University of Zimbabwe students stage a demonstration and refuse to sit their examinations calling for the resignation of President Mugabe yesterday

Melisa Makoto and Audrey Rundofa, Harare Bureau
UNIVERSITY of Zimbabwe students yesterday staged a demonstration and refused to sit their examinations calling for the resignation of both President Mugabe and the UZ Vice Chancellor Professor Levi Nyagura.

The students said they were tired of corruption at the university, including the allegedly “dubious” award of a Doctor in Philosophy Degree (PhD) to First Lady, Dr Grace Mugabe in 2014.

University of Zimbabwe former students’ council secretary-general Mr Chrispen Mahachi, who was leading the protest, said they wanted Prof Nyagura to resign because he gave Dr Mugabe a PhD within three months, saying the act devalues the standards of the institution.

“This is clearly a student’s agenda as you can see our motive as students is to send a message that we are tired. Levi Nyagura must resign for donating a PhD to (First Lady)Grace Mugabe,” he said

“Our learning standards as UZ continue to deteriorate and we have moved from number 41 on the international ranking to a three-digit number, which is totally unacceptable.”

Mahachi also said UZ students no longer have job security, so there was need for President Mugabe to resign.

“Today we were supposed to start our exams but we said we cannot because we do not have job security; we want to have job security first, we want our brothers who are unemployed who have graduated at this same institution to be employed such that when we go into the industry as well (we) will have an assurance of job security,” he said.

Tawanda Nyandoro, a student at the institution, said: “The real issue is that Levi Nyagura donated a PhD to Grace Mugabe and we are saying we want that PhD back because a student who is studying philosophy right now will feel as if that programme is worthless as it was given to (Dr) Grace Mugabe on a silver platter.”

Shepherd Raradza, another student, accused the Vice Chancellor of failing to upgrade the premier tertiary learning institution.

The latest developments comes after Zanu-PF recalled President Mugabe from the position of party First Secretary on Sunday and replaced him with former Vice President Cde Emerson Mnangagwa, whom the ruling party also reinstated as a Central Committee member.

The party also expelled several members such as Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko and (Dr) Grace Mugabe, who was the Secretary for Women Affairs, on various charges.

These decisions were made during a Extraordinary Central Committee meeting held at the party’s headquarters on Sunday.

Morgan Tsvangirai

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
MDC-T president Mr Morgan Tsvangirai has called for an all stakeholders meeting to address the country’s political situation which he claims has created anxiety among Zimbabweans.

In a statement yesterday, the opposition leader said the political developments were confusing for the citizens hence the need for an inclusive dialogue.

His sentiments come at a time when the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) has launched an operation to weed out criminal elements surrounding President Mugabe.

Mr Tsvangirai’s MDC Alliance has hailed the ZDF for respecting the country’s human rights saying it was critical for the country to engage in an all-inclusive meeting to map the country’s future.

“If the military was motivated by the patriotic duty to return the country to normalcy, then there must be a call for an all-stakeholders’ meeting to craft a way forward without any further delay. Or else this confusion will undermine an otherwise good opportunity that would have steered the country towards a fresh start. It would be inimical to progress and the future of the country if all this action was about power retention at all costs,” said Mr Tsvangirai.

“As a consequence, the call by the MDC and its alliance partners for an all-inclusive process to take the country to legitimacy is the only way forward. We reiterate our call for an internationally-supervised process for the forthcoming elections, starting with the current voter registration exercise and ultimately the elections itself.”

He said the country should move swiftly to address challenges faced by the country’s citizens.

Mr Tsvangirai commended war veterans for mobilising Saturday’s march as its success was a reference point that there is no going back to transforming the country’s fortunes.

He said Zanu-PF should find a way of working as a unit as divisions in the ruling party were affecting the operations of Government. — @nqotshili

Christopher Mutsvangwa

Farirai Machivenyika, Harare Bureau
THE Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association (ZNLWVA) has organised a sit-in in Harare today as it intensfies calls for President Mugabe to resign.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, ZNLWVA chairman Cde Chris Mutsvangwa said Zimbabweans should not rest until President Mugabe vacates office.

“We are saying, Mugabe, go now! Mugabe, go now! Your time is up. Please leave State House and let the country start on a new page. You should have the dignity and decency to spare the country further turmoil by simply announcing your departure immediately. If he can not, and this is the call we are repeating, we are bringing back the people of Zimbabwe to the streets and he will have to settle his issues with the people of Zimbabwe once more.

“Tomorrow is the day. While Parliament may be doing its business of dispensing with him, the people of Zimbabwe will be making sure, and this time there will be a sit-in,” he said.

Cde Mutsvangwa appealed to the business community to support their initiative to ensure that people attend today’s event.

“We, the war veterans are going back to the people and calling upon them to come back and we are appealing to the business community. We saw the support you gave on Saturday. Now, we want even more support. It will be a sit-in until Mugabe’s back is seen by the people of Zimbabwe. We are not going to be leaving Harare until he is gone this time.

“We want the whole population to descend upon Harare and give an unmistakable message that we want to see Mugabe’s back and let the country move on. His rule has been disastrous especially in the past 15 years,” Cde Mutsvangwa added.

He thanked the multitude of Zimbabweans that demonstrated against President Mugabe’s rule on Saturday and said as war veterans, they would ensure that the people’s aspirations are fulfilled.

“We are determined as war veterans association that their endeavours do not come to note. We welcome that they came out in big numbers. We are happy that we have been inclusive, we are happy that all the opposition figures and various strata of society came out in support of the demonstration on Saturday.

