Mr Tsvangirai

Tichaona Zindoga, Harare Bureau
A PROPOSED opposition coalition between Mr Morgan Tsvangirai of the MDC-T party and Zimbabwe People First’s Dr Joice Mujuru appears doomed amid bickering over who should lead the united camp.

A marriage of convenience between the long-time opposition leader, Mr Tsvangirai, and the former Vice President Mujuru appeared on course when the two joined forces at a rally in Gweru last August.

It is understood that a provisional framework for a consociational thrust between the two parties has been put in place ahead of harmonised elections in 2018.

These past weeks, though, have seen discord from both camps as they tussle for leadership of the proposed coalition leading to harsh exchanges of words among supporters and officials.

The latest turn of events has seen Dr Mujuru, in an interview published this week, undermining and casting doubt on Mr Tsvangirai’s credibility as a leader and insinuating that he does not command local support.

She said that Mr Tsvangirai was more respected abroad than at home, where he lacked the liberation credentials and respect.

Dr Mujuru told the Africa Report in an interview: “As People First, we respect Tsvangirai. He helped us because our fear and our respect [for President Mugabe] really damaged us. We could not be bold the way Tsvangirai was, but I respect him for that. We know the strengths and weaknesses of each party. Tsvangirai’s strength resonates with you outsiders, not with Zimbabweans,” she said.

Mr Tsvangirai’s party has often been accused of being a western project and a puppet to institute regime change on behalf of foreign interests.
Dr Mujuru said her outfit is home-grown and has a buy-in from war veterans.

“The war veterans understand what was missing in Tsvangirai’s outfit. [… We are] now mapping out which areas and what we can start working on together,” she said.

Recently, an “elder” at People First, Mr Dzikamai Mavhaire reportedly called the MDC-T leader an “idiot” who would not lead ahead of Dr Mujuru, a statement his party attempted to smother with a purported rebuttal.

However, tension between the two sides, especially on the grassroots and among supporters, is rising amid disagreements over who would lead a united front.

Independent politician Mr Temba Mliswa has also waded in the debate, siding with Mr Tsvangirai.

He told a daily newspaper this week that, “If Tsvangirai decides to accommodate Mai Mujuru, then so be it, but that man is not only popular and genuine, he is also a natural leader and a father figure. The people of Zimbabwe like him and we can’t take that away from him.”

He blamed People First for lack of organisation and principles, witness the sidelining of its founding figures like former State Security minister Mr Didymus Mutasa and former Zanu-PF spokesperson Mr Rugare Gumbo.

Spokesperson of the MDC-T Mr Obert Gutu was worried about the escalating bickering.

“The MDC is a social democratic political party that passionately abhors the use of hate language in both private and public political communication,” he told our Harare Bureau.

“As a party, we have a very firm conviction not to insult fellow comrades in the democratic struggle against Zanu-PF dictatorship. As such, we will not waste our precious time commenting on people who allegedly insult our leader or indeed, any of our party cadres. We are not petty. We have got bigger fish to fry.”

He explained: “We will coalesce on values and policies. We are not obsessed with political power as an end in itself, we believe in ushering in a new refreshing, progressive and democratic dispensation in Zimbabwe. To us in the MDC, values and ethos are paramount and permanent while positions are temporary; they come and go.”

Mr Jealousy Mawarire, the ZimPF spokesman, claimed the two parties had “a good working relationship”.

However, he said since the envisaged coalition had not yet materialised, parties were free to canvass for support for their leaders and appeared to justify why his side was rooting for the leadership of Dr Mujuru.

“You must understand that coalition negotiations do not stop individual party programmes. Independent parties will have rallies where they will naturally go and sell their leader and they have a right to do so,” said Mr Mawarire.

Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo

Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
BULAWAYO residents have been urged to embrace bond notes which are expected to be released next week to ease cash shortages in the country.

Bond notes will be released into circulation gradually and sparingly to ensure that they retain a critical characteristic of currency scarcity.

The Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs, Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo, told Sizinda residents that bond notes were the solution to the cash crisis.

“As from Monday bond notes will be in our banks because people are struggling to get the US dollar.

Let’s embrace the bond notes sisebenze ngawo, you will see that life will change,” said Cde Moyo.

She said foreigners who came in to hoard hard currency fuelled cash shortages.

“There is no money because we are using the United States dollar which is used everywhere in the world. People from South Africa, China, and Zambia come here for that money,” said Cde Moyo.

“There are also people who would come and sell cheap things taking the US dollar back to their respective countries.

“We have actually helped open industries in foreign lands and this has led us to this cash crunch.”

Cde Moyo told residents that Statutory Instrument 64 was meant to protect local industry.

“The Government enacted SI 64 so that people buy for their homes not for hoarding.

“ We want to encourage people to buy from local industries. However, there are people who are  spreading falsehoods that Government has barred people from buying goods outside the country,” she said.

“Tell your children in South Africa that they can buy you groceries, it’s allowed.”

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr John Mangudya on Thursday said $65 million worth of bond notes would be released next month.

The balance making up the $200 million bond notes support facility from the African Export and Import Bank will be released into circulation gradually, until end of 2017.

The bond notes will come into circulation after nationwide awareness campaigns, with an initial amount of only $65 million being released into circulation.

Also present at the meeting were officials from the Registrar General’s Office and Social Welfare who spoke about their operations.

