Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Court Reporter
A SEVENTH Day Adventist (SDA) pastor in Bulawayo who indecently assaulted a married female congregant who is also a prominent city lawyer was yesterday ordered to undergo 315 hours of community service.

Brighton Ndebele (31) of Emganwini suburb was on Wednesday convicted of indecent assault by Bulawayo magistrate Ms Adelaide Mbeure.

He was sentenced to 12 months in jail of which three months were suspended for three years on condition that he does not within that period commit a similar crime.

The remaining nine months were further suspended on condition that Ndebele performs 315 hours of community service at Hillside Police Station.

In passing sentence, Ms Mbeure said Ndebele’s conduct was deplorable and shameful considering that he was a man of God who was supposed to shepherd the sheep instead of preying on them.

Prosecuting, Ms Caroline Matanga said on April 20 this year at around midday, Ndebele went to the complainant’s workplace to discuss church business since the complainant is also the head of social committees in the church.

The court heard that after the discussion and when he was about to leave office, the pastor solicited for a hug from the complainant and she declined.

He then forcibly pulled the woman by the hand and squeezed her to his chest, before holding her waist and caressing her back and buttocks.

The complainant narrated her ordeal to a fellow congregant before she reported the matter to the police, leading to Ndebele’s arrest.

Ndebele, who was represented by his lawyer, Mr Job Sibanda of Job Sibanda and Associates, had pleaded not guilty to charges of indecent assault.

In his defence, Ndebele told the court that the hug came naturally and consensually before they parted on the day in question.

In her testimony, the complainant said she was shocked by her pastor’s actions.

“I was paralysed, time came to a standstill, and I only thought he was going to drag me to the sofas in the office. He was aggressive. I told him I was going to report him to the church leadership and he said they will not believe me. When I mentioned the conference president, Pastor JB Sibanda, he said ‘he will do nothing’,” she told the court.

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
PROPERTY worth an estimated $3 million was destroyed by fire in Bulawayo in a year, an increase of more than 100 percent compared to the previous period.

Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Mr Richard Petersen said although property lost to fire increased during the period August 2015 to August 2016, the city recorded a decrease in fire incidents under the same period.

“The estimated value of damaged property during the period 1st August 2015 to 31st August 2016 stands at  $3 079 580 when compared to $1 456 710 in the same period between 2014 and 2015. This is an increase of  $1 622 870, representing 111 percent. The figure signifies that between 1st August 2015 and 31st August 2016, the Emergency Services responded to high-value properties as opposed to properties attended to between 1st August 2014 and 31st August 2015,” said Mr Petersen.

He said in the period August 2015 to August 2016, the city recorded eight fire-related deaths compared to one in the previous period under review. Injuries due to fire incidents increased to 25 from six in the previous year under review.  Mr Petersen said the fire department is continuing with fire prevention campaigns targeting schools, churches, among other social gathering places.

He said most fires were caused by people using alternative energies like gas while children playing with matches were a contributory factor.

“A sizeable number of us have engaged in floor polish-making in homes using flammable liquids such as paraffin and other toxic substances. Domestic violence has also contributed significantly to the destruction of life and property in Bulawayo,” Mr Petersen said.

He said negligence due to residents leaving electrical appliances plugged was also a cause for concern and urged people to report any emergences so that the city’s fire department can attend in time.

Mr Petersen said residents should be on alert in the coming rainy season due to the risk of flooding.

Already some residential homes have been affected by strong winds that blew roof tops in the city. — @nqotshili

First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe

Lovemore Ranga Mataire, Harare Bureau
THE First Lady, Dr Grace Mugabe, yesterday hailed President Mugabe and Namibia’s founding President Dr Sam Nujoma, for taking decisive action in forming NamZim Newspapers to counter the disinformation campaign propagated by the Western media.

NamZim Newspapers is the publisher of The Southern Times, a regional weekly newspaper born out of a joint venture between Zimbabwe Newspapers (1980) Limited (Zimpapers) and New Era Publications Corporation of Namibia.

In her keynote address at the highly-subscribed one-day NamZim Newspapers Empowering and Mentoring Women in Leadership Conference in Harare, Dr Mugabe said President Mugabe and Dr Nujoma were the chief architects of the NamZim project. The company also publishes Inside Southern Africa magazine.

“In the early 2000s, the two luminaries took a decisive action to counter the disinformation campaign in the region, propagated by the Voice of America and then predominantly white-owned South African newspapers, the Mail and Guardian and The Sunday Times,” said Dr Mugabe.

She said the regional story was grossly distorted as the hostile media houses were determined to undermine the revolutionary parties of Zanu-PF, Swapo and ANC and their governments.

Dr Mugabe said white-owned media houses were bent on reversing the gains of freedom and independence.

“It was against this background that our principled and visionary leaders came up with the project. Today, we are pleased to see that NamZim publications are attracting such a wide readership,” Dr Mugabe said.

She said Africa was endowed with vast resources and growth prospects were abound for women if allowed the space to exert enormous beneficial influence over politics, economics and society in general.

The First Lady expressed concern over the continued disturbing gap between men and women who did not seem to have equal opportunities. She said women were virtually absent or poorly represented in leadership or economic decision-making, including the formulation of financial and commercial policies in most parts of Africa.

Dr Mugabe said governments and non-state actors needed to give more attention to gender mainstreaming to correct a situation where women’s productive contributions were largely ignored. She said women were still hamstrung by legal and institutional barriers in accessing land, natural resources, capital and credit facilities.

“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to participate in government activities of his or her country. But without educating women for active participation in politics, the goal for active participation in politics, the goal of achieving equality and development will remain unattainable,” said the First Lady.

