States Security Minister Owen Mudha Ncube plays hidden card in tussle for Midlands. Initially, Mudha Ncube had shown interest in challenging the current provincial chairperson Mackenzie Ncube as the battle for the control of the Midlands intensifies. But in a sudden turn of events, Mudha Ncube has given a nod to former youth league leader Edison Chakanyuka to contest Mackenzie Ncube.

The Zanu-PF Midlands provincial elections pitting State Security minister Owen Mudha Ncube and incumbent Daniel McKenzie Ncube has taken a new dimension, amid reports the former has chickened out to pave way for his ally, The NewsHawks can report.

Mudha Ncube’s supporters have since redirected their campaign in support of Chakanyuka. Key Mudha Ncube campaigner Philemon Safalan last week notified party members to support Chakanyuka, saying he was now the “key candidate for Midlands provincial chairperson post”.

“Cde Ncube has utilised all intelligence to pave the ground for Cde Chakanyuka and let us all support Cde Chiherenge Chakanyuka as he is now our provincial chairman candidate,” Safalan notified party members of a WhatsApp group dubbed “Endorsement of Mudha”.

Following his announcement there has been a spirited campaign for Chakanyuka, with one party member declaring that “Owen Mudha Ncube and Chakanyuka were one and the same thing”. The ruling party cadres sympathetic to Mudha Ncube have also said Zvishavane Runde legislator Cuthbert Mpame should deputise Chakanyuka.

The bruising fight between the State Security boss and Mackenzie Ncube has been intensifying in President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s backyard as the protagonists battle for the control of the province. Contacted for comment on whether he was interested in the provincial chairperson’s post, Chakanyuka would neither confirm or deny his interests. “Please be patient (we) will talk (over the issue),” Chakanyuka told The NewsHawks.

But further probes by this publication showed Chakanyuka had already designed campaign material for dissemination via the socoal media group created by party members for Mudha Ncube, an indication that he has been given the greenlight to contest for the post.

Although Mackenzie Ncube has since taken a swipe at his adversaries for adopting “dirty tactics” in the pending party provincial elections, indications on the ground show a grand plan to oust him from his post. “The Owen Ncube team are leaving no stone unturned as they move to consolidate their grip on the Midlands province,” a party insider said.

“Remember, Ncube is being backed by Moyo (July) (Local government minister) and they are fighting tooth and nail to make sure Mackenzie’s backers, including Joram Gumbo, are weakened in the Midlands province,” the source added.

Both protagonists however declare undying loyalty to Mnangagwa although events on the ground point to a vicious fight which may inflict political scars on both camps.

Sources within Zanu-PF told The NewsHawks that Mudha Ncube had intended to contest for the provincial chairmanship, but had since decided to field his trusted ally Chakanyuka. They said the plan was to ensure that party members loyal to the State Security minister would redirect their support towards the group’s preferred candidate.

The Midlands Zanu-PF provincial elections have been nasty, with members embarking on a campaign to soil each other’s images as they fight for influential posts. Efforts to contact Mudha Ncube were fruitless, with a source close to him saying he had adopted a “watch-and-see” approach.

Source – Bulawayo24

In other news – Bulawayo-Beitbridge road accident kills 3 and leaves 7 injured

Bulawayo-Beitbridge road accident kills 3 and leaves 7 injured. According to a statement from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), a Toyota Hilux with nine passengers on board, burst a rear left tyre, veered off the road, overturned and landed on its roof at the 198 km peg along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge road.

Three people were killed while seven others were injured in a horrific road traffic accident that occurred yesterday (Friday) afternoon a few kilometres from Gwanda town…Learn More.

The post States Security Minister Owen Mudha Ncube plays hidden card in tussle for Midlands appeared first on Mbare Times.

20 Khoi-San people join the ZPCS. In a statement, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana said the move was part of government policy of recruiting members of the San community into various government departments.

In a milestone achievement for the San community clan in Makhulela village, Tsholotsho, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services has piloted a recruitment drive for the previously underrated clan by recruiting 20 members to join the services.

The Commissioner General of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, Moses Chihobvu yesterday met the first recruitees from the community.

“The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services has started impending a deliberate policy of recruiting officers from members of the San community. They are starting with 20 individuals. Yesterday, the Commissioner-General Chihobvu met with the 1st three females and seven males,” said Mangwana.

IN a bid to foster social inclusivity, government ordered the relaxation of entry requirements for members of the marginalised San or Tjwao tribe to be recruited into the uniformed services sector.

“Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that the Second Republic has made undertakings to ensure that the right to equality and non-discrimination is realised. Cabinet directed Security ministries waiver the entry requirements to enable San or Tjwao citizens to enlist into the respective uniformed services,” the government said in one of its post- cabinet briefings.

The uniformed services sector includes the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), Air Force of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services. The government has been of late making frantic efforts to blend the San community with the rest of the public by spearheading a various projects in their communities. Meanwhile, documentation of the tribesmen is also underway.

Source – Bulawayo24

In other news – Bulawayo-Beitbridge road accident kills 3 and leaves 7 injured

Bulawayo-Beitbridge road accident kills 3 and leaves 7 injured. According to a statement from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), a Toyota Hilux with nine passengers on board, burst a rear left tyre, veered off the road, overturned and landed on its roof at the 198 km peg along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge road.

Three people were killed while seven others were injured in a horrific road traffic accident that occurred yesterday (Friday) afternoon a few kilometres from Gwanda town…Learn More.

The post 20 Khoi-San people join the ZPCS appeared first on Mbare Times.

Zanu-PF member arrested for copper-laden trailers hijacking. The document reveals that Arthur Nhliziyo, a Zanu-PF chairman for Filabusi, is detained at Bulawayo Central Police Station, following his arrest over the theft of two trucks with 30 tonnes of copper and copper concentrate, whose value was not disclosed.

A senior Zanu-PF Filabusi district official has been arrested over the hijacking of two Zambian copper trucks in the Dete area in Matabeleland North province, which were later discovered parked at his plot in Matabeleland South region in a daring case of robbery, a police document says.