Bulawayo Provincial Registrar Mrs Jane Peters explained that besides identity, travel and death certificates, her office was also issuing brand certificates for livestock.

“To those of you who have rural homes, who have livestock, you can get brand certificates for your livestock.

‘‘All livestock must be branded so that it’s easily identifiable and documented in case they stray or get stolen,’’ said Mrs Peters.

She encouraged residents to make sure they acquire birth certificates within six weeks after the birth of a child.

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
A BOUNDARY dispute has erupted in Luma, an area bordering Gwanda and Matobo districts in Matabeleland South, where villagers are allegedly axing livestock that stray into their areas.

The boundary dispute is said to be caused by people who were illegally settled and have occupied pastures.

Traditional leaders are worried that the dispute may end in tragedy as some villagers are axing and ensnaring livestock that stray to either side.

Chief Nyangazonke from Matobo District told The Chronicle that villagers at Luma have become intolerant of each other to the extent of attacking each other’s livestock.

“There’s a serious boundary dispute that we need to deal with. There are people who are said to have illegally settled but we haven’t met to see who is wrong or right. We’re worried because we’ve had reports of villagers axing or snaring cattle that are straying to either of the two districts,” said Chief Nyangazonke.

He said police have been told about the problem.

Chief Nyangazonke said he was supposed to meet Chief Mathema from Gwanda and civil servants to address the problem but the Government employees did not turn up.

He said the community would be meeting tomorrow to map the way forward.

“This has to be resolved as soon as possible because people can put a boundary on themselves but their animals don’t know any boundaries. It’s a problem that needs urgent attention,” Chief Nyangazonke said.

He said he was assisting in resolving the issue of illegal settlers which is in the late Chief Masuku’s area.

“During chiefs’ meetings the two would say those people are illegally settled but we have to sit them down to understand how they were settled. We want to rope in the services of the district administrator and lands officer,” said Chief Nyangazonke.

@nqotshili.

Tshakahha Ncube

Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Plumtree Correspondent
A 29-YEAR-OLD Bulilima woman has been arrested after she severely assaulted her nine-year-old son for eating porridge without her permission.

Tshakahha Ncube of Nopemano area is expected to appear in court on November 10 by way of summons facing charges of ill treating her child, Ngqabutho Ncube.

The village head of the area, Mr Isaac Ndlovu said the nine-year-old boy who was a Grade Three school dropout had sustained severe injuries all over the body as a result of multiple assaults by his mother.

“Ncube has been severely assaulting her son but the community didn’t know about this until recently. The boy’s stepfather knew about this as he used to witness these attacks but he never reported them.

“Early this month Ngqabutho ate some porridge without his mother’s permission. When she found out she severely assaulted the boy with a stick,” he said.

Mr Ndlovu said one of the neighbours heard the boy screaming and became suspicious.

He said he was approached by the villager and he proceeded to Ncube’s homestead with a neighbourhood watch committee member to inquire.

Mr Ndlovu said he found the boy with bruises from the attack and multiple scars from previous assaults.

“When we inspected the boy’s body I noticed whip marks and scars all over his body and some were on his face. He told us that his mother was constantly beating him up.

“He told us that he had eaten the porridge as he was hungry but his mother didn’t entertain his explanation. We escorted Ncube to the police station where she was taken in for questioning,” he said.

Mr Ndlovu said the scars which the boy had on his body where a sign that his mother was abusing him.

Ngqabutho’s grandfather, Mr Albert Ncube who also stays in the same village said the family was shocked to learn that his daughter was ill treating his grandchildren.

He said they were also unaware that he had dropped out of school.

“I was shocked to see the scars on my grandchild’s body as we were not aware that he was going through such terrible torture. It appears that his mother withdrew him from school beginning of third term as a way of punishing him.

“It is really heartbreaking that my daughter could treat her biological child in such a manner. The boy has scars all over his body from being beaten up,” said Mr Ncube.

@DubeMatutu.

Nokulunga Dube

Cynthia Dube, Court Reporter
A WOMAN from Bulawayo has been sentenced to seven months in jail for assaulting her 12-year-old son with an electric cable all over the body and striking him with a stiletto shoe tip on his head several times.

Nokulunga Ncube (35) of Nketa 9 suburb appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Ms Tancy Dube charged with ill-treating her son who is in Grade Seven.

Ncube pleaded guilty to beating up the boy for allegedly stealing his sister’s $1, 50 bus fare.

She said she assaulted her son because it was his second time to steal money.

“My child was becoming a thief. Firstly, when he stole money, l warned him. The second time l became furious and that is the reason why l assaulted him,” said Ncube

The magistrate said Ncube’s actions were not motherly.

“I don’t understand how someone can be so cruel to their own children. Instead of showing your child love and support during his preparations for Grade Seven examinations, you preferred to be a monster,” said Ms Dube.

The magistrate convicted Ncube and sentenced her to seven months in jail.

She suspended two months on condition of good behaviour.

Prosecuting, Mr Mufaro Mageza said Ncube assaulted her son after she discovered that he had stolen some money from the house.

“On September 29 this year at around 6AM, the accused person was looking for $1,50 which had gone missing and she found it in the complainant’s satchel,” said Mr Mageza.

He said Ncube assaulted the complainant with a green and yellow electric cable measuring 1,75m all over the body until he sustained some injuries.

