CHINESE BUSINESSMAN EXTERNALISES US$11M

Harare-based Chinese businesswoman Li Song who is facing several allegations of externalization and theft involving millions of United States dollars has been summoned to court for trial on May 21.

Li, who has been evading court appearance since 2021 taking advantage of her alleged political connections, has been summoned to stand trial in matter where the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) is a key State witness. Eagle Italian Shoes and Leather director Francesco Marconati is also a witness in the same matter after alerting the RBZ on the illicit transactions to offshore bank accounts which were done without his knowledge. Li and Marconati were business partners at Eagle Italian Shoes and Leather company.

Marconati blew the whistle on the well- organized syndicate externalizing scarce forex through RBZ’s foreign currency auction system. Marconati became a victim of intimidation and arbitrary arrests after blowing the lead on the alleged scam, resulting in him applying for a protection order as a whistleblower. Some of the alleged trumped-up charges leveled against him were eventually dismissed by the courts.

Marconati, who has directorship in several companies that include Eagle Italian Shoes and Leather, Strengthened Investments Private Limited among other companies, claims that Li illegally transferred the companies’ money to her offshore bank accounts registered in Mauritius after falsifying documents.

He claims in his affidavit that he discovered the alleged scam sometime in 2021.

He implicated Li because she was involved in bidding for forex as if on behalf of the company yet it was only for her personal benefit.  

Marconati also discovered that Li was also using other affiliate companies namely; DGL 9 and 5, and Strengthened Investments to facilitate illicit transactions, forging invoices, bidding on the foreign currency system for raw materials which were never purchased or delivered to Zimbabwe.

He adds that further investigations revealed that Li was using a company registered in Mauritius known as Jacaranda Consulting Services, which in terms of its registration status is an investment company.

Marconati then reported the matter to RBZ which took up the matter and conducted its own investigations which led it to join the case as complainants against Li. Newsday

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ZIMBA JAILED IN THE UK FOR KILLING LOVER

A JEALOUS man, who could not handle the breakdown of his relationship with his lover, and killed her in front of her two children, has been jailed for a minimum of 27 years.

Obert Moyo stabbed Perseverance Ncube (35) in the chest in Dukesgate Grove in Little Hulton, Salford, England, in the early hours of November 10 last year.

Police said Moyo broke into her home following a “campaign of stalking” and her children, aged 10 and 12, tried to fight him off.

The 46-year-old admitted to murder and was handed what appears to be a life sentence at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court.

Moyo, of Pennington Road, Bolton, had denied the killing but changed his plea to guilty on the first day of his trial.

The court heard the pair had been in a relationship, but Moyo stalked Ms Ncube, known as Percy, for months after she ended it.

Moyo first broke into the home and attacked her in her bedroom but her two children dragged him off her.

He then chased her down the street and stabbed her in the chest.

Prosecutor Eloise Marshall KC told the court her children could be heard in the background of the 999 call, with one of them praying for their mother’s life.

Moyo fled the scene before he was arrested in Bolton later the same day, said Miss Marshall.

In a victim personal statement, Ms Ncube’s son said: “Me and my sister have been robbed of our mother and our whole life.

“Every day with a burning pain, I miss her, I miss being able to hug her. I miss being able to talk to her.

“Mum I miss you and I will always love you.”

Her daughter told Moyo that he had “ruined her whole life”, adding: “You have stolen my mum from me.

“I really thought that you were a father to me but you are not… I hate you.”

Sentencing Moyo to a life jail term, Judge Patrick Field KC told him his crime had been “premeditated, brutal and wicked”. — BBC/H-Metro Reporter.

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GIRL LOCKED IN THE HOUSE FOR THREE YEARS

A YOUNG woman has been locked inside the house for THREE years and her grandmother says it’s for her own safety because her life is under threat.

However, her mother claims there is more than what meets the eye.

Talent Gent’s grandmother, Gogo Mushore, who is 71, claims there is a rogue man in the neighbourhood who wants to abduct her because she turned down his romantic advances.

Talent’s mother, Joyleen Gent, in a brief conversation with H-Metro before she was barred from revealing more by Gogo Mushore, said:

“There is more to this. I am not feeling well, if you may provide my daughter with a pen to write something.

“Please help us.”

Others, in the neighbourhood, though, say this imprisonment has something to do with juju.

Talent, the woman who has not been outside the house for THREE years, is just 23.

She has told H-Metro she is desperate to see what is happening outside her house and enjoy simple things like a sunbath.

She stays with her mother and grandmother and the two have been making sure that she does not go outside the house in Zengeza, Chitungwiza.

Her facial features have become lighter and she is now, through H-Metro, appealing for help.