“Nhliziyo is currently in police detention. He was arrested after two hijacked trucks were found on his plot; one of them had its cargo still in there, but the other no longer had the copper,” it says. “The copper trucks had been hijacked in Dete. An investigation led to their discovery and recovery in Filabusi.”

According to the police document, two Zambian nationals Talent Maoko (28) and Kelvin Simbisai (34), were hijacked by five unknown assailants on the Victoria Falls highway from Zambia .

On 18 October, a case was received in Bulawayo after it was opened in Lupane Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The complainants were Maoko and Simbisai.

“What happened was that on 13 October, I was driving a truck registration number AKB 2616, pulling a trailer registration number 9422T, while Simbisai was driving a truck registration number BAD 7419, towing a trailer registration number BAD 8313T,” the document says.

“All trucks belonging to Galo Trans 9 Logistics based in Lusaka, Zambia, were driving in a convoy with 30 tonnes of copper each. When the trucks reached the Fatima area, Maoko pulled off after realising the other trucks had disappeared behind him. A Honda Fit then parked close to him. Two people, now the accused, disembarked from the car; one with a firearm which he aggressively pointed at him and robbed the truck driver. Three other men remained the car. The robbers then got into the truck and drove away.

After driving for a few kilometres, the police documents say the assailants stopped the truck and pulled off the road. Noticing that the truck had pulled off, Simbisai stopped to offer assistance to his colleague, unaware that the truck had been hijacked.

The unknown assailants immediately grabbed him, tied him up with shoelaces, blindfolded him and bundled him to the back of the truck before they took control of both trucks. Along the way, the accused persons stopped the trucks and bundled both complainants into the Honda Fit.

The two were dumped at Uravhi business centre in Mashava inside one of the trucks. “The accused persons had stolen both trailers with 30 tonnes copper, 30 tonnes copper concentrate, a bag containing various clothes, two gas stoves and two cell-phones. The total value stolen is yet to be ascertained. A report was then made at ZRP Mashava,” the police document says, adding that the tracking system on the trucks had been tampered with to avoid detection.

Acting on information, on 20 October CID Homicide officers from Bulawayo proceeded to Filabusi and raided Nhliziyo’s plot where they found two trailers parked in a bush with their numbers removed, leading to his arrest.

“The load on one of the trailers was still intact, while the other trailer had all its load stolen. The recovered trailers and the copper concentrate were taken to CID Homicide Bulawayo for further management,” police say.

Source – Bulawayo24

In other news – Bulawayo-Beitbridge road accident kills 3 and leaves 7 injured

Bulawayo-Beitbridge road accident kills 3 and leaves 7 injured. According to a statement from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), a Toyota Hilux with nine passengers on board, burst a rear left tyre, veered off the road, overturned and landed on its roof at the 198 km peg along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge road.

Three people were killed while seven others were injured in a horrific road traffic accident that occurred yesterday (Friday) afternoon a few kilometres from Gwanda town…Learn More.

The post Zanu-PF member arrested for copper-laden trailers hijacking appeared first on Mbare Times.

Police ban carrying of weapons in Kwekwe and Gokwe. Midlands police spokesperson lnspector Emmanuel Mahoko said the prohibition order is in response to the rise in violent cases involving the use of dangerous weapons. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has banned the carrying of dangerous weapons in public in Gokwe and Kwekwe districts for the next three months.

“This is due to the increase of cases of violence using machetes, knobkerries, sword, knives, spears, daggers, catapults and other offensive weapons or any other traditional weapons“, he said.

He further warned that those who fail to comply with the order will be arrested and shall be guilty of ab offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level 5 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both such a fine and imprisonment.

Source – Bulawayo24

In other news – Bulawayo-Beitbridge road accident kills 3 and leaves 7 injured

Bulawayo-Beitbridge road accident kills 3 and leaves 7 injured. According to a statement from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), a Toyota Hilux with nine passengers on board, burst a rear left tyre, veered off the road, overturned and landed on its roof at the 198 km peg along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge road.

Three people were killed while seven others were injured in a horrific road traffic accident that occurred yesterday (Friday) afternoon a few kilometres from Gwanda town…Learn More.

The post Police ban carrying of weapons in Kwekwe and Gokwe appeared first on Mbare Times.

MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora distances himself from the Khupe aide violent attack. Kudzanai Mashumba is alleged to have tried to address the media this afternoon (October 21), in Harare on the pretext of representing the party, which was resisted by some party members and left property destroyed at Media Centre in Harare.

MDC-T party leader Douglas Mwonzora has distanced himself and his party from former Thokozani Khupe aide Kudzanai Mashumba violence incident in which the latter attempted to hold a press conference purportedly on behalf of the MDC-T.

Contacted for comment, Mwonzora said he was not aware of press conference held and directed all questions to MDC-T presidential spokesperson Lloyd Damba.

“I was not aware of the press conference and investigations have been carried out, for more comments you can contact my spokesperson Lloyd Damba,” said Mwonzora.

Damba said Mashumba was once a party member and an aide to Dr Thokozani Khupe but was expelled and his case is now at the labour court.

“Mashumba was once our party member and Dr Khupe’s aid but he was expelled from the party and his case is at the labor court. He held a press conference with a poster that had a picture of the president and our party logo.

“He is an imposter and he involved himself in violence where he attacked party members who came expecting to be addressed by the president and it is evident from the videos circulating that he was the one who attacked a member,” said Damba.

He said they were not part of the violence that took place and one of their party members Yvonne Musarurwa tried to stop people from attacking Mashumba. “We are not violent and if you look at the videos circulating, one of our members Yvonne Musarurwa was actually shouting so that people stop attacking Mashumba,” said Damba.

However, Damba said that the incident occurred outside Jurisdiction of harvest house so police have every right to investigate since the press conference was illegal. In a statement issued by Mashumba, the party constitution has a period stipulated for one to hold a position and Mwonzora was supposed to leave office in 2019.