“We are also happy that the pressure which people have been putting has galvanised the ruling party to start initiating corrective measures towards the recall of their errant leader who tries to hang on in office when his party and the people no longer want him to be in that position,” he said.

The ZNLWVA expressed disappointment that President Mugabe was failing to understand that he was in an untenable position.

He said President Mugabe should have resigned when he addressed the nation on Saturday.

“We were disappointed that, in the midst of all those army generals, he appeared to swap an agreed position and proceeded to read a document which clearly has the trademark of Jonathan (Moyo) to the chagrin of the nation and utter outrage of the whole world. He proceeds to pretend his presidency is normal, it’s no longer normal Mr Mugabe,” Cde Mutsvangwa said.

Millions of Zimbabweans turned up to demonstrate against President Mugabe on Saturday.

The ruling Zanu-PF has since relieved him of his position as president and first secretary of the party together with several officials that were causing political and socio-economic upheavals in the country.

Dr Sydney Sekeramayi

Daniel Nemukuyu, Harare Bureau
WAR veterans have approached the High Court seeking an order declaring the intervention by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces in a lawless and chaotic situation created by First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe in the country, as a lawful and justified action meant to defend constitutionalism.

ZDF, according to the war veterans, realised that President Mugabe had been captured by his wife and her G40 gang to an extent that he was no longer able to exercise his functions before moving in to protect the nation by weeding out the criminal elements that had positioned themselves around the Head of State.

Failure by the President to make key decisions, allowing his wife and the G40 to embark on serious purges in the ruling Zanu-PF had the effect of destabilising the country.

To that end, the liberators said, ZDF rightly intervened with corrective measures in the best interest of the President and the nation at large in terms of Section 212 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association (ZNLWVA) yesterday filed a court application for declaratory order saying the court should correctly interpret the law and proclaim the legitimacy of the military’s intervention to the dire situation since Tuesday last week.

In the court application, President Mugabe, Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi, ZDF Commander General Constantino Guvheya Nyikadzino Chiwenga and Attorney General Advocate Prince Machaya were listed as respondents in the official capacities.

ZNLWVA also filed a separate urgent chamber application requesting the court to treat the declaration matter with urgency.

The court is yet to first rule on whether or not the case should be heard on an urgent basis.

Maunga, Maanda & Associates represented the freedom fighters in both matters.

In his founding affidavit, ZNLWVA president, Cde Christopher Mutsvangwa, said the intervention was of national interest considering that First Lady Grace Mugabe had captured President Mugabe and abdicated his functions.

“As an association that brought about the liberation of the people of Zimbabwe, applicant considers the intervention measures to be matters of immense political and constitutional importance and has approached the court for a declaration upholding the validity of the actions of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. The application is accordingly in the national interest…

“Recently Grace Mugabe together with a gang going about by the moniker G40 had unfortunately captured the first respondent (President Mugabe). For that reason, he has been unable to execute his functions and has completely abdicated his functions which were now being exercised by his wife and the G40 gang,” reads Cde Mutsvangwa’s affidavit.

The war veterans argued that the military had to intervene because President Mugabe was no longer in a position to make key decisions, a development that resulted in the First Lady and the G40 gang deciding on crucial Government and party matters.

They argued that the First Lady was the one who fired former Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru from party and Government with President Mugabe only rubberstamping.

The First Lady is also being accused of masterminding the dismissal of various other officials from the party and Government.

“It is public knowledge that Mrs Mugabe went on a crusade against the country’s former Vice President, Dr Mujuru, telling everyone that she was to be ousted.

“The decision was clearly not of the first respondent (President Mugabe).

“Various office holders in the State and the ruling Zanu-PF have lost their positions simply because of her usurpation of the powers of the first respondent,” reads the affidavit.

The war veterans accused the First Lady of coercing people into endorsing her as the country’s Vice President.

At one of the rallies recently, the war veterans said, the First Lady unjustifiably chided and berated President’s spokesperson, Mr George Charamba as if she was his employer.

The First Lady and her G40 gang also demanded the removal Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa from office on the basis of falsehoods.

“The defence forces intervened because there had been an effective coup, the President of the country was no longer able to execute his functions but that was now being done by unelected officials around him.

“In fact, the unelected First Lady was now running Government business to the country’s prejudice,” reads the affidavit.

Cde Mutsvangwa said he was prepared to play video footages which show the havoc that had been caused by the President’s wife and her G40 gang.

An order of the court declaring the actions of the ZDF constitutional was important under the circumstances considering a press statement that was last week issued by Cde Simon Khaya Moyo describing the intervention as treasonous.

“The Despite the necessity for such intervention, a senior Government minister, a Mr Simon Khaya Moyo announced that the actions of the ZDF could amount to treason. Those are hard words.

“They have the effect of destabilising the country. It is important that this court states that the action is permissible.

“For the comfort of the people of Zimbabwe, her neighbours and the international community, a declaration on the validity of the actions of the ZDF ought to be issued,” said Cde Mutsvangwa.

Sithandekile Moyo

Codelia Mondela, Court Reporter
TWO men and two women from Mpopoma suburb in Bulawayo have been arrested in connection with the alleged murder of a man who was killed by armed robbers as he tried to help a fellow tenant who was being robbed.

A court yesterday heard how two women, Sisasenkosi Moyo and Sithandekile Moyo, told Moses Ncube, Walter Moyo, Mandlenkosi Thobekani Moyo and another man identified only as Bee that Ms Marian Kajewe (29) had $2 000 in her house.