“I am not allowed to leave this house. Ndavekudawo kumbo buda panze,” said Talent.

Her grandmother, a widow, said it was all meant to keep Talent safe.

Gogo Mushore said Talent was being hunted down by a male neighbour who initially wanted to marry her only for his advances to be turned down.

“Ndakaona kuti akatogara zvake mumba kwehupenyu hwake hwese zvirinani pakuti apondwe,” said Gogo Mushore.

“There is a man within our neighbourhood who proposed to Talent and she turned him away.

“From that day, he tried to take her by force and we warned him. He ended up sending his guys to take her by force.

“Murume uyu akasvika pakumitisa varoora vangu vaviri achiedza kuwana mukana wekusvika pana Talent.”

Gogo Mushore removed all tenants from her house because she did not want visitors to her house, which could give the rogue man a chance to sneak into the premises and “abduct” her.

“We decided to stay without tenants because of that man. My daughter (Talent’s mother) separated from her husband and is not feeling well.

“I am a widow, none of us is going to work so the challenge is that we are starving, there is no food in the house.

“We have some church pastors praying for us, but they conduct their prayers at a ground somewhere, not in this house.

“Our hope is on their prayers, without that, the life we are living here is unbearable.”

However, she barred Talent’s mother, Joyleen, from answering H-Metro’s questions about the strange set-up at the house.

Gogo Mushore said Joyleen was not well. However, before she intervened and barred her, Joyleen had told H-Metro:

“There is more to this. I am not feeling well, if you may provide my daughter with a pen to write something.

“Please help us.”

Some Zengeza residents suspect this strange set up could be related to juju.

“We are concerned for Talent’s life. We last saw her three years ago, but she is at the house, we suspect there is juju to it. Zengeza yanetsa, from Grant to Gent family, zvakaoma,” said one of the residents. H Metro

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35 CHILDREN DIE OF MEASLES

ZIMBABWE is battling an outbreak of archaic diseases blamed on the country’s deteriorating health delivery system amid reports that 35 children died in a space of a month from suspected measles and mumps.

An outbreak of similar proportions was recorded in 2022 with more than 750 children succumbing to the diseases within the outbreak’s first six months to October.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services ministry secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana broke the news saying the Civil Protection Unit (CPU)  had dispatched officials to Hurungwe where cases of the disease have been recorded.

“The CPU is seized with the death of 35 children who have died in a space of a month from suspected measles and mumps. The children are from one of the apostolic religious sects.

“The tragic deaths came to light when a member of the church brought four of his children to Karoi Hospital with two showing signs of measles and the other two having mumps,” he said.

The death of 16 children from four families is feared to be a tip of the iceberg compared to hundreds of unrecorded deaths among the apostolic sect members in the district.

Mangwana said the outbreak had affected wards 4 and 22 including Nyama village 5 in Hurungwe district.

He identified some of the families that lost children as Nduna (seven children), Magara (5) and the Matashu, Chikonamombe and Kaitano that lost two each.

“The children are from one of the apostolic religious sects,” he said.

In an interview in Karoi yesterday, Hurungwe district CPU chairperson Andrew Tizora said investigations were ongoing within the outlying rural district.

He said government had deployed more teams to look into the measles and mumps outbreak.

“Yes, I can confirm that there are over 35 children that have died due to measles and mumps within Hurungwe district. We have had some deaths reported in areas like Lynx Mine within Hurungwe Rural District Council ward 4 and Nyama within ward 22. Our investigations are not conclusive and are ongoing over the issues that are a public health issue,” he said.

Speaking to NewsDay, Charles Makara of Nyama village, blamed apostolic sect members for denying immunisation to children although it is free.

“Government must step up efforts on public health issues especially among the apostolic sects,” he said.

In September 2022, NewsDay exposed the death of several children in Menoembwa rural under Chief Mudzimu, ward 13.

The affected children were not vaccinated against measles while there were concerns over secret burials of some affected children.

The government last year rolled out a nationwide emergency immunisation programme targeting 95% of all children from 6 to 59 months and in some instances up to 15 years to attain herd immunity. Newsday

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IRAN OFFERS 1 000 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ZIM

IRAN has offered 1 000 educational scholarships for Zimbabweans with the first batch of students, likely to be lecturers from polytechnics and industrial colleges, undergoing six-month courses as trainers of trainers, set to start their studies before year end.

The beneficiaries and areas of study will be informed by the need to bridge the human resources gap identified by the Government initiated skills gap audit of 2018.

The offer comes after Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga recently led Zimbabwe’s participation at the second Iran-Africa International Economic Conference.

Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Permanent Secretary Professor Fanuel Tagwira said the programme would target staff from the polytechnics and industrial colleges.

