Police Officers collect the late Patience Ncube’s body from the shallow pit(left) behind the family house where she was buried.

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
THE family of a woman (26) who was allegedly killed by her brother who buried her body in their backyard suspects that she was murdered after she witnessed him killing someone.

Silindi Ncube from Old Magwegwe allegedly killed his sister Patience before burying her in the backyard of their home.

Their aunt, Mrs Mangisi Khumalo, yesterday said  Silindi could have killed his sister to cover up another murder.

“There is another pit which was covered with concrete. So we suspect that someone was killed and buried there. We have since reported it to the police.

“She could have witnessed her brother killing someone. And we suspect that Silindi killed her to cover up the crime,” said Mrs Khumalo.

She said after killing Patience, Silindi buried his sibling together with her passport and cellphone in the shallow grave.

He allegedly planted onions on the grave.

Mrs Khumalo said the family was convinced that another body could be buried in the backyard of their home.

Bulawayo provincial spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango yesterday said investigations were still underway.

Silindi is on the run and police are yet to establish the motive behind the callous murder.

Listen to audio

Police exhumed Patience’s body on Wednesday morning as shocked residents watched.

News that Patience had been killed and buried in their yard broke out on Tuesday and shocked residents gathered at the house as police searched for the body.

Patience, who was a worker at a retail outlet in Entumbane suburb, was killed while on leave and was supposed to be back at work last Tuesday, the day her body was discovered.

Last month, a 42-year-old mother of four from Bulawayo’s Pumula South suburb was arrested after she allegedly killed her four-year-old niece and buried the body in the yard of a house she was renting.  -  @nqotshili

Dr Lazarus Dokora

Pamela Shumba, Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT will next year embark on a massive project that will see every rural school having a borehole, a one hectare drip irrigation plot and a solar panel as part of scaling up efforts to complement the feeding scheme in schools.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Dr Lazarus Dokora said the project will start in May next year.

He was responding to questions in Parliament on how effective the feeding scheme was in schools.

“The calculation of the component of grain requirement to the end of term in December 2017 stands at approximately $18,5 million but this is the transfer costing mechanism where grain is delivered to the school system and there is counterpart support from the communities when they are also expected to chip in with relish supplies.

“There is a further component that we are preparing for, which is the scaling up of school feeding to the day secondary schools but that is going to happen next year in May. We will capacitate every rural day school with at least a borehole, a one hectare drip irrigation plot and some solar panel as part of our Triple P efforts in the sector. It is a burden that we all share,” said Dr Dokora.

He said a total of $9 million has also been set aside for the purchase of learning material for Government schools.

“I have put it clearly to all our systems that we have $9 million for which schools have made their indications and the procurement processes are underway.

“School Development Committees can also stock some of the library requirements of their schools. It’s my ministry’s responsibility to issue duty free certificates that are granted to me through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development so that these books can come in for free and go into the libraries of the schools,” said Dr Dokora.

On construction of schools, he said, his ministry had identified a consulting firm for the pilot phase of the 100 schools to be built in different parts of the country.

“We have arrived at a point where we have identified through our financial services advisor Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ), a consulting firm for the 100 schools that must be constructed, starting this year. I can confirm that we have identified the consultant and the sites for the pilot phase of the larger programme on construction of schools using joint venture/private sector money and working with the Government.

“The $20 million, which is a bilateral loan from the Opec Fund for International Development (OFID), is for the 17 schools that are in the construction pool using that loan facility. As of now we have 100 schools that are proposed under the joint venture, for which I will be coming back to Parliament to seek some of the amendments that are now going to appear in the Education Amendment Bill that will support this initiative,” said Dr Dokora. – @pamelashumba1

Kudzanai Chipanga

Walter Mswazie, Masvingo Correspondent
ALL roads will today lead to Masvingo’s Mucheke B Stadium for the third Zanu-PF Presidential Youth Interface rally expected to be attended by more than 50 000 people.

Zanu-PF’s National Youth Executive led by Secretary Cde Kudzanai Chipanga toured the venue on Wednesday and expressed satisfaction with work that has been done at the stadium ahead of the rally to be held under the theme: “Honouring Our Icon, Unlocking the Value in Youths.”

The Masvingo youth rally is the third one after two others held in Mashonaland East and Manicaland provinces.

“It is all systems go and we are only waiting for President Mugabe to arrive to meet youths in Masvingo,” said Cde Chipanga.
Masvingo provincial youth chairman Cde Nobert Ndaarombe hailed the national executive for giving the province support to hold the rally.

He said youths in Masvingo are serious about the empowerment crusade, hence they deserve to benefit from every government programme for their survival.

“We want to praise the leadership of Cde Chipanga for closely monitoring progress on the rally. That also gave us motivation as we stood guided. Our party elders especially those in the Politburo like Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Senator Shuvai Mahofa, Mwenezi-Chivi Senator who is also Minister for Psychomotor Activities in Education, Cde Josiah Hungwe, deserve pats on their backs. They have been with us through and through,” Cde Ndaarombee said.

