More than half of $18 bn stimulus package disbursed so far. The main aim was to provide liquidity support to all the productive sectors of the economy and protect employment through prevention and minimisation of Covid-19 effects.

Treasury says it has disbursed more than half of the $18 billion Economic Recovery and Stimulus Package, which was meant to mitigate the adverse impact of the coronavirus pandemic on businesses, individuals, and families.

According to Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, more than $9.7 billion has so far been disbursed under the stimulus package. This comes as a recent paper from the Confederation of Zimbabwe questioned the stimulus package saying that much of the industry had not received any of the funds.

The package was announced on May 1, 2020 by President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Ncube said the Government through the Reserve Bank availed $3 billion (initially $2.5 billion) through the Medium-Term Bank Accommodation Facility. To date, $2.4 billion has been fully disbursed.

He said that of the $6.1 billion allocated to the agriculture sector, only $1.5 billion had been disbursed towards the 2020 Winter Wheat Programme. A separate $4 billion was disbursed towards vulnerable farming households across the country under the Presidential Input Support Scheme.

The government allocated ZWL$2.4 billion for Covid-19 cash transfers to cushion the vulnerable members of society through transfers but Ncube could not give further details. He only said that the stimulus package has gone a long way in addressing its intended purpose of protecting livelihoods and stimulating the economy.

“You may also want to know that the stimulus is not yet exhausted, therefore, its impact may only be fairly assessed after exhaustion.” The government also set aside $21.5 million for youth, sports, and arts while SMEs support was at $77 million.

Meanwhile, Ncube said the upcoming 2021 budget, which will run under the theme ‘Building Resilience and Sustainable Economic Recovery’ is projected to focus on strengthening the economy to withstand any potential climatic and microeconomic shocks.

“The budget will pay particular attention to reducing poverty through promoting equitable shared growth and resuscitating distressed sectors of the economy, strengthening social service delivery systems and establishing resilient and inclusive safety nets to protect the vulnerable members of the society.

The budget follows the NDS1 and will also centre on seven pillars, the first pillar is inclusive growth and macro-stability which will aid in fiscal and monetary policy stability and promote growth. The second pillar is developing and supporting productive value chains. Optimising the value of Zimbabwe’s natural resources is the third pillar.

The others are infrastructure, ICT and the digital economy, human capital development and wellbeing effective institution building and governance and engagement and re-engagement.

Source – Bulawayo24

In other news – Moana had participated in the #Kokai challenge: Video

Moana had participated in the #Kokai challenge: Video. She was a free spirit, she liked to enjoy life. Always in good spirits, and was one of the funny hot Instagram babes we knew. She did much of the Instagram challenges that went viral.

She participated in many hashtags challenges, from the Pillow challenge to the #Kokai challenge. A video of her dancing to the song a day…Learn More.

Zim records 3 more Covid-19 deaths. According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, 28 of the new cases were recorded in Matabeleland North province whose cases recently shot up following the outbreak of the global pandemic at John Tallach High School in Ntabazinduna.

Three Covid-19 deaths and 48 new infections were recorded in Zimbabwe in the past 24 hours with reports that the national recovery rate is now at 85.9 per cent. Two of the deaths were reported in Bulawayo province while one was from Masvingo.

The report shows that 11 of the cases were recorded in Bulawayo, three from Masvingo, four in Mashonaland West and one case in Manicaland.

“We recorded three deaths and 48 new cases after carrying out 1 404 PCR tests in the last 24 hours. Of the 48, only one is a returnee from Zambia and the rest are locals,” read the statement from the Ministry.

“As at 22 November 2020, Zimbabwe had 9 220 confirmed cases, including 8 250 recoveries and 268 deaths.”

Source – Bulawayo24

In other news – Moana had participated in the #Kokai challenge: Video

Moana had participated in the #Kokai challenge: Video. She was a free spirit, she liked to enjoy life. Always in good spirits, and was one of the funny hot Instagram babes we knew. She did much of the Instagram challenges that went viral.

She participated in many hashtags challenges, from the Pillow challenge to the #Kokai challenge. A video of her dancing to the song a day…Learn More.

Burnley earns their first win of the season by defeating Crystal Palace. The Clarets had lost five and drawn two of their first seven games to leave them second from bottom in the table. Burnley won for the first time in the Premier League this season by beating Crystal Palace at Turf Moor to move out of the relegation zone.

However, Chris Wood’s early strike – Burnley’s first goal at home this season – proved the difference, with the forward driving home from Jay Rodriguez’s pass after a mistake by the Crystal Palace defence.

Palace were without influential forward Wilfried Zaha after he tested positive for coronavirus and they missed his contribution in attack.

However, they did have the chance to equalise in the first half with on-loan Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi just failing to reach an excellent ball by James McArthur before Nick Pope tipped over Andros Townsend’s powerful effort.

Burnley should have put the game out of Crystal Palace’s reach soon after the restart but Johann Gudmundsson crashed his shot against the crossbar, a miss that almost proved costly soon after when a Dwight McNeil mistake put Batshuayi in on goal but he could not beat Pope.

There was one final chance for Palace to snatch an equaliser but Pope produced a superb save from close range to deny substitute Christian Benteke. The win moves Burnley up to 17th on five points, one point clear of the relegation zone, while Crystal Palace remain on 13 points in 10th place.