She also struck him several times on the head with the tip of a stiletto shoe.

The minor sustained whip marks all over the body and a medical report was produced in court as an exhibit.

The matter came to light when the boy’s teacher noticed some bruises and marks on his cheeks and asked what had happened to him.

He narrated his ordeal to the teacher who called the juvenile’s father – who separated with his mum – to the school.

The boy’s father confronted Ncube before proceeding to the police to make a report, leading to her arrest.

@cynthiamthembo1.

Wynne Zanamwe, Midlands Reporter
A 37-YEAR-OLD Gokwe man has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for raping his wife’s 15 year old younger sister.

The man resides in Majute Village under Chief Sahi, Gokwe South and cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim.

He appeared before Regional Magistrate, Mr Solomon Jenya facing one count of rape.

The magistrate convicted him despite his plea of not guilty.

Mr Jenya sentenced the man to 15 years imprisonment and suspended two years on condition of good behaviour.

Prosecuting, Mr Mike Mhene told the court the accused person and the complainant are related.

“On July 7 last year the complainant’s sister went to take a bath and left her husband sitting with the complainant outside his bedroom hut. The accused person lured the complainant to his bedroom hut and started fondling her breasts,” said Mr Mhene.

The court heard that the complainant resisted his moves.

“The accused pushed the complainant on the bed and forcibly removed her clothes before raping her once,” said Mr Mhene.

@wynnezane.

Elita Chikwati, Harare Bureau
THE Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has warned the public of hot weather expected to affect the whole country starting yesterday to today.

A wet spell is also expected to start in the country from tomorrow onwards.

In a statement yesterday, the MSD said conditions which are near record-breaking high temperatures both during the day and at night are forecast to range from 33 degrees Celsius to 43 degrees Celsius.

“The department strongly advises against extended exposure to direct sunlight as there is little ozone to protect the skin. The usual health-related protection measures should be maximised.

“Some moisture is expected to start entering the country from Tuesday (today) and should cover much of Zimbabwe by Wednesday (tomorrow). It is expected however, that although the ensuing rains and thunderstorms should cover the whole country, they will be generally light,” said the department.

The MSD said it was also important to note that the combination of this moisture together with heat could trigger violent storms, which are usually accompanied by hail and damaging winds.

“The department therefore as a way of taking precautionary measures to protect themselves from the adverse weather conditions, advises members of the public to drink lots of fluids, particularly water, avoid prolonged stay in the sun, protect yourselves from the sun by using umbrellas and wide-brimmed hats.

“The danger is extremely high for runaway fires, so people should be careful. The department will continue monitoring the conditions and update the public accordingly.

“The department also requests the public to provide feedback or information on disasters through Twitter, Facebook and Whatsapp,” read the statement.

Archbishop Johannes Ndanga

Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
THE president of the Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ), Archbishop Johannes Ndanga, said the organisation will not protect anyone found guilty of promoting or engaging in child marriages using church beliefs.

Apostolic sects are accused of being breeding grounds for child molesters.  The Johane Marange sect is known for barring members from seeking medical attention for any ailment.

Archbishop Ndanga lambasted prophets from the sect who take advantage of congregants’ belief that they are anointed by God, to force minors to submit to sexual abuse.

“Those who want to have visions or dreams of which woman they should marry should dream of single mothers, widows and not young girls. Why do they only dream of young girls? Why do they never dream of older, widowed women and or single mothers?” asked Archbishop Ndanga.

Speaking in Bulawayo at a health walk that was held on Saturday, he said the church was totally behind proposed amendments to the Marriage Act that will make it illegal to marry a person below the age of 18.

Archbishop Ndanga said there are hundreds of women out there who want to be married and men should target them, instead of young girls.

The Archbishop said the church was out to dispel the myth that apostolic sects preyed on children for sex.

“We are saying a young girl is not yet ripe for marriage and so should not have her life ruined by a selfish man who claims to have had a divine vision that he should marry her.

“According to Genesis 2 verse 18, God says it is not proper for a man to live alone adding ‘I will find a helper who is suitable for thee.’”

The word ‘suitable,’ he said, should be noted because sleeping with a young girl is damaging her and it is “as good as eating a raw mango.”

He said: “We fully support the judgement that was set by the judiciary because it is in full support of the girl child’s rights. It empowers the system to deal with such people and we won’t cover up for anyone caught in this act.

“We won’t allow anyone to use or hide under church beliefs. We will assist in every way to ensure the law brings perverts who hide behind religion, to book. We are actually helping by handing over such people to the police.”

The ACCZ president said since the church adopted zero tolerance towards child marriages and sexual abuse of minors, there has been a decrease in child marriages within apostolic sects.

“To curb child marriages, we have opened Gender and Child Care Unit desks throughout the country which look out for such matters, helping in apprehending anyone found guilty.

“We are yet to go around addressing all churches under our council, warning them that anyone discovered to have married a child, will suffer the consequences,” he said.

He said the church had changed its stance on hospitals and encouraged members to seek medical attention, especially when giving birth.

In Zimbabwe, 610 women out of every 100 000 die while giving birth, with a significant portion of the deaths attributed to apostolic sects that did not believe in hospital delivery.

Early this year, a Johane Marange Apostolic Sect member from Gutu in Masvingo province nearly killed his pregnant wife when he allegedly enlarged her birth canal using a home-made knife when she went into labour.

