Honest Moyo

Richard Muponde, Gwanda Correspondent
A MAN from Gwanda who was allegedly killed a homeless man and decapitated his head and removed his private parts a fortnight ago yesterday disowned his warned and cautioned statement saying he was tortured by the police.

Honest Moyo (22) of Mawane area in Guyu but residing at Capital Block farm in Colleen Bawn alleged in court that police left out crucial elements in the statement.

He was in court for the confirmation of his warned and cautioned statement before Gwanda magistrate, Mr Obedience Matare.

The confirmation was done in camera.

The magistrate ordered even the Press to vacate the gallery.

The new development led to Mr Matare not confirming the statement.

Initially, Moyo had allegedly said to the police: “I deny the allegations being levelled against me that of killing a certain man who is unknown to me and whose name I don’t know.”

He said he was looking for lost cattle in Colleen Bawn when he came across a dead person who had been stabbed at the back of the head.

“I then took some parts, the head and testicles. I went and collected some tools, a pick and a shovel, and dug a pit which I covered with soil after having placed him inside. I went out in search of the person who wanted these parts. His name is Cosmas Zhou and he was panning at Geelong Mine in Colleen Bawn,” read the statement.

“Having failed to locate him, I took the head and the testicles and placed them in a bag and went on to board transport to my communal home in Mawane.

When I went to check on the parts, I was found by my cousin, my maternal uncle’s child, Thandolwenkosi. He instructed me to throw them away. I threatened him with assault. He got angry and got out saying he was going to his home. He then went and called elders one of whom is Mgcini. I had been promised $25 000.”

In court yesterday, Moyo disowned the statement and said police left crucial elements particularly that “he did not kill but found people killing the deceased, who ran away.”

Moyo told the court: “I made the statement, but what is written in the statement is not wholly correct.

“I told the police that I saw people killing the deceased but they ran away when they saw me. They left out the crucial element that I saw the killers.”

Mr Matare asked him if he made the statement freely and voluntarily without undue influence.

“I was not that free. I was harassed when I made the statement. They were slapping me, throwing me about, even into thorns. It’s police officers who were doing this,” replied Moyo.

Mr Matare remanded Moyo in custody to July 21.

Moyo is facing allegations of killing a mental patient, popularly known as Mduna in Colleen Bawn.

He was again not formally charged with the murder.

Allegations are that on June 20, Moyo found the now deceased Mduna near Colleen Bawn dumpsite.

He allegedly killed and decapitated him. Moyo also cut off his testicles.

The court heard that he buried the body in a shallow grave at the dumpsite.

He allegedly packed the head and the testicles in his bag and took them to his rural home in Mawane.

Villagers apprehended Moyo and handed him over to the police.

He is facing another case of attempted murder in which he allegedly axed a fellow herd boy in an argument.

The matter did not go to trial since the complainant’s whereabouts were unknown and Moyo is off remand.

He came to court on the matter under Colleen Bawn CR 08/06/16. — @richardmuponde.

Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
STRAY lions have killed 73 goats and 25 cattle in three months in Binga.

Affected villagers said they had been driven into poverty as the wild animals plundered their stores of wealth.

Villagers said they feared for their animals as the lions were becoming increasingly daring.

Since April, lions have been straying into about three villages in Sinansengwe Ward, under Chief Sinansengwe.

Chief Sinansengwe said the lions could soon start attacking people as they had virtually wiped out livestock.

“Last week, I personally lost five goats in one night. The situation has gone from bad to worse and I don’t even know how to console my villagers as I am equally affected,” said Chief Sinansengwe.

“We’ve failed to drive wildlife out of our villages and this time we are bound to lose human lives. Although lions have always been problematic in our wards, especially in winter, this year the problem has gone beyond the usual.”

Sinansengwe Ward Councillor Elmon Mudenda said they reported the matter to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority in April but when the rangers came to the area, the lions disappeared.

“They reappeared after the rangers had left. We can hardly sleep at night as we fear for our lives,” said Clr Mudenda.

“About 32 goats and eight cattle were killed in two weeks in Chitete Village. Although this is a common occurrence as it happens every year, this time the lions have come in full force, killing seven to 12 goats in one kraal on a single night.”

Last month, hyenas wreaked havoc in Kariyangwe area, Binga, killing more than 30 goats and sheep in one night.

Chief Siansali said some parents had stopped their children from attending school, fearing for their lives following the attacks.

Meanwhile, Zimparks acting spokesperson Mr Simukai Nyasha said last Monday rangers managed to tranquilise a female lion that had been killing livestock in the Mabale Communal area near Hwange National Park.

“The lioness was successfully darted and captured by a team comprising Zimparks Rangers and members of the Dete Animal Rescue Trust (D.A.R.T.).”

“As from May 28, 2017, the team had been responding day and night to every lion report received from the Mabale area and tracking the problem lions.

Mounting evidence indicated that one particular lioness, acting entirely on her own, had embarked on a livestock-killing spree. In less than a month, Zimparks received reports that the lioness had killed a total of 36 goats and 4 calves.

“The actions of this lioness had become bolder, stalking prey between homesteads and starting to kill livestock during daylight hours thus increasing risk to human life, particularly young children walking to and from school or out playing in the fields.

“Currently the lioness is being held in a temporary holding facility in Hwange National Park while preparations are being made for her relocation and release deep in the Hwange National Park. The lioness will be fitted with a satellite tracking collar for future monitoring purposes,” Mr Nyasha said. — @winnie_masara.

Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Court Reporter
ONE of the two armed robbers who stole AK47 rifles from ZimParks before raiding a bottlestore in Bulawayo’s Kensington suburb where they shot dead a patron and went away with R800 and a consignment of beer and cigarettes, was yesterday sentenced to life imprisonment.

Menzi Dube (48) of Esigodini allegedly ganged up with Greysham Nyathi who is still at large and armed themselves with an AK47 rifle before raiding Kensington Bottle store.

Dube, who is already serving a 22 year jail term for another armed robbery case, was yesterday convicted of murder with constructive intent by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Maxwell Takuva in connection with the death of Ms Prosper Hlongwane (22) in February 2009.

In his judgment, Justice Takuva said Dube, whose evidence was fraught with inconsistencies, was not a credible witness.

“The accused person exaggerated evidence on how he was allegedly assaulted by police. Despite his alleged assault, accused did not suffer any injuries at all. His evidence is riddled with improbabilities and we accordingly reject his testimony,” said the judge.

In passing sentence, Justice Takuva described Dube as a wicked person who deserved to be removed from society.

“You have been found guilty of a very serious offence which warrants a death penalty since the murder was committed in the course of a robbery,” said the judge.

“The court has discretion to decide on the appropriate penalty and in this case you have escaped death by a whisker. In our view, what has saved you from capital punishment is that circumstances surrounding the shooting remain obscure since there was no evidence to shed light on how the deceased was shot.”

Justice Takuva said Dube was a selfish and greedy person whose conduct was deplorable.

“The accused person killed an innocent person for selfish needs and robbing people of their property. You are a wicked person who should not be allowed to live with other humans beings,” he said.

Prosecuting, Mr Thompson Hove said on February 21 in 2009 shortly after 10.30PM, Dube in the company of Nyathi, armed themselves with two AK 47 rifles and went to Kensington Bottle Store.

On arrival, the two men ordered everyone who was outside the bottle store to lie down.

The court heard that some patrons did not comply with the order.

“When Dube and Nyathi realised that they could be apprehended, they fired two shots at the crowd and one of the bullets hit the deceased on the left thigh,” said Mr Hove.

The two armed robbers got inside the bottle store and threatened two bartenders, Ms Rejoice Dube and Ms Tendai Sibanda and demanded cash.

Rejoice, out of fear, gave the two men R800. Dube and Nyathi then ransacked the bottle store and took beer, soft drinks,  packets of cigarettes, matches and candles and disappeared into the darkness.

Rejoice later heard Hlongwane screaming for help as she was about to retire to bed. She found the deceased lying in a pool of blood a few metres away from the shop.

Hlongwane died before she could be taken to hospital. A report was made to the police and investigations led to Dube’s arrest.

One of the firearms and the camouflage, which was used during the commission of the offence, was discovered at Dube’s house.

In his defence through his lawyer, Mr Kwanele Mbongeni Nxumalo of Ncube and Partners, Dube said he was falsely incriminated and accused police of forcing him to confess by assaulting him. —  @mashnets

Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
POLICE in Matabeleland South have launched a manhunt for a hitchhiker who allegedly stole 130 bibles and 250 church booklets from a pastor who had given him a lift in Beitbridge.

In another incident in the province, a 49-year-old man armed with a sjambok was arrested after allegedly whipping a shopkeeper before robbing him of 11 packets of cigarettes and 71 boxes of matches in Fort Rixon.

Both incidents occurred on Wednesday.

In the first incident, a hitchhiker boarded a lift and asked to be dropped off somewhere in Gwanda. Later, the driver, Mr Daniel Shava of Revival Ministries International, realised that his luggage was missing.

Confirming the incident, Matabeleland South Police spokesperson Inspector Philisani Ndebele said: “Members of the public must avoid giving living lifts to strangers or hiring unlabelled pirate taxis especially at night to avoid being robbed and endangering their lives.”

In Fort Rixon, Mr Mthokozisi Ncube (20) – a shop attendant at Sizanani Store at Mbembesi Business Centre – fled after Rootsman Milly “mercilessly” flogged him with the sjambok.

A source said Milly arrived at the store at around 9AM and went behind the counter without Mr Ncube’s permission, where he grabbed a packet of cigarettes and matches.

When Mr Ncube demanded payment, the source said, Milly produced a sjambok and thoroughly beat him up.

“Ncube ran out of the store leaving Milly, who quickly grabbed 4X20 Kingsgate packets, 2×20 Madison packets, 5×20 packets of Pacific and 71 boxes of matches. He dashed out of the shop and ran away,” said the source who preferred anonymity.

Insp Ndebele confirmed the robbery.

“The suspect who committed armed robbery was identified and arrested. He will appear in court soon,” he said.

Last month, a man from Filabusi was allegedly robbed of $100 and groceries at knife point by a pirate taxi driver and his accomplice.

The man had hired the pirate taxi, a green Peugeot, when one of the suspects, who was also a passenger in the vehicle, allegedly robbed the man.

Another a hitch-hiker from Beitbridge was robbed of $950 and a cell phone at knife point by a pirate taxi driver and his accomplice. — @winnie_masara.

Minister Saviour Kasukuwere at a Guta raMwari Church evangelist’s house in Bulawayo recently.

Farirai Machivenyika, Harare Bureau
A PICTURE of embattled Zanu-PF political commissar Cde Saviour Kasukuwere apparently at a home of an evangelist from Guta raMwari in Bulawayo has gone viral on social media networks.