The First Lady said it was disappointing that some Western nations that pride themselves as paragons of democracy and good government were yet to sign the Commission on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which provided the basis for the realisation of equality. She, however, said Zimbabwe had made progress in pursuing legislative reforms and measures aimed at gender-mainstreaming. She also commended the Zimbabwean constitution as women-friendly which stipulates a reserve 60 seats for women in Parliament elected through proportional representation.

Dr Mugabe said women would continue to push for 50/50 representation for all political party positions in pursuit of promoting equality in decision making. The First Lady urged NamZim Newspapers to provide special columns dedicated to women’s affairs in its publications.

Speaking at the same occasion, Namibian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mrs Balbina Daes Pienaar, commended The Southern Times for becoming the leading regional newspaper providing news, feature articles, analysis, opinion pieces from an African perspective as well as marketing the region’s tourism and investment opportunities.

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa

Innocent Ruwende, Harare Bureau
THE Government is in the process of crafting a law to support the introduction of bond notes as the country needs a mode of transaction it can control, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.

The statement comes barely two weeks after the Constitutional Court dismissed, with costs, an application challenging the introduction of bond notes by Zimbabwe People First leader Dr Joice Mujuru, describing it as premature and speculative for seeking to challenge bond notes which are not even in circulation

Speaking at a luncheon to mark the official opening of the Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament of Zimbabwe in Harare yesterday, VP Mnangagwa said the financial services sector is constrained because the legal tender of the country is anchored on foreign currencies, hence Zimbabweans should embrace bond notes.

“Let me assure you that it is not a dream. It is going to be reality. We are going to live with it. Those who can easily realise that reality should begin to accept that the bond notes will be with us. We are in the middle of crafting legislation to introduce the bond notes.

“The current financial service sector in the country is constrained by the fact that currently the legal tender of the country is anchored on currencies that we have no control over. We need a mode of transaction which we can control in the country on the basis of security provided by the Exim Bank $200 million,” he said.

The VP said assets or resources created in the country cannot be matched with the circulation of money supply in the country.

As such, the introduction of the bond notes will see the country being able to have a currency that circulates within its jurisdiction, which will be used to do internal transactions.

“The US dollar or the pound, which we use kutengesa madora (edible caterpillar) is an important international currency in other jurisdictions, but here we use it for anything,” he said.

Vice President Mnangagwa called for unity, peace and stability for the purpose of the economic growth.

He said Government has also crafted a programme to make sure that in the next three or four seasons, there would be food security.

“We need to say bye bye to the importation of grain into this country. Under that programme, I would want to state here publicly that we have been pleasantly surprised by the cooperation we received from the private sector in support of the Command Agriculture Programme.

“We are grateful also, for the support we have received from the farmers countrywide. There has been over-subscription to the programmes in both matter of hectares and farmers coming forward to take part in the programme, we are grateful,” VP Mnangagwa said.

Vice President Phekezela Mphoko urged Zimbabweans to pray for normal rains.

“I appeal, on behalf of President Mugabe and VP Mnangagwa, all religious leaders and traditional leaders, let us pray for normal rains. There is a threat that there will be floods, but floods are a curse. Please, let us pray for normal rains,” he said.

Local Government Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere said the current situation in local governance was still fraught with socio-economic challenges that require concerted efforts from the Government.

“Conscious of the fact that, the aforementioned challenges should not be used as an excuse for short-changing rate payers by allowing the delivery of services and infrastructure to deteriorate to unprecedented levels witnessed to date.

“Gone are the days when we used to run local authorities as charitable organisations. Instead, local authorities should be run like other conventional business entities, with clear objectives of high quality service delivery on a sustainable basis,” he said.

Munyaradzi Huni, Harare Bureau
PRESIDENT Mugabe has left for Malaysia for a working visit that is set to cement ties between Harare and Kuala Lumpur.

The President was seen off at the Harare International Airport by the two Vice Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko, service chiefs, ministers and senior civil servants.

Zimbabwe and Malaysia enjoy cordial relations that date back to the days of President Mahathir Mohamad.

President Mugabe was accompanied by First Lady, Dr Grace Mugabe, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development Cde Joram Gumbo and Foreign Affairs Minister Cde Simbarashe Mumbengegwi.

Meanwhile, VP Mphoko will be Acting President.

Runyaradzo Funeral Services

Pamela Shumba, Senior Reporter
A BULAWAYO family was involved in a skirmish with Runyaradzo funeral parlour director Mr Dumisani Mutorera after he allegedly locked up their relative’s body following a row over a debt.

Runyaradzo funeral parlour is a newly established funeral services company that has created confusion among clients as it has colours and logos that are similar to renowned funeral company Nyaradzo Group.

The fallout, according to relatives of the dead man, arose after the funeral parlour suddenly increased the fee they had charged by almost 400 percent from $60 to $230.

Relatives of the late Mike Njoroma, who died in a traffic accident near Nkulumane Complex last week, spent the day at the funeral parlour’s offices in Kelvin North after Mr Mutorera allegedly locked up the body and left.

They left with the body for their rural home in Shamva at 3AM yesterday after police intervention.

One of Njoroma’s relatives, Mr Peter Goredema, said trouble started after the funeral parlour increased charges for their services just before they collected the body.

“We approached Runyaradzo funeral parlour to prepare the body for the trip and provide transport to Shamva. We were charged $60 for preparing the body and we agreed. We also agreed that we would leave for Shamva at 12 noon,” said Mr Goredema.

“They postponed the departure time to 3PM citing some challenges and we understood. At 3PM they failed to provide transport and we decided to look for alternative transport. We quickly secured alternative transport and asked the parlour to give us the body”.