“The constitution of the party is very clear on the timeframe for any congress. The term of office for 2014 office bearers expired long back in November 2019 and one wonders how and why the current office bearers continue to exercise their functions,” read part of the report.

MDC-T also issued a statement on the commotion at the Media center saying that party youths and leaders were not involved in violence that occurred.

“The MDC-T has noted an incident that occurred at the Media Centre in Harare this morning. Whilst investigations are ongoing, we can fully confirm that our youths and their leaders were not involved in any form of violence,” reads part of the statement.

Last week MDC-A president Nelson Chamisa was attacked in Masvingo in Charumbira communal lands and also in Manicaland showing the level of political violence and intolerance currently obtaining in the country.

Source – Bulawayo24

In other news – Bulawayo-Beitbridge road accident kills 3 and leaves 7 injured

Bulawayo-Beitbridge road accident kills 3 and leaves 7 injured. According to a statement from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), a Toyota Hilux with nine passengers on board, burst a rear left tyre, veered off the road, overturned and landed on its roof at the 198 km peg along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge road.

Three people were killed while seven others were injured in a horrific road traffic accident that occurred yesterday (Friday) afternoon a few kilometres from Gwanda town…Learn More.

The post MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora distances himself from the Khupe aide violent attack appeared first on Mbare Times.

Parly concerned by government’s unauthorised expenditure of $6.8 Billion. Parliament has raised concern over unauthorised expenditure by the government amounting to $6.8 billion, describing it as an “unacceptable anomaly”.

Jacob Mudenda, the speaker of Parliament, yesterday told a pre-budget seminar for legislators in Victoria Falls that the Finance ministry must regularise the expenditure as a matter of urgency. He said: This amount constitutes a supplementary budget, which must follow the normal budget approval process by Parliament.

I, therefore, urge the minister of Finance and Economic Development to promptly engage Parliament and regularise this unacceptable fiscal anomaly.

I further demand strict adherence to the dictates of the constitution, the Finance Act, the Appropriation Act, the Public Finance Management Act and any other legislation that attempt to ensure value for money in the budgetary processes of our country.

Auditor-general Mildred Chiri, in reports released in July, said the excess expenditure was done in violation of the constitution.

MDC Alliance co-vice President, Tendai Biti, who used to chair the Parliament’s Public Accounts Portfolio (PAC) has been vocal over the government’s unauthorised expenditure.

Advocate Mudenda also said they were also worried that in his mid-term fiscal review, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube spoke of a $570 million budget surplus for the half-year ending June 2021 when most line ministries and government departments had received allocations far below the 50% threshold of the full-year budget appropriations, including Parliament.

Mudenda urged MPs to ensure timeous disbursement of the budgeted funds in terms of Section 119 of the constitution.

Source – Pindula News

In other news – Zanu-PF member arrested for copper-laden trailers hijacking

Zanu-PF member arrested for copper-laden trailers hijacking. The document reveals that Arthur Nhliziyo, a Zanu-PF chairman for Filabusi, is detained at Bulawayo Central Police Station, following his arrest over the theft of two trucks with 30 tonnes of copper and copper concentrate, whose value was not disclosed.

A senior Zanu-PF Filabusi district official has been arrested over the hijacking of two Zambian copper trucks in the Dete area in…Learn More.

The post Parly concerned by government’s unauthorised expenditure of $6.8 Billion appeared first on Mbare Times.

Drama as stones rain on Manicaland Senator’s house. Reports indicate that a gang of five unknown assailants threw stones on the house and smashed a parked vehicle’s windows and windowpanes.

Police are investigating an attack on Senator for Manicaland Province, Dorothy Mabika’s house located in the low-density suburb of Chipinge that occurred around midnight on Wednesday.

One of the occupants at the house, Nyaradzo Guruza, who is also ZANU PF Chipinge District Coordinating Committee political commissar, told The Manica Post that there were four occupants in the house when the incident occurred. She said:

It was around midnight when the incident occurred. It all started with a vehicle that was making rounds in our street, and suddenly stones started raining at our house.

The gang attacked a Toyota Regius vehicle which was parked in the yard. Guards reacted and the gang fled. They continued throwing stones all over the yard. The whole incident lasted for about two hours.

We phoned Cde Mabika who was in Harare and informed her about the incident. She immediately called the police who reacted fast and attended the scene.

No one was injured. Mabika confirmed the incident to the publication and called for thorough investigations.

Source – Manica Post

In other news – Zanu-PF member arrested for copper-laden trailers hijacking

Zanu-PF member arrested for copper-laden trailers hijacking. The document reveals that Arthur Nhliziyo, a Zanu-PF chairman for Filabusi, is detained at Bulawayo Central Police Station, following his arrest over the theft of two trucks with 30 tonnes of copper and copper concentrate, whose value was not disclosed.

A senior Zanu-PF Filabusi district official has been arrested over the hijacking of two Zambian copper trucks in the Dete area in…Learn More.

The post Drama as stones rain on Manicaland Senator’s house appeared first on Mbare Times.

Chiwenga flees from his home amid assassination plot reports. Human Rights Watch’s Southern Africa Director, Dewa Mavhinga who claims to have spoken to Chiwenga from his hideout says state security agents are planning to kill Chiwenga.

Harare-based preacher and staunch government critic, Apostle Talent Chiwenga, has reportedly fled his home amid allegations that state security agents are stalking him.

Human Rights Watch’s Southern Africa Director, Dewa Mavhinga who claims to have spoken to Chiwenga from his hideout says state security agents are planning to kill Chiwenga. He said on Saturday: (On Friday), Apostle Chiwenga told me by phone that he believes the Zimbabwean authorities have dispatched a team of state agents known as the ‘Ferret team’ to kill him for his activism following several failed attempts over the last two years.

Apostle Chiwenga has regularly used street sermons in Harare and social media platforms to openly rebuke Zimbabwe’s government for its gross human rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests, abductions, and torture of activists, rights defenders, and journalists.

The Zimbabwean authorities should take steps to ensure the security and protection of Apostle Chiwenga and other critics of the government. Human rights advocates like Chiwenga should not live in fear for exercising their fundamental rights to free speech.

