the commission.

Kunaka also questioned the presence of Charity Manyeruke, a known Zanu PF official who he claimed was previously behind some of the violence against opposition figures.

This is not the first time the government has appointed a commission of inquiry. The Chihambakwe Commission of Inquiry was set by government as a truth commission to investigate the disturbances that rocked the Matabeleland and Midlands regions between 1983 and 1984.

The disturbances, now known as Gukurahundi, claimed about 20 000 people after then Prime Minister Robert Mugabe deployed the North Korean-trained Fifth Brigade to quash an insurgency. However, the report from the enquiry was never made public. Newsday

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JAPAJAPA : I FEAR FOR MY LIFE

Paddington Japajapa yesterday said he is fearing for his life after some armed men reportedly visited his parents’ home looking for him following his damning testimony before the Commission of Inquiry into the August 1 shootings.

“My family was harassed by unknown people who visited during the night looking for me.
“The 10 men were armed with pistols and one of them was putting on a police uniform, while the others were in plain clothes. I called commissioner general of police Godwin Matanga, who advised me to make a police report,” Japajapa said.

He said that he has since written a letter to the commission pertaining to the issue and has approached the US embassy in Harare, which has promised to engage President Emmerson Mnangagwa over the issue.

“I am not going to leave the country. I am not afraid and will continue participating in politics,” he said.

Meanwhile, MDC youth leader Happymore Chidziva also claimed that some people had also visited his neigbhourhood looking for him.

“Two men, who were driving a Mercedes Benz, came looking for me and they started assaulting my neighbours, asking for my whereabouts,” he said. Daily News

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WENYIKA'S MARRIAGE ENDS IN DIVORCE

 Urban grooves musician Plaxedes Machuma Joka (popularly known as Plaxedes Wenyika) and businessman Mike Joka have won a divorce settlement in the High Court.

After a convoluted divorce battle, the couple’s 13-year marriage officially came to an end yesterday, after High Court judge Loice Matanda-Moyo granted a decree of divorce.
Wenyika filed for divorce in August this year, citing irreconcilable differences with the entrepreneur, who is the founder of Corporate 24 medical centre.

The couple married in 2005 and solemnised the union in terms of the Marriages Act (Chapter 5:11).

In the divorce summons filed at the High Court, Wenyika claimed $1 500 for her welfare and maintenance every month and $1 110 monthly for each of the three children, including the one in boarding school.

In addition, she claimed $300 for the wages of her two maids and a gardener. She also claimed $80 monthly for DSTV subscription.

The artiste, who initiated the divorce proceedings, told the court she wanted the businessman to maintain her in a manner she “had been accustomed to” during the happier times of the union.

The businessman already pays close to $8 000 termly as fees for the children’s who attend elite private schools but the musician wants the responsibility to be turned into an enforceable court order.

“In similar vein, I am seeking an order that the respondent be directed to pay school fees of the children in the private schools and pre-schools they are currently enrolled in and that in the process he acquires all uniforms and equipment as may be required,” reads Wenyika’s founding affidavit.
She also sought an order that ensured the children remain on the father’s medical aid.

The musician, who is an economist by profession, also claimed $150 per week as entertainment fees for her and the kids. Daily News
  

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MAGACHA, WIFE DIVORCED

Gospel musician Sabastian Magacha and his wife of six years Nomsah Ndikunwe have officially parted ways after High Court judge Loice Matanda-Moyo granted a decree of divorce yesterday.

The split comes after Nomsah last month filed an application for divorce, claiming to have lost love and affection for the artiste. Magacha did not oppose the application for divorce, resulting in the parties signing a consent paper.

“Whereas, Nomsah Tatenda Magacha (nee Ndikunwe) and Sabastian Magacha were married to each other in terms of the Marriage Act (Chapter 5:11) on the 25th of May 2012 at Harare and the marriage still subsists, and whereas, the plaintiff (Nomsah)  has instituted proceedings against the defendant in the High Court of Zimbabwe claiming a decree of divorce, and whereas the defendant (Magacha) has no intention of opposing the plaintiff’s claim for a decree of divorce, now therefore, the terms of the agreement are recorded as follows: a decree of divorce on the grounds of irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is hereby agreed to be granted by this honourable court,” part of the consent paper reads.

According to the consent paper, no valuable property was acquired by the parties during the subsistence of their marriage and no property sharing issues arose in the case.
The couple separated for a year before Nomsah filed for divorce.

According to her court declaration forming the basis of the divorce, Nomsah said she had lost love for the musician and divorce was inevitable.