A much-needed win to give Clarets hope
After losing five of their six opening games in the league this season it had looked increasingly likely that Burnley’s five-year stay in the top flight was going to come to an end this season.

Clarets boss Sean Dyche has steadfastly maintained that his side have looked more like their old selves in recent games even if results suggested otherwise, but this was a performance reminiscent of those in past seasons when they have surpassed expectations.

They took the very first chance that presented itself to them with Rodriguez pouncing after Cheikhou Kouyate fluffed a clearing header and the forward, restored to the side in place of Ashley Barnes, set up Wood to score his second goal of the season.

From then on, Burnley showed good resilience to hold onto their slender lead and secure three important points, particularly ahead of a tough-looking run of fixtures with games against Manchester City, Everton and Arsenal up next.

Palace feel Zaha’s absence
Zaha is undoubtedly a pivotal figure for Palace and the forward has made a particularly good start to this season with five goals and two assists in the eight games he has played.

It is no surprise that prior to Monday’s game the Eagles had lost 13 of their last 15 games without Zaha as in his absence they lack a real cutting edge in attack.

Against Burnley their approach play was good but moves often fell away once they got close to the box, with players either making the wrong pass or not getting into the best positions.

Palace have failed to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League since the opening game of the season, underlining the importance of scoring goals. This result highlighted their need to find a way to do that without putting the weight of expectation on Zaha.

Clarets the last to finally score at home – the stats

• Burnley have won back-to-back Premier League games against Crystal Palace having lost four consecutive.
• Burnley have picked up their first Premier League victory of 2020-21, with this their first win in the competition since beating Norwich 2-0 in July (winless in eight prior to today).
• Crystal Palace have kept just one clean sheet in their last 17 Premier League games, conceding in eight consecutive matches since a 1-0 victory against Southampton in September.
• Chris Wood’s opener for Burnley was their first Premier League goal at Turf Moor this season (278th minute of action and 30th attempt at goal), meaning all sides across the top four tiers of English football have now scored a home goal in 2020-21.
• Since making his Premier League debut for Burnley (27-08-2017), Chris Wood has scored 36 goals in the competition, at least nine more than any other player for the Clarets.
• Since the start of 2014-15 (when Wilfried Zaha re-joined Crystal Palace), the Eagles have lost 20 of their 28 Premier League games without the Ivorian, including each of the last seven away from home.
• Johann Gudmundsson made his 100th Premier League appearance for Burnley this evening becoming the 10th player to reach this milestone for the Clarets in the competition.

What next?

Burnley travel to Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday, 28 November (15:00 GMT) while Crystal Palace are at home to Newcastle on Friday, 27 November (20:00 GMT)

Source – BBC News

Moana’s burial judgement to be passed on Wednesday. High Court judge Justice Pisirai Kwenda has deferred the ruling on the dispute between the late socialite Michelle “Moana” Amuli’s parents over her burial to Wednesday after an urgent chamber application by the deceased’s mother to nullify a burial order issued last week.

Moana can only be buried after Wednesday as the Judgement will be delivered on Wednesday at 2.30 pm.

More to follow

Source – MbareTimes

In other news – Moana had participated in the #Kokai challenge: Video

Moana had participated in the #Kokai challenge: Video. She was a free spirit, she liked to enjoy life. Always in good spirits, and was one of the funny hot Instagram babes we knew. She did much of the Instagram challenges that went viral.

She participated in many hashtags challenges, from the Pillow challenge to the #Kokai challenge. A video of her dancing to the song a day…Learn More.

Business activities pick-up in Victoria Falls. Some of the hotels and lodges reportedly have significant bookings mostly from locals for the festive season, the first meaningful bookings since the end of March when the industry closed after the outbreak of Covid-19. Improved business activity is being recorded in Victoria Falls as tour operators and hoteliers gear up for the festive season.

Tour operators, hotels and lodges closed operations as the country joined the rest of the world to impose travel restrictions. The Government later gave the green light for re-opening of the sector with strict adherence to mitigation measures.

The industry has been slowly re-opening in Victoria Falls with African Sun being the first to reopen its properties – Elephant Hills and Kingdom Hotel, more than a month ago.

Shearwater Adventures re-opened its Shearwater Explorers Village Hotel last week while Africa Albida Tourism, which operates Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, The Boma and Lokuthula Lodges is set to open on December 10.

Several other hotels and lodges have also opened and many are offering up to 50 percent discounted rates particularly to domestic tourists.

Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) chair for the Victoria Falls chapter, Anald Musonza, said many operators were coming back to normal business. Shearwater chief executive Mr Mike Adams said they expect full bookings on accommodation for December.

“We had been on a roller-coaster over the years but Covid-19 is the biggest challenge we have ever encountered. We have just re-opened most of our facilities including Explorers Village and activities like boat cruise and we will be open until Christmas time when we expect a spike in December but January and February will be quiet,” he said.

Adams said they will be offering special discounts to make products affordable to locals. He said the industry will start realizing meaningful business next year.

“There are tough times ahead but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Borders are opening slowly, which is good but for now income streams are still turned off,” he said.