Mr Goredema added that the parlour officials demanded $230 instead of the initial $60 that had been charged for their services.

“We started arguing and reminded them that they had delayed us since 12PM but they wouldn’t understand. They insisted that we pay $230. The director locked up the body and abandoned us. He told us that no one had the right to teach him how to run his business. He also told us that we won’t win any war with him because he is well connected.

“We had to seek help from the police at Western Commonage police station. We negotiated the fee down to $195 and the body was released by his subordinates at about 3AM,” said Mr Goredema.

Runyaradzo sales manager, Ms Chipo Marara, confirmed the altercation between the parlour and the bereaved family.

She, however, said trouble started when they discovered that the family was travelling to Shamva instead of Harare as earlier mentioned.

“They approached us saying they were going to Harare but when the burial order came, we realised that their relative would be buried in Shamva.

We asked them to top up for the extra 92km but they refused and demanded the body.

“We had no problem with them finding alternative transport but we wanted them to pay for the services rendered, which included removing the body from Mpilo Central Hospital to Kelvin, washing and embalming the body as well as handling services,” said Ms Marara, adding that the charge was $195.

She said they only released the body in the early hours of yesterday after the family paid the $195. — @pamelashumba1

Thandeka Moyo, Chronicle Reporter
THE Bulawayo City Council is set to introduce water shedding in the next three weeks.

The latest council report shows that dwindling water levels at the city’s six supply dams have forced the local authority to introduce a 24-hour water shedding schedule for residents at the beginning of next month.

Water shedding is a system of conserving tap water by cutting supplies for a fixed period.

At its height in 2013, Bulawayo residents went without water for up to four days in a week.

“It’s evident that the available water in the supply dams needs to be conserved and one of the strategies is to water shed. Therefore a start of a 24-hour regime is recommended effective from the beginning of November,” read the report.

“Council’s previous decision (5th March, 2014) relating to the suspension of the water shedding programme be reviewed and rescinded.”

Councillors advised the city’s Director of Engineering Services, Engineer Simela Dube, to be cautious when reporting the water situation and avoid giving false hope.

“Indications from the Engineering Services Department had been that water volumes in the dams were sufficient and there was no likelihood of water shedding in the foreseeable future. Indeed residents had been advised accordingly,” said Clr Rodney Jele of Ward 22.

Clr Jele said that Council should now ensure that all boreholes were rehabilitated to forestall a water crisis.

According to the proposed schedule, all residents are exempted on Sundays while industries and the Central Business District will not have water cuts.

Eng Dube last month said Upper Ncema, one of the supply dams, had already been decommissioned and Umzingwane may follow in two months.

“Our total inflows for the whole of last year were just 22 million cubic metres. Our monthly draw down is nine million cubic metres. What we received from the rains this year was just an allocation for two months’ supply. This is why we’re finding us in this critical situation,” said Eng Dube.

“If consumption remains at 120 to 121 000 cubic metres per day thereabouts, we could be able to stretch into the rainy season”.

He said the crisis may deepen if daily consumption rates increase to between 130,000 and 135,000 cubic metres as it did last year during the heat wave period.

Water levels at the city’s six supply dams; Insiza, Mtshabezi, Umzingwane, Inyankuni, Upper and lower Ncema, stand at a combined 36 percent of their cumulative capacity.

Eng Dube said the city was exploring ways of augmenting the city’s water supply.

He said one way of augmenting the city’s water supplies was to tap into the Nyamandlovu Aquifer.

Eng Dube said the city was praying for an improved rainy season, saying the previous season did not contribute much to city’s water supplies.

For years, Bulawayo has been under a strict water rationing regime whereby residents are penalised if they exceed a fixed daily consumption rate.
Households in high density suburbs are expected to use 450 litres per day while those in low density suburbs are limited to 550 litres per day.

In July 2011, the city introduced stringent fines for people who waste water. Fines for residents found using a hosepipe were hiked to $1 500 from $200.

The previous year, council announced that people caught using domestic water for construction would be fined $1 000 up from $30 and those who use water for brick moulding would also pay $1 000.

Experts have argued that Bulawayo is not a water shortage area but the city is facing challenges in extracting available water for use. — @thamamoe

President Mugabe

Lloyd Gumbo, Harare Bureau
ENTREPRENEURS without immovable property like houses will soon be able to access loans from financial institutions using their movable property such as vehicles, livestock and furniture as collateral security once the proposed Movable Property Security Interest Bill is passed into law.

President Mugabe revealed this as he officially opened the Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament in Harare yesterday where he set the legislative agenda for Members of Parliament during the new session.

The envisaged Bill is one of the 35 pieces of legislation that the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces said would have to be considered by the legislature during this session.

Some of the Bills are completely new while others are Acts that will be amended such as the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act that will be aligned with President Mugabe’s clarification of the law in April this year.

“The Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament comes at a time when the process of realigning our laws to the Constitution is still work in progress,” said President Mugabe.

“As such, several Bills will be brought for alignment by Parliament during this Session. Bills to be brought before Parliament include the Constitutional Court Bill, the Rural District Council Bill, the Traditional Leaders Bill, the Prisons Bill and the Marriages Bill. The Coroner’s Office Bill, which will pave way for the setting up of the Coroner’s Office responsible for medico-legal investigations, will also be brought before this august House.”

President Mugabe said Small Claims Court, the Commercial Court and the High Court Bills would be merged into the Judicial Laws Amendment (Ease of Settling Commercial and other Disputes) Bill 2016.

The Zimbabwe Investment Authority Amendment Bill, to provide legal underpinning to the One-Stop-Shop Investment Centre, will also be brought to Parliament during this session.

President Mugabe said some amendments had been made to the Special Economic Zones Act after its passage in Parliament.