The four men and two women then allegedly hatched a plan to rob Ms Kajewe.

Sisasenkosi and Sithandekile did not go to Ms Kajewe’s house, arguing that she knew them and hence she would be able to identify them and the group agreed that only the men would pounce on their victim.

Moses, Walter, Mandlenkosi and Bee then allegedly later went to Ms Kajewe’s home and broke the door to her house.

Moses Ncube and Walter Moyo

When the woman screamed for help, her fellow tenant Munkuli Siamubine (39) rushed to the scene and was fatally attacked with a machete.

Sisasenkosi, Sithandekile, Moses and Walter have since been arrested, but Mandlenkosi and Bee are still at large.

The four arrested suspects appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Franklin Mkhwananzi yesterday facing murder and robbery charges.

They were not asked to plead and remanded in custody to December 4.

The court head that when the four armed robbers went to Ms Kajewe’s house, they only managed to rob her of $60. On their way out, they allegedly met Siamubine and allegedly struck him with a machete several times until he collapsed. They then allegedly dumped the machete in a fowl run and disappeared.

Prosecuting, Mr Nkathazo Dlodlo said last Tuesday, Sisasenkosi and Sithandekile informed Moses, Mandlenkosi, Walter and Bee that Ms Kajewe had $2 000 in her room and they could not rob her since she could identify them.

Mr Dlodlo said later that day at around midnight, the four men went to Ms Kajewe’s residence armed with okapi knives and machetes.

Mandlenkosi, Bee and Moses entered the yard, broke Ms Kajewe’s door while Walter stayed on guard.

Sisasenkosi Moyo

“Ms Kajewe screamed for help and the robbers threatened to kill her with a knife. They allegedly stabbed her on the right shoulder and abdomen                     while demanding cash. She gave them $60,” Mr Dlodlo said.

“Siamubine had heard Ms Kajewe’s screams and came out to rescue her. He met the robbers near the door and they struck him on the back of the neck with a machete several times. He collapsed on the spot and bled profusely.”

He said the gang dumped the blood-stained machete in the fowl run and disappeared.

“The landlord, Ms Sarah Moyo came out after hearing noise and found the deceased lying in a pool of blood near Ms Kajewe’s door. She alerted neighbours and called an ambulance. Siamubine was rushed to Mpilo Central hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival,” Mr Dlodlo said. — @MondelaC

Codelia Mondela, Court Reporter
A 19-YEAR-OLD man from Bulawayo armed himself with an okapi knife and allegedly raped a 57-year-old woman twice as she walked home from a bar in Old Magwegwe suburb.

A court heard that Mandlenkosi Phiri of Old Magwegwe, who had been in the same bar with the woman, followed and grabbed her from behind.

He allegedly produced a knife and demanded money from the old woman before tripping her to the ground and allegedly raping her.

Phiri allegedly took his victim’s cellphone and force marched her to a house under construction where he raped her again.

Phiri appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Joseph Mabeza facing theft and rape charges.

He pleaded guilty to theft of the cellphone but not guilty to rape charges.

Mr Mabeza remanded him in custody to tomorrow for continuation of trial.

“I only took her cellphone. I never raped her and I was not armed with a knife,” he said.

The woman said Phiri followed her after she left the beer hall. She said he tripped and raped her along a foot path. After the rape the old woman said Phiri told her to follow him or else he would kill her.

“He led me to a house that is still under construction and told me to choose whether I wanted to live or die. I chose to live and he raped me for the second time. He instructed me to wait along the path, but I fled and hid in the hedge of a house that was nearby,” she said.

Prosecuting, Mr Tinashe Dzipe said Phiri and the old woman were at a local bar on September 9 this year.

Mr Dzipe said at around 8PM, the old woman left and Phiri followed her. He grabbed her from behind, drew an okapi knife and demanded money.

“He tripped the old woman and raped her. He took her cellphone and force marched her into a house which is still under construction before raping her for the second time.”—@MondelaC.

Nyaradzo Bakari, Chronicle Reporter
A 21-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man who stole laptops and phones from National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and Hillside Teachers’ college students has been sentenced to 26 months in jail.

Lloyd Hurukuru from Woodlands suburb targeted three students residing in Selbourne Park and another one who lives at Hillside Teachers’ college hostels.

Hurukuru gained entry into his victims’ premises through windows and stole three laptops, a phone and two bicycles worth $1 240. Hurukuru appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Franklin Mkhwananzi charged with theft and three counts of unlawful entry last Friday.

The magistrate sentenced him to 26 months imprisonment, and conditionally suspended 11 months.

“Count one to three will be treated as one for sentencing. I sentence you to 24 months, six months suspended for four years on condition that you do not commit an offence with dishonesty or unlawful entry within that period,” said the magistrate.

“A further three months is suspended on condition that you restitute Mr Lesson January the sum of $90 before December 29.”

The magistrate further gave Hurukuru a two months sentence for theft and suspended it on condition that he restitutes one of the students, Mr Munyaradzi Mupondi $40.

Prosecuting, Mr Taurai Hondoyemoto said Hurukuru stole from four students between August 13 and September 19.

Mr Hondoyemoto said Hurukuru stole from three Nust students who live in Selbourne Park suburb and from a Hillside Teachers’ College student who resides at the institution.

The court heard that Hurukuru stole property worth $1 240 and property worth $1 110 was recovered.—@NyarieBakie

Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
AN HIV positive man heaved a sigh of relief after the High Court reduced his 10-year sentence to two years for allegedly infecting his partner with the virus.