Adams said he was hopeful that clients who had booked when Covid-19 broke out and have not cancelled their trips will rebook next year. Shearwater Explorers Village has opened four years ago with 16 chalets and has expanded into a 96-room facility

The industry is recovering from headwinds caused by the Coronavirus, which has disrupted global travel and economic activity. Some operators have managed to retain most of the staff while others laid off three-quarters of workers.

Source – The Herald

In other news – Moana’s burial judgement to be passed on Wednesday

Moana’s burial judgement to be passed on Wednesday. High Court judge Justice Pisirai Kwenda has deferred the ruling on the dispute between the late socialite Michelle “Moana” Amuli’s parents over her burial to Wednesday after an urgent chamber application by the deceased’s mother to nullify a burial order issued last week.

Moana can only be buried after Wednesday as the…Learn More.

Report: Mnangagwa’s corruption crack team targeting Chiwenga and team. This is part of the ongoing power struggle between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga who are fighting over who should rule the country from 2023. Mnangagwa and Chiwenga were close allies in 2017 when they toppled the late former president Robert Mugabe, but no sooner had their mentor gone than they started fighting in a new power struggle.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his political fixers are trying to nail Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga over his ally, Deputy health minister John Mangwiro’s scandal of coercing state-owned medical supplies entity NatPharm to award a US$5.6 million Covid-19 tender to a Chinese company in which he had a personal interest, The NewsHawks reported.

Informed sources this week told The NewsHawks that Mnangagwa and his allies, through the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) and the Special Anti-Corruption Unit (Sacu), are pushing to implicate and nail Chiwenga into the corrupt deal.

Mangwiro intervened after NatPharm had blocked the Chinese company in which he had an undeclared interest – Young Health Care Limited – from getting a tender to supply vital Covid-19 materials. This even after Young Health Care had reduced its inflated quote by a staggering US$2.6 million.

After an investigation, Zacc recommended that Mangwiro, Chiwenga’s deputy and his personal physician, be investigated and prosecuted for criminal abuse of office.

“The actions of the deputy minister signal a personal interest in the tender, and this should have prompted him to declare his interest,” a stinging internal Zacc memo leaked to online media, first to ZimLive, said after a review of tender NAT TCB FWWK 04/2020 for the supply of laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for Covid-19 to NatPharm.

This shady deal came soon after the US$60 million Covid-19 supplies scandal involving Drax International, local businessman Delish Nguwaya and Mnangagwa’s family.

Sources said this week Zacc is pressuring the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Praz) officials to say that Mangwiro was acting under instruction from Chiwenga while he was in China over the corrupt deal.

“What is happening here is this; Zacc and Sacu think that Chiwenga is the one behind Mangwiro in the deal. Their story is that when Chiwenga was in China he brokered the deal and then assigned Mangwiro to execute,” a source told The NewsHawks.

“They say Chiwenga wanted to bring the supplies through Mangwiro from China where he had gone for medical review, but since it was urgent they decided to send a plane to deliver instead of waiting for him to bring the materials, which they initially thought of.

“For that to happen, Mangwiro had to prevail over NatPharm to give Young Health Care a supply contract. That’s where the Praz people come into the equation over adjudication. In a bid to get his way, Mangwiro became desperate and even called them during awkward times like around 10pm to secure the tender. They say this was because he was under pressure from his own boss, Chiwenga. Now Zacc wants Praz officials to say that Chiwenga was involved; that he is the principal in the deal and Mangwiro is just a runner.”

Another source added: “This might all be true, but then the problem is that the whole issue is now political; it’s now a power struggle issue.”

Zacc’s investigation over the tender, carried out between August 31 and September 4, says one of the Health ministry’s directors Dr Gibson Mhlanga, then acting health secretary, wrote to NatPharm on July 15, 2020, instructing the company to “make direct procurements of supplies from Young Health Care.”

Zacc said this was in violation of PRAZ Circular 1 of 2020 which decrees that “only Praz-listed suppliers are sources of Covid-19 supplies.”

“Initial quotation by Young Health Care for supply of commodities under direct procurement, where prices quoted by Young Health Care Limited were exorbitant amounted to US$5.6 million, which was coincidentally the same amount that was in the ministry coffers, suggesting that the company had inside information,” the Zacc report said.

Zacc said after NatPharm insisted on a competitive bidding process, Mangwiro – a medical doctor appointed to deputy minister in September 2018 – demanded that the tender be delayed to allow Young Health Care to register with Praz.

“When NatPharm insisted on competitive bidding, Young Health Care Limited subsequently submitted a bid price of US$3.6 million for the same items. This saw a reduction of 36 percent in the price,” the report said.

Zacc said when the emergency 48-hour tender was finally floated on 5 August and closed on 7 August, 22 bidders including Young Health Care Limited made bids.

Young Health Care, according to the Zacc probe, missed out on the tender. Zacc, citing the then acting NatPharm managing director Zealous Nyabadza, said this angered Mangwiro who summoned the company’s top managers late at night “to explain why the tender was not awarded to Young Health Care Limited.”

“The deputy minister also demanded that a purchase order be issued that same night. The adjudication team was picked from their homes around 10PM and were interrogated by Mangwiro until the early hours of the following day. The deputy minister threatened the team with dismissal for failing to award Young Health Care the contracts,” the report said.