“These amendments, which will soon be tabled herein, pertain to some labour law provisions designed to protect workers in the Special Economic Zones. The legislation will boost the country’s capacity to attract world-class investment, employment creation, technology transfer and innovation in strategic areas of the country’s economy.

“This Session of Parliament will also consider the Movable Property Security Interest Bill, which seeks to increase access to credit for the majority of our emerging entrepreneurs.

“A collateral registry will be established to facilitate the use of movable property, including cars, livestock and furniture, as collateral for loans.

“The Insolvency Bill and amendments to the Insurance Act, the Pensions and Provident Funds Act, and the Insurance and Pensions Commission Act will be tabled in this Parliament, as Government moves to incorporate international best practices and to also protect policyholders and members of pension funds,” said President Mugabe.

He said the Micro-finance Act will also be amended to incorporate the registration of deposit taking micro-finance banks, in view of the evolving role of such institutions in the provision of credit and the mobilisation of savings.

The President said funds had already been earmarked for the capitalisation of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Corporation.

The long-awaited Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, the Minerals Exploration and Marketing Corporation Bill that will integrate the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe and the Mining Promotion Corporation are also expected to be tabled in Parliament during this session.

Another Bill establishing the National Competitiveness Commission to repeal the National Incomes and Pricing Commission Act but coordinate the crafting and implementation of measures to improve the competitiveness of local companies will also be introduced during this session.

Parliament will also be seized with a Bill that seeks to restructure the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, the Regional Town and Country Planning Bill and the Public Entities Corporate Governance Bill that will foster adherence to good corporate governance by public sector entities, regulate remuneration packages for boards and senior members of staff as well as enhance transparency in financial affairs of public entities.

The Public Sector Procurement Amendment Bill, the Occupational Safety and Health Bill, which establishes a tripartite Occupational Safety Council, a new Labour Amendment Bill that seeks to harmonise Zimbabwe’s labour laws with the Constitution and relevant international conventions are also expected to be tabled before the House this session.

“Greater protection will be accorded to our young citizens through amendments to the Children’s Act. The Public Health Bill, which seeks to repeal the current Public Health Act, which was enacted in 1924, will be tabled before this Parliament.

“Additionally, the Medical Aid Societies Bill, which provides for the establishment of a regulatory authority to govern medical aid societies in Zimbabwe will be brought for consideration by this Parliament,” said the President.

He said the Manpower Development Act will be amended while the Zimbabwe Youth Council Bill, which provides a legal framework for youth development activities will also be introduced in Parliament.

“It will be recalled that I issued a statement to clarify Government’s position regarding the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Policy on 11th April, 2016.

“The relevant Act will thus be amended to bring it into consonance with the enunciated policy position,” said the President.

Other Bills to be tabled are the Computer Crime and Cyber Security Bill, the Electronic Transactions and Electronic Commerce Bill and the Data Protection Bill.

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has started developing new cemeteries that were recently gazetted by the Government.

The development comes at a time when the municipality has said the New Luveve cemetery, which was the only one functioning for the past months was seriously congested.

In July, the Government gazetted the Pumula South suburb cemetery and the Marvel cemetery near Mahatshula suburb following the closure of West Park Cemetery at the end of May. The city has been depending on New Luveve cemetery, but burials there have been expensive for some as they had to travel for about 25km to bury their loved ones. In the latest council minutes, BCC said it has now started developing the new two cemeteries.

“The gazetting had finally been done and we were now in the process of putting up the required infrastructure in liaison with relevant council departments. Fees charged for both cemeteries will resemble those of West Park cemetery,” read the minutes.

Councillors urged council to fast track developments at the new cemeteries as the New Luveve cemetery was congested.

Ward 24 Clr Gideon Mangena said most residents and churches need to be advised to keep burial times to avoid congestion.

“Residents were advised to inform the department during the first burial if they intended to have double burials so that the necessary arrangements could be made in advance,” read the minutes.

Ward 12 Clr Lilian Mlilo raised concern that some residents were in the dark regarding the criteria used for one to be buried at Lady Stanley Cemetery.

“The Acting Director of Community Housing and Services also advised the relevant resolution on burials at Lady Stanley was reviewed in 2015.

“The benchmark age of 80 years was also reviewed. The resident should have contributed significantly (social, political etc) to the development of the city in various categories and should have resided in the city for a period of more than 20 years,” read the minutes. — @nqotshili

Cde Shuvai Mahofa

Walter Mswazie, Masvingo correspondent
ABOUT 200 000 households in Masvingo province are now receiving food aid, a minister has said.

The Government and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) started giving food to 36 000 more households at the beginning of this month, adding on to 147 000 households that were already receiving food aid in the province. About four million people are in need of food aid across the country.

In a statement, the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs Cde Shuvai Mahofa said the Government will from this month distribute more food to vulnerable groups in the province considering that the need for food aid has increased as more households need assistance due to the drought.

The Minister hailed development partners for assisting the Government to provide food to those in need. She urged them to continue assisting those in need until the next harvest. Cde Mahofa said the Government and NGOs that include the World Food Programme (WFP), Care International, the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society, Plan International, Lutheran World Federation, Oxfam and Mwenezi Development Training Centre were assisting many drought stricken families in the province. — @walterbmswazie2

President Mugabe

Munyaradzi Huni in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
President Mugabe yesterday held bilateral talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in a bid to strengthen relations between the two countries.

The meeting which took  almost 45 minutes was held in Putrajaya.

The two leaders came  out of the meeting sharing jokes, a clear sign of their close relationship.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Joram Gumbo who is accompanying the President, took advantage of the visit to exchange notes with Malaysian Deputy Minister of Transport Timbalan Menteri.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Dr Gumbo said Malaysia was his next stop after his recent visit to Ethiopia to explore business opportunities.