Nevison Mpofu (39) filed an appeal at the High Court against both conviction and sentence.

Mpofu was jailed for 13 years by the Bulawayo Regional Court. Three years were suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence.

Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Nicholas Mathonsi, sitting with Justice Maxwell Takuva, dismissed the appeal against conviction, but upheld the appeal against the sentence.

“Having regard to all those factors, the sentence imposed induces a sense of shock and calls for interference by this court especially as it is a fact that the appellant is now living with HIV.

“A lengthy prison term is therefore undesirable in those circumstances. The applicant needs to manage his condition clinically and subjecting him to a lengthy term serves no purpose,” said the judges.

“The sentence of the court a quo (lower court) is hereby set aside and in its place is substituted with a sentence of five years, of which three years imprisonment is suspended for five years on condition the appellant does not within that period commit any offence involving deliberately transmitting HIV for which upon conviction he is sentenced to imprisonment without the option of a fine.”

Mr Lizwe Jamela from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights representing Mpofu argued that mitigating factors outweighed aggravatory ones.

“The penal provision imposes a maximum prison sentence of 20 years even where there has been transmission of HIV. In this matter there was no transmission given that the complainant was HIV negative The appellant even requested a postponement of sentencing to cater for the window period but that was not given,” argued Mr Jamela.

He said his client was a first offender and had pleaded guilty and should have benefited from the guilty plea.Justice Mathonsi said he agreed with Mr Jamela that owing to modern medical developments in the world, HIV is now manageable and no longer poses the same scary risk that it did in the past.
Mpofu, a security guard with Umguza Rural District Council, was charged with deliberately transmitting HIV.

The court heard that on October 26 last year, Mpofu intentionally had unprotected sexual intercourse with the complainant who is HIV negative, while aware that he was HIV positive, thereby exposing his partner to the virus.

Prior to that, his partner had on various accounts asked Mpofu that they must go to the New Start Centre for testing and he kept dodging.

“The following day, the complainant accompanied Mpofu to Erenkini long distance bus terminus where she asked to search his bag and discovered ARV pills. Upon questioning him, he told her that the pills belonged to his uncle who was in Nkayi,” read the papers.

The woman immediately made a report to the police leading to his arrest.Mpofu appealed against both the conviction and sentence.

In respect of conviction, Mpofu argued that the court did not properly explain the charge to him as an unrepresented person.

He said the sentence imposed after having pleaded guilty was so severe as to induce a sense of shock.

Mr Thompson Hove appeared for the State.@AuxiliaK

Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
THE University of Zimbabwe has heeded calls by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces that educational activities must continue and reversed its decision to close the institution and postpone examinations.

University authourities announced on Monday that they were ending the semester a week earlier following demonstrations by students pushing for the resignation of both President Mugabe and the UZ Vice Chancellor Professor Levi Nyagura.

The students said they were, among other things, tired of corruption at the university, including the alleged award of a “dubious” a doctor in philosophy degree (PhD) to First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe in 2014.

In a statement yesterday, the institution advised students that examinations that it had postponed to January next year in an announcement on Monday, would proceed tomorrow following assurances by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.

UZ registrar Dr Noah Mutongoreni said students must ignore Monday’s statement postponing the examinations.

“Consequent to the Statement by the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces yesterday (Monday 20 November 2017) during the 8PM prime time news , all students are being advised that examinations have been rescheduled to commence on Thursday 23 November at 9AM at the current planned venues.

“We are urging all students to observe the directive by the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to be calm and to proceed with their educational programmes as scheduled. Students in residence should continue their stay on campus,” said Dr Mutongoreni.

In his statement on Monday night, ZDF Commander General Constantino Chiwenga urged members of political parties including from the ruling Zanu-PF, war veterans, students and the general public to refrain from any actions or activities that would threaten peace, life and property.

Gen Chiwenga also said educational programmes must continue as scheduled.

“Students at the country’s various institutions are encouraged to be calm and to proceed with their educational programmes as scheduled. They need to remember that one day of education lost is difficult to recover,” said Gen Chiwenga.

Former UZ students’ council secretary-general Mr Chrispen Mahachi, who led Monday’s protests, said they wanted Prof Nyagura to resign because he awarded Dr Mugabe a PhD within three months, in an act he said devalues the standards of the institution.

“This is clearly a student’s agenda as you can see our motive as students is to send a message that we are tired. Levi Nyagura must resign for donating a PhD to (First Lady) Grace Mugabe,” he said.

“Our learning standards as UZ continue to deteriorate and we have moved from number 41 on the international ranking to a three-digit number, which is totally unacceptable.” – @AuxiliaK

Sylvester Chiramba, Court Reporter
THREE Bulawayo men have been arrested for allegedly stealing property worth $5 600 in Cowdray Park suburb.

Nyasha Mahlupa (25), Privilege Mapuka (21) and Nkosenhle Ncube (20), all from Cowdray Park suburb, appeared before Western                                          Commonage magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube facing a theft charge.

The court heard that Mapuka and Mahlupa and the complainant Mr Butholenkosi Siwela are tenants at the same house.

Mr Siwela allegedly left his property under Ncube’s custody and he stole it together with the other two suspects.

Ncube, Mapuka and Mahlupa pleaded not guilty to the charge. They applied for bail with Mahlupa telling the magistrate that he was a breadwinner.