Zacc also found that Young Health Care had also been given a purchase order by NatPharm for nucleic acid, purification machines, transport media and reagents.

After delivering on two of the four purification machines and about 6% of the other two orders, the company reportedly requested an advance “contrary to the terms and conditions of the contract signed with NatPharm, which stipulates that payment should be made seven days after delivery.”

The equipment received by NatPharm was worth US$124 630.40. Mangwiro “insisted on pre-payment and tasked the technical team from NatPharm procurement to visit Young Health Care Limited in their country office and verify available stock in order to compel the NatPharm acting MD to make a prepayment to Young Health Care Limited”, the report said.

The verification team found that items amounting to US$127 643.20 were in stock instead of the US$922 000 requested for pre-payment.

In the end, Zacc said Mangwiro’s alleged actions “violated the evaluation process since the technical team did not have the mandate to carry out the verification of supplies.”

Nyabadza wrote to the health ministry permanent secretary Jasper Chimedza on 26 August “informing him of the pre-payment issue and seeking guidance on how to proceed”, but received no reply “prompting him to decline taking Mangwiro’s instruction to pre-pay Young Health Care.”

“Given the extent to which the deputy minister was involved in the said tender process, indications are that he was acting on his own capacity and not on behalf of the ministry… The conduct of the deputy minister during this tender process warrants further investigations for criminal abuse of office for possible violation of Section 174 of the Criminal Law Codification Act [Chapter9:23],” the report said.

“Apart from this provision, further investigations should be conducted to ascertain possible violation of Section 14 of the Public Finance Management Act [Chapter22:19] by the deputy minister through giving ministerial directives having financial implications when he demanded prepayment of undelivered goods to Young Health Care. There is need for further investigations into the possible violation of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act [Chapter 22:23] as the conduct of the Deputy Minister might have compromised the independence of NatPharm as a procurement entity.”

Sources said this issue shows that the anti-corruption campaign has now become the new political battleground between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga.

Source – Bulawayo24

In other news – Moana’s burial judgement to be passed on Wednesday

Moana’s burial judgement to be passed on Wednesday. High Court judge Justice Pisirai Kwenda has deferred the ruling on the dispute between the late socialite Michelle “Moana” Amuli’s parents over her burial to Wednesday after an urgent chamber application by the deceased’s mother to nullify a burial order issued last week.

Moana can only be buried after Wednesday as the…Learn More.

Prince Kaybee plainly revealed his desire of owning a private jet when a fan reminded him of Black Coffee’s private jet.

Kaybee asked fans on how it feels to be in a jet as he’s never been on it. Never been on a private jet, how does it feel guys?”

Never been on a private jet, how does it feel guys?

— PROJECT HOPE (@PrinceKaybee_SA) November 20, 2020

The international DJ is on the list of music artists Prince Kaybee has beefed, which influenced Black Coffee’s mention in the comment.

Reacting to those mentioning the father of 2, the Gugulethu hitmaker says in the next 10 years, he will have his’ and will be a point of reference, just like fans made the international star a reference to him.

“Eish in the next 10years I will afford and be used as a point of reference, I SBWL

Eish in the next 10years I will afford and be used as a point of reference, I SBWL https://t.co/DbyekENWpA

— PROJECT HOPE (@PrinceKaybee_SA) November 20, 2020

Eish in the next 10years I will afford and be used as a point of reference, I SBWL https://t.co/DbyekENWpA

— PROJECT HOPE (@PrinceKaybee_SA) November 20, 2020

In other news – Frost Legato Opens up about Youtuber Zibo Bantsi’s Passing

Botswana-born multi-award-winning rapper Frost Legato is still trying to come to terms with the passing of the mother of his child. Learn more

Source: News365

Matemadanda speaks out after surviving poison attempts: They want me dead. Matemadanda told NewsDay in an interview that the people celebrated his sudden illness with the hope that he was dying, but insisted that this was “part of the game” which would not deter him from working “for the good of the party”.

Zanu-PF national commissar Victor Matemadanda, who was allegedly poisoned during a party meeting a fortnight ago, yesterday claimed that there were people in the ruling Zanu-PF party that wanted him dead.

Reports of Matemadanda’s poisoning come as the ruling party is in a tense moment as it is set to hold internal elections to choose district co-ordinating committee (DCC) members as it moves to galvanise grassroots structures.

Some Zanu-PF bigwigs were said to be already canvassing for support to stand as candidates in the 2023 general elections, while others were allegedly unhappy with the party’s restructuring exercise which the Defence and War Veterans deputy minister is spearheading.

“Don’t expect people to love you,” Matemadanda said. “Whatever happened will not deter me from my assignment. Even if I were to die, many precious lives have been lost for this country and I am not special, for as long as I am serving as per my appointment and I am doing something right in the party,” he said.

He said there were some in the party whom he thought were working together with him, only to realise they were saying bad things behind his back which revealed that they had their own issues.

“Even if it is my assignment that people would hate me for, I will do what I was assigned to do. No one kicks a dead dog, and if you then see people taking up stones when they approach your home, it means there is a vicious dog, and so it means I am biting them,” he said.