Four confidential sources in the security sector separately told me last week that the authorities are unhappy with Chiwenga and view him as a security threat that should be “neutralised.”

Three security officers described the ongoing surveillance of Chiwenga’s Harare church and home by people in unmarked vehicles. Chiwenga yesterday told Standard People that he was hiding out of the country.

This is not the first time that Chiwenga has expressed fears that his life is in danger. Last year, he wrote to President Emmerson Mnangagwa begging for a meeting claiming that his life was in danger as he was being followed by alleged Military Intelligence Department and Central Intelligence Organisation operatives.

Source – The Standard

In other news – Zanu-PF member arrested for copper-laden trailers hijacking

Zanu-PF member arrested for copper-laden trailers hijacking. The document reveals that Arthur Nhliziyo, a Zanu-PF chairman for Filabusi, is detained at Bulawayo Central Police Station, following his arrest over the theft of two trucks with 30 tonnes of copper and copper concentrate, whose value was not disclosed.

A senior Zanu-PF Filabusi district official has been arrested over the hijacking of two Zambian copper trucks in the Dete area in…Learn More.

The post Chiwenga flees from his home amid assassination plot reports appeared first on Mbare Times.

Report: ZANU PF factionalism intensifies. Reports of intra-party fighting have intensified ahead of the ruling party’s national conference that begins in Bindura this week. A ZANU PF faction reportedly led by Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga is alleged to be behind several plots targeted at unseating President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Last week, a ZANU PF activist Sybeth Musengezi approached the High Court challenging Mnangagwa’s ascendancy to the presidency after the 2017 coup that toppled Robert Mugabe.

Insiders said the lawsuit by Musengezi and Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association planned protests were part of Chiwenga faction’s strategy to remove Mnangagwa from power.

War veterans’ protests scheduled for next week coincide with major ZANU PF activities that include the conference and campaigns for the removal of sanctions against the country. Amos Sigauke, one of the leaders of the war veterans group, said they will hold their protests in Harare. Sigauke said:

We are marching from Africa Unity Square, Munhumutapa, Parliament, Ministry of Defence and Judiciary. We are getting $16 000 and are dying poor yet they lie to us that we will have mines and land. Only a few are benefitting and those national heroes they declare die poor. They glorify us when we are dead.

There is massive looting and corruption going on and all that must end. Belarus and Chinese nationals are taking over and it is like we are reversing the land reform programme and compensating white farmers when others are getting reparations. In August, nine war veterans were arrested outside the offices of Finance minister Mthuli Ncube while protesting against low pensions.

ZNLWVA leader Chris Mutsvangwa accused a former ZANU PF faction, G40, and the opposition MDC Alliance of engineering the arrests. Mnangagwa allegedly ordered the release of the war veterans, who were accused of doing Chiwenga’s bidding.

Zanu PF spokesperson Mike Bimha downplayed the clashes between Mnangagwa’s government and war veterans, saying the former fighters were happy with the performance of the new administration.

Zanu PF youths on Friday demanded the amendment of the constitution to allow Mnangagwa to rule for more than two terms in another move seen as targeted at Chiwenga, who is said to harbour presidential ambitions.

Source – Pindula News

In other news – Zanu-PF member arrested for copper-laden trailers hijacking

Zanu-PF member arrested for copper-laden trailers hijacking. The document reveals that Arthur Nhliziyo, a Zanu-PF chairman for Filabusi, is detained at Bulawayo Central Police Station, following his arrest over the theft of two trucks with 30 tonnes of copper and copper concentrate, whose value was not disclosed.

A senior Zanu-PF Filabusi district official has been arrested over the hijacking of two Zambian copper trucks in the Dete area in…Learn More.

The post Report: ZANU PF factionalism intensifies appeared first on Mbare Times.

Notorious 21-year-old Mvurwi burglar busted. The state-led by Albert Charewa alleged on March 4 at around 0900 hrs Rutendo Matukwa the complainant left home and went to work leaving everything intact, all windows closed and her door locked.

A notorious 21-year-old Mvurwi burglar, Tafadzwa Masarara, was sentenced to an effective nine months jail term for unlawful entry by Guruve Magistrate Rumbidzai Saturday.

The accused person went to the complainant’s house during the night and forcibly opened the door using an unknown object and gained entry into the premises.

Musarara stole two blankets, a food warmer, two black pots among other valuables and a medical card. The complainant did not report the case to the police.

The accused ran out of luck and got arrested following a tip-off to the police by members of the public on the 4th of June. A medical card of the complainant was seen in the accused’s house and he was interrogated concerning the medical card and failed to give a reasonable answer.

The complainant was contacted using the stolen medical card and she managed to identify some of her stolen goods. Goods stolen were valued at ZWL $9 240.00 and only ZWL$2 940.00 worth of goods were recovered.

Source – Pindula News

In other news – Zanu-PF member arrested for copper-laden trailers hijacking

Zanu-PF member arrested for copper-laden trailers hijacking. The document reveals that Arthur Nhliziyo, a Zanu-PF chairman for Filabusi, is detained at Bulawayo Central Police Station, following his arrest over the theft of two trucks with 30 tonnes of copper and copper concentrate, whose value was not disclosed.

A senior Zanu-PF Filabusi district official has been arrested over the hijacking of two Zambian copper trucks in the Dete area in…Learn More.

The post Notorious 21-year-old Mvurwi burglar busted appeared first on Mbare Times.

Finance Minister: We can’t adopt the US Dollar as the sole official currency. He said the government will work to progressively defend the value of the local currency. This came out on the first day of the three-day 2022 Parliamentary pre-budget seminar which opened in Victoria Falls Saturday.

The Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube, has said Zimbabwe will not adopt the United States dollar as the country’s sole currency. His remarks come amid calls by some Members of Parliament, particularly opposition legislators, for a return to the US dollar. Ncube said:

Colleagues we cannot adopt the United States dollar alone as the official currency. You were there before and there were queues at banks, huge foreign currency deficits and you had deflation. That was because of the US dollar. It is not a good idea, and it will be suicidal to do so.