Cde Kasukuwere is under fire for allegedly plotting to topple President Mugabe through setting up parallel structures among a number of allegations against him.

His case has been discussed in the Politburo and his fate will be decided by the Presidium comprising President Mugabe and his two deputies, Cdes Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko.

Cde Kasukuwere could not be reached for a comment yesterday as he immediately switched off his cell phone when our Harare Bureau tried to contact him to comment on the picture.

The picture circulating, however, shows Cde Kasukuwere standing without his shoes besides a man wearing a uniform associated with the Guta raMwari Church, who appears to be unlocking a door to a house.

A statement accompanying the picture says Cde Kasukuwere decided to consult Evangelist Chamoto after dumping Chipinge traditional healer Sekuru Ndunge.

It is not clear when the picture was taken.

Reads the statement: “Under fire National Political Commissar Saviour Kasukuwere went to Bulawayo and approached Evangelist Chamoto from Guta raMwari Church two months ago to seek help in connection with allegations levelled against him by the 10 provinces which demonstrated against him.

Church rituals were done starting from the door step where he was asked to remove his shoes and went inside the room called Ngarava.

“The Evangelist prayed and promised him that the case would be dealt with in the Politburo but no decision would be made with regards to the case by the President.”

Cde Kasukuwere was rejected by nine out of the 10 Zanu PF provinces.

A probe team chaired by Advocate Jacob Mudenda found Cde Kasukuwere guilty on the many charges he was facing including fanning factionalism in provinces, corruption and abuse of office.

Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
A 38-YEAR-OLD man from Bubi District allegedly forced his seven-year-old step daughter into having anal sex after he had been interrupted by a neighbour while having sex with the victim’s mother.

A source said the man of Inyathi Township in Bubi said he violated the Grade One pupil because the mother had jumped out of bed before he could finish.

He allegedly forced himself on the girl while her one-year-old brother slept by her side.

The incident allegedly occurred last Sunday at around 7AM.

“The man who lives a few houses away from his fiancée’s house had come to sleep over as usual. The couple slept with the woman’s two children on the same bed.”

On Sunday morning, the man had sex with the woman but claimed he was disturbed before he ejaculated by a neighbour who had come to offer the woman a menial job.

“When the woman went away to do the job she had been offered, he allegedly helped himself to his fiancée’s daughter,” said the source.

The source said the man was sold out by a semen drenched scarf that he used to wipe himself and the minor.

The woman is said to have found it under the bed.

“He threatened to kill the minor if she told anyone about the sex attack. He ordered the siblings to start playing outside together before he left for his home.”

The woman, after finding the scarf, asked her daughter if her step dad had brought a woman during her absence. The little girl opened up about what had transpired, said the source.

The woman, added the source, quickly rushed to her boyfriend’s house and dragged him to the police.

He is expected to appear in court in due course.

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

Thandeka Moyo, Health Reporter
FOUR women die of cervical cancer in Zimbabwe daily amid reports that the disease burden is worsened by the high HIV prevalence rate.

Speaking during a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) media family planning awareness workshop in Kadoma last week, the agency’s reproductive health specialist, Dr Edwin Mapeta, said the prevalence of cervical cancer was worrying.

“Four women in Zimbabwe die daily due to cervical cancer and what worries is that despite the numerous cancer screening institutions that the Government has set, only about 13 percent of women at risk have bothered to go for screening,” said Dr Mapeta.

“Our HIV prevalence has also increased the number of cervical cancer detected annually. From about 2 200 that we diagnose of cervical cancer yearly, 1 400 of them die.”

Dr Mapeta said many women shun Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid and Cervicography (VIAC) screening which could save many lives as it is conducted free of charge.

“Members of the public should understand that going for VIAC screening is less expensive than treating cancer at an advanced stage. Unlike in the olden days when we only relied on Pap smear which is expensive for many people, they can now access VIAC screening for free from over 52 sites including district and provincial hospitals countrywide,” said Dr Mapeta.

Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council service delivery coordinator Ms Otilia Mupfambisi said engaging in sexual activity at an early stage increased one’s risk of contracting cervical cancer.

“Cervical cancer is caused by the HPV found in the foreskin. Excessive and vigorous sexual tendencies cause friction and then accumulation of the virus in the woman’s body.

“We encourage young women to delay sexual activity, it is too risky for anyone below the age of 16 to indulge in sexual intercourse. We also encourage men to get circumcised as cutting the foreskin has been scientifically proven to reduce a woman’s risk to cervical cancer,” said Ms Mupfambisi.

According to the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Related Cancers in Zimbabwe report (ICO/WHO 2013), all women who are 15 years and above are at risk of developing cervical cancer. Risk factors include early age of sexual intercourse, multiple sexual partners, HIV infection, Sexually Transmitted Infections and smoking. Estimates indicate that every year 2 270 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 1 451 die from the disease.

Lack of information and access to screening and treatment services contributes to the high mortality especially in rural areas. —@thamamoe

Minister Dr Obert Mpofu

Nduduzo Tshuma, Political Editor
ZANU-PF Politburo member Dr Obert Mpofu has recollected how the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo introduced him to the people of Bubi-Umguza in 1995 to kickstart his campaign for the constituency which also marked the genesis of his political career.

From 1995, Dr Mpofu became the Bubi-Umguza legislator until 2000 when he lost the seat to MDC-T. He bounced back to Parliament as Umguza legislator in 2005 after the former Bubi-Umguza was split into two constituencies.

Between 2000 and 2005, Dr Mpofu was the Matabeleland North governor where he presided over the land reform programme in the province.