He refused to either confirm or deny that he was indeed poisoned, but referred questions pertaining to those allegations to the Zanu-PF acting party spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa.

“That is for comrade Chinamasa to say. He is the person qualified to speak for the party, I am not the party. I am just a drop (of water) in the party, but what I can say is that I am at work, I have my energy and I am raring to go,” Matemadanda said.

“It doesn’t matter where I fell sick. There are mortuaries in those hospitals and it doesn’t matter where I fell sick and how. What is important is that I am fine and I am back.”  Chinamasa issued a statement on Saturday that Matemadanda fell ill a week ago and had been rushed to hospital.

His illness, Chinamasa said, included itchiness of the eyes, sweating profusely, swelling of the body and vomiting badly. He fell ill during a Zanu-PF provincial coordinating committee meeting in Marondera last week and was rushed to the hospital.

Matemadanda said after his illness, he was now aware of how much he was hated and loved in equal measure and alleged that there were some people who celebrated his illness and wished him dead.

“I now know people’s perceptions about me. Some were posting saying ‘you should have died’. I wish them well because they have exposed themselves. I had my obituaries and messages before I died, so it gave me a picture of what people would say if I were to die.

“What makes me happy is that the number of those who were sympathising (with me) is more than those who wished me dead.”

He added: “My mother would hide sugar from us as I was good at stealing, and so when I grew up, I was diagnosed with diabetes and the doctor said I should not take sugar as it was dangerous for my health. I said to myself, if sweet things like sugar can kill, who am I to be liked by everybody when sweet things can also kill.

“Some people should be free to hate me and others should love and like me, but you would want to understand why would people hate you that much?”

Matemadanda alleged that some people hated him despite that he was merely a representative of the party, Zanu-PF, adding: “I cannot wish those to love me, but their hate obviously tells me of my effectiveness. So I will keep on working for the good of my party because it shows that I am doing something good.”

The Zanu-PF political commissar said he was committed to the party and country to the extent that he had to walk around the city one day to listen to people’s concerns and to assist the party with a strategy to address their concerns.

“I walked around Harare to listen to people’s concerns and to help my party and my President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) to solve the problems in the country. Zanu-PF has a manifesto that is people-centred and I am at the centre of that as the national commissar, and so I went and spoke to the people about their needs.”

Speculation was rife that Matemadanda was actually targeted by rivals in Zanu-PF after several names were dropped from the list of potential candidates for DCC elections expected to be held soon.

Source – Bulawayo24

In other news – Moana’s burial judgement to be passed on Wednesday

Moana’s burial judgement to be passed on Wednesday. High Court judge Justice Pisirai Kwenda has deferred the ruling on the dispute between the late socialite Michelle “Moana” Amuli’s parents over her burial to Wednesday after an urgent chamber application by the deceased’s mother to nullify a burial order issued last week.

Moana can only be buried after Wednesday as the…Learn More.

Teacher’s Union boss Lewis Banda in court for stock theft. A Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) provincial chief executive Lewis Banda (55) was arraigned before a Bindura provincial magistrate Tinashe Ndokera yesterday for stock theft.

Banda is jointly charged with Tafadzwa Muchenje (33) and Donald Mukombe. The trio was granted $10 000 bail each and remanded to December 4.

The State led by Carol Mupazviriwo alleges that on November 17, the trio stole a cow from Brighton Mudzongachiso and loaded it onto a Zimta vehicle. Working on a tip-off, the police managed to arrest the trio.

Source – Bulawayo24

In other news – Moana’s burial judgement to be passed on Wednesday

Moana’s burial judgement to be passed on Wednesday. High Court judge Justice Pisirai Kwenda has deferred the ruling on the dispute between the late socialite Michelle “Moana” Amuli’s parents over her burial to Wednesday after an urgent chamber application by the deceased’s mother to nullify a burial order issued last week.

Moana can only be buried after Wednesday as the…Learn More.

Bona Mugabe’s hubby Simba’s trial postponed to next year. THE trial date for Simba Chikore, the late former President Robert Mugabe’s son-in-law, who is facing charges of flouting tender regulations, has been slated for January 18 next year.

Chikore, who is the husband to the late Mugabe’s daughter Bona, is said to have acted in contravention of procurement regulations which stipulate that any project above the US$10 000 thresholds must go to formal tender. The offence was allegedly committed when he was still Air Zimbabwe chief operating officer.

The State was, however, ready for trial yesterday, but Chikore, through his lawyer Brighton Pabwe of Venturas and Samukange, argued before Harare magistrate Trynos Wutawashe that he was served with State papers two days before his trial date.

Chikore is being charged with criminal abuse of duty as a public officer. It is the State case that on August 20 2017, Chikore signed a memorandum of agreement with Safeguard Security Company for provision of security services without the following procedure.

He entered into a contract for 10 security guards valued at US$16 445 per month which was above US$10 000 threshold for an informal tender.

The State, represented by Panganai Chiutsi, alleges that his conduct was contrary to the terms of the repealed Procurement Act, which stated that any procurement of services above US$10 000 up to US$50 000 required an informal tender procurement procedure.