“I have a family that I provide for and it is impossible for me to do that if I am remanded in custody,” said Mahlupa.

The State represented by Mr Petros Shoko opposed the bail application on the grounds that two of the accused lived at the same house with the complainant.

“Mapuka and Mahlupa stay at the same house with the complainant and there is a risk that they might interfere with state witnesses and the investigation,” he said.

However, the magistrate granted them free bail on condition that they do not interfere with witnesses or the investigation.

They will appear again in court on December 4 for trial.

Mr Shoko told the court that on September 25, Siwela left his property under the custody of Ncube who later invited Mapuka and Mahlupa to stay with him.

“The three accused persons took advantage of the complainant’s absence and stole property worth $5 600 among which were gas bottles, a television set, two DVD recorders, a four plate stove and some cellphones,” he said .

The property stolen is valued at $5 600 and nothing was recovered.—@SlyCee10.

Brigadier General Augustine Chipwere

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
SOLDIERS must appreciate the history of the country and where it is headed so that they remain focused, the Commander of Mzilikazi Barracks (formerly 1 Infantry Brigade), Brigadier General Augustine Chipwere said yesterday.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony he said it is important for soldiers to know where the country is coming from, where it is and where it is headed.

Brig Gen Chipwere said he was confident that their studies gave them an insight into the politico-socio-economic environment in which they operate.

“It is also prudent that you understand the history, trials and tribulations of Zimbabwe. For you to be where you are today, to enjoy the peace that you are enjoying today, there are sons and daughters of this country who sacrificed blood and limbs for the freedom of this country from colonial bondage,” he said.

Brig Gen Chipwere also said it was important for soldiers to upgrade their education.

He also said it is only through civic military relations education programmes that a strong spirit of nationalism, patriotism and loyalty can be inculcated into the Zimbabwe National Army.

“Learning is a continuous process and I encourage you to continue to push the boundaries for further development and creative potential as far as you can. Your respective units are therefore looking forward to the return of more enlightened members, ready to implement the newly acquired knowledge and skills. This is your opportunity to prove your worth and to be recognised as valuable assets of your respective units,” said Brig Gen Chipwere. — @nqotshili

Nonsikelelo Moyo, Chronicle Reporter
TWO men who were accused of killing 13 elephants by poisoning them using cyanide in Jambezi were yesterday acquitted after the magistrate said police failed to conduct thorough investigations before arresting them.

Zwelitsha Tshuma (37) from Jambezi and Sitshuwade Msipa (47) from Jabula village outside Victoria Falls were arrested last month.

Victoria Falls magistrate Ms Lindiwe Maphosa yesterday set the duo free saying police did not do proper investigations before arresting them.

“Police didn’t do proper investigations, it boggles the mind as to why they didn’t search the homes of accused persons. It doesn’t make sense why they’d search a witness’ home and then go on to arrest the two accused based on what a witness had told them,” said Ms Maphosa.

She said police had also relied on evidence that was forced out of witnesses.

“Eight suspects were initially arrested but only these two remained because of evidence forced out of Gift Tshuma which isn’t sustainable in court.

Thorough investigations ought to have been done. I therefore find accused persons not guilty,” said the magistrate.

The duo, had through their lawyer Mr Thulani Nkala of Dube and Company, pleaded not guilty to charges of using a toxic substance on the environment.

Prosecuting, Mr Takunda Ndovorwi had said Tshuma, Msipa and Shepard Siwela who is on the run, poisoned the elephants using orange peels mixed with cyanide.

“Between 5 and 12 October at Masikili Communal Lands, Nywenywe Springs in Jambezi, Tshuma, Msipa and Shepard Siwela who is still at large acting in common purpose discharged cyanide granules mixed with orange peels into the environment,” said the prosecutor.—@nonsy_m

Simon Khaya Moyo

Felex Share and Farirai Machivenyika, Harare Bureau
Zanu-PF yesterday welcomed the resignation of President Mugabe saying he had overstayed in his position as leader of the country.

Zanu-PF spokesperson Cde Simon Khaya Moyo said the former Zanu-PF President and First Secretary deserved a rest.

He, however, said Zimbabweans should acknowledge his immense contribution to the development of the country before and after independence.

“The resignation of President Mugabe from office today (yesterday) is a very welcome development,” Cde Khaya Moyo said.

“The writing was on the wall as evidenced by events of the last few days starting with the intervention by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) and culminating in the impeachment process by Parliament which was to conclude latest tomorrow (today).”

He decried President Mugabe’s decision to wine and dine with criminals.

“He had indeed overstayed the hospitality of the people of Zimbabwe. Worse still, he surrounded himself with people of criminal conduct, primitive and disrespectful attributes,” Cde Khaya Moyo said.

“We must however acknowledge that he did so much for the liberation of Zimbabwe and indeed as Prime Minister and President post-independence. He deserves to rest and I believe every Zimbabwean agrees with this position.”

He added: “Our focus should now be to solidify unity, promote peace and proceed with the development agenda for the economic emancipation of our people. The future is indeed in the people’s hands and their aspirations must be met at all times. We wish him well.”

Zanu-PF chief-whip Cde Lovemore Matuke said Cde Mugabe had saved his reputation by resigning.

“I think the people were determined to remove the President from the Office of the President and now that he has tendered his resignation, he has also saved his face,” said Cde Matuke.

“He is a man who did a lot for the country and needed to rest and also be an advisor to the party.

He is an important character for the party. We are excited that the President has made a voluntary decision to retire and we hope that the nation will move forward,” said Cde Matuke.