“We believe in action. We believe in implementation and we have learnt a lot since coming here. Clearly there are a number of things that have happened. With the partnership we now have with Iran, they have offered us 1 000 scholarships for our education.

“We sat down and went through their training centre and we saw what they are providing and as we go home, we are going to mobilise so that we can send the first batch of our teachers who are in polytechnics and industrial colleges to come here and acquire skills for a period of six months then they will become trainers.

“This is a training of trainers and for each discipline, we will send a batch of 12 people to make a full class so that they can teach them in English and they will acquire the skills and after six months they go back and train others, said Prof Tagwira.

The programme was ready to roll out and the two parties had agreed on the implementation modalities and timelines.

“We have met with their ministry of science and technology and innovation and as we discussed with them, we already have a memorandum of understanding with them and they are saying let’s move. Our first step is establishing a steering committee that will be responsible for agreeing on the programmes that we want to work on.”

The Iranians had expressed a desire for Zimbabwe to benefit from expertise in the area of science and technology.

The Iranians wanted to know what technology was required to move the nation forward and then to work together to make sure that knowledge was available in Zimbabwe.

Iran boasts some of the most advanced technologies in the world and has a vibrant manufacturing sector that has kept its economy afloat despite operating under the weight of illegal economic sanctions for close to 45 years.

Prof Tagwira said Zimbabwe’s thrust was to value add its raw materials from sectors like mining and ensure higher export receipts and accelerated economic development.

That was why the Ministry had started a programme to give people the relevant skills needed in developing the nation. Herald 

 

 

 

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REDCLIFF SCORES A FIRST : 50/50 GENDER PARITY

REDCLIFF Municipality has achieved 50/50 gender parity following the recent election and swearing in of Christine Sigauke to the council.

With six female and six male councillors, it is the first local authority to reach the gender parity level envisaged under the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa.

The Government introduced the 30 percent representation for women to increase female representation in local authorities, hence, Councillor Sigauke’s election means that the Redcliff Town Council now has equal representation of men and women.

Three female councillor were seconded to council through the proportional representation to add to the nine elected councillors. Out of the elected councillors, only two were female.

Clr Sigauke from the ruling Zanu-PF beat opposition candidate Tinei Siziba in the April 6 by-election, to win the Redcliff Municipality Ward 3 by-election.

The seat fell vacant following the death of Mayor Clayton Masiyatsva in January after a short illness.

Long-serving deputy mayor, Alderman Vincent Masiiwa, was elected mayor, while Clr Fortunate Makawa was elected deputy mayor.

Kwekwe District Development Co-ordinator, Mr Fortune Mpungu, praised the gender-equitable achievement, saying it was a milestone and urged the councillors to fulfil their campaign promises.

“Redcliff Municipality has achieved the envisaged 50/50 gender parity and I congratulate them for that milestone. I think they are the first local authority in Zimbabwe to achieve that milestone,” he said.

“It is indeed a big achievement for the district in particular and women in general. It is something that women should celebrate.

“As I congratulate councillor Sigauke today, I wish to remind her that the vote was not only for her alone, but for good governance, continuity, growth and progress of the people who voted.

“Consequently, I urge you to pledge your passionate dedication to ensuring that confidence and faith reposed in you will be maintained in line with the Call to Action blueprint launched by President Mnangagwa last year,” said Mr Mpungu.

He challenged other councillors to carry their people along the road of attaining an envisaged city.status by 2030.

“We all want good roads, clean water, better schools and better prospects for Redcliff Municipality to be a city by 2030. Any councillor who does not carry his or her people along is selfish and will be bypassed for the interest of the common good.

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ATTEMPTED MURDER FOR FORMER MASVINGO MAYOR

In a sudden turn of events, Zanu PF Masvingo Provincial Youth chairperson who is facing three counts of assault and one of negligent driving has reported former Masvingo Mayor, Collen Maboke for attempted murder.

Delight Mandebvu who was involved in an accident with Maboke’s vehicle on March 3, 2024, took eight weeks to report his attempted murder case. He only reported the case after Police served him with summons to appear in court for assault.

He will be appearing in court next Wednesday.

Masvingo Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa told The Mirror that he needed to look for the report.

According to sources, Mandebvu says Maboke broke the former’s leg when he attempted to run over him with his car.

He says that he had an altercation with Maboke after their cars side-swiped about 50km from Masvingo along Masvingo-Mutare Highway.

Efforts to get a comment from Mandebvu were futile as his mobile phone went unanswered.