The accounting officer was supposed to have advertised the tender in newspapers and thereafter evaluate bids, but he did not. Chikore, although he was not the accounting officer, is alleged to have engaged the services of Safeguard, a task which was supposed to be carried out by accounting officer Ripton Muzenda.

Source – Bulawayo24

In other news – Moana’s burial judgement to be passed on Wednesday

Moana’s burial judgement to be passed on Wednesday. High Court judge Justice Pisirai Kwenda has deferred the ruling on the dispute between the late socialite Michelle “Moana” Amuli’s parents over her burial to Wednesday after an urgent chamber application by the deceased’s mother to nullify a burial order issued last week.

Moana can only be buried after Wednesday as the…Learn More.

Former senior cop Assistant Commissioner Edmore Veterai has died. His death was confirmed by ZRP National Police Spokesperson Assitant Commissioner Paul Nyathi who said: That is true, but we are waiting for more details.

Former senior police officer, Assistant Commissioner Edmore Veterai has died, The Herald reports. Veterai died at his home in Chiredzi where he was now a sugar cane farmer after suffering from an undisclosed illness.

Fellow sugar cane farmer and Commercial Sugar Cane Farmers Association of Zimbabwe (CSFAZ) chair Retired Major Admore Hwarare expressed his shock over Veterai’s death and said:

It is unbelievable that he is no more. I just received the news of his passing on a few minutes ago and I am at loss of words. We are shocked by his death

Another colleague, ZSDA spokesperson Mr Saul Chin’anga also praised Veterai and said he will be remembered for his unparalleled determination to achieve set goals for farmers.

Veterai was the founder and inaugural chairman of the Zimbabwe Sugar Development Association (ZSDA) after he retired from the police force in 2013. In 2017 Veterai declared his interest in running for office, representing Bikita South in the harmonized 2018 elections as a Zanu PF candidate and urged voters to vote for him because he is a local.

Source – Pindula News

In other news – Moana’s burial judgement to be passed on Wednesday

Moana’s burial judgement to be passed on Wednesday. High Court judge Justice Pisirai Kwenda has deferred the ruling on the dispute between the late socialite Michelle “Moana” Amuli’s parents over her burial to Wednesday after an urgent chamber application by the deceased’s mother to nullify a burial order issued last week.

Moana can only be buried after Wednesday as the…Learn More.

Idols SA judge Unathi Nkayi defended comments she made on the show on Sunday after a social media user called her out.

This comes after Unathi was called out for being “unfair’ to contestant Zama Khumalo.
The only surviving woman in the competition, Zama, performed Boom Shaka’s “Thobela”. While Somizi Mhlongo-Motuang loved her vocals, he felt she had fallen short with her performance.

“Vocally you killed it – it was fresh, young and current,” he said, with Randall Abrahams agreeing with him.

Unathi added that the viewers needed much more from her if she was to make it further in the competition.

She redeemed herself in the second half of the show, though, when backed by the Mzansi Gay Choir, she performed “Sweet Dreams” by Beyoncé.

Both Randall and Unathi commended her for her performance, with Somizi saying it was a beautiful performance.
While Twitter users expressed that they felt the judges were looking for issues with Zama’s performance, one Instagram user took Unathi to task.

Loyiso Thomas commented on a picture Unathi uploaded on the social media platform in which she is posing on the “Idols SA” stage.

“You being unfair to Zama sis Unathi, with respect”, commented the user.

Within minutes the radio personality and singer hit back at the comment, defending herself.

“Was I lying about Thembi doing the headstand with respect! Please don’t. Really not in the mood. I hope you wrote this on the other judge’s pages because we all felt and said the same with respect”, replied Unathi.

In other news – Frost Legato Opens up about Youtuber Zibo Bantsi’s Passing

Botswana-born multi-award-winning rapper Frost Legato is still trying to come to terms with the passing of the mother of his child. Learn more

Source: News365

Zimbabwe rally behind SADC to handle Mozambique Islamic Insurgency. The Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, officiating at the 12th Academic Graduation Ceremony held at the Zimbabwe Staff College today, told delegates that the SADC region is under threats from acts of terrorism in Mozambique.

Zimbabwe has rallied SADC member states to address the Islamic Insurgence in Mozambique saying it was a threat to regional peace, stability and growth. She said:

Our region is under serious threat from acts of terrorism and other forms of non-traditional threats which require sophisticated strategies to overcome. In that regard, our government is deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation in Mozambique, which is threatening peace and socio-economic development of the region.

Mozambique is our gateway to the sea, therefore, any form of attack on our neighbour has a direct impact on us. There is a need for a collective effort in the region, to deal with this emerging threat. Reports suggest that Islamist militants are killing civilians in the northern Cabo Delgado province.

Recently, President Emmerson Mnangagwa expressed concern over increased reports of armed violence in the neighbouring country. He said Zimbabwe stood ready to assist Mozambique in fighting terrorism.

Source – Pindua News

In other news – Moana’s burial judgement to be passed on Wednesday

Moana’s burial judgement to be passed on Wednesday. High Court judge Justice Pisirai Kwenda has deferred the ruling on the dispute between the late socialite Michelle “Moana” Amuli’s parents over her burial to Wednesday after an urgent chamber application by the deceased’s mother to nullify a burial order issued last week.