“My visit here follows my visit to Ethiopia where I visited the Ethiopian Airlines, trying to entice them to come to Zimbabwe.

“This is my second leg, and I have taken advantage of this visit by the President.

“I took the opportunity to meet my counterpart from Malaysia to find out if their airline could also fly to Zimbabwe.

“As you know, Malaysia is centrally placed in this part of the world. They are the hub of the region and we want to take advantage of that.

“We also want to make sure that our Victoria Falls Airport is utilised to maximum capacity, so I am talking to a number of airlines,” said Dr Gumbo.

He added that his ministry had also taken the opportunity to learn how Malaysian Airlines had managed to keep afloat  following the disasters that hit it in recent years.

“This was actually a learning process and as Zimbabwe, we should take a leaf from Malaysia.

“I will continue to take advantage of such visits by His Excellency to scout for business for the country,” he said.

Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Court Reporter
ONE of the two Bulawayo prophets who allegedly strangled a police officer in a bushy area near Khami Dam and robbed him of a car, $200, a laptop and two smart phones, has claimed the cop gave him the property as a token of appreciation for cleansing his two haunted houses.

Patrick Matikiti (26) of Sauerstown and Assurance Moyo (23) of Lobengula West allegedly took Mr Nhlalo Ndlovu to the bush to “cleanse him of evil spirits” where they allegedly killed and robbed him of a Toshiba laptop, a G-Tel and Huawei cellphones and his car, a Toyota Noah, which they later sold in Harare in December 2014.

The duo’s murder trial continued before Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Francis Bere on Thursday.

Matikiti took to the witness stand and told the court that he knew nothing about the alleged murder.

“I know nothing about the charge. I was surprised when police arrested me and accused me of killing the now deceased who was my client.,” said Matikiti.

“In fact, the last time I saw him (Ndlovu) was on the day he gave me his car, cellphones and laptop as appreciation for fixing his two houses in Bulawayo and Victoria Falls. The houses were being haunted by his late wife and I managed to cleanse them of the evil spirits,” he said.

Matikiti also accused police of forcing him together with Moyo to the scene of the alleged crime amid threats to shoot them if they resisted.

“Police officers took us to a bushy area near Khami Dam and forced us to point out a spot where they alleged that we killed the deceased and robbed him of his car, money and other valuables,” he said.

Matikiti said Ndlovu confided in him that he was secretly going to South Africa to look for his child.

“Ndlovu was a man of many girlfriends and was very secretive in everything that he did.

“He didn’t even tell his family and relatives that he was going to South Africa when he disappeared and I had to keep it a secret,” he said.

Ms Hloniphani Buhwa, who was Mr Ndlovu’s girlfriend, told the court that when she contacted Matikiti about her boyfriend’s whereabouts, he claimed that he was taken by a mermaid.

She said he also claimed that the spirits revealed to him that Mr Ndlovu was alive.

Prosecuting, Ms Nokuthaba Ngwenya said on December 10, 2014, shortly after 6.30PM, Mr Ndlovu approached Matikiti and Moyo seeking to be cleansed of evil spirits.

Mr Ndlovu had just arrived from Lupane where he was studying midwifery at St Luke’s Hospital when he sought help from the two alleged prophets.

The court heard that Matikiti and Moyo, who already had information that Mr Ndlovu was carrying cash and some valuables in his car, hatched a plan to rob him of his belongings.

Upon arrival at Khami Dam at about 9PM, the two men disembarked before they led Mr Ndlovu to a nearby bush where they purportedly intended to conduct a cleansing ceremony to drive away the evil spirits.

They allegedly manhandled the cop and choked him using a piece of cloth from their garments.

After robbing him, they left his body in the bush.

The two drove to Harare where they sold the car. The duo’s arrest was based on a strong suspicion following a report by relatives that Mr Ndlovu was last seen when he visited Matikiti’s home for consultation.

Mr Ndlovu’s bone, tooth and toothbrush were taken to the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) Applied Genetic Testing Centre for DNA profiling and the samples matched the police officer’s identity after another paternity test was conducted on the cop’s son and sister.

When police searched Matikiti’s house they found Mr Ndlovu’s police ID.

The two men then led police to the scene of the crime for indications where the other stolen goods were recovered. The accused persons’ witnesses will testify on Monday. — @mashnets

Siqokoqela Mphoko

Chronicle Reporter
GIANT retailer Choppies Zimbabwe has extended its footprint to Ruwa on the outskirts of Harare where it is setting up shop in yet another milestone that is set to create 50 job opportunities for locals.

Managing director Mr Siqokoqela Mphoko said yesterday that the new business would open its doors to the public today.

“Yes, we are opening our new branch, the 31st shop in the country.

“We are creating 50 jobs there in line with our thrust of empowering people in the country and assisting the Government in developing the economy. The new shop is situated in Ruwa along Mutare Road on the outskirts of Harare,” he said.

Mr Mphoko said Zimbabwe was ripe for business hence his company was expanding its operations.

He also said the coming in of bond notes by the end of this month should not scare away businesses.

“As Choppies we are forging ahead with business and doing our part even when some fear the coming of bond notes,” he said.

Since its entrance into the local market three years ago, the Bulawayo-headquartered firm has been on an aggressive investment drive having opened business across major cities and towns in the country.

The company has as a result created 2000 plus jobs and become a market for dozens of local industry suppliers.

Two weeks ago, the giant retailer received a compliance award for faithfully paying all its taxes to the state by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra).

Mr Mphoko also dispelled a rumour circulating on social media claiming that Choppies was refusing usage of plastic money in its shops.