What has happened is after we introduced the local currency, industry is picking, it’s about stabilising the currency. We are reforming the country, running the country under a basically dual currency regime (Zimbabwe dollar and US dollar) and of course other smaller currencies.

We are using both currencies and you will see shifts one way or the other. We are trying to stabilise the Zimbabwean dollar and we have done well to ensure salaries are not eroded. The United States dollar is performing the role of a savings and investment currency while the Zimbabwean dollar is performing more the role of a transactional currency than an investment currency.

This comes as the local currency is losing value against the United States dollar prompting businesses to prefer the foreign currency which they say stores value.

In his presentation, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor, Dr Mangudya said to reduce the widening gap between the parallel market and the auction rate, the RBZ will ensure “allotments of foreign currency to all bona fide transactions through the auction system including to individuals”.

Source – Pindula News

In other news – Zanu-PF member arrested for copper-laden trailers hijacking

Zanu-PF member arrested for copper-laden trailers hijacking. The document reveals that Arthur Nhliziyo, a Zanu-PF chairman for Filabusi, is detained at Bulawayo Central Police Station, following his arrest over the theft of two trucks with 30 tonnes of copper and copper concentrate, whose value was not disclosed.

A senior Zanu-PF Filabusi district official has been arrested over the hijacking of two Zambian copper trucks in the Dete area in…Learn More.

The post Finance Minister: We can’t adopt the US Dollar as the sole official currency appeared first on Mbare Times.

Nelson Chamisa: People are thirsty for change and a prosperous country. His remarks come when the country is facing political, humanitarian and economic crises that have worsened the masses’ standards of living.

Nelson Chamisa, leader of the opposition MDC Alliance has said the citizenry is yearning for change and a better life. Chamisa posted on Twitter:

THE EXODUS MOMENT… People are thirsty for change and a prosperous country. We’re suffering too much. It has not been easy. Those benefiting from this oppressive system will fight us. But enough is enough! We must win & deliver Zimbabwe for change. A New Great Zimbabwe is loading!

His remarks come ahead of the 2023 elections which many say will be influenced by the state of affairs. The socio-economic crisis is characterised by soaring inflation, power cuts, and poor salaries for government workers.

Chamisa is confident that he will defeat and dislodge President Emmerson Mnangagwa from power. He recently claimed that Mnangagwa is not as clever as his predecessor the later founding leader of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, whom he said had various tactics of winning elections.

Meanwhile, some political analysts argue that Zimbabwe needs political reforms to make the playing field level. They say the current political landscape favours the ruling ZANU PF.

Source – Pindula News

In other news – Zanu-PF member arrested for copper-laden trailers hijacking

Zanu-PF member arrested for copper-laden trailers hijacking. The document reveals that Arthur Nhliziyo, a Zanu-PF chairman for Filabusi, is detained at Bulawayo Central Police Station, following his arrest over the theft of two trucks with 30 tonnes of copper and copper concentrate, whose value was not disclosed.

A senior Zanu-PF Filabusi district official has been arrested over the hijacking of two Zambian copper trucks in the Dete area in…Learn More.

The post Nelson Chamisa: People are thirsty for change and a prosperous country appeared first on Mbare Times.

MDC wants beer prices increased. Femai said cane spirits, whiskies, and brandies packed in quarter bottles by Afdis were too cheap and therefore affordable for young people who are now abusing the products. Afdis manufactures such products as Gold blend, Star Cane, Skipper’s, Mainstay, Viceroy and Chateau among others.

MDC-T Senator for Harare, Morgan Femai, has urged the government to consider forcing African Distillers Limited (Afdis) to package its products in such a way that they become too expensive for young people.

Speaking in the Senate during a question-and-answer session, Femai said Afdis should package products in bigger bottles to make them more expensive. He said: Now the drugs coming from out of the country are few, but we have a problem with drugs that are being manufactured here in our country.

Long back, we did not have liquor which was sold in quarter bottles and is now being made by African Distillers; it is being delivered to supermarkets and the cost is US$0.50. Those are some of the drugs that are bought by our children. It is cheaper to them if they get US$1, they buy two and share.

Is there anything that can be done by the Ministry of Health that these small bottles should not be manufactured? They must manufacture something at a higher price so that it can be beyond the reach of the youths.

In his response, the Deputy Minister of Health John Mangwiro said he was going to inform the police about it. Said Mangwiro: Thank you, Madam President and Honourable Member, for explaining how we can curb this as a nation.

We will explain to the police and all the stakeholders if this is being brewed in this country. These children are not only taking beer but they are being introduced to drugs like crystal meth.

When you hear them say “sticking”, it means when they take those drugs and they will just sit for three days without feeling hungry or doing anything.

We are also hearing that they are now going after diapers, even used ones. … We used to hear that this was prevalent in low-density residential areas but now this has spread to high-density suburbs.

We agree with what you have said. And we will do everything within our means so that youths will stop using drugs. They will end up stealing household gadgets from their parents because they want to use that money to purchase drugs. They can do anything when they are drunk.

Source – Open Parly

In other news – Zanu-PF member arrested for copper-laden trailers hijacking

Zanu-PF member arrested for copper-laden trailers hijacking. The document reveals that Arthur Nhliziyo, a Zanu-PF chairman for Filabusi, is detained at Bulawayo Central Police Station, following his arrest over the theft of two trucks with 30 tonnes of copper and copper concentrate, whose value was not disclosed.

A senior Zanu-PF Filabusi district official has been arrested over the hijacking of two Zambian copper trucks in the Dete area in…Learn More.

The post MDC wants beer prices increased appeared first on Mbare Times.

Zimbabweans criticised for taking SA govt to court over exemption permits. The group which took the SA government to court falls under the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit Holders Association, which reportedly represents about 250 000 Zimbabweans.

Some Zimbabwean nationals based in South Africa have criticised their compatriots who recently took that government to court, asking to be declared permanent residents as their Zimbabwe Exemption Permits expire on 31 December 2021.