Dr Mpofu said the late VP Nkomo, who died on July 1, 1999, transformed him from a former guerilla, having taken part in the liberation war, to the seasoned politician that he is today.

He said while some had expected that their relationship would strain after Dr Mpofu joined Zanu before the signing of the Unity Accord, the Umguza legislator said he enjoyed close relations with the late VP until the time of his death.

“The late VP Nkomo was a true Pan Africanist, true nationalist and a true patriot of our nation. For us, other than a cadre during the war, he transformed me from a cadre of war to a very serious politician.

“In 1995, he took me to Ntabazinduna when I was campaigning for the Bubi-Umguza seat and told the people that, ‘lo ngumfana wami, nguy’ elizasebenza laye.’

“From that time, I have never looked back because I continue to be guided by his wise counsel. It is his mentorship that has influenced my vision as a politician to this day,” said Dr Mpofu.

“He (VP Nkomo) taught me that if you want to last in politics, you should be the kind of person who works closely with and respects the people.

“Listen and attend to the plight of the people and never take them for granted or look down upon them. I have recorded the highest number of votes in Matabeleland North province because of the principles VP Nkomo imparted in me.

“I will never forget the chance that the late VP gave me. We remained very close up to his death and very few people know that he used to visit me at my home and we would drive around touring farms in Matabeleland North and discussing development.”

“The late VP Nkomo was a great visionary and his vision for this country, I think, was derived from the supernatural because he saw ahead of his time and left an indelible mark in as far as the politics and the development of this country such that if everyone adheres to his teachings, we will be far in terms of unity and development.”

Dr Mpofu bemoaned the arrogance from some politicians whom he said think they are more intelligent than others.

“They think they know politics more than others yet through their actions, they are actually causing destruction and dividing the people,” he said.

“An example of the late VP Nkomo is President Mugabe because both are a breed of principled and disciplined politicians who understood that for one to be a good politician, they have to be humble. You can’t be a good politician when you have no discipline and always think that you are better than others but as the Ndebele saying goes, ‘Akuqili lazikhoth’emhlane.’ Humble yourself before the people and stop engaging in fights with other people.

“Everyone fought for this country and we came back from the war of liberation alive by the grace of God and our ancestors. If at all there are those who fought more, it is those sons of the soil who died during battle and never made it to  independent Zimbabwe and we need to honour those comrades by staying united and working together for the development of our country.”

Dr Mpofu castigated some opportunists for abusing the emotive Gukurahundi issue to raise their political stock.

“After uniting with President Mugabe, the late VP Nkomo made his decision known to all the people urging the nation to move on in unity yet we see some divisive elements who want to politicise the subject of Gukurahundi,” he said.

“Those characters want to use the subject to divide the people and not build the country.”

Minister of Energy and Power Development, Samuel Undenge

Thupeyo Muleya,  Beitbridge Bureau
THE Rural Electrification Fund (REF) has been used to bring power to nearly 9 000 rural institutions, Energy and Power Development Minister, Dr Samuel Undenge has said.

The REF was established through an Act of Parliament of 2002 resulting in the rolling out of the rural electrification programme targeting rural institutions, farms, villages, borehole, dam points and irrigation schemes.

In a speech read on his behalf by his deputy, Cde Tsitsi Muzenda, during the launch of the $500 000 Swereki electrification project at Masera Secondary School in Beitbridge last week, Dr Undenge said the government recognises the importance of electricity as a vehicle for economic and social development.

“Over the years government has strived to create an enabling environment for the development of the grid network in both rural and urban areas. The project we are commissioning here today uses the Single Wire Earth Return (SWER) technology, a cost effective grid technology which the Rural Electrification Fund (REF) has recently adopted for use in rural areas across the country,” he said.

“The Swereki project has directly benefited four primary, two secondary schools, two clinics, four government offices and four business centres. However, the project will also benefit surrounding business centres, rural institutions and villages as they can now have access to the grid network.”

Dr Undenge said so far REF has electrified 8 864 rural institutions countrywide, using both grid and solar.

He said the provision of electricity in rural areas was in line with Zim-Asset as it would lead to empowerment of rural communities, poverty alleviation, capacity building and employment creation in communities.

The Minister said government, in collaboration with other Sadc countries, is exploring avenues to alleviate the severe power shortage in the region through the expansion of existing power stations, development of new power stations, sharing of excess energy among the Sadc member states and promotion of energy conservation.

Dr Undenge said there was a need to develop decentralised energy systems based on renewable energy sources, especially for rural areas.

He said the government is drafting a National Renewable Energy policy, which outlines some action plans for the development of renewable and clean energy solutions to lighting, space heating, cooking and bio fuels.

The Rural Electrification Fund’s board chairperson, Mr Willard Chiwewe, said they were working to provide electricity in more rural communities.

“REF has made significant efforts in providing electricity infrastructure to rural communities since its inception in 2002.

“We have electrified many rural centres, including schools, clinics, business centres and villages countrywide.

“Between January and May this year we completed grid projects leading to 106 institutions countrywide and an additional 197 rural institutions were in progress during the same period, ”he said.

Christopher Mutsvangwa

Cletus Mushanawani, Mutare Bureau
WAR veterans have blamed the country’s economic woes on infiltrators of the ruling Zanu-PF, saying such people are discouraging use of domestic capital.