“That claim is not true. Some people took a portion of a notice at our Nelson Mandela branch in Harare, which indicated that one of our till machines was not working and directed clients to another till.

“That notice was taken out of context and we are not taking it lightly because it is creating a wrong impression.

“Choppies is one of the pioneers of plastic money usage and this is a very good                                                                                                   and convenient way of transacting for customers. In all our outlets here and in the region we use plastic money and for a long time we have been giving cash back,” said Mr Mphoko.

“We will not be deterred by this negative publicity because we are committed to assisting development of our country. As it is plans are underway to open a 32nd shop in Harare before the end of the year.”

Choppies Zimbabwe is a subsidiary of the Botswana-listed regional giant, which is also listed on the JSE.

Felix Share and Zvamaida Murwira, Harare Bureau
Cuban Vice President Salvador Valdes Mesa, is in the country to explore further areas of cooperation with Zimbabwe beyond the health and education sectors.

Mr Mesa and his delegation, yesterday separately met Acting President Phelekezela Mphoko, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda, where they denounced illegal sanctions imposed on the two countries by the West and called for the unconditional lifting of the embargo on Cuba.

In his meeting, Acting President Mphoko was accompanied by Ministers Simbarashe Mumbengegwi (Foreign Affairs), Dr Walter Mzembi (Tourism and Hospitality Industry) and Dr Lazarus Dokora (Primary and Secondary Education).

VP Mnangagwa later hosted a luncheon for the Cuban delegation at a local hotel.

In an interview, Minister Mumbengegwi said Zimbabwe and Cuba wanted to expand their relations in many areas with tourism being at the centre of deliberations.

“Now we are working to move into other areas,” he said.

“As such, the Cuban Vice President is here and he has been well received by the Acting President Cde Mphoko and VP Mnangagwa. They have undertaken detailed discussions in various possible areas of cooperation, and also briefed each other on the political situations prevailing in both countries. Cuba has done extremely well in the tourism industry, and as you know, our Minister (Dr Mzembi) is very energetic and determined to build this sector. Cuba is going to become one of our most important allies in the rejuvenation of our tourism.”

Minister Mumbengegwi said Zimbabwe and Cuba had a “long standing relationship” politically, economically and diplomatically that should be maintained.

“We have had regular exchange visits even at the level of Heads of State, Ministers and now it’s the Vice President of Cuba who is visiting,” he said.

“Naturally, we are discussing our relationships. Apart from the support that we received during the liberation struggle, after Independence, Cuba introduced a programme to train our students in Science and Mathematics.

“Over 3 000 of our young people were trained in Cuba between 1986 and 1996 and that is a very significant number. Educationally, Zimbabwe is at the top of the ladder in Africa in the teaching of Science and Mathematics because of Cuba.”

He said the programme was moved in 1996 from Cuba, resulting in a specialised higher learning institution, the Bindura University of Science Education, where Havana seconded its lecturers to ensure the continued success of the programme.

Minister Mumbengegwi said the success in education was replicated in the area of health where medical experts were seconded to Zimbabwe and most of them worked in rural areas where most Zimbabwe health personnel shunned.

“As you know, there have been developments in Cuba relating to their relationship with the United States and, the Vice Presidents have been able to exchange notes in those areas,” he said.

“They totally agreed that sanctions on Cuba and Zimbabwe should be lifted unconditionally because they have no basis for their having been imposed in the first place, let alone their continuation.”

In their meeting with Adv Mudenda at Parliament building, Mr Mesa hailed Zimbabwe for being bold in the wake of the effects of illegal sanctions imposed by the West.

“As you know that Cuba is one of the countries that have registered success in the area of health, particularly the prevention of HIV/Aids from mother-to-child transmission, we might want to share our experience with Zimbabwe,” said Mr Mesa.

Adv Mudenda said the Cuban Parliament, and the Parliament of Zimbabwe should explore ways of cooperation to deepen the two countries’ bilateral relations.

“People like us who serve in this institution are humbled by the responsibility thrust upon us. Through this responsibility, we can share best practices and that is why we have established Cuban-Zimbabwe Parliamentary Friendship, chaired by Senate Deputy President Cde Chen Chimutengwende,” said Adv Mudenda.

Charity Jinya

Prosper Ndlovu, Business Editor
BANKS say measures to mitigate the persistent cash shortages being experienced across the country are being implemented, the situation set to ease markedly with the coming of bond notes later this month.

Zimbabwe has been experiencing cash shortages since April and authorities blame the trend on rampant hoarding of the United States dollar and its externalisation. Illicit financial flows coupled with the influx of cheap imports, also drain liquidity in the economy resulting in trade deficit, estimated at about $2.5 billion, according to Zimstat.

Responding to e-mailed questions yesterday, Bankers Association of Zimbabwe (BAZ) president Dr Charity Jinya urged calm in the transacting public.

She said the cash crisis would not be solved by banks alone as she encouraged depositors to work with the monetary authorities in reversing the problem by embracing use of plastic money and bond notes.

“A number of factors have culminated in the current cash shortages and collective efforts are being made by various stakeholders to mitigate the challenges. These include, the introduction of bond notes by the RBZ, which are aimed at stimulating exports,” said Dr Jinya.

“The RBZ also reduced cash export thresholds for travellers, Government is now restricting unnecessary imports, while banks have also streamlined daily cash withdrawals and are encouraging the use of electronic and digital payment platforms.”

With depositors continuing to flood banking halls especially on pay days, banks have been forced to reduce withdrawal limits, some to as low as $50 per day as others fail to avail cash to clients altogether. This has also put pressure on mobile money platforms, which have similarly capped cash-outs. The cashback facility in major retail outlets has also not been spared.