She was forcibly rushed to the clinic by a team of village health workers as her husband’s sect does not allow members to seek treatment at health institutions.

“Looking at Johane Marange, there has been an improvement on the children’s right to health. They are now getting their children vaccinated in hospitals and clinics. You can confirm that with the Ministry of Health and Child Care.  We are looking forward to putting a total end to child marriages considering that our church sects are known for this rot,” he said.

The Revelation Church of God organised the event, which started at Hamara near Basch Street Terminus and ended at Crescent Sports Club in Parkview suburb.

It was held under the theme: “Promoting health, wellness and fitness”, and it recognises the importance of providing good health for the world.

@winnie_masara

Dr Grace Mugabe

Richard Muponde, Gwanda Correspondent
THE First Lady, Dr Grace Mugabe, will on Thursday officiate at the International Rural Women and Family Day commemorations at Pelandaba Stadium in Gwanda.

The commemorations will be held under theme, “Economic Empowerment for the Rural Women through Mining Activities for a Healthy Family.”

The Matabeleland South Provincial Development Officer in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Ms Merjury Sikhundla, yesterday confirmed that Dr Mugabe would grace the occasion.

“On the day the First Lady is going to commission a women’s Stamp Mill in Collen Bawn which was erected by the government through its funding partner UNDP,” said Ms Sikhundla.

“The project was started by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe some time ago but was not finished. Our Ministry took it upon itself to finish the project after checking around the country and finding that a lot of these projects have been vandalised.”

She said her Ministry has the mandate to empower women so that they have healthy families through mining activities.

“Mining is a window of the Zim-Asset economic blueprint. We assessed the road we have covered in empowering women who were disadvantaged by the colonial regime. Women now own assets which were predominantly owned by men,” Ms Sikhundla said.

She said women in the province have been trained by the School of Mines in mining basics so that they carry out proper mining.

“We did so because we don’t want them to do short cuts as they will be scuttling government efforts to revive the economy through mining. We trust the women and they have been selling their gold to Fidelity,” Ms Sikhundla said.

In 2007, women miners received support from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe in the form of infrastructure and fencing at designated sites.

The site in Gwanda was developed into a service centre where women would be provided with mining services.

@richardmuponde

Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Ambassador Joey Bimha (left) shares a lighter moment with South African head of delegation to the Zimbabwe-South Africa Bi-National Commission Mr Xolisa Makaya in Harare yesterday

Felex Share, Harare Bureau
The inaugural session of the Bi-National Commission between Zimbabwe and South Africa started in Harare yesterday amid calls for officials to ensure all outstanding agreements are finalised and implemented.

The BNC kicked off with a meeting of senior officials, which will be followed by a ministerial session tomorrow ahead of official opening on Thursday.

President Mugabe and his South African counterpart Mr Jacob Zuma, will open the commission.

President Zuma is bringing with him a delegation of eight Cabinet ministers.

The BNC, agreed during President Mugabe’s visit to South Africa last year —elevates the two countries’ political and economic relations to presidential level from the ministerial rank where they reposed for years.

Opening the meeting of senior officials, Foreign Affairs secretary Ambassador Joey Bimha, said the implementation of the agreed deals would strengthen the existing relations.

“Some plans and agreements have not progressed beyond the signed documents,” he said.

“That must change in the new dispensation of the BNC. BNC is no more than a mechanism, it is an instrument which on its own cannot deliver on our cooperation. We have agreements that are still under negotiation, we have signed agreements that await implementation. It is us who have to use it to achieve the planning and implementation of our programmes of cooperation.”

BNC requires that the Presidents meet annually to monitor progress of the agreements meant to cement relations.

Ambassador Bimha said the commission, which has four clusters namely diplomatic, economic, social and security — was a successor to the Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation that has been in existence since 1995.

“This state of affairs further serves to confirm that the establishment of the BNC has not terminated the work of the Joint Commission,” he said.

“We must continue to implement that which we had started or were already undertaking under the Joint Commission.”

Over the years, Zimbabwe and South Africa have signed 38 bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding covering a broad range of areas such as trade and investment, immigration and consular matters, defence, agriculture, energy, health and taxation among others.

While some agreements have been implemented, others are pending at varying stages of readiness.

A number of agreements are expected to be signed at the end of the meetings being held.

Said Ambassador Bimha: “The establishment of the BNC represents a significant qualitative upgrading of our two countries’ already solid relations.

Zimbabwe does not have this type of forum of cooperation with any other country. The BNC with South Africa is a first and speaks volumes about the nature and character of the close and cordial relations we have and we are committed to strengthen to greater heights.”

Head of senior officials from South Africa Mr Xolisa Makaya said the establishment of the BNC came after the realisation that relations between the two countries could no longer be managed at a level below that of Heads of State.

“Our deliberations over the two days should afford us the opportunity to conclude our negotiations so that these agreements can be signed in the not so distant future,” he said.

“Undue delays will work against our historical and cultural ties. The BNC creates an opportunity for both sides to examine the scope of our relations over a wide range of issues. The four clusters will allow us the platform to deliberate on sector specific matters to highlight and underscore our successes while on the other hand, interrogate whatever impediments that work against our desired outcomes.”