They asked the Gauteng High Court to direct the Minister of Home Affairs to issue them with South African ID documents on the grounds that they are permanent residents in terms of the Immigration Act read together with the Identification Act.

They also asked the court to review and set aside the decision by Home Affairs not to renew residency permits “knowing that the holders of the permit have known no other home besides South Africa for more than 10 years”.

However, Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Community in South Africa, Ngabutho Nicholas Mabhena, believes this is not a wise move, as they expect an announcement from the government anytime from now to renew the exemption permits.

Mabhena asserted that the documentation of Zimbabweans in South Africa has always been a product of negotiations and not through litigation. He said:

We respect the decision of those that have taken the South African government to court even though we do not agree with them because the timing is wrong. We have been negotiating since 2002 when the South African government agreed to issue Zimbabweans with asylum documents.

In 2010, Zimbabweans were issued with special permits which were renewed in 2014 and 2017. Now they are to expire on December 31, 2021.

All over these years, it has been through negotiations for the South African government to renew these permits. We don’t think it’s a wise move at this late stage when we anticipate that an announcement is going to be made soon, for anyone to approach the courts.

They should have waited for the South African government to make an announcement on the future of these permits before considering going to court. Mabhena is also a member of the executive committee of the African Diaspora Forum (ADF), a pro-migrant organisation.

Source – CITE

In other news – Zanu-PF member arrested for copper-laden trailers hijacking

Zanu-PF member arrested for copper-laden trailers hijacking. The document reveals that Arthur Nhliziyo, a Zanu-PF chairman for Filabusi, is detained at Bulawayo Central Police Station, following his arrest over the theft of two trucks with 30 tonnes of copper and copper concentrate, whose value was not disclosed.

A senior Zanu-PF Filabusi district official has been arrested over the hijacking of two Zambian copper trucks in the Dete area in…Learn More.

The post Zimbabweans criticised for taking SA govt to court over exemption permits appeared first on Mbare Times.

Azam TV given license to broadcast in Zimbabwe. The new service provider also plans to have the Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN) on its roster. Currently, Multichoice’s DStv is the only satellite television service in Zimbabwe.

The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) has licensed Pan-African satellite television service provider Azam TV, which is expected to begin broadcasting by year-end. Azam Media chief finance officer Mr Kedanathrao Bedare told The Sunday Mail that they were planning to launch before Christmas. He said:

We are in the process of finalising our operational plan and structure. We have done this in other countries, so setting up is not too complicated. Once we are done setting up, we will determine the bouquet prices. Azam TV already has a footprint in Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Kenya and Rwanda. Its bouquets cover sport, entertainment, news, music and religious channels.

BAZ acting chief executive officer Engineer Mathias Chakanyuka said applications of this nature are open at the beginning of the year. He added: We advertise formally for people to apply for licences.

Satellite television services do not require the limited spectrum resource, so we can have many. As a regulator, the only thing we look at is the market. People should have options to choose from. This comes amid intensifying calls for the government to implement media reforms. Zimbabwe has one TV station, ZBCTV, which is state-controlled.

Source – Sunday Mail

In other news – Zanu-PF member arrested for copper-laden trailers hijacking

Zanu-PF member arrested for copper-laden trailers hijacking. The document reveals that Arthur Nhliziyo, a Zanu-PF chairman for Filabusi, is detained at Bulawayo Central Police Station, following his arrest over the theft of two trucks with 30 tonnes of copper and copper concentrate, whose value was not disclosed.

A senior Zanu-PF Filabusi district official has been arrested over the hijacking of two Zambian copper trucks in the Dete area in…Learn More.

The post Azam TV given licence to broadcast in Zimbabwe appeared first on Mbare Times.

Captain Musona backs his Warriors to rise again: We have quality. A lot had been expected from Musona’s generation — dubbed the golden generation — but they faltered in Group G that included Ghana, Ethiopia and South Africa. For all the hype and expectations that greeted the World Cup qualifying draw, the Warriors just have a point and a goal in four matches.

AS the Warriors continue to sift through the debris of their ignominious exit from the 2022 World Cup qualifying race, skipper Knowledge Musona has demanded that ZIFA and the players change the way they approach tournament football.

Speaking from his base in Saudi Arabia, Musona told The Sunday Mail Sport that he felt and understood the pain and anguish being suffered by fans.

The 31-year-old talismanic forward now wants the Warriors to use the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Cameroon in January to atone for their disappointing campaign.

He emphasised the need for his troops to be quick off the blocks. In all four previous AFCON tournaments they have been to, Zimbabwe have been guilty of being slow starters.

Under hapless Croatian coach Zdravko “Loga’’ Logarusic, the Warriors found themselves getting off to a poor start that put paid to their hopes of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

This followed a listless 0-0 home draw with an experimental South African side and a surprise 1-0 defeat away to Ethiopia, which eventually cost Loga the job he had been perilously hanging onto despite setting the record for the longest winless run by any Warriors coach.

Former skipper Norman Mapeza was then recalled to try and rescue the sinking ship. However, back-to-back defeats to Ghana in the Cape Coast and in Harare ended any hopes Musona and his troops had of fighting to be among the five African teams in Qatar in December next year.

“It is understandable that everyone is disappointed because we lost and we are now out of the race, but, to be honest, the only thing that went wrong is that we didn’t take points when we were supposed to,” Musona said.

“We lost very important points in the first and second game, and that kind of bad start is not good. “I think it was the first thing that went wrong outside of the administration and everything that was happening.”

He, however, preferred to focus on on-field aspects of the game. “I want to speak on the football side and not what happens kuma offices uko (on the administrative side).

“Everything went wrong the moment we failed to win the first two games because those were supposed to give us the direction and the focus to fight for qualifying to the World Cup.

“It is normal that people speak after such disappointments, but we learn from all this and we just have to take this opportunity to use these remaining games to prepare for AFCON.”

Lessons

Musona believes the Warriors have to strive to overcome their jinx of not going beyond the group stage at AFCON.