Dr Jinya, however, dispelled fears the situation could erode confidence in the banking sector saying deposit trends remain on a positive note.

“You will note that following the announcement of [the introduction of] bond notes in May 2016, the statistics recently released by the central bank show that money supply and banking sector deposits continue to increase steadily, with the annual broad money supply growth rate increasing by 1.71 percentage points to 14.84 percent in July 2016, from 13.13 percent in June 2016.

“Total banking sector deposits stand at just over $6.125 billion as at 31 July 2016, up from $5.91 billion in June and $5.67 billion in March 2016,” she explained.

The bankers’ group said it was geared to roll out bond notes in support of the Government initiatives.

Reserve Bank Governor Dr John Mangudya has said bond notes will initially be issued in denominations of $2 and $5 notes with an estimated $75 million to be injected in the economy by December this year.

“Banks are adequately prepared for the introduction of the notes and will take all necessary steps to ensure a smooth rollout of the instruments in line with the regulatory authorities’ expectations,” Dr Jinya added.

This week Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa revealed that the Government was working on crafting a law to support the introduction of bond notes as the country needs a mode of transaction it can control.

The VP Mnangagwa said the financial services sector was constrained because the legal tender of the country was anchored on foreign currencies, hence Zimbabweans should embrace bond notes.

“Let me assure you that it is not a dream. It is going to be reality. We are going to live with it. Those who can easily realise that reality should begin to accept that the bond notes will be with us. We are in the middle of crafting legislation to introduce the bond notes.

“The current financial service sector in the country is constrained by the fact that currently the legal tender of the country is anchored on currencies that we have no control over. We need a mode of transaction, which we can control in the country on the basis of security provided by the Exim Bank $200 million,” he said.

Industry bodies and experts have also backed the bond notes approach despite its criticism by some sections of society.

Chatunga Berllamine Mugabe

Harare Bureau
PRESIDENT Mugabe’s son, Bellarmine, did not apply for a loan from BancABC, the bank said in a statement.

The bank’s comment follows the publication of an article in the Zimbabwe Independent on Friday, September 30, titled “Mugabe son denied loan”.

The story alleged that a local bank had rejected Bellarmine’s $380 000 loan application to fund “his obscure businesses and lavish lifestyle as it sought to contain non-performing credit to politically expose persons on its books”.

In a statement, BancABC distanced itself from the article in the Zimbabwe Independent and denied that Bellarmine ever applied for a loan. “African Banking Corporation of Zimbabwe Limited (BancABC), wishes to inform the public that the aforementioned article is unsubstantiated, entirely fabricated and malicious.

“BancABC wishes to categorically put on record that Mr Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe has no relationship whatsoever with BancABC and that he has never at any point sought for a loan or any other facility from the bank,” said BancABC.

The bank dismissed the article as malicious.

“BancABC distances itself from this malicious article in its entirety and reserves its rights in terms of the law regarding the action it may take to protect its interests.

“BancABC wishes to assure the public that the bank continues to strictly observe and adhere to banker-customer confidentiality,” said the bank.

Cde Richard Moyo

Nduduzo Tshuma, Political Editor
ZANU-PF Matabeleland North province in conjunction with the Ministry of Lands and Rural Settlement has made a resolution to chuck out illegal settlers who are abusing the party’s name to invade properties in the province.

Party provincial chairperson, Cde Richard Moyo, said a recent Provincial Coordinating Committee meeting resolved that all those who settled themselves should be chucked out from the respective pieces of land.

“The meeting resolved that the district land officers identify all the illegal settlers and the issue is dealt with accordingly. There are those who after the land reform programme illegally settled themselves on land allocated to others and we want to correct that,” said Cde Moyo.

“We also have the issue of Tote farm where there was conflict between settlers and the police. We have resolved that the police live harmoniously with the more than 50 households that were settled on that farm.”

In Umguza district, Cde Moyo said, there were illegal settlers at Heaney Junction where more than 100 households mostly from Matabeleland South were settled outside the law.

“We also have another headman who was supposed to preside over 30 plus households but we understand that there are more than 200 households there. We have asked the district administrator to write those people and notify them that they must move,” he said.

“We will also enlist the services of the police to make sure that these illegal settlers are removed because the Government is the only authority with the mandate of distributing land.”

Cde Moyo said there were beneficiaries of the land reform who still had no documentation.

“There are those who were settled by the comrades in 2000 and 2005 during the fast track land reform programme. As for those we have asked the district and provincial land committee to look into their issues so that they get redress and proper documentation,” he said.

Cde Moyo warned people to desist from abusing the Zanu-PF name in the commission of crimes including illegal distribution of land.

“Those people are criminals and we want to disassociate the party from such elements. The District and Provincial Land Committees are the ones that handle land issues and not individuals who want to take away people’s monies and settle them illegally,” he said.

Meanwhile, the province will hold a workshop facilitated by the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology today.

“It is meant for our leadership, Central Committee members, Members of Parliament, heads of departments in the province and district chairpersons to teach them about the country’s history. We want them to have knowledge of the party’s ideology so that in their various positions of leadership, they impart the party’s principles to the people,” said Cde Moyo.

Prof Moyo

Harare Bureau
The Zimbabwe National Students’ Union (Zinasu), has called for the immediate resignation of Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo and his deputy Dr Godfrey Gandawa following allegations of corruption involving  $270 000 they reportedly siphoned from the  Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (Zimdef).

The fund was created to be benefit students at tertiary institutions across the country including when they are on industrial attachment.

In a statement yesterday night, Zinasu gave the Chancellor of all universities in Zimbabwe, President Mugabe, a week-long ultimatum to deal with the two “corrupt” ministers.