Mr Makaya added: “We should identify the key sectors and the scope of our sectoral cooperation in order to deepen and strengthen our relations for the mutual benefit of both countries. Our deliberations need to be outcomes based, measurable and achievable given that BNC is convened on an annual basis. We should be able to monitor and evaluate progress.”

Apart from promoting cooperation in the various sectors of Government, the BNC also seeks to facilitate contact between the public and private sectors of the two countries.

During President Mugabe’s visit last year, memoranda of understanding were signed on diplomatic consultations; customs administrations, water resources management and trade cooperation.

President Mugabe

Felex Share, Harare Bureau
President Mugabe yesterday finally signed into law the Special Economic Zones Bill in a move that is expected to see the country attracting foreign direct investment.

The special economic zones are also expected to establish an appropriate regulatory and policy infrastructure to enable local and regional trade to flourish.

This comes as President Mugabe yesterday met some members of a visiting 20-member Chinese delegation at State House.

The delegation is in Zimbabwe to speed up the operationalisation of the mega-deals agreed between the Governments of China and Zimbabwe.

The delegation is headed by Mr Fan Hengshan, deputy secretary general of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

The NDRC is the economic planning body of China.

Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda, confirmed the signing of the Special Economic Zones Bill after President Mugabe’s meeting with the Chinese delegation.

“The delegation came in the wake of the work that we have already done to speed up the operationalisation of the agreements that were signed between President Mugabe and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping last December.

“This is the first concrete, practical way of translating what has happened. In fact, coincidentally today the President signed the Special Economic Zones Act, which is going to be the basis of the operationalisation of all the work we are doing.”

President Mugabe in September referred back to Parliament the Special Economic Zones Bill after expressing reservations on a clause that sought to suspend the Labour Act whose effect would have exposed workers to ‘serious’ abuse by employers.

In rejecting the Bill, President Mugabe cited Section 56 of the Special Economic Zones Bill, which he said was not consistent with Section 65 of the Constitution as it sought to suspend operations of the labour laws in special economic zones.

Section 56 of the Bill provides as follows: “The Labour Act Chapter 28:01 and the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act (Chapter 14:33) shall not apply in relation to licensed investors operating in a special economic zone.”

Section 65 (1) of the Constitution provides that “every person has the right to fair and safe labour practices and standards and to be paid a fair and reasonable wage . . .(4) Every employee is entitled to just, equitable and satisfactory conditions of work.”

The Bill later sailed through Parliament incorporating suggestions proposed by the President.

Dr Sibanda said the special economic zones would be built in Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls.

“These are our colleagues from the NDRC and they came with a high powered delegation from Gansu province and a company that is responsible for the implementation of the special economic zones,” he said.

“They are experienced, they have established very successful special economic zones to a point whereby they propelled their economy to a position where they are now the second in the world after the United States. It is a basis of speeding the process of industrialisation. You give us time, starting next year you will begin to see lots of activities because of the coming of our friends.”

Dr Sibanda added: “We have been working over the weekend with them. We went to Sunway City, the companies that are here have found their counterparts in Zimbabwe. So it will be a joint venture, win-win situation. It will not be a one-sided affair.”

Mr Fan said all the mega deals agreed between Presidents Mugabe and Xi would come into fruition.

“Our visit as the NDRC delegation is very successful,” he said.

“We will implement the important consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries and also to deepen the cooperation in line with China’s One Belt One road initiative through international protection capacity cooperation. We will also enhance the development of Sunway City and other Zimbabwe’s special economic zones.”

Among a plethora of agreements with China that cuts across energy, agriculture and infrastructure development, Government has identified special economic zones as a definite programme of action.

These include Sunway City in Harare as well as one in Bulawayo which entails construction of an industrial economic zone covering beef to leather industry, cotton to textile industry, steel and foundry and the rehabilitation of the National Railways of Zimbabwe headquarters.

Vusumuzi Dube, Social Media Editor

 ALL is now set for Baby Manqoba Mabhena’s liver transplant, with the Mabhenas last night flying out via Fly Emirates, to India where the operation is set to take place.

In a telephone interview before boarding the flight on Tuesday night, Baby Manqoba’s father; Lawson confirmed that all was now in place for the operation.

He paid tribute to all that assisted the family to raise $51 000 for the operation.

“As a family we are extremely humbled by the support we received from colleagues, friends, corporates and members of the public as we even exceeded the amount we had targeted by $1 000.

“Right now, we are about to board our flight as a happy and confident family, knowing that a lot of people prayed for us and are still praying for us. In India all the bookings have been made and we have been advised that the baby’s recovery period after the operation will be approximately a month,” said Lawson.

Baby Manqoba

He said God’s power had been shown to them, as a couple of months ago they did not know where to turn to but through God’s grace the operation was now going to take place.

The now ten-month old Manqoba was born with a condition called biliary atresia which was diagnosed when she was five months old.

But then, surgeons couldn’t perform corrective surgery because her liver was already showing signs of significant damage leaving a liver transplant as the only option. Her liver can fail any minute from now.

According to health experts, biliary atresia is a relatively rare disease that begins in early infancy and affects one in every 10 000 to 20 000 infants and it is life-threatening if uncorrected.

Symptoms such as swollen abdomen, weight loss, itching, muscle loss, loss of appetite, easy bruising, low energy and weakness among other wide array of symptoms characterizes Manqoba’s life.