“In particular, the parties have not been living together as husband and wife for one year now and consequently, have lost love and affection for each other,” read Nomsah’s declaration.

The two who got married six years ago, had no children. The union was solemnised at a glittering ceremony at Bliss Gardens in Harare.

The wedding attracted prominent figures such as MDC leader Nelson Chamisa, musicians Mudiwa Mutandwa and Marble Madondo. Daily News
  

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MACHESO'S DAUGHTER DIVORCED

The ill-fated marriage of popular sungura musician Alick Macheso’s daughter Sharon and her estranged husband of four years Kudakwashe Munetsi came to a formal end during a hearing at Harare’s High Court yesterday.

Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo said the petition for divorce by Macheso was granted on the grounds that the couple had lived apart for four years. Neither Macheso nor Munetsi were in court for the decree nisi.

On Thursday last week, the two signed a consent paper, agreeing to go separate ways. “We, the undersigned Sharon Munetsi (nee Macheso) and Kudakwashe Gladmore Munetsi, the plaintiff and the defendant respectively…agree that in the event of this honourable court granting an order of divorce then, if it pleases this honourable court, the following shall be incorporated in such order, that a decree of divorce be granted.

“Defendant to provide maintenance in the sum of $50 towards upkeep of the minor child…born May 13, 2015,” the consent paper reads.

According to the consent paper, Macheso will be granted custody of the minor child, while Munetsi will be given access to the child on alternative weekends and public holidays.
The two, according to court papers, got married on August 6, 2014 in terms of the Marriages Act Chapter 5:11 at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts.

“The marriage relationship between plaintiff and defendant has irretrievably broken down to the extent that there is no prospect of the restoration of marriage on the following grounds: the plaintiff and defendant only stayed together as husband and wife for two months from the date of marriage.

“The plaintiff and defendant have lost love and affection towards each other. The plaintiff and defendant are now estranged and incompatible,” the court was told.




 In her application, Sharon had initially demanded Munetsi to pay $200 per month towards the upkeep of the minor child and $500 towards her maintenance, before settling for $50 for the child only. Daily News

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BUY A PRIVATE JET : BITI TELLS ED

Zimbabwe must consider buying President Emmerson Mnangagwa a jet since the cost of his foreign trips on chartered planes was too high as compared to his predecessor Robert Mugabe, former Finance minister Tendai Biti said.

“Why do we have to hire a jet for $2 million to $3 million from Switzerland whenever anyone travels?” Biti questioned at an Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe (ICAZ) conference to mark the institute’s 100th anniversary in Harare yesterday.

“Mugabe was even better because he abused Air Zimbabwe. It is actually cheaper to buy a jet for Mnangagwa to travel. We have hired a jet to fly to Djibouti, America and other countries. I heard Grace Mugabe saying she had never seen a jet like that (the gulf stream hired for the former first lady to travel for her mother’s funeral). If you hear people like Grace... saying that, it means this has become too much,” Biti said.

Mnangagwa’s skint government has resorted to hiring a plane, especially from the Middle East and Europe, to facilitate the Zimbabwean leader’s regional and international trips, including to the United Nations General Assembly in late September. Daily News

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ITS TRANSITIONAL AUTHORITY OR DOOM : CHAMISA

As Zimbabwe's economy continues to deteriorate, opposition leader Nelson Chamisa cranked up the political heat on President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his ruling Zanu PF yesterday — calling for the immediate establishment of a transitional authority to stabilise the country.

In a petition which the MDC handed over to Parliament and the presidency after thousands of its supporters marched in Harare — which was copied to Sadc chairperson Hage Geingob of Namibia and African Union chairperson Paul Kagame of Rwanda — Chamisa said a transitional authority was the only viable route back to political legitimacy in the country.

The youthful politician also told his die-hard supporters who braved the deluge of rain that has been hammering the capital, that yesterday’s massive demonstration was a sign that long-suffering Zimbabweans were desperate for an end to the country’s current political and economic crises.

This comes after Mnangagwa — speaking through his spokesperson George Charamba in an exclusive interview with the Daily News on Wednesday, said he was open to talks with Chamisa, on the strict understanding that the MDC leader recognised the president as the legitimate winner of the country’s hotly-disputed July 30 election.

This, in turn, came after Chamisa and his key lieutenant Tendai Biti had earlier on Monday told the Commission of Inquiry probing the August 1 shootings in Harare — which left at least six civilians dead — that political dialogue was the only solution to ending the country’s political and economic problems.