Maboke referred The Mirror to the Police. According to the well-publicised case, Mandebvu who was driving from Masvingo towards Bikita at night had a side-swipe with a vehicle that was being driven by Maboke’s wife Tariro and Maboke was a passenger. Mandebvu allegedly made a U-turn and drove after Maboke’s vehicle and blocked it after 10km.

He allegedly assaulted Maboke, his wife and his relative Simbarashe Matyei. As he haggled with Maboke in the middle of the highway, an oncoming vehicle struck his leg and Maboke managed to jump off the road thereby escaping the accident.

Mandebvu was reported to Masvingo Rural Police Station and a docket was opened against him for assault and negligent driving.

Sources said Police were surprised when Mandebvu reported attempted murder charges after being served with the court date. There was an unwillingness on the part of Police to open a docket until the case was transferred to the Law and Order Section, sources told The Mirror.

Mandebvu has a notorious record with the law as he has been arraigned for stock theft (later cleared), disorderly conduct and taking the law into his own hands, indebtedness and maintenance. He was sued by the late Bikita MP, Kennedy Matimba for not paying rentals and was in court with his wife for maintenance.

However, cases where complainants against Zanu PF violence are turned into accused and arrested by Police are common. A recent report by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission found out that this was common if not the norm at Gutu Police Station where Cames Myambo is the Officer-in-Charge. Masvingo Mirror

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JILTED LOVER STABS EX

A jilted lover who allegedly nearly killed his ex-girlfriend after the relationship ended has appeared in court on charges of attempted murder.

40-year-old Tichafa Mugwagwa from Harare is accused of attempting to kill his former girlfriend after she ended their relationship.

It is alleged that Mugwagwa and the complainant co-habited for seven years, but the complainant decided to end the relationship.

The court heard that the accused followed the complainant to the bus station as she attempted to leave and stabbed her with a knife.

The complainant bled profusely before she was rushed to hospital by a Good Samaritan.

The accused was remanded in custody pending trial.

Meanwhile, two security personnel stationed at the World Bank offices in Harare have appeared in court on charges of theft of 500 litres of diesel from a back-up generator.

Forward Kawanzaruwa aged 43 and 34-year-old Peter Kutama were remanded in custody pending bail application.

It is alleged that while on duty, the two connived to steal the diesel and went on to drain the back-up generator. zbc

 

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GUKURAHUNDI PLAQUE VANDALISED AGAIN

 

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WALK OUTS AT GWANZURA STADIUM

 

Citizens walked out of the Gwanzura stadium while the ZCTU president, Florence Taruvinga, was in the middle of delivering her speech after she said, "Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo.” pic.twitter.com/XBQyt084V7

— TechMagTv (@TechMagZW) May 1, 2024

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THIEVES STEAL US$40K FROM PARKED CAR

A BALLANTYNE Park man lost US$40 000 and a laptop to thieves who stole from his parked Ford Ranger.

Farai Munyawara, 34, had parked his vehicle in his yard when thieves broke in and went away with the cash and an Apple MacBook laptop valued at US$500.

He heard the car alarm go off, just few minutes from parking it, and rushed to the vehicle where he found out that someone had smashed the front passenger window.

Harare provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, confirmed the case saying an Apple MacBook laptop was found dumped on the other side of the road.

“Police are investigating a theft from car case involving a large sum of money in Ballantyne Park,” said Insp Chakanza. H Metro

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MOTHER OF FIVE STABBED IN CUSTODY ROW

A MOTHER of five children is battling for her life after she was stabbed with an okapi knife in a battle over the custody of children.

Letwin Masunda was rushed to Sally Mugabe Hospital after her ex-husband, Brian Jangwa, stabbed her several times on shoulders and armpits.

Brian visited Letwin at her parents’ house, confronted her and accused her of denying him access to their five children.

He repeatedly stabbed her and fled the scene. The two divorced sometime in 2022 and Letwin took custody of the children.

Letwin’s mother, Clara Madzuramhende, 51, told H-Metro that she responding well to treatment.

“We thank God that Letwin is recovering well. His ex-husband wanted to kill her,” she said.

Harare provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, confirmed the case appealing for information that may lead to the arrest of Brian.

“Police are investigating a case involving a woman and her former husband in Epworth.

“Accused is staying in Mbare and he was reported to have visited his former wife demanding custody of the children.

“As the misunderstanding ensued, accused drew out an okapi knife from his trousers pocket and followed complainant to her room where he stabbed her several times on the shoulders and armpits before running away, leaving complainant lying on the floor in agony.

“Multiple stab wounds were noted on the complainant’s body and a blood-stained okapi knife used to stab complainant was recovered in complainant’s room.

“Complainant was referred to Sally Mugabe hospital for treatment,” said Insp Chakanza. H Metro

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