The #SaveManqoba campaign saw journalists, artists, companies and individuals from across the country come together to raise the $50 000 which was required for the operation. This was meant to cover hospital costs ($43 000), air fares, visa fees and any eventualities.

Eunice Mabhena

Tanaka Mrewa, Court Reporter
One of the two maids from Bulawayo who allegedly stole $28 000 from their employer, has been denied bail after pleading not guilty.

Eunice Mabhena (50) through her lawyer Vuyile Mpofu of V. J Mpofu and Associates had applied for $50 bail when she initially appeared in court on Friday last week.

A court heard investigators found Mabhena with $700 while her alleged accomplice Florence Phiri (43) was found with $100.

The State alleges that the serial numbers of the notes found in possession of the two accomplices matched those of the stolen money.

In his bail application Mr Mpofu said his client’s workmate had already pleaded guilty to the offence and had been remanded in custody.

He said there was nothing his client could do to interfere with police investigations that would end up disturbing the case.

Bulawayo magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya dismissed the bail application.

“There is too much money involved in this matter and a greater amount of the recovered amount was found in her possession. The trial date has been set already so the application for bail is hereby dismissed. Accused will await her trial date in custody,” he said.

Prosecuting, Miss Leean Nkomo said on August 2 this year, the maids’ employer, Ms Permian Macheka, sold 52 head of cattle and kept $28 600 in her bedroom.

“On October 19, complainant added $2 400 to her money. On October 24 she realised that $28 000 was missing and she made a report to the police. Phiri was found in possession of $100 and Mabhena had $700 and the serial numbers of the notes tallied with those of the stolen money,” she said.

Phiri testified in court on Friday that she bought her husband a car as a Christmas present before she fled from her boss’ house a day before the money was discovered missing.

“Your Worship I admit to the charge but I only took $5 500. I used $1 800 to buy a car as a Christmas present for my husband. I don’t know who took the rest of the money. May this court please remand me out of custody,” said Phiri.

The magistrate turned down her request and said the amount she had stolen attracted a custodial sentence.

Mr Tashaya remanded Phiri and Mabhena to November 8 for trial.

@tannytkay.

Patience Mutsiwi, Midlands Reporter
A 59-YEAR-OLD woman from Silobela was burnt to death while fighting a veld fire which was spreading towards her homestead.

Midlands Police Spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko confirmed the incident.

“I can confirm that we are investigating a sudden death case whereby Grace Matembedza of Desvirgis Farm, Silobela died on Saturday when she was trying to put out a veld fire which was spreading towards her homestead,” said Insp Goko.

“At around 3PM the deceased and her mother in-law Lucia Gumbo were sitting in the shade at their homestead when they saw a veld fire approaching their homestead from the side of Mazise farm. They resolved to go and put the fire out before it could spread to their area,” said Insp Goko.

He said the two women were using wet tree branches and buckets of water in an attempt to stop the fire from spreading.

“Gumbo shouted to Matembedza that they should go back home before they were trapped by the veld fire. By the time the fire had blocked the area around the gate making it difficult for the deceased to pass through and she was trapped,” he said.

The granny’s death comes three weeks after a two year old boy was burnt to death when he had been left alone sleeping at home in Gokwe.

A veldfire approached their homestead and consumed a bedroom hut in which he was sleeping, reducing his body to ashes.

@patiemtsiwi.

Chief Fortune Charumbira

Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
TSIKAMUTANDAS are causing havoc across the country and must be jailed as they are a danger to society, the president of the Chiefs Council, Chief Fortune Charumbira  (pictured), has said.

In an interview with The Chronicle, Chief Charumbira said the tsikamutandas who allegedly accuse villagers of practicing witchcraft and force them to pay cash or livestock for services rendered should be reported to the police.

He said local chiefs must not allow the Tsikamutandas to operate in their areas.

Chief Charumbira said police must arrest the witch hunters as they were ripping off communities.

“Tsikamutandas are a negative development in the country. They are a menace that should be brought to book. I urge affected people to report them to the nearest police station. It is a criminal offence to accuse someone of practicing witchcraft and their acts shouldn’t be encouraged,” he said.

Chief Charumbira said chiefs should not participate in the witch hunting exercises in their areas.

“Chiefs should be the ones who should be taking a lead in protecting their subjects, chiefs should ban tsikamutandas in their villages,” he said.

Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Minister Cain Mathema recently said witch-hunting divides communities, causing unnecessary misunderstandings among the people. He said many of the witch-hunters were charlatans bent on stealing people’s money and livestock.

Meanwhile, Chief Charumbira said the chiefs must not promote child marriages.

“Early child marriage is totally unacceptable. Our culture doesn’t support that and perpetrators should also be arrested,” he said.

@pchitumba1

Tatenda Alex Tawanda Sithole

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
A MAN from Mahatshula suburb in Bulawayo is set to appear in court following his arrest two days before his wedding for breaking and stealing from nearly 100 cars.

Tatenda Alex Tawanda Sithole and his accomplice Clive Conwell, who is still on the run, allegedly went on a stealing rampage and nicked valuable goods from about 100 cars in three cities: Bulawayo, Harare and Mutare.

Police yesterday said the two committed the crimes between April and July this year.

Some of the items that were recovered include cellphones, handbags, and laptops.

Sithole has already appeared in court in Mutare and is expected to be brought before the courts in Bulawayo and Harare in due course.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango said Sithole has over 100 counts of theft from vehicles in Bulawayo, Harare and Mutare he has to answer to.