“We got people in the structures. In the Central Committee we appointed Emmerson Mnangagwa to be President and I think he will be endorsed as the President of the country and will pick up from where President Mugabe left off. We have a strong feeling that he will improve the country. Very soon we are going to meet as Zanu-PF at party level to discuss the future and the Attorney-General will intervene and take his post as the AG to ensure that business of the day as Government continues.”

Other reports indicated Cde Mnangagwa was set to assume power in the next 48 hours.

Former Zanu-PF Women’s League political commissar Cde Mabel Chinomona said: “This is unbelievable. As women we had been embarrassed (by Grace Mugabe) and the Women’s League which was a darling of many had become a death trap. We lost a lot of cadres in the top 10 because of her. The Women’s League is now beginning to function and we expect the incoming President to look after women. People would go and kneel before Grace and we were disappointed but now kwakutongakwaro gamba.”

Zimbabwe Chiefs Council president Chief Fortune Charumbira said the decision by the President to resign was commendable.

“What he has done is commendable and was the honourable thing to do,” he said.

“It is unfortunate that he had to leave this way given his illustrious history but he was failing to rein in his wife who had taken a habit of humiliating grown men in public. That is unacceptable in our culture. We hope that the next President is going to restore that dignity to the country and its leadership that had been lost because of President Mugabe’s wife.”

Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association Secretary General Cde Victor Matemadanda said it was time for the country to unite and move forward.

“What we now need is for all of us to unite and rebuild our country now that he has decided to resign. We hope that what has happened is a lesson to future leaders that you do not take people for granted because your power resides in them,” he said.

Zimbabwe Liberation War Collaborators vice chairperson Cde Josephine Gandiya said: “We are happy and commend the ZDF for liberating us. We are now in a new era and we hope for the best. Grace is the one who authored President Mugabe’s end and to us she is the Delilah of Zimbabwe. We now expect the country to move forward.”

Gen Constantino Guveya Nyikadzino Chiwenga

Tendai Mugabe, Harare Bureau
Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantino Guveya Nyikadzino Chiwenga yesterday urged Zimbabweans to observe law and order saying any acts of vengeful retribution following the resignation of Cde Mugabe would be dealt with severely.

Cde Mugabe yesterday tendered his resignation letter to the Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda in accordance with the Constitution.

Addressing journalists at the Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks (formerly KG VI) last night, General Chiwenga said people should exercise maximum restraint.

“Against the backdrop of the latest developments in our country, your defence and security services would want to appeal to all Zimbabweans across the political divide to exercise maximum restraint and observe law and order to the fullest,” he said.

“Our vaunted character and tradition as a peaceful and law abiding nation must now show in practical terms through unconditional observance of the law,” he said.

“The country’s security forces and law enforcement agencies will be out in full force to ensure that law and order is observed, life, limb and property are secured. Acts of vengeful retribution or trying to settle scores will be dealt with severely. Religious organisations across denominations are encouraged to pray for peace and stability in our country.

“In the same vein, students are encouraged to be well-behaved and concentrate on their studies. We further appeal to everyone to avoid abuse of the social media or any other platforms to inflame feelings or incite public disorder in the country.

“We also urge the business community to go about their normal operations as always. The defence and security services expect maximum cooperation from all members of the public who must observe the country’s laws to the fullest.”

Gen Chiwenga’s update to the nation was part of the operation code-named “Operation Restore Legacy” which saw the military intervening to end national destabilisation orchestrated by a coterie of criminals that had surrounded President Mugabe.

The operation saw a marathon of meetings between President Mugabe and the military generals.

Negotiations between President Mugabe and the command element were brokered by respected Roman Catholic priest Father Fidelis Mukonori.

The other members of the mediation team were the Acting Director-General of the Central Intelligence Organisation, Cde Aaron Nhepera, and the Presidential Press Secretary Cde George Charamba, who is also the Secretary for Media, Information and Broadcasting Services.

In a televised State of the Nation Address at State House on Sunday, Cde Mugabe conceded that there was a crisis in the country and concerns raised by the ZDF and citizens relating to the state of the economy were genuine.

He said Zimbabwe would chart a new path aimed at restoring normalcy.

He also conceded that Zanu-PF was facing challenges that required attention and these would be dealt with at the forthcoming Extraordinary Congress scheduled for the week December 12-17, 2017.

It is understood that several senior Government officials whom the military fingered as criminals, were taken into custody while several others are on the   run.

The ZDF said the criminals were causing social and economic suffering in Zimbabwe.

Emmerson Mnangagwa

Nduduzo Tshuma, Political Editor
CDE Emmerson Mnangagwa, likely to be nominated for the position of president today, is looking forward to returning home to join the struggle for national economic revival.

In a statement yesterday morning, Cde Mnangagwa, who was  sacked as the country’s Vice President and Zanu-PF second secretary recently, called on Cde Mugabe to heed calls by Zimbabweans for him to step down.

Cde Mugabe later in the day resigned as Head of State following pressure for him to step down by the ruling party, war veterans, students and the multitude of Zimbabweans who staged a march at the weekend.

Cde Mnangagwa, who has since been retained by Zanu-PF which also endorsed him to take over as President of party and country, skipped the country soon after his expulsion upon being advised that his security was under threat. “As promised in my last communication I will be returning home as soon as the right conditions for security and stability prevail.

“I look forward to returning home soon and to join in the struggle for the economic revival of our country which is so endowed with Agriculture, Industrial and Commerce, and Mining opportunities and with rich human resource bedrock to support our endeavours,” said Cde Mnangagwa.