Speaking on the sidelines of a war veterans meeting at Mutare Polytechnic on Saturday, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association chairman, Cde Chris Mutsvangwa, said:

“Command Agriculture is a very good scheme which shows a new thinking in Zimbabwe. The scheme received funding from the private sector and other interested commercial sectors which want to see the indigenous capital finding its way back into the national capital.

“Infiltrators within the ruling party were the militating factors that were discouraging the canvassing of domestic capital.

“They were misleading businesspeople that there will be internal revolt that will affect the national politics, President, war veterans, Zanu-PF and the general Chimurenga spirit and they would take over power. This had a negative effect on the performance of the economy.”

He hailed the ongoing cleansing exercise in the party saying this will help to restore the war veterans’ confidence in the party.

“We are happy with the cleansing in the party, the Mudenda Commission and other moves being done by the Politburo to correct things that were discouraging the full mobilisation of the capacity of war veterans,” said Cde Mutsvangwa.

“We are very confident that these will be addressed so that the organisational flair of the war veterans can fully be harnessed together with other members of the society who are progressive. We are happy and we will stand solid to the tradition of the Chimurenga revolution,” he said.

“We are very conscious about retaining political power. We will make sure that the detractors within Zanu-PF who have been the main enemy, the enemy within, are dealt with. These have always been a threat to the party’s victory,” he said.

Speaking at the same occasion, Minister of Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Former Political Detainees and Restrictees, Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube, said divisions affecting war veterans were being orchestrated by outsiders.

“You should appreciate that divisions in the structures of war veterans do not originate from the membership, but people from outside who are paying them money to cause these divisions,” he said.

“There is no reason for war veterans to be divided. People from outside who have their own personal agendas are causing these divisions.

“War veterans fought together during the liberation struggle and what is the reason for them to be enemies today? New elements that want to pursue personal agendas are the causes of these problems,” he said.

Rtd Col Dube added: “There is every reason for war veterans and collaborators to be united. A lot can be achieved if people work together. There are no   major differences to talk about, but mere personality clashes.”

Professor Paul Mavhima

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
THE Government needs to come up with new strategies of teaching Mathematics as the system being used at the moment is failing to produce positive results, The Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Professor Paul Mavhima has said.

The Deputy Minister said an assessment done by the Southern Africa Consortium for Monitoring Educational Quality (SACMEQ) whose findings were released at a meeting held in Swaziland two weeks ago shows that local pupils were performing badly in Mathematics.

SACMEQ is an inter-governmental gathering of countries in the Southern and Eastern Africa focusing on the education sector. “SACMEQ is about evaluation of our education system. It’s a forum where we agree that in every five years we test Grade Six pupils against a common standard from 16 countries,” said Prof Mavhima.

He said using the set standard, the 16 countries assess how they were performing in a number of subjects such as Mathematics and other areas such as understanding health issues among others.

“We are doing well, as a country we compare very well with other countries. But there are areas where we want to improve. We don’t think we are doing as much as we should for example about 40 percent of our Grade six cohort of 2013 didn’t do as well as we would have wanted. More so, in Mathematics than in reading and other things we need to look at how we are teaching Mathematics and improve on it,” said Prof Mavhima.

He said the Ministry would next month launch the SACMEQ findings.The Deputy Minister said the Ministry considered the economic situation which led to mass exodus of teachers as one of the reasons for poor pass rates for the class of 2013.

The Grade Six class of 2013 started their education in 2008 at the height of the country’s economic problems.Prof Mavhima said sanctions contributed to low performance in the education sector.

“In our instance there were quite a number of issues that were going on including the fact that our economy suffered due to a number of reasons such as sanctions and has not allowed us to invest as much as we need especially in the educational infrastructure,” said Prof Mavhima.

“There was also a time when we were struggling with teachers. Most of our teachers were not qualified due to a big brain drain with some going to Botswana, South Africa and other regional countries.”—@nqotshili

Acting President Phelekezela Mphoko assesses progress on the Bubi Tillage programme in the district yesterday. In the picture, he watches as a tractor tills the land in Nkenyane

Pamela Shumba, Senior Reporter
ACTING President Phelekezela Mphoko has urged communal farmers to consolidate the gains of independence by fully utilising land in their possession to ensure food security in their communities and the country at large.

The Acting President was in Bubi District yesterday to assess progress on the Bubi tillage programme that he introduced in the district last year to assist communal farmers.

Under the programme, four tractors that were availed by the Acting President are used to till pieces  of land for the communal farmers who only provide fuel.

Vulnerable groups that include the elderly, child headed homes and those living with disabilities do not pay anything.

The Acting President pays the drivers of the tractors.

The programme is operational in Wards 1, 10, 12 and 14.

The 2017-2018 tillage programme was launched on July 7, with the tilling starting in Ward 14 up to August 7. After that, the programme will move to Ward 1.

It will then be taken to Ward 12 on September 7, before moving to Ward 10 on October 7 up to November.

Addressing members of the tillage programme committee, Agritex officers, MPs, war veterans and villagers at Nkenyane along the Bulawayo-Nkayi road, Acting President Mphoko said everyone must utilise land.

“We have land and we must be grateful. Let’s make use of it because it’s the best way to get rid of poverty in our homes.

“I launched this programme because I’m committed to the achievement of food security in our communities and the country as a whole.

“I know that we have limited resources but let’s make the best out of what we have. We want hunger to be a thing of the past,” said Acting President Mphoko.

He commended the Bubi community for embracing the tillage programme and urged farmers to maintain the tractors so that the programme continues.

“I’m proud of the people in this area because they welcomed this tillage programme and it yielded results. This shows that if given adequate resources, nobody will go hungry. The good rains also complemented our efforts and I’m happy.