“We arrested him last month, two days before his wedding. He has about 60 counts of theft cases in Bulawayo, 15 cases in Mutare and about 20 cases in Harare,” she said.

Insp Simango said Sithole was arrested by officers from the Criminal Investigation Detectives (CID) in Bulawayo working with their counterparts from Mutare on October 10.

She said police have already taken Sithole to Mutare where he has appeared in court.

“From Mutare he is going to be taken to Harare where he is supposed to appear in court in connection with 20 cases of theft from vehicles. After that he will be brought to Bulawayo to answer to 60 cases of theft from vehicles,” Insp Simango said.

She said police are still looking for Conwell who is suspected to be living in Bulawayo.

Insp Simango said police were appealing to members of the public with information on Conwell’s whereabouts to come forward.

Police said despite carrying out campaigns educating members of the public against keeping valuables in their cars, the trend still persists.

Insp Simango urged members of the public who might have lost their valuables to visit Bulawayo Central Police Station, theft from vehicle section to identify their property.

“Some of the property has already been identified and we’re urging those who lost their property in the mentioned period to visit our offices at Central Police Station,” she said.

@nqotshili

Patience Mutsiwi, Midlands Reporter
A TOP Kwekwe DJ allegedly hanged himself from a tree on Sunday following a misunderstanding with his mother.

Gilbert Clever Mutumbudze (28), popularly known as DJ Killer at Club Mojo where he practised his craft, is alleged to have threatened to commit suicide after his mother censured him for wayward behaviour.

Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko said: “I can confirm that we are investigating a suicide case that occurred on Sunday in Mbizo where Mutumbudze hanged himself after having a misunderstanding with his mother.”

Sources close to the case said the DJ had a misunderstanding with his mother who was trying to restrain him from consuming too much alcohol and sleeping out.

“The deceased was a drunkard who at times spent the whole week sleeping in a beerhall. On Sunday his mother tried to counsel him,” said the source.

“He then threatened to commit suicide and hours later he was found hanging from a tree branch by a passerby,” said the source.

@patiemtsiwi

Dr Nhlanhla Mgodla

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
ONE of Bulawayo’s top medical doctors, Dr Nhlanhla Mgodla has died.

He was 64.

Dr Mgodla died on Sunday morning at Mater Dei Hospital after a short illness.

He will be buried at Lady Stanley Cemetery in Bulawayo on Sunday.

A service will be held at Selbourne Park Seventh Day Adventist church just before his burial at 730AM.

His daughter Miss Lindelwe Mgodla expressed sadness at her father’s death.

She said he was a supportive father who stopped at nothing to see his children achieve their dreams.

She said Dr Mgodla’s death was not only felt by his family but also many Bulawayo residents whose lives he touched in a career spanning over 30 years.

“Although he has left a gap in the family, he has left an even bigger gap in the Bulawayo community because many people relied on his medical expertise,” she said.

Miss Mgodla said her father started his career in 1982 at Mpilo Central Hospital after attaining his medical degree from Russia in 1981.

“He worked as a junior medical doctor from 1982 at Mpilo Hospital before being transferred to Chinhoyi General Hospital. After serving at the hospital he was promoted [and deployed] to Filabusi in Matabeleland South where he served as the District Medical Officer,” said Miss Mgodla.

She said in the late 1980s, Dr Mgodla trained as an ear, nose and throat surgeon at the United Bulawayo Hospitals after which he worked as a private medical practitioner.

“He began his private practice in 1989. During his tenure he specialised in maternity cases, family planning services at the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council in Gwanda. He was also an on-call doctor for minor surgeries at the Bulawayo Lancet Theatre,” she said.

Miss Mgodla said her father operated as a doctor for several companies and parastatals that include Zimpost and TelOne, Nissan Clover, How Mine, and Casmyn Mine.

A Bulawayo doctor Dr Muriel Falala described the late doctor as a soft spoken and kind man who dedicated his life to saving lives.

She said Dr Mgodla specialised in maternal services and delivered many babies.

He is survived by a wife and four children.

Mourners are gathered at Number 37 Muchbinding Road, Worringham.

@nqotshili

Ms Jessie Majome

Richard Muponde, Gwanda Correspondent
GWANDA residents yesterday said diasporans should be denied the right to vote from foreign countries in the 2018 harmonised elections.

Contributing during a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs hearing on Saturday, a majority of the participants said those in the diaspora should return home to vote.

“They should come home and register to vote. They should cast their ballots at polling stations like all other Zimbabweans,” said a participant.

Mr Thulani Moyo who was part of the majority of participants who refused to give the diasporans the right to vote said the government has no money to facilitate voting from foreign lands. “The petition by Election Resources Centre isn’t right. The right for the people in the diaspora to vote is in this country. They should come here and vote. The government has no money to conduct voter education there, worse still to send observers in each and every country which has Zimbabweans to observe the voting exercise,” said Mr Moyo.

Gwanda Deputy Mayor, Councillor Albert Ndlovu said diasporans forfeited their right to vote when they left the country.

The Mayor, Clr Knowledge Ndlovu, said the diasporans should not be denied the right to vote as long as they were in the country.