“My desire is to join all Zimbabweans in a new era where corruption, incompetency, dereliction of duty and laziness, social and cultural decadency is not tolerated. In that new Zimbabwe it is important for everyone to join hands so that we rebuild this nation to its full glory, this is not a job for Zanu-PF alone but for all people of Zimbabwe.”

Cde Mnangagwa said he would only return home, once his safety was guaranteed following threats to his life after he was sacked as Vice President of the country two weeks ago.  “I can confirm that President Robert Gabriel Mugabe made contact with me and invited me to return home for a discussion on the current political events in the nation. I told the President that I would not return home now until I am satisfied of my personal security, because of the manner and treatment given to me upon being fired,” said Cde Mnangagwa.

“Given the events that followed my dismissal on Monday 6 November 2017 at 4.00pm, my security details assigned to me and at my residency were immediately withdrawn. This was contrary to all the protocols that have existed in Zimbabwe to former State Vice Presidents of the Republic of Zimbabwe.

“Security personnel, who are friendly to me, warned me that plans were afoot to eliminate me once arrested and taken to a police station. It was in my security interest to leave the country immediately.”

Cde Mnangagwa said he also told Cde Mugabe that he had an option of cooperating with the uniformed forces and the party and the people and preserve his legacy or risk suffering humiliation from the people.

“He (Cde Mugabe) requested me to come to State House, and I replied that l was out of the country, and that he had already removed my status as the vice president of the country, as such I had no status, however, I can only come at the invitation of my colleagues in the party and of the defence forces, when they feel that my security is guaranteed,” he said.

Cde Mnangagwa said Zimbabweans had been very clear on their expression of their lack of confidence in Cde Mugabe. He hailed the Operation Restore Legacy by the Zimbabwe Defence and Security Services which he said was aimed at preserving the ethos of the country’s liberation struggle against British colonialism which was led by the late Dr Joshua Nkomo, Cde Mugabe among others.

“The legacy or our struggle to unite the land with the people and the people with their land championed by our war veterans and our people defended by the gallant fighters of the Defence Forces, Civil Servants, The Judiciary and our Government can be saved if His Excellency chooses to do the right thing,” he said.

 Walter Mswazie,  Masvingo Correspondent
MASVINGO City Council has secured a $300 000 loan from a local bank to buy a refuse truck as well as eight vehicles for municipal police.

The local authority recently said operations of its municipal police are being hindered by lack of transport while an additional refuse truck will also improve service delivery.

Masvingo Mayor Councillor Hubert Fidze said the municipal police department is operating with only one vehicle and two refuse trucks.

“We have resolved to buy eight BAIC Pick Up trucks from Willovale Mazda Motor Industries for use by our municipal police. We are also going to invite tenders for the supply and delivery of a brand new refuse truck soon and we are looking forward to spending about $300 000,” said Clr Fidze.

He said they had negotiated for a loan from a local bank, which he did not name.

The city’s treasurer Mrs Thandiwe Dube said the State Procurement Board had already given the council authority to buy directly from Willovale Mazda Motor Industries.

He said the council was now waiting for the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to allocate it foreign currency to use in assembling the cars.

“However, it was reported that the supplier, Willovale Mazda Motor Industries (Pvt) Limited had not yet received the required foreign currency from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. This also applies to the supply of the vehicles of conditions of service for deputy heads of departments,” said Mrs Dube.

Masvingo City Council attracted the ire of residents, when the local authority recently splashed about $500 000 on senior managers’ state of the art BT50 vehicles.

The residents argued that the cash strapped local authority was giving priority to “flamboyance” ahead of service delivery. —@walterbmswazie3

Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Court Reporter
THE High Court has rejected an appeal against conviction and sentence by a Victoria Falls teacher serving an effective eight years in jail for sneaking into his tenant’s 15-year-old epileptic daughter’s bedroom and raping her while she was unconscious.

A drunken Dennis Mazarira (41) fell asleep on top of the girl after the sex attack. The girl had fallen unconscious after a seizure.

Mazarira was found naked inside the complainant’s bedroom after the girl managed to escape and locked the door from outside before alerting neighbours.

Mazarira was last year convicted of rape by Hwange regional magistrate Ms Dambudzo Malunga and sentenced to 10 years in jail of which two years were conditionally suspended for five years.

Mazarira, through his lawyers Kanoti and Partners, filed the application at the Bulawayo High Court citing the State as the respondent.

In his grounds of appeal, Mazarira argued that the lower court erred by disregarding inconsistencies in the testimony of the complainant.

He further argued that the magistrate overlooked the fact that the complainant did not report to anyone that she had been raped since her aunt was very drunk.

In dismissing the application, Justice Nicholas Mathonsi sitting with Justice Maxwell Takuva during the appeal in court, ruled that the criticism that the complainant’s testimony was riddled with inconsistencies lacked merit.

The judge said the sentence was actually lenient.

“The appellant (Mazarira) must consider himself extremely lucky that he was given an effective eight years. He displayed deceitfulness of the highest order when he drank beer with complainant’s father before leaving him at the beer outlet to go and prey on his daughter,” said Justice Mathonsi.

He said Mazarira’s conduct was deplorable and callous.

“He took advantage of the girl’s medical condition and strong medication she had taken to attack her in the most callous manner that he would not be detected. Sexual perverts who target young girls the way appellant did should not expect the courts to treat them with kid’s gloves,” said Justice Mathonsi.