Addressing his supporters, who were protesting the falling standards of living in the country and the government’s recent unpopular economic revival measures, Chamisa also said Zimbabwe could not afford “one day longer” without addressing the worsening local political and economic situation.
“Firstly, we are saying to Mnangagwa let’s have negotiations. You must come and sit down so that we can solve the current economic crisis.

“Zimbabweans are suffering. The crisis in the country is a crisis of governance, confidence, legitimacy and leadership. How can we solve this?

“We are saying let us unite. On our side we have good leadership qualities and you lack leadership qualities. So, we must unite and map the way forward,” Chamisa told his exuberant supporters.

“Some say that the country must move forward, and so we must let it be. But we are saying, the only way the country can move forward is a transitional authority which is a result of dialogue, where we say we are not agreed on who is the legitimate leader and agree to work together,” he said further.
Charamba said Mnangagwa was not against holding talks with Chamisa, and had actually engaged the opposition leader in the run-up to the hotly disputed July 30 polls — with the MDC boss allegedly moving to scupper the positive dialogue subsequently.

“You may also want to know, and I am making this disclosure for the first time, that way before we went for elections — at the height of the election campaigns, and even after the elections — there were lots of back channel communications between Zanu PF and MDC.

“Some of the players are pretending to be very radical today but we know better and the MDC Alliance knows what’s on offer.

“There was an extraordinary amount of goodwill which they fluffed. One hopes that goodwill still subsists ... but anyway, now that they have given that indication,
let’s wait for the commission to make its recommendations and then move forward and see how this action pans out.

“But a key pre-condition is that there must be a recognition of ED as the winner of the 2018 elections … there are no two ways about that,” Mnangagwa’s trusted spokesperson said emphatically.
Chamisa also told his supporters yesterday that he had appraised regional leaders and the African Union on the need for dialogue in the country — and had given them copies of the petition which was delivered to Parliament and Mnangagwa’s offices soon after the demonstration.

The petition gave an overview of the “dire” political and economic situation in the country, allegedly as a result of poor governance by Mnangagwa’s administration.

“We have taken this petition to Sadc because that’s our regional body. I am going to meet the president of Namibia very soon to officially articulate and explain the nuts and bolts of this document.

“We have also taken this document to AU chairman Paul Kagame,” the charismatic Chamisa boomed.

Zimbabwe was forced into a government of national unity (GNU) a decade ago, following the hotly-disputed 2008 presidential election in which the late MDC founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai trounced former president Robert Mugabe.

The results of those elections were withheld for six long weeks by stunned authorities — amid widespread allegations of ballot tampering and fraud, which were later revealed by former bigwigs of the ruling party.

In the ensuing sham presidential run-off, which authorities claimed was needed to determine the winner, Zanu PF apparatchiks engaged in an orgy of violence in which hundreds of Tsvangirai’s supporters were killed — forcing the former prime minister in the inclusive government to withdraw from the discredited race altogether.

Mugabe went on to stand in a widely-condemned one-man race in which he shamelessly declared himself the winner.

However, Sadc and the rest of the international community would have none of it, forcing the nonagenarian to share power with Tsvangirai for five years, to prevent the country from imploding completely.

Chamisa narrowly lost to Mnangagwa in the July 30 presidential election, before he went on to accuse the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) of manipulating the results in favour of the Zanu PF leader.

But Mnangagwa’s victory was later upheld by the Constitutional Court, which ruled that Chamisa had failed to provide evidence that he had won the election.

Meanwhile, angry MDC supporters yesterday turned on one of their vice presidents, Elias Mudzuri — who was forced to abort his address to them, as tempers flared over his recent meeting with Mnangagwa at the president’s offices on Monday.

Mudzuri was booed by the bumper crowd after MDC national organising secretary Amos Chibaya had sought to have him greet the supporters, before Chamisa’s arrival.

In the end, and very ominously for him, he failed to even chant the party’s slogans, as his voice was drowned out by the heckling from the rowdy crowd — which broke into a derogatory  song “tengesa uone mashura” (just sell out and see what will happen).

As a result, the emotional Mudzuri had to leave the venue altogether.
Mudzuri angered MDC officials and party supporters after he understandably attended a meeting of Parliament leaders with Mnangagwa at his Zimbabwe House offices on Monday.

He attended the meeting in his capacity as the leader of the opposition in the Senate. However, his colleague Prosper Mutseyami — who is MDC chief whip in the National Assembly — snubbed the meeting. Daily News

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