“These tractors are expensive and they need to be taken care of very well. Let’s maintain them and make sure that they are not used on rocky pieces of land.

I want them to last for more than 10 years. I also recognise the commitment exhibited by our Agritex officers and I urge them to work closely with the farmers,” he said.

Acting President Mphoko said he would talk to Agriculture Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Joseph Made to make sure  that the Agritex officers get motor bikes to do their work.

He urged farmers not to be over-ambitious by planting seed that they are not familiar with, as it would affect their yields.

Bubi MP, who is also the Minister of State in the Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Office, Cde Clifford Sibanda, commended VP Mphoko for introducing the tillage programme in his constituency.

“We’re grateful to the Acting President for introducing such a programme.

“The yields were above average this last season and we’re certain that the coming season will give us another bumper harvest.

“I would like to urge our Agritex officers to test our soils so that the farmers use the correct seed and improve food security in our communities,” said Cde Sibanda.

According to Agritex, the four wards are targeting 2 000 tonnes of maize this year. — @pamelashumba1

Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Professor Jonathan Moyo

Harare Bureau
PRESSURE continues to mount on embattled Zanu-PF Politburo member Professor Jonathan Moyo with the Midlands provincial youth executive adding its voice to those calling for his censure following his sustained attack on Government empowerment programme, Command Agriculture.

Zanu-PF provincial youth secretary for administration in Midlands Cde Justice Mayor Wadyajena said it was high time for Prof Moyo, who is also the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, to shape up or ship out of the ruling party.

Cde Wadyajena, who is also Gokwe Nembudziya MP, said this at the weekend at Kuwirirana Village, Gokwe North, while addressing villagers during a road-show by Cottco to raise awareness on the need to sell their produce to the state entity after they were given free Presidential inputs.

“President Mugabe has described Command Agriculture as beautiful but we still have Jonathan Moyo attacking it. President Mugabe has assigned Vice President (Emmerson) Mnangagwa to lead in its implementation but (Prof) Moyo has launched an attack on both the programme and VP Mnangagwa,” said Cde Wadyajena.

“Here in Midlands, we say action should be taken against him.

“He is a political turncoat. Remember he has been criticising Zanu-PF and its leadership while he was outside the party.

“He has continued to do this while in the ruling party. Jonathan Moyo should respect party leadership or action should be taken against him.”

Turning to the cotton produce, Cde Wadyajena implored farmers to sell their crops to Cottco since they were given free Presidential inputs.

He rapped Cottco for failing to be consistent, as at one stage the firm had told farmers that they would be paid $200 cash instantly for a minimum of three bales delivered but have turned around as they were now depositing it using mobile money transfers.

“Another problem is that some farmers do not have mobile phones here in the rural areas. How are they supposed to access their money? As Cottco, you need to be consistent.

“Our farmers very much want to support you by bringing their produce but you have not been consistent.

“You have complained that some farmers have not been selling produce to Cottco, you also need to ask yourself why, and address those issues,” said Cde Wadyajena.

He implored Cottco to establish ginneries in Gokwe to enhance employment creation in the cotton producing district as currently the crop was being taken to Sanyati for value addition.

Cottco managing director Mr Pious Manamike said they created about 3 500 jobs in Gokwe at its several cotton buying centres.

“We have recruited people from the local areas and at least 3 500 jobs have been created. Our plea is that please bring your crops to Cottco and not side-marketing,” said Mr Manamike.

Cottco has held several road-shows aimed at raising awareness from farmers to sell cotton to the state entity since they were given free Presidential inputs.

Cde Kasukuwere

Farirai Machivenyika, Harare Bureau
UNDER fire Zanu-PF national political commissar Cde Saviour Kasukuwere has all but confirmed that he is plotting to topple President Mugabe after he accused our sister paper The Herald of failing to understand the “seismic political movement underway” that he thinks will give him power to influence editorial appointments at the country’s biggest daily newspaper.

Cde Kasukuwere exposed his shenanigans in a Twitter message yesterday.

Reads the tweet: “They have failed to completely understand the seismic political movement underway. @herald will require a new pair of hands soon. It’s on.”

Cde Kasukuwere immediately switched off his cell phone when contacted for comment yesterday.

Cde Kasukuwere is facing charges of working to topple the President by creating parallel structures and fanning factionalism in provinces.

Nine out of 10 Zanu-PF provinces recently passed votes of no confidence against him.

A probe team led by Politburo member and Speaker of the National Assembly Cde Jacob Mudenda found Cde Kasukuwere guilty on most of the litany of charges he is facing.

Cde Kasukuwere was found guilty of creating shadow MPs as part of his bigger scheme to topple the President by appointing people loyal to him.

He was also found guilty of interfering in the operations of his home province, Mashonaland Central as he was signatory to the party’s provincial account despite him not being a member.

He was also found guilty of victimising Women’s League members over mining claims at Mukaradzi and Kitsiyatota in the province.

The probe team also found that Cde Kasukuwere’s half brother and acting Mashonaland Central provincial chairman Cde Dickson Mafios and the province’s secretary for administration Cde Wonder Mashange had failed to properly administer the affairs of the province.

The case was referred to Zanu-PF’s First Secretary President Mugabe and his deputies to make a final determination.

The embattled political commissar was recently pictured consulting a faith healer, Evangelist Chamoto from Guta raMwari Church in Bulawayo as his woes mount.

He has reportedly previously consulted tradional healer, Sekuru Ndunge from Chipinge.