Moana can only be buried after Wednesday as the…Learn More.

Watch: ZRP cars now requiring jump-starts. A video of police officers pushing a ZRP branded car to help it start has shocked the internet as well as go viral on all social media platforms in the country.

The video of three police officers getting help from one senior citizen to push their car has left many questions unanswered. This happened in the CBD as they were trying to ignite the car. The video, in short, narrates the current situation in the country.

This is the situation we have in the country, nothing is working at the moment from the industries to the factories. Most of the people, in fact, 90 per cent of the active age are informal traders. Making ends meet by buying and selling goods. There are no jobs, no money and no freedom too. Its a country that is just cruising just like a boat with no captain to stir it in the right direction. Watch video below

Source – MbareTimes

In other news – Moana’s burial judgement to be passed on Wednesday

Moana’s burial judgement to be passed on Wednesday. High Court judge Justice Pisirai Kwenda has deferred the ruling on the dispute between the late socialite Michelle “Moana” Amuli’s parents over her burial to Wednesday after an urgent chamber application by the deceased’s mother to nullify a burial order issued last week.

Moana can only be buried after Wednesday as the…Learn More.

Is it bad breaking-up with my boyfriend of 2 years for not making me have an org@sm?. A lady is willing to break-up with her boyfriend of 2 years for the reason of failing to give her good and pleasurable s.e.x.

The things we take for granted in relationships may end up destroying our good lives and happy moments. The lady on this article is now down and done with her guy whom she says he has never made her have an org@sm since they started playing the adult game.

She says the guy is not romantic too. He just wants to go straight to the game yet he is not good at the game too. She says she tried to talk about the issue with him but he seems not to listen. Check the post she posted on social media as she seeks help on what to do …

Source – MbareTimes

In other news – Moana’s burial judgement to be passed on Wednesday

Moana’s burial judgement to be passed on Wednesday. High Court judge Justice Pisirai Kwenda has deferred the ruling on the dispute between the late socialite Michelle “Moana” Amuli’s parents over her burial to Wednesday after an urgent chamber application by the deceased’s mother to nullify a burial order issued last week.

Moana can only be buried after Wednesday as the…Learn More.

Woman loses lip in love triangle fight. Lenny Bandwa the senior wife was allegedly bitten by the younger wife Ellen Chuma on November 8, at Madziwire Village under Chief Chivese as they fought over missing cooking oil.

Police in Chivhu is investigating a case in which two women who are believed to be in a polygamous family were involved in a fight over cooking oil which resulted in one losing a lower lip.

Mashonaland East Police Spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed the incident saying Bandwa who is the senior wife failed to locate her bottle of cooking oil in her house and went on to search for it in Chuma’s (Junior wife) house.

“This did not go down well with Ellen who reportedly picked a fight with Lenny. “The two allegedly started fighting and as they struggled to out-do one another, Lenny allegedly tried to bite Ellen’s nose but failed.

“Ellen reportedly went on to bite Lenny’s lower lip and removed a chunk of flesh in the process,” Insp Mwanza said.

He said Lenny’s children reportedly came from Harare to pick up their mother ostensibly for medical attention before a report was made at ZRP Nharira Base (Chivhu). “Ellen was arrested and Lenny is believed to be in Harare where she is getting medical attention.”

Insp Mwanza urged people to resolve issues amicably. “Violence should not have a place in any society especially in our homes. “People should live in harmony and any differences should be resolved amicably,” Insp Mwanza said.

Source – H-Metro

In other news – Moana’s burial judgement to be passed on Wednesday

Moana’s burial judgement to be passed on Wednesday. High Court judge Justice Pisirai Kwenda has deferred the ruling on the dispute between the late socialite Michelle “Moana” Amuli’s parents over her burial to Wednesday after an urgent chamber application by the deceased’s mother to nullify a burial order issued last week.

Moana can only be buried after Wednesday as the…Learn More.

Man stuns court as he says he beats wife for her own good. Samukheliso Dube told the court that she was tired of the physical abuses she was getting from her husband Ebenezer Moyo and that she no longer wanted anything to do with him.

A Kwekwe woman has approached Kwekwe Civil court seeking a protection order over physical and verbal abuse from her husband. She told the court that her husband always insults her and abuses her and said she has a lot of bruises from beatings at the hands of her husband.

“He is cunning and deceiving in everything he does and he wants to take advantage of my sickness to abuse me and take advantage of me. “He has been abusing me for some time now and if he gets a thorough beating and torture he can testify the truth as it is.

“His aim is to separate me from my kids just like the last time he took me to Ingutsheni hospital where I was admitted for mental illness. “I admit that sometimes I get sick but he uses that as an excuse to take my kids away and go to his mistresses,” Dube told the court.

Responding to the allegations Ebenezer Moyo admitted to the allegations but denied the granting of the application citing that his behaviour is for her own good.

“Your Worship, I would appreciate it if the court dismisses the application because my wife here is mentally unstable and all the beatings she endures is because of her health.

“I beat her up and threaten her because she would be refusing to take her medication. “I am the only person who can take care of her and my means may not be good for her but they are for her own good,” he said.