“The major lesson that we have learnt is that we have to try and collect maximum points from the beginning, not later ahead because in a tournament like AFCON in Cameroon, we cannot be saying, yah, we will recover in the second or third game. There is no time; we have to get going from the start . . .

“It also gives us an advantage to go through from the group stage if we start strongly,’’ he said. The former Kaizer Chiefs hitman also spoke about their forgettable 2019 AFCON in Egypt, where the Warriors hogged the limelight for the wrong reasons. They only managed a 1-1 draw with Uganda.

In fact, the Warriors, who spent days haggling with ZIFA, came close to being withdrawn from the tournament by a frustrated association president Felton Kamambo.

“I think the main issue in Egypt was about money, so I think if everything that has to do with money and all is fixed, we will go for far in this tournament.

“If you look at all the meetings we were having every now and then in Egypt, it was about money. Is our money paid? “Where is our money? Is our money going to be paid? “Everyone was talking about money, money, money, and not focussing on football, and that’s why we got distracted.”

The Al-Ta’ee striker backed the Warriors to finally clear the group stage in Cameroon.

“So I think if this issue (player welfare) is fixed, we will go far in this tournament because for some of us, these are our last tournaments in the national team . . . So if that is fixed, I think we will be good to go and compete against the best because we know and we believe in ourselves,” he said.

Mapeza’s return

Musona reckons that the return of Mapeza as coach bodes well for their mission to conquer Africa. The FC Platinum gaffer might have got off to a losing start with the Warriors but the Warriors’ captain says signs of improvement after he took over are apparent.

“Already, in these past two games, people have seen that the coach tried to play differently from the previous coach and it is coming up. “Because we know what the coach wants and we know him from before, we will adapt quickly and we are professionals.

“Having a new coach happens in every team, even in the national team, but understanding the coach’s philosophy is not a problem because we have worked with him before . . .

“We just need a little bit more time with him to correct the mistakes or misunderstandings that were happening in the games.” Musona pleaded for Mapeza to be given more time. “Without looking at the results, I think we played really well.

“So we just need to continue and try to understand more quickly because in the national team, you don’t get much time together, so we have to adapt very quickly so that we hit the ground running.”

The ex-TSG Hoffenheim and Augsburg forward also challenged the Warriors to remain focussed on their own preparations and avoid being intimidated or pressured by what would be going in their opponents’ camps.

“The main focus is for us to do what we want to do when we get to the tournament . . . “It is now up ZIFA, and not only ZIFA, but the whole country to help and prepare us to go with good resources and well prepared and stress-free, and show what we can do.”

Life in Saudi Arabia

After stints with Anderlecht, KV Oostende, Lokeren and KAS Eupen in Belgium, Musona has since moved from Europe to Asia. He insists football is similarly competitive in Saudi Arabia. “I have settled very well in Saudi Arabia. It is a very strong league and I like it here.

“It is very professional. The only difference is the culture, but football-wise, I put it high up there with Europe and South Africa.

“There is no difference but it is just that the culture and the lifestyle is different from Europe, but in terms of football, it is one of the best leagues in Asia, and one of the teams from here is playing in the Asian Champions League final, and that shows that is a very good league,” he said.

“I hope to play for more years here. The people here really love their football: they are very passionate; they support their teams whether they lose or win.”

The Warriors talisman, who signed an initial two-year deal with Al-Ta’ee, has not disappointed for his new club. “So far I have scored two goals in seven matches, hopefully many more are coming.” Zimbabwe will also be hoping that Musona will not have a goal drought at the next AFCON.

Source – Sunday Mail

In other news – Zimbabweans criticised for taking SA govt to court over exemption permits

Zimbabweans criticised for taking SA govt to court over exemption permits. The group which took the SA government to court falls under the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit Holders Association, which reportedly represents about 250 000 Zimbabweans.

Some Zimbabwean nationals based in South Africa have criticised their compatriots who recently took that government to court…Learn More.

The post Captain Musona backs his Warriors to rise again: We have quality appeared first on Mbare Times.

James Maddison scored as Leicester City beat Brentford 2 – 1. Youri Tielemans had opened the scoring for the visitors early on with a stunning strike, driving an unstoppable first-time effort into the back of the net from outside the box. James Maddison claimed his first goal since February as Leicester continued their recent good form with victory at Brentford.

Foxes keeper Kasper Schmeichel tipped over an Ivan Toney header just before half-time, but the hosts equalised on the hour when Mathias Jorgensen flicked home a header from a corner.

Brentford then pressed for a winner, but were caught out by a quick Leicester attack in the 73rd minute. Tielemans played a great ball to send substitute Patson Daka away and he squared for Maddison to fire home.

The victory meant Leicester, who beat Manchester United 4-2 last weekend, moved up to ninth in the Premier League while Brentford are 12th. Foxes and Maddison finally finding form
After a slow start to the season where they lost three of their first six games, Leicester have got into their stride in the last seven days.

This was their third win in a row in all competitions, with the success against Manchester United followed by a thrilling 4-3 midweek comeback victory against Spartak Moscow in the Europa League. But, just as pleasing as the results for Leicester will have been in those games, so too key individuals finding their goalscoring form.

Tielemans now has two in his last two league games, with the superb strike against Brentford reminiscent of his FA Cup-winning strike against Chelsea in May. Daka, meanwhile, made the headlines with four goals in Europe in midweek and added to that with an assist in this game.

But it will have been particularly pleasing for Foxes fans to see Maddison back on the scoresheet. The midfielder endured a difficult start to the season and was benched for six games in September and October as he struggled to find his form.

However, he was superb against United and has only gone from strength to strength, getting an assist for Daka’s fourth against Spartak and now on the mark against the Bees. Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers had said earlier this week he believes Maddison has got his swagger back and that certainly appears to be the case.

Source – Sport365

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Michail Antonio continued his prolific form as West Ham beat Tottenham. The forward poked in Aaron Cresswell’s dipping corner to score his sixth Premier League goal of the season 18 minutes from time. Michail Antonio continued his prolific form as he grabbed West Ham’s winner against Tottenham to lift the Hammers into the Champions League places.