“Why should all Zimbabweans be subjected to a station vote while they are in this country, yet diasporans want to vote from anywhere they are based. They should come back home to register and vote at a polling station where their names appear like everyone else,” said Clr Ndlovu.

Mr James Sibanda, another contributor, said those in the diaspora were “cowards” who ran away from the country thereby forfeiting their right to vote.

“It’s better to give that right to prisoners in our country’s prisons. Some of them are in jail for crimes they didn’t commit. It’s better for them to be given the right to vote than to give it to diasporans,” said Mr Sibanda.

The few that contributed in favour of the diaspora vote said it would be unfair to deny Zimbabweans living outside the country the right to vote from wherever they are, when the country desperately needed their money.

“If we deny them the right to vote then let’s not cry for diaspora remittances. Why do we want their money if they are not Zimbabweans with a right to vote?” asked Mr Wellington Nare from Zimrights.

Alderman Petros Mukwena, Ms Linda Mpofu, Clr Juston Mazhale and Ms Juliet Nkiwane who were among the few who defended the diaspora vote concurred with Mr Nare.

However, most participants concurred on the scrapping of voting slips and said voters should carry a voter’s registration card.

Harare West legislator Ms Jessie Majome chaired the meeting which was concluded without incident unlike in Bulawayo, Mutoko and Mutare where violence occured.

@richardmuponde

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa

Lloyd Gumbo in GENEVA, Switzerland
Zimbabwe is committed to the promotion and protection of human rights as evidenced by the adoption of various initiatives that it has come up with to ensure its citizens enjoy their rights, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa said yesterday. He said this when he officially presented Zimbabwe’s human rights national report at the second cycle of the Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations Centre here.

VP Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe had made progress in the implementation of the 130 recommendations that it accepted from UN Member-States in 2012.

He said the national report had input from various stakeholders among them civil society organisations, community-based organisations, faith-based organisations, Government ministries, labour, the private sector, independent commissions and United Nations Country Team.

VP Mnangagwa said the negative impact of the El Nino-induced drought adversely affected Government’s implementation of social and economic rights, which left the population vulnerable. “The negative impact of the current drought is putting pressure on the Government to redirect resources from national social programmes towards feeding over 800 000 vulnerable households,” said VP Mnangagwa.

He said the economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West worsened the situation as the country could not get balance of payment support. Despite these challenges, VP Mnangagwa said Government continued to put in place initiatives and policies that ensure implementation of its socio-economic and cultural obligations.

“In order to promote these fundamental rights, Government, among other initiatives launched the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation in 2013, which is the Government’s major economic blueprint that is aimed at achieving sustainable and equitable economic and social development, propelled by the judicious and optimum utilisation of the country’s natural resources,” he said.

To ensure food security in 2017, VP Mnangagwa said Government embarked on command agriculture with the objective of producing enough food. He said adoption of the new Constitution in 2013 was another milestone that Zimbabwe achieved since the last review.

“The Constitution has been lauded for its substantive content that introduces salient foundational democratic elements and an expanded bill of rights, incorporating all generations of rights. These rights can only be meaningful to our people through implementation of legislative and administrative measures to actualise the Constitution,” said VP Mnangagwa.

He said establishment of the Constitutional Court also saw the bench making landmark rulings that enhanced human rights for instance against child marriages on the basis of the Bill of Rights in the Constitution that sets the age of majority at 18.

VP Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe had ratified several human rights treaties and conventions that would go a long way in promoting and protecting human rights. He said in line with the recommendations from the previous UPR, the new Constitution provided for the establishment of independent commissions, that was autonomously funded.

Some member states had raised advance questions that VP Mnangagwa addressed in the report. The issue of ending forced child marriages was one of the most dominant issues that was raised with VP Mnangagwa saying the Constitutional Court had since made a ruling on the matter while Government would come up with a law that harmonises and aligns all marriage laws.

Western countries among them Britain, Germany, Sweden and Netherlands implored Government to ratify the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment and the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons against Enforced Disappearances.

Spain also asked Zimbabwe to clarify the disappearance of MDC-T activist Itai Dzamara.

VP Mnangagwa said isolated cases of disappearances had been reported previously. “This is a major concern to Government. Whenever such reports are brought to the attention of law enforcement agents, thorough investigations are carried out. In this particular case, Government is investigating all the leads to establish the whereabouts of our citizen and in this regard Government is working with the family of the missing person and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights,” said VP Mnangagwa.

The United States of America asked how Government would address the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s lack of funds and independence in order to ensure that citizens are allowed free and equal participation at the 2018 harmonised elections. “Zec is independent and Government does not interfere with its operations,” said VP Mnangagwa.

“Government is supporting Zec to discharge its mandate. Since the last review, a total amount of $1, 913 549 was extended to Zec. This is despite our current economic challenges,” said VP Mnangagwa.

He also dismissed concerns raised by the US that food relief was being distributed on partisan grounds saying Government had adopted a zero tolerance policy to such activities. The US and Britain also asked what measures Government was putting in place to ensure people exercise their right to freedom of assembly and free association. “Government fully acknowledges its obligations to promote, protect and fulfil the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly,” said VP Mnangagwa.

“However, these rights are not absolute and must be exercised peacefully and with due respect to the rights of others, as provided for in the Constitution. Hence, Government will continue to ensure that such rights are enjoyed by all without causing any harm or prejudice to other people,” said VP Mnangagwa.