Presiding magistrate Mildred Mutuvi granted the order in Dube’s favour citing that there are other means of helping her which do not involve abuse.

Source – H-Metro

In other news – Meteorological Services Department: Heavy rains expected

Meteorological Services Department: Heavy rains expected. The Meteorological Services Department (MSD), in conjunction with the Department of Civil Protection, has put out an alert with motorists, in particular, advised to be cautious on the roads as flash flooding may occur.

Heavy storms coupled with localised heavy downpours, strong winds and lightning are expected across the country until…Learn More.

63-year-old man molests teenager. Sabelo Moyo allegedly offered the girl a lift to her residence and attempted to rape her, but the minor escaped. A 63-year-old Kwekwe man has been arraigned before the courts for attempted rape and indecently assaulting a 13-year-old girl.

Moyo appeared before Kwekwe magistrate Samukeliso Gumbo where the State, led by Kudakwashe Mazorodze, alleged that on 20th of October 2020, Moyo offered the minor a lift to her residence when he saw that it was dark and the kid was wondering all alone near his work place.

The old man proceeded to where the girl lived but changed the route usually used. The court heard that he forced himself on the girl by trying to caress her while the child screamed.

The court also heard that on the first attempt Moyo parked his car along the road and started sucking and fondling the girl’s breast. On the second account, he drove to a more private place and forced his hands inside the girl’s panties.

Moyo then unzipped his pair of trousers and instructed the girl to come to the front seat and play with his manhood and that’s when the girl managed to escape. The matter came to light after the girl escaped and reported the matter to her sister and grandmother who in turn reported the matter to the police leading to Moyo’s arrest.

Source – H-Metro

In other news – Meteorological Services Department: Heavy rains expected

Meteorological Services Department: Heavy rains expected. The Meteorological Services Department (MSD), in conjunction with the Department of Civil Protection, has put out an alert with motorists, in particular, advised to be cautious on the roads as flash flooding may occur.

Heavy storms coupled with localised heavy downpours, strong winds and lightning are expected across the country until…Learn More.

Activist demands govt to disclose the country’s total debt. The activist, Abraham Mateta wants the information to be made public arguing that it is unlawful for the government to hide the information from the citizens who are the taxpayers.

A Harare lawyer, who is also a disability rights activist has approached the High Court demanding to know the total amount of debt that Zimbabwe owes to internal and external creditors.

The lawyer cited Finance minister Mthuli Ncube, the accountant general and the secretary responsible for finance, and the paymaster as respondents. According to court papers, since 1980, Zimbabwe has been borrowing from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other international institutions.

“The challenges bemoaning this country as far as it relates to debt stems from the failure to abide by the laws that mandate transparency and accountability to the public in managing the country’s resources,” Mateta said.

“The fact that certain information relating to public accounts is shrouded in mystery has undermined the right to access information.”

According to Mateta, it was disheartening that Finance Minister Ncube seemed confused on the whole debt issue. He said the confusion was reflected in terms of the variance in the 2019 budget statement and the 2019 budget estimates.

“The lack of publication by the first respondent (Ncube) also means that I, as a citizen of Zimbabwe, am saddled by loans that I will need to repay of which I have no idea when and how they were incurred. As I have stated above, over 70% of Zimbabwe’s known loan obligation is in interest.

“The first respondent has failed to publish the information as directed by the Constitution and I have every reason to believe that he will fail to do so again unless compelled to do so by a court,” he argued.

Mateta said the Public Accounts Committee recommended Ncube should publish loans and guarantees.

“It is almost a year after the report was made and still the first respondent has not complied with the recommendation,” he submitted in his court papers. The matter is yet to be heard.

Source – Bulawayo24

In other news – Meteorological Services Department: Heavy rains expected

Meteorological Services Department: Heavy rains expected. The Meteorological Services Department (MSD), in conjunction with the Department of Civil Protection, has put out an alert with motorists, in particular, advised to be cautious on the roads as flash flooding may occur.

Heavy storms coupled with localised heavy downpours, strong winds and lightning are expected across the country until…Learn More.

Nox Guni brags about his wife: God has blessed me with the best wife l had prayed for. The My Melody hitmaker has just posted an appreciative message and bragging picture on his Instagram account as he gushes over his wife tallyn. Nox has been doing well recently with his song My Melody becoming a world-wide banger.

The singer has credited all his success to his wife socialite Tallyn. She has made quite some controversies but Nox does not see that negative side of his wife. He has posted a sweet message as he thanks and gushes about her. Check the message below

Ndotenda Mwari vakandipa iwe shamwari. Handichada mumwe, pauri ndaperera. Appreciation post for the queen of my heart. #ZakaPrince #MyMelody. God has blessed me with the best wife I’ve always prayed for. She’s the woman behind everything about the Nox you see today. #ZakaPrince #MyMelody

Source – MbareTimes

In other news – Meteorological Services Department: Heavy rains expected

Meteorological Services Department: Heavy rains expected. The Meteorological Services Department (MSD), in conjunction with the Department of Civil Protection, has put out an alert with motorists, in particular, advised to be cautious on the roads as flash flooding may occur.

Heavy storms coupled with localised heavy downpours, strong winds and lightning are expected across the country until…Learn More.