Harry Kane earlier saw his back-post header tipped over the crossbar by Lukasz Fabianski, but Spurs failed to capitalise on several decent opportunities. The win moves West Ham to fourth in the table on 17 points, making it boss David Moyes’ best start to a season since 2004-05 with Everton.

Tottenham sit two points behind their London rivals in sixth.

Manchester United have the chance to move above both sides when they face Liverpool at Old Trafford later. Moyes and Hammers flying high

Former Everton boss Moyes has struggled to leave his mark on a club since leaving Goodison Park for Manchester United in 2013 but the 58-year-old’s West Ham side are now playing with all the traits that made the Scot one of the top-flight’s most established coaches.

The last time one of his sides started a season as well as this was when he led Everton to a fourth-place finish in 04-05, and the Hammers have similar momentum after climbing into a Champions League spot with this win over their London rivals.

Moyes must also know he has a gem in Antonio, a forward who proves almost unplayable when on form and one who gave £47 centre-back Cristian Romero a ferocious physical battle on Sunday.

It was England captain Kane, however, who the 31-year-old got the better of from a corner to stab home Creswell’s delivery and score his sixth goal in 10 league games against Spurs.

Tottenham had looked arguably the more likely to score in a game of few clear-cut chances, with Son Heung-min stretching the Hammers’ defence and scuffing his shot when well placed after combining well with Tanguy Ndombele.

Kane’s header then forced a great save from Fabianski and after the break Spurs got into dangerous positions only for their final ball to let them down.

Boss Nuno Espirito Santo said he believed his side controlled the game, but the Hammers had chances of their own and Pablo Fornals twice forced Hugo Lloris into saves – firstly from an acrobatic volley early on and then with a deflected effort in the second half.

Nuno, like Moyes, may feel he is beginning to leave his mark on this Spurs side but there was no reward for the Portuguese manager for the decision to leave his starting XI at home in a defeat by Vitesse in the Europa Conference League on Thursday.

Spurs now look to get their Premier League campaign back on track against Manchester United next Saturday while West Ham will be eyeing a third successive league win when they visit Aston Villa on Sunday.

Source – Sport365

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Mo Salah scores hat-trick as Liverpool thump Man United 5 – 0. Four of the Reds’ five goals were scored in a clinical first-half display as a mixture of poor defending and fine finishing humbled Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s insipid side.

Mohamed Salah scored a hat-trick and Paul Pogba was sent off as Liverpool embarrassed Manchester United at Old Trafford. Naby Keita rolled in the first from Salah’s through-ball to put Liverpool ahead after just five minutes before Diogo Jota slid in a second soon after.

Salah then got his first, smashing the ball into the roof of the net as he scored for the 10th straight game before the Egypt forward made it 4-0 on the stroke of half time with a close-range finish.

There were boos at halftime from the home fans but it got worse soon after the restart when Salah scored his third after the in-form forward was brilliantly found by Jordan Henderson.

Cristiano Ronaldo had a goal ruled out for offside before Manchester United’s misery was complete when Pogba, on as a half-time substitute, was sent off for a two-footed tackle on Keita after being on the pitch for just 15 minutes.

Source – Sport365

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SA businessman speaks after spending 10 years in Zimbabwean jail. He said he does not have any anger despite being “wrongfully” convicted. The 60-year-old Labuschagne, a successful businessman, who ran a safari outfit, was accused of drowning a poacher near his fish resort in Zimbabwe in late December 2000.

Rusty Labuschagne, a South African businessman who spent ten years in Zimbabwean prisons after being convicted of murder, which he denied committing, has written a book narrating his ordeal.

He was sentenced to 15 years in a Zimbabwe jail and was moved around to various prisons in the country. He spent hundreds of thousands of rand trying to prove his innocence and fighting the system.

Eventually, after 10 years, Labuschagne was released from prison. He said he went on a fishing trip with his friends, including Spike Claasen, on Lake Kariba in December 2000. He narrated:

On our way back, we spotted two fish poachers in a steel boat, who immediately, upon seeing us, started paddling hastily for the shore in an effort to get away from us.

Knowing that they were notorious poachers, I drove my boat towards them to scare them off, and the wake of my boat tilted theirs, causing them to jump out into the water, which was about 1.5m deep.

They were about three metres from the shore and soon scrambled to dry land.

Spike and I then watched as they ran away into the bush, and thought nothing more of it.

The following day the police arrived and accused them of drowning one of those poachers. He said one of the poacher, the police, and the courts, framed him adding that this was a “politically influenced conspiracy.”

He was sentenced to 15 years five of which were suspended as remission. His friend, Spike, only got a US$10 fine and was set free because he was not driving the boat.

Labuschagne has written about his experience in his new book, Beating Chains, an inspiring story of hope and resilience.

Labuschagne, who now resides in Cape Town with his wife Sandra, and does motivational talks for corporates, private functions, and churches, says his book was written for people who are overcoming hardships and to have the injustice recorded.

He spent time in various prisons in Zimbabwe such as Khami Maximum Security Prison, Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, Harare Central, and also Connemara Farm Prison.

He says finding happiness in even the smallest of things in prison kept his mind healthy. While Labuschagne is happy to be free and now lives a wonderful life with his wife, Sandra, he says he is still scarred.

Labuschagne adds that he also visited the president of Zimbabwe in 2018 for a presidential pardon and President Emmerson Mnangagwa instructed the minister of justice to find a legal way of pardoning him. However, the feedback he got after a year was that people were upset because he had gone directly to Mnangagwa.

Source – Pindula News

In other news – Chiwenga flees from his home amid assassination plot reports

Chiwenga flees from his home amid assassination plot reports. Human Rights Watch’s Southern Africa Director, Dewa Mavhinga who claims to have spoken to Chiwenga from his hideout says state security agents are planning to kill Chiwenga.

Harare-based preacher and staunch government critic, Apostle Talent Chiwenga, has reportedly fled his home amid allegations that state security agents are stalking him…Learn More.

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