Political analyst Mr Goodwine Mureriwa said Cde Kasukuwere had made his nefarious ambitions open.

“He has just confirmed what the party structures have been saying all along that he is part of, if not the brains behind attempts to topple President Mugabe,” said Mr Mureriwa.

“The party should take action against him because he cannot talk of “seismic political movement” when he is a member of the ruling party. What does he mean by that statement?”

Tanzania based analyst Mr Tafadzwa Mugwadi said Cde Kasukuwere’s statements were synonymous with opposition elements.

“It is the kind of language you expect from opposition elements, not from a person who holds a senior position in both the Government and ruling party.

“That statement is pregnant with meaning and exposes his unbridled ambition for power,” said Mr Mugwadi.

“He has become unruly and the party should put an end to his plots,” he said.

Asked for a comment on Cde Kasukuwere’s tweet, the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association chairman Cde Chris Mutsvangwa said;

“These are delusions of a midget mind that has no capacity to comprehend how statecraft operates.”

Blessings Chidakwa /Amanda Chikari, Midlands Reporters
A MAN from Gweru collapsed and died after downing a 750 ml bottle of Two Keys whisky while celebrating his 21st birthday.

Midlands Provincial Magistrate Ms Pathekile Msipa waived post mortem as foul play was not suspected in Peason Sibanda’s death which happened on Friday.

According to a post mortem report, Sibanda died due to alcohol poisoning.

Sibanda’s family could not be reached immediately, but a neighbour Mr Fungayi Moyana said Sibanda – who was celebrating his 21st birthday – was trying to impress his friends by having one too many.

He said trouble started when Sibanda made a bet with his friends to gulp down a 750 ml bottle of Two Keys whisky.

Mr Moyana said later that day, Sibanda collapsed and died at Matinunura High School in Gweru where he was running a tuck shop at the school premises.

“I saw Sibanda early in the morning with his buddies on a beer drinking spree and they were stone drunk. Sibanda is said to have made a bet with his friends that he would finish a whole bottle of Two Keys whisky but it got too heavy for him and he ended up proving to a be lightweight for the toxic spirit,” said Mr Moyana.

“I was later shocked to receive news that Sibanda collapsed at Matinunura and died. I strongly suspect that it was the heavy drinking that led to his death.”
Sibanda was buried yesterday at Mkoba Village 9 Cemetery in Gweru.

Midlands Police Spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende could not be reached for a comment over the matter.—@HonBlessings @amanda49

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
THE Bulawayo Fire and Ambulance department is operating with 180 workers out of a required 321, which has compromised the division’s ability to respond timeously to emergencies.

According to the local authority’s latest report, the emergency department is operating at a 43 percent staff deficit.

The fire department has a shortage of 76 workers while the ambulance division has a 65 employee deficit.

“Shortage of human resource in the Emergency Service has forced operatives to take a few vacation leave days to accommodate other staff members with days that have accumulated to maximum levels.

“The situation is worsened by retiring members who are not replaced. This continues to impact negatively on emergency operations,” reads the council report.

The ambulance division attends to over 1 500 cases per month while responding to over 10 fire incidents in the same period.

The city cannot employ complementary staff as Government froze recruitment of workers.

Bulawayo’s Chief Fire Officer Mr Richard Peterson yesterday explained the challenges caused by manpower shortages saying it was becoming increasingly difficult to effectively respond to emergency cases.

“We’re greatly affected because instead of having five fire fighters per appliance we are now having an average of three. This affects operations. For example if a house is on fire and we have three fire fighters, one fire fighter will be given a responsibility of locating a hydrant and running hoses from a hydrant to an appliance that has responded to a fire. Another fire fighter would have a responsibility of operating the pump that is supplying water and you end up having one fire fighter to deal with the inferno,” said Mr Peterson.

He said the shortage of manpower has resulted in residents often complaining that the city’s fire fighters are incompetent yet they will be overwhelmed with work.

“This was witnessed last month when a fire gutted a city building where residents were even claiming that the fire engine had responded without water,” said Mr Peterson.

He had to explain to the public that their fire appliances use 2 000 litres within a minute, meaning they first have to connect pumps to water hydrants before putting out the fire.

Members of the public had to assist the fire fighters put out the inferno after it had consumed the building, reducing five vehicles that were parked nearby to shells.

@nqotshili

Richard Muponde, Gwanda Correspondent
A PASTOR at a Zionist Church in Gwanda who allegedly fatally struck his wife twice with a hoe for refusing him sex was yesterday further remanded in custody.

Ndabezulu Ncube (54) of Garanyemba allegedly murdered Ms Nokuthula Khumalo after she refused being intimate with him for two nights saying she was tired.

Ncube appeared before Gwanda resident magistrate, Ms Nomagugu Ncube and was further remanded in custody to July 20.

Ncube was not formally charged with murder.

Prosecutor, Mr Moses Gondongwe said on June 18, Ncube and his wife were at their matrimonial home in Garanyemba.

During the night, he reportedly asked to be intimate with Ms Khumalo but she refused advising him that she was tired.

Ncube, the court heard, went to sleep after his wife assured him that they would have sex the following night, when she would had recovered.

The following night, Ncube allegedly asked her for sex again but she gave the same excuse she had given on the previous night.

Ncube allegedly tried to entice her but she allegedly elbowed him.

He then started querying why she had promised him sex on the day, when she knew she was not willing.

A misunderstanding arose between the two resulting in him punching and slapping her.