He also hailed Chivi Rural District Council Chairman Dr Killer Zivhu for donating $2 000 to buy meat to feed those coming to the rally.

Cde Ndaarombe said Tongaat Hullet donated game meat and all the seven Rural District Councils in Masvingo donated money ranging between $300 and $500 while others supplied beef as well. – @walterbmswazie3

Tanaka Mrewa, Chronicle Reporter
ZIMPAPERS, the country’s biggest media house, will today broadcast the Bulawayo Arts Awards (BAA) live through video feeds on social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube.

The BAAs will be held at the Large City Hall today at 6PM.

The group’s chief technology officer, Mr Darlick Marandure said Zimpapers is determined to continue improving its digital presence to match international standards.

“We are striving to show the world that we are a fully integrated media house. Our live streaming of events shows we are taking the future, which is digitalisation, seriously. Zimpapers is driven to improve its digital presence and meet international standards,” he said.

Mr Marandure congratulated Zimpapers journalists who were nominated for the awards saying their hard work had earned them the nominations.

Zimpapers head of social media Godfrey Koti said: “The red carpet event will be live streamed. The Chronicle Facebook page will be the main platform but we will also use Umthunywa, B Metro, Sunday News and You Tube.”

“The whole idea is to promote what BAA has done. We are looking forward to making use of our digital side aligned to new media technologies. We want to make use of these platforms to showcase our abilities. We did this before when we streamed the 21st February movement and some rugby matches,” said Koti.

He said broadcasting the event live will enable those who cannot make it to the awards to follow the proceedings from their homes, cellphones, tablets and other devices.
@tannytkay

President Mugabe addresses mourners at the burial of former Botswana President Sir Ketumile Masire in Kanye, Botswana, yesterday. — (Picture by Presidential Photographer Joseph Nyadzayo)

Levi Mukarati in KANYE, Botswana
The death of former President of Botswana Sir Ketumile Masire has robbed Africa of a great statesman who served with valour and honour, President Mugabe said yesterday.

The President said in Sir Masire he had lost a personal friend and neighbour.

President Mugabe was addressing mourners  during the burial of Botswana’s second post-independence president.

Sir Masire died in Gaborone last week aged 91.

“President Masire, we are resting a great, great, great man today,” said President Mugabe. “It is a loss not just to Botswana, not just Sadc, but to the whole African continent.

“Let us look at the road he has walked and perhaps to walk it or get our people, our children to walk it.”

President Mugabe said he was glad Sir Ketumile was given State assisted funeral.

“I am here to bid him farewell, it is the last comradeship that he could ever enjoy wherever he is and when he looks back he will certainly say this is how much the people, other people, recognise my deeds,” he said. “And I am here not just to pay tribute on my singular behalf, but on that of my country, that of many other people.

“In Sadc we have lost a great leader indeed and I want to say to Your Excellences that Sir Ketumile Joni Masire is what we would call in Zimbabwe a national hero. May God rest him in perfect and eternal peace and may God give solace to his family and may God continue to comfort us all.”

President Mugabe described Sir Ketumile as his best friend. “I shall continue to live with Masire forever in my heart,” he said. “As I have said, I never had a friend as close as Masire. He was the closest, closest to my family, my wife and his wife were great friends.

“The death of Sir Ketumile Masire has not only robbed Botswana of a great leader, but also Southern Africa and our entire continent of the great statesman who served with valour and honour,” President Mugabe said.

“He gave us both pride and confidence to work with him as a neighbour, colleague and friend.”

President Mugabe said he was returning to Kanye on yet another sad occasion. He visited the town for the burial of Sir Ketumile’s wife, Gladys, in 2013.

“The late Sir Ketumile Masire’s resoluteness in fighting for the betterment of the people of Botswana will forever remain etched in our minds and I am sure in the minds of each and every Motswana,” he said.

“His persistence and perseverance in the fight for economic development of Botswana helped in laying the foundations of economic transformation that the country continues to experience today.”

President Mugabe said Sir Ketumile played a major role in bringing peace on the continent.

“The people of Zimbabwe will forever remember the sterling role that the late former President Masire played in the liberation struggles of our region,” he said. “When he took over as President of Botswana in July 1980, there were liberation struggles in South Africa and Namibia.

“President Masire’s actions rendered the apartheid regimes into submission, as Botswana continued to render assistance to the liberation movements of those countries.”

President Mugabe said he had fond memories of having worked with Sir Masire in the formative stages of the Southern African Development Coordination Conference, now Sadc.

Sir Ketumile, who was Botswana’s President from 1980 to 1989, died in hospital in Gaborone last week from surgery complications.
He is credited for mediation efforts in Kenya, Swaziland and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The burial was also attended by Lesotho’s King Letsie III, former presidents Sam Nujoma and Hifikepunye Pohamba (Namibia), Thabo Mbeki (South Africa), Armando Guebuza (Mozambique) and incumbent South Africa Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Senior government officials from the region also represented their countries.

President Mugabe returned home yesterday.

Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
A TEACHER at a private school in Victoria Falls has been fined $150 for beating up a truant Form Three pupil for not doing his school work.

Kudakwashe Bere (34) of Chinotimba suburb, teaches Computer Science and Computers at Herentals Group of Colleges.

He was arrested after beating up the pupil, who cannot be named for legal reasons, when he noticed that he had not written school notes.

The boy reported the matter to the police.

Bere was convicted on his own plea of guilty to assault when he appeared before Victoria Falls magistrate Ms Rangarirai Gakanje during the week.

Prosecuting, Mr Listen Nare said Bere assaulted the pupil on June 15 at the school during a lesson.

“On June 15 and at 12 noon, the accused asked the complainant why he had not written Computers notes which were not up to date.

“The complainant told the teacher that he had not been coming to school for a week because he had school fees arrears,” said the prosecutor.

The boy’s response did not go down well with the teacher who took a switch and beat up the boy thrice on the left hand palm.

The court was told that the boy sustained injuries and was treated at Victoria Falls District Hospital.

Beating of children at home and at school was outlawed by the High Court in a landmark ruling early this year when Harare High Court judge Justice David Mangota ruled that parents and teachers must not lay their hands on children even if they misbehave.

Justice Mangota also declared unconstitutional Section 69 (2) (c) of the Education Act which permits corporal punishment.

@ncubeleon

Engineer Michael Madanha

Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
THE Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has proposed a downward review of number plate costs from $160 to $125 each.

The downward review proposal also includes replacement costs for damaged and lost number plates.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Deputy Minister Engineer Michael Madanha told Parliament this week that his Ministry was having talks with the Ministry of Finance on the matter.

“These number plates are imported and we have considered as a Ministry that there should be a downward review because most of our stakeholders are actually yearning for the reduction of the cost of the number plates and we are definitely going to reduce the cost.

“My Ministry in consultation with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development is more than prepared to make some concessionary reductions,” said Eng Madanha.

He said they already have a draft proposal paper on the need to reduce costs.

“In that draft paper, we see opportunities to reduce the user fee charge for motor vehicle number plates to $125 and that of trailers to $105.

We are also considering a reduction in the replacement cost for a damaged or lost number plate in respect of number plates for public service vehicles and private vehicles from the current $160 and $140 to $90 and $75 respectively,” said Eng Madanha.

“It is our considered view that the proposed downward review in number plate user charges will contribute in a small way towards Government policy on the ease of doing business,” he said.

“The material used in making motor vehicle plates is high quality aluminium. In addition, the Zimbabwe motor vehicle number plates unlike the majority that are found in the region, are embedded with a number of security features in order to avert the problem of use of clone number plates by criminals and other such persons who may choose not to comply with vehicle registration legislation.”

Responding to a question on why his Ministry insists on new number plates instead of reverting to the old or original number plate in the event that a number plate is lost, Eng Madanha said it was due to the security features the number plates had.

“This is mainly due to the fact that a number plate is just like a passport and it has got security features.

“We would like to say that when you lose one number plate, definitely you have to apply for a new set of number plates because of the security features that are there.

“It is a security embedded number plate. So, we definitely have to get a new set of number plates,” he said.

@AuxiliaK

Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
THE number of people receiving food aid has increased by nearly 50 000, the Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Cde Tapiwa Matangaidze, has said.

The Deputy Minister said the increase in the number of households receiving maize was attributed to an increase in distress calls from  provinces.

He said the distress calls necessitated that beneficiary registers be updated all over the country as households requesting food assistance had to be assessed and registered.

“Mr Speaker Sir, the food deficit mitigation programme has over the period continued with its noble task of feeding the food insecure households in all the 10 provinces in Zimbabwe.

“This was an intervention to cushion the food insecure against the harsh effects of the El Nino induced drought.

“By end of January 2017, the number of households receiving food assistance stood at 809 279 and it reached 854 744 households by end of May, 2017,” the deputy Minister told the National Assembly.

Recently, Cde Matangaidze told Parliamentarians that Government will not stop providing food to the vulnerable.

“That programme will always be ongoing because that is dependent on the current registers which are there and for as long as vulnerable people will always be there. So, it is a social protection net which is there,” he said.

Three weeks ago, the Government resumed maize distribution in Bulawayo with beneficiaries getting their allocations dating back to March.

The distribution of maize had been suspended in February owing to transport challenges, but this time around beneficiaries were asked to contribute 30 cents per 50kg bag for transportation.

The Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVAC) is conducting a study to establish how to continue supporting those in need of food.

@AuxiliaK

Innocent Ruwende, Harare Bureau
An Egyptian company, El Sewedy Electrometer, is set to establish a $15 million plant that manufactures domestic and commercial prepaid water meters in Harare.

The company is expected to create over 200 direct jobs for locals, excluding those in the value chain system.

Company chairman Mr Ahmed Sewedy, said plans were afoot to set up the company before year end.

“We are aiming to have a base in Harare before the end of this year,” he said. “We have 10 factories in different parts of the world. We have over 20 million prepaid water meters in over 46 countries. “We have capacity to produce five million meters every year. Our meters cost between $120 and $150.”

Following the recent enactment of the city’s investment policy, Harare is taking bold steps to attract investors and create employment.

Deputy mayor Clr Enock Mupamawonde recently led a team of city officials and a councillor to Cairo, Egypt, to assess the standing of the company interested in investing in Harare.

The Egyptian company manufactures prepaid and smart water meters.

Addressing delegates after a successful tour of the manufacturing plant located in the industrial zone in 6 October City, Clr Mupamawonde expressed satisfaction with the capacity of El Sewedy Electrometer. “Once the plant is set in Harare, it will go a long way in transforming our revenue collection, growth and service delivery,” he said.

Director of Harare Water Engineer Hosea Chisango said he was happy with the quality and specifications of the meters.

He said council was worried by its failure to collect all the water revenue from consumers.

Eng Chisango was speaking in response to reports that the Egyptian government had ordered that all households and companies in the country be fitted with prepaid water meters.

There are over 250 000 properties in Harare requiring prepaid water meters.

Council is preparing for the roll-out of prepaid water meters, with the programme expected to begin at the end of this month.

Attracting investors and giving them a conducive operating environment is the responsibility of local authorities.

The city’s building inspectorate recently adopted a one stop shop where building plan approval meetings are conducted by all relevant departments operating in one office in a bid to facilitate speedy approval of plans.

According to World Bank Survey on Ease of Doing Business in Zimbabwe, it took 448 days for one to apply and get a construction development permit.

To correct the situation, Government, with the support of World Bank, embarked on a number of reforms to facilitate the ease of doing business.

The late Lionel De Necker

Richard Muponde, Gwanda Correspondent
FORMER Gwanda Mayor Councillor Lionel De Necker has died.

He was 41.

Clr De Necker died yesterday morning in Harare where he had gone to seek medical treatment for diabetes.

The former mayor’s uncle, Mr Stofel De Necker, confirmed his nephew’s death.

“Yes he passed on. I heard the news this morning (yesterday). He died in Harare where he had gone to seek medical attention. For more information about the funeral processes, we are waiting for someone who is in South Africa. This is what I can say for now,” he said.

Gwanda Mayor Councillor Knowledge Ndlovu yesterday said he was saddened by the former mayor’s death.

“It’s sad. On behalf of the council we are very sorry for the sad loss of the former mayor. As council we will assist in whatever way possible because he is a person we once worked with. When it comes to these issues you don’t look at political affiliation because as the people of Gwanda we are one family,” said Clr Ndlovu.

The Gwanda Residents’ Association said it received Clr De Necker’s death with shock.

It said the former mayor would be remembered for his selfless service to the people of Gwanda.

‘‘De Necker was that councillor who believed in sacrificing for what he believed was in the best interests of his people. Clr De Necker may today rest peacefully knowing that during his term of office he led and left one of the best councils to emerge from Gwanda, a council which was free of corruption and ineptitude,” said the residents’ association.

“Councillor De Necker shall for long remain in the memories of the people of Gwanda for several attributes top of which is being the youngest mayor in the history of the town assuming mayorship at 32.”

Clr De Necker came into office in 2008 on a ticket of the MDC led by Professor Welshman Ncube.

In 2012, he was suspended by the then Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Cde Ignatius Chombo, for alleged insubordination and defying Ministerial orders.

The former mayor, who was MDC national executive member, resigned from the troubled party in 2015.

He resigned through a damning letter that also implored Professor Ncube to step down from the helm of the opposition party.

@richardmuponde

Minister Prisca Mupfumira

Pamela Shumba, Senior Reporter
THE Government has paid 2016 bonuses to teachers with the last batch of civil servants expected to be paid in August.

Apex Council President Mrs Cecilia Alexander confirmed the payment yesterday and commended Government for keeping its promise.

The Zimbabwe National Army, the Airforce of Zimbabwe and the health sector were paid in April, followed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the

Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services in May while teachers were paid early this week.

The last batch commonly referred to as the rest of the civil service, will be paid in August.

Mrs Alexander reiterated the importance of paying civil servants on time, saying it motivates the workers and improves efficiency in different ministries.

“We appreciate Government’s efforts in paying the civil servants their bonuses as promised. We, however, hope that the situation will improve. We want a situation where civil servants receive their salaries and bonuses on time.

“We’re also hoping that all civil servants benefit from the housing projects availed because this is a way of incentivising them and enhancing their livelihoods,” said Mrs Alexander.

Cash flow challenges have seen Government shifting pay dates for civil servants.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Prisca Mupfumira is on record as saying Government is committed to paying civil servants their dues and improving their welfare.

In January this year, Government had offered its workers three payment options to settle the bonuses.

These included residential stands, a cash stipend coupled with non-monetary benefits and property investment bonds.

The workers rejected all the options and threatened to demonstrate against their employer, resulting in the Government calling the workers for negotiations.

The deal to pay them in cash was sealed in March when Government met civil servants’ representatives.

@pamelashumba1

Africa Moyo in Victoria Falls
THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) is negotiating with banks to further reduce costs on point of sale (POS) and Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) transactions, especially as volumes of such transactions have skyrocketed in the last few months due to persistent shortages of paper money, a top official has said.

RBZ director (financial markets), Mr Azvinandawa Saburi, – who was one of the panelists during a discussion on “Monetary Policy interventions: Currency reforms and incentive systems” at the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) annual congress here yesterday, said the apex bank was happy with the surge in cashless transactions but is engaging banks to further reduce the costs.

Mr Saburi said plastic money usage has increased at the moment compared to cash, with transactions hovering between 60 percent and 80 percent.

“If you go to fuel stations as an example, they are having 65 percent to 70 percent of transactions not (involving) cash. Cash is only 20 percent or 25 percent.

“So, there has been a substantial increase in the usage of plastic money (but) I know, related to the usage of plastic money, there is always the issue of charges.

“We have had discussions with the banks and these charges have been coming down. What we have asked the banks to do for transactions which are below $10, we are saying they are charging 10c because we know when someone is buying bread for 90c, if you charge him 30c or 40c, it doesn’t make sense,” said Mr Saburi.

“But even the 10c, which they are charging for transactions that are below $10, it’s also a high charge when you convert it to a percentage. So we are working behind the scenes with different authorities who are involved in this . . . so that they reduce those charges.”

Last year, the RBZ capped transaction costs on POS transactions at 10c for purchases below $10 so as to broaden the use of plastic money as part of measures to arrest paper money shortages.

Zimbabwe has been battling paper money shortages since April last year, and the RBZ believes the challenge can only be surmounted when producers increase exports. This saw the introduction of a five percent export incentive scheme to stimulate exports, and more importantly, dissuade exporters from laundering their proceeds. The export incentive is paid in the form of bond notes.

Mr Saburi said the capping of RTGS charges at $5 has helped push up such transactions but there is scope for a further reduction of the costs, and the RBZ is engaging banks to slash the charges.

“Some banks were charging about $15 . . . I know the charges are still high at $5 but we are encouraging the banks to reduce those charges because we have discussions behind-the-scenes (with them).

“If you look at the plastic money, when transactions increase substantially, what it means is they (banks) are generating more revenue from that and it follows that they should reduce the charges as well, but we will continue with the discussions,” said Mr Saburi.

Some depositors have complained that while the RBZ has capped the RTGS transaction costs, banks have made it the flat fee and charge the same amount even when one is transferring $20.

This has seen cash queues persisting at banking halls as most banks charge $1 for a $100 cash withdrawal, which eventually makes it cheaper to get physical cash and settle one’s obligations.

Meanwhile, the ZNCC annual congress ended yesterday and several recommendations including having all Government departments attending future congresses were proposed to help transform the economy.

Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Chiratidzo Mabuwa and Mines Deputy Minister Eng Fred Moyo, were some of the few top Government officials who attended yesterday’s sessions.

Walter Nyamukondiwa in ZVIMBA
Government has moved a gear up in its efforts to consolidate the success of Command Agriculture by resuscitating communal irrigation schemes.

The irrigation resuscitation scheme is expected to increase the contribution of communal and A1 farmers to the hugely successful Government sponsored food initiative programme.

It will feed into the overall Government irrigation rehabilitation programme, where farmers are expected to receive centre pivots in line with ideals of the Command Agriculture programme to ensure food sufficiency.

Under a $200 000 irrigation resuscitation programme being spearheaded by the District Development Fund (DDF), at least eight of the 63 irrigation schemes countrywide will be rehabilitated to irrigate the early summer crop under the Command Agriculture programme. One of the schemes at Lazenby Farm in Kutama, Zvimba, has been resuscitated through a $40 000 injection which saw the installation of pumps, pipes, repair of motors and restoration of electricity.

Speaking during a tour of Lazenby Irrigation Scheme on Wednesday, DDF water supplies director Mr Edwin Toriro said the programme was in line with the 10 Point Plan enunciated by President Mugabe. “The move to resuscitate communal irrigation schemes is in line with a Cabinet directive to the effect that they have to be resuscitated urgently,” said Mr Toriro.

“As DDF, we have 63 such schemes throughout the country that are at various levels of development and we have selected eight of them, one in each province as the low hanging fruit.”

The Lazenby scheme has managed to put at least 20 hectares of wheat under the Command Agriculture programme.

DDF provincial coordinators toured the scheme and are expected to replicate its success, which is expected to feed a further 500 hectares of irrigable land under the Command Agriculture programme.

The programme anchored on two components, including irrigation and rain-fed cropping, has enabled the country to realise a bumper harvest of maize of this year.

The programme is expected to spread to other crops such as soya beans and livestock.

Mr Toriro said the programme was initially expected to avail land for the Command winter wheat crop, but it is now expected to be ready by end of August.

After completion of the eight irrigation schemes, Mr Toriro said, DDF would move to the remaining projects, which required more budgetary support from Government.

He bemoaned vandalism of irrigation equipment and called on the Rural Electrification Agency to assist in restoring power to some of the affected areas.

Chairman of the project Mr Maplani Chitsuro said the three million cubic metres dam at the farm was being underutilised.

VP Phelekezela Mphoko

Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
VICE President Phelekezela Mphoko has deferred debate on the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) Bill to study amendments proposed by lawmakers.

Cde Mphoko, who is responsible for national healing, said this in the National Assembly following proposals to further amend the Bill.

“Mr Speaker Sir, I think to do service to the minds of other people, it is important that they express their feelings then we digest and next time we talk about it. We need to deal with these things effectively and I also want to apply my brains here. You have put your brains here, so let me digest then we come and talk about it,” he said.

Asked which part of the Bill to defer, the Vice President replied: “The whole thing.”

Among those who proposed amendments to the proposed law was MDC-T chief whip Innocent Gonese who suggested words in line 10 on page 3 of the Bill that say “Whereas sections 251 to 253 of the Constitution provide as follows” must be deleted.

He said they must be substituted with: “Whereas Zimbabwe must seek a departure from a past of violence and gross violation of human rights, and a transition from fear and hatred, and instead must embrace the call to dialogue and truth, seeking a new path to a future of peace and respect for human rights, a future of hope and love, a new culture of justice and accountability; And whereas the Constitution provides that path to justice, dialogue and restoration, to truth-telling and the making of amends, to support and rehabilitation of victims, and offers new tools for the construction of a society of sustainable peace through the establishment of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission.”

In May, VP Mphoko defended the Bill despite criticism from both Zanu-PF and MDC-T MPs.

The VP said those who were shooting down the proposed law were suffering from fear of the unknown. MPs from across the floor had expressed reservations about the proposed law saying there were critical issues that include compensation, tenure of the Commission, justice and amnesty that had to be addressed. The criticism of the Bill came a week after the Justice Committee and thematic Committees of Human Rights and of Peace and Security said the Bill was poorly received by the public as it failed to address some relevant issues.

Responding to some legislators who are against the Bill, VP Mphoko said the Bill cannot be wished away as it was a constitutional requirement. He said the Bill was for the good of the nation and he would work hard to ensure that it passes through the House.

@AuxiliaK

Walter Nyamukondiwa, Harare Bureau
The country’s $1 billion gold production sector is under threat from the Minamata Convention that seeks to ban the use of mercury, a major chemical used by artisanal miners to trap the mineral from ore.

The Minamata Convention is calling for the phasing out of new mercury sources and the existing ones due to the hazardous nature of the chemical.

Some of the effects of mercury on humans include nervous system shattering, damage to internal organs such kidneys, contamination of mothers’ breast milk, children born with deformities and failure to control body movements.

The convention is calling for safe use of mercury and development of alternative technologies to replace the chemical.

With a significant contribution of the overall gold output coming from artisanal miners who extensively use mercury to trap gold, a drop in the supply of the silver liquid would affect the sector in the absence of alternatives.

Artisanal miners contributed nearly 10 tonnes of gold in 2016 and Government has given the sector a target of 12 tonnes in 2017, feeding into the national target of 28 tonnes. About 50 tonnes of mercury enter the country through formal channels, while a staggering 150 tonnes is said to illegally make its way through the porous borders.

Zimbabwe is a signatory to the Minamata Convention, which will come into effect in August, and is working towards ratifying the United Nations treaty.

About 60 countries, including Zambia and Mozambique, have so far ratified the treaty.

Dire implications of mercury exposure to humans and the environment typified by the Minamata contaminations in Japan, led to the Convention which seeks to phase out mercury mining and transportation by 2020.

Addressing stakeholders at a Mercury Abatement Policy Dialogue recently, National Environment Officer Mr Brian Gada said as a signatory of the Minamata Convention, Zimbabwe was taking steps towards ratification.

“While we are not obligated to ratify and implement it the Convention, we cannot do anything that undermines it,” he said. “The Convention seeks to regulate the use of mercury, leading to the phasing out of new mines and old ones. Time is coming when it will be difficult to get mercury.”

Mr Gada said it was an advantage if the country ratified the Convention before August so that it could access funding to conduct research on alternatives.

Zimbabwe is among the top 10 users of mercury in the world.

The World Health Organisation has listed mercury among the top 20 major health concerns in the world.

A Mercury Initial Assessment has already been conducted showing widespread use of mercury among the nearly 700 000 active artisanal miners.

The assessment showed contamination of water sources such as Claw Dam in Kadoma, symptoms of intoxication among artisanal miners, buyers and their families.

Stakeholders at the workshop called for investment into alternative methods of mining gold, especially by artisanal miners.

According to PACT Zimbabwe, which is conducting research into mercury use in the country, two thirds of artisanal miners use mercury in producing gold.

PACT Zimbabwe country director Ms Thembile Phute said mercury was a health hazard and a danger to the environment.

“Mercury, therefore, puts us in a policy dilemma,” she said. “It is critical to the livelihoods of millions of Zimbabweans, but it is hazardous to women and environmental health.”

Several researchers in the country are working on alternatives to the use of mercury in mining, including the Gold Fix which is like a magnet that only attracts gold.

Some have called for the use of retorts, which ensure that mercury is not released into the air during burning.

There is also the option of cyanidisation and concentrators to manage mercury use but they are relatively expensive.

Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation chief executive Mr Wellington Takavarasha, said the changes should not be abrupt.

Cynthia Dube, Court Reporter
A TEENAGER from Nkayi who followed a 16-year-old girl who was walking in a secluded area and raped her once without protection has been sentenced to nine years in prison.

Mongameli Ndlovu (19) raped the girl who cannot be named for ethical reasons on March 25 this year at around 5PM in Komayanga area.

A court heard that the girl was raped on her way to collect mealie meal from a neighbour after she was sent by her mother. Ndlovu pleaded not guilty.

“I didn’t rape her. We were in love and she agreed to have sex with me. May this court be lenient when sentencing me,” said Ndlovu.

Mr Mabeza convicted and sentenced Ndlovu to nine years in prison. Three years were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar crime within the next five years.  “You will serve an effective six years in prison because rape is a very serious offence. It attracts only an effective sentence. Rape traumatises the complainant mentally and physically,” he said.—@cynthiamthembo1

Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
TWO police officers based at Nkayi Police Station allegedly committed suicide by drinking pesticides during the same month.

Constables Aubrey Mahefa (25) and Liston Hove allegedly killed themselves following domestic disputes with their spouses.

A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity alleged Hove killed himself on June 2 after his wife blew his annual bonus with a boyfriend who is said to have made her pregnant.

“He quarrelled with his wife over his missing bonus money. His wife was pregnant and someone in Kwekwe was claiming responsibility.

“They had been married for only three months when Hove discovered WhatsApp messages where his wife and another man discussed her pregnancy.

“Not only did it end there, the unknown man went on to directly communicate with Hove. He claimed to be the husband of the wife he had just married.

“He told him he was the father of the baby his wife was carrying and even told him that he had part of Hove’s ‘bonus’ money and was actually squandering it,” said the source.

“We suspect he couldn’t stomach his wife’s betrayal and decided to kill himself. He drank a pesticide a few kilometres away from the business centre.

“Apparently the pain he endured became too much for him and he started running around in a rage like a mad man.”

“A passerby I won’t mention by name rushed him to Nkayi District Hospital. When his condition worsened they transferred him to Mpilo Central Hospital and he died on the way,” he said.

A passerby discovered Mahefa’s decomposed body in Shangani River on Friday last week.

A bottle of a poisonous pesticide and his cellphone were found on the body.

A source within the police camp said they suspected Mahefa killed himself because his wife “sold him out to his superiors that he was running a business, contrary to the Police Act.”

“Mahefa was doing some training for a certain department within the police force in Harare. His wife and two children had remained behind in Nkayi.

“It was however alleged that Mahefa was running a business at Nkayi Business Centre which is against our policies. This was discovered by our superiors who confronted his wife and she admitted it,” said the source.

The source said Mahefa’s wife was a “problematic” woman.

“The woman was evicted from the police camp for always fighting with other women. She now stays somewhere at Nkayi centre.

“We understand Mahefa applied for leave to come and solve these problems. The matter was discussed with our bosses and he went for a disciplinary hearing,” said the source.

Mahefa’s family was recalled to stay in the police camp. Apparently, said the source, Mahefa’s wife continued to interfere with investigations by phoning her husband’s superiors at provincial level.

“We suspect this deeply affected Mahefa who on June 15 went to the canteen in the camp where he made a cash-out transaction of $12 and vanished until the discovery of his decomposed body on Friday, about 15 kilometres away from the camp.

Matabeleland North police spokesperson Inspector Siphiwe Makonese could not be reached for comment. — @winnie_masara

File pic of elephant horns

Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
A POACHER was shot dead by rangers while his friend escaped with injuries at Hwange National Park after they were caught removing tusks from an elephant they had gunned down.

The incident occurred at the national park’s Main Camp last Wednesday.

The dead poacher has been identified as Charles Siyambonga who was on bail pending appeal after he was convicted of illegal hunting.

Zimparks acting spokesperson Mr Simukai Nyasha confirmed the incident.

“On 28 June 2017, Zimparks rangers who were on intensive patrols with ZRP details in the Hwange National Park had an armed contact with two armed poachers in the park.

The patrolling team discovered poachers who were removing tusks from an elephant carcass. One of the poachers died about 150 metres from the scene of contact while the other managed to escape but was seriously injured,” said Mr Nyasha.

He said rangers yesterday apprehended the injured poacher in the game park as he struggled to walk due to injuries he sustained following the shooting.

Mr Nyasha said four elephant tusks, one rifle and two rounds of ammunition were recovered from the scene.

“The poacher who had escaped was arrested by Zimparks rangers on patrol this morning in the park as he struggled to walk due to injuries he sustained,” said Mr Nyasha.

He urged Zimbabweans to desist from illegal activities in protected areas as this may result in unnecessary loss of lives.

“We appreciate the cooperation we are getting from members of the public especially the information and tip offs on illegal activities,” he said.

Last month, four elephants died due to suspected cyanide poisoning at Hwange National Park.

A container containing cyanide was found in the same area where elephant cyanide poisoning was first reported in 2013 leading to the death of more than 300 jumbos.—@AuxiliaK

Amanda Chikari, Midlands Reporter
A 63-year-old special police constable has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for raping a 20-year-old woman he had arrested on suspicion of stealing a cellphone.

Christopher Dube of Mukosi Village, Chiwundura area outside Gweru and is attached to Mchakata Police Post appeared before Gweru Regional magistrate Mr Morgan Nemadire facing one count of rape.

Dube was convicted on his own plea of guilty.  He will serve an effective 12 years after three years were suspended on condition of good behaviour.

In passing sentence, Mr Nemadire said Dube was a disgrace to the society as he raped a suspect he was supposed to charge for allegedly stealing a cellphone.

“You acted unlawfully, you should be assisting us in law keeping but instead you decided to take advantage and rape the complainant who was at the time the accused hence the law should take its course.

“You are sentenced to 15 years in prison. Three years of your sentence are suspended on condition of good behaviour,” said Mr Nemadire.

Prosecuting, Mr Fred Kadodo told the court that on March 29 at Maguma Business Centre in Chiwundura, Dube arrested the complainant (name withheld to protect her identity) on suspicion of stealing a cellphone.

“Dube decided to escort the complainant to Mchakata Police Post. Along the way in a bushy area, the accused threatened to send her complainant to prison if she didn’t comply with the orders he was about to give her,” he said.

The accused person, the court heard, started fondling the complainant and commanded her to lie down on her back.

In fear of going to prison, Mr Kadodo, said the complainant complied before he placed his handcuffs next to her head.

The court heard that Dube raped the complainant once before they proceeded to the police post.

“The matter came to light upon arrival at the Police Post when the complainant narrated her ordeal to the officer who was on duty.

“Investigations were carried out and the complainant’s undergarment was found at the scene leading to the arrest of the accused person,” said Mr Kadodo.—@Amanda49

Fairness Moyana, Hwange Correspondent
A NKAYI man who fatally struck his aunt with a hoe following a misunderstanding over ownership of a bicycle pump, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Cabangani Sibanda (30) of Setshanke village in Nkayi who had pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of culpable homicide, was convicted of murder with actual intent by Justice Francis Bere who is on circuit in Hwange.

Passing sentence, Justice Bere bemoaned the unnecessary loss of life over a trivial issue

“The events that took deceased’s life were unnecessary and could have been avoided if accused had restrained himself,” said Justice Bere.

He said society should respect the sanctity of life.

For the state, Miss Memory Munsaka said on February 25 this year, Cabangani arrived at his grandmother’s homestead to repair a scotch cart before calling his aunt Ms Silethiwe Sibanda (37) to assist him.

A misunderstanding later ensued after Cabangani had been told to stop the repairs as he was struggling to do the job.

His aunt subsequently took the tools which Cabangani was using and went into her mother’s bedroom.

She told Cabangani that the bicycle pump he was claiming ownership of belonged to her family.

This angered him and he followed her shouting that he was going to kill someone that day.

He picked up a hoe and struck her once and she died on the spot.

Cabangani’s grandmother Sheila Sibanda told the court that he shouted that he was going to kill someone prior to committing the crime.

“After I advised him to stop fixing the scotch cart as he was failing, I saw accused follow my daughter into my bedroom hut and he shouted that he was going to kill someone.

“I inquired why he intended to kill and he only responded by saying people were showing off. I saw him pick  a hoe which was lying besides my bedroom and he then followed my daughter,” she said.

The woman said that she heard the sound of something falling and went to investigate only to find her daughter dead.

Blood was coming out of her nose and her head was facing upwards. She said she stood in shock as Cabangani poured two buckets of water on the body in an attempt to render first aid.

Cabangani then turned to his grandmother and told her that he was sorry.

Through his pro deo lawyer, Mr Knowledge Dingani of Mlweli Ndlovu and Associates Cabangani said his aunt first attacked him and he struck her in self-defence.