“We are also appealing to our Chancellor President Robert Gabriel Mugabe to stop protecting criminals, but to let justice take its course,” said Zinasu secretary-general Makomborero Haruzivishe.

“Failure to do so will result in days of determined campus shutdowns till corruption in the education sector is wiped and free education delivered to the Zimbabwean students as espoused in our Constitution and promised in the  Zim-Asset.

“It is a folly for Government ministers who masquerade as development oriented officials to loot what belongs to the students leaving them vulnerable.”

Haruzivishe said the student union had been consistently calling for transparency around the fund since students on attachment went for months without receiving their Zimdef allowances.

“The result is devastating, pauperisation of students, corrosive effects on students’ dignity and image, and an unprecedented rise in STIs in colleges as multitudes resort to transactional sex for survival,” he said.

At least 22 000 Higher and Tertiary Education students, said Haruzivishe, had either deferred studies or dropped out of school this semester due to exorbitant fees.

He said it was painful to note that Prof Moyo was reaping off the students while they were suffering.

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission report revealed allegations of fraud and criminal abuse of duty resulting in the embezzlement of hundreds of thousand of dollars received on the 25th of July 2016, through a whistleblower.

Allegations pointed to corrupt and fraudulent transactions involving the ministry, Zimdef and two companies namely Fuzzy Technologies (Pvt) Ltd and Wisebone Trading.

According to the ZACC summary, below are key points in which Prof Moyo was involved:

Allegation one: $95 800 siphoned out under pretext of purchase of 10×3 dimension printers.

Allegation two: $19 030 is deposited into Ace Cycles account to purchase 173 gents bicycles. $7 260 deposited to purchase additional 62 gents and 4 ladies’ bicycles, that were allegedly distributed to his Tsholotsho constituency.

Allegation three: $24 000 applied for by  Dr Gandawa as loan on behalf of Prof Moyo.

Cynthia Dube, Court Reporter
A WOMAN from Pumula South suburb revealed in the Maintenance Court yesterday that her estranged husband strangled and threatened to kill her when she went to deliver maintenance summons.

Mdingi Matshayisa appeared in court after his wife Ms Tibalo Nsingo reported that he was not contributing to the upkeep of their two minor children.

She told the court that she was now scared to proceed with the issue as her husband strangled her the time she went to deliver the summons.

“Your worship, I wanted financial support of $290 from my husband but today I think l’m no longer interested in his money. Let us not proceed with this matter for the sake of my life. Last month, I almost died after he strangled me when I went to his workplace at Douglas Mines to deliver summons,” said Ms Nsingo.

She said her husband threatened to kill her if she proceeded with the matter.

In defence, Matshayisa told the court that he separated with his wife five years ago and he cannot afford to maintain his children.

“I can’t afford to maintain my children because they are staying with their mother who didn’t want to perform her duties for the past five years. I’ve been sleeping alone, if l touched her she gave me silly excuses until l moved out of our house to work at Douglas Mine at Inyathi,” he said.

“Some years ago l had sexual intercourse with her and later she reported to the police saying that I raped her. This woman doesn`t deserve my money and I’ve a lot of responsibilities including school fees for my other child who is at university.”

Ms Nsingo said her husband neglected her and his children for the past five years. She said he never bought food, clothes or pay rentals and school fees for their children.

She said Matshayisa was a cruel man who used to buy food for himself and not share with his children who sometimes slept without eating anything.

Mr Musiiwa ordered Matshayisa, who earns $309 per month to pay $50 maintenance for the upkeep of his two minor children aged eight and four years.

@cynthiamthembo1.

Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Court Reporter
A CHEATING Gwanda High School teacher, who is serving a custodial sentence for assaulting his wife and leaving her for dead after she caught him red-handed with a girlfriend, has approached the High Court seeking bail pending appeal.

Njabulo Ndlovu (36) was caught by his wife Ms Senziwe Mafu (33) with his girlfriend at the couple’s matrimonial home in Matshetsheni area.

He went berserk and assaulted his wife leaving her lying in a pool of blood, before driving off with his mistress to Gwanda town.

Ndlovu pleaded not guilty to domestic violence but Gwanda magistrate, Miss Nomagugu Ncube, convicted him and sentenced him to 24 months in prison of which four months were conditionally suspended for five years.

Ndlovu, through his lawyers Masiye-Moyo and Associates, applied for bail pending appeal at the Bulawayo High Court.

He argued that the sentence imposed on him was excessive and induced a sense of shock considering the circumstances of the case.

Ndlovu said if given bail he would not abscond and is prepared to abide by the bail conditions in the event that his application succeeds.

The state opposed the application, saying there were no prospects of success against conviction.

Charges against Ndlovu are that on June 5 this year, at around 1PM, he left his wife at their matrimonial home at Gwanda High School staff cottages after indicating that he was going into the Central Business District for business.

Later in the day, Ms Mafu proceeded to their stand in Matshetsheni to check progress as the homestead was under construction.

She found her husband having a nice time with his mistress and Ndlovu locked his unnamed lover in the house.

A misunderstanding arose between Ndlovu and his wife as she demanded that he opens the door.

In a fit of rage, Ms Mafu picked a stone and broke a window. Ndlovu pushed his wife to the ground and hit her several times with fists on the head and bashed her against a stone and a pillar, leaving her with life threatening injuries and she was admitted for a week at Gwanda Provincial Hospital.

Ndlovu then took his girlfriend into the car and they drove off leaving his wife for dead.

A passerby spotted Ms Mafu lying unconscious and took her to hospital.

Ms Mafu suffered a permanent disability due to the assault.

@mashnets.