The court heard Ncube picked a hoe which was in the bedroom and allegedly struck Ms Khumalo twice on the face and she sustained serious injuries, leading to her death on the spot.

After realising that he had killed his wife, Ncube allegedly deserted the body in their matrimonial bedroom.

He was arrested in Guyu reportedly trying to flee.

@richardmuponde

Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
THE discovery of gold at the Bulawayo City Council’s Good Hope Farm has the potential to transform the city’s fortunes if properly managed, hence it must go for a joint venture, a local government expert has said.

Last month, BCC was awarded a special grant to prospect for gold at the farm by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and has since indicated that it will soon invite interested parties to bid for the project.

The municipality said mining is not council’s core activity, but its main role is to provide an enabling environment for business, including mines to thrive.

However, speaking in an interview after attending a workshop to craft the Local Economic Development Framework and Development of Local Economic Development Tools in Bulawayo last week, the project manager for Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), Mr Leopold Bhoroma, said BCC should go for a joint venture in the project.

“In view of the drive towards Local Economic Development (LED) and promoting the development of areas under their jurisdiction, BCC has to approach the possible venture with a different mind-set. This is a resource that if effectively managed and structured can turn around the fortunes of the city.

Bulawayo should consider going into a joint venture with potential partners. They have the mineral resources in a piece of land they own hence there are no potential conflicts with prospectors. Exploration and prospecting will be facilitated unlike if they were not the owners,” said Mr Bhoroma.

“Joint ventures which Government is promoting through the Joint Venture Act are a sure route to improve the revenue bases for local authorities, bring in cheaper capital and effective management of the venture. It is essential that BCC forms a private company that will enter into partnerships with potential investors. This will enable the City to skirt potential bureaucratic hurdles.”

He said mining by its nature is capital intensive and a highly technical venture that demands certain skills and management and council cannot go it alone, hence the need for a joint venture.

“Bulawayo is currently experiencing service delivery backlogs due to decreasing revenue inflows. It will be difficult and unjustifiable for the city to pursue a mining venture whose proceeds will take very long to realise when there are pressing and immediate needs affecting the quality of lives of residents that are not being adequately taken care of,” Mr Bhoroma said.

@winnie_masara

Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
A Bulawayo man has been sent for mental examination after he caused a stir at the Victoria Falls Magistrates’ court where he claimed to be God’s messenger sent to deliver his people.

Ndumiso Ncube (33) who resides at 84320 Burombo Flats, had been dragged to court for violating a section of the Immigration Act after he illegally crossed into Botswana more than a week ago.

He pleaded guilty to the charge of failing to present himself to an immigration officer, and claimed some people were after his life.

Drama started when the magistrate Ms Rangarirai Gakanje asked Ncube why he had committed the office.

Ncube claimed he is “The Chosen One” and travelled to Botswana illegally because some unnamed people were baying for his blood.

“I decided to go to Botswana because people want to kill me,” said Ncube without telling the court who the people are.

He claimed he was once a beggar because God anointed him to “save his people.”

“I went straight through the border but no-one saw me crossing because God was protecting me. Even the security officers didn’t see me because I am the chosen one,” he said drawing laughter from the gallery.

Asked whether it was God who sent him to illegally leave the country, Ncube said he prayed hard and God revealed to him that he should go to Botswana so his enemies would not get to him.

The magistrate ordered that Ncube be examined by two psychiatrists to ascertain his state of mind because of his weird behaviour.

He was remanded in custody to Thursday when the psychiatrist report is expected to be ready.

Prosecuting, Mr Takunda Ndovorwi said Ncube was deported last week from Botswana where he had been staying illegally.

“The accused left Zimbabwe on June 30 and crossed through Kazungula Border post at 6PM.

“The accused didn’t present himself to immigration officials,” said the prosecutor.

He said Ncube was arrested by Botswana police on Sunday last week and was deported, prompting his arrest when it was discovered that he had no travel documents.

@ncubeleon

Codelia Mondela, Court Reporter
A 24-YEAR–OLD man from Bulawayo was hospitalised after a gate-crasher at a birthday party stabbed him with a kitchen knife.

Mr Phathisani Ndlovu was admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital following the vicious attack by Hloniphani Sibanda (23) of Sidojiwe flats in Belmont.

A court heard Sibanda had a row with Mr Ndlovu at the party in Iminyela suburb over why he (Sibanda) was at the event without an invitation.  Mr Ndlovu turned Sibanda away.

Sibanda allegedly started drinking beer near the party venue, while waiting for Mr Ndlovu to emerge.

He allegedly hurled obscenities at his target and other people at the party tried in vain to restrain him.

An enraged Sibanda allegedly charged at Mr Ndlovu at stabbed him once under the left armpit, with a kitchen knife.

Sibanda yesterday pleaded guilty to attempted murder before Bulawayo Magistrate Ms Sibongile Marondedze.

The magistrate remanded Sibanda in custody to Thursday this week.

She advised Sibanda to apply for bail at the High Court.

In his defence Sibanda said: “I was trying to defend myself not kill because there were many of them attacking me, he was not alone .I ended up using a knife, it doesn’t belong to me and I had not been carrying it.”

Mr Ndlovu gave a different version of events.

He said commotion had arisen earlier when Sibanda came uninvited to the party and it had been resolved.

He said Sibanda approached him after he had left the party, called out to him and as he turned around, Sibanda stabbed him.

The prosecutor, Ms Concilia Ncube, said the incident occurred on May 13 this year around 11PM.

@MondelaC