He said the courts have a duty to protect children against predatory instincts of rapists by imposing harsh sentences.

“There is no place for such people with predatory instincts in our civilised society. In the result, the appeal is hereby dismissed in its entirety,” ruled the judge.

The facts of the matter are that on August 31 in 2016 at 9PM, Mazarira sneaked into the girl’s room. The complainant had taken epileptic tablets and was feeling dizzy at that moment.

He stripped her naked and raped her. The girl woke up and discovered Mazarira in the act of raping her. She jumped off and ran out of the room before locking the door from outside. She informed their neighbours about the rape.

The neighbours came and found Mazarira naked. A report was made to the police leading to Mazarira’s arrest. The girl was medically examined by doctors who observed a tear on her private parts, a stretched hymen indicating that there was penetration.

Mazarira had earlier taken the girl’s father- who is his tenant- for a drink at Chinotimba Old Bar.

He left him in a drunken stupor at the drinking hole and went home to rape the girl.

Mazarira made headlines in 2015 when his wife hit him with a stone, almost crushing his privates, after accusing him of infidelity.

The ‘controversial’ teacher was also early last year forced to transfer from a school in Victoria Falls to Chisuma on the outskirts of the resort town after fighting with a headmaster. — @mashnets.

Mkhululi Ncube, Chronicle Reporter
THE Seventh-day Adventist Church in Zimbabwe has reorganised its operations, a move that it says will result in increased developmental projects that include the building of schools and dams.

The church, which previously had one national office, has established two more offices in Gweru and Harare.

SDA Church leader in the southern African region known as the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division (SID), Dr Solomon Maphosa, a Zimbabwean national, told The Chronicle that the latest move will help the church pursue various developmental projects to improve its impact in communities.

“We had one national office which supervised the work of the church in the entire country, but our membership has ballooned to one million, which is too big for effective administration,” said Dr Maphosa.

“We want to encourage development; we want to build more schools, drill boreholes, construct dams and teach our health message, which will assist people live better lives to avoid non-communicable diseases.”

The move by the SDA to divide its national office into three regional offices was arrived at after the church’s membership grew to over one million.

The new structure of the church will see churches in the Matabeleland and Bulawayo provinces falling under the Zimbabwe West Union Conference to be led by Dr Micah Choga, the Central Zimbabwe Union Conference under Pastor Etwel Tapera and the Zimbabwe East Union Conference headed by Pastor Godfrey Musara.

Dr Maphosa said the SDA Church in Zimbabwe is the second biggest in the SID after Zambia, but could have had the largest membership had many members not left the country for greener pastures since the turn of the millennium.

The SID executive secretary Pastor Gideon Reyneke said the realignment of the church in Zimbabwe was a significant move that should be celebrated.
“Everyone in this country will be impacted by this realignment. But this is not only for Zimbabwe, it will be an inspiration to other SDA churches in the region. Zimbabwe has set a huge example that will motivate other churches to work hard also,” Pastor Reyneke said.

The SDA Church started operating in Zimbabwe in 1894 at Solusi Mission and runs a number of educational institutions. — @themkhust_ncube

Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
GOVERNMENT has asked potential investors interested in partnering it in the Ekusileni Hospital project to submit their proposals indicating how they intend to run the institution.

Nine prospective investors have been shortlisted to take over Ekusileni Hospital.

Matabeleland North provincial medical director Dr Nyasha Masuku who chairs the committee tasked to work towards re-opening the institution, said they were sending the ‘request for proposal document’ to potential investors who met the requirements.

“We are in the process of sending a request for proposal to those shortlisted investors so that they indicate how they intend to run the hospital.

The submitted proposals which are like a bid, will then be used for adjudication guided by the State Procurement Board regulations and the Joint Venture Partnership mandate,” said Dr Masuka.

He said the committee was working hard to ensure that the process goes on smoothly.

“This is what I have been trying to explain to people so that they appreciate that this has never been done before. It’s a process that involves multiple stages of doing things,” he said.

Dr Masuku said potential investors would go for interviews afterwards.

“So when they submit those proposals they would be interviewed one by one to explain how they are going to do it. If they have done it before they can demonstrate through other reports.

Once it’s done it would go for final adjudication process with the investment committee and it might even go to Cabinet because these are Joint Venture partnerships,” said Dr Masuka.

The process follows the Ministry of Health and Child Care decision last year to constitute a committee chaired by Dr Masuka tasked to identify a partner to enable the hospital to open to the public.

The hospital was built in 2001, operated for a few months and was subsequently shut down after it was discovered that the acquired equipment, worth millions of dollars, was obsolete. — @AuxiliaK

Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
MIDLANDS State University (MSU) has postponed its 2017 graduation ceremony which had been scheduled for tomorrow.

The postponement follows Cde Mugabe’s resignation on Tuesday and the expected inauguration of Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa as the new President tomorrow.

The President, who is the chancellor of all State Universities, officiates at graduation ceremonies.

In a statement posted on its website, MSU said the graduation ceremony will be held on a date to be advised.

“Midlands State University wishes to advise its valued stakeholders that due to circumstances beyond its control, the graduation ceremony which was scheduled for the 24th of November 2017 has been postponed to a date to be advised,” reads the notice.

The university said graduands and guests who have already received invitation cards should keep them.

“The University regrets any inconvenience caused,” read the notice.

Cde Mugabe last Friday officiated at the Zimbabwe Open University Graduation ceremony, the last public event he presided over as head of State. — @